District of Oregon
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Sherwood Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Drugs into Coffee Creek Women's PrisonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Sherwood, Oregon man pleaded guilty today for smuggling drugs into the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Richard Steven Alberts II, 32, pleaded guilty to the charge of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§841(a)(1), 841 (b)(1)(C), and 846. He will be sentenced on February 22, 2021 by the Honorable Michael H. Simon.
According to court records, in 2019, Alberts was a Correctional Officer at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, a women’s prison in Wilsonville, operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections. While employed there, defendant began an inappropriate and illegal sexual relationship with an inmate.
To foster the relationship, Alberts agreed to smuggle drugs, including OxyContin pills, methamphetamine, and heroin into the prison and to provide them to the inmate. In addition, Alberts smuggled multiple cell phones into the facility that the inmate used to communicate with Alberts and others outside the prison. Defendant knew that the smuggled methamphetamine and heroin were not for the inmate’s personal use, but, instead, were intended for distribution to other women incarcerated at Coffee Creek.
On the evening of June 3, 2019, defendant met co-defendant Joseph Jimenez in a parking lot in Portland, where Jimenez provided Alberts with heroin. The next day, on June 4, 2019, Alberts smuggled that heroin into Coffee Creek, and later provided it to the inmate. Just a few days later, an Oregon Department of Corrections investigator seized a small amount of methamphetamine and over 6 grams heroin from the inmate. An investigation by the ODOC and FBI revealed that the seized heroin was, in fact, the same heroin that Alberts had obtained from Jimenez and smuggled into Coffee Creek. Alberts was immediately placed on administrative leave from ODOC.
“This corrections officer selfishly abused his position of trust and in doing so, endangered the lives of vulnerable inmates fighting for their own sobriety” said United States Attorney Billy J. Williams. “Instead of protecting the inmates, he exploited them. The excellent investigative work of the Oregon Department of Corrections, the Oregon State Police, and the FBI now ensures that a man who once guarded inmates will become one himself.”
DOC Director Colette S. Peters said, “The Oregon Department of Corrections is committed to preventing sexual activity involving employees and the people in our care and custody; and take decisive action when allegations are brought forward. When DOC’s Inspector General’s Office and the leadership at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility received a tip about Alberts’s criminal behavior, the agency immediately acted by launching an internal investigation and contacting state and federal law enforcement. Our goal was to ensure a thorough investigation, a fair process, and prosecution, if warranted. We have thousands of employees who provide outstanding public service each and every day. I would like to thank our partners at the US Attorney General’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oregon State Police, and the Washington County District Attorney’s office for their cooperation and seeing Alberts sentenced for his illegal and dishonorable behavior.”
"Alberts abused his position of power over the Coffee Creek inmates with the trafficking of meth and heroin," said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. "Instead of ensuring a safe environment for these women as he should have been, he exploited addiction and targeted a vulnerable population for his own gain. We can't let such behavior stand."
Alberts faces a maximum sentence of is 20 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a fine of $1,000,000. As part of the plea agreement, defendant agreed to immediately resign from the Oregon Department of Corrections, where he is currently on unpaid administrative leave. Defendant also agreed to immediately and permanently decertify as a law enforcement officer with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. So long as defendant demonstrates an acceptance of responsibility, the parties will jointly recommend a sentence of 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
In addition, Alberts has agreed with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office to waive indictment and plead guilty to the offense of Custodial Sexual Misconduct in the First Degree under ORS 163.452 (a Class C felony). At sentencing, both parties will recommend that Alberts receives a sentence of three years of formal probation, including conditions that Alberts will participate in an evaluation, and if indicated, participate in sex treatment.
The Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon State Police and the FBI investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Craig Gabriel and Scott Bradford, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to enforcing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). PREA requires the development and promulgation of “national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape.” These standards, like the law mandating them, are intended to address a serious public safety, public health, and human rights problem—the incidence of sexual violence in our nation’s confinement facilities. To learn more about PREA, please visit: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/prison-rape-elimination-act-prea/overview.
Bull Trout Poacher Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—Culver, Oregon resident Thomas R. Campbell, 29, was sentenced in federal court today for the flagrant and repeated poaching of protected and Tribally significant bull trout, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
“One of the most solemn duties of the U.S. Attorney’s office is enforcing the laws for the protection of our threatened wildlife and upholding our special trust relationship with our tribal partners,” said United States Attorney Billy J. Williams. “This case demonstrates our priorities in exercising those duties and holding accountable those who would flagrantly disregard our nation’s laws that protect threatened species.”
“Bull trout are an iconic species of the Pacific Northwest whose populations are suffering from habitat degradation, and are protected by Tribal, State and Federal laws,” said James Ashburner, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The defendants in this case caused great harm to the recovery efforts of all of the government and non-government groups who have invested in the recovery of this species. This joint case demonstrates the resolve of Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Oregon State Police, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in preserving bull trout for future generations. A special thank you goes out to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon for placing an emphasis on environmental crimes that impact the natural world we all enjoy.”
According to court documents, on multiple occasions in 2017 and 2018, Thomas R. Campbell poached bull trout from the Metolius River, fishing from both U.S. Forest Service lands and while trespassing on the “Eyerly Property,” which was held in trust by the United States for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Campbell also encouraged others to do the same.
The Metolius River requires catch-and-release for all species of fish, including bull trout. Although one can legally angle for bull trout on the Metolius River and in Lake Billy Chinook, bull trout are not legal to target elsewhere in Oregon. This makes the Metolius River one of the Oregon’s crown gems of angling.
Campbell targeted, kept, and grossly mishandled bull trout despite admittedly knowing the laws protecting the species and how to properly handle fish to immediately release unharmed. He also committed these crimes despite numerous warnings from public viewers of his social media boasts about his poaching. Campbell repeatedly posted photos of his bull trout poaching exploits to his social media platforms where he had more than 1,000 followers.
Bull trout are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The species has been depleted by a range of factors, including overfishing. Today, bull trout inhabit less than half of their historic range. Central Oregon’s Metolius River helps serve as a prized spawning ground, and it is used to help repopulate other waters where bull trout numbers have dwindled even lower. These magnificent fish are revered by anglers and are a cherished Tribal resource. Poaching represents a lethal threat to their recovery.
On August 13, 2020, Campbell pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges contained in the criminal information. These counts charge violations of the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. § 3372(a)(1) for knowingly acquiring and transporting bull trout from the Metolius River in the Deschutes National Forest and from Warm Springs’ Tribal land.
Robert “Bobby” Brunoe, the General Manager of Natural Resources and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs addressed the sentencing judge on behalf of the Tribes. He discussed the Tribes’ sovereignty over the Warm Springs Reservation, the severity of the trespasses by non-members like Campbell, and the cultural importance of bull trout to the Tribes. Mr. Brunoe also discussed his own connection to these fish, recalling his grandmother’s subsistence fishing for bull trout when he was a child. He stressed the importance of protecting and restoring bull trout.
U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken sentenced Campbell to five years of federal probation and banned him from angling or hunting anywhere in the United States as a condition of probation. In addition, Judge Aiken ordered Campbell to pay a $6,000 criminal fine to the Lacey Act Reward Fund and $649.95 in restitution to the Oregon State Police for his destruction of a trail camera designed to catch poachers. Campbell was also ordered to perform 300 hours of community service with a non-profit focused on conservation or with a collaborative relationship with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
This case was investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Office of Law Enforcement; Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Branch of Natural Resources; and the United States Forest Service, Law Enforcement and Investigations. It was prosecuted by Will McLaren and Pam Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Battle Ground Man Sentenced to One Year in Federal Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Thomas A. Rennie, Age 58, of Battle Ground, Washington, and formerly of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced today to one year in prison, supervised release of three years, and restitution to the IRS of $1.5 million for evading payment of employment taxes and personal income taxes.
According to court documents, Rennie operated a car detailing business in Portland for 28 years, and a dog training business in Washington since 2015. Rennie knowingly and intentionally evaded payment of nearly $1.5 million in taxes for the years 2005 through 2017. These unpaid taxes were comprised of employment taxes for his businesses, personal income taxes, and corporate taxes. Rennie’s efforts to evade the payment of his taxes included his failure to maintain proper business books and records; using business bank accounts and a non-profit entity’s bank account to pay personal expenses; concealing ownership of personal assets by placing title to these assets in the names of nominee entities; concealing the income from the sale of one of his companies by placing the proceeds in bank accounts held in the names of nominees; and making false statements to an IRS Revenue Officer.
Rennie previously pleaded guilty to one count of Tax Evasion on December 16, 2019.
The Internal Revenue Service investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Claire M. Fay, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Local U.S. Department of Justice Employees Receive Attorney General Award for Distinguished Contributions to Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams congratulates District of Oregon Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Cardani and Scott Kerin, and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Guy Gino, who were honored by United States Attorney General William P. Barr for their exemplary service. The awards were announced on November 12, 2020.
The Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes Department of Justice employees and partners for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. This year, 240 DOJ employees received awards, while 27 non-department individuals were also honored for their work.
AUSA Chris Cardani was recognized for his work to recover more than 1 Billion dollars’ worth of assets misappropriated from the Malaysian government through civil forfeiture actions. AUSA Scott Kerin and HSI Special Agent Guy Gino were recognized for their work on Operation Deadly Merchant/Operation Denial, a sophisticated Dark Net synthetic opioid drug ring operating in the United States, Canada, and China.
“I am honored to recognize the recipients of this year’s Attorney General’s Awards, whose tireless work and steadfast dedication have proven critical to enforcing the rule of law and protecting all Americans,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Those honored today have demonstrated exceptional efforts and made tremendous personal sacrifices throughout their time working at the Department of Justice, and for that, I am truly thankful.”
“The recognition of these local DOJ employees is well-deserved” said Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Their work represents the highest ideals of public service, partnership and dedication to public safety. Congratulations Chris, Scott and Guy!”
Tigard Man Pleads Guilty to Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Tigard, Oregon man pleaded guilty today to stealing Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Steven Clayton Stark, 67, knowingly kept ten years’ worth of benefits intended for his father that should have terminated at the time of his father’s death.
According to court records, Mr. Stark’s father received SSA Retirement Insurance Benefits (RIB) prior to his death in May, 2009. Rather than informing the SSA of his father’s death, Stark knowingly continued to accept the RIB money that was deposited into a joint account controlled by Stark. Stark transferred the funds into other accounts he owned and then spent it on himself and his family. The total loss amount to SSA is $221,960.00.
On August 25, 2020, Stark was charged by criminal Information with Theft of Government Funds in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. He will be sentenced on February 8, 2021 before U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut.
“Social Security benefits theft is a crime that threatens this very important program meant to support the most vulnerable in our nation.” said United States Attorney Williams. “Anyone who knowingly steals the retirement benefits of others must be held accountable for their conduct.”
The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Rachel Sowray, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Roseburg Man Accused of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Roseburg man has been charged with Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child after he used a hidden camera to attempt to record lewd images of a minor girl.
A federal grand jury in Medford has returned a one-count indictment charging Robert Wayne Roady, 48, with Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 2251 (a) and (e).
