Southern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Canal Winchester man sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for sexually exploiting minor femalesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jeffrey A. Fisher, 49, of Canal Winchester, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 200 months in prison for sexually exploiting at least three minor females between February and May 2019.
According to court documents, Fisher met a 14-year-old girl from Michigan through an online app and solicited nude photographs from the girl.
Fisher’s plea agreement details online conversations between him and the victim in which he makes sexually-explicit demands of the victim and states, “That was a test to see if you would be obedient” and “im [sic] testing you to see if you’ll obey and be a good slave.”
During their investigation into Fisher’s conduct, law enforcement officials discovered Fisher had also victimized female minors from Columbus, Ohio and New Jersey. Forensic examinations of Fisher’s and the victim’s electronics revealed sexually explicit photographs of the victims.
At the time of his offense, Fisher was a registered sex offender as the result of a local 2012 conviction. Fisher was convicted in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas of attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Hill is representing the United States in this case.
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Wilmington man charged with online threats, witness tampering regarding his participation in protests at U.S. CapitolRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Wilmington man has been charged federally with making interstate threats and threatening a witness. The crimes arise from the man’s alleged communications online related to his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the United States Capitol.
Justin Stoll, 40, was arrested this morning by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and appeared in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, at which time his case was unsealed.
According to an affidavit written in support of the criminal complaint pending against Stoll, he used the username “Th3RealHuckleberry” on the app Clapper and on YouTube to post videos related to his participation in the Capitol protests.
In one such video, it is alleged Stoll asks his viewers if he should wear a black United States flag shirt to D.C., stating, “Basically, if you are an enemy combatant, you will be shot on sight…I know this is the end-all flag…”
Stoll also allegedly posted videos of himself outside the Capitol with other protesters in which he said, among other things, “D.C.’s a war zone!...You ain’t got enough cops, baby! We are at war at the Capitol…. We have taken the Capitol. This is our country.”
According to the court document, Stoll received comments from concerned citizens in response to his YouTube videos, including from one user who said (s)he had saved Stoll’s video. Stoll responded via another video, in which he said, in part:
Well, that shows your f------ ignorance because, clearly, the capitol building is owned by the people, so again, nothing will happen. Secondly, I never admitted I went into it, did I? Go watch the video again. Daddy’s not stupid. [Wink.] Third, if you ever in your f------ existence did something to jeopardize taking me away from my family, you will absolutely meet your maker. You can play that for the D.A. in court, I don’t care. If you ever jeopardize me, from being with my family, you will absolutely meet your mother f------ maker, and I will be the one to arrange the meeting.
Interstate communication of a threat is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Tampering with a witness through intimidation carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan and Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia are representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Update on law enforcement search at 2448 Sullivant AvenueRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney David M. DeVillers confirmed today that human remains from two individuals were located during the execution of a search warrant on Jan. 14 at 2448 Sullivant Avenue.
Authorities are investigating the possibility that the bodies may be connected to the Aug. 26, 2018 missing persons report of Henry Clay Watson and Tera Lynn Pennington. The families of the missing persons have been notified and authorities are working to verify their identities.
The bodies were discovered partially dismembered, buried in the basement and covered in concrete.
This is a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Division of Police, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Franklin County Coroner’s Office and the Columbus Fire Department.
We are unable to provide any further details about this ongoing investigation.
Law enforcement authorities ask that anyone with related information call the HSI tip line at (866) DHS-2423.
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Former Hamilton County Deputy pleads guilty to using excessive forceRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Jason Mize, 34, of Cincinnati pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to using unreasonable force while acting under color of law.
According to plea documents, on August 20, 2016, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 61-year-old individual and brought him to the county Justice Center for processing.
While the victim was in medical intake, Mize approached the victim from behind and told the individual to stand. Mize then pushed the victim towards a holding cell, shoving the victim with such force that the victim collided headfirst with a concrete wall. The victim suffered bodily injury, including lacerations to his scalp and a leg fracture.
Depriving an individual of their civil rights while acting under color of law is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison if bodily injury results from the act. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Gaffney Painter and Ebunoluwa Taiwo are representing the United States in this case.
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Kentucky woman pleads guilty to aiding and abetting witness tampering in case involving murder of her ex-son-in-lawRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A Burlington, Ky. woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Dayton today to aiding and abetting her daughter in intimidating a witness after the murder of her ex-son-in-law.
Chandra Harmon, 57, admitted to aiding and abetting the intimidation of a witness after the August 2017 murder of Robert Caldwell. Harmon and her daughter, Tawnney Caldwell, attempted to prevent the witness from providing testimony to law enforcement about weapons provided to a co-defendant.
According to court documents, around 6pm on Aug. 15, 2017, Robert Caldwell and his three minor children left a counseling appointment in Riverside, Ohio. While crossing the parking lot, Robert Caldwell was shot multiple times by an assailant in front of his children and died at the scene. The assailant was later identified as co-defendant Sterling Roberts.
Tawnney Caldwell is the ex-wife of the murder victim and was the girlfriend of Sterling Roberts at the time of the incident. Chandra Harmon is Tawnney Caldwell’s mother and previous mother-in-law to Robert Caldwell.
Tawnney Caldwell and the murder victim had an ongoing dispute regarding the custody of their children and Tawnney Caldwell had talked to Sterling Roberts on at least two occasions (while Roberts was incarcerated in Montgomery County) about killing Robert Caldwell.
Sterling Roberts; his brothers, Chance Deakin and Christopher Roberts; Chandra Harmon (Tawnney’s mother); and James Harmon (Tawnney’s step-father) collaborated to plan, execute and cover-up the violent crime resulting in the death of Robert Caldwell.
Tawnney Caldwell pleaded guilty in October 2020 to interstate stalking resulting in death, and Roberts is scheduled for jury trial in U.S. District Court on March 15.
Harmon faces up to 20 years in prison for aiding and abetting the intimidation of a witness in this case. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30pm on May 6.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Riverside Police Chief Frank Robinson and Sugarcreek Township Police Chief Michael Brown announced the plea entered into today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Laura Clemmens are representing the United States in this case.
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Marietta doctor sentenced to 8 years in prison for illegally distributing opioid pain meds, health care fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Southeast Ohio doctor was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 96 months in prison for illegally prescribing controlled substances and defrauding health care programs.
A federal jury convicted Roger D. Anderson, 66, of Marietta, in March 2020.
Specifically, Anderson was convicted of one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances, eight counts of illegal dispensing of controlled substances and one count of committing health care fraud.
Anderson owned and operated Marietta Medical, which was located on Putnam Street in Marietta.
According to court documents and trial testimony, between January 2012 and March 2016, Anderson conspired with others to distribute opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone outside the scope of medical practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
Anderson pre-signed prescriptions for staff to complete and distribute to patients in his absence. Prescriptions were given to patients on days that Anderson did not examine them and by staff who were not legally qualified to give prescriptions. Further, the drugs would be distributed at a kiosk after hours inside the office complex Putnam Commons.
Anderson prescribed dangerous combinations of controlled substances, including those known as “Holy Trinity” (an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant) and “Speedballs” (a stimulant and an opioid).
One patient received four prescriptions issued in the same day for 10 Fentanyl patches, 120 Xanax pills, 180 Oxycodone pills and 180 pills of the acetaminophen-hydrocodone mix Norco. On that same date, the patient already had two other overlapping prescriptions for Fentanyl issued by Anderson.
Additionally, Anderson conspired to and committed health care fraud, defrauding the Ohio Medicaid and Medicare programs. Anderson caused the submission of claims for controlled substance that were prescribed in violation of Federal law.
“Anderson ignored blatant red flags that his patients were abusing and diverting the opioids he prescribed,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “He prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines to a pregnant patient and was banned by pharmacies. Today’s sentence is another reminder that if you act like a drug dealer, we will prosecute you like one.”
“Instead of helping and healing, this doctor fueled drug addictions,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “It’s appalling and I am thankful for the state and federal partnership that worked to stop this activity.”
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Anthony Groeber, Executive Director, State Medical Board of Ohio; Steven Schierholt, Executive Director, State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy; John Logue, Interim Administrator/CEO, Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation; and Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth F. Affeldt and Senior Litigation Counsel Douglas W. Squires represented the United States in this case.
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Federal authorities investigating any potential violations of federal law by residents of Southern District of Ohio at U.S. CapitolRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney David M. DeVillers reiterated today that his office, in coordination with the Cincinnati Division of the FBI, will investigate any potential violations of federal crime at the United States Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021 committed by individuals from the Southern District of Ohio.
“We are in continual contact with the FBI and they are actively investigating,” DeVillers said. “There is no set timeframe for investigations to conclude.”
Individuals in the Southern District of Ohio with information related to the commission of federal crimes at the Capitol are asked to contact the FBI at 513-421-4310. Additionally, tips may be submitted to the FBI at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
DeVillers noted federal statutes that may be applicable, including:
- 18 United States Code section 231 – Civil Disorder, which prohibits adversely affecting any federally protected function or obstructing any law enforcement officer from the performance of official duties, punishable by up to five years in prison.
- 18 United States Code section 2101 – The Federal Riot Act, which applies to anyone who traveled interstate to incite, promote, or participate in a riot. This includes anyone who aided or abetted individuals who carried on a riot or committed a violent crime in furtherance of a riot. The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.
- 18 United States Code section 2383 – Rebellion or insurrection. This law states that whoever incites, assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the United States faces up to 10 years in prison.
“Investigations are ongoing, and we are unable to comment further at this time,” DeVillers said.
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20th MS-13 member pleads guilty in violent racketeering conspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local man pleaded guilty in federal court in Columbus this morning to participating in a racketeering conspiracy on behalf of the transnational criminal organization MS-13.
In his plea, Juan Flores-Castro (also known as Juan Pablo Guerra-Flores and “Duende”), 32, of Columbus, accepts responsibility for committing murder and trafficking cocaine and marijuana on behalf of MS-13.
Parties involved in Flores-Castro’s case have recommended a sentence of 35 to 40 years in prison.
The defendant is one of 23 members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus charged in a February 2018 second superseding indictment. He is the twentieth defendant to plead guilty.
The defendants are charged in a racketeering conspiracy, which includes five murders as well as attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, assault, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation, weapons offenses and immigration-related violations.
