Northern District of New York

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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, 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.

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/.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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. 

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/ .

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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, 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.

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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shamel Mark Anthony Chung, age 35, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 46 months in prison on firearm convictions, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

As part of his guilty plea, Chung admitted to possessing a firearm that he knew had an obliterated serial number and to hiding the firearm under a vehicle in an alleyway in Troy, New York, after being involved in a physical altercation nearby. Chung had been convicted of four felonies previously, all of which involved controlled substance offenses, and was on parole at the time he possessed the firearm.

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, which will start after Chung is released from prison.

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Troy Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Williams and Dustin Segovia.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William L. Marshall, age 40, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 33-months in federal prison in connection with his previous plea of guilty to possessing a loaded semiautomatic handgun as a prior convicted felon, and possessing marihuana with intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, and Acting Chief of Police John Joly, City of Ithaca Police Department. Marshall was also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release following his release from federal prison.

In addition to his prison sentence, Marshall was ordered to forfeit $34,064.00 in U.S. currency as drug proceeds that were seized by the Ithaca Police Department during the execution of a search warrant at his Ithaca residence on August 18, 2021. Also seized was a Lorcin .380 semiautomatic pistol loaded with seven live rounds. The handgun was reported stolen from Norfolk, Virginia in 2014. Marshall is a prior convicted felon, having been found guilty after trial in 2002 of the New York State felony of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree in Tompkins County Court, for which he was sentenced to serve eight (8) years in prison.

This case was investigated by City of Ithaca Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New York State Police, and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department, and was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Roderick Jones, age 42, of Albany, pled guilty today to two separate instances of unlawful possession of firearms.

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 Chief Eric Hawkins of the Albany Police Department.

As part of his plea, Jones admitted that he possessed a loaded .380 caliber pistol in his vehicle when he was arrested on impaired driving charges on January 17, 2019, after crashing his vehicle into a building on Rensselaer Street in Albany.   Jones further admitted that on September 29, 2019, he possessed a 9mm pistol that he discharged four times at two occupied residences in the Ida Yarbrough Homes in Albany.  On both occasions, prior felony convictions for robbery prevented Jones from legally possessing firearms in New York. 

Jones faces up to 20 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 13, 2022 by Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. 

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

This case was investigated by the Albany Police Department and ATF with the assistance of the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Segovia and 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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kimberly McPherson, age 61, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to identity theft in connection with her casting of absentee ballots in two other people’s names in elections held in 2021.

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

McPherson successfully ran for re-election to the Troy City Council in 2021, first in the primary and then in the general election.  In pleading guilty to the unlawful possession and use of a means of identification of another person, she admitted that in the primary election, she unlawfully cast an absentee ballot in the name of another person, and that in the general election, she unlawfully cast absentee ballots in the names of two people other than herself.

As part of her plea agreement, McPherson has agreed to resign from the Troy City Council.

McPherson faces up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of 3 years, when she is sentenced 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 is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Ronald Horton, age 24, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to serve 20 years in prison for sexually exploiting a 5-year-old child.  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 New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Horton admitted that he recorded multiple videos that depicted his sexual abuse of the child and then uploaded those videos to an account he maintained on a blogging website.  

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Horton is released from prison, and ordered Horton to pay a $100 special assessment.  Horton will also be required to register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by HSI and the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Robert Hardin, age 76, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was sentenced today to serve 10 years in federal prison for traveling to New York from Michigan for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 10-year-old child. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Hardin admitted that from July of 2021 through August of 2021 he exchanged sexually explicit messages via an online social networking application and text message with an undercover officer posing as the mother of a 10-year-old girl.  In these messages, Hardin expressed a desire to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the child.  Hardin further admitted that on August 24, 2021, he traveled from Michigan to New York in order to meet with the child and engage in sexual conduct with her.  Hardin was arrested after arriving in New York and has been in custody since that date.

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 20-year term of supervised release, which will start after Hardin is released from prison, and ordered Hardin to pay a $100 special assessment.  Hardin will also be required to register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Thomas Martin, age 35, of Marietta, New York, pled guilty yesterday to one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and three counts of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.

Martin, who remains detained pending his sentencing scheduled for September 29, 2022, before United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, faces at least 5 years and up to 60 years in prison and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Martin will also be required to register as a sex offender.

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Martin admitted that he actively traded child pornography images and videos using a social media messaging application on his cellular telephones, and that on January 30, 2022, he distributed an image file depicting the lascivious display of a child’s genitals who was between 4 and 6 years old.  Martin further admitted that from February 3, 2020 to  January 30, 2022, he received child pornography through the messaging application, including an image file depicting the lascivious display of a child’s genitals who was between 9 and 11 years old.  Finally, Martin admitted that on February 11, 2022, he knowingly possessed 158 image files and 2 video files depicting child pornography on his three cellular telephones.

