Southern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
U.S. Attorneys David DeVillers and Justin Herdman, Ohio Attorney General and Pharmacy Board Director issue joint statement regarding state pharmacy ruleRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The United States Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, the Ohio Attorney General and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy Executive Director issued a joint statement today regarding the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy rule prohibiting pharmacists from dispensing chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 unless a person has tested positive for the virus or is otherwise approved by the pharmacy board’s executive director.
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Steven Schierholt confirmed awareness of the allegations leading to the state pharmacy order and stated:
“These are extraordinary times for the world, our nation, and the great state of Ohio. While we are seeing the absolute best of our healthcare professionals as they help to address the COVID-19 crisis, we will remain vigilant to address any self-serving behavior by any member of the medical community. Be assured that we will do our due diligence in holding accountable anyone who may be prescribing outside a legitimate medical purpose. Where we find doctors or others who are abusing their professional licenses to help themselves or associates, we will move swiftly to identify and prosecute any wrongdoing that is a violation of federal or state law. We are committed to pursuing all remedies to address misconduct associated with the allegations leading to the Board of Pharmacy action, including seeking criminal penalties where appropriate.”
On March 22, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine authorized the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy to file emergency rule 4729-5-30.2 of the Administrative Code, which reads:
(A) Unless otherwise approved by the board’s executive director, no prescription for chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine may be dispensed by a pharmacist or sold at retail by a licensed terminal distributor of dangerous drugs unless all the following apply:
(1) The prescription bears a written diagnosis code from the prescriber; and
(2) If written for a COVID-19 diagnosis, the diagnosis has been confirmed by a positive test result, which is documented on the prescription and both of the following apply:
(a) The prescription is limited to no more than a fourteen-day supply; and
(b) No refills may be permitted unless a new prescription is furnished.
Prescriptions for either presumptive positive patients or prophylactic use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine related to COVID-19 is strictly prohibited unless otherwise approved by the board’s executive director in consultation with the board president, at which time a resolution shall issue.
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Columbus man charged federally for allegedly setting up fake online sales to lure victims, steal their money & shoot themRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man allegedly pretended to be selling a car and pretended to be an online escort in order to rob victims at gunpoint. Further, the man allegedly brandished a firearm during the robberies and shot and struck two victims.
Keith Jorel Hudson, 34, was charged federally today and is scheduled to appear in federal court tomorrow afternoon.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on March 5, Hudson met up with a victim who had communicated with Hudson on Facebook Messenger regarding a post stating Hudson was selling a black Honda Accord.
It is alleged that when the victim arrived at a meetup location on Spencer Court in Columbus, Hudson brandished a firearm and demanded the victim drop his wallet and keys.
The affidavit details that the victim complied. As Hudson reached to pick up the wallet, the victim grabbed his own keys and attempted to flee in his car. Hudson allegedly blocked the victim from entering his car, pistol whipped the victim, and shot him in the back of the neck. The round entered and exited the victim’s neck, leaving a flesh wound and shattering the victim’s car window.
The victim was able to flag down a Columbus police officer a short distance away and was transported to Grant Hospital.
On March 20, according to the affidavit, a second victim responded to an online advertisement. This post was a dating advertisement on a personals webpage.
The second victim arrived at the Hickory Creek Apartments complex to meet a female and pay her for sexual activity. Instead, Hudson allegedly approached him and pointed a handgun at him, demanding cash from him.
The victim gave Hudson the $30 he had in his possession and began to leave. The victim attempted to take a picture of Hudson’s license plate when Hudson began shooting at the victim. The victim attempted to flee and Hudson pursued the victim in his vehicle. Hudson fired his gun again near the intersection of Schrock Road and Ambleside Drive and struck the victim in his hand. The gunfire also disabled the victim’s car.
Shortly thereafter, Hudson was located by Columbus Police officers and arrested.
Hudson is charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. 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; Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Prichard 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.
If you believe you are also a victim or have any information related to this alleged conduct, please contact Columbus Police Detectives Brian Boesch at 614-230-3173 or John Herman at 614-645-4665.
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U.S. Attorney urges public to report any suspected COVID-19 fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney David M. DeVillers today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected].
In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes.
“This U.S. Attorney’s Office is open for business and we still have plenty of room in jail for those who try to line their own pockets through fraud during this pandemic,” U.S. Attorney DeVillers said. “I’ve instructed my district to ignore dollar amount or victim number thresholds usually needed for federal prosecutions. Those reprehensible enough to take advantage of our worried citizens will pay the price.”
Some examples of these schemes include:
- Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
- Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
- Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
- Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. DeVillers named Assistant United States Attorney Peter Glenn-Applegate as the Southern District of Ohio’s Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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Jury finds local used car salesman guilty of tax crimes, structuring, making false statementsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal jury, spread across the courtroom to practice social distancing, returned a guilty verdict Wednesday evening on all counts charged, finding a Cincinnati businessman guilty of six charges related to tax fraud.
Gregory VanDemark, 64, was convicted of four counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), one count of structuring transactions to evade the reporting requirements, and one count of making a false statement.
The verdict was announced following a trial that began on March 11 before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett.
According to court documents and trial testimony, VanDemark’s IRS returns claimed he owed no taxes for 2013 and 2014, even though he earned $1 million per year from his used car business, Used Car Supermarket, Inc.
At the same time, VanDemark owned homes in Cincinnati and Florida and a summer home on the Ohio River designed as a paddleboat replica (that he falsely deducted on his taxes as a bed and breakfast).
Also in 2013 and 2014, VanDemark structured more than $157,000 in cash payments made on a home mortgage at a bank in Bethel, Ohio for the purpose of evading the currency transaction reporting requirements.
VanDemark skimmed 25 percent of his business earnings in order to alter his taxes owed. He also claimed numerous improper deductions.
When he was interviewed by IRS special agents in 2016, VanDemark made a false statement by stating all of the money he made from his business was deposited in the bank and he never skimmed cash from his businesses.
“I want to commend the government’s prosecution team on presenting a flawless case to the jury,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS, Criminal Investigation. “The jury has sent a very strong message to business owners and taxpayers that if you skirt your income tax liabilities, try to avoid the currency reporting requirement and then lie about it, you will be judged guilty for such conduct by a jury of your peers.”
Aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns with the IRS carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Structuring financial transactions and making false statements carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi are representing the United States in this case.
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Guatemalan extradited to Ohio to face charges in conspiracy allegedly responsible for transporting tens of millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine to AmericaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Guatemalan man was transported from Colombia to Columbus yesterday and appeared in federal court this afternoon on charges related to a Colombia-to-America cocaine conspiracy.
Jose Luis DeLeon-Baltazar, 38, is the second defendant in this alleged conspiracy to be extradited to the Southern District of Ohio. In October 2019, Francisco Golon-Valenzuela was extradited to Columbus from Panama.
According to the indictment, DeLeon-Baltazar and Golon-Valenzuela conspired with others to ship thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, via sea and land, through Central America and Mexico to the United States.
The indictment details that as part of the conspiracy individuals would use “load” coordinators to assist with logistics of cocaine shipments, locate drivers and boat operators for narcotic-laden vehicles and vessels, and secure shared investments from multiple co-conspirators in specific cocaine shipments.
Fishermen and other commercial maritime laborers were allegedly recruited by conspirators to transport cocaine and refueling vessels.
Conspirators allegedly paid a “tax” or “fee” to send cocaine through areas controlled by a different drug trafficking organization or cartel.
Members of the conspiracy allegedly shared information on the activities and locations of law enforcement and military personnel assigned to interdict narcotics shipments. It is alleged co-conspirators also sheltered individuals who were at risk of extradition to other countries.
Low-level co-conspirators would allegedly take responsibility for an entire load of seized cocaine in order to free higher-level members.
Cocaine shipments seized in this case thus far include:
- 880 kilograms of cocaine seized by the United States Coast Guard near the Guatemalan/Mexico border on May 19, 2016;
- 720 kilograms of cocaine seized by the United States Coast Guard northwest of the Galapagos Islands on Aug. 18, 2017; and
- 34 kilograms of cocaine seized by the Guatemalan Policia National Civil in San Marcos, Guatemala on or about Nov. 26, 2017.
Four defendants were transported to Ohio for prosecution in September 2017, following the 720 kilogram seizure near the Galapagos Islands. That seizure alone included more than 1,584 pounds of cocaine, equaling an approximate street value of $25 million.
“When we say we are going after the cartels, we mean it,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “This investigation remains ongoing.”
The narcotics conspiracy in this case is punishable by 10 years up to life 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; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Richard S. Fambro announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan J.C. Grey and Elizabeth Rabe 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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Felon who opened fire in neighborhood, possessed 12 guns sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Bruce Long, 49, of Dayton, was sentenced in federal court this afternoon to 78 months in prison for possessing a firearm after having been previously convicted of felony offenses.
According to court documents, on Sept. 27, 2018, Dayton Police dispatchers received multiple complaints that evening about gunfire in the area of Anna and Second streets. Eyewitnesses observed Long firing a rifle towards an individual near Anna Street. Dayton Police officers also discovered shell casings at the shooting location.
Shortly thereafter, officers encountered Long at his nearby residence and ultimately arrested him. While executing a search warrant at his home, police discovered 12 firearms possessed by Long, including a stolen firearm and a rifle with a large-capacity magazine. Long has six prior felony convictions involving drugs, guns, or violence.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Justice Department reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the sentence imposed this afternoon by U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hunt is representing the United States in this case.
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MS-13 member who shot and killed suspected rival gang member, threatened witness/victim at federal courthouse sentenced to 30 years in prisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A defendant known as “Shadow” was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 30 years in prison for participating in a racketeering conspiracy and murder through the use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Jose Mendez-Peraza, 38, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in October 2019 and accepted responsibility for his involvement as a shooter in the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected 18th Street gang member.
On Dec. 3, 2016, co-conspirators waited in the parking lot of the Resolute Athletic Complex in Columbus where the victim was playing soccer. Others, including Mendez-Peraza, wore dark ski masks and waited for Martinez-Diaz near his apartment building at Melroy Ave. and Kelburn Road in Columbus.
When the victim arrived near his home, Mendez-Peraza and another MS-13 member opened fire on Martinez-Diaz with pistols, shooting him multiple times and killing him.
Mendez-Peraza also threatened a witness/victim in this case while at the Joseph P. Kinneary United States Courthouse in Columbus. Mendez-Peraza told the witness/victim that MS-13 members would kill the individual and his/her family if the individual cooperated with law enforcement.
Mendez-Peraza is one of 23 individuals charged in a second superseding indictment in February 2018 who are alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.
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.
The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.
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 sentence imposed today by 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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Grand jury indicts former Cincinnati City Council president on charges of honest services wire fraud, bribery, attempted extortionRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury in Cincinnati has returned an indictment charging the former Cincinnati City Council president pro tem with honest services wire fraud, bribery and attempted extortion.
Tamaya Dennard, 40, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 25.
Dennard was elected to Cincinnati City Council in November 2017 and resigned on March 2, 2020.
According to court documents, between August and December 2019, Dennard engaged in acts and attempted acts of bribery and extortion, attempting to exchange her votes for money.
Dennard allegedly requested between $10,000 and $15,000 from an individual to pay for her personal expenses.
At the direction of and in coordination with the FBI, the individual and Dennard exchanged a total of $15,000, in increments of $10,000 and $5,000, for upcoming votes on a matter scheduled to be heard by Council.
