Northern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Justice Department Selects Cleveland for Strike Force Targeting Drug Trafficking and Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein joined United States Attorney Justin Herdman, federal and local law enforcement officials today to announce a new strike force to target drug trafficking and violent crime in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force will bring together more than 200 local police, federal agents and prosecutors to work side-by-side to strengthen public safety. The strike force’s mission will be to disrupt and dismantle major criminal organizations and their subsidiaries trafficking narcotics, weapons, humans and the proceeds of their crimes. Cooperative investigations will be focused on dissolving these organizations, their financial infrastructure, and the violence that accompanies their activities.
“This Strike Force brings our best federal and local law enforcement talents together in a united front to take the fight to the streets of Cleveland and to stop this drug-fueled violence in its tracks,” said Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein. “It’s an honor to join U.S. Attorney Herdman, the city of Cleveland and the many federal and local law enforcement leaders partnering in this effort.”
“The Strike Force will increase sharing of intelligence so we can more quickly and effectively target drug trafficking organizations and the groups responsible for armed robberies, shootings and other violent crime in Cleveland and the outlying suburbs,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.
The strike force will target violent street gangs involved in retaliatory homicides, carjackings, commercial robberies and other violent activities, as well as people and organizations involved in trafficking opioids, which has fueled the overdose epidemic plaguing Ohio. This includes focusing on interdicting packages containing drugs traveling via the U.S. mail, as well as investigations focused on online drug trafficking.
Participating agencies include: FBI, DEA, HSI, IRS, ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Division of Police, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Border Patrol, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Independence Police Department. Several other area law enforcement agencies have agreed to participate in the Strike Force as well.
Police officers, agents and both federal and state prosecutors will work together in open workspace. Both the physical and organizational structure will lead to collaborative, centralized intelligence sharing. Wire rooms will also be located at the building so intelligence and information can be shared in real time.
The Strike Force will be jointly led by the FBI and DEA. The U.S. Attorney will serve as chair of Strike Force Executive Council.
“The creation of the Cleveland Strike Force is an exciting time for law enforcement and a valuable tool to help protect our citizens and hold criminals accountable,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “Combining under one roof the unique skills, talents and capabilities of the participating agencies will enable us to better address the wide variety of significant drug and violent crime threats facing our community. The FBI is fully committed to help lead this critical new initiative with substantial resources, equipment and technology.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said: “As a part of the Cleveland OCDETF Strike Force, we are committed to a long-term partnership that allows law enforcement to reduce the illegal drug supply by aggressively targeting criminal organizations operating throughout northern Ohio. Drug trafficking and violence go hand-in-hand, which is why federal, state and local law enforcement are making these dangerous drug trafficking organizations a top priority. By working with our partners, we are able to leverage resources that bring these violent individuals to justice and improve the safety of our communities. We are focused on the current opioid epidemic, but this initiative is ready to adapt to any future drug threat facing northern Ohio.”
“Crime, particularly violent crime, challenges our quality of life and affects our ability to create a great city with a sustainable future,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “The addition of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force will help us more effectively fight drug problems and violent crime.”
“Here in Northeast Ohio, we are fortunate to have strong and lasting law enforcement partnerships at the local, state and federal levels,” said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin D. Williams. “The implementation of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force will further enhance our efforts to reduce drug trafficking and gun violence.”
The cost of the build-out, rent, equipment and support costs will be paid by the Justice Department. The Strike Force is expected to be operational by mid-2019.
Federal judge approves injunction permanently barring Akron doctor from prescribing opioids or practicing medicineRead the Press Release
A federal judge today approved an injunction permanently barring an Akron doctor from prescribing opioids or practicing medicine, the Department of Justice announced today.
United States District Judge Sara Lioi entered the consent decree and permanent injunction against Dr. Michael P. Tricaso.
According to a complaint filed by the United States on August 15, Tricaso, an osteopath who operated the Better Living Clinic of Akron, illegally prescribed controlled substances from April through August. The substances included Oxycodone, an opiate that normally is used to treat pain but that is highly addictive and can cause respiratory distress and death when taken in high doses. The complaint described various meetings that Tricaso had with two confidential sources to whom Tricaso illegally prescribed and sold the controlled substances. According to the complaint, Tricaso conducted transactions with the confidential sources in a hotel parking lot, where he wrote prescriptions and also directly sold the sources controlled substances. The complaint further alleged that Tricaso prescribed dangerous opioid painkillers and steroids without any legitimate medical purpose. The government asked the court in the complaint to prohibit Tricaso from dispensing, distributing, or prescribing controlled substances.
On August 17, Judge Lioi issued a temporary restraining order that temporarily barred Tricaso from issuing additional controlled substance prescriptions. Shortly thereafter, after being served with the federal lawsuit, Tricaso voluntarily surrendered to federal officials his legal authority to prescribe controlled substances under the CSA. Moreover, Tricaso permanently surrendered to Ohio officials his license to practice osteopathic medicine.
On August 22, Attorney General Sessions, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman, and other Department officials announced the first ever civil injunctions under the Controlled Substances Act, against doctors Tricaso and Gerber. Pursuant to President Trump’s Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand, the Justice Department’s Prescription Interdiction & Litigation (PIL) Task Force aggressively deploys and coordinates all available criminal and civil law enforcement tools to reverse the tide of opioid overdoses in the United States. The temporary restraining orders for Tricaso and Gerber resulted from the PIL Task Force’s efforts.
“The opioid crisis that we are facing today is the deadliest drug crisis in American history,” said Assistant Attorney General Joseph H. Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “For the first time, the Department of Justice is going to court to use civil injunctions to stop the spread of opioids to our communities. Today's injunction means that this doctor — who allegedly sold and prescribed dangerous opioids without a legitimate medical purpose —no longer presents a risk of harm to patients or the community. ”
“Some drug dealers work on street corners, others operate from a doctor’s office,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio. “Tricaso illegally prescribed painkillers and other drugs for no legitimate medical purpose. Putting so-called physicians like these out of business is one of several steps we are taking to turn the tide on the opioid and drug crisis that has caused so much death and heartbreak in our community.”
The consent decree entered by Judge Lioi, and agreed to by Tricaso and the United States, permanently bars Tricaso from dispensing, prescribing, or distributing any controlled substances. Tricaso has also agreed never to reapply for privileges under the CSA to prescribe or dispense controlled substances, and he has agreed never to apply for a license to practice osteopathic medicine anywhere in the United States.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio and the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch as part of the Justice Department’s Prescription Interdiction and Litigation (PIL) Task Force.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh.
District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Prohibiting Ohio Doctor from Prescribing OpioidsRead the Press Release
A federal judge in Akron, Ohio, today approved an injunction permanently barring an Ohio doctor from prescribing opioids or practicing medicine, the Department of Justice announced today. United States District Judge Sara Lioi entered the consent decree and permanent injunction against Dr. Michael P. Tricaso.
According to a complaint filed by the United States on August 15, Tricaso, an osteopath who operated the Better Living Clinic of Akron, illegally prescribed controlled substances from April through August. The substances included Oxycodone, an opiate that normally is used to treat pain but that is highly addictive and can cause respiratory distress and death when taken in high doses. The complaint described various meetings that Tricaso had with two confidential sources to whom Tricaso illegally prescribed and sold the controlled substances. According to the complaint, Tricaso conducted transactions with the confidential sources in a hotel parking lot, where he wrote prescriptions and also directly sold the sources controlled substances. The complaint further alleged that Tricaso prescribed dangerous opioid painkillers and steroids without any legitimate medical purpose. The government asked the court in the complaint to prohibit Tricaso from dispensing, distributing, or prescribing controlled substances.
On August 17, Judge Lioi issued a temporary restraining order that temporarily barred Tricaso from issuing additional controlled substance prescriptions. Shortly thereafter, after being served with the federal lawsuit, Tricaso voluntarily surrendered to federal officials his legal authority to prescribe controlled substances under the CSA. Moreover, Tricaso permanently surrendered to Ohio officials his license to practice osteopathic medicine.
On August 22, Attorney General Sessions, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman, and other Department officials announced the first ever civil injunctions under the Controlled Substances Act, against doctors Tricaso and Gerber. Pursuant to President Trump’s Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand, the Justice Department’s Prescription Interdiction & Litigation (PIL) Task Force aggressively deploys and coordinates all available criminal and civil law enforcement tools to reverse the tide of opioid overdoses in the United States. The temporary restraining orders for Tricaso and Gerber resulted from the PIL Task Force’s efforts.
“The opioid crisis that we are facing today is the deadliest drug crisis in American history,” said Assistant Attorney General Joseph H. Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “For the first time, the Department of Justice is going to court to use civil injunctions to stop the spread of opioids to our communities. Today's injunction means that this doctor — who allegedly sold and prescribed dangerous opioids without a legitimate medical purpose —no longer presents a risk of harm to patients or the community. ”
“Some drug dealers work on street corners, others operate from a doctor’s office,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio. “Tricaso illegally prescribed painkillers and other drugs for no legitimate medical purpose. Putting so-called physicians like these out of business is one of several steps we are taking to turn the tide on the opioid and drug crisis that has caused so much death and heartbreak in our community.”
The consent decree entered by Judge Lioi, and agreed to by Tricaso and the United States, permanently bars Tricaso from dispensing, prescribing, or distributing any controlled substances. Tricaso has also agreed never to reapply for privileges under the CSA to prescribe or dispense controlled substances, and he has agreed never to apply for a license to practice osteopathic medicine anywhere in the United States.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio and the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch as part of the Justice Department’s Prescription Interdiction and Litigation (PIL) Task Force.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh.
