Northern District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Rensselaer Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Pandemic-Related FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Hector J. Sanchez, age 30, of Rensselaer, New York, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for defrauding pandemic-related unemployment insurance and small business loan programs.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); and Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his prior guilty plea, Sanchez admitted to making false unemployment insurance claims to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) using the identifying information of other people and personally receiving $131,560 in pandemic-related benefits. He also admitted to obtaining a $12,500 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for a non-existent car wash business. Sanchez agreed to pay restitution to NYSDOL and the PPP lender.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino ordered Sanchez’s federal sentence to be served consecutive to undischarged New York State terms of imprisonment for separate firearms and narcotics offenses. Judge D’Agostino also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, to begin after Sanchez is released from prison.
The case was investigated by USPIS, USDOL-OIG, and HSI, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations and the Albany Police Department. The case was 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.
Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Pandemic-Related Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Melvin Ansong, age 26, of Corona, New York, pled guilty today to mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud in connection with schemes in which he obtained more than $190,000 in unemployment insurance benefits and government-backed loans meant to provide relief from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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); and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
In pleading guilty, Ansong admitted that he fraudulently obtained $165,182 in unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) in the names of 13 other people and an additional $18,480 in benefits from the Arizona Department of Economic Security in the name of another individual. Ansong further admitted that he fraudulently obtained an $8,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) by claiming that he owned a pet grooming company when in fact no such company existed.
As part of his plea agreement, Ansong agreed to pay restitution in the amounts of $165,182 to the State of New York, $18,480 to the State of Arizona, and $8,000 to the SBA.
The mail and wire fraud convictions each 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 aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. Ansong is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28, 2022 by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. 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, USPIS, and HSI, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office and the NYSDOL’s Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping 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.
Albany Felon Sentenced to 162 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tyler Purvis-Mitchell, age 28, of Albany, was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for possessing and intending to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills in the city of Albany.
Purvis-Mitchell, who was on federal supervised release at the time of his offense, was sentenced to an additional 12 months in prison, to be served consecutively, for violations of his release conditions, including for his reckless flight from members of the Albany Police Department (APD).
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 APD Chief Eric Hawkins.
Purvis-Mitchell was convicted after a jury trial in December 2021. The evidence at trial established that on May 7, 2020, Purvis-Mitchell possessed with the intent to distribute more than 125 pills containing methamphetamine and weighing over 50 grams, in his residence and his vehicle. The jury voted to acquit Purvis-Mitchell of two felony charges for possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered that Purvis-Mitchell serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
This case was investigated by APD and ATF with assistance provided by the New York State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emmet J. O’Hanlon and Alexander Wentworth-Ping.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
St. Lawrence County Woman Sentenced to 84 Months for Methamphetamine ConvictionRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Megan Perkins, age 33, of Ogdensburg, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison for possessing and distributing methamphetamine.
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).
In pleading guilty, Perkins admitted to traveling to Akron, Ohio, where she acquired bulk quantities of methamphetamine. Perkins would then return to St. Lawrence County to distribute the methamphetamine to local drug users.
Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd also ordered that Perkins serve a 4-year term of supervised release following her release from prison.
This case was investigated by HSI, the Massena Police Department, and the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Stitt.
Saratoga County Sex Offender Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Zachary L. Duchesne, age 27, of Stillwater, New York, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for transporting and possessing child pornography.
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).
In previously pleading guilty, Duchesne admitted to using a Dropbox account to store, possess and view images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, between December 26, 2017 and June 23, 2019. He admitted to periodically transferring child pornography videos into his Dropbox account, and to using the stored child pornography as a form of “currency” to trade with other people.
Duchesne has been in custody since his arrest on July 15, 2020, and has a prior state conviction relating to the possession of child pornography.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-term of post-imprisonment supervised release, and ordered Duchesne to pay $36,000 in restitution to victims whose abuse was depicted in the images that he possessed. Duchesne will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by HSI, with assistance from the Stillwater Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. 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), 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.
Newburgh Man Sentenced to 48 Months for Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Marlon Lainez-Velasquez, age 48, of Newburgh, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 48 months in prison for 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.
In pleading guilty, Lainez-Velasquez admitted that in May 2021, he traveled to the border in Burke, New York, where he assisted in smuggling five Vietnamese nationals from Canada and into the United States for profit.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino ordered that Lainez-Velasquez serve his federal term of imprisonment after he finishes serving an unrelated 6-year state term of imprisonment for sex abuse.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol, Burke Station, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Stitt.
Schenectady Felon Sentenced to 70 Months for Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Heroin and for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Ralph St. Croix, a.k.a. “Stretch,” age 39, most recently of Schenectady, New York, formerly of Long Island, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for distributing heroin laced with fentanyl, and for possessing two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
In pleading guilty, St. Croix, a previously convicted felon, admitted to selling fentanyl-laced heroin to another person on three occasions in December 2020 at his apartment on Eastern Avenue in Schenectady. St. Croix further admitted to possessing, in his apartment, a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, in order to guard against the potential theft of his drugs and drug proceeds.
Senior United States Senior District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also ordered that St. Croix serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
This case was investigated by ATF and NYSP with assistance provided by the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Saratoga Woman Indicted for Theft and Misappropriation of Funds as the Fiduciary of a VeteranRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – JoAnne Natalie, age 64, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was indicted earlier this month for misappropriating the funds of a veteran declared legally incompetent, 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 Natalie 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 $50,174.42, 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.
Natalie was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and released pending a trial scheduled before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
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 Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.
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.
