Northern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Willard man indicted for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
Karl J. Rogers, 33, of Willard, was indicted on one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Rogers knowingly received numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between October and December 2017, 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. 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.
Two from Northwest Ohio indicted for firearms offensesRead the Press Release
Two men from Northwest Ohio were indicted on firearms charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Indicted are: Shaquile R. Bulls, 23, of Lima and Dylon E. Ridgeway, 25, of Sandusky. Their cases are unrelated.
Bulls is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Bulls, on Nov. 24, 2017, had a Glock .40-caliber pistol despite a previous conviction for robbery, according to the indictment.
Ridgeway is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Ridgeway, on Nov. 16, 2017, possessed a Springfield Armory 9 mm pistol despite prior convictions for heroin trafficking, having a weapon under disability and felonious assault, according to the indicment
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.
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Lima Police Department (Bulls) and the Sandusky Police Department (Ridgway) They are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Weldon and Guillermo J. Rojas.
This case is being prosecuted as part of "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a gun violence reduction program administered by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio. The program targets armed criminals for federal prosecution.
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.
Three from Toledo indicted for armed robberies of Happy's Pizza and Metro PCSRead the Press Release
Three Toledo residents were indicted in federal court for armed robberies of Happy’s Pizza and Metro PCS, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, ATF Special Agent in Charge Trevor Velinor and Toledo Police Chief George Kral.
Named in the five-count indictment are: Donell Davis, 22; Tyron Parker, 19, and Leeza Parker, 21.
Davis is charged with two counts of interference with commerce through threats of violence, two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Leeza Parker is charged with two counts of interference with commerce through threats of violence and Tyron Parker is charged with one count of interference with commerce through threats of violence.
Davis and the Parkers robbed the Happy’s Pizza on Dorr Street on Sept. 22, 2017, during which time Davis brandished a firearm. Davis and Leeza Parker robbed the Metro PCS on West Bancroft Street on Oct. 12, 2017, during which time Davis brandished a firearm, according to the indictment.
Davis possessed a firearm on Sept. 22 and Oct. 17, despite the fact that he was forbidden from having a firearm because of previous convictions for aggravated assault, participation in a criminal gang and attempted failure to comply with police, according to the indictment.
“These defendants endangered hard-working Toledo residents who were just trying to do their jobs and raise their families,” Herdman said. “Those who use firearms to prey on others belong in prison. The ATF and Toledo Police Department should be commended for locking up this trio.”
“ATF will continue to work with the Toledo Police Department to combat violent crime in the community,” Velinor said. “We have a strong, cooperative relationship with our local counterparts, and we share one goal of making Toledo safer for all of its citizens.”
“The Toledo Police Department continues to work with our federal partners to arrest and prosecute those who use firearms in the commission of violent crimes,” Kral said. “I am proud of our detectives and ATF special agents for their work in this case. No doubt, the citizens of Toledo are safer with these suspects in custody.”
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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.
The investigating agency in this case is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Toledo Police Department. 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.
Canton man pleads guilty to tax and money laundering chargesRead the Press Release
A Canton man pleaded guilty in federal court to failing to report more than $1 million in income over seven years, law enforcement officials said.
Paul G.A. Kasapis, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of income tax evasion, one count of the willful failure to collect and pay over employment taxes and two counts of money laundering.
Kasapis failed to pay over unreported personal income and unreported employee wages from PK Produce, Lucky Fox and El Dorado City of Gold resulted in a total criminal tax loss of approximately $533,434, according to court documents.
Kasapis is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Kasapis will forfeit a residence in Cape Coral, Florida, and a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare account as properties derived from the proceeds of an illegal gambling business in violation of federal law.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the IRS, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Stark County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Township Police Department.
Summit County men indicted on carfentil charges; one man faces additional firearms and drug chargesRead the Press Release
Two Summit County men were indicted in federal court on charges involving firearms, carfentanil and other drugs, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball.
Da Nico D. Geter, 27, of Akron, and Dustin W. Somerville, 29, of Barberton, Ohio, were both indicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute carfentanil.
Geter is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and a marijuana analogue. He faces additional charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.
Geter and Somerville were arrested on Sept. 7, 2017 by the Akron Police Department and Akron Police Narcotics Unit. They were found with the aforementioned drugs and Geter had a Springfield Armory .45-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for heroin trafficking and possession of heroin, 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 violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Teresa L. Riley following an investigation by the Akron Police Department.
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.
Ohio Computer Programmer Indicted for Infecting Thousands of Computers with Malicious Software and Gaining Access to Victims’ Communications and Personal InformationRead the Press Release
An Ohio man was charged in a 16-count indictment today for allegedly creating and installing malware on thousands of computers for more than 13 years in order to watch, listen to, and obtain personal data from unknowing victims, as well as produce child pornography.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office made the announcement.
Phillip R. Durachinsky, 28, of North Royalton, Ohio, was charged with Computer Fraud and Abuse Act violations, Wiretap Act violations, production of child pornography, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, Durachinsky is alleged from 2003 through Jan. 20, 2017, to have orchestrated a scheme to access thousands of protected computers owned by individuals, companies, schools, a police department, and the government, including one owned by a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Energy. He is alleged to have developed computer malware later named “Fruitfly” that he installed on computers and that enabled him to control each computer by accessing stored data, uploading files, taking and downloading screenshots, logging a user’s keystrokes, and turning on the camera and microphone to surreptitiously record images and audio.
As alleged in the indictment, Durachinsky used the malware to steal the personal data of victims, including their logon credentials, tax records, medical records, photographs, banking records, Internet searches, and potentially embarrassing communications. According to the indictment, Durachinsky used stolen logon credentials to access and download information from third-party websites.
Durachinsky is further alleged to have watched and listened to victims without their knowledge or permission and intercepted oral communications taking place in the room where the infected computer was located. In some cases, the malware alerted Durachinsky if a user typed words associated with pornography. According to the indictment, Durachinsky saved millions of images and often kept detailed notes of what he saw.
“For more than 13 years, Phillip Durachinsky allegedly infected with malware the computers of thousands of Americans and stole their most personal data and communications,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “This case is an example of the Justice Department’s continued efforts to hold accountable cybercriminals who invade the privacy of others and exploit technology for their own ends.”
“This defendant is alleged to have spent more than a decade spying on people across the country and accessing their personal information,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierleja.
“Durachinsky is alleged to have utilized his sophisticated cyber skills with ill intent, compromising numerous systems and individual computers,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI would like to commend the compromised entities that brought this to the attention of law enforcement authorities. It is this kind of collaboration that has enabled authorities to bring this cyber hacker to justice.”
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI. This 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. Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl, Michelle M. Baeppler and Om M. Kakani of the Northern District of Ohio.
North Royalton man charged in a 16-count indictment for creating and installing malware on thousands of computers for more than 13 yearsRead the Press Release
A North Royalton man was charged in a 16-count indictment today for allegedly creating and installing malware on thousands of computers for more than 13 years in order to watch, listen to, and obtain personal data from unknowing victims, as well as produce child pornography.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office made the announcement.
Phillip R. Durachinsky, 28, was charged with Computer Fraud and Abuse Act violations, Wiretap Act violations, production of child pornography, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, Durachinsky is alleged from 2003 through Jan. 20, 2017, to have orchestrated a scheme to access thousands of protected computers owned by individuals, companies, schools, a police department, and the government, including one owned by a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Energy. He is alleged to have developed computer malware later named “Fruitfly” that he installed on computers and that enabled him to control each computer by accessing stored data, uploading files, taking and downloading screenshots, logging a user’s keystrokes, and turning on the camera and microphone to surreptitiously record images and audio.
As alleged in the indictment, Durachinsky used the malware to steal the personal data of victims, including their logon credentials, tax records, medical records, photographs, banking records, Internet searches, and potentially embarrassing communications. According to the indictment, Durachinsky used stolen logon credentials to access and download information from third-party websites.
Durachinsky is further alleged to have watched and listened to victims without their knowledge or permission and intercepted oral communications taking place in the room where the infected computer was located. In some cases, the malware alerted Durachinsky if a user typed words associated with pornography. According to the indictment, Durachinsky saved millions of images and often kept detailed notes of what he saw.
“For more than 13 years, Phillip Durachinsky allegedly infected with malware the computers of thousands of Americans and stole their most personal data and communications,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “This case is an example of the Justice Department’s continued efforts to hold accountable cybercriminals who invade the privacy of others and exploit technology for their own ends.”
“This defendant is alleged to have spent more than a decade spying on people across the country and accessing their personal information,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierleja.
“Durachinsky is alleged to have utilized his sophisticated cyber skills with ill intent, compromising numerous systems and individual computers,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI would like to commend the compromised entities that brought this to the attention of law enforcement authorities. It is this kind of collaboration that has enabled authorities to bring this cyber hacker to justice.”
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl, Michelle M. Baeppler and Om M. Kakani, as well as Senior Counsel Brian L. Levine of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
The U.S. Attorney's Office charged 202 people for firearms crimes last yearRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio indicted 202 people on firearms charges last year.
Broken down by geography in the district, the most people indicted came out of the Cleveland office, with 116. That was followed by the Akron office (35), Youngstown office (27) and Toledo office (24).
“Firearms prosecutions are homicide prevention,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “We will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners, local police and county prosecutors to identify those who use firearms in violent crimes or drug trafficking crimes, or possess firearms illegally, and seek the prison sentences they deserve.”
“ATF remains focused in the pursuit of those offenders who use or possess firearms in relation to violent crimes,” said Trevor A. Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of the Columbus Field Division. “Our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local partners is key to attaining our goal of protecting the public and serving our nation.”
The average sentence for a firearms case sentenced last year in the Northern District of Ohio was nearly nine years in prison (104 months).
Details of selected firearms cases from last year:
U.S. v. Bowers et. al: Eleven people from Stark County were indicted for firearms violations, including firearms trafficking and an illegal sale of a machine gun.
