Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Second Wayne County Man Charged with Committing Covid-19 Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Robert M. Reynolds, age 69, of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, was charged in an information with wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that from May 2020 to August 2021, Reynolds aided and abetted another in submitting a fraudulent application and weekly certifications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The application and weekly certifications allegedly claimed that Reynolds was unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had earnings for each quarter of 2019, and was available to accept employment if offered a job, when in fact, he was a retiree. Reynolds allegedly obtained approximately $36,000 in PUA benefits as a result of the scheme.
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.
In May 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office unsealed charges against a related defendant, Christopher J. Miller, formerly of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania. Miller was charged with 54 combined counts of wire fraud, bank fraud false statements, identity theft, and unlawful monetary transactions, for allegedly obtaining over $1,500,000 in pandemic stimulus funds for himself and for others. Miller was arrested, detained, and pleaded guilty. He 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.
The maximum penalties under federal law are 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.
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Harrisburg Drug Dealer Affiliated with “NFL” Rap Group Sentenced to 129 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anderson Ortiz, age 24, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 129 months in prison for drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the sentencing was the latest sentence imposed of the eight people charged in the indictment for running a drug trafficking conspiracy from 2018 to 2020. Members of the conspiracy were affiliated with a music group named “Never Forget Loyalty” or “NFL.” As a part of their drug trafficking operation, the “NFL” posted videos on YouTube which were filmed in various Harrisburg locales, including the drug involved premises of 1621 Market Street. In the videos, members of the group brandished various weapons, flashed cash, and displayed drugs. In a yearlong investigation, ATF and the local law enforcement conducted a series searches. During these searches, police recovered part of “NFL’s” arsenal, including a machine gun, assault rifles, and various weapons with extended magazines.
After resolving various sentencing issues, Judge Conner sentenced Anderson Ortiz to the top of the sentencing guideline range. Ortiz had previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to traffic drugs and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
All defendants have entered guilty pleas to drug trafficking and/or firearms offenses. Judge Conner sentenced the defendants as follows:
- Kaleaf Brown, age 28 of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 140 months in prison;
- Qushawn Brown, age 32 of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 137 months in prison;
- Tyquann Langston, age 28 of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 120 months in prison;
- Adieas Johnson, age 35 of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 120 months in prison;
- Donza Brown, age 60 of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 37 months in prison; and,
- Jaionne Miller, age 23 of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 37 months in prison.
Co-defendant Wesley Garner entered a guilty plea to weapons and drug trafficking offenses. He is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio 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.
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Pike County Physician Sentenced to 22 Years' Imprisonment for Drug Distributions - One Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Martin Evers, age 66, of Pike County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 264 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for unlawfully prescribing oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone to three patients, including a Monroe County woman who died as a result of using the drugs. In addition to the prison term, Judge Mariani ordered that Evers pay a fine in the amount of $50,000 and be supervised by a probation officer for three years following his release from prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Evers was convicted by a jury on December 5, 2022. Jurors deliberated for just two hours before finding Evers guilty on all 71 counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, as charged in the superseding indictment. The counts involved the unlawful distribution of oxycodone, fentanyl and methadone, all Schedule II controlled substances, and diazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. One of the counts for which Evers was convicted involved the unlawful distribution of oxycodone and fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 48-year old Monroe County woman on February 11, 2019.
During the three-week trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Diversion Division, six pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions issued by Evers, a Walmart Global Investigations witness who offered testimony related to Walmart’s issuance of a nationwide ban for filling all narcotic prescriptions issued by Evers, an expert on pain medicine, an expert toxicologist, an expert pathologist, a Pennsylvania State Police Officer, and a witness from the Monroe County Coroner’s Office.
During the time charged in the superseding indictment, Evers was an employee of the Bon Secours Charity Health System and practiced as a primary care physician in Milford, Pennsylvania. He was licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and authorized to prescribe controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes and in the usual course of professional practice. Evers is no longer licensed to practice medicine.
The jury found that Evers repeatedly prescribed oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purposes and as a result, addiction and death occurred.
After the jury’s verdict on December 5, 2022, Judge Mariani ordered Evers detained.
The two-year long investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its Diversion Division, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Jenny Roberts prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid 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 opioid trafficking 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 this offense is life 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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Lackawanna County Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Major Artworks and Sports MemorabiliaRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dawn Trotta, age 52, of Covington Township, Pennsylvania, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment or disposal of objects of cultural heritage, and interstate transportation of stolen property, a federal Felony.
On February 9, 2024, Trotta admitted in court to the Honorable District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, that from on or about August of 1999 and continuing through in or about April of 2019, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, that she intentionally conspired with others commit engage in a scheme to steal major artwork and objects of cultural heritage, and to move the stolen property in interstate commerce.
Eight other individuals have been charged in the same conspiracy. Thomas Trotta, age 48, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, Frank Tassiello, age 51, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Daryl Rinker, age 50, of Thornhurst, Pennsylvania, and Ralph Parry, age 45, of Covington Township, Pennsylvania, were all charged by felony information and have already pleaded guilty.
On June 6, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Nicholas Dombek, age 53, of Thornhurst, Pennsylvania, Damien Boland, age 47, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, Alfred Atsus, age 47, of Covington Township, Pennsylvania, and Joseph Atsus, age 49, of Roaring Brook, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy and the substantive counts of theft of major artwork and the concealment or disposal of objects of cultural heritage. Dombek was further charged with a substantive count of interstate transportation of stolen property. They are presently pending trial.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment and informations charge the nine individuals with conspiring over a period of 20 years to break into multiple museums and other institutions and steal priceless works of art, sports memorabilia, and other objects. Those objects include the following:
- A Christy Matthewson jersey and two contracts signed by Matthewson stolen in 1999 from Keystone College in Factoryville, Pennsylvania;
- “Le Grande Passion” by Andy Warhol and “Springs Winter” stolen in 2005 from the Everhart Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania;
- Nine (9) World Series rings, seven (7) other championship rings, and two (2) MVP plaques all belonging to Yogi Berra, worth over $1,000,000 stolen in 2014 from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey;
- Six (6) championship belts, including four belonging to Carmen Basillio and two belonging to Tony Zale stolen in 2015 from the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York;
- The Hickok Belt and MVP Trophy belonging to Roger Maris, stolen in 2016 from the Roger Maris Museum in Fargo, North Dakota;
- The U.S. Amateur Trophy and a Hickok Belt awarded to Ben Hogan, stolen in 2012 from the USGA Golf Museum & Library;
- Fourteen (14) trophies and other awards worth over $300,000 stolen in 2012 from the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York;
- Five (5) trophies worth over $400,000, including the 1903 Belmont Stakes Trophy, stolen in 2013 from the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York;
- Eleven (11) trophies, including 4 belonging to Art Wall, Jr. stolen in 2011 from the Scranton Country Club located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania;
- Three antique firearms worth a combined $1,000,000 stolen in 2006 from Space Farms: Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey;
- An 1903/1904 Tiffany Lamp stolen in 2010 from the Lackawanna Historical Society in Scranton, Pennsylvania,
- “Upper Hudson” by Jasper Crospey, worth approximately $500,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New Jersey;
- Two antique firearms worth over $300,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New Jersey;
- $400,000 worth of gold nuggets stolen in 2011 from the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, New Jersey;
- Various gems, minerals, and other items stolen in 2017 from the Franklin Mineral Museum in Franklin, New Jersey;
- An antique shotgun worth over $30,000 stolen in 2018 from Space Farms: Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey;
- Various jewelry, rings, and other items from various antique and jewelry stores in New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.