Roady was originally charged in Douglas County Circuit Court on October 22, 2020 with nine counts of Invasion of Privacy in violation of Oregon law. Roady has remained in state custody since his arrest on those charges. This federal indictment is an adoption of the state case. Once Douglas County prosecutors dismiss the state matter, Roady will be transferred to federal custody for an appearance at a later date in Eugene, Oregon.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Adam E. Delph and Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Resident Indicted for Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five count indictment against Portland resident Hawazen Sameer Mothafar, 31, charging two counts of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization and one count of providing and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339B(a)(1). In addition, the indictment charges Mothafar with one count of false statements in an immigration application in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a) and one count of false statement to a government agency in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).
Mothafar had his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo yesterday. Due to the fact that Mothafar has physical disabilities and is confined to a wheelchair, the government did not seek detention. Rather, Mothafar was released on conditions including limitations on travel and the use of electronic devices.
According to the allegations contained within the indictment, between February 2015, and up to the time of arrest, Mothafar conspired with ISIS members to provide material support to ISIS. This support included a range of activities. Mothafar produced and distributed ISIS propaganda and recruiting materials that he created and edited in coordination with official ISIS media operatives located overseas. Mothafar produced, edited, and distributed a number of publications and articles including “Effective Stabbing Techniques,” which provided detailed guidance on how to best kill and maim a target in a knife attack, a tutorial on using explosive ignition devices entitled “How Does a Detonator Work,” and propaganda that encouraged readers to carry out attacks in their home countries if they could not travel overseas to fight. Mothafar also maintained contact with ISIS officials overseas and provided technical support to these individuals that included opening social media and email accounts for official use. During the time of this alleged activity, Mothafar also made false statements on immigration documents and to government officials denying any ties to terrorist organizations.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Portland Division and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ethan Knight and Geoffrey Barrow with the assistance of Counterrorism Trial Attorney Alexandra Hughes.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland-Area Resident Indicted for Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon and Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Portland Field Office, announced today that a federal grand jury in Portland returned an 5 Count Indictment against Troutdale, Oregon resident Hawazen Sameer Mothafar, 31, charging two counts of Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Designated Terrorist Organization and one count of Providing and Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339B(a)(1). In addition, the indictment charges Mothafar with one count of False Statements in an Immigration Application in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a) and one count of False Statement to a Government Agency in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).
Mothafar had his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo today. Due to the fact that Mothafar has physical disabilities and is confined to a wheelchair, the Government did not seek detention. Rather, Mothafar was released on conditions including limitations on travel and the use of electronic devices.
According to the allegations contained within the indictment, between February 2015, and up to the time of arrest, Mothafar conspired with ISIS members to provide material support to ISIS. This support included a range of activities. Mothafar produced and distributed ISIS propaganda and recruiting materials that he created and edited in coordination with official ISIS media operatives located overseas. Mothafar produced, edited, and distributed a number of publications and articles including “Effective Stabbing Techniques,” which provided detailed guidance on how to best kill and maim a target in a knife attack, a tutorial on using explosive ignition devices entitled “How Does a Detonator Work,” and propaganda that encouraged readers to carry out attacks in their home countries if they could not travel overseas to fight. Mothafar also maintained contact with ISIS officials overseas and provided technical support to these individuals that included opening social media and email accounts for official use. During the time of this alleged activity, Mothafar also made false statements on immigration documents and to government officials denying any ties to terrorist organizations.
“This defendant is a legal permanent resident of the United States who abandoned the country that took him in and instead pledged allegiance to ISIS and repeatedly and diligently promoted its violent objectives” said United States Attorney Williams. “Our national security prosecutors and law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that those who threaten our country are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
"The threat of ISIS-inspired terrorism remains very real thanks, in part, to an army of online supporters who produce propaganda that aims to incite 'lone actor' operators in the U.S. and around the world. Today, the FBI arrested one such man in our own community for his alleged role as a leading figure in the Islamic State's media network," said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. "When it comes to cases like this one, a computer and a keyboard can be powerful weapons against enemies of the Islamic State."
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Portland Field Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ethan Knight and Geoffrey Barrow.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oregon Officers Receive Attorney General Award for Distinguished Service in PolicingRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams congratulates Sergeant Jason Thien of the Curry County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Archie Lidey of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, who were honored by United States Attorney General William P. Barr for their distinguished service in policing. The awards were announced on November 3, 2020.
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing. This year, the department received 214 nominations recognizing a total of 355 individual officers, deputies, and troopers. There were 39 states represented in the nomination pool, covering state, local, campus, sheriff, and other agency types. This year’s awards recognized the exceptional work of 23 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country.
The Distinguished Service Award for Sergeant Thien was in the category of Criminal Investigations and reads as follows:
In Curry County, Oregon, Sergeant Jason Thien often works alone on his shift, where he services a 1,600-square mile county and more than eighty miles of the Pacific Coast Highway. Even so, he did not hesitate to give it his all when word came down of a widespread manhunt for a murder suspect, who was thought to be in Curry County. Working his contacts, combing property records, and using other investigative tools, he found his man. Thanks to Sergeant Thien’s dedicated efforts, he apprehended the subject, who will soon be facing charges.
The Distinguished Service Commendation for Detective Lidey was in the category of Innovations in Community Policing and reads as follows:
When Josephine County, Oregon, suffered a funding crisis, Detective Archie Lidey zoomed into action. The situation was dire, with staffing reduced at the sheriff’s office and the jail, limiting the number of offenders that could be housed. Citations were issued to most criminal offenders instead of placing them under arrest. But Detective Lidey began a grassroots effort to find and maintain funding. As a founding member of Securing Our Safety (SOS), formed specifically to overcome the law enforcement–funding crisis, Detective Lidey organized a 5k race that grew to 700 participants in 2020. Lidey and SOS also raised over $60,000 to complete a study of local justice and law enforcement programs. They also formed a nonprofit called Grace Roots, to establish a residential treatment center for people with addictions; and he was key in establishing the Grants Pass Treatment Center, a methadone and suboxone treatment program for substance abuse addiction. Josephine County went from having no treatment facility to one that now sees more than 300 patients a day. And funding-wise, it has all paid off: since 2013, Detective Lidey has coordinated events and contributions that now total $324,000.
“There is no career nobler than that of a police officer, and the 23 officers we honor this year demonstrate that clearly,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “These individuals are distinguished in their service for field operations and criminal investigations – from investigating homicides to drug trafficking to sexual exploitation and assault – to making positive change in their communities through innovative outreach to local residents. Their actions are a testament to what law enforcement officers contribute to our nation each day, keeping us safe from violent crime and building more trusting communities, and they are deserving of our collective thanks. I am pleased to honor these 23 officers for their distinguished service in policing.”
“I look forward to presenting these awards to Sergeant Thein and Detective Lidey” said United States Attorney Williams. “These awards are a testament to the dedication, bravery and skill of all law enforcement across our nation and I cannot be happier that two of our own have been recognized for their public safety efforts.”
U.S. Attorney Williams will present the award to Sergeant Thien on November 18, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. at the Curry County Board of Commissioners Annex in Gold Beach, Oregon, and to Detective Lidey on November 24, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. at the Department of Public Safety in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Retired Lawyer Sentenced to 24 Months Imprisonment for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – On November 2, 2020, retired attorney Bruce L. Lamon, age 66, of Hillsboro, Oregon, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and 3 years supervised release following his April plea of guilty to evading payment of his taxes for calendar years 2008 through 2013. Lamon was also ordered to pay $744,339 in back taxes to the IRS.
“Tax cheats steal from all of us” said United States Attorney Billy J. Williams. “This defendant chose greed over paying his taxes. Thanks to the excellent work of the IRS, this disgraced lawyer was caught and will now serve time.”
Lamon worked as a commercial litigator at a law firm in Honolulu, Hawaii, for 30 years. Lamon retired in 2012 and moved to Hillsboro. Between November 2012 and December 2015, Lamon committed numerous affirmative acts to evade his tax obligations. These included titling vehicles in his former spouse’s name and purchasing three rental properties using an LLC registered in Hawaii to conceal these assets from the IRS.
After he was indicted in October 2018, Lamon failed to appear for his arraignment. He bought a burner cell phone, rented a car, and hid from federal law enforcement officers for six weeks. IRS agents tracked Lamon’s movements and arrested him when he returned the rental car.
U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernandez found that Lamon had used his skills as an attorney to create a sophisticated method for hiding his assets from the IRS. Judge Hernandez also found Lamon obstructed justice by not appearing for his arraignment and for staying on the run for six weeks.
Lamon recently sold his three rental properties and paid the IRS $465,000 from the sale proceeds.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Oregon Military Department Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Government Contracting FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— a former civilian program manager for the Oregon National Guard’s Oregon Sustainment Maintenance Site (OSMS) was sentenced to federal prison today for making false statements in representing the operational status of military equipment used to maintain the U.S. Army’s war-ready posture and billing for $6 million in repairs that were never done, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Dominic Caputo, 49, was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams said “This criminal investigation and prosecution demonstrates why misrepresenting the availability of essential equipment to the Department of Defense is a serious offense and will be punished accordingly”.
"Mr. Caputo's scheme to defraud the Department of Defense (DoD) violated the trust afforded to him by the Oregon National Guard, threatened the integrity of the DoD acquisition process, and wasted taxpayer money," said Bryan D. Denny, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Western Field Office. "This investigation is yet another example of our agents and law enforcement partners working together to uncover corruption and protect taxpayers' dollars entrusted to the DoD."
“Americans rightly expect that those supporting our armed forces do so with pride and integrity, not indifference and dishonesty,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “We thank all of our law enforcement and military partners for working together to bring a resolution in this case and ensure the future safety of our troops in the field,”
According to court documents, from approximately 2009 through 2014, Caputo served as the Program Manager of the Power Division of the Oregon National Guard’s OSMS at Camp Withycombe, an Oregon Military Department installation in Clackamas County. OSMS supports readiness and training of the U.S. Military by refurbishing out-of-service electronic equipment owned by the U.S. Department of Defense. In the event of an emergency or declaration of war, OSMS deploys refurbished equipment to other military bases or installations. During the time alleged in the Indictment and until 2015, OSMS was the only maintenance site in the United States capable of repairing and rebuilding certain models of electric generators and other small engines and parts in support of the federal military supply system.
In Fiscal Year 2014, Caputo billed the U.S. Army’s Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) more than $675,000 for the repair and rebuilding of John Deere Diesel Engines despite the work having not been performed. More than 60 of the engines had already been repaired and billed to CECOM in prior fiscal years. For those engines, Caputo directed Power Division employees to remove and replace original serial numbers and identifying engine plates from the engines to conceal the duplicate billing.
In June 2014, Caputo willingly and knowingly prepared a work order and run test data indicating that the falsified repair work on an engine had been performed. Caputo submitted this false information to CECOM. Caputo’s employment with OSMS was terminated in November 2014 when his fraud was revealed. Despite the magnitude of the monetary losses, there was no evidence that Caputo engaged in the fraudulent conduct for his own financial enrichment. The fraud perpetuated an inefficient operation, and covered for defendant’s own ineffective management.
In September 2018 a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 5-count indictment charging Caputo with multiple instances of making false statements in representing the operational status of military equipment used to maintain a war-ready posture. On January 9, 2020, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false and fraudulent writing.
