Southern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Armenian Ambassador and a Russian National Charged in Foreign Bribery and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
Two employees of an international engineering consulting firm were charged in a superseding indictment filed today for their alleged participation in a scheme to launder bribe payments to foreign government officials for the benefit of a Columbus, Ohio-based subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc, to secure a contract to supply equipment and services to power a gas pipeline from Kazakhstan to China.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman of the Southern District of Ohio, Acting Inspector in Charge Nicole Davis of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group, Assistant Director Christopher Hacker of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division made the announcement.
Azat Martirossian, 62, a citizen of Armenia, and Vitaly Leshkov, 50, a citizen of Russia, were charged by a superseding indictment filed in the Southern District of Ohio with one count of conspiracy to launder money and 10 counts of money laundering. Petros Contoguris, 70, a citizen of Greece, was also charged on these counts, as well as one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and seven counts of violating the FCPA. Contoguris previously had been charged on all of these counts in an indictment that was filed on Oct. 12, 2017 and unsealed on Nov. 7, 2017. Martirossian, Leshkov, and Contoguris are believed to be residing outside the United States.
“The charges announced today against Azat Martirossian and Vitaly Leshkov further demonstrate the Criminal Division’s unwavering resolve to prosecute those who facilitate corruption and launder illicit proceeds,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts by our prosecutors and agents—working closely with their counterparts throughout the world—these defendants will face prosecution for their allegedly corrupt schemes.”
“The charges filed today reflect the continued determination of the United States to prosecute those who engage in foreign corrupt business practices,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “International actors should think twice before executing bribery schemes because the United States can and will discover and prosecute such schemes and their perpetrators.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has a long history of successfully investigating complex fraud and corruption cases,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Davis. “Corruption and bribery schemes such as this involving international corporations and conspirators are not victimless crimes. This type of conduct can damage competitive domestic and international markets, and cause immeasurable economic losses both here in the United States and around the world. Anyone who engages in deceptive practices like this should know they will not go undetected and will be held accountable, regardless of where they are. The collaborative investigative work on this case conducted by Postal Inspectors and our domestic and international law enforcement partners illustrates our efforts to protect the United States and the international marketplace.”
“The allegations outlined today exemplify how a small group of individuals, who knowingly engage in illegal payments in an attempt to advance businesses dealings, create an uneven global marketplace,” said Acting Assistant Director Hacker. “The FBI with our partners continues to work these important cases in order to remove the notion that bribery, through backroom deals, is an acceptable way of doing business. This investigation demonstrates the importance of international cooperation amongst law enforcement in combatting fraud and money laundering on a global basis.”
“Today’s charges serve as a reminder of the important role the FBI plays in rooting out international corruption,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge DeSarno. “No one is above the law, so let today’s announcement be a warning to those who may try to perpetrate a similar scheme that the FBI will work with global partners in its mission to detect and prevent corrupt business practices, and we will continue to hold those who attempt to take advantage of international markets accountable.”
According to the superseding indictment, Contoguris, the founder and chief executive officer of Gravitas & CIE. International Ltd. (Gravitas), former Rolls-Royce employees and executives, and others, allegedly conspired to pay bribes to foreign officials in exchange for directing business to Rolls-Royce Energy Systems Inc. (RRESI). RRESI was a U.S.-based subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc, the United Kingdom-based global manufacturer and distributor of power systems for the aerospace, defense, marine and energy sectors.
The superseding indictment alleges that Contoguris, working with employees of an international engineering consulting firm (Technical Advisor), including Martirossian and Leshkov, devised and executed a scheme with Rolls-Royce executives and employees, whereby Rolls-Royce would pay kickbacks to the Technical Advisor employees and bribes to at least one foreign official in Kazakhstan, and disguise these payments as commissions to Contoguris’s company, Gravitas, in exchange for helping Rolls-Royce win contracts with Asia Gas Pipeline LLP (AGP).
According to the superseding indictment, AGP was created to build and connect a gas pipeline between Central Asia and China, and the Technical Advisor purported to provide independent engineering consulting advice and other services to AGP. The superseding indictment further alleges that after AGP awarded Rolls-Royce a contract in November 2009, worth approximately $145 million, Rolls-Royce made commission payments to Gravitas, and Contoguris then passed a portion of those commission payments onto the Technical Advisor employees, including Leshkov and Martirossian, knowing that a portion of that money would be shared with a foreign official consistent with their corrupt agreement.
The charges announced today follow the Jan. 17, 2017 announcement of a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with Rolls-Royce plc and a more than $800 million total penalty as part of a global resolution to investigations by the Department of Justice, U.K., and Brazilian authorities related to the corrupt conduct. The charges also follow upon the Nov. 7, 2017 announcement, concerning Rolls-Royce former executives and employees James Finley, Keith Barnett and Louis Zuurhout, and Technical Advisor employee Andreas Kohler, each of whom have entered guilty pleas in connection with their respective roles in the bribery scheme. The DPA acknowledged Rolls-Royce’s cooperation in this case, including with the Department’s investigation into individuals, and significant remedial measures.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI’s International Corruption Squad in Washington, D.C., investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Kevin R. Gingras and Vanessa Snyder of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Michael Marous and Jessica Kim of the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this matter. The United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office provided assistance in this matter, as did law enforcement colleagues in Brazil, which both coordinated with the Department to reach simultaneous resolutions with Rolls-Royce. The Department also thanks its law enforcement colleagues in Austria, the Bahamas, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and Turkey.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Former Hamilton County Deputy Charged with Excessive Use of ForceRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged Jason Mize, 31, of Cincinnati, with using unreasonable force while acting under color of law in an indictment returned here yesterday and unsealed today.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges.
According to the indictment, on August 20, 2016, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 61-year-old individual and brought him to the county Justice Center for processing.
While the victim was in medical intake, Mize allegedly approached the victim from behind and told the individual to stand. It is alleged that Mize then pushed the victim towards a holding cell, shoving the victim with such force that the victim collided headfirst with a concrete wall. The victim suffered bodily injury, including lacerations to his scalp and a leg fracture.
Mize is charged with one count of depravation of rights under color of law, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He was arrested today by FBI agents.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, and Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Gaffney and Ebunoluwa Taiwo, who are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Westerville Man Sentenced for Threatening CongressmanRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – E. Stanley Hoff, 69, of Westerville, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 40 months in prison for threatening to assault and murder a United States official.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and the United States Capitol Police announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
Hoff was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2017, and, according to court documents, threatened to assault and murder U.S Representative Steve Stivers and a member of Stivers’ family.
Hoff was responsible for a series of threatening voicemails from February to June 2017 left at the Representative’s office in Hilliard.
For example, in March, a portion of one of Hoff’s messages stated, “we’re going to take care of it our way” and “Leave Obamacare alone or die.”
In another message, Hoff references the June 2017 Congressional Baseball Game for Charity shooting and calls it “only the tip of the iceberg” saying maybe the “next one taken down will be” Stivers.
“Hoff threatened the Congressman and his family because the Congressman was not legislating according to Hoff’s political views,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “That is unacceptable in our society. Peaceful political argument or banter is one thing, but Hoff’s conduct was a far cry from that. Threatening to assault or murder a United States official on account of that official’s performance of his or her duties is a serious federal crime — regardless of political party or views. The significant prison sentence that Hoff received today is warranted by his conduct and, I hope, will make others think twice about threatening government officials.”
Hoff was arrested on June 21, when he was charged by a criminal complaint and has been held without bond. He pleaded guilty in October 2017.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the U.S. Capitol Police and Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Kelley and Noah Litton, who are prosecuting the case.
# # #
Ohio Hospital Operator Agrees to Pay United States $14.25 Million to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Arising from Improper Payments to PhysiciansRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mercy Health, a nonprofit organization based in Cincinnati that operates healthcare facilities in Ohio and Kentucky, has agreed to pay the United States $14,250,000 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians, the Justice Department announced today.
The settlement announced today resolved allegations that Mercy Health provided compensation to six employed physicians – one oncologist and five internal medicine physicians – that exceeded the fair market value of their services. Federal law restricts the financial relationships that hospitals may have with doctors who refer patients to them. These issues were self-disclosed to the government by Mercy Health.
“When physicians are rewarded financially for referring patients to hospitals or other health care providers, it can affect their medical judgment, resulting in overutilization of services and higher health care costs,” said Acting Assistant Attorney Chad A. Readler, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “In addition to yielding a recovery for taxpayers, this settlement should deter similar conduct in the future and help make health care more affordable.”
“Hospitals should employ their physicians at a compensation level that is consistent with fair market value for the area of practice, and should not attempt to incentivize physicians to refer patients based on anything other than the best clinical interests of the patient,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Vipal Patel for the Southern District of Ohio.
The case was handled by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Grand Jury Returns Tax Charges Against Celebrity Manager in Relation to OXYwater CaseRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has charged Kevin R. Foster, 42, of Montclair, N.J. with charges related to a fraud scheme in a second superseding indictment returned here today.
Foster was charged in an original, seven-count indictment in July 2016. A superseding indictment containing 10 counts – including additional wire fraud, money laundering and bankruptcy fraud charges – as well as a second victim, was returned in November 2017. Today’s second superseding indictment adds six more charges – two counts of tax evasion and four counts of filing a false tax return.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Richard E. Zuckerman, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the new charges.
This case stems from the prior prosecution of Thomas E. Jackson and Preston J. Harrison, who collected approximately $9 million from investors under false pretenses to start and market the sports beverage “OXYwater” through their company, Imperial Integrative Health Research and Development (“Imperial”). The two were convicted by a federal jury in March 2015 of multiple wire fraud, money laundering and tax fraud charges.
The original charges against Foster allege that he, as the principal of his management/accounting firm, Foster & Firm, Inc., and as business manager for Shaffer Smith (“Ne-Yo”), induced Smith to invest $2 million into OXYwater under false representations. Unbeknownst to Smith, Foster allegedly invested an additional $1.5 million of Smith’s money into the product without his consent and fraudulently took out $1.4 million in lines of credit under Smith’s name by forging his signature.
The superseding indictment also alleges that Foster defrauded a second celebrity client, Brian McKnight, as a way to secure money to help keep Imperial solvent.
McKnight agreed to invest in the company, not knowing that Foster served as an officer/controller of Imperial. Foster allegedly withdrew more money from McKnight’s account than he had authorized, and transferred some of it to one of Imperial’s business associates in order to help keep Imperial afloat.
The latest indictment alleges that Foster failed to report on his 2012 and 2013 tax returns the millions of dollars that he stole from Ne-Yo and McKnight. Foster also allegedly claimed millions of dollars in bogus deductions in order to further reduce his tax liability.
U.S. Attorney Glassman and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation and FBI, and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica H. Kim and Department of Justice Tax Division Trial Attorney Jason M. Scheff, who are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Kentucky Man Charged with Attempting to Fraudulently Obtain $1 Million from Victims' FundRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged Matthew Ashcraft, also known as Andrew McCormick, 32, of Covington, Ky., with wire fraud and aggravated identity in an indictment returned here yesterday. Ashcraft, who was arrested today by FBI agents, allegedly devised a scheme in attempt to defraud a victims’ fund in a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges.
In 2003, a lawsuit was settled in the case of John Doe, et. al. v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington. As part of the settlement, a $90 million fund was created for victims of abuse. A minor’s fund of $4.5 million was created for those victims who were minors during the claim period. Submissions to the fund were available until 2015.
According to the indictment, in 2006, Ashcraft filed a claim seeking compensation for alleged abuse involving the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington, et. al. The claim was approved for an award to Ashcraft in 2007 in the amount of $750,000.
In 2014, Ashcraft allegedly obtained the birth certificate of another individual, created an email address in that person’s name, and submitted a fraudulent claim for compensation in the Catholic Diocese of Covington lawsuit. Using the victim’s name, date of birth and social security number, Ashcraft caused the submission of a compensation request for approximately $1 million.