Former Utica Police Officer Sentenced for Using Excessive ForceRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Matthew Felitto, age 27, of Utica, New York, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Syracuse after previously pleading guilty to violating the constitutionally protected right of an arrestee to be free from excessive force by a law enforcement officer. 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 previously, Felitto admitted that while working as a police officer for the Utica Police Department in September 2020, he arrived on the scene of an arrest to assist in transporting the arrested individual to the station. The arrestee was handcuffed behind his back and in leg shackles when Felitto arrived because he had been refusing to comply with the commands of other officers already on-scene. Felitto helped those officers place the arrestee in the back of a police van. Once the arrestee was lying on the floor of the van face up and restrained, Felitto kicked him several times in the face and upper chest while wearing work boots. The kicks were without legal justification and were made with sufficient force to cause the arrestee pain and a bruised and swollen lip.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby sentenced Felitto to a term of probation of 2 years and a fine of $7,500. Felitto will be required to perform 100 hours of community service during his probation term. As a convicted felon, Felitto will be prohibited under federal law from owning or possessing a firearm. Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement Felitto has resigned from the Utica Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Michael F. Perry with the assistance of the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice.
Former School Bus Driver Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Frederick J. Haresign, age 63, of Oswego, New York was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison to be followed by 20 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography. Haresign also will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Haresign, a former school bus driver, admitted that, in 2017, he provided a minor child who rode on his bus with nicotine and other gifts in exchange for the child creating sexually explicit images and videos and providing those images and videos to Haresign. Haresign admitted that he possessed those images and videos in 2017 so that he could view them.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New York State Police: Fulton Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and Troop D Computer Crimes Unit and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian in coordination with the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Washington County Man Sentenced for Possessing Destructive Devices and Other FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Day, age 35, of Argyle, New York, was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for unlawful possession of destructive devices, firearms and ammunition.
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, Day admitted to possessing the component parts necessary to assemble and create three homemade, improvised explosive devices at his residence in Argyle on August 5, 2021. Day also admitted to possessing other firearms and ammunition at his residence, including a submachinegun, a sawed-off shotgun, and a 3D-printed pistol without a serial number. None of the firearms were registered to Day as required by federal law, and Day had a prior felony conviction that prevented him from possessing the firearms and ammunition. As part of his plea agreement, Day agreed to abandon and forfeit all the bomb-making materials and chemicals, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition found at his residence.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Day to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his prison sentence.
This case was investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes members of the FBI and New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Wentworth-Ping and Richard Belliss.
Two Miami-Area Men Sentenced in Connection with Nationwide Gas Station Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Hugo Hernandez, age 35, of Miami Lakes, Florida, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for his roles in an access device fraud conspiracy and a money laundering conspiracy. Marlon Palacios, age 38, of Cape Coral, Florida, was sentenced today to four months in jail for his role in an access device fraud conspiracy and for committing aggravated identity theft. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
As part of his guilty plea on October 22, 2021, Hernandez admitted that between December 2015 and July 2019, he conspired with others to commit access device fraud by building skimming devices designed to steal gas station customer information, installing those devices inside gas pumps in Albany, Broome, and Montgomery Counties, and elsewhere, and then using the information collected by those devices to create fraudulent credit and debit cards. The fraudulent cards were used to obtain money orders, gift cards, cash, and other things of value. Hernandez also admitted to being part of a conspiracy to launder funds obtained through the access device fraud conspiracy, and, in facilitating that conspiracy, causing at least 162 money orders, worth $173,257, to be deposited into a bank account he controlled. As part of his plea agreement, Hernandez agreed to be subject to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $173,257.
As part of his guilty plea on April 14, 2021, Palacios admitted to being a part of the same access device fraud conspiracy described above. Palacios also admitted to committing aggravated identity theft by sending or receiving e-mails that contained debit and credit card account information of victims who had had their card data skimmed and stolen by members of the access device fraud conspiracy. As part of his plea agreement, Palacios agreed to be subject to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $25,000.
Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also imposed a three-year term of supervised release on Hernandez to follow his term of incarceration, and a one-year term of supervised release on Palacios to follow his term of incarceration.
This case was investigated by the FBI Albany Field Office and USPIS Boston Division, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in Miami and Pittsburgh, the USPIS Miami Division, and the United States Secret Service Miami Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.
Troy Man Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - John R. Paeglow III, age 65, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to three years of supervised release, and to perform 100 hours of community service, in connection with a scheme to defraud a commercial finance company that provided receipt factoring services to his former book printing business.
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); and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Paeglow admitted that, between October and December 2014, he fraudulently solicited and received over $400,000 on behalf of his now-closed Castleton, New York-based book printing business Integrated Book Technology, Inc./Hamilton Printing (“IBT/Hamilton”), by orchestrating the submission of fraudulent invoices and forged shipping documents to a New Jersey-based commercial finance company in order to obtain the funds in exchange for the sale of books that, in fact, had not been sold or shipped.
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also ordered Paeglow to pay restitution of $220,000 to the victim finance company, and a further $11,410 to reimburse the union that represented the IBT/Hamilton employees whose health care premiums Paeglow was also charged with embezzling.
This case was jointly investigated by U.S. DoL-OIG and the NYSP Financial Crimes Unit, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O’Hanlon.
Syracuse Entrepreneur Sentenced to Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dean Whittles, age 61, formerly of Syracuse, was sentenced today in federal court in Utica to 2 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to one felony count of willfully failing to pay federal payroll taxes, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.
From 2016 through 2019, Whittles was the sole owner of multiple businesses in and around Syracuse, New York: DJ’s on the Hill and DJ’s on the Boulevard; the 317 Corporation (restaurant); and Dejon’s Hair Design, with salons in Cicero, Westvale and Skaneateles. Whittles no longer owns or operates any of the businesses at issue and recently moved to Tucson, Arizona.
In pleading guilty, Whittles admitted that he failed to make payroll tax payments to the government with respect to his employees, including for Social Security and Medicare taxes, even though he withheld such taxes from his employees’ paychecks. Instead, he used the money withheld from employees to pay for business and personal expenses. As revealed at sentencing, his personal expenditures with the money he withheld from the IRS included three luxury vehicles, a condominium in Arizona, and several international vacations. In total, Whittles failed to pay approximately $617,843 in payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service between 2016 and 2019.
