Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 267 Months’ Imprisonment on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marc Punzalan, age 27, formerly of Maryland, was sentenced to 267 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann on child pornography charges.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Punzalan pleaded guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of a child. In 2013, Punzalan, through the use of an internet messenger service, coerced a 13-year-old child to send him nude photographs of herself. Over the course of two days in June 2013, Punzalan sent hundreds of messages to the 13-year-old victim. In these messages, Punzalan attempted to extort the 13-year-old victim to send him additional nude images by threatening to tell her parents and the police that she had sent such pictures on prior occasions. Punzalan continued to harass and blackmail her despite her repeated requests for him to stop. Punzalan continued to threaten her even after she told him that his demands had her contemplating suicide. The 13-year-old victim eventually became so emotionally distraught that she committed suicide on the second day of Punzalan’ s threats and harassment.
Punzalan committed similar acts against other young girls at the same time in Maryland, where he was living at the time. After hearing from several of the dozen family and friends present to support the 13-year-old victim, Chief Judge Brann called Punzalan’s conduct “sickening” and said Punzalan’s predatory behavior caused irreparable harm.
Punzalan is presently serving a sentence from the District of Maryland for child exploitation offenses from that district. The 267-month sentence imposed by the Chief Judge Brann will result in an overall sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment for Punzalan.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the South Williamsport Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Former Law Enforcement Officer Sentenced for Bribery and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division and Special Agent in Charge Russell W. Cunningham of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Washington Field Office announce that a former veteran detective for the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Police Department, who was a task force officer with the FBI and a member of the Cumberland County Drug Task Force, was sentenced today to 75 months in prison for bribery, drug distribution, and making false statements by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Christopher Collare, 54, now of Blythewood, South Carolina, used his official position to obtain sex from two women in exchange for agreeing to take actions in prosecutions. Specifically, in 2015, Collare agreed to accept sex or money in exchange for not appearing at an evidentiary hearing so that a criminal charge would be dismissed. In 2018, Collare agreed to accept sexual favors in exchange for taking steps to help reduce a potential sentence. In addition to bribery, the jury convicted Collare of distributing heroin in 2016. He also was convicted of lying in November 2015 on a federal form he completed during the process of becoming an FBI task force officer, and of making multiple false statements when interviewed by federal agents in May 2018.
“A badge carries enormous responsibility along with the trust it confers,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire. “Those who abuse that responsibility will find themselves on the wrong side of the law, facing the stark reality that crossing the line comes with punishment. Law enforcement officers at every level – local, state, federal – owe the public honest services free from bias or self-indulgent actions.”
“We rely on law enforcement officers to do their work with honesty and integrity. Instead, Collare exploited his official position, accepting bribes of sex and money in exchange for taking actions in prosecutions. Now, he will be held accountable for the bribery and lies,” said Russell W. Cunningham Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Washington Field Office.
The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office Harrisburg Resident Agency and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Washington Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney James I. Pearce of the Criminal Division’s Appellate Section (formerly with the Public Integrity Section) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli and Phillip J. Caraballo of the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case.
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Luzerne County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Evanchik, age 41, formerly of Kingston, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on March 9, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Evanchik admitted to conspiring with other individuals to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, between 160 and 280 grams of fentanyl in the Luzerne County area in 2020. Judge Mariani ordered that a presentence report be completed for Evanchik. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police. 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.
Evanchik faces a mandatory minimum 5-year imprisonment term. The maximum sentence under federal law is up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Centre County Man Indicted on Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Alan Dorsey, 39, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Dorsey with distribution of methamphetamine on June 3, 2021, along with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and a mixture of fentanyl and tramadol on September 11, 2021, all in Centre County. The indictment also charges Dorsey with illegally possessing ammunition and possessing a 9mm handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin 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.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit opioid related offenses.
The maximum penalty for this offense is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Wilkes-Barre Man Sentenced to 11 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Hughes, age 33, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on March 7, 2022, to 132 months’ imprisonment to be followed by four years on supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Hughes possessed with the intent to distribute over 200 grams of methamphetamine and over 40 grams of fentanyl on May 12, 2021, at a hotel in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Hughes possessed a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun and ammunition in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities and he was a person prohibited from possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of
this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Pennsylvania State Police and the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Eight Individuals for Outstanding Contributions to Public SafetyRead the Press Release
Scranton –United States Attorney John C. Gurganus recently honored eight individuals for their outstanding contributions to public safety. These awards are made each year to a select group of individuals who perform in an exceptional manner and who make significant contributions to our Office’s efforts to promote public safety.
United States Marshal Martin J. Pane received the United States Attorney’s Award for Exemplary Lifetime Service as Law Enforcement Officer. Marshal Pane’s remarkable career exemplifies the Marshals Service’s motto, “Justice, Integrity, Service.” He has served the United States and the citizens of Pennsylvania over a distinguished 34-year career marked by sound judgment, integrity, and unwavering dedication. The award honors his expertise and leadership, and his steadying presence in our law enforcement community.
Chief Detective Michael Dessoye, of the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office received the United States Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement. This award recognizes Chief County Detective Michael Dessoye’s exceptional work in promoting cooperation among law enforcement agencies. During more than 50 years as a law enforcement officer, Chief Detective Dessoye has vigorously worked to create strong working relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute criminals who pose a danger to the citizens of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement agencies in the region have greatly benefited from his keen investigatory skills and his unique ability to forge partnerships that bring the necessary resources to investigations and thereby securing successful outcomes.
