Northern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Two charged in federal court after law enforcement officials seize more than 85 pounds of suspected cocaine in ToledoRead the Press Release
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Toledo Resident Agency, the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Northwest Ohio Drug Task Force and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announce the arrest of two individuals for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and the seizure of approximately 39 kilograms of suspected cocaine.
Through investigative means a federal search warrant was obtained and executed on May 10, 2017, at 814 Stillman in Toledo. Law enforcement officials seized approximately 39 kilograms of suspected cocaine, with an approximate street value of $1.5 million, and approximately $27,000 in currency during the execution of the search warrant.
Jose Rios Uzveta, age 40, and Cesario Perez, age 58, were taken into federal custody pursuant to the search warrant. Both had their initial appearances this morning in federal court and both were detained. Uzveta and Perez are expected to have their next federal court appearance on May 18.
This case is being investigated by members of the FBI's Toledo Resident Agency, the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force and the DEA Northwest Ohio Drug Task Force.
A complaint 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.
Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to SA Vicki D Anderson at the Cleveland Office of the FBI, 216-522-1400 or [email protected].
Three from Central America charged with illegally reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
Three people from Central America were charged with illegally reentering the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.
Indicted in the unrelated cases are: Julio Nunez-lzaguine, aka Julio Nunez, aka July, aka Alex Moncada-lzaguirre, aka Michael Hernandez, 37, of Honduras; Sergio Rene Almendarez-Euceda, 31, of Honduras, and Jose Ayala-Escobar, 29, of El Salvador.
Nunez-Izaguirre was deported to Honduras in 2001 and was recently found in Cleveland, according to the indictment.
Almendarez-Euceda was last deported to Honduras in 2012 was recently found in Portage County, according to the indictment.
Ayala-Escobar, who was last deported in 2012, was recently found in North Royalton, according to the indictment.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attomey Karrie D. Howard following investigations by U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In allcases, 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 govemment's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Nearly 18 percent increase in pills collected in Ohio for National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,200 of its law enforcement and community partners collected more unused prescription drugs than at any of the 12 previous National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events.
On Saturday, April 29, the event brought in 900,386 pounds (450 tons) at close to 5,500 sites across the nation. Marking the 13th National Prescription Take Back Day since September 2010, these events have altogether collected 8,103,363 pounds (4,052 tons) of prescription drugs.
In Ohio, 33,261pounds of prescription drugs were turned in. That’s an increase of nearly 18 percent from the previous Take Back Day.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
"Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic,” said Acting DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg. “That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs."
In the more two years since new regulations made the disposal of controlled prescription drugs easier for patients and their caregivers, law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics have begun continuous collection of these medications. DEA’s next National Prescription Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28. To visit a collection site between Take Back Days, go here or to www.rxdrugdropbox.org.
Stark County man indicted on methamphetamine and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment charting a Stark County man with firearms and narcotics violations, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Michael Lombardi, 39, of Waynesburg, Ohio, distributed methamphetamine on at least five occasions in January and February 2017, according to the indictment.
The indictment also alleges that Lombardi maintained a premises on Elson Street in Waynesburg for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine.
Lombardi possessed firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking in methamphetamine, according to the indictment.
Lombardi was prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction for domestic violence. On Feb. 10, he possessed ammunition and the following seven firearms: a Mossberg, model 432, .22 caliber rifle, serial number C27265; a Mossberg, model 640KS, .22 caliber rifle, unknown serial number; a Ruger, model LCR, .38 caliber revolver, serial number 54045017; a Western Field, model 47C, .22 caliber rifle, serial number N339; a Winchester, model 37A, .410 caliber shotgun, serial number C058084; a Glenfield, model 60, .22 caliber rifle, serial number 27155266 and an Armalite, model M15, 5.56 caliber rifle, serial number M006554, 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson County Drug Task Force, the Carroll and Stark Counties Sheriff’s Offices and the Canton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States 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.
Parma couple charged for conspiring to avoid paying taxes; people used as hotel housekeeping falsely treated as independent contractorsRead the Press Release
A Parma couple was charged in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to avoid paying taxes, in which people used to clean hotels and motels were falsely treated as independent contractors, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.
Steven Caldwell, 55, and Gayane Lashina, 51, were charged via criminal information with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
A man identified in court documents as T.P. controlled various corporations that entered into contracts to provide maid and housekeeping services to various hotels and motels. These corporations included Evrica Inter Services Inc., Evrica International LLC, Antelope’s Services LLC and Zeromax LLC, according to the information.
Caldwell was the incorporator of Evrica International and Antelope’s Services, according to the information.
T.P. and his associates hired people, many of them immigrants from Africa or Eastern Europe, to work as maids and housekeepers. He, Caldwell and Lashina required employees to signed independent contractor agreements to work for the cleaning companies. These agreements specified the employee was responsible for all federal, state and local taxes, according to the information
T.P. hired the employees, assigned them work location, trained and instructed the employees and set their schedules, among other actions. He falsely treated the employees as independent contractors to avoid payment of employment taxes, according to the information.
Caldwell and Lashina made false statements to law enforcement agents about T.P.’s ownership, operation and control of the companies. They were also used to disguise his ownership of the companies, according to the information.
The investigation is ongoing.
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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Henderson following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service.
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.
Lima men convicted of human trafficking crimesRead the Press Release
Two Lima men were convicted by a federal jury of human trafficking charges for their roles in a conspiracy in which girls, then 14 and 16 years old, were forced into commercial sex acts, said Acting U.S. David A. Sierleja, Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office, and Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin.
Lorenzo Young, 31, was convicted on eight counts, including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking of a minor and participating in a child exploitation enterprise, among other crimes. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7.
Aundre Davis, 35, was convicted on six counts, including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking of a minor, and other crimes. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 31.
Megan Hitt, Randy Thompson and three other people previously pleaded guilty to crimes related to the conspiracy. Hitt is scheduled to be sentenced June 1.
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,” Sierleja said. “Human trafficking happens all around us, on the internet and in the motels in our towns.”
“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. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Daniel R. Hurley.
Jury convicts two members of Heartless Felons gang of armed carjacking in Tremont neighborhoodRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted two Cleveland men of participating in a carjacking in the city’s Tremont neighborhood, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony and Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams.
Kenneth Jackson, Jr., 20, and Antowine Palmer, 24, were convicted of an armed carjacking in July 2015. Jackson was also convicted of carjacking a couple the following day. The jury found Jackson brandished a firearm in both attacks while Palmer used a firearm in the first carjacking.
They are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 23. Palmer still has a murder trial pending in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Tervon’tae Taylor, 23, of Cleveland Heights; D’wan Dillard, Jr., 20, Calvin Rembert, 23, both of Cleveland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in carjackings in and around Tremont in the summer of 2015.
According to evidence and testimony introduced in the week-long trial:
Palmer and Jackson were members of the Heartless Felons street gang. They were feuding with a different set of Heartless Felons. The defendants planned to do a drive-by shooting of members of the rival group, so they went to Tremont to steal a car so they would be unrecognizable during the drive-by shooting.
Palmer, Jackson, Taylor and Rembert saw a man loading a GMC Denali in the early morning hours of July 25, 2015. They held a loaded gun to the victim’s head, pistol-whipped him and stole his vehicle, his wallet and his cellular phone. The defendants used his credit cards to make purchases at a Wal Mart.