Ashcraft is charged with one count of wire fraud, a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a potential additional two years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, and Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
14 Charged with Making Fake Prescriptions to Obtain & Distribute Codeine Cough SyrupsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Law enforcement officials arrested seven individuals today in “Operation Purple Drank.” Fourteen total were previously indicted by a federal grand jury on charges unsealed today of conspiring to distribute codeine-promethazine, obtaining controlled substances by fraud and illegally using DEA registration numbers. Four defendants are already in custody on prior charges and three have not yet been apprehended.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the charges.
This investigation began when law enforcement officials with the Wooster Police Department, MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency in Wayne County and Parma Police Department identified multiple fictitious prescriptions.
In addition, the Warren County Drug Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Hocking County Major Crimes Unit and the Columbus, Dublin and Gahanna police departments also investigated this case.
According to the indictment, from January 2016 until February 2017, the co-conspirators allegedly created a significant number of fraudulent and forged prescriptions for codeine-promethazine syrup. It is also alleged that individuals were recruited to travel from Columbus, Ohio to various pharmacies in Ohio to fill the fake prescriptions.
Those charged include:
Name
Age
City
Mohamed A. Mohamed
25
Grove City
Sade S. Abdisaliis
21
Columbus
Abulkadir A. Yusuf
28
Columbus
Siyad A. Haji
26
Columbus
Mahdi H. Mohamed
23
Columbus
Abdirashid M. Ahmed
24
Columbus
Liban A. Hassan
25
Columbus
Alinoor S. Alinoor
23
Gahanna
Samatar A. Haji
23
Columbus
Ibrahim A. Shoble
29
Columbus
Abdifahi H. Abdirizak
21
Columbus
Ismail C. Cusmaan
22
Columbus
Alla-Magan M. Gani
21
Columbus
Mohamed H. Hashi
25
Columbus
The 17-count indictment includes 13 counts of obtaining substances by fraud. It also includes use of a fictitious DEA registration number and use of another’s DEA registration number.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation of this case by federal, state and local law enforcement, including the assistance of more than 25 police departments statewide, as well as Assistant United States Attorney David J. Bosley, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Knox County Man Sentenced for Distributing Pornography of Preschool-Aged ChildrenRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Lee Allen Goudy, 24, of Howard, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 78 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for distribution of child pornography.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
According to court documents, investigators learned through a cybertipline report that Goudy was distributing child pornography through email accounts, Dropbox and Kik messenger. When executing a search warrant on Goudy’s electronic devices, agents found more than 600 images of child pornography.
The government’s Sentencing Memorandum in this case details that Goudy frequently initiated communications with others and promoted the “taboo” images of sexual abuse of children as young as two to six years old.
“These communications involved utterly horrific discussions of the most depraved child sexual abuse and torture imaginable,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Goudy consistently urged others to agree with his views about the sexual abuse of children and on some occasions even encouraged others to sexually abuse children.”
Goudy pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography in September 2016.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the FBI, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Hill, who is representing the United States in this case.
###
Former Employee of U.S. Government Contractor in Afghanistan Pleads Guilty to Foreign Transportation of Approximately $104,000 in Stolen MoneyRead the Press Release
A former employee of a U.S. government contractor in Afghanistan pleaded guilty today to foreign transportation of approximately $104,000 in stolen money. The former employee admitted stealing the money from another employee who received the money in illegal kickbacks from an Afghan subcontractor in return for that employee’s assistance in obtaining subcontracts on a U.S. government contract.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman of the Southern District of Ohio, Special Agent in Charge John Khin of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Southeast Field Office-Atlanta Resident Agency, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John F. Sopko and Director Frank Robey of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s (CID) Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU) made the announcement.
Frantz Florville, 33, of Columbus, Ohio, was charged in an information filed on April 5, in the Southern District of Ohio with one count of foreign transportation of stolen money. He pleaded guilty to the information before U.S. Chief District Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr. of the Southern District of Ohio, in Columbus. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
As part of his plea, Florville admitted that he worked in Afghanistan as a project specialist for an American defense contractor in Kabul, Afghanistan (the Prime Contractor). As part of his duties, Florville worked for the Prime Contractor on an approximately $8 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Florville admitted that in the spring of 2016, he became suspicious that another employee of the Prime Contractor, Nebraska McAlpine, was taking illegal kickbacks from an Afghan contractor in return for McAlpine’s assistance in the Afghan contractor’s companies seeking and acquiring subcontracts under the Department of Defense contract. As a result, Florville admittedly took steps to record meetings between the Afghan contractor and McAlpine in May, June and July 2016 when those two met alone in McAlpine’s office at the secure facility in which the Prime Contractor’s employees lived. Those recordings confirmed for Florville that McAlpine was taking kickbacks from the Afghan contractor.
After the last recorded meeting and the departure of McAlpine and the Afghan contractor from McAlpine’s office, Florville admittedly went into McAlpine’s office, found a bag with $108,000 in U.S. currency in it, and, without McAlpine’s permission, took it. Florville admitted that he took the bag back to his own office, hid it and later that day took the money and hid it in his residential unit at the secure facility.
Florville further admitted that on July 16, 2016, he used $25,000 from the $108,000 stolen money to purchase nine diamonds from a jewelry shop at the secure facility. On the following day, Florville flew from Afghanistan to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For that flight, he admittedly hid about $79,000 of the stolen money in boots that he purchased and altered for that purpose. In Dubai, before boarding a flight to the Philippines on July 18, 2016, Florville admittedly transferred the money into his backpack for the second flight and took the diamonds with him on these flights. Florville admitted that thereafter, he and his wife used the cash and diamonds that he had brought from Afghanistan for their personal purposes in the Philippines, where Florville then lived.
McAlpine previously pleaded guilty in the Northern District of Georgia to seeking and receiving illegal kickbacks on a U.S. government contract. On Nov. 28, 2017, he was sentenced there to 21 months in prison.
This matter was investigated by DCIS, SIGAR and Army CID-MPFU. Trial Attorney Daniel Butler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Defendants Apprehended in International Waters Plead Guilty to Intent to Distribute 720 Kilos of CocaineRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – All four defendants charged in a narcotics conspiracy case after being captured in international waters near the Galapagos Islands have pleaded guilty. The co-conspirators were transported to Columbus in September 2017 for federal prosecution after being apprehended with approximately 720 kilograms of cocaine.
The more than 1,584 pounds of cocaine has an approximate street value of $25 million in total.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Adm. Paul Zukunft announced the pleas.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint in this case, Ecuadorian nationals Hernan Emilio Caldas-Estupinan, Oscar Alipio Chila-Mendez, Carlos Alfredo Escobar-Estupinan and Mexican national Jesus Antonio Ramos-Chirino were detected in a dual engine speed boat on August 18 northwest of the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
The United States Coast Guard cutter James was dispatched to interdict the vessel in international waters and conduct a Right of Visit boarding. The watercraft had no flag flown, no registration documents, no registration number, homeport or name on the hull of the vessel, no identification of a sailing master and no claim of nationality for the vessel.
As part of its interdiction efforts, the James launched a helicopter and two patrol craft to approach the boat. When the defendants detected the helicopter and patrol craft, they began to jettison numerous packages from the vessel while attempting to flee from the helicopter.
The Coast Guard helicopter fired warning shots in an attempt to halt the flight, and when those warning shots went unheeded, the helicopter employed disabling fire. Once the vessel had been disabled, one of the patrol craft launched from the James took control of the vessel.
Coast Guard personnel collected the 25 packages that had been thrown from the boat and discovered that they contained approximately 720 kilograms of cocaine.
Each of the four defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of more of cocaine while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, a crime punishable by 10 years to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the DEA and United States Coast Guard, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys David DeVillers and Jonathan Grey, who are prosecuting the case.
# # #
Athens County Home Health Care Agency Owner Sentenced for Committing $2M FraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cheryl McGrath, 50, of Guysville, Ohio, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 36 months in prison for committing health care fraud and willful failure to pay over tax.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Office and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the sentence handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
According to court documents, McGrath owned and operated Home Health Care of Southeast Ohio in Guysville, Ohio since 1993.
From 2009 until 2015, McGrath executed a scheme to defraud the Ohio Medicaid Program by billing on behalf of Home Health Care of Southeast Ohio for home health nursing services that were never rendered. The defendant routinely changed the claim information in the billing software to falsely reflect that additional hours of nursing services had been provided and falsely increased the number of nursing visits from one visit per week to between three and five visits per week.
McGrath also submitted claims for nursing services of Medicaid patients who were ineligible because they were either residing in private nursing homes or deceased.
In total, her scheme included fraudulent claims in the amount of approximately $2.2 million.
From 2009 until 2013, McGrath maintained the books and records regarding payroll for the home health care business. During that time, she submitted Forms 941 to the IRS but did not pay over the federal employment taxes that were due, causing a loss of $366,825 to the IRS.
McGrath pleaded guilty to health care and tax fraud charges in June 2017. As part of her plea agreement, McGrath has agreed to pay more than $2.2 million in restitution to the Ohio Medicaid Program and the nearly $367,000 to the IRS.
“As the person who controlled the finances on behalf of Home Health Care of Southeast Ohio, Cheryl McGrath was entrusted with the significant responsibility to collect and turn over all IRS withholding taxes” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “By failing to do so, not only was the revenue due to the United States government affected, but more importantly, the Medicare and Social Security benefits of the employees was affected.”
“This scheme was intentional and egregious, and we worked hard to pursue a just outcome,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Fighting health care fraud is a priority of my office.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services OIG, FBI and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica W. Knight and Kenneth F. Affeldt and Special Assistant United States Attorney Maritsa Flaherty with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s Office, who are representing the United States in this case.
# # #
5 Charged in Stolen Check SchemeRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged five Cincinnati individuals with conspiring to commit bank fraud and with aggravated identity theft in an indictment unsealed here yesterday.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, Yvonne DiCristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neal, West Chester Police Chief Joel Herzog, Green Township Police Chief James Vetter, Greensburg, Ind. Interim Police Chief Brendan Bridges, Norwood Police Chief William Kramer and Madeira Police Chief Dave Schaefer announced the charges.
According to the indictment, from February 2017 until April 2018, co-conspirators allegedly stole checks from mailboxes at residences and businesses. Defendants would then cash the stolen checks by pretending to be the lawful payees.
It is alleged that the group also fraudulently re-printed the original checks by inserting the names of new payees on the checks. Co-conspirators would recruit “cashers” who allowed the group to insert the casher’s name on the check in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.
Those charged include, Stephano Henderson (aka Face), 31; Laneal Henderson (aka Phatty Boi), 32; Eugene Clifford, 30; Markalo Harris, 25 and Ebony Lattimore, 30, all of Cincinnati.
The five defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Each of the defendants is also charged with at least one count of aggravated identity theft. In addition, Stephano Henderson is also charged with one count of bank fraud.
Aggravated identity theft is punishable by up to two years in prison for each count in addition to time served for other offenses.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by law enforcement, and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Former Athens County Assistant Prosecutor Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Michael (also known as Mickey) A. Prisley, 52, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to submit false claims for income tax refunds with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As part of the plea, Prisley agreed to pay more than $250,000 in restitution to the IRS.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, announced the guilty plea entered into today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King.
According to court documents, Prisley was an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and had served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Athens County, Ohio from approximately August 2011 through January 2014.
Between the fall of 2009 and September 2015, Prisley conspired with others to defraud the IRS by filing hundreds of false income tax returns in an attempt to obtain fraudulent income tax refunds.
Prisley deposited fraudulently obtained income tax refund checks into his bank accounts and withdrew the funds in cash in order to pay his co-conspirators their share. Prisley also received controlled substances in exchange for cashing the fraudulently obtained income tax refund checks.
In addition, Prisley provided his co-conspirators with false power of attorney forms so that his co-conspirators could cash fraudulently obtained income tax refund checks without the listed taxpayer's knowledge.
As a result of the fictitious income tax return filings, a total of $466,842 in fraudulent income tax refunds was released by the IRS, of which Prisley assisted his co-conspirators in obtaining $250,220.99.
