Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that James J. Peperno, Jr., age 57, of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, was convicted following a jury trial, of conspiracy, federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, Travel Act, false statement, and perjury offenses. The nine-day trial was held before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton.

Peperno was convicted of soliciting cash payments and debt forgiveness from a local business owner, to provide to Robert Semenza, Jr., the former President of the Old Forge Borough Council. Peperno also was convicted of providing and promising cash and future employment to Semenza, in exchange for Semenza performing and promising to perform official acts, in relation to a state court civil litigation between Old Forge Borough and the local business owner. Semenza advocated on behalf of the local business owner with the Old Forge Borough Council, the Old Forge Borough Solicitor, and Old Forge zoning officials, including by proposing a resolution to the civil litigation that had been prepared by Peperno. Peperno kept the majority of the cash payments paid by the local business owner.

Peperno also was convicted of making false statements and giving perjured testimony in connection with an outstanding restitution obligation owed from a prior federal conviction for mail fraud. Peperno claimed, in a written filing and when testifying under oath, that he did not have any income or access to any bank accounts, despite receiving approximately $6,000 from the local business owner, in the weeks immediately preceding his false statements and perjured testimony. Peperno, who owed approximately $390,000 on his outstanding restitution obligation, had not made any payments towards that debt in approximately one and one-half years.

The jury returned a guilty verdict after approximately seven hours of deliberation. Peperno was convicted of: one count of conspiring to commit federal program bribery and honest services wire fraud; two counts of federal program bribery; two counts of honest services wire fraud; one count of violating the Travel Act; one count of false statements; and two counts of perjury. The jury acquitted Peperno of money laundering charges.

Robert Semenza, Jr., pleaded guilty in June 2021 to federal program bribery, and awaits sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offense is 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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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rauon Gordon, age 28, a former inmate of FCI Allenwood, pled guilty on September 7, 2022, before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann, to possessing contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gordon admitted that he possessed buprenorphine, a Schedule III narcotic, while he was an inmate at FCI Allenwood, in White Deer, Pennsylvania. The charge stemmed from an incident on September 21, 2021, when correctional officers searched Gordon and found 16 paper strips of Suboxone in his right pants pocket. Laboratory testing confirmed the Suboxone contained buprenorphine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman are prosecuting the case.

Chief Judge Brann ordered the U.S. Probation Office to complete a presentence investigation report for Gordon. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

The maximum penalty for possessing contraband in prison is five years’ imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that an inmate at the United States Penitentiary, Canaan, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton for assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Isiah Robinson, age 36, with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm and possessing contraband in prison. The charges stem from an incident in October 2020 in which Robinson stabbed another inmate with a prison made weapon commonly known as a “shank.”  

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.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for each charge is 10 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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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Juan Diaz, age 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for a drug delivery resulting in death.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Diaz previously pleaded guilty to selling a mixture of heroin and fentanyl that killed a Cumberland County man on March 3, 2018. First responders found the victim deceased in his Mechanicsburg apartment surrounded by empty heroin bags stamped with the word “Venom.” The Cumberland County Drug Task Force and the Harrisburg City Police Vice Unit were able to trace the sale of fatal drugs to Diaz through a series of undercover drug operations.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mechanicsburg Police Department, Cumberland County Drug Task Force, and the Harrisburg City Police Department.  

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

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HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Nana Mensah, age 37, of Delaware, was sentenced to 99 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson following Mensah’s conviction on 15 counts of mail fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft. Judge Wilson also ordered Mensah to pay restitution to Sprint, Inc. in the amount of $357,565.92. 

Judge Wilson also sentenced co-defendant Shaderick Jojo Opare, age 32, of Reading, Pennsylvania, to three days’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.  Opare was also ordered to pay restitution to Sprint, Inc. in the amount of $185,272.  

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Mensah and Opare were involved in an international scheme in which co-conspirators, often located in Ghana, would steal victims’ identity in order to open Sprint cell phone accounts.  As part of opening the new accounts, the co-conspirators would order new cell phones and have them delivered to vacant homes where they would be picked up by other co-conspirators and eventually resold. The conspiracy involved more than 270 packages containing over 830 cell phones that were valued at over $595,000.  The conspiracy took advantage of over 240 identity theft victims. 

Mensah and Opare’s codefendants were initially indicted in November of 2017, with the following codefendants: 

• Patrick Barkers-Woode was sentenced on July 13, 2022, to 111 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $357,565.92 in restitution following his conviction of 15 counts of mail fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and identity theft;   

• Jason Moskovitz was sentenced on July 13, 2022, to 39 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $201,574 in restitution following pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft;

• Mody Kalle was sentenced on March 4, 2020, to two years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $201,574 in restitution following pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft; and

• Sean Murphy was sentenced on August 27, 2020, to two years’ probation and ordered to pay $79,944 in restitution following pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.    