Dennard is charged by indictment with three counts of honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years in prison), two counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds (up to 10 years in prison) and two counts of attempted extortion under color of right (up to 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 indictment. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew 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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Local man sentenced to more than 26 years in prison for string of armed robberiesRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A Dayton man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 318 months in federal prison for committing armed robberies in and around Dayton.
Jermaine Green, 37, pleaded guilty in January 2019 to two counts of robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to court documents, in an attempt to pay off a drug debt, Green committed a string of robberies throughout the greater Dayton area between December 2017 and January 2018 in which he wore a disguise using a dreadlocks wig.
On Dec. 17, 2017, Green brandished a firearm and robbed the Walgreen’s Pharmacy on Hoover Ave. in Dayton. Later that same day, Green again brandished a firearm and robbed a Sunoco gas station on Wayne Ave. in Dayton.
Two days later, Green robbed Falb’s Restaurant on Kiser Street in Dayton. After ordering a hamburger, Green pointed his handgun at the owner and demanded the owner enter the safe. When another customer entered the restaurant, distracting Green, the owner pulled out his gun and fired two shots at Green. Green attempted to shoot the owner but the safety was on his firearm. As Green fled the restaurant, the owner’s brother arrived and also fired at Green. Green was hit by one of the bullets as he was fleeing. Green later staged a robbery so that he would appear to be a victim before seeking medical attention.
Green robbed four Dollar General stores in late December 2017 and early January 2018, including the stores on Valley Street in Riverside, North Gettysburg Ave. in Dayton, North Main Street in Clayton and South Gettysburg Ave. in Dayton.
Green had also committed a robbery at Loan Max on Dec. 17, 2017, which was the basis for his 2018 conviction in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. In his state case, he was ordered to serve 21 years in prison.
“Green’s actions were drastic and reckless, and but for his arrest, Green confessed that he likely would have engaged in murder to save himself and his family from the drug dealer he owed money,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “Green brandished a loaded firearm over and over at various locations for small amounts of money. This office will not tolerate gun violence and will prosecute it accordingly.”
DeVillers is joined by Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl; Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck; Clayton Police Chief Matt Hamlin; and Riverside Police Chief Frank Robinson in announcing the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith is representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati man convicted at trial of 8 drug, firearm charges sentenced to 35 years in prisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 420 months in prison for distributing heroin and cocaine from a house in northeast Cincinnati, and for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug crimes.
Qian “Will” Williams, 39, was convicted by a jury following a weeklong trial in September 2019.
Testimony by witnesses and evidence presented during the trial showed that for approximately 15 months Williams distributed heroin and cocaine he obtained from sources in Indiana and elsewhere.
Task force officers executed search warrants at Williams’ property on Randomhill Drive in August 2017. They seized more than a kilogram of heroin, more than 100 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia including a kilogram press, six firearms including two handguns, large-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Agents also seized more than $80,000 in cash and jewelry while executing the search warrants.
A federal grand jury indicted and agents arrested Williams in October 2017. He has been in custody since his arrest.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac; and Boone County Sheriff Michael A. Helmig announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett. Criminal Chief Karl P. Kadon and Assistant United States Attorney Ebunoluwa Taiwo represented the United States in this case.
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Marietta doctor convicted of illegally distributing opioid pain meds, health care fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted a Southeast Ohio doctor of illegally prescribing controlled substances and defrauding health care programs.
The verdict was announced yesterday evening following a trial that began on Feb. 24 before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
Specifically, a federal jury found Roger D. Anderson, 65, of Marietta, guilty 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. This trial is another example that if you act like a drug dealer, we will prosecute you like one.”
“Dr. Anderson betrayed his profession and every standard of decency by cashing in on the deadly opioid epidemic that is plaguing nearly every corner of our country,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin, Detroit field division.
“The defendant warped his prescription pad from healing to harm, writing out warrants for addiction,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “I am proud of our team and United States Attorney DeVillers for holding him accountable for his crimes.”
“This case is a great example of cooperation between Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies,” said Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks. “We started this case five or six years ago and it became so cumbersome and complex that without the help of the Federal government the case would not have survived.”
Conspiring to distribute and distributing controlled substances are federal crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Committing health care fraud carry potential maximum sentences of 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; 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; Stephanie McCloud, Administrator, Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation; and Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth F. Affeldt and Senior Litigation Counsel Douglas W. Squires are representing the United States in this case.
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El Salvador citizen who helped local MS-13 members in jail sentenced to prison for reentering United States illegallyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A man who was in frequent communication with imprisoned members of the Columbus clique of MS-13 was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for reentering the United States illegally for the third time.
Fabian Posadas-Mejia, 44, was sentenced to 10 months in prison and one year of supervised release, and is subject to deportation following his prison sentence.
Posadas-Mejia was convicted by a jury following a one-day trial in October 2019.
According to court documents, Posadas-Mejia is a citizen of El Salvador with no legal status in the United States. Immigration officials initially encountered him nearly 25 years ago. Posadas-Mejia was first ordered to be removed from the United States in 1995. He was deported twice in 2014 and once in 2017.
Most recently, law enforcement officials encountered Posadas-Mejia as part of the prosecution of numerous members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.
In the days and weeks following an August 2017 takedown of the transnational gang, investigators monitoring phone calls that MS-13 members were making from jail learned that multiple inmates were in frequent communication with Posadas-Mejia.
The defendant was depositing money in the gang members’ jail accounts, helping them retrieve and dispose of personal property and checking on inmates’ families.
In addition to being removed from the United States three times and being linked to the government’s ongoing prosecution of MS-13, Posadas-Mejia has a previous domestic violence conviction, among other state convictions.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez is representing the United States in this case.
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Detroit man found sleeping in U-Haul with engine running at gas pump sentenced to prison for counterfeiting credit cards in OhioRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Aaron Johnson, 32, and Timothy Banks, 22, caught the attention of law enforcement when they fell asleep in a U-Haul van with the engine running at a gas pump in Miami County.
Johnson was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 21 months in prison for counterfeiting credit cards, and the court entered its judgment today.
According to court documents, Johnson conspired with Banks to make money through counterfeiting by re-encoding gift cards with stolen credit card account numbers.
In August 2018, Johnson rented a U-Haul van in Rochester, Mich. for what was supposed to be a one-day rental.
Instead, Johnson kept the U-Haul for nearly a month and drove it more than 8,000 miles, including to Miami County, Ohio. On Sept. 1, law enforcement officers observed Johnson and Banks asleep in the van connected to a gas station pump with the engine running.
Officers approached the van at the Speedway gas station in Miami County, fearing the men had overdosed in the vehicle. Instead, officers discovered Banks asleep at the wheel, and Johnson asleep on an inflatable mattress in the rear compartment of the van. Officers also found a credit card reader/encoder, 12 counterfeit credit cards, 41 re-encoded gift cards, and a total of 54 credit card account numbers. Officers also discovered $100 in Target gift cards and $365 in iTunes gift cards.
Johnson and Banks pleaded guilty in February 2019 to conspiring to use counterfeit access devices. Banks was sentenced earlier this year to probation with home confinement.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Yvonne DiCristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service and Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Walther H. Rice. First Assistant United States Attorney Vipal J. Patel is representing the United States in this case.
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Centerville man sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for creating obscene & sexually abusive videos, images of 5 year oldsRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Marek K. Grigsby, 35, was sentenced this morning in U.S. District Court to 330 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for producing child pornography and producing obscene images of the sexual abuse of children.
According to court documents, Grigsby sexually abused one victim, who was five and six years of age during the abuse, and created child pornography depicting the abuse. Between November 2015 and January 2017, Grigsby produced at least 33 videos and 23 images showing his sexual abuse of the victim.
Grigsby also created obscene images of a second five-year-old victim. Between January 2015 and April 2016, Grigsby produced at least 21 videos and 111 images of the second victim, including three images depicting the victim in an obscene way. For example, one of the images depicts the victim engaging in simulated oral intercourse with a penis that is superimposed in the photograph.
Grigsby pleaded guilty in April 2019.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Yvonne DiCristiforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS); Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck; and Keith Faber, Ohio Auditor of State, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice. Deputy Criminal Chief Dominick S. Gerace is representing the United States in this case.
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Lead defendant pleads guilty in Texas-to-Ohio heroin distribution ringRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Gene Talley, 48, of Dayton, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.
According to court documents, beginning in 2007, Talley would meet with an individual in Austin, Texas to obtain controlled substances, including heroin, to distribute in the Southern District of Ohio.
Talley also arranged for other individuals to collect the drugs and bring them to Ohio for distribution. In addition, he directed individuals to transport money back to the individual in Texas.
On three occasions, money intended for delivery in Texas was seized by law enforcement, including approximately: $99,000 seized by police in Austin, Texas in December 2012; $230,000 seized by police in Chicago in June 2015; and $240,000 seized by police in Winfield, Texas.
Talley pleaded guilty on Feb. 26 to conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. A sentence of between 60 to 150 months in prison has been recommended for the Court’s consideration.
Four co-defendants have also pleaded guilty in connection to this case.
Brianna Reid pleaded guilty in federal court in Dayton today.
Adriauna Smith, Syreeta Scruggs and Kenneth Patterson each pleaded guilty in January or February and are scheduled to be sentenced during the week of May 18.
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; Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the DEA’s Drug Task Force announced the pleas entered into before U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Andrew J. Hunt are representing the United States in this case.
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Greene County man sentenced to prison for illegal possession of firearm silencer, missile warning systemRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A former military subcontractor was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm silencer and equipment that was property of the United States.
Joel Montgomery, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts in December 2019: possessing a silencer not registered to him and retaining United States property with a value of more than $1,000.
According to court documents, in June 2015, Montgomery possessed at his home a firearm silencer that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
While executing another search warrant at his home in October 2015, agents discovered an AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System and a Control Countermeasures Set Display Unit that were property of the United States.
Montgomery had previously been employed as a subcontractor on a local military base, and during that time, had gained access to the property of the United States. Upon the end of his employment contract, Montgomery did not return equipment valued at more than $1,000 and instead kept the equipment for his personal use.
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 Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorneys Brent G. Tabacchi and Dwight Keller are representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati City Council president charged with honest services wire fraud, bribery, attempted extortionRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati City Council President Pro Tem has been arrested and charged federally with honest services wire fraud, bribery and attempted extortion.
Tamaya Dennard, 40, appeared in federal court this afternoon. The charges pending against her were unsealed at that time.
Dennard was elected to Cincinnati City Council in November 2017.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, between August and December 2019, Dennard engaged in acts and attempted acts of bribery and extortion, attempting to exchange her votes for money.
“As the affidavit details, a concerned citizen contacted law enforcement following an interaction with Dennard, feeling an ethical and moral obligation to report any criminal wrongdoing,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “The individual then worked at the direction of law enforcement throughout this investigation. It takes courage for citizens to come forward and assist law enforcement as this individual did.”
Dennard allegedly requested between $10,000 and $15,000 from the individual to pay for her personal expenses.
At the direction of and in coordination with FBI, the individual and Dennard exchanged a total of $15,000, in increments of $10,000 and $5,000, for upcoming votes on a matter scheduled to be heard by Council.
Dennard deposited $10,000 in a personal bank account the same day she received it.