“These defendants are violent predators who illegally used firearms to steal from law-abiding citizens,” Sierleja said.
“These men terrorized victims and the city with their dangerous, gun-wielding car thefts,” Anthony said. “The Violent Crime Task Force and our local partners are committed to aggressively investigate predators who choose to engage in heinous acts of violence against our citizens.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Galvin and Robert Patton following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cleveland Division of Police.
Guatemalan man deported five times indicted for illegally reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
A Guatemalan man was indicted for illegally reentering the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.
William Morales-Negra, 29, has been deported on five previous occasions, most recently in April 2014. Morales-Negra was recently found in New Philadelphia, according to the indictment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot D. Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.
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.
Canton man indicted on drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
A Canton man was indicted on federal drug and firearms charges, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Jack D. Wise, 39, was indicted on three counts of distribution of crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and possession of firearms in furtherance of trafficking of crack cocaine.
Wise was arrested on March 9 by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), members of the Canton Police Department Narcotics Unit and Stark County Sheriff’s Office.
Wise sold crack cocaine on at least three occasions in 2017. On March 9, he had 28 grams of crack cocaine, two firearms and more than 170 rounds ammunition, despite a previous conviction in Stark County Common Pleas Court for trafficking in LSD, 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the ATF, Canton Police Department and the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
Brothers sent to prison for selling heroin and fentanyl; sales continued after overdose deathRead the Press Release
Two brothers were each sentenced to six years in prison for conspiring to bring large amounts of heroin and fentanyl to Northeast Ohio from Connecticut, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office.
Abiemelec Vega, 26, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 74 months in prison. Mizraim Vega, 28, of South Euclid, was sentenced to 72 months in prison. Both were previously found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, acetylfentanyl and fentanyl, as well as additional counts of distribution of heroin, fentanyl and acetylfentanyl in 2016.
According to court documents, Abimelec Vega identified himself as a member of the Latin Kings gang and could obtain large shipments of heroin and fentanyl from another Latin King member.
According to court documents, the Vegas sold 80 grams of heroin for $8,000 on Aug. 26, 2016. Mizraim Vega said: “The one thing I’ll tell is to make sure to cut it (dilute the heroin). That stuff…you can’t send it to the street like that, it’s too strong. That stuff could kill someone, bro!”
On Sept. 3, 2016, Abimelec Vega informed a source that he was changing phones because someone had died from heroin or fentanyl he had sold, according to court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney following an investigation by the FBI.
Akron man with domestic violence and firearms convictions indicted for illegally having rifle and ammunitionRead the Press Release
An Akron man was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Rocky L. Wodicka, II, 35, had a Predator Arms 5.56 NATO PCS15 rifle and ammunition on March 3. Wodicka is prohibited for having firearms because of previous convictions in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas for domestic violence and having a weapon under disability, 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Akron Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Pittsburgh physician convicted of 180 counts, including conspiracy to distribute steroids, human growth hormone, oxycodone and OxyContinRead the Press Release
A jury convicted former physician Richard Rydze on all 180 charged counts, including conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, oxycodone and OxyContin, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.
A sentencing date was not immediately set for Rydze, 67, of Pittsburgh.
“While a physician, Rydze used his prescribing pad in place of his ATM card, doling out steroids to enrich himself and flooding the community with dangerous painkillers,” Sierleja said. “He violated the law, his professional oath, and the trust of his patients.”
“Greed and power often drives criminal activity as evidenced by this indictment, where a physician decided to abuse his medical privileges in order to line his pockets,” Anthony said. “The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue doctors who illegally divert prescription medications.”
Various conduct detailed in the months-long trial spanned from 2005 through 2012.
Rydze was the sole owner of Optimal Health Center LLC (OHC), located at 425 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, which opened in 2007. Prior to OHC, Rydze was involved with other physicians in a joint medical practice known as Diagnostic Medical Associates, according to the indictment.
James Hatzimbes and William Sadowksi previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the case. Hatzimbes owned and operated HSE Salon and Wellness Center, aka HSE Anti-Aging & Wellness Center (HSE), formerly located in a strip mall at 2851 Saw Mill Run, Pittsburgh. It was located in the same strip mall where Hatzimbes owned and operated Hatz’s Solar Eclipse Tanning. Sadowski operated a Pittsburgh pharamacy called ANEWrx, according to court documents.
Together, they facilitated the conspiracy to illegally distribute controlled substances and, in the case of Sadowski, knowingly facilitated a kickback scheme from which Rydze directly benefitted.
Rydze conspired with others to distribute anabolic steroids, including Stanozolol, Nandrolone Decanoate, Testosterone Enanthate, Testosterone Cypionate, Oxandrolone and testosterone. He unjustly enriched himself by causing the distribution of the steroids for unauthorized uses such as bodybuilding and athletic performance enhancement, according to trial testimony and court documents.
Rydze and Hatzimbes scheduled “steroid clinics” at HSE nearly every other Saturday. Frequently, Rydze would falsely diagnose clients as having hormone imbalance or other conditions, and then knowingly prescribe steroids and human growth hormone, according to court documents.
Rydze and Hatzimbes had a financial relationship in which Rydze charged clients $75 for each visit at HSE, which Rydze and Hatzimbes split equally. Additionally, Hatzimbes received prescriptions for anabolic steroids and human growth hormone from Rydze on numerous occasions, which were filled at ANEWrx, despite no corresponding office appointments, notations or diagnosis to justify the prescriptions, according to court documents and trial testimony.
In early 2007, Rydze met with Sadowski, the co-owner of ANEWrx, and they agreed Rydze would be paid a commission on every prescription for human growth hormone, anabolic steroids and other specific medications filled at ANEWrx. Sadowski then provided Rydze with a list of ANEWrx’s price for each prescription. They agreed to mark up the price for Rydze’s patients, with Sadowski then kicking back additional money to Rydze, according to court documents and trial testimony.
Commission reports prepared by ANEWrx show that between August 2007 and January 2011, Rydze received $301,407 in commission payments. For commissions paid on mark-ups for Rydze’s patients, ANEWrx wrote one check to Rydze for $6,845 and three to OHC for $25,395. Additionally, ANEWrx made 14 deposits into OHC’s account totaling $146,465, according to court documents and trial testimony.
Rydze was also convicted of multiple counts of distribution of anabolic steroids, conspiracy to distribute human growth hormone, distribution of human growth hormone, distribution of controlled substances, obstruction of justice.
Rydze conspired with others to distribute controlled substances, including Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Oxycontin and Opana, according to court documents.
Beginning in 2007, Rydze prescribed the painkillers to Williams Zipf. Later that year, Zipf requested Rydze put the prescriptions in the names of other people, including Zipf’s relatives. At times, Zipf requested Rydze write two prescriptions for him at the same time and leave the date blank on one so Zipf could fill it in later. Zipf took the prescriptions to numerous different pharmacies in order to avoid detection, according to court documents and trial testimony.
Zipf has pleaded guilty to crimes for his role in the case.
From 2005 through 2011, Rydze obtained more than 21,000 pills of Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen, commonly referred to as “Vicodin ES,” by calling in more than 200 prescriptions to Pittsburgh-area pharmacies. He did so by fraudulently and without lawful authority using a DEA registration number that was issued to another physician, and did so without the consent or knowledge of that physician, according to court documents and trial testimony.