Three individuals received the United States Attorney’s Award for Distinguished Service as a Law Enforcement Officer for their exceptional work in multiple significant criminal prosecutions:
- DEA Special Agent Philip A. Klemick
This award recognizes Agent Philip Klemick’s remarkable ability to work on large scale drug trafficking cases that produce outstanding results. As a recognized expert in his field, Special Agent Klemick is often consulted by his colleagues and other agency partners and provides invaluable assistance with his unique ability to utilize the appropriate investigatory techniques to gather compelling evidence against significant large-scale drug law violators. He is a master at drafting applications for the interception of wire and electronic communications. In most instances, Special Agent Klemick has been able to trace the drugs in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to their source of supply. In his career, he has been the lead case agent in numerous Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force cases.
- Luzerne County Drug Task Force Coordinator Daniel Mimnaugh
This award recognizes Daniel Mimnaugh’s 26-year career of distinguished service as a law enforcement officer in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. His law enforcement career includes positions as a Pennsylvania State Trooper, an FBI Task Force Officer, the Laflin Chief of Police, and the Coordinator of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. In those positions, he initiated and led numerous complex drug trafficking, organized crime, and gang related investigations. His efforts resulted in the prosecution of hundreds of individuals and forfeiture of millions of dollars in illegally obtained assets. This award pays tribute to his tenacious work in the field, but also his more recent leadership of the members of the Drug Task Force.
- FDA Special Agent Michael Sullivan
This award recognizes Agent Michael Sullivan’s exceptional work in US v. Jonathon Clark Baird, 1:20-CR-00244 (MDPA), a case that involved a licensed attorney who instructed his co-conspirators on methods used to fraudulently conceal the true nature of their illegal sale of prescription drugs in the U.S. marketplace that put consumers’ health at risk. Baird, of Louisville, Kentucky marketed his law firm as focusing on steroid, nutritional supplements law and FDA regulations. He retained a nationwide client base that included individuals and companies involved in the illicit internet marketing and sale of FDA regulated drugs to the body building and enhancement community. Over about two-year period, two of Baird’s clients, Total Trading LLC of Lebanon, Pennsylvania and L&P, LLC of Schaumberg, Illinois grossed more than $5,500,000 in connection with the illegal internet sale of prescription drugs. Baird assisted these companies by reviewing their business models, websites and drafting a bogus disclaimer that the drugs sold on the website were for research purposes only and not for human use. He instructed his clients that the website check out procedure had to require that the customer acknowledge the disclaimer before he could complete the purchase of drugs. To ensure the business practices did not undermine the “research purposes only” ruse, Baird also reviewed and provided instructions about drug ordering procedures, payment procedures, drug packaging labels and advertising. Agent Sullivan’s work in bringing this case to justice was of the highest caliber.
Bureau of Prisons Attorney Erin Frymoyer received the United States Attorney’s Award for Distinguished Service in Civil Litigation. This award recognizes the outstanding legal support Attorney Frymoyer provided to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in McCreary v. Federal Bureau of Prisons, et. al., a class action suit by USP Lewisburg inmates that challenged the constitutionality of mental health treatment provided to inmates in the institution’s Special Management Unit (SMU). The award also recognizes Attorney Frymoyer’s exemplary work in the production of documentary evidence for COVID-19 compassionate release litigation. Attorney Frymoyer’s rapid response to requests for documents and policies enabled the U.S. Attorney’s Office to effectively respond to approximately 100 compassionate release motions.
Two individuals received the United States Attorney’s Award for Distinguished Service in Civil Rights Litigation:
- Department of Justice Civil Rights Trial Attorney Anne Langford
- Department of Justice Civil Rights Trial Attorney Joy Welan
These two awards recognize the recipients’ exceptional assistance to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to negotiate a settlement with Rite Aid that enabled those with visual and mobility impairments to gain access to the Rite Aid online vaccination portal. This settlement is now a model for other pharmacies and retailers offering vaccination scheduling on-line; ensuring individuals with disabilities have the ability to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination independently and privately.
“We are so pleased to recognize the achievements of our colleagues who have made significant contributions to the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office to protect the safety and well-being of our communities, said United States Attorney John C. Gurganus. “The exemplary work of these eight individuals deserves this special recognition, and I thank them for their service.”
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Scranton Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Taxpayers of More Than $250,000Read the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 7, 2022, Donald Royce, age 45, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to a mail fraud charge and a tax fraud offense.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Royce, a tax preparer working in Scranton, defrauded a number of local taxpayers in 2014. After providing the victim taxpayers with a “client copy” of their tax return that showed the correct refund amount, Royce submitted fraudulent tax returns to the IRS that inflated the refund due. After the IRS sent the refund to Royce, the defendant kept the difference between the legitimate refund amount and the higher fraudulent amount for his own personal use. In one case, Royce instructed the victim clients to provide him with their tax payment and instead forwarding the payment to the IRS, Royce kept the payment for himself. Due to Royce’s actions, his victims suffered more than $250,000 in losses.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 23 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine of $500,000. 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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Mexican Man Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 8, 2022, Joel Luis-Aguilar, age 56, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be served consecutive to a recently imposed state sentence of 2-10 years for his tenth DUI, by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien. Luis-Aguilar was also sentenced to one year of supervised release to be served upon release from his federal sentence.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Luis-Aguilar pleaded guilty to having illegally reentered the United States sometime after his last removal in April 2014 after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. He was encountered in the United States pursuant to an arrest for DUI while also subject to an arrest warrant for a previous DUI. It is expected he will be removed to Mexico at the completion of his sentence.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson prosecuted the case.
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Inmate Sentenced for Assaulting Corrections OfficerRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 7, 2022, Dahveed Dean, age 45, an inmate at United States Penitentiary Canaan (USP Canaan), was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for assaulting a federal employee.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Dean punched a corrections officer in the face during an altercation at the prison in July of 2016. The 18-month sentence will run consecutive to Dean’s current federal sentence of 25 years for robbery and firearms charges.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Canaan, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni.
