Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
New York Man Charged with Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Ronk, age 50, a resident of Hancock, New York, was charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with attempted online enticement, attempted transfer of obscene materials to a minor, interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, and commission of a sex offense by a registered sex offender.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Ronk used the internet and an electronic device to attempt to persuade a person who he believed to be 13 years old to engage in sexual conduct and traveled from New York to the Middle District of Pennsylvania to do so. The indictment further alleges that on one occasion, Ronk transmitted obscene material to a person he believed to be 13 years old to further attempt to entice a child to engage in sexual conduct. It is alleged that at the time of the offenses, Ronk was a registered sex offender.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations—Scranton, the Kingston Police Department, and the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the crimes charged in the Indictment is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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New Jersey Man Indicted for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Colon, age 50, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, was indicted on July 30, 2024, by a federal grand jury on three counts of production of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Colon communicated with multiple minor victims who he enticed into creating images of themselves engaged in sexually explicit activity and then directed them to send those images to him via cellphone.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is thirty years imprisonment as to each count, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Monroe County Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Nester, age 54, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Nester with possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm on June 19, 2024, in Monroe County.
The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pocono Mountain Regional Police, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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FCI Allenwood Inmate Charged with Possession of A Weapon and A Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Burton, age 48, a New York City native, was indicted on July 30, 2024, by a federal grand jury for possessing a weapon and controlled substance while being an inmate in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Burton was discovered to be in possession of a homemade shank and synthetic marijuana on June 19, 2024.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for possessing a weapon in prison is five years imprisonment, three years of supervision, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for possessing a controlled substance in prison is one year of imprisonment, one year of supervision, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Inmate at the Federal Schuylkill Correctional Institution Sentenced to an Additional 30 Months in Prison for Assault on A Corrections OfficerRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Carlos Rodriguez-Cruz, age 33, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 25, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley, to serve an additional 30 months in prison for assaulting a federal corrections officer.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Rodriguez-Cruz, formerly of Puerto Rico, previously pleaded guilty and admitted to assaulting a corrections officer. The charge stems from an incident on October 6, 2023, in which Rodriguez-Cruz engaged in a physical confrontation with a corrections officer and punched the officer.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
At the time of the incident at FCI Schuylkill, Rodriguez-Cruz was serving a sentence from Puerto Rico for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. That sentence does not expire until March 2027. The sentence imposed by Judge Munley for the charge of assault on a corrections officer will run consecutively to the sentence from Puerto Rico.
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Former Fiscal Manager for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Angela Saar, age 51, of Olyphant, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, was charged on July 25, 2024, in a Criminal Information with wire fraud.
The Criminal Information charges that from November 2018 to June 2022, while employed as the fiscal manager for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA), Saar engaged in a scheme to defraud the CAC/NEPA. The Criminal Information alleges that Saar diverted fraudulent payments of various kinds from CAC/NEPA bank accounts into her own personal bank accounts for her personal benefit. Some of the diverted payments involved fraudulent mileage reimbursements, while others involved Saar inflating her bi-weekly paychecks by thousands of dollars. The total amount of fraudulent diversions as alleged in the criminal information is $411,940.11.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Scranton Resident Office of the Philadelphia Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Luisa Berti prosecuted the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons indicted are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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U.S. Attorneys Provide Virtual Program to Pennsylvania Prisons and Jails to Ensure Inmates Have Access to Medication to Treat Opioid Use DisorderRead the Press Release
SCRANTON, PHILADELPHIA, PITTSBURGH – As part of the Department of Justice’s response to the opioid crisis, the United States Attorneys for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania hosted a virtual training this week to educate Pennsylvania’s state and local correctional facilities on their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide inmates with access to medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). These medications include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
The July 23, 2024, training was open to all prison and jail staff, and over 100 participants, including wardens, security professionals, and medical staff from across the Commonwealth attended.
The training follows recent federal enforcement actions involving the criminal justice system. In November 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania resolved an ADA matter with the Allegheny County Jail for failure to provide inmates medication to treat OUD. In December 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania filed a Statement of Interest in a matter against a Delaware County correctional facility to clarify state and local jails’ obligations under the ADA to provide inmates with access to medication to treat OUD. In January 2024, the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, settled a matter with the Uniform Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJS) to resolve allegations that UJS courts violated the ADA by preventing individuals under court supervision from taking lawfully prescribed medication to treat OUD. The Department of Justice has also issued public guidance on the ADA’s protections for those with OUD.
Over the course of this enforcement work, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices discovered that correctional facilities across the Commonwealth have questions about their obligations under the ADA when it comes to medications for OUD. To answer these questions and think through solutions, the three offices partnered to host this educational program.
During the webinar, United States Attorneys Gerard Karam, Jacqueline Romero, and Eric Olshan — the senior-most federal law enforcement officials in Pennsylvania — emphasized that individuals with OUD or being treated with medication for OUD are generally considered disabled and protected by the ADA. Under the ADA’s protections, correctional facilities that provide healthcare services must offer treatment with medication for OUD to all individuals in custody for whom such treatment is medically appropriate. Facilities also may not change or discontinue an individual’s medication used to treat OUD, except upon a licensed healthcare provider’s determination that the individual does not require that treatment based on the individual’s current condition. Most importantly, the ADA requires that correctional facilities provide individual assessments and not categorically deny access to OUD medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration that provide life-saving treatment for addiction.
In addition to this legal guidance, the training also featured remarks by Dr. Paul Joudrey of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on the science behind, and importance of, all three medications in the treatment of OUD. Heidi Carroll, Diversion Program Manager for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Philadelphia Division, and Dr. Patti Juliana, Director of the Division of Pharmacologic Therapies at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, addressed recent regulatory changes designed to improve access to methadone in correctional facilities. Dr. Bruce Herdman, Chief of Medical Operations of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and Anthony Cantillo, Deputy Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections, talked about their experiences implementing programs to treat OUD in correctional facilities and the practical lessons they have learned along the way.
“As we continue to vigorously prosecute those who traffic in and profit from drugs like heroin and fentanyl, our mission in fighting this epidemic requires we ensure individuals with OUD have continued access to medically prescribed treatment,” said U.S. Attorney Karam of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “This training presented an opportunity for experts in the field of addiction, representatives from federal agencies, our own civil rights attorneys, and leaders in correctional facilities across the Commonwealth to come together to have questions answered, think through solutions, and initiate a local, state, and federal partnership. Our partnership is forged in the notion that medical treatment for inmates can dramatically reduce opioid overdose deaths.”