The jury also found Rydze corruptly attempted to obstruct justice by calling his brother and asking his brother to lie to federal law enforcement by declaring that some of the diverted opioid prescriptions found in Rydze’s control during the execution of a search warrant were written to the brother. In fact, according to trial testimony and other evidence, the prescription was illegally written to Rydze’s deceased father. His brother refused and testified during the trial of this matter.
A related case accusing Rydze of engaging in widespread health care fraud remains pending.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik and Brian McDonough following an investigation by the FBI.
Ashtabula man indicted on drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
An Ashtabula man was charged in federal court with drug trafficking and firearms crimes, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
George R. Williams, 35, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and crack cocaine; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and of being a felon in possession of a firearms and ammunition.
Williams possessed heroin, methamphetamine and crack cocaine on Jan. 5 with the intent to distribute the drugs. On the same date, he possessed firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime, according to the indictment
Williams possessed a Springfield, model XD40, .40 caliber pistol, a Lorcin, model L25, .25 caliber pistol, and ammunition on Jan. 5, after having been convicted in 2012 of heroin trafficking in the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas.
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 and the Ashtabula Police Department. The case 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.
Saturday is Prescription Drug Take Back Day, with 270 locations in OhioRead the Press Release
Addictive prescription drugs that are thrown away or left untended on shelves and in drawers at home are often stolen and either abused or sold by family members and visitors. That’s why the DEA and thousands of its state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners are holding another Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 29, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., at over 5,000 sites around the country, including more than 270 sites in Ohio.
The service is free of charge, no questions asked.
America is experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose, and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers. More than 6.4 million Americans age 12 and over -- 2.4 percent of the population -- abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last fall. That’s more than abuse cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine combined.
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The majority of prescription drug abusers report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds -- more than 3,500 tons -- of pills.
The public can find a nearby collection site at DEA.GOV and click on the “Take Back Day” box on the home page. You can also fine nearby collections sites by calling 800-882-9529. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites—liquids, needles, or other sharps will not be accepted. This event will go on even if the Federal Government shuts down this weekend.
Elyria man sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl that resulted in fatal overdoseRead the Press Release
An Elyria man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl that caused the fatal overdose of a Lorain County man, law enforcement officials said.
David Andrew Hollis, 27, sold fentanyl on Feb. 21, 2016, to a man who fatally overdosed in Lorain County, according to court documents.
“We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who profit from the sale of drugs that have caused so much death and pain in our community,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “It will take vigorous law enforcement, combined with prevention efforts and making treatment available to those who want help, to turn the tide on the opioid epidemic.”
"We are committed to aggressively pursue heroin and fentanyl traffickers and organizations that are creating the drug epidemic that our communities face every day," Lorain County Sheriff Phil R. Stammitti said.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Darden and Robert Corts following an investigation by the Lorain County Drug Task Force.
Toledo ministers indicted for sex trafficking of minors and production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
Two Toledo men were indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking of minors and production of child pornography, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
Cordell Jenkins, 46, and Anthony Haynes, 37, are named in the seven-count indictment.
Haynes is charged with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of production of child pornography and one count of obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation. Jenkins is charged with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of production of child pornography, and one count of receipt of child pornography.
Haynes sexually assaulted a 14-year-old in his custody, beginning in 2014. This conduct continued through 2017, according to court documents.
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.
“Adults in a position of trust taking advantage of children for their own sexual gratification is beyond reprehensible,” Anthony said. “These defendants are a stark reminder that human trafficking can be hidden in plain view. Law enforcement, in partnership with our communities, must remain vigilant in protecting our children.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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. Attorney Michael Freeman 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.
Reminderville man indicted on federal drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
A Reminderville man was indicted on federal firearms and drug charges, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Michael D. Sammy, 34, with being a felon in possession of firearms and possession with the intent to distribute LSD and methamphetamine.
Sammy was arrested on October 30, 2016 by the Twinsburg Police Department after they found him in his vehicle in possession of 176 squares of LSD, several grams of liquid methamphetamine and multiple firearms including an MP-15 rifle, a Smith and Wesson Cowboy Commemorative Rifle and a Smith and Wesson .9 millimeter pistol. Sammy was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his status as a convicted felon, 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the FBI and the Twinsburg 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.
Pair from Texas indicted for using card-skimming machines on ATMsRead the Press Release
Two people from Texas were indicted for their use of a card-skimming device at an Automated Teller Machine, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.
A grand jury eturned a three-count indictment charging Cristina Rolea, 24, and Daniel C. Forentin, 30, both of Fort Worth, Texas, with possession of device-making equipment, including an ATM card-skimming device.
Forentin used an ATM card-skimming device to an ATM owned by a financial institution on Dec. 10, 2016. Rolea used an ATM card-skimming device to an ATM owned by a financial institution on Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, 2016, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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 matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason M. Katz.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Four from Northeast Ohio indicted for federal firearms violationsRead the Press Release
Four men were indicted on federal firearms charges, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Duane E. Spagnola, 30, of Warren, Dwaylen D. Sellers, 22, of Youngstown, and Corey D. Johnson, 26, of Cleveland, are charged with being felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Timothy C. Bowers, 45, of Conneaut, is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and maintaining a drug premises.
The cases are unrelated.
Spagnola possessed a Colt, model Trooper Mark III, .357 magnum caliber revolver, and ammunition,
on Feb. 21, 2017, after having been convicted of attempted felonious assault in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in 2014, according to the indictment.
Sellers possessed a Colt, model Trooper MK V, .357 Magnum revolver, and ammunition on Feb. 3, 2017, after having been convicted of robbery in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in 2016, according to the indictment.
Johnson had a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition on Oct. 3, 2016, despite a 2010 conviction in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, according to the indictment.
Bowers possessed a Hi-Point, model 4095, .40 caliber rifle, a New England Firearms, model Pardner, 20-gauge shotgun, a Hopkins & Allen, .32 caliber revolver, a Savage Arms, model Mark II, .22 caliber rifle, and ammunition on Jan. 11, 2017, after having been convicted of illegal manufacturing of drugs in the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas in 2008, according to the indictment.
Bowers also maintained a premises on East Main Road in Conneaut, for the purpose of distributing and using controlled substances, 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 Spagnola case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Warren Police Department.
- Sellers case is being prosecuted by Toepfer following an investigation by the ATF and the Youngstown Police Department.
- Johnson case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Twinsburg Police Department.
The Bowers case is being prosecuted by Toepfer following an investigation by the ATF, the Conneaut Police Department, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.
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 sentenced to 20 years in prison for selling fentanyl obtained from China that resulted in fatal overdoseRead the Press Release
An Akron man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for selling fentanyl obtained from China that resulted in a fatal overdose, law enforcement officials said.
Leroy Shuarod Steele, 36, pled guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl.
The fentanyl Steele distributed resulted in the fatal overdose of a person identified only as T.R. on March 21, 2016 in Akron, according to court documents.
Steele obtained fentanyl from suppliers in China and then distributed the drug to people in Akron, Fairlawn and elsewhere, according to court documents.
“Mr. Steele’s actions resulted in the death of another person,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “Those who profit from selling the heroin and opioids that have devastated our state will be held accountable for their actions.”
Akron Police Chief James Nice said: “Keeping this guy behind bars for two decades keeps the residents of Summit County safer.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda H. Barr following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Akron Police Department and the Fairlawn Police Department.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Soliciting Murder of U.S. Military MembersRead the Press Release
Terrence J. McNeil, 24, of Akron, Ohio, pleaded guilty to five counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence and five counts of making threatening interstate communications involving his soliciting the murder of members of the U.S. military.
The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, Acting 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 Division.
“Terrence McNeil pleaded guilty to soliciting the murder of members of our military. He disseminated ISIL’s violent rhetoric, circulated U.S. military personnel information, and explicitly called for the killing of American service members in their homes and communities. Now, he will be held accountable,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism. We will continue to use all of our tools to disrupt those who use social media to threaten acts of violence against our military members and their families, on behalf of terrorist organizations.”
“This case demonstrates the challenges faced by law enforcement in confronting global terrorism,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja. “It highlights the dangers posed by terrorists committed to carrying out attacks here in the United States and their use of social media to accomplish their mission. The message should be clear that individuals who engage in this behavior will be aggressively prosecuted.”
“While we aggressively defend First Amendment rights, the individual arrested went far beyond free speech by reposting names and addresses of 100 U.S. service members, all with the intent to have them killed,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “We will remain vigilant in our efforts to stop those who wish to support these despicable acts.”
According to documents filed in the case:
McNeil, a U.S. citizen, professed his support on social media on numerous occasions for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. On or about Sept. 24, 2015, using a Tumblr account, McNeil reblogged a file with the banner “Islamic State Hacking Division,” followed by “Target: United States Military” and “Leak: Addresses of 100 U.S. Military Personnel.”
The file type is a .gif file, which allows multiple still images to be looped in one file, with a timed delay between each image. The text of the first file reads “O Brothers in America, know that the jihad against the crusaders is not limited to the lands of the Khilafah, it is a world-wide jihad and their war is not just a war against the Islamic State, it is a war against Islam…Know that it is wajib (translated to “necessary”) for you to kill these kuffar! and now we have made it easy for you by giving you addresses, all you need to do is take the final step, so what are you waiting for? Kill them in their own lands, behead them in their own homes, stab them to death as they walk their streets thinking that they are safe…”
The file then loops several dozen photographs, purportedly of U.S. military personnel, along with their respective name, address and military branch. The final image looped is a picture of a handgun and a knife with text that reads “…and kill them wherever you find them…”
The defendant posted multiple other kill lists in late 2015, all of which repeated the same refrain, calling on others to seek out and murder U.S. servicemen and women.
McNeil is scheduled to be sentenced on August 2. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he faces a sentence of between 15 and 20 years in prison.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Cleveland investigated this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christos Georgalis and Michelle Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Akron man pleads guilty to soliciting the murder of members of the U.S. militaryRead the Press Release
Terrence J. McNeil, 24, of Akron, pleaded guilty to five counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence and five counts of making threatening interstate communications involving his soliciting the murder of members of the U.S. military.
The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, Acting 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 Division.
“Terrence McNeil pleaded guilty to soliciting the murder of members of our military. He disseminated ISIL’s violent rhetoric, circulated U.S. military personnel information, and explicitly called for the killing of American service members in their homes and communities. Now, he will be held accountable,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism. We will continue to use all of our tools to disrupt those who use social media to threaten acts of violence against our military members and their families, on behalf of terrorist organizations.”
“This case demonstrates the challenges faced by law enforcement in confronting global terrorism,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja. “It highlights the dangers posed by terrorists committed to carrying out attacks here in the United States and their use of social media to accomplish their mission. The message should be clear that individuals who engage in this behavior will be aggressively prosecuted.”
“While we aggressively defend First Amendment rights, the individual arrested went far beyond free speech by reposting names and addresses of 100 U.S. service members, all with the intent to have them killed,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “We will remain vigilant in our efforts to stop those who wish to support these despicable acts.”
According to documents filed in the case:
McNeil, a U.S. citizen, professed his support on social media on numerous occasions for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. On or about Sept. 24, 2015, using a Tumblr account, McNeil reblogged a file with the banner “Islamic State Hacking Division,” followed by “Target: United States Military” and “Leak: Addresses of 100 U.S. Military Personnel.”
The file type is a .gif file, which allows multiple still images to be looped in one file, with a timed delay between each image. The text of the first file reads “O Brothers in America, know that the jihad against the crusaders is not limited to the lands of the Khilafah, it is a world-wide jihad and their war is not just a war against the Islamic State, it is a war against Islam…Know that it is wajib (translated to “necessary”) for you to kill these kuffar! and now we have made it easy for you by giving you addresses, all you need to do is take the final step, so what are you waiting for? Kill them in their own lands, behead them in their own homes, stab them to death as they walk their streets thinking that they are safe…”
The file then loops several dozen photographs, purportedly of U.S. military personnel, along with their respective name, address and military branch. The final image looped is a picture of a handgun and a knife with text that reads “…and kill them wherever you find them…”
The defendant posted multiple other kill lists in late 2015, all of which repeated the same refrain, calling on others to seek out and murder U.S. servicemen and women.
McNeil is scheduled to be sentenced on August 2. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he faces a sentence of between 15 and 20 years in prison.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Cleveland investigated this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christos Georgalis and Michelle Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Akron men sentenced to 15, 10 years in prison for selling fentanylRead the Press Release
Two Akron men were sentenced to prison for selling fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.
Brian L. Williams, 54, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John Adams.
Adams sentenced Terrance L. Ford, 50, to 10 years in prison.
“Drug dealers such as these are responsible for the wave of death that has plagued our state over the past few years,” Sierleja said. “Aggressive enforcement, combined with education, prevention and treatment, are all key parts to our comprehensive strategy to combating this epidemic.”
Detectives from the Akron Police Department’s Narcotics Unit and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration searched the home of Williams and Ford on July 27, 2016 and recovered over 100 grams of a substance containing fentanyl along with several fentanyl patches, according to court documents.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Akron Police Department and the DEA.
Three indicted for illegal reentry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
Three people were indicted this week for illegally re-entering the United States, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.
Mexican citizen Francisco Raul Yanez-Botello, 42, was last deported on July 31, 2012 but was recently found in Brecksville, according to the indictment.
Mexican citizen Pedro Aceves-Barajas, 26, was last deported on June 21, 2016, but was recently found in North Olmstead, according to the indictment.
Dominican citizen Jorge Luis Ortiz, 41, was deported in 2011 after being convicted of an aggravated felony, but was recently found in Brooklyn, according to the indictment.
The cases are not related.
The Botello case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karrie D. Howard following an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. Howard is also prosecuting the Barajas case following an investigation by the United States Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot D. Morrison is prosecuting the Ortiz case following an investigation by the United States Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.
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.
North Royalton man indicted for credit card and Social Security fraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury indicted a North Royalton man for credit card and Social Security fraud, said David A. Sierleja, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Gregory Kasperski, 32, was indicted on one count of theft of government funds and two counts of using an unauthorized access device.
Kasperski fraudulently received approximately $30,000 in Title II Survivors Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration to which he was not entitled. Kasperski also fraudulently used two credit cards without authorization to acquire approximately $16,000 in goods and services from various entities, according to the indictment.
The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti is prosecuting the case.
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. 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.
Massillon man indicted for importing fentanyl from ChinaRead the Press Release
A Massillon man was indicted for illegally importing fentanyl from China, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.
Daniel Stolte, 29, was indicted on one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of importing fentanyl.