The indictment and informations further allege that after stealing the above-described items, the conspirators would transport the stolen goods back to northeastern Pennsylvania, often the residence of Dombek, and melt the memorabilia down into easily transportable metal discs or bars. The conspirators would then sell the raw metal to fences in the New York City area for hundreds or thousands of dollars, significantly less than the stolen items would be worth at fair market value.
The indictment and informations further allege that Dombek burnt the painting “Upper Hudson” by Jasper Crospey, valued at approximately $500,000, to avoid the painting being recovered by investigators and used as evidence against the members of the conspiracy. The whereabouts of many of the other paintings and stolen objects are currently unknown.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the New York State Police, the New Jersey State Park Police, the Newport Police Department (Rhode Island), the Fargo Police Department (North Dakota), the Chester Police Department (New York), the Exeter Borough Police Department (Pennsylvania), the Scranton Police Department, the Franklin Police Department (New Jersey), the Village of Goshen Police Department (New York), the Metropolitan Police Department (Washington, D.C.), the West Milord Township Police Department (New Jersey), the Montclair Police Department (New Jersey), the Saratoga Springs Police Department (New York), the Canastota Police Department (New York), the South Abington Police Department (Pennsylvania), the Bernards Township Police Department (New Jersey), the Salisbury Township Police Department (Pennsylvania), the Montclair State University Police Department (New Jersey) the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office (Pennsylvania), the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office (New Jersey), the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (New Jersey), the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (New York), the Madison County District Attorney’s Office (New York), and multiple other local law enforcement agencies from across the country. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing for Dawn Trotta is not yet scheduled. Trotta faces a maximum penalty of imprisonment for a term of five 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.
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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Federal Inmate Convicted of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Lorenzo Scott, age 50, formerly of Rayville, Louisiana, and an inmate at the United States Penitentiary (USP) at Lewisburg, was convicted of assault with intent to commit murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury following a three-day jury trial before Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann in Williamsport.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Scott was an inmate at USP Lewisburg on March 25, 2015, when he physically assaulted his cellmate and repeatedly struck, stomped, and inflicted blunt force trauma to the cellmate’s head resulting in severe, life- threatening injuries. A corrections officer at USP Lewisburg, who was conducting rounds at 4:00 a.m., observed Scott stomping on the cellmate’s head as the cellmate lay on the floor of the cell in a puddle of blood. The cellmate died approximately two years and two months after the assault from the injuries inflicted by Scott.
The indictment in this case originally charged Lorenzo Scott with murder. However, the charge of murder was withdrawn by the government due to existing federal caselaw regarding the “year-and-a-day-rule,” which bars a prosecution for murder in cases in which the victim dies more than a year and a day after the infliction of the wound causing the victim’s death.
During the trial, Scott testified and admitted that, without provocation, he assaulted and intended to kill his victim.
A bill has been introduced in Congress which would abolish the year-and-a-day-rule in federal murder cases.
The case was investigated by the FBI-Williamsport Division and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Special Investigations Section (SIS). Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara and Kyle A. Moreno prosecuted the case.
The charges of assault with intent to commit murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury each carry a maximum sentence under federal law of up to 20 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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New York Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gilberto Rodriguez Jr., age 46, of Long Island, NY, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between October 17, 2022 and March 20, 2023, Rodriguez distributed a quantity of fentanyl on three separate occasions, in York County. The indictment further alleges on two separate occasions during that same time frame, Rodriguez distributed approximately 50 grams and more of methamphetamine. Finally, the indictment alleges that on March 20, 2023, Rodriguez possessed a quantity of fentanyl with the intent to distribute the controlled substance.
The case was investigated by the York County Detective Bureau, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Monroe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty for the offenses is life imprisonment, a life term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $20,000,000 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.
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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Cumberland County Man Sentenced to 28 Months’ Imprisonment for Fraud and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Zedan RaShwan, age 25, formerly of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, to 28 months of imprisonment, for wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, RaShwan pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to use the stolen identities and DEA registration numbers of healthcare providers to order fraudulent prescriptions at various pharmacies. RaShwan and his coconspirators obtained and distributed those prescription medications, which included the controlled substances and prescription medications Promethazine with Codeine, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and Clonazepam. RaShwan has been in custody since pleading guilty on March 1, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of the Inspector General, and by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Penn State Health Agrees to Pay More Than Eleven Million Dollars Following Its Voluntary Disclosure of Improper Billings Related to Medicare Annual Wellness Visit ServicesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG, PA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Penn State Health (PSH), a multi-hospital health system, has agreed to pay $11,712,336 to resolve allegations of civil liability for submitting claims to Medicare for Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) services that violated Medicare rules and regulations.
According to the U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Penn State Health voluntarily disclosed that, between December 2015 and November 2022, PSH submitted claims to Medicare for Annual Wellness Visit services that were not supported by the medical record. After PSH discovered the problems, PSH took prompt corrective action and disclosed the matter to the United States Attorney’s Office.