Andre Bowers, of Canton, was charged with illegally dealing a Harrington & Richardson .32-caliber revolver, two Mossberg 12-gauge shotguns, a Glock .40-caliber pistol, a Marlin .22-caliber rifle, a Rossi 20-gauge shotgun and a Kel-Tec 5.56 mm pistol, despite prior convictions for aggravated assault, cocaine trafficking, domestic violence, escape and other crimes. Jesse Gulley, Ikasha Clark and Thomas Lorenz were indicted for a transaction in July 2017 in which Lorenz transferred to Gulley and Clark a Heckler and Koch, 308-caliber machine gun, according to court documents. The cases are pending.
U.S. v. Glenn: Two men were charged in a 17-count indictment with nearly a dozen armed robberies across Northeast Ohio. Richard Glenn, Jr., of Maple Heights, and Brandon Williams, of Euclid, are charged with using firearms to rob banks, drug stores and convenience stores in South Euclid, Euclid, Wickliffe, Lyndhurst, Cleveland, Bedford Heights and Maple Heights. The case is pending
U.S. v. Ely: DeZay Ely, of Akron, was sentenced to life in prison for shooting a woman in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Ely attempted to kill a woman on July 3, 2016, by shooting her in the head. He had pleaded guilty to attempted murder, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
U.S. v. Powers: Seth Alan Powers of Ravenna was indicted for having eight firearms and more than 1,300 rounds of ammunition, despite a previous conviction for domestic violence. On March 13, 2017, Powers possessed the following firearms and ammunition, after having been convicted of domestic violence in the Portage County Municipal Court in 2005: Bersa, model Thunder 45, .45 caliber pistol, serial number A59814; Keltec, model PF-9, 9mm pistol, serial number SP089; Ruger, model SR-22, .22 caliber pistol, serial number 365-33720; Walther, model HK416D, .22 caliber pistol, serial number WH013613; Mossberg, model 500A, 12 gauge shotgun, serial number R657562; Taurus, model Rossi, .22 caliber rifle, serial number 5JS244294; Taurus, model Rossi, .22 caliber rifle, serial number 5JS244352; Taurus, model Rossi, .22 rifle caliber, serial number 5JS244203; seven rounds of Hornady ammunition, .45 caliber; seven rounds other ammunition, 9 mm; nine rounds Remington ammunition, .22 caliber; two rounds assorted ammunition, 12 gauge; 1,050 rounds assorted ammunition, unknown caliber; 279 rounds assorted ammunition, unknown caliber, according to the indictment. The case is pending.
U.S. v. Coats: Cody Coats, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty to firing a shotgun during a carjacking in Euclid. Coats used an Itahca short-barreled shotgun when he carjacked an individual and stole their 2005 Chrysler Crossfire outside a Euclid bar on Aug. 14, 2017. He ultimately crashed the car on East 222nd Street near Lakeshore Boulevard following a police chase and was arrested. Coats possessed a shotgun and twenty 12-gauge shotgun shells despite a prior conviction for burglary. He is scheduled to be sentenced in March.
U.S. v. Cargill: Markein Cargill, of Toledo, was indicted after being arrested with 13 firearms. Cargill was indicted on one count each of possessing firearms after being convicted of a felony; possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun; possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine; and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.
Cargill on Sept. 1, 2017, was arrested with 13 firearms, including a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun with no serial number. Cargill was not allowed to possess firearms because of previous convictions for crimes involving heroin and cocaine, according to the indictment. The case is pending.
The number of people indicted for firearms violations for the previous decade:
2016: 105
2015: 126
2014: 167
2013: 207
2012: 176
2011: 218
2010: 166
2009: 156
2008: 157
2007: 191
Mahoning County judge charged with stealing at least $96,200 from former clientRead the Press Release
A Mahoning County judge was charged in federal court with stealing at least $96,200 from a former client, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Diane Vettori-Caraballo, 49, of Youngstown, was charged via criminal information with one count of fraud, one count of structuring cash deposits and one count of making false statements to law enforcement.
Vettori-Caraballo stole between $96,200 and $328,000 in cash that was in the home of a client when that client died in March 2016, according to the information.
Vettori-Caraballo was elected to position of judge in Mahoning County Court #3 – Sebring Court in 2002, with jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal and traffic charges and other matters in Sebring and Beloit Villages and Berlin, Green, Goshen,, Ellsworth, Smith and Washingtonville Townships. She was reelected in 2006 and 2012, according to the information.
She also provided estate planning services to Robert Sampson, including drafting his will. On Nov. 20, 2015, Vettori-Caraballo filed an application in Mahoning County Probate Court to administer Sampson’s estate. The application stated Sampson died without a will. The probate court, unaware of Sampson’s will, appointed Falgiani as the administrator three days later, according to the information.
Sampson died in 2015 and his closest living relative was his sister, Dolores Falgiani. Vettori-Caraballo prepared Falgiani’s will on Nov. 3, 2015. The will made 16 specific bequests to relatives and friends and bequeathed the rest of the estate to Animal Charity Human Society of Boardman and the Angels for Animal Charity in Canfield, according to the information.
Sometime in October or November 2015, Falgiani stated she was in possession of several shoeboxes of cash stored at her residence. Falgiani was found dead in her home on March 10, 2016, according to the information.
Vettori-Caraballo filed an application in Mahoning County Probate Court to probate Falgiani’s estate on March 24, 2016. On May 2, she reported having found cash in the residence and depositing the $20,000 into the estate, according to the information.
On several subsequent occasions in 2016 and this year, Vettori-Caraballo filed a notice of newly discovered assets with the court. Each time, she failed to disclose the cash she had stolen, according to the information.
The information also charged Vettori-Caraballo with structuring 22 deposits of the cash she stole into five different banks within four weeks to avoid regulations that require banks to report cash transactions over $10,000 to the IRS. In addition, the information charges that Vettori-Caraballo lied to the FBI when she was confronted about the theft and the structuring of cash deposits.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian McDonough and Ann C. Rowland.
If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the Court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique 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 information is 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.
Sylvania man indicted for having more than 27,000 images and 1,300 videos depicting child sexual exploitation, including toddlers being rapedRead the Press Release
A Sylvania man was indicted on child pornography charges after investigators found him with more than 27,000 images of child sexual exploitation and more than 1,300 videos, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Mark Koltz, 27, was indicted on one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.
Investigators determined that a series of downloads of child pornography originated from a home on Hawthorne drive in Sylvania. A search and forensic examination of computers seized at the home identified approximately 27,682 images of child sexual exploitation and approximately 1,306 videos, including images and videos of bestiality and toddlers being raped by adults, 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.
The investigating agency in this case is the U.S. Secret Service. 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.
Cleveland man indicted on firearms and drug chargesRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was indicted on drug and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.
A four-count indictment was filed charging Michael L. Young, 34, with use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Young on Sept. 13, 2017, possessed cocaine, a Kel-Tec .380-caliber pistol and ammunition. Young has numerous prior convictions that prohibit him from having firearms or ammunition, including convictions for felonious assault, drug trafficking, drug possession, and other crimes, according to the indictment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and 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.
Wooster man indicted for sexually exploiting childrenRead the Press Release
A Wooster man was charged with sexually exploiting children, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Eric W. Beard, 26, induced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct in December 2017 for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carol M. Skutnik following an investigation by Task Force Officer Bryan Allen, the FBI Task Force and the Wooster Police Department.
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.
Madison man charged with child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
A Madison man was indicted on child pornography charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Slade A. Williams, 25, was charged with receiving and distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The indictment charges that Williams knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place in November 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik. The case was investigated by Speical Agent Michael Deterling with Homeland Security Investigations.
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 Heights man charged for marijuana trafficking conspiracy, making threatsRead the Press Release
A federal Grand Jury returned a five-count indictment charging Cleveland Heights with conspiring to distribute marijuana and sending extortionate threats, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.
Kitroy Brian Buchanan, 34, conspired with others to receive by mail bulk quantities of marijuana from California and other states between August and December 2017. He then delivered the marijuana to others, according to others.
Buchanan also attempted to extort a parcel from Washington state addressed to a residence in South Euclid through a series of threats, including threats of kidnapping, according to the indictment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
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.
Warrensville Heights couple charged with embezzling nearly $200,000 from now-closed Cleveland credit unionRead the Press Release
A Warrensville Heights couple were charged in federal court with embezzling nearly $200,000 from a now-closed Cleveland credit union where once worked, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Gwendolyn Dubose, 64, and Kolade Awoyade, 48, were charged with one count each of embezzlement and making false entries in credit union reports and records. They are accused of embezzling approximately $191,978 from Greater Abyssinia Federal Credit Union (GAFCU) between 2012 and 2015.
According to a two-count criminal information:
Dubose served as manager and treasurer at GAFCU while Awoyade worked as head teller. Together they caused the credit union to make false and fraudulent deposits and transfers totaling approximately $191,978 into nine bank accounts they controlled, according to the information.
GAFCU attempted to merge with another credit union in November 2015. That resulted in the identification of numerous unaccounted-for transactions and an overstatement of GAFCU’s assets. The couple was placed on administrative leave, the merger did not take place and GAFCU was closed by the National Credit Union Administration, according to the information.
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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carmen Henderson following an investigation by the FBI.
An information 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.
Lima men sentenced to life in prison and 30 years in prison for sex trafficking conspiracy involving teen girlsRead the Press Release
A Lima man was sentenced to life in prison and another was sentenced to 30 years in prison for their role in a conspiracy in which girls, then 14 and 16 years old, were forced into commercial sex acts, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony and Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin.
U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary sentenced Lorenzo Young to life in prison and Aundre Davis to 30 years in prison. Davis and Lorenzo Young were convicted by a jury earlier this year on charges including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes.
Megan Hitt, Randy Thompson and three other people previously pleaded guilty to crimes related to the conspiracy and have been sentenced to prison.
