Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Inmate Charged with Assault with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 7, 2022, Richard Anthony Trent, age 43, a federal prison inmate, was indicted by a federal grand jury for assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on May 17, 2022, while an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan (USP Canaan), in Wayne County, PA, Trent assaulted another inmate with a 7-inch grey metal weapon sharpened to a point and commonly referred to as a “shank”.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative 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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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New York Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 6, 2022, Edward Hart, age 32, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner following his conviction for bank fraud. Judge Conner also ordered Hart to pay victims restitution in the amount of $82,969.06 and to serve two years of supervised release following his release from prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Hart was a member of a conspiracy in which he and others stole mail from postal boxes, rifled that mail to find checks that had been made payable to third parties, and then altered the checks and deposited them in other bank accounts. The conspiracy formed in the New York City area and extended into central Pennsylvania. The conspiracy also involved the participation of a former Harrisburg area U.S. Postal Service employee, Kazaria Blair, who provided the conspirators access to a postal key that enabled them to open blue postal collection boxes to steal the mail. The investigation identified at least 40 stolen checks, of which 19 had been cashed, resulting in financial losses to victims.
Blair pleaded guilty on May 23, 2022, to stealing keys adopted by the post office, and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service – Harrisburg Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Possessing A Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kshawn Carter, age 25, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 180 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher Conner for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Carter pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen handgun discovered during the execution of a search warrant at his Harrisburg residence on September 23, 2019. Because Carter had three prior felony drug convictions, under federal law, his possession of the firearm mandated the 15-year sentence.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Harrisburg Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Mother of Inmate Sentenced for Facilitating Smuggling of Cellphones into Dauphin County PrisonRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Aida Rosado, age 62, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 1, 2022, to two years of probation with the first four months on home detention by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, for assisting her son in smuggling cellular telephones into the Dauphin County Prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Rosado’s son, Danny Cruz, was an inmate in Dauphin County Prison when she, on her son’s behalf, agreed to help him smuggle cellphones into the prison. On multiple occasions between October 2015 and January 2016, she gave money and cellular telephones to Correctional Officer Kyle Bower, who then smuggled phones into the prison for her son. Correctional Officer Bower was paid hundreds of dollars for each phone.
All other participants in the conspiracy have entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to smuggle phones into the prison:
- Former Correctional Officer Bower was sentenced to two months in federal prison and two months of home detention after his release from federal prison;
- Alice Martinez was sentenced to twelve months in prison; and
- Danny Cruz and Lizarrah Matthews pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
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Monroe County Man Pleads Guilty to Covid-Relief Fraud Mid-TrialRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Julian J. Levons, age 64, of Henryville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty yesterday to perpetrating a wire fraud and money laundering scheme to obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The plea was entered after Levons commenced trial on May 31, 2022.
The EIDL program is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, EIDL funds are offered in low-interest rate loans, designated for specific business expenses, such as fixed debts, payroll, and business obligation.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Levons was charged with obtaining two EIDL loans for a combined approximate $300,000, and attempting unsuccessfully to obtain a third EIDL loan for approximately $150,000. In applying for the loans, Levons falsified revenue and expense figures for two supposed small businesses that he and his wife owned. The money was allegedly used to pay down a high interest rate line of credit for Levons’s personal expenses, and to pay off a high interest rate mortgage on a rental property, despite prohibitions on the use of EIDL funds to refinance pre-existing debt. Investigators seized over $210,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds from bank accounts under his control.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and James Buchanan are prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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 are 30 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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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Role in Methamphetamine and Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William Terron, age 38, formerly of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 1, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to nine years’ imprisonment for his role in a methamphetamine and heroin trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Terron previously pleaded guilty and admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute between 1.5 and 5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 1 to 3 kilograms of heroin in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Schuylkill Counties in 2018. Terron was one of five individuals indicted by a grand jury in December 2018 for methamphetamine trafficking in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The following defendants were previously sentenced for their roles in this same drug trafficking conspiracy:
- Amanda Boyle, age 37, of Sweet Valley, PA, was sentenced to nine years in prison;
- Rudolph Ford, age 33, of Olyphant, PA, was sentenced to seven years in prison;
- Francheska Quinones, age 28, of Nanticoke, PA, was sentenced to 63 months in prison; and
- Adam Holcomb, age 37, of Shickshinny, PA, was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Kingston Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Cumberland County Man to Pay $900,000 for Violations of the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG, PA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rodney L. Yentzer, of Cumberland County, has agreed to pay the United States $900,000 to resolve civil liability for alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
According to United States Attorney, John C. Gurganus, between 2017 and 2019, Yentzer, through a group of pain clinics he controlled known as Pain Medicine of York (PMY), caused the submission of false claims for payment to Medicare. Those claims were for presumptive and definitive Urine Drug Tests (UDTs) that were not medically reasonable or necessary and were not used to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Additionally, Yentzer agreed to be excluded from all Federal health care programs for 22 years. Yentzer’s exclusion means that no Federal health care program payment may be made, either directly or indirectly, for any items or services furnished by Yentzer or at the direction or on the prescription of Yentzer.
“Civil enforcement is an important tool to recover funds when providers cause improper claims to the Medicare program,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure the integrity of the Medicare Trust Fund.”