As part of the sentence, United States District Judge David N. Hurd ordered Whittles to serve 3 years on supervised release after he completes his two-year term of imprisonment; to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $617,843; and to pay a fine of $10,000.
This case was investigated by IRS-CI, and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Beaty.
Rensselaer County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brian Botsford, age 26, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to attempting to coerce and entice a 13-year-old 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).
As part of his guilty plea, Botsford admitted that between July and August 2020, he sent graphic, sexually explicit text messages to an undercover investigator who was posing as the 13-year-old child. In those messages, Botsford repeatedly asked the child for naked photos and sent photos of an erect penis to the presumed child. Botsford further stated that he wanted the child to run away and live with him in an abandoned building and get the child pregnant. On August 10, 2020, Botsford attempted to meet the child in person at a location in Troy in order to engage in sexual acts with the child. Botsford was encountered by law enforcement upon his arrival and arrested.
Botsford faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2022 in Albany before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe. 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. Botsford will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, to include the Colonie 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.
Former Prattsville Town Supervisor Pleads Guilty to FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kory O’Hara, age 45, formerly the Town Supervisor of Prattsville, pled guilty today to wire fraud in connection with a grant extended to Prattsville in the wake of Hurricane Irene.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); John Pias, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector (DHS-OIG); and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region (HUD-OIG).
In August 2011, Hurricane Irene caused significant damage to the Town of Prattsville, resulting in the issuance of millions of dollars in rehabilitation grants to Prattsville and its residents. As Town Supervisor, O’Hara entered into various grant agreements, including with the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation.
In pleading guilty, O’Hara admitted that between 2013 and 2015, he obtained false invoices from a Prattsville-based modular home business, Moore’s Homes, purporting to reflect construction work performed on O’Hara’s automotive garage, O’Hara’s Service Station, which Moore’s Homes did not perform. O’Hara issued checks to Moore’s Homes reflecting payment on the invoices, but Moore’s Homes returned all of the money.
O’Hara, who was Town Supervisor at the time, then submitted the false invoices and checks to Prattsville and the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation to fraudulently obtain $24,915 in grant proceeds under the New York Main Street Program.
United States Attorney Carla Freedman stated: “The New York Main Street Program was designed to make sure that grant money would be used to rebuild Prattsville in the wake of Hurricane Irene. As Town Supervisor, O’Hara knew the rules, but chose not to follow them. Instead, he took grant money fraudulently. We will continue to hold public officials accountable who, through fraud, put their own interests above those of their constituents.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli stated: “Kory O’Hara violated the trust of his community and his duty as Town Supervisor by stealing funds that were meant to help the town recover from Hurricane Irene. Thanks to my partnership with United States Attorney Carla Freedman and federal law enforcement and agencies, O’Hara has now been held accountable for his fraudulent, selfish actions.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi stated: “Hurricane Irene had an absolutely devastating impact on the town of Prattsville, New York. While residents struggled to rebuild their lives, Mr. O'Hara was busy fraudulently obtaining the funds meant to assist them. The FBI, together with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to aggressively investigate those who exploit the programs designed to alleviate the tremendous loss that follows a natural disaster.”
HUD OIG Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi stated: “Prattsville was overwhelmed by Hurricane Irene’s damaging winds and flooding. Mr. O’Hara was entrusted to use federal disaster recovery funds to benefit the residents of Prattsville. Instead, his actions resulted in illicit personal gains and undermined the integrity of American taxpayer-funded relief programs. The HUD OIG will not tolerate this behavior and will continue to work with our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the State Comptroller’s Office, FBI, and Homeland Security to ensure bad actors are held accountable for their misdeeds.”
O’Hara faces up to 20 years in prison; a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years; and a maximum fine of $250,000. He will also be required to pay $24,915 in restitution to the State of New York.
O’Hara’s co-defendant, Stephen Baker, age 71, of Prattsville, previously pled guilty to offering a false instrument for filing, a Class A misdemeanor, in Prattsville Town Court, and the federal charges against him were dismissed.
This case was investigated by the Office of the New York State Comptroller, Division of Investigation; FBI; DHS-OIG; and HUD-OIG, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
Albany and Bronx Men Plead Guilty to Fentanyl and Cocaine ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ramion Burt, age 45, of Albany, and Marion Frampton, age 43, of the Bronx, New York, each pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen; and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In pleading guilty, Burt and Frampton admitted to driving from Albany to New York City to pick up fentanyl and cocaine for distribution in February 2021. On the drive back to Albany, they were stopped by the New York State Police heading northbound on Interstate 87 in Catskill, New York, and 31 grams of fentanyl were discovered in a plastic bag in Frampton’s boot. In searching the vehicle, Troopers discovered an additional 53 grams of fentanyl and 496 grams of cocaine in the glove compartment. Burt and Frampton admitted to possessing the fentanyl and cocaine, and intending to distribute them. Burt and Frampton each have a prior federal conviction related to drug trafficking.
At sentencing, Burt and Frampton each face at least 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the New York State Police and FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
Utica Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Fentanyl Conspiracy and DistributionRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kymani Minott, aka “Bizz,” aka “K-Bizz,” age 19, of Utica, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison for conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and distribution of 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, 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 Utica Police Chief Mark Williams.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Minott admitted that in or around March 2021, he agreed with others to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl to customers in the Utica area. Minott also admitted that on June 17, 2021, he distributed approximately 5 grams of a fentanyl mixture in Utica.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 4-year term of supervised release, which will start after Minott is released from federal prison.