Among other crimes, Flores-Castro is charged for his role in the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival 18th Street gang member. According to court documents, this homicide was carefully planned. Just after 3am on Dec. 4, 2016, MS-13 members waited outside the apartment of Martinez-Diaz and opened fire on him with pistols, shooting him multiple times and killing him. The members of the transnational gang then disposed of evidence of their crime. Flores-Castro admitted that he and other co-conspirators conducted surveillance of the victim, followed him home, and were in contact with the shooters in the moments leading up to the murder.
Flores-Castro pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin; and Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the guilty plea entered before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man pleads guilty to armed robberies at local Internet cafésRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man has agreed to plead guilty in a case involving the murder of a husband and wife in a local Internet café.
Desjuan R. Lee Harris, 25, offered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court today to two counts of robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Harris and others were indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2019 for crimes related to a string of robberies of Internet gaming businesses, including one robbery at Players Paradise on East Broad Street that resulted in murder on Jan. 20, 2019.
Chris A. King, 25, is charged with three counts of murder (including the murder of a witness), and Dezhan Townsend, 21, and Justice B. Stringer, 25, are each charged with two counts of murder, which is a death-eligible crime.
According to court documents, Townsend, Stringer and King robbed the Internet café at gunpoint and allegedly murdered security guard Joseph Arrington and then his wife, employee Karen Arrington.
Harris was charged as a co-defendant for his role in two robberies at local Internet cafés prior to Jan. 20, 2019.
According to his plea, Harris and Townsend robbed Players Paradise at gunpoint on Dec. 10, 2018 and fled with $30,000 in cash.
On Jan. 7, 2018, Harris and others committed armed robbery at Planet Jackpot on Alum Creek Drive. During that robbery, they stole approximately $2,400 in cash.
Robbery is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence involves a mandatory sentence of at least seven years on each count, to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. Congress sets the minimum maximum statutory sentence, and sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan and Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the plea offered today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case.
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U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers statement on Dec. 22 police-involved shootingRead the Press Release
“After speaking with Mayor Ginther and Ohio Attorney General Yost, I was informed that BCI was immediately notified of the fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred early yesterday. BCI is investigating this matter, as is policy with all shootings involving Columbus Division of Police. The mayor requested that the U.S. Attorney’s Office review the investigation for possible federal civil rights violations, and after consulting with Ohio Attorney General Yost, I agreed that my office will review the case as requested once BCI’s investigation is complete. This office will then consult with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office on how to proceed at the conclusion of our review.”
U.S. Attorney announces personnel awards, management appointmentsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney David M. DeVillers announced today his selections for annual awards for outstanding performance, new management appointments, and his district’s recipients of national director’s awards.
“There are so many employees – this year in particular – who are worthy of recognition. A lot of people have stepped up this year and performed their jobs in an extraordinary manner during a challenging time,” U.S. Attorney DeVillers said.
Mr. DeVillers presented seven internal awards.
Senior Litigation Council Douglas W. Squires was awarded Outstanding Performance by an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Mr. Squires was recognized for prosecuting a number of complex cases, including white collar and national security matters.
Outstanding Contribution to the Mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was awarded to Elizabeth Rabe, Andrew Hunt, Amy Smith, Ali Gezinski, Cathy Robillard, Leslie Ide and Acquanette Lindsay. The group was recognized for their action in response to the November 2019 shooting death of Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge Del Rio. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is currently prosecuting a number of related cases, and has filed murder, firearms and narcotics charges.
Cathy Robbilard was named as the recipient of the Outstanding Performance in Legal Support award for her work in handling the discovery in a number of murder cases in the Dayton office.
Administrative Officer Jessica Gourley was honored with the Outstanding Performance in Administration award this year. Ms. Gourley has led the district’s administrative team in keeping each of the district’s three offices functioning while safely addressing the Coronavirus pandemic.
Lillian Curtis was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Contract Employee. Ms. Curtis manages GSA requirements and the physical space of the Dayton office, where she primarily serves as the front desk receptionist.
Kevin Koller was recognized for his contributions to the district’s Appellate Division. Mr. Koller was involved in 29 appellate cases in some capacity in 2020, including two published decisions.
John Stark and Angela Trumbauer were recognized for their contributions to the district’s Civil Division, including managing demanding caseloads.
The United States Attorney also announced his appointments for three management positions, to be filled upon the retirement of Civil Chief Mark T. D’Alessandro and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Gary Spartis. Mr. D’Alessandro served the U.S. Attorney’s Office for 25 years, and Mr. Spartis for more than 33 years.
“These men are true public servants. They are humble, hard workers who dedicated their careers to the pursuit of justice for the citizens of the Southern District of Ohio,” U.S. Attorney DeVillers said. “Without a doubt, our district is better because of them.”
The new management selections include:
- Civil Chief – Matthew Horwitz,
- Deputy Civil Chief – Andrew M. Malek, and
- Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief – Jessica W. Knight
Mr. Horwitz joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a Civil AUSA in December 2012. In May 2014, Matt was designated the District’s Deputy Civil Chief, and he held that position until October 2020, when he became the District’s Civil Chief.
Mr. Malek has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio since 2002. He has served as the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Coordinator for the District since 2008, was appointed as a Senior Trial Counsel, and previously worked as an AUSA on defensive civil matters.
Ms. Knight joined the Southern District of Ohio as an Assistant United States Attorney in Cincinnati in 2012. She currently serves in the Columbus office and focuses on national security and white collar crime.
Finally, two district employees were selected this year as recipients of the Department of Justice 2020 Director’s Awards by the Executive Office of United States Attorneys in D.C. They include:
- Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney, Appellate – Mary Beth Young
Appellate Chief Young was recognized for successfully handling the appeal in the Columbus office’s Short North Posse prosecution, U.S. v Ledbetter et al. Ms. Young’s appellate work preserved life sentences for five members, including the de facto leader of the violent gang. The combined appeal raised 15 distinct claims.
- Superior Performance in Public Affairs – Jennifer Thornton
Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Thornton was recognized for clearly and accurately coordinating local, national and international media coverage of hundreds of cases and issues in the Southern District of Ohio. This included managing media surrounding cases and events like the United States’ first extradition of an alleged Chinese spy, federal charges arising out of the August 2019 mass shooting in Dayton, a priest from Cincinnati accused of sexually exploiting children in the Philippines, and others.
“I can’t imagine a more difficult time to do our job, and every single person in our district has met the challenge. Even with one arm tied behind our back, we’re working to make a difference and seek justice for the people in the Southern District of Ohio,” DeVillers added.
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U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers statement on investigation into shooting of Casey Goodson, Jr.Read the Press Release
“As the United States pursues a full and fair investigation into the death of Casey Goodson, Jr., I want to make clear that there is one criminal investigation underway through the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. It is a joint criminal civil rights investigation being conducted by the FBI, the Columbus Division of Police, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. We are working in partnership with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. We are obligated to follow the facts wherever they may lead. I have been in contact with current Franklin County Prosecutor, Ron O’Brien, and incoming Franklin County Prosecutor, Gary Tyack. We are in agreement that the facts and the law could lead to federal charges, to state charges, or to no charges at all. This is an ongoing investigation and no determination of whether any charges—federal or state—are warranted has been made.
Our goal is to conduct a thorough and accurate investigation without compromising the integrity and legitimacy of the investigation. This means we must balance the public’s interest in the investigation with a potential defendant’s right to a fair trial. Disclosing information prematurely or releasing potentially challenged evidence could severely jeopardize the investigation and any possible prosecution.
I met with the family of Mr. Goodson last week and I explained this delicate and critical balance. Mr. Goodson’s family made it clear that they are putting their trust in us to discharge our responsibilities fully and fairly. We intend to do everything in our power to honor that trust.”
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Ohio man who pretended to be missing Illinois boy sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – An Ohio man who pretended to be a missing Illinois boy was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft.
Michael Rini, 24, formerly of Medina, Ohio, was charged by criminal complaint on April 6, 2019 and indicted by a grand jury on April 18, 2019. He pleaded guilty in January 2020.
According to court documents, Newport, Ky. police officers responded to a call on April 3, 2019 in which the caller described Rini as wandering the street, looking confused and in need of assistance.
Rini told officers his name was a minor who had been abducted when he was six years old and he “just wanted to go home.”
Local authorities confirmed that the identity Rini provided was associated with a missing and possibly abducted child. Specifically, in 2011, the then six-year-old boy went missing from Aurora, Ill.
Posing as the missing child, Rini claimed he was 14 and had recently escaped from a hotel room in which two men had been holding him captive. He said he had been sexually and physically abused for years while in captivity and that he was having abdominal pain.
Rini was transferred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Emergency Room because of the complaint of abdominal pain, and there, FBI task force officers met with Rini to potentially investigate sex trafficking and crimes against children. FBI special agents and a detective from the Aurora, Ill. police department also spoke with Rini.
Rini continued to claim to be the missing boy throughout conversations in the hospital. He refused to provide his fingerprints to investigators at Children’s Hospital; however, eventually, he agreed to submit a buccal swab for DNA testing.
DNA test results confirmed Rini’s identity. As a prior felon, Rini’s DNA was known to the FBI. Ohio Department of Corrections records indicate Rini was released from an Ohio prison on March 7, 2019.
Once law enforcement officers confronted Rini about his true identity, Rini immediately stated he was not the missing child. He said he watched a story about the child on 20/20 and stated he wanted to get away from his own family.
Further investigation by the FBI found that Rini had allegedly portrayed himself as a juvenile sex trafficking victim on two prior occasions. In those instances, he was only identified once he was fingerprinted.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Robert Brown, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville, Ky. Division; Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac; Newport Police Chief Thomas Collins; Vance Callender, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco; Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil and officials with the Aurora, Ill. Police Department announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey and Deputy Criminal Chief Christy L. Muncy are representing the United States in this case.
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Man who worked at local research institute for 10 years pleads guilty to conspiring to steal trade secrets, sell them in ChinaRead the Press Release
press_release_translation.pdfCOLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Dublin, Ohio man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to conspiring to steal exosome-related trade secrets concerning the research, identification and treatment of a range of pediatric medical conditions.
Yu Zhou, 50, also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud.
Zhou admitted to conspiring to steal scientific trade secrets related to exosomes and exosome isolation from Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Research Institute for his own personal financial gain in China.
“The Chinese government has created a large-scale, sophisticated system to steal American ingenuity,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “We hope this conviction demonstrates that we will fight this system.”