Conspiracy to submit false claims for income tax refunds carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
“A once trusted criminal prosecutor is now a convicted felon because he chose to line his pockets with stolen income tax refunds,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
Co-defendants Tawnya Writesel (also known as Tawnya Rutan), Amy K. France and Denard T. Nelson were also charged in relation to this case.
France pleaded guilty in June 2016 to one count of conspiracy to submit false claims and one count of identity theft and was sentenced in January to 37 months in prison. France was also ordered to pay nearly $467,000 in restitution. Nelson pleaded guilty in September 2015 to one count of identity theft and was sentenced in May 2016 to five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay more than $87,000 in restitution.
Writesel was indicted in November 2017 on one count of conspiracy to submit false claims for income tax refunds and four counts of filing false claims for income tax refunds. Her case is pending.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica H. Kim, who is prosecuting the case.
# # #
6 Ohio Men Charged with Conspiring to Bring Drugs into PrisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged six individuals in a narcotics conspiracy involving the alleged smuggling of narcotics into an Ohio prison.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Warren County Sheriff Larry L. Sims announced the charges.
Each defendant is charged with one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute narcotics, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Those charged include:
Name
Age
Residence
Joseph Brodbeck
59
Columbus
Alton Herron
46
Dayton
Gerry Branner
27
Cincinnati
William A. Lowery
30
London Correctional Institution
Daviontae Norvell
26
Dayton
Rodney J. Herron
27
Dayton
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to distribute Suboxone, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana inside London Correctional Institute.
Brodbeck was a contract employee of the prison’s food service company and worked in the prison kitchen. He allegedly smuggled narcotics in to inmates after purchasing the narcotics in various cities in Southern Ohio, including Middletown, Dayton and Springfield. Brodbeck’s co-defendants were each inmates of the facility at one point and allegedly paid Brodbeck for the narcotics.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Newark Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Receiving, Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shawn P. Parrish, 38, of Newark, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 180 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for charges related to child pornography.
A United States District Court jury convicted Parrish in April of receiving and possessing child pornography. Parrish had been previously convicted of an offense involving aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse or abusive sexual contact of a minor.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien and other members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.
According to court documents and testimony, investigation of a peer-to-peer file-sharing network led investigators to Parrish’s residence when they discovered child pornography being uploaded to an IP address there. While executing a search warrant at his Newark residence in August 2016, investigators found numerous images of a 12-year-old girl on Parrish’s phone.
Forensic evidence obtained from Parrish’s phone and the victim’s phone indicates that Parrish sent himself videos of the victim displaying her nude pubic area and that he received those videos via Facebook Messenger and thereafter created still images on his phone from the videos.
Parrish had previously been convicted in North Carolina in 1998 for Indecent Liberties with a Child and had been sentenced to 16-20 months in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the Franklin County ICAC Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rausch, Director of the Franklin County Special Victims Unit, who are prosecuting the case.
The Franklin County ICAC Task Force is a multi-agency effort dedicated to the fight against computer-facilitated crimes against children. The following agencies are members:
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Ohio ICAC
Grove City Police Department
Columbus Police Department
Grandview Heights Police Department
Westerville Police Department
Hilliard Police Department
Franklin County Prosecutor's Office
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Ohio Attorney General’s Office (BCI)
The Ohio State University Police Department
Upper Arlington Police Department
Circleville Police Department
Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
# # #
Brothers Sentenced for Roles in Vegas-to-Columbus Oxy RingRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Columbus brothers were sentenced in U.S. District Court for their roles in leading a narcotics trafficking conspiracy. Marcus L. Pryor, 38, was sentenced to 140 months in prison and Marquis L. Pryor, 26, was sentenced to 93 months in prison.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
According to court documents, the two brothers had been diverting oxycodone pills from the Las Vegas area to Columbus since at least 2012. Law enforcement officials seized numerous U.S. mail packages containing thousands of oxycodone pills and large amounts of cash being sent between Las Vegas and Columbus in connection with this drug trafficking organization.
Agents made additional seizures connected to the defendants at airports and during traffic stops. For example, law enforcement seized 771 pills from Marquis Pryor in June 2016 and a mail parcel addressed to Marquis Pryor containing more than $17,000 in drug proceeds in June 2015.
Airline records show Marcus Pryor traveled between Las Vegas and Columbus no less than 30 times between 2012 and 2017. Similarly, Marquis Pryor took at least 20 flights between the two cities.
The co-conspirators also engaged in financial transactions – making use of wire transfers, bank accounts, and prepaid debit cards – involving hundreds of thousands of dollars to conceal the nature and source of their profits and promote the drug trafficking organization’s activities. Money was used to purchase airline tickets, pay for hotel rooms and cover other costs associated with bringing the drugs to Columbus for distribution.
The Pryor brothers were indicted by a grand jury in June 2017. In August 2017, each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“Marcus and Marquis Pryor orchestrated a significant opioid distribution ring in the Columbus area,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “The organization distributed hundreds of thousands of oxycodone pills in our district and laundered in excess of one million dollars. Thanks to cooperative law enforcement efforts from a number of agencies, that operation is now dismantled.”
Marcus and Marquis Pryor also enlisted other co-conspirators to further the drug trafficking organization’s goals by, for example, sending and receiving parcels containing Oxycodone pills or drug proceeds and transporting pills or cash on their persons.
In October 2017, Maisha Caples and Michael Griffin were each sentenced for the same drug distribution and money laundering conspiracy crimes as the Pryors. Caples was sentenced to 45 months in prison and Griffin was sentenced to 80 months in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, USPIS and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Brian J. Martinez, who is representing the United States in this case.
###
Brookville Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Receiving Child Pornography through AppRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Zachery Van Meter, 21, of Brookville, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 156 months in prison for receiving child pornography.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Preble County Sheriff Michael L. Simpson and Perry Township Police Chief Bob Bowman announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.
According to court documents, Van Meter created a Kik messenger app account in July 2016. From then until February 2017, Van Meter used Kik to receive images of child pornography from others and to communicate with others about the sexual exploitation of children.
During the course of these conversations, Van Meter took at least 15 photographs of clothed juveniles who were known to the defendant and sent these photographs to others in an effort to receive more child pornography files.
Van Meter received at least 30 sexually explicit photographs of children, including at least one that portrayed sadistic and/or masochistic conduct involving the binding of a child’s arms and legs by black material to a hook on the floor. Based on his conduct, Van Meter received a sentencing enhancement for engaging in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of minors.
Van Meter pleaded guilty in November 2017.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, Preble County Sheriff’s Office and Perry Township Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace, who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Co-Owner & CEO of Computer Company Sentenced for Conspiring to Steal Intellectual PropertyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The co-owner and CEO of TERiX Computer Company, Inc. was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for his role in fraudulently obtaining more than $10 million worth of intellectual property. Bernd D. Appleby, 66, of San Jose, Calif., was sentenced to 24 months in prison and two years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.
TERiX – located in Sunnyvale, Calif. and Dublin, Ohio – used the intellectual property belonging to Sun Microsystems, Inc. and Oracle Corporation to support its customers nationwide and internationally.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman of the Southern District of Ohio and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.
Appleby was one of four TERiX executives who pleaded guilty in August 2017 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The others have also been sentenced and include:
- TERiX co-owner and COO James A. Olding, 52, of Dublin, Ohio, who was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, three years of supervised release and a $50,000 fine;
- Director of Sales Lawrence E. Quinn, Jr., 58, of Hilliard, Ohio, who was sentenced to one day in prison, two years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine; and
- Director of Technical Services Jason T. Joyce. 47, of Dublin, Ohio, who was sentenced to 24 months of probation and a $5,000 fine.
According to court documents, the four conspired to set up three fake companies using aliases – which they supported using bogus email addresses and addresses, pre-paid telephones and pre-paid credit cards – to enter into service support contracts with Sun and Oracle for a single server.
The support contracts gave the four defendants credentials for Sun’s and Oracle’s databases, and allowed them to download Sun’s and Oracle’s intellectual property without detection. The intellectual property included firmware patches and updates for various Sun or Oracle hardware products, or operating system patches and updates for various versions of Sun’s and Oracle’s Solaris operating system.
The four used the fraudulently obtained intellectual property to support at least 500 TERiX customers, who did not know about the fraud. A statement of facts filed with the plea agreements cites more than 2,700 separate downloaded pieces of intellectual property between 2010 and 2014.
The primary purpose of the conspiracy was to fraudulently obtain intellectual property worth millions of dollars and then use the intellectual property to support unwitting TERiX customers, and for their own personal benefit.
“As the head of TERiX’s executive management team and 70 percent co-owner of the company, Appleby was responsible for all aspects of the business,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “He designed the conspiracy and its evolution over almost 10 years, and understood and directed all aspects of the criminal activity. As the scheme was uncovered, he instructed other company employees to devise ways to avoid detection.”
Glassman commended the investigation by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica H. Kim who is representing the United States in the case.
# # #
Canal Winchester Man Charged with Robbing Victims at Gunpoint During Sales of Items Posted on Let Go, CraigslistRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dezjuan O. Myers, 21, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, was arrested today and charged with interstate robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
Myers is scheduled to appear for arraignment at 2:30pm today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Jolson.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the charges.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on at least three occasions in March 2018, Myers robbed individuals at gunpoint after agreeing to purchase items from the victims on the app Let Go and on Craigslist.
On March 15, March 24 and March 29, it is alleged that Myers met with separate victims in the parking lot of a church on Gender Road to buy XBOX and Playstation gaming systems posted on Let Go and Craigslist.
Each time, Myers asked the seller victims to go to his house nearby to test that the systems worked. As the victims began to walk with him, he allegedly retrieved a shotgun stashed in a pile of leaves and pointed it at the victims, telling them to leave their items and walk away. On March 29, Myers retrieved the shotgun near a house on Laburnum Drive. Columbus police responded to the scene of each incident, and officers learned the home on Laburnum Drive was the residence of Myers’s grandfather.
Interstate robbery is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a potential sentence seven years to life in prison. Possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the ATF and Columbus Division of Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorney David J. Bosley, who is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Local Man Indicted on 16 Charges Related to Sex Crimes Against Children, Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A federal grand jury has charged Tyler Ulm, 23, of Dayton, with production and other crimes related to child pornography.
Law enforcement officials ask anyone in the public with information about other potential victims related to this case to contact the FBI at 513-421-4310.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the charges.
The indictment charges Ulm with seven counts of producing child pornography over the course of at least one year with at least two minor victims.
It is also alleged that Ulm advertised, distributed, received and possessed child pornography, as well as attempted to travel with the intent of engaging in illicit sexual conduct.
Finally, Ulm allegedly committed a felony offense involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender.
Producing child pornography is a crime punishable by 15-30 years in prison. Attempting to travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct is a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Advertising child pornography carries a potential penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison. Distributing and receiving child pornography are each crimes punishable by five to 20 years in prison, and possessing child pornography carries a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Committing a felony offense involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender adds 10 years in addition to any other sentence imposed.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), as well as Assistant United States Attorney SaMee Harden, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Circleville Businessman Sentenced for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – John Anderson Rankin, 55, of Circleville, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 60 months in prison for tax crimes that included a total tax loss of approximately $8.1 million. Rankin was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7.1 million.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office announced the sentence handed down today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
Rankin was convicted of 17 tax-related charges following a two-week trial in September 2017.
A federal grand jury indicted Rankin in July 2015 with seven counts of failing to account for and pay over employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), six counts of willfully filing false federal individual income tax returns with the IRS, three counts of willfully filing false federal corporate income tax returns with the IRS and one count of obstructing and impeding the due administration of the IRS.
According to court documents and testimony, Rankin operated a number of Circleville-based businesses, including Connectivity Systems, Inc., a mainframe software company that provides internet protocol development and servicing. Rankin Enterprises, LLC was a shell corporation that included the Circleville Movie House, Screening Room, J.R. Hooks Café and Tootles Pumpkin Inn. Rankin also owned the Tuscan Table, an Italian restaurant in downtown Circleville.
Between June 2008 and April 2011 Rankin, conducting business as Rankin Enterprises and Tuscan Table, failed to account for and pay over to the IRS all federal income and FICA taxes.