This case was investigated by New York State Police-Special Investigations Unit (NYSP-SIU), the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, DEA, and ATF, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of “Molly”Read the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Rory R. Williams, aka “Wildman,” aka “Wild,” aka “Man,” aka “Shawn Carter,” age 45, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty yesterday to distributing N-Ethylpentylone, also known as “molly,” a Schedule I controlled substance.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matt Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Lieutenant Timothy Pritchard of the Oswego County Drug Task Force, and Chief Joseph Cecile of the Syracuse Police Department.
As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Williams admitted that on November 30, 2021, he distributed approximately 267 grams (approximately 10 ounces) of N-Ethylpentylone, also known as “molly,” to a customer outside his residence in Syracuse, New York, in exchange for $2,500. Williams also admitted to distributing controlled substances on other occasions: on March 10, 2022, Williams gave another individual approximately 770 grams of N,N-dimethylpentylone (dipentylone), to deliver to a customer in Oswego, New York, and on December 21, 2020, the defendant distributed approximately 388 grams of eutylone to a customer outside his residence in Syracuse. Both dipentylone and eutylone are also known as “molly.” Williams further admitted that on March 10, 2022, he possessed at his residence approximately 7 kilograms of dipentylone, which he intended to distribute to others. Williams also admitted that $203,204 in cash found at his residence was drug proceeds and agreed to its forfeiture.
At sentencing, currently scheduled for November 10, 2022, Williams faces a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Oswego County Drug Task Force (comprised of Special Agents of HSI, members of the Oswego City Police Department, Fulton Police Department, Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Border Patrol), the Drug Enforcement Administration, Syracuse Police Department, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.
Watertown Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearms ConvictionsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – George D. Robinson, age 38, of Watertown, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 52 months in federal prison for his convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office; and Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna Mills.
Robinson was arrested on February 5, 2021, in Watertown following the execution of a search warrant at his residence that resulted in the seizure of a quantity of methamphetamine and several handguns. He was previously convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in 2003 and served 24-months in federal prison, making it illegal for him to possess firearms as a prior convicted felon.
At yesterday’s sentencing, Robinson was also ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his 52-month prison sentence.
This case was investigated by the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, consisting of Detectives from the City of Watertown Police Department, Detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Agents of the United States Border Patrol, and Special Agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
Rome Donut Shop Owners Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – A Rome, New York couple and their adult son were sentenced today in federal court in Utica for tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, New York Field Office.
In November 2021, John Zourdos, age 69, his wife, Helen Zourdos, age 65, and their son, Dimitrios Zourdos, age 39, were each convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion, and helping to file false corporate tax returns. U.S. District Court Judge David N. Hurd sentenced John Zourdos to 30 months’ imprisonment; Helen Zourdos to 20 months’ imprisonment; and Dimitrios Zourdos to 10 months’ imprisonment. Judge Hurd also ordered the defendants to pay $2,000,769 in restitution to the United States and to serve 3 years of supervised release after they complete their terms of incarceration.
According to evidence presented at trial and other court documents, John, Helen, and Dimitrios Zourdos operated three Dippin Donuts coffee and donut shops with locations in Rome and New Hartford. From 2012 to 2017, the trio concealed from the IRS approximately $4.5 million in cash sales. During that period, they evaded more than $2 million in individual and corporate taxes, by, among other things, depositing cash directly into their personal bank accounts instead of into business bank accounts, providing incomplete information to their accountants, causing their accountants to file false individual and corporate tax returns with the IRS, and funding personal expenditures directly with undeposited and unreported cash. They used unreported income to fund a lavish lifestyle that included multiple luxury vehicles, expensive watches, investment accounts, and real estate. They also paid some of their employees “off the books” cash wages to avoid federal payroll taxes.
This case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant Chief John N. Kane of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Herkimer County Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – John Patrick Galusha, age 31, of Ilion, New York, pled guilty today to distribution and receipt 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 before United States District Court Judge Brenda K. Sannes, Galusha admitted that in January 2022 he traded child pornography with others over a social media messaging application on his phone, distributing approximately 35 files in exchange for 163 images and 7 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
When Galusha is sentenced on November 7, 2022, he faces at least five years and up to 20 years in prison for each of the distribution and receipt offenses. In addition, Galusha will be required to serve a term of supervised release of between five years and life after his term of imprisonment and will be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other actors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States 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.
Former Postal Employee Indicted for Theft and False StatementsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Eunice Ting, age 68, of Watervliet, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging theft of government property and making a false statement to obtain benefits from the United States Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), Northeast Area Field Office.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ting faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. 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.
Ting was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel. She was ordered released pending a trial to be scheduled before Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.
This case is being investigated by USPS-OIG and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping.
State Prisoners Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unemployment Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Reginald Thornton, age 29, and Lord Paulin, age 41, were sentenced today to federal terms of imprisonment for defrauding pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs while they were serving state prison terms at the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone, New York. Additionally, Rhasha Wright, age 30, of Roosevelt, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring with Thornton and Paulin as part of the fraud scheme.
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).
Thornton and Paulin previously pled guilty to federal charges for their respective roles in the fraud scheme. Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby sentenced Thornton to 51 months in federal prison and imposed a 2-year term of supervised release to the follow the term of incarceration. Chief Judge Suddaby sentenced Paulin to a 19-month prison term and imposed a 2-year term of supervised release. Thornton and Paulin will begin their federal prison terms after their respective New York State terms of incarceration end.
In her plea to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, Wright admitted to submitting false unemployment insurance claims to NYSDOL in Paulin’s name and in the name of another Bare Hill prisoner. Prisoners were not eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
Wright agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $11,696 to the State of New York.
Wright’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. The aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. Wright is scheduled to be sentenced on November 3, 2022 by Chief Judge Suddaby. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case was investigated by USDOL-OIG, HSI, USPIS, and the Offices of Special Investigations of NYSDOCCS and NYSDOL. The case 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.