The investigation was handled by Homeland Security Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Delaware State Police, and the Derry Township Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott R. Ford and Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case. 

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Scranton physician, Kurt Moran, age 70, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 140 months’ imprisonment for unlawful distribution of controlled substances and engaging in a health care fraud scheme.

According to the United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Moran previously pleaded guilty to crimes related to the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Subsys), maintaining drug-involved premises, and health care fraud.  As part of his plea agreement, Moran also agreed that he knowingly and intentionally distributed oxycodone and fentanyl, Schedule II controlled substances, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purposes, and that the death of one of his patients resulted from the use of the substances. 

With respect to the health care fraud scheme, Moran admitted that between December 2014 and through 2017, he conspired with others to receive bribes in exchange for prescribing the drug Subsys (sublingual fentanyl spray) to his patients.  Subsys is a transmucosal immediate release fentanyl (TIRF) drug.  It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only for use in cancer patients suffering from breakthrough cancer pain.  Moran admitted that Insys Therapeutics paid him approximately $140,000 over a two-year period to prescribe Subsys to his patients for pain not associated with cancer.  In order to conceal and disguise that kickbacks and bribes were being paid to Moran to prescribe Subsys, the company falsely designated the payments to Moran as “honoraria” for purportedly providing educational presentations regarding Subsys.  Moran prescribed millions of micrograms of the sublingual fentanyl spray to patients with no cancer diagnosis and not suffering from breakthrough cancer pain.  

Moran surrendered his DEA registration on September 18, 2020.  His license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was suspended on October 7, 2020.

Judge Mariani ordered Moran to serve 3 years of supervised release upon release from custody.  Forfeiture of illicit proceeds were also ordered forfeited by Judge Mariani and included unlawful proceeds in the amount of $140,000; his medical license; the contents of a bank account in the amount of $12,570.45; and $5,430.00 seized from Moran in January 2018. 

Restitution in the amount of $6,586.00 related to funeral expenses was also ordered.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) located in Scranton, the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Michael Consiglio 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.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Johnathan Fisher, age 40, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 29, 2022, to 151 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for methamphetamine trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Fisher possessed with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine on May 7, 2020, in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Fisher also possessed a Remington .380 handgun and a Stevens 12-gauge shotgun when he knew that his previous convictions prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Waynesboro Police Department, and the Franklin County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating 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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HARRISBURG – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyrone Smith, age 31, of Chester, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 235 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for his role in distributing at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in central and southeastern Pennsylvania.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Smith conspired to and did distribute approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine from June of 2017 until December 19, 2020, in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lancaster, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Philadelphia counties.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as many law enforcement agencies in the counties where the distribution activities were occurring. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William A. Behe and Christian Haugsby 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.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense was life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Patrick Raymond Russin, age 52, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, was charged yesterday by criminal information with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.    

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that between January 2021 and March 12, 2022, Russin conspired to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl in Luzerne County. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kingston Municipal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 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.

Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nyree Letterlough, a/k/a “Gram” or “Grammie,” age 51, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 29, 2022, to 111 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for cocaine trafficking and weapons offenses.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in November 2021, a jury convicted Letterlough of drug trafficking, possessing a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a stolen gun. These items were seized during a February 1, 2018, sweep of her home and other properties associated with her and her fellow drug trafficker, Saqueena Williams, a/k/a “Queenie,” following a years-long investigation.   

Williams, the operator of Queenies Café, was convicted at the same trial of running a drug trafficking conspiracy from 2012 to 2018. The jury found that Williams trafficked in excess of five kilograms of cocaine, and that she possessed guns in furtherance of her drug trafficking operation.

Letterlough surrendered her interests in Grams Grill, located in Harrisburg, and other property. Williams also surrendered her interests in Queenies Café, located in Harrisburg, as well as the liquor license and other properties.

At Letterlough’s sentencing, issues regarding the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines were resolved after hearing argument from the parties. The sentence of 111 months’imprisonment imposed by Judge Conner was within the sentencing guideline range

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Harrisburg Police Department and numerous other law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio and Samuel Dalke are prosecuting the case.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Martin Perez-Amaro, age 33, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for illegally reentering the United States after being previously deported.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Perez-Amaro, who had been deported on two prior occasions, most recently in 2018, unlawfully reentered the country sometime thereafter and was located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, in May of 2022.  Perez-Amaro did not obtain the required authorization prior to reentering the country.  He had pleaded guilty to the offense immediately before sentencing.      