This matter was handled by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Haken of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
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Schuylkill County Man Indicted for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Keister, age 68, of Schuylkill County, PA, was indicted on charges of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Keister distributed, received, and possessed child pornography from March 2021 to October 2023, in Schuylkill County.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations - Allentown. 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 these offenses is 20 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, 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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Previously Deported Mexican Man Sentenced to Nine Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Alfredo Sandoval-Madrigal, age 50, was sentenced on January 30, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, to nine months’ imprisonment on the charge of illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Sandoval-Madrigal was last deported from the United States to Mexico in June 2018. He re-entered the United States again sometime after June 2018 without first obtaining legal permission to do so. Sandoval-Madrigal was encountered in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on June 12, 2023.
The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney David C. Williams prosecuted the case.
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Maryland Man Sentenced to 14 Years’ Imprisonment for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 1, 2024, United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson sentenced James Henderson Bryant III, age 46, of Westminster, Maryland, to 14 years’ imprisonment for bank robbery. Judge Wilson also ordered Bryant to serve five years on supervised release after the conclusion of his prison sentence and ordered him to pay BB&T and Citizens Banks restitution of more than $26,000.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in July 2021, a little more than two months after being released from nearly 13 years in state prison, Bryant stole more than $3,000 from a BB&T Bank branch in Hanover, Pennsylvania using a demand note. In August 2021, Bryant robbed two different BB&T Bank branches in Gettysburg, and Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, threatening tellers that he had a firearm before fleeing with cash. In September 2021, Bryant robbed a Citizens Bank branch in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, this time brandishing what looked like a handgun at three tellers before stealing more than $6,200. Bryant was arrested on October 5, 2021, minutes after robbing a Citizens Bank branch in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, while brandishing what appeared to be a firearm. Days following Bryant’s arrest, he assaulted a corrections officer while being transported to a local hospital for medical care, for which charges remain pending. According to court records, Bryant was charged federally with bank robbery in December 2021, and pleaded guilty in January 2023.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance provided by the Pennsylvania State Police, Penn Township Police Department, Gettysburg Police Department, York Area Regional Police Department, Carroll Township Police Department, and the Carlisle Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 42 Months’ Imprisonment for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 1, 2024, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Luis Polanco-Lopez, age 29, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, to 42 months’ imprisonment for distribution of fentanyl. Judge Mannion also ordered Polanco-Lopez to serve three years on supervised release after the conclusion of his prison sentence.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, during the spring of 2022, Polanco-Lopez sold 1000, and on a second occasion 500, counterfeit prescription pills during controlled purchase operations conducted by law enforcement agents. The counterfeit prescription medication contained fentanyl, a dangerous and potentially lethal opioid. In all, Polanco-Lopez sold a total of 7.063 grams of pure fentanyl in the counterfeit pills, which is 3,531 doses of potentially fatal fentanyl.
The matter was investigated by the DEA with assistance provided by the Kingston, Pennsylvania Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and fentanyl 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.
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Federal Inmate Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Possession of A Weapon at USP AllenwoodRead the Press Release
Williamsport– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert John Palmer, an inmate at United States Penitentiary at Allenwood, was sentenced on January 30, 2024, to 21 months’ imprisonment by Chief United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, for possession of contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Palmer was found in possession of an inmate-made weapon; specifically, a 5 and ¾ -inch piece of plastic sharpened to a point, commonly referred to as a “shank.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
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Federal Inmate Convicted of Assaulting Three Federal Corrections OfficersRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Waters, age 37, of Florence, South Carolina, was convicted following a jury trial of three counts of assaulting a federal officer. The trial, held before United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, spanned three days, and the jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning its verdict.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Waters, a federal inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan located in Waymart, Pennsylvania, assaulted three federal corrections officers which resulted in bodily injury. The evidence at trial showed that on January 18, 2023, while being counseled for a rule violation, Waters repeatedly struck a corrections officer in the head with his fists. During the assault, Waters disarmed the officer of his service baton and used it to strike the officer in the head. The officer suffered lacerations and bruising to his head and face and a hematoma to his shoulder. When additional corrections officers responded to assist, Waters bit two corrections officers in the arm and finger respectively. All three officers sustained bodily injury and required medical treatment at local hospitals. Following the incident, Waters boasted about the assaults to prison officials and on a recorded telephone call.
The case was investigated by the FBI-Scranton Division and the Special Investigations Section for the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffery St John and Tatum Wilson are prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for each 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.
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Bucks County Man Sentenced to 151 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Moss, age 37, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 31, 2024, by U.S. District Court Jennifer P. Wilson, to 151 months’ imprisonment on the charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Moss previously pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing approximately 273 grams of methamphetamine for distribution in the York County area in 2021. The charge stems from an investigation in which investigators purchased 140 grams of methamphetamine from Moss in November 2021 in York County. During investigators’ attempt to arrest Moss, Moss fled, leading law enforcement on a vehicular and foot chase. During Moss’s arrest, investigators recovered an additional 133 grams of 96-percent-pure methamphetamine from Moss’s vehicle.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Springettsbury Township Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David C. Williams and Johnny Baer.
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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York County Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kim Forney, age 50, of York County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 30, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 168 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine with a gun.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Forney was indicted for her role in a methamphetamine trafficking ring operated out of her home in Windsor, Pennsylvania. Police seized methamphetamine, weapons, thousands in cash and other materials related to the drug trafficking operation during a July 22, 2020, search of her home. Forney was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine with Cody Mitzel, Christa Tabor, Craig Smith, and Sheridan Lee Boothe. Forney previously entered guilty pleas to trafficking 500 grams and more of methamphetamine, and to possessing a gun recovered from her home.
Cody Mitzel entered a guilty plea to methamphetamine trafficking and was previously sentenced by Judge Wilson to approximately 36 months in prison. Craig Smith pled guilty to methamphetamine trafficking and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2024. Sheridan Lee Boothe pled guilty to methamphetamine trafficking and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2024. Christa Tabor is wanted.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio 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.
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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 70 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Javier Guzman, age 52, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 30, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to 70 months’ imprisonment on the charge of possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Guzman previously pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing between 50 and 200 grams of high-quality crystal methamphetamine for distribution in the Schuylkill County area in 2022. The charge stems from an investigation in which investigators made multiple purchases of high-quality crystal methamphetamine from Guzman in March 2022 in Schuylkill County.
The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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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Pennsylvania Courts Agree to Pay $100,000.00 in Damages to Compensate Victims and Redress Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) DiscriminationRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJS Courts) has agreed to pay $100,000.00 to resolve a federal lawsuit bought by the United States under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12134 (ADA). The United States brought this action against the UJS, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and the Blair, Jefferson, Lackawanna, and Northumberland County Courts of Common Pleas to vindicate the rights of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who have been subjected to discriminatory written and unwritten policies and practices in at least eleven UJS Courts, restricting their ability to take medication administered by their health care providers to treat their disability.
