Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
New York Man Indicted for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 19, 2021, Michael Muse, age 43, of Brooklyn, New York, was indicted for armed bank robbery.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on September 16, 2021, Michael Muse, age 43, committed an armed robbery of the ESSA Bank in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County.
The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under federal law, Muse faces a maximum sentence of up to twenty-five years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Hanover Man Sentenced to 14 Years’ Imprisonment for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Andrew Michael Rogers, age 39, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 19, 2021 to 14 years’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for receiving, distributing, and attempting to distribute child pornography. Rogers was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release following his release from prison, and to pay $134,000 in restitution to victims.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Rogers previously pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing images of child pornography within Middle District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. At the time of his arrest, Rogers was found to be in possession of more than 3,400 images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children, and sexually explicit material involving children that depicted sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. 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.
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East Stroudsburg Man Sentenced to 40 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Temple, age 52, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 19, 2021, to 40 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for trafficking in fentanyl and other illegal narcotics.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, from approximately October 2018 to October 2019, Temple conspired with others to distribute fentanyl, primarily in Monroe County. On October 3, 2019, following the execution of a search warrant at Temple’s East Stroudsburg residence, authorities seized over 90 grams of fentanyl, along with distribution quantities of cocaine, amphetamine and illegally obtained prescription pills. The 90 grams of fentanyl seized from Temple’s residence corresponds to approximately 3,600 individual doses of the potentially lethal substance.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St. John prosecuted the case.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Bloomsburg Couple Plead Guilty to Committing over $430,000 Money Laundering Scheme, Including $300,000 in Covid-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 18, 2021, Darryl Corradini, age 63, and Vicki Hackenberg, age 57, both of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before Chief District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to conspiring to commit money laundering. The laundering activities involved hundreds of thousands of fraudulently obtained funds, including 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 Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Corradini and Hackenberg admitted to assisting their coconspirators by creating a shell corporation, CGM Realty LLC, and opening bank accounts and a Bitcoin trading account in the corporation’s name, by using false and forged documents. Corradini and Hackenberg also assisted their conspirators in obtaining 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, with Corradini and Hackenberg obtaining several thousand dollars for their efforts.
As part of their guilty pleas, Corradini and Hackenberg agreed to forfeit several checks to investigators, and to pay over $430,000 in restitution.
“COVID-19 relief fraud is a high priority for the Department of Justice and our office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute these offenses,” stated Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “These funds were intended to help people and businesses harmed by the pandemic, not to line the pockets of fraudsters. We will do everything in our power to make