Rankin also filed false Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns with the IRS for the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 income tax years. He claimed a corrected adjusted gross income amount of a negative $1.7 million, when in actuality his corrected adjusted gross income was more than $8.9 million.
In 2010, Rankin filed a false individual income tax return that reported an adjusted gross income of nearly $27,000, when his actual gross income was nearly $1.6 million.
In addition, Rankin filed false U.S. Corporation Income Tax Returns with the IRS for Connectivity Systems Incorporated for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 income tax years. These false forms claimed a fraudulent accelerated Research & Development Credit in the amount of $1.7 million against the corporate taxes due and owing of Connectivity Systems Incorporated.
Lastly, between January 2005 and July 2015 Rankin made false and misleading statements to agents of the IRS and concealed information from agents of the IRS.
“Rankin effectively robbed both the United States and his employees, and not only did he perpetrate this decade-long tax-fraud scheme, but he also introduced fake records at trial,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “The jury rightfully convicted him for his illegal conduct, and his sentence today reflects his continued disregard for the law.”
“The sentencing of Rankin is an important victory for America's taxpayers who play by the rules and have no tolerance for those who make up their own rules. This investigation serves to remind us that there is no such thing as free money and there are no awards or incentives for creativity when it comes to crime,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by IRS-Criminal Investigation, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel A. Brown and Noah R. Litton, who represented the United States in this case.
###
Franklin Man Charged in Nationwide Child Porn Investigation Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Brandon Spicer, 42, of Franklin, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of receipt of child pornography, a crime punishable by at least five years and up to 20 years in prison.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.
According to court documents, Spicer was identified during the course of a nationwide investigation into accessing child pornography that was available on a highly encrypted website known as “Playpen.” Users of the site had to take multiple steps to register for the site and to access the materials. The materials depicted extremely young children being sexually assaulted by adults – some in bondage, many violent.
Based on information received as a result of the “Playpen” investigation, agents searched Spicer’s home on July 9, 2015. Agents found more than 600 images on Spicer’s computer and cellular phone depicting children under 12 years old being sexually assaulted and abused by adult men.
Judge Dlott will schedule sentencing following an investigation by the court.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation by the FBI, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Christy Muncy, who is representing the United States in this case.
###
Amelia Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Jerry Wilkinson, 42, of Amelia, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to receiving and distributing child pornography by using a peer-to-peer file-sharing Internet application to locate, download, distribute and view it.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Amelia Police Chief Jeff Wood, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil and agencies participating in the Regional Electronics Computer Investigations (RECI) Task Force announced the plea entered before U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.
Wilkinson pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, a crime punishable by at least five years and up to 20 years in prison. The law also requires him to pay restitution to the victims of the crime and to forfeit the computer equipment, storage media and files related to the crimes.
Court documents say Wilkinson committed the crimes between January and October 2017 when agents and task force officers arrested him. In the plea agreement, Wilkinson acknowledged that he had been viewing, downloading and trading child pornography over the past ten years. He possessed more than 500 videos and 8,000 images of child pornography when agents arrested him. Wilkinson also had printed images of child pornography which he printed at the public library from thumb drives he had containing the images.
Judge Dlott will schedule sentencing following an investigation by the court.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation by the FBI, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Healey, who is representing the United States in this case.
###
United States Files Lawsuit Against Sedamsville Landlord and His Wife for Discriminating Against Female TenantsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The Justice Department filed a civil complaint today in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Ohio alleging a Sedamsville landlord violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against female tenants.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the filing against John Klosterman and his wife Susan Klosterman, both of Cincinnati.
According to the complaint, from 2013 to the present, John Klosterman owned or had an ownership interest in at least 55 residential properties in the Sedamsville neighborhood of Cincinnati. He controlled accepting or rejecting prospective tenants, settings rates for rent and security deposits, collecting rent, accepting requests for repairs and evicting tenants.
The complaint alleges Klosterman subjected female tenants of his properties to discrimination on the basis of sex, including severe, pervasive and unwelcome sexual harassment, on multiple occasions.
The conduct included unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted sexual text messages and photos, touching female tenants without their consent and offering to reduce the rent and overlook late or unpaid rent in exchange for sex.
The complaint further alleges that Klosterman evicted tenants or refused to make repairs for female tenants who refused the sexual advances.
Klosterman allegedly preferred renting to single female tenants and took adverse housing actions against female tenants upon learning that they were not single.
Finally, the complaint alleges he entered the homes of his female tenants without their consent and monitored their daily activities with cameras directed at their units and through other means.
“No woman should have to endure sexual harassment in order to remain in her home,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “Sexual harassment in housing is unacceptable and illegal, and landlords should be on notice that the Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the Fair Housing Act to combat this type of discrimination and to obtain relief for victims.”
“Fair housing is fundamental,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “No one should have to experience a landlord’s pervasive sexual harassment. That’s not only wrong, but also illegal under federal law. This office is committed to vigorously enforcing the protections guaranteed by the Fair Housing Act.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended Deputy Civil Chief Matthew J. Horwitz and Trial Attorney Kathryn Ladewski of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, who are representing the United States in this case.
In October 2017, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced the Sex Harassment in Housing Initiative (SHI). The Initiative specifically seeks to increase the Department’s efforts to protect individuals from harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, security guards and other employees and representatives of rental property owners.
The Justice Department has filed or settled seven sexual harassment cases since January 2017, and has recovered over $1 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing.
Today’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties, and a court order barring future discrimination. The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct. The allegations must be proven in federal court.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or operated by John or Susan Klosterman, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, can contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line:
- English language: Call 1-800-896-7743, then press 1 to continue in English and select mailbox 9992 to leave a message; or
- Spanish language: Call 1-800-896-7743, then press 2 to continue in Spanish and select mailbox 6 to leave a message.
Individuals can also report sexual harassment and other forms of housing discrimination by e-mailing the Justice Department at [email protected].
# # #
Local Man Charged with Hate Crime in Attack Outside Cincinnati RestaurantRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged Izmir Koch, 32, of Huber Heights, with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in an indictment unsealed today.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges.
According to the indictment, on February 4, 2017, Koch was outside a Cincinnati restaurant with others when he allegedly yelled out asking if anyone outside the restaurant was Jewish.
A victim responded that he was Jewish and it is alleged that Koch then ran to the victim and punched him in the head. When the victim fell to the ground, Koch and others continued hitting and kicking him.
The victim sustained injuries from the attack, including rib contusions and a fracture of his orbital floor.
Koch was charged with one count of committing a hate crime, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He was arrested this morning and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman at 1:30pm.
“Physically attacking someone because you think he’s Jewish—or Christian or Muslim or any other religion—is a federal crime,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “This office prosecutes hate crimes.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney and Trial Attorney Gabriel Davis of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, who are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Final Defendant Sentenced in Dog-Fighting ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Four Columbus men have been sentenced in U.S. District Court for crimes related to participating in a dog-fighting ring in central Ohio.
Charles A. Granberry, 42, was sentenced to 72 months in prison. Henry Gerard James Hill, Jr., 22, and Randall J. Frye, 59, were each sentenced to six months in prison. Dwayne T. Robinson, Jr., 34, was sentenced to three years of probation including six months of home confinement, 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay $3,700 in restitution.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Anthony V. Mohatt, Special Agent in Charge, Midwest Region, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron O’Brien, and Columbus Humane Executive Director Rachel D.K. Finney announced the sentences handed down by U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.
According to court documents, investigators discovered evidence at two houses in Columbus in March 2016 that indicated the houses were used to train, fight and sell dogs, including at least 20 fighting dogs in the rear yard of one house that were chained to heavy automobile axles buried in the ground.
Officers subsequently executed search warrants on April 5, 2016 at five Columbus houses. Agents seized evidence including 46 dogs along with cages, treadmills, heavy chains and collars and other items. Agents found canine blood on the floor and walls of the basement of one home indicating that the area was used as a dog-fighting pit.
At the time of the search warrant, the Humane Society officials took extreme measures to ensure the safety of the seized dogs and the ASPCA provided animal behavioral specialists to conduct examinations of each dog. Some of the dogs reacted severely to loud noises and leashes during the examinations. For example, one dog latched on to a stuffed animal so aggressively that professionals had to cut the head off the toy.
Additionally, a large number of the dogs seized had a canine disease called Babesia Gibsoni, which results in anemia and ultimately death. The prevalence of the disease is unusually high in “bully breeds” used in dog-fighting operations through exposure to infected dogs’ blood and during non-sterile procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping and vaccinations of multiple animals with single needles.
Of the 46 dogs seized, specialists determined that 15 were eligible for placement in a shelter for adoption, and the remaining 31 dogs were euthanized for behavioral concerns or medical issues.
If you have information related to suspected dog-fighting activity, please call the Columbus Humane Cruelty Investigation Department at 614-777-7387 ext. 250.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation by the USDA-OIG, Columbus Police, the Humane Society and the ASPCA, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica W. Knight and J. Michael Marous, and Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Heather Robinson, who are representing the United States in this case.
###
Miami County Man Charged with Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A federal grand jury has charged Shawn Bradley, 36, of West Milton, Ohio with producing child pornography in an indictment unsealed here today.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak announced the charges.
According to the indictment, between May 2015 and February 2018, Bradley coerced a minor into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.
Producing child pornography is a federal crime punishable by a range of 15 to 30 years in prison.
Bradley was arrested on February 28.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by HSI and the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Assistant United States Attorney SaMee Harden, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Columbus Couple Sentenced for Conspiring to Kidnap Man After Cocaine Sale FailedRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – William Hernandez Castillo, 26, and Citlaly Casillas, 22, both of Columbus, were each sentenced today in U.S. District Court for conspiracy to commit kidnapping following a failed drug transaction. Hernandez Castillo was sentenced to 48 months in prison and Casillas was sentenced to 42 months in prison.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Gahanna Police Chief Dennis Murphy and Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.
According to the Statement of Facts in this case, Hernandez Castillo and Casillas conspired to kidnap an individual from April 4 through April 7, 2017.
In March 2017, the individual told Casillas that an associate of his wanted to buy one kilogram of cocaine. Casillas and Hernandez Castillo agreed to buy the drugs and intended to sell the cocaine for more than $30,000.
When the time came to complete the transaction on April 4, the associate took the cocaine without paying.
Hernandez Castillo then called the owner of the drugs, who was in Mexico, to discuss how to respond. The owner of the drugs told Hernandez Castillo to hold the individual responsible for his associate. The owner said if he did not receive the drugs or the money, he would send enforcers to deal with the individual and his family.
Following the phone call, Hernandez Castillo told the individual that he had to come with Hernandez Castillo and Casillas.
From April 4 through April 7, Hernandez Castillo and Casillas seized, confined and kidnapped the victim for ransom at their Columbus residence. Hernandez Castillo told the victim that people from Mexico would harm his family if the drug owner did not receive the drugs or money.
During his confinement, Casillas told the victim stories of a 2015 fatal shooting at La Michoacana market in Columbus in order to scare him and keep him from leaving the residence. She joked that Hernandez Castillo would cut off one of the victim’s fingers if he left.
After contacting his girlfriend and mother, the victim was driven by Hernandez Castillo on April 7 to a location in Columbus, where they believed ransom money was waiting. When the victim arrived at the drop location, law enforcement secured him.
Casillas was arrested during the execution of a search warrant at her residence on April 17. Hernandez Castillo was arrested the same day, and the two have remained in custody since.
“The defendants held a victim ransom for days, communicating threats of violence and invoking an infamous murder at La Michoacana market in Columbus in 2015,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “They also made clear that they were taking orders from Mexico, suggesting these threats were backed by the full resources of an international drug-trafficking organization.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, DEA, Gahanna Police and Westerville Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Man Who Used Fake Identity for 19 Years Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement on Passport ApplicationRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Fred Aundraus Gaston III, 44, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a crime related to using a fake identity since 1999.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Ben Sides, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Chicago Field Office announced the plea entered into before U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black.