Young, Davis, Thompson and Hitt conspired to cause girls, aged 14 and 16, to engage in commercial sex acts in Lima and Fort Wayne, Indiana. They did this by taking and posting sexually explicit photos of the girls on backpage.com, transporting the girls, renting motel rooms for them and negotiating prices. This took place between November 2015 and January 2016, according to court documents and trial testimony.
“These defendants preyed on teen girls so they could line their pockets with money,” Herdman said.
“These individuals violated the rights of some of our most vulnerable in our community - the children,” Anthony said. “The FBI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue justice for human trafficking victims and to put their perpetrators behind bars."
“Human trafficking is a devastating crime that must be stopped. It victimizes people within every segment of society throughout our nation,” Martin said. “I want to thank the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for their help in enforcing the law against those who will engage in human trafficking within the Lima community. We are grateful for the cooperative working relationship we have with them and the many other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that are working together to make human trafficking a thing of the past. The Lima Police Department cannot accomplish this alone.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Toledo office and the Lima Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa M. Sterling.
Indictment unsealed charging additional man for labor trafficking conspiracy that forced minors to work at egg farms near MarionRead the Press Release
A federal court today unsealed charges against a fourth defendant for participating in a labor-trafficking scheme that forced minors to work at egg farms in central Ohio. The defendant, Pablo Duran Ramirez, was apprehended Saturday by Border Patrol while attempting to cross the border between Mexico and the United States. Three other defendants have previously been convicted for participating in the scheme.
The charges were announced by Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio; Acting Assistant Attorney General John M. Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.
The indictment unsealed today alleges that Duran Ramirez contracted to provide labor for Trillium Farms while knowing or being in reckless disregard of the fact that some of the workers were being trafficked. In addition to the charges for forced labor and for conspiracy, Duran Ramirez is facing a charge of encouraging another person to illegally enter the United States. Duran Ramirez, 49, is a United States citizen.
Three other defendants have pleaded guilty to participating in the trafficking scheme. 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 to 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. Eight minors and two adults were identified as victims of the scheme.
Aroldo Castillo-Serrano, the lead smuggler and primary enforcer, was sentenced to 188 months in prison. Ana Angelica Pedro-Juan, who oversaw the victims in Ohio, was sentenced to 120 months. Conrado Salgado-Soto, who arranged jobs for the victims, was sentenced to 51 months. The indictment unsealed today alleges that Salgado-Soto was a subcontractor hired by Duran Ramirez.
At sentencing of the other defendants, Senior United States District Judge James G. Carr found that they threatened workers with physical harm and withheld their paychecks in order to compel them to work.
Three additional defendants, including Duran Ramirez’s son, pleaded guilty to encouraging illegal entry into the United States in connection to the scheme.
The trafficking and conspiracy counts that Duran Ramirez is charged with carry sentences of up to 20 years. The count of encouraging the entry of illegal aliens carries a sentence of up to five years.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Office, Mansfield Resident Agency; and the Department of Homeland Security. The case is being jointly prosecuted by Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Rice.
Fourth Defendant Charged in Ohio Trafficking Scheme Involving Immigrant MinorsRead the Press Release
A federal court today unsealed charges against a fourth defendant for participating in a labor-trafficking scheme that forced minors to work at egg farms in central Ohio. The defendant, Pablo Duran Ramirez, was apprehended Saturday by Border Patrol while attempting to cross the border between Mexico and the United States. Three other defendants have previously been convicted for participating in the scheme.
The charges were announced by Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio; Acting Assistant Attorney General John M. Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.
The indictment unsealed today alleges that Duran Ramirez contracted to provide labor for Trillium Farms while knowing or being in reckless disregard of the fact that some of the workers were being trafficked. In addition to the charges for forced labor and for conspiracy, Duran Ramirez is facing a charge of encouraging another person to illegally enter the United States. Duran Ramirez, 49, is a United States citizen.
Three other defendants have pleaded guilty to participating in the trafficking scheme. 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 to 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. Eight minors and two adults were identified as victims of the scheme.
Aroldo Castillo-Serrano, the lead smuggler and primary enforcer, was sentenced to 188 months in prison. Ana Angelica Pedro-Juan, who oversaw the victims in Ohio, was sentenced to 120 months. Conrado Salgado-Soto, who arranged jobs for the victims, was sentenced to 51 months. The indictment unsealed today alleges that Salgado-Soto was a subcontractor hired by Duran Ramirez.
At sentencing of the other defendants, Senior United States District Judge James G. Carr found that they threatened workers with physical harm and withheld their paychecks in order to compel them to work.
Three additional defendants, including Duran Ramirez’s son, pleaded guilty to encouraging illegal entry into the United States in connection to the scheme.
The trafficking and conspiracy counts that Duran Ramirez is charged with carry sentences of up to 20 years. The count of encouraging the entry of illegal aliens carries a sentence of up to five years.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Office, Mansfield Resident Agency; and the Department of Homeland Security. The case is being jointly prosecuted by Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Rice.
Three indicted on immigration-related offensesRead the Press Release
Three people were indicted in federal court for immigration offenses, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Martha Buendia-Chavarria, 43, of Mexico, was indicted on charges of possession with intent to transfer false identity documents, possession of document-making implements and authentication features, making a false statement or claim regarding citizenship in order to obtain a benefit and aggravated identity theft.
Jorge Fabian Rubio-Gonzales, 29, of Mexico, was charged with illegal re-entry into the U.S. following deportation.
Eliazar Lopez-Bravo, 48, of Marion, was indicted on charges of possession with intent to use unlawfully or unlawfully transfer five or more identification document or false identification documents.
The cases are all being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah P. Hood following investigations by the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, in Sandusky and the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in Detroit.
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.
The U.S. Attorney's Office recognizes employees for outstanding work in 2017Read the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio this month presented awards to honor outstanding advocacy, support and legal work on behalf of the district’s six million residents.
“These awards recognize the best efforts put forth by our office on behalf of the citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Whether it’s combating violent crime, protecting taxpayers, trying to curb the tide of the opioid epidemic, just to name a few, these employees embody the best of public service.”
Details of the award winners are below:
AUSA of the Year: Kelly Galvin
Kelly Galvin personally helped making Norther Ohio safer in 2017 through several trials and prosecutions focused on violent firearms crimes. She was the lead prosecutor against five defendants – four of whom were members of the Heartless Felons gang – targeted random strangers for a series of carjackings in the Tremont neighborhood. The five defendants were sentenced collectively to more 130 years in prison. Galvin also successfully prosecuted a man who took a woman to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and shot her in the head, leaving her for dead. She somehow survived but is now blind. That defendant is serving life in prison.
Support of the Year: Jennifer Borrowman
Jennifer Borrowman is honored for her unwavering dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Borrowman took over as supervisory legal assistant for the Criminal Division this year, with a twice-a-decade office audit looming and while still doing parts of her previous job while her replacement was waiting for her security clearance to be approved. Her professionalism is superior.
Bill Edwards Career Award: Ann Rowland
Ann Rowland will retire in January after 37 years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, making her the longest-serving attorney in the history of the office. She has served the office with distinction as chief of the Strike Force Unit, chief of the White Collar Crime Unit and deputy chief of the Criminal Division. She has served on countless committees and working groups to improve the judicial process and criminal justice system. The high-profile cases she has handled in her career include the prosecutions of Anthony Liberatore, a high-ranking member of La Costa Nostra; several supervisors in the Cleveland Water Department, and Jimmy Dimora, Frank Russo and more than 60 other people involved in a public corruption network focused on Cuyahoga County.
Bill Edwards Career Award: Roberta Sladick
Roberta Sladick has served as secretary to the United States Attorney for more than a dozen years, starting with Greg White. Sladick serves not only as gatekeeper to the U.S. Attorney, but also confidant, counselor, friend and sometimes life coach to each. Bobbi started her federal career as a clerk-stenographer with the Defense Contract Audit Agency in 1978. Two years later, she transferred to our office as a clerk-stenographer in the Civil Division. In 1985, Bobbi was promoted to secretary to the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and held that position for 20 years until becoming secretary to the U.S. Attorney. Over the course of 32 years with our office, Bobbi Sladick has been a bedrock of the office.
Professionalism Award: Robert Bulford
Robert Bulford is the consummate professional, liked and respected by both the bench and the bar. He works almost around the clock in the Akron office and is always available with advice on legal questions and life questions. Fellow Assistant U.S. Attorneys and law enforcement agents have come to rely on Bulford for real-world, practical advice for the past 28 years in the office, as well as nine years in Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
Bernard A. Smith Excellence in Appellate Advocacy: Laura Ford
Laura Ford has addressed every manner of federal prosecution, and this year has successfully handled appeals stemming from several multi-week, complex fraud, bribery and money laundering trials, including U.S. v. Bartoli, U.S. v. Epps, U.S. v. Jackson and U.S. v. Selgjekaj. These trials were complicated for the prosecutors and agents who spent years working on them, but Ford quickly digested the information and expertly addressed all of the appellate issues raised by those defendants – with a 100 percent success rate.
Excellence in Criminal Advocacy: Carol Skutnik and Brian McDonough
Carol Skutnik and Brian McDonough are honored for their work prosecuting U.S. v. Rydze, et al., in which six people were convicted of charges involving health care fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering offenses. One of those defendants was Dr. Richard Rydze, a prominent doctor in the Pittsburgh area who, among other duties, served as team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following a five-month trial which required Skutnik and McDonough to move to Pittsburgh and miss numerous holidays, birthdays, school and family events, Rydze was convicted of illegally dispensing controlled substances, including human growth hormone and opioids.
Excellence in Civil Advocacy: James Bennett and Erin Brizius
James Bennett and Erin Brizius are recognized for their expert and professional handling of the difficult medical malpractice case involving the VA Hospital in Cleveland. A man went to the hospital complaining of chest pain, arm pain and shortness of breath. He was discharged but -- before exiting the building -- suffered a heart attack and fell, hitting his head. His injuries were catastrophic. Bennett and Brizius expertly investigated this case, conducted extensive discovery, worked with several expert witnesses and negotiated a resolution of this complex case.