Two supervisors at an aluminum manufacturing company in Mahoning County indicted for obstructing an investigation following a workplace deathRead the Press Release
Two men employed by an aluminum manufacturing company in Mahoning County were indicted for conspiracy to obstruct justice related to an investigation following the workplace death of an employee.
Named in the four-count indictment are Brian K. Carder, 62, of Stow, and Paul Love, 57, of Lake Milton. Both men are charged with one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice and obstruction of proceedings. Love is also charged with one count of making false statements to law enforcement.
Carder was the general manager at Extrudex, an aluminum extrusion manufacturing company with a facility in North Jackson. Love was the safety coordinator and human resources director at Extrudex.
According to the indictment:
Extrudex processed aluminum. Part of this process included the conveyance of extruded aluminum pieces through a long, walk-in, tunnel-style oven. Employees routinely loaded and unloaded the oven manually by pushing racks of aluminum into and out of the oven on a roller conveyor system. This was known as the racks and rollers system.
Carder on Dec. 3, 2009 sent an email to an Extrudex employee, copying Love and other employees, regarding maintenance and safety issues with the racks and rollers system in the oven. Among other things, Carder wrote that the racks and rollers system was “in need of dire attention” and that issues with the system “must be a priority or someone is going to get seriously hurt.”
Love sent an email to employees and copied Carder on Nov. 30, 2011, regarding oven racks falling off the rollers.
Carder sent an email to Love and other employees on June 12, 2012, about safety issues with the racks and rollers system. Carder stated that he witnessed racks fall off the rollers and maintenance was needed. He added regular monitoring and maintenance was needed and stated that “[w]e are going to wait until someone gets seriously injury or possibly killed when a rack falls on them.”
Love forwarded this email from Carder to others stating that routine inspection of the racks and rollers “must be a top priority issue.”
An employee sent an email to Love on June 26, 2012 stating a rack fell off the rollers and that racks were frequently “freezing up.” The employee also stated: “I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt if we can’t think of a better system to get these racks out of the oven safely.” Love forwarded that email to others, including Carder.
The same employee sent another email to other employees on Oct. 26, 2012 stating the oven racks fell off the rollers twice that night and that “someone is going to (get) hurt if nothing else is done about it”.
On that same date another employee sent an email stating the oven racks fell off twice and “someone is seriously going to get hurt or even killed because of this.”
On Oct. 30, 2012, two metal racks stacked on top of each other with hot aluminum product weighing an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 pounds tipped over onto two employees who were pushing the racks on the roller conveyor system.
Both employees were pinned under the hot racks and hot aluminum. One employee, identified in the indictment as J.T., was pronounced dead the scene. Another employee, identified in the indictment as D.B., was rescued by other works and hospitalized with severe burns.
The next day, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated an investigation.
OSHA requested Extrudex, Carder and Love produce emails from specific employees to management regarding racks and rollers. Carder, Love and Extrudex produced the two emails of Oct. 26, 2012, but not the June 26, 2012 email.
Carder and Love devised a plan to provide false statements to the OSHA investigator. They persuaded employees -- including by suggesting their jobs might be in jeopardy -- to draft statements recanting previous emails about safety issues with the racks and rollers system, according to the indictment.
Love and Carder also provided materially false statements regarding, among other things, the safety issues with the racks and rollers system, according to the indictment.
“These supervisors threatened employees and lied to investigators,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “They will be held accountable.”
“An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of criminal misconduct related to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) programs. We will continue to work DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and our law enforcement partners to hold those accountable who jeopardize workers’ safety,” said James Vanderberg, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The investigation is ongoing.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carmen Henderson and Om Kakani.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, the defendants’ role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mexican citizen living in Canton charged with having a firearm while unlawfully in the United StatesRead the Press Release
A Mexican citizen was charged with possessing a firearm while illegally in the United States.
Jose Rusbelt Morales-Gutierrez, 28, was living in Canton. Morales-Gutierrez possessed a Beretta, Model PX4 Storm, 9 mm caliber pistol on Aug. 18, after illegally or unlawfully entering the United States.
If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation was conducted by the Canton Police Department, Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Cleveland Field Office of ATF. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Five Northwest Ohio high schools renovate bleachers to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and make stadiums accessibleRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced that the United States has resolved its review under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of five Northwest Ohio area high school athletic stadiums. The review focused on a complaint alleging that the stadiums did not provide equal access to persons with disabilities.
In resolution of the complaint, high schools completed renovations to their athletic stadiums making them more accessible to persons with disabilities in compliance with the ADA.
School districts for Bryan, Evergreen, Wauseon, Swanton, and Montpelier renovated their home and visitor side bleachers, adding or modifying integrated accessible seating, ramps, ticket windows, and took other steps to allow access for everyone to enjoy events at their high school stadiums. Throughout the review, district personnel for each school made it clear that they are committed to providing equal access for all members of the community.
The review was prompted by a complaint filed by the Ability Center of Toledo on behalf of a couple that regularly attended high school football games. That became more difficult after the husband had a stroke and used a wheelchair. The couple discovered some schools did not have accessible seating.
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said: “There are few things better to do on an autumn night in Ohio than go watch high school football, and these agreements will ensure that everyone in the community will be able to root for their hometown team in person. The school districts are to be credited for working collaboratively and making these changes to their facilities.”
This year marks the 28th anniversary of the passage of the ADA, which provides in part that no qualified individual with a disability shall, because of that disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in the services, programs, and activities of all state or local government entities. Under title II of the ADA, public school districts have an obligation to make services, programs, and activities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. This includes programs or activities held at high school athletic stadiums.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Angelita Cruz Bridges handled this matter for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
For more information on the ADA, visit http://www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at contact the ADA Information Line at
800-514-0301 (voice) 800-514-0383 (TTY).Elyria man indicted for sexually exploiting a child in Utah and related child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
An Elyria man was indicted in federal court for sexually exploiting a child in Utah and related child pornography crimes.
Christopher Goodin, 33, was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of receipt of visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of possessing child pornography.
Goodin, between June and Aug. 18, 2018, controlled multiple social media accounts which he used to communicate with a young girl in Utah. With one account, Goodin posed as “Shorty853” -- a young girl who was harassed and threatened by an older man. With another account, Goodin posed as “Sambam01,” the older man. Sambam01 said the victim he would stop bothering “Fungirl2901” if the victim sent sexually explicit photos to him, which the victim did, according to court documents.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cleveland men indicted for passing counterfeit $50 and $20 billsRead the Press Release
Two Cleveland men were indicted for attempting to pass counterfeit $50 and $20 bills.
Jamel Williams, 35, tried to spend 16 counterfeit $50 bills and three counterfeit $20 bills at the Target in Mayfield Heights on Nov. 27, 2015, according to the indictment.
Antoine Blackshear, 42, tried to spend 10 counterfeit $50 and 10 counterfeit $20 bills on on Nov. 3, 2016, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein is prosecuting the case following an investigation by United States Secret Service.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cleveland man sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a Brunswick man last yearRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a Brunswick man last year.
Rafael Jones, 40, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death as well as a firearms charge.
Jones on May 13, 2017 sold fentanyl to a Brunswick man who ingested the fentanyl and died, according to court documents.
Jones was arrested a month later in Cleveland and found with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and ammunition. Jones was prohibited from having the handgun and ammunition because of prior convictions for domestic violence and heroin trafficking, according to court documents.
This case was investigated by the Medina County Drug Task Force, DEA, Brunswick Police Department and with the assistance of the Medina County Coroner’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Corts.
Cleveland man indicted for selling cocaine laced with opioids that caused fatal overdose this summerRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was indicted in federal court for selling drugs that resulted in a fatal overdose of a man inside a hotel in downtown Cleveland in July.
Terry Lee Christian, 35, was indicted Wednesday on one count of distribution of controlled substances, which included a potential sentencing enhancement for causing death. He was also indicted on one count of using a phone to facilitate a felony drug offense.
Christian was arrested Monday and remains in custody.
Christian is accused of causing the death of a person identified in court papers as S.K. on July 13.
“This case is yet another reminder that any drug people are buying likely contains fentanyl, which can kill even in very small doses,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “By all accounts, the victim in this case believed he was buying cocaine, not opioids. This epidemic is cutting across all demographics and people need to understand there is no safe amount of drugs that can be used recreationally.”
“This case highlights the collaboration between the Cleveland Division of Police Heroin Death Investigators, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory and the Northern Ohio United States District Attorney’s Office,” said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin D. Williams. “The indictment of Mr. Christian should serve as an example to those trafficking in these dangerous and deadly narcotics. Through thorough investigations and the efforts of the attorneys who prosecute the cases, these criminals can be held accountable at the highest level.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said: “This death underscores the seriousness of the opioid crisis plaguing northern Ohio and the need for dedicated collaboration from law enforcement. The DEA, Cleveland Division of Police and the United States Attorney’s Office will continue to expend our time, energy and resources in an effort to stem the tide against this epidemic.”
Members of the Cleveland Division of Police’s Heroin Involved Death Investigations Unit responded to a drug overdose at a hotel room in Cleveland on July 14. Officers observed a bag of suspected cocaine on the dresser and suspected cocaine residue on the dresser and bathroom vanity, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
The narcotics were tested and found to be a mixture of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. The packaging material was tested and DNA found on the package matched Christian, according to the affidavit.