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Inmate Charged with Possessing WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 7, 2022, Nelson Ferry, age 32, an inmate at FCI Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with possession of a weapon.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that on December 1, 2021, Ferry possessed a sharpened metal object intended to be used as a weapon, commonly known as a “shank.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Camoni is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Dallas Restaurant Owners Sentenced for Failing to Pay Required Corporate Payroll Taxes & Personal Income TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Giuseppe Tomasino, age 45, and Andrea Tomasino, age 71, co-owners of Tomasino’s Restaurante Italiano, located in Dallas, PA, were sentenced on March 8, 2022, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for both failing to collect and pay over several years’ worth of required federal payroll taxes and for underreporting personal income for several years. Judge Mariani sentenced Giuseppe Tomasino to serve a 6-month period of home detention with electronic monitoring, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Additionally, Giuseppe Tomasino was ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the amount of $205,799.00. Citing the elder Tomasino’s serious health issues, Judge Mariani sentenced Andrea Tomasino to two years of probation. Andrea Tomasino was also ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $214,347.00.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, for a 5-year period from the first quarter of 2014 through the first quarter of 2019, the Tomasinos willfully failed to collect and pay over to the IRS required federal payroll taxes, including Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes. Additionally, for years 2014 through 2017, both men intentionally underreported their personal income, resulting in further tax loss to the IRS. More specifically, Giuseppe Tomasino underreported income for the relevant years in the total amount of $489,390.00, while Andrea Tomasino underreported income for the same period in the total amount of $491,820.00.
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
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Carbon County Woman Charged with Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a former Postal contractor, Rachele Ostrowe, age 39, of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for theft of Government funds.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that between November 2017 and April 2019, Ostrowe fraudulently claimed mileage payments for extra trips to deliver mail and parcels to which she knew she was not entitled. The indictment alleges she stole over $1,000.
The case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni 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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York Woman Charged with Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 4, 2022, a criminal information was filed charging Melinda Bixler, age 49, of York, Pennsylvania, with one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that Bixler purchased a home in York, PA for $685,000 using money that she had obtained through various unlawful means.
The information alleges that Bixler obtained a mortgage loan for the purchase of this home by submitting multiple false statements to York Traditions Bank. These false statements allegedly included a forged letter from the owners of a business property that Bixler had previously purchased stating that she no longer owed money to the prior owners, when in fact she was still making monthly payments on it. It is also alleged that Bixler obtained a gift letter from her son stating that he was gifting his mother $350,000 from his own personal funds when Bixler actually funneled money to her son through a series of transactions that disguised the true sources of the funds. One source of these funds was $78,000 that Bixler took from the bank account of M.H., a 94-year-old woman residing at a nursing home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Bixler was then the power of attorney for M.H., and she therefore had access to the elderly client’s bank account.
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, York County District Attorney’s Office, York County Area Agency on Aging, and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Protective Services Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the maximum penalty under federal law is 10 years’ imprisonment. This charge may also carry a fine 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.
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 to 121 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis D. Baez-Sierra, age 38, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on March 2, 2022, to 121 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Baez-Sierra previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine between May 2015 and May 2017. Baez-Sierra was the leader of a drug trafficking organization operating in York County, Pennsylvania. Baez-Sierra was receiving narcotics through the United States mail sent from Puerto Rico.
Baez-Sierra was originally charged in May 2017, with seven codefendants:
- Ramon Puig Rodriguez – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and is awaiting sentencing;
- Chayann Torres-Santiago – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment;
- Juan Rivera Marrero – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams and more of cocaine hydrochloride, money laundering and was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment;
- Jean Carlos Torres-Santiago – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams and more of cocaine hydrochloride and 100 grams and more of heroin, and was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment;
- Charlie Abdiel Cruz Velez – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms and more of cocaine hydrochloride, and was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment;
- Henry Delgado – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms and more of cocaine hydrochloride, and was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment; and
- Angel Santiago-Torres – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service and the York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Luzerne County Couple Sentenced for Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Offenses Committed Against Their NeighborsRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Ernest Stonebraker, age 33, and his wife, Theresa Stonebraker, age 42, both of Berwick, Pennsylvania, were sentenced on March 3, 2022, by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann, to terms of imprisonment as a result of their participation in a credit card fraud and identity theft scheme. Ernest Stonebraker received a sentence of 48 months, while his wife and coconspirator, Theresa Stonebraker received a sentence of 30 months. Each defendant was also ordered to serve a term of supervised release following imprisonment and to make restitution in the amount of $8,039.55, which represents the amount of unreimbursed loss suffered by their victims.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, from March 2019 to May 2019, the Stonebrakers used the personal identification information of their neighbors, which they obtained from mail that they stole from their neighbors’ mail boxes, and through other means, including by accessing victims’ MyGeisinger accounts, to open credit card accounts in their victims’ names. The couple then used the fraudulently obtained credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars of goods and services from local retailers. In all, the Stonebrakers either victimized or attempted to victimize (by compiling the personal information of) approximately 70 of their fellow residents of Luzerne and Columbia Counties. The total amount of loss attributable to the scheme was approximately $52,000.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Salem Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
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Lackawanna County Woman Sentenced to 33 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicole Ann Bozek, age 32, of Nicholson, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on March 2, 2022, to 33 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion following her conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Bozek conspired to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin (which is approximately equivalent to 50,000 individual retail bags of heroin) during the conspiracy.
Bozek was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020. With the exception of Tysheen Gott, a/k/a “LB,” all other co-conspirators pleaded guilty. Gott was convicted after trial in August 2021 and is awaiting sentencing.
This case was the result of a year-long investigation, in part driven by multiple federal wiretaps conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Pittston City Police Department, the Plymouth Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Robert O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.”