Excellence in Criminal Support: Sue Chandler
Sue Chandler demonstrated tremendous dedication and self-sacrifice this year. She was the lone paralegal supporting the prosecution team in U.S. v. Rydze. She kept track of thousands of exhibits that took up a full room in Cleveland and another full room in Pittsburgh. The exhibits were loaded into the office’s computer system, redacted to protect each patient’s private information and then expertly called up and displayed at trial. All of that was the responsibility of one person – Sue Chandler. Ever ready with some candy to support the troops and an exceptional amount of good attitude and funny stories, Sue not only brought the records and evidence, she brought the cheer. Trials are difficult enough, but a five-month trial away from home when you’re living out of a hotel and away from family, keeping up that positive attitude is one of the reasons she was so very important to the success of the trial.
Excellence in Civil Support : Debra Schoch
Schoch is recognized for her constant and professional commitment to the Civil Division. Schoch supported between five and seven attorneys this year, filled in for anyone who needed help or was on leave, and continued to mentor and assist other legal assistants in any area in which they needed assistance. She also assisted the high-volume area of Medicare cases and assisted in establishing and implementing best practices for the unit. Schoch’s professionalism, knowledge, efficiency, and helpful attitude are greatly appreciated by all who work with her.
Excellence in Administrative Support: Susan Frank
Susan Frank is honored for her work as Lead Administrative Services Specialist. She has been heavy involved with major projects such as the office library reduction, and developing and initiating movement of shipping and receiving. Frank served as the point person in the office’s relations with GSA. She set up bi-weekly meeting with GSA to ensure any issues were being addressed and ensuring projects were completed in a timely manner.
Rocky River man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for laundering money from investorsRead the Press Release
A Rocky River man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for laundering money from investors and using at least some of it for personal expenses, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.
Mark Dulik, 31, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.1. million in restitution after previously pleading guilty to four counts of money laundering.
Dulik owned and operated Rework, Inc., based in Rocky River, which provided cloud-based software services. Dulik convinced several individuals to invest in Rework by convincing them that it was a legitimate, on-going business – when in fact Dulik converted the investors’ funds for his own personal use to pay for his lavish lifestyle, according to the court documents.
Investigators determined Dulik used new investors’ money to pay dividends/interest payments back to older investors, representing to the earlier investors that the money represented profits from the company, when in fact it operated more like a Ponzi scheme, according to court documents.
“This defendant mislead investors, causing pain and stress to his victims,” Herdman said.
“Behind every lie is a choice,” Korner said. “Mr. Dulik lied to his family, friends and business associates and his investment scheme had devastating effects on his victims.”
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark S. Bennett following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation.
Northeast Ohio couple indicted for monthlong armed robbery spreeRead the Press Release
A 15-count indictment was filed charging a couple from Northeast Ohio for four armed bank robberies and armed robberies of several other stores this fall, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Casey Layne Liberty, 30, of Amherst, and Daniel T. Begin, 32, of Cleveland, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, four counts of bank robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and nine counts related to Hobbs Act robbery.
Liberty wore a disguise and robbed banks and stores while Begin acted as the getaway driver. They used the proceeds of the robberies to purchase drugs and food and to pay for hotel rooms, according to the indictment.
“This pair went on a monthlong crime spree in which they robbed banks and stores to feed their drug habit,” Herdman said. “It’s a miracle no one was killed, and we’re gratified this duo will likely be off the street for years to come.”
“This pair posed a danger to people doing their banking or simply picking up lunch,” Anthony said. “The fine work of the FBI agents, along with nearly a dozen police departments, has made our community safer.”
The pair are charged with the following bank robberies: Andover Bank in Conneaut on Sept. 19, Chase Bank in Medina on Sept. 28, First National Bank in Beachwood on Oct. 4 and the Chase Bank in Fairlawn on Oct. 12.
They are also charged with robbing a Subway in Findlay on Sept. 26, a Seven Eleven in Brunswick on Sept. 28, a Gamestop in Elyria on Oct. 7, a Domino’s Pizza in Madison on Oct. 10, a Mr. Hero in Canton on Oct. 11, a Subway in Avon on Oct. 15, a Subway in Elyria on Oct. 16, a Mr. Hero in Perkins Township on Oct. 19, a Domino’s Pizza in North Olmsted on Oct. 22 and a Mr. Hero in Berea on Oct. 22.
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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ranya Elzein and Robert J. Patton following an investigation by the FBI and the police department of Conneaut, North Olmsted, Medina, Beachwood, Avon, Elyria, Findlay, Perkins Township, Madison, Berea and North Ridgeville.
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.
Five indicted for firearms crimesRead the Press Release
Five people were indicted for firearms offenses, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and ATF Special Agent in Charge Trevor Velinor.
Indicted are: Thomas O. Gibson, 24, of Akron; Gary K. Jones, 24, of Akron; Bernard Jefferson, 47, of Massillon; Duane Rine, 61, of Louisville, Ohio, and Tremaine Jackson, 28, of Cleveland.
Gibson on Oct. 6 had a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun and ammunition, despite prior convictions for carrying concealed weapons, possession of heroin, felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm into a home or school, and other crimes, according to the indictment.
Jones on Nov. 17 possessed a Norinco SKS 7.62 mm rifle and ammunition, despite a prior conviction for burglary, according to the indictment.
Jefferson in November possessed a Smith and Wesson handgun despite a prior conviction for aggravated drug trafficking, according to the indictment.
Rine in 2015 unlawfully transferred a Plainfield .30-caliber machinegun, according to the indictment.
Jackson in November 2016 possessed a .57-caliber pistol despite previous convictions for drug trafficking, carrying concealed weapons and having weapons while under disability, according to the indictment.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Galvin, Linda Barr and Aaron Howell following investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (Jackson case).
The cases are unrelated.
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.
Two from Lorain County charged with distributing carfentanil and fentanylRead the Press Release
Two Lorain County men were charged in federal court for crime related to the trafficking of opioids, law enforcement officials said.
Manuel Latorre, 26, of Lorain, was named in a two-count indictment after possessing with intent to sell more than nine grams of carfentanil this year.
Tony O. Carter, 28, of Elyria, was charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute a mix of fentanyl and heroin. Carter was out on bond from Lorain County Court of Common Pleas when he committed the new offense, according to court records.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony, DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon, Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely, Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera and Lorain County Sheriff Sheriff Phil Stammitti of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department. These charges represent the continuation of a coordinated effort on behalf of federal, state and local law enforcement to target those who sell illegal opioid narcotics in Lorain County.
“The drugs involved in these cases could have wiped out a city block,” Herdman said. “We will continue to work together and seek prison sentences for those who sell the drugs that kill our friends and neighbors.”
“These arrests and indictments make the citizens of Lorain County safer,” said Lorain Police Capt. Roger Watkins.
Among those those previously indicted and prosecuted in federal court as part of this coordinated effort are:
Octavious Smith was sentenced in March 2017 to 20 years in federal prison for distribution of cocaine and heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm..
Jason Vasquez, 37, of Lorain, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for trafficking heroin in Lorain County, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Anetaeus Spencer, 33, of Lorain, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition and several firearms, as well as selling heroin and crack cocaine.
Siarres Noble, 29, of Elyria was sentenced to 20 years in prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl, including fentanyl that caused the death of an Elyria resident.
Anthony Paul Montoy, 40, of Elyria and Fred Alston, 60, of Elyria were convicted of conspiracy to distribute kilograms of cocaine in Lorain County. Montoy was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and Alston was sentenced to eight years in federal prison.
Toledo woman indicted for obstructing an investigation into the sex trafficking of minorsRead the Press Release
A Toledo woman was indicted for obstructing an investigation into the sex trafficking of minors, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said.
Laura Lloyd-Jenkins, 43, was indicted on one count of obstructing of a sex trafficking investigation and one count of making a false statement.
The charges were filed as part of a 13-count superseding indictment in which Kenneth Butler, Cordell Jenkins, and Anthony Haynes, are all charged with conspiracy to sex traffic children.
Lloyd-Jenkins obstructed a sex trafficking investigation by notifying a defendant of the forthcoming investigation on March 29, 2017, according to the indictment.
Lloyd-Jenkins made false statements to law enforcement about her knowledge of the conduct alleged in the indictment on April 12, 2017, according to the indictment.
Haynes, Butler and Jenkins sexually assaulted a juvenile girl beginning in 2014 through 2017, according to court documents.
The girl was 14 when the conduct began and she was in the custody of Hayne. Some of this conduct took place at Greater Life Christian Center in Toledo, where Haynes was pastor at the time. Haynes used his cellular telephone to record these sexual assaults, according to court documents.
Haynes routinely gave the victim money after the acts and told her not to say anything. He told her that if she said anything, it would ruin his family and his church, according to court documents.
Haynes also facilitated the victim being sexually exploited by several other men, including Jenkins, according to court documents.
Jenkins repeatedly sexually exploited the minor at his home on Barrington Drive, at his office at Abundant Life Ministries and at a motel in Toledo. He paid her and referred to the payment as “hush money.” He often recorded these interactions with his cellular telephone, according to court documents.
Jenkins also caused another juvenile girl to engage in commercial sex acts in March 2017, according to the indictment
Butler also caused another juvenile girl to engage in commercial sex acts from 2015 through 2017, according to indictment.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Freeman and Alissa Sterling following an investigation by the FBI’s Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of members of the FBI, Toledo Police Department, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Lima Police Department, Oregon Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Lucas County Sheriff’s Office.
Northern District of Ohio to get two additional prosecutors to focus on violent crimeRead the Press Release
Today Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Department of Justice’s new steps in combating violent crime. The Department has selected 27 locations to receive aid in the fight against violent crime. Those locations will receive a total of 40 Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and new violent crime task forces will be launched in Charlotte, NC, and Pittsburgh, PA. The new violent crime task forces will focus on the proliferation of violent crime in the counties adjacent to Pittsburgh and Charlotte.