In March of 2022, in a related matter, Yentzer pleaded guilty to Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering, and Theft of Public Money for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services between 2016 and 2020. Yentzer is awaiting sentencing. The news release can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/cumberland-county-man-pleads-guilty-health-care-fraud-money-laundering-and-theft-public
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The civil investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney, Tamara Haken, and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 25 Years’ Imprisonment for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Serrano-Munoz, age 43, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 25 years’ imprisonment for producing child pornography. The sentence also included a 10-year term of supervised release, which will follow the term of imprisonment.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Serrano-Munoz previously admitted to coercing a minor living in York County, Pennsylvania, to take sexually explicit photos of herself and to send those images to him over the internet in 2017.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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Honesdale Man Indicted on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Drew Lynn Jennings, age 35, of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 31, 2022, by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Jennings attempted to distribute child pornography on June 5, June 22 and June 23, 2021, in Wayne County.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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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Former Tennessee Securities Broker-Dealer Sentenced to 78 Months’ Imprisonment for Embezzling $5.7 Million from Employee Pension Benefit PlanRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a former securities broker based in Memphis, Tennessee, John Sherman Jumper, age 56, of Eads, Tennessee, was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years on supervised release by Chief District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, for embezzling $5.7 million from the pension benefit plan for employees of Snowshoe Refractories, a fire brick manufacturer located in Clarence, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Chief Judge Brann also ordered Jumper to pay restitution to the pension plan in the amount of $2,426,550, reflecting partial financial recoveries obtained by Snowshoe Refractories on behalf of the plan.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on April 9, 2021, Jumper forged signatures on fraudulent documents that purportedly authorized him to transfer funds from the pension plan on three separate occasions between March 2015 through April 2016. Jumper used the embezzled funds to make unauthorized loans and investments for the purchase of a tubing plant in Arkansas and three other business, to pay off $1.2 million of his personal loans, and to cover his personal legal fees. In addition, Jumper received a personal interest in the businesses purchased with the embezzled pension funds, and his securities company, Alluvion Securities in Memphis, received over $1 million in fees from the sale of the Arkansas tubing plant.
The indictment stated that the Snow Shoe Refractories Employee Pension Plan for Hourly Employees included about 129 active and retired employees. At the time the alleged $5.7 million embezzlement began, the pension plan assets were worth approximately $9.8 million.
As a result of his fraudulent misappropriation of pension funds, Jumper has been the subject of civil and regulatory sanctions obtained by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a private corporation that acts as a self-regulatory organization for member brokerage firms and exchange markets. On November 1, 2018, a federal district judge in the Western District of Tennessee granted the SEC’s motion for default judgment against Jumper, and the court there entered a final judgment as to Jumper and his companies and businesses. The final judgment permanently enjoined Jumper from violating securities laws and ordered that he disgorge $5,700,000, representing profits gained as a result of the fraudulent conduct, together with prejudgment interest in the amount of $726,758.79. On February 3, 2017, FINRA permanently barred him, with his consent, based on allegations that he misappropriated funds from the Snowshoe pension plan for his personal use and to infuse capital into his member firm, Alluvion Securities.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Employee Benefits Services Administration of the United States Department of Labor, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel prosecuted the case.
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Former Navy Depot Supervisor Sentenced for Assaulting EmployeeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jared B. Heisey, age 32, of Etters, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment to be followed by five months of home confinement by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for assaulting a employee at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Judge Conner also ordered Heisey to undergo counseling and have no contact with the victim.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Heisey, a former Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) supervisor, assaulted an employee during work hours on August 9, 2019, at the NSA. Heisey directed the victim to accompany him to conduct an inventory count in a remote building at the NSA and when they entered the building, Heisey pinned the victim up against the wall by grabbing her neck with his hand while making sexual comments about what he would like to do to her. Heisey is no longer employed by DLA.
The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating prosecuted the case.
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Carbon County Man Charged with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Roberto Magobet, age 44, of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 31, 2022, by a federal grand jury and charged with drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Magobet possessed with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl on August 31, 2021, in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Jim Thorpe Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Schuylkill County Man Charged with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Javier Guzman, age 50, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 17, 2022, by a federal grand jury for methamphetamine trafficking. The indictment was unsealed following Guzman’s arrest.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Guzman with one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute high-quality crystal methamphetamine on March 2 and 10, 2022, in Schuylkill County.