Albany Man Sentenced to 94 Months for Methamphetamine Distribution and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Matthan Carroll, age 36, of Albany, was sentenced today to 94 months in prison following his convictions for the distribution of methamphetamine, making fake government identification documents, using others’ identification information to open a U.S. Post Office Box, and aggravated identity theft.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
As part of his prior guilty plea, Carroll admitted to selling a total of 277.41 grams of methamphetamine and sending a portion of that methamphetamine through the U.S. mail. Carroll also admitted to opening a Clifton Park P.O. Box—using other people’s personally identifying information without their permission—in order to receive mailed shipments of methamphetamine. He also admitted to making two fake government identification documents, one of which used another person’s personally identifying information without that person’s permission, bearing Carroll’s photograph.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Carroll to a 3-year term of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by HSI and USPIS, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda.
Rochester Man Indicted for Illegally Possessing HandgunRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Alexander Dehoyos, 40, of Rochester, New York, was charged by a felony indictment yesterday with one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The indictment alleges that Dehoyos possessed a Glock firearm in Onondaga County, New York, on June 5, 2022, after having previously been convicted of a felony. The charge filed against Dehoyos carries 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. 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 charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the Solvay Police Department, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Adrian Esteras, 38, of Syracuse, NY was sentenced yesterday to serve 48 months in prison following his conviction for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing cocaine 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 May and July 2021, either he or his coconspirators distributed at least 8 grams of fentanyl. He also possessed at least 158 grams of cocaine that he kept at his residence and intended to distribute. Esteras had previously been convicted of seven felony offenses in state court. He was on state parole at the time he committed the federal offense.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Esteras to a three-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 $3,909, 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.
Michigan Man Charged with Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Higgs, age 39, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was arrested yesterday and charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The complaint alleges that between January 2022 and June 29, 2022, Higgs exchanged messages with two individuals, one posing as a parent of a 10-year-old daughter and the other as the guardian of a 12-year-old girl. Higgs discussed plans to travel from Michigan in order to engage in sexual acts with the minors. On June 29, 2022, Higgs flew from Kalamazoo to Albany where he was encountered by the FBI and arrested. The allegations in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Higgs carries a term of imprisonment of at least 10 years and potentially up to life, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dustin C. Segovia.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Miami Residents Sentenced for Their Roles in a Money Laundering Conspiracy Connected to a Nationwide Gas Station Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Yanio Montes de Oca, age 35, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced on Tuesday to 27 months in prison, and Atnetys Ferreira Milian, age 42, of Miami, was sentenced today to 1 year of probation, for their respective roles in a conspiracy to commit money laundering. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
As part of his guilty plea on March 10, 2021, De Oca admitted to being a part of a conspiracy that, between December 2015 and July 2019, laundered thousands of gift cards that were obtained using fraudulent debit and credit cards encoded with information stolen using gas station skimming devices. After obtaining the gift cards from co-conspirators, De Oca sold them on a gift card exchange website using a “bulk seller” account he established in the name of a Florida company he created in 2015 for that purpose. After selling the fraudulently obtained gift cards, De Oca transferred the resulting amounts to bank accounts he controlled. De Oca then distributed some of the money he obtained through gift card sales to other conspirators, retaining the rest of the funds for himself. As part of his plea agreement, De Oca agreed to be subject to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $1,020,193.10.
As part of her guilty plea on December 6, 2019, Ferreira Milian admitted to being a part of the same conspiracy and using multiple bank accounts that she controlled to launder money orders that had been purchased with fraudulent debit cards. The debit cards used stolen account numbers that had been skimmed at gas station pumps across the country. During the period of the conspiracy, Ferreira Milian deposited over 1,100 money orders, totaling over $691,000, into her accounts, and then withdrew most of the laundered funds in cash. As part of her plea agreement, Ferreira Milian agreed to be subject to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $49,162.00.
Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also imposed on Montes de Oca a 3-year term of supervised to follow the term of incarceration.
These cases were investigated by the FBI Albany Field Office and USPIS Boston Division, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in Miami and Pittsburgh, the USPIS Miami Division, and the United States Secret Service Miami Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Capital Region Synthetic Cannabinoids ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Abdullah M. Hussein, age 43, formerly of Schenectady, New York, and presently residing in California, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute synthetic cannabinoids (frequently referred to as “spice” or K2”) in Schenectady.
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; Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Boston Division.
As part of his plea, Hussein admitted that from March through August 2018, he conspired with Rayen Hussein and Abdulqadoos Alomari to sell 2.5 kilograms’ worth of synthetic cannabinoids in brightly colored packets labeled with names including “Scooby Snax,” “Ice Dragon,” “Loopy,” “What’s Up,” and “Geeked Up” out of the former Stockade Market and Deli in downtown Schenectady. The synthetic cannabinoid in the packets was ADB-FUBINACA, which is a Schedule I controlled substance.
Co-conspirators Rayen Hussein and Alomari were arrested on August 17, 2018, when investigators executed federal search warrants on multiple locations in Schenectady, Amsterdam and Glenville, New York, and seized a kilogram’s worth of synthetic cannabinoids packaged for distribution. They have both pled guilty to conspiring to distribute synthetic cannabinoids and are awaiting sentencing.
Abdullah M. Hussein, Rayen Hussein and Alomari each face maximum sentences of 20 years in prison, fines of up to $1 million, and terms of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute(s) the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Co-conspirator Mansoor Ghaleb pled guilty to importing 8 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids from China with the goal of processing the raw chemicals into “spice” or “K2” for distribution in the Capital Region, including out of the Stockade Market and Deli. On August 21, 2019, Ghaleb was sentenced to 60 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release by Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.
This case was investigated by the DEA, HSI, and the USPIS. The Schenectady Police Department, Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office, Amsterdam Police Department and Albany Police Department also assisted in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Troy Resident Pleads Guilty to Role in Nationwide “Felony Lane Gang” ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Terrell McDonald, age 32, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville.