"Led by our 94 United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) task forces are hitting the streets across America to apprehend and bring violent criminals to justice. I have asked Congress for additional PSN funding next year because I believe nothing will be more effective at reducing violent crime" said Attorney General Sessions. "Under this program, I am asking a great deal of our United States Attorneys. I am both empowering them and holding them accountable for results. To put them in the best position to impact and reduce violent crime, it is my privilege to announce today that through a re-allocation of resources, we will be enlisting and deploying 40 additional violent crime prosecutors across the United States."
More information on the locations of those 40 Assistant United States Attorneys and violent crime task forces is below:AUSA Breakdown by District
Northern District of Alabama - 1
Eastern District of Arkansas - 1
Northern District of California - 2
Southern District of California - 1
District of Connecticut - 1
District of Columbia - 1
Central District of Illinois - 1
Northern District of Illinois - 3
Southern District of Indiana - 1
Eastern District of Louisiana - 1
District of Maryland - 3
Western District of Michigan - 1
Eastern District of Missouri - 2
Western District of Missouri - 1
District of Nevada - 2
District of New Mexico - 1
Eastern District of New York - 2
Western District of New York - 1
Northern District of Ohio - 2
Eastern District of Pennsylvania - 1
Middle District of Tennessee - 2
Western District of Tennessee - 2
Eastern District of Texas - 1
Northern District of Texas - 1
Southern District of Texas - 2
Western District of Texas - 1
Eastern District of Wisconsin - 2Summary of the Charlotte Violent Crime Task Force (CE VCTF) for the Western and Middle Districts of North Carolina
The CE VCTF is focused on the investigation of violent crime in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area, to include Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cleveland, Cabarrus, Union, Stanly, Anson and Montgomery Counties. The Task Force will be assigned to the FBI Charlotte Division Headquarters. The CE VCTF will focus on the significant proliferation of violent crime. Gang-related crime is already being addressed by the FBI’s Charlotte Division Safe Streets Task Force, and the new Task Force will concentrate on other violent criminal activity. Violent crime rates in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Gaston, and Anson County exceed the national average. The CE VCTF will focus on crime exercising a significant impact on these communities. The CE VCTF will be staffed with local law enforcement as well as federal agents.
Summary of the Pittsburgh Violent Crime Task Force (PG VCTF) for the Western District of PennsylvaniaThe PG VCTF will focus on the proliferation of violent crime in the counties including and adjacent to Pittsburgh—Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Lawrence, and Mercer. The Task Force will be assigned to the FBI Pittsburgh Division Headquarters. Pittsburgh’s violent crime rating is significantly higher than the national median. With the exception of the city of Pittsburgh, each of the counties in the area of the proposed Task Force has a violent crime per capita rate that is higher than the city of Philadelphia as calculated based on 2015 FBI crime statistics. Despite the fact that violent crime has declined in several categories, the overall trend reflects a disturbing increase in violent crime. The PG VCTF will focus on violent crimes that impact public safety. The PG VCTF will enable law enforcement to work more strategically and to address violent crime with data-driven strategies. Staffing of the proposed Task Force will include federal law enforcement and representatives from local law enforcement agencies.
Chardon attorney faces tax charges after embezzling $160,000Read the Press Release
A Chardon man was charged with filing false tax returns after embezzling nearly $161,000 from estates he managed, law enforcement officials said.
Donald A. Navastyk, 64, was a licensed attorney from 1980 through 2016, serving as a probate lawyer who served as an executor and administrator of estates established by wills and trusts. In the 2008 tax year, Navastyk diverted money from estates he managed as an executor and put the money in his personal bank account for his own personal use, according to the one-count information.
In filing his 2008 tax return, Navatsyk failed to claim approximately $160,975 as income, resulting in a tax due and owing approximately $35,690, according to the information.
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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Patton and Suzana Koch following an investigation by the IRS.
An information 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.
Youngstown men indicted for conspiring to order fentanyl from China to be sold in the Youngstown areaRead the Press Release
Two Youngstown men were indicted on charges of conspiring to order fentanyl from China to be distributed in the Youngstown area, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Dainon L. Jones, 37, and Michael B. Lawrence, 43, were both indicted for drug trafficking violations.
Jones and Lawrence conspired to possess with the intent to distribute more than 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in November 2017. It was part of the conspiracy that Jones ordered fentanyl to be sent through the U.S. mail from China to Ohio. It was further part of the conspiracy that Lawrence wired money from Ohio to China to pay for the fentanyl, according to the indictment.
Homeland Security Investigations special agents became aware on Nov. 20 of a suspicious package shipped by Wei Zhu of Shanghai, China, to an Erik Fields at 731 Judson Ave. in Youngstown. Previous packages shipped by Zhu have contained large amounts fentanyl seized in Seattle, New York and Detroit, according to court documents.
The package shipped to Youngstown was labeled as containing “pants zipper”. Law enforcement examined the parcel a discovered a white powder consistent with fentanyl. A forensic test revealed the contents to be approximately 273 grams of methoxyacetyl fentanyl, according to court documents.
A search of law enforcement databases revealed no Erik Fields living at 731 Judson Ave. Undercover agents made a controlled delivery at 731 Judson Ave. on Nov. 29. Jones arrived at the address approximately two minutes later in a silver Mercedes, made contact with the resident, retrieved the package and drove away with it, according to court documents.
Jones drove to 3311 Idlewood in Youngstown, where he picked up Lawrence. They drove to a nearby gas station, where Lawrence exited the Mercedes with the package. He took a bus to downtown Youngstown, where Jones again picked him up in his Mercedes. They then drove together to 57 East Wilson in Girard and entered the front door, according to court documents.
Both Jones and Lawrence took off running as law enforcement approached the home in Girard. Both eventually were arrested, according to court documents.
“The amount of fentanyl these defendants are accused of bringing to downtown Youngstown from China could have killed hundreds of people,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “Aggressive enforcement, combined with increased prevention and education efforts, is our best chance to turn the tide on this epidemic.”
“The opioid crisis touches almost every American community,” said Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations’ Detroit office. “HSI and our partners are proud to be at the tip of the spear, using our broad authorities to combat the groups and individuals allegedly involved in this deadly trade.”
This case was investigated by HSI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, the TAG Drug Task Force and the DEA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Toeper.
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.
Youngstown man charged wtih firearms offenses and trafficking heroin and crack cocaineRead the Press Release
A 20-count indictment was filed charging a Youngstown man with drug trafficking and firearms crimes, law enforcement officials said.
Antonio D. Young, 22, distributed heroin and crack cocaine from January 2016 through March 2017, according to the indictment.
Young also maintained place on Kendis Circle in Youngstown for the purpose of distributing drugs, according to the indictment.
Young possessed a Ruger, .40 caliber handgun, model SR-40, to further his drug trafficking crimes on March 10, 2017, 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 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 Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The matter 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.
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North Ridgeville man indicted for downloading multiple videos of young children being raped and sexually assaultedRead the Press Release
A North Ridgeville man was indicted for downloading multiple videos of young children being raped and sexually assaulted, law enforcement officials said.
Dana F. Cain, 48, was indicted on one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of a computer that contained child pornography.
Cain downloaded nearly 500 movie files from May 2015 through January 2017. These movies include images of toddlers and young girls being rapes and sexually assaulted, according to court documents.
The indictment also alleges that Cain possessed an Apple Macbook computer at his home on Avon Belden Road in North Ridgeville which contained child pornography.
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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the FBI, the North Ridgeville Police Department and the Avon Police Department.
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.
Napoleon man indicted on child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
A Napoleon man was indicted for child pornography crimes, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Nicholas Evanoff, 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of possession of child pornography. Evanoff possessed the child pornography between September and November 2017, 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. 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. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Kirtland woman indicted for her role in a group that stole mail in Lake CountyRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging a Kirtland woman for her role in a group that stole mail in Lake County, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Corey Lauren Whalen, 18, was indicted on one count of aiding and abetting the theft of mail and one count of possessing stolen mail.
Whalen aided others in stealing a package in Painesville on Nov. 27 and a letter in Mentor on Dec. 5, according to the indictment.
The case remains under investigation.
“People should be vigilant about collecting their mail and packages, particularly during the holidays,” Herdman said. “Customers are reminded not to send cash through the mail, use a secure mailbox and consider using security cameras.”
“While mail theft is at a very low rate in the Cleveland area, Postal Inspectors work aggressively with local agencies to combat any reports of mail theft. The Postal Service is always a very safe and secure way of conducting commerce” said Tommy Coke, Inspector in Charge, Pittsburgh Division.
Mentor Police Chief Kevin Knight said: “Hopefully the charges send a clear message to those who think they can just go around and steal other people’s property that they worked so hard to get.”
“This case was solved when a good neighbor called in, which is what it’s all about, and a lot of cooperation among law enforcement agencies,” said Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap.
Assistant United States Attorney Elliot Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Lake County Sherriff’s Office, the Mentor Police Department, and the Painesville 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.
Connecticut man indicted for distributing heroinRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Reynaldo Diaz-Guzman, 25, of Hartford, Conn., with possession with the intent to distribute heroin, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges that on or about November 14, 2017, Diaz-Guzman possessed with the intent to distribute more than 1,000 grams of heroin.
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 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 Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The matter 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.
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Cleveland men indicted for carjacking and attempted armed robbery of Willoughby credit unionRead the Press Release
Two Cleveland men were indicted for their crimes related to a carjacking and attempted armed robbery of a credit union in October, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Arvis Williams, Jr., 22, and Melvin R. Hill, 21, are charged with attempted armed credit union robbery and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Williams was also charged with carjacking and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Williams and Hill used a firearm in an effort to rob the Willoughby Eastlake Schools Credit Union on Second Street in Willoughby on Oct. 11, 2017. On the same day, Williams used a firearm to carjack at 2015 Chevy Cruze, according to the indictment.
