Northern District of New York

ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Mattison, age 47, of Fort Edward, New York, was sentenced today to 292 months in prison for sexually exploiting a child.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

As part of his guilty plea, Mattison admitted that in October 2016, he exchanged more than 7,100 text messages with a 13-year-old boy whom he had met online using the Live.me phone application.  Mattison claimed to be a teenage girl named Megan Mattison, and coerced the victim into taking and sending sexually explicit photographs of himself by threatening to commit suicide if the victim refused. 

Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also imposed a life term of supervised release, to begin after Mattison is released from prison.  Mattison will also have to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the New York State Police and Washington County Probation Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia G. Suarez. 

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 Attorneys’ 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/.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gabriel Vasile Lincan, age 47, and a citizen of Romania, was sentenced today to time served (47 days in jail), for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Lincan was arrested by Border Patrol Agents in Champlain, New York, after he was caught entering the United States from Canada without inspection on October 3, 2018.  Lincan had previously been removed from the United States to Romania on September 1, 2017.  Lincan admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the September 2017 removal. 

Following the sentencing, Lincan was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.  

When Lincan entered the United States, he did so with his son, Gabriel Diego Constantin.  Constantin, age 20, also a citizen of Romania, was convicted of the misdemeanor offense of entry without inspection on October 11, 2018 and sentenced to 23 days in jail. 

This case was investigated by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Charles J. Tan, age 23, of Pittsford, New York, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison in connection with the unlawful purchase of a shotgun that was used to murder his father in 2015, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)-New York Field Division; and Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter. Tan was also sentenced to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from incarceration.

On June 22, 2018, Tan pled guilty to three federal felonies: receiving a firearm with intent to use it to commit a felony, causing another to make a false written statement to a federal firearms dealer, and causing another to make a false record required by law to be kept by a federal firearms dealer. In doing so, Tan admitted that in February 2015, he caused a fellow Cornell University student to make an unlawful “straw purchase” of a 12-gauge shotgun for him from the Walmart in Cortland, New York.  Tan, a Canadian citizen, acknowledged that he falsely told the fellow student that he needed the firearm for hunting, when his actual intent was that it be used to shoot his father.  In February 2015, the defendant’s father, Liang “Jim” Tan, was shot to death in his home in Pittsford. Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies found him seated at his desk in his study, shot multiple times at close range by a 12-gauge shotgun. The state murder trial of Charles Tan in Monroe County Court ended on October 8, 2015 in a hung jury and the case was later dismissed by the presiding state court judge in November 2015. The federal investigation found evidence that just prior to the murder of his father, Charles Tan emptied a bank account and told friends he would be leaving Cornell University.

United States Attorney Jaquith said, “Justice has finally been done in this case. Charles Tan went to great lengths to obtain a shotgun in Cortland with lies about the actual purchaser and intended use and planned to leave college and flee the country.  He drove three hours to Rochester, visited friends for four hours, and then went home, where he found his father working at his home computer in his slippers and gunned him down, savagely shooting him three times in the chest and face.  The sentence to imprisonment for 20 years reflects the finding by the court that Tan obtained the shotgun to commit this premeditated murder.  Justice was secured through great work by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict said, “Combatting the flow of illegal firearms into our communities lies at the heart of ATF’s mission to protect the public from violent crime. In this case, an unlawfully purchased firearm was used to commit a heinous crime that will scar a family and community forever. Today’s sentencing sends a message that ATF and its partners at each and every level are committed to protecting the public from violence and will leave no stone unturned to pursue and aggressively prosecute those who seek to spread violence in their community.”

"The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is grateful to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, especially Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher," said Monroe County Undersheriff Korey Brown.  “Her efforts were able to bring justice to Charlie Tan for his involvement in the murder of his father, Jim Tan." 

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Monroe County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa M. Fletcher and Miroslav Lovric. 

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide U.S. Department of Justice initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ali Haider Pasha, age 23, of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, pled guilty today to attempted illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert Dwyer, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port Director for the Massena, New York, Port of Entry.

Pasha, a citizen of Canada, was removed from the United States to Canada on May 10, 2018 following his November 2017 conviction for the felony offense of evidence tampering, in Clinton County, New York.  When Pasha was removed from the United States, he was advised that he was prohibited from seeking to return to the United States for a period of 10 years.  On September 8, 2018, Pasha was arrested by CBP Officers as he tried to enter the United States as a passenger in a vehicle at the Massena Port of Entry.  A fingerprint check of Pasha resulted in the discovery of the prior removal.  Pasha admitted that he attempted to enter the United States without permission following the May 2018 removal.   

As a result of his conviction, Pasha faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on March 7, 2019.  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 CBP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

 

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Maximilien R. Reynolds, age 21, of Rumson, New Jersey (currently residing in Ithaca, New York, while attending college), pled guilty yesterday to two federal felony firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten; James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)-New York Field Division; Chief Peter Tyler-City of Ithaca Police Department; and Chief Kathy Zoner-Cornell University Police.

Reynolds pled guilty to one count of willfully causing false statements to be made to a licensed firearms dealer during the purchase of a firearm (a Savage MSR-15 Multi-Caliber .223/5.56mm Patrol Rifle) and one count of possessing firearms not registered in the National Firearms Registry and Transfer Record, related to his possession of a sawed-off Savage MSR-15 Multi-Caliber 223/5.56mm Patrol Rifle, a destructive device (bomb), and a silencer. Each offense has a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of 3 years following any term of incarceration. 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 March 11, 2019 in Albany, New York, before Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy.

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Maximilien R. Reynolds admitted that on November 28, 2017, he gave another student money to purchase a Savage MSR-15 Multi-Caliber .223/5.56 mm Patrol Rifle. Reynolds later cut down the barrel of the rifle, making it illegal to possess. He also admitted that he possessed a destructive device (bomb) and a firearms silencer seized from his apartment in Ithaca by Federal Agents and Ithaca Police on March 7, 2018. In pleading guilty, he also admitted that he possessed a .25 caliber Bauer Arms semiautomatic pistol with an obliterated serial number that was recovered by New York State Police divers from a canal on the south end of Cayuga Lake.

At the time of his arrest on March 7, 2018, Reynolds was a part-time student at Tompkins-Cortland Community College. He was previously enrolled as a full-time student at Cornell University, but was on an academic leave of absence.

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Maximilien R. Reynolds also agreed to the forfeiture of the destructive device (bomb) and silencer, as well as to the abandonment of the Bauer Arms .25 caliber semiautomatic pistol with obliterated serial number, 917 rounds of .223 caliber rifle ammunition, 135 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun ammunition, several .223 caliber magazine clips, 2 bullet-proof vests, a laser sight, ball bearings, a gas mask, chemicals of various kinds, a pipe section with one endcap, a flare gun, and other items seized during this investigation from his apartment and a storage unit. The Savage MSR-15 Multi-Caliber .223/5.56 mm Patrol Rifle was previously forfeited through an administrative proceeding.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the City of Ithaca Police Department, the Cornell University Police, the New York State Police and the Tompkins-Cortland Community College Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick and the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Marvin Jeovanny Flores Escolero, age 37, and a citizen of El Salvador, was sentenced today to time served (30 days in jail), for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

As part of his guilty plea, Flores Escolero admitted that he was removed from the United States to El Salvador on February 13, 2010.  On October 14, 2018, he was arrested by an ICE Officer in Walton, Delaware County, New York.    