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Scranton Police Officer, Jeffrey J. Vaughn, age 50, was charged yesterday by criminal information with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

The information alleges that Vaughn, while working as a sergeant in the Scranton Police Department, which is an entity that receives over $10,000 a year in federal funding, knowingly obtained by fraud over $5,000 in compensation that was paid to him for certain extra duty patrol shifts at local, lower-income housing complexes that Vaughn claimed to work but did not in fact work.

The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The charges contained in a criminal information are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tashan Layton, age 32, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 24, 2022, to 256 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for armed bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, and violating the conditions of his supervised release that had been imposed for a previous federal bank robbery conviction.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Layton robbed the Santander Bank in Oakhurst Plaza, Dauphin County on July 6, 2019, and again on October 28, 2019, stealing more than $67,000 during these robberies.  Layton also attempted to rob the MidPenn Bank on North Second Street in Harrisburg, in July 2019, and the Americhoice Credit Union in Camp Hill, on December 31, 2019. Layton possessed and brandished a Ruger .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun during and in relation to the robbery offenses.

Layton pleaded guilty to robbing the Santander Bank and to using and brandishing a firearm during both of the robberies. Layton previously served a seven-year federal sentence for bank robbery, and was released from prison in that case approximately one month before he robbed the Santander Bank in July 2019.

In addition to the 235-month sentence Judge Wilson imposed for the robbery and firearm offenses, she sentenced Layton to a consecutive 21-months’ imprisonment for violating the terms of supervised release that he had been serving at the time he committed the robberies.

The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance by the Harrisburg Police Bureau, the Susquehanna Township and Lower Allen Township Police Departments.  AUSA Christian Haugsby prosecuted the case.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Warionex Martinez-Medina, age 34, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for drug-trafficking and firearms offenses. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on March 24, 2022, Martinez-Medina attempted to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.  The indictment also alleges that Martinez-Medina possessed a handgun in furtherance of that crime.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is imprisonment for life, 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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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Richard Ansley, age 39, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was indicted on August 11, 2022, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Ansley with distribution of fentanyl on December 2, 2021, and with illegally possessing a .45 caliber Glock pistol on December 6, 2021, in Lycoming County.

The matter was investigated by the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin 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.

This case was also brought 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 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 related offenses.

The maximum penalty for the most serious offense is up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eric Clark, age 32, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, was indicted on August 18, 2022, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Clark distributed quantities of fentanyl on June 1, 2022 and again on August 3, 2022, in Northumberland County.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Shamokin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel 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.

This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Harvey Dulgar, age 28, of Salem, Oregon was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for making interstate threats.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in July 2021, Dulgar placed a call from Oregon to the Montgomery Area School District.  Dulgar left a threatening message on the school’s answering machine including stating that it would be “a school of ashes” that there would be “dead kids along the way.”  Dulgar entered a guilty plea to making interstate threats in March 2022.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting this case.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marshall Martinez, age 37, a federal inmate, was indicted on August 16, 2022, by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on or about June 3, 2022, while an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood, in White Deer, Pennsylvania, Martinez possessed a 5-inch blade of sharpened plastic, commonly referred to as a “shank.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel are prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a 3-year term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 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 are only allegations.  All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Dwight Smith, age 48, of Baltimore, Maryland was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for attempting to provide contraband to inmates at the Federal Correctional Center, Allenwood.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in 2016 Smith entered a wooded area on grounds of the Allenwood prison complex dressed in camouflage.  Smith possessed a backpack containing various items of contraband including synthetic marijuana, tobacco and cell-phones which were to be thrown over the fence of the Low Security institution where they would later be recovered by inmates.  Smith entered a guilty plea to attempting to provide contraband in February 2022.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting this case.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Balmoth Alberto Caceres-Henriquez, age 36, of Sonsonate, El Salvador, was indicted by a federal grand jury on illegal reentry charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Caceres-Henriquez was removed from the United States on October 24, 2006, through Harlingen Texas, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so.  The indictment also alleges that on June 1, 2022, Caceres-Henriquez was encountered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Carlisle Borough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 2 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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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jaykwan Mitchell, age 20, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on October 25, 2021, in Harrisburg, Mitchell possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) and possessed a Glock model 21 Gen 4 .45 caliber pistol in furtherance of the above-alleged drug trafficking crime.  The indictment also alleges that on January 11, 2022, Mitchell possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessed a Glock style 9mm pistol in furtherance of the above-alleged drug trafficking crime. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms Bureau (ATF) and the Harrisburg Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, respectively, 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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HARRISBURG, The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kyle Jones, age 25, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on March 17, 2021, Jones possessed with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and over 40 grams of fentanyl in Dauphin County. The indictment also alleges that Jones possessed a loaded Ruger .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number, and a loaded Hi-Point .380 caliber pistol, in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. At the time of the offense, the indictment alleges that Jones had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, making him a person prohibited to possess a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. (ATF), the Susquehanna Township Police Department, and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating 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.