Martin’s case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Investigators of the New York State Police, Computer Crimes Unit (CCU).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J.L. Brown as part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Richard Curtis, age 22, of Baldwinsville, New York, was sentenced today to serve 5 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.

As part of his guilty plea, Curtis admitted that in September of 2017 he asked an 11-year-old child to send him sexually explicit videos of herself over the internet application Instagram.  In his exchanges with the child, the defendant pretended that he was a female fashion designer looking for models. At his direction, the child produced and sent to Curtis five sexually explicit video files.

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 35-year term of supervised release, which will start after Curtis is released from prison, and ordered Curtis to pay a $100 special assessment.  Curtis will also be required to register as a sex offender.

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).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

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

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Deryk Paul Burdick, age 33, of Auburn, New York waived indictment and pled guilty today to receipt and possession of child pornography. 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 New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.

As a part of his guilty plea Burdick, a former school bus driver, admitted that he purchased and downloaded hundreds of child pornography images and videos from the dark web from December 2019 through March 2020 and had child pornography files in his possession in December 2021.

At sentencing on October 12, 2022, Burdick faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of 20 years for the receipt offense and a maximum term of 20 years’ imprisonment for the possession offense. In addition to imprisonment, Burdick can be fined up to $250,000 per count, will be required to pay restitution to the victims of his child pornography receipt and possession offenses, and will be required to serve a term of supervised release after imprisonment of between five years and life. Burdick also will have to register as sex offender upon his 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.

Burdick’s case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York State Police, the Auburn Police Department, and the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC). The joint effort is a part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Glyn Frink, age 51, of Albany, pled guilty today to escaping from the Horizon House Residential Reentry Center in September 2021.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty.   

As part of the plea, Frink admitted that he was placed by the federal Bureau of Prisons at the Horizon House, and that he signed out to go to work on September 25, 2021 and failed to return at 6 pm as required.  Frink remained in the community without approval until March 7, 2022, when he was arrested at a fast food restaurant in Albany.

Frink is scheduled to be sentenced on September 29, 2022 before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn.  He faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Calvin Strong, age 30, of Watervliet, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing a firearm, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

As part of his guilty plea Strong admitted that on November 23, 2021, he possessed a Glock .40 caliber handgun and 15 rounds of ammunition in his residence.  Strong’s prior felony convictions, including federal convictions for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon, and possessing and intending to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and heroin, prevented him from lawfully possessing the handgun.

Strong faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum fine of $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.  Sentencing is scheduled for September 26, 2022 before Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. 

This case was investigated by ATF with assistance from the United States Probation Office for the Northern District of New York, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Watervliet Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ivis Jorge, age 44, formerly an inmate at the Riverview Correctional Facility in Ogdensburg, New York, and Pamela Febo, age 38, of Keansburg, New Jersey, were arraigned today on an indictment alleging a fraud scheme to obtain unemployment insurance benefits, including COVID-19 pandemic-related benefits, from programs administered by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Anthony J. Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS); and NYSDOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon. 

The indictment alleges a conspiracy to submit a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim to NYSDOL using Jorge’s personal identifying information. Febo allegedly submitted the application at Jorge’s direction in October 2020 and continued to re-certify Jorge’s benefits eligibility each week for approximately four months knowing that Jorge was incarcerated, and not “able and available to start work immediately.” NYSDOL paid more than $27,000 in benefits on the claim. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Jorge, who remains subject to incarceration by New York State, waived a detention hearing and United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart ordered him detained in federal custody pending trial. Febo was ordered released.

Both defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, as well as substantive wire fraud counts. The charges carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the NYSDOCCS Office of Special Investigations, and the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Chisholm.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jeffrey C. Civitello Sr., age 50, and Jeffrey C. Civitello Jr., age 22, both of Schenectady, New York, have been indicted for trafficking kilograms of cocaine.

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

The Civitellos are charged with conspiring with other men, including two New Jersey men indicted last year, to traffic more than 5 kilograms of cocaine to Schenectady in March and April 2021.  The Civitellos are also each charged with possessing and intending to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine on March 31, 2021, and with attempting to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine on April 2, 2021.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted on all charges, each man faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as at least 5 years of post-imprisonment supervised release.  The indictment also seeks a money judgment against the Civitellos in the amount of $600,000.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Jeffrey Civitello Sr. was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart; a detention hearing is scheduled for June 3, 2022. 