“Our offices are dedicated to fighting the opioid epidemic with every tool that we have,” said U.S. Attorney Romero of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “That includes enforcing the ADA to remove discriminatory barriers to treatment for OUD. This training reminds jails and prisons about their obligations to address the needs of individuals with OUD and comply with the ADA and provided them with additional tools to use to ensure their facilities comply with the law.”
“Each of our districts has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan of the Western District of Pennsylvania. “We rigorously enforce the ADA to ensure that effective OUD treatment will be available to those in correctional facilities across the Commonwealth. As a part of this work, we are happy to offer this training to help jails and prisons learn more about what they must do to address the needs of individuals with OUD and comply with the ADA.”
The training was coordinated by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Butler, Lauren DeBruicker, and Adam Fischer, civil rights coordinators for the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of Pennsylvania, respectively.
For more information about the Justice Department’s work to address discrimination against individuals with opioid use disorder, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/opioid-use-disorder. For more information on the ADA, please call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report, or by contacting their local U.S. Attorney’s Office. In the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, call 215-861-8555 or email [email protected]. In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, call 717-614-4911 or email [email protected]. In the Western District of Pennsylvania, call 412-894-7343 or email [email protected].
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Mexican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eduardo Lopez-Zamora, age 34, of Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Lopez-Zamora was previously removed from the United States on December 9, 2022, after pleading guilty to charges of illegal reentry in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. It is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Franklin County Man Indicted for Making Threats on Facebook, Cyberstalking, and Unlawfully Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal grand jury indicted Richard Little, age 49, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, for making threats online, including against a state senator, cyberstalking, and being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on or about June 10, 2024, Little was served with an eviction notice and began posting threatening, harassing, and intimidating videos on Facebook that chiefly targeted an individual with whom Little previously worked. Little also threatened a County Commissioner and, among other things, spoke of a “war,” described “kill zones,” and displayed firearms and ammunition.
Thereafter, on or about June 21, 2024, Little posted a threat against a Pennsylvania State Senator on his Facebook page. The same date, law enforcement arrested Little and searched his residence. Law enforcement seized approximately 17 firearms, ammunition, marijuana, illegal mushrooms, an expired Pennsylvania medical-marijuana card, and drug paraphernalia.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the charges against Little is 30 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons indicted are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 117 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William Quintana, age 51, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 117 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Quintana previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and to the possession of firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense. As part of his guilty plea, Quintana admitted that on September 29, 2022, within Schuylkill County, he knowingly and intentionally possessed a quantity of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, and that in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense, he also possessed firearms, namely a Star 9mm pistol and a .380 caliber Diamondback pistol.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Pottsville Police Department, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, and the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 188 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Terrell Watson, age 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for two drug trafficking offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Watson previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine as well as a quantity of fentanyl within Luzerne County between July of 2021 and April of 2022. Watson further pled guilty distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine in Luzerne County in April of 2022.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Kingston Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Monroe County Man Sentenced to 151 Months’ Imprisonment for Narcotics DistributionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 23, 2024, United States District Court Judge Julia K. Munley sentenced Rodney Wilcox, age 56, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, to 151 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years on supervised release for distribution of cocaine and fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, during the spring of 2023, Wilcox sold cocaine and fentanyl during several controlled purchase operations conducted by law enforcement agents. Wilcox was armed with a handgun during some of these controlled purchases. A search warrant was also served on Wilcox’s residence, which resulted in the seizure of additional narcotics and two firearms. In all, 6.5 grams of pure fentanyl were seized from Wilcox, which is 3,250 doses of potentially fatal fentanyl.
The matter was a joint investigation by the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Maryland Man Sentenced to Seven Consecutive Life Sentences for the Murder of Three People including a Federal WitnessRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Christopher Van Johnson, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced on July 17, 2024, to 7 consecutive life sentences for his role in the June 25, 2016 murders of three individuals in Mercersburg, Franklin County, one of whom was cooperating with state and federal drug investigators. The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, who also sentenced to concurrent 10, 20, and 30-year terms of imprisonment on companion robbery, firearms, and conspiracy charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Johnson’s conviction was the result of a seven-year investigation into three murders that occurred on June 25, 2016, on a property along Welsh Run Road in Mercersburg, Franklin County. When Pennsylvania State Police officers were called to the scene, they found the bodies of Wendy Ann Chaney, 39, Hagerstown, Md, Brandon Cole, 47, Fayetteville, PA, and Phillip Matthew Jackson, 36, Mercersburg, PA, in a barn on victim Jackson’s property. All were shot. The three victims had their hands zipped-tied behind their backs and had been set on fire. Jackson and Cole were shot once in the head. Chaney was shot twice, once in the back and once in the back of her neck. Wendy Chaney and Brandon Cole were already dead when the police responded to the scene. Phillip Jackson was transported to York Hospital where he died shortly after arrival.
The evidence previously presented at the guilty plea proceeding on November 21, 2019, established that Wendy Chaney was in a relationship with co-defendants Kevin Coles and Torey White and had been previously assisting both with their drug distribution operations. Co-defendant Kenyatta Corbett was likewise a heroin trafficker in Hagerstown and areas of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Corbett, Coles, White and co-defendant Devin Dickerson learned that Chaney was cooperating with federal authorities and contracted for her to be murdered. Corbett, and co-defendant Jerell Adgebesan who worked for Corbett recruited Johnson, who was a member of a Baltimore based gang known as the Black Guerilla Family (BGF), and other members of BGF from Baltimore, to travel to the Jackson property to kill Wendy Chaney. Adgebesan knew these individuals from Baltimore. Johnson and the killers were promised that they could take as payment for Chaney’s murder $20,000 that was to be in a safe in the barn and any drugs and firearms that they could locate on the Jackson property. Once there, the killers encountered not only Wendy Chaney but also Brandon Cole and Phillip Jackson. The victims had their hands bound behind their backs with zip-ties. Chaney and Cole were shot execution style and their bodies set on fire. Jackson was shot when he charged Johnson and was likewise set on fire although he was still alive. Chaney was killed to protect the drug trafficking activities of Corbett, Coles, White, Dickerson, and others. Jackson and Cole were murdered to prevent them from being witnesses to the crimes of violence that were committed at the Jackson property. The killers never found any money on the property but stole some drugs and firearms.