A review of the victim’s phone and other evidence revealed the man who overdosed met with Christian on July 13 and several calls between them on that day. Shortly after the calls and meeting, the man who ovedosed made a hand-to-hand transaction with someone in a minivan, according to the affidavit.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police and Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vasile Katsaros and Kathryn Andrachik.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Texas couple who had thousands of online sales of fentanyl and other drugs pleaded guilty to drug crimesRead the Press Release
A Texas couple who had thousands of online sales of fentanyl and other drugs pleaded guilty to drug crimes.
Matthew and Holly Roberts pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and other crimes. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 7, 2019.
The Roberts are both 35 and from San Antonio. The Roberts’ created and operated several dark net marketplace accounts, including MH4LIFE, TRAPPEDINTIME, FASTFORWARD and MRHIGH4LIFE. They operated these accounts on dark net marketplace websites, including Dream Market, Silk Road, AlphaBay, Darknet Heroes League, Nucleus and several others.
MH4LIFE had the highest number of verified transactions worldwide of any fentanyl dealer on the dark net based upon a review of the Dream Market when the Roberts’ were arrested earlier this year, according to court documents.
They used these accounts between 2011 and May 12, 2018 to possess and distribute fentanyl, MethoxyAcetylFentanyl, other fentanyl analogues, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, marijuana, Xanax, Oxycodone and other drugs.
The Roberts’ used private messaging, encryption software, Virtual Private Networks and proxies through the TOR network to provide security for the criminal organization. They used decoys, such as glow bracelets and other mundane items, to hide the fact they were mailing narcotics..
They also used cryptocurrency to launder their criminal proceeds. Customers used digital currency to purchase narcotics, which the defendants laundered and ultimately converted into official fiat currency and spent on person goods and services, according to court documents.This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Cronin and Daniel J. Riedl following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The charges are part of “Operation Darkness Falls,” a multiagency federal task force specializing in the investigation and prosecution of dark net criminals.
Canton man sentenced to more than eight years in prison for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
A Canton man was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for child pornography crimes.
Marshall Belden, Jr., 70, previously pleaded guilty to receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Belden was sentenced to 103 months in federal prison.
Belden on Oct. 24, 2016 knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and which files had been shipped and transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce. On Jan. 26, 2017, Belden possessed a computer and an external hard drive, each of which contained child pornography, according to court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Canton office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department.
The U.S. Attorney's Office filed highest number of narcotics and violent crime indictments since at least 2005Read the Press Release
Under the leadership of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Department of Justice charged the largest number of violent crime and firearm defendants in its history in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018.
In the Northern District of Ohio, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed indictments against 959 defendants – an increase of 50 percent over the previous fiscal year and the highest number since FY 2006.
Those indictments in the Northern District of Ohio include:
- Indictments filed against 393 defendants for narcotics offenses – the highest number since 2005 and an increase of 69 percent over the previous fiscal year.
- Indictments filed against 268 defendants for violent crime offenses – the highest since 2004 and an increase of 53 percent over the previous fiscal year.
“President Donald Trump is a law-and-order President—and this is a law-and-order administration,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “The Department of Justice is breaking law enforcement records and doing so by significant margins. When I took office as Attorney General, I ordered federal prosecutors and agents to take illegal guns off of our streets, to prosecute crimes aggressively, to protect our nation’s borders, and to target white collar fraud. With support from our state and local partners, our federal prosecutors and agents have delivered—and I am grateful to them and the fabulous state and local officers who worked so hard to make these achievements possible. And we are seeing results. Violent crime and homicides, which jumped in 2015 and 2016, both dropped in 2017 and will drop again in 2018. There can be no doubt that good law enforcement policies can make our communities safer.”
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman said: “We have identified violent crime and drug overdoses as the biggest threats to our community. We have worked with local police and federal agencies to try to dismantle drug distribution networks, seek long prison sentences for those who use guns to commit crimes and strategically target those who have caused pain and suffering for our neighbors. Aggressive enforcement of the law is a crucial part of a broad strategy to improve our communities.”
Herdman added: “Numbers tell only part of the story, but they are an important reflection of the sustained, maximum effort made by the men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office into making our communities safer and healthier.”
According to data from the Executive Office of United States Attorneys (EOUSA), the number of defendants charged with criminal felony offenses increased by nearly 15 percent from more than 71,200 defendants in FY 2017 to more than 81,800 in FY 2018.
In FY 2018, the Justice Department charged the largest number of violent crime defendants since EOUSA started to track this category more than 25 years ago (more than 16,800)—surpassing by nearly 15 percent the previous record set just last year.
In FY 2018, the Justice Department charged more than 15,300 defendants with federal firearms offenses, which is 17 percent more than the previous record.
In FY 2018, over 23,400 defendants were charged with felony illegal re-entry, an increase of more than 38 percent from FY 2017.
In FY 2018, over 23,600 defendants were charged with drug-related offenses, an increase of more than six percent from FY 2017.
Also in FY 2018, the Justice Department increased white-collar prosecutions by more than three percent, charging more than 6,500 defendants.
Finally, in FY 2018, more than 68,400 defendants were charged with misdemeanor illegal entry. This is the highest number of such defendants charged since EOUSA started to track this category and an almost 86 percent increase from the previous year. This total is also more than 4 percent higher than the previous record of over 65,500 defendants set in FY 2013.
Cleveland man indicted for robbing five banks in August and SeptemberRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was indicted for robbing five banks in August and September.
Anthony Jones, 59, was indicted on five counts of bank robbery.
He is accused of robbing the following banks: U.S. Bank at 1350 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland on Aug. 27; Huntington Bank at 905 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland on Aug. 30; Fifth Third Bank at 600 Superior Ave. in Cleveland on Sept. 4; Citizen’s Bank at 2175 Warrensville Center Road in University Heights on Sept. 6; and Woodforest National Bank at 3400 Steelyard Drive in Cleveland on Sept. 8.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division of Police and University Heights Police Department.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two from Northeast Ohio indicted on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
Two men from Northeast Ohio were indicted on federal firearms charges.
Ronnie Edward Calton, 39, of Streetsboro, and Jaron Parrish, 27, of Cleveland, were each charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Calton on Sept. 21 possessed a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol and ammunition, despite having been previously convicted of illegally assembly or possession of chemicals to manufacture a controlled substance, according to the indictment.
Parrish on Aug. 20 possessed an Intratech 9 mm pistol and 40 rounds of ammunition, despite having been previously convicted of burglary, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique
to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The Calton case was investigated by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department and RAVEN Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Galvin and Margaret Kane.
The Parrish case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Stow man indicted for counterfeitingRead the Press Release
Timothy G. Simms, 31, of Stow, was indicted for counterfeiting.
The indictment alleges that between July 2 and July 4, Simms did falsely make, forge, counterfeit and alter one or more obligations or other securities of the United States, with the intent to defraud.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Michigan man indicted for having 36 counterfeit credit cards, nearly 500 credit card account numbers and a machine for making counterfeit cardsRead the Press Release
A Michigan man was indicted after he was found to have 36 counterfeit credit cards, nearly 500 credit card account numbers and a machine for making counterfeit credit cards.
Edris Alim Sherrieff, 24, of Roseville, Michigan, was indicted on one count of possession of counterfeit credit cards and one count of illegal possession of device-making equipment.
Sherrieff was found on July 21, 2017, in possession of 36 counterfeit credit cards, 490 unique credit card account numbers and a credit card encoder, according to the indictment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Deckert following an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and Ohio State Highway Patrol.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Father and son from Mahoning County indicted after the son gave a gun to his father, who was previously convicted of rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and other crimesRead the Press Release
A father and son from Mahoning County were indicted on firearms charges after the son allegedly gave a firearm to his father, who was previously convicted of rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and other crimes, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.
Rodney P. McMeans, 43, of Struthers, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Rodney P. McMeans, Jr., 24, of Youngstown, was indicted on one count of transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person.
“The older defendant has absolutely no business with a gun, given his history of violent crime, and his son knew that,” Herdman said. “We will continue to work to keep firearms out of people who have no regard for the law.”
McMeans on April 24 possessed a FN Herstal 5.7-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for rape, kidnapping, felonious assault, attempted aggravated murder and improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation, according to the indictment.
McMeans, Jr. transferred the FN Herstal 5.7-caliber pistol to his father sometime between January and April 24, knowing and having reasonable cause to know McMeans was a felon who was not allowed to possess a firearm, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. States Attorney Peter E. Daly.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cleveland man indicted for using a firearm to rob a bank in Independence last monthRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was indicted for using a firearm to rob a bank in Independence last month.
Rolland C. Scales, Jr., 24, was indicted on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Scales used a firearm on Sept. 10 to rob the Chase Bank at 6200 Brecksville Road, according to the indictment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki following an investigation by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and Independence Police Department.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Akron man indicted for having firearms, fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamineRead the Press Release
An Akron man was indicted for having firearms and dealing fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.
Carl Hundley, Jr., 45, was charged in a five-count indictment with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, distribution of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.
Hundley on April 10 possessed fentanyl and heroin. He also had a Ruger pistol, a Taurus revolver and ammunition, despite previous convictions for trafficking heroin and other crimes, according to the indictment.