Stolte imported 40 grams or more of fentanyl from China on March 15 and March 22. On March 22, he possessed approximately 100 grams of fentanyl with the intent of distributing the drug, according to the indictment.
“The drugs that are killing our friends, relatives and neighbors are flowing into the United States from other countries,” Sierleja said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to shut off those pipelines.”
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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bulford.
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.
Highland Heights man indicted for selling furanyl fentanyl that resulted in fatal overdose of Cleveland teenRead the Press Release
A 10-count indictment was unsealed that charges a Highland Heights man was with selling furanyl fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a Cleveland teen, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams.
Alec J. Steinberger, 21, was indicted on one count each of distribution of furanyl fentanyl that resulted in death, distribution of furanyl fentanyl and distribution of Xanax and seven counts of using a telephone to facilitate the commission of a felony.
“We continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who sell opioids that kill our children, friends and neighbors,” Sierleja said. “Aggressive prosecution, combined with increased treatment, prevention and changes in prescribing practices are key to turning the tide on the heroin and opioid epidemic.”
“Investigators of the Heroin Death Investigation Team are trained to investigate heroin overdose cases and link the victims back to the dealers,” said Cleveland Division of Police Chief Calvin D. Williams. “It is through the combined efforts of law enforcement, at the local, state and federal levels, and prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney’s Office that these indictments are secured and convictions are won. It is the hope that these examples will deter others from continuing this deadly cycle.”
Beginning on Jan. 30, 2016, Steinberger received Alprazolam (also known as Xanax) and furanyl fentanyl for distribution. Furanyl fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid. These drugs came to Steinberger through the mail, according to the indictment.
On Feb. 23, 2016, Steinberger texted an associated: “I just got a pack bro.” He then informed several people that he had drugs for sale, including a man identified in the indictment only as L.H.
Steinberger texted L.H. repeatedly the next day. Messages included: “bro I did it last night any my pupils got so small they disappeared and then I was nodding for 18 hrs,” “Bro this is uncut from the road” and “this is uncut from china,” according to the indictment.
Steinberger then repeatedly texted L.H. if he knew anyone that could cut or dilute the drugs and repackage it for sale. Steinberger texted: “We gonna chill tmr” “and go to the hood and give samples” and “try and find out how to cut and re rock,” according to the indictment.
Shortly after midnight on Feb. 25, Steinberger texted L.H.: “Find me customers and tell them you’re the plug and I’ll get it to you and then sell it and cut u in a tiny bit and throw u a free (Klonopin) and dope,” according to the indictment.
On Feb. 25, L.H. fatally overdosed on furanyl fentanyl he bought from Steinberger, 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Cronin following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Cleveland Division of Police.
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.
Geauga County man indicted for possessing videos of children being raped and sexually assaultedRead the Press Release
A Geauga County man was indicted on two counts related to possessing videos of children being raped and sexually assaulted, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.
John S. Mobasseri, 39, of Novelty, was indicted on one count of distribution of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of possession of child pornography.
Mobasseri on March 16 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 the indictment.
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.
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. 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.
Garfield Heights man indicted for Social Security fraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury indicted a Garfield Heights man for theft of government funds, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Eric Hegler, 65, fraudulently received approximately $144,000 in benefits from the Social Security Administration to which he was not entitled over nine years, according to the indictment.
The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti is prosecuting the case.
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. 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.
Cleveland women indicted for fraudulently claiming $313,000 in tax refundsRead the Press Release
Two Cleveland women were indicted on charges of conspiracy to make false claims for fraudulently claiming false tax refunds for more than $300,000, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
Janice Parks, 57, and Helen Wynder, 56, filed a series of false tax returns during 2011, and 2012 to claim inflated refunds. Parks held herself out of a tax preparer. She, Wynder and others falsely claimed tax credits on behalf of people who were not entitled to the credits, according to the indictment.
In some instances, Parks requested that portions of the refunds be directed to various bank accounts and that Parks and Wynder converted the funds for their own use, according to the indictment.
"As we draw near the end of this year’s income tax filing season, we want everyone who files a tax return to take advantage of the deductions and credits to which they are entitled by law; however, no one is entitled to defraud the government," Turner said.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases they will be less than the maximum.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen E. Henderson following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Austintown man indicted for two bank robberiesRead the Press Release
Jarrett N. Dragic, 22, of Austintown, was indicted on two counts of bank robbery, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, FBI Special Agent in Charge.
Drajic robbed a Farmers National Bank in East Liverpool on Feb. 10. He robbed a Farmers National Bank in Canfield on Feb. 17, 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 East Liverpool Police Department, the Columbiana Police Department and the Canfield Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason M. Katz.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Toledo men arrested and charged with sex trafficking of childrenRead the Press Release
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cleveland Division, Toledo Resident Agency, and the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio, announce the arrest of Cordell Jenkins, age 46, and Anthony Haynes, age 37, pursuant to a federal complaint and arrest warrant for sex trafficking of children.
Agents placed Jenkins and Haynes into custody early this morning at their residences in Toledo without incident. Additional law enforcement activity occurred today in regards to this ongoing investigation.
Jenkins and Haynes are accused of knowingly recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining a person(s) that the defendants knew was less than eighteen years old to engage in commercial sex acts. In addition to the above, Haynes is also being charged with Obstruction of Justice and Jenkins is being charged with sexual exploitation of children. Both men will have their initial appearance in U.S. District Court later today.
A complaint 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 investigation was conducted 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.
Toledo man charged with stealing $182,000 from Department of Veterans AffairsRead the Press Release
A Toledo man was indicted for allegedly stealing $182,000, said David A. Sierleja, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Gilbert W. Young, 70, was indicted on one count of theft of government money. Young, between 1995 and 2016, allegedly converted for his own use $182,724 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to which he was not entitled, 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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General, in Cleveland. The case is being handled by Assistant United States 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.
Ohio man indicted for chase in which he threw bottles of explosive chemicals at officersRead the Press Release
A Bloomdale man was indicted on multiple charges related to a chase in which he lit and threw bottles of explosive chemicals at law enforcement officers, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
William B. Milliron, 45, was charged with assault on federal officers, possession and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence, manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
U.S. Marshals were searching for Milliron near Bowling Green on Feb. 24 because of a probation violation in Florida. They spotted Milliron and attempted to pull over Milliron, who fled. Marshals pursued and officers from the North Baltimore Police Department joined the chase, according to court documents.
Milliron began throwing bottles containing unknown substances at the pursuing cars, and one of the bottles exploded on the front end and windshield of the police vehicle, according to court documents.
The pursuit continued into Fostoria and then Findlay, when Milliron’s vehicle went off the road and crashed. Milliron was arrested and had 13 rounds of live ammunition in his pants pocket, according to court documents.
The substance in the bottles was found to be a combination of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. The chemicals are highly volatile, toxic and combustible. The bottles had paper wicks which were charred from being lit on fire, according to court documents.
Milliron has multiple felony convictions in Florida for crimes including grand theft of firearms, resisting an officer with violence, battery on an officer, manufacture of methamphetamine and other crimes, 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas P. Weldon
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.
Akron man pleads guilty to selling fentanyl that resulted in fatal overdoseRead the Press Release
An Akron man pleaded guilty to selling fentanyl that caused a fatal overdose last year, law enforcement officials said.
Steven D. Daniels, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced July 13. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl that resulted in death.