During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut ordered Caputo to pay $2.6 million in restitution, the amount of overbillings for labor that was never performed by the Oregon National Guard employees at OSMS.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command, and the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Ryan Bounds, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Two Individuals Charged with Trafficking Large Amounts of Meth in Eastern OregonRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that an Ontario, Oregon resident, and a Weiser, Idaho resident have been charged with interstate trafficking of methamphetamines and other drugs.
Alma Lorena Pacheco Ortiz, 52, and Victor Gomez Casa 26, have been charged by criminal complaint with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, and Pacheco was also charged with possession of a firearm by a person unlawfully in the United States.
“Rural communities across Oregon have been ravaged by the effects of methamphetamine addiction” said U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams “We cannot succeed in breaking the cycle of addiction and affliction in these communities when individuals like the defendants, motivated by greed, continue to provide a steady supply of poison. We are proud of the collaborative efforts to disrupt this long term drug trafficking enterprise”
“Communities are struggling to reduce or eliminate the physical and mental damage caused to individuals and communities by illicit drug addiction,” said Steven Romero, Ontario, Oregon Chief of Police. “Area law enforcement continue to use a ‘force multiplier’ approach for disrupting or dismantling international, multi-state and local drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. We’re proud work together with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”
“I applaud the work of Federal, state, and local law enforcement in this effort,” said Malheur County, Oregon Sheriff Brian Wolfe. “People are being held accountable for serious illegal activity which in turn makes our communities safer.”
“Oregon State Police Troopers work diligently to observe signs of criminal activity during every traffic stop,” said Captain Tim Fox. “As part of this coordinated effort, our OSP Troopers engaged these observation skills which proved fruitful in pulling a significant amount of drugs off the streets.”
According to court documents, on October 25, 2020, law enforcement conducted a coordinated traffic stop on a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe with Idaho plates. The driver of the car was Pacheco, and the passenger was the registered owner Victor Gomez Casa.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a mechanically actuated trap located under the rear seat of the vehicle. Law enforcement was able to activate the trap, opening the storage compartment which revealed approximately 40 pounds of methamphetamine and a kilo of heroin. (PHOTO)
Pacheco admitted traveling to California to obtain drugs, which she had been transporting and distributing in Eastern Oregon for several years.
On the same day, law enforcement served a federal search warrant at Pacheco’s residence located in Ontario, Oregon. During the search, law enforcement located approximately $75,000 in United States currency, a firearm and additional suspected methamphetamines.
Law enforcement records indicate Pacheco was deported in 2013 to Mexico, Pacheco’s country of origin.
Pacheco and Casa are expected to make initial appearance in federal court in the near future.
The Oregon State Police, ATF, Malheur County Sheriff’s office, and Ontario Police Department investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Marco Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Stacked packages of MethamphetamineUtah Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison for Absconding Supervision and Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Washington County, Utah, resident was sentenced to federal prison today for failing to comply with sex offender supervision and registration requirements designed to protect the community from predatory acts, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Robert John Golom, 27, was sentenced to five years in federal prison and ten years’ supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams said “This case demonstrates the critical importance of law enforcement partnership and coordination and use of the National Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) as an important tool in protecting the public from those who repeatedly engage in predatory acts.”
According to court documents, on November 5, 2019, Eugene police officers found defendant Golom in a Eugene transient encampment, sharing a tent with a 16-year old minor. Record checks revealed Golom was required to register as a sex offender as a result of prior criminal convictions in Utah, and Golom had not registered in Oregon despite being present in the state for a month. Golom was also found in possession of a machete, a concealed hunting knife and other makeshift weapons. Eugene police coordinated with the United States Marshal’s Service and the Oregon State Police to conduct further investigation.
Golom told law enforcement he left Utah on a bus, traveled to Oregon, and did not register as required following his Utah state conviction for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Unlawful Sexual Contact with a 16 or 17-year old in 2019. Golom’s failure to register in Oregon follows a history of repeated sexual acts committed against minors and poor decisions, including sharing a tent with a minor in Eugene, while fleeing from court-ordered supervision and sex offender registration requirements in Utah.
On November 20, 2019, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a single-count indictment charging Golom with failure to register as a sex offender. On July 28, 2020, he pleaded guilty.
The United States Marshals Service, the Eugene Police Department, and Oregon State Police investigated this case. It was prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon in coordination with the Hurricane, Utah City Attorney and the Washington County Attorney’s office in St. George, Utah.
The United States Marshals Service is the federal government’s primary law enforcement agency for sex offender and fugitive investigations. The United States Marshals Service has implemented an aggressive strategy across the nation, including complex sex offender investigations and multiagency enforcement operations. Protecting children in our communities, including unhoused juveniles, is a critical part of the multiagency sex offender mission in Oregon.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) is Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The act provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA strengthens the nationwide network for the protection of the community.
Thirty-Five Defendants, Including Ring Leader, Prosecuted in Major Take Down of International Drug Trafficking Organization Based in Lane CountyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that members of a major international drug trafficking organization, including one of its ringleaders and sources of supply from Mexico, have been charged with distributing methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl into Oregon between 2018 and 2020.
A federal grand jury in Eugene has returned a one-count indictment charging Victor Diaz-Ramirez, 30, who was residing in Mexico, with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. This Indictment is part of a much larger investigation into the large-scale distribution of drugs into Oregon from Mexico by the drug trafficking organization led by Diaz-Ramirez (“the Diaz DTO”). According to court documents, the Diaz DTO has been operating at least since 2018. The Diaz DTO imported drugs into the United States from Mexico, transported them from California to Oregon hidden inside vehicles, then distributed them throughout Oregon from its distribution cell located in Lane County.
The government’s investigation has resulted in the prosecution of 35 individuals (listed below) who are members or associates of the Diaz DTO. The scheme involved shipment of drugs from Mexico into Southern California by Diaz-Ramirez and others, where they were subsequently transported in large wooden boxes by couriers to Oregon and delivered to co-conspirators operating a distribution cell. There, the drugs were divided and prepared for distribution in large pound quantities for delivery to local distributors in Eugene, Springfield, and Salem, for eventual redistribution to their local customer base. During its investigation, law enforcement seized from the Diaz DTO over 260 pounds of methamphetamine, 16 pounds of heroin, 6 pounds of fentanyl in the form of 4000 fentanyl pills, 76 firearms, 1 grenade, multiple vehicles, and more than $760,000 in cash used to facilitate drug transactions.
The following people have been arrested as members and associates of the Diaz DTO and prosecuted with drug related charges: Victor Diaz-Ramirez, 30; Rodolfo Arroyo-Segoviano, 34; Jose Manuel Cabadas, 36; Nicholas A. Norton-Guerra, 30; Arturo Gonzalez Jr., 22; Jose Cruz Granados Munoz, 33; Robert Harrington, 40; Gregory Todd Daily, 57; Austin Wayne Reinke, 34; Shelby Lynn Mathews, 30; Javin Michael Loomis, 42; William Joseph Hawkins, 42; Randy Allen Hendricks, 59; Vernon Eli Reece, 58; Alejandro Augustin Cardenas, 43; Spencer Arthur Crawford, 36; Anthony Robert Andreotti, 43; Isidro Mateo-Olivera, 32; Andres Santacruz, 40; Yasmani Diaz Iturbe, 35; Artemio Lorea Carrillo, 47; Alejandro Lara, 27; Karine Garabedian, 36; Tamara Gonzalez-Valdivia, 24; Andres Avila Gamboa, 29; Israel Salvador Mercado-Mendoza, 33; Rigoberto Morfin-Pedroza, 36; Delfino Angel Davila-Tamayo, 27; Cristina Maria Elizabeth Fregoso, 36; Jose Leonidas Gonzalez-Castillo, 52; Felipe Antonio Rapalo, 31; Eddy Eduardo Rapalo, 24; Gustavo Arango-Moreno, 29; and Victor Ramos-Vergara, 32.
“For years, the Diaz DTO brought poison from Mexico to the streets of Oregon in the form of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin” said United States Attorney Billy J Williams. “This takedown represents a major disruption of that pipeline of drugs into our community. This investigation shows that large scale drug distribution is not limited to Portland. This organization used Lane County as its base and from there sent drugs across the entire state. This prosecution is especially important as the entire organization was targeted; from the source of supply in Mexico, to the couriers bringing the drugs north, and to those involved in the statewide distribution network. The prosecution of those involved is a major step in law enforcement’s efforts to stop the river of drugs flowing from Mexico to Oregon. I want to thank our federal and state partners for their work in investigating, interdicting, and arresting those involved and especially effecting the arrest of the alleged ringleader, Victor Ramirez-Diaz.”
“The dismantlement of this international drug trafficking organization centered in Eugene, Oregon, demonstrates how effective law enforcement efforts are when we work together,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cam Strahm. “The organization targeted and brought to justice through this case will not prey on the citizens of Lane County and residents of Oregon for a long time.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Marshals, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lane County Sherriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Line Task Force in Linn County, and DINT Task Force in Douglas County investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Joseph Huynh and Judi Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
An indictment and complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation that led to this prosecution, as described above, fall under the auspices of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
Victor Diaz, organization leader, and organization, along with drugs, firearms, weapons, and currency seized.Bend Resident, Sentenced for Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Marijuana Under the Name "BHOys"Read the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon resident was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment today for running an illicit Butane Honey Oil (BHO) extraction lab on rural Bend property, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Jacob Genaro Robe, 31 years old, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release.
“BHO extraction is a highly volatile and dangerous process that has resulted in explosions injuring and killing Oregon residents. When Oregon citizens passed state laws legalizing and regulating the manufacture of marijuana products including BHO, it was meant to bring those black market operations into the light of day and create safeguards protecting the health and safety of Oregon consumers” said U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. “Those laws are ineffective without enforcement. As this case demonstrates, there are individuals who will violate laws in pursuit of profits over consumer protections and we stand ready to hold them accountable.”
According to court documents, Robe and his brother created a vertical operation growing marijuana, manufacturing BHO and distributing it in other states for significant profit. On March 27, 2018, an Oregon State Police trooper stopped Jacob Robe for a traffic violation near Klamath Falls, Oregon. The officer recognized signs of drug trafficking and eventually located more than $20,000 in cash, BHO, and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team had previously received information regarding defendant and his brothers having a BHO lab and selling BHO in other states, and detectives served a search warrant on the brothers’ rural property in Bend, Oregon. Also found were freezers with marijuana, drying racks with sheets of BHO and jars with their logo “THE BHOys.” (Photos)
In an unattached two-story structure approximately 179 large, mature, marijuana plants were located along with around 280 starter plants. Law enforcement located an indoor marijuana grow with hundreds of plants, a closed-loop BHO lab, 18 pounds of BHO, 200 pounds of marijuana and thirteen firearms. Police located the firearms in various places in the residence, including positioned near the front door (photo) in the kitchen (photo) and in Robe’s bedroom.
On November 25, 2019 Robe was charged by information, and on January 29, 2020 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana.
Robe forfeited $23,000 in U.S. currency.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team and Oregon State Police investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.
Labeled jars for butane honey oil (BHO) Handgun in kitchen of Robe’s residence Firearm near door in Robe’s residence BHO extraction lab on Robe’s property 3 dimensional BHOys logo in a caseHillsboro Oregon Resident Charged with Assaulting a Deputized Portland Police OfficerRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Hillsboro, Oregon, resident has been charged with assaulting a federally deputized Portland Police officer with the pointed end of an umbrella and interfering with law enforcement officers performing their official duties during a civil disorder event.