Hundley on Aug. 9 possessed fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique
to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Katz.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two indicted for illegally re-entering the U.S. after numerous deportationsRead the Press Release
Two people from Honduras were indicted for illegally reentering the United States.
Yoselin Gomez-Valle, 30, was found in Ohio on Sept. 7 after having been deported three previous times, according to the indictment.
Yeris Gomez-Arguijo, 32, was found in Ohio on Sept. 7 after having been deported four previous times, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the United States Border Patrol out of Sandusky. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley A. Futrell.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Toledo man indicted for attempting to coerce minor into sexRead the Press Release
A Toledo man was indicted for attempting to coerce what he believed to be a 17-year-old to travel interstate to engage in sex.
Douglas Wayne Kemp, 28, was charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and one count of attempted enticement of a minor.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation out of Toledo, Ohio. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Rossford was indicted for failing to register as a sex offenderRead the Press Release
Lonnie Alton Butler, 34, of Rossford, was indicted for failure to register as a sex offender.
Butler was required to register as a sex offender but did not do so when he traveled between Michigan and Ohio between Aug. 19 and Sept. 26, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the United States Marshals Service. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley A. Futrell and Tracey Ballard Tangeman.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Michigan man indicted for attempting to engage in sex acts with a childRead the Press Release
A Michigan man was indicted for attempting to engage in sex acts with a child.
Riley Thomas Griffin, 21, of Monroe, Michigan, was indicted on one count of traveling with intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.
Griffin received and distributed numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place in September, according to the indictment.
He also sent the images to an undercover agent and corresponded with this undercover agent about traveling from Michigan to Ohio to engage in sex acts with the undercover agent’s purported 9-year-old daughter, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in Toledo, Ohio. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lima man indicted for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
A Lima man was indicted on child pornography charges.
Christopher L. Frater, 41, was indicted on one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. He allegedly received numerous images of child pornography in 2017 and 2018.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Solon woman sentenced to nearly three years in prison for embezzling $156,000 from someone entrusted to her careRead the Press Release
A Solon woman was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison for embezzling $156,000 from a fund established on behalf of someone entrusted to her care.
Teresita Sidoti, 52, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. She was ordered to pay $156,949 to the victim’s family and $27,797 to the Internal Revenue Service. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to bank fraud and filing false tax returns.
Sidoti worked as a caregiver for Noel Zugay and was the trustee of the Noel Zugay Supplemental Needs Trust. From 2009 through 2015, Sidoti devised a scheme to defraud the trust of funds held at Huntington Bank for Zugay’s benefit. Sidoti used those funds for her personal benefit. She also diverted deposits that should have been to the trust account into her own personal account, according to the criminal information.
In total, Sidoti embezzled approximately $156,949, according to the information.
Sidoti also failed to claim some of this income on her tax returns between 2011 and 2014, according to court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Kall, following an investigation by the FBI and IRS – Criminal Investigations.
Romanian national accused of being leader of an international cyber fraud ring that used malware to steal $4 million after taking people’s passwords, personal and bank informationRead the Press Release
A Romanian national was returned to the United States Friday to face federal charges that accuse him of being the leader of an international cyber fraud ring that used malware to steal in excess of $4 million after taking people’s passwords, personal identifying information, and bank account information.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman of the Northern District of Ohio, Peter Elliot of the U.S. Marshals Service, Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI and Chief Kevin Bielozer of the Westlake Police Department made the announcement.
Romeo Vasile Chita, 38, was charged in a four-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, Ohio. The charges include racketeering, wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit services.
Eight other defendants were named in the indictment unsealed today. Two defendants—Daniel Mihai Radu, 39; and Manuel Tudor, 37, —have already been extradited from Romania and are awaiting trial in Cleveland. The other five defendants remain at large.
“Romeo Vasile Chita allegedly led a multinational criminal enterprise that stole sensitive personal data through deceptive phishing emails and organized fraudulent online auctions, causing millions of dollars in losses to innocent victims,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “The Criminal Division will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, both domestic and international, to aggressively disrupt and dismantle international cyber criminal organizations that victimize our citizens and businesses.”
“This defendant led an international operation that used fraudulent emails and the internet to scam hard-working people out of their savings,” said U.S. Attorney Herdman. “It is gratifying that this defendant will be forced to answer the charges filed against him.”
According to the indictment, Chita was based in Romania and led a racketeering enterprise that operated in the United States, Romania, Canada, Croatia, Latvia, Hungary, Bosnia, China, Jordan, Malaysia and elsewhere. The goal of the enterprise was to generate money through various criminal acts, including wire fraud, trafficking in counterfeit services, and money laundering. It began operating as early as 2007.
Among other things, Chita’s group sent “phishing” emails purporting to be from the Better Business Bureau, the IRS, U.S. Tax Court, the National Payroll Records Center, and others. When a victim clicked on a link in a fraudulent email, specialized malware incorporating a “keylogger” was installed onto the victims’ computers, allowing members of the criminal enterprise to capture sensitive and confidential information, including the victims’ bank account information.
The conspirators, including Chita, then transmitted the sensitive information to each other and others for the purpose of fraudulently withdrawing funds from the victims’ bank accounts. The stolen funds were then transferred to specific accounts in the United States, where the money was withdrawn and transferred to other members of the conspiracy. The conspirators used their own network of accounts and “money mules” to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time to conceal the origin of the money.
The defendants also are alleged to have engaged in an extensive campaign of online auction fraud, placing ads for non-existent cars and other expensive items on eBay, Craigslist, Autotrader.com, and other websites. According to the indictment, victims were tricked into wiring thousands of dollars to money mules to purchase these vehicles. The money mules then transferred and laundered the proceeds for the benefit of the enterprise.
Chita managed and facilitated the various schemes, as well as directing other conspirators to launder fraudulently obtained money.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, the Westlake Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Brian L. Levine of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Duncan Brown of the Northern District of Ohio. Valuable assistance is being provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The Justice Department thanks the government of Romania for its assistance in this matter.
The prosecution of Chita prosecution is timely, as it occurs during National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). NCSAM – observed every October – was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. The Department of Justice encourages citizens to take advantage of cybersecurity tips and information provided by law enforcement to ensure their personal information is secured.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cleveland man sentenced to 12 ½ years in federal prison for stealing a firearm from a gun show in BereaRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was sentenced to 12 ½ years in federal prison for stealing a firearm from a gun show in Berea.
Anthony Lett, 41, was convicted by a jury earlier this year on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of being in possession of a stolen firearm following a two-day trial in U.S. District Court.
"This is a person with a long history of violence who has no business having a firearm," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. "Our community is safer with him behind bars."
Lett stole a Kahr Arms .45-caliber pistol from a gun show in Berea on April 30, 2016. Lett has prior convictions that make it illegal for him to have a firearm, including convictions for kidnapping, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, drug trafficking and other crimes, according to court documents.
Lett is currently serving 20 years in state prison for unrelated convictions including attempted murder, aggravated robbery and other crimes, according to court documents.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Galvin and Elliot Morrison following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Berea Police Department, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police.
Two men from Toledo indicted for trafficking cocaine; prosecutors seek to forfeit $320,000 in cash that was seizedRead the Press Release
Two men from Toledo were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine.
Jeffrey A. Geckle, 40, and Scott A. Nigh, 39, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of attempted to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit approximately $320,000 in cash that was seized on Sept. 18 from Nigh and Geckle, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Lima. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Freeman.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Several men indicted on federal firearms charges as part of program focused on domestic abusers with gunsRead the Press Release
Several people with domestic violence convictions have recently been indicted in federal court as part of an emphasis on keeping firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers.
Among those charged with firearms offenses: William G. Smith III, 33, of Ravenna; Edward Kennerly, 46, of Cleveland; Antonio Stewart, 30, of Lorain; Elijah Harder, 23, of Cleveland; Steven Kennedy, 29, of Euclid; Jason Calton, 44, of Liberty Center.
“The law is clear: if you have been convicted of domestic violence, even a misdemeanor, or have an active protection order, you are not allowed to have a gun,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Data tells us that more than half of all women homicide victims were killed by their partners. We also know one of the greatest risks for police officers is responding to a domestic disturbance. These indictments will help make our community safer.”
“We should all feel safe in our homes, with our families, friends, and loved ones,” said Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “It is a breach of trust when family members suffer violence at the hands of those they trust most. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who break that trust while using firearms face the full consequences of their actions.”
Federal prosecutors in recent months have met with police, local prosecutors and domestic violence advocates to discuss filing more federal indictments for domestic abusers found to be in possession of firearms.
A study by the Centers for Disease Control released in July showed more than 55 percent of the deaths of women came at the hands of an intimate partner. The study examined more than 10,000 homicides between 2003 and 2014.
Additionally, several police officers killed in the line of duty recently in Ohio were killed while responding to domestic violence calls.
This enforcement initiative is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which one year ago Attorney General Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Smith had a SCCY 9mm pistol, a Remington .22-caliber rifle, a Masterpiece Arms .45-caliber pistol, a Ruger 5.56-caliber rifle , a Glock .45-caliber pistol and a Romarm Cugir 7.62-caliber rifle earlier this year, despite a previous conviction for domestic violence, according to court documents.
Kennerly attempted to buy a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun from Gold Star Pawn & Gun in Eastlake last year. Kennerly made false statements in an effort to acquire the shotgun, including that he was not under a restraining order from the court barring him from contact with his intimate partner and that he was not under indictment for domestic violence, according to court documents.