Following his sentencing, Flores Escolero was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.     

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mario Alfredo Morales Espinoza, age 25, and a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced today to time served (63 days in jail), for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

As part of his guilty plea, Morales Espinoza admitted that he was removed from the United States to Guatemala on January 20, 2014.  On September 11, 2018, he was arrested by an ICE Officer in Walton, Delaware County, New York.    

Following his sentencing, Morales Espinoza was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.     

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Corey J. White, aka “Stacks,” age 35, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 125 months in prison, to be followed by 6 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute heroin.The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

As part of his guilty plea, White admitted that between August 1, 2016 and May 10, 2017, he worked with another person to distribute heroin in Schenectady.  He also admitted that on May 11, 2017, he possessed, in his Schenectady residence, about 100 green-colored envelopes, each of which contained heroin packaged for sale, as well as 2 digital scales, drug packaging materials, and $4,462 in cash.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Seven Syracuse residents face drug charges and other offenses following a joint federal, state, and local law enforcement operation aimed at area drug dealers, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)-New York Field Division, New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach, II, and United States Marshal David McNulty.

Deandre Peterson, 23, and Damion Anderson, 47, both of Syracuse, are charged in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (Syracuse) with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance (cocaine base/“crack”). If convicted, they face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million dollars, and a term of supervised release following incarceration of at least 3 years.

Tyree J. Baker, 33, of Syracuse, is charged in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (Syracuse) with distribution of a controlled substance (fentanyl). If convicted, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million dollars, and a term of supervised release following incarceration of at least 3 years. 

Tyreece Reeves, 19, of Syracuse, is charged in Syracuse City Court with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (heroin) in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (cocaine) (two counts), Loitering in the First Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, in violation of the New York State Penal Law.

In Federal Court 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.

Kireese Russell, 20, of Syracuse, is charged in Syracuse City Court with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana in violation of the New York State Penal Law.

Ronnie L. Daniels, 22, of Syracuse, is charged in Syracuse City Court with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana under the New York State Penal Law. He was also arrested on outstanding warrants for Harassment, Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Reckless Endangerment, and Intimidating a Witness, in violation of the New York State Penal Law.

James Dunn, 25, of Syracuse, was arrested on outstanding warrants for Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, and Unlawfully Fleeing, in violation of the New York State Penal Law, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

The charges in the complaints are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said, “These arrests should inform those dealing drugs that law enforcement agencies from every level of government have joined forces to address narcotics distribution and the violence it spawns in Syracuse. We will continue to work together to make our neighborhoods and communities safer.”

Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler said, “In response to the recent incidents of violence and the rise in fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid overdoses within the City of Syracuse the United States Attorney’s Office and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the City of Syracuse Police Department’s Special Investigations Division conducted a successful city-wide narcotics enforcement operation that resulted in multiple arrests that will have a significant impact on the streets of Syracuse. We could not have completed this operation without the assistance of the Gang Violence Task Force, the Crime Reduction Team, the Criminal Investigation Division, the New York State Police-CNET Central, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, the New York State Division of Parole, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Marshall Service. We value these  partnerships and the excellent relationships we have forged within the Central New York Narcotics Enforcement Community. Operations of this magnitude are inherently dangerous and complex and could not be completed without the tremendous efforts of our individual law enforcement officers working together in an effective, coordinated fashion made possible through years of mutual support. The City of Syracuse Police Department will continue to execute similar investigations moving forward and in response to any emergent threats to the community.”

Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s New York Field Division Ashan M. Benedict, said, “ATF stands committed to working with all of its state, local and federal partners to curb the spread of illegal narcotics and the death and violence it brings to our communities. I would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners for their collaboration and communication that made this case possible. I would also like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting these cases.”

New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach, II said, “We have zero tolerance for those who bring illegal and dangerous drugs into our neighborhoods with absolutely no regard for the negative impacts that result. I applaud our partners for the hard work that went into this operation, and we will continue our collaborative efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs into our communities.”

United States Marshal David McNulty said, “The U.S. Marshals Service enjoys a great relationship with our law enforcement partners and whenever they require our assistance to track down criminal suspects, we will be there to help bring them to justice.” 

These cases are being investigated by United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Syracuse Police Department-Special Investigations Division (SID), the New York State Police-Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), the United States Marshals Service, The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Perry and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Derek Boprey, age 31, of Ravena, New York, pled guilty today to distributing child pornography via an encrypted messaging application on his phone.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea, Boprey admitted that on March 23, 2018, he used the Wickr Me messaging application to distribute child pornography over the internet to another man, also residing in the Capital Region.  Boprey, using the name “durb30,” sent dozens of images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as 2 years old.  Boprey also pled guilty to possessing child pornography on 2 electronic devices.

Boprey, who was ordered into custody today, faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, when he is sentenced on March 6, 2019 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.  Boprey would 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, including the Colonie Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Barnett with assistance from the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 – A jury voted yesterday to convict Nathaniel P. Lorenz, age 47, of Holley, New York, of wire and mail fraud charges, following a 7-day trial.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Regional Office of the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General (USDOT-OIG); New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott; and Robert L. Keihm, Chief Investigator for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Investigations Bureau.

The evidence at trial established that Lorenz, a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, submitted fake invoices to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in order to conceal that he was not buying the materials needed to perform bridge maintenance contracts in the Binghamton and Buffalo regions.

United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith stated: “Nathaniel Lorenz ripped off New York State taxpayers by doing shoddy maintenance work on bridges New Yorkers depend on every day and then submitting phony paperwork to cover up his fraud.  Together with our state and federal law enforcement partners, we will continue to vigilantly watch over federally funded contractors so that taxpayers get what they pay for.” 

DOT-OIG Special Agent in Charge Douglas Shoemaker stated: “The conviction of Nathaniel P. Lorenz for fraud related to federally funded New York State Department of Transportation contracts demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the safety and integrity of public infrastructure projects.  Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue our vigorous efforts to prevent, detect and prosecute individuals who inappropriately use federal taxpayer dollars.”

New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott stated: “This greedy contractor spent years blatantly shortchanging taxpayers and lining his own pockets while hastening the deterioration of highway pavement for which he was paid millions of dollars to help protect. The federal jury easily saw right through his criminal scheme and convicted him on all counts. I thank the United States Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General and the New York State Department of Transportation for their partnership investigating this matter, and United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York Grant C. Jaquith and his office for prosecuting this matter.”

Lorenz’s company, ACME Powerwashing Inc. (ACME) of Holley, contracted with NYSDOT in 2015 and 2016 to clean and seal the road portions of bridges, known as concrete bridge decks.  The work involved cleaning the bridge decks and then sealing them with a chemical that makes the concrete more resistant to penetration by water, chlorides and waterborne contaminants, which might cause potholes and other deterioration.  The Federal Highway Administration, part of the United States Department of Transportation, provided most of the money for these contracts. 

Each of these contracts required ACME to purchase a certain amount of sealing chemical, based on how many square feet of concrete bridge deck was sealed.  On three contracts in 2015 and 2016, Lorenz submitted fraudulent invoices to NYSDOT in order to conceal that he was not buying the amount of the sealing chemicals required by the contracts.  Lorenz falsely claimed that he was buying sealing chemicals from S.E. Brett, Inc., another company that he owned that does not sell anything. 

On these 3 contracts alone, NYSDOT paid ACME more than $1.1 million for bridge sealing work, and about $759,000 for bridge cleaning and other work.  The evidence at trial established that ACME, which had been a NYSDOT contractor since 2010, was not buying the appropriate amount of sealing chemicals since at least 2012 and had saved at least $500,000 in avoided material costs.  The loss to the government will be determined at sentencing.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 14, 2019 in Syracuse before Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue.  Lorenz faces up to 20 years in prison, a maximum $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release.  He may also be ordered to pay restitution to one or more governmental agencies.  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 USDOT-OIG, NYSDOT’s Investigations Bureau, and the Office of the New York State Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Dandrow’s Painting, Inc. (Dandrow’s) has agreed to pay $350,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to purchase and apply sufficient quantities of a penetrating sealing agent to meet its obligations under federally funded contracts.  The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Regional Office of the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General (USDOT-OIG); New York State Inspector General (NYS-IG) Catherine Leahy Scott; and Robert L. Keihm, Chief Investigator for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Investigations Bureau.

NYSDOT has contracts for the washing and sealing of concrete bridge decks that are funded, in part, with federal funds.  These contracts require the application of a penetrating sealing agent at specified rates to ensure the protection and integrity of the bridge decks over their useful lives.  If a sufficient quantity of the sealant is not applied, the bridge deck may not be protected against weather-related deterioration.  During the course of its investigation, USDOT-OIG and NYS-IG discovered that Dandrow’s had not purchased sufficient quantities of the sealing agent to satisfy its contractual obligations under its contracts with NYSDOT.

United States Attorney Jaquith said: “Safeguarding public dollars is one of this office’s top priorities.  When companies enter into federally funded contracts, they must ensure that they are complying with their contractual obligations.  Today’s settlement reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that taxpayers are receiving the benefit of their bargain.  I would like to thank the agents from USDOT-OIG, NYS-IG and NYSDOT for their diligent efforts to bring this matter to a successful conclusion.”

The investigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, USDOT-OIG, NYS-IG and NYSDOT.  The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney John Hoggan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Lance Green, age 37, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty yesterday to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his plea, Green admitted that between December 2015 and May 2016, he was a member of a drug trafficking organization that conspired to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine in Schenectady. 

Green faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, and at least 8 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, when United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences him on March 5, 2019.

A co-conspirator, Ray A. Perkins, age 31, of Schenectady, pled guilty and was sentenced to 60 months in prison on July 11, 2017.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Schenectady Police Department and Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Kistler and Michael Barnett.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – A jury voted yesterday to convict Danielle Conners, age 33, of Plattsburgh, New York, of conspiring to distribute heroin, following a 6-day trial.  Nine other defendants in the case previously pled guilty. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Kruskall, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and Clinton County Sheriff David Favro.

The evidence at trial established that Kyle Touchstone, Melissa Kusalonis and others sold heroin in Plattsburgh.  On May 21, 2017, Conners gave Touchstone and Kuslaonis $700 to purchase heroin, with the understanding that Touchstone and Kusalonis would double her money by selling the heroin.  Conners’s co-conspirators referred to her as an “investor” in the heroin trafficking conspiracy.  In addition to providing Touchstone and Kuslonis with $700 to purchase heroin, Conners loaned her car to them so that they could pick up the heroin in Schenectady, New York.  She also drove Touchstone and Kusalonis to sell the heroin in Plattsburgh.  At the time of her arrest on May 25, 2017, Conners possessed $1,033 in cash, which was proceeds from the sale of heroin. 

At sentencing scheduled for March 5, 2019, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, Conners faces up to 20 years in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least 3 years and up to life, and a maximum fine of $1 million.

Conners was charged along with nine other people in two related indictments pertaining to a heroin distribution ring that transported heroin from Schenectady and Annapolis, Maryland, and sold it in the Plattsburgh area.  These nine other defendants have pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin:

• Kyle Touchstone, age 31, of Plattsburgh;
• Melissa Kusalonis, a.k.a. “Mel,” “Liss,” age 36, of Plattsburgh;
• Jimolo Coates, a.k.a. “Lo,” Marlo,” “Brodie,” age 25, of Annapolis;
• Tynaejah Thompson, a.k.a. “Naee,” age 20, of Annapolis;
• Kiara Scott, age 29, of Annapolis;
• Anthony DeFilippo, a.k.a “Flip,” age 37, of Schenectady;
• Charles Adams, a.k.a. “Chuck,” age 33, of Peru, New York;
• Travynn Ippolito, a.k.a “Trav,” age 30, of Plattsburgh; and
• Luke Kiroy, age 33, of Saranac, New York.

 

The convictions are the result of a nearly yearlong investigation led by the DEA Task Force in Plattsburgh, which consists of law enforcement officers from the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Border Patrol, New York State Police, Clinton County Sherriff’s Office, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, and the Plattsburgh Police Department.  The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, as well as the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, also assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Katherine Kopita.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – A jury today voted to convict John “Body” Coffin, 49, of Schenectady, New York, for illegally possessing a handgun and ammunition, following a five-day trial.  The jury acquitted Coffin on a second charge, of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The evidence at trial established that Coffin provided a Walther P22 .22 caliber firearm, which he described as “the murderer’s gun,” and nine rounds of ammunition to another man in Schenectady, New York.

Coffin could not possess the handgun or ammunition because of prior felony convictions for drug and assault offenses. As a result of this jury conviction, Coffin is an Armed Career Criminal. He faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on March 11, 2018. 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 prosecution resulted from an investigation by the Capital District Safe Streets Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the New York State Police, the Schenectady Police Department, the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York Air National Guard.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wayne A. Myers.

 

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Amber Decker, 24, of Philadelphia, New York and her husband, Logan Decker, 26, of Sioux, Falls, South Dakota, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for conspiring to sexually exploit a two-year old child, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The indictment alleges that from July to September, 2018 the Deckers conspired with one another to use the child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the abuse.  

Amber Decker was arraigned in federal court today and was ordered detained pending resolution of her case.  Logan Decker is currently incarcerated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on related charges, and will be transported to federal court in Syracuse for prosecution.

The charge filed against the Deckers carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  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.  If convicted, the Deckers will be required to register as sex offenders. 

The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the New York State Police, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging 14 men with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) from 2012 until now.  According to the indictment, the 110 Gang uses murder, robberies, assaults, threats and firearms to control the gang’s territory and to expand the gang’s power and reputation. The gang also sells drugs and commits credit card fraud to make money.  The indictment alleges that the following defendants, all residents of Syracuse, are members or associates of the 110 Gang:

Daquan Dowdell, a/k/a “Cannon,” age 27

Anthony Hopper, a/k/a “A-Dog,” age 31

Javon Peterson, a/k/a “Blaze,” age 36

Davon Sullivan, a/k/a “Lil Squeeze,” age 23

Jamar Long, a/k/a “Spanky,” age 23

Deshawnte Waller, age 41

Shaquille Breland, a/k/a “Shaq,” age 25

Reddell Smith, a/k/a “Renny,” age 33

Rashwan Wynn, a/k/a “Wormy,” age 42

Qualik Vaughn, a/k/a “Q,” age 24

Terry Linen, a/k/a “Six,” age 26

Jason Lebron, a/k/a “Rilla,” age 26

Kemnorris Kinsey, a/k/a “Pep,” age 31

Damani Prince, age 25

According to the indictment:

The gang’s territory is on the southwest side of the City of Syracuse,   defined by Tallman Street to the north, Onondaga Avenue to the west, Centennial Drive to the south and Lincoln Avenue to the east. 110 Gang members routinely guard that territory and resort to acts of violence, if necessary, to ensure that no rival gang members encroach upon their territory to sell drugs, or for any other reason. 110 Gang members also occasionally resort to violence within their territory that is not directly related to their drug business, but helps to cement their reputation as violent and feared criminals.  The gang uses intimidation, violence, threats of violence, robberies, assaults, murders and attempted murders to instill fear of the gang, and to protect and expand the gang’s operations.  Gang members routinely carry firearms to protect their territory, protect their drug trade, project a violent attitude to rival gang members and to retaliate against rival gang who committed acts of violence against 110 Gang members. 

The indictment details numerous specific acts involving murders, robberies, drug trafficking and credit card fraud.    Those acts include 2 murders allegedly committed by 110 Gang members as well as several shootings targeting both rival gang members and other members of the public.  Other acts are possessions of illegal firearms including the practice of sharing “community” guns among gang members, associates and others.  Twenrty acts relate to the 110 Gang’s drug dealing, and 3 relate to its use of counterfeit credit cards at financial institutions, stores and businesses.

All 14 defendants are charged with membership in a RICO conspiracy, conviction for which carries a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, a period of supervised release of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $250,000.00.   A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said, “Today’s indictment marks the first step in holding 14 members of the 110 Gang responsible for the intimidation, violence, threats, robberies, assaults, and murders their gang has committed in Syracuse.  Our work is far from done, and we will continue to collaborate with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to use every available tool to hold gang members and affiliates responsible for their crimes so that  hard-working Syracuse citizens and their children do not have to endure the costs of gang violence.  Thank you to all of the law enforcement agencies who worked together to bring this important case.”

“Today's arrests are the result of countless hours of dedicated work," said James Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  "Syracuse neighborhoods are safer than they were just hours ago, but the pursuit of violent gang members is not over. The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to target and eliminate the significant threats to our communities posed by violent gang activity.”

Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler said, “First, I’d like to thank all of our Law Enforcement partners for their help in the investigation and indictment of these violent offenders.  Secondly, I think it is important to note that early on in this process, many of our local service providers offered various forms of assistance to gang members who wanted to take a different path.  Many of them—in fact more than were indicted today—took advantage of this assistance, and consequently their names and faces are not part of this roundup.”

New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach, II said, “These arrests show how important collaboration and information sharing are among law enforcement agencies across our state. These vital partnerships were instrumental in these arrests and the dismantling of a dangerous criminal organization. We will not tolerate any kind of gang activity in our communities nor the racketeering, drug trafficking, burglary, and violence perpetuated by it.  The State Police and our partners will continue to work together to rid our communities of these dangerous criminals and keep our neighborhoods safe.”

“Historically, the 110 Gang has been a source of drugs, violence, and crime throughout the southwest side of Syracuse,” said U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Kruskall.  “Fourteen members of this gang are charged in a RICO conspiracy as a result of law enforcement collaboration and a determined goal of making our city safer from gang violence and drug trafficking.”    

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Syracuse Police- Gang Violence Task Force, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Marshals Service, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service, the New York State Police, the Onondaga County Crime Analysis Center (OCAC), the New York State Attorney General’s Office, the Onondaga County Sherriff’s Department and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Commandeur, with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Khalif Cherry, age 40, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing and intending to distribute cocaine.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division.

As part of his guilty plea on May 24, 2018, Cherry admitted that he possessed a package containing 497 grams of cocaine and that he intended to sell that cocaine to others.  Cherry also agreed to forfeit his 2008 Lexus ES350, which he used to transport the cocaine.

This case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Christopher Martinelli, age 40, of Syracuse, pled guilty today to distributing, receiving and transporting child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.

As part of his guilty plea, Martinelli admitted to knowingly exchanging sexually explicit photographs with a 14-year-old girl over the Internet, as well as trading child pornography online while on supervised release from a prior felony conviction under the Uniform Code of Military Justice relative to child pornography crimes.

Chief Judge Glenn T. Suddaby will sentence Martinelli on February 28, 2019.  If the Chief Judge accepts the recommendation of the parties, Martinelli, who is detained pending sentencing, will receive a sentence of 20 years in prison for his conviction on the child pornography offenses, a consecutive 5-year term of imprisonment for his violation of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  Martinelli will also be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is 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 United States Office of Probation, New York State Police  Major Crimes, and the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, a federal task force that investigates cases involving the sexual exploitation of children.  The task force consists of FBI Agents and New York State Police Investigators from Troop D, Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina H. Schoenberger.

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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Seeley, age 54, of Queensbury, New York, appeared today on a criminal complaint charging him with attempting to entice and coerce a minor into a sexual act.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The complaint charges Seeley, already a registered sex offender, with attempting to entice and coerce a person whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl to engage in sexual contact with him.  The charge filed against Seeley carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of 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.

Seeley, who was arrested yesterday, appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and was ordered detained pending a further hearing on Friday, October 26.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert Jon Lazore, age 42, of Snye, Quebec, was sentenced on Monday to 151 months in prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone on the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in Franklin County. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office.

As part of his plea on June 22, 2018, Lazore admitted that between 2008 and November 2012, he operated a drug trafficking organization that distributed oxycodone on the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation, which straddles the United States and Canadian border along the Saint Lawrence River.  Lazore obtained 5,000 oxycodone tablets at a time from Canadian suppliers for distribution on the reservation.   Lazore used at least 8 couriers and runners to coordinate the distribution of oxycodone to his customers.  These couriers and runners included Carrie Lazore, Teri Jo Lazore, Travis Adams, Todd Edwards, and James Labarr.  Lazore regularly provided each courier with 100 to 200 tablets of oxycodone to sell to customers in both Canada and the United States.

In December 2017, Lazore was extradited from Canada to the United States following a term of imprisonment in Canada.

As part of the same case, the following people have pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, and been sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, as follows:

Name

Age

Residence

Sentence

Carrie Lazore

 31

Snye, Quebec

33 months

Terri Jo Lazore

 25

Akwesasne, Ontario

87 months

Travis Adams

 33

Hogansburg, NY

78 months

Todd Edwards

 28

Akwesasne, Ontario

46 months

James Labarr

 25

Bombay, NY

46 months

This case was the result of close cooperative efforts of HSI, led by the Massena Residence Office, in conjunction with CBP, DEA, and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police.  These agencies worked closely with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Akwesasne Mohawk Tribal Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Sûreté du Québec, and the Canada Border Services Agency, as well as U.S. Border Patrol, the New York State Police, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Canton Police Department, Potsdam Police Department, and Plattsburgh Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth R. Rabe and Troy Anderson.  Lazore was extradited to face charges in the Northern District of New York with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jose Isaias Guerrero, also known as Jose Isaia Herrera, age 41, and a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today to time served (6 months in jail) for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Guerrero was ordered removed by an Immigration Judge in Georgia on October 5, 2010, and he was removed to Mexico on October 19, 2010.  Guerrero was arrested by Border Patrol in Texas after he swam across the Rio Grande River from Mexico on November 25, 2010.  He was removed to Mexico a second time on November 26, 2010.   On April 20, 2018, he was arrested by an ICE Officer.   Guerrero admitted that he was actually Honduran, not Mexican, and that he returned to the United States without permission following the 2010 removals.

Following the sentencing, Guerrero was remanded to the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.  

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kevin Safford, age 33, of Amsterdam, New York, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography and accessing a child pornography web site available only through an anonymous Internet network.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his plea, Safford admitted that in 2015, he accessed Playpen, an online forum through which registered users advertised, viewed, and distributed child pornography.  Images and videos shared through the site were highly categorized according to victim age and gender, and type of sexual activity depicted. 

Before the FBI seized the Playpen web site and shut it down, it was available only through an anonymous Internet network, which allowed users to access websites including Playpen without revealing their actual internet protocol address, geographic location, or other identifying information.  Safford admitted that he logged into Playpen in order to access its child pornography content.  He also admitted to possessing child pornography on an external hard drive.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

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 Attorneys’ 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/.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Harbin Omar Maldonado-Fuentes, age 47, and a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today to time served (30 days in jail) for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Maldonado-Fuentes was arrested by Border Patrol in Arizona after he was caught entering the United States from Mexico without inspection on September 17, 2004.  Maldonado-Fuentes was removed from the United States to Honduras on October 20, 2004.  On September 22, 2018, he was arrested by an ICE Officer in Walton, Delaware County, New York.   A fingerprint check of Maldonado-Fuentes resulted in the discovery of the prior removal.  Maldonado-Fuentes admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the 2004 removal. 

Following the sentencing, Maldonado-Fuentes was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.  

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK - A jury today voted to convict Patricia L. Williams, age 62, of Binghamton, of theft of government property and fraud, for stealing Social Security benefits deposited into her deceased husband’s bank account, and for concealing her receipt of those benefits while applying for and receiving other government benefits. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and John F. Grasso, Special Agent In Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General.

The jury reached a verdict after a four-day trial.  The evidence demonstrated that the defendant’s husband passed away in 1990, but SSA was never notified of his death.  SSA, believing the defendant’s husband was alive, continued to pay monthly benefits until 2013, which Williams withdrew and spent, knowing she was not entitled to the money.  From 2008 to 2015, the defendant applied for and received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), concealing that she was taking her deceased husband’s benefits.  SSI is a needs-based program, available to elderly, blind, and disabled individuals, that provides money to pay for living expenses.  The total loss to the government was at least $63,500.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release when she is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on February 20, 2019.  She may also be ordered to pay restitution to the SSA.  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 SSA Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. White.

UTICA, NEW YORK – Ronald Pineda-Carias, age 41, and a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty today to illegally re-entering the United States as a felon.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

On May 2, 2006, Pineda-Carias was convicted of felony cocaine possession in Miami, Florida, and was thereafter removed from the United States to Honduras.  On November 4, 2011, he was convicted of illegally re-entering the United States in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  Pineda-Carias was again removed to Honduras.  In all, Pineda-Carias has been removed to Honduras on 5 occasions.

On August 9, 2018, a Border Patrol Agent encountered Pineda-Carias in downtown Plattsburgh, New York.  Pineda-Carias had a brief conversation with the agent, but then fled on foot and dove into the Saranac River in an effort to evade agents.  After a brief search, a Plattsburgh Police Officer discovered Pineda-Carias hiding in bushes on the southwest bank of the river.  

As a result of his conviction, Pineda-Carias faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced by United States District Judge David N. Hurd on December 20, 2018.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. 

This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol, with assistance from the Plattsburgh Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Daquan Rice, age 23, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to 140 months in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, in connection with his prior guilty plea to charges involving a years-long credit card cloning operation, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Postal Inspector in Charge Joseph Cronin; New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II; and Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler.  Senior Judge Frederick J. Scullin also ordered Rice to forfeit $82,550.00.

The defendant was sentenced today for two separate federal cases involving illegal credit card activity.  The first, to which he pled guilty on June 1, 2017, involved wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft, based on his role in a scheme that generated tens of thousands of dollars from the use of stolen and counterfeit credit cards.  As part of his guilty plea to those charges, the defendant admitted to the purchase of stolen credit card numbers belonging to hundreds of different victims, frequently from computer hackers located overseas, and the fabrication of cloned credit cards.  Rice further admitted that he used those cloned credit cards to purchase tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise and prepaid gift cards.  The defendant then used those prepaid gift cards to purchase United States Postal money orders, which he converted to cash.  Rice’s and his co-defendants’ criminal conduct spanned from 2014 through 2016 and took place in Syracuse, as well as Texas and Georgia.

Today’s sentence also covered a second federal criminal case to which the defendant pled guilty on May 25, 2018, relating to the defendant’s participation in a counterfeit credit card scheme while he was in jail awaiting sentencing on the initial federal charges.  In that second case, Rice pled guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and admitted that in August and September 2017, he and a co-defendant acquired stolen credit card numbers, made deposits with those numbers into inmate commissary accounts, and then directed that checks be drawn from those commissary accounts and mailed out to locations in Syracuse, New York.  Rice and his co-defendant made more than $8,600.00 in deposits using the stolen credit card accounts.  Three checks, totaling $550.00, were sent out from the commissary accounts where deposits had been made with the stolen credit cards. However, prison officials froze the accounts and blocked the withdrawal requests before Rice could transfer additional funds.

These cases were investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Syracuse Police Department – Gang Violence Task Force, the New York State Police, the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Town of Dewitt Police Department, and were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Commandeur.

 

 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Efisio Mascia, age 36, and a citizen of Italy residing in Ibiza, Spain, was arrested Tuesday after a high-speed flight from Border Patrol on New York State Route 37 near Malone, New York.  The arrested followed a failed smuggling attempt. No one was injured.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

According to the criminal complaints, Border Patrol Agents interrupted an alien smuggling event in progress along the border near the Fort Covington Port of Entry.  An agent attempted to pull over a New Jersey-plated BMW that was observed on a private dirt road along the border at the same time that a woman was observed illegally crossing the border.   The BMW initially yielded to the Border Patrol Agent, but sped off at a high rate of speed.  Agents lost contact with the vehicle but later came upon it stopped in traffic at the intersection of State Routes 37 and 11.  A Border Patrol agent pulled into the intersection with emergency lights on, blocking the BMW, when the BMW then backed up at a high rate of speed, turned 180 degrees in the opposite direction and fled again. 

Agents found the driver, Mascia, hiding behind a closed store, and found the smuggled alien, a woman from France, in a store parking lot across the street.   The BMW was later found abandoned on Route 30 south of Malone.   

The charges in the complaints are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mascia was charged with transporting an alien unlawfully present in the United States.  He appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for October 25.  The smuggled alien, Sofie You, age 38, of Paris, France, is charged with the misdemeanor offense of entry without inspection. 

The charges filed against Mascia carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  

This case is being investigated by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Catarino Vargas-Moreno, age 42, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today to time served (32 days in jail) for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Vargas-Moreno was removed from the United States to Mexico on September 14, 2009, following an illegal entry into the United States.  On September 15, 2018, he was arrested at a Border Patrol checkpoint on New York State Route 9 near North Hudson, New York.  Vargas-Moreno was a passenger in a vehicle that pulled into the checkpoint.  Following a fingerprint check, Vargas-Moreno admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the 2009 removal. 

Following the sentencing, Vargas-Moreno was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.

This case was investigated by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mario Navarijo Orantes, age 52, and a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced today to time served (133 days in jail) for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Navarijo Orantes was removed from the United States to Guatemala on November 27, 1991 and again on October 5, 1999.  On June 6, 2018, he was arrested by a Border Patrol Agent near Champlain, New York, after he illegally entered the United States from Canada by walking across the border approximately one mile east of the Overton Corners Port of Entry. Navarijo Orantes admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the prior removals. Navarijo Orantes claimed to have been residing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, since 2000.  

Following the sentencing, Navarijo Orantes was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.  

In a related case, on October 5, 2018, Carlos Figueroa Rivas, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to the felony offense of encouraging and inducing the illegal entry of an alien (Mario Navarijo Orantes). He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6, 2019.   

This case was investigated by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brian Napier, age 35, of Waterford, New York, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for accessing a child pornography web site available only through an anonymous Internet network.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also ordered Napier to serve a 20-year term of supervised release following his release from prison, and to pay a special assessment of $15,300.  Napier must also register as a sex offender following his release from prison.

As part of his plea, Napier admitted that in 2015, he accessed Playpen, an online forum through which registered users advertised, viewed, and distributed child pornography.  Images and videos shared through the site were highly categorized according to victim age and gender, and type of sexual activity depicted. 

Before the FBI seized the Playpen web site and shut it down, it was available only through an anonymous Internet network, which allowed users to access websites including Playpen without revealing their actual internet protocol address, geographic location, or other identifying information.  Napier admitted that he logged into Playpen in order to access its child pornography content. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

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 Attorneys’ 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 – Martin Nicholson, age 31, of Syracuse, New York was arrested and charged today with one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and one count of Receipt of Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, James Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.

Nicholson was arrested today and appeared in federal court in Syracuse. He was ordered held without bail pending a hearing on October 15, 2018.

Martin Nicholson is charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He is also charged with Receipt of Child Pornography, which carries a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The defendant could also be fined up to $250,000.00 on each count and can be sentenced to a minimum of 5 years and up to life a life term of Supervised Release. Additionally, the defendant will be required to register as a Sex Offender, if convicted.

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

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Martin Nicholson was arrested yesterday on related New York State charges and was released after he posted bail.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher.

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Alejandro Quintero-Marquez, age 33, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty today to illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Quintero-Marquez was removed from the United States to Mexico three times, the most recent removal occurring on July 30, 2010.  On July 28, 2018, an ICE Officer arrested him in Walton, New York.  Quintero-Marquez admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the July 30, 2010 removal.   

Quintero-Marquez faces up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on February 11, 2019.  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 ICE-ERO and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kevin R. Palmer, age 36, a Jamaican citizen residing in Suwanee, Georgia, was indicted today and accused of stealing more than $320,000 from an elderly Albany couple in a mail-based prize scam.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Joseph Cronin, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Boston Division.

The indictment alleges that Palmer and conspirators mailed documents that falsely informed victims that they had won lottery and other prizes, and were required to pay fees and taxes in order to claim their prizes. 

In 2017, R.H. and D.H., an elderly couple residing in Albany County, were contacted through the mail and by telephone, and were told that they needed to send money in order to obtain an inheritance and tax refund, and claim lottery and sweepstakes prize money, according to the indictment and a previously filed criminal complaint. 

As instructed, R.H. and D.H. mailed bank checks to addresses in Georgia, including Palmer’s address.  They mailed a total of 12 checks; 10 of these checks were payable to Palmer, and all 12 were deposited into bank accounts for which Palmer was a signatory.

The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

On October 4, Postal Inspectors arrested Palmer at his residence in Georgia.  Palmer is in federal custody in Georgia pending further proceedings, and will be arraigned in Albany, New York, at a later date.  If convicted of mail fraud or mail fraud conspiracy, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

Fraudsters routinely use the U.S. Mail to falsely inform victims that they have to pay “fees” or “taxes” in order to receive a tax refund, lottery or sweepstakes prize, or inheritance.  These scams often target the elderly.  To learn how to detect and avoid these scams, please visit the web site of the Federal Trade Commission, at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0199-prize-scams.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Chad Knowlton, age 24, of Queensbury, New York, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also sentenced Knowlton to a lifetime of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment.  Knowlton will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

Knowlton pled guilty on June 12, 2018. As part of his plea, Knowlton admitted using a custom-built desktop computer, equipped with peer-to-peer file-sharing software, to download and distribute child pornography.  Knowlton also admitted to using a phone to download additional child pornography.  Overall, Knowlton downloaded and retained over 1,000 images and videos depicting child pornography.

Knowlton also faces state charges alleging the sexual abuse of children in Warren County.  He is innocent unless and until proven guilty of those charges.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

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.

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Narcis Gabriel Burcea, age 26, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, was arrested on October 6 for transporting Andreea Tita Pirlica, an alien and citizen of Romania, following Pirlica’s illegal entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Acting Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

The charges in the complaints are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

According to the criminal complaints, Burcea entered the United States from Canada at the Massena, New York, Port of Entry on October 5, 2018.  He spent the night at a local hotel, then traveled to the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation on October 6.  Border Patrol Agents saw Burcea enter a parking lot alone, and a few minutes later saw him leave the parking lot with Pirlica.  The investigation revealed that Pirlica traveled from Canada to the United States via boat and was driven to the area of the parking lot where she met Burcea.  Agents stopped Burcea as he and Pirlica traveled toward Massena. 

The charges filed against Burcea carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment 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.

Pirlica is charged with the misdemeanor crime of illegal entry.

This case is being investigated by Border Patrol, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Massena Office of Field Operations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jerome Lauzon, age 44, of Gansevoort, New York, was arraigned today on a charge of misappropriating at least $5,000 from a federally funded program.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Regional Office of the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General (USDOT-OIG); New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott; and Robert L. Keihm, Chief Investigator for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Investigations Bureau.

Lauzon, formerly a NYSDOT employee, was the Engineer in Charge of a $10.5 million road reconstruction project in Washington County, New York, from 2012 to 2017.  The Federal Highway Administration, a USDOT agency, provided 80 percent of the funding for the contract. 