This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is a life term 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.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 17, 2022, Christopher Edwards, age 51, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and a $25 special assessment by Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle for possessing an iPhone in prison.  The sentence will run consecutively to Edwards’ current federal sentence for trafficking cocaine and cocaine base in Easton, Pennsylvania.  Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Prisons sanctioned Edwards by disallowing 41 days of good time, placing Edwards in disciplinary segregation for 45 days, and suspending Edwards’ phone privileges for 14 months.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Edwards was an inmate housed at the prison camp of the United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.  On October 22, 2021, a correctional officer spotted Edwards throw a sock down a housing range.  The officer retrieved the sock, which held an iPhone, charging cord, and tool for removing SIM cards.  Edwards admitted that he purchased the phone from another inmate.  Federal law prohibits inmates from possessing cellphones to ensure institutional security.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel prosecuted the case.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Terrell Watson, age 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking offenses.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Watson with conspiring to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine as well as a quantity of fentanyl.  Watson is also charged with two counts of distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of distributing fentanyl within Luzerne County, all between July of 2021 and April of 2022.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Kingston Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan 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.

This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ian Keith Thompson, age 32, of New York, New York, was sentenced today to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Chief Judge Brann also ordered Thompson to pay $339,804 in restitution to Sprint.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Thompson and his codefendants, Horace Henry, age 44, Andrew Craig Herdsman, age 35, and George Bobb, age 38, all New York residents, devised a scheme to defraud Sprint.  As part of the scheme, the conspirators fraudulently entered into cell phone service contracts using the personal identification information of 264 real persons, without those persons’ consent.  In doing so, they caused the shipment of approximately 892 iPhones to Centre, Northumberland, Montour, and Mifflin Counties in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Sprint incurred actual and attempted losses totaling in excess of $750,000. During the scheme, Thompson and his codefendants used shipment tracking numbers to determine when packages containing iPhones were scheduled for delivery. They then traveled from New York to the individual victims’ residences, and retrieved the packages at the delivery locations, or directly from delivery persons using counterfeit identification documents bearing the personal identification information of the individual victims and photos of the conspirators.

Thompson’s codefendants received the following sentences:

• Horace Henry – sentenced on February 28, 2022, to 144 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $705,803 restitution to Sprint after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identify theft;

• Andrew Craig Herdsman – sentenced on August 19, 2021, to 36 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $511,573 restitution to Sprint after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identify theft; and,

• George Bobb - sentenced on July 27, 2021, to 33 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and $339,804 restitution to Sprint after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Delaware State Police, and the Spring Township Police Department, Patton Township Police Department, State College Police Department, with the cooperation and assistance of Sprint and Sprint Fraud Management.  Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel prosecuted the case.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Special Agent from the U.S. Department of Labor, Thomas Hartley, age 48, of Henryville, Pennsylvania, was charged yesterday in a second superseding indictment with engaging in multiple schemes to commit fraud.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the second superseding indictment alleges that Hartley, while on leave from his position with the Department of Labor and serving with the New Jersey National Guard, submitted false documents to the Department of the Army and thereby obtained approximately $23,580 in housing allowance funds to which he was not entitled. The indictment charges Hartley with theft of government funds and three counts of false statements regarding the Department of the Army housing allowance.

In addition, the second superseding indictment charges Hartley with fraud in connection with the receipt of Pennsylvania unemployment compensation benefits.  The indictment alleges that Hartley fraudulently applied for and collected unemployment benefits by claiming that he was unemployed, when in fact Hartley was employed on full time active duty with the New Jersey National Guard. Further, Hartley failed to disclose that he was on military leave from his full-time federal civilian employment with the United States Department of Labor. Hartley thereby collected approximately $60,284 in unemployment compensation funds to which he was not entitled. The indictment charges Hartley with four counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of theft of government funds in connection with his fraudulent unemployment compensation scheme. 

Further, the second superseding indictment charges Hartley with fraudulently obtaining approximately $127,000 from his Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) by falsely claiming that he was not married, when in fact he was at all times married. Hartley thereby transferred the funds to himself personally, or to a bank account solely in his name, without the knowledge or consent of his wife.  The indictment charges Hartley with wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements in connection with his scheme to defraud the thrift savings plan and his wife.