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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Camp Hill Man Charged with Attempted Arson and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 2, 2022, Yevgeniy Maksymiv, 33, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for maliciously attempting to damage or destroy a building by fire, and for knowingly possessing an unregistered destructive device.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Maksymiv attempted to damage or destroy Zembie’s Sports Tavern in Harrisburg by fire on February 28, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby.
The total maximum penalties under federal law for the charged offenses is up to 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, followed by a period of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Berwick Bank Officer Charged with False Loan ApplicationsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Matthew W. Mensinger, age 48, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with aiding and abetting false statements on loan applications.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the criminal information alleges that Mensinger was the Chief Lending Officer of a Berwick, Pennsylvania-based financial institution. Between approximately November 2011 and June 2020, Mensinger caused other individuals and entities to obtain approximately $690,000 in loans from the financial institution, purportedly for small business purposes. In fact, however, the individuals and entities provided the money to Mensinger, who promised that he would repay the loans.
The case was investigated by agents from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Office of the Inspector General, and from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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 Couple Indicted on Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 2, 2022, Wyatt Jones, age 26 and Marisel Toro, age 21, of York, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury for child exploitation offenses.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Jones and Toro with conspiracy to produce child pornography, production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The indictment alleges that Jones and Toro committed the offenses between October 2020 and April 2021.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the York City Police Department, and the United States Probation Office. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. 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.
If convicted, the maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses charged in the indictment is life imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for the defendants if convicted of production of child pornography. 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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The Pennsylvania State University Agrees to Pay $899,824.55 to Settle A Voluntary Disclosure Related to the Penn State Psychological ClinicRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG, PA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Penn State has agreed to pay $899,824.55 to resolve allegations of civil liability for the submission of claims by the Penn State Psychological Clinic in State College, PA, to Medicare, TRICARE and Medicaid between February 1, 2015 and July 31, 2020 for behavioral health and Evaluation & Management services that violated Medicare rules and regulations.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Penn State, through the Clinic, is alleged to have submitted improper claims related to behavioral health services with respect to the supervision of doctoral students, “incident-to” billing requirements, and/or the credentialing of licensed practitioners for Medicare participation. Additionally, the Clinic is alleged to have submitted claims for Evaluation & Management services that were not supported by the medical record. After discovering the problems, Penn State took prompt corrective action and disclosed the matter to the United States Attorney’s Office. Restitution is $599,883.03 of the settlement amount.
This matter was handled by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG), the Defense Health Agency (DHA), acting on behalf of the TRICARE program, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Haken of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
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Previously Deported Alien Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 2, 2022, Genrry Estuardo Lopez-Ramirez a/k/a Alex Ariel Lopez-Morales, a/k/a Henry Lopez-Ramirez, age 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Lopez-Ramirez was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in March 2019. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after March 2019. He was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, after an August 2, 2021, arrest by a Chambersburg police officer, on charges which eventually led to a conviction for DUI: Controlled Substance.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Lopez-Ramirez faces a maximum penalty of 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Mount Carmel Businessman Sentenced to 12 Months’ Imprisonment for Failure to Account and Pay over Employment TaxRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ricky Long, 54, of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 12 months plus one-day in prison by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for failure to account for and pay over employment tax.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Long pleaded guilty in August 2021, to failure to account and pay over employment taxes. Long is the owner and operator of a home healthcare business known as Warm Hearts Home Care Agency, Inc. operating in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Warm Hearts employs aids that assist homebound patients with their medical needs. Long failed to file tax return forms for or pay over $296,484.89 in employment and trust fund taxes collected from employees over several years. Rather than turning the money over to the IRS, Long used the money to open a wine bar in Shamokin, Pennsylvania and on personal expenses such as vacations and tickets to sporting events. Long was also ordered to make full restitution.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
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Lebanon County Man Indicted on Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jelson Manuel De La Cruz-Caba, 30, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Cruz-Caba with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl on July 20, 2021, in Lebanon County. The indictment also charges Cruz-Caba with possessing a 9mm Baretta handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford.
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.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit opioid related offenses.
The maximum penalty for this offense is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Tennessee Woman Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Smuggling Narcotics into Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Lisa Montpelier, 48, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for smuggling suboxone into the United States Penitentiary (USP Allenwood) in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Montpelier pleaded guilty in March 26, 2021 to the offense of providing contraband to an inmate. During a visit to an inmate at USP Allenwood in 2017, Montpelier used an open-mouth kiss to pass a balloon containing 21 suboxone strips to an inmate. The incident was monitored via a closed-circuit camera and the suboxone was later recovered from the inmate.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
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Federal Inmate Sentenced to 12 Months’ Imprisonment for Assaulting Correctional OfficerRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 1, 2022, inmate William Henry Foster, age 35, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for an assault of a federal officer inflicting bodily injury. Foster’s sentence will run consecutively to his current 300-month federal sentence for conspiring to commit murder.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on September 16, 2019, at the United States Penitentiary, Allenwood, in White Deer, Pennsylvania, Foster aggressively confronted a Bureau of Prisons senior officer in Foster’s housing unit. The officer ordered Foster to leave the unit, but Foster became increasingly upset and refused to leave. The officer then attempted to physically remove Foster from the unit, prompting Foster to punch the officer in the head and torso. Prison staff ultimately subdued Foster. The officer sustained abrasions on his left hand and neck and a head contusion.