The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum sentence under federal law is up to forty years in prison, a term of supervised release 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 Man Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Unlawfully Exchanging $1.8 Million in Federal Nutrition Assistance Benefits for CashRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jimmy Tran, age 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 24 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for the unauthorized use, acquisition, and possession of benefits of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Tran previously admitted that while owning and operating Asia Market in Harrisburg, he unlawfully provided cash in exchange for SNAP benefits. The scheme ran between January 2017 and August 2020. Tran redeemed $1,843,534 in improper benefits, and he was ordered to pay restitution in that amount.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Lackawanna County Man Indicted for Firearms and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Yasin Abdul-Mattin, age 50, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for firearms and drug trafficking offenses.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on January 20, 2022, in Lackawanna County, Abdul-Mattin possessed a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition and also possessed methamphetamine for further distribution. It is also alleged that Abdul-Mattin is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Gallagher are prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Under federal law, for the firearms charge, Abdul-Mattin faces a maximum sentence of ten years, a term of supervised release and a fine. For the drug charges, Abdul-Mattin faces a maximum sentence of twenty years, a term of supervised release 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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York County Man Sentenced for Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gambrill, age 46, of Windsor, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 3 years of probation by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for concealing assets during a bankruptcy proceeding. Gambrill was also ordered to pay a $7,200 fine.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Gambrill previously admitted that in 2016 and 2017, while he was a petitioner in a bankruptcy proceeding, he fraudulently concealed a $125,000 inheritance from the bankruptcy trustee and creditors. Gambrill’s bankruptcy petition was ultimately dismissed, and none of his debts were discharged.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Wilkes-Barre Man Sentenced to 164 Months’ Imprisonment for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Torres, age 33, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 26, 2022, to 164 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for trafficking in fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on December 13, 2019, Torres possessed with intent to distribute 45 grams of fentanyl, which corresponds to approximately 1,800 doses of the potentially lethal substance. A search warrant executed at Torres’ home also uncovered an unlawfully possessed firearm.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.”
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.
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Luzerne County Woman Charged with Covid-19 Related FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Angela Castillo, age 38, of Freeland, PA, was charged yesterday in a criminal Information with wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the Information alleges that between June 2020 and September 2020, on behalf of other individuals and in exchange for payment, Castillo submitted to the United States Small Business Association (SBA) no fewer than forty Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications, all of which contained material misrepresentations. Castillo’s conduct resulted in the SBA paying out approximately $163,000.00 in COVID-19 relief funds to individuals, none of whom actually owned a qualifying small business, and who therefore were not entitled to receive such funds under the EIDL loan program.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
If convicted, 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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Bartonsville Man Sentenced for Pandemic Loan FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nazim Hassam, age 70, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 18 months in prison for money laundering stemming from an illegal transaction conducted with funds obtained through a fraudulent pandemic assistance loan application.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, in April and June of 2020, Hassam applied for and received two loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) while making false statements on the applications. In 2019, Hassam was indicted along with two businesses he co-owns, the Pocono Plaza Inn and Om Sri Sai, Inc., on felony charges related to sex trafficking and drug trafficking. But when asked on the loan applications whether he or the companies applying for the loans were under indictment, Hassam falsely answered, “No.” Hassam fraudulently obtained one loan for each of the two corporate entities, together totaling $89,308. Hassam then conducted unlawful monetary transactions with the bulk of those funds. Specifically related to the count to which Hassam pleaded guilty, Hassam obtained $61,000 as a PPP loan for Om Sri Sai, Inc., a company that owns and operates a hotel in Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, and then transferred the funds from the corporation’s bank account to pay down a personal line of credit he held in his own name. As part of the plea agreement with the Government, Hassam admitted that, in addition to the money laundering charge to which he pleaded guilty, he also committed the underlying fraud offenses. Hassam paid both loans back to the issuing banks, with interest, after he learned of the investigation but before sentencing.
Hassam’s sentence was enhanced because he committed this crime while on pretrial release in the drug and sex trafficking case. Hassam was previously convicted in that case after a trial and sentenced to 60 months in prison, along with a $150,000 fine. Judge Mannion ordered that 12 months out of the 18-month sentence in this case will run concurrently with the earlier sentence, and 6 months will run consecutively, as required by statute.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This prosecution is also 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.
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Virginia Man Sentenced for Passing Counterfeit U.S. CurrencyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 25, 2022, Dale Richard Estep II, age 35, of Colonial Beach, Virginia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to two years of probation, four of those months on home confinement, for passing counterfeit U.S. currency.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Estep passed counterfeit currency at the Sheetz, Sunoco, and Rutters gas stations along the I-81 and US 15 corridors in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Counties between May 12-14, 2019.
Judge Rambo ordered Estep to pay restitution in the amount of $3,300 as follows:
- $2,650 to Sheetz, Claysburg, PA;
- $500 to Sunoco A+, Dillsburg, PA; and
- $150 to Rutters, Dillsburg, PA.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Harrisburg Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.
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York Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Prescription Drugs from A Hospice PatientRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dana Aldinger, age 55, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one year probation and a $525 fine by United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson for theft in connection with health care. Aldinger also permanently surrendered her nursing license.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Aldinger, a former Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Administrator for a personal care home for senior citizens in York, stole and diverted controlled medications for personal use from nursing patients under her care. Aldinger diverted Oxycodone pills prescribed to a Medicare hospice patient on or about August 10, 2019. Aldinger also falsified medical records to conceal her diversion of the medications.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Harrisburg Field Office, and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigations (BNI) of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke prosecuted the case.
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Scranton Man Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Javier Correa, age 40, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Correa admitted to possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine and a firearm in April 2021, during a search of his Scranton residence by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case was investigated by DEA, the Scranton Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Parole officers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Gallagher are prosecuting the case.