Finally, the second superseding indictment charges Hartley with fraud in connection with the filing of a lost wage claim with USAA Insurance following an automobile accident.  Hartley falsely claimed that he had lost wages as a result of the automobile accident, when in fact Hartley was suspended without pay from his employment with the Department of Labor as a result of an ongoing criminal investigation. Hartley thereby collected approximately $50,000 in lost wage benefits to which he was not entitled. The indictment charges Hartley with five counts of wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent claim for lost wage benefits.

The charges against Hartley resulted from an investigation conducted by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Special Investigations; the United States Army, Criminal Investigation Division; and the USAA Insurance Special Investigations Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

Under federal law, the charges of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud carry up to a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The charge of Theft of Government Funds carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The charge of False Statements carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments 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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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 15, 2022, Robin Jean Seredych, age 65, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to two years of probation by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner following her conviction for mail fraud as part of a Nigerian-based fraud scheme. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Seredych fraudulently obtained credit cards of legitimate account holders by accessing their accounts and having additional cards sent to her address in York. Seredych then used those unauthorized credit cards to purchase merchandise and obtain cash advances, converting the property and money to her own use. The fraud impacted individuals throughout the United States, as well as national retailers, banks, auction houses, and local businesses within central Pennsylvania. 

As part of the sentence, Judge Conner ordered Seredych to pay victims restitution in the amount of $180,922.51 and to serve 150 days of her probation on home detention.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Northern York County Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.

# # #  

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William Nneji, age 55, of Canada and Nigeria, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Nneji conspired with his codefendant brother, Chima Nneji, codefendant Alex Mgbolu, and other unnamed individuals between July 2002 and May 2010, to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering by receiving money transfers from victims of international mass marketing fraud, processing those transfers using fictitious names, pooling the proceeds of those fraud induced money transfers, and then laundering those proceeds to coconspirators in the United States and Nigeria.   

William Nneji agreed, as part of his plea agreement, that he was responsible for approximately $606,967 in losses to victims processed through two companies, including one owned by his brother, codefendant Chima Nneji, and one owned by his wife. 

Codefendants Chima Nneji and Alex Mgbolu both previously pleaded guilty to the same charge.  Chima Nneji and Alex Mgbolu were sentenced to terms of imprisonment in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Both codefendants were extradited to the United States from Canada, whereas William Nneji, from the time of his indictment until November 2021, had been a fugitive.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Moody, age 34, of York, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury of assault on federal employees.    

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard Karam, the indictment alleges that on December 10, 2020, Moody assaulted two of his fellow postal employees causing bodily injury. 

The matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Springettsbury Township Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.   

The maximum penalty for this offense is up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Johvaughan Young, age 23, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Young purchased 13 handguns between June 30, 2020 and September 14, 2021, in Dauphin and Cumberland Counties, claiming that the guns were for himself when in fact they were not. The indictment also alleges that Young was engaged in the unlicensed business of dealing in firearms.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Harrisburg Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating 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.

This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations.  All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marvin Agustin-Vasquez, age 39, of Guatemala, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on a charge of illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Agustin-Vasquez was removed from the United States on May 28, 2021, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so. The indictment  alleges that on June 28, 2022, Agustin-Vasquez was found in Dauphin County.   

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eseyuiel Caraballo, age 37, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to five years of probation for making false statements when purchasing firearms.  

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Caraballo previously admitted to making false statements when he purchased or attempted to purchase eighteen firearms at various stores in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Schuylkill Counties between March 2017 and August 2018. With respect to each purchase or attempted purchase, Caraballo falsely represented that he was the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact he purchased or attempted to purchase the firearms for other individuals.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  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.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Todd Houghtlin, age 52, of Duryea, Luzerne County, pleaded guilty on August 2, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal possession of a firearm.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Houghtlin admitted to possessing fentanyl for further distribution in Luzerne County in 2020 and to being a user of illegal drugs in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charges stem from an incident, in July 2020, in which law enforcement investigators conducted a stop of Houghtlin’s vehicle and found him in possession of 50 packets containing fentanyl, as well as a .380 caliber pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition. Further investigation revealed that Houghtlin purchased fentanyl on multiple occasions which he sold to others.

Houghtlin previously worked as a police office in Pittston Township but had his police certification suspended by the Municipal Police Officer’s Education and Training Commission.  (MPOETC). 

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County Drug Task Force and the Kingston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

Judge Mariani ordered that a presentence report be completed for Houghtlin.  Sentencing has been scheduled for November 1, 2022.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty for the drug trafficking offense is twenty years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  The maximum penalty for the firearms offense is ten years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Lorenz Quiambao, age 41, of Easton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 9, 2022, to 120 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for using the internet to attempt to entice a 12-year-old minor female to engage in prohibited sex acts.  