After receiving the initial $10,000, Dennard requested the additional $5,000 in advance. Records indicate the same day she received the $5,000 in cash, Dennard booked two seats on a Sept. 22, 2019 flight from Cincinnati to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. On Sept. 27, 2019, she booked two return tickets. Financial records indicate Dennard spent more than $4,000 total on the Florida trip to include accommodations at the Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater, Fla. and the airfare.
Dennard allegedly continued to reach out to the individual asking for money on various occasions in October and November 2019. Text messages from Dennard to the individual during that time include “Happy to help you. But need yours too”; and “As I said, I’m sure there will be ways to help you as well and I will.”
Dennard is charged with one count each of honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years in prison), bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds (up to 10 years in prison) and attempted extortion under color of right (up to 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. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Singer are 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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Local man sentenced to 60 years in prison for sexually abusing toddlers while registered as a sex offenderRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A Dayton registered sex offender was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 720 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for producing child pornography through the sexual abuse of two toddlers.
Tyler Ulm, 25, created child pornography by sexually abusing a 2-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy over the course of a year. He abused the two-year-old on at least five occasions at various locations in the Dayton area and the three-year-old at least twice at Ulm’s Dayton residence.
Ulm produced at least seven videos and 58 pictures of the sexual abuse.
“Ulm raped a 2 year old on five occasions and a 3 year old on two occasions,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “Even worse, he recorded the assaults with his phone and then freely distributed videos and images of the acts of torture. Every day he spends in prison is a safer day for our children.”
The defendant pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2019.
The plea was a global resolution that also involved state charges arising out of Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.
Federally, Ulm pleaded guilty to two counts of producing and one count of distributing child pornography, as well as committing a felony offense involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender. He also accepted responsibility for his state charges, including two counts of rape of a person under 10 years of age, two counts of rape of a person under 10 years of age by force and two counts of gross sexual imposition of a person under 13 years of age.
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; Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl; and Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias H. Heck, Jr. announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.
Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Laura I. Clemmens is representing the United States in the federal case and Montgomery County Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Kelly D. Madzey and Jonathan W. Sauline are handling the state charges.
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Ohio Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Distribution of OpioidsRead the Press Release
An Ohio physician who owned a Dayton-area medical practice pleaded guilty today for illegally distributing opioids.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney David DeVillers of the Southern District of Ohio, Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Detroit Division, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office and Special Agent in Charge William C. Hoffman of the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office made the announcement.
Morris Brown, M.D. 75, of Dayton, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful distribution of controlled substances before U.S. District Judge Walter Rice of the Southern District of Ohio. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Rice on May 8.
As part of his guilty plea, Brown admitted that he prescribed controlled substances to patients in amounts and for lengths of time that were outside the scope of legitimate medical practice. Brown also admitted that he routinely prescribed controlled substances to patients even though various “red flags” suggested that he should stop writing those prescriptions, change the prescriptions and/or counsel patients accordingly. Further, Brown admitted that he prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs known to heighten the risk of overdose and death.
Brown owned the building in which his practice operated, and leased space in the building to a pharmacy named Dayton Pharmacy through which the vast majority of his prescriptions were filled. Brown admitted to distributing approximately 73.5 kilograms of opioids by converted drug weight.
Brown no longer maintains a DEA registration.
Brown was charged along with Ismail Abuhanieh, 50, of Phoenix, Arizona; Mahmoud Elmiari, 44, of Bellbrook, Ohio; Yohannes Tinsae, 48, of Beavercreek, Ohio; and Mahmoud Rifai, 50, of Detroit, Michigan in April 2019. All four of Brown’s co-defendants were charged for their roles in agreeing to obtain controlled substances for Dayton Pharmacy by fraud or misrepresentation. Elmiari and Tinsae have entered guilty pleas and are scheduled for sentencing on May 13, 2020. Abuhanieh is scheduled for a change of plea on March 10, 2020. Rifai is the subject of an active arrest warrant.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The DEA, FBI, HHS-OIG, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation and Ohio Board of Pharmacy investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Chris Jason, Tom Tynan and Leslie Garthwaive of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force. Since its inception in October 2018, the ARPO Strike Force, which operates in 10 districts, has charged more than 70 defendants who are collectively responsible for distributing more than 40 million pills. The Health Care Fraud Unit, in general, maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, and has charged nearly 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $15 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website for more information.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Market owners who redeemed more than $10M in food stamp, WIC benefits charged in fraud conspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has charged Hassan and Abdurahim Nuriso, owners of the Somali specialty market Towfiq Market on Sullivant Avenue, with conspiring to commit food stamp and WIC fraud. The brothers redeemed more than $10 million in SNAP and WIC benefits at their store between 2010 and 2019.
As part of the alleged conspiracy, brothers Hassan and Abdurahim Nuriso converted illegally obtained food stamp benefits, WIC coupons and WIC electronic benefits into money, in order to use the money for other purposes.
The five-count indictment filed today also alleges the defendants allowed SNAP and WIC beneficiaries to purchase items that were not redeemable through the food stamp or WIC programs.
In total, Hassan and Abdurahim Nuriso are alleged to have redeemed in excess of $8 million of SNAP benefits and nearly $2.1 million in WIC benefits at Towfiq Market between 2010 and November 2019. The government alleges a majority of those redemptions were fraudulent.
The government is seeking to forfeit more than $200,000 in this case. Approximately $18,650 in cash was seized during a federal search and seizure warrant at one of the Nuriso brother’s homes in Grove City in November 2018.
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 Anthony V. Mohatt, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Bosley is representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Friend of Dayton mass shooter sentenced to prison for illegally possessing firearm, lying on federal firearms formRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Ethan Kollie, 24, of Kettering, a friend of the Dayton mass shooter Connor Betts, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 32 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms and lying on federal firearms form 4473.
Kollie pleaded guilty to the crimes in November 2019.
Federal agents interviewed Kollie on Aug. 4, 2019, in connection to the mass shooting earlier that day in Dayton.
During searches of Kollie and his residence, law enforcement officers recovered a micro Draco pistol, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, additional weapons, ammunition, drug paraphernalia and psychedelic mushroom grow equipment.
When purchasing the micro Draco pistol in May 2019, Kollie lied on an ATF form asking if he was an unlawful user of or addict to marijuana or any other controlled substance. Kollie answered no, when in fact he knew he was an unlawful user of marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
Kollie illegally possessed at various times four firearms in total, namely, the micro Draco pistol, a 9mm handgun, a 38 Special revolver, and an AM-15 semi-automatic rifle. The micro Draco pistol and the AM-15 are both semi-automatic weapons and could accept more than 15 rounds of ammunition.
Kollie helped Betts assemble the AM-15 used in the mass shooting and the two practiced firing the gun at a local shooting range. The assembly and practice shooting constitute two separate illegal possessions by Kollie of the gun.
“Kollie will forever be connected to the tragic events of August 4, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “He bought the upper receiver to the AM-15, a 100-round double drum magazine and body armor for Betts. We will chase down the origins of all weapons used in violence and hold all accountable for their crimes.”
DeVillers is joined by Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl in announcing the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. First Assistant United States Attorney Vipal J. Patel and Deputy Criminal Chief Dominick S. Gerace are representing the United States in this case.
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Fourteen-year sentence for Middletown man who laundered money for Sinaloa drug cartelRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Raul Trejo, 54, of Middletown, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for laundering money as part of a Middletown drug conspiracy tied to the Sinaloa Drug Cartel in Mexico.
Trejo was one of 12 individuals charged by a federal grand jury in Cincinnati in a narcotics and money laundering conspiracy. Members of the group distributed fentanyl from Mexico in Middletown and sent proceeds back to Mexico. Trejo’s role was to collect and package cash he received from ringleader Donte Holdbrook, who was in charge of selling the fentanyl, and see that it was taken back to Mexico to buy more fentanyl. Investigators documented multiple transactions including one involving three shoeboxes containing nearly $200,000 in cash during a transaction in November 2016.
Holdbrook, the Middletown ringleader, pleaded guilty in October 2018 and is awaiting sentencing. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Office, Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac, Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw, Preble County Prosecuting Attorney Martin P. Votel and Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Paul A. Pride announced the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black. District Criminal Chief Karl Kadon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker are representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man offers guilty plea for coercing minor girls nationwide into sending sexually explicit videos, images through various social media platformsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man offered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court today to four crimes related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The man chatted with minor females located throughout the country on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites and requested that the girls send him videos of themselves engaged in sexual acts.
Specifically, Michael T. Sutherin, 21, agreed to plead guilty to two counts of coercing a minor and two counts of receiving child pornography.
Sutherin met minor females through Instagram, Snapchat, Kik and Telegram and coerced at least four 12 to 15 year olds to engage in sexual activities on video.
Forensic examination of Sutherin’s phone and laptop confirmed that Sutherin had used social media to solicit minor girls for sexually explicit videos and images of themselves. Sutherin also used social media to request and trade child pornography.
Review of Sutherin’s conversations with the girls show that he instructed the minors to call him “daddy.”
The parties involved in this case have recommended a prison sentence of 12 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 plea offered today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man who posed as minors on Facebook sentenced to 11 years in prison for distributing child pornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in federal court today to 11 years in prison for distributing child pornography.
Michael D. Moore, 29, posed as a minor female on Facebook and sent child pornography files to a 14-year-old female.
Moore was a registered sex offender in Franklin County, as the result of a 2012 conviction for pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and importuning. In that case, Moore posed as a minor male on Facebook. After initially receiving a state community control sentence, Moore violated probation and was sentenced to nearly five years in prison.
Moore engaged in the federal offense conduct in this case seven months after being released from state custody, while he was still on state parole.
According to court documents, in September 2018, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force forwarded two CyberTipline reports it had received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to the Franklin County ICAC Task Force.
Facebook and Google had each submitted tips to NCMEC regarding the uploading of child pornography images from Moore’s accounts.
Search warrants revealed explicit conversation between Moore (who was posing as a 12-year-old girl) and a 14-year-old on Facebook. Moore claimed to be the child in the pornography he shared with the victim.
During a search of Moore’s residence, investigators discovered four cell phones. One cell phone contained child pornography images. Three of the phones had password protection that initially prevented forensic examination and Moore refused to provide password information for the phones. Later access to two of those phones revealed additional child pornography files and a different online conversation with a victim who was 15 years old.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Vance Callender, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Hill is representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati police officer charged with lying to federal agents, submitting false tax returnsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati police officer was arrested today and charged with making a false statement to federal agents and filing false tax returns.
Quianna Campbell, 39, of Cincinnati, appeared in federal court on the charges at 3pm today, at which point the charges against her were unsealed.
According to court documents, the Cincinnati Police Department and IRS Criminal Investigation began investigating Campbell for various criminal offenses related to financial benefits she received as a result of her employment with the department.
Campbell has been employed with the Cincinnati Police Department for 11 years.
As part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering and other crimes associated with area nightclubs, investigators discovered text message conversation between Campbell and a nightclub owner.
Campbell allegedly responded to a text from the nightclub owner asking if an individual was an undercover officer. According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Campbell confirmed via text message that the person was an undercover officer and discussed with the club owner the possible reasons that the police department might investigate the nightclub.
When federal agents questioned Campbell about the text conversation, she allegedly lied to the agents. Campbell told the agents she would never confirm if an individual was a police officer because if they were working in an undercover capacity it would put them in danger.
Campbell also allegedly failed to report on her federal tax returns cash income that she earned working off-duty details.