Each charge of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a minimum consecutive term of five years in prison if a firearm was possessed, seven years in prison if a firearm was brandished, and a consecutive 25 years in prison for each subsequent conviction.
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 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough following an investigation by the FBI Cleveland Violent Crimes Task Force and the Willoughby Police Department.
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 selling fentanylRead the Press Release
An Akron man was indicted for selling fentanyl, law enforcement officials said.
LeTroy Vaughn, 26, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl. Vaughn sold the fentanyl on Sept. 27, 2015, according to the indictment.
The investigation is ongoing.
“This defendant will be held accountable for his sale of fentanyl, which has killed so many of our friends and neighbors here in Ohio,” Herdman said. “Law enforcement will continue to work together to investigate this case and hold drug dealers accountable for their actions.”
“This shows the great collaboration between the County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. “We are relieved for the victim’s family that this offender will not escape justice on a legal technicality. I would personally like to thank Justin Herdman, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, for ensuring justice for Eric Ward’s family.”
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 violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley following an investigation by the Akron Police Department’s Narcotics Unit.
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.
Warren man sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for having heroin and firearmsRead the Press Release
A Warren man was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for having a kilogram of heroin and firearms, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and Warren Police Chief Eric Merkel.
Ricardo B. McKinney, 32, was sentenced to 327 months after being convicted following a jury trial earlier this year.
“Between the kilo of heroin he had, and the two firearms he possessed despite being a felon, this defendant was a clear danger to the people of Warren,” Herdman said. “Law enforcement worked collaboratively in this case to make Trumbull County a safer place.”
Merkel said: “I would like to thank the Warren Street Crimes Unit for all of the hard work that was put into this case and their dedication to removing from our streets a drug that has killed so many in our city. I would also like to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecuting this case. This partnership is an essential element in our mission to eliminate drug traffickers from our community.”
A jury convicted McKinney in March on two counts of distribution of heroin, one count of possession with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms following a weeklong trial.
McKinney sold heroin on two occasions in early 2015. Warren police arrested McKinney on Feb. 25, 2015, with approximately 1657.2 grams of heroin and two handguns. McKinney was prohibited from having a firearm because of prior felony convictions, according to court documents and trial testimony.
Prosecutors are forfeited nearly $30,000 and the two firearms seized as part of the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa T. Darden and Daniel J. Riedl. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Warren Police Department.
Three convicted by jury of taking job training money and using it to fund lavish lifestylesRead the Press Release
A jury convicted three people of taking federal money earmarked for job training and instead using the money to pay for personal expenses, including vacations, investments, real estate purchases and salaries for people who did not work at the company, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner.
James D. Moody, 57, of Toledo, Victoria Hawkins, 30, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Angela Bowser, 46, of Toledo, were convicted on all counts for their activities related to Toledo-based Business Rehabilitation Informed Decisions Guiding Employment Strategies, Inc. d/b/a B.R.I.D.G.E.S., Inc..
They are scheduled to be sentenced April 10, 2018.
Company founder and general manager Daniel E. Morris, 68, of Maumee, pleaded guilty last month to his crimes and is scheduled to be sentenced February 22, 2018.
“These defendants stole millions of dollars targeted to help the least among us learn job skills, and instead used the money to fund lavish lifestyles and pay for no-show jobs,” Herdman said. “They ripped off taxpayers and betrayed the trust placed in them.”
“This was a transparent scheme to defraud the taxpayers of Northwest Ohio,” Korner said. “Today’s guilty verdicts brings justice to thieves who enriched themselves on the backs of those struggling to survive.”
According to court documents and trial testimony:
BRIDGES operated at 242 Reynolds Road and 310 Reynolds Road. The company was in the business of providing work placement and work training services to public assistance recipients, and nearly all of its revenue came from public funds.
Morris was the co-founder and general manager of BRIDGES. Moody was co-founder and sole-shareholder. Hawkins was an employee from 2008 through 2012, while Bowser was an employee from 2008 through 2014.
BRIDGES was funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF was a welfare program that provided cash assistance to qualifying households with minor children or pregnant women. TANF provided federal block grants to states each year to cover benefits, administrative expenses and services targeted to needy families.
One of TANF’s goals was reducing the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage. TANF recipients must work as soon as they are job ready and no later than two years after commencing assistance. BRIDGES placed public assistance recipients at “job sites,” where the recipients would work for free to obtain job training and as a condition of receiving public assistance benefits like cash assistance or SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps).
BRIDGES received more than $15.7 million in funding from several entities between 2004 and 2015, including the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Works First and others. This funding was based in part on BRIDGES’ grant proposals. The majority of BRIDGES’ stated administrative costs were payroll and transportation.
BRIDGES provided job training and work placement services but at substantially lower costs than those stated in its budgets and invoices. The defendants fraudulently inflated BRIDGES payroll costs, transportation and mileage.
Morris, BRIDGES and others maintained false personnel files, timesheets, mileage records and reimbursement forms for nonexistent employees. They included fake, former or nonexistent employees on the payroll. For example, BRIDGES paid Moody a salary even though he did not work there, and later continued to pay him by issuing payroll checks to Moody’s wife.
During trial, Moody testified that he placed the salary in his wife’s name in order to distance himself from BRIDGES while running for mayor in 2009 and so that she could receive Social Security benefits despite not otherwise being eligible. Moody also received non-payroll checks, which he used to purchase and rehabilitate an investment property in Toledo, purchase an interest in his real estate company, Flex Realty, and pay for legal fees.
BRIDGES, Morris, Moody, Hawkins and Bowser used TANF funds to pay for personal living expenses including groceries, dental care, medical care, resort vacations, pharmaceuticals, clothing, toys, designer bags, furniture, video streaming services, credit card bills, legal fees unrelated to BRIDGES’ business, tattoos, cosmetic surgery, real estate, vehicles, investments and jewelry, according to court documents and trial testimony.
For example, between February 2013 and October 2014, Hawkins accessed a BRIDGES business account to make approximately $18,200 in cash withdrawals. Hawkins also had access to a debit card through which she accessed and spent approximately $750,000 in a two-year timeframe. Hawkins and co-defendant Morris also purchased two houses, including a $400,000 house in the Point Place neighborhood of Toledo.
Bowser, a program manager at BRIDGES, received numerous non-payroll checks from the company, some of which were used to purchase a house in Toledo. Bowser continued to receive bi-weekly payments from the company after she stopped working there in 2014.
Each defendant was convicted of conspiracy to commit federal program theft, conspiracy to commit money laundering offenses, substantive federal program theft counts, and substantive money laundering counts.
Morris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft and mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and willful failure to pay over withheld payroll tax.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah P. Hood and Gene Crawford following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations with the assistance of the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, Public Integrity Assurance Team.
Maple Heights man indicted on firearm and drug chargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury indicted Antonio W. Saunders, 38, of Maple Heights, on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, said Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges that on or about November 1, 2017, Saunders possessed a Bersa, Semi-Automatic, 9mm pistol and ammunition, after having been previously convicted of two felony offenses in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in 2001 and 2011. The indictment also alleges that on or about the same date, Saunders possessed with the intent to distribute less than 100 pounds of marijuana.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein.
If convicted, the Court will determine the defendant’s sentence after a 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.
Four indicted for illegally reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
Four people were charged with illegally reentering the United States, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Indicted are Santos Adelmo Escobar-Garcia, 44, of Honduras; Juan Carlos Galindo-Escobar, 48, of Guatemala; Bernabe Vazquez-Bamaca, 33, of Mexico, and Santos Guevara- Batres, 26, of El Salvador.
The cases were investigated by U.S. States Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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.
Canton man indicted for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
A Canton man was indicted on child pornography charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Andrew H. Daugherty, 27, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Daugherty knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct in August 2017, according to the indictment.
Daugherty also possessed a computer on Nov. 14 that contained child pornography, 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik following an investigation by the Canton Police Department and FBI.
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.
Twenty-six people indicted for their roles in two conspiracies to bring drugs – including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine – to Northeast OhioRead the Press Release
Twenty-six people were indicted in federal court for their roles in two separate conspiracies to bring large amounts of drugs – including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine – to Northeast Ohio, law enforcement officials said.
Fifteen people were charged in a 29-count indictment with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and U-47700 (a fentanyl analogue). They are: Irwin Jose Vargas, 42, of Euclid; Keyra Linnette Martinez, 42, of Euclid; Irwing Vargas Rosario, 24, of Cleveland; Isidoro M. Gonzalez, 41, of Cleveland; Alcides Garcia, 46, of Ponce, Puerto Rice; Austin Natale, 27, of Cleveland; Kayle Mae Jonela, 22, of Brook Park; Rosemary Howell, 55, of Cleveland; Dennis Mansfield, 58, of Cleveland; William Rodriguez, 41, of Cleveland; Jeffrey Mack, 44, of Cleveland; Victor Felix, 39, of Cleveland; Nelson Benitez, Jr., 34, of Cleveland; Thomas Lopez, 39, of Cleveland, and Edgar Arroyo, 37, of Cleveland.
Twelve people were charged in a 26-count indictment with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, N-Ethyl Pentalone (an analogue to MDMA or “molly”) and marijuana. They are: Emad Silmi, 43, of North Olmsted; Christopher Young, 46, of Westlake; Herbert Shaw, 44, of Cleveland; Samer Abu-Kwaik, 46, of Cleveland; Nelson Benitez, Jr., 34, of Cleveland; Jonathan Smith, 34, of Lathrup Village, Mich.; John D. Ciarlillo, 42, of Medina; Anthony Quinn Greenlee, 26, of Huron; Santana Jones, 22, of Cleveland; Gregory Lowery, 32, of Painesville; Mogahed Mustafa, 30, of North Olmsted, and Erkan Nevzadi, 29, of Cleveland.