“The battle against the opioid epidemic requires not only the vigorous prosecution of those who traffic in and profit from drugs like heroin and fentanyl, but also requires ensuring individuals with opioid use disorder can take their medically prescribed treatment,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “This agreement with the Commonwealth will help ensure that individuals participating in Pennsylvania’s courts who have opioid use disorder will be allowed to follow their providers’ course of treatment, which may include medication that dramatically reduces opioid overdose deaths. This office will enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act to protect all individuals with disabilities, and this includes our citizens in recovery from addiction.”
Under the settlement agreement, the UJS Courts will compensate six victims of the courts’ discriminatory policies: two from Jefferson County Court, two from Blair County Court, one from Northumberland County Drug Court, and one from Lackawanna County Court. The courts made each individual choose between taking their prescribed medication or face incarceration or termination from the court’s respective treatment program. By forgoing their medication, the individuals faced painful withdrawal symptoms and the risk of relapse, overdose, and death.
Additionally, under the agreement, the UJS Courts will provide training to all Commonwealth court criminal judges and treatment court professionals on the ADA and OUD medication. Three of the named county courts will adopt an anti-discrimination policy related to OUD medication that is attached as an exhibit to the agreement. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will post the policy on their webpage and encourage all other county courts to adopt the same policy. And, finally, all of the defendants will report to the United States on their efforts to comply with the agreement, including detailing any complaints regarding access to OUD medication submitted to any UJS Courts during the agreement’s two-year term.
“People with opioid use disorder caught up in the criminal justice system should be supported in seeking out treatments that can help them attain recovery,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Under this agreement, the UJS courts that categorically restricted the use of opioid treatment medication are required to allow people with opioid use disorder to take the proven medications that put them on a path toward recovery and rehabilitation. These courts are also required to implement new policies and training procedures to prevent disability discrimination in the future. We are pleased to reach this significant resolution, and we will continue to enforce federal civil rights laws like the ADA to ensure people with disabilities are protected from discrimination.”
“My office is dedicated to fighting the opioid epidemic with every tool that we have,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “That includes enforcing the ADA to remove discriminatory barriers to treatment for OUD. All too often, people taking medication to treat their OUD are subjected to discrimination based on unfounded stigma associated with these medications. It is a violation of the ADA to deny someone access to programs and services simply because they are taking medication their doctors have prescribed to get and keep their OUD in remission. My office will hold entities that violate the ADA’s anti-discrimination protections accountable.”
The partnership of the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Justice Department demonstrates our ongoing efforts to combat discrimination against individuals with OUD. The Justice Department previously issued public guidance and filed statements of interest on the ADA’s protections for those with OUD. It has entered into multiple settlements with jails and prisons to increase access to OUD medication, including recent agreements in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; Eastern Kentucky; and Massachusetts. It has undertaken enforcement efforts to combat discrimination against individuals with OUD in court supervision programs in Massachusetts. It has also entered numerous settlements to address discriminatory barriers to treatment for OUD outside of the criminal justice context, including barriers related to employment, professional licensing, social services, and healthcare.
Attorneys Kevin Kijewski, David Knight, and Adam Lewis of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section handled this matter in collaboration with Middle District of Pennsylvania Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Butler, Civil Rights Coordinator, and Eastern District of Pennsylvania Assistant United States Attorney Lauren DeBruicker, Deputy Civil Chief for Civil Rights.
For more information about the Justice Department’s work to address discrimination against individuals with opioid use disorder, please visit: https://www.ada.gov/topics/opioid-use-disorder/. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
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New Jersey Man Sentenced to 16 Months’ Imprisonment for Passing over $2,600 in Counterfeit Currency at Stores in Lackawanna, Lycoming, and Columbia CountiesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brandon Williams, age 35, of Mercer County, New Jersey, was sentenced on January 31, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley, to 16 months’ imprisonment on the charge of passing counterfeit federal reserve notes.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Williams previously pleaded guilty and admitted to passing $1,400 in counterfeit bills at the Michaels store in Dickson City, on April 20, 2022, and to passing $750 in counterfeit bills later that same day at the CVS Pharmacy located on Green Ridge Street in Scranton. On April 23, 2022, Williams passed $280 in counterfeit bills at the Walmart in Montoursville, $160 in counterfeit bills at the Weis Market in Montoursville and attempted to pass additional counterfeit bills at the Dollar Tree in Bloomsburg but was unsuccessful.
The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the United States Secret Service, the Dickson City Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Montoursville Police Department, and the Hemlock Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
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Mcconnellsburg Man Sentenced to 20 Years’ Imprisonment for Production of Images Containing the Sexual Exploitation of A ChildRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kenneth W. Harr, age 54, formerly of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to serve 20 years’ imprisonment, 15 years of supervised released, and to pay $5,100 in financial penalties based upon his previously entered guilty plea to producing images containing the sexual exploitation of a child.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in June 2021, the victim disclosed to her pastor that Harr had been sexually abusing her since 2016, when she was 14 years old. The abuse was reported to law enforcement authorities and the investigation corroborated the allegations and numerous images of child sexual abuse were found on Harr’s cellphone.
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 case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas.
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Jury Convicts “Biggest Pill Dealer in Chambersburg” for Causing Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal jury convicted two Chambersburg men for their roles in a drug trafficking ring that distributed fentanyl, oxycodone, and cocaine. A delivery of fentanyl killed one of the customers and sickened others.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the jury convicted Bruce David Darby, age 45, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, of drug trafficking, firearms, and money laundering charges. Darby was also convicted of delivering pills that killed one of his customers in August of 2019. The jury also convicted Malik Bonds, age 42, of Chambersburg, of being a part of Darby’s conspiracy and with delivering cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner presided over the trial.
The jury heard evidence of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s investigation of Darby and his drug trafficking crew. Darby brought oxycodone pills from New York City and resold them in the Chambersburg area from 2018 to 2019. The jury heard evidence that police monitored Darby’s telephone calls, during which Darby described himself as “the biggest pill dealer in Chambersburg.”
“These two defendants prioritized monetary profits over the lives of everyone they distributed to,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “The jury was told about a loss of life and a serious injury directly caused by this trafficking operation, but we may never know the full scope of devastation caused by these predatory dealers. The collaborative work of law enforcement was essential to stop the flow of deadly substances that put this community at grave risk.”