According to police records, Campbell earned more than $81,000 total working off-duty details in 2015, 2016 and 2017. She did not report an accurate income when filing her taxes.
Making a false statement to a federal agent in punishable by up to five years in prison. 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.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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T&A Crips gang members plead guilty to murder in aid of racketeeringRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Three Columbus men pleaded guilty today as part of a gang-related racketeering conspiracy. Each of the men accepted responsibility for their roles in three separate murders.
Two other defendants have also agreed to plead guilty in this case and will appear before the Court next month.
The five men are part of 19 defendants charged as members and associates of the Trevitt and Atcheson Crips gang known as T&A.
The gang derived its name from Trevitt and Atcheson streets in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, where its members predominantly reside.
Beginning in June 2010, T&A members and associates conspired in a racketeering enterprise and engaged in murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, witness tampering, robbery, assault and other crimes.
The gang 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, co-conspirators 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.
Terrell Hansard, 22, also known as “T Body,” pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to participating in a racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to traffic drugs and murder in aid of racketeering. Hansard accepted responsibility for his role in the March 2016 murder of 7-year-old Deaonte Fisher. The boy was a bystander in a shooting between rival gang members.
Hansard also distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute between 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine as part of T&A’s West Virginia drug operation.
Brandon Martin, 27, also known as “Gunner,” pleaded guilty to participating in the racketeering conspiracy and murder in the aid of racketeering. According to his court documents, Martin shot and killed rival gang member William Moore in March 2013 on Mount Vernon Avenue. Martin was involved in another gunfight the next day, shooting at a number of other rival gang members and striking one of them.
Charles Carson, 24, also pleaded guilty today in federal court in Columbus. Carson pleaded guilty to participating in the racketeering conspiracy and took responsibility for the January 2015 murder of Quincy Story. Carson shot and killed Story on S. James Road in Columbus. Story was perceived as disrespecting a fallen associate of a T&A subgroup called Waun Gang.
Plea agreement documents have been filed on behalf of two other T&A defendants: Deswan “Dezzy” Robinson and Michael Watson.
Robinson has offered to accept responsibility for his role in the murder of William Moore in March 2013. The Court will consider his plea at a hearing on March 11.
Watson has agreed to plead guilty to participating in a racketeering conspiracy and conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including responsibility for his role in the December 2013 murder of Marvin Ector. He is scheduled to appear before the Court on March 18.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jonathan McPherson, 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 pleas. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Local non-profit CEO charged with tax fraudRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The founder, owner, CEO and president of a Cincinnati nonprofit appeared in federal court this week on allegations he used thousands of dollars for personal expenses instead of paying over payroll taxes to the IRS.
Hope 4 Change, an agency that provided housing and care for adults with developmental disabilities, drug addiction problems and mental disorders, employed between 120 and 180 individuals in 2013 and 2014.
Barry Rene Isaacs, the founder, owner, CEO and president of the non-profit, allegedly caused Hope 4 Change to spend thousands of dollars for clothing, massages, beauty care, travel and personal vehicles for Isaacs and his family.
According to the indictment, Hope 4 Change withheld FICA taxes from its employees’ paychecks but did not pay over the employment taxes to the IRS for five quarters in late 2013 and 2014.
It is also alleged Isaacs, 34, of Cincinnati, fraudulently applied for an auto loan and credit card using someone else’s social security account number.
Specifically, Isaacs is charged with five counts of willfully failing to pay over employment taxes, one count of obstructing justice, two counts of falsely representing a social security number and one count of aggravated identity theft.
After fleeing the jurisdiction, Isaacs was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Texas on Jan. 30, 2020. Isaacs appeared for arraignment in federal court in Cincinnati on Feb. 10. He remains in custody.
Teela Gilbert, 34, of Cincinnati, Hope 4 Change’s vice president, “student affairs” director and office manager has also been charged. Gilbert is charged with obstructing justice in connection to the investigation of the tax fraud.
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; and Tracey Thanos, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo is 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 Dayton agency director pleads guiltyRead the Press Release
DAYTON – The former director of Dayton’s Minority Business Assistance Center pleaded guilty today to accepting a thing of value in connection with a local government.
According to court documents, RoShawn Winburn, 46, disclosed internal information regarding minority-owned, woman-owned and small disadvantaged business contracts to a local business owner who hoped to obtain contracts with the City of Dayton.
Between July 2015 and July 2016, Winburn accepted cash payments totaling more than $6,500 from the individual in exchange for internal City of Dayton documents with restricted public access.
Winburn met the individual at a downtown Dayton bar to provide information regarding contracts and receive cash.
Clayton Luckie, Brian Higgins, Steve Rauch, Joyce Cameron and James Cameron have also been charged in connection to this case. Luckie was sentenced in November 2019 to four months in prison for mail fraud. Williams was sentenced in January 2020 to 12 months in prison.
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 plea entered into today before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorneys Brent G. Tabacchi and Dominick S. Gerace are representing the United States in this case.
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Construction company owner pleads guilty to mail fraud involving worker safety and embezzlement from company 401(k) programRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The owner of a Cincinnati-based construction company pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining employee safety training certificates and embezzling from the company’s pension benefit program. Ron Craig Estes, owner of R&R Steel, LLC, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black to one count of mail fraud and one count of theft from an employee benefit plan.
According to the plea agreement, Estes devised a scheme in 2015 to skirt Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements by buying fake employee training certifications in order to compete for a contract to provide steel installation and other work for the 8th and Sycamore project in Cincinnati. Estes paid $800 for 10 fake training certificates to avoid the costs and time associated with ensuring that all of the company’s employees had completed appropriate safety training. R&R received the $450,000 contract to do the work.
Court documents also say Estes embezzled between $15,000 and $40,000 from the company’s 401(k) retirement benefit plan established for the workers. Estes completed distribution forms for workers who had left the company and forged the participant’s signature on the distribution checks in order to cash the checks for his own benefit and use.
In addition to entering his guilty pleas before Judge Black on January 28, Estes agreed to a money judgement of $25,000, and to pay restitution to any victims as determined by the court at sentencing. Mail fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and embezzlement has a statutory maximum sentence of five years. The court will determine a sentence based on federal sentencing guidelines which take into account the amount of loss, the number of victims and the victims’ vulnerability.
Sentencing has been set for May 13th. Victims are encouraged to contact Victim Witness Specialist Krista Zeller, at Toll Free: 888-283-5715 or [email protected], by March 3 for more information about submitting claims for restitution.
U.S. Attorney DeVillers and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration announced the plea. Assistant United States Attorney Ebunoluwa Taiwo is representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati man charged with sexually exploiting toddlerRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged a 78-year-old Cincinnati man with sexually exploiting a toddler.
Thomas Winkelbach was charged with two counts of sexually exploiting children and one count of possessing child pornography.
According to the indictment, in or about 2014 to 2015, Winkelbach coerced a victim who was 1 to 2 years old at the time to engage in sexually explicit conduct and created pictures of the abuse. Winkelbach allegedly created five pornographic photographs of the child.
When investigators searched Winkelbach’s computer, they also allegedly found other images of child pornography including images of children younger than 12.
Sexually exploiting a child is a federal crime punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison. Possessing child pornography carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 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.
Winkelbach remains in custody pending trial.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Cincinnati Police Department’s Regional Electronics Computer Investigations (RECI) Task Force investigated this case.
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; Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil; and Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac announced the charges returned yesterday. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is 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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Former Dayton city commissioner sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A former Dayton City Commissioner was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 12 months in prison for accepting a thing of value in connection with a local government.
Joey D. Williams pleaded guilty to the crime in September 2019. As part of his sentence, Williams was also ordered to pay $28,000 in restitution.
Williams served as an elected commissioner of the City of Dayton from 2001 until 2018. In 2015, Williams accepted a construction project at his personal home by an individual for a greatly reduced price in exchange for influencing the awarding of city contracts to that same individual.
The individual’s business was subsequently awarded at least $150,000 in contracts with both the City of Dayton and CityWide Development Corporation, a non-profit organization that functioned as a development and financing arm of the City of Dayton. CityWide routinely awarded thousands of dollars in contracts to private companies for the demolition of homes in Dayton.
Williams accepted more than $35,000 in free benefits from the individual, including cash payments and the construction of a patio at his home.
In an attempt to conceal the fraud, Williams demanded the individual create a fake invoice, falsely reflecting that Williams had personally paid the individual for the home improvement project.
Others charged include RoShawn Winburn, Clayton Luckie, Brian Higgins, Steve Rauch, Joyce Cameron and James Cameron. Luckie was sentenced in November 2019 to four months in prison for mail fraud.
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 sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorneys Brent G. Tabacchi and Dominick S. Gerace are representing the United States in this case.
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U.S. Attorney DeVillers: Permanently ban Fentanyl analogues or build more morguesRead the Press Release
As I typed this out, I received an email from the Franklin County Coroner, Dr. Anahi Ortiz. She let me know that there were seven overdose deaths in Franklin County this weekend. Unfortunately, this is not the worst email I have received from Dr. Ortiz. In September, there were ten overdose deaths in one day.
Statistically, it is highly likely that this weekend’s deaths were the result of one drug: Fentanyl.
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid. It was originally manufactured to manage the most severe pain. Licit Fentanyl is made by pharmaceutical companies and is legally used in hospitals and hospice care. According to the DEA, pharmaceutical Fentanyl is well guarded and rarely makes it into the black market to be abused.
However, illicit Fentanyl and its analogues are made in labs in China and Mexico and smuggled into the United States. This illicit Fentanyl and its analogues are driving today’s illegal drug trade and they, along with other opioids, are by far the most deadly illicit drugs in American history. In 2017, almost 50,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses.
Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than pure heroin. A few grains the size of salt can kill the average person. People have died by simply touching it. Traditionally, it is mixed or “cut” with heroin, and most heroin addicts know, and even desire, this. A drug dealer can take 100 grams of heroin, 18 grams of fentanyl, and 882 grams of caffeine and create a kilogram (1000 grams) of what amounts to be pure heroin. This increases the drug dealer’s profit by nearly 900%. If this seems exacting – it is! If a drug dealer does a poor job and adds even a few additional grams of Fentanyl, even long-time heroin addicts can – and do – die.
I would like to say the opioid crisis is getting better. However, in Franklin County and in much of Ohio, it is getting worse – and more deadly, due to Fentanyl-related drugs. In the first nine months of 2019, there were 421 overdose deaths in Franklin County. This is 15% higher than in the previous year. Fentanyl-related drugs were responsible for 83.6% of these deaths.
The most disturbing trend is that over a third of these overdose deaths were due to cocaine laced with Fentanyl-related drugs. This was almost unheard of a few years ago. Cocaine is a stimulant, while heroin and Fentanyl are depressants. However, they all create a sense of euphoria. Unlike heroin consumers, it is likely that most people consuming cocaine laced with Fentanyl don’t know it is laced with Fentanyl. Worse still, those people have not built up a tolerance for Fentanyl and are more likely to overdose. Like heroin, drug dealers make far more of a profit by cutting cocaine with Fentanyl. When they cut it poorly, people die.
Fentanyl analogues are created by drug cartels to circumvent U.S. drug laws. Labs in China and Mexico simply change a single molecule in the chemical structure of Fentanyl, creating an analogue that is just as powerful and sometimes more powerful than Fentanyl. But it is legally not Fentanyl. Many of the opioids found in the Southern District of Ohio are in fact Fentanyl analogues.