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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Bellefonte Woman Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Mail FraudRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 1, 2022, Mildred Hoy, 62, of Bellefonte, PA, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for her participation in a wire and mail fraud conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Hoy pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Brann in May 2021 to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. The conspiracy to defraud involved victims sending money to Hoy in the belief that they had won the lottery and needed to remit fees to cover taxes. Hoy then sent cash to others in the conspiracy and converted cash into Bitcoin and deposited it in the bank accounts of other coconspirators. Hoy’s participation in the conspiracy defrauded victims of $489,000 dollars.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
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Previously Deported Alien Sentenced to Time-Served for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 28, 2022, Jose Angel Robles-Alvarez, age 38, was sentenced to time served of 33 days’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Robles-Alvarez pleaded guilty to having illegally reentered the United States sometime after his last removal in October 2015. After illegally reentering the United States after that time, he was located on September 3, 2020, in Adams County, Pennsylvania, after an arrest which resulted in a DUI conviction. It is expected he will be removed to Mexico at the completion of his sentence.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson.
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New York Man Sentenced to 12 Years’ Imprisonment for $1.3 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 28, 2022, Horace Henry. age 45, of New York, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for organizing a scheme to defraud Sprint of $1.3 million that used stolen personal identification information of 390 victims, in 14 states, to fraudulently order over 1,600 iPhones.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Henry previously pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Brann to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Henry and his co-conspirators executed a scheme to defraud Sprint through fraudulent cell phone service contracts that were created using the stolen personal identification information of 390 identity theft victims, resulting in bogus orders for 1,630 iPhone XR cell phones. According to evidence presented at the sentencing, as a result of the fraud scheme approximately 892 iPhones were shipped to locations throughout the United States, including Centre, Northumberland, Montour, and Mifflin Counties. The fraud and identity theft scheme caused Sprint to incur actual and attempted losses totaling approximately $1,338,247. Henry and his co-defendants used shipment tracking numbers to determine when packages containing iPhones were scheduled for delivery, traveled from New York to the individual victims’ residences in Pennsylvania and other states, and retrieved the packages at the delivery locations, or directly from delivery persons using counterfeit identification documents bearing the personal identification information of the individual victims and photos of the conspirators.
In addition to the 12-year prison term, Chief Judge Brann also ordered Henry to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon release from custody, and pay restitution in the amount of $705,803 for cell phones shipped, but not recovered.
Henry was born in Jamaica and resided in New York at the time of the offense. He was previously deported and illegally re-entered the United States without permission. Henry’s co-defendants, Andrew Herdsman and George Bobb, entered guilty pleas and have been sentenced. Federal and state investigators arrested Herdsman in Centre County on January 25, 2019, after he had picked up fraudulently ordered cell phones, during a joint federal and state investigation conducted with the assistance of Sprint’s fraud management unit. On July 26, 2019, Delaware State Police investigators arrested Henry and Bobb in Delmar, Delaware as a result of information from Sprint indicating multiple fraudulent cell phone orders to locations in Delaware and Maryland. Another co-defendant Ian Thompson was arrested on a warrant issued following federal indictment, and he entered a guilty plea on February 17, 2022 and is presently awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Spring Township Police Department, Patton Township Police Department, State College Police Department, and the Delaware State Police and Maryland State Police, with the support, cooperation and assistance of Sprint and Sprint Fraud Management. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
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Carlisle Woman Sentenced for Illegal Monetary Transactions Involving Covid-19 Relief FundsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 28, 2022, Christina McConnell, age 43, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to two years of probation, including four months of home confinement, for engaging in illegal monetary transactions involving $232,300 in COVID-19 relief funds.
The COVID-19 relief funds at issue were guaranteed by the U.S. 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, Christina McConnell knowingly used criminally derived PPP loan proceeds to purchase personal use vehicles and a residential property in June and July 2020. Christina McConnell’s husband, Keith McConnell, also pled guilty to the underlying PPP wire fraud and related money laundering offenses, and is awaiting sentencing. The Court ordered Christina McConnell to pay $232,200 in restitution for disbursement to the victims, and she paid the full amount prior to sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Two Men Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl in Lycoming CountyRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Braheem Lewis, 24, of Philadelphia and Ethan Bailey, 23, of Williamsport were sentenced on February 23, 2022, by Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Lewis was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment and Bailey was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. Both will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release after serving their imprisonment sentences.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Lewis and Bailey conspired to distribute fentanyl in Lycoming County from August 2019 to August 2020. At the hearing, Chief Judge Brann highlighted the way that the distribution of fentanyl has ravaged this community and the country.
Three other co-defendants were previously sentenced and received the following:
- Basil Arties, 27, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment;
- Damion Bethea, 26, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment; and
- Kenyon Bonaparte, 21, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment.
Co-defendants Kevin Bryant and Ira Sims have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Co-defendants Angellitto Lawton and Jordan Watkins are awaiting trial.
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 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.
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 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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Northumberland County Man Indicted for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 24, 2022, Scott Eric Snyder, age 50, of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, was indicted on charges of production of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on July 7, 2012 and July 13, 2013, in Northumberland County, Snyder produced child pornography.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin 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 these offenses is 30 years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Lycoming County Man Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Joseph Rinker, 51, of Lycoming County, was sentenced to two years of probation by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann for tax evasion.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Rinker pleaded guilty to a criminal information that charged him with using his position as the manager of the Harvest Moon Restaurant in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to embezzle over $300,000, that he subsequently failed to report as income to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) from 2014 to 2017. Rinker was ordered to pay $64,250 in restitution to the IRS prior to the sentencing hearing held on February 18, 2022.
The case was investigated by the IRS’s Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
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Hotel General Manager Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment 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 on February 23, 2022, Faizal Bhimani, age 45, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for sex trafficking and drug trafficking offenses.
Bhimani’s sentencing follows a two-week jury trial in Scranton in October 2020, which concluded with the jury returning guilty verdicts against Bhimani and co-defendant Nazim Hassam, along with two hotel companies, Om Sri Sai, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, and the Pocono Plaza Inn hotel, formerly known as the Quality Inn, located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Om Sri Sai, Inc., a company that owned and operated a Howard Johnson hotel located in 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.