A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a two-count indictment charging Skyler Roy Rider, 18, with Civil Disorder and Assaulting a Federal Officer.
According to court documents, late on the evening of October 6, 2020 and into October 7, a crowd gathered and a march began at Elizabeth Caruthers Park located in the 3500 block of South Moody Avenue. The group walked to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building on South Macadam Avenue. Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers observed many in the crowd carrying shields, wearing helmets, gas masks, and body armor. As the group marched towards the ICE building, support vehicles followed them as they blocked streets.
As the crowd arrived at the ICE building, people in the crowd were observed flashing lights in the eyes of Federal Protection Service (FPS) officers as they stood outside the ICE building. People in the crowd were observed throwing rocks at the FPS officers and at one point, someone in the crowd threw a flaming object onto the roof of the ICE building. Due to the criminal acts, FPS officers moved the crowd back towards Elizabeth Caruthers Park.
Later, the crowd again began marching towards the ICE building, blocking the streets. The PPB incident commander declared the event an unlawful assembly and the crowd was given multiple warnings over a loudspeaker to leave the area or face possible arrest, use of crowd control munitions to include tear gas. The crowd did not leave the area, but remained in the middle of the street. A PPB officer assigned to the Rapid Response Team, deputized as a U.S. Marshal to protect federal personnel and property during civil disorder events, observed a subject later identified as Skyler Roy Rider, holding a distinct blue and white umbrella, in a line of others blocking the street holding shields. The PPB officer determined there was probable cause to arrest Rider for disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer. As the officer approached Rider to arrest him, Rider lowered the umbrella with both hands and forcibly jabbed the officer in the chest with the pointed end of the umbrella. The force caused the officer to gasp and curl over in pain. Rider ran from the officer and other officers came to assist and placed Rider into custody for assaulting a public safety officer.
Following the arrest of Rider, he was found to be dressed in all black wearing a gas mask and body armor. In his pockets were two water bottles. Video was later viewed by the PPB officer showing Rider throwing a water bottle at FPS officers earlier in the evening.
Skyler Roy Rider, made an initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie Russo, was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a two-day jury trial scheduled to begin on December 29, 2020.
The Portland Police Bureau and the FBI investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Astoria Man Accused of Civil Disorder for Throwing A Large Cylindrical Firework at PoliceRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that an Astoria, Oregon man has been charged with Civil Disorder during protest activities in Portland.
Ty John Fox, 23, is charged in a one-count indictment with Civil Disorder in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 231(a)(3).
According to the court record, on the evening of September 6, 2020, Fox was part of a group protesting near the Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) East Precinct building. Fox was seen on video with other protesters, who had formed a line in the street across from PPB officers and Oregon State Police troopers. Fox can be seen, while walking behind the line of protesters, turning toward the camera, using a torch lighter to ignite a large, cylindrical firework, and throwing the device over the protesters toward the officers. Moments later, an explosion and flash occurred near the officers. He was arrested later that night.
Fox made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a two-day jury trial scheduled to begin on December 29, 2020.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Man Accused of Civil DisorderRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland, Oregon man has been charged with Civil Disorder and Theft of Government Property during protest activities in Portland.
Jeffrey Richard Singer, 33, is charged in an two-count indictment with Civil Disorder in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 231(a)(3) and, in a separate incident, Theft of Government Property in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 641.
According to the court record, on the evening of October 4, 2020, Singer was one of a number of individuals protesting near the Portland City Hall in Downtown Portland. Singer charged at two officers with his shoulder lowered. He slammed into the officers, causing one of them to stagger backwards from the force of the impact and injuring that officer’s hands. After colliding with the officers, Singer was arrested.
In a separate incident on September 19, 2020, a group of individuals were protesting near the Gus Solomon Courthouse in downtown Portland. Singer is alleged to have stolen the U.S. flag from the Court’s flagpole.
Singer made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a two-day jury trial scheduled to begin on December 22, 2020. While on release, he must abide by strict conditions, including a curfew from 8:30 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Minneapolis Resident Accused of Engaging in Multiple Acts of Vandalism and Violence Including Throwing Rocks at Police During Civil Disorder in PortlandRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Minneapolis, Minnesota resident has been charged with engaging in multiple acts of vandalism and violence including throwing rocks at police officers engaged in lawful crowd dispersal during a civil disorder event.
A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a one-count indictment charging Adrian Ruben De Los Rios, 32, with Civil Disorder.
According to court documents, in the evening of August 5, 2020, a group of individuals blocked traffic on SE 106th Avenue outside of Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) East Precinct. By 9:40 p.m., people began tearing off the boards that were protecting the glass windows of East Precinct. An unlawful assembly was declared shortly before 10:00 p.m. and PPB made public address announcements telling the group to leave the area.
A PPB officer inside the East Precinct witnessed an individual, later identified as De Los Rios, throw several chunks of concrete at the building’s glass, and strike the building’s glass with a hammer. Afterward, the same officer observed De Los Rios at a fire that was in a trash can approximately one foot away from the front door of the East Precinct. De Los Rios was seen placing a 2x4 piece of lumber into the fire and leaning it up against the building. Other PPB officers reported viewing videos on the internet that depicted De Los Rios engaging in the above-mentioned acts. A PPB officer also reported viewing a video that showed De Los Rios placing a 2x4 piece of wood through the exterior door handles of the East Precinct and ramming the doors with what appeared to be a 4x4 piece of wood.
Later in the evening, as PPB officers were dispersing the crowd, a PPB officer witnessed De Los Rios throw multiple baseball-size rocks at police officers. On one occasion, De Los Rios threw a rock at the officer while holding additional rocks in his opposite hand. The officer was able to continually observe De Los Rios while PPB officers were dispersing the crowd. De Los Rios was located later and taken into custody, wearing the same clothing as earlier in the evening. A search incident to arrest revealed two baseball-size rocks inside De Los Rios’s backpack.
Adrian Ruben De Los Rios made an initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You, was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and was ordered released pending a two-day jury trial scheduled to begin on December 22, 2020.
The FBI investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon. An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
5th Annual Building Bridges of Understanding in Our Community Event Invites Hundreds of Community and Law Enforcement LeadersRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Hundreds of law enforcement officials and community members from throughout the tri-county area are coming together for the fifth-annual Building Bridges of Understanding in Our Communities event on October 22, 2020, via ZOOM hosted by the Muslim Educational Trust (MET) in Tigard, Oregon.
A video of last year’s event is available here.
This year’s theme is “Redefining Community and Public Safety Relationships”. Criminal justice and community leaders share perspectives in moderated panel discussions and engage with community members with comments and questions.
A panel of diverse community and law enforcement perspectives will delve into the topic of “Defunding Police and Reimaging Public Safety”. Public Safety leaders will lay out their goals for accountability, transparency and community engagement to build community trust. The audience will be provided the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments to all panelists.
Presenters include community leaders from Word is Bond, Coalition of Communities of Color, Reimagine Oregon, Latino Network, Muslim Educational Trust, and public safety leaders from the tri-county area including Chiefs, Sheriffs, District Attorneys, the U.S. Attorney and the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge.
For the last five years, leaders from public safety and civil society organizations have come together to build and strengthen trust with one another and to cultivate that trust within the communities served. The annual event has been held at MET since its inception in the fall of 2016.
The Building Bridges event series is sponsored by Washington County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices, Washington County Administration, Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office, City of Lake Oswego, Lake Oswego Respond to Racism, Concerned Citizens of West Linn, Latino Network, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, IRCO, Muslim Community Center of Portland, Tigard Police Department, Portland Office of Civic Life, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Police Bureau, New Portlanders Foundation, Portland’s New Portlanders Policy Commission, Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center of Corvallis, Multnomah County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices, Urban League of Portland and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
If you have media inquiries or would like to book interviews with steering committee members, please contact Stephen Mayer of the Washington County District Attorney’s Office: [email protected], 971-708-8219.
Media outlets are also welcome to contact the following steering committee members:
- Wajdi Said; Muslim Educational Trust; [email protected]
- J.W. Matt Hennessee; Pastor Vancouver Avenue Baptist Church; [email protected]
- Jack Hanna; New Portlanders Foundation; [email protected]
- Linda Castillo; Commissioner for Hispanic Affairs and DEI Manager at IRCO; [email protected]
- Kezia Wanner; Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office; [email protected]
- Kevin Barton; Washington County DA; [email protected]
Portland Man Accused of Illegal Possession of Body ArmorRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland Oregon man with a previous felony conviction has been charged with possessing body armor during protest activity in Portland.
Maurice Lonnie Monson, 30, is charged by indictment with one count of Felon in Possession of Body Armor in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 931.
According to court documents, on the evening of September 4, 2020, a group of protestors were blocking traffic along North Lombard Street in Portland, Oregon, near the vicinity of the Portland Police Association (PPA) office. The PPA office has been targeted by violent protest activity numerous times throughout the summer.
At approximately 11:35 p.m., Portland Police declared an unlawful assembly after some within the protest hurled rocks, water bottles and cans at officers. As part of the unlawful assembly declaration, protestors were ordered to clear the roadway. Monson was arrested when he failed to comply with the order to disperse. When arrested, it was discovered that Monson was wearing a ballistic “bullet proof” vest. Additional investigation revealed that Monson has a previous felony conviction in Multnomah County, Oregon in 2009. As such, it is illegal for Monson to possess ballistic body armor.
Monson made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a two-day jury trial scheduled to begin on December 22, 2020.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States Attorney Statement Related to November, 2020 General ElectionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— United States Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Austin Rice-Stitt will lead local efforts in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020 general election. AUSA Rice-Stitt has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for Oregon and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Williams said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will always act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations through election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy). The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Williams stated that AUSA/DEO Rice-Stitt will be on duty in this District through election day. He can be reached by the public at 503-789-4928
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of federal election fraud and other election abuses through election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (503) 224-4181.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over ballot drop off sites, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
United States Attorney Williams said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
Former Postal Worker Sentenced to Prison for Stealing over 400 Mobile Phones Out of Packages in the MailRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A former U.S. Postal Service employee was sentenced to federal prison today for stealing mobile phones out of packages at the Portland postal sorting facility, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Rico Alvarez, 24, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
“It is imperative that the community has confidence and trust in the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service” said United States Attorney Billy J. Williams “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, this defendant is held to account for violating that trust.”
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Western Area Field Office, Executive Special Agent-in-Charge John D. Masters said, “The U.S. Postal Service has a long and proud history dating back to 1775. The Postal Service employs over 630,000 men and woman who are dedicated public servants. For over two centuries, the Postal Service has honored its fundamental commitment to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail. Mr. Rico Alvarez willfully chose to violate that public trust and his duties. Today’s sentencing of Mr. Alvarez demonstrates that theft of U.S. Mail, committed by a Postal Service employee, will not be tolerated and carries serious consequences. The public we serve can rest assured that the Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our partner law enforcement agencies, remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
According to court documents, beginning in about August, 2019, Alvarez, an employee of the United States Postal Service, began stealing smartphones placed into the mail for delivery to customers. Over the course of the next three months, Alvarez stole more than 400 phones, by surreptitiously opening the box as it passed his mail sorting station, removing the phone, and then sending the empty package on for delivery to the intended recipient. On the day he was caught by OIG Special Agents, he had over a dozen stolen phones in his possession. When interviewed, Alvarez admitted to stealing high end, recently released, smartphones, which he subsequently sold for his own profit.