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on September 25, 2020, during an on-line communication with a law enforcement officer posing as the mother of a minor female, Quiambao agreed to pay money to the mother in exchange for receiving oral sex from the minor and having other sexual contact with the minor and then traveled to a location in Tannersville, PA for the purpose of meeting the mother and minor and paying for sex.  Quiambao was arrested on scene.

At sentencing, Judge Mariani also ordered Quiambao to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St. John prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

# # #

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hope Carbone, age 72, and Donna Venturini, age 70, both of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, were sentenced on August 5, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to two years of probation for conspiring to evade federal excise taxes on imported large cigars.  

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Carbone and Venturini previously admitted to conspiring with Jose Dominguez, the owner of cigar manufacturer Victor Sinclair Cigars, to evade the excise taxes imposed on the importation of Victor Sinclair manufactured cigars from 2009 to 2011.  Carbone and Venturini served as the U.S. importer for Victor Sinclair Cigars, which is located in the Dominican Republic.  Through fraudulent invoices, Dominguez, Carbone, and Venturini collected approximately $3.9 million in excise taxes from U.S. purchasers of Victor Sinclair manufactured cigars.  Of that amount, the co-conspirators paid only approximately $2.1 million to the government, retaining approximately $1.8 million for themselves.  As part of their sentence, Carbone and Venturini were ordered to pay restitution.

Jose Dominguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to evade federal excise taxes in June 2022.  He is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the INternal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Department of Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli and Joseph J. Terz prosecuted the case.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 5, 2022, Den Lam, age 48, and Danny Sing, age 59, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged in criminal informations with various federal tax offenses and commercial bribery.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information filed against Den Lam alleges that he conspired with other individuals to evade federal income taxes for approximately $1,600,000 in wages paid by Global Staffing Services, Inc. (Global Staffing), a temporary staffing company that he and his coconspirators owned and operated.  Global Staffing leased temporary employees to a manufacturing business in northeastern Pennsylvania.  Den Lam also was charged with failing to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Global Staffing to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The information filed against Danny Sing alleges that he conspired with other individuals to evade federal income taxes for approximately $1,600,000 in wages paid by Global Staffing, and to fail to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes to the IRS.  Den Lam and Danny Sing allegedly paid Global Staffing employees in cash, paid themselves in cash, and cashed all checks received from Global Staffing’s client, to conceal the income and wages from the IRS.  The criminal activities allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2020.  Sing also was charged with allegedly providing in excess of approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks to managers and supervisors at Global Staffing’s client, to obtain business for Global Staffing.

Three other individuals were previously prosecuted in this investigation:

1. Mark Holmes, age 66, of Hughes Springs, Texas, pleaded guilty to failing to remit approximately $135,000 in employment taxes to the IRS that were owed by Encore.  Holmes also pleaded guilty to accepting, as the General Manager of a Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks from two temporary staffing companies, one of which was Penns Independent Staffing, in exchange for hiring their employees.  The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $7,800,000 from Holmes’s employer.  Holmes awaits sentencing.

1. Nari Lam, age 29, of Wilmington, Delaware, pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS.  From 2016 through 2020, Nari Lam, the owner of Pennsylvania-based temporary staffing company Penns Independent Staffing, failed to pay approximately $300,000 in employment taxes owed by Penns Independent Staffing to the IRS.  Nari Lam awaits sentencing.

1. Madeline Nieves, age 48, of Plains, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on tax fraud and conspiracy offenses.  Nieves allegedly conspired with other individuals to defraud the IRS, from 2018 to 2020, in connection with a temporary staffing company, Encore Staffing Solutions LLC (Encore), that she and her coconspirators owned and operated.  Encore leased temporary employees to manufacturing businesses throughout Pennsylvania.  Nieves also was charged with failing to report Encore employee wages to the IRS, resulting in approximately $67,000 in employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Encore to the IRS.  Nieves further was charged with three counts of tax evasion, for failing to report her own personal income from Encore.  Nieves awaits trial.

The cases were investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for each tax offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  The maximum penalty under federal law for the commercial bribery offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Elonis, age 39, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was convicted on August 5, 2022, of three counts of cyberstalking after a five-day trial in Easton before U.S. District Court Judge Edward G. Smith.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, jurors deliberated for approximately an hour and a half before rendering a guilty verdict.  Elonis was indicted by a grand jury in Philadelphia in July 2021 and charged with three counts of cyberstalking involving three separate victims, including a government employee in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Elonis’ former girlfriend, and Elonis’ ex-wife.  The indictment alleged that between 2018 and 2021, Elonis send numerous harassing and intimidating emails directly to the governmental employee and sent or posted numerous harassing and intimidating communications via Twitter, text message or other form of electronic communication regarding the governmental employee, his former girlfriend and his ex-wife.