According to the Statement of Facts, beginning in 1999, Gaston created the identity and assumed the alias “Brandon Jordan Thomas.” Specifically, on May 18, 1999, he applied for a delayed birth certificate in Illinois using the made-up name. In June of that year, the state of Illinois issued the delayed birth certificate.
The next month, Gaston applied for a Social Security card using the name “Brandon Jordan Thomas” and was issued a new Social Security number. He obtained replacement Social Security cards in the fake name in August 1999, April 2007, November 2009 and June 2015.
Gaston also obtained an Ohio driver’s license under the alias and compiled a credit history in that name as well.
In February 2015, Gaston applied for a U.S. Passport at the post office in Milford, Ohio under the false identity and his own photograph. The application was ultimately denied because Gaston failed to respond to a follow-up request from the State Department to submit additional documentation to support the application.
In August 2017, when federal agents visited Gaston’s home, he identified himself as “Shawn Carter.” He was wearing a Rich Snob Entertainment t-shirt, the same company identified as the place of employment on both the “Brandon Jordan Thomas” passport application and a passport application that Gaston submitted under his true identity on a different date.
Gaston pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a passport application. The parties involved in this case have recommended a sentence of one year of probation, and Judge Black will consider that recommendation at a future sentencing hearing. The defendant also agrees to forfeit the Ohio driver’s license, State of Illinois Delayed Record of Birth and Social Security card all in the name of “Brandon Jordan Thomas.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the State Department and Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry, who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
'Pimp' Sentenced to 15 Years for Transporting Women from Dayton Across the Country to Engage in ProstitutionRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Lord Tyrone Al-Ahmin, 43, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 180 months in prison and a seven-year term of supervised release for transporting women interstate to engage in prostitution.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black.
According to court documents, the FBI received information that a number of women engaged in prostitution at Al-Ahmin’s direction and control since 2005. Victims told law enforcement they were physically assaulted and threatened by Al-Ahmin.
One victim said she met Al-Ahmin in Dayton, when Al-Ahmin told the female he was a pimp and traveled around the country with women who engaged in prostitution. He told the victim she could work for him but she would be required to provide him with all of her prostitution proceeds. In exchange, he would provide her with food, clothing and heroin.
Al-Ahmin regularly carried a handgun and threatened to kill the female on a daily basis. He pointed the gun at her head and hit her in the face with the gun. He also told the female he had killed somebody in the past.
A second female victim met Al-Ahmin when he posed as a prostitution client and responded to her Backpage.com advertisement. Al-Ahmin picked the female up in his vehicle in Dayton, but rather than engage in any sexual activity, he purchased crack cocaine for the victim to use and drove her to Wisconsin.
He physically assaulted her on nearly a daily basis and threatened to kill her. He hit her, fractured her ribs, held a knife to her face and urinated in her mouth. Al-Ahmin also had non-consensual and aggressive sex with her. He told this victim he had killed four people in the past.
The Statement of Facts details that from August to October 2014, Ah-Ahmin transported at least three adult females from Dayton to other cities in Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas and elsewhere to engage in prostitution.
In many of these cities, Al-Ahmin posted advertisements on Backpage.com to solicit prostitution clients. He sometimes paid for hotel rooms for use in servicing prostitution clients. Al-Ahmin was paid the money that the females received for sexual acts during their travels.
“The horrible facts of this case illustrate the reality of sex trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman.
Al-Ahmin pleaded guilty in June 2016 to three counts of transporting interstate for the purpose of prostitution. He was arrested by FBI agents in Las Vegas in January 2015.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the FBI and Dayton Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey, who is representing the United States in this case.
###
Grand Jury Indicts Six with Charges Related to MurderRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A federal grand jury has charged six individuals with crimes related to the August 2017 murder of Robert Caldwell in an indictment returned here today. Two defendants are charged with death-penalty-eligible crimes.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Riverside Police Chief Frank Robinson and Sugarcreek Township Police Chief Michael Brown announced the charges.
The FBI also announced a $15,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of 14-year-old Jacob Lee Caldwell and the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in his disappearance.
Those charged in the indictment include:
Name
Also Known As
Age
City of Residence
*Sterling H. Roberts
34
Spartanburg, S.C.
*Tawnney M. Caldwell
Tawnney Thomas
33
Centerville, Ohio
Chance P. Deakin
Chance Roberts
25
Dayton, Ohio
Christopher C. Roberts
30
Dayton, Ohio
James T. Harmon
55
Burlington, Ky.
Chandra D. Harmon
54
Burlington, Ky.
* Charged with murder
According to the six-count indictment, from August 1 to August 5, Sterling Roberts cyberstalked Robert Caldwell via cell phone through the assistance of Tawnney Caldwell.
On August 15, Sterling Roberts allegedly used a firearm that he possessed illegally and traveled interstate to stalk and murder Robert Caldwell. Tawnney Caldwell, Deakin, Christopher Roberts and James Harmon are all charged with aiding and abetting the illegal gun possession.
It is alleged that Tawnney Caldwell obstructed justice by destroying the contents and data of a cell phone on that same day.
Tawnney Caldwell and Chandra Harmon also allegedly conspired to intimidate and threaten witnesses related to the case in November 2017.
Crimes charged in the indictment include:
Crime
Potential Sentence
Stalking – using mail, computer, cell phone
Up to life in prison
Felon in possession of a firearm
Up to 10 years in prison
Stalking – traveling interstate
Up to life in prison
Discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
Death penalty or up to life in prison
Tampering with evidence
Up to 20 years in prison
Tampering with a witness by intimidation
Up to 20 years in prison
Five of the defendants were arrested on February 28. Sterling Roberts is currently in state custody in South Carolina.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Riverside and Sugarcreek Township police departments, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Sheila G. Lafferty and Amy M. Smith, who are prosecuting the case.
If you have any information related to the whereabouts of Jacob Caldwell, please call the Sugarcreek Township Police at 937-310-3200 or the FBI at 513-421-4310.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Six Area Men Charged with Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged six Cincinnati men in a narcotics conspiracy in an indictment unsealed here today.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac and Cincinnati City Solicitor Paula Boggs Muething announced the charges.
According to the 20-count indictment, beginning in November 2017 until February 2018, the defendants conspired to distribute heroin in the Cincinnati area. The indictment charges 17 counts of distribution or attempt to distribute heroin, representing separate drug deals throughout the timeframe.
Those charged include Calvin Tuck (also known as “Tank”), Mekil Gibson, Pierre Sneed (also known as “Rico”), Cortez Tuck (also known as “Nitty”), Daniel Williams (also known as “C.J.”) and Jarod Whitehead (also known as “Baby”). All six men reside in Cincinnati.
Tuck is also charged with possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony crime and one count of possession with intent to distribute. He faces a range of 5 to 40 years in prison for the drug charges and up to 10 years in prison for the gun charge.
Narcotics conspiracy and distributing or attempting to distribute a controlled substance are each federal crimes that carry a potential maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Each of the defendants is currently in custody pending detention hearings next week.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the DEA and Cincinnati Division of Police, as well as Special Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Brucato with the City Solicitor’s Office and Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy, who are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Twelve Charged in Cincinnati in Connection to Mexico-Based Sinaloa Drug CartelRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged 12 individuals in a narcotics and money laundering conspiracy in a superseding indictment unsealed here today. Members of the group allegedly distributed fentanyl from Mexico in Middletown, Ohio and sent proceeds back to the Sinaloa Drug Cartel in Mexico.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Cincinnati 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 charges.
In addition to the superseding indictment unsealed in Cincinnati today, 40 defendants have been charged in San Diego, as well as additional defendants charged in Columbus, Ohio, the Eastern District of Kentucky, the District of Kansas and the Eastern District of Washington.
Those charged in the Cincinnati case include:
Name
Also Known As
Age
Residence
Jose Chavez-Meraz
Chema
55
Mexico
Rolando Chavez-Garcia
24
Mexico
Favrisio Orozco-Meraz
Favi, Gordo, Gordito
34
Mexico
Raul Trejo
Duende
52
Middletown, Ohio
Donte Holdbrook
Jay
24
Middletown, Ohio
Mariela Penaloza
25
Cleveland, Ohio
Charleston Quinn
Buddy, Buddy Rowe
34
Mason, Ohio
Frank Frazier, Jr.
24
Middletown, Ohio
Jesus Diaz
Chuy, Chewey
47
Ontario, Calif.
Jettie Bailey
23
Middletown, Ohio
Christopher Watkins
23
Trenton, Ohio
Courtney Bailey
24
Middletown, Ohio
According to the superseding indictment, the conspiracy included distributing fentanyl and heroin originating from Mexico into the Southern District of Ohio.
This investigation began when undercover FBI agents in San Diego learned that a known Sinaloa Cartel money-laundering boss, Jose Lopez-Albarran, coordinated and conducted multiple bulk cash pickups from a drug trafficking organization within the Southern District of Ohio.
Lopez-Albarran was one of 40 defendants charged in the Southern District of California. According to court documents there, he and other members of the Cartel allegedly laundered tens of millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds from the United States to Mexico between 2015 and 2018. Through the investigation in California, law enforcement discovered multiple drug-trafficking cells throughout the United States.
It is alleged that the Middletown, Ohio drug-trafficking cell led by Donte Holdbrook would send drug proceeds back to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico via Lopez-Albarran.
The superseding indictment details that the Ohio drug trafficking organization primarily conducted fentanyl sales in Middletown and received the narcotics from Mexico via Chavez-Meraz. The drugs would initially enter the United States at locations in California and Arizona, where “drug mules” would then retrieve the drugs for transport to Southern Ohio.
When a sizeable amount of drug proceeds had been collected, the co-conspirators would arrange bulk cash transports back to Mexico. Investigators witnessed at least seven bulk cash pick-ups within the Southern District of Ohio, six on Tivoli Lane in Cincinnati and one at a Comfort Inn and Suites in West Chester. Each transaction involved $25,000 to more than $180,000.
From March 28 to May 4, 2017, investigators observed multiple fentanyl sales in Middletown, several of them in exchange for as much as $2,400 in a single sale.
On August 12, 2017, Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped Jettie and Courtney Bailey in a traffic stop in Preble County, when they discovered nearly three kilograms of fentanyl and two kilograms of heroin concealed in the vehicle’s fuel tank. Similarly, Holdbrook was found to be in possession of 366 grams of fentanyl during a traffic stop on December 2, 2017.
The superseding indictment details at least six drug mule trips organized by Holdbrook from Ohio to multiple locations in California and Arizona, including at least one trip with Christopher Watkins, who was a reserve auxiliary police officer with the Seven Mile, Ohio Police Department.
It is alleged that Watkins was recruited because his law enforcement experience and police training would aid the group in avoiding detection while traveling with the drugs. Watkins allegedly traveled to Ontario, Calif. to pick up narcotics in exchange for $1,000 cash.
Crimes charged in the superseding indictment include:
Crime
Potential Sentences
Narcotics Conspiracy
10 years to life in prison
Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute
(400 grams or more)
10 years to life in prison
Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute
(1 kilogram or more)
10 years to life in prison
Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute
(40 grams or more)
Five to 40 years in prison
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises
Up to 20 years in prison
Money Laundering Conspiracy
Up to 20 years in prison
Interstate Travel Facilitating Unlawful Activities
Up to five years in prison
In Columbus, three individuals were arrested yesterday and charged by criminal complaint with money laundering, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The three Columbus residents charged include Timothy J.Cox, 41, Todd W. Spriggs, 37, and Randy Ellis Mullins, Jr., 40. Cox and Spriggs are each also charged with felon in possession of a firearm. A federal grand jury indicted the trio this morning in Columbus on the same charges.
In Lexington, Ky., three individuals – Gerardo Mejia-Palacio, Hector Salas-Pina and Ansar I. McIver – have been charged with crimes related to drug trafficking and money laundering. Another Lexington resident, Shontail M. Hocker, 42, was charged in the Southern District of California with conspiring to commit money laundering, based on her involvement with individuals implicated in the San Diego investigation.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of the cases by the FBI – including FBI San Diego Cross Border Violence Task Force, FBI Cincinnati Division and FBI Cleveland Division, Cincinnati and Middletown police departments, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Warren County Drug Task Force, as well as the coordination of Preble County Prosecutor Votel.