In pleading guilty, McDonald, whose aliases include “Ruger” and “Moon,” admitted that he was involved in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang” between 2018 and September 2020. McDonald and his co-conspirators traveled across the country breaking into cars, often targeting those parked by women at locations such as health and fitness centers, daycares, outdoor recreational parks, and dog parks. After committing these “smash-and-grab” vehicle thefts, McDonald and other members of the conspiracy used stolen debit cards, credit cards, checkbooks, and photo identifications to commit bank fraud by recruiting women who impersonated the smash-and-grab victims in drive-through bank lanes to withdraw money and cash checks. The recruited check cashers were almost always suffering from an addiction to controlled substances and were provided payment at least partially in narcotics. McDonald admitted that the loss amount from the conspiracy attributable to him is between $95,000 and $150,000.
The charges to which McDonald pled guilty carry a minimum sentence of 2 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years, a fine of up to $1 million, and a supervised release term of up to 5 years. McDonald will be sentenced on October 27, 2022, by Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue. 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.
McDonald was one of nine men charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in the scheme. Keyshawn Arnold, age 25, of Schenectady, New York, and Tyrone Parker, age 40, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, previously pled guilty for their roles in the indictment. The remaining co-defendants are:
- TYRONE PARKER, JR. a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Cheese,” a/k/a “Little Thigh,” age 22, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida;
- JOSHUA MALLORY, a/k/a “P,” a/k/a “Pudge,” age 37, of Fort Lauderdale;
- RANDALL TAYLOR, a/k/a “Gucci,” a/k/a “Guwop,” age 35, of Fort Lauderdale;
- CEDRIC LYNCH, a/k/a “City,” a/k/a “C,” age 37, of Orlando, Florida;
- ROBERT NATSON, a/k/a “Big Rob,” age 36, of Fort Lauderdale; and
- GARY GRIER, a/k/a “G,” age 36, of Fort Lauderdale.
Each of these defendants is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants whose cases remain pending are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Westchester Resident Agency of the New York Field Office and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in Albany, Miami, and Salt Lake City, and Resident Agencies in Savannah, Georgia, and Portland, Maine, and from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office. Additional assistance was provided by numerous law enforcement agencies, including, within New York, the New York State Police; Columbia County Sheriff's Office; Genesee County Sheriff’s Office; Monroe County Sheriff’s Office; Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office; Warren County Sheriff’s Office; and the police departments of the Town of Bethlehem; Glens Falls; Gloversville; Greenburgh; Greece; and Watervliet; and elsewhere, Connecticut State Police; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Georgia State Patrol; Illinois State Police; Massachusetts State Police; Broward County, FL Sheriff’s Office; Northern York County, PA Regional Police; Southern Chester County, PA Regional Police; Utah County, UT Sheriff's Office; and the police departments of Auburn, MA; Bath, ME; Biddeford, ME; Bozeman, MT; Brunswick, ME; Caernarvon Township, PA; Chester Township, PA; Cinnaminson, NJ; Darien, CT; East Norriton Township, PA; Easthampton, MA; Greenwich, CT; Lower Moreland Township, PA; Manheim Township, PA; Portland, ME; Portsmouth, NH; Saco, ME; Salisbury, MA; Sanford, ME; Scarborough, ME; Somersworth, NH; South Portland, ME; St. George, UT; Syracuse, UT; Tinicum, PA; Towamencin, PA; Tewksbury, MA; Wakefield, MA; Yarmouth, ME; and York, ME.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Michael F. Perry.
Schenectady Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Loaded PistolRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Leonard Samuels, age 39, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his plea, Samuels admitted to possessing a loaded semi-automatic pistol, which FBI agents and Schenectady Police Department officers recovered in his apartment during a search warrant executed on April 8, 2021. Samuels also agreed to forfeit a loaded “ghost gun” pistol that was recovered from the apartment, as well as a quantity of ammunition for both pistols. A prior felony conviction for criminal possession of a firearm prevented Samuels from legally possessing a firearm in New York.
Samuels faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on October 28, 2022, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Schenectady Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Former Rensselaer County Correctional Officer Indicted for Sexually Abusing InmateRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean Morrissey, age 51, of Waterford, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with abusive sexual contact of a ward, 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).
Morrissey was a correctional officer at Rensselaer County Correctional Facility (“RCCF”) at the time of his alleged crime. According to the indictment, between September 7, 2018 and September 21, 2018, Morrissey knowingly rubbed the genitalia of a female federal detainee, with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of a person. The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Morrissey carries a maximum term of 2 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 1 year. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Morrissey was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel. He was released with conditions pending a trial to be scheduled before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
Former Saratoga County Resident Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher L. Vandermark, age 57, formerly of Gansevoort, New York, pled guilty today to engaging in a money laundering conspiracy designed to conceal proceeds from a multi-state unemployment insurance fraud scheme.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John Pias, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG).
In pleading guilty, Vandermark admitted to corresponding via online text messages for over one year with a person who represented herself to be a woman living in North Carolina. The woman directed Vandermark to open accounts at multiple financial institutions, as well as provide her with routing details for his existing accounts. From June 2020 through early April 2021, Vandermark’s accounts received transfers of more than $88,000 in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits from six states. Vandermark purchased hundreds of gift cards from local retailers using the benefits, photographed the identifying numbers on the cards, and sent the photographs to the woman. The identifying numbers could be used to sell the gift cards online as part of an effort to conceal the original source of the funds.