The defendant faces a maximum of term of life 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.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works 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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Operators of Monroe County Veterinary Clinic Sentenced to Prison for Failure to Remit Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Karin Breitlauch, age 58, of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, and Linda Breitlauch, age 64, of Stroudsburg Pennsylvania, were each sentenced on May 20, 2022, to 12 months’ plus one day imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for failure to remit payroll taxes from their veterinary business.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Karin Breitlauch is a veterinarian who owns and operates Creature Comforts Veterinary Service in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. Linda Breitlauch, her sister, is the comptroller for the business. Between 2013 and 2016, the Breitlauchs withheld federal income taxes from their employees’ paychecks but failed to remit the withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service for tax quarters 2013 through 2016 and failed to pay the employer portion of the payroll taxes. This money included Social Security payments that would benefit their employees. When some employees went to collect their Social Security benefits their earnings while employed at the veterinary clinic were not recorded with the Social Security Administration.
The Breitlauchs were ordered to pay $2,486,495.99 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following their incarceration. Judge Mannion ordered the Breitlauchs to surrender themselves to the Bureau of Prisons on July 29, 2022, to commence their sentence.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
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Mifflintown Woman Charged with Possessing Fake Covid-19 Vaccine CardRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Amy B. Leister, age 55, of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, was charged on May 18, 2022, by criminal Information with knowingly possessing and making a fake COVID-19 vaccine card.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information charges Leister with knowingly possessing and making an unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine card, specifically a fake COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, purportedly issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control to record medical information about vaccines purportedly received, and bearing the insignia of the Center for Disease Control.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 6 months’ 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.
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Indiana Woman Sentenced to 48 Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Money Laundering in Advance-Fee Fraud Scheme Targeting Deaf and ElderlyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 19, 2022, Donna L. Summerlin, age 63, of Fortville, Indiana, was sentenced to 48 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Summerlin was convicted in June 2021, of accepting over $1.2 million from victims of cross-border advance-fee schemes following a seven-day jury trial. Many of the identified victims were either elderly, deaf, or both. In these schemes, victims were contacted through Facebook and told that they were winners of a “deaf lottery” or that they had been selected for special and exclusive government grants or other programs. Summerlin herself is deaf, and the trial and other court proceedings were conducted with a team of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters.
In order to claim their supposed prize, grant, or other financial reward, victims were directed to prepay expenses such as taxes and customs fees. Victims were persuaded to do so with the false promise of a much larger payoff. After making an initial payment, victims were directed to make additional larger payments. In some cases, fraudsters were successful at getting multiple payments from victims, who never received any financial reward.
Fraudsters contacting potential victims through Facebook, email, and text messages used fake names and photographs to disguise themselves. These fraudsters also took over the accounts of victims so that they could lure their friends into sending money and to reassure them of the scheme’s legitimacy when victims had doubts about participating. Victims were instructed to send these payments to Summerlin, who worked as a “money mule” or intermediary for these fraudsters for approximately four years, from 2012 to 2016.
At trial, the Government showed that Summerlin received over $1.2 million from over 100 people across the country and, in some cases, other countries such as Canada and Australia. Victims mailed Summerlin checks, cash, and money orders. They also wired her funds through bank-t-bank electronic wire transfers and sent her money through Western Union and MoneyGram money transfers. The victims included a deaf elderly couple that resided in this District during the time period of the conspiracy. The Government showed that this couple sent Summerlin around $500,000, depleting their life savings.
After receiving these funds, Summerlin rapidly withdrew them from the more than 40 bank accounts she used for these activities. Typically, she wired a portion of the funds to coconspirators in Nigeria and Great Britain. She also made large cash withdrawals, which were used to send funds to coconspirators and for personal use. Finally, she sent a large number of Western Union and MoneyGram money transfers to many of the same recipients in Nigeria and Great Britain.
Evidence at trial showed that Summerlin retained funds received from fraud victims for personal use as well.
In addition to the prison term, Summerlin was ordered to serve a term of supervised release of two years following her release from prison and to pay $723,436.57 in restitution to victims of the fraud scheme.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ravi Romel Sharma and Carlo D. Marchioli represented the United States at trial. The case was previously handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea Schinnour and Kim Douglas Daniel.
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Postal Employee Charged with Theft of MailRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Riley, age 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a United States Postal Service employee, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on mail theft charges.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Riley stole approximately 28 items of mail, in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, between August 23 and December 15, 2021.
Those who believe that they may have been affected during this period may make a report on the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General website at https://www.uspsoig.gov/hotline.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Lebanon Man Indicted on Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis Rodriguez-Pagan, age 28, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Rodriguez-Pagan purchased eight handguns falsely claiming that they were for himself when in fact they were not. The purchases occurred in Lebanon and Dauphin Counties between July 2021 and December 2021. The indictment also alleges that Rodriguez Pagan was engaged in the unlicensed business of dealing in firearms.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Fireworks and Explosives (ATF) and the Lebanon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works 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 this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Wormleysburg Man Pleads Guilty to Theft from Federal Courthouse Construction SiteRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gontaryk, age 47, of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Gontaryk stole over $1,000 worth of construction materials belonging to the United States from the site of the U.S. Courthouse being constructed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 11, 2021. The following day, he sold copper and brass construction materials that he had stolen at a metal scrapyard located in Pottsville, PA.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for theft of government money, property, or records is 10 years’ imprisonment. This charge may also carry a fine of up to $250,000 and a term 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.