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, made rooms available for sex traffickers and drug dealers, and at times took payment for the hotel directly from the proceeds of criminal activity. Bhimani also traded discounted and free rooms for sex, which traffickers would direct their victims to provide. Dozens of women were compelled by multiple traffickers, sometimes called pimps, to conduct prostitution 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 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 co-defendant Nazim 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.
In all, forty defendants have been convicted in federal court 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 successfully dismantled the P Stones as well as a second gang, the Brick City Brims, and disrupted the activities of two more, the Blood Stone Villains and the Bloodhound Brims. Investigators 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.
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.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit opioid related offenses.
The 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. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean A. Camoni, Jenny Roberts and Francis Sempa prosecuted the case.
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Harrisburg Man Charged with Access-Device Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Amisial Elveus, 31, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 23, 2022, by a federal grand jury with access-device fraud and aggravated identity theft offenses.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that from July 6, 2020 until on or about November 6, 2020, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Elveus obtained and used another person’s credit card account number and obtained a $1,000 or more by using one or more unauthorized access devices.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Lower Paxton Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the charged offenses is imprisonment for up to 12 years, up to three years 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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Bradford County Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on February 24, 2022, John Palfreyman, age 39, of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of illegally possessing firearms.
According to United States John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on December 1, 2021, in Bradford County, Palfreyman possessed with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment also alleges that Palfreyman possessed two rifles while prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous criminal conviction.
The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police and the Northumberland County Sherriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin 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 for the offenses is up to 50 years of imprisonment, a life term of supervised release, and a fine of $5,250,000. 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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Bloomsburg Woman Sentenced to 12 Months’ 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 Vicki Hackenberg, age 57, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Matthew W. Brann, to 12 months of imprisonment for perpetrating 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, Hackenberg pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy involving her codefendant, Darryl Corradini, and others. The conspirators 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 allegedly 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 was then used to purchase Bitcoins, a type of cryptocurrency.
During sentencing, Chief Judge Brann highlighted Hackenberg’s prior state conviction for a similar fraud offense, noting that she was on probation at the time she committed the instant offense. In addition to the Hackenberg’s sentence of imprisonment, Chief Judge Brann also ordered her to pay $431,289 to the victims of her crimes. Hackenberg’s codefendant, Darryl Corradini, also pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
The case was investigated by agents with the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Lebanon Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael Rankin, age 34, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 23, 2022, by a federal grand jury for sexually exploiting children, distributing child pornography, and possessing child pornography.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that between June 2021 and August 2021, Rankin induced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images of that conduct. The indictment also alleges that Rankin distributed child pornography in August 2021 and possessed child pornography in October 2021.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli 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."
If convicted, the maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 60 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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Lackawanna County Man Sentenced to 30 Years’ Imprisonment for Production of Child Pornography and Attempted Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Lewis Kramer, age 37, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 23, 2022, to 360 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for production of child pornography and attempted witness tampering.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on July 7, 2021, following a two-day bench trial, Judge Mannion found Kramer guilty of producing pornographic images of a child between March 1, 2019, and March 27, 2020, in Lackawanna County. The 14-year-old victim’s mother called the police to report that she found videos and pictures on Kramer’s phone having sex with the minor victim. On January 22, 2021, Kramer sent a letter to the victim’s mother threatening to have her arrested—conduct that resulted in the guilty verdict for attempted witness tampering.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
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Convicted Sex Trafficker Indicted for EscapeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jimmy Cantelmo, age 33, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 23, 2022, by a federal grand jury on escape charges.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on February 16, 2022, Cantelmo escaped from custody of the Capital Pavilion Residential Reentry Center in Dauphin County, where he was confined following his conviction of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for 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 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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Australian Man Indicted on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG, The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 23, 2022, Robert Lindsay Swan, age 38, of Australia, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Swan possessed a Walther Creed 9mm pistol on November 9, 2021, in York County, as a prohibited person due to unlawfully being in the United States.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the York Area Regional Police Department. 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 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.
If convicted, the maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 24 Years’ Imprisonment for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON-The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Scott Michael Decker, age 45, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 18, 2022, to 292 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for production of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on August 11, 2021, Decker entered a guilty plea to two counts of production of child pornography. Decker produced pornographic images of two children between January 1, 2019, and March 12, 2020, in Luzerne County.
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 case was investigated by the Pittston City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
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Pennsylvania Man Charged with TortureRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Department of Justice announced today that a Pennsylvania man was arrested yesterday on charges alleging that he tortured a victim in the Kurdistan region of Iraq in 2015.
A superseding indictment returned Tuesday in the Middle District of Pennsylvania charges Ross Roggio, 53, of Stroudsburg, with suffocating a victim with a belt, threatening to cut off one of the victim’s fingers, and directing Kurdish soldiers to inflict other severe physical and mental pain and suffering on the victim.
“These charges demonstrate that the Department of Justice will hold U.S. citizens who commit horrendous acts of violence accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to bringing human rights violators to justice.”
“The Grand Jury charges that the defendant directed and participated in the systematic torture of an employee over the course of 39 days by Kurdish soldiers in Iraq,” said U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “The grand jury’s superseding indictment and the hard work of our law enforcement partners show that such brutality will be exposed and addressed wherever it occurs.”
“The heinous acts of violence that Ross Roggio directed and inflicted upon the victim were blatant human rights violations that will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This superseding indictment underscores that the United States stands for the rule of law and will hold accountable anyone who commits acts of torture, regardless of where it takes place.”
“This defendant leveraged his position and used foreign soldiers in order to intimidate and coerce someone who was a threat to the success of his corrupt scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “Whether in the United States or on foreign soil, heinous acts like torture violate our laws. The FBI has a global reach and working in concert with our federal and international partners, will pursue justice for any victim – here or abroad – who suffers at the hands of an American citizen.”