Stewart had a CN Romarm 7.62-caliber assault rifle, a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun, another Smith & Wesson handgun and ammunition in August, despite a conviction for domestic violence, according to court documents.
Harder possessed a Derringer Corp. GE, Model CB9 pistol in May after having been convicted of domestic violence, according to court documents.
Kennedy in August possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition despite a previous conviction for domestic violence, according to court documents.
Calton possessed a Harrington & Richardson .22-caliber revolver last year, despite a previous conviction for domestic violence, according to court documents.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Department awards $1.8 million to support data sharing, drug courts and other programs in Cuyahoga and Lucas CountyRead the Press Release
On the first day of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, the Department of Justice announced it is awarding almost $320 million to combat the opioid crisis in America. The unprecedented funding will directly help those most impacted by the deadliest drug crisis in American history, including crime victims, children, families, and first responders.
Included in the grants are more than $1.8 million to support programs in Cuyahoga and Lucas County, as well as nearly $2.9 million for statewide programming in Ohio.
"President Trump has made ending the opioid crisis a priority for this administration, and under his leadership, the Department of Justice has taken historic action," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. "Today we are announcing our next steps: investing $320 million into all three parts of the President’s comprehensive plan to end the epidemic: prevention, treatment, and enforcement. We are attacking this crisis from every angle—and we will not let up until we bring it to an end."
“This money will help us do a better job sharing and analyzing data, as well as helping support drug courts and treatment,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “By attacking this epidemic from all fronts – aggressive law enforcement, education and prevention, changing prescribing practices and supporting treatment for those ready to make a change – we will make progress.”
Among the grants with ties to Northern Ohio:
$932,233 to the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County. This money will be used to help improve, coordinate and analyze data sharing among law enforcement, social service providers, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders.
$500,000 to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas. This money will be used to support drug court programs in Lucas County.
$400,000 to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. This money will be used to help facilitate collaboration among criminal justice, mental health and substance abuse treatment systems in Cuyahoga County.
In 2017, more than 72,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses, an increase from the 64,000 overdose deaths in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of these deaths can be attributed to opioids, including illicit fentanyl and its analogues. October marks two important anti-drug events: Red Ribbon Week and National Prescription Drug Takeback Day. Red Ribbon Week takes place every year between October 23-31 and encourages students, parents, schools, and communities to promote drug-free lifestyles. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 27 aims to provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent overdose deaths and drug addictions before they start. DOJ expanded on DEA's Drug Takeback Days and collected more than 2.7 million pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs since April 2017.
The Attorney General has been resolute in the fight against the drug crisis in America. The Department assigned more than 300 federal prosecutors to U.S. Attorneys’ offices and hired more than 400 DEA task force officers, announced the formation of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, a new program to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas, and created a new data analytics program called the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit to assist 12 prosecutors sent to drug “hot spot districts.” In addition, the Department charged more than 3,000 defendants with trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or prescription drugs in FY 2017, announced the first-ever indictments of Chinese nationals for fentanyl trafficking, and scheduled variants of fentanyl to prevent illicit drug labs from circumventing the law. In addition, DOJ executed the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action charging more than 600 defendants and proposed rules consistent with President Trump's "Safe Prescribing Plan," requiring a reduction of ten percent in 2019 in manufacturing quotas. The Department dismantled AlphaBay, the largest criminal marketplace on the Internet and has already generated prosecutions in the fight against online drug trafficking through the Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement Team (J-CODE).
The approximately $320 million awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) will be distributed in order to maximize effectiveness over the country. A breakdown of the grant funding can be found here.
- Innovative Prosecution Solutions for Combating Violent Crime and Opioid Abuse ($2.8 Million). Help prosecutors develop strategies to address violent crime caused by illegal opioid distribution and abuse.
- Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program ($162 Million). Help jurisdictions plan and implement programs aimed at reducing opioid abuse and mitigating its impact on crime victims, including training and technical assistance.
- Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program ($5.9 Million). Address the treatment needs of people using opioids under the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.
- Helping Children and Youth Impacted by Opioids ($46.6 Million). Help children and youth impacted by the opioid crisis, including training and technical assistance.
- Drug Courts ($81.2 Million). Assist adult, juvenile, and family drug courts and veterans treatment courts, including training and technical assistance
- Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program ($17 Million). Address the dramatic increase in deaths and the backlogs of seized drugs as a result of the opioid crisis.
- Opioid-Related Research for Criminal Justice Purposes ($4.1 Million). Development of new tools to enforce the law, ensure public safety, prevent and control crime, and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice.
OJP provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP and its components can be found at: www.ojp.gov.
Barberton man with history of drug convictions sentenced to 10 years in prison for firearms crimesRead the Press Release
A Barberton man with a history of drug convictions was sentenced to 10 years in prison for firearms crimes.
Sergio Watson, 27, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John Adams. Watson was previously found guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Watson on April 19 possessed four pistols loaded with ammunition: a Springfield Armory XD 40 .40 caliber pistol, a stolen Smith and Wesson SW40VE .40 caliber pistol, a Ruger SR9C 9mm pistol and a stolen Titan Manufacturing .25 caliber pistol. Watson had previous convictions for burglary, heroin trafficking, aggravated drug trafficking, having weapons while under disability, cocaine possession and other crimes, according to court documents.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Howell following an investigation by the Akron Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.
Two from Cleveland indicted on firearms chargesRead the Press Release
Two men from Cleveland were indicted on federal firearms charges.
Rondel P. Wylie, 37, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Wylie on Aug. 16 possessed a Kimber .45-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for aggravated assault, domestic violence and drug trafficking, according to the indictment.
Raven Mullins, 29, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Mullins on July 27 possessed a Lorcin .380-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for attempted felonious assault and robbery, according to the indictment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian S. Deckert and Kelly Galvin are prosecuting the cases following investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Cleveland Division of Police.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Pair from Warren indicted for straw purchases of firearmsRead the Press Release
Two people from Warren were named in a nine-count federal indictment for their roles in the straw purchase of firearms.
Constance Derubba, 76, and Allen Reynolds, Jr., 35, were each indicted on four counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Reynolds also faces five additional counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On four different occasions, Derubba knowingly made false and fictitious statements in relation to the purchase of firearms. She was counseled, aided and abetted by Reynolds in these purchases. She falsely stated she was the purchaser of the firearm when, in fact, she was purchasing the firearms for Reynolds, according to the indictment.
Reynolds at various points possessed a Smith & Wesson 5.56-caliber rifle, a Glock .40-caliber pistol, another Glock .40-caliber pistol, a North American Arms .22-caliber revolver, and another Smith & Wesson 5.56-caliber rifle, despite a previous conviction for possession of cocaine, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than maximum.
This cases is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Katz following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
An indictment is only a charge. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Men from University Heights and Lorain indicted for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
Two men from Northeast Ohio were indicted for crimes related to child pornography.
Jacob Langston Maclin, 24, of University Heights, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Buddy Young, 30, of Lorain was charged with receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Their cases are otherwise unrelated.
Maclin, in 2017, knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Maclin also possessed an Apple iPhone 6s cell phone and a Dell Inspiron laptop computer on April 17, 2018, that contained child pornography, according to the indictment.
Young in August 2018 knowingly received numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Young knowingly possessed two cell phones that contained child pornography on Aug. 17, 2018, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik. The Maclin case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The Young case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigaton.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Men from Toledo and Houston indicted for trafficking cocaineRead the Press Release
An indictment was filed charging Eddie J. Heckard, Jr., 32, of Toledo, and Demetrice Phillips, 21, of Houston, with trafficking cocaine.
Both men were indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The two men conspired on Aug. 28 to possess nearly 1,000 grams of cocaine with the intent of selling it, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Toledo Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew D. Simko and Thomas P. Weldon.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lima man indicted for trafficking at least one kilogram of heroin and one kilogram of cocaineRead the Press Release
A Lima man was indicted in federal court for trafficking at least one kilogram of heroin and one kilogram of cocaine.
John Reed, Jr., 43, was indicted on one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa M. Sterling is handling the case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Kent State professor sentenced to five months in prison to be followed by five months of house arrest for lying to the FBIRead the Press Release
A former Kent State University professor was sentenced to five months in prison to be followed by five months of house arrest for lying to the FBI.
Julio Pino, 57, of Kent, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of making a false statement to law enforcement.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Pino was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and fined $2,500. U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan ordered to Pino to have no access to the Internet or to have computer monitoring software on his computers if so recommended by his probation officer.
According to the criminal information filed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland:
Pino was a Facebook friend of a St. Louis resident identified in the information at J.E. Pino posted numerous statements and images on social media regarding J.E. and J.E.’s child custody issues between May 2015 and January 2016.
Among these conversations, on or about September 11, 2015, Defendant and J.E. had the following communications:
J.E. wrote, “I’m playing the game backwards. and winning! . . . I will kill 100s of people if they take my rights as a father away!”
Pino stated, “Yes, in military terms this is known as ‘the Parthian shot’.”
J.E. wrote, “hell, 10000’s! . . . It’;s [sic] time for Men to act like men again. . . . See the thing I’ve got on my side is God. That allows me certain rights. One of those rights is to strike down evil with furious vengeance! . . . People don’t even know how crazy I am yet! That’s because no ones ever tried to take my [relative]. They’re about to meet to [the] Monster they’ve created.”