The following individuals were charged along with Corbett as a result of the investigation:
- Devin Dickerson, age 31, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine and was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment;
- Torey White, age 32, Waynesboro, PA, was convicted by a federal jury in May of 2023 of three counts of first-degree murder and his case is on appeal;
- Michael Buck, age 30, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Nicholas Preddy, age 29, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a witness and was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment;
- Johnnie Jenkins-Armstrong, age 22, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to life imprisonment;
- Terrance Lawson, age 31, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
- Tyrone Armstrong, age 30, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
- Kenyatta Corbett, age 41, Hagerstown and Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to life imprisonment;
- Mark Johnson, 35, Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to obstructing the grand jury’s investigation and was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment;
- Llesenia Woodard, 46, Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty to providing false testimony to the grand jury investigating the murders and is awaiting sentencing;
- Kevin Coles, age 36, of New York, NY and Hagerstown, Maryland, was found guilty in April 2022 of multiple crimes, including murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking, and was sentenced to multiple consecutive life sentences;
- Yolanda Diaz, 31, Hagerstown, Md, indicted on multiple counts of perjury and obstruction of justice based upon her testimony at the Coles trial, recently pled guilty before Judge Conner and is awaiting sentencing;
- Joshua Davis, age 30, pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy to locate and kill an individual believed to be cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation of the triple murders and was sentenced to serve 100 months’ imprisonment.
The following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation: Drug Enforcement Administration Harrisburg Resident Office; Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg; Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H; Franklin County Drug Task Force; Franklin County Adult Probation; Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole; Hagerstown Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division; Drug Enforcement Administration, Hagerstown Resident Office; Washington County Narcotics Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office, Strike Force Group 1; Maryland State Police Homicide Unit; Baltimore Police Department Narcotics, Fugitive And Homicide Units; Baltimore County Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Management Unit, Quantico, VA; US Marshal’s Service Harrisburg, PA and Phoenix, AZ; Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office, District Of Maryland; and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Judy Fernandez, Manager of Analytic Services at LexisNexis Special Services, Inc., (LNSSI) provided expert assistance to investigators and the prosecutors in the areas of analysis, support, and the rendering of her expert opinion.
Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and Senior Litigation Counsel Michael Consiglio prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) identified as “Retribution for Welsh Run”. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
# # #Lackawanna County Man Charged with Committing over $1,500,000 in COVID-19 Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that James G. Miller, Jr., age 53, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that Miller and his coconspirators fraudulently obtained in excess of $1,500,000 by filing fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits, Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) payments, and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The PUA, LWA, and PPP applications allegedly submitted by Miller and his confederates were filed in the names of victims of identity theft, and bore false representations. For instance, the PUA applications contained false information about the identity theft victims’ demographics, employment statuses, and availability to work. Likewise, the PPP applications were filed on behalf of fabricated businesses, and bore false financial information and forged federal tax documentation.
The PUA program was created by the March 2020 CARES Act, as part of the United States government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s health and economic well-being. The PUA program was designed to provide unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits. The LWA program was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, pursuant to the President’s authority under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. LWA payments were designed to supplement unemployment payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PPP program, funded by the CARES Act, was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP funds were offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.
Today, James G. Miller, Jr. is being held accountable for stealing over $1.5 million from three different COVID relief funds,” said Christopher Nielsen, Inspector in Charge of the Philadelphia Division for the Postal Inspection Service. “Congress set these funds aside to help people and businesses survive the pandemic of 2020 and 2021, not for Mr. Miller and his coconspirators’ personal profit. The Postal Inspection Service has a long history investigating fraud schemes and will continue to do so to protect the American people. I want to thank the special agents of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General for partnering with us on this investigation. I also want to thank the United States Attorney’s Office in Scranton, PA for supporting the investigation and prosecuting the case.”
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
"The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D, said, "Exploiting pandemic relief programs for personal enrichment is unconscionable. DHS OIG will continue to prioritize these investigations, and together with our law enforcement partners, we will hold these individuals accountable for their actions."
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalties under federal law for the charge of wire fraud is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #Northampton County Man Indicted for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Wei Fu, age 38, of Northampton County, PA, was indicted on a charge of distribution of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Fu distributed child pornography on January 8, 2024 and January 9, 2024.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-RAC Allentown and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Luzerne County Man Charged with Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Justis Shea, age 31, of Glen Lyon, PA, was indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and for possession of that firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that from on or about May 1, 2024, to on or about July 2, 2024, Shea possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. The indictment further alleges that Shea possessed that firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, the Ashley Police Department, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Hazleton Man Charged with Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Renan Tineo, age 22, of Hazleton, New Jersey, was indicted by a federal grand jury for firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Tineo with possessing a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order. The indictment further alleges that the firearm possessed by Tineo, a .38 caliber Charter Arms revolver, also had an obliterated serial number.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.]
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 15 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced for Sending an Interstate Communication Containing a ThreatRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas West, age 44, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for sending an interstate communication containing a threat. West had been in custody for over 5 months and was sentenced to time-served and a 1-year term of supervised release.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, West previously admitted that on February 9, 2024, he sent a series of emails to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) threatening to kill and injure employees of OPM and their relatives. In one email, West threatened to show up at an OPM office “with an A.R. 15 assault rifle that’s been converted to fully automatic.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Clinton County Man Indicted for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Felix Trepanowski, age 23, of Clinton County, PA, was indicted on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Trepanowski received child pornography on December 31, 2022 and April 27, 2024 and possessed child pornography on May 21, 2024.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-RAC Williamsport and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Allegheny County Man and Woman Charged with Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses for Fraudulently Obtaining Prescription MedicationsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Donte Lucas, age 27, and Jania Aceituno, age 26, both of Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, were indicted on July 10, 2024, on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Lucas, Aceituno, and their coconspirators used stolen identities and DEA registration numbers of healthcare providers to order fraudulent prescription medications at various pharmacies. The indictment further alleges that Lucas, Aceituno, and their coconspirators obtained and distributed those prescription medications, including the controlled substance Promethazine with Codeine—commonly known as “Lean” on the street.