Daniels sold fentanyl that caused the fatal overdose of a person identified in the indictment as T.B on April 2, 2016 in Akron, according to court documents.
“We continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who sell opioids that kill our children, friends and neighbors,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “Aggressive prosecution, combined with increased treatment, prevention and changes in prescribing practices are key to turning the tide on the heroin and opioid epidemic.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Tim Plancon said: "The job of the DEA is to identify, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that are distributing the dangerous and illegal fentanyl-based substances that have been responsible for countless deaths in the United States. When dealers provide illegal drugs to victims and the substances' use results in bodily harm or death, the DEA -- with the support from our law enforcement partners -- will continue to mobilize resources and personnel to investigate, arrest and successfully prosecute the people responsible."
"This case represents the tragic toll of addiction, and the efforts of the Akron Police Department to combat this health epidemic," Akron Police Chief James Nice said. "Law enforcement partners are hopeful that significant penalties for criminal participants will be part of a multifaceted approach that will save lives and reduce the suffering of survivors. We are proud of the investigative work that leads to accountability for drug dealers. We are also hopeful that our efforts help many that are coping with great loss."
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the Akron Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
Two Orrville men indicted for selling fentanyl that resulted in fatal overdoseRead the Press Release
Two Orrville men were indicted for selling fentanyl that resulted in a fatal overdose, law enforcement officials said.
Kenneth L. Johnson, 44, and Joseph N. Carpenter, 33, were indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl. That count carries a sentencing enhancement because the fentanyl they sold resulted in a death. Johnson faces an additional count of distribution of fentanyl.
Johnson and Carpenter on Dec. 2, 2016, met with Drew Eberly at 316 North Ella Street in Orrville and sold him fentanyl. Eberly subsequently overdosed and died from the fentanyl, according to court documents.
Carpenter told investigators that he set up the sale in which Eberly purchased $20 worth of drugs from Johnson, according to court documents.
Johnson also distributed fentanyl on Dec. 3, according to court documents.
“We continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who sell opioids that kill our children, friends and neighbors,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “Aggressive prosecution, combined with increased treatment, prevention and changes in prescribing practices are key to turning the tide on the heroin and opioid epidemic.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Tim Plancon said: "The job of the DEA is to identify, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that are distributing the dangerous and illegal fentanyl-based substances that have been responsible for countless deaths in the United States. When dealers provide illegal drugs to victims and the substances' use results in bodily harm or death, the DEA -- with the support from our law enforcement partners -- will continue to mobilize resources and personnel to investigate, arrest and successfully prosecute the people responsible."
“The speed with which these arrests were made likely saved lives,” said Orrville Police Chief Matt Birkbeck. “This case sends a message to others engaged in this behavior that the time for warnings is over. These cases are being taken very seriously.”
“The MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency will continue to collaborate and work closely with our local and federal partners to hold people accountable for their actions who are involved in trafficking drugs in our communities and bring them to justice,” MEDWAY Director Donald J. Hall said. “A very strong message is being sent to those involved when they are indicted federally.”
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Orrville Police Department, the Medina/Wayne County Drug Task Force (MEDWAY) and the DEA, with assistance from the Wayne County Coroner’s Office.
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.
Toledo-area men sentenced to nine and seven years in prison for stealing more than $1.1 million through fraudulent loan-modification schemeRead the Press Release
Two Toledo-area men were sentenced to prison for stealing more than $1.1 million from hundreds of people through a fraudulent loan-modification scheme, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.
Jason J. Keating, 38, of Toledo was sentenced to nine years in prison while and Christopher J. Howder, 40, of Perrysburg, was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Keating was ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution while Howder was ordered to pay $561,000 in restitution.
Both pleaded guilty last year to charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and multiple counts of mail fraud and wire fraud.
Keating and Howder worked at Making Home Affordable USA (MHAUSA) from 120 10th Street in Toledo, where Keating was self-described president and Howder was the self-described underwriting manager.
According to court documents filed in the case:
The company used various names but homeowners were told MHAUSA had a very high rate of success and that customers could achieve modified interest rates as low as 2 percent.
Prospective participants were told there was a flat fee for service, generally between $495 and $795. Participants were told to stop making monthly mortgage payments to their lenders and instead to pay a percentage of their mortgage to MHAUSA.
Participants were told MHAUSA would hold these payments in a “stimulus reserve” account to demonstrate the participants could reliably make payments, and that once the loans were modified, the money would be turned over to the lenders.
The money obtained through the fraud was spent on concessions at professional sports venues, restaurants, cash withdrawals, gentlemen’s clubs, a tanning salon, a Las Vegas hotel, a jewelry store and a lingerie store.
“These defendants took more than $1 million from people struggling to hold onto their homes,” Sierleja said.
“They used money obtained through fraud to pay for expensive restaurants and vacations,” Anthony said.
The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Gene Crawford.
Toledo men sentenced to prison for racially motivated attack on African-American strangerRead the Press Release
Two Toledo men were sentenced today to prison for beating an African-American stranger they saw on the street, announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.
Robert Paschalis, 25, was sentenced to two years in prison while Charles Butler was sentenced to seven years in prison. Both men pleaded guilty in November to violating the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
According to documents filed in connection with the case, on May 18, 2016, Paschalis and Butler drove past the victim, A.W., on the street while A.W. was unloading items from his truck. The two men circled back, got out of their own truck and began attacking A.W. while yelling racial slurs. Butler grabbed a broom from the back of A.W.’s truck and struck A.W. with it multiple times. Paschalis later admitted that the beating occurred because A.W. is African American. Paschalis said that, unlike Butler, he had not “earned” his swastika tattoo yet.
The beating stopped only when two off-duty police officers happened on the scene and pulled Butler and Paschalis away. A.W. suffered an orbital fracture and damage to his right eye. Butler later posted on Facebook that the attack was “in the name of the White Race.”
“This sentence sends a stern message to those who practice and advocate racial violence,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler. “Robust prosecution of hate crimes is a priority for the Justice Department, and we will continue to vigorously enforce these laws.”
“Attacks like these have no place in our society,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja said. “The victim in this case was minding his own business when he was jumped by two racists. They deserve the prison sentences they received today.”
“These individuals engaged in a violent assault against another person based on his race and are now being held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure hate crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Toledo Resident Agency, in cooperation with the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeman of the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Miller.
Tallmadge man indicted on fentanyl chargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Oscar Curtis Robinson, 38, of Tallmadge, with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges that on February 2, 2017, Robinson, possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
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 Akron FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Linda H. Barr.
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 Men Sentenced to Prison for Racially Motivated Attack on StrangerRead the Press Release
Two Toledo, Ohio men were sentenced today to prison for beating an African-American stranger they saw on the street, announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.
Robert Paschalis, 25, was sentenced to two years in prison while Charles Butler was sentenced to seven years in prison. Both men pleaded guilty in November to violating the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
According to documents filed in connection with the case, on May 18, 2016, Paschalis and Butler drove past the victim, A.W., on the street while A.W. was unloading items from his truck. The two men circled back, got out of their own truck and began attacking A.W. while yelling racial slurs. Butler grabbed a broom from the back of A.W.’s truck and struck A.W. with it multiple times. Paschalis later admitted that the beating occurred because A.W. is African American. Paschalis said that, unlike Butler, he had not “earned” his swastika tattoo yet.