Pino responded, “Devour them, [J.E.].”
J.E. wrote, “Thank You! I will! :)
J.E. wrote on his Facebook wall a series of threatening communications in December 2015 through January 2016 directed against a St. Louis Family Court Judge adjudicating J.E.’s child custody case. On Jan. 11, 2016, J.E. also wrote on his own Facebook wall, “I (expletive) love Julio Pino, even if he does eventually do something that most consider horrible, I’ll still love him because I know him in a deeper way than most of you even could.”
Law enforcement authorities in St. Louis arrested J.E. on Jan. 11, 2016, for making threatening communications against the judge.
The FBI was involved in investigating J.E.’s threats against the judge. FBI agents on Jan. 18, 2016, interviewed Pino in Miami about his social media posts and comments concerning his interactions with J.E. and discussions with J.E. about J.E.’s child custody issues. The FBI agents recorded this interview in connection with an ongoing investigation concerning, among other things, Pino’s interactions with J.E. as described above.
Federal grand jury subpoenas from the Northern District of Ohio were issued during the course of that investigation. In response to questions from FBI agents concerning whether he ever had conversations with J.E. on the social media accounts, Pino, knowing full well the content of his social media interactions with J.E., stated he “never heard of [J.E. or] maybe I heard of him through the news,” he did not recall conversations with J.E. and that his conversations with J.E. were “invented conversation[s].” When asked again if he remembered the conversation with J.E., Pino responded, “I never heard of him, well maybe I heard of him through the news,” and then later stated, “the other way around it is certainly possible that he could have heard of me and made up this conversation, invented it.”
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Om Kakani and Michelle Baeppler.
Toledo to receive nearly a half-million dollars to help fight violent crimeRead the Press Release
Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced grant awards to Public Safety Partnership member sites as part of $10 million in funding to support state, local and tribal law enforcement departments and agencies and their partners who are fighting violent crime in jurisdictions across the United States.
Toledo is one of the recipients, receiving $492,553.
“This money, nearly half a million dollars, will put our Toledo law enforcement partners in better position to identify and respond to violent crime in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This money will make Toledo’s residents safer and we look forward to helping the city implement these grant funds.”
The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance, in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, is awarding $5 million under the Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative to encourage local jurisdictions to use intelligence, technology and community engagement to identify unlawfully used firearms and to prosecute those who commit violent crimes.
Grant recipients include the PSP cities of Indianapolis, Indiana, $798, 866; Memphis, Tennessee, $714,055; Tulsa, Oklahoma, $800,000 and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, $634,971. Other locations include Detroit, Michigan, $800,000; the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Police Department, $452,108, and the City/County of San Francisco, California, $800,000. The jurisdictions will use these awards to hire personnel to utilize the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), to purchase technology required to operate a Crime Gun Intelligence Center and ammunition for ballistic tests of recovered weapons.
The Attorney General also announced awards for BJA’s Technology Innovation for Public Safety (TIPS): Addressing Precipitous Increases in Crime program.
This program supports the Department’s priorities of reducing violent crime and supporting law enforcement officers, including prosecutors. While many jurisdictions are making significant progress implementing justice information sharing solutions to address critical gaps in crime prevention and response activities across organizations and jurisdictions, there remain challenges for the criminal justice system to respond to threats to public safety. This is especially true for efforts addressing significant increases in crime.
Justice information sharing technology refers to any hardware and software, hosted residentially or remotely, that plays a role in the collection, storage, sharing and analysis of criminal justice data. Funding under this program is provided to help state, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions use innovative technological solutions to enhance their justice information-sharing capacity.
Grant recipients include the PSP cities of Memphis, Tennessee, $417,224; Toledo, Ohio, $492,553; Flint, Michigan, $499,694 and Houston, Texas, $500,000. Other locations include Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, $317,834; City of Boynton Beach, Florida, $465,860; Clark County Social Service, Nevada, $500,000; New Mexico Second Judicial District Attorney, $500,000; State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; $419,804; Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey, $500,000; and Georgia Bureau of Investigation, $499,339. Additional information on the grant awards can be found at: www.bja.gov
Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the announcement during today’s National Public Safety Partnership Symposium on Violent Crime in Birmingham, Alabama. The National Public Safety Partnership is a DOJ-wide initiative that enables cities to consult with and receive a coordinated array of resources from DOJ’s programmatic and law enforcement components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; United States Attorneys’ Offices; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Office on Violence Against Women; the Office of Justice Programs; the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; and other federal agencies in order to improve local violence reduction strategies.Jury convicts Maple Heights man of leading a conspiracy in which they filed more than 800 tax returns to falsely claim $15 million in refundsRead the Press Release
A Maple Heights man was convicted by a jury for leading a conspiracy in which they filed more than 800 tax returns annually between 2012 and 2015 resulting in approximately $15 million in refunds being issued, a portion of which neither they nor their clients were entitled.
Keith Jeffries, 44, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and multiple counts of aiding and abetting the preparation of false tax returns. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 8.
Defendants Brian Peacock, of Sandusky, Linnette Coleman, and Nicole Pugh, both of Cleveland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
Jeffries operated a tax preparation business under the name Krew Time, LLC. Jeffries, Peacock, Coleman and Pugh all prepared returns for Krew Time clients. The company operated out of three locations – from Jeffries’ residence on Friend Avenue in Maple Heights, from the back offices of a MetroPCS store on East 71st Street in Cleveland and from a commercial building on East 140th Street in Cleveland, according to court documents.
The defendants filed false, fictitious and fraudulent tax returns in the name of Krew Time clients. The clients received the majority of the refunds with the defendants receiving a portion of the refund as their tax preparation fee, according to court documents.
They did this by filing false itemized deductions, business income expenses, tax credit information, medical expenses, false filing status and other information to obtain income tax refunds to which the taxpayers were not entitled. This took place between 2011 and 2016, according to court documents.
“This group spent years riping off the federal government by filing hundreds of fake tax returns,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “These defendants took advantage of programs designed to help sick people or struggling students and instead used them to enrich themselves.”
“These defendants wreaked havoc on the IRS by misusing their Electronic Filing Identification Number and Preparer Tax Identification Number to electronically file fraudulent income tax returns for their clients that generated inflated false income tax refunds,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carmen Henderson and Alejandro Abreu.
Eight people from Akron indicted trafficking methamphetamine and heroinRead the Press Release
Eight people from Akron were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and heroin.
Named in the 18-count indictment are: Patrick Griffin, 31; Leonard Jones, Jr., 39; Jerome Walton, 34; Isaac Love, 33; Robert Hammond, 34; Anthoney Carter, 29; Eric Bennett, 26; and Natorria Clark, 33.
Griffin received the methamphetamine and heroin from a source in California. He and Walton distributed the drugs to customers including Jones, Love, Hammond, Carter and Bennett. Carter traveled between California and Ohio to transport the drugs for Griffin, according to the indictment.
This took place from June 2015 through this month, according to the indictment.
Walton is additionally charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than maximum.
This cases is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley following an investigation by the Summit County Sheriff's Office, Summit County Drug Unit, Summit County Prosecutor's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshal Service and police departments from Copley, Barberton, Reminderville, Cuyahoga Falls, Springfield, New Franklin, Stow, the University of Akron and Silver Lake.
An indictment is only a charge. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cleveland men indicted for committing armed carjackings around Ohio City, Tremont and Shaker Square and using one of the vehicles to steal firearms from a gun store in StreetsboroRead the Press Release
Two Cleveland men were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy with included committing armed carjackings around Ohio City, Tremont and Shaker Square and using one of the vehicles to steal firearms from a gun store in Streetsboro.
Zyshonne Austin and Ja’Quez Lyons, both 18, were indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of theft from a federal firearms licensee, one count of carjacking and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Austin faces an additional count of possession of a stolen firearm while Lyons faces additional counts of carjacking and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
A third man, James Luke, 18, of Cleveland, was indicted for his role in the Streetsboro gun store robbery.
Austin and Lyons beginning in April used firearms in armed carjackings. A man was getting out of his red Volkswagen Passat on Larchmere Avenue on April 14 when another man approached with a gun and demanded his car, while another man acted as a lookout, according to court documents.
The next day, on April 15, Austin, Lyons and Luke stole 10 firearms from Top Shot Firearms in Streetsboro. The suspects used an object to smash through glass display cases and steal the guns. Blood was found at the scene, according to court documents.
On April 16, Cleveland police officers responded to a call of shots fired near East 123rd Street and recovered the Volkswagen Passat. Inside the car they found price tags from the stolen firearms, some of which had blood on them, a rag with suspected blood on it, a hammer and a receipt from the McDonald’s at 3050 Carnegie Avenue from April 15, among other items.
On April 21, one of the stolen firearms was recovered from Austin after he was arrested following an attempted armed robbery and carjacking in the Ohio City neighborhood. Austin was arrested after he and another suspect fled after crashing the stolen Toyota IA near Kinsman Avenue. Austin had cuts on his hands, according to court documents.
Lyons on May 7 used a firearm to steal a 2016 Lincoln MKC. Following his arrest, a search of Lyons’ phone revealed Austin was one of 13 people listed as contacts and that Lyons had done numerous searches for gun stores, including Top Shot Firearms in Streetsboro, according to court documents.
The phone also included numerous text exchanges between Austin and Lyons discussing robbing the Streetsboro gun store, according to court documents.