“Fraudulently obtaining controlled prescription drugs violates FDA requirements which exist to ensure that the drugs are safe and used under the supervision of licensed medical practitioners,” said Special Agent in Charge George Scavdis, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office. “We will continue to thoroughly investigate those who endanger public health by undermining the integrity of the U.S. supply chain for these tightly controlled drugs.”
The case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of the Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the wire fraud conspiracy offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The aggravated identity theft offense carries a mandatory two-year sentence of imprisonment that is to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Seven Charged in Wide Ranging Conspiracy Resulting in the Death of Four VictimsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Amanda Marie Correa, 29, Robert Andrew Barnes, 24, Christine Deann DiCarlo, 50, Shaqare Jaymont Blackwell, 23, Shakur Serafin Brownstein, 27, Dylan Wilson Small, 35, and Samual Jordan, 42, were charged by a federal grand jury in a Superseding Indictment which includes (1) conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury; (2) two counts of distributing fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury; (3) two counts of brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; (4) kidnapping; and (5) aggravated identity theft.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment notes that this group of individuals that law enforcement has dubbed the “Fentanyl Robbery Gang (F.R.G.),” some of whom were affiliated with New York gangs, trafficked drugs and guns. Additionally, they used dating websites to connect with individuals interested in hiring prostitutes. Members and associates of the F.R.G. would arrange to come to the victim’s location with the intent to rob the victim of firearms, cash, cellular telephones, identification documents, debit and credit cards, drugs, and other items of value.
The victim would be offered narcotics (usually purported cocaine), though unbeknownst to the victim, the narcotics contained fentanyl. If the victim refused the drugs, members of and associates of the F.R.G. would administer fentanyl-laced narcotics to the victim by forcibly or surreptitiously introducing it into the victim’s body. This was done to incapacitate victims as to steal firearms, cash, cellular telephones, identification documents, debit and credit cards, drugs, and other items of value. If a victim was not incapacitated, or not incapacitated quickly enough, members of the F.R.G. would instead change course and simply commit home-invasion robberies where they would be let into the victim’s home by other members and associates and then steal items of value at gunpoint or through other violent means, including threats, beatings, and aggravated assault.
The superseding indictment alleges that four individuals have died as the result of overdosing on fentanyl. Three deaths occurred in Berks and Luzerne County, Pennsylvania and one death in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The seven individuals named in the superseding indictment are all in custody. This is an on-going investigation and law enforcement are attempting to identify and arrest additional members and associates of F.R.G. and to identify and locate victims. Victims and others who may have information concerning F.R.G. are requested to contact the FBI at 570-344-2404.
The charges were the result of a joint investigation by the FBI; Pennsylvania State Police, the United States Marshals Service – Scranton office; the District Attorney Offices of Pike, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, and Berks Counties in Pennsylvania; the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Police Department, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; and various state and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorneys Todd K. Hinkley and Luisa Honora Berti are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to Prison for Odometer TamperingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 10, 2024, Earnest Fry, 49, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner following his conviction for odometer tampering and forging vehicle titles. Judge Conner also ordered Fry to pay victims more than $47,000 in restitution, $700 in assessments, and to serve three years on supervised release following his term of imprisonment. Fry previously pleaded guilty to the offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, just months after Fry was released from state prison for burglary and theft offenses in October 2018, and while he was on parole, he devised a scheme to purchase used cars, alter the cars’ true mileages by replacing or resetting their odometers, and then sell the vehicles online to unsuspecting customers who paid inflated prices for vehicles they might not otherwise have bought. In addition, Fry altered or forged the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania titles to multiple vehicles that he sold by causing the titles to reflect false, lower mileages. Fry altered the odometers on at least 55 used cars that he sold and rolled back more than five million miles on the vehicles. In some cases, Fry caused the odometers to be rolled back by nearly 200,000 miles. Fry’s offenses not only caused victims to pay far more for the cars than they were worth, but created the risk that buyers would incur additional losses due to likely increased maintenance costs, excessive insurance premiums, and other unanticipated expenses.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that odometer fraud in the United States results in consumer losses of more than $1 billion annually and has established a special hotline to handle odometer fraud complaints. Individuals with information relating to odometer tampering should call (800) 424-9393, or email [email protected].
More information on odometer fraud is available on the NHTSA website, https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/odometer-fraud.
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Citizen of India Indicted for Falsely Claiming United States Citizenship in Passport ApplicationRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jaydeepsinh Jayas, age 42, a citizen of India, was indicted by a federal grand jury for making a false statement in a passport application, applying for, and attempting to procure evidence of United States citizenship, and making a false claim to United States citizenship.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on or about November 10, 2023, Jayas applied for a passport in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. In the passport application, Jayas attested that he was a United States citizen. As proof, Jayas submitted a delayed Pennsylvania birth certificate that he received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania upon the submission of a falsified affidavit in which it was claimed that he was delivered in Bradford County, Pennsylvania by a midwife. Jayas, however, was born in and is a citizen of India.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service, Philadelphia Resident Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the indicted offenses is 23 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release after imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Wilkes-Barre Man Convicted of Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Kevin Jones, aka “Hat,” age 39, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl after a four-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the jury found Jones guilty of having conspired to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl during the course of the conspiracy. Jones was one of fifteen individuals indicted in February 2023 for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in Northeastern Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Jones and his co-conspirators obtained pills containing fentanyl via the mail from co-conspirators in Arizona. Jones and his co-conspirators then distributed the pills in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and other locations in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as other states.
At trial, the Government presented testimony from six of Jones’ co-conspirators. Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service also testified. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. O’Hara and Gerard T. Donahue prosecuted the case.
To date, thirteen co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Jones faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
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Wayne County Man Sentenced to 149 Months’ Imprisonment for Committing $2 Million in Covid-19 Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Christopher J. Miller, age 36, formerly of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 28, 2024, by United States District Judge Julia K. Munley to 149 months of imprisonment, following his convictions of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unlawful monetary transactions.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Miller filed approximately 50 fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds, including under the Payment Protection Program (PPP), for Economic Injury and Disaster Loans (EIDLs), and for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. Some of the applications submitted by Miller were filed on behalf of corporate entities under his control that did not, in fact, have actual business operations, and that bore false addresses, false IRS-issued Employee Identification Numbers, false dates of business establishment and operation, false employee headcount information, and fabricated gross income, gross receipts and payroll obligation information. The applications also included forged IRS income tax returns, and federal employment tax documents. Miller failed to disclose in the applications that he was previously convicted of a felony.