“HSI is committed to upholding the law, both within the United States and abroad,” said Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of the HSI Philadelphia Field Office. “Holding accountable Americans who commit human rights violations like those alleged in this superseding indictment is the chief priority of the No Safe Haven mission. This superseding indictment is the result of extraordinary collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners. This case serves as another reminder that HSI works tirelessly to investigate those who seek to escape justice from crimes they commit overseas.”
“The illegal export of firearms parts and tools from the United States is often connected to other criminal acts, to include, as set forth in the superseding indictment, allegations of torture,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office. “The Office of Export Enforcement will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively enforce export violations in the interest of public safety in the U.S. and abroad.”
According to the superseding indictment, Roggio was managing a project in 2015 to construct a factory and produce weapons in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The superseding indictment alleges that one of Roggio’s employees raised concerns about the weapons project and, to prevent the employee from interfering with the weapons project, Roggio arranged for Kurdish soldiers to abduct the employee.
The superseding indictment alleges that, while the employee was detained at a Kurdish military compound for approximately 39 days, Roggio led multiple interrogation sessions during which he directed Kurdish soldiers to suffocate the victim with a bag, taser the victim in the groin and other areas of his body, beat the victim with fists and rubber hoses, jump violently on the victim’s chest while wearing military boots, and threaten to cut off one of the victim’s fingers while applying pressure to the finger with a large cutting tool. The superseding indictment also alleges that on at least one occasion, Roggio wrapped his belt around the victim’s neck, yanked the victim off the ground, and suspended him in the air, causing the victim to lose consciousness.
Roggio and the Roggio Consulting Company LLC were charged in a 37-count indictment in 2018 with illegally exporting firearms parts and tools from the United States to Iraq as part of the weapons project in Kurdistan. The superseding indictment adds the torture charges to the previously charged offenses.
The superseding indictment additionally charges Roggio with one count of conspiracy to commit torture and one substantive count of torture. Roggio is the second U.S. citizen – and the fourth defendant overall – to be charged with violating the torture statute since the law went into effect in 1994.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the torture charges as well as a maximum total statutory penalty of 705 years in prison for the remaining 37 counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI and HSI investigated the torture allegations and were joined in the investigation of the alleged arms export violations by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Hinkley and Jenny Roberts for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Trial Attorneys Patrick Jasperse and Christian Levesque of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions (HRSP) Section, and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, with assistance from HRSP Historian Dr. Nadav Samin. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Pennsylvania State Police also provided valuable assistance.
Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form. All are staffed around the clock, and tips may be provided anonymously.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Pennsylvania Man Charged with TortureRead the Press Release
A Pennsylvania man was arrested yesterday on charges alleging that he tortured a victim in the Kurdistan region of Iraq in 2015.
A superseding indictment returned Tuesday in the Middle District of Pennsylvania charges Ross Roggio, 53, of Stroudsburg, with suffocating a victim with a belt, threatening to cut off one of the victim’s fingers and directing Kurdish soldiers to inflict other severe physical and mental pain and suffering on the victim.
“These charges demonstrate that the Department of Justice will hold U.S. citizens who commit horrendous acts of violence accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to bringing human rights violators to justice.”
“The grand jury charges that the defendant directed and participated in the systematic torture of an employee over the course of 39 days by Kurdish soldiers in Iraq,” said U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “The grand jury’s superseding indictment and the hard work of our law enforcement partners show that such brutality will be exposed and addressed wherever it occurs.”
“The heinous acts of violence that Ross Roggio directed and inflicted upon the victim were blatant human rights violations that will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This superseding indictment underscores that the United States stands for the rule of law and will hold accountable anyone who commits acts of torture, regardless of where it takes place.”
“This defendant leveraged his position and used foreign soldiers in order to intimidate and coerce someone who was a threat to the success of his corrupt scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “Whether in the United States or on foreign soil, heinous acts like torture violate our laws. The FBI has a global reach and working in concert with our federal and international partners, will pursue justice for any victim – here or abroad – who suffers at the hands of an American citizen.”
“HSI is committed to upholding the law, both within the United States and abroad,” said Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia Field Office. “Holding accountable Americans who commit human rights violations like those alleged in this superseding indictment is the chief priority of the No Safe Haven mission. This superseding indictment is the result of extraordinary collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners. This case serves as another reminder that HSI works tirelessly to investigate those who seek to escape justice from crimes they commit overseas.”
“The illegal export of firearms parts and tools from the United States is often connected to other criminal acts, to include, as set forth in the superseding indictment, allegations of torture,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office. “The Office of Export Enforcement will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively enforce export violations in the interest of public safety in the U.S. and abroad.”
According to the superseding indictment, Roggio was managing a project in 2015 to construct a factory and produce weapons in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The superseding indictment alleges that one of Roggio’s employees raised concerns about the weapons project and, to prevent the employee from interfering with the weapons project, Roggio arranged for Kurdish soldiers to abduct the employee.
The superseding indictment alleges that, while the employee was detained at a Kurdish military compound for approximately 39 days, Roggio led multiple interrogation sessions during which he directed Kurdish soldiers to suffocate the victim with a bag, taser the victim in the groin and other areas of his body, beat the victim with fists and rubber hoses, jump violently on the victim’s chest while wearing military boots, and threaten to cut off one of the victim’s fingers while applying pressure to the finger with a large cutting tool. The superseding indictment also alleges that on at least one occasion, Roggio wrapped his belt around the victim’s neck, yanked the victim off the ground, and suspended him in the air, causing the victim to lose consciousness.
Roggio and the Roggio Consulting Company LLC were charged in a 37-count indictment in 2018 with illegally exporting firearms parts and tools from the United States to Iraq as part of the weapons project in Kurdistan. The superseding indictment adds the torture charges to the previously charged offenses.