Sentencing has been scheduled for November 18, 2022, in Easton.  The matter has been specially assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania for prosecution.

The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allentown Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert O’Hara and Geoffrey MacArthur prosecuted the case.

Under federal law, Counts One and Three of the Indictment, involving a government employee and Elonis’ ex-wife as victims, each carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Count Two, involving Elonis’ former girlfriend as a victim, carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years in prison because the offense of cyberstalking was committed in violation of a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA) previously issued against Elonis in Northampton County. 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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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 4, 2022, Jessika Ann Sanders, age 34, of New York, was sentenced to three and a half months’ imprisonment to be followed by a two-year term of supervised release by Chief United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, for providing contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Tyrone Wayne Meachem was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), in White Deer, Pennsylvania.  On April 7, 2018, Sanders visited Meachem and gave him a sandwich containing three balloons filled with 68 strips of Suboxone.  Suboxone contains buprenorphine, a controlled substance.  Meachem recruited Sanders to smuggle the Suboxone so Meachem could pay off a debt to another inmate.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jeremy Edward Johnson, age 31, and Susan Melissa Nickas, age 47, both of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, were found guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl within the Middle District of Pennsylvania, resulting in the death of a person, after an eight-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, jurors deliberated for approximately two hours before rendering guilty verdicts against Johnson and Nickas for the December 11, 2020, death of a 32-year-old Monroe County man.  Both Johnson and Nickas were also found guilty of aiding and abetting each other in a December 10, 2020, distribution of heroin and fentanyl, resulting in that death.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony of multiple witnesses, including Dr. Michael Coyer, a Forensic Toxicologist, who opined that death resulted from the use of heroin and fentanyl; and a PSP Forensic Chemist, who analyzed drugs found at the scene of the death.  Additional testimony was provided by officers and detectives from the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Pocono Township Police Department, the FBI – Scranton Office; and a FBI special agent from the Pittsburgh Office.

The charges stem from a joint investigation involving the FBI in Scranton, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Sean Camoni 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 heroin and fentanyl.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The maximum penalty under federal law is life in prison, 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 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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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 1, 2022, Reverend Terrence D. Griffith, age 61, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab for failure to file a tax return. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Griffith was the President of Clearwater Consulting Associates, Inc., located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reverend Griffith, as the responsible party for this company, failed to file a tax return for the year 2015. As a part of his guilty plea, Reverend Griffith also acknowledged that he failed to file tax returns for the years 2013-2016 for the consulting firm. 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is one year 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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WILLIAMSPORT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Raymond Kraynak, age 65, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 3, 2022, to 15 years’ imprisonment by Chief United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Chief Judge Brann also ordered Kraynak to pay restitution in the amount of $22,365 to the victims or their families.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Kraynak previously pled guilty on September 23, 2021, to 12 counts of unlawful distribution and dispensing of a controlled substance outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose.  Kraynak also admitted that the Schedule II narcotic opioid drugs that he prescribed resulted in the deaths of five of his patients.

Kraynak’s sentence followed Chief Judge Brann’s denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. The guilty plea occurred after 13 days of trial testimony after the government rested its case-in-chief. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Kraynak agreed to the 15-year term of imprisonment on each of the twelve counts he pleaded guilty to and the sentences will run concurrently.

Kraynak was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 20, 2017, in a 19-count indictment charging unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, causing the death of five patients by the unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, and maintaining two drug-involved premises, one in Mt. Carmel and the other Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Kraynak stopped seeing patients and surrendered his license in December 2017 when he was arraigned in federal court on the indictment.

Kraynak operated two offices, one in Mt. Carmel and the other in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, both known as Keystone Family Medicine Associates, and prescribed approximately 9.5 million units of oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxycontin and fentanyl to patients between January 2014 and July 31, 2017. The prosecution evidence included testimony from DEA analysts that Kraynak was the top prescriber of opioids in Pennsylvania in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and during those years prescribed more opioids than both the Veterans Medical Center in Pittsburgh and the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia.

The prosecution’s evidence at trial also included testimony by a medical expert that Kraynak continued to prescribe high doses of opioids despite knowing that patients had previously been treated for drug overdoses, respiratory problems and other medical conditions increasing the risks of overdose and death.

The prosecution’s evidence also established that Kraynak, in prescribing these opioids to multiple patients outside of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, and did so without conducting a proper medical examination, inadequately verifying the patient’s medical complaint, and failing to assess the risk of abuse by individual patients. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Mt. Carmel Borough Police Department, Shamokin Police Department, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention, the Northumberland County Coroner’s Office, the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office, and Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys William Behe and George Rocktashel prosecuted the case. 