Miller also filed fraudulent applications on behalf of himself and numerous family members, friends and associates. In exchange, he received cash kickbacks from those individuals. Through his scheme, Miller and his associates secured over $2.1 million in pandemic stimulus funds. Instead of using his funds on business expenses, as intended, Miller used them to purchase automobiles, vacations, and real estate, among other personal expenses.
In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Munley labeled Miller’s criminal activities a “devious, extensive, and elaborate scheme to swindle the United States government,” and highlighted how, after the FBI executed a search warrant at his residence, Miller and his wife fled to South Carolina, where he lived under an assumed name until being apprehended. In addition to the sentence of imprisonment, Judge Munley also sentenced Miller to five years of supervised release, following his term of imprisonment, and to pay full restitution.
The PPP and EIDL programs, both funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, were designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP funds were offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses. EIDL funds are offered in low-interest rate loans, designated for specific business expenses, such as fixed debts, payroll, and business obligation. The PUA program was created by the CARES Act, as part of the United States government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s health and economic well-being. The PUA program was designed to provide unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits.
In addition to Miller, the United States prosecuted Robert Reynolds, also of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, for obtaining fraudulent PUA benefits with Miller. Reynolds pleaded guilty to wire fraud and awaits sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and by the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 84 Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit RobberyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joshua Marsh, age 29, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 84 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Marsh previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. As part of his guilty plea, Marsh admitted that on August 30, 2020, he participated in an armed home-invasion robbery in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. During that robbery, Marsh, along with his co-conspirators Joushton Rodriguez and Solomon Rodriguez, entered the victims’ home and robbed the victims of a lockbox containing drug proceeds. All three perpetrators were masked and Joushton Rodriguez was armed with a homemade AR-15 style machinegun. The ringleader of the conspiracy, Steven Wong, along with four remaining co-conspirators, are still awaiting sentencing.
The charges stem from an investigation involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Mahanoy City Police Department, the Schuylkill Haven Police Department, the Pottsville Police Department, the Shillington Police Department, the Reading Police Department, and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James Buchanan, Jenny Roberts, and Sarah Lloyd.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Monroe County Man Sentenced to 147 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Williams, III, aka “Dilly,” age 45, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 26, 2024, to 147 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for drug trafficking and firearms charges.
On April 20, 2023, following a jury trial, Williams was convicted of two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession or a stolen firearm.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on March 29, 2018, and April 18, 2018, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of cocaine from Williams in a commercial parking lot adjacent to Stroudsburg High School property. On May 3, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Williams’s residence and recovered multiple firearms, over 600 grams of cocaine, drug packing materials and over $21,000 in U.S. currency.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stroud Area Regional Police Department, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Lackawanna County Man Sentenced to 151 Months of Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Emmanuel Batista, age 32, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 1, 2024, to 151 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E Mannion, for drug trafficking charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Batista owned and operated DMB Dumpster and Construction Company, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Between November 2022 and January 2023, Batista used this company as a front for his drug distribution. Law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from a subordinate drug dealer working for Batista. Batista also made large amounts of methamphetamine available for purchase during this time. Batista used a vacant property that he was allegedly remodeling as a stash house for his drugs. He also would pay some of his employees in drugs. In a three-month period, Batista was responsible for distributing over 400 grams of fentanyl.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts and Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Hardik prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Scranton Man Sentenced to 100 Months’ Imprisonment for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Victorious Minter, age 28, of Scranton, PA, was sentenced today to 100 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for a firearms offense.
According to United States Attorney Karam, on January 5, 2022, Minter possessed a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, loaded with 24 rounds in an extended magazine, after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Minter was found guilty after a four-day trial in February of 2024. During trial, evidence showed that Minter had waived the gun at another driver on the North Scranton Expressway during a road rage incident. After the other driver called 911, officers with the Scranton Police Department spotted Minter’s car and conducted a traffic stop. During that stop, the loaded pistol was discovered stuffed in the front passenger seat next to Minter’s girlfriend. Minter’s two-year-old child was also in the backseat of the car.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Scranton Police Department, and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Maryland Resident Sentenced to 40 Months’ Imprisonment for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that that Evan R. Wechsler, age 46, and a resident of Bethesda, Maryland, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for bank fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Wechsler was the leader of a check kiting scheme from 2016 to 2017. During this period of time, Wechsler wrote, signed, and deposited hundreds of worthless checks between accounts at different banks that he controlled. These accounts included personal accounts and business accounts in the names of affiliated companies that he ran.
Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T, now known as Truist) sustained a loss of nearly $6.3 million due to Wechsler’s fraud. During the check kiting scheme, Wechsler typically sent a large wire transfer each week from his BB&T account and also wrote checks from BB&T to an account at another bank. Then, over the course of a given week, Wechsler wrote numerous checks from that account to other accounts, including the one at BB&T. These worthless checks were then used to fund the outgoing transfers from BB&T at the beginning of the following week. Over time, the value of the fraudulent checks that Wechsler wrote continued to grow, from over $100,000 in early 2016 to nearly $700,000 in mid-2017.
In May 2017, Wechsler’s BB&T business checking account received over $118 million in fraudulent credits and had over $95 million in fraudulent debits. By conducting this scheme, Wechsler was able to inflate his businesses’ outward financial condition and receive what was, in effect, an interest free loan from the banks that he utilized for the check kiting scheme.
Wechsler was not ordered to pay restitution because he had paid BB&T back for the losses that it incurred prior to his sentencing hearing.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
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Florida Woman Sentenced to 48 Months’ Imprisonment for Embezzling $2 Million from Former EmployerRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Catherine Latoski, age 53, formerly of Exeter, Pennsylvania and currently a resident of Davenport, Florida, was sentenced by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 48 months of imprisonment for committing wire fraud by embezzling nearly $2 million from her former employer.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Latoski was the Director of Accounting Services for a Scranton-based for-profit educational institution. Beginning in November 2016, through her termination in June 2021, Latoski charged nearly $2 million in personal expenses on corporate credit cards issued by her former employer, spending the funds on vacations, Disney timeshares and cruises, personal utility bills and shopping expenses, her child’s college tuition, and to fund her and her family members’ personal businesses selling health and beauty products for Jordan Essentials. Latoski then used her accounting position to facilitate having her former employer pay off the credit card charges, including by creating false entries in the company’s books and records to conceal the expenses.