“The FBI remains committed to keeping our communities safe from predators like Bruce David Darby and Malik Bonds,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, FBI Philadelphia's Special Agent in Charge. Darby’s actions and that of his co-conspirator are particularly heinous given that they trafficked in dangerous narcotics and lethal fentanyl. Today’s conviction sends the message to drug organizations and gang members that if you traffic in illegal drugs, the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will bring you to justice."
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Smulktis and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio are 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 opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and fentanyl 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.
As a result of his conviction, Darby faces a mandatory sentence of at least 25 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Bonds faces a maximum of 40 years’ 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.
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FCI Schuylkill Inmate Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Possession of A WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Tyrell Lockhart, age 26, a federal inmate incarcerated at FCI Schuylkill, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for his of possession of contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in July of 2023, a corrections officer observed inmate Lockhart in his cell where, pursuant to a search, the officer discovered that Lockhart was concealing a homemade knife, commonly referred to as a “shank.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Special Investigative Services of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is up to 5 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.
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Cumberland County Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Timothy Laird Boatman, age 39, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury with child pornography offenses.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Boatman with multiple counts of sexually exploiting children to produce child pornography and coercing and enticing children to do the same. The offenses occurred between March 1, 2023 and July 1, 2023, in Cumberland County.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley Mishoe prosecuted the case.
The 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.
The maximum penalty upon conviction for the charged offenses is life imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, a statutory assessment, and a special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by a 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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York Man Sentenced to Probation for Straw Purchase of FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jordan Bryan Griffie, age 22, of York Springs, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by the Honorable Jennifer P. Wilson to serve two years probation based upon his previously entered guilty plea to straw purchasing three firearms for individuals who were prohibited from possessing firearms.
According to United States Attorney Gerard Karam, on three separate occasions in 2020, Griffie purchased firearms from a licensed firearms dealer and falsely stated at the time of the purchases that he was the actual purchaser. He subsequently falsely reported that the firearms were stolen because he feared those firearms might be used in illegal activities.
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 York County Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler and former Assistant United States Attorney Paul Miovas prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $7,136,955.82 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
SCRANTON - U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced today that the Middle District of Pennsylvania collected $7,136,955.82 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $4,789,318.17 was collected in criminal actions and $2,347,637.65 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Middle District of Pennsylvania worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $2,481,130.56 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $28,093.06 was collected in criminal actions and $2,453,037.5 was collected in civil actions.
“We work for the people and the communities of the Middle District of Pennsylvania to keep our neighborhoods safe, and we hold no duty more sacred than that which we owe to our neighbors when they fall victim to crime,” said United States Attorney Karam. “That’s why we do not stop working for victims of crime when the defendant is sentenced; we continue to fight for the victims and do what we can to make them whole. We collect restitution from convicted defendants on behalf of crime victims, we work to forfeit the ill-gotten gains that defendants obtain through illegal means, and we fight to get back money owed to taxpayers in criminal and civil cases. I am proud to say that we have collected millions of dollars over the last year for the taxpayers and for crime victims in our district. We are committed to keeping up the fight for our neighbors.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
For example:
Penn State Health is a multi-hospital health system which owns Milton Hershey Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center. On July 1, 2022, Penn State Health voluntarily disclosed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that Penn State Health, through Milton Hershey Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center, submitted claims for payment to the Medicare Program, causing Medicare to make improper payments to Penn State Health. A settlement agreement was entered into on February 28, 2023, in which Penn State Health agreed to pay $1,252,662.28. The full amount was paid on March 1, 2023.
Melinda Bixler owned and operated two businesses; one was a for-profit company, Elder Healthcare Solutions; and a non-profit company, Adult Care Advocates, Inc. From June 2010 through January 2020, the defendant became the financial Power of Attorney and healthcare Power of Attorney for various elderly individuals. She then used those Power of Attorney’s to apply for mortgages and purchases properties using the monies received from the elderly victims. She was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $147,882.00, which she paid in full on May 25, 2023.
Gordon Raymond conducted a bank scheme at 25 different PNC banks throughout Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana, and North Carolina between June 20 – October 2018. The defendant presented fraudulent drivers’ licenses in victims’ names to open a checking/saving account and apply for unsecured loans. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $131,315.96. He made a payment of $101,000.00 on February 14, 2023.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,302,004 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
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Port Trevorton Man Sentenced for Straw Purchase of FirearmsRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dalon Sass-Maxwell, age 26, of Port Trevorton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by the Honorable Matthew W. Brann to serve two years of incarceration based upon his previously entered guilty plea to straw purchasing thirteen firearms for individuals who were prohibited from possessing firearms.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on six separate occasions in 2020 and 2021, Sass-Maxwell purchased firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers and falsely stated at the time of the purchases that he was the actual purchaser.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney Karam Holds United Against Hate Program at Central York High SchoolRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office held an event at the Central York High School to promote the Department of Justice’s United Against Hate initiative. The event, which included federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, focused on educating students on how to identify, report, and prevent hate crimes.
In its auditorium and broadcasted to all of their classrooms, the Central York High School hosted subject matter experts from the United States Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the City of York, York City Human Relations, the York County District Attorney’s Office, and other local law enforcement. Presenters highlighted differences between hate crimes versus hate incidents and provided options for responding to hate incidents when situations do not constitute a federal or state crime. Presenters also distinguished unlawful conduct from protected First Amendment activity, including identifying protected speech versus speech that advocates violence or encourages people to commit hate crimes.
U.S. Attorney Karam previously hosted meetings in November 2022, in the Harrisburg area with an audience of various law enforcement agencies and community leaders from across the mid-state, March 2023, at Scranton High School for students and community leaders, and December 2023 in Harrisburg and Scranton with Jewish leaders. The United Against Hate initiative seeks to strengthen collaborative relationships of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with communities in order to build trust and encourage the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents.
“As our country has seen increased incidents of hate since October 7, 2023, the importance of identifying, reporting, and preventing hate crimes continues to be a priority,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “As we strengthen our partnerships with state and local law enforcement and community partners, we also include our district’s high school students, our future leaders in that partnership. By reaching out to students, we provide them the tools to prevent further hate incidents that violate the fundamental principal of democracy.”