Jeffrey Civitello Jr. will be arraigned at a later date.  He has been in custody since October 21, 2021, when he was arrested by the DEA in Schenectady on unrelated charges of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing and intending to distribute marijuana. Those charges are also merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes DEA Special Agents and investigators from state and local police agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Justin Micheli, age 34, of Schodack, New York, pled guilty today to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

As part of his guilty plea, Micheli admitted that on March 16, 2021, he possessed cocaine base, marijuana and assorted pills with the intent to distribute them. He also possessed a loaded semi-automatic pistol made from component parts without a serial number, also known as a “ghost gun,” to protect his drugs and drug proceeds. Micheli also admitted to posting videos of his firearm on social media in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.

On May 9, 2022, Micheli pled guilty to possessing ammunition as a convicted felon and to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2022, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino in Albany, at which time Micheli faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case was investigated by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping. The case was prosecuted to indictment by Assistant United States Attorney Ashlyn Miranda.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tristan Warner, age 48, of Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for the attempted online enticement of a minor, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea, Warner admitted that between about October 2020 and January 15, 2021, he exchanged electronic messages, via text and through a social networking platform, with someone he believed to be the mother of an 11-year-old girl.  In those messages, Warner expressed an interest in meeting the minor girl and in engaging in sexual acts with her.  He also communicated by telephone with someone he believed to be the girl’s mother.  On January 15, 2021, Warner drove from Newark to a pre-determined location in Watervliet, New York, to meet and engage in sexual acts with the minor.  He brought with him condoms, stuffed animals and two sex-related devices to give to the girl as gifts.  Warner was then encountered by law enforcement and arrested. 

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release to follow the term of incarceration. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the New York State Police and the Colonie Police Department, and the Watervliet Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.

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

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Abdul Jalil, age 55, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced yesterday to five years’ probation for federal food stamp fraud, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and John Joly, Acting Chief of the Ithaca Police Department. 

As part of his guilty plea, the defendant admitted that he exchanged food stamp benefits for cash with customers at his store, the Ithaca Halal Meat and Grocery, which is prohibited by the USDA, resulting in a loss to the government of $120,061.  Following today’s sentencing, the defendant paid full restitution to the government.  

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the Ithaca Police Department, and the Ithaca Department of Social Services, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert McAdam, age 49, of Rutland, Vermont, was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, McAdam admitted that, between February 7, 2019 and June 16, 2020, he exchanged text messages with someone he believed to be the adult father of a 15-year-old girl.  In these exchanges, McAdam discussed his interest in having sex with the girl.  Then, McAdam traveled to New York in early June 2020 to meet with the person he believed to be the father of the girl.  After this in-person meeting, McAdam arranged to have sex with the minor in a hotel room in Queensbury, New York, to take place on June 16, 2020.   On this date, McAdam traveled from Vermont to a hotel room in Queensbury, where he was encountered by law enforcement and arrested.  McAdam brought alcohol that he intended to supply to the minor, as well as condoms. 

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after McAdam is released from prison.  As a result of his conviction, McAdam will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from incarceration.  

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, including investigators with the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Williams. 

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Eric F. Jackson, aka “The Mexican,” aka “Pops,” age 48, of Syracuse, pled guilty Wednesday to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and distribution of 50 grams or more methamphetamine.

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

As part of his guilty plea, Jackson admitted that beginning no later than May 2020 through April 2021, he conspired with others to transport methamphetamine from California to locations in the Northern District of New York, including Syracuse, for distribution. Jackson admitted that in furtherance of the conspiracy, in December 2020, a coconspirator drove with approximately 4.6 kilograms of pure methamphetamine from California destined for Syracuse but was intercepted by police and arrested in Oklahoma City. Jackson also admitted that he arranged for methamphetamine to be shipped by a common carrier to addresses in the Syracuse area, which were provided by coconspirators. In addition to participating in the conspiracy, Jackson admitted that he personally distributed more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine to another individual in Syracuse. Jackson further admitted that at the time of his arrest in April 2021, at a small convenience store on Park Street in Syracuse, New York, he possessed approximately $17,460 in drug proceeds, and more than 350 grams of pure methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute.

At sentencing, on each count, Jackson faces a maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of ten years’ imprisonment, a maximum lifetime term of supervised release, a mandatory minimum term of five years’ supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case is being investigated by DEA, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York State Police-Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (NYSP-VGNET), Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, Syracuse Police Department, Oklahoma City Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie.