Western District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Buffalo Couple Arrested, Charged with Making, Passing Counterfeit MoneyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Eric M. Butson, 36, and Catalina Hernandez, 41, both of Buffalo, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit United States currency. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that between December 2022, and March 2023, Butson and Hernandez are accused of conspiring to manufacture and pass counterfeit money in stores, restaurants, and shops. According to the complaint, on January 10, 2023, Butson and Hernandez used a counterfeit $100 bill to make a purchase at Watson's Chocolates on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. Watson's Chocolates reported this incident and provided surveillance video to the United States Secret Service. Subsequent investigation determined that Butson and Hernandez, wearing Covid masks, successfully passed or attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills, bearing the same serial number of the bill used at Watson’s Chocolates, at multiple businesses including:
- Salsaritas
- Sunshine and Bluebirds
- Elmwood Pet Supplies
- Walgreens Drug Store
- Hydraulic Hearth
- Left Bank Restaurant
- Jim’s Steakout
- Cheesy Chick Café
- Humbert House Restaurant
On February 6, 2023, investigators pulled the trash from the defendants Orlando Street residence, recovering an ink cartridge, a partial counterfeit bill, printer paper with the outlines of bills used to align printing of counterfeit bills, receipts, and bags from businesses on Elmwood Avenue where counterfeit bills were passed, and handwritten addresses of businesses where counterfeit bills were passed. To date, Butson and Hernandez have attempted to pass counterfeit bills at more than 50 businesses in the greater Buffalo area. They are also currently charged in the Towns of Amherst and West Seneca with passing counterfeit bills.
The defendants made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and are being held pending a detention hearing on March, 24, 2023.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey Burr, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects More Than $36 Million Dollars in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2022Read the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that the Western District of New York collected $36,265,598.00 in criminal, civil and forfeiture actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Of this amount, $7,484,121.00 was collected in criminal actions and $28,781,477.00 was collected in civil actions. As a result, over $7,000,000 was given to victims of crime in the past year, while $964,621.00 was provided as aid to state and local law enforcement agency partners who worked hand in hand with the office on criminal cases.
Additionally, the Western District of New York worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $10,527,064.89 in cases pursued jointly by these offices.
I making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ross specifically credited the work done by the Asset Recovery Division, under the leadership of Chief Kevin D. Robinson and Deputy Chief Grace Carducci. “This Office is focused on combating all crime, in particular those crimes involving violence, racism and bigotry, use of firearms, exploitation of women and children, and fraud,” stated U.S. Attorney Ross. “At the same time, we are focused on making sure that justice is fair and even handed. Everyone deserves to live and work in an environment that is safe, and your rights guaranteed under the law are afforded to you. In addition to combating crime, we seek to deprive criminals of those proceeds generated through their illegal activity, and to collect on behave of the victims of crime. Our goal is to make all victims of crime whole.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
In addition to recovering funds, more than 50 dangerous firearms and 1,800 rounds of ammunition were forfeited in FY 2021 as instrumentalities of criminal conduct in drug and violent gang cases. Forty Computers and electronic media devices—most related to child exploitation cases—were also forfeited.
The following cases are examples of successful forfeiture and affirmative civil enforcement cases concluded this past year in the Western District of New York:
- In April 2022, the district recovered $ $16.27 million as part of a civil forfeiture settlement in the United States v. 7405 Morgan Road, et al. case.
- In March 2022, the district recovered approximately $3.3 million as part of a criminal forfeiture settlement and $102,952.77 in court ordered restitution in the United States v. Christopher Parris case. Christopher Parris solicited and caused others to solicit various medical supply companies and governmental entities for orders of scarce PPE. Parris knowingly misrepresented his access to, and ability to obtain and deliver on time, vast quantities PPE.
- In December 2022, the district recovered approximately $277,500 in criminal forfeiture as a result of a jury trial in the United States v. Michael Rech case. Michael Rech submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application and received funds that he was not otherwise entitled to receive.
- In June 2022, the district recovered $600,000 from James A. Sakr, M.D., an ear, nose, and throat doctor based in Dansville, NY, to resolve allegations that Dr. Sakr fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for procedures that were not medically necessary or that he did not perform.
- In August 2022, the district entered into a settlement for $950,000 with Elderwood, a Buffalo-based senior care company, to resolve allegations that Elderwood submitted false claims for payment from Medicare and Medicaid. Between August 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018, Elderwood submitted, or caused to be submitted, claims for payment to Medicare for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services that it knew were medically unnecessary. The submission of these medically unnecessary claims also resulted in Elderwood receiving artificially inflated payments from Medicaid.
- In February 2022, the district recovered $970,000 from Nightingale Corporation to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act. Nightingale is a manufacturer of office seating and furniture, which sells its products to various federal government agencies. In December 2019, Nightingale was awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) contract to supply office chairs to various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. The contract required that Nightingale produce the chairs in the United States. The Government alleged that during the bidding process, Nightingale falsely represented to the GSA that it would produce the chairs at its Tonawanda, NY, location. Based on that representation, Nightingale was awarded the contract. However, between February 2020 and April 2021, Nightingale did not produce the chairs in Tonawanda or elsewhere in the United States, but rather the chairs were produced in Canada.
Cheektowaga Man Who Traveled to Rochester to Have Sex with A 13 Y/O Girl Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Mohammed Uddin, 34, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years prison, a maximum of 20 years, a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that Uddin engaged in sexually explicit online and text communications with an undercover law enforcement officer, who he believed was a 13-year-old girl. Over a period of approximately three weeks, Uddin discussed engaging in sexual relations with the child, sent pornography to the child, talked about taking the child’s virginity, attempted to induce the child to produce and send him sexually explicit photos and videos, and formed a plan to meet the child at her Rochester home for sex. On August 18, 2022, Uddin traveled from Cheektowaga to an address in Rochester that he believed was the child’s residence and was immediately taken into custody, at which time investigators located Uddin’s cell phone and candy that he purchased as a gift for the child.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 29, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty to Making Internet Threats and Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Gabygayl Cruz, 21, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to transmitting a threat in interstate commerce and possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who is handling the case, stated that on the evening of June 7, 2021, on Facebook Live, Cruz threatened to shoot a man, stating at the end of the video, “Tune-in in five minutes.” Later that night, Cruz and another person went to an area of Rochester where Cruz knew the person she threatened spent time. In a second Facebook Live video, a black screen appeared but 11 gunshots could be heard followed by the sounds of Cruz running and giggling. In a third video, Cruz recounted the earlier shooting, imitated shooting a gun and continued to issue threats to others.
On July 1, 2021, Cruz again used Facebook Live to threaten to shoot a woman, displaying a .45 caliber firearm, while issuing the threat. Cruz then went to a Columbia Avenue address in Rochester to confront the woman, but she was not there. While leaving the area, Cruz struck a parked car and fired a shot in the air. Cruz was arrested the next day when she was stopped driving a car in which officers found a loaded .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, which was the same firearm she displayed in one of the videos.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
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Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy Which Resulted in Fatal OverdoseRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ryan A. Bloom, 37, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that Bloom bought and sold heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine for profit and his own use, utilizing Facebook to conduct his drug trafficking activities. Bloom and co-conspirator, Rachelle Allison, also utilized a Fairview Avenue residence in Jamestown to conduct their drug trafficking activities, selling drugs and running a needle exchange out of the residence. These activities resulted in numerous overdoses occurred at that location.
On April 5, 2020, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Hoag Road residence in Ashville, NY, for a possible overdose death. Upon arrival, an individual identified as D.R., was found deceased. A search of D.R.’s cellular telephone revealed Facebook messages between D.R. and Bloom the previous day that were drug related. Bloom admits that he and Allison distributed heroin and fentanyl to D.R. the day before D.R.’s death. On July 19, 2020, Bloom sold heroin and fentanyl to an individual identified as A.R. at the Fairview Avenue residence, resulting in A.R. overdosing. After receiving two doses of Narcan, A.R. and was revived and regained consciousness. On February 12, 2021, investigators conducted an undercover purchase of heroin and fentanyl from Bloom.
Rachelle Allison was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 14, 2023, before Judge Sinatra.
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Convicted Felon Charged with Possessing A GunRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Lay Wah, 23, a Burmese citizen living in Buffalo, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 13, 2023, the ATF and Buffalo Police executed a search warrant at Wah’s Newfield Street residence. Upon entering the residence, law enforcement observed Way move quickly from a computer room to a bedroom, where he was spotted reaching in a piece of furniture before pushing the door closed. Moments later, a law enforcement officer outside the residence observed an object, which turned out to be a loaded 9mm handgun, thrown from the same bedroom window. The handgun was equipped with a device which converts semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic machineguns. Inside the residence, law enforcement also recovered a quantity of cash, 9mm ammunition, various packaging materials, and a plastic bag containing numerous suspected counterfeit Percocet pills. In December 2020, Wah was convicted of a felony in Erie County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Wah made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commission Joseph Gramaglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Niagara Falls Man Going to Prison for Attempted Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Pedro Melendez, 28, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of attempted receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 96 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that in July 2021, Melendez engaged in sexually explicit communications with an 11-year-old minor victim residing in Connecticut, via several email and PlayStation accounts and applications. Melendez specifically asked the minor victim if she was 11 years old, which she confirmed, and he continued to engage in sexually explicit conversations. During these conversations, Melendez repeatedly asked the minor victim to send him sexually explicit images of herself, while sending the minor victim naked images of himself. Melendez also said that he wished he lived near the minor victim so that he could be her “teacher” and her “training partner.” In addition, Melendez told the minor victim to delete her messages saying “[t]hen ya might show people then I'm a pedophile,” and “[o]nly because your [sic] young enough to be my kid.”
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
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Rochester Man Arrested, Charged with Multiple Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Leonard Ortiz, Jr., 20, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at Ortiz’s residence after receiving a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Ortiz traded child pornography on a social media application with other users. Multiple digital devices were seized and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for forensic analysis. The review uncovered at least 625 images and 117 videos of child pornography on Ortiz’s cell phone, some of which depicted the rape of prepubescent children. Investigators also executed search warrants on Ortiz’s social media accounts and discovered additional child pornography that he distributed to and received from others. In addition, investigators found multiple message threads during which Ortiz and other users openly discussed child pornography and the sexual abuse of children.
Ortiz made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and was released on conditions, including no contact with minors, unsupervised use of computers and GPS location monitoring.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of major Brian Ratajczak and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Buffalo Man Going to Prison on Multiple Drug, Gun and Covid-19 Fraud CrimesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joseph Bella, 50, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a drug user in possession of a firearm, and wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Rudroff and Nicholas T. Cooper, who handled the case, stated that on April 23, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Bella’s residence and recovered drug paraphernalia and quantities of cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana. Investigators also recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition. At that time, Bella was an unlawful user of controlled substances, including marijuana and cocaine.
In addition, Bella defrauded a Salt Lake City, Utah, corporation (Victim) that developed and manufactured COVID-19 test kits, by falsely representing that his company, Medcor Staffing, Inc., was laboratory certified to perform high-complexity molecular testing, that Medcor Staffing was an “end-user” of the tests, and that Medcor Staffing would not attempt to resell them. As a result, the Victim sold Bella 5,000 COVID-19 tests that he could not safely and accurately process, could not provide end-user support for, and, in fact, intended to re-sell at a substantial mark-up.
In March 2020, Bella advertised on his personal Facebook account that he was selling “FDA approved COVID-19 Test Kits.” In April 2020, Bella communicated with an undercover federal agent by telephone, text message, and email, falsely telling the agent that he had 50,000 COVID-19 tests for sale; that the COVID-19 tests were being stored in a warehouse in San Diego, California at -20 degrees Celsius; that Medcor Staffing was an “exclusive licensed reseller” of the tests; and that Medcor Staffing employed doctors and scientists to answer customers' questions. Bella attempted to sell the tests to the agent for $30 per test, or more, after fraudulently obtaining the tests for only $8 apiece.
Bella also fraudulently obtained a loan from the Small Business Association under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, which is designed to provide low-interest loans to qualifying small businesses to help them meet financial obligations and operating expenses in the event of a disaster. At Bella’s direction, a subordinate submitted a falsified application for a loan under the EIDL Program for another business Bella owns called BuyMyCard, a purchaser and re-seller of gift cards. The application grossly inflated BuyMyCard’s annual revenue, grossly underreported BuyMyCard’s annual expenses, and falsely stated that Bella was not subject to formal criminal charges at the time of the application. As a result of the falsified application, the SBA approved and funded a $149,900 loan to BuyMyCard under the EIDL Program.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino; Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations, under the direction of Brian Manaher; U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Jeffrey T. Wilson; the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the Boston Division; the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division; and Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
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Florida Man Who Victimized Underage Girls Online Going to Prison for 29 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Andrew Lynch a/k/a Gregory O’Neil, 33, of Crystal River, Florida, who was convicted of production of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 29 years in prison and 20 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Caitlin M. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that between April and May, 2018, Lynch a resident of the State of Florida, communicated with minor females located in the Western District of New York with the intent to have the victims produce child pornography for him. Specifically, Lynch communicated with five victims, ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old, via Facebook Messenger. As a result of Lynch’s threats and coercion, the victims sent Lynch numerous images and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and also engaged in video chats with Lynch during which they engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During some of the communications, Lynch posted child pornographic images of the victims to Facebook in an effort to coerce them into sending more sexually explicit images and videos.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the Citrus County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Mike Prendergast.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy and Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Janard D. Warnick, 30, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated Warnick sold cocaine for profit and maintained a Clifford Avenue residence in Rochester to store, process, and sell controlled substances. On February 23, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at the Clifford Avenue residence, seizing approximately 61 grams of cocaine, a quantity of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl, approximately two grams of crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. Investigators also recovered three firearms and a variety of ammunition.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 9, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Rochester Felon Pleads Guilty to Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jerry Wesson, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that on September 23, 2022, Wesson was wanted by the Rochester Police Department for an assault that had allegedly occurred on July 25, 2022. At approximately 12:30 p.m., officers saw Wesson in a van on Champlain Street and took him into custody. At that time, Wesson possessed a loaded .45 caliber pistol and ammunition. In In October 2012, and July 2018, Wesson was convicted of felonies in Monroe County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 5, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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West Seneca Man Going to Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Shawn Johnson, 35, of West Seneca, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who handled the case, stated that in September 2019, investigators discovered an IP address, traced to Johnson, attempting to download suspected child pornography using the internet. On December 2, 2019, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s Angle Road residence. As investigators executed the search, they encountered Johnson standing in his bedroom smashing a laptop computer against the wall and trying to damage it. The laptop, which sustained serious damage, was sent to the FBI's Digital Forensics Analysis Unit Laboratory where much of the data was recovered. The hard drive was found to contain numerous images and videos of child pornography.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould.
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Seneca County Man Sentenced for Defrauding the U.S. Coast GuardRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Dennis Daniels, 73, of Romulus, NY, who was convicted of mail fraud and willful failure to file an income tax return, was sentenced to serve two years’ probation, and pay restitution, including $22,440 to the U.S. Coast Guard and students, and $115,757 to the Internal Revenue Service, by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and David J. Rudroff, who handled the case, stated that Daniels owned and operated Sea Tech Marine Training, which offered U.S. Coast Guard approved training courses to include operator uninspected passenger vessel (OUPV), one-hundred-ton masters license (Masters), assistance towing endorsement and auxiliary sail endorsement. Daniels also owned and operated Sea Test, a business that offered drug testing programs for United States Coast Guard license holders. Between 2014 and 2017, Daniels received gross income totaling approximately $665,327 but failed to file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service for those years. The tax owed on the unreported income was approximately $115,757.
In addition, in January and February 2019, Daniels taught 23 students the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved OUPV course with a Masters upgrade. The course should have included 80 hours of classroom instruction time, however, Daniels only provided 51 hours of classroom instruction. In addition, Daniels provided the students with the answers to certain examination questions and instructed students to provide false information regarding prior sea service.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, under the direction of Neal Marzloff, Special Agent-in-Charge, Central Region; the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the Boston Division; and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office.
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Niagara Falls Woman Going to Prison for Stealing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars from Investment Firm ClientsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jennifer Campbell, 48, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison and pay restitution totaling $371,332.11 by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who handled the case, stated that Campbell was employed as the Office Manager and Chief Compliance Officer at an investment advisory firm based in Buffalo, with access to client accounts. Between November 2018, and May 2021, Campbell used this access to steal over $500,000 from several clients and from the firm itself, primarily by writing checks from client accounts, forging the signatures of either the client or a principal at the firm, and then depositing the checks into her own personal account.
Campbell took various steps to conceal her theft. In one instance, she sent a victim a falsified account statement that purported to show an account balance of approximately $148,000, when in fact the account at the time had a balance of only $93. In another instance, Campbell took funds from a client and transferred them to the bank account of one of her earlier victims. Finally, Campbell gained access to the email accounts of the firm’s principals and diverted emails that they received from anti-money laundering and financial crimes personnel at the firm’s broker-dealer, who had begun to raise questions about some of the transactions that Campbell had engaged in. In an effort to put off these inquiries, Campbell sent several emails using the email account of a firm principal. In these emails, Campbell made various false statements and submitted fake documentation in an effort to make the transactions appear legitimate.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
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Seven Defendants Charged in Rochester Illegal Sports Gambling BusinessRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that seven individuals were charged by criminal complaint for their roles in an illegal gambling business headquartered in Rochester, NY. Named in the complaint are:
• Louis P. Ferrari II is charged with conspiracy, transmission of wagering information, operation of an illegal gambling business, and money laundering.
• Dominic Sprague is charged with conspiracy, transmission of wagering information, and operation of an illegal gambling business.
• Anthony Amato, Joseph Lombardo, Jeffrey Boscarino, and James Civiletti are charged with transmission of wagering information and conspiracy.
• Tomasso Sessa is charged with operation of an illegal gambling business and conspiracy.Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendants conspired to operate illegal poker games at 565 Blossom Road and an illegal sports betting operation through the website sport700.com. Defendants Ferrari and Sprague co-owned and operated the illegal poker games at 565 Blossom Road, and Ferrari operated the illegal sports betting book through sport700.com, managing individual bettors and overseeing sub-agents, including Sprague, who had their own books of individual bettors. In addition, Ferrari owns and operates Ferrari Excavating on Steel Street in Rochester, where he collected cash payment of gambling losses from players and then laundered the illegal proceeds through the Ferrari Excavating business. Sprague also owned and operated a pawn shop on Stone Road in Greece, NY, where he collected cash payments of gambling losses from bettors and paid gambling winnings to bettors.
Defendant Amato administrated sport700.com and assisted Ferrari and others in creating accounts, usernames, and passwords, and managing individual bettors and overseeing sub-agents who had their own books of individual bettors on sport700.com. Defendant Sessa managed the day-to-day operations of the illegal gambling operation at 565 Blossom Road. Defendants Lombardo and Boscarino were sub-agents under Ferrari through sport700.com. Defendant Civiletti was an employee of Sprague’s pawn shop, collecting payments of gambling losses from people on behalf of Ferrari and Sprague.
During the course of the investigation, investigators intercepted a series of calls and text messages between targets of the investigation, sub-agents and individual bettors discussing the placement of bets, collection of winnings, and payment of losses. The investigation revealed that Ferrari generated $1,241,172 in winnings, while Amato generated winnings totaling $8,945,629.
On April 17, 2021, as investigators arrived to execute a search warrant at 565 Blossom Road, they interrupted an ongoing illegal card game, which sent individuals fleeing. An unknown number of individuals successfully fled, eight were temporarily detained. Investigators seized multiple items such documents, which included gambling ledgers and timestamped website printouts of online gambling player account activities. That same day, they also seized the cell phones of Ferrari and Sprague, which both contained evidence of sports bookmaking.
Also previously charged in a separate complaint in connection with this case is former New York State Trooper Thomas Loewke.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, and Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith. Additional assistance was provided by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Three Men Sentenced for Illegal Firearms Possession and Marijuana TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that three defendants were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa for their roles in a marijuana trafficking ring on Pardee Street in Rochester, NY.
• J’Lyne Caldwell, 30, who was convicted of distribution of marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 61 months in prison.
• Elisha Scott, 22, and Strong King, 20, who were convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, were both sentenced to serve 85 months in prison.Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that Caldwell, Scott, and King were arrested August 11, 2022, in the area of 55 and 59 Pardee Street in Rochester, following the execution of search warrants at those residences. The search warrants were conducted after an investigation into the sale of marijuana and shootings in that area. Investigators seized marijuana packaged for sale, a loaded firearm, and U.S. currency.
The sentencings are the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren Cox, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.
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Elmira Methamphetamine Dealer Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Corey J. Lattimer, 30, of Elmira, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and $10,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that Lattimer was arrested April 25, 2022, after the Elmira Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit and the New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at his S. Main Street residence. During the search, investigators recovered approximately 2,075 grams of methamphetamine, 475 grams of fentanyl, and 5.2 grams of p-Flourofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, drug paraphernalia, $3,528.62 in U.S. currency, and over 250 rounds of live .45 caliber, 9mm caliber, and .380 caliber ammunition.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Elmira Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kristen Thorne, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2023, before Judge Siragusa.
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Father and Son Arrested, Charged with Kidnapping Conspiracy in an Attempt to Force Their Daughter/Sister to Marry in YemenRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Khaled Abughanem, 50, and Waleed Abughanem, 32, both of Lackawanna, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to kidnap persons in a foreign country. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and Maeve E. Huggins, who are handling the case, stated that according to the criminal complaint, in December 2022, the FBI began investigating the travel of an adult American citizen (Victim), who investigators believe was tricked into traveling from the Buffalo area to Yemen in an attempt to force her into an arranged marriage. The complaint states that defendant Khaled Abughanem, the Victim’s father, and her brother, Waleed Abughanem, discussed killing her if she did not abide by their wishes.
Subsequent investigation determined that in September 2021, without her family’s knowledge, the Victim traveled to Mexico. After learning where she was, the Victim’s family traveled to Mexico and physically forced her, involuntarily, to return to the United States. According to the Victim, her father stated, “she would be traveling outside the United States whether she liked it or not, or he would bury her in the backyard.” The Victim attempted to flee her residence only to find that all doors had been locked. She was also forced to withdraw as a student from the University at Buffalo, lost all access to the internet and social media, and was under constant threat of harm. The Victim was told if she did not comply and agree to an arranged marriage, she would be locked up in her home without contact with the outside world forever and her fiancé, who her family disapproved of, would be killed.
On September 17, 2021, the Victim’s fiancé called the Lackawanna Police Department stating he had not been able to contact the Victim for over a week. Lackawanna Police responded to the Abughanem residence and advised the family to contact the Victim’s fiancé. Subsequently, The Abughanem family, with the Victim, left Lackawanna and traveled to Sanaa, Yemen, where the Victim is currently being held by family. According to the Victim, her father stated that “you are no longer in the West, you are in the Middle East, women like you are killed.” The Victim stated that her father proposed a marriage for which he would be paid $500,000, but she refused, and as a result was physically assaulted. The Victim’s fiancé continued to call the Lackawanna Police, who responded to the Abughanem residence but were told the Victim is fine and to stop making welfare checks. In April 2022, some members of the family left Yemen and returned to the United States, leaving the Victim in Yemen, under the supervision of two of her brothers.
The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and are being held pending a detention hearing on February 17, 2023.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox, Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy. Additional assistance was provided by CPB in Boston, Massachusetts, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Rochester Man Going to Prison for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Daryl Green, 53, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 87 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who handled the case, stated that in October 2020, law enforcement began investigating the illegal drug activities of Green and his wife, Pamela Green. Daryl and Pamela Green sold cocaine to customers at their East Main Street residence, where they also stored, processed, and packaged cocaine for sale. They also met customers at various locations throughout Monroe County to sell cocaine.
In the early morning hours of October 26, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at the Green residence, seizing approximately 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, a drug ledger, a digital scale with white powder residue, strainers with a white powder residue, and numerous empty plastic bags. Approximately $45,446 in cash, which consisted of drug proceeds, was also seized during the search.
Pamela Green was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the direction of Field Office Director Thomas Brophy; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff David Cirencione; the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief David M. Smith; the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood; the Brighton Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Catholdi; and the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team.
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Level 3 Registered Sex Offender Arrested on Multiple Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Donald Campbell Sr., 60, of Elmira, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report from Google, Inc. that a Gmail user possessed, manufactured, and distributed child pornography via Google Photos. Google forwarded multiple images of suspected child pornography from the subject account. Subsequent investigation traced the account to Campbell. On January 9, 2023, the Elmira Police Department executed a search warrant at Campbell’s Linden Place residence, seizing 19 digital storage items. A preliminary analysis indicates that at least eight items contain child pornography, including over 200 images and videos of child pornography on a cell phone and over 200 images and videos on an SD card. Some of the images include children as young as infancy and children engaged in sexual acts with other children and adults.
Campbell is a registered level-three sex offender (the highest risk level) following two prior felony child pornography offenses in New York State Court in December 2004 and March 2019.
Campbell was detained following a detention hearing this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen.The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox and the Elmira Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Kristen Thorne.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Grand Jury Indicts Former Buffalo Man on Wire Fraud and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment charging Joshua Parra, 31, formerly of Buffalo, NY, now living in Melbourne, Florida, with bank fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, Parra defrauded Bancorp and Stride Bank by creating 94 fictitious disputed transactions on behalf of 11 customers of Fintech Company 1, a financial technology company that offers customers mobile banking services. However, none of the 11 customers’ accounts with Fintech Company 1 had transactions that would justify such disputes. Nearly all of the fictitious disputed transactions were in the amount of $5,000. As a result, funds were transferred from settlement accounts, held at Bancorp and Stride Bank, to accounts maintained by the Fintech Company 1 customers for whom Parra created the fictitious disputed transactions. Losses to Bancorp and Stride Bank totaled approximately $450,000.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Twice Convicted Federal Felon Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud as Federal Trial Was About to BeginRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven D. Blumhagen, 71, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan P. Cantil and John D. Fabian, who are handling the case, stated that between April 2016, and January 2020, Blumhagen defrauded three investors out of $400,000, by soliciting the victims to purchase interests in entities he claimed to own, manage, or control. Blumhagen told victims that their investments would enable those entities to finance legal marijuana operations, real estate developments, and an investment technology, and that they could expect significant returns on their investments. Instead of using the money as promised, Blumhagen used some or all of the money for personal expenses. He also used the investment of one victim to pay back previous victims. Part of the scheme involved a limited liability company allegedly owned by Blumhagen’s children, which they knew nothing about.
As a result of the scheme, at least one victim experienced a substantial financial hardship, withdrawing funds from a retirement account, resulting in substantial penalties.
Blumhagen has two prior federal convictions in the Western District of New York. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud for bilking investors out of more than $10,000,000 related to his sale of shares in the golf course project Tee-to-Green, and was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $10,000,000 in restitution. In 2018, Blumhagen pleaded guilty to bank theft for his involvement in a bond scheme, which raised more than $1,400,000 from potential investors. Blumhagen was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay more than $1,200,000 in restitution. Blumhagen was on pre-trial release for the bank theft charge when he committed the wire fraud.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 9, 2023, before Judge Sinatra.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Selling FentanylRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Robert Colon, 32, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie M. Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that between January 2022, and March 9, 2022, Colon sold quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and/or para-fluorofentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer on different occasions, which resulted in an arrest warrant being issued on March 23, 2022. Colon was taken into custody on May 30, 2022. At that time, he possessed approximately 189 baggies containing fentanyl, approximately 16 baggies of cocaine, and $1,748 in cash, which represented drug proceeds.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Florida Man Sentenced for His Role in Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Paul LaRocco, 60, of Ocala, Florida, who was convicted of mail fraud, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. LaRocco was also ordered to pay restitution totaling approximately $688,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that beginning in 2011, LaRocco was employed as a financial advisor by KE Smith Tax Advisory Group, Inc. d/b/a USA Tax & Financial Consultants, offering various financial planning services. In 2012, the business was purchased by Christopher Parris and reincorporated as Ocala Investment Services LLC d/b/a USA Tax & Financial Consultants (USA Tax). LaRocco continued to work for USA Tax through 2018, selling investments in various entities. LaRocco falsely represented to victims that they were investing in companies that sold medical devices and/or offered laboratory series. In actuality, these entities were not bona fide businesses. Victims invested approximately $688,000.
Between March 28, 2016, and May 31, 2018, LaRocco transferred and/or withdrew all of the funds and used them to pay himself and his own personal expenses. None of the funds were actually invested in a legitimate business and none of the funds were ever returned to any of the victims. LaRocco specifically targeted victims who were of an advanced age and were therefore unusually vulnerable to investment fraud crimes.
Christopher Parris, who was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud related to a Ponzi scheme, as well as to wire fraud involving the fraudulent sale of purported N95 masks during the pandemic, was recently sentenced to serve 244 months in prison.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the Boston Division; the FBI, Buffalo Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox, the IRS, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge; the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, and the New York State Department of Financial Services, under the direction of Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris.
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Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Lying to Probation OfficerRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joseph Stevens, 58, of Olean, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to making a materially false statement to a probation officer, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that Stevens was convicted in Federal Court of bank fraud and tax evasion and sentenced to serve 33 months in prison in August 2018. In April 2020, Stevens began a period of supervised release, during which he was required to meet monthly with a U.S. Probation Officer and complete a monthly supervision report. Making a false statement on the monthly supervision report can result in the revocation of supervised release as well as additional prison time. In December 2020, and January and February 2021, Stevens failed to disclose the existence of a Wells Fargo checking account that he had opened in his name in October 2020. This account was subsequently used to receive fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John Pias and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone, New York Region.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 27, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. before Judge Wolford.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Tavares Wilson, 41, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that between November 2020, and October 26, 2021, Wilson conspired with others to sell cocaine. Wilson obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine, which he then broke down into smaller quantities and re-sold. On October 26, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Wilson’s residence on Genesee Park Boulevard, seizing approximately 642 grams of cocaine and drug trafficking paraphernalia, including a digital scale with cocaine residue, plastic baggies, and cutting agent. Investigators also found approximately $6,594 in cash, which were proceeds from Wilson’s drug trafficking activities.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 1, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Cardiac Monitoring Company Settles Fraudulent Billing AllegationsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Beyond Reps, Inc. d/b/a IronRod Health and Cardiac Monitoring Services (“IronRod”) has agreed to pay $673,200.92 to resolve allegations arising under the False Claims Act that they submitted false claims to federal health care programs relating to remote cardiac monitoring services.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell, who handled the case, stated that IronRod is a healthcare solutions company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. IronRod provides remote cardiac monitoring services, among other services. The Government alleges that between January 1, 2018 and April 30, 2021, IronRod utilized technicians who lacked required credentials to conduct remote cardiac monitoring readings. The government also alleges that between June 1, 2018 and August 20, 2018, IronRod misrepresented that it performed services in New York State in order to obtain higher reimbursements from Medicare for remote cardiac monitoring services.
“Providers that seek payment from federal health programs are required to follow laws meant to protect beneficiaries, as well as to protect the integrity of those programs,” said U.S. Attorney Ross. “Our office is committed to pursuing cases against any provider that cuts corners or seeks to obtain payments for which they are not entitled.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Coleen DeGroat. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. DeGroat v. Beyond Reps, Inc. et al., 20-cv-1262 (W.D.N.Y.). Ms. DeGroat will receive a share of the settlement.
The resolution of this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
Buffalo Woman Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Maria D’Amato, 28, of Buffalo, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in June 2022, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department received a complaint that D’Amato had sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl (Minor Victim). During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement searched a cell phone that belonged to the Minor Victim’s sister. The sister had located images and videos of the alleged assault, as well as text conversations between D’Amato and the Minor Victim, took screenshots, and then sent them to her own phone.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.B U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Hugh Mahoney, 50, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to robbing the ESL Federal Credit Union on Merchants Road in Rochester. The charge carries a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Charles E. Moynihan, who is handling the prosecution, stated that on August 22, 2022, Mahoney entered the ESL Federal Credit Union, approached a teller, and displayed a demand note which stated, “You are being robbed. 100, 50, 20, no dye packs.” The teller handed approximately $3,260 in United States currency to Mahoney, who took the money and left the credit union. Officers responding to investigate the robbery stopped a vehicle in which Mahoney was riding and saw a hat and shirt which appeared to match the suspect’s reported description from the robbery. Mahoney admitted that he was given a ride to the credit union by the driver of the vehicle, but the driver did not know that Mahoney was going to rob the credit union.
The charges are a culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 1, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
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Rochester Drug Trafficker Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Fernando Santiago, 67, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of ammunition. The fentanyl charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years, and a fine of $1,000,000 or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who is handling the case, stated that on June 28, 2022, law enforcement, who were investigating Santiago’s drug trafficking activities, approached Santiago to perform a welfare check after seeing him fall from a stopped minivan he was driving. After seeing an unknown pill not contained in any prescription pill bottle in the driver’s door, officers detained Santiago and searched the vehicle. Officers found various quantities of suspected controlled substances, later confirmed to be cocaine, fentanyl and para-flourofentanyl. Officers then obtained a search warrant for a Norton Street residence where Santiago had been earlier that day. During the search, officers recovered 40 rounds of ammunition. Santiago was previously convicted of five separate felonies and is legally prohibited from possessing ammunition.
The matter was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (GRANET), and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 31, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
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Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Dawn Emanuel, 48, of Easton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that Emanuel conspired with others to apply for and obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) during the COVID pandemic, to which she and her co-conspirators were not entitled. Emanuel completed and filed EIDL applications that contained false representations in order to obtain loan proceeds for others who were not qualified to receive such loans. In return for her role in the conspiracy, Emanuel received a percentage of the loan proceeds, totaling approximately $127,348. The total loss amount to the government was approximately $900,000.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 7, 2023, before Judge Skretny.
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Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting an FBI AgentRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Tyler Collins, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to assaulting a federal officer and causing a bodily injury. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Franz M. Wright and Douglas A. C. Penrose, who are handling the case, stated that on July 12, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Collins attempted to enter the FBI-Buffalo Division main office but was denied entry by the security guards inside of the front door. At the time, three federal agents were walking back to the main office and encountered Collins, who they observed was yelling into the intercom system. Collins was heard yelling expletives while physically banging on the FBI building’s door demanding entry. One of the federal agents attempted to calm Collins, at which time Collins punched the federal agent, physically assaulting him. One of the other federal agents discharged pepper spray, in an attempt to subdue Collins, who then fled on Elmwood Avenue. Collins was later taken into custody that evening after he was found walking on Delaware Avenue.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Skretny.
Wayne County Man Arrested, Charged with Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Frederick Trevitt, 60, of Newark, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of 20 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in August 2022, New York State Police investigators working undercover online, downloaded approximately 36 files of suspected child pornography from an IP address later traced to Trivett. On January 4, 2023, the NYSP executed a search warrant at Trevitt’s residence, seizing multiple electronic devices. A forensic analysis discovered more than 100 child pornography files on a laptop computer.
Trevitt made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and is being held.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak. Additional assistance was provided by the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Lancaster Man Arrested, Charged with Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jacob V. Schmidbauer, 41, of Lancaster, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 8, 2023, the Lancaster Police Department received information that Schmidbauer allegedly recorded a sexually explicit video of a minor female victim. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized a total of 22 electronic devices that belong to Schmidbauer as well as an SD card. A review of the SD card recovered 32 video clips, which included the sexually explicit video of the minor female victim.
Schmidbauer made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held.The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of William Karn, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Career Offender Sentenced to 151 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jose Rodriguez-Quinones, 42, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to serve 151 months in prison by U.S. District David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who handled the case, stated that on March 10, 2022, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force apprehended Rodriguez-Quinones on an outstanding arrest warrant for absconding from post-release supervision by the United States Probation Office. Rodriguez-Quinones was on post-release supervision after serving a 10-year prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Rodriguez-Quinones was in a vehicle when he was discovered by task force members. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement recovered 400 baggies of cocaine and 604 baggies of fentanyl, all packaged for street level distribution, two loaded handguns and approximately $2,900 in cash. Rodriguez-Quinones was convicted of felony offenses in 2000 and 2006 in New York State Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina, the United States Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Timothy C. Englerth, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito.
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Phelps Man Arrested, Charged with Production, Receipt, Distribution, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Eric Passalacqua, 36, of Phelps, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production, receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 20, 2023, the Rochester Office of the FBI received information from the FBI in Anchorage, Alaska, that an individual located in Phelps, NY, may have been responsible for exchanging child pornography with an individual in Alaska. On January 24, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Passalacqua’s residence. A preliminary forensic examination of his phone revealed multiple images of child pornography, including images that Passalacqua produced of a minor victim.
Passalacqua made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and is being held.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff David Cirencione.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Lying on Federal Gun FormRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Allen DeCola, 65, of Perry, Ohio, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that DeCola is a former federal firearms licensee, who operated under the name MGA Arms, Inc. On three separate occasions in May 2018, DeCola sold a total of 21 firearms to three straw purchasers, meaning that the individuals buying the firearms were doing so for other people. However, all three straw purchasers falsely stated on a form required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, that they were the actual purchaser of the firearms. DeCola knew that this was false.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia. Additional assistance was provided by the ATF in Youngstown Ohio, and the Ashtabula, Ohio Police Department.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 27, 2023, before Judge Wolford.
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Blasdell Man Who Impersonated A Homeland Security Officer Going to PrisonRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that David J. Erhardt, 52, of Blasdell, NY, who was convicted of unauthorized possession of imitation badge, was sentenced to serve six months in prison by U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that in May 2016, Erhardt entered into a romantic relationship with a woman (Victim) and during that relationship, falsely stated that he had obtained employment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. On August 30, 2020, Erhardt texted the Victim a photograph of a United States Homeland Security Investigations badge. However, Erhardt was not an employee or contractor of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and had no legal authority to possess a United States Homeland Security Investigations badge or colorable imitation.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John Pias, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Professional Responsibility, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jimmy Valenzuela.
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Waterloo Man Pleads Guilty to Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that David L. Brinson, 60, of Waterloo, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that on the morning of September 14, 2022, New York State Parole Officers went to Brinson’s residence on Seneca Boulevard in Waterloo to conduct a home visit. During the visit, a parole officer went inside of Brinson’s bedroom and found a .22 caliber rifle. Brinson was previously convicted in 2000, 2006 and 2016 of felony charges and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 18, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Larimer.
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Mayville Man Charged with Sex Trafficking of A MinorRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that William A. Quinones, 48, of Mayville, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and sex trafficking of a minor. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2021, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office received a complaint that Quinones had been sexually abusing two children over the past eight years. A subsequent investigation identified a total of four minor victims.
According to the criminal complaint, during interviews with investigators, the victims stated that Quinones raped or attempted to rape and sexually abused them. Quinones threatened them with violence or threatened to hurt their families if they disclosed what he was doing. The complaint states that Quinones had regular sexual contact with one minor victim beginning when she was eight years old, as often as three to four times each week. The minor victim told investigators that Quinones started paying her in exchange for sexual contact, beginning when she was 13 years old until age 16 years old. On one occasion, Quinones took her to Erie, PA, to pick up drugs. Prior to returning home, Quinones stopped at a motel to engage in sexual intercourse. During the course of the sexual abuse, Quinones repeatedly raped and physically abused her.
Quinones made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was ordered held following a detention hearing.
“Defendants who engage in the intentional harm of individuals, by forcing those individuals into actions they would not have otherwise engaged in, must be held accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Ross. “While January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, each and every day we must continue to create awareness of both sex and labor trafficking, which often victimize those who are most vulnerable, and negatively impact our communities. My office will continue to work with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who engage in this form of modern-day slavery.”
“These crimes tear at the foundation of our communities and victimize the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Matthew Scarpino, HSI Buffalo Special Agent-in-Charge “Our agents and victim assistance specialists will continue to seek justice for these victims and hold child predators accountable.”
The complaint is a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Jamestown Woman Pleads Guilty for Her Role in Narcotics ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Katie Calimeri, 30, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between 2019, and June 2022, Calimeri conspired with others to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine for profit and for her own use. Calimeri utilized Facebook to conduct her drug trafficking activities, including making deals with associates, suppliers, and customers. On February 11, 2021, Calimeri sold heroin to an individual working with the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force.
Co-defendant Rachelle Allison was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against co-defendants Ryan Bloom and Morales Sanchez.This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 21, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Luis Martinez, 51, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years and a fine of $5,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan K. Glaberson and Michael J. Adler, who are handling the case, stated that in May and June of 2020, Martinez conspired with others to sell methamphetamine. On June 5, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at a Water Street residence, recovering approximately 20 grams of cocaine, a loaded Glock, $3,534 in cash, 14 individually wrapped plastic bags containing a total of approximately 363 grams of methamphetamine, a kilo press, two digital scales, a number of cell phones and tablets, additional smaller bags of cocaine and methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia.
On June 10, 2020, investigators received information that Martinez had an outstanding parole warrant issued against him, at which time he was located in a vehicle on Price Street and taken into in custody. Law enforcement also recovered another $37,670 in cash behind a residence.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 31, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Registered Sex Offender Who Attempted to Have Sex with 11 Y/O Girl Pleads Guilty to New Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Mathew Schulman, 36, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography following a previous conviction before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that between May 2021, and June 2022, Shulman engaged in sexually explicit online communications with who he believed was an 11-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover New York State Police (NYSP) Investigator. During the conversations, Shulman asked the child produce and send to him child pornography, and tried to persuade the child to meet him for sex. Shulman also distributed child pornography depicting prepubescent minors in an attempt to groom the child for sexual activity. On June 7, 2022, the NYSP and Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Shulman’s Rochester residence and took him into custody. At the time of his arrest, Shulman was a registered sex offender on probation for a June 2016 conviction of possessing child pornography in Monroe County Court.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
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Buffalo Woman Who Sold Heroin Which Led to the Death of A 24 Y/O Man Going to Prison for 10 YearsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Genesis Tolentino-Cruz, 29, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that on February 27, 2019, Buffalo Police Officers responded to a drug overdose call and found a 24-year-old male deceased. The deceased man’s girlfriend told officers that the day before, she met Cruz, and co-defendant Orlando Albert-Arroyo, at a gas station in Cheektowaga to purchase heroin. Later that night, the girlfriend said that she and the deceased male used some of the heroin purchased from the defendants. The girlfriend went to sleep, and when she awoke, she found her boyfriend was deceased. In March and April, 2019, investigators conducted six controlled purchases of heroin from Cruz and Arroyo. On April 19, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Cruz and Arroyo’s residence, during which heroin, ammunition, a rifle, a pistol, and drug processing items were seized.
Orlando Albert-Arroyo was previously convicted and scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2023.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould.
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Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Esteven Matos, 31, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas T. Cooper and Joshua A. Violanti, who are handling the case, stated that on October 30, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed on a USPS Priority Mail Parcel addressed to “Antonio Cortes 1326 ELECTRIC Ave. LACKAWANNA, NY 14218.” The package contained one kilogram of cocaine. On November 3, 2020, the parcel, the contents of which were replaced with “sham,” was delivered to 1326 Electric Avenue and taken inside by a co-defendant. A short time later, investigators conducting surveillance observed defendant Matos arrive at the residence. After Matos arrived, the parcel was opened. A search warrant was then executed at the residence. Investigators seized two loaded firearms, one of which was stolen, approximately 260 grams of fentanyl, 1,451 pills containing methamphetamine, the kilogram of “sham” cocaine, digital scales, sandwich baggies, five cell phones, and over $63,000 in US currency, which constituted proceeds from Matos’s illegal narcotics sales.
Matos was previously convicted of felony offenses in 2010, 2011, and 2015, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco Ward, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Registered Sex Offender Arrested on New ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Gregory Pum, 47, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography after having previously been convicted of a sexual offense. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2014, Pum was convicted of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child less than 16 Years of Age, and sentenced to 10 years’ probation. In July 2014, Pum violated his probation and was resentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison. He was paroled in May 2015 and placed on the sex offender registry. In May 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a CyberTipline Report that 29 files of suspected child pornography had been uploaded to an account belong to Pum. NCMEC alerted the New York State Police, who subsequently learned of seven additional CyberTips Google submitted, all of which traced back to Pum. On June 10, 2022, NYSP investigators executed a search warrant at Pum’s residence, seizing several digital devices, including cell phones and tablets. A preliminary forensic review recovered approximately 20 images and five videos containing child pornography.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Corfu Woman Sentenced for Her Role in Fraudulent African Orphanage SchemeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Julie Keller, 57, of Corfu, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to serve one year probation, and pay restitution totaling $162,853.59, by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who handled the case, stated that in December 2014, Keller began communicating online with someone who identified themself as “Eric Holder,” who claimed to be raising money to build an orphanage in Africa. Between July 2015 and September 2020, Keller received money from numerous individuals (victims) who allegedly were contributing financially to the orphanage project. Keller deposited the money in bank accounts at First Niagara Bank, M&T Bank, KeyBank, and Bank of America that she owned and controlled, before dispersing the funds to other bank accounts located outside of the United States. During the course of the scheme, each of the banks closed Keller’s accounts, advising her that the accounts were closed due to suspicious and fraudulent activity. However, Keller became aware during the course of the scheme that the orphanage project was fraudulent and the individuals sending her money were doing so under false pretenses, or she strongly suspected that the scheme was fraudulent but consciously avoided learning the truth, and continued to deposit funds into her accounts from victims. The total loss amount to victims was $182,730.76.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward.
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Buffalo Man and Woman Plead Guilty to Cocaine ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jose A Solis-Pizzaro, 43, and Mirelys Camacho Betancourt, 27, both of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that on February 1, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a parcel addressed to “Axel Rodriguez 430 Parker Ave. Buffalo, NY 14216.” Investigators recovered approximately 1024 grams of cocaine. A few days later, on February 3, 2021, the contents of the parcel were replaced with sham and delivered to 403 Parker Avenue by an undercover law enforcement officer. While standing in front of the residence, Solis-Pizzaro approached the officer and stated that the subject parcel belonged to him, and that he lived at the residence. Shortly after receiving the parcel, Solis-Pizzaro got into a black BMW vehicle. He was then arrested, and the subject parcel was recovered in the vehicle.
Later that day, Camacho Betancourt arrived in the vicinity where the package was delivered, was questioned by law enforcement about her connection to the residence and taken into custody. Camacho Betancourt admitted that she was paid to locate addresses in Buffalo, NY, where parcels containing drugs could be delivered.
The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
Camacho Betancourt is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31, 2023, and Solis-Pizzaro on June 1, 2023, both before Judge Vilardo.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joseph Perez, 23, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in November 2020, Twitter reported that one of its users uploaded four images of child pornography to the Twitter site. Subsequent investigation traced the images to a Twitter account belonging to Perez. On November 5, 2021, investigators seized Perez’s electronic devices, including a cellular phone, which contained approximately 125 videos of child pornography. Some of the videos included children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
At the time of his federal arrest, there was an active arrest warrant for Perez out of Potter County, Texas. As a part of his federal plea, Perez admits that he sexually abused a minor victim in the State of Texas on more than two occasions.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski. Additional assistance was provided by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2023, before Judge Siragusa.
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