As part of its United Against Hate programming, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to partner with communities across the Middle District of Pennsylvania to expand connections with those communities, further hate crimes prevention efforts, and encourage more people to report hate crimes and hate incidents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is currently scheduling events at other district high schools and will soon meet with Islamic leaders.
Those who believe they are subject to hate crimes or incidents should contact local law enforcement and the FBI. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to Three Years’ Imprisonment for Covid-Relief and Credit Card Fraud, and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Brownstein, age 52, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to 36 months of imprisonment, for wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Brownstein and his coconspirators used stolen identities to create forged identification documents and credit and debit cards. The conspirators used those forged items and stolen identities to open bank accounts, apply for lines of credit, and obtain retail merchandise. The conspirators also used the stolen identities to apply for multiple COVID-19 pandemic relief loans issued under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including by submitted false federal tax documentation. The conspirators fraudulently obtained over $100,000 in pandemic stimulus funds.
The PPP was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, PPP funds were offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria were met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.
Brownstein’s coconspirator, Reynard Lewis, age 30, formerly of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, previously was convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft offenses, and sentenced to serve 42 months of imprisonment. The coconspirators were ordered to pay $111,579.92 in restitution to the victims of their crimes.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Pottsville Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted 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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Inmate at USP Canaan Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Assaulting Another Inmate with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Isiah Robinson, age 37, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced on January 23, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to serve 27 months’ imprisonment for assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Robinson previously pleaded guilty to assaulting another inmate at USP Canaan with a sharpened piece of metal commonly known as a “shank.” The charge stems from an incident which occurred in October 2020. The injuries received by the victim inmate were not life-threatening.
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, Robinson was serving a sentence of 120 months from the District of Maryland for heroin trafficking. That sentence has since expired.
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Inmate at FCI Schuylkill Sentenced to an Additional 12 Months in Prison for Possession of ContrabandRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daquon Brooks, age 25, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 25, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley, to serve an additional 12 months in prison on the charge of possession of contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Brooks, formerly of Washington D.C., previously pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing a dangerous prison-made weapon, commonly known as a “shank.” The charge stems from an incident in April 2023, in which staff at FCI Schuylkill found Brooks in possession of the weapon.
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 is prosecuting the case.
At the time of the incident at FCI Schuylkill, Brooks was serving a sentence from Washington D.C. for assault with a dangerous weapon and stalking. That sentence does not expire until 2033. The sentence imposed by Judge Munley for the charge of possession of contraband in prison will run consecutive to the Washington D.C. sentence.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 70 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Denzel Moore, age 30, formerly of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by the Honorable Jennifer P. Wilson to serve 70 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised released based upon his previously entered guilty plea to distributing cocaine and possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on September 25, 2019, Moore was observed by Harrisburg police officers selling cocaine on Swatara Street, in Harrisburg. Moore fled the scene on a bicycle and when police apprehended him, they recovered a loaded .9mm semi-automatic pistol, two cellular phones, 24 oxycodone pills, and $585 in cash. Moore had two prior convictions for distributing cocaine and was designated a career offender by the Court.
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 Harrisburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler and Assistant United States Attorney Johnny Baer prosecuted the case.
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Former Scranton Police Officer and Police Union President Pleads Guilty to Federal Program Fraud in Connection with Overtime Patrol Shifts at Scranton Area Housing ComplexesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Paul Helring, age 47, a former Scranton police officer and the former elected police union president, pleaded guilty on January 25, 2024, before United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the offense of Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the criminal Information to which Helring pleaded guilty alleges that, from approximately March 2021 to May 2022, while serving as the coordinator of Scranton Police Department’s extra duty overtime program, Helring knowingly obtained by fraud over $5,000.00 in compensation that was paid to him for certain extra duty patrol shifts at local, Scranton-area, lower-income housing complexes that Helring claimed to work but did not in fact work.
Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement with the United States, Helring acknowledged that the monetary loss attributable to his conduct was between $15,000 and $40,000, and that he abused a position of public trust in a manner that significantly facilitated the commission of his offense. Helring also agreed to make restitution to the affected housing complexes in the amount of $17,831.40.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force with assistance from the Office of Inspector General within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffery St John and Phillip J. Caraballo are 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.
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Bronx Man Sentenced to 21 Months’ Imprisonment for His Role in “Grandparents” Mail Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Yeurys Peguero-Rosario, age 25, of Bronx, NY, was sentenced on January 25, 2024, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to 21 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for his role as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based “grandparents” fraud scheme that preyed upon elderly American victims from states across the country.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from approximately June 2020 to October 2020, along with a group of other men from Bronx, NY, Peguero-Rosario regularly traveled from New York City to locations in Pennsylvania to retrieve UPS and Fed Ex packages containing thousands of dollars in cash. These packages were sent by elderly victims, who were induced to send the money based upon false claims that their grandchildren had been arrested and charged with serious crimes and, consequently, were in immediate need of money. These false claims were made to the elderly victims in phone calls that they received from oversees co-conspirators in the Dominican Republic, who posed either as the victims’ grandchildren or as attorneys representing the victims’ grandchildren.
At his sentencing, Peguero-Rosario was ordered to pay $220,000.00 in restitution to the victims of the scheme.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation –Philadelphia Division, and its state and local law enforcement partners in Berks County, PA. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
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New York Man Pleads Guilty to Passing Counterfeit Currency at Stores in Monroe CountyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ahmed Brima, age 36, of Staten Island, New York, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley, to the charge of passing counterfeit federal reserve notes.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Brima admitted that on May 16, 2023, he passed or attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at the CVS Pharmacy in East Stroudsburg, the Rite Aid in Stroudsburg, the Rite Aid in East Stroudsburg, the Walgreens in Stroud Township, and the Dollar General in East Stroudsburg. Brima was apprehended after the incident at the CVS Pharmacy in East Stroudsburg. The total amount of counterfeit currency that Brima passed, attempted to pass, or possessed was $3800.
The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for each charge 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.
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Inmate at FCI Schuylkill Pleads Guilty to Possession of Contraband in PrisonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyrik Brown, age 29, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on January 24, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of possession of contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Brown, formerly of Washington D.C., admitted to possessing a dangerous prison-made weapon, commonly known as a “shank.” The charge stems from an incident in April 2023 in which staff at FCI Schuylkill found Brown in possession of the weapon.
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 is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law is five 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.