The superseding indictment additionally charges Roggio with one count of conspiracy to commit torture and one substantive count of torture. Roggio is the second U.S. citizen – and the fourth defendant overall – to be charged with violating the torture statute since the law went into effect in 1994.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the torture charges as well as a maximum total statutory penalty of 705 years in prison for the remaining 37 counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI and HSI investigated the torture allegations and were joined in the investigation of the alleged arms export violations by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Hinkley and Jenny Roberts for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Trial Attorneys Patrick Jasperse and Christian Levesque of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions (HRSP) Section, and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, with assistance from HRSP Historian Dr. Nadav Samin. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Pennsylvania State Police also provided valuable assistance.
Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form. All are staffed around the clock, and tips may be provided anonymously.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Hazleton Roofing Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Failing to Pay Required Federal Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Charles R. Ehrenberg, age 34, owner of Ehrenberg Roofing and Construction, Inc., located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on February 17, 2022, before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to failing to collect and pay over several years’ worth of required federal payroll taxes.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the criminal information to which Ehrenberg pleaded guilty alleges that Ehrenberg, who was responsible, as owner of Ehrenberg Roofing and Construction, Inc., for collecting and paying over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal payroll taxes, including Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes, willfully failed to pay over to the IRS these required taxes for the period from 2017 through 2020, in the total amount of $185,681.90.
These charges stem from an investigation by IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Franklin County Man Sentenced to 210 Months’ Imprisonment for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Damion Phillip Gress, age 25, of Franklin County, was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for offenses involving the exploitation of minors.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Gress pleaded guilty to persuading and using a minor to produce images of child pornography between August 2015 and October 2016. Gress also produced images of child pornography in July 2016 involving a second victim. Gress also received images of child pornography and possessed thousands of images of child pornography on August 12, 2019.
Judge Wilson also ordered Gress to pay restitution in the amount of $54,000 to his victims.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Christian Haugsby 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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FCI Schuylkill Inmate Sentenced to 10 Days’ Imprisonment for Possessing A CellphoneRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mario Madrigal, age 29, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute - Schuylkill (FCI Schuylkill), Minersville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr., to ten days’ imprisonment for possessing a prohibited object, namely a black Samsung cellphone.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Madrigal knowingly possessed a Samsung cellphone on or about September 4, 2021, within the FCI-Schuylkill facility. Federal law prohibits inmates from possessing cellphones due to the institutional security risks posed by their use.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Saporito also ordered that his sentence be served after completion of the 24-month sentence Madrigal is currently serving for violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
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Cumberland County Man Charged with Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering, and Theft of Public MoneyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rodney L. Yentzer, age 52, of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania was charged in a criminal information with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of theft of public money for defrauding Medicare and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services between 2016 and 2020.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that Yentzer agreed with others to defraud Medicare by submitting bill for medically unnecessary urine drug tests for chronic opioid patients at medical clinics he controlled, including a group of clinics known as Pain Medicine of York or “PMY” (also known as All Better Wellness).
It is alleged that PMY billed Medicare for more than $10 million in urine drug tests from mid-2017 through the end of 2019. As a result, Medicare paid out over $4 million for these urine drug tests. Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program was also billed for urine drug tests during this same time period. The urine drug tests ordered by PMY were sent to an in-house laboratory at PMY whenever possible. As a result, when medically unnecessary tests were billed to Medicare, the proceeds from them went to PMY itself.
The information also alleges that Yentzer received over $191,000 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stimulus money that was intended for health care providers who had health care related expenses and lost revenues attributable to COVID-19. Yentzer obtained these funds in April 2020, even though he had resigned from PMY the prior month and PMY had been closed since late 2019. Yentzer allegedly used these funds on various things unrelated to COVID-19 relief, including personal expenses.
Search warrants were executed at PMY’s various locations in November 2019, and PMY ceased operations soon thereafter.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Smultkis are prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for conspiracy to commit health care fraud is 10 years’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty law for conspiracy to commit money laundering is 20 years’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty law for theft of public money is 10 years’ imprisonment. These charges may also carry a fine 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.
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 to 100 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and A Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that on February 10, 2022, William Dwayne Shelton, age 50, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 100 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine hydrochloride and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shelton’s residence in Hanover, based upon his involvement in narcotics trafficking. During the search of the residence, law enforcement officers seized cocaine, heroin, processing materials, firearms, ammunition, and cash.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, York County Drug Task Force and Penn Township Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Donald Jackson, age 36, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on February 11, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on June 19, 2018, Harrisburg Bureau of Police offers stopped a vehicle in which Jackson was a passenger. Jackson exited the vehicle and fled on foot. An officer observed Jackson carrying what he believed to be a firearm and another officer saw Jackson discard the item in a trash can. Officers took Jackson into custody and found inside the trash can a black purse which contained marijuana, plastic baggies, and a digital scale. Underneath the purse, officers recovered a Ruger 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number. During a search of Jackson and the vehicle, ecstasy, marijuana, and crack were also recovered.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Mobile Street Crimes Unit investigated the case with assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford prosecuted the case.
This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of
this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Tioga County Man Sentenced to 51 Months’ Imprisonment for Marijuana Grow OperationRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 9, 2022, James Burrous, age 47, of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to 51 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a marijuana grow operation.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Burrous possessed more than 100 marijuana plants that he intended to distribute. When a search warrant was executed on Burrous’s home in February of 2017, other controlled substances such as Dimethyltryptamine (“DMT”) and lysergic acid diethylamide (“LSD”) were also recovered.
Co-defendant, Zack Boyer, age 37, of Tioga County, was previously sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment for his role in conspiring with Burrous to manufacture and distribute controlled substances.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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