Benitez is charged in both indictments.
“These groups brought hundreds of pounds of dangerous drugs into Northeast Ohio and sold them throughout our community,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “We will continue to work collaboratively to shut off the flow of drugs and seek long prison sentences for traffickers.”
“This long term investigation was aimed at stopping dangerous drugs from flowing into our city and streets, and holding accountable those that choose to illegally pollute our communities. Heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and synthetic opioids were among the drugs seized, and the FBI, along with our many law enforcement partners, are committed to working to defeat this menacing threat one drug trafficking organization at a time."
"This investigation was the culmination of strong relationships between the various law enforcement partners,” Cuyahoga County Sheriff Cliff Pinckney said. “The Sheriff's Department will always vigorously pursue drug traffickers in conjunction with this partnership."
“Today's massive take down marks a major step forward in combating illegal opiate sales within the city of Cleveland,” Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said. “As you can see from this joint effort, law-enforcement remains committed to erasing this problem in Northeast Ohio. Further, we encourage anyone battling addiction to utilize the many resources that are available and to strive to get well.”
Vargas, Martinez and Gonzales arranged for shipments of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine from Puerto Rico between 2016 and the present. These shipments included at least a kilogram of fentanyl, a kilogram of heroin and five kilograms of cocaine. Many of these shipments came through the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS, according to the indictment.
Vargas, Martinez, Gonzales and Rosario then sold the drugs to other drug traffickers in Cleveland. Members of the conspiracy used several locations in Greater Cleveland to receive, store and distribute the drugs, including: 4705 Bridge Ave. (Vargas’ business, Santiago Auto Care Services, also known as Capu Auto and Sound); 6841 Day Drive, Apartment 605, in Parma and 754 Hemlock Drive in Euclid (Vargas’ and Martinez’s residences); 3871 Ridge Road (Gonzales’ business, Ways to Save Auto Sales); 5601 Wichita Ave. (Gonzales’ residence) and 11901 Lena Ave. (Howell’s and Mansfield’s residence), according to the indictment.
Vargas and Martinez often used the U.S. Postal Service online system to track shipments of parcels sent to Northeast Ohio from Puerto Rico, as well as packages shipped from China to Puerto Rico, according to the indictment
In the second conspiracy, Silmi obtained large amounts of cocaine from Abu-Kwaik and then sold it to other drug dealers from his business Global Auto Body & Collision at 4317 W. 130th Street. He also obtained large amounts of N-Ethyl Pentylone – an analogue of “molly” – from Greenlee, which Greenlee had obtained from suppliers in China. Silmi sold the molly analogue to other dealers from his Cleveland auto body shop, according to the indictment.
Silmi obtained at least five kilograms of cocaine and more than 100 kilograms of marijuana between January 2016 and March 2017, according to the indictment.
Greenlee used 3006 Cleveland Road West, Apartment 8 in Huron (his residence) and U.S. Motor Sales at 4927 Brookpark Road in Parma (his business) to store and distribute drugs. Kwaik used U.S. Motor Sales at 4927 Brookpark Road, Parma, Ohio (his business) and 7358 Meadow Lane, Parma, Ohio (his residence) to store and distribute drugs, according to the indictment.
Greenlee and Nevzadi used firearms, ammunition and other weapons to protect their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.
Silmi is also charged with conspiracy to launder money as part of an effort to hide his drug profits, 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 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 FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Cleveland Division of Police, the IRS, and members of the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area personnel.
The NOLETF is a long standing multi-agency task force comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the police departments of Broadview Heights, Brooklyn Heights, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Euclid, Independence, North Royalton, the Regional Transit Authority, Westlake and Shaker Heights. The NOLETF is also one of the initial Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiatives. HIDTA supports and helps coordinate numerous Ohio drug task forces in their efforts to eliminate or reduce drug trafficking in Ohio.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Matthew J. Cronin.
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.
Eleven people from Canton indicted for firearms violations, including firearms trafficking and illegal sale of a machine gunRead the Press Release
Eleven people from the Canton area were indicted in federal court for firearms violations, including firearms trafficking, illegal sale of a machine gun and drug charges, law enforcement officials said.
Indicted are: Rasheed Babb, 25; Shawntez Block, 25; Andre Bowers, 41; Ikasha Clark, 38; Darnell Curtis, 39; Kamari Kidd, 21; Tae’Vontae Miles, 22; Jesse Gulley, 44; Thomas Lorenz, 60; Arthur Keeney, 28, and Sean Foster, 33.
All the defendants live in Canton except Lorenz, who is from Dover, and Block, who is from Massillon.
Bowers was charged with illegally dealing firearms while Kidd and Miles were charged with assisting his firearms trafficking.
Bowers engaged in the unlicensed dealing of firearms between December 2016 and February 2017. Bowers’ previous convictions include aggravated assault, cocaine trafficking, domestic violence, escape and other crimes.
At various times he sold or possessed a Harrington & Richardson .32-caliber revolver, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a Glock .40-caliber pistol, another Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a Marlin .22-caliber rifle, a Rossi 20-gauge shotgun and a Kel-Tec 5.56 mm pistol, according to the indictment.
Bowers also distributed heroin, according to the indictment.
Gulley, Clark and Lorenz were indicted for a transaction in July 2017 in which Lorenz transferred to Gulley and Clark a Heckler and Koch, 308-caliber machine gun, according to the indictment.
Gulley on July 25, 2017, possessed the aforementioned machine gun, ammunition and six other firearms, despite prior convictions for felonious assault and possession of cocaine. On the same day, Gulley and Clark possessed a sawed-off shotgun, according to the indictment.
“Cases like these are exercises in homicide prevention,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “These defendants have no business carrying firearms, given their previous criminal conduct. This operation has made Canton safer.”
“The value of these types of cases can be measured in human lives,” said Canton Police Chief Bruce Lawver. “These cases involve illegally possessed firearms in the hands of criminal. They demonstrate the cooperation that exists between the Canton Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners.”
“These arrests are just the next step in our work with our partners at the Canton Police Department and the FBI,” said Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “We will continue to work together to make Canton and the surrounding communities safer by removing individuals who use violence to further their criminal activities from our streets.”
“These dangerous individuals will now be held accountable for their numerous criminal violations involving guns,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI commends the collaborative work done by all agencies involved, especially the ATF and Canton Police Department.”
Keeney possessed a Hi-Point 9 mm pistol and nine rounds of 9 mm Winchester brand ammunition on Dec. 7, 2016, despite prior convictions for felonious assault and improper handling of a firearm in a mother vehicle, according to the indictment.
Foster possessed a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistol , a Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol, a Fabrique Nationale .40-caliber pistol and 35 rounds of ammunition on Oct. 1, 2017, despite prior convictions for trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine, according to the indictment.
Block possessed a Ruger 9mm pistol on Jan. 16, 2016, despite prior convictions for aggravated drug trafficking and endangering children, according to the indictment.
Curtis possessed a Remingon 12-gauge shotgun and a Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge shotgun on May 11, 2017, despite a prior conviction for aggravated robbery with a firearms specification, according to the indictment.
Babb possessed a Harrington and Richardson .32-caliber revolver on Oct. 19, 2017, despite a prior conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, according to the indictment.
Approximately 30 firearms were seized as part of the operation, along with ballistic vests, ammunition, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.
These cases were investigated by the Canton Police Department, the ATF and the FBI, with assistance from the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron P. Howell and Henry F. DeBaggis.
If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the Court after consideration of the federal sentencing guidelines, which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique 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.
A charge 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.
Cuyahoga Falls man indicted for making death threats to wife in NevadaRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging a Cuyahoga Falls man with making interstate death threats, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Wei Li, 28, is charged with one count of making an interstate threat of murder and one count of obstructing an official proceeding.
Li transmitted a threat from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to Nevada on Nov. 6 in which he threatened to murder his wife and others. His text messages included: “You will be dead,”, “I am not crazy. I am a high functioning sociopath…”, “Automatic rifle. I can't find you, then I just sweep the place. Make it big...” and “...We have 1000 people in our church. I will make the biggest one in history.”, among others, according to the indictment.
Li deleted text messages during a Nov. 10, interview with FBI agents, 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department. 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.
Barberton man will be deported for lying about his actions during the war in the former YugoslaviaRead the Press Release
A Barberton man will be deported after pleading guilty to lying about his actions during the war in the former Yugoslavia, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Detroit office.
Oliver Dragic, 42, pleaded guilty to possessing and fraudulently obtained immigration documents. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he will be deported.
Dragic failed to disclose his paramilitary police service for the Republika Srpska, a rogue state unrecognized by the international community that attempted to create an ethnically pure Serbian nation within the ethnically-mixed territory of the Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Dragic completed police training in Serbia in 1994 and returned to Bosnia, where he voluntarily joined a special police unit that joined in Republika Srpska’s army during military operations, according to court documents.
Dragic applied for refugee status in the U.S. in May 1998, claiming he was a victim of the Bosnian war. He claimed in that application that he had never worked, when in fact he had served in the paramilitary unit, according to court documents.
“This defendant claimed to be a refugee but served in a paramilitary force during the war in the former Yugoslavia,” Herdman said.
“The investigation, prosecution, and ultimate removal of individuals like Dragic are paramount to the mission of Homeland Security Investigations and to the safety our communities,” Francis said.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Cronin and Om Kakani prosecuted the case following an investigation by HSI Special Agent Matt Hamulak and Historian Michael MacQueen.
Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals suspected of engaging in human rights abuses or war crimes are urged to contact HSI by calling the toll-free tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also email [email protected] (link sends e-mail).
Youngstown man charged with selling heroin and crack cocaine near a schoolRead the Press Release
A Youngstown man was charged with selling heroin and crack cocaine near a school, law enforcement officials said
Anthony A. Scrutchen, Jr., 31, distributed heroin within 1,000 feet of the Youngstown Academy of Excellence, a public elementary school, on at least eight occasions between October 2016 and January 2017, according to the 10-count criminal information.