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Indian National Sentenced to 57 Months for Defrauding Scam VictimsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rishi Budhadev, age 38, was sentenced yesterday to 57 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Budhadev is a citizen of India and has resided in Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia during visits to the United States.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Budhadev was found to be responsible at sentencing for over half a million dollars in fraudulent money transfers made to him between October and December 2015. Fraud victims transferred these funds to him through MoneyGram and Western Union wire transfers and through cash deposits to bank accounts that Budhadev opened and controlled.
The government’s investigation determined that Budhadev, working with other unnamed co-conspirators, defrauded victims using common advance-fee mass marketing scams. The government found that Budhadev received nearly 500 MoneyGram money transfers worth over $500,000, including about 300 transfers that he picked up from seven different Walmart stores around the Richmond area. Budhadev also received around 20 Western Union money transfers and over $40,000 in deposits to his bank accounts. The government’s investigation also determined that around 50 people who sent funds to Budhadev subsequently identified themselves to MoneyGram and Western Union as victims of various scams, including investment scams, romance scams, person-in-need scams, internet purchase scams, IRS tax scams, and loan scams. At sentencing, dozens more individuals who sent funds to Budhadev identified themselves as fraud victims.
At the time of his guilty plea, Budhadev admitted to receiving a series of fraudulent MoneyGram money transfers from several individuals he did not know in October 2015. He also admitted to receiving a fraudulent deposit for $9,000 in his checking account from a person he did not know. He admitted to receiving each of these transfers at the request of a coconspirator located in India. In each of these transactions, Budhadev admitted believing that the funds being transmitted to him had very likely been obtained through fraud. He admitted consciously using deliberate efforts to avoid confirming the fraudulent nature of these transactions, despite his concerns that they were fraudulent.
Budhadev admitted to using the proceeds of the fraudulent MoneyGram money transfers to purchase iPhones, which he delivered to the same coconspirator located in India in February 2016. He also admitted to personally withdrawing the $9,000 in cash from his bank account the same day that it was deposited and later delivering the cash to the same coconspirator in India around February 2016.
Budhadev maintained that he was responsible only for the fraudulent activity that he admitted to during his guilty plea. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson determined that the evidence showed Budhadev to be responsible for the entire amount of fraudulent activity alleged by the United States, in the amount of $584,276.84.
In addition to the sentence of 57 months, Budhadev was also ordered to pay $62,672.29 in restitution to fraud victims and to serve a period of supervised release of three years following his imprisonment. Budhadev faces potential deportation following his term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
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Monroe County Man Sentenced to Eight Years’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Entice A MinorRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on January 19, 2024, Matthew Robinson, age 31, formerly of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for attempting to entice a minor online.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Robinson pleaded guilty to attempting to entice an individual under the age of 18 to engage in sexual intercourse, between July 16, 2022 and August 2, 2022. During that time period, Robinson exchanged sexually explicit conversations and photographs with a person that he believed to be 13 years of age. Robinson has been in custody since his arrest on August 2, 2022.
The case was investigated by agents from Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
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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Pottsville Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Hacking into the Snapchat Accounts of Dozens of Female Victims and Selling Their Private PhotographsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brandon B. Boyer, age 34, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 18, 2024, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to 18 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of supervised release, for the computer hacking offense of obtaining information from protected computers.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, for a two-year period from approximately February 2020 to February 2022, Boyer unlawfully accessed the computers of dozens of adult female victims in order to search for and obtain nude photographs that he could then sell. Boyer accessed victims’ Snapchat accounts at the behest of “clients” who paid him to break into the accounts and obtain the images. Boyer admitted that he accomplished this, in part, through use of an app that allowed him to send text messages to victims posing as a Snapchat representative. Through a technique known as “phishing,” Boyer then coaxed the victims into changing their passwords and sending him the verification codes that were generated. This allowed him to then access the otherwise private sections of the accounts. Boyer acknowledged earning between $50,000 and $60,000 from this activity. Some of Boyer’s “clients” utilized the photographs that they obtained via Boyer to cyberstalk and to attempt to extort victims into providing additional photographs.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
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Hazleton Tax Preparer Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Preparing & Filing Hundreds of False Tax Returns Claiming over $800,000.00 of False Education CreditsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Leidi M. Paulino, age 46, owner of LP Multiservices, a tax preparation business located in Freeland, PA, was sentenced on January 19, 2024, by United States District Judge Julia K. Munley, to 24 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a one-year term of supervised release, for the offense of aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in unearned education credits.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, over the course of 2019 and 2020, Paulino assisted hundreds of clients in preparing and filing false tax returns that were materially false in that they sought on the clients' behalf certain education tax credits, including the American opportunity tax credit, to which the clients were not entitled. Indeed, the vast majority of Paulino's clients were not enrolled in college at all. Paulino’s conduct resulted in hundreds of thousand dollars of loss to the government
At her sentencing, Paulino was ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the amount of $888,377.00.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
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Hungarian Woman Sentenced for Fraud and Money Laundering for Selling Counterfeit ArtRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Zsanett Nagy, age 32, was given a sentence of time served, followed by two years of supervised release, for the offense of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Nagy was previously indicted, along with her then-husband Earl Marshawn Washington, for selling counterfeit artistic goods known as “woodblocks” or “woodcuts” to various buyers and then laundering the proceeds from the sale of those goods between 2018 and 2021. Washington and Nagy both pleaded guilty last year.
According to the indictment, xylography is the art of making “woodcuts,” or engravings made from wooden blocks, especially for printing using historical techniques. In traditional xylography, an artist uses a sharpened tool to carve a design into the surface of a woodblock. The raised areas that remain after the block has been cut are inked and printed, while the recessed areas that are cut away do not retain ink and will remain blank in the final print. Woodblock images can be printed onto paper, fabrics, textiles, or other materials. The technique has been used in different geographic regions at different times. One woodblock tradition stems from Germany starting around the 14th century and continuing for several hundred years thereafter.
Washington and Nagy sold inauthentic woodblocks and prints made from woodblocks that they as advertised as being from between the 15th and early 20th centuries. The buyers included a pair of woodblock collectors residing in France, as well as a buyer of a woodblock print who then resided in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The buyers of the woodblocks in France made PayPal payments to Nagy before learning that the woodblocks they purchased were not from the 15th and 16th centuries, as advertised. Nagy received these payments, moved the proceeds to a bank account in her name, and then quickly converted the proceeds to cash through withdrawals of several thousand dollars or more.
Nagy was ordered to pay restitution to these victims in the amount of $107,159.25. She also faces potential deportation for her conviction.