For a time, while Fentanyl was illegal without prescription, its analogues were not. The class of Fentanyl analogues were not made illegal in the United States until 2018 when they were designated a Schedule I controlled substance. That designation, however, expires on February 6. The Senate has recently passed legislation approving a 15-month extension on the designation. The House has not yet approved the legislation and if they do not, all Fentanyl analogues will become legal on February 6.
CALL TO ACTION: The House should act quickly to pass this extension and both Houses of Congress should work together to make all Fentanyl-related drugs a permanently designated Schedule I controlled substance. Or, and I’m sorry to put it so bluntly, we may need to build more morgues.
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One-day prison sentence vacated as result of U.S. Attorney’s Office appealRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Today the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals filed an opinion vacating a one-day sentence that the U.S. Attorney’s Office appealed as unreasonably low in a child exploitation case.
Andrew Demma, 41, of Dayton, pleaded guilty in June 2017 to possessing child pornography involving pre-pubescent minors.
According to the Court of Appeal’s opinion, the FBI obtained and executed a search warrant in August 2015 at Demma’s residence and seized several electronic devices from the residence, finding more than 3,600 images and 230 videos of child pornography in Demma’s possession. Many of the images depicted adult men raping and otherwise sexually abusing pre-pubescent girls.
Demma was sentenced in October 2018 to one day in prison (under Bureau of Prison rules, the day on which Demma was processed by the Marshals following his arrest would have constituted the “one day” in prison).
At sentencing, psychologists testifying on behalf of the defense stated Demma’s use of child pornography stemmed from results of combat trauma during deployments with the United States military in Iraq. The Court of Appeals in its ruling specifically noted, however, “that there is no evidence in the record to support the proposition that military veterans suffering from PTSD typically become addicted to child pornography.”
Following sentencing, the government appealed, arguing that the effectively non-custodial sentence was unreasonably low.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals took note of the size and nature of Demma’s child pornography collection and the fact he accessed child pornography on a daily basis by the use of complex software. The Sixth Circuit opinion also emphasized the serious and continuing harm inflicted upon victims of child pornography, and the need for sentences in this area to deter similar offenses.
Today’s opinion vacates Demma’s sentence, and the case has been sent back to the district court for re-sentencing. No re-sentencing date has been set as yet.
Appellate Chief Mary Beth Young argued the appeal on behalf of the United States. Demma’s criminal case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Laura I. Clemmens and Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hunt.
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Florida man pleads guilty to role in moving company racketeering conspiracyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Florida man is the first of 12 charged in Cincinnati in a moving company racketeering conspiracy to plead guilty in U.S. District Court. Members of the racketeering conspiracy defrauded, extorted, and stole from customers who hired companies controlled by the moving enterprise to move customers’ household goods.
Vladimir Pestereanu, 30, of Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty this afternoon to participating in the racketeering conspiracy.
As part of his plea, Pestereanu, who is also known as “Vova,” admitted that beginning in May 2015, he participated in the racketeering activity as a foreman in a West Chester, Ohio warehouse kept on behalf of the criminal enterprise.
Pestereanu knew that it was the practice of the enterprise to charge customers for moving more cubic footage of household goods than were actually loaded by members of the enterprise. Pestereanu also knew members of the enterprise were refusing delivery of some customers’ household goods based on fraudulent charges that were added after customers’ goods were loaded by the enterprise.
The defendant participated directly in mail fraud and extortion. He demanded from customers additional payment based on fraudulently inflated cubic footage.
In total, the conspiracy is valued at between $1.5 million and $3.5 million.
Participating in a racketeering conspiracy, as defined in this case, is punishable by up to 20 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; Andrea Kropf, Regional Special Agent-in-Charge, Midwestern Regional Investigations Office, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT); 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 Timothy S. Black. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Gaffney Painter and Matthew Singer are representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus Pain Clinic and Owner Agree to Pay $650,000 to Resolve Allegations of Unnecessary ProceduresRead the Press Release
Comprehensive Pain Management Institute and its owner, Leon Margolin, M.D., have agreed to pay the United States $650,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed Medicare for nerve conduction studies and alcohol/substance abuse assessments and interventions (SBIRT) that were medically unnecessary or not provided as billed, the Justice Department announced today. Margolin is a pain management physician in Columbus, Ohio.
“Billing Medicare for unnecessary services undermines the integrity of this important federal healthcare program and squanders taxpayer funds,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The Department will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to protect Medicare and its beneficiaries.”
Nerve conduction studies are used to measure how fast an electrical impulse moves through a person’s nerve. Electromyography is the study and recording of electrical activity in a person’s muscles. This testing is invasive in that it requires needle electrode insertion and adjustment at multiple sites. Performed together, the tests identify the presence and location of diseases that damage nerves and muscles. When a nerve conduction study is performed alone, the results can often be misleading, and it is considered medically unnecessary, except in limited circumstances not present here. SBIRT is an early intervention targeting those with substance abuse to provide effective strategies prior to the need for more extensive treatment. The government alleged that Margolin and his clinic billed Medicare for nerve conduction studies for patients who did not need them and without performing electromyography and for alcohol and/or substance assessments that were not necessary because the patients had no history of drug or alcohol abuse or where the services were not provided as billed.
“Attempting to make a profit by knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare will cost you in the end,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers of the Southern Disitrict of Ohio. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to pursuing improper billing practices by doctors and other medical providers, and will hold them to their obligation to treat Medicare beneficiaries in an ethical manner, and request reimbursement from Medicare in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.”
The allegations resolved by today’s settlement were identified by a government investigation that arose out of a critical analysis of Medicare claims data. The government’s settlement in this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was investigated by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
The claims asserted against this defendant are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Colerain Township man charged with sexually exploiting a minor while on probation for different sex crimeRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A local registered sex offender has been charged federally with sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child pornography.
Nicholas J. Veerkamp, 28, of Colerain Township, was arrested yesterday and appeared in federal court today for allegedly taking explicit photographs of a child while she slept.
According to the criminal complaint and supporting affidavit, Colerain Township police received information in November 2019 alleging Veerkamp possessed sexually explicit photos of a known female minor on his laptop.
Further investigation of his computer revealed photographs depicting Veerkamp exposing and photographing a 9-year-old child from Indiana while she slept. A forensic examination of the photographs completed by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office – Regional Electronic Crimes Investigation unit indicates the images were created in October 2017.
At the time, Veerkamp was on local probation. He was charged in 2015 with unlawful sexual conduct with a child. He pleaded guilty in that local case to sexual imposition and was required to register as a sex offender.According to the complaint, Veerkamp did not register the address at which he was residing in Colerain Township.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force.
Sexually exploiting a minor is a federal crime punishable by 25 to 50 years in prison when a defendant has prior sexual crime convictions. Possessing child pornography carries a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years when a defendant has prior sexual crime convictions. 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, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Colerain Township Police Chief Mark C. Denney; and Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil 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's Office personnel recognized for outstanding performanceRead the Press Release
DAYTON – David M. DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, honored the work of 11 district employees by presenting them with the 2019 U.S. Attorney’s Awards for Outstanding Performance.
“These individuals continually demonstrate the willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to bring justice on behalf of the people of southern Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney DeVillers.
Those receiving recognition are:
- Brent G. Tabacchi for Outstanding Performance by an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Mr. Tabacchi carried the largest caseload in the Dayton office in 2019, spanning almost every substantive area of federal criminal law. In 2019, he was responsible for federal charges against 60 defendants in 34 cases, including Dayton City Commissioner Joey Williams, who pleaded guilty to public corruption, and against 19 defendants in a large drug trafficking investigation. Tabacchi also helped bring federal charges that could carry the death penalty against three defendants in connection with the murder of DEA Task Force Officer Jorge Del Rio. Tabacchi’s 2019 contributions to the community in the enforcement of drug laws led to the seizure of more than 50 kilograms of fentanyl, heroin or mixtures thereof. In addition, he presented arguments before the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and won a jury conviction of a defendant on weapons charges who claimed that the DEA authorized him to commit non-violent offenses.
- Appellate Chief Mary Beth Young, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Robinson, and Paralegal Laura Griffin for Outstanding Performance by a Litigative Team.
This appellate team is recognized for its extraordinary handling of the complex appeals stemming from the Short North Posse criminal trials. The team briefed and argued two separate appeals, ultimately resulting in the affirmance of the vast majority of the convictions and life sentences in the case. The appeals were lengthy and contentious. The five defendants tried jointly filed a 200-page consolidated opening brief. Ms. Young led the District’s response, with Ms. Robinson serving as co-counsel and Ms. Griffin providing paralegal assistance, which included pouring over extensive trial evidence and listening to voluminous recording. Ms. Robinson handled the lead defendant’s separate appeal, stemming from his separate trial. The court held oral arguments in both appeals, including a lengthy oral argument on the consolidated appeal involving five separate defense counsel arguing against Ms. Young, before ruling in the government’s favor.
- AUSAs Ken Affeldt, Maritsa Flaherty, and Tim Oakley, and Paralegal Kelly Terry for Outstanding Contribution to the Mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The four individuals are recognized for their extraordinary work in 2019 in combatting the opioid epidemic in Ohio. During this past year, members of this group brought to indictment the Miami-Luken case, a large and complex prosecution of a significant opioid pill distributor, the company’s executives and certain pharmacists. Ms. Flaherty and Mr. Affeldt successfully tried the Bernard Oppong case and handled sentencing in the related Bryant and Kusi cases, all the while ably assisted by Ms. Terry. They accomplished this, while simultaneously leading the health care fraud task force and handling health care fraud, other pill mill and related cases.
- Megan Black for Outstanding Performance in Administration.
As part of a District evaluation, the District underwent a full Human Resources Audit. Ms. Black led the District’s preparation for the audit, responding to the data and other requests of the auditors, and otherwise addressing the needs of audit. The auditors found no “red flags,” which is significant and reflective of her extraordinary work in the HR field, and the processes she and the Administration team have in place to ensure compliance with the numerous HR-related requirements. At the same time, she “on-boarded” an extraordinary number of new employees.
- Krista Zeller for Outstanding Performance in Legal Support.
In addition to fulfilling her victim-witness functions with skill and expertise, Ms. Zeller absorbed additional duties, including criminal paralegal functions and administrative tasks. Her willingness to go above and beyond to assist the Cincinnati office during a staffing shortage in 2019 did not go unnoticed and should be commended.
- Michelle Gable for Outstanding Performance by a Contract Employee.
The Southern District of Ohio typically has at least two asset forfeiture contract employees in the Columbus office. For much of 2019, Ms. Gable was the only asset forfeiture contractor there. She has become a “go-to” resource for the attorneys and other personnel in Columbus on forfeiture matters, assisting with meeting the asset forfeiture needs of the Columbus office with skill and enthusiasm.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves the approximately 5.5 million residents of 48 counties in Ohio and maintains offices in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. The award ceremony occurred in Dayton.
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Mexican national sentenced to prison for repeatedly entering U.S. illegallyRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Julian Patino-Espinoza, 29, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 36 months in prison for illegally reentering the United States and violating supervised release from his prior federal illegal reentry conviction.
This marks Patino-Espinoza’s third illegal reentry conviction. Two of those convictions have occurred in Dayton.
Most recently, according to court documents, Patino-Espinoza was deported in November 2018 from the Brownsville, Texas port of entry.