Glassman also commended Assistant United States Attorney Karl P. Kadon, who is prosecuting the Cincinnati case, and Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Prichard, who is prosecuting the Columbus case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Leader of Cocaine Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 135 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS – William M. Totten, 55, of Canal Winchester, Ohio was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to serve 125 months in prison for leading a drug trafficking organization in central Ohio that distributed more than 20 kilograms of cocaine. Totten and four others were charged following a cooperative investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement in Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
According to court documents, Totten used a residence in Columbus and his residence in Canal Winchester to store narcotics and to conduct cocaine transactions. During a search warrant conducted at Totten’s residence when agents arrested him on December 6, 2013, investigators found 10 plastic wrapped packages, each containing two kilograms of cocaine powder, concealed in the basement. Agents also seized additional cocaine and kilogram-sized wrappers with residue.
Totten pleaded guilty on September 5, 2014 to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and one count of money laundering.
Totten agreed to forfeit the proceeds of the drug activity, which include nearly $95,000 in cash, jewelry and three real properties.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the IRS, FBI, Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the cooperation of the DEA, which provided information vital to the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Kelley, who represented the United States in the case.
# # #
Grand Jury Indicts 8 in Online Romance Money Laundering ScamRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Eight Central Ohio defendants charged on Valentine’s Day have now been indicted by a grand jury for conspiring to launder and for laundering the proceeds of online romance scams.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Division, and Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the indictment, which was unsealed yesterday.
Those charged include: Kwabena M. Bonsu, Kwasi A. Oppong, Kwame Ansah, John Y. Amoah, Samuel Antwi, King Faisal Hamidu, Nkosiyoxoxo Msuthu and Cynthia Appiagyei.
According to the indictment, individuals committing fraud created several profiles on online dating sites. They then contacted men and women throughout the United States with whom they cultivated a sense of affection, and often, romance.
After establishing relationships, perpetrators of the romance scams allegedly requested money, typically for investment or need-based reasons, and provided account information and directions for where money should be sent. In part, these accounts were controlled by the defendants. Typical wire amounts ranged from $10,000 to more than $100,000 per wire.
The funds were not used for the purposes claimed by the perpetrators of the romance scams. Instead, the defendants conducted transactions designed to conceal, such as withdrawing cash, transferring funds to other accounts and purchasing assets and sending the assets overseas.
“According to the indictment, the defendants laundered the funds from a scheme to seduce victims throughout the United States using dating websites like Match.com and then defrauding them of millions of dollars,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said.
It is alleged that the individuals commonly used some the fraud proceeds to purchase salvaged vehicles sold online. The cars were commonly exported to Ghana.
Fictitious reasons for investment requests included gold, diamond, oil and gas pipeline opportunities in Africa. Websites used involve Match.com, ChristianMingle.com, BabyBoomerPeopleMeet.com, PlentyofFish.com, OurTime.com, EHarmony.com and Facebook. At least 26 victims have been identified thus far.
In one example, a victim believed she was in a serious relationship with a person named “Frank Wilberg” whom she met on Match.com. She believed they planned to marry and paid $3,000 to reserve a wedding site, and had purchased a wedding gown and shoes.
“Wilberg” told the victim he owned a consulting firm that tested gold for purity and needed money to buy gold and gold contracts. He said he expected to profit $6 million and would repay her with the profits. The victim wired money to accounts controlled by Amoah, Bonsu, Msuthu, and Appiagyei, and did not receive any money back.
In furtherance of the scheme, the co-conspirators allegedly created several companies, some of which were shell companies, to help attempt to hide the true nature of their proceeds.
“The defendants attempted to launder millions of dollars in proceeds earned from an online romance scam through a series of financial transactions intended to conceal their illegal activities,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and HSI, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking Cincinnati VictimRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Michael Chan, 34, of Bayside, New York, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to cyberstalking.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and University of Cincinnati Police Chief Maris Herold announced the plea entered into before U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.
According to the statement of facts submitted as part of the plea agreement, Chan met a female in 2009 while using online gaming. In 2012, he traveled from New York to Cincinnati to stay at her residence for approximately one week, during which time the victim made clear that the two were just friends and nothing more.
Later in 2012, Chan visited the victim uninvited and left notes throughout her house. He eventually began to text, call and Facebook message the victim all throughout the day and night. The victim then blocked Chan’s phone number and social media accounts, at which point the victim began receiving anonymous calls and texts.
These anonymous messages continued for several more years. At the same time, the victim began receiving deliveries and subscriptions that she did not order.
In 2015, Chan began sending emails to local Cincinnati news media stating a subject was driving from Canada to Cincinnati to sexually assault and murder the victim. Later that year, the victim began receiving harassing and threatening emails. This continued through 2016 and she repeatedly reported the incidents to local authorities.
“Chan’s concerning conduct escalated in March 2017, when he sent a text message to a local detective working on the matter and said that he was coming to a pay a visit to the victim and there was nothing the detective could do about it,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Chan indicated he was coming to Cincinnati to attack the victim on the University of Cincinnati campus. He sent threatening emails to University officials up through August 2017.”
Chan was charged by a federal criminal complaint in August 2017 and indicted by a grand jury in September 2017.
The parties involved in this case have recommended a sentence of 27 months in prison followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Dlott will consider this recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and University of Cincinnati Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy, who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Four Indicted in Heroin and Gun Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has charged four Franklin County men in a 13-count indictment alleging that they conspired to distribute heroin and sell guns illegally.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the charges.
The indictment charges three men who live on the west side of Columbus, Christopher L. McElroy, 19, Lamarco T. Brown, 18, Nathan G. Nixon, aka “Fat Boy,” 20 and a Grove City man, Robert A. Petty, 31, with conspiracy to unlawfully sell firearms, which is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The indictment charges three of the defendants, McElroy, Brown and Nixon, with conspiracy to distribute heroin, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The indictment accuses them of other crimes, including illegal distribution of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, unlawful sales of firearms and unlawful possession of firearms.
McElroy was arrested on February 12 and is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals. The other defendants are at large.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the ATF and Columbus Police, and Assistant United States Attorney David J. Bosley, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Former Norwood Man Sentenced for Coercing a Minor for Sex While on Home MonitoringRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Cody Lee Jackson, 22, formerly of Norwood, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 165 months in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor.
Jackson lured a minor to his apartment to have sex with Jackson while he was on home monitoring after pleading guilty to a crime in Hamilton County Common Pleas court.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters, Blue Ash Police Chief Scott Noel and Norwood Police Chief William Kramer announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett.
According to court documents, Jackson was under local supervision in Hamilton County in February 2015. While under supervision, he met the minor victim through social media and eventually persuaded her to come to his apartment.
Jackson would send a taxi to transport the victim, who was 14 years old at the time, to his apartment. He would engage in sexual activity on each visit, and took videos and photographs of the conduct.
Shortly after meeting the victim, he began to change her passwords to her social media accounts and give her instructions on what she could and could not do. If she broke his rules, he would verbally and physically abuse her.
Eventually, the minor became pregnant by Jackson.
In July 2015, Jackson left Ohio but began to contact the victim again on social media. He told the victim to send him sexually explicit pictures and threatened her family if she failed to comply.
Jackson was arrested in Utah in October 2015 after a federal complaint was filed in Cincinnati. He has been in custody since his arrest.
Following his arrest on federal charges, Jackson contacted the victim using other inmate’s calling numbers and threatened to take away the victim’s child and sue her. He also threatened to take the victim’s father’s home and car.
Jackson pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor in May 2017. As a part of that plea, parties agreed that Jackson’s federal prison sentence would run concurrent with sentences imposed in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.
He was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release.
“Jackson has used young girls for his own purposes, punishing his victims if they don’t do as he instructs,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “This illicit sexual conduct, paired with a seemingly complete disregard for the law, calls for the sentence he received today.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation by the FBI and Blue Ash Police Department, Norwood Police Department and coordination with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy, who is representing the United States in this case.
###
State Trooper Among Men Charged with Drug-Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Six Ohio men, including an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper, have been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with drug-trafficking crimes arising in the Delaware, Ohio area.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and other members of the Delaware County Drug Task Force announced the charges.
Each of the defendants is charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances, as well as conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances.
Nicholas Glassburn, 47, of Delaware, Ohio, Carlos Carvalho, 42, of Sandusky, Ohio, and William Covrett, 41, are also charged with money laundering.
Jason Delcol, 43, and Benjamin Owings, 37, both of Delaware, Ohio, each face an additional charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of human growth hormone. Delcol is charged with one count of witness tampering, as well.
Stevedore Crawford, 55, of Columbus, is charged with the first two counts named.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, in June 2017, the Delaware County Drug Task Force and the FBI opened an investigation into Glassburn’s suspected drug trafficking activity in the greater Delaware area.
The investigation identified others believed to be sources of the supply of drugs trafficked by Glassburn, including an active law enforcement officer – Delcol – who was receiving drugs from and providing drugs to Glassburn and at least one other individual.
“According to the affidavit, Delcol has used his position as a law enforcement officer to provide Glassburn with information, intervene in criminal cases of Glassburn and Owings, provide Glassburn with ballistic vests and corroborate Glassburn’s alibi to law enforcement when Glassburn was caught transporting drugs in August 2017,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said.
Investigators discovered communication between defendants about drug trafficking, including HGH, testosterone, Xanax, Oxycodone, Percocet, Adderall, Suboxone, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.
The investigation also showed Glassburn owed $17,000 to Carvalho for marijuana. It is believed that Delcol provided ballistic vests to Glassburn, which he used in meeting with Carvalho. The investigation revealed that Carvalho is likely one of Glassburn’s main sources of supply of drugs.
Law enforcement surveillance shows Delcol visiting Glassburn’s residence at least 16 times since October 2017, including at least two occasions in which Delcol was driving his Ohio State Highway Patrol marked cruiser and in uniform. Further investigation revealed communications between the men discussing drug trafficking of HGH, testosterone, Xanax, Percocet and possibly other opioid pills.
It was also revealed that Delcol is a middleman between Glassburn and Owings. Owings supplies HGH and steroids to Delcol, which Delcol sells to Glassburn, and Glassburn sells pills to Delcol, which Delcol sells or gives to Owings.
It is also alleged that Delcol engaged in misleading conduct toward law enforcement officers to help Glassburn. On August 5, 2017, around 4:30am, police officers from a law enforcement agency discovered Glassburn asleep at the wheel and observed a drug pipe in the backseat. A search of the car discovered a substance that later tested positive for cocaine and a substance that later tested positive for cocaine base.
Glassburn claimed to just be tired and told officers he had found and removed the drugs from one of his children’s bedrooms. He said he called a Trooper friend of his, Delcol, and asked for advice on what to do with the drugs. Another officer who had stopped to assist had Glassburn call Delcol to verify his story. The Deputy spoke with Delcol, who stated Glassburn had children who were problems and also said he did not know Glassburn to be involved with drugs. During a recorded follow-up call with police officers, Delcol again served as Glassburn’s alibi.
Five of the six defendants were arrested today and remain in custody pending detention hearings on Thursday at noon and 12:30pm.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Delaware County Drug Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, who is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
If you have any information related to these allegations and the individuals named, please contact the FBI at 614-224-1183.
# # #
Grand Jury Indicts Four Brazilian Men in ATM Skimming ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A federal grand jury has charged four men from Brazil with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, through “ATM skimming,” in an indictment returned here today. ATM skimming is a process that allows thieves to obtain cardholders’ personal identification information.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Yvonne DiCristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Services and members of the Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force announced the charges.
According to court documents, in January 2018, Dayton law enforcement officials observed defendants conducting suspicious activity, which led them to conduct further surveillance of the group. Investigators discovered three laptop computers, a magnetic stripe credit card encoder and more than 400 counterfeit credit cards in possession of the defendants in the Miller Lane vicinity of Dayton.
The indictment details that the men rented vehicles in South Florida and traveled throughout various states, including North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.