According to the indictment, the contractor for the project purchased goods and services for Lauzon’s personal use, and Lauzon unlawfully reimbursed the company for these purchases using project funds.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Lauzon was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and was released with conditions pending trial.  If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, a maximum $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by USDOT-OIG, NYSDOT’s Investigations Bureau, and the Office of the New York State Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

 SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - One year ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which Attorney General Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. 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.

Throughout the past year, we have partnered with all levels of law enforcement, local organizations, and members of the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

“Project Safe Neighborhoods is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs.  I have empowered our United States Attorneys to focus enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in their districts, and directed that they work together with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems they face.  Each United States Attorney has prioritized the PSN program, and I am confident that it will continue to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities.”  

Northern District of New York United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said, “Every neighborhood should be a safe place.  We are completely committed to the continued implementation of the revitalized Project Safe Neighborhoods to achieve that goal. It takes effective collaboration with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and other community agencies to curtail violent crime, and the drug, gun, and gang crimes that beget violence.  Working together, we offer help for those who want a better life and a safer community, and the full breadth and force of federal and state law, including applicable mandatory minimum sentences, for those who persist with violence.” 

As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, here are some of the highlights of our PSN actions over the past year:

Enforcement Actions

In the Northern District of New York,  the U.S. Attorney’s Office works with federal law enforcement agencies, including the  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the New York State Police; and sheriff’s offices, municipal and tribal police departments, and state prosecutors throughout our 32 county area, collaborating to curtail crimes of violence and associated drug, gang, and gun activity, and to prosecute those who commit such crimes in the most effective forum.  Among others, these have included:   

• United States v. Charles Tan: On June 22, 2018, the defendant pled guilty to the federal crime of receiving a firearm in interstate commerce intending to use it in the commission of a felony.  The defendant admitted: that he paid another person to purchase a shotgun for him; that he knew the “straw purchaser” would have to lie to do so; and that he intended to use the shotgun to shoot his father.  The defendant’s father was shot and killed in Rochester, New York, in June of 2015 and state murder charges against the defendant were dismissed following a mistrial. ATF and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.  The defendant will be sentenced on November 19, 2018.

• United States v. Emmanuel Philippe, ATF and the Saratoga Springs (New York) Police Department investigated the defendant’s possession of 35 bags of cocaine base (crack), packaging material, and equipment for drug distribution, a loaded assault rifle and over 200 rounds of ammunition when his car was stopped. The defendant was convicted following a jury trial, and he will be sentenced on December 6, 2018. 

• United States v. Jose Fontanez, Onic Martinez, Omar Dejesus, Dalmary Morales and Juan Suarez, ATF investigated the October 22, 2017 theft of more than 50 firearms from a federally licensed dealer in Glenville, New York. Five persons were charged with committing the burglary and transporting and/or storing the stolen firearms. The defendants have all pled guilty to charges related to the theft or possession of stolen firearms. Omar DeJesus, Dalmary Morales, Jose Fontanez and Juan Suarez will be sentenced on December 17, 2018. Onic Martinez will be sentenced on December 13, 2018.

• United States v. Alfred Laquann “Merc” Thomas, after state court charges were dismissed due to uncooperative witnesses, Thomas pled guilty to the federal charge of possessing ammunition as a convicted felon and was sentenced to 115 months in prison.  The sentence was an upward departure based on the fact that Thomas possessed the ammunition while taking part in a drive-by shooting of an occupied house in Syracuse.  During his sentencing hearing, the court also heard evidence that Thomas had admitted to agents that he had committed an unrelated murder for which he had been tried and acquitted in state court. The sentence was affirmed on appeal in May 2018. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Syracuse Police Department.

 

Community Partnerships

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York participates in local partnerships with community organizations and law enforcement agencies to combat violence, drug abuse, and promote offenders’ successful reentry into society following their release from federal prison. These include:

• Anti-gang violence/focused deterrence “call-in’ meetings with at risk youth as part of “Syracuse Truce,” “Utica Save Our Streets,” “Albany Violence Eradication,” and “Schenectady Strong.” Since 2012, U.S. Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhood grants have provided $1.2 million dollars for anti-violence law enforcement actions and community engagement activities in Syracuse.

• Intensive Reentry Court, through which selected offenders, including former gang members, returning from prison participate in a highly structured federal court-based program to reintroduce them into society with the skills, habits, training, and support to avoid a return to the criminal justice system. The U.S. Attorney’s Office participates with Federal Judges, U.S. Probation Officers, and the Federal Public Defender’s Office in this rigorous program that has continued over the past decade in Syracuse and Albany.

• Anti-drug abuse efforts: The United States Attorney’s Office has partnered with community coalitions, school districts, civic and religious organizations, colleges and universities, local, county and state agencies to present over 70 community outreach programs to promote prevention and education in the midst of the opioids epidemic. Many of the programs have featured screenings of “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict,” coupled with guest speakers, panels comprised of health professionals, first responders, law enforcement, addicts in recovery, and parents of overdose victims, and information about community resources. These activities complement our continuing work in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the investigation, interdiction, and prosecution of drug traffickers that are among the core missions of the United States Attorney’s Office and the United States Department of Justice.    

 

These enforcement actions and partnerships are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. Learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.

 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Carlos Figueroa Rivas, age 58, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today to encouraging and inducing an illegal alien to enter the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Steven Bronson, Area Port Director, United States Custom and Border Protection (CBP).

Figueroa Rivas admitted that on June 6, 2018, he drove from Montreal to a remote spot in Quebec along the border and dropped off an illegal alien from Guatemala named Mario Navarijo Orantes.  Figueroa Rivas intended to enter the United States alone while Navarijo Orantes walked across the border and avoided immigration inspection. 

After dropping off Navarijo Orantes, Figueroa Rivas drove to the Champlain Port of Entry and attempted to enter the United States alone driving a car registered to a third person.  CBP refused to admit the car that Figueroa Rivas was driving and he returned to Canada.  Border Patrol Agents arrested Navarijo Orantes in Rouses Point, New York, and determined that he intended to meet Figueroa Rivas.

Figueroa Rivas admitted that he intended to pick up Navarijo Orantes near Rouses Point and take him to Pennsylvania.   

Figueroa Rivas faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on February 6, 2019.  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.    

Navarijo Orantes, age 52, pled guilty to the felony offense of illegal re-entry of a removed alien and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17.      

This case was investigated by CBP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Alan Longmore, age 66, of Fayetteville, New York, appeared yesterday in federal court on charges that he received child pornography over the internet.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

According to the federal criminal complaint, Longmore, received images of child pornography through a Peer-to-Peer file sharing program.  An initial forensic review of his laptop computer revealed that it contained numerous video files depicting child pornography.  After being confronted about these charges, Longmore admitted to engaging in this criminal conduct for the past 6 years. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Longmore appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew T. Baxter, who ordered him detained pending a hearing scheduled for October 10, 2018.

If convicted, Longmore faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000.00 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. If convicted, Longmore will be required to register as a sex offender.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Syracuse with assistance from the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Town of Manlius Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.