In June 2019, Patino-Espinoza was encountered by federal immigration agents at the Clinton County Jail in Wilmington, Ohio where he was being held after arrest for a misdemeanor offense.
Likewise, Patino-Espinoza had been encountered by federal immigration agents at the Montgomery County Jail in March 2018, when he was booked there after an arrest for unrelated offenses.
In August 2019, Patino-Espinoza pleaded guilty to one count of illegally reentering the United States after being convicted of a felony.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Rebecca Adducci, Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hunt is representing the United States in this case.
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MS-13 defendant sentenced to 35 years in prison for directly participating in three homicides in aid of racketeeringRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A defendant in the MS-13 racketeering case was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 420 months in prison for his involvement in multiple homicides, including the murder of a former confidential informant.
Juan Jose Jimenez-Montufar (also known as Chele Trece), 35, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in August 2019. He admitted to his involvement in multiple homicides, including the 2006 murder of a confidential informant who was working with law enforcement agencies in the Columbus area.
Jimenez-Montufar is one of 23 individuals charged in a second superseding indictment in February 2018 who are alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.
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.
The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.
As part of his August guilty plea, Jimenez-Montufar admitted to shooting and killing Jose Mendez in 2006. At that time, Mendez was a confidential informant working with law enforcement agencies in the Columbus area. In December 2006, Jimenez-Montufar and other MS-13 members drove Mendez to a remote location east of Columbus to murder him. Jimenez-Montufar shot Mendez in the head and left his body in Perry County.
Jimenez-Montufar also participated in other homicides, assaulted victims, set fire to an extortion victim’s car, and took part in drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering.
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 sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court 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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5 charged in $2.8 million Dark Web drug trafficking, money laundering conspiracyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has indicted five individuals alleged to be members of one of the most prolific online drug trafficking organizations in the United States. The indictment was returned and unsealed in Cincinnati.
According to the 21-count indictment, since 2013, co-conspirators used several Dark Web marketplace accounts and encrypted messaging apps in order to sell illegal drugs online.
The defendants allegedly specialized in the manufacturing and distribution of more than one million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and laundered approximately $2.8 million over the course of the conspiracy. The pressed fentanyl pills, along with heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, were shipped to the Southern District of Ohio and throughout the country.
Named in the indictment are: Khlari Sirotkin, 36, of Colorado; Kelly Stephens, 32, of Colorado; Sean Deaver, 36, of Nevada; Abby Jones, 37, of Nevada; and Sasha Sirotkin, 32, of California. Each is charged in all 21 counts. Each of the five defendants was arrested in December and has appeared in federal court in Cincinnati.
The investigation was coordinated out of the Cincinnati Field Office of the FBI and is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) joint investigation conducted by the Southern Ohio Digitized Organized Crime Group. Essential support and coordination was provided by the Department of Justice’s multi-agency Special Operations Division (SOD), including assigned attorneys from the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section.
This operation was facilitated in conjunction with the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team. JCODE is a FBI-led initiative that brings together agents, analysts and professional staff to disrupt the sale of drugs, especially fentanyl and other opioids, on the internet and dismantle criminal enterprises that facilitate this trafficking. The JCODE team consists of the following entities: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, US Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Justice and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
The narcotics conspiracy in this case is punishable by 10 years up to life in prison. The money laundering conspiracy is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Individual counts of distributing and attempting to distribute fentanyl or heroin also carry potential maximum penalties of 20 years in prison. Selling counterfeit drugs is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Congress sets minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
“It doesn’t matter to us if you’re out on the streets or behind a computer screen in the comfort of your own home – if you deal fentanyl, as is alleged here, we will identify you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers.
“This case demonstrates that as organized criminals leverage technologies such as the Dark Web, encrypted messaging applications, and cryptocurrencies to conceal their illegal activities, the FBI and our partners will employ sophisticated techniques, creative methods, and a joint effort to hold them accountable,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman.
“Unscrupulous people who use the darknet as a marketplace for selling and distributing illegal and dangerous prescription drugs will be found,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We are fully committed to disrupting and dismantling illegal prescription drug distribution networks that misuse the internet at the expense of public health and safety.”
“Not even the shadowy corners of the Dark Web can provide a safe haven for drug dealers,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin. “Law enforcement is committed to tracking down drug traffickers’ distribution networks no matter where they operate.”
“Battling the distribution of synthetic drugs via the U.S. Mail is one of the Postal Inspection Service’s highest priorities,” said Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke. “This case proves Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in dismantling organizations which are distributing these illicit and dangerous drugs across the U.S. This case involved hard work and dedication from multiple field divisions for both the USPIS and our partners. We will remain unwavering in our mission to identify and disrupt their illegal activity.”
"These individuals are alleged to have trafficked large quantities of highly addictive drugs through our local communities and into our surrounding states,” said Vance Callender HSI Special Agent in Charge for Michigan and Ohio. “This dismantlement of this organization demonstrates HSI’s ability to combat the ongoing epidemic affecting Ohio."
“These aren’t street corner drug pushers – this conspiracy allegedly infiltrated our communities and sold fentanyl in the dank depths of the internet and sent it to mailboxes and doorsteps,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Ohioans are safer, thanks to the work of our narcotics agents and federal partners who untangle webs of deception and death.”
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; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Charles L. Grinstead, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Kansas City Field Office; Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Vance Callander, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac; and the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force announced the charges. Criminal Chief Karl P. Kadon is 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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Grand jury indicts Dayton man with shooting mail carrierRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A Dayton man has been charged federally after allegedly shooting a United States Postal Service mail carrier.
A federal grand jury has charged Christopher O. Gibson, 47, with assaulting and injuring a United States employee with a deadly weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Gibson allegedly shot the postal worker as the worker delivered mail near Gibson’s home on Arlene Avenue in Dayton.
According to court documents, on Jan. 3, Gibson fired at the letter carrier three times, striking him once in the leg.
It is alleged that Gibson had threatened the postal worker in the past, causing a prior suspension of mail delivery to Gibson’s home.
The Dayton Police Department recovered video of the incident from a Ring doorbell camera located near the area of the shooting.
Gibson was charged by federal criminal complaint on Jan. 8 and indicted by a federal grand jury today. He remains in custody.
Forcibly assaulting an employee of the United States while engaged in official duties that inflicted bodily injury and committed with a deadly weapon is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Discharging a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life 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; Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service; and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the indictment returned today. Assistant United States Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi is 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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Ohio man who pretended to be missing Illinois boy pleads guilty to aggravated identity theftRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – An Ohio man who pretended to be a missing Illinois boy pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to aggravated identity theft.
Michael Rini, 23, formerly of Medina, Ohio, was charged by criminal complaint on April 6, 2019 and indicted by a grand jury on April 18, 2019.
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.
Aggravated identity theft is a federal crime punishable by a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment. 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; 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 plea entered into today before 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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Lima man pleads guilty to sex trafficking minor girlRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A registered sex offender pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to crimes related to sex trafficking a 14-year-old girl. He faces at least 27 years and up to 42 years in prison under terms of his plea agreement.
Nicholas Salvadore Cochran, 28, of Lima, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking a minor, and one count of committing a sex offense against a minor as a registered as a sex offender.
Cochran was arrested on Aug. 9 as part of Operation Independence Day – a nationwide FBI-led operation to identify and arrest sex traffickers and recover child victims. He has been in custody since his arrest. A federal grand jury indicted him on September 6, 2019.
According to court documents, police began searching for a 14-year-old girl reported missing from Celina, Ohio in July 2019. Family members believed her to be in the Dublin, Ohio area with a man named “Nick.” Local law enforcement and the FBI began investigating information known about her to help locate the missing girl. The investigation included examination of ads posted on websites used for advertising prostitution.
Investigation of the advertisements revealed that between July 9 and July 14, Cochran posted approximately 25 ads for the Lima-Findlay, Dayton and Columbus areas. He posted ads for sex with the child victim daily, and those ads contained nude photographs of the minor.
Allen County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cochran on a traffic stop in Lima, Ohio on an outstanding failure to appear warrant and seized Cochran’s phone. The victim called her parents from a hotel in Lima and was recovered.
Cochran had been convicted of two counts of sexual battery and one count of attempted sexual battery in Henry County, Ohio in 2009.
The plea agreement requires Cochran to pay full restitution to the victim and others impacted by the crimes, remain under court supervision for the rest of his life, pay a fine determined by the court and pay special assessments of $10,200 if the court finds that he is not indigent. Judge Michael H. Watson will review the plea and set a date for sentencing.
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; Celina Police Chief Thomas Wale; Allen County Sheriff Matthew B. Treglia; Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force announced the plea entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Hill and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Rausch, Legal Director of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Human Trafficking Initiative represented the United States in this case.
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Evans Landscaping owner sentenced to prison for defrauding city, state small business programsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The owner of Evans Landscaping, Inc. was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 21 months in prison for defrauding the City of Cincinnati and other public entities through fraudulent small business contracts.
Doug Evans, 57, of Newtown, Ohio, and Jim Bailey, vice president of operations for Evans Landscaping, were convicted following a jury trial in December 2018. Evans Landscaping, Inc. was also convicted of the fraud scheme.
Evans Landscaping is an Ohio company headquartered in Cincinnati that performs demolition, site-work, grading, hauling, recycling and landscaping services. Given the size and ownership of the company, Evans Landscaping does not qualify as a small business enterprise (SBE).
In order to qualify for the City of Cincinnati’s SBE program, a company must be independently controlled, operated and managed by a qualifying individual whose net worth does not exceed certain limits. The program also requires that the company be directly responsible for providing the supplies or services to the City without relying upon others who are not owners or employees of the company.
Similarly, the State of Ohio has established an Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity program (EDGE) for economically disadvantaged businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by an economically disadvantaged person. The size of the business must not exceed the definition of a “small business.”
In 2008, the defendants (along with others) established, controlled and operated a demolition company, Ergon Site Construction, LLC, for the benefit of Evans Landscaping. Ergon’s president and owner, Korey Jordan, had no prior experience in the field but provided IT services for Evans Landscaping. Ergon (with the help of the coconspirators) fraudulently obtained a certification as an SBE contractor with the City of Cincinnati while concealing Evans Landscaping’s involvement in and control over Ergon. Ergon also fraudulently obtained a State of Ohio EDGE contractor certification as a minority-owned business.
Evans and Evans Landscaping provided startup funds to Ergon. Jordan did not make any capital contributions to the establishment of the company.
Evans Landscaping personnel prepared and filed the legal documentation to register Ergon as an LLC, created the company’s name and logo, ordered Ergon apparel, and bought equipment labels with Ergon’s logo.
Evans paid Jordan a monthly salary through the Ergon payroll and Evans Landscaping employees handled virtually all of the accounting and office management functions of Ergon. For example:
Evans Landscaping officers and employees directed virtually all field and construction operations of Ergon, including on-site supervision and the managing of Ergon field workers.
From 2011 through 2014, Ergon bid on and received more than 100 residential demolition contracts with the City of Cincinnati, totaling approximately $1.9 million, by leveraging Ergon’s fraudulent SBE status.
In a similar fashion, during the same timeframe, Evans Landscaping bid on State demolition and construction projects – particularly public school, university and municipal projects – by claiming Ergon would provide a percentage of the services and receive part of the funds to be paid.
On at least one occasion, Evans Landscaping listed a different subcontractor, won the contract, and performed the work without using, paying or even notifying the EDGE subcontractor named.