The beating stopped only when two off-duty police officers happened on the scene and pulled Butler and Paschalis away. A.W. suffered an orbital fracture and damage to his right eye. Butler later posted on Facebook that the attack was “in the name of the White Race.”
“This sentence sends a stern message to those who practice and advocate racial violence,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler. “Robust prosecution of hate crimes is a priority for the Justice Department, and we will continue to vigorously enforce these laws.”
“Attacks like these have no place in our society,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja said. “The victim in this case was minding his own business when he was jumped by two racists. They deserve the prison sentences they received today.”
“These individuals engaged in a violent assault against another person based on his race and are now being held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure hate crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Toledo Resident Agency, in cooperation with the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeman of the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Miller.
Two former U.S. Postal Service employees sentenced to prison for fraudRead the Press Release
Two former U.S. Postal Service employees were sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining federal worker’s compensation benefits, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Monica Weyler.
Margaret M. Davis, 56, of Massillon, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $49,249 in restitution after pleading guilty to making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.
Davis falsely stated in 2015 she had not been incarcerated the prior 15 months when completing forms to continue her disability benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act when she, in fact, had, according to court documents. The USPS OIG investigation showed she completed these forms while incarcerated in an Ohio prison.
Nicole M. Gates, 33, of Wickliffe, was sentenced to six months incarceration and ordered to pay $5,884 in restitution and a $2,500 fine. She was convicted by a jury to two counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.
Gates, a mail carrier, falsely represented her physical limitations in connection with her receipt of workers’ compensation benefits, according to court documents and trial testimony.
“The U.S. Postal Service paid over $2.7 billion in workers compensation costs last year, the majority of which went to employees who legitimately deserve it. However, a few employees, such as Nicole Gates and Margaret Davis, choose to defraud the system to receive money they are not entitled to,” Weyler said. “Investigations by USPS OIG special agents such as these are part of our mission of preventing and detecting criminal activity and serious misconduct within the Postal Service. Last year, with the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, USPS OIG investigations nationwide saved the Postal Service over $320 million in future federal workers compensation costs. To report workers compensation fraud, or any other serious offenses committed by postal employees, contact our special agents at 888-USPS-OIG or www.uspsoig.gov.”
The cases are unrelated. Both were investigated by special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Seabury Gould prosecuted the Davis case while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Kendra Klump prosecuted the Gates case.
Three from Toledo sentenced to prison for forging will and stealing $2.2 millionRead the Press Release
Three Toledo residents were sentenced to prison for forging a will to fraudulently gain control of an estate worth approximately $2.2 million, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Carole S. Rendon, Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office and Toledo Police Chief George Kral.
Susan M. Pioch, 60, was sentenced to more than nine years in prison.
Kurt L. Mallory, 53, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison.
Margaret L. McKnight, 42, was sentenced to four years in prison.
All three were convicted last year following a jury trial of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud, 21 counts of bank fraud, seven counts of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Pioch, McKnight and Mallory were convicted on additional counts of money laundering. McKnight was convicted on an additional count of structuring cash withdrawals, three tax counts and seven counts of causing a financial institution to fail to file a required report.
“This trio stole used forgery and lies to steal more than $2 million that a man had spent a lifetime working for,” Sierleja said. “They deserve every day of their prison sentences.”
“All financial transactions leave a trail and we have the unique expertise to follow those leads, which ultimately lead to today’s sentencings in such an egregious case of greed,” Turner said. “The excellent partnership of the IRS, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Toledo Police Department not only resulted in with the successful convictions in this case, but also the forfeiture of the assets associated with this scheme to steal millions from a deceased man’s family.”
“This is yet another example of what a high level collaboration can achieve,” Kral said. “These predatory criminals will not have the opportunity to prey on our citizens any longer.”
Martin E. Fewlas executed a will in 1993 devising his entire estate to his brother. If his brother did not survive Fewlas, the estate was to go to his nephew and then his great-nephew, identified in the indictment as JRM.
Fewlas owned the duplex located at 2557 Broadway Street in Toledo. He lived in the lower half and for approximately 10 years, McKnight and Mallory lived together in the upper half, according to court documents.
Fewlas died on Aug. 28, 2010, leaving an estate worth approximately $2.2 million. On Sept. 2, 2010, McKnight, Mallory and Pioch – an attorney who had previously done legal work for McKnight and Mallory forged a will in Fewlas’ name. The forged will was drafted by Pioch and named McKnight as the executor and sole devisee of Fewlas’ assets. Pioch filed the forged will with the Lucas County Probate Court on or around Sept. 2, 2010. McKnight identified herself as executor of the estate and Pioch identified herself as attorney for the executor in probate court documents, according to court documents.
By filing the forged will and concealing its fraudulent nature, Pioch, McKnight and Mallory succeeded in obtaining Probate Court authority to take possession of Fewlas’ assets. After obtaining those assets, they disbursed the assets to themselves for their own enrichment, according to court documents.
Pioch, McKnight and Mallory used those assets to purchase, among other things, a used car dealership, a 2000 Discovery motorhome for $55,036, a classic 1972 Chevrolet El Camino for $17,000, a 2010 Kia Soul SUV for $21,338, as well as property. They also withdrew more than $500,000 in cash for Fewlas’ estate proceeds, according to court documents.
JRM, Fewlas’ great nephew and the sole remaining devisee from the 1993 will, received nothing, according to the indictment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Noah Hood following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Toledo Police Department.
Georgia man indicted for selling heroin in the Youngstown areaRead the Press Release
A Georgia man was arrested on federal charges that he sold heroin in the Youngstown area, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.
Richard E. North, Jr., 47, of Lithonia, Georgia, was charged in a five-count indictment with distribution of heroin and with travelling in interstate commerce to facilitate the distribution of heroin.
North sold heroin in the Youngstown area on multiple dates in October and November 2016. He also travelled from Ohio to Tennessee on Nov. 7 with the intent to distribute 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 investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States 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.
Warren man convicted for having firearms and more than a kilogram of heroinRead the Press Release
A Warren man is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison after he was convicted of having more than a kilogram of heroin and firearms, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and Warren Police Chief Eric Merkel.
Ricardo B. McKinney, 31, is scheduled to sentenced on July 19.
“This is a criminal who does not belong on the streets of Warren or anywhere else,” Sierleja said. “The amount of deadly drugs he had, and the fact that he’s a felon with firearms, demonstrates that prison is the proper place for this defendant.”
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 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.
North Ridgeville man charged with attempting to possess fentanyl analogue ordered from ChinaRead the Press Release
Daniel Rogerson-Wise, 33, of North Ridgeville, was charged in federal court with attempting to possess with intent to distribute a fentanyl analogue, law enforcement officials said.
HSI special agents were informed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that a parcel containing fentanyl was in route to the United States from China. HSI special agents examined the package on March 13 at the North Ridgeville Post Office, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
The package contained a white crystalized substance. It was addressed to a home on Grant Drive in North Ridgeville and had a return address in Hong Kong, according to the affidavit.
The substance was tested and was found to be nearly 10 grams of FluoroIsoButyryl fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, according to the affidavit.
On March 20, HSI agents were again informed that a parcel containing fentanyl was again in route from China to the United States, again addressed to the home on Grant Drive and with a return address in Hong Kong, according to the affidavit.