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Leonard Hart, age 50, of Mount Wolf, PA, was charged in a criminal information with theft of Federal Program Funds.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the criminal information alleges that in May 2018, Hart obtained by fraud and misapplied approximately $6,400 from Lincoln Charter School, York, Pennsylvania, while employed as the CEO and Principal of the school. During that time, the school received grants funded by the U.S Department of Education.          

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments 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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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sebastian Bien-Aine, age 20, a citizen of Toronto, Canada, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 26, 2022, for a charge of interference with flight crew.  

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on July 24, 2022, Bien-Aine was a passenger on the Porter Airlines, Flight 134, that departed Newark, New Jersey with final destination of Toronto, Canada.  During the flight, Bien-Aine left his seat and charged the flight deck door and attempted to enter the door which ultimately required the plane to land in Avoca, Pennsylvania.  Bien-Aine was taken into custody by the FBI upon arrival in Avoca. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jorice Williams Dennard, age 25, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced on July 26, 2022, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to 24 months and 1 day of imprisonment to be followed by a 2-year term of supervised release for the offenses of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Dennard submitted a false application to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits using the personal identification information, including name, birth date, and social security number, of another person.  Dennard then traveled to Jim Thorpe, PA, in an effort to obtain a package addressed to his identity theft victim that contained a debit card in the victim’s name with a balance of over $14,000 in PUA funds.  Dennard was arrested at the Jim Thorpe Post Office.

This case was investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.

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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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Jose Antonio Ramos a/k/a “One,” age 40, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 14, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 87 months’ imprisonment for drug trafficking.  

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Ramos previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of cocaine hydrochloride and 5 grams and more of methamphetamine. Ramos was the Sergeant at Arms of the Infamous Ryders Outlaw Motorcycle Gang that was responsible for an extensive drug operation in Lancaster County.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.

This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Brian Pena Villanueva, age 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 14, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 48 months’ imprisonment for drug trafficking.  

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on January 7, 2022, Villanueva pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of a substance containing fentanyl.  In July 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant for two vehicles associated with Villanueva and two hotel rooms in Cumberland County. During the search, law enforcement officers seized over 3,800 bags of fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the York County Drug Task Force, and the Fairview Township Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom 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 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 heroin related offenses.

This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeremy Michael Kohler, age 34, of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 130 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Kohler was indicted for his role in methamphetamine trafficking.  On July 2, 2020, Kohler and his codefendant, Nicole Botterbusch, were stopped in a vehicle with over 400 grams of methamphetamine.   Both Kohler and Botterbusch previously entered guilty pleas to drug trafficking. Botterbusch is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting the case.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Torres, age 31, of San Antonio, Texas, was indicted on July 14, 2022, by a federal grand jury on a drug trafficking charge.

According to United States Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Torres with possession with intent to distribute at more than 500 grams of cocaine on May 31, 2022, in Centre County.

This case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine is 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine.  A sentence for each of these offenses also includes a period of supervised release following imprisonment.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Michael Gomez, age 27, of Reading, Pennsylvania was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Gomez trafficked 50 grams and more of methamphetamine in Shamokin, Northumberland County. The indictment charges Gomez with distributing methamphetamine on July 6, 2022, and with possessing additional methamphetamine with intent to distribute on July 13, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is 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.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Madeline Nieves, age 48, of Plains, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on tax fraud and conspiracy offenses.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Nieves conspired with other individuals to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in connection with a temporary staffing company, Encore Staffing Solutions LLC (Encore), that she and her coconspirators owned and operated.  Encore leased temporary employees to manufacturing businesses throughout Pennsylvania.  Nieves also was charged with 10 counts of failing to report Encore employee wages to the IRS, resulting in approximately $67,000 in employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Encore to the IRS.  Nieves further was charged with three counts of tax evasion, for failing to report her own personal income from Encore.  The tax fraud activities allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2020.

Two other individuals were previously convicted in this investigation and await sentencing:

1. Mark Holmes, age 66, of Hughes Springs, Texas, pleaded guilty to failing to remit approximately $135,000 in employment taxes to the IRS that were owed by Encore.  Holmes also pleaded guilty to accepting, as the General Manager of a Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks from two temporary staffing companies, one of which was Penns Independent Staffing, in exchange for hiring their employees.  The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $7,800,000 from Holmes’s employer.

1. Nari Lam, age 29, of Wilmington, Delaware, pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS.  From 2016 through 2020, Lam, the owner of Pennsylvania-based temporary staffing company Penns Independent Staffing, failed to pay approximately $300,000 in employment taxes owed by Penns Independent Staffing to the IRS.

The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.

The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense 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.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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