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

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shenika D. Boyd, aka “Misses,” age 38, of Albany, was sentenced today to 46 months in prison, to be followed by 6 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Today, United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced two others in connection with the conspiracy: Bobby R. Graham, age 51, of Albany, was sentenced to 3 years of probation, including 6 months of home confinement; and Jalessa Scott, age 27, of Schenectady, was sentenced to time served (about 17 months in jail), to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  As part of the federal investigation, Scott also pled guilty in Schenectady County Court to criminal possession of a firearm.

Boyd, Graham and Scott were among 12 people indicted in August 2017 for their involvement in a drug trafficking ring that operated in Schenectady and Albany.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Schenectady Police Department, Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Alonzo Harris, age 43, of Youngtown, Arizona, was convicted today of drug trafficking and money laundering charges following a four-day jury trial, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Joseph Cronin, and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.

The evidence at trial proved that Harris used the U.S. Postal Service to mail more than 50 multi-pound packages of methamphetamine from the Phoenix, Arizona, area to Broome County New York, where members of his drug trafficking organization distributed it to local dealers and users.  The trial evidence also established that Harris, along with his co-conspirators, generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds from the sale of methamphetamine.

The conviction in this case was the result of a multi-agency investigation, Operation Hailstorm, which resulted in charges against 10 individuals involved in the illegal methamphetamine trafficking activity.  The other nine defendants all previously pled guilty.

Sentencing for Harris is scheduled for February 6, 2019 in Syracuse before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.  At sentencing, Harris faces a mandatory term of 10 years and up to life in prison.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the United States Postal Inspection Service, the New York State Police, the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, and the Vestal Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Commandeur and Michael Gadarian.

 

 

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Indrawattie Sookram, age 40, and a citizen of Guyana, pled guilty today to illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Sookram was arrested in the U.S. Virgin Islands in February 1999.  In August 1999, she was convicted in the United States District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands for using a false passport, false visa and false identity to enter the United States.  She was removed from the United States to Guyana on September 3, 1999, after serving six months in jail. 

On May 17, 2018, she was arrested by an HSI Agent in Schenectady, New York.  A fingerprint check of Sookram resulted in the discovery of the prior conviction and removal under the name Maryan Husain.  Sookram admitted that in 2000, following her removal to Guyana, she returned to the United States without permission.   

Sookram faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced by Senior United States Judge Fredrick J. Scullin, Jr. on May 20, 2019.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.    

This case was investigated by HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Colin Stewart, age 41, of Elgin, Quebec, Canada, was sentenced today to 135 months in prison for conspiring to smuggle thousands of pounds of marijuana into the United States from Canada through the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation.  

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division.

Following his extradition from Canada, Stewart admitted that he and his co-conspirators smuggled thousands of pounds of marijuana into the United States for distribution throughout the northeastern United States.  Stewart admitted to organizing the smuggling, paying co-conspirators, and personally transporting thousands of pounds of marijuana across the St. Lawrence River from Canada into the United States.

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Stewart to serve 5 years of post-imprisonment supervised release and pay a $10,000 fine.

The investigation and prosecution of Stewart was the result of a joint investigation by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the New York State Police, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services, and the District Attorneys of Franklin and Clinton Counties.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Kopita and Douglas G. Collyer.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Linda Sue Parnell, age 63, of Syracuse, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Utica to four counts of wire fraud for falsely obtaining more than $70,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor for mileage reimbursement claims between 2010 and 2016, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent-in-Charge Sean J. Smith, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, Northeast Field Office.

In pleading guilty, Parnell admitted that after claiming to have sustained a back injury while working at a Veterans Affairs hospital she was approved to receive compensation benefits from the U.S Department of Labor relating to her claim. Specifically, the Department of Labor authorized Parnell to seek reimbursement for a membership to the YMCA of Greater Syracuse and to seek reimbursement for miles driven to and from the YMCA for the purpose of exercising to strengthen her back. The Department of Labor also authorized Parnell to seek reimbursement for miles driven to and from covered medical appointments. As part of her guilty plea yesterday, Parnell admitted that she defrauded the Department of Labor by submitting reimbursement claims for trips that she did not actually make to the YMCA, and by significantly inflating the mileage for those trips she did take to the YMCA and also to covered medical appointments. Specifically, Parnell claimed to have visited the YMCA more than 1,700 times between 2010 and 2016, though she actually visited the YMCA on approximately 50 occasions during this time. The investigation established that Parnell claimed to visit the YMCA on days she was actually traveling out of state, including dozens of times over a several-month period during which she resided in Pennsylvania. In total, the loss to the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs exceeded $70,000.

The charges to which Parnell pled guilty yesterday carry 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. 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. Parnell will be sentenced in Utica on January 24, 2019, by United States District Judge David N. Hurd, who presided over Parnell’s change of plea hearing yesterday.

This case was investigated by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Tamara Thomson.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Nashon T. Nance, 21, of Syracuse, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to possessing a pistol as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)-New York Field Division, and Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler.

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Nashon T. Nance admitted that he possessed a Smith and Wesson .45 caliber revolver on May 11, 2018, when he was arrested by Syracuse Police at 111 Smith Lane, Syracuse. Police were called to this location by a female who said that Nance had threatened her with a pistol. Nance was, at that time, on New York State Parole, having been previously convicted of the felony offense of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in Cayuga County Court in November 2016.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2019. The charge to which Nashon T. Nance pled guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Syracuse Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Benjamin J. Varieur, age 33, of Saratoga Springs, New York, and formerly of Brunswick, New York, pled guilty today to receiving child pornography via an encrypted messaging application on his phone.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea, Varieur admitted that from March 22, 2018 to March 25, 2018, he used the Wickr Me messaging application to receive child pornography over the internet from another man.  Varieur, using the name “bigman6012,” requested and received dozens of images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as 2 years old.

Varieur, who has been detained since his arrest in April, faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, when he is sentenced in January 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.  Varieur would 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, including the Colonie Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Barnett.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 – Brandon Jock, age 35, of Massena, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 30 years in federal prison following his plea of guilty to five federal felonies relating to child pornography offenses, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, James Hendricks, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.

In March of 2018, Jock pled guilty to Advertising Child Pornography, as a part of his participation in on-line groups that he administered specifically for the trading of child pornography.  In addition, Jock was convicted of transporting child pornography over the internet into both an online group, and into cloud storage accounts that he then shared with others.  The federal investigation resulted in the recovery of over 13,000 images and videos of child pornography that Jock had transported over the Internet to store in those accounts in order to trade. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York.

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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard Thomas, age 53, of Green Island, New York, was arraigned yesterday on a charge that he possessed and intended to distribute crack cocaine and cocaine.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the indictment, on September 10, 2018, Thomas possessed and intended to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) and cocaine.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Thomas is in custody pending trial.  If convicted, Thomas faces at least 10 years and up to 40 years in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Alicia Suarez.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Douglas Fountain, age 29, of Colonie, New York, was ordered detained yesterday after being charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and transporting child pornography over the internet.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

A criminal complaint filed against Fountain alleges that he took sexually explicit photographs of a child and posted them on a website where other members of the site could view the photographs.  The charges in the complaint are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

If convicted, Fountain faces at least 20 years and up to 50 years in prison, mandatory registration as a sex offender, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-release supervision 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 HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Giglio Suarez. 

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 Attorneys’ 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/.