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Two Wilkes-Barre Men Sentenced for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Duwayne Brown, age 41, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to 33 months’ imprisonment, and Andrew Henry, age 48, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, to 18 months’ imprisonment, for drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Brown and Henry previously pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine, cocaine base, or “crack,” and heroin. The two men worked to obtain and sell drugs in Luzerne County with Michael Rinaldi, who was previously sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works 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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Hazleton Roofing Company Owner Sentenced to Six Months’ Imprisonment for Failing to Pay Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Charles R. Ehrenberg, age 34, owner of Ehrenberg Roofing and Construction, Inc., located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 6 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 6 months’ home confinement with electronic monitoring and a 2-year term of supervised release, for failing to collect and pay over several years’ worth of required federal payroll taxes.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, for a four-year period from 2017 to 2020, Ehrenberg willfully failed to collect and pay over to the IRS required federal payroll taxes in the total amount of $185,681.90. By paying his labor force, which was comprised mostly of undocumented immigrants, an all-cash wage, and by failing to properly account for and pay over any required payroll taxes, Ehrenberg deprived the government of substantial tax revenue. At sentencing, Ehrenberg was also ordered to make restitution to the IRS in the amount of $185,681.90.
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
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Dover Man Indicted for Possession and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonathan Lee Debus, age 42, of Dover, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with possession and receipt of child pornography.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Debus with receipt and possession of child pornography involving a minor under 12 years of age, between October 1, 2021 and May 12, 2022, in York County. The indictment alleges that the conduct occurred subsequent to Debus’ Pennsylvania state conviction in the York County Court of Common Pleas for unlawful contact with minors and statutory sexual assault.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
The maximum penalty for these offenses is up to 60 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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CEO of Renewable Energy Company Charged with Fraud, Identity Theft, Money Laundering, and Obstruction OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Abrams, age 39, of Easley, South Carolina, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on wire and mail fraud, identity theft, money laundering, unlawful monetary transactions, obstruction of justice, and false statement offenses.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Abrams, the owner and Chief Executive Officer of EthosGen LLC, provided forged documents and false information to induce several investors to invest $1,100,000 in his company. Abrams allegedly provided the potential investors with forged tax returns, false financial records, forged contracts with purported customers of EthosGen LLC, and a forged intellectual property license. The forged documents and false information inflated EthosGen LLC’s revenues, business activity, and profitability, thereby making it a more attractive investment. In addition to 19 charges of wire fraud and mail fraud, Abrams also faces five charges of aggravated identity theft, for forging signatures and using other individuals’ personal information on forged documents, without their authorization.
The indictment also alleges that Abrams concealed his scheme by providing forged bank account statements and false information to EthosGen LLC’s Chief Financial Officers and accounting professionals. Abrams is accused of using over $792,000 of the investors’ money to purchase a personal residence in South Carolina. To conceal his financial activities, Abrams alleged laundered $700,000 of the funds through a series of bank accounts under his control, before purchasing the residence. Abrams faces 13 charges of money laundering and unlawful financial transactions for his illicit financial activities.
Abrams also is accused of lying to his investors and former Chief Financial Officer that he had used the funds to purchase company inventory for EthosGen LLC. He allegedly provided investors with falsified company reports and accounting records to corroborate his misrepresentations about the use of the investment funds.
The indictment further alleges that, upon becoming aware of the Internal Revenue Service’s criminal investigation of Abrams, he took several steps to obstruct the investigation. Namely, he is accused of creating false documents and accounting records that purported to classify his embezzlement of investor funds as a shareholder loan, and faces four counts of obstruction of justice. He further was charged with seven counts of providing false statements to federal investigators, by lying about purchasing inventory for EthosGen LLC, claiming that EthosGen LLC owed him $800,000, stating that he provided his investors with truthful information when they evaluated his company during a due diligence process, and claiming ignorance about the origin of multiple forged contracts that he sent to investors.
The indictment seeks forfeiture of the funds Abrams secured from investors during the scheme, and of the residence he purchased with them in South Carolina.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses are 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The aggravated identity theft charges carry mandatory, consecutive two-year minimum sentences of 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 are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Hotel Owner, Two Hotel Companies Sentenced for Sex and Drug Trafficking in Monroe CountyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON: The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Nazim Hassam, age 70, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 2022 to 60 months in prison and a $150,000 fine for drug trafficking offenses.
Judge Mannion also sentenced Om Sri Sai, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, to five years of Probation for sex and drug trafficking violations and ordered the company to forfeit $2 million to the government. Judge Mannion also sentenced the Pocono Plaza Inn, formerly known as the Quality Inn, located in Stroudsburg, to five years of Probation and a $50,000 fine for maintaining a drug-related premises.
Hassam and the two hotel companies, along with co-defendant Faizal Bhimani, were convicted of sex trafficking and drug trafficking charges after a two-week jury trial in Scranton, Pennsylvania in October 2020.
According to United States John C. Gurganus, Om Sri Sai, Inc., a company that owned and operated a Howard Johnson hotel located at 1779 N. 9th St., Bartonsville, and Faizal Bhimani, the general manager of that hotel, were both convicted of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion and Aiding and Abetting the same, and Sex Trafficking Conspiracy, as well as Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Managing a Drug-Related Premises. The jury also found the Pocono Plaza Inn guilty of Managing a Drug-Related Premises, and Nazim Hassam, part-owner and Vice President of Om Sri Sai and managing shareholder of both hotels, guilty of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and two counts of Managing a Drug-Related Premises.