The parcel was intercepted and the contents tested. It was found to contain more than 10 grams of FluoroIsoButyryl fentanyl, according to the affidavit.
A law enforcement official posing as a postal employee contacted Rogerson-Wise on March 29. Rogerson-Wise confirmed he was expecting the packages. Law enforcement officials then replaced the contents of the parcel and made a controlled delivery to the Grant Drive home, according to the affidavit.
Rogerson-Wise approached the home and later admitted opening the parcel. Rogerson-Wise told investigators that he was ordering an opioid that he thought was legal, referring to it as a research chemical called fib F. He admitted to having approximately 30 grams of fib F shipped from China, according to the affidavit.
Investigators then searched an apartment on Ignatius Avenue in Cleveland where Rogerson-Wise that was a possible residence for him. Investigators searched a bedroom where Rogerson-Wise slept and found his birth certificate, a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver and two notebooks, according to the affidavit.
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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Cronin following an investigation by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the North Ridgeville Police Department.
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.
Massillon woman charged with defrauding banks out of $2 millionRead the Press Release
A Massillon woman was charged with defrauding financial institutions out of more than $2 million by having escrow funds on home purchases deposited into her personal account, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.
Kimberlee E. Himmell, 62, was charged with 18 counts of bank fraud and one count of theft of government funds.
Himmell owned and operated Netwide Title Agency, Inc., located at 3711 Lincoln Way East in Massillon. General Title Insurance Company, located in Cleveland, was Netwide’s underwriter and responsible for auditing Netwide, according to the information.
Netwide, at the direction of Himmell, began in 2007 instructing all lenders doing business with Netwide as a title agency and utilizing its escrow services to wire all incoming lending proceeds to Himmell’s personal account, instead of Netwide’s corporate account, according to the criminal information filed in the case.
Himmell then used the deposited funds for her own personal use and for Netwide’s operational expenses withouth disclosing to lenders that she was not holding the funds in escrow, as she represented she would, according to the information.
Himmell closed at least 19 real estate transactions in 2013 and 2014 wherein Netwide received escrow funds and failed to pay or release the funds to the prior owner’s pre-existing mortgage. This causes financial losses to lenders and/or sellers of homes in Richmond Heights, North Canton, Willowick, Concord, Strongsville, Newbury, Brunswick, Wadsworth, Medina, Painesville, Parma, Akron, Twinsburg, Brecksville and Millersburg, according to the information.
Netwide’s underwriter, General Title, was contractually obligated to make lenders whole. The loss to General Title as a result of Himmell’s conduct was at least $2,111,014, according to the information.
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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark S. Bennett following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
An information 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.
Two indicted on firearms chargesRead the Press Release
Two men were indicted on firearms charges, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Anthony V. Mascarella, 29, of Youngstown, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Terry Lee Leitch, 33, of Rootstown, was indicted on one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
The indictment alleges that Mascarella possessed a Smith & Wesson, model SD40VE, .40 caliber pistol, and ammunition on Nov. 15, 2016, after having been convicted of domestic violence in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in 2007.
Leitch on Sept. 12, 2016, possessed a New England Firearms, model Pardner SB-1, 20 gauge shotgun, modified with a barrel length of approximately 13 inches and an overall length of approximately 19.25 inches, which firearm had not been registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, 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.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer. The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Youngstown Police Department (Mascarella) and the Portage County Sheriff’s Office (Leitch).
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.
Columbus-area man charged with embezzling $183,000 in federal grants designed to help Native AmericansRead the Press Release
A Lewis Center man was charged with stealing more than $183,000 in federal grants designed to help Native Americans, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
A three-count criminal information charges Craig McGuire, 47, with one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of theft of government funds.
“This defendant blatantly lied on grant applications to get money designated to help one of our most vulnerable populations,” Sierleja said. “He used the money to enrich himself nearly as fast as he got it.”
“The intentional falsification of information in a federal grant application in order to receive funds is a serious crime,” Pugh said. “Federal grant funds are limited and must be used for the purpose for which they are intended. The OIG will continue to identify, investigate and seek the prosecution of those individuals who improperly enrich themselves with vital taxpayer dollars.”
McGuire operated McGuire & Associates LLC, a company that wrote grant applications and provided evaluation services. A person identified only as R.R. served as executive director of the American Indian Education Center, a Parma-based nonprofit established in 1995 to support Native American causes in Northeast Ohio, according to the information.
McGuire & Associates entered into an agreement with R.R. in April 2011 to draft grant proposals on behalf of the AIEC. Later that year, McGuire submitted an application on behalf of the AIEC to receive a Circle of Care grant, offered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The grant was designed to provide Native American communities with the tools and resources to design programs to support mental health and wellness for children and families, according to the information.
The AIEC’s application contained numerous false statements including: misrepresenting the date the AIEC was established; falsely claiming the AIEC had a wellness department and a “Positive Paths” afterschool program when no such department or program existed; fraudulently listing people the AIEC allegedly employed and mischaracterizing the description of the AIEC’s building and alleged physical amenities, according to the information.
SAMHSA awarded the AIEC a Circle of Care grant on Sept. 1, 2012 of approximately $302,340 for FY 2012. On June 26, 2012, SAMHSA awarded the second year of a Circle of Care grant in the amount of $308,040 for FY 2013, according to information.
The AIEC received approximately $482,766 from SAMHSA from 2011 through 2013. The AIEC did not receive full funding because SAMHSA placed it in “high risk” status, according to the indictment.
McGuire and R.R. embezzled at least $183,703 of those funds, according to the information.
The investigation is ongoing.
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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. Patton and Suzana Koch following an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.
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.
Mail carrier from Leetonia indicted for worker's compensation fraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Jess A. Leon, 66, of Leetonia, with theft of government property and false statements and fraud to obtain federal employees’ compensation, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges that Leon, a mail carrier employed by the U.S. Postal Service, failed to disclose income from other employment, resulting in the receipt of federal workers’ compensation benefits to which he was not entitled. It further alleges that Leon falsely represented his physical limitations in connection with his receipt of workers’ compensation benefits.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.
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. 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.
Five from Northeast Ohio indicted for firearms violationsRead the Press Release
Five men from Northeast Ohio were indicted on federal firearms charges, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.
Indicted in the unrelated cases are: Nicholas Martin, 37, of Cleveland; Terrence Trawick, 30, of Garfield Heights; Delvon Houser, 31, of Euclid; Vernell Jordan, 27, of Cleveland, and Marlon Clemons, 39, of Warrensville Heights.
“These are individuals with criminal records who have to business or right to carry firearms,” Sierleja said. “We will continue to work with federal agencies and local police to curb violence and prosecute gun offenses.”
“ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities,” Velinor said. “These indictments demonstrate our on-going commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”
Martin had a SCCY 9 mm pistol on March 2, despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for drug trafficking and improper discharge of a firearm into a habitation.
Trawick had a Taurus .380 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number on Feb. 11, despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for drug trafficking and robbery and a federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Houser had a Taurus .38 caliber revolver on Jan. 19 despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for robbery and felonious assault.
Jordan had a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol on March 1 despite a conviction in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for attempted felonious assault with a firearms specification.
Clemons had a Taurus .45 caliber pistol and ammunition on Jan. 23, despite prior convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for improper discharge of a firearm, robbery and felonious assault.
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, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
These cases are being prosecuted following investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Cleveland Division of Police and the Euclid 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.