While traveling, they received FedEx packages from South Florida that contained hundreds of counterfeit American Express, Master Card and Visa credit cards with pre-embossed alias names like “Richard Martin” and “Felipe Mello.” The defendants then encoded information onto the magnetic strips on the counterfeit cards.
The defendants would also secretly install ATM skimming devices and pinhole cameras on commercial ATMs, it is alleged, in order to scan and obtain account names and numbers from unsuspecting credit and debit card holders.
The co-conspirators would allegedly use their counterfeit credit cards to buy clothing, luggage, watches, jewelry, electronics, hotel accommodations, food, rental cars and other associated travel expenses.
They shipped some of the items back to their South Florida counterparts, who in-turn would re-sell them on the internet.
The four defendants – Ricardo C. De Andrade, 38, Sandro L. Trancoso Da Silva, 40, Diego M. Dacosta, 31, and Leonardo W. Targino, 19 – were charged by criminal complaint and arrested last month.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the U.S. Secret Service and Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Dwight Keller, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Five Cincinnati Individuals Plead Guilty to Roles in Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Five individuals pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for their roles in three armed bank robberies in the Cincinnati area in May and June 2017.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac announced the pleas.
Malcolm Lorenzo Jones, 21, pleaded guilty to armed bank robbery and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to statements of facts, Malcolm Lorenzo Jones brandished a black revolver while ordering bank employees and customers to the ground at the Key Bank on Springdale Road in Cincinnati on May 22, 2017. Jones then went to the front door and opened it for co-defendant Nelson Jones, 26 to enter.
When Nelson Jones entered the bank, an off-duty police officer entered immediately behind him. The off-duty officer pulled his firearm and demanded that both defendants get on the ground, but as Malcolm Lorenzo Jones moved to the ground, he raised his firearm and fired a shot at the officer. A gunfight ensued, and Malcolm Lorenzo Jones jumped over the bank counter in an attempt to dodge the shots from the officer while exchanging return fire.
Malcolm Jones was struck with at least one bullet, yet both defendants managed to flee the bank on foot, stealing approximately $3,480.
Nelson Jones also brandished a firearm while robbing North Side Bank and Trust on St. Gregory St. in Cincinnati on May 13, 2017. Co-defendant Hope Tolbert, 21, assisted in the robbery by collecting nearly $6,000 from the bank’s cash drawers.
Nelson Jones pleaded guilty to two counts related to the using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Tolbert pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery.
On June 20, 2017, Nelson Jones and Marquez Peterson, 22, – who was armed with a pistol – robbed the Wes Banco Bank on Vine Street in Cincinnati. Joy Favors, 23, rode in the car with Jones and Peterson to the bank. Favors exited the car and went inside to case the bank minutes before the robbery. Favors returned to the car and informed Jones and Peterson of what to expect upon entering the bank. Nearly $10,700 was stolen. Peterson pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Favors also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to use a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Armed bank robbery is a federal crime punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Conspiracy to use a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence carries a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence. If charged with a second subsequent count of this crime, a defendant faces a sentence range of 25 years to life in prison to be imposed consecutive to all other sentences imposed.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of these cases by the FBI and Cincinnati Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Springer who is prosecuting the case.
# # #
New Indictment Charges Columbus MS-13 Gang Members with Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Including Five Central Ohio MurdersRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A second superseding indictment returned here today charges 23 individuals alleged to be members and associates of the Columbus clique of MS-13 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 most recent indictment also includes three counts of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of murder through the use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, crimes that could make some of the defendants eligible for the death penalty.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, 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 Kim Jacobs announced the new charges.
Those named in today’s indictment include:
Name
Also Known As
Age
City
Martin Neftali Aguilar-Rivera
Momia, Pelon
32
Columbus, Ohio / Indianapolis
Jose Bonilla-Mejia
Espia
29
California
Juan Jose Jiminez-Montufar
Chele Trece
34
Columbus, Ohio
Pedro Alfonso Osorio-Flores
Smokey
38
Columbus, Ohio
Isaias Alvarado
Cabo
45
Columbus, Ohio
Cruz Alberto-Arbarngas
Cruzito
30
Columbus, Ohio
Jose Manuel Romero-Parada
Russo
23
Indianapolis
Juan Jose Alvarenga-Alberto
Sailen
27
Columbus, Ohio
Juan Pablo Flores-Castro
Duende
29
Columbus, Ohio
Jose Daniel Gonzalez-Campos
Flaco
29
Virginia
Jose Salvador Gonzalez-Campos
Danger
27
Indianapolis/ Virginia
Jose Mendez-Peraza
Shadow
36
Columbus, Ohio
Erasmo Humberto Lima-Martinez
Tun Tun, Azul, Chino
31
Columbus, Ohio
Nehemias Joel Martinez-Hernandez
Mysterio
21
Columbus, Ohio
Jose Carlos Mercado-Crespin
Payaso
32
Ohio
Denis Donaldo Fuentes-Avila
18
Columbus, Ohio
Daniel Alexander Diaz-Romero
Manchas
24
Deported
Gerardo Davila-Colindres
Cuervo, Enano
39
Columbus, Ohio
Marvin Otero-Serrano
Vaca, Bandallero, Yankee
31
Columbus, Ohio
Jorge Alberto Landaverde
Grenas
34
Columbus, Ohio
Jose Salinas-Enriquez
Martillo
32
Dayton, Ohio
*Nelson Alexander Flores
Mula
46
Fugitive
Carolina Garcia-Miranda
Mamayema
30
Columbus, Ohio
*Fugitive
Charged with murder
Since the beginning of this investigation, additional defendants have been arrested and charged in criminal complaints with federal immigration-related crimes.
MS-13
- MS-13, formally La Mara Salvatrucha, is a multi-national criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The organization’s leadership is based in El Salvador, where many of the gang’s high-ranking members are imprisoned.
- In 2012, the United States government designated MS-13 as a “transnational criminal organization.” It is the first and only street gang to receive that designation. MS-13 has become one of the largest and most violent criminal organizations in the United States, with more than 10,000 members and associates operating in at least 40 states, including Ohio.
- In Ohio and elsewhere in the United States, MS-13 is organized into “cliques,” which are smaller groups of MS-13 members and associates acting under the larger mantle of the organization and operating in a specific region, city or part of a city. Cliques are grouped into larger “programs,” and the Columbus, Ohio clique of MS-13 is part of the East Coast Program.
- Cliques raise money through various forms of criminal activity, including extortion and narcotics trafficking, in addition to paying regular dues at clique meetings, and a portion of that money is wired to leadership in El Salvador. Gang leaders use this money to purchase weapons and cell phones and to provide clothing, legal assistance and other forms of aid to MS-13 members who are incarcerated and to support the families of MS-13 members who have been killed.
- Violence is a central tenet of MS-13. The organization’s motto, “mata, viola, controla,” means kill, rape, control. Historically, MS-13 members and associates have committed murders and other violent acts using machetes, knives and similar bladed weapons in order to intimidate and instill fear in others.
This Case
In July 2017, a federal grand jury charged 10 individuals with conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to commit money laundering and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
In December 2017, a superseding indictment charged four additional defendants and added charges of cocaine and marijuana distribution, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, obstruction of justice and illegal re-entry into the United States. Today’s second superseding indictment alleges the defendants have engaged in a racketeering conspiracy since approximately 2006 in the Southern District of Ohio and elsewhere.
The racketeering activity involves multiple acts of murder, extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation.
The second superseding indictment alleges that defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a suspected 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.
Other criminal activity detailed in the newest indictment includes burning a victim’s car when the victim refused to be extorted for money, conspiring to murder at least one potential witness, threatening the lives of a Transnational Anti-Gang Unit officer and the officer’s family in El Salvador, threatening to kill an individual’s family if he cooperated with law enforcement, possessing multiple firearms and ammunition, possessing and distributing cocaine and marijuana and destroying evidence.
The crimes charged in this case and each crime’s potential maximum sentence include:
Crime
Potential Maximum Sentence
Conspiracy to commit racketeering
Life in prison (for defendants who committed murder)
20 years in prison (for all other defendants)
Murder in aid of racketeering
Life in prison or death
Murder through use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
Life in prison or death
Brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
At least 7 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
At least 5 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances
20 years in prison
Alien in possession of firearm or ammunition
10 years in prison
Obstruction of justice
20 years in prison
Destruction or removal of property to prevent seizure
5 years in prison
Illegal re-entry of a removed alien
2 years in prison
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, ICE, Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Brian J. Martinez and Jessica H. Kim, who are prosecuting the case. The Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice assisted in reviewing the racketeering charges.
An indictment, superseding indictment or criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
If you are a victim of the alleged crimes, or have additional information about MS-13, please call the FBI hotline at 614-849-1765. Callers can remain anonymous.
# # #
- MS-13, formally La Mara Salvatrucha, is a multi-national criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The organization’s leadership is based in El Salvador, where many of the gang’s high-ranking members are imprisoned.
Law Enforcement to Announce New Charges in MS-13 Case, Including Five Central Ohio MurdersRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A second superseding indictment returned here today charges 23 individuals alleged to be members and associates of the Columbus clique of MS-13 in a racketeering conspiracy. The most recent indictment includes crimes that could make some of the defendants eligible for the death penalty.
The briefing will be held:
TODAY: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
WHEN: 2:30 P.M.
WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office
Main Conference Room
303 Marconi Blvd. Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215
WHO: U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman
Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, FBI
Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin
Caleb Lowe, Assistant Field Office Director, ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations
Tim Becker, Deputy Chief, Columbus Division of Police
Room available beginning at 2:15 P.M. No TV lighting or multbox will be available. ID will be required for entrance at Security.
# # #
U.S. Attorneys Announce Initiative to Combat Violent Crime and Drug Trafficking in Tri-State AreaRead the Press Release
ASHLAND, Ky. – Today, the three United States Attorneys for the Tristate area: Robert M. Duncan, Jr., of the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael B. Stuart, of the Southern District of West Virginia; and Benjamin C. Glassman, of the Southern District of Ohio, along with representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), state and local law enforcement and prosecutors, and other law enforcement partners announced the formation of a law enforcement working group, to enhance joint efforts to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio Tri-State area.
The working group met for the first time on February 9, 2018, in Ashland.
The collaboration is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s enhanced Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, a crime reduction program incorporating long-standing law enforcement partnerships to help produce a long-term, meaningful reduction in violent crime. PSN is a comprehensive approach to public safety, one that includes prevention, enforcement, and reentry efforts.
The working group will focus its efforts on individuals responsible for violent crimes and significant drug trafficking activities in the area. As part of the collaborative partnership, members of ATF, FBI, DEA, and state and local law enforcement personnel will meet regularly to share intelligence, and to review cases about the most dangerous offenders in the area, including those cases in which the offender’s conduct involves possession or use of a firearm. The cases will be evaluated to ensure that the most appropriate penalties will be applied to the offenders, whether in federal or state court. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to reduce violent crime and access to illegal drugs, and make the Tri-State safer.
“As Attorney General Sessions has confirmed, combatting violent crime, reducing access to drugs, and partnering with state and local law enforcement efforts are top priorities for the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Duncan. “By working together to investigate and prosecute the most dangerous individuals in the Tristate, we are sending a clear message that we will protect our communities against those who do them harm. If you are using firearms to commit acts of violence or illegally selling drugs – especially those that cause an overdose death – you are on notice: your conduct will not be tolerated; and if it continues, you risk arrest, prosecution, and the forfeiture of your freedom.”
“The good people of the Tristate and good cities like Huntington, Ashland, Ironton and Portsmouth, have paid too high a price because of violent crime and the drug scourge. Effective partnerships, sharing resources and intelligence, and aggressive enforcement are the best offense to defeat those that bring chaos and despair to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “Now is the time to take our streets back from violent offenders and drug dealers that cause havoc. We are committed to working together as true partners in this fight to reduce violent crime, protect our citizens, and put dangerous criminals behind bars for as long as possible.”
“State lines don’t stop criminals from committing violence in our communities, so they shouldn’t stop our law enforcement efforts, either,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Today’s announcement highlights our dedication to working together across governmental levels and geographic boundaries to get the job done.”