The jury further found that all property owned by Om Sri Sai, Inc. was property that facilitated the company’s sex trafficking and drug trafficking crimes and was therefore subject to criminal forfeiture. The company reached an agreement with the government to pay over a cash forfeiture in the amount of $2 million as a substitute asset in lieu of the company’s property.
Bhimani was previously sentenced to 180 months in prison. Judge Mannion also ordered Om Sri Sai, Inc. to pay restitution totaling $277,630 to two sex trafficking victims. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, restitution to victims is mandatory. The restitution in this case represents the value to the defendant and coconspirators of commercial sex services rendered, costs of future trauma counseling, medical expenses, and other costs incurred as a result of the trafficking.
These convictions marked the culmination of a six-year, joint investigation into sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and violent crime in Monroe County by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). This case began in 2014 with an FBI investigation into the Black P Stone gang, a set of the Bloods that was responsible for gun violence and drug trafficking in Monroe County at the time. Local agencies, including the Stroud Area Regional Police Department and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, joined the effort early on, and eventually expanded beyond the P Stones to uncover more widespread sex and drug trafficking in Monroe County.
The evidence at trial, presented through more than 35 witnesses and over 150 exhibits, established that the Howard Johnson Hotel in Bartonsville was a safe haven for criminal activity between 2011 and 2019. Bhimani, as manager of the Howard Johnson, made rooms available for sex traffickers and drug dealers, and at times took payment for the hotel directly from the proceeds of criminal activity. Hassam, Bhimani, and others placed criminal actors in the rear, first-floor hallway of the Howard Johnson to shield their activities from view from the street and from non-criminal guests. Evidence showed that Hassam accepted direct payment at times from drug traffickers and at times did not enter those individuals into the hotel’s computer records. Testimony established that Hassam was notified by employees of criminal activity, but instructed them not to call police. Police officers testified that Hassam’s hotels were considered high-crime areas and that they responded to at least six overdoses at the two hotels, at least one of which resulted in death.
Bhimani also traded discounted and free rooms for sex, which sex traffickers would direct their victims to provide. Dozens of women were compelled by multiple traffickers, sometimes called pimps, to engage in commercial sex in the hotel either by physical force, threats, false promises, or coercion, including through blackmail and drug addiction. Women who were addicted to heroin, crack, or other controlled substances were provided with just enough drugs to keep them working, and pimps used their addictions and the threat of withdrawal to control them. Several admitted sex traffickers testified at the trial, explaining how they used these various methods to compel women to sell sex and turn over all of the proceeds. Multiple survivors also testified that they were required to follow the traffickers’ rules, were forced to rely entirely on the traffickers for food, clothing, even hygiene products, and they were often punished for violations with violence, including sexual assault.
Bhimani was closely associated with several of these traffickers, the evidence showed, and knew of the methods used to compel the victims to have sex for money. Other employees at the hotel knew as well, and the evidence showed that at least two other employees engaged in sex with victims, including Hassam. Bhimani also warned sex traffickers and drug dealers when law enforcement were present at the hotel, including during the manhunt for Eric Frein in 2014. Several admitted sex traffickers and drug dealers testified to successfully evading detection by police thanks to warnings from Bhimani. The hotel allowed known criminals to check in under assumed names or even street names, and Bhimani and Hassam both took steps to obstruct police efforts to locate suspects.
The Court found that Hassam knew about the criminal activity at his hotels, directed employees not to turn drug dealers and drug users away, and actively allowed criminal actors to rent rooms at the hotels so he could make money. The Court also concluded that Hassam testified falsely at trial and enhanced his sentencing guidelines accordingly for Obstruction of Justice.
In all, forty defendants have been convicted federally as a result of this investigation, many of whom trafficked women and drugs in the Bartonsville Howard Johnson and the Pocono Plaza Inn. Other defendants have been charged and convicted in state courts. The investigation has resulted in the dismantlement of the P Stones as well as a second gang, the Brick City Brims, and the disruption of two more, the Blood Stone Villains and the Bloodhound Brims. Investigators have seized multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine, as well as quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”), methamphetamine, marijuana, and MDMA (“molly”), and took at least 10 illegal firearms off the streets.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean A. Camoni and Jenny Roberts.
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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Lackawanna County Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jaime Ryan Chorba, age 46, of Archbald, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography before United States District Court Judge Malachy Mannion on May 12, 2022. No date has been set for sentencing.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on February 22, 2022, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Chorba alleging that on April 1, 2016, Chorba produced child pornography and used the internet to entice a minor to participate in its production. The superseding indictment also alleged that between June 3, 2016, and November 16, 2020, Chorba received images of child pornography and he also allegedly possessed images of prepubescent minors under the age of twelve, including images depicting himself with the minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Philadelphia Division and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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 this offense is 30 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of 15 years. 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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Federal Inmate Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Assaulting Another Inmate with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Caraballo, age 37, an inmate at USP Canaan, formerly of Vermont, was sentenced yesterday, by U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani, to serve an additional sixty-three months’ imprisonment for assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Caraballo previously pleaded guilty to assaulting another inmate at USP Canaan with a sharpened piece of metal commonly known as a “shank.” Caraballo also previously admitted to possessing the metal “shank,” which is contraband in a federal prison. The incident occurred in February 2017.