Vandermark admitted that he received multiple warnings from financial institutions that his actions were furthering a fraudulent scheme. Additionally, on April 15, 2021, a federal law enforcement agent and a state investigator interviewed Vandermark at his residence regarding approximately $37,000 in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits transferred to his account at a local bank. Vandermark denied holding the account and receiving the funds. Both statements were false. Following the law enforcement interview, Vandermark opened yet another account with a financial institution and received an additional $13,734 in benefits from three states into two accounts, which he used to purchase more gift cards through July 2021. As before, he photographed the gift cards and sent the photos to the woman.
Vandermark admitted responsibility for $13,734 in benefits laundered through his accounts after the April 15, 2021 law enforcement interview. He agreed to pay restitution to the affected states.
Vandermark’s money laundering conspiracy conviction carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Vandermark is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2022 by Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case was investigated by DHS-OIG, with assistance from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the Office of the New York State Comptroller. 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.
Citizen of Dominican Republic Sentenced to 20 Months for Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Wascar Javier, age 37, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced today to serve 20 months in prison following his conviction for illegally reentering the United States, and fraud and misuse of a nonimmigrant visa, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Thomas Brophy, Buffalo Field Office Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO); Keith Byrne, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service; and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
Javier was removed from the United States in October 2020 following a felony conviction in New York state court. As part of his previous guilty plea, Javier admitted that sometime after his removal, he unlawfully reentered the United States without permission. On September 30, 2021, a New York State Trooper stopped a car Javier was driving and Javier presented to the Trooper a document that purported to be a passport issued by the Dominican Republic. The passport contained a fraudulent United States nonimmigrant visa and Javier admitted knowing that it was fraudulent.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Javier to a three-year term of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the U.S. Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the New York State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.
Troy Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Stolen Firearm and Fentanyl-Laced PillsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Alex R. Mahoney Wilks, age 22, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a stolen pistol as a convicted felon, as well to possessing fentanyl-laced pills with the intent to distribute them.
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 plea, Mahoney Wilks admitted that on February 4, 2022, as he attempted to leave a residence in Watervliet, New York, he knowingly possessed in his vehicle a stolen pistol and a quantity of fentanyl-laced pills that he intended to sell. Cash totaling $11,333 and two digital scales were also recovered from the vehicle. A prior felony burglary conviction prevented Mahoney Wilks from legally possessing the firearm in New York.
Mahoney Wilks faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on October 27, 2022, 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 FBI and the Watervliet Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Tompkins County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Remanu Phillips, age 31, of Ithaca New York, pled guilty today before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, 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.
Phillips, who remains detained pending his sentencing scheduled for November 9, 2022, faces at least 15 years and up to 60 years imprisonment on the charges, and a fine of up to $250,000. The Court must also impose a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and Phillips 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.
As part of his guilty plea, Phillips admitted that on two separate days in June of 2019 he produced sexually explicit videos of himself sexually abusing a child. Phillips further admitted that he later transferred the two videos from his cellular telephone to a desktop computer, where they were later recovered by law enforcement.
Phillips’ 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 Tompkins County Sheriff’s office. The case is being 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.
Schenectady County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Keith Mussenden, age 38, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to the 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).
As part of his guilty plea, Mussenden admitted that between June 2019 and February 2020, he exchanged messages through multiple social media applications with the victim, a then-14-year-old girl who resided outside the State of New York. Through these messages, Mussenden persuaded, induced, and enticed the victim to take sexually explicit images of herself and send them to him over the Internet. Within the same timeframe, Mussenden also sent the victim pictures of his penis in the hopes of obtaining sexually explicit images of the victim in return. Mussenden further engaged in livestreamed video chats with the victim during which he requested that the victim perform sexual acts while he also engaged in sexual acts.
Mussenden, who remains detained pending his sentencing scheduled for October 26, 2022, 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 Mussenden 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 members of the Rotterdam Police Department and the New York State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel L. Williams and Dustin C. Segovia as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
New York City Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Shakespeare Cruz, age 48, of New York City, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine in the Northern District of New York, 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 New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Cruz admitted that he distributed multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine from 2014 through January 2019. Cruz further admitted that he and his co-conspirators arranged for the drugs to be transported from New York City to Lewis County, New York, where the drugs were then re-distributed to others.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Cruz to a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Cruz serves his term of imprisonment and ordered Cruz to pay a forfeiture judgment in the amount of $200,000, representing the proceeds of his drug trafficking offense.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), the New York State Police, the United States Marshals Service, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Lewis County District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Commandeur, Adrian LaRochelle, and Andrew Beaty.
Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael P. Fish, age 26, of Albany, pled guilty today to obstruction of justice for submitting seven fraudulent character letters to the United States District Judge overseeing a now-concluded criminal case in which Fish was convicted of computer hacking, identity theft and child pornography crimes.
The announcement was made by U.S. 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, Fish admitted that he submitted seven fraudulent character letters to United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino in December 2019, in an effort to deceive the court and obtain leniency during his sentencing in the case. Specifically, Fish admitted that he doctored four letters, including one from a priest, and outright faked another three letters, including ones purportedly from his mother and grandparents.
Fish faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced by Judge D’Agostino on October 26, 2022. 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.
In his underlying criminal case, Fish was sentenced to 111 months in prison for computer fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with his hacking of online social media accounts and theft of nude images of dozens of female victims, as well as possession of child pornography.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal.
Schenectady Man Indicted for Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael E. Robbins II, age 26, of Schenectady, New York, was indicted for attempting to coerce and entice a minor into sexual activity.
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).
On June 23, 2022, Robbins waived an appearance for arraignment on the indictment. On March 18, 2021, Robbins was charged by complaint with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. He was detained on that charge and has remained in custody since that time.
The complaint and indictment allege that Robbins arranged over the internet and through text messages to meet with what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl in Latham, New York, in order to engage in sexual activity with her.
The charges in the complaint and indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted, Robbins faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. He also faces a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. 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 Benjamin S. Clark.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ .
Citizen of Dominican Republic Indicted for Cocaine Trafficking and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Jose Campusano, age 38, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Utica, New York, was indicted yesterday for trafficking cocaine and illegal reentry into the United States.
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 Tom Brophy, Buffalo Field Office Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Campusano has been in custody since May, when he was arrested on a federal criminal complaint. The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charges filed against Campusano carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. 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 the DEA and ICE-ERO, with assistance from the New York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, Syracuse Police Department, and Utica Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Carbone.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ameer McCullars, age 27, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 46-months in prison following his conviction for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute powder and crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
McCullars admitted that from July to September 2019, he conspired with others to distribute what the Court determined to be approximately 216 grams of powder cocaine and 28 grams of crack cocaine in Onondaga County. Senior United States District Judge Frederick Scullin also sentenced McCullars to a 3-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 $12,800.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-Syracuse Resident Office, which includes Task Force Officers from the City of Auburn Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Other agencies that assisted in this investigation included the New York State Police, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
Arizona Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Davonte Williams-Dorsey, 25, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced today to serve a total of 180 months in prison for his conviction on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division. The Court also ordered Williams-Dorsey to serve a term of five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
Williams-Dorsey had been convicted of those charges following a four-day jury trial last year. The evidence at trial established that Williams-Dorsey conspired with others to bring 20 kilograms (approximately 44 pounds) of methamphetamine from Arizona to Syracuse, where it was to be sold. DEA Special Agents and other law enforcement officers arrested Williams-Dorsey in Syracuse on January 8, 2020, in possession of 20 kilograms of methamphetamine in an automobile. At the time of his arrest, Williams-Dorsey was carrying a loaded Taurus 9mm semiautomatic handgun in the waistband of his pants.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with the assistance of the Syracuse Police Department-Special Investigations Division, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and DEA Task Force Officers from the New York State Police, U.S. Department of Homeland Security ICE-ERO, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Rome Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Commandeur.
Maine Resident Sentenced to 188 Months for Receiving Child Pornography from Minors and Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jay Scott Cloutier, age 58, of Lyman, Maine, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for child exploitation offenses, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea, Cloutier admitted that between April 2019 and September 2019, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with someone he thought was a 14-year-old child, in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him. On September 20, 2019, he was arrested after he traveled from Maine to a prearranged meeting location in Colonie, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with a 14-year-old child. Cloutier also admitted to having solicited and received a sexually explicit image of an actual 17-year-old child in November 2019 and a sexually explicit image of an actual 15-year-old child in February 2018.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dustin C. Segovia as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Franklin County Sex Offender Sentenced to 189 Months for Child Pornography PossessionRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Shannon Macauley, age 56, of Fort Covington, New York, was sentenced today to 189 months in prison for possession of child pornography. 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).
Macauley admitted that he possessed 614 photographs and 109 videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Macauley had previously been convicted in state court of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and abusive sexual conduct of minors, including six counts of sodomy with victims under the age of 15.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced Macauley to 15 years of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment. Upon release from prison, Macauley will also be required to register to as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Anderson as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney's offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Troy Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Derek Luch, age 50, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to receipt and 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 a part of his guilty plea, Luch admitted that between May 2021 and October 2021, he used a file-sharing service to download and receive numerous images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also admitted that he had possessed child pornography when he was arrested on November 4, 2021.
At sentencing on October 13, 2022 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, Luch faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, and at least 5 years and up to a life term of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Luch will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force. The Child Exploitation Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping 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
Greene County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice and Transfer Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas “Tommy” Squires, age 37, of Cairo, New York, pled guilty today to attempting to coerce and entice a 14-year-old 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).
As part of his guilty plea, Squires admitted that between July and August, 2020, he sent graphic, sexually explicit text messages to an undercover investigator who was posing as the 14-year-old child. In those messages, Squires repeatedly asked the child for naked photos and sent photos of an erect penis to the child. Squires further asked to meet the child in person at a location in Cairo in order to engage in sexual acts with the child in his car. On August 19, 2020, Squires traveled from his residence in Cairo to the pre-determined location to meet and have sex with the child. Squires was encountered by law enforcement upon his arrival and arrested.
Squires faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Sentencing is scheduled for October 12, 2022 in Albany before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. 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. Squires will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. 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.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of “Molly”Read the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Frederick A. Powers, age 42, of Syracuse, pled guilty yesterday to distributing N-Ethylpentylone, also known as “molly,” a Schedule I controlled substance.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matt Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Lieutenant Timothy Pritchard of the Oswego County Drug Task Force; and Chief Joseph Cecile of the Syracuse Police Department.
As part of his guilty plea, Powers admitted that on November 30, 2021, he distributed approximately 267 grams (approximately 10 ounces) of N-Ethylpentylone, also known as “molly,” to a customer outside his residence in Syracuse, in exchange for $2,500.
At sentencing, scheduled for October 12, 2022, Powers faces a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. 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 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Oswego County Drug Task Force (comprised of Special Agents of HSI, members of the Oswego City Police Department, Fulton Police Department, Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Border Patrol), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Syracuse Police Department, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.
Binghamton Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Adam Baldwin, age 41, of Binghamton, New York, pled guilty yesterday to attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his guilty plea, Baldwin admitted that in September 2021, he agreed to receive shipments of methamphetamine, which he provided to another individual in exchange for payment. Baldwin had the shipments delivered to a store in Alexandria Bay, New York, where he picked them up. In October 2021, law enforcement intercepted two of the packages addressed to Baldwin, which contained a total of approximately 1,070 grams of pure methamphetamine.
At his sentencing scheduled for October 12, 2022, Baldwin faces a minimum term of 10 years and up to life in prison, a post-incarceration term of at least 5 years and up to lifetime supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10 million. 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 HSI, the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force (comprised of detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Watertown Police Department, and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office), and the Santa Ana Police Department in California, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.