Washington is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2024.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Art Crime Team.
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York County Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Possession of A Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hakim Jamison, age 37, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 16, 2023, to 60 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Jamison previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Jamison purchased a .45 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol and a box of Winchester .45 caliber ammunition from Stoneybrook Shooting Supply for two codefendants, who were using those firearms in furtherance of their own drug trafficking activities.
Codefendants Shiloh Idris Johnson and Kadie Jean Swartz are scheduled for trial on April 1, 2024.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.
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Dauphin County Man Sentenced for Straw Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Riley Simmons, age 32, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 16, 2023, to time-served (13 months in prison) by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for making materially false statements in connection with acquisition of firearms. Judge Conner also ordered Simmons to serve a two-year term of supervised release, including six months on home detention, and to pay a $700 fine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Simmons previously pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Between September 2018 and February 2019, Simmons purchased five firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees in Dauphin and Cumberland Counties, knowing that they were for friends who were prohibited from possessing them due to prior felony convictions. Three of the firearms were later recovered in possession of felons with whom Simmons lived or associated. One of the firearms was used in a Harrisburg shooting in February 2019 and one bore the print of an individual wanted for attempted murder in Williamsport. Two of the firearms remain missing today.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.
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Lebanon Man Sentenced to 106 Months' Imprisonment for Cocaine-Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Warionex Martinez-Medina, age 35, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 106 months’ imprisonment for attempting to possess with intent to distribute approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that offense.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Martinez-Medina previously admitted to accepting a package that he believed contained over 2 kilograms of cocaine. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Martinez-Medina’s Lebanon residence, they found a loaded handgun, drug-packaging materials, and over $123,000.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli 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.
# # #Harrisburg Man and Woman Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Steal Cell Phone ShipmentsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Parmod Kumar, age 41, and Reecha Saini, age 36, both of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for conspiring to steal interstate shipments of cell phones. The Court sentenced Kumar to 12 months’ imprisonment and Saini to 8 months’ imprisonment. The Court also ordered that Kumar and Saini pay over $142,000 in restitution.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Kumar and Saini previously admitted that from 2018 to 2021, they enlisted employees at a UPS facility in Harrisburg to steal packages that they believed contained smartphones. Kumar and Saini then paid the employees for the phones and arranged for their sale at a convenience store in Harrisburg. The stolen phones had a total value of over $142,000.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Swatara Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
# # #U.S. Attorney’s Office Files Lawsuit Against Franklin County Jail Alleging It Discriminated Against Officer with Lyme DiseaseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that it filed a lawsuit charging Franklin County Jail (the Jail) with violating Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The lawsuit alleges that the Jail unlawfully terminated a correctional officer whose disability substantially limited her ability to walk, stand, concentrate, and sleep. The correctional officer sought, but was denied, a modification of the Jail’s policy that a probationary employee could only have two unscheduled absences during her probationary period. Although the Jail initially provided the employee an accommodation, it later relied on the absence policy to terminate her.
“Employers must make reasonable accommodations so that employees with disabilities can earn a living,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam. “Lyme Disease creates debilitating health issues for numerous Pennsylvanians yearly, and employers should find reasonable solutions to allow employees with any kind of disability to work and not terminate them because of that disability. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to enforce civil rights laws and ensure equal employment opportunities for all.”
Title I of the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against a qualified individual on the basis of disability in regard to the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees; employee compensation; and other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. An employer may not demote, terminate, or deny employment opportunities to an employee who is otherwise qualified if the demotion or termination is based on the need to make reasonable accommodations for the employee.
The U.S. Employment Opportunity Commission, Philadelphia District Office, found that the Jail violated the ADA and referred the matter to the Department of Justice. The United States is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Butler, Civil Rights Coordinator, and Attorney Kimberly Scheckner of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section.
For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
The complaint alleges unlawful conduct, but the United States must still prove that allegation in federal court.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Pedro Millan-Montero, age 36, of Mexico, was indicted on January 3, 2024, 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 Millan-Montero was previously removed from the United States on June 15, 2012, through Hidalgo, Texas, 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 December 14, 2023, Millan-Montero was encountered in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
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 ten 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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Native of Mexico Indicted on Illegal Reentry ChargeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Abel Rodriguez-Moreno, age 43, of Chiapas, Mexico, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on a charge of illegal reentry
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Rodriguez-Moreno was previously removed from the United States on June 27, 2012, through Calexico, California, 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 October 29, 2023, Rodriguez-Moreno was encountered in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Chambersburg Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark G. Monroe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is two 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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Pottsville Man Sentenced to 45 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Antwain Sharrell Davender, age 38, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on December 28, 2023, by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to 45 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a 4-year period of supervised release, for methamphetamine trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from approximately January 2022 until April 29, 2022, in Schuylkill County, PA, Davender possessed with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. A felon convicted of a prior drug trafficking offense and therefore not permitted to possess firearms, Davender also unlawfully possessed an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pottsville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John 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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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 70 Months’ Imprisonment for Crystal Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Yerigardy Tejeda-Zoquier, age 23, of West Hazleton, Luzerne County, was sentenced on December 21, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to 70 months’ imprisonment on the charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Tejeda-Zoquier previously pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of highly pure crystal methamphetamine for further distribution in the Luzerne County and Carbon County areas in 2021. Investigators purchased crystal methamphetamine from Tejeda-Zoquier on multiple occasions between January and March 2021, in both Luzerne and Carbon Counties, and then seized additional crystal methamphetamine from two vehicles utilized by Tejeda-Zoquier.
The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Committing $350,000 in Covid-19 Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Daniel Wasielewski, age 59, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on December 21, 2023, by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 24 months of imprisonment, for committing pandemic fraud. Wasielewski also was sentenced to serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Wasielewski pleaded guilty to filing and assisting others in filing 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. The PPP and EIDL applications submitted by Wasielewski and his coconspirators were filed on behalf of corporate entities that did not, in fact, have actual business operations, and that bore false revenues and other business information. The applications also included forged IRS tax documents and stolen personal information.
Wasielewski received approximately $350,000 in PPP, EIDL, PUA, and other fraudulently-obtained funds, for himself and others. Instead of using the funds on business expenses, Wasielewski and others used them to purchase cryptocurrency and on other personal expenses. Banking and law enforcement officials successfully froze and recovered approximately $150,000 of the stolen funds, and Wasielewski was ordered to pay restitution to the remaining victims.
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.
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 case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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