DNA tests showed Austin’s blood matched the blood on the price tags of the stolen guns and blood on the hammer recovered in the stolen car. A search of Austin’s phone revealed numerous computer searches around the time of the robbery, including “Top Shot Firearms” and “gun store breakin (sic) Streetsboro,” according to court documents.
Austin also sent images of himself and others with the stolen firearms and in front of the stolen Volkswagen Passat, according to court documents.
This investigation is ongoing.
“These defendants pointed loaded guns at everyday people in our community and stole their cars, then used at least one of those stolen cars to drive to Portage County and hold up a gun store,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Our community is safer with these predators behind bars. This case is also another demonstration of working with local police and prosecutors to target the worst of the worst.”
“ATF’s core mission is reducing violent gun crime in our communities,” said Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “Firearms theft involves violent acts where criminals distribute stolen firearms throughout our communities, which causes a growing wave of violence. ATF is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to pursue those who steal firearms from licensed firearms dealers.”
“Taking violent, armed and dangerous offenders off of our streets is a service to our communities,” said Chief Calvin D. Williams of the Cleveland Division of Police. “I am always thankful for the strong law enforcement partnerships we have here in Northeast Ohio.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: “These three stole numerous weapons and used those illegally obtained guns to violently terrorize people leaving work and visiting friends in our community. They had no regard for the safety and hard earned belongings of others and now must face the federal justice system and its consequences."
“This case highlights the partnership between law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, as we have a duty to work together to ensure the safety of the community,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cleveland Division of Police, the FBI, the Streetsboro Police Department, the Twinsburg Police Department and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office’s Crime Strategies Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant. U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jamaican citizen charged with illegal reentry, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunitionRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Christopher Sacewell, 33, for being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition and illegal reentry.
Sacewell, a Jamaican citizen, was previously removed from the United States in 2012.
Assistant United States Attorney Brian S. Deckert is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security and the Cleveland Police Department.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Napoleon police officer sentenced to two years in prison for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
A former Napoleon police officer was sentenced to two years in prison for child pornography crimes.
Nicholas Evanoff, 34, previously pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
“These are cases with real victims, children whose lives will be forever changed because adults assaulted and violated them,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “We will continue to work to prosecute those who re-victimize these children by sharing and downloading these images.”
Evanoff possessed the child pornography in 2017. He also smashed two hard drives in an effort to destroy evidence and hide his crimes, according to court documents.
The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.
Cleveland man indicted on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was indicted on federal firearms charges.
Deontae Walker, 22, is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Walker on June 20 had a Taurus .45-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite a previous conviction for burglary, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division of Police and Ohio Adult Parole Authority. Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Kane is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Canton Police detective among 25 law enforcement officers honored as recipients of the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in PolicingRead the Press Release
Canton Police Detective Michael Rastetter was among 25 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country honored today by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Justice Department leadership today as recipients of the second annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, recognizing the exceptional work.
“The Trump Administration supports law enforcement at all levels—and we always will,” said Attorney General Sessions. “Today’s awards honor the incredible work that is being done across this country every day. This Department of Justice takes pride in announcing today’s winners of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.”
“These honorees are exceptional because they each thought outside the box to come up with new ways to tackle persistent law enforcement problems,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Detective Rastetter leads an effort that creates new partnerships to address an epidemic that has caused so much pain and suffering in Ohio. They each represent the best of our community and further the mission of the Justice Department.”
Canton Police Lt. John Gabbard said: “The Stark Outreach Support team is effective because of Detective Rastetter and our community partners. Their dedication cannot be measured by the number of hours they work or homes they visit. The impact they have on individuals and families struggling with addiction can only be attributed to their compassion, patience and sense of duty. As part of this team, Detective Rastetter has improved lives in our community and that is the essence of our mission as a law enforcement agency.”
The Justice Department has been committed to supporting law enforcement and continues to back the “women and men in blue,” as directed by President Trump’s February 2017 Executive Order. The Department has recently awarded grants to assist law enforcement and first responders who supported mass shootings in Las Vegas, Nevada, Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe, Texas. In addition, the Department has helped police departments across America to hire hundreds more police officers through the COPS grant program.
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing. The Department received 207 nominations for 469 individuals ranging from state police departments, to local police, to campus public safety agencies. This award highlights the work that officers and deputies do to prevent, intervene in, and respond to crime and public safety issues. The individuals recognized today are listed below:
INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY POLICING
Sergeant Sean Crotty of the Little Egg Harbor Police Department, New Jersey:
Sergeant Sean Crotty is the school resource officer at the local high school. His main responsibility is the protection of the school community. However, he also takes on the arguably greater role of getting involved with students, shaping the way they view law enforcement, and helping mold them into productive community members. While Sergeant Crotty’s “beat” is the high school, this does not limit him to creating relationships with the younger students in the community. In his years with the department, Sergeant Crotty started a Junior Police Academy for middle school students, enhanced free Police Athletic League (PAL) programs, and added a Junior Police Explorers program.
Detective John Rastetter of the Canton Police Department, Ohio:
Detective Michael Rastetter’s work with those suffering from opioid addiction has set him apart among a department full of dedicated officers continuously looking for innovative ways to serve their community. Detective Rastetter became the point person for the newly created Stark County Outreach Support (SOS) team, a quick response team made up of a nurse, a social worker and a vice detective. SOS has engaged 70 overdose survivors and 33 family members, connected 30 individuals with rehabilitation services and provided 19 Naloxone kits, leading to a reduction of nearly 60 percent in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2017. Detective Rastetter is a large part of the success of the program and decline in the overdose deaths.
Officer Laurie Reyes of the Montgomery County Police Department, Maryland:
Officer Laurie Reyes noticed that repeated searches for the same critically missing people (individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities [IDD], and Alzheimer’s disease) demanded a large portion of departmental resources, both in money and in officers’ time. She created the nationally recognized “Autism, Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities, and Alzheimer’s Outreach Program” as a way to promote awareness and safety through education, outreach, follow-up, empowerment and response. Officer Reyes identified a problem and developed a creative solution, which had a significant impact on public safety and public trust, all at no additional fiscal cost to the agency.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
Officer Megan Freer of the Middleton Township Police Department, Pennsylvania:
In the summer of 2017, a 19-year-old man went missing near Middletown Township. Officer Freer began an intensive investigation into the missing person case, which eventually led to the discovery of a horrific quadruple homicide in Solebury Township, about 20 miles away. Officer Freer’s incredible investigative efforts led to the arrest of two 20-year-olds charged with murder of the four young men, and providing closure for the families of those missing young men. This was a tremendous effort of policing and police investigation, and Officer Freer has received several awards for her investigative effort, including the Philadelphia National Liberty Museum Award of Valor in September 2017.
Detective Andrew Beuschel, Jr. of the Evesham Township Police Department, New Jersey:
In December 2017, a father called the police when he found his 15-year-old daughter unresponsive due to a possible drug overdose; an ambulance transported the victim to the hospital, where she subsequently died from a heroin overdose two days later. Detective Beuschel investigated the case, including interviews and evidence from numerous warrants on cell phones, computers, and social media accounts, and was able to locate the suspected seller. Detective Beuschel’s persistence led to arrest warrants for possession of heroin, distribution of heroin, and ultimately, strict liability of the suspect for the drug-induced death of the 15-year-old victim.
Trooper Joel D. Follmer of the Pennsylvania State Police:
State Trooper Joel D. Follmer’s determined efforts and innovative policing techniques on an 18-month series of kidnapping and rape investigations throughout Pennsylvania led to the arrest of a serial rapist with assaults dating back as far as 1994. Trooper Follmer arrested the suspect in December of last year, who immediately confessed to several cases, and provided information on many others that he had attempted in the past and was planning in the future. The suspect is currently awaiting trial.
FIELD OPERATIONS
Sergeant Girard Tell III and Sergeant Ryan VanSyckle of the Pleasantville Police Department, New Jersey:
Since 2016, Sergeants Tell and VanSyckle have consistently led the department in arrests and drug seizures by their dogged persistence to seek out and dismantle criminal street gangs, including a regional investigation, which netted more than 100 felony indictments against the South Side Mob street gang. Their tireless drive to remove the most dangerous and violent offenders has had a significant impact on the criminal operating environment within the community, including a steady downward trend of gun violence and a 55 percent decrease in confirmed shooting calls for service.
Corporal Richard White III of the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia:
In June 2017, dispatchers notified law enforcement and fire department agencies regarding several people who had flipped over their boats while kayaking and got caught in the swift current in Wheeling Creek. Corporal White arrived on the scene and waded into the heavy current, rescuing two females caught in the downstream. Corporal White was instrumental in preventing a possible tragic incident while putting himself in harm’s way. About a year earlier, a little boy had died after falling into the creek. Corporal White’s quick and selfless action helped ensure that those circumstances were not repeated.
Deputy Ned Nemeth of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada:
Deputy Nemeth has demonstrated active exceptional performance in field operations. As a full time K-9 handler, he works highway interdiction and has successfully reduced illegal operations in the past year along the I-80 corridor, including seizing 206 pounds of illegal marijuana, 359.42 grams of methamphetamine, and 43 contraband prescription opioid pain pills. Deputy Nemeth is known for providing high quality information about his interstate contacts to other agencies across the country. His efforts as a part of the HIDTA task force in northern Nevada not only have positive effects on his own community but also make meaningful contributions to other jurisdictions working to disrupt and dismantle organized drug trafficking operations nationwide.