Specifically, Evans Landscaping, Doug Evans and Bailey were convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud.
Korey Jordan (president of Ergon), Maurice Patterson (former CFO of Evans Landscaping), John Dietrich (former CFO of Evans Landscaping) and Michael Moeller (former manager at Evans Landscaping) have pleaded guilty in relation to this case. Patterson, Dietrich and Bailey are all scheduled for sentencing later this week.
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 Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan and Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter are representing the United States in this case.
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MS-13 defendant sentenced to 40 years in prison for role in 3 murders, drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, assaultRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jose Manuel Romero-Parada, 25, formerly of Indianapolis, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 480 months in prison.
Romero-Parada, also known as “Russo,” is one of 23 individuals charged in a second superseding indictment in February 2018 who are alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.
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.
The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.
Romero-Parada pleaded guilty in August 2019. He took responsibility for his role in the murders of Carlos Serrano-Ramos and Wilson Villeda, as well as his involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering and assault.
As part of his plea, Romero-Parada also accepted responsibility for his role in an additional, unindicted murder that took place in 2017 in Indianapolis. Israel Anibal Mejia-Martinez was killed and dismembered with bladed weapons and buried in Grassy Creek Regional Park in Indianapolis. Law enforcement officers from Columbus and Indianapolis found his remains in August 2018.
In 2019, six defendants in this case have been sentenced. A total of 14 defendants have pleaded guilty this year.
The lead defendant, Martin Neftali Aguilar-Rivera (also known as Momia), was sentenced in October to life in prison with no chance of release.
“The purpose behind the brutality of the murders committed by MS-13 was to send a message to anyone who dare threaten their existence,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “Let this sentence be a message to MS-13 that we are threatening the existence of this transnational criminal organization.”
DeVillers is joined by Joseph M. Deters, Acting 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 sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court 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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U.S. Attorney's Office collects more than $181 million in civil & criminal actions in fiscal year 2019Read the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers announced today that the Southern District of Ohio was involved in the collection of approximately $181.5 million over the past fiscal year.
The Southern District of Ohio collected more than $98 million in criminal and civil actions in fiscal year 2019. Of this amount, nearly $91.5 million was collected in criminal actions and approximately $6.7 million was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Southern District of Ohio worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $79.5 million in cases pursued jointly by these offices.
“Our collection figures make clear that our work delivers a significant return on public investment,” said U.S. Attorney DeVillers.
The largest single recovery in a criminal case this year involved a fine ordered against GS Caltex Corporation for nearly $46.7 million, which was paid in full.
GS Caltex Corporation was one of five South Korean oil companies involved in rigging bids to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense.
Throughout the course of a conspiracy that lasted more than a decade, the five South Korean oil companies conspired to raise the price of key contracts that provided fuel on U.S. military bases in South Korea.
Assistant United States Attorneys in the Southern District of Ohio worked with the Antitrust and Civil Divisions of the Department of Justice to obtain guilty pleas and criminal fines, civil penalties and damages to the United States totaling more than $350 million.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of numerous federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
The U.S. Attorney’s office, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected approximately $4 milllion in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2019. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
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Justice Department awards more than $333 million to fight opioid crisisRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs today announced awards of more than $333 million to help communities affected by the opioid crisis. Nearly $6.1 million will help public safety and public health professionals in the Southern District of Ohio combat substance abuse and respond effectively to overdoses.
With more than 130 people dying from opioid-related overdoses every day, the Department of Justice has made fighting addiction to opioids—including heroin and fentanyl—a national priority. The Trump Administration is providing critical funding for a wide range of activities—from preventive services and comprehensive treatment to recovery assistance, forensic science services and research—to help save lives and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
“The opioid epidemic has ravaged countless communities and tragically shattered too many lives. While we have seen some progress, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys’ community remain fully committed to working with our state and local partners to combat this complex and evolving challenge,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “The awards announced today support an array of activities designed to reduce the harm inflicted by these dangerous drugs.”
DeVillers explained the grants will help law enforcement officers, emergency responders and treatment professionals coordinate their response to overdoses. Funds will also provide services for children and youth affected by the crisis and will support the nationwide network of drug and treatment courts. Other awards will address prescription drug abuse, expand the capacity of forensic labs and support opioid-related research.
The following awards were made to organizations in the Southern District of Ohio:
BJA’s Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to state, local and tribal jurisdictions to reduce opioid abuse and fatalities, and mitigate impacts on crime victims.
Authorized by the 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, this program offers grant awards across three focus areas.
Category 1 is designed to encourage and support the development of comprehensive, locally driven responses to the opioid epidemic that expand access to supervision, treatment and recovery support services across the criminal justice system; support law enforcement and other first responder diversion programs for non-violent drug offenders; promote education and prevention activities; and address the needs of children impacted by the opioid epidemic. All projects are expected to involve multiple agencies and partners. These awards include:
Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program: Category 1
Awardee
State:
Awardee:
Amount Awarded:
Ohio
County of Hocking
$600,000
Ohio
Adams County
$600,000
Ohio
Hancock Co Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction Mental Health Services
$600,000
Ohio
City of Hamilton
$600,000
Category 3 awards may be used to establish or enhance a prescription drug monitoring system; facilitate the exchange of information and collection of data on prescriptions and other scheduled chemical products among states; develop a training program for system users; produce and disseminate educational materials; support collaborations between law enforcement, prosecutors, public health officials, treatment providers and drug courts; facilitate electronic information sharing among states in compliance with the Prescription Monitoring Information Exchange National Architecture; expand monitoring to Schedules II, III, IV and V; improve the quality and accuracy of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data; develop or enhance the capacity to provide unsolicited reports of controlled substance prescribing to authorized individuals or entities; and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the PDMP program or specific PDMP initiatives. These awards include:
Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program: Category 3
Awardee State:
Awardee:
Amount Awarded:
Ohio
Ohio State Board of Pharmacy
$1,726,497
BJA’s Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to facilitate collaborations between criminal justice, mental health and substance abuse treatment systems to serve individuals with mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse issues.
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
Awardee State:
Awardee:
Amount Awarded:
Ohio
Mental Health Recovery Board of Union County
$595,318
Office for Victims of Crime’s Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims. This program expands programs to provide services to children and youth who are victimized as a result of the opioid crisis.
Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
Awardee State:
Awardee:
Amount Awarded:
Ohio
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.
$448,222
BJA’s Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to states, state courts, local courts, units of local government and tribal governments to develop, implement and enhance drug courts and Veterans Treatment Courts.
Category 2 includes enhancement of fully operational drug courts that incorporate the evidence-based principles included in the National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ Adult Drug Courts Best Practice Standards.
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program: Category 2
Awardee State:
Awardee:
Amount Awarded:
Ohio
Fairfield Co. Municipal Court
$500,000
OJJDP’s Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program awarded grants to provide resources to state, local and tribal governments to create and enhance juvenile drug treatment court programs for youth in the justice system who have substance abuse issues, with a specific focus on opioid abuse.
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
Awardee State:
Awardee:
Amount Awarded:
Ohio
Montgomery County Common Pleas Juvenile Division
$400,000
NIJ Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program, which addresses the extreme shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists in the United States and aims to improve medical examiner-coroner services by supporting efforts toward agency accreditation.
Awardee State:
Awardee:
Amount Awarded:
Ohio
Butler County Coroner’s Office
$13,751
Information about the programs and awards announced today is available here. For more information about OJP awards, visit the OJP Awards Data webpage.
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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Business manager sentenced to prison for crimes involving more than $2 million in Department of Defense contractsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A California man was sentenced here today for crimes involving more than $2 million in Department of Defense contracts.
Timothy M. Kelly, 56, of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and for money laundering. Kelly served as the office manager for Emerson Company, which was owned by Daniel Emerson Norton, 52, formerly of Arlington, Va.
Norton was sentenced on Nov. 18 to 96 months in prison.
Norton and Kelly fraudulently secured approximately $2.2 million in contracts to provide critical parts to the U.S. Department of Defense, which they then filled with defective parts made in China, in violation of the Buy American Act. In total, Norton and Kelly supplied parts that did not meet military requirements for at least 130 contracts.
“The defendants’ actions put our military at risk, which is unfathomable,” IRS Criminal Investigation SAC Bryant Jackson said. “IRS Criminal Investigation followed the flow of money in this case in order to uncover the fraud, and we are proud to work with our law enforcement and military partners to investigate financial transactions that impact our country and our military.”
According to court documents, the Department of Defense (DOD) barred Emerson Company from doing business with the U.S. Government in 2011.
Between 2011 and 2013, Norton continued to recruit people who either already had companies or were willing to start companies to do his bidding on solicitations and contract with the military to provide parts for the U.S. military. When one of the companies was awarded a purchase order, Norton directed the company to send the purchase order to Emerson Company, which would buy and ship the part directly to DoD. Kelly would instruct the company to invoice DoD for the part.
Norton bought the parts from manufacturers in China, even though the contracts required a large number of the parts to be made in the United States.
Until 2012, Kelly primarily conducted spot inspections of parts upon their arrival. In late 2012, Norton took over the responsibility of inspecting a sample part before accepting it from the manufacturer and shipping it to the DoD.
The parts Norton and Kelly provided had dimensional defects, material substitutions, incorrect or missing markings, incorrect finishes, improper shapes or styles, mislabeled packaging or poor workmanship and thus failed to conform to the contract requirements. In some cases, contracts called for precise OEM parts and instead the defendants made defective imitation parts overseas.
They involved a variety of parts used on military weapon systems including aircraft, vessels, vehicles and Nuclear Reactor programs. Many of the parts were considered Critical Application items, which are essential to weapon system performance or operation, or the preservation of life or safety of operating personnel, as determined by military services.
As part of each man’s sentence, Norton and Kelley were ordered to pay $2.38 million in restitution, and forfeit more than $333,000 in the bank account in the name of Emerson Manufacturing Inc. and a $725,000 residence held by Emerson Manufacturing Company in Kihei, Hawaii.
Four other defendants were sentenced this year in a separate scheme to defraud the Department of Defense.
Janay McDonald Ruiz founded JanTech Inc. in 2012 and SoCal Components Place in 2013 with little or no experience, training or education in aircraft, vessel, weapons systems or maintenance. Ruiz’s sister, Raven McDonald, and friends Candace Villar and Niena Johnson, helped operate the companies and their five affiliate companies.
The defendants created and operated four additional companies under different aliases using the names and identities of others after their original companies were debarred in 2013. In one instance, Ruiz used the name and identity of an elderly victim who suffers from dementia. Ruiz opened bank accounts, credit cards and a company to continue to defraud the government.
In sum, the conspiring females created six different companies and entered into more than 1,000 contracts with the government valued more than $2.4 million. The defendants delivered noncompliant, incorrect, used, surplus, refurbished, aftermarket and antiquated parts to the government that were often obtained from unauthorized vendors selling items on the grey and black market. Many of the parts were identified as "Critical Safety Items." Ruiz used her ill-gotten gains to pay for an elaborate wedding in Beverly Hills that included a multi-tiered cake suspended from the ceiling, concert tickets, a Mercedes Benz and designer clothes and shoes.
Each of the four defendants pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to serve time in prison (ranging from 18 to 46 months in prison) and ordered to jointly pay $1.16 million in restitution.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Services (DCIS), Central Field Office; and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica W. Knight and J. Michael Marous represented the United States in this case.