In addition to the sentence of imprisonment, Judge Mannion also ordered Latoski to serve three years of supervised release following her term of imprisonment. Judge Mannion also ordered Latoski to pay $1,843,741.22 in restitution, and to forfeit five Disney timeshares that she purchased with the proceeds of her fraud, and placed in the names of her family members.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Mexican Citizen Indicted for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Armando Lara-Contreras, age 33, a Citizen of Mexico, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for illegally reentering the United States.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Lara-Contreras was previously removed from the United States on February 24, 2016, through Brownsville, Tx, and it is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. The indictment also alleges that on April 29, 2024, Lara-Contreras was encountered in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney K. Wesley Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty upon conviction for the charged offense is two years imprisonment, one year of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and a special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by a court after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Three Pennsylvania Men Charged with Corporate Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeffrey Poth, age 68, of Drums, Pennsylvania; James Mahon IV, age 64, of Shavertown, Pennsylvania; and Joel Gillick, age 56, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, were charged with various fraud offenses in connection with their former employments at Tammac Holdings Corp. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Mahon and Gillick with conspiring to commit bank, wire, and mail fraud, and with several counts of bank fraud and wire fraud. Poth was charged in an information with conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the charges allege that Poth was the President, Mahon the Vice President, and Gillick an attorney and Compliance Officer of Tammac, a Luzerne County business. Between 2008 and September 2021, the conspirators suppressed delinquency rates and repossession losses in loan portfolios that were sold and serviced by Tammac to various financial institutions and investors. The scheme was accomplished by making fake payments on the loans, using Tammac’s own money. The conspirators allegedly took these steps to avoid triggering recourse obligations under the servicing agreement contracts that would yield significant financial penalties for Tammac. During the course of the scheme, the conspirators hid the fake payments in Tammac’s accounting records, and concealed the practice from investors and auditors.
The charges also allege that between 2017 and 2021, the conspirators provided false financial information to an investment firm during a due diligence process, and continued to conceal the fake payment practice. As a result, the investment firm purchased Tammac, and subsequently purchased loan portfolios from Tammac. Following the acquisition, the conspirators continued to provide false financial information to the investment firm.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Carlo D. Marchioli are prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses are 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Two Members of Infamous Ryders Motorcycle Club Convicted of Robbery and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Steven Wong, a/k/a “Chino,” age 43, of Shallotte, North Carolina, and Solomon Rodriguez, a/k/a “Solo,” age 34, of Reading, Pennsylvania, were convicted on June 21, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, firearms conspiracy, attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, Hobbs Act Robbery, and two counts of use of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence following a two-week trial before United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Wong was the president of the Schuylkill County chapter of the Infamous Ryders Motorcycle Club, of which Solomon Rodriguez was a member. Wong used his position to recruit members of the motorcycle club to participate in a series of brutal home-invasion armed robberies in Schuylkill and Berks County in the summer and fall of 2020. Wong rewarded loyal members involved in the conspiracy with money and free drugs. During these home invasion robberies, two or three members of the conspiracy would enter the homes of local street-level drug dealers while wearing masks and armed with firearms and knives and rob the victims of drugs and drug proceeds. One of the firearms used was a fully automatic homemade AR-15 style assault rifle.
During the seven-day trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony from approximately 19 witnesses, including expert witness testimony from an ATF Firearms expert, and an expert in historic cell-site location data analysis. Both defendants testified on their own behalf.
“This group acted with extreme violence, invading people’s homes with machine guns drawn, and committing crimes that brutalized their victims,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Though our cooperative efforts with the Pennsylvania State police and local police departments, we successfully brought these criminals to justice and ended their trail of crimes, making our communities safer again.”
The charges stem from an investigation involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Mahanoy City Police Department, the Schuylkill Haven Police Department, the Pottsville Police Department, the Shillington Police Department, the Reading Police Department, and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys James Buchanan, Jenny Roberts, and Sarah Lloyd prosecuted the case.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
In this case, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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New York Man Sentenced to 360 Months’ Imprisonment for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Alkayan Khan, age 37, of Ozone Park, New York, was sentenced today to 360 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Julia K. Munley for one count of production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Khan previously pleaded guilty to one count of production of visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Khan admitted that on September 28, 2021, he coerced a minor victim to create and then send him photographs of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Khan, a family friend of the minor victim’s family, had used his position of trust within the family to engage in a years’ long pattern of abuse against the minor victim. Ultimately, the minor victim became pregnant with Khan’s child and Khan coerced the minor victim to falsely report that she had been raped in her middle school’s bathroom by an unknown assailant. The victim, upon being interviewed by detectives from the Pocono Mountain Regional Police, admitted that Khan was her child’s father and that he had coerced her to concoct the story.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Franklin County Man Charged with Threatening State SenatorRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Richard Little, age 49, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal complaint with threatening a Pennsylvania State Senator and unlawfully possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. A preliminary hearing was held today, and Magistrate Judge Daryl F. Bloom found probably cause for both charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on or about June 10, 2024, Little was served with an eviction notice and began posting threatening videos on Facebook, including against a County Commissioner. Among other things, in the videos, Little spoke of a “war” and described “kill zones” while displaying multiple firearms and ammunition in his residence. Little also showed marijuana in one video and admitted to using the controlled substance. Thereafter, on or about June 21, 2024, Little posted on his Facebook threatening remarks against a State Senator.
That same date, law enforcement arrested Little and searched his residence. Inside, law enforcement seized several items, including approximately 17 firearms, ammunition, marijuana, illegal mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the charges against Little is 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Charges are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Two Men Sentenced for Commercial Bribery and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Danny Sing, age 61, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment, and Mark Holmes, age 67, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for commercial bribery and tax fraud offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Danny Sing pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to failing to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes to the IRS. Global Staffing Services, Inc. leased temporary employees to companies in Pennsylvania and New York. Sing and his coconspirators paid Global Staffing Services, Inc. employees in cash, paid themselves in cash, and cashed all checks received from Global Staffing Services, Inc.’s clients, to conceal the income and wages from the IRS. Sing also pleaded guilty to providing in excess of approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks to managers and supervisors at Global Staffing Services, Inc.’s client, to obtain business for Global Staffing Services, Inc. In total, Sing and his coconspirators obtained over $16,500,000 from a Pennsylvania food services company for their staffing companies. The criminal activities occurred between 2013 and 2020. Sing further failed to file personal tax returns and pay federal income tax for years 2014 through 2020, despite spending over $1 million at local casinos during that time period. This resulted in over $390,000 in tax losses to the IRS.
Mark Holmes pleaded guilty to accepting, as the General Manager of a Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks from the owners and operators of Global Staffing Services, Inc. and Penns Independent Staffing, another staffing company, in exchange for hiring their employees. The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $7,800,000 from Holmes’s employer. Holmes also pleaded guilty to failing to remit approximately $135,000 in employment taxes to the IRS that were owed by Encore Staffing Solutions LLC, another temporary staffing company that he owned and operated. Encore Staffing Solutions LLC leased temporary employees to manufacturing businesses throughout Pennsylvania. The criminal activities occurred between 2014 and 2020.
Five other individuals were previously prosecuted in this investigation:
- Madeline Nieves, age 49, of Plains, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a tax fraud conspiracy. Nieves conspired with other individuals to defraud the IRS, from 2018 to 2020, in connection with staffing company Encore Staffing Solutions LLC, which she owned and operated with Holmes. Nieves failed to report Encore Staffing Solutions LLC employee wages to the IRS, resulting in approximately $67,000 in employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Encore to the IRS. Nieves also failed to report her own personal income from Encore Staffing Solutions LLC to the IRS. Nieves was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment.
- Nari Lam, age 31, of Wilmington, Delaware, pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS. From 2016 through 2020, Nari Lam, as the owner of temporary staffing company Penns Independent Staffing, failed to pay approximately $300,000 in employment taxes owed by Penns Independent Staffing to the IRS. Nari Lam was sentenced to three years of probation.
- Den Lam, age 49, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged in an information alleging that he conspired with other individuals to evade federal income taxes for approximately $1,600,000 in wages paid by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to its employees. Den Lam also was charged with failing to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to the IRS.
- Jason R. Bonnewell, age 41, of North Abington Township, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to accepting, as a supervisor of the Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $150,000 in bribes and kickbacks from Global Staffing Services, Inc. and Penns Independent Staffing, in exchange for hiring their employees. The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $13,000,000 from Bonnewell’s employer. Bonnewell also pleaded guilty to failing to disclose cash income on his personal tax returns. Bonnewell awaits sentencing.
- Jose L. Ortiz, age 48, of Drums, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit honest services fraud. From 2014 to 2021, Ortiz was a manager and director at a Pennsylvania food services company who, along with his coconspirators accepted cash bribes and other things of value from other coconspirators who owned and operated Global Staffing Services, Inc. and Penns Independent Staffing. In exchange for the kickbacks, Ortiz and his coconspirators entered contracts with and hired the temporary employees of the two staffing companies, paying them over $18,000,000, in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks. Ortiz received approximately $200,000 of those cash kickbacks.
The cases were investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
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Central Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Prison for Hobbs Act RobberiesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner sentenced Kyle Jaden Morales, age 21, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to 230 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Morales previously pleaded guilty to these offenses, which involved Morales’ robberies of McDonald’s restaurants, Sheetz convenience stores, and United Bank in March 2022 during a 12-day crime spree in the states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. As part of these robberies, Morales pointed a handgun at employees and took money by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury. Judge Conner also ordered Morales to pay $5,094 in restitution to the McDonald’s Corporation, Sheetz, Inc., and United Bank, to pay a special assessment of $400, and to serve five years of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the East Pennsboro Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Williams and Samuel S. Dalke.
Weatherly Man Charged with Making False Statements During the Attempted Purchase of a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Feliciano-Seize, age 60, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania was indicted on June 18, 2024, by a federal grand jury for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Feliciano-Seize, who had previously been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for an armed robbery conviction, attempted to purchase an assault rifle by falsely representing that he had never been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. The indictment further alleges that in 2023, Feliciano-Seize unlawfully possessed a firearm.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for making a false statement during the attempted purchase of a firearm is 10 years imprisonment, 3 years supervision, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for unlawful possession of a firearm is 15 years imprisonment, 3 years supervision, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Northumberland County Man Indicted for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that an indictment was returned by a grand jury charging a Northumberland County man with multiple firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges that on or about January 10, 2024, Ryan Edward Mills, age 51, a resident of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, possessed three firearms—that is, a pistol, semi-automatic shotgun, and AR-15 style rifle—knowing that he was prohibited from possessing firearms, having been previously convicted of a felony. In addition, the Indictment alleges one of the firearms Mills possessed had an obliterated serial number.
The charges stem from a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Milton Borough Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Moreno.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the crimes charged in the Indictment is thirty-five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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York Man Sentenced to 13 Months in Prison for Pandemic Unemployment FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tanner Uffelman, age 29, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 13, 2024, to time served (approximately 13 months’ imprisonment) by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Uffelman was charged with submitting multiple false applications to states seeking unemployment compensation claiming that the unemployment was a result of the COVID19 pandemic. From 2020 to 2021, Uffelman submitted these false claims using identifications of numerous innocent victims. He and his conspirators submitted the false claims in Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, and California. Uffelman pleaded guilty to the crime in January 2024, and admitted that the fraud scheme stole over $40,000 from the various states.
At sentencing, Judge Wilson noted that at the time he was committing his federal offense, Uffelman was on supervision with York County authorities for unlawful contact or communication with a minor and corruption of minors arising from a 2018 conviction where he, as a 23-year-old man, had a corrupt relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The judge identified this as well as the over 13-months he spent in Dauphin County Prison as sufficient punishment for the federal crime he committed and imposed a time served sentence. Judge Wilson also ordered that Uffelman serve three years of supervised release with the United States Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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New York Man Charged with Defrauding Harrisburg Resident and Others, of Thousands of Dollars in Cash and GoldRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kuldeep Jaggi, age 39, of Huntingdon Station, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Jaggi was a member of a conspiracy that operated a fraud scheme that targeted victims throughout the United States including Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In part, the fraud scheme was carried out by causing pop-up windows to appear on victims’ personal computers. These pop-up windows falsely stated the victims’ computers had been infected with a virus and instructed victims to call the telephone number provided to receive technical assistance.