Today’s announcement follows U.S. Attorney General Sessions’s directives to federal law enforcement and prosecutors, to reinvigorate the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in an effort to reduce rising violent crime in America, and to combat access to illegal drugs, particularly opiates and opioids.
– END –
Northeast Ohio Man Charged with Buying Gun for Convicted Felon who Killed Westerville Police OfficersRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gerald A. Lawson III, 30, of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, was charged by criminal complaint for allegedly acting as a straw purchaser for Quentin L. Smith, a convicted felon who shot and killed two Westerville Police Officers on February 10.
Lawson was charged with aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He was arrested today by federal agents and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Jolson today at 3:30pm.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the charges.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, when Westerville Police Officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering responded to a disturbance call on Cross Wind Drive in Westerville, Smith was armed with a Glock semi-automatic handgun.
As a convicted felon, Smith is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm.
An undisclosed witness told investigators Smith provided Lawson money for the firearm and an extra $100 to compensate Lawson – who knew Smith had been convicted of a felony – for buying the gun for him.
Investigators learned that Lawson and Smith have a long history of friendship. A review of Lawson’s social media account after the incident on February 10 revealed a post by Lawson displaying three photographs of both of the men together. A comment by Lawson associated with the post also referenced the long-standing friendship between the two.
Firearm trace results indicate the Glock firearm was purchased by Lawson in Broadview Heights, Ohio.
Aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a prohibited person is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by ATF, and Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton, who is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Dayton Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Nicholas Gay, 37, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 120 months in prison for distributing fentanyl.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer and other members of the Sheriff’s Office RANGE Task Force announced the sentence handed by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.
According to court documents, Gay sold a confidential informant fentanyl on three occasions, totaling approximately 14 grams of the drug. A recorded conversation between Gay and the confidential informant included Gay giving instructions on how to dilute the drug in order to make a larger profit when reselling it.
When executing a search warrant at Gay’s home, investigators found an additional 200 grams of fentanyl and fentanyl/heroin mixture in a Crown Royal bag in plain view on a table, as well as $5,000 in cash.
Gay pleaded guilty in September 2017 to one count of distributing fentanyl.
“Gay had in his home more than 200 grams of various fentanyl mixtures – the equivalent of thousands of potential sales to drug addicts,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “After having previously served time for dealing cocaine, Gay will now will spend the next decade in prison for trafficking fentanyl. His removal makes the community safer.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office RANGE Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Brent G. Tabacchi and Andrew J. Hunt, who are representing the United States in this case.
###
Cincinnati Woman Sentenced for Embezzling from Employer, Defrauding IRSRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Angelia Zwick, also known as Angelia Strunk, 47, of Cincinnati, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for defrauding her employer.
Zwick, who was convicted of one count of wire fraud and one count of willfully filing a false income tax return with the IRS, was also ordered to pay nearly $329,000 in restitution to Sheakley Group, Inc. and its insurers and nearly $122,000 in restitution to the IRS.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, and Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.
According to court documents, from approximately July 2009 through May 2013, Angelia Zwick worked for Sheakley Group, Inc. and devised a scheme to defraud her employer by embezzling funds in excess of her authorized pay and compensation. Zwick wired the stolen funds from her employer’s bank account to a bank account for Amerihealth and Life Solutions, LLC, a company owned by Zwick.
As a result, Zwick took more than $328,000 of refunds and other payments intended for her employer and diverted those funds into bank accounts that she controlled.
In addition, Zwick filed false income tax returns with the IRS for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 income tax years, for which she owes $121,810 in additional income taxes. For the 2010 income tax year, Zwick failed to report as income the funds she embezzled from her employer. For the 2011 and 2012 income tax years, Zwick claimed false expenses for Amerihealth.
“We are early in this year’s tax filing season and this case should serve as a reminder that no matter what the source of income, all income is taxable, even stolen money,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS and U.S. Secret Service, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Mangan, who is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Six Southern Ohio Individuals Charged with Running Heroin Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Five Southern Ohio men and one woman have been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess and distribute more than 1,000 grams of heroin.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the charges, which were unsealed today.
Those charged include:
Name
Age
City of Residence
Miguel Monroy-Cuadros
29
Fairfield, Ohio
Annel Reyes-Valdes
28
Fairfield, Ohio
Armando Gonzalez-Rosas
25
Fairfield, Ohio
Felix Garcia-Rosas*
30
Liberty Township, Ohio
Omar Santos
37
Oxford, Ohio
Armando Reyes
36
Oxford, Ohio
*Defendant is currently a fugitive
Gonzalez-Rosas and Garcia-Rosas are also charged with distribution of heroin. Monroy-Cuadros, Santos and Reyes are each also charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. In addition, Santos and Reyes were each also charged with unlawful possession of firearms by an illegal alien and unlawfully possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the six men were conspiring to operate a heroin-trafficking ring in the Cincinnati area from at least October 2017 until this week.
After DEA agents conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Gonzalez-Rosas in September 2017, U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett authorized the interceptions of wire communications on cell phones used by the defendants. Communications led agents to believe Monroy-Cuadros was likely the source of supply for the group and Reyes-Valdes wired the group’s drug proceeds to Mexico. The farm on which Santos and Reyes lived in Oxford, Ohio was allegedly used as a stash location for the drug and drug proceeds.
Investigators intercepted calls and observed drug buys on numerous occasions between October 2017 and January 2018.
On January 9, troopers with Ohio State Highway Patrol discovered more than $132,446 in three separate locations in a vehicle. One of the locations included a plastic bag with more than $50,000 that is believed to have been delivered to the vehicle by Monroy-Cuadros.
On January 25, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit conducted a traffic stop of Monroy-Cuadros. Following a positive indication by the K9, the vehicle was searched and $10,000 was discovered in a white plastic bag. Monroy-Cuadros was given a ticket for a moving violation.
Agents learned on Monday that Monroy-Cuadros and Reyes-Valdes were in Chicago. Agents from DEA Chicago observed Monroy-Cuadros board a bus, which was traveling to Mexico.
Search warrants obtained on Tuesday were executed at the farm in Oxford and a residence in Fairfield, Ohio. Several firearms – strategically located as-if for defense against home invasion – were found in the home in Oxford, as well as 300 grams of heroin. Agents discovered several money transfer receipts at the home in Fairfield.
Five of the defendants were arrested yesterday, including Monroy-Cuadros, who was arrested in Dallas when officers with the Dallas Police Department interdicted the bus. Garcia-Rosas remains at large.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the DEA and the assistance of DEA Chicago and Dallas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ohio State Highway Patrol, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford, Fairfield, Springdale and Dallas Police Departments, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Karl P. Kadon, who is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Pickaway County Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Illegal Aliens from Mexico with Cousin in TexasRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two cousins have each been charged in the Southern District of Ohio with unlawfully transporting illegal aliens, primarily Mexican citizens, within the United States.
Bromley D. Hackney, 57, of Ashville, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to one count of transportation of an alien within the United States. Robert G. Smith, 58, of Natalia, Texas, was charged by criminal complaint with the same crime and arrested this morning in Texas.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Paul A. Pride and officials with U.S. Border Patrol announced the charges and the plea entered into before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the Criminal Complaint charging Smith, in October 2016, HSI agents received information from the Ohio State Highway Patrol regarding the suspected unlawful transportation of aliens. The source alleged that Hackney was using a semi-truck to move undocumented aliens within the United States for profit.
In December 2016, Hackney was stopped at a Border Patrol checkpoint near Laredo, Texas and agents found four undocumented aliens attempting to conceal themselves in hidden compartments in the cabin of the freight box truck. All of the individuals were taken into custody and later released.
Hackney agreed to be interviewed by investigators in Ohio in March 2017 and said he “knew that this day would come” and was going to go to a Border Patrol station soon to inquire about a possible investigation involving him. He admitted that he unlawfully transported aliens, which he and Smith began to do during the year 2011.
Smith, who was interviewed in June 2017, told investigators he would receive calls from a subject using the alias “Skinny” who would give him instructions on where to pick up the illegal aliens to be unlawfully transported. Smith would then contact others to arrange some of the transports, which he did approximately four times per week. He earned at least $2,000 per week coordinating the transactions.
Smith unlawfully transported aliens at least 72 times from 2011 through 2016 and transported four individuals each time. At first, he charged $800 per person and after the first two years increased the cost to $1,000 per person. The total amount of proceeds from the offense was nearly $269,000.
Transportation of an alien within the United States is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
“Smuggling human beings is a noxious business,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “We don’t want this sort of unlawful activity taking place in the Southern District of Ohio, and we’ll continue to work to identify and prosecute those who profit from transporting people illegally.”
“Dismantling criminal smuggling operations which prey on human beings with absolutely no regard for human life is a top priority for HSI," said Steve Francis, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit. "We will continue to aggressively pursue these alien smugglers who jeopardize human lives for money."
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by HSI, Ohio State Highway Patrol and U.S. Border Patrol, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Prichard, who is the District’s Immigration and Border Security Coordinator and who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Ohio Man Sentenced for Providing Material Support to Terrorists, Making False Statements to AuthoritiesRead the Press Release
Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, 26, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced on Jan. 22, to 22 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for training with terrorists overseas and leading a terrorist plot.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio, Special Agent in Charge Angela L. Byers of the FBI’s Cincinnati Division, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien and the FBI’s Columbus Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Michael H Watson.
“Mohamud traveled to Syria to train and fight with the designated terrorist organization al-Nusrah Front. He then returned to the United States with the intent to conduct an attack here,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “Thanks to the tremendous efforts of law enforcement, Mohamud was arrested and his plans were thwarted. One of the National Security Division’s highest priorities remains identifying and neutralizing the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters who return to the United States.”
“Mohamud engaged in terrorist activity overseas, which included training and fighting with the Al-Nusrah Front, a designated foreign terrorist organization,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “He then returned to the United States with a plan to do grievous harm, recruited others to help him in his homeland plot, and then planned and prepared for attacks in the United States. Once caught, he orchestrated a cover-up beginning with his material misstatements to the FBI. The seriousness of his actions cannot be overstated and today’s sentence illustrates that.”
“Mohamud was originally arrested and indicted in state court by my office and a $2 million bond was set that maintained him in custody. Those state charges were dismissed when the federal prosecution commenced and Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Gibson was added to the federal team as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney,” said Franklin County Prosecutor O’Brien. “This case illustrates the effectiveness of the cooperative effort in the Columbus area to combat terrorism.”
A federal grand jury charged Mohamud in April 2015 with one count of attempting to provide and providing material support to terrorists, one count of attempting to provide and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization – namely, al-Nusrah Front – and one count of making false statements to the FBI involving international terrorism. Mohamud pleaded guilty to those charges in August 2015. The plea was sealed until June 2017 because of an ongoing investigation.
According to court documents, Mohamud is a Somali-born naturalized U.S. citizen, who, in 2014, obtained a U.S. passport and one-way ticket to Greece. During his travel in April 2014, Mohamud did not board his connecting flight to Athens, Greece. Rather, during his layover in Istanbul, Turkey, he completed pre-arranged plans to cross the border into Syria. In Syria, Mohamud received training from al-Nusrah Front, a terrorist organization affiliated with al-Qaeda.
According to a statement of facts supporting Mohamud’s guilty plea, while in Syria, Mohamud trained with al-Nusrah Front on fitness, and on the use of weapons and tactics. Mohamud also engaged in a firefight and expressed his desire to die fighting in Syria.
Mohamud returned to the United States after his brother was killed fighting for al-Nusrah Front.
The statement of facts details that after returning to the United States, Mohamud planned to obtain weapons in order to kill military officers, other government employees or people in uniform. Evidence seized by the FBI indicates that Mohamud researched places in the U.S. to carry out such plans.
Mr. Boente and Mr. Glassman commended the cooperative investigation of the FBI’s JTTF and numerous local partners. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas Squires, Jessica H. Kim and Salvador Dominguez, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Gibson of the Southern District of Ohio; and Trial Attorneys Bridget Behling and Lolita Lukose of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.