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Seven Ohio men sentenced to prison for crimes related to sexually abusing children, creating child pornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The lead defendant in a network of men charged federally for crimes related to the sexual abuse of two 10-year-old children was sentenced in U.S. District Court today.
William G. Weekley, 35, of Newark, was sentenced to 480 months in prison for producing and distributing child pornography and attempting to coerce or entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
The investigation began when Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations Special Agent/FBI Task Force Officer Larry McCoy communicated undercover with Weekley online. From that initial investigation into Weekley, investigators were able to discover the additional defendants.
According to court documents, the defendants made online contact with each other and others who shared, or whom they believed to share, their sexual interest in minors, incest and child pornography.
After making initial contact through Craigslist, Weekley communicated with each of the other defendants on an ongoing basis through text and various other apps, including Wickr.
Weekley had access to a female child (Jane Doe), who was approximately 10 to 11 years old during the offenses detailed. Weekley sexually abused Jane Doe and created images and videos of the molestation, which he shared with others, including some of the co-defendants.
“The sentence Weekley received today is substantial and just,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “Weekley committed one of the worst crimes one human can inflict upon another, and this district is now a safer place with him in prison.”
Others charged in this and related cases include:
Name
Age
City of residence
Offense
Sentence imposed
Timothy F. Sullivan
51
Canal Winchester
coercion/enticement
138 months in prison, seven years supervised release
Franklin Eugene Perry
64
Columbus
coercion/enticement
288 months in prison, seven years supervised release
Brian S. Perkins
43
Mt. Vernon
activities related to child pornography material
138 months in prison, seven years supervised release
Grant D. Michalski
30
Columbus
activities related to child pornography material
100 months in prison, 10 years supervised release
Eric A. Zevely
35
Columbus
production of child pornography
250 months in prison, 15 years supervised release
Jordan I. Makowski
33
Greenville
activities related to child pornography material
132 months in prison, 15 years supervised release
Weekley and Perry discussed sexually abusing Jane Doe together, and made plans for Perry to join Weekley in the sexual abuse of Jane Doe. Perry encouraged Weekley to continue abusing the victim and did eventually sexually abuse the victim together with Weekley.
Investigators found that Weekley discussed various sexual topics with Zevely. Further investigation revealed that Zevely sexually abused a different 10-year-old victim, who was not Jane Doe, and then took and sent photographs of that abuse.
Weekley and Sullivan communicated when Weekley responded to Sullivan’s online classified ad titled, “I AM LOOKING TO PRIVATELY MEET AN INCEST FAMILY. Mom son brother sister.” Weekley detailed his abuse of Jane Doe to Sullivan, and Sullivan repeatedly requested to join in the abuse and received pictures of the abuse.
Weekley and Perkins communicated when Weekley responded to Perkin’s online classified ad titled, “Dirty emails.” Weekley described to Perkins how he abused Jane Doe, and Perkins requested and received photographs from Weekley of that abuse.
Weekley also responded to a Craigslist ad posted by Makowski, which was titled “Perv guy.” Further investigation was initiated based on Makowski’s statement to Weekley that his sexual interest was “Younger the better. 0-9.” That investigation revealed that Makowski sought out and traded child pornography involving infants.
Weekly and Michalski also connected following a Craigslist ad that Michalski posted and thereafter communicated about interests in sexual topics like “family, forced” and “K9 and more.” Michalski possessed more than 1400 child pornography images, some involving children as young as two years. He had also communicated with others online about sexually abusing children.
“The investigation and prosecution of these seven men show the tremendous work that can be accomplished through the collaboration of all of our law enforcement partners,” DeVillers added “For people who commit crimes like these, this case shows that we will do whatever it takes to find you, and, when you are found, we will punish you accordingly.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of BCI agents like Larry McCoy who wade through the muck every day to intercept these predators and prevent further exploitation of innocent children,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Monsters like these aren’t hiding in the bushes, they are infiltrating our homes through the internet - and all parents need to be vigilant against these online threats.”
“While no amount of prison time can undo the serious harm inflicted by this defendant, today’s sentence should send a clear message to those who engage in such heinous acts that they will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Vance Callender, HSI special agent in charge for Michigan and Ohio.
DeVillers was joined by Joseph M. Deters, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Cincinnati Division; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Vance Callender, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin; Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler and other members of the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in announcing the sentences imposed by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in these cases.
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U.S. Attorney DeVillers announces management teamRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, today announced the following appointments to his executive and supervisory staff.
Vipal J. Patel will continue as First Assistant U.S. Attorney. This position is the number two position in the U.S. Attorney's Office and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office. Patel has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2000, first in the Central District of California in Los Angeles, and since 2005, in the Southern District of Ohio in Dayton. Patel served as the district Criminal Chief in 2010. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Criminal Chief in the Dayton office since 2006. He spent his 2011 on a one-year detail to Afghanistan, where he served as an advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Justice and other governmental and educational institutions, as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Rule of Law program. Patel received his law degree from George Washington University Law School in 1991. Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Patel was a litigation associate and then partner with the law firm of Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft LLP (currently, Duane Morris LLP), in Los Angeles. Patel also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Dayton Law School, where he has taught International Law and teaches courses in Cybercrime and Criminal Procedure. He is a Board Member (Immediate Past President) of the Dayton Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and a former Board Member for the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton.
Mark D'Alessandro will continue as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney and District Civil Chief. The Executive Assistant is primarily responsible for personnel and facilities issues, Department of Justice reporting requirements, special projects, and other responsibilities. D’Alessandro served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2010 to January 2016. He has been Civil Chief since 2009 and was Deputy Civil Chief - Columbus from 2001-2009. Before that, he served as a criminal Assistant U.S. Attorney for Health Care Fraud from 1997 until 2001, and was the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1995 until 1997. D'Alessandro is a 1975 graduate of Boston College and a 1979 graduate of the Capital University Law School. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio from 1979 until 1995.
D’Alessandro will be assisted in his Civil Chief duties by Matthew Horwitz, who will continue to serve as Deputy Civil Chief. Horwitz was first named to the post in 2014. He has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Cincinnati since 2012. Horwitz graduated from the Ohio State University and received his J.D., with honors, from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He previously practiced at Frost Brown Todd in Cincinnati.
Karl P. Kadon was named as the District’s Criminal Chief. Kadon most recently served as the District’s OCDETF Chief. Kadon joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2006, after serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in Cincinnati from 2005 to 2006. Kadon was the Chief Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor from 1999 to 2005. His prior experience also includes: Deputy Cincinnati City Solicitor, (1992-1999); Senior Assistant Cincinnati City Solicitor (1987-1992); Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor (1984-1987) United States Army Reserve, Lieutenant Colonel, Director of Legal Services, 9th Legal Support Organization.
Kadon will be assisted in his Criminal Chief duties by four Deputy Criminal Chiefs and three Assistant Deputy Criminal Chiefs. They are:
- Christy L. Muncy, Deputy Criminal Chief (OCDETF). Muncy will oversee the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force. She has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio since 2007. Muncy was the District’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator from 2008 to 2009 and Violent Crimes Coordinator from 2015 until 2018. Her prior experience includes serving as the First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney from 2005 to 2007 and as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney from 2002 to 2005 in Kenton County, Ky.
- Brian J. Martinez, Deputy Criminal Chief (Columbus). Martinez is the former Chief of Staff for the Associate Attorney General of the United States (2012-2014) and Chief of Staff of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division (2009-2012). He was also an Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2003 to 2009 and clerked for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California from 2002 until 2003. He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in 2014 and has served as an Assistant United States Attorney since 2015.
- Gary L. Spartis, Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief (Columbus). Spartis most recently served as a Deputy Criminal Chief in the Columbus office since 2001. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney beginning in 1987. Spartis graduated from Grove City College (PA) in 1976 and the Capital University Law School in 1979. He served as an Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor from 1981 until 1987.
- Emily N. Glatfelter, Deputy Criminal Chief (Cincinnati). Glatfelter has served as a Deputy Criminal Chief in the Cincinnati office since 2015. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cincinnati in 2012, primarily handling financial crimes matters. She previously served in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Maryland, beginning in 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Butler University in 1999 and her law degree from the University of Indiana in 2002 before working for Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington D.C. She also clerked for the Hon. David F. Hamilton while he served as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana.
- Timothy S. Mangan, Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief (Cincinnati). Mangan has been as Assistant United States Attorney for the District since 2009. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he was an Associate and Partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (1997-2004, 2006-2009); Senior Counsel at Cinergy Corporation (2005-2006) and Associate at Bassford Lockhart Truesdell & Briggs (1995-1997).
- Dominick S. Gerace, Deputy Criminal Chief (Dayton). Gerace has been an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio since 2016. Prior to joining the criminal division in Dayton, he was an AUSA in the Eastern District of Virginia from 2012 to 2016. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy and his law degree from Georgetown University. Gerace’s other work experience includes: Associate, Taft, Stettinius and Hollister LLP (2008-2012); Clerk to the Hon. John M. Rogers, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2007-2008); Armor Officer, United States Army (1999-2004).
- Laura I. Clemmens, Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief (Dayton). Clemmens most recently served as a Deputy Criminal Chief in the Dayton office since 2009. She began her service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Dayton criminal division, in 2002. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from The College of Wooster, and received a certificate in Environmental Management from the School of Public Administration at the University of Southern California. She earned her law degree from the University of Oregon. Prior to earning her law degree, Clemmens worked as a scientist at the Denver regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Douglas W. Squires will continue as Senior Litigation Counsel. Doug Squires has served as the District’s Senior Litigation Counsel (“SLC”) since 2014. As the SLC, Squires is responsible for legal training and development. For nearly 20 years, Squires has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Columbus and has focused on the prosecution of complex cases involving white-collar crime, corruption, terrorism and espionage. Squires also serves as the office’s Professional Responsibility Officer and Criminal Discovery Coordinator. In 2016, Squires was honored with the Exceptional Service Award from the National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys. In 2009, he received the U.S. Department of Justice Distinguished Service Award. In 2001, he was the recipient of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Integrity Award. From 1994 to 2000, Squires was a state prosecutor in California prosecuting violent crimes and drug offenses, and served as Interim Supervising District Attorney. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law where he teaches white collar crime and criminal procedure. He has authored several published materials on fraud and corruption, including a chapter entitled "Forensic Accounting" in Scientific Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases, 6th Ed., 2013, Foundation Press, a legal textbook on scientific and technical evidence. Squires received a B.A. from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Mary Beth Young will continue as Appellate Chief, a position she has held since 2016, with supervisory responsibility for criminal and civil filings in the Court of Appeals and coordination of the District’s appellate practice with other divisions of the Department of Justice. Young became an Assistant United States Attorney in 2012 in Columbus after serving two years as a Special AUSA. Prior to joining the District, Young was in private practice in Columbus and served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Moritz College of Law, where she currently serves as an Adjunct Professor. Young received her B.S. from the University of Kentucky, her M.S. from Georgia Tech, and her J.D. from the University of Chicago. Following law school, Young served as law clerk to Judge David Sentelle of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, then to Justice Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, with a staff of 115, represents more than five million people in 48 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The Southern District of Ohio includes the metropolitan areas of Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.
DeVillers was nominated by the President in September 2019 to become the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and after he was confirmed by the United States Senate in late October, DeVillers was sworn into office on Nov. 1, 2019.
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