Detective Thomas Curley of the Wilmington Police Department, Delaware:
Over the past 14 years, Wilmington Detective Thomas Curley has provided outstanding efforts in conducting criminal investigations to protect the people of Wilmington from gangs and violent crime, including the first successful illegal gang prosecution in the State of Delaware, which was later upheld by the Delaware Supreme Court. He possesses the ability to seek out and successfully talk with witnesses to develop leads and works tirelessly coordinating complex investigations. Detective Curley is dedicated to his job and strives for justice for the victims of violent crimes.
Officers Jeremiah Beason, Patrick Burke, Monty Fetherston, and Steve Morris, Jr., of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada:
On October 2017, at approximately 10:05 p.m., a lone gunman fired into a crowd of 22,000 concertgoers attending a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 innocent people and injuring more than 850. Las Vegas Metropolitan Officers Beason, Burke, Fetherston, and Morris were the first four first responders to react during this active shooter situation. These four officers rescued injured civilians, cleared the surrounding rooms near the shooter, and secured the perimeter. By running towards the danger, they saved countless lives.
Officers Jose Arriaga, Ruben Avalos, Carlos Escobar, Randy Jreisat, Arthur Meza, Ashley Mitchell, David Nick, Jr., Adrian Nuñez, Christina Salas, and Solly Samara of the Los Angeles Police Department, California:
In September 2017, the Los Angeles Police Department created the MacArthur Park Task Force to conduct uniform patrol in and around MacArthur Park and other surrounding areas. This team worked to restore order to the community around MacArthur Park by applying constant law enforcement and community involvement to the area to combat all crime and quality of life issues. These ten officers made 1,125 arrests in 32 weeks, issued 980 citations and offered services to hundreds of individuals. Their work is directly responsible for a 40 percent reduction of Part 1 crimes and a 46 percent reduction of violent crimes in the zone. These 10 officers helped transform this park and its surrounding neighborhood from its former blight, turning it into a clean, beautiful park.
Another defendant pleads guilty in connection with labor trafficking of minors at Ohio egg farmRead the Press Release
Pablo Duran Ramirez, 50, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to encouraging the illegal entry of Guatemalan nationals, including unaccompanied minors, into the United States for financial gain, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman of the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.
Duran Ramirez is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in connection with a labor trafficking scheme that forced Guatemalan minors to work at egg farms in central Ohio.
According to the defendant’s plea agreement and admissions in court, the defendant, through his company, Haba Corporate Services, contracted to provide labor to Trillium Farms, knowing that the workers were unlawfully present in the United States. He further admitted to knowing that some of the workers were unaccompanied minors who had been coerced or threatened to enter the United States and then housed in an isolated trailer park in Marion, Ohio. In 2013 and 2014, Trillim Farms paid the defendant’s company approximately $6 million for its labor services.
“Motivated by greed, the defendant violated the immigration laws and contributed to the exploitation of vulnerable children who lacked immigration status,” said Acting Assisting Attorney General Gore. “The Department of Justice will use its resources to prosecute individuals who unlawfully victimize others for their own monetary profit.”
“This defendant profited off the desperation of children and their parents and other relatives,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio. “He knew some of the workers he delivered to Trillium Farms were underage, in the country illegally and were threatened or coerced. We will continue to work to eliminate human trafficking in all its forms.”
“This defendant, in conspiracy with three other previously convicted individuals, coerced and assisted individuals to enter the United States illegally, many of them children, forcing them to live in deplorable conditions and work for little to no wages,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division. “These reprehensible actions are unacceptable and rest assured the FBI will continue to work with our partners to bring to justice those who engage in human trafficking.”
Duran Ramirez faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. His sentencing date has been set for Jan. 7, 2019.
Three other defendants—Aroldo Castillo-Serrano, of Guatemala, Ana Angelica Pedro-Juan, of Guatemala, and Conrado Salgado-Soto, of Mexico—previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the same labor trafficking scheme. Castillo-Serrano, the lead smuggler and primary enforcer, was sentenced to 188 months in prison; Pedro-Juan, who oversaw the victims in Ohio, was sentenced to 120 months; and Salgado-Soto, a subcontractor hired by Duran Ramirez, was sentenced to 51 months.
Those defendants admitted to recruiting workers from Guatemala, some as young as 14 or 15 years old, falsely promising them good jobs and a chance to attend school in the United States. The defendants then smuggled and transported the workers to a trailer park in Marion, Ohio, where they ordered them to live in dilapidated trailers and work at physically demanding jobs at Trillium Farms for up to 12 hours a day. The work included cleaning chicken coops, loading and unloading crates of chickens, de-beaking chickens and vaccinating chickens. During their sentencing, Senior United States District Judge James G. Carr found that they had threatened workers with physical harm and withheld their paychecks in order to compel them to work. Eight minors and two adults were identified as victims of the scheme.
Three additional defendants, including Duran Ramirez’s son, pleaded guilty for their roles in encouraging the workers’ illegal entry into the United States.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Rice and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Two Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Northern Ohio and Canton police detective among those being honored at Attorney General's Award ceremony next weekRead the Press Release
Two Assistant United States Attorneys who successfully prosecuted an international terrorism investigation and a Canton police detective who worked collaboratively to combat the opioid epidemic are among those being honored with Justice Department’s highest recognition Tuesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Shepherd and Michael Freeman will receive the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security. Canton Police Detective Michael Rastetter will receive the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions will honor efforts by people from inside and outside the Department of Justice in Washington on Tuesday at the 66th Annual Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony. This annual ceremony recognizes individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the missions of the Department of Justice.
“These honorees are exceptional because they each thought outside the box to come up with new ways to tackle persistent law enforcement problems,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “AUSAs Shepherd and Freeman worked tirelessly along with agents and analysts to trace the flow of funds from the United States to halfway around the world, money that was to be used to fund terror attacks. Detective Rastetter leads an effort that creates new partnerships to address an epidemic that has caused so much pain and suffering in Ohio. They each represent the best of our community and further the mission of the Justice Department.”
Canton Police Lt. John Gabbard said: “The Stark Outreach Support team is effective because of Detective Rastetter and our community partners. Their dedication cannot be measured by the number of hours they work or homes they visit. The impact they have on individuals and families struggling with addiction can only be attributed to their compassion, patience and sense of duty. As part of this team, Detective Rastetter has improved lives in our community and that is the essence of our mission as a law enforcement agency.”
Shepherd and Freeman led a team of FBI agents and analysts from at least five different field offices in the investigation and prosecution of Yahya Farooq Mohammad, Ibrahim Zubair Mohammad, Asif Salim, and Sultane Salim.
These four men in 2009 provided more than $20,000 to Anwar Al Awlaki in Yemen, just four months before a member of Awlaki’s group attempted to detonate a bomb in his pants while flying on a plane over Detroit. Through the painstaking efforts of Shepherd, Freeman and the entire team, they were able to track down these payments and pursue these four defendants across the globe. Additionally, Yahya Mohammad would later plot to kill a federal judge assigned his case and arranged for payments to a would-be hitman for the murder of the judge.
All four defendants were ultimately convicted and the leader, Yahya Mohammad, was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison.
Shepherd works in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland while Freeman works in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Toledo.
Rastetter was honored for his work on the Stark County Support initiative, which has led to a dramatic decrease in fatal overdoses, an increase in people being placed in drug treatment facilities and has been replicated throughout the region.
The Canton Police Department was grappling with the opioid epidemic in 2017 when it created the Stark Outreach Support initiative. Canton police put together a team consisting of a nurse, a social worker and a vice detective. The team created lists of all individuals who overdosed in the city and survived. Then the team visited each person offering services.
The police worked closely with local partners that provide drug rehab and recovery services, utilizing detox beds they made available for the effort. By the end of 2017, our non-fatal overdoses had decreased by 19 percent compared to 2016. Overdose deaths in Canton were reduced by over 55 percent compared to 2016. This came at a time when Ohio was experiencing a dramatic increase in drug overdose deaths.
Toledo man indicted for using firearm to rob bank and steal carRead the Press Release
A Toledo man with a prior conviction for robbery was indicted for using a firearm to rob a bank and steal a car this summer, as well for escape.
Don Woodson Ellis, 28, was indicted on two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and one count each of carjacking, bank robbery, escape and being a felon in possession of firearm.
Keiva Johnson, 47, and Antoine Moore, 35, both of Toledo, were indicted on one count each of assisting escape.
Ellis on Aug. 13 used a fiream to carjack a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix and to rob the Fifth Third Bank at 3428 Glendale Ave. in Toledo. He was prohibited from having a firearm because of a conviction in 2012 for bank robbery, according to the indictment.
Ellis escaped from custody in the Lucas County Corrections Center on Aug. 15. He was assisted by Johnson and Moore, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Toledo Police Department and is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Simko.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mexican national indicted for having nearly half a kilo of deadly opioidsRead the Press Release
A Mexican national was indicted for having nearly half a kilogram of deadly opioids.
Jesus Usbaldo Ballardo Garcia, 22, was indicted on one count each of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of 4-ANPP knowing and having reasonable cause to believe it would be used to manufacture fentanyl.
Garcia on Aug. 1 possessed approximately 571 grams of heroin, 224 grams of fentanyl and 187 grams of 4-ANPP, an immediate precursor to fentanyl, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Tracey Ballard Tangeman are handling the case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.