Judge Mariani ordered that the sentence run consecutive, or in addition to, a drug trafficking sentence Caraballo is presently serving from the District of Vermont.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
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Berwick Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft in Connection with A Mail “Fishing” SchemeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Justin William Davis, age 39, of Berwick, PA, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to Aggravated Identity Theft, as part of a so-called mail “fishing” scheme. Individuals involved in the scheme used improvised devices to pull mail from United States Post Office collection boxes in the hope of stealing checks and other valuable instruments which are then either cashed or deposited into the bank accounts of co-conspirators for later withdrawal.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the criminal Information to which Davis pleaded guilty alleges that Davis unlawfully used the personal identification information, including the name and bank account number of another person, in the course of committing a bank fraud, by attempting to deposit into the account of the other person a high value check that he had “fished” from a collection box.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.
Davis faces a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000, as a result of his guilty plea to the offense.
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USP Canaan Inmate Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Smuggle Suboxone into Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Devro Hebron, age 38, of the District of Columbia, yesterday to 24 months’ imprisonment for the offense of Attempted Provision of Contraband to an Inmate. The 24-month sentence must run consecutively to the federal prison sentence that Hebron was already serving at the time of the offense.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on January 19, 2019, while an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan, located in Waymart, PA, and with the assistance of a prison visitor, Hebron attempted to smuggle Suboxone, an opiate and narcotic drug, into the prison, as part of a plan to sell the Suboxone strips for profit to other inmates. Hebron was discovered in the act after being observed by prison staff to place an unknown object into his mouth while meeting with his visitor in the prison visiting area. Hebron’s visitor, Sierra Lynn Holland, was separately prosecuted and convicted for her role in providing Hebron with the contraband.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St. John.
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Hazleton Man Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Identity Theft and Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Adrian Hernandez-Gutierrez, age 36, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, yesterday to 24 months’ imprisonment and a one year term of supervised release, for the crimes of Aggravated Identity Theft, Social Security Account Number Fraud and Illegal Reentry of a Removed Alien.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on March 4, 2021, Hernandez-Gutierrez, a previously deported alien, was arrested in Hazleton, PA. Further investigation revealed that Hernandez-Gutierrez fraudulently used the identity of a United States citizen, including a counterfeit social security card, to obtain a Pennsylvania Driver’s License. Hernandez-Gutierrez then went on to use the stolen identity and the fraudulently obtained ID card to cash thousands of dollars in checks, thereby assisting his employer, the owner of a Hazleton, PA-based roofing company, in maintaining an all cash payroll that, in turn, allowed his employer to avoid employment tax responsibilities. The employer, Charles Ehrenberg of Ehrenberg Roofing and Construction, Inc., was separately prosecuted and has pleaded guilty to criminal tax violations.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and IRS-Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St. John prosecuted the case.
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Federal Inmate Indicted for Illegal Possession of Suboxone StripsRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rauon Gordon, age 28, an inmate at FCI Allenwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawful possession of prohibited objects by a federal prison inmate.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Gordon knowingly possessed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, a Schedule III controlled substance and narcotic.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel are assigned to prosecute the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this 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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Federal Inmate Charged with Possession of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Thomas Burton, age 46, an inmate at the United States Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), was indicted by a federal grand jury with possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Burton was found in possession of marijuana on February 25, 2022.
The charges stem from an investigation by officers at FCI Allenwood and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
Burton faces a maximum of five years of incarceration 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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Federal Inmate Charged with Possession of A WeaponRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that George May, age 23, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that May was found in possession of a sharpened piece of metal, commonly referred to as a “shank” on March 30, 2022.
The charges stem from an investigation by FCI Allenwood and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, May faces a maximum of five years of incarceration 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.
Criminal indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Federal Inmate Charged with Possession of A WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Clayvon Givens, age 33, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Givens was found in possession of metal razor on March 15, 2022.
The charges stem from an investigation by officers at FCI Allenwood and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
The defendant faces a maximum of five years of incarceration 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.
Criminal indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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FCI Schuylkill Inmate Charged with Possessing Cellphone in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tremec Jeffries, age 46, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute-Schuylkill in Minersville, PA, was charged by a criminal information with unlawfully possessing a cell phone in federal prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that on April 27, 2022, Jeffries possessed a cell phone. Federal law makes the possession of a cell phone by a prison inmate illegal out of security concerns that arise from unmonitored calls.
The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 1 year of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
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California Man Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for His Role as A Courier for A Nationwide Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced David Sandoval, age 21, of Anaheim, California, yesterday to 60 months’ imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release, for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that moved large quantities of Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine from California to various major Midwest and East Coast cities.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on January 28, 2019, while in route to a drug exchange in Pottsville, PA, Sandoval was arrested and found to be in possession of two large duffle bags containing approximately 3 kilograms of Heroin. Further investigation revealed that Sandoval, a courier for the drug trafficking organization, had made numerous prior trips from California to major East Coast cities like New York and Boston, each time transporting a significant quantity of controlled substances, which he would then pass on to co-conspirators in those cities for local distribution.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St. John.
The 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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Delaware Woman Charged with Tax FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Nari T. Lam, age 29, of Wilmington, Delaware, was charged in a criminal Information on May 10, 2022, with failing to remit employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the Information alleges that 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.