Scrutchen possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of the Youngstown Academy of Excellence in January 2017, according to the information.
Scrutchen is also charged with maintained a location at 173South Jackson Street in Youngstown for the purpose of distributing narcotics, according to the information.
“Selling drugs responsible for killing thousands of our friends and relatives so close to a school is particularly reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Law enforcement will continue to work shut off the flow of opioids into our neighborhoods.”
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 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 information was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mahoning Valley Task Force and the Youngstown Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason M. Katz.
An information 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.
Rocky River executive charged with embezzling from employee retirement plan and failing to pay over taxes collected from employeesRead the Press Release
An eight-count indictment was filed charging a Rocky River business executive with collecting nearly $860,000 from his employees but not paying the money to the IRS, as well as embezzling more than $130,000 from an employee retirement plan, law enforcement officials said.
C. David Snyder, 65, served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Attevo, Inc., a technology consulting company headquartered in Cleveland. He also served as chairman and primary shareholder at Ruralogic, Inc., headquartered in Bryan, Ohio.
Attevo employees prepared financial records and schedules, quarterly and annual returns and reports for Attevo, at Snyder’s direction. Snyder ranked Attevo’s payables in order of importance, according to the indictment.
Snyder, on behalf of Attevo, and the IRS in 2011 agreed to a monthly payment plan of $48,350 per month to repay the company’s outstanding payroll tax liabilities. Attevo made 10 payments totaling $483,500 then made no further payments, according to the indictment.
Snyder withheld payroll tax from employees but failed to pay it to the IRS. Snyder failed to pay over approximately $328,355 of employee’s portion of payroll taxes in 2010 and approximately $530,778 in 2012, according to the indictment.
Snyder created a 401(k) and profit-sharing plan for Attevo employees in 2009. Ruralogic was added to the plan in 2010. The plan was funded through employee payroll deferrals. Between 2010 and 2012, Snyder failed to pay into the plan approximately $130,415 in contributions and loan repayments withheld from Attevo and Ruralogic employee wages, according to the indictment.
During the time of his alleged criminal conduct, Snyder paid approximately $510,000 for the rental of his personal residence in Lakewood and his vacation home in Chautauqua County, New York. He took cash advances from Attevo’s credit card and then caused approximately $82,237 in cash to be deposited into his bank account and $182,988 to be deposited into his wife’s bank account. His wife did not work for Attevo, according to the indictment.
Snyder earned income from Attevo totaling approximately $850,132 between 2009 and 2011, according to the indictment.
“This defendant embezzled money from an employee retirement account and did not pay to the IRS money he withheld from his employees’ paychecks, all while living a lavish lifestyle,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.
“Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service,” said IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner. “The failure to pay over withheld taxes results in the loss of tax revenue to the United States government and the loss of future Social Security or Medicare benefits for employees.”
“An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations relating to labor racketeering and theft of pension funds covered by ERISA. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated James Vanderberg, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Regional Office of the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael L. Collyer and Megan R. Miller.
If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the Court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique 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 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 Broadview Heights man sentenced to nearly six years in prison for defrauding Cuyahoga Heights School District out of $2.6 millionRead the Press Release
A former Broadview Heights man was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the Cuyahoga Heights School District out of millions of dollars, law enforcement officials said.
David Donadeo, 43, (formerly known as Donald A. Rupp) was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $2.6 million in restitution.
Donadeo and others established and owned shell vendor companies that were used to defraud the school district. Joseph Palazzo worked as Cuyahoga Heights School District’s information technology director. Palazzo was responsible for managing the District’s IT Department, which included purchasing hardware and software and making other IT expenditures to benefit the District and its students, according to court documents.
Palazzo, Donadeo, and others devised a scheme to divert millions of dollars of school district funds to their own personal use. Overall, the school district sustained a loss of approximately $3.3 million.
This scheme involved Palazzo submitting to the school distict false invoices that purported to be for IT-related goods and services purchased from legitimate companies by the school district’s IT department. Palazzo represented that the invoices he submitted were legitimate, and he approved the false invoices himself or forged the signature of another in the approval section, according to court documents.
The companies named on the invoices did not supply such goods to or perform such services for the District and were nothing more than shell companies set up by Donadeo and others to perpetrate the fraud scheme. The invoices listed services that were never performed, fictitious software and hardware, adn software and hardware never received or already purchased by the school district from another source, according to court documents.
Relying on these invoices, the school district issued checks to these shell vendor corporations, two of which Donadeo operated. Donadeo, and the other shell vendor corporation owner kept approximately half of the stolen money themselves and funneled the remainder of the money back to Palazzo for his personal use, according to court documents.
According to court documents, Donadeo fled the country with his family shortly after learning authorities were were pursuing a criminal investigation and had executed search warrants. The case was indicted in 2013, but Donadeo remained at large until May 2017, when Spain extradited Donadeo and returned him to the U.S. to face prosecution.
“This defendant set up sham corporations that he used to steal millions of dollars from the students and taxpayers of Cuyahoga Heights,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
“David Donadeo will be in prison for more than five years for his involvement in a scheme laced with a web of financial lies, but the harm caused to the students and citizens of Cuyahoga Heights may last a lifetime,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charged, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
“David Donadeo stole from the citizens and students of Cuyahoga Heights and then avoided the consequences of his actions for years,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office. “The investigators are to be commended for uncovering this enormous fraud.”
Joseph Palazzo was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy. His brother, Dominic Palazzo, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Dennis Boyles was sentenced to more than two years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service -- Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the State of Ohio Auditor’s Office, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Lutzko and Assistant United States Attorney James L. Morford.
Geauga County man guilty of possessing videos of children being raped and sexually assaultedRead the Press Release
A Geauga County man pleaded guilty to two counts related to possessing videos of children being raped and sexually assaulted, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.
John S. Mobasseri, 39, of Novelty, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of possession of child pornography.
Mobasseri earlier this year had two USB storage devices, 14 computer disks and a computer that contained images of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Mobasseri received and distributed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct between 2009 and 2017, according to court documents.
The files include titles such as “10Yo Preteen Raped (Incest).mpeg” and images such as children being blindfolded and sexually assaulted, as well as children being bound and masked while being sexually assaulted, according to court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Two arrested and charged after ordering fentanyl from ChinaRead the Press Release
Two men were arrested and charged with attempted possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, law enforcement officials said.
Michael B. Lawrence, 43, of Youngstown, and Dainon L. Jones, 37, of Girard, were arrested after accepting a package from China that they believed contained approximately 273 grams of methoxyacetyl fentanyl.
Homeland Security Investigations special agents became aware on Nov. 20 of a suspicious package shipped by Wei Zhu of Shanghai, China, to an Erik Fields at 731 Judson Ave. in Youngstown. Previous packages shipped by Zhu have contained large amounts fentanyl seized in Seattle, New York and Detroit, according to court documents.
The package shipped to Youngstown was labeled as containing “pants zipper”. Law enforcement examined the parcel a discovered a white powder consistent with fentanyl. A forensic test revealed the contents to be approximately 273 grams of methoxyacetyl fentanyl, according to court documents.
A search of law enforcement databases revealed no Erik Fields living at 731 Judson Ave. Undercover agents made a controlled delivery at 731 Judson Ave. on Nov. 29. Jones arrived at the address approximately two minutes later in a silver Mercedes, made contact with the resident, retrieved the package and drove away with it, according to court documents.
Jones drove to 3311 Idlewood in Youngstown, where he picked up Lawrence. They drove to a nearby gas station, where Lawrence exited the Mercedes with the package. He took a bus to downtown Youngstown, where Jones again picked him up in his Mercedes. They then drove together to 57 East Wilson in Girard and entered the front door, according to court documents.
Both Jones and Lawrence took off running as law enforcement approached the home in Girard. Both eventually were arrested, according to court documents.
“The amount of fentanyl these defendants are accused of bringing to downtown Youngstown from China could have killed hundreds of people,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “Aggressive enforcement, combined with increased prevention and education efforts, is our best chance to turn the tide on this epidemic.”
“The opioid crisis touches almost every American community,” said Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations’ Detroit office. “HSI and our partners are proud to be at the tip of the spear, using our broad authorities to combat the groups and individuals allegedly involved in this deadly trade.”
This case was investigated by HSI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, the TAG Drug Task Force and the DEA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Toeper.
If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique 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.
A charge 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 17 years in prison for selling heroin that caused three overdoses in WoosterRead the Press Release
A Cleveland man was sentenced to 17 years in prison for selling heroin that caused three overdoses in Wooster last year, law enforcement officials said.
Demetrius L. Frizzell, 31, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one count of attempted witness tampering.
Wooster police learned about a heroin overdose victim who on Nov. 3 was brought to an emergency room unresponsive and appeared to be deceased. He was revived after emergency-room staff administered 12 doses of Narcan. Investigators traced the sale of heroin to Frizzell, according to court documents.
Frizzell also sold heroin on Oct. 29 and Nov. 2 that resulted in overdoses. All three people who overdosed were revived with Narcan, according to court documents.
Frizzell made a call from jail to an unknown male and instructed him to go to the home of one of the people who overdosed called and get him “in line,” according to court documents.
“This defendant sold heroin that resulted in several overdoses and would have caused deaths, but for the intervention from first responders and hospital personnel,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “Aggressive enforcement, combined with increased prevention and education efforts, is our best chance to turn around this epidemic.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon stated: “Overdoses and overdose deaths related to heroin have become an epidemic across the country and Ohio has been hit particularly hard by this problem. Identifying and bringing to justice those individuals that distribute illegal drugs that result in an overdose is one of DEA’s top priorities.”
MEDWAY Director Donald Hall said: “The MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency will continue to collaborate and work closely with our federal partners to hold people accountable for their actions who are involved in trafficking drugs in our communities.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency, the Wooster Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Teresa Riley and Mark Bennett.