It is further alleged that victims who called the number spoke with a member of the conspiracy who falsely represented himself to be a government agent or employee. During the telephone call, it was falsely represented to the victims that their compromised computers had been used to commit crimes for which they would be charged, and that for the virus to be removed from the computer, victims had to pay a fee in the form of cash or gold. Victims were instructed to hand deliver the cash or gold payment to an “agent” who was being sent to the victim’s homes.
The indictment alleges that Jaggi was one of the scheme’s “agents” who travelled to victims’ homes to pick up the cash or gold. According to the Indictment, on October 3, 2023, Jaggi traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to collect approximately $64,000 in gold from a victim, and between September 26, 2023, and October 3, 2023, Jaggi traveled to Massachusetts, Idaho, and Texas where he collected a total of approximately $129,000 from three victims.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Swatara Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J. Terz is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the indicted offenses is 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release after imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Mexican National Charged with Illegal Reentry and Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration RequirementsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cosme Marin-Ponce, age 40, of Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien and for failing to register as a sex offender. The case was unsealed following Marin-Ponce’s arrest.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Marin-Ponce was previously removed from the United States on September 23, 2019, after pleading guilty to indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old. It is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. Marin-Ponce also failed to register as a sex offender, as his previous conviction required.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Lebanon County Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Angel Lopez-Guzman, age 37, of Lebanon, PA, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on charges related to the distribution of controlled substances and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Lopez-Guzman possessed over 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute. It also alleges that Lopez-Guzman illegally possessed a firearm as a convicted felon and possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, in Lebanon County, on January 5, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lebanon County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty Lopez-Guzman faces under federal law for these offenses is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Mount Carmel Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Micia Best, age 45, of Mount Carmel, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann on the charge of possession with intent to distribute more than fifty grams of methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Best possessed more than 350 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. The charge stemmed from a broader investigation into drug trafficking in Northumberland County through which Best was identified as moving significant amount of methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Lewistown Man Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Attempted Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Prostitution and Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gregory A. Wilson, age 51, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to 102 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release on the charge of attempted enticement of a minor. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $500 and a $5,100 special assessment.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on November 8, 2023, Wilson knowingly attempted to use a facility of interstate and foreign commerce to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in prostitution and sexual activity for which any person can be charged under Pennsylvania criminal laws, specifically aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and statutory sexual assault under Pennsylvania criminal laws.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Patton Township Police, and the Centre County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Escaped Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Making and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shane A. Lopez, age 29, of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 10, 2024, to 22 years’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for sexual exploitation of children and escape.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in November 2020, Lopez was serving the remainder of his federal drug trafficking sentence at a residential rehabilitation facility in Harrisburg when he escaped. On May 21, 2021, police arrested him at a residence in Mahanoy City. Police seized his and uncovered evidence of child pornography. An investigation of his phone as well as accounts he controlled revealed that he had over a 1,000 images and videos of child pornography, including a video he made of an 18-month-old girl.
On November 20, 2023, Lopez pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children as well as escape from a detention facility.
Judge Conner sentenced Lopez to 20 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children. He also imposed a consecutive sentence of two years in prison for the crime of escape. When he is released from prison, Lopez is to serve five years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Susquehanna Township Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Role in Multi-Million Dollar Marijuana RingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Laboy, age 40, of Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 9 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for his role in a multi-million dollar marijuana ring.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Laboy previously entered a guilty plea to being a part of a group that received marijuana shipped from sources in California and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The drug trafficking group operated out of Fastlane Auto Sales located on Paxton Street in Harrisburg. Over that time, hundreds of parcels full of marijuana were shipped from California to Harrisburg. The group mailed cash back to California. They used a sophisticated system of GPS tracking devices, which they placed in their parcels, to keep track of their drugs and money.
The Fastlane Group learned that a postal employee was stealing their marijuana as it was being secretly shipped through the U.S. Mail. To stop the suspected thief, they shot at a car in Harrisburg, at a home Susquehanna Township, and at home in Steelton. They also robbed and assaulted the postal employee at gunpoint.
Judge Wilson found that Laboy was responsible for trafficking between 100 and 400 kilograms of marijuana from 2017 to May 2020. Judge Wilson noted that Laboy was not responsible for the violence associated with the Harrisburg drug trafficking group.
Co-defendant Christopher Texidor, age 36 of Harrisburg, had a jury trial and was convicted in May 2024 of drug trafficking and weapons offenses. He is awaiting sentencing.
Co-defendant William Kuduk, age 37 of Harrisburg, pled guilty to marijuana trafficking and cocaine trafficking associated with the Fastlane Group. Co-defendant Justin Laboy, age 36, of Harrisburg, pled guilty to marijuana trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to use a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. Co-defendant Julio Arellano, age 33, of Harrisburg, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to traffic marijuana and conspiracy to use a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. They are all awaiting sentencing.
Co-defendant Jonathan Cobaugh, age 25, of Harrisburg, pled guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and wire fraud related to a pandemic related fraud scheme. He was sentenced to 63 months in prison on May 29, 2024. Co-defendant Jamie Valenzuela, age 32 of Santa Ana, California, pled guilty to being a source of marijuana from California for the conspiracy. He was sentenced to 57 months in prison on February 8, 2024.
These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Susquehanna Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the cases.
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Schuylkill County Man Charged with Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Kyle Smith, age 40, of Schuylkill Haven, PA, was charged on June 4, 2024, by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the Indictment alleges that on February 29, 2024, in Schuylkill County, Smith possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the PA Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations (BNI). Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy and Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose L. Vargas, age 39, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for conspiracy and attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. After his release, Vargas will serve an additional five years on supervised release.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Vargas was the target of a reverse sting operation by the DEA in which he attempted to retrieve five pounds of crystal methamphetamine. Vargas had left the methamphetamine in the possession of an acquittance, who began to cooperate with law enforcement. The DEA took possession of the nearly two and one-half kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and arranged through the confidential informant to have Vargas retrieve the drugs from a car parked in Hazleton. Unfortunately, the undercover police vehicle locking mechanism locked the vehicle prior to Vargas’s attempt to retrieve the drugs. Vargas then telephoned another individual and directed him to retrieve the drugs and bring them to Vargas. That individual was arrested when he retrieved the drug from the then, unlocked vehicle and cooperated with police against Vargas.
Vargas was convicted of conspiracy and attempted possession of the methamphetamine after a three-day trial in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Vargas is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and subject to deportation upon his release from federal prison.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the Hazleton, Pennsylvania Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd K. Hinkley and James Buchanan prosecuted the case.
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