On June 25, 2020 Alvarez was charged by criminal information with Theft of Mail. He plead guilty to the charge on July 20, 2020.
During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon ordered Alvarez to pay $253,550 in restitution.
The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Quinn Harrington, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
California Woman Pleads Guilty to Large Scale Multistate Credit Card "Bust-Out" Conspiracy that Funded Marijuana BusinessRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A California woman pleaded guilty today to participating in a complex multistate credit card “bust- out” conspiracy that funded an illicit Interstate Marijuana Operation, and defrauded banks for over a $1,500,000, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Mariam Gevorkova pleaded guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy.
“The defendant and her co-conspirators built a house of credit cards fueled by a bottomless pit of greed.” said U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams, “The sheer scale and amount of the fraud exposed by the dedicated and determined law enforcement investigators on this case is astounding and took years to unravel. This prosecution signals the end of the line for this criminal enterprise and all those involved”
“This fraud funded a lavish lifestyle of luxury goods and vacations while also supporting an illegal marijuana grow operation that was not licensed in Oregon and sent pot out of the state," said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. "While Gevorkova and her co-conspirators used the Corvallis Cannabis Club as a legal front they cost the victim banks hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses."
“Gevorkova and her co-conspirators took advantage of the U.S. Mail to commit bank fraud and identity theft in furtherance of the distribution of illegal narcotics while acting under the guise of a legitimate business. This abuse of the U.S. Postal Service allowed them to finance a lavish lifestyle at the expense of honest Oregonians. The Postal Inspection Service works tirelessly to hold criminals who misuse the U.S. Mail accountable.” said Tony Galetti, Inspector in Charge, Seattle Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
According to court documents, in December 2016, USPIS and the FBI initiated an investigation concerning a credit card “bust-out” fraud perpetrated by individuals residing in the Corvallis, Oregon area. As the investigation expanded, it included the Drug Enforcement Administration. Gevorkova and her co-conspirators opened credit card accounts using stolen and fictitious identities, using the funds on expensive jewelry, clothing, gambling, vacations, as well as establishing and operating at least two large marijuana grows and covering the operating expenses of Corvallis Cannabis Club, a state-licensed marijuana retail sales business in Corvallis.
Gevorkova obtained numerous credit cards, working with co-conspirators to create fake or altered identification information, such as fake Oregon ID cards. Gevorkova recruited others into the conspiracy, including enticing workers at Corvallis Cannabis Club to engage in the fraud for a monetary kickback.
After numerous purchases and payments on the fraudulent credit cards, the co-conspirators reported to their financial institution that the payments made to the cards were not authorized. The banks obtained reimbursement from the card company, which resulted in losses in excess of $1,500,000 in amounts substantially greater than the card’s credit limit.
As part of the conspiracy, Gevorkova and her co-conspirators used the proceeds of the conspiracy to establish and operate marijuana grows and Corvallis Cannabis Club. The investigation uncovered two active marijuana grows, both of which were not licensed by the State of Oregon. One marijuana grow was located in a warehouse one block away from Corvallis Cannabis Club. Gevorkova and her codefendants established the marijuana grow and paid for expenses, such as rent, utilities, and growing supplies, utilizing credit cards from the fraud conspiracy. On June 12, 2018, agents seized over 1,200 marijuana plants from the warehouse and another 200 plants from another illegal grow site in Philomath.
Marijuana from the warehouse grow was also sold at Corvallis Cannabis Club. Gevorkova and her co-conspirators purchased marijuana from state-licensed marijuana distributors, which it then entered into Oregon’s Cannabis Tracking System. The product purchased would be very cheap. Gevorkova and her co-conspirators would replace this cheap product with marijuana grown at the illegal marijuana grow sites, raise the price, and sell to consumers at a substantial profit. Gevorkova and her co-conspirators would then sell the state-licensed and tracked marijuana illegally to others, including to out-of-state purchasers.
Gevorkova faces maximum penalties of 30 years imprisonment for the Bank Fraud Conspiracy, 20 years imprisonment for the Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, and a mandatory two years imprisonment for Aggravated Identity Theft, a $2,250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on March 11, 2021 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.
As part of the plea agreement, Gevorkova has agreed to pay restitution to the victim financial institutions.
The FBI, USPIS, and DEA investigated this case, assisted by the Oregon State Police, Corvallis Police Department and Philomath Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Portland Resident Accused of Civil DisorderRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland, Oregon resident has been charged with Civil Disorder after he attempted to punch a Portland Police officer in the face during an unlawful assembly on August 4, 2020.
A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a 1-count indictment charging Travis Austin Hessel, 27, with Civil Disorder.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of August 4, 2020, an unlawful assembly was declared near the Penumbra Kelly Public Safety Building, located at 4735 E. Burnside Street in Portland, after individuals in a crowd of protestors shined powerful lasers at officers’ eyes, threw water bottles, beer and soda cans, marbles, and other hard objects at police officers. The crowd also blocked vehicular traffic on the street requiring a fire engine to divert around the protestors in order to respond to a structure fire.
When officers attempted to disburse the protestors, a smaller group of protestors braced themselves in an effort to resist being moved. A physical melee ensued, during which Hessel threw a punch at a female officer. When the officer grabbed him in order to place him under arrest, Hessel attempted to flee and dragged the officer a short distance before she lost her grip. Two other officers were able to detain Hessel and placed him under arrest.
Hessel was arraigned on the Indictment in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. Hessel pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a 2-day jury trial scheduled to begin on December 8, 2020.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Myrtle Point Dairy Pleads Guilty to Violating Clean Water ActRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Myrtle Point, Oregon Corporation pleaded guilty today to repeatedly discharging milk and other pollutants into the public water treatment facility which caused waste water with elevated E Coli bacteria to enter the South Fork of the Coquille River resulting in a public health advisory, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Valley Crest Foods, Inc. (Valley Crest), a creamery, pleaded guilty today to four counts of violating the Clean Water Act.
“The United States Attorney’s Office takes seriously any business, corporation, or individual that bypasses federal environmental laws to maximize profits.” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals and corporations whose illegal conduct threatens our region’s natural resources and public health.”
“We are all responsible for keeping our communities safe and protecting our natural resources, and you can’t send significant amounts of corrosive wastes down the drain and expect the sewage treatment process to work properly – especially after being told repeatedly that it would not. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that we will hold violators responsible – even criminally responsible where that is warranted – for breaking our environmental laws” said Jessica Taylor, Director of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division.
According to court documents, in 2017 and 2018, Defendant Valley Crest Foods, Inc. was regularly discharging wastewater to the sewer system that caused disruptions at the City of Myrtle Point’s publicly owned treatment works (POTW). These disruptions resulted in the POTW’s inability to effectively process the waste it received from the local community.
Specifically, Valley Crest turns raw milk into finished milk products such as half and half, whole milk (4%), and different percentages there after 2%, 1%, and skim (0%). The investigation determined the equipment at the facility would occasionally “back up” or “clog.” When such clogs occurred, employees would drain the milk products from the equipment and then clean the system. During cleaning, the clogs would break free. Clogs based on the investigation, ranged up to several hundred gallons or more at a time. When the clogs were dislodged, a “slug” or “slug load” of milk would flow directly into the sewer system and the sewage treatment plant where it overwhelmed the treatment process.
The Defendant was regularly discharging slugs of milk that interfered with the normal disinfectant process, causing the POTW to discharge waste with elevated bacteria (E. coli) levels to the South Fork of the Coquille River, in violation of the City’s Clean Water Act discharge permit. As a result, on several of those occasions, the levels of bacteria were significant enough that it led to public service announcements warning the community to avoid using the river.
On October 7, 2020, Valley Crest appeared before Magistrate Judge Mustafa Kasubhai, and entered a plea of guilty to the criminal information charging four counts of violating title 33 of the Clean Water Act. Valley Crest was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 per count.
The investigation was conducted by EPA Special Agent Eric Martenson. The case was prosecuted by Pam Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and Karla Gebel Perrin, Special Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Portland Residents Accused of Obstructing Federal Officers Protecting Federal PropertyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Essence Maya Sylvester, 18, and Alexis Richter, 20, both of Portland, Oregon, made initial appearances today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman.
The court arraigned Sylvester and Richter on a 2-count information alleging two misdemeanors: Failing to Obey a Lawful Order and Disorderly Conduct on Federal Property.
On the early morning hours of October 7, 2020, a protest group was protesting in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Building, where Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Services (FPS) Officers were assigned to protect federal property during protests and demonstrations taking place in Portland. Sylvester and Richter blocked the entrance to the building by lying across the entryway, preventing law enforcement vehicles from entering or leaving the premises. Both failed to move despite repeated warnings not to impede vehicular traffic. Both were arrested and refused to provide their names to officers. Sylvester and Richter were released on conditions pending trial scheduled for December 8, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Marco A. Hernandez.
This case was investigated by Federal Protective Services and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
An information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Resident Charged with Arson After Lighting Fires at the Justice Center During a ProtestRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland, Oregon, resident has been charged with setting fire to the plywood and awnings on the Justice Center building that houses the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) and Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) headquarters and Central Precinct.
Cyan Waters Bass, 21, has been charged by criminal complaint with arson.
According to court documents, during protest events on the evening of September 23, 2020, law enforcement officers conducting surveillance for unlawful activity during protests observed an individual, later identified as Cyan Waters Bass, walking near the Justice Center. Bass was observed dressed in a black jacket, dark pants, with a black cloth face covering, carrying a black backpack with a black baseball cap attached to it. During the evening, officers saw Bass holding a crowbar and using a slingshot or wrist-rocket to shoot projectiles through the windows of the PPB Central Precinct portion of the building. Officers later collected a white marble from within the Central Precinct. Officers observed Bass as he used a container to squirt a liquid on the plywood covering windows on a section of the north side of the building several times and lit it on fire. Officers observed the fire catch and spread to an awning on the building. Bass was later observed walking on the east side of the building near the entrance to PPB’s Central Precinct where Bass again squirted a liquid on the plywood that covered sections of the building. Bass then lit the plywood on fire that quickly spread to the awning above which scorched the plywood and concrete and damaged the awning.
Officers maintained observation of Bass until he was located and arrested the same evening. Bass was found in possession of white marbles in his pocket and a clear bottle with an unknown liquid, a black crowbar, a black slingshot, two lighters and a black baseball cap.
The Justice Center is owned by both Multnomah County and the City of Portland. The Justice Center houses the Multnomah County Detention Center which during this time had 268 persons being held. This building also houses the headquarters of the Portland Police Bureau and Central Precinct. Both of these jurisdictions receive federal funding including related to this location which on this date was housing 25 federal inmates held in custody on exclusively federal matters.
Cyan Waters Bass made an initial appearance on the complaint in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. Bass pleaded not guilty and was ordered released pending an arraignment on Thursday December 3 following a grand jury proceeding.
The Portland Police Bureau and ATF investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Parakram Singh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Resident Accused of Throwing Rocks at Federal Officers Protecting Federal PropertyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Christian Burke, 23, of Portland, Oregon, made an initial appearance today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman.
The court arraigned Burke on a 1-count information alleging misdemeanor assault on a federal officer. On the afternoon of August 22, 2020 Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Services (FPS) Officers were assigned to protect federal property located at the Edith Green – Wendell Wyatt (EGWW) Federal Office Building during protests and demonstrations taking place downtown.
On that date, a protest group was marching south down 3rd avenue in front of the EGWW entrance. There also was a counter-protest group engaging the protest group. During this engagement, multiple objects were being thrown by individuals in the counter-protest group in the direction of the other protest group and federal law enforcement officers. One of the FPS agents was observing the protest and counter protest activity from federal property when the agent saw a large rock thrown directly towards him coming from the crowd. The rock struck a tree near the agent. Another officer described a person later identified as Burke as the one who threw the rock. That observation was confirmed with video evidence.
Burke was released pending trial scheduled for December 8, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman.
This case was investigated by Federal Protective Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Parakram Singh. An information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Statement Regarding Deputation of State and Local Law Enforcement OfficersRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Russ Burger, U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon, provide the below statement on ongoing violence in Portland:
The U.S. Marshal will not cancel the cross-deputation of local and state law enforcement officers. Law enforcement and law-abiding citizens of Portland have endured months of nightly criminal violence and destruction. Officers have been repeatedly assaulted with bottles, bats, sledgehammers, lasers, rocks, and other weapons of convenience. In addition, the public has seen repeated efforts by criminals to burn down public buildings. These violent, senseless, and criminal acts have no bearing on social justice. They only serve to exacerbate lawlessness in this city. Federal cross-deputation of Oregon State Police, Multnomah County Sheriff and Portland Police Bureau personnel underscores the importance of providing accountability and deterrence for these criminal acts. Importantly, the federal deputation supports front line law enforcement officers and their families in a way that they have not seen from City Hall. Portlanders, and Oregonians in general are sick of the boarded-up and dangerous conditions prevalent in downtown Portland due to a lack of leadership. We call upon citizens of this city and state to denounce violence, demand accountability, and work together to end the violence.
Billy J. Williams Russ Burger
United States Attorney United States Marshal
District of Oregon District of Oregon
Eugene Springfield Paramedic Charged with Conspiring to Distribute Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Eugene Springfield Fire Department paramedic has been charged with illegally obtaining controlled substances from a local pharmacy and using them to drug and rape multiple female victims.
Edward Augustus Blake, 44, a resident of Cheshire, Oregon, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, morphine, ketamine, and midazolam. Blake had previously been charged in Lane County Circuit Court with first degree rape and sodomy, strangulation, causing another person to ingest a controlled substance, and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.
According to court documents, as a paramedic, Blake had access to controlled substances from PeaceHealth pharmacy in Springfield, Oregon. Between January 2016 and September 2019, he took approximately 343 vials of the drugs from the pharmacy, but did not enter them into his ambulance’s inventory. Instead, Blake used the drugs to sexually assault at least three local women.
On September 11, 2019, Springfield Police Department officers responded to McKenzie Willamette Hospital after a female victim reported being sexually assaulted by a man claiming to be a Eugene Springfield firefighter. The female victim told officers that she began communicating with the man, later determined to be Blake, through Craigslist. Before they agreed to meet, Blake sent the victim pictures of various medical supplies including medications he claimed to have taken from the ambulance he worked on.
On September 10, 2019, Blake and the victim agreed to meet at a Springfield motel. Blake choked the victim from behind until she lost consciousness. The victim regained consciousness to find an intravenous (IV) needle in her arm. Blake then forced her to take several medications including fentanyl and sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious.
Investigators learned that Blake, using his Oregon driver’s license, rented rooms at the motel on 17 separate occasions. Law enforcement spoke with Blake who confirmed that he was employed as a Eugene Springfield firefighter and admitted he posted personal ads on Craigslist. He further admitted he had sexual intercourse with the victim and placed an IV in her arm.
As part of the investigation, detectives identified two additional victims who reported receiving controlled substances from Blake. One of the victims was hospitalized several times while she knew Blake. Each time she was hospitalized, Blake would show up at her hospital room and administer drugs to her through her IV. She recalled Blake telling her to sell the drugs, but warned her not to let anyone keep the vials, because they could be traced back to him.
Blake is in state custody pending trial in Lane County. In the coming weeks, he is expected to make his first appearance in federal court.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the FBI and the Springfield Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Joseph Huynh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help to identify additional potential victims who may have had contact with Blake. If you have any reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim or have additional information about other potential crimes involving this defendant, please contact the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Medford Podiatrist Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance by FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Medford Podiatrist pleaded guilty today for using fraud and deception to obtain controlled substances which he used to feed his personal addiction, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Patrick T. Code, 60, pleaded guilty today to a one count information charging Obtaining Possession of a Controlled Substance through Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception and Subterfuge.
“Substance addiction is a public safety and health crisis for this community, and no one is immune from the ravages of addiction including professionals in health care. However, the defendant’s conduct in illegally obtaining and using powerful drugs while acting as a trusted health care provider is particularly alarming”, said United States Attorney Williams. “This case was brought in order to protect the community from the ongoing risk to patients posed by the defendant’s actions.”
According to court documents, for several years between June 2016 and May 2019, the defendant wrote prescriptions for 2,876 - 50 mg tablets of tramadol and 78-10 mg tablets of zolpidem using the names of fake patients or the names and information of relatives who were not aware of the prescriptions. The defendant acquired the controlled substances from pharmacies falsely claiming the drugs were for others and used the drugs to feed his own drug addiction
Code faces a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 1 year of supervised release. Code will be sentenced on December 3, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Ann L. Aiken.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Joseph H. Huynh, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Three Oregonians Accused of Crimes During Civil Disorder Events in PortlandRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that three Portland, Oregon residents have been charged with crimes during civil disorder events.
A federal grand jury in Portland, Oregon has returned a one-count indictment charging John Phillip Wenzel, with Civil Disorder on August 14, 2020.
Halston Eugene Hamilton and Michael Lee Pilgrim have been charged with Violation of National Defense Airspace, a misdemeanor, for flying a drone within federal airspace on September 26, 2020.
Each of these charges is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oregon Resident Accused of Interfering with Police Making Arrests During Civil Disorder in PortlandRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland, Oregon resident has been charged with jumping onto the back of a police officer who was arresting someone, as the officer was engaged in lawful crowd dispersal during a civil disorder event.
A federal grand jury in Portland, Oregon has returned a one-count indictment charging Meganne Elizabeth Englich-Mills, 24, with Civil Disorder.
According to court documents, during the evening hours of September 5, 2020, a crowd of people attempted to march to the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct located at 737 SE 106th avenue from Ventura Park. When the crowd encountered law enforcement officers, multiple fire bombs and commercial grade fireworks were thrown by the crowd towards law enforcement, resulting in injury to both law enforcement and community members. The assembly was declared a riot and the crowd received multiple warning to disperse from the area. The crowd refused to disperse and people in the crowd began throwing rocks at law enforcement and lit several fires in the streets using dumpsters, garbage cans and wooden pallets.
Oregon State Police Troopers assigned to conduct crowd control duties during the declared riot, encountered a group of persons refusing to disperse from the area as directed. As one Trooper attempted to take a female subject into custody, another member of the above group, later identified as Meganne Elizabeth Englich-Mills, jumped on the Trooper’s back as the Trooper and the other subject were on the ground. Additional Troopers came to the aid of the arresting officer and Englich-Mills was placed under arrest.
Meganne Elizabeth Englich-Mills made an initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta. Englich-Mills was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a jury trial to be held.
The Portland Police, Oregon State Police and FBI investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Peter Sax, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Vermont Man Accused of Repeatedly Assaulting Police Officers During Civil Disorder in PortlandRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a White River Junction, Vermont man has been charged with repeatedly charging at police officers while holding a shield as officers were engaged in lawful crowd dispersal during a civil disorder event.
A federal grand jury in Portland, Oregon has returned a one-count indictment charging Charles Randolph Comfort, 24 with Civil Disorder.
According to court documents, during the late evening of June 25, 2020, a group of individuals blocked traffic on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and NE Emerson near Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) North Precinct. Dumpsters were taken by members of the crowd from nearby businesses and rolled into the streets and fireworks were thrown over the barricade on NE Emerson Street at the officers stationed there. An unlawful assembly was declared in the early morning hours of June 26, 2020 and PPB made repeated public address announcements telling the group to leave the area.
A PPB Rapid Response Team officer was assisting with moving the crowd that was in the middle of NE MLK Blvd and observed Charles Randolph Comfort carrying a black shield which he repeatedly used as he charged at officers as they were attempting to disperse the crowd. Upon refusing to leave the area, Comfort was placed under arrest where he actively attempted to pull away and kicked a PPB officer multiple times.
Charles Randolph Comfort made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a jury trial.
The FBI and PPB investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States Attorney Statement Regarding Ongoing Violence in PortlandRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, provides the below statement on ongoing violence in Portland:
“This nation’s most successful movement for racial equality and justice was led by a man dedicated to non-violent principles. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in nonviolence, winning his opponents’ friendship and understanding without humiliation, and he held a deep faith in the future. His aspirations for racial justice unquestionably remain unfinished, but his philosophy on how to achieve it remains just as relevant today.
George Floyd’s death has forced law enforcement and the justice system to closely examine our work and has led our society to ask critical questions. For more than 100 consecutive nights, Portland has been the center of large demonstrations and protests. Peaceful protests, public dialogue, and ongoing legislative and policy reviews at every level are essential to identifying solutions and bringing about meaningful and positive changes. Civility and respect are key elements to this process.
By contrast, there has been nothing civil, respectful, or positive about the nightly violent and destructive protests in Portland, Oregon. On many nights, after peaceful demonstrations end, violent agitators have physically attacked police officers and firefighters, damaged buildings, and repeatedly attempted to set public buildings on fire. These agitators include not just local residents but people who have travelled from out of state.
On several occasions in August, demonstrations were held during the day where groups with opposing ideologies clashed and engaged in physical violence against one another. Following one of these political rallies, a man was shot and killed. Most recently, acts of violence towards law enforcement and first responders include a Portland firefighter being shot in the chest with a steel ball bearing launched from an arm-mounted slingshot, a man dousing several police officers with high-powered bear deterrent spray, a man punching a female police officer in the face, and a woman striking a police officer in the head from behind with a wooden shield.
This violent and senseless criminal conduct does nothing to promote meaningful or positive change. It forces the focus away from racial justice, instills fear in our community, and deters visitors. It is destroying the fabric of a city and a state that we love.
As a direct consequence of this criminal behavior and the media attention it generates, this community must now deal with the threat of even more outsiders traveling to Portland to participate in what they’ve been watching on social media and television for weeks. This too is not a new phenomenon for Portlanders. In August 2019, after a summer of violent clashes between opposing protest groups, several groups put out national calls for supporters to travel to Portland to join in a citywide melee.
Fortunately, despite hundreds of people answering this call and traveling to Portland, the outstanding work of the Portland Police Bureau and other local law enforcement agencies kept opposing groups mostly separated and violence to a minimum. The city now faces a similar scenario for Saturday, September 26th where numerous groups with opposing ideologies are gathering in the Portland area.
This comes at a time when our community and state continue to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a major uptick in gun violence, and, now, massive wildfires burning across the state. Already limited public safety resources are fatigued and stretched thin. Our community deserves an end to the violence. Together, we need to call out violent agitators on the right and the left and stand up for civility.
Local residents and anyone traveling to Portland with the intent to commit violence are on notice. There will be consequences for acts of violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting people who impede or assault law enforcement officers, damage federal property, and set fire to buildings. Make no mistake: those who commit violence in the name of protest, will be investigated, arrested, prosecuted, and face prison time. Already more than 100 people have been arrested and more than 80 people are facing federal charges related to protest violence.
Our office will work closely with our law enforcement partners, including the FBI, to monitor criminal activity, and will bring federal charges where appropriate. We are committed to supporting our community and will help our law enforcement partners perform their essential public safety duties.”
Two Men Accused of Fraud Against Warm Springs TribeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that two men have been charged with Fraud crimes against the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon.
A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a 6 count indictment charging Roderick Ariwite, age 65, a resident on the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho, and Thomas Adams, age 48, a resident on the Warm Springs Reservation, with Conspiracy and Theft/Misapplication of Funds from a Tribal Organization. This indictment charges Ariwite and Adams with conspiring to misappropriate $93,700 of tribal funds and with five counts of substantive misappropriation of tribal funds.
In a separate indictment, Ariwite is charged alone with Interstate Transportation of Security Taken by Fraud. This indictment alleges interstate transportation of a $23,000 check Ariwite obtained by fraud from a board member of a tribal business entity.
According to the indictments, Ariwite was CEO of the Warm Springs Economic Development Corporation (WSEDC) d/b/a Warm Springs Ventures (WSV). WSV operates as the management organization for several tribal business ventures. One of those ventures is the Warm Springs Construction Enterprise (WSCE). WSCE bids on and executes construction projects like building roads and commercial buildings. Thomas Adams was Manager of WSCE, under the supervision of Ariwite.
The indictment against Ariwite and Adams alleges that beginning in October 2017, Ariwite and Adams created their own construction company called Warbonnet Construction Services. Thereafter, and on tribal time, while drawing tribal salaries and travel reimbursements, they engaged in work projects for Warbonnett. The indictment alleges that in one instance Ariwite and Adams used $48,900 in tribal funds to hire a subcontractor for a Warbonnet construction project.
The indictment also alleges Ariwite and Adams hired REDD, a consulting company Ariwite operated, for two projects that gave no benefit to the Tribe. Ariwite and Adams paid REDD $9,800 to create a Statement of Qualifications (a marketing brochure) for WSCE. Ariwite and Adams jointly created the SOQ and they allegedly included false and fabricated information about WSCE. For instance, most of the construction projects the SOQ said WSCE had worked on were in fact projects by a private construction company Ariwite and Adams worked with through Warbonnet. Additionally, some of the supposed WSCE professional staff the SOQ profiled were employees of the private construction company. Ariwite and Adams submitted the false and fabricated SOQ to WSCE and allegedly enriched themselves with $9,800 of tribal funds.
Ariwite and Adams also paid REDD $28,000 in tribal funds to create and submit to the U.S. Small Business Administration what is known as an 8(a) application. SBA operates a business development program for small, disadvantaged businesses and an 8(a) certification gives preferences to bid on government contracts. REDD never produced an 8(a) application. In this way, Ariwite and Adams allegedly misapplied $28,000 in tribal funds and enriched themselves with these funds.
The separate indictment against Ariwite alleges that in May/June 2018, Ariwite defrauded a WSV board member and transported the $23,000 fraud proceeds, in the form of a check drawn on the board member’s personal bank account, from Oregon to Idaho.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with assistance from the Warm Springs Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Colorado Man Charged with Hate Crime After Unprovoked Stabbing of Black ManRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Colorado man has been charged with a hate crime after stabbing a Black man from Ontario, Oregon while the man was sitting in a fast food restaurant.
A federal grand jury in Eugene has returned a one-count indictment charging Nolan Levi Strauss, 26, a Colorado resident, with a hate crime involving an attempt to kill.
According to the indictment, on the morning of December 21, 2019, a 48-year-old Black man arrived at an Arby’s fast food restaurant adjoining the Pilot Travel Center in Ontario where he planned to provide final documentation for a pending job application. The man sat in the lobby of the restaurant while waiting for the manager.
Unprovoked and without warning, Strauss approached the man from behind and stabbed him in the neck. Following a struggle for the knife, the man freed himself and Strauss was detained by store employees. When asked by the store employee why he attacked the man, Strauss stated he did so because the man “was Black, and I don’t like Black people.”
The stabbing resulted in two lacerations to the victim’s neck. Afterward, he was life-flighted to Boise, Idaho for emergency surgical intervention.
Strauss will make his first appearance in federal court on October 19, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Ontario Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the Malheur County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Cameron A. Bell, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Colorado Man Charged with Hate Crime After Unprovoked Stabbing of Black ManRead the Press Release
A Colorado man has been charged with a hate crime after stabbing a Black man from Ontario, Oregon while the man was sitting in a fast food restaurant, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon.
A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a one-count indictment charging Nolan Levi Strauss, 26, a Colorado resident, with a hate crime involving an attempt to kill.
According to the indictment, on the morning of Dec. 21, 2019, a 48-year-old Black man arrived at an Arby’s fast food restaurant adjoining the Pilot Travel Center in Ontario where he planned to provide final documentation for a pending job application. The man sat in the lobby of the restaurant while waiting for the manager.
Unprovoked and without warning, Strauss approached the man from behind and stabbed him in the neck. Following a struggle for the knife, the man freed himself and Strauss was detained by store employees. When asked by the store employee why he attacked the man, Strauss stated he did so because the man “was Black, and I don’t like Black people.”
The stabbing resulted in two lacerations to the victim’s neck. Afterward, he was life-flighted to Boise, Idaho for emergency surgical intervention.
Strauss will make his first appearance in federal court on Oct. 19, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Ontario Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the Malheur County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Cameron A. Bell, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Man Charged in June 26, 2020 Arson at Portland Police Bureau North PrecinctRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Gavaughn Gaquez Streeter-Hillerich, 22, has been charged by criminal complaint with two counts of using fire to maliciously damage and attempt to damage a building housing the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct and various private businesses on June 26, 2020.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 26, 2020, a group of demonstrators were present near the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct on NE Emerson Street in Portland. The precinct is located in a city-owned building containing multiple private businesses. Streeter-Hillerich was seen in video footage intentionally setting a large dumpster on fire near the building’s northwest exterior corner. The fire was set on top of the dumpster, which had been pushed up against plywood affixed to the building to protect windows and prevent break-ins. Officers used fire extinguishers to try and extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.
The fire caused damage to the building and, were it allowed to spread, would have threatened the safety of 15 police personnel and four individuals in custody inside the building. Video evidence of the fire submitted by a private citizen led investigators to identify Streeter-Hillerich and bring charges in this case.
Streeter-Hillerich was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Vancouver, Washington on September 15, 2020. He made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered released pending further court proceedings. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.
This case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Criminal complaints are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
To help identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the city of Portland, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters during demonstrations. If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to investigations at fbi.gov/PDviolence. You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips.
Photograph depicting a tire being placed on top of the ignited dumpster, with a red circle around a tattoo on Streeter-Hillerich’s right-inner forearm.
Photograph depicting Streeter-Hillerich with a red circle around a tattoo on the right-inner forearm.
Photograph depicting Streeter-Hillerich attempting to ignite a fire on a dumpster pushed against the plywood affixed to the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct.
Photograph depicting the fire as it burned and the crowd, including Streeter-Hillerich, surrounding it.Marion County Career Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Marion County, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Mark William Osburn, 39, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut.
According to court documents, on September 23, 2018, an Oregon state trooper stopped Osburn after observing him commit several traffic violations. Osburn gave the trooper a fraudulent Washington State driver’s license in another man’s name. A records check revealed that the other man had an Oregon concealed handgun license, proving that the license Osburn produced was a fake. Troopers searched Osburn’s car and found ten fentanyl pills, approximately 74 grams of methamphetamine, and a pistol.
In a separate incident in December 2018, Salem Police officers executed a search warrant at a local motel room after receiving information that Osburn and his girlfriend were selling drugs out of the room. Officers found and seized methamphetamine, user quantities of cocaine and heroin, digital scales, several firearms, ammunition, counterfeit currency, fake identification cards, and $2,300 in cash, among other items. Officers also found a shotgun in Osburn’s vehicle.
Osburn told investigators that he and his girlfriend had been living in the motel room for two months. He admitted to using and selling methamphetamine, and claimed to have sold up to a kilogram of methamphetamine in a 24-hour period. He further admitted to trading drugs for firearms.
Osburn was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; two counts of felon in possession of a firearm; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count each of possession of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. On February 8, 2020, Osburn pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. Osburn has an extensive criminal history that includes six prior state convictions for delivering methamphetamine
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Oregon State Police, and the Salem Police Department. It was prosecuted by Gary Y. Sussman, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Josephine County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening Mass Shooting at YouTube HeadquartersRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—William Gregory Douglas, 38, of Cave Junction, Oregon, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison today and three years’ supervised release for threatening to shoot YouTube employees at the company’s San Bruno, California headquarters after his account was removed for violating the video-sharing platform’s terms of service.
According to court documents, sometime on or before August 22, 2018, YouTube removed Douglas’ video channel for violating the platform’s terms of service. In response, on August 23, 2018, Douglas posted five tweets threatening violence against YouTube employees. In one of the tweets, Douglas threatened a “bigger mass casualty” event, appearing to reference a prior shooting incident at YouTube’s headquarters in April 2018 that injured three employees.
Later, on September 8, 2018, Douglas posted a tweet stating “Hey why do you guys keep ignoring me would it be better if I leave you with no other options like your [sic] leaving me…I’m beyond pissed…I wonder how I should deal with this frustration.” Finally, on September 17, 2018, Douglas tweeted a direct threat at one of YouTube’s senior leaders saying “…I’m coming for you today #pray.”
On October 4, 2018, a federal grand jury in Medford, Oregon returned a one-count indictment charging Douglas with cyberstalking. Later, on January 14, 2020, he was charged by criminal information with one count of making interstate communications with the intent to extort. On February 20, 2020, Douglas pleaded guilty to the latter charge.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Anyone with information about real or perceived threats of violence should call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov. For immediate threats to life and safety, please call 9-1-1.
Bend Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Placing Hoax Bomb at Deschutes County CourthouseRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for placing a hoax bomb at the Deschutes County Courthouse on July 29, 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Jonathan Tyler Allen, 24, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. As part of his sentence, Allen was also ordered to pay $43,620 in restitution to the Deschutes County Circuit Court, Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, First Interstate Bank in Bend, and Bend Fire & Rescue.
According to court documents, on or about July 28 to July 29, 2019, Allen and co-conspirator Kellie Cameron, 31, also of Bend, conspired with one another to shut down the Deschutes County Courthouse in Bend by planting a fake bomb and calling in a bomb threat. Around the same time, Cameron constructed a fake bomb using batteries, wiring, a circuit board, and a fuel filter, among other materials.
On July 29, 2019, Allen and Cameron drove to the courthouse and placed the hoax device on a ramp near the building. At approximately 7:18am the same day, Cameron, who was with Allen, used a cell phone to call 911. He told the operator, “I just want to let you know that there are two bombs, one’s in the courthouse and good luck finding the other one.” Less than an hour later, with Allen again present, Cameron called 911 a second time to repeat his threat. Allen later threw one of the phones used into a canal to avoid being caught.
On August 7, 2019, Allen and Cameron were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to make a threat regarding explosive materials and conveying false information and hoaxes. On June 5, 2020, Allen pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Cameron made his first appearance in federal court on August 21, 2019. He entered a not guilty plea and was ordered detained. Cameron remains in federal custody awaiting trial.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bend Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik and William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Portland Resident Charged with Civil Disorder After Punching Local Police OfficerRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Laurielle Yvette Aviles, 29, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder, a felony, after punching a Portland Police Bureau officer in the face during a declared riot on July 3, 2020.
According to court documents, on July 2, 2020, the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team was conducting crowd control duties during a declared riot near the Multnomah County Justice Center and Mark O. Hatfield. U.S. Courthouse in downtown Portland. Individuals in the crowd threw mortars, fireworks, glass bottles, rocks, and other objects at officers; blocked roads, and impeded traffic flow.
In the early morning hours of July 3, 2020, a Portland police officer was executing an arrest of a rioter when Aviles is alleged to have forcibly intervened. Aviles attempted to pull the officer off of the arrestee and punched the officer in the face. The arresting officer tried to gain control of the arrestee and Aviles, but was unable to do so. A second officer observed the struggle and saw Aviles throwing punches. The second officer intervened and was able to place Aviles under arrest. Aviles was later released by state authorities.
On September 8, 2020, Aviles surrendered to the U.S. Marshals Service. Today, Aviles made a first appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further proceedings. If convicted, Aviles faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Beaverton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Willfully Failing to Collect or Pay over Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Jeffrey Fitch, 49, of Beaverton, Oregon, was sentenced today to twelve months and one day in federal prison for willfully failing to collect or pay over employment taxes to the IRS, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon also ordered Fitch to pay more than $453,000 in restitution to the IRS.
According to court documents, since 2002, Jeffrey Fitch, an engineer, owned and operated SFA Engineering LLC and SFA Design Group LLC. Between March 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016, Fitch collected federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes from his employees’ paychecks and gave them paystubs reflecting the taxes withheld. However, during this time period, Fitch never paid the IRS the amount of tax withheld from his employees nor did he file the appropriate employer tax returns. In addition, Fitch also failed to pay his employer’s share of payroll taxes due to the IRS.
Fitch used a large portion of the withheld funds to pay for his and his family’s personal expenses. In total, Fitch owed the IRS $453,879.40, which he paid just prior to sentencing.
On January 15, 2020, Fitch was charged by criminal information with one count of failing to collect or pay over employment taxes. On February 26, 2020, he pleaded guilty to the same charge.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Claire M. Fay, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Three Portlanders Charged with Civil Disorder After Assaulting Local Police OfficersRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—In separate criminal cases, three Portland residents have been charged with civil disorder for crimes committed during declared civil disturbances in Portland, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
William Grant Reuland, 24, is charged with civil disorder after assaulting police officers with a high-powered laser on June 13 and 14, 2020; Alexandra Eutin, 24, is charged with civil disorder after striking a police officer with a wooden shield on July 16, 2020; and Pedro Aldo Ramos, Jr., 20, is charged with civil disorder after punching a female police officer in the face on August 24, 2020.
U.S. v. Reuland
According to court documents, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on June 13, 2020, a civil disturbance was declared when a crowd gathered around the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland. A Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officer watching the crowd from the roof of the Justice Center observed two individuals, one later identified as Reuland, allegedly standing in the middle of the street and repeatedly hitting several officers in the face with high-powered lasers.
The officer moved to a lower floor and was able to photograph Reuland. The officer kept track of Reuland as the crowd was dispersed. In the early morning hours of June 14, 2020, Reuland joined a group of individuals marching from the Justice Center to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s personal residence. Reuland was observed shining a laser at the Mayor’s residence and at other homes in the neighborhood. The officer who originally spotted Reuland with the laser, tracked his location until Reuland was contacted by other officers and taken into custody for assaulting a public safety officer. He was later released by state authorities.
On September 4, 2020, U.S. Marshals Service deputies arrested Reuland at his residence in northwest Portland.
U.S. v. Eutin
At approximately 11:45 p.m. on July 16, 2020, an unlawful assembly was declared after several people in a large crowd gathered near PPB’s southeast precinct on East Burnside Street in Portland began throwing rocks, bottles, and other hard objects and pointing high-powered lasers at officers. The group blocked traffic and ignored warnings to disperse.
Eutin is alleged to have used a wooden shield and hoses to strike a PPB officer in the head while he was attempting to arrest another individual. A second officer arrested Eutin for assaulting a public safety officer, and she was later released.
On September 6, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Eutin at her residence in southeast Portland.
U.S. v. Ramos
At approximately 10:20 p.m. on August 23, 2020, an unlawful assembly was declared after several people in a large crowd gathered near PPB’s north precinct on Northeast Emerson Street in Portland began throwing chunks of ceramic, rocks, and glass bottles at officers. The group blocked traffic and ignored warnings to disperse. Shortly thereafter, the gathering was declared a riot due to ongoing criminal behavior.
At around the same time, Ramos is alleged to have grabbed a PPB officer by her vest while she was arresting another individual and pull her away from the arrestee. Ramos then punched the officer in the side of her face. He was arrested for assaulting a public safety officer and later released.
On September 8, 2020, Ramos turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Reuland, Eutin, and Ramos made their initial appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. All were released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, the three face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
These cases were investigated by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and Homeland Security Investigations. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
To help identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the city of Portland, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters during demonstrations. If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to investigations at fbi.gov/PDviolence. You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips.
Arizona Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for In-Custody Assault in Hatfield Federal CourthouseRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Kelvin Valentino McDuffie, 34, of Supai, Arizona, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and one year of supervised release today for assaulting an in-custody defendant in the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland.
According to court documents, on July 26, 2019, Deputy U.S. Marshals escorted McDuffie, an adult female victim, and other male and female inmates into a prisoner elevator inside the federal courthouse. The male and female inmates were separated by a metal chain-link screen and McDuffie was restrained with handcuffs and a belly chain.
As the elevator arrived at a floor, McDuffie reached his fingers through the chain-link screen and touched the victim’s inner thigh and buttocks through her clothing with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, and degrade the victim and arouse and gratify his own sexual desire.
McDuffie was in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after being arrested in the District of Oregon for an alleged violation of the supervised release that had been imposed following a conviction for assaulting a federal officer in the District of Arizona.
On November 21, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging McDuffie with assault and abusive sexual contact. On April 21, 2020, he pleaded guilty to assault.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to enforcing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). PREA requires the development and promulgation of “national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape.” These standards, like the law mandating them, are intended to address a serious public safety, public health, and human rights problem—the incidence of sexual violence in our nation’s confinement facilities. To learn more about PREA, please visit: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/prison-rape-elimination-act-prea/overview.
Springfield Woman Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—On September 2, 2020, a Springfield woman who owned several durable medical equipment stores in Oregon was sentenced to federal prison for defrauding six health insurance plans of approximately $1.3 million and for evading $99,000 in federal income taxes, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Saffron Gustafson, 43, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Gustafson was also ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to the victim insurance plans.
“Health care fraud affects all Americans because it increases the cost of health insurance and reduces the amount of money insurance plans have available to pay legitimate claims,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The investigation and prosecution of health care fraud is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department.”
“Ms. Gustafson exploited the insurance companies of vulnerable patients and then evaded payment of her significant tax liability,” said IRS–Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell. “Tax evasion is a crime that impacts each and every American, which is why it is a top priority for IRS–Criminal Investigation special agents.”
According to court documents, between June 2013 and August 2017, Gustafson owned and operated Saffron’s Specialized Medical, a durable medical equipment company with retail stores in Portland, Springfield, and Salem, Oregon and in Vancouver, Washington. Gustafson’s stores supplied customized compression garments to patients with circulatory medical conditions.
To defraud health insurance plans, Gustafson submitted bills requesting payment amounts inflated by 600% or more. To support these false billings, Gustafson, and employees acting at her direction, fabricated invoices from her wholesaler. Gustafson and her employees destroyed the genuine wholesaler invoices so insurance companies could not review them during audits. The six victim insurance plans are Cambia (Regence), CHAMP VA, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, TRICARE, and Providence.
Gustafson also evaded $99,606 in income taxes she owed for 2015 by falsifying records and diverting profits from her company to pay various personal expenses, including paying off the mortgage on her parents’ rental property and paying her psychic.
On November 12, 2019, Gustafson pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging her with health care fraud and tax evasion.
This case was investigated by the FBI; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Amtrak Inspectors General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. It was prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Portland Man Charged with Civil Disorder After Assaulting Police Officers with Bear SprayRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Kevin Phomma, 26, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder, a felony, after assaulting several police officers with bear spray during an unlawful assembly on August 26, 2020.
According to court documents, on August 26, 2020, protesters gathered near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on South Macadam Avenue in Portland, blocking city streets. The crowd spray-painted the building’s façade and threw projectiles at federal agents. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared the event an unlawful assembly at approximately 10:45 p.m. Minutes later, the Portland Police Bureau instructed the crowd to disperse and issued a use-of-force warning for non-compliance.
As Portland officers began dispersing the crowd, Phomma was witnessed pepper spraying officers. Phomma positioned himself with a shield in one hand and a spray can in the other. Phomma doused several officers with pepper spray while they attempted to arrest him. Once in custody, officers discovered the pepper spray was in fact a powerful bear deterrent pepper spray. While searching Phomma, officers also found a sheathed, three-inch dagger attached to his hip. Phomma was later released.
Today, Phomma turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service. He made his first appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further proceedings. If convicted, Phomma faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Washington State Man Charged with Civil Disorder After Assaulting Portland Police OfficerRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Kristopher Michael Donnelly, 26, of Kelso, Washington, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder after assaulting a local police officer and being arrested during East Portland riots on August 5 and 8, 2020.
According to court documents, at approximately 10:30pm on August 5, 2020, Donnelly was observed using a hammer to destroy a window at the police bureau’s East Precinct on Southeast 106th Avenue in Portland. Donnelly was spotted by police throwing hard objects capable of causing injury, refusing to disperse, and blocking traffic. When a Portland officer attempted to arrest Donnelly, he forcefully struck the officer in the face with his elbow. He continued to resist arrest, requiring several more officers to assist. Donnelly was eventually arrested by Portland Police for riot, second degree disorderly conduct, interfering with a public safety officer, assaulting a public safety officer, vandalism, and resisting arrest.
On August 8, 2020, Donnelly was again arrested by Portland Police during a declared riot outside the Penumbra Kelly Building, a police facility on East Burnside Street in Portland, for interfering with a public safety officer, riot, and second degree disorderly conduct. Donnelly was observed by law enforcement blocking the street and throwing hard objects. Donnelly attempted to flee from officers and resisted arrest before successfully being taken into custody.
On August 30, 2020, Donnelly was arrested a third time for riot-related offenses. He was transferred to federal authorities on September 2, 2020 for his first appearance in federal court. If convicted in federal court, Donnelly faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.