One other individual, Mark Holmes, age 66, of Hughes Springs, Texas, was previously charged in this investigation. Holmes 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 also pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS for a separate temporary staffing company, Encore Staffing Solutions LLC, that he owned and operated with other coconspirators. From March 2018 through December 2020, Holmes and his coconspirators allegedly failed to pay approximately $135,000 in employment taxes owed by Encore Staffing Solutions LLC to the IRS. Holmes awaits sentencing.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Williamsport Man Sentenced to 144 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Quran Geddy, age 26, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, for his role in distributing fentanyl in Lycoming County.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Geddy was a founder and leader of the Williamsport “400 Gang” a/k/a “WAM Gang,” that distributed fentanyl in Lycoming County. At the hearing, Chief Judge Brann highlighted Geddy’s multiple prior drug-related convictions and continual criminal conduct despite periods of incarceration and court supervision.
Co-defendant, Darnell Cotton, 26, of Williamsport previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment for his role in distributing fentanyl in Lycoming County.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
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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Montreal Man Sentenced to 30 Months’ Imprisonment for Leading A Sweepstakes and Lottery Fraud Targeting the ElderlyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 4, 2022, Itcace Abramovici, age 72, of Montreal, Quebec, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner following his conviction for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Judge Conner also ordered Abramovici to make restitution to victims in the amount of $461,886.49, and to serve one year of supervised release following his release from prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Abramovici played a leadership role in a Montreal-based telemarketing and money laundering organization that targeted elderly victims in the United States, including those living in central Pennsylvania. Abramovici and his co-conspirators informed prospective victims that they had won a substantial amount of money in a lottery or sweepstakes and then directed those victims to send money in order to obtain their winnings. The victims’ payments were falsely characterized as taxes, customs fees, processing fees, and legal and insurance fees. None of the victims received any money, and many of their losses were substantial, with more than $460,000 in victim losses being attributed to Abramovici’s role in the fraud, and with losses to victims of the broader fraud at more than $1.3 million. As part of his guilty plea, Abramovici admitted to playing a leadership role in the scheme. The investigation that led to Abramovici’s prosecution identified at least 17 individual victims.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service – Harrisburg Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.
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Former Allenwood Inmate Sentenced for Possessing A Cellphone in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 5, 2022, federal inmate John Alexander Townsend, age 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle, for possessing a cellphone in prison. Following the guilty plea, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arbuckle sentenced Townsend to one month imprisonment, to run consecutive to Townsend’s 186-month prison term for a series of armed robberies in Philadelphia. Townsend also lost 54 days of good time and spent 30 days in disciplinary segregation for possessing the cellphone.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on May 10, 2021, a corrections officer’s metal detector alerted on Townsend at the Low Security Correctional Institution, Allenwood. Staff then searched Townsend and found a Samsung cellphone and charger hidden in a pocket stitched on the inside of Townsend’s prison uniform. Federal law prohibits inmates from possessing cellphones due to the institutional security risks posed by their use.
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 Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
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Bloomsburg Man Sentenced to 18 Months of Imprisonment for $430,000 Fraud Scheme, Including $300,000 in Covid Relief FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Darryl Corradini, age 63, was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Matthew W. Brann, to 18 months’ imprisonment for a bank fraud and money laundering scheme that included nearly $300,000 in COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The PPP is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, PPP funds are offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Corradini pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy involving his codefendant, Vicki Hackenberg, age 57, and others. Corradini created a shell corporation, CGM Realty LLC, and opened bank accounts and a Bitcoin trading account in the corporation’s name, by using false and forged documents. The conspirators used the accounts to receive over $135,000 in fraudulently obtained funds, and over $296,000 from a PPP loan that was obtained with false and forged documentation. That documentation included false information and certifications about CGM Realty LLC’s employee payroll obligations, and intention to use the funds for approved purposes, when in fact CGM Realty LLC had no employees or legitimate business operations. Forged IRS documentation also was included with the PPP application, containing false information about CGM Realty LLC’s nonexistent payroll obligations.
Over $350,000 of the fraudulent proceeds was used to purchase Bitcoins, a type of cryptocurrency. Although Corradini and Hackenberg were to each receive $40,000 for their participation in the offense, they ultimately received less than $10,000 of the fraudulent proceeds.
During sentencing, Chief Judge Brann highlighted Corradini’s lies to law enforcement officials and concealment of a separate bank account used to receive fraudulent proceeds. In addition to the Corradini’s sentence of imprisonment, Chief Judge Brann also ordered him to perform 20 hours of community service, and to pay $431,289 to the victims of his crimes. That restitution obligation is shared by Hackenberg, who previously was sentenced by Chief Judge Brann to serve 12 months’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by agents with the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
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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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 120 Months’ Imprisonment for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jason Michael Herman, age 39, of Pine Grove, PA, was sentenced on May 5, 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 possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, during the Fall of 2020, Herman uploaded 9 videos (or approximately 675 images) of child pornographic content onto an internet-based social media application, including images showing the abuse of minors under the age of 12, and sent the videos to other users. At the time of this offense, Herman had a prior 2007 New Jersey conviction for possessing child pornography, the existence of which resulted in an enhancement of his federal sentence to a mandatory term of imprisonment of 120 months. At sentencing, Judge Mariani also ordered that Herman comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division. 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.
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