“Zhou and his wife have both accepted responsibility for establishing a company in China to personally profit from the cutting-edge work done at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to protect the innovations that have made America a global leader.”
Zhou and his wife, Li Chen, 47, worked in separate medical research labs at the Research Institute for 10 years each (Zhou from 2007 until 2017 and Chen from 2008 until 2018). They conspired to steal trade secrets related to exosome research from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Exosomes play a key role in the research, identification and treatment of a range of medical conditions, including necrotizing enterocolitis (a condition found in premature babies), liver fibrosis and liver cancer.
According to his plea agreement, Zhou and Chen conspired to steal and then monetize one of the trade secrets by creating and selling exosome “isolation kits.” Zhou’s research at Nationwide Children’s included a novel isolation method in which exosomes could be isolated from one drop of blood. This method was vital to the research being conducted in Zhou’s lab – because necrotizing enterocolitis is a condition found primarily in premature babies, only small amounts of fluid can safely be taken from them.
The defendants admitted to starting a company in China to sell the isolation kits. They received benefits from the Chinese government, including the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Zhou and Chen were arrested in California in July 2019 and their case was unsealed in August 2019 when they appeared in federal court in Columbus. Chen pleaded guilty in July 2020 to conspiring to steal trade secrets and commit wire fraud.
As part of their pleas, the couple has agreed to forfeit property or gains associated with their crimes. For Chen, this included approximately $1.4 million, 500,000 shares of common stock of Avalon GloboCare Corp. and 400 shares of common stock of GenExosome Technologies, Inc. The details of Zhou’s forfeiture will be finalized through the sentencing process. A sentencing date has not been set yet for either defendant.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorneys S. Courter Shimeall, Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Michael Marous and National Security Division Trial Attorney Matthew J. McKenzie, are representing the United States in this case.
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Man Who Worked at Local Research Institute for 10 Years Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Steal Trade Secrets, Sell Them in ChinaRead the Press Release
A former Dublin, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to conspiring to steal exosome-related trade secrets concerning the research, identification and treatment of a range of pediatric medical conditions.
Yu Zhou, 50, also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud.
Zhou admitted to conspiring to steal scientific trade secrets related to exosomes and exosome isolation from Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Research Institute for his own personal financial gain in China.
“Today’s plea underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting American research and trade secrets from those incentivized to steal them by Chinese Government programs,” said John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “China’s endemic efforts to rob, replicate and replace products that they do not have the ability to develop themselves will not go unchecked, and those who seek to profit from the theft of trade secrets will be held accountable.”
“The Chinese government has created a large-scale, sophisticated system to steal American ingenuity,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “We hope this conviction demonstrates that we will fight this system.”
“Zhou and his wife have both accepted responsibility for establishing a company in China to personally profit from the cutting-edge work done at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to protect the innovations that have made America a global leader.”
Zhou and his wife, Li Chen, 47, worked in separate medical research labs at the Research Institute for 10 years each (Zhou from 2007 until 2017 and Chen from 2008 until 2018). They conspired to steal trade secrets related to exosome research from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Exosomes play a key role in the research, identification and treatment of a range of medical conditions, including necrotizing enterocolitis (a condition found in premature babies), liver fibrosis and liver cancer.
According to his plea agreement, Zhou and Chen conspired to steal and then monetize one of the trade secrets by creating and selling exosome “isolation kits.” Zhou’s research at Nationwide Children’s included a novel isolation method in which exosomes could be isolated from one drop of blood. This method was vital to the research being conducted in Zhou’s lab – because necrotizing enterocolitis is a condition found primarily in premature babies, only small amounts of fluid can safely be taken from them.
The defendants admitted to starting a company in China to sell the isolation kits. They received benefits from the Chinese government, including the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Zhou and Chen were arrested in California in July 2019 and their case was unsealed in August 2019 when they appeared in federal court in Columbus. Chen pleaded guilty in July 2020 to conspiring to steal trade secrets and commit wire fraud.
As part of their pleas, the couple has agreed to forfeit property or gains associated with their crimes. For Chen, this included approximately $1.4 million, 500,000 shares of common stock of Avalon GloboCare Corp. and 400 shares of common stock of GenExosome Technologies, Inc. The details of Zhou’s forfeiture will be finalized through the sentencing process.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorneys S. Courter Shimeall, Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Michael Marous and National Security Division Trial Attorney Matthew J. McKenzie, are representing the United States in this case.
Cambridge area psychiatrists to pay more than half million dollars in False Claims Act settlementRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a False Claims Act Settlement signed this week, two eastern Ohio psychiatrists and their practice group have agreed to pay more than $500,000 to the United States for submitting false claims to Medicare.
According to the settlement, Drs. Ali and Imad Melhelm submitted claims to Medicare from January 2013 through December 2019 that violated the False Claims Act. The doctors are practicing psychiatrists with Neurobehavioral Medicine Consultants, PC, Inc. (NMC), which provides mental health services and substance abuse treatments to patients in several states. Dr. Ali Melhelm is the owner of NMC. Both individuals served as treating psychiatrists at Cambridge Behavioral Hospital in Guernsey County. Ali Melhelm also served as the inpatient facility’s Medical Director.
The United States asserted that the doctors admitted medically ineligible patients to the hospital, improperly delayed patient discharges, and billed for services and visits that did not occur or were billed at a higher rate than was supported by the records.
As part of the settlement, the Melhelms will pay $549,092 to the United States, of which $274,546 is restitution.
Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew M. Malek, Brandi Stewart and Michael Downey are representing the United States in this case.
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Former comptroller of Catholic Diocese of Steubenville sentenced to prison for tax crimes, embezzlementRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The former comptroller of the Catholic Diocese of Steubenville was sentenced in federal court in Columbus today for failing to pay payroll taxes withheld from the paychecks of diocesan employees, filing false tax returns and embezzling $299,500 in diocesan funds between 2008 and 2017.
David A. Franklin, 67, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in July 2020 to one count of willful failure to account for and pay over employment tax, one count of making a false income tax return and one count of wire fraud. Today Franklin was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and two years of supervised release, and was also ordered to pay $1,332,885.04 in restitution.
According to court documents, from 2004 through 2016, Franklin caused payroll taxes to be withheld from employee paychecks for the Diocese of Steubenville and the Office of Social Ministry (a social services and charitable nonprofit in the Diocese), but did not pay the withheld funds over to the Internal Revenue Service. From 2013 through 2016, Franklin did the same thing at the Mount Calvary Cemetery Association.
As a result, the three Diocesan Entities later paid the IRS more than $2.7 million in withheld payroll taxes and the employer portion of the employment taxes that Franklin had caused not to be paid over. The Diocesan Entities also had to pay nearly $1 million in interest and penalties to the IRS that they otherwise would not have had to pay.
While he was failing to truthfully account for and pay over payroll taxes, Franklin also embezzled $299,500 from the Diocesan Entities by preparing fraudulent checks to be issued to himself. For four tax years, Franklin also filed false personal income tax returns, causing tax losses of more than $33,000.
The Court ordered Franklin to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution. Restitution will go to the Diocese of Steubenville, the Office of Social Ministry, the Mount Calvary Cemetery Association, and the IRS. Franklin was also ordered to forfeit the nearly $300,000 he embezzled.
“The Diocesan Entities provide support to individuals and families, youth educational programs, a thrift store, an emergency food bank and more,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “Franklin’s actions cost the Diocese – and the community – $1.3 million. Today’s sentence and restitution order show that, in the long run, it does not pay to cheat the government or embezzle. Not only will you be left without your criminal proceeds, you’ll spend time in prison.”
U.S. Attorney DeVillers and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Bryant Jackson announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Jane Hanlin are representing the United States in this case.
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Federal authorities to review shooting of Casey GoodsonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney David M. DeVillers announced today the U.S. Attorney’s Office – in coordination with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, the Cincinnati Division of the FBI and the Columbus Division of Police – will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dec. 4, 2020 shooting of Casey Goodson and take appropriate action if the evidence indicates any federal civil rights laws were violated.
As this matter is ongoing, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.
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Columbus man sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing methamphetamineRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shottuan Deshawn Galloway, aka “Pablo”, 27 of Columbus was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 120 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine in Columbus.
A multi-agency investigation into meth trafficking in west Columbus gathered evidence in August 2019 that Galloway was selling meth. The evidence included an undercover agent purchasing meth from Galloway in a restaurant parking lot. A grand jury indicted Galloway in November 2019. Galloway was ordered held without bond following his indictment. He pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison on August 11, 2020 to one count of distributing more than 50 grams of meth. Judge Morrison imposed the sentence today. The sentence includes five years of court supervision after Galloway serves his prison time. Judge Morrison also ordered Galloway to receive substance abuse treatment while in custody.
Another person indicted along with Galloway, Jharen Page, 32, of Columbus, was sentenced on October 27, 2020 to 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy and distribution of meth. Charges are pending against a third defendant.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the sentence. In addition, the police departments in Upper Arlington and Westerville, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are part of the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Sheila Lafferty is representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati man who allegedly advertised online for babysitting jobs arrested on federal child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man alleged to be seeking babysitting jobs online was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged federally with possessing and transporting child pornography.
Ryan J. McConnell, 29, appeared in U.S. District Court for an initial appearance at 1:30pm today, at which time his case was unsealed.
According to court documents, FBI agents in El Paso, Texas, acting in an undercover capacity on Kik messenger discovered McConnell through a group called “Toddlers.” Members within this group distributed hundreds of videos and images of child rape.
It is alleged McConnell’s phone contained child pornography depicting pre-pubescent and pubescent boys engaged in sexually explicit conduct while wearing diapers.
Additionally, it is alleged McConnell actively sought work as a babysitter from approximately 2010 until present on a number of websites, including SitterCity.com, Care.com, Craigslist.org and possibly others. For example, criminal complaint documents allege McConnell was registered for three SitterCity accounts and had created at least 20 Craigslist ads offering childcare and/or babysitting services as recently as late October 2020.
The FBI believes that there are potentially more victims associated with this case. They ask anyone in the Tri-State area who may be a victim of McConnell’s alleged conduct to contact their office at 513-979-8611.
Transporting child pornography is a federal crime punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. Possessing child pornography carries a potential maximum of 10 years in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney DeVillers launches fentanyl awareness campaignRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney David M. DeVillers announced today the Fentanyl in Narcotic Drugs Awareness Project (FIND Awareness Project), a messaging campaign aimed at warning the public that any drug cut with fentanyl is deadly.
In 2020, at least 84 percent of overdose deaths in Franklin County involved fentanyl. From January through June 2020, overdoses increased more than 73 percent when compared to the same time period in 2019.
The FIND Awareness Project includes billboards that will be placed in the Columbus zip codes experiencing the highest rates of overdose deaths. The billboards warn users of the recently increasing prevalence of fentanyl in stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine and in pressed pills like street Oxy and Xanax. The signs also encourage the public to learn more about treatment and resources at FINDawarenessproject.com and FindTreatment.gov.
Targeted social media ads and sites will link individuals to a treatment database searchable by community, overdose statistics, information about law enforcement initiatives and outreach, and a way to report suspected drug activity.
“We will go after the cartels from every angle, and we will continue to investigate and prosecute high-level drug dealers,” U.S. Attorney DeVillers said. “At the same time, we also hope to reduce demand for their products by encouraging people to save their lives and seek treatment. Addiction does not have to be deadly.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office created the campaign with funding from the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and assistance from Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
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Columbus man sentenced to 200 months in prison for running Ohio-to-West Virginia drug operationRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Solomon K. Gebretekle, 22, of Columbus, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 200 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine and heroin in and around Charleston, W.Va.
According to court documents, Gebretekle (also known as Diablo), regularly traveled from Ohio to West Virginia to sell narcotics to drug seekers there. After being arrested on a federal criminal complaint in January 2019, Gebretekle continued to direct the drug operation from jail.
In intercepted jail calls, Gebretekle gave specific instructions to a co-conspirator in order to further his drug business. In one jail call, Gebretekle threatens one of his narcotics customers regarding the explicit consequences he faced if the customer did not pay his drug debt to the defendant.
Gebretekle pleaded guilty in March 2020 to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 100 grams of heroin. He also pleaded guilty to a substantive count of possessing the more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorney Salvador A. Dominguez is representing the United States in this case, and the Charleston, W. Va. DEA field office assisted in the investigation.
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Dayton man sentenced to 19 years in prison for armed robberiesRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A 22-year-old Dayton man was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today for committing at least five armed robberies.
Marquice Murray was sentenced to 230 months in prison for robbing local cell phone stores and retail establishments at gunpoint.
According to court documents, in December 2019, Murray brandished a firearm while robbing the Boost Mobile store on West Third Street in Dayton. After committing the robbery, Murray fled the store and, as a security guard actively pursued him, discharged a 9mm handgun toward the security guard.
Murray brandished firearms on at least four other occasions while committing robbery. He robbed the Boost Mobile on North Main Street in Dayton twice, in October and November 2019. He committed armed robbery at two different Family Dollar Stores (on Salem and Siebenthaler avenues in Dayton) in December 2019.
Murray pleaded guilty in August 2020 to brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime and to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller is representing the United States in this case.
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Former Cincinnati City Council president sentenced to prison for honest services wire fraud through briberyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Former Cincinnati City Council president pro tem Tamaya Dennard, 41, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 18 months in prison for accepting $15,000 in bribe money she sought and accepted as payment in exchange for her vote on a proposal before council.
“Dennard chose to enrich herself at the expense of the public,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “In doing so, she violated the public’s trust in her and also undermined our democratic values and institutions. She also earned herself time in federal prison.”
Dennard pleaded guilty in June 2020 to one count of honest services wire fraud.
According to court documents, in August 2019, Dennard contacted someone she knew who had business before the Cincinnati City Council and sought money, including by sending the individual a text message saying, “If you are willing to meet with me, I’m sure that I will be able to help you.” Dennard received $10,000 on September 9, 2019 and $5,000 in cash about two weeks later in exchange for promising to provide and providing favorable official action.
Her sentence includes a $15,000 money judgment against her and three years of supervised release following imprisonment. Dennard was ordered to report to prison in March 2021.
“When public officials engage in corruption, trust in government is eroded and the entire community suffers,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman. “The FBI will continue to root out corruption and hold public officials accountable for their unlawful actions.”
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Singer are representing the United States in this case.
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20 more individuals charged federally as part of Cincinnati gun violence reduction initiativeRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Nineteen Cincinnati men and one woman were charged federally in a second wave of cases related to reducing local gun violence. Six of the defendants were arrested late last week and over the weekend, and 13 were already in state custody. One defendant remains a fugitive.
U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers, ATF Special Agent in Charge Roland Herndon, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac and Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil announced the cases as the latest enforcement as part of a gun violence reduction initiative. In late September, the officials announced gun-related charges filed against 16 other individuals in Cincinnati.
The aim of the initiative is to identify repeat and dangerous offenders for federal prosecution.
“Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories, including being a felon, convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense or under a court authorized restraining order. These crimes can be punished by up to 10 years in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “It is our hope that concentrating on this sector of the criminal population will have an impact on reducing the unprecedented level of violence occurring in Cincinnati.”
Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. Defendants convicted of these crimes face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison.
Those charged include:
Name
Age
Myrick Barber
23
Darrel Berry
20
Recardo Brooks
40
Jarred Cotton
32
*Orlando Crawford
42
Miles Ford
35
Donte Graves
37
Tarrell Gross
41
Lamont Holly
26
Deion Jennings
26
Kelsey Klopp
24
Brandon Mathews
29
Harold Moore
27
Tamon Sheldon
30
Donovan Shorter
27
Ryan Stoll
23
Charles Sullivan
28
Antonio Thomas
32
Airon Watson
28
Yancey White
34
“ATF’s primary mission is to identify individuals who are harming our communities through acts of violence,” stated Roland Herndon, ATF’s Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. “These indictments are just one phase of these efforts. Be aware, if you choose to use firearms to commit crimes, ATF and our law enforcement partners will be there as always, working to hold you accountable for those acts.”
“These indictments are an example of our continued effort to work with our Federal partners to hold people accountable for harming our community through gun violence,” said Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac.
Nineteen of the defendants are charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Darrel Berry is charged only with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and Antonio Thomas is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in addition to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Jennings, Klopp, Mathews, Sullivan, Thomas and White were arrested in the past four days.
Crawford remains a fugitive. His criminal history includes involuntary manslaughter, aggravated armed robbery and aggravated robbery, domestic violence and drug trafficking.
Law enforcement officials ask the public to call 1-888-ATF-TIPS with any information regarding Crawford’s whereabouts. The ATF is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of Crawford.
Indictments and criminal complaints merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Cincinnati city council member arrested, charged with accepting $40k in bribesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – FBI agents arrested a Cincinnati city council member this morning after a federal grand jury charged him in a sealed indictment yesterday.
Alexander (also known as P.G.) Sittenfeld, 36, of Cincinnati, allegedly accepted eight checks totaling $40,000 in exchange for specific action in his role as a city official.
According to the six-count indictment, Sittenfeld accepted bribe money in 2018 and 2019, while promising to “deliver the votes” and perform other official action with respect to a development project before city council.
It is alleged that Sittenfeld corruptly solicited and received payments to a PAC he controlled.
Specifically, in November and December 2018, Sittenfeld promised he could “deliver the votes” in city council to support a development project in exchange for four $5,000 contributions to his PAC. It is alleged that Sittenfeld again corruptly accepted four $5,000 checks in September and October 2019.
For example, the indictment details that in November 2018, Sittenfeld indicated to undercover agents posing as investors that he would shepherd votes for the development project. He allegedly presented voting data showing that he is politically popular throughout Cincinnati and said he is likely to be the next mayor. Sittenfeld said, “I can move more votes than any other single person…,” according to the indictment. He allegedly reiterated in December 2018, “don’t let these be my famous last words, but I can always get a vote to my left or a vote to my right.”
Over the next several months, it is alleged Sittenfeld told the investors he was continuing to apply pressure, and promised to apply additional pressure, to public officials relating to their agreement involving the development project.
Sittenfeld is charged with two counts each of honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years in prison), bribery (up to 10 years) and attempted extortion by a government official (up to 20 years).
His initial appearance is scheduled for 1:30pm today.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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US Attorney announces plan to encourage safe policing practicesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, today announced that state, local and college police departments in Ohio must meet new safe policing standards regarding use of force, performance management and community engagement if they intend to apply for discretionary grants from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The new standards are a result of President Trump’s June Executive Order 13929, Safe Policing for Safe Communities.
The Executive Order requires that law enforcement agencies be certified by independent credentialing agencies. The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) and the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program has been selected as the independent credentialing agency for Ohio.
“Following these standards will make sure that law enforcement agencies in the Southern District of Ohio are using safe practices and have policies in place to ensure transparent, safe and accountable services to our communities,” DeVillers said. “We are working with OCJS and reaching out to law enforcement agencies throughout the District to make them aware of the new standards and the certification process.”
The President’s Order requires agencies to meet two standards in order to be successfully credentialed: 1) that the agency’s use of force policies prohibit chokeholds, except in situations where the use of deadly force is allowed by law; and 2) that the agency’s use of force policies adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
The Department’s certification standards encourage an independent assessment of law enforcement policies and procedures, such as: 1) training protocols on use of force; 2) training protocols on de-escalation; 3) the scope of an officer’s duty and obligation to intervene in order to prevent excessive force by another officer; 4) when and how an officer should provide appropriate medical care; 5) officers identifying themselves as law enforcement and giving verbal warning of their intent to use deadly force; and 6) shooting at or from a moving vehicle. Additionally, law enforcement agencies are encouraged to implement early intervention systems to promote officer wellness and to identify officers who may be at risk of violating use of force policies, policies and procedures to help them recruit and promote the best and brightest, and community engagement plans to address each community’s specific needs.
By January 31, 2021, agencies must have received certification or be in the process of getting certified if they plan to apply for discretionary grants, sometimes known as competitive grants, during this fiscal year.
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Dayton business owner pleads guilty to COVID relief fraudRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Nadine Consuelo Jackson, 32, of Dayton, Ohio, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman today to wire fraud related to two coronavirus relief Paycheck Protection Program loans. She also pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a bank within the jurisdiction of a federal agency related to financial assistance for businesses who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to court records, Consuelo Jackson fraudulently sought forgivable loans in the amount of $1.3 million and $1.2 million from the Small Business Administration by claiming to have 73 employees earning wages at a Dayton-based private investigation and security services business, Extract LLC. In actuality, there were few to no other employees working at Extract LLC. Consuelo Jackson also allegedly submitted false tax documents in support of her fraud.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 27, 2020 designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with an interest rate of one percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by the business on certain permissible expenses like payroll costs. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be entirely forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time and uses a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses. The amount of PPP funds a business may receive is determined by multiplying its average monthly payroll costs incurred during a specified period.
In Ohio, licensed Class A private investigation and security services businesses must register any employees of their business with the state. The only employee listed for Extract LLC is Nadine Jackson, named as an “Investigator/Caregiver.”
According to court documents, on two occasions Consuelo Jackson listed 73 Extract LLC employees with payroll wages totaling approximately $500,000 on loan application reports. Loans totaling more than $1 million were initially wired to Consuelo Jackson’s accounts and then flagged. The bank recalled one loan and the Government seized the other.
Court documents say Consuelo Jackson also applied for and received more than $46,000 in Economic Injury Disaster loan funding. It is alleged in her loan application, Consuelo Jackson stated Extract LLC had 8 employees. She then wired the funds in five transactions to another account. A seizure warrant was obtained to seize that money as well.
According to court documents, four “employees” named on Consuelo Jackson’s applications were interviewed by agents and stated they did not work for the company. Three of the individuals interviewed stated they had never heard of Extract LLC.
Consuelo Jackson has agreed to forfeit $1,290,817.00 to the U.S. Government as a result of her crimes.
Wire fraud is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Making a false statement within the jurisdiction of a federal agency carries a potential maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Donald Abram, Special Agent in Charge, Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth R. Rabe and Peter K. Glenn-Applegate are representing the United States in this case.
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Former postal carrier sentenced to prison for stealing, selling meth & marijuana contained in mail packagesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former United States Postal Carrier was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 24 months in prison for stealing mail parcels that contained narcotics and then selling those narcotics in his neighborhood.
Ricky Lee Harris Germany, 33, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in September 2019 to one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and a detectable amount of marijuana.
According to court documents, Germany had been employed as a city postal carrier at the United States Postal Service’s Oakland Park Station in Columbus from 2013 until 2018.
In September 2018, investigators received information that Germany had stolen mail parcels containing marijuana while employed as a postal carrier. According to a complainant, Harris Germany stole more than 100 pounds of marijuana over the course of six months. The complainant stated Harris Germany would look for large parcels from California, Texas and Arizona and would check the packages on his lunch break to see if they contained drugs.
The investigation revealed Germany intercepted mail parcels on multiple occasions from delivery routes other than his assigned route. During a search of his residence, investigators discovered opened packages containing marijuana, THC oil and methamphetamine.
Germany admitted to stealing mail coming from out of state and selling stolen narcotics to people in his neighborhood.
Kenneth Cleevely, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) Eastern Area Field Office, stated: “Postal employees are paid to deliver the mail, not steal from it and sell drugs in our community. When employees like Germany choose to use their position to go into the drug dealing business, Special Agents with the USPS OIG will work with our law enforcement partners to arrest them and put them in federal prison. To report crimes committed by postal employees, or to report drug dealers using the postal system, contact us at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Cleevely announced the sentence imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J.C. Grey represented the United States in this case.
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Columbus man charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man has been charged federally with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The charge was filed against Angelo S. Blackwell, 22, this afternoon. Blackwell has a prior burglary felony offense at the local level, as well as two currently pending firearms charges.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on Nov. 12, special agents and task force officers with ATF were conducting surveillance related to an ongoing investigation into two armed carjackings and a burglary of a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) that resulted in the theft of 16 firearms.
Officers conducted a traffic stop of Blackwell when he allegedly fled in his vehicle, according to the court document.
The affidavit details that while fleeing from the officers, Blackwell was traveling west on E. Fulton Street and made a left hand turn (southbound) on Kelton Ave., which is a one way, northbound street. Just through the turn it is alleged Blackwell collided with a vehicle driven by an ATF agent who was traveling northbound on Kelton Ave.
According to the affidavit, Blackwell was observed in possession of a firearm. He allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and began to run with the firearm visible in his right hand, in the direction of other uniformed CPD officers and citizens. An ATF agent fired his weapon and struck Blackwell.
The agent’s use of force will be subject to routine review by the ATF’s Force Review Branch in D.C. and by the Columbus Division of Police’s Critical Incident Response Team.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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University researcher pleads guilty to lying on grant applications to develop scientific expertise for ChinaRead the Press Release
TranslationCOLUMBUS, Ohio – A rheumatology professor and researcher with strong ties to China pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal authorities as part of an immunology research fraud scheme.
Song Guo Zheng, 58, of Hilliard, appeared in federal court today, at which time his guilty plea was accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
As part of his plea, Zheng admitted he lied on applications in order to use approximately $4.1 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop China’s expertise in the areas of rheumatology and immunology.
Zheng was a professor of internal medicine who led a team conducting autoimmune research at The Ohio State University and Pennsylvania State University. According to his plea, Zheng caused materially false and misleading statements on NIH grant applications, seeking to hide his participation in Chinese Talent Plans and his affiliation and collaboration with a Chinese university controlled by the Chinese government. Making false statements to the federal government is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Zheng was arrested Friday, May 22, 2020, after he arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, aboard a charter flight and as he prepared to board another charter flight to China. When he was arrested, he was carrying three large bags, one small suitcase and a briefcase containing two laptops, three cell phones, several USB drives, several silver bars, expired Chinese passports for his family, deeds for property in China and other items.
He was transported to the Southern District of Ohio and made his first federal court appearance in Columbus on July 7, 2020.
“Federal research funding is provided by the American tax payers for the benefit of American society—not as a subsidy for the Chinese Government,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. “The American people deserve total transparency when federal dollars are being provided for research, and we will continue to hold accountable those who choose to lie about their foreign government affiliations in an attempt to fraudulently gain access to these funds.”
“The FBI and its partners are a unified front in protecting taxpayer-funded research, so there is no escape for those who break America’s laws. Whether it’s a midnight flight through Alaska or hiding in plain sight, we will find you and bring you to justice,” stated Alan E. Kohler, Jr., Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division.
“Zheng promised China he would enhance the country’s biomedical research. He was preparing to flee the United States after he learned that his American employer had begun an administrative process into whether or not he was complying with American taxpayer-funded grant rules,” said David M. DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Today’s plea reinforces our proven commitment to protect our country’s position as a global leader in research and innovation, and to punish those who try to exploit and undermine that position.”
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners continue to engage with universities to protect sensitive research from being illegally transferred to foreign governments,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman. “Today's plea represents an acknowledgement by Zheng not only of his violation of the trust given to him by the U.S. government in the form of federal grant funds, but also of norms for research integrity and an abuse of the openness and transparency in the U.S. academic system.”
“The purpose of reporting potential conflicts of interest is to protect the integrity of professional judgement and ensure the public’s trust in the research being conducted,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “This defendant violated that trust by failing to report his financial interests and affiliations with foreign parties in an effort to improperly obtain research grant funding through the National Institutes of Health. The OIG is committed to identifying and investigating instances where individuals intentionally fail to report or falsify information regarding their sources of research support in order to ensure the proper use of taxpayer dollars.”
According to court documents, since 2013, Zheng had been participating in a Chinese Talent Plan, a program established by the Chinese government to recruit individuals with knowledge or access to foreign technology intellectual property. Since that time, Zheng used research conducted in the United States to benefit the People’s Republic of China. Zheng failed to disclose conflicts of interest or his foreign commitments to his American employers or to the NIH.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney DeVillers acknowledged the assistance of the Anchorage FBI Division who arrested Zheng, interviewed him and executed multiple warrants while he was detained, and the assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska. This case was investigated by the FBI and Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas W. Squires and S. Courter Shimeall, Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher N. St. Pierre, and Trial Attorney Matthew J. McKenzie with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are representing the United States in this case.
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University Researcher Pleads Guilty to Lying on Grant Applications to Develop Scientific Expertise for ChinaRead the Press Release
A rheumatology professor and researcher with strong ties to China pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal authorities as part of an immunology research fraud scheme.
Song Guo Zheng, 58, of Hilliard, appeared in federal court today, at which time his guilty plea was accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
“Federal research funding is provided by the American tax payers for the benefit of American society — not as a subsidy for the Chinese Government,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. “The American people deserve total transparency when federal dollars are being provided for research, and we will continue to hold accountable those who choose to lie about their foreign government affiliations in an attempt to fraudulently gain access to these funds.”
“The FBI and its partners are a unified front in protecting taxpayer-funded research, so there is no escape for those who break America’s laws. Whether it’s a midnight flight through Alaska or hiding in plain sight, we will find you and bring you to justice,” said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler, Jr. of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division.
“Zheng promised China he would enhance the country’s biomedical research. He was preparing to flee the United States after he learned that his American employer had begun an administrative process into whether or not he was complying with American taxpayer-funded grant rules,” said David M. DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Today’s plea reinforces our proven commitment to protect our country’s position as a global leader in research and innovation, and to punish those who try to exploit and undermine that position.”
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners continue to engage with universities to protect sensitive research from being illegally transferred to foreign governments,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman. “Today's plea represents an acknowledgement by Zheng not only of his violation of the trust given to him by the U.S. Government in the form of federal grant funds, but also of norms for research integrity and an abuse of the openness and transparency in the U.S. academic system.”
“The purpose of reporting potential conflicts of interest is to protect the integrity of professional judgment and ensure the public’s trust in the research being conducted,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “This defendant violated that trust by failing to report his financial interests and affiliations with foreign parties in an effort to improperly obtain research grant funding through the National Institutes of Health. The OIG is committed to identifying and investigating instances where individuals intentionally fail to report or falsify information regarding their sources of research support in order to ensure the proper use of taxpayer dollars.”
As part of his plea, Zheng admitted he lied on applications in order to use approximately $4.1 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop China’s expertise in the areas of rheumatology and immunology.
Zheng was a professor of internal medicine who led a team conducting autoimmune research at The Ohio State University and Pennsylvania State University. According to his plea, Zheng caused materially false and misleading statements on NIH grant applications, seeking to hide his participation in Chinese Talent Plans and his affiliation and collaboration with a Chinese university controlled by the Chinese government. Making false statements to the federal government is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Zheng was arrested Friday, May 22, 2020, after he arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, aboard a charter flight and as he prepared to board another charter flight to China. When he was arrested, he was carrying three large bags, one small suitcase and a briefcase containing two laptops, three cell phones, several USB drives, several silver bars, expired Chinese passports for his family, deeds for property in China and other items.
He was transported to the Southern District of Ohio and made his first federal court appearance in Columbus on July 7, 2020.
According to court documents, since 2013, Zheng had been participating in a Chinese Talent Plan, a program established by the Chinese government to recruit individuals with knowledge or access to foreign technology intellectual property. Since that time, Zheng used research conducted in the United States to benefit the People’s Republic of China. Zheng failed to disclose conflicts of interest or his foreign commitments to his American employers or to the NIH.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas W. Squires and S. Courter Shimeall, Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher N. St. Pierre, and Trial Attorney Matthew J. McKenzie with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are representing the United States in this case.
Six Central Ohio individuals charged on Valentine’s Day sentenced for laundering funds from victims of online romance fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The final apprehended defendant in a money laundering scheme connected to online romance fraud was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today.
Kwabena M. Bonsu, 32, of Westerville, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for his role in laundering the proceeds of a scheme that defrauded victims nationwide out of more than $3 million total. Bonsu brought other participants into the conspiracy and directed the actions of some of the other members of the conspiracy. He had direct connections to scammers in Ghana who were conducting romance fraud and needed help from people in the United States to get victims’ money from the United States to Ghana.
Six of eight Central Ohio defendants originally charged on Valentine’s Day 2018 have offered guilty pleas and been sentenced in U.S. District Court. Two of the defendants remain fugitives.
Those originally charged in the conspiracy also include: Kwasi A. Oppong (sentenced to 18 months in prison), Kwame Ansah, John Y. Amoah (33 months in prison), Samuel Antwi, King Faisal Hamidu (42 months in prison), Nkosiyoxoxo Msuthu (42 months in prison) and Cynthia Appiagyei (30 months of probation).
Ansah and Antwi are at-large.
According to court documents, individuals committing fraud created several profiles on online dating sites. They then contacted men and women throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries with whom they cultivated a sense of affection, and often, romance.
After establishing relationships, perpetrators of the romance scams requested money, typically for investment or need-based reasons and provided account information and directions for where money should be sent. In part, these accounts were controlled by the defendants. The funds were not used for the investment or need-based reasons provided.
The defendants in this case did not perpetrate the romance fraud, but instead laundered the funds from the fraud scheme, using companies and bank accounts in their control. In furtherance of the scheme, Bonsu and his co-conspirators created several companies, some of which were shell companies, to help attempt to hide the true nature of their proceeds. They withdrew the proceeds in cash, wired funds to their coconspirators and to other accounts, and used the fraud proceeds to purchase salvaged vehicles sold online. The financial transactions were meant to conceal the fraud. The cars were commonly exported to Ghana.
The purchase and shipment of vehicles helped conceal the fact that members of the conspiracy were sending proceeds of romance fraud overseas. Some members of the conspiracy found people in Ghana who wanted to purchase vehicles. The people in Ghana who wanted the cars would pay the perpetrators of the romance fraud scheme in Ghana. Under this method, money did not have to be wired overseas, which would have risked attracting the scrutiny of financial institutions.
In total, the defendants laundered more than $3.3 million in proceeds from romance scams.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Bryant Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Cincinnati Field Office; Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Division; and Vance Callender, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate is representing the United States in this case.
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T&A Crips member who led Columbus-to-Portsmouth drug operation sentenced to 15 years in prisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – One of 19 defendants charged in a Columbus gang-related racketeering conspiracy was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 180 months in prison.
Eric Henderson, Sr., 41, participated extensively in planning and organizing the gang’s Portsmouth, Ohio, drug operation by recruiting accomplices and co-conspirators to carry out the trafficking.
T&A Crips derived its name from Trevitt and Atcheson streets in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, where its members predominantly reside. T&A controlled the neighborhood through intimidation, fear and violence. Gang members were expected to retaliate with acts of violence when their members and associates were disrespected, threatened, intimidated or subjected to acts of violence.
Specifically, the co-conspirators in this case are charged with five murders:
the murder of Franky Tention on July 1, 2012, in the area of 431 Ellison Street;
the murder of William Moore on March 15, 2013;
the murder of Marvin Ector on December 23, 2013, on East 5th Avenue;
the murder of Quincy Story on January 24, 2015; and
the murder of Deaonte Fisher on March 4, 2016.
T&A engaged in a long-term operation of consistent transportation of heroin and crack from Columbus to Portsmouth, Ohio, for sale in various “trap houses.” In the summer of 2015, T&A, under the leadership of Henderson, Sr. began to deliver large amounts of heroin, crack and oxycodone from Columbus to Portsmouth on a weekly basis. Female associates and drug-addicted “mules” transported the drugs at the direction of T&A members and associates. The drugs were then sold on a daily basis out of a number of “trap houses” in Portsmouth controlled by T&A members.
Henderson, Sr., also known as “Easy,” pleaded guilty in March 2019 to conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan; United States Marshal Pete Tobin and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati City Council Member and his business partner charged with accepting bribesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged a Cincinnati city councilman and his business partner in a conspiracy involving honest services wire fraud, bribery, attempted extortion by a government official and money laundering.
Jeffrey Pastor, 36, of Cincinnati, allegedly solicited and received $55,000 in bribes between August 2018 and February 2019 in exchange for promised official action related to projects before the City of Cincinnati.
Pastor’s business partner, Tyran Marshall, 35, of Cincinnati, allegedly acted as a middleman in receiving bribes payments.
For example, according to the 10-count indictment that was returned on Nov. 4 and unsealed today, in September 2018, Pastor and Marshall flew to Miami, Fla. on a private plane to meet with investors regarding a real estate development project. Pastor never paid for or disclosed the trip. During the trip, Pastor allegedly explained he would ensure favorable action on behalf of the city for the project and could receive money through Marshall’s non-profit entity Ummah Strength, LLC (which had been incorporated two weeks prior). Pastor discussed “compensation” and agreed to accept $15,000 for helping with the project. He said the purpose of Marshall’s entity was to “sanitize” the money. Pastor accepted $15,000 in cash about a week later.
Pastor and Marshall allegedly solicited and received another $20,000 in October and November 2018. They allegedly received two $10,000 payments in exchange for Pastor’s official city action benefitting a second project.
From January 2019 through early March 2019, Pastor allegedly continued to attempt to secure more bribe money for help on a city project.
Pastor and Marshall each appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman.
Pastor is charged with each of the 10 counts in the indictment: one count of conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years in prison), two counts of honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years), three counts of bribery (up to 10 years), three counts of attempted extortion by a government official (up to 20 years) and one count of money laundering (up to 20 years).
Marshall is charged with four crimes: one count of conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years in prison), one count of bribery (up to 10 years), one count of attempted extortion (up to 20 years) and one count of money laundering (up to 20 years).
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Former employee sentenced to prison for embezzling from HondaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Charles Michael Stratton, 63, of Fairborn, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering. Stratton was also ordered to pay more than $750,000 in restitution to his former employer, Honda, and $10,000 to Scioto Industrial Services.
“Stratton devised not just one, but multiple methods for defrauding Honda of more than three-quarters of a million dollars,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “The defendant skimmed from overages, arranged for double billing, and approved false invoices. Now, he will spend time in federal prison.”
Stratton served as the Facilities Manager for Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, from 2008 until March 2015. In his role, he oversaw various vendor contracts, including those for security services, janitorial services, food service and uniform/laundry on behalf of Honda.
Acrux Investigation Agency, located in Lakeview, provided physical and personal security services for Honda. Surmount, also located in Lakeview, was a subsidiary of Acrux and provided monitoring services to Honda.
Stratton executed a scheme to defraud Honda using Acrux and Surmount by creating multiple purchase orders for payments in amounts just under $100,000, a threshold in which additional oversight and approval is required.
Using these purchase orders, as well as the main labor contract, Stratton caused Acrux and Surmount to submit false invoices to Honda and instructed them to keep the money in a “future fund.” Money allocated to the future fund was then used, in part, to pay Stratton directly or through his organization, SAFE. Springfield Area Fastball Elites, Inc. (SAFE) was an Ohio non-profit created by Stratton to support local baseball teams; however, SAFE lost its classification as a 501(c)(3) in 2010.
Stratton was indicted by a grand jury in May 2018 and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering in October 2019.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed on Nov. 6 by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James L Graham. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica W. Knight and Peter K. Glenn-Applegate represented the United States in this case.
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4 Cincinnati individuals charged in human trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Four individuals facing human trafficking conspiracy and attempt charges made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court today. Each of the defendants is charged with a crime punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, Doyenn J. Clayborne, 34; ChaKirah Ala Shae Stephens, 22; Kionte Hashiem Anderson, 19; and Joleen Marie Smith, 44; were arrested on Oct. 29. as part of a FBI and Blue Ash Police Department operation targeting human trafficking.
Blue Ash police officers and FBI agents encountered the defendants as part of the operation at a Blue Ash hotel.
It is alleged the four defendants conspired to sell 16-year-old minor females for sex.
In addition to audio recordings of the defendants discussing logistics for providing underage females for sex, law enforcement officials discovered condoms (both used an unused), sexual devices, bottles of lubricant and a firearm in the defendants’ hotel room.
Officers and agents also encountered a 16-year-old female victim who had allegedly been brought to the hotel to perform sex acts for money, a portion of which would be given to the defendants.
Conspiring to sex traffic a minor is punishable by up to life in prison and attempting to sex traffic a minor is punishable by 10 years up to life in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentence.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Blue Ash Police Chief Scott Noel announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Local corporations enter guilty pleas related to City of Dayton demolition contractsRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Two corporations entered guilty pleas in U.S. District Court today for conspiring to commit mail fraud.
Steve Rauch, Inc. and Green Star Trucking, Inc. admitted they conspired during the summer of 2014 to submit false paperwork to the City of Dayton for demolition contract payments.
According to court documents, Steve Rauch, Inc. accepted a contract with the city that required the company to sub-contract a set portion of the work to a certified disadvantaged business – for example a small business, a woman-owned business, etc. In this instance, the certified disadvantaged business was Green Star Trucking, Inc.
Steve Rauch, Inc., knowing it had not satisfied the requirements on its demolition project, contacted Green Star and asked that Green Star falsely certify it had completed and been paid for several thousand dollars’ worth of additional work on the project. Green Star agreed and signed the false paperwork that Steve Rauch, Inc. then sent to the city.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber announced the pleas entered into today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi is representing the United States in this case.
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Court of Appeals upholds conviction of local man who tried to join ISISRead the Press Release
DAYTON – U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers announced the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday in favor of the government, upholding the conviction of Laith Waleed Alebbini. The 29-year-old Jordan citizen was convicted of conspiring and attempting to join ISIS following a bench trial in Dayton in November and December 2018 before U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.
Court documents and trial testimony detail that on April 26, 2017, FBI agents arrested Alebbini at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, as he was attempting to travel to Turkey and then Syria to join ISIS – a designated foreign terrorist organization. Alebbini is a U.S. legal permanent resident who was living in Dayton.
About one hour before Alebbini arrived at the Cincinnati/Kentucky International Airport, several relatives pleaded with Alebbini not to join ISIS. Alebbini responded in three separate back-to-back text messages: “Do you think I am a criminal” “I am a terrorist” “I am mujahid.”
In another, previous conversation with a friend, Alebbini said, “I, cousin, want to go be an inghimasi soldier.” As explained at trial, an “inghimasi soldier” is a particularly lethal type of suicide bomber – one who seeks to cause as much death and destruction as possible prior to detonation.
Alebbini was sentenced in June 2019 to 180 months in prison and 25 years of supervised release for attempting to and conspiring to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). He will likely face deportation following service of his prison term.
In his appeal, Alebbini challenged the sufficiency of the evidence for both of his convictions. He argued the proof was insufficient to convict him of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS because it did not demonstrate that he entered into any kind of agreement with his cousin, Raid, his alleged co-conspirator, who departed Dayton prior to Alebbini’s attempt but was apprehended by Jordanian authorities upon arrival there. He also argued that the evidence was insufficient to convict him of attempting to provide material support to ISIS because, in his view, it did not demonstrate that he took a substantial step towards the crime, or that he intended to work under the direction and control of ISIS.
The Court of Appeals ruled against Alebbini’s arguments, stating in a precedent-setting published opinion that the government proved the elements of the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.
Specifically, the Court of Appeals stated the government sufficiently proved conspiracy elements through consistent information and conversations detailing Alebbini’s plans with a co-conspirator to join and fight for ISIS.
Likewise, the government showed sufficient evidence that Alebbini took a substantial step towards the crime when, after research, preparation, and conveying to others his intent to join ISIS and work under its direction and control, Alebbini embarked on his journey to ISIS by departing Dayton, traveling to the Cincinnati/Kentucky International airport, sending farewell messages to family, checking in for his flight, and walking toward the airport security checkpoint after obtaining his airline ticket, all of which corroborated Alebbini’s intent
First Assistant United States Attorney Vipal J. Patel argued the appeal on behalf of the United States.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the criminal case against Alebbini. First Assistant Vipal J. Patel and Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Criminal Chief Dominick S. Gerace of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the criminal case.
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Local man pleads guilty to firearms crime, sold machine guns to undercover officerRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Jordan D. Carpenter, 30, of Dayton, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, in July 2019, Carpenter met an undercover officer at a parking lot in Lebanon, Ohio, to sell the officer a 5.56mm rifle that functions as a machine gun. Carpenter sold the firearm for $2,500.
Carpenter described other types of firearms he could sell the undercover, and offered the officer a discount if he bought guns in bulk from Carpenter.
In August 2019, the two met again at a parking lot in Lebanon, Ohio, and Carpenter sold two more firearms for $3,200, one of which was a machine gun as well.
Carpenter was previously convicted of felonious assault in Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, which prohibits him from possessing firearms. Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Warren County Drug Task Force announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hunt is representing the United States in this case.
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Lancaster man pleads guilty to attempting to sexually coerce a minorRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A prior sex offender currently on parole supervision pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to a child exploitation crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison.
Larry Richard Dickerson, 56, attempted to coerce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity.
According to court documents, in May 2020, officers with the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force were conducting undercover online chats to identify individuals who were attempting to solicit and engage in illegal sexual activity with minors.
An officer posing as a juvenile on a social media application received a message from Dickerson and the two became in regular contact. Dickerson requested nude photos of the purported teenager. In one instance, he asked her to send a shirtless picture with the name “Rick” written across her chest so that he could be sure she was not a “cop.”
In a phone call with the undercover officer, Dickerson asked numerous questions about the supposed 15-year-old’s sexual history and preferences. The defendant asked the undercover officer to describe what her pubic region looked like. The two made a plan to meet to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Dickerson and the officer decided to meet first in public before going somewhere private to engage in sex. Law enforcement observed Dickerson arrive at the designated meeting place and he was subsequently arrested.
Dickerson has two prior child sex offense convictions. In 2002, he was sentenced to 21 months in prison in the District of South Carolina on a child pornography charge. In 2018, he was convicted in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas with three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, based on his communications with a 13-year-old girl via MeetMe, and his subsequent meeting with a sexual abuse of the child.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Franklin County ICAC partnering agencies announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Hill and Special Assistant United States Attorney Roger Dinh are representing the United States in this case.
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Trenton man pleads guilty to aiding illegal purchase of firearms connected to the killing of Dayton DEA task force officerRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Arland Mills, 42, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to hiring a man to illegally purchase firearms for him.
As part of his scheme, Mills obtained multiple firearms, three of which were later recovered during the execution of a search warrant on Ruskin Road in Dayton where Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge Del Rio was shot on Nov. 4, 2019.
Delano Wells, 50, of Trenton, purchased the firearms at a licensed firearms dealer in Middletown on behalf of Mills. Wells was charged by criminal complaint on Nov. 5, 2019, with making false statements on a federal firearms form. Wells lied on ATF Form 4473 by indicating “yes” he was purchasing the firearm for himself and not for anyone else.
Once Wells purchased the firearms, he would provide them to Mills. Mills then either paid Wells a stipend in addition to the cost of the gun, or he forgave a portion of the debt owed to him by Wells.
Wells purchased more than eight firearms in this manner on behalf of Mills, along with several firearm lower receivers.
Mills will be forfeiting 28 firearms, which were seized by the government from Mills as part of this case.
Aiding and abetting the making of a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Chris Hoffman, Special in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias H. Heck, Jr. announced the plea entered into today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Andrew J. Hunt are representing the United States in this case.
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U.S. Attorney DeVillers announces $1.7M to combat violent crime in Hamilton CountyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers today announced $1.7 million in Department of Justice grants to fight and prevent violent crime in Hamilton County. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of more than $458 million in funding to support state, local and tribal law enforcement efforts to combat violent crime in jurisdictions across the United States.
Hamilton County was awarded $1 million through the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Community-Based Crime Reduction grant. The grant leverages community knowledge and expertise to focus enforcement efforts on crime “hot spots” – neighborhoods where crime is concentrated – to generate long-term impacts.
Hamilton County was also awarded $700,000 through BJA’s Strategies for Policing Innovation grant. The aim of this funding is for state and local law enforcement agencies to work with researchers to identify innovative and evidence-based strategies to tackle chronic crime.
“Today’s grants will bolster the work we already have underway in Cincinnati to hold armed and violent offenders accountable,” U.S. Attorney DeVillers said.
Other grant award recipients in the Southern District of Ohio include the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, who was awarded more than $1.1 million to enhance the quality, completeness and accessibility of criminal history record information through the National Criminal History Improvement Program. This funding ensures the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems.
Licking County was awarded $339,000 from the Innovative Prosecution Solutions for Combatting Violent Crime program. The program is designed to provide local prosecutors with training and strategies for prosecuting violent offenders.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources. More information about OJP and its components can be found at https://www.ojp.gov.
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Cincinnati police officer pleads guilty to failing to claim off-duty detail cash earnings on her tax returnsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati police officer pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to submitting false tax returns by failing to report cash income she earned from off-duty work details.
Quianna Campbell, 40, of Cincinnati, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in February 2020. Today, she pleaded guilty to three counts of the indictment of filing false tax returns.
Campbell has been employed with the Cincinnati Police Department for 11 years.
According to her plea, she worked off-duty at various businesses, including nightclubs, throughout her employment at CPD.
According to police records, Campbell earned more than $81,000 total working off-duty details in 2015, 2016 and 2017. She underreported her income for those years by at least $60,000 when filing her taxes.
Campbell will pay nearly $24,000 in restitution to the IRS as part of her plea.
“As a police officer, the defendant was responsible for enforcing the law,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “By filing false tax returns for her personal financial gain, she violated the law.”
Willfully filing a false tax return carries a potential maximum penalty of up to three years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker is representing the United States in this case.
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Murder victim’s ex-wife pleads guilty to interstate stalking resulting in deathRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A 35-year-old Centerville woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to interstate stalking that resulted in her ex-husband’s death.
Tawnney Caldwell accepted responsibility for her role in the August 2017 murder of Robert Caldwell. Parties involved in Tawnney Caldwell’s case have recommended a sentence of 20 to 35 years in prison.
According to her plea agreement, around 6pm on August 15, 2017, Robert Caldwell and his three minor children left a counseling appointment in Riverside, Ohio. While crossing the parking lot, Robert Caldwell was shot multiple times by an assailant in front of his children and died at the scene. The assailant was later identified as co-defendant Sterling Roberts.
Tawnney Caldwell is the ex-wife of the murder victim and was the girlfriend of Sterling Roberts at the time of the incident.
She and the murder victim had an ongoing dispute regarding the custody of their children and Tawnney Caldwell had talked to Sterling Roberts on at least two occasions (while Roberts was incarcerated in Montgomery County) about killing Robert Caldwell.
Tawnney Caldwell collaborated with others, including Sterling Roberts; his brothers, Chance Deakin and Christopher Roberts; Chandra Harmon (Tawnney’s mother); and James Harmon (Tawnney’s step-father), to plan, execute and cover-up the violent crime resulting in the death of Robert Caldwell.
Court documents indicate Roberts pretended to be a customer in need of stonework and messaged Robert Caldwell to lure him into meeting in Jamestown, Ohio in early August 2017. Roberts, armed with a gun, allegedly ambushed Robert Caldwell, who fled and called 911. Robert Caldwell eventually escaped that encounter and reported it to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Tawnney Caldwell’s plea, between the time of the attempted homicide and the eventual murder of Robert Caldwell, Roberts fled to a relative’s home in Tennessee. Tawnney Caldwell traveled interstate and brought him back to Ohio, stopping in Kentucky to illegally purchase Roberts an AK-47 rifle.
According to Tawnney Caldwell’s plea, the two planned the details of the victim’s murder together at Tawnney Caldwell’s residence and were in contact via cell phone multiple times before and after the murder.
Sterling Roberts is scheduled for jury trial in U.S. District Court on Nov. 30.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Riverside Police Chief Frank Robinson and Sugarcreek Township Police Chief Michael Brown announced the plea entered into today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Laura Clemmens are representing the United States in this case.
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T&A Crips member sentenced to 30 years in prisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 30 years in prison for participating in a local gang’s racketeering conspiracy.
Michael Watson, 27, is one of 19 defendants who were charged in October 2018 as members and associates of the Trevitt and Atcheson Crips gang (T&A) in a violent conspiracy involving murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, witness tampering, robbery, assault and other crimes.
The gang derived its name from Trevitt and Atcheson streets in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, where its members predominantly reside. T&A controlled the neighborhood through intimidation, fear and violence. Gang members were expected to retaliate with acts of violence when their members and associates were disrespected, threatened, intimidated or subjected to acts of violence.
Specifically, the co-conspirators in this case are charged with five murders:
the murder of Franky Tention on July 1, 2012, in the area of 431 Ellison Street;
the murder of William Moore on March 15, 2013;
the murder of Marvin Ector on December 23, 2013, on East 5th Avenue;
the murder of Quincy Story on January 24, 2015; and
the murder of Deaonte Fisher on March 4, 2016.
Watson pleaded guilty in March 2020 to shooting Marvin Ector, a member of the rival Milo Bloods gang. Ector’s murder was a retribution killing; he was targeted for assassination for previously disrespecting a T&A member who had been killed. Watson shot Ector in December 2013 while Ector was in his car at a Sunoco gas station on the near-east side of Columbus.
“These revenge murders – killing one another over ‘disrespect’ – have got to stop,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “The only results are being killed yourself or spending much of, if not all of, the rest of your life in federal prison.”
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan; United States Marshal Pete Tobin and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Political strategist & lobbyist each plead guilty in federal public corruption racketeering conspiracy involving more than $60 millionRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A longtime campaign and political strategist for Ohio House Representative Larry Householder and a lobbyist hired by an energy company to funnel money to Householder’s enterprise each pleaded guilty in federal court today.
Jeffrey Longstreth, 44, and Juan Cespedes, 41, of Columbus, each pleaded guilty to participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving more than $60 million paid to a 501(c)(4) entity to pass and uphold a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout.
They are two of five individuals charged by criminal complaint and indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2020.
Charging documents allege Larry Householder, 61, of Glenford, Ohio, Matthew Borges, 48, of Bexley, Ohio, Neil Clark, 67, of Columbus, Longstreth and Cespesdes conspired to violate the racketeering statute through honest services wire fraud, receipt of millions of dollars in bribes and money laundering. The 501(c)(4) entity Generation Now was also charged.
According to court documents, from March 2017 to March 2020, the enterprise received millions of dollars in exchange for Householder’s and the enterprise’s help in passing House Bill 6, a billion-dollar bailout that saved two failing, Ohio nuclear power plants from closing.
The defendants then also allegedly worked to corruptly ensure that HB 6 went into effect by defeating a ballot initiative to overturn the legislation. The Enterprise received nearly $61 million into Generation Now from an energy company and its affiliates during the relevant period.
In his plea, Longstreth admits to organizing Generation Now for Householder, knowing the entity would be used to receive bribe money to further Householder’s bid for Speaker of the House. Longstreth managed Generation Now bank accounts and engaged in financial transactions designed to conceal that the energy company was a source of funding to Generation Now.
Cespesdes also pleaded guilty to his role in the racketeering enterprise and admitted that he orchestrated payments to Generation Now. Cespedes knew the payments were meant to help Householder achieve political goals, and in return, help pass and preserve the nuclear bailout legislation.
The racketeering conspiracy as charged in this case is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
“If you have information related to the public corruption alleged in this case, please contact the FBI at 513-421-4310,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “This investigation remains ongoing, and as such, there will be no additional comment beyond the publicly-filed documents we outlined in this news release.”
DeVillers and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge of the Cincinnati Division of the FBI, announced the pleas entered into today before U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer, as well as Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy Mangan and Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter, are representing the United States in this case.
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California man sentenced to prison for threatening players, school during Ohio State football gameRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A California man was sentenced to prison today for making violent threats toward The Ohio State University and its football players during the 2018 Ohio State v. Michigan game.
Daniel Lee Rippy, 29, of Livermore, Calif., was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for making an interstate threat.
According to court documents, Rippy sent a message over Facebook threatening a shooting at The Ohio State University and vowing to hurt football players. He sent several other threats during the game – which was being played in Columbus – to injure or kill players, their family members and the head coach.
“In the middle of Ohio State’s annual rival game with the University of Michigan and with more than 100,000 fans in the stadium, law enforcement suddenly had a potential threat of a shooting,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “Because of Rippy, law enforcement officials at the stadium were placed on high alert and re-allocated resources to investigate the threat. His words are not without consequence, as illustrated by today’s sentence of imprisonment.”
Rippy’s prior connections to the state of Michigan initially concerned law enforcement given the ease with which Rippy could travel to – or perhaps already be at – the game. Officials ultimately determined that Rippy was in California at the time he made the threat, though, and did not pose an immediate danger.
“By threatening to harm Ohio State football players, coaches, and others, Mr. Rippy committed a serious federal crime,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman. “Threats like these are thoroughly investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force along with our law enforcement partners and result in significant consequences.”
FBI agents arrested Rippy in California in December 2019 and he was released on bond, but he was re-arrested and U.S. Marshals transported him to Columbus after he failed to appear for a scheduled appointment with the court.
Rippy pleaded guilty in July 2020 to one count of making a threat in interstate communications.
Joining U.S. Attorney DeVillers and SAC Hoffman in announcing the sentence was Ohio State University Police Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt. Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley imposed today’s sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Knight represented the United States in the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
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8 individuals convicted of conspiring to launder $44M in drug proceeds to Mexico through local cell phone store frontsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The final two of eight defendants in a $44 million money-laundering case were convicted today when they pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court. Another co-conspirator was sentenced today in federal court as well. Local and federal law enforcement, working in conjunction, spent years investigating large-scale narcotics traffickers in an effort that ultimately brought down the money-laundering ring.
According to court documents, beginning around 2013 and continuing until September 2019, the defendants conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl and marijuana and commit large-scale money laundering.
The schemes relied on the use of small businesses that held themselves out as cell phone stores. The stores sold few, if any, cell phones, and they conducted little, if any, legitimate business otherwise. Rather, the stores were merely front businesses for drug traffickers to send large amounts of money related to their drug trafficking from Columbus to Mexico.
Jose Luis Rosales-Ocampo, 57, of Columbus, and his family members ran the so-called cell phone stores: Los Rosales on Shady Lane Road, Los Rosales 2 on East Main Street and Express Cellular on Eastland Square Drive.
The storefronts principally served as a place for individuals to wire illicit drug proceeds to Mexico. Thousands of illicit wire transfers were completed per year. Drug dealers from multiple narcotics-trafficking cells would drop large amounts of narcotics money at the stores, after which the store owners would falsify money sender names, addresses and phone numbers on the wire transfers to Mexico in order to conceal the nature of the proceeds.
In total, the joint state–federal efforts led to the prosecution of eight defendants federally and 35 defendants by the office of Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien. The investigation and prosecution of these defendants removed approximately 34 kilograms of heroin, 516 grams of cocaine, 76 grams of fentanyl and 250 pounds of marijuana from Central Ohio streets. Additionally, investigators seized $458,500 in U.S. currency as part of the investigation and prosecution of these cases.
“The agents and officers on these cases dedicated thousands of hours of good investigative work to expose a massive money-laundering scheme that was benefiting drug lords in Mexico,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “Thanks to our law enforcement partners, at least 40 defendants are no longer doing business in Central Ohio and a significant amount of illegal drugs have been removed from our community.”
One of the lead drug distributors, Julio Angel Homer Gonzalez, 43, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison.
Eliezar Mendoza-Nava, 36, and Rodrigo Esqueda-Vazquez, 33, each pleaded guilty today.
“IRS Criminal Investigation followed the money and discovered that the cell phone stores were operating primarily for the purpose of laundering drug proceeds,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle and disrupt money laundering organizations.”
Five of the other five defendants – Jose Rosales-Ocampo, Thania Rosales-Guadarrama, Josue Gama-Perez, Dulce Rosales-Guadarrama and Rodolfo Franco-Valdez – also previously pleaded guilty and currently await sentencing.
Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing defendants is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Division; Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien; Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan and officials with the Ohio HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Commission announced the plea agreements and sentences imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
Assistant United States Attorneys S. Courter Shimeall, Jessica W. Knight and Special Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Stanley from Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien’s office are representing the United States in this case.
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5 charged in kidnapping conspiracy that resulted in death of victimRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A federal grand jury has charged five Dayton individuals in the summer 2019 kidnapping and subsequent death of Kwasi Casey, whose body was later found in a detached garage on Fountain Ave. in Dayton.
According to the indictment that was returned yesterday and unsealed today, co-conspirators kidnapped and abducted the victim at gunpoint on July 7, 2019.
Mr. Casey was taken to one of the defendant’s homes, where he was held against his will and beaten with a baseball bat. Another defendant made ransom demands of the victim’s family.
The indictment details that Casey escaped on July 8, 2019, but was recaptured and forced into a co-conspirator’s minivan, where the victim was again physically assaulted. It is alleged Mr. Casey ultimately died as a result of the defendants’ actions.
Those charged include: Eric Blackshear, 40; Markale Thomas, 26; Devon Love, 27; Ryan Reese, 25; and Antoine Dye, 35.
Each of the defendants is charged with conspiring to kidnap the victim, a federal crime punishable by up to life in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias H. Heck, Jr. announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith and OCDETF Deputy Criminal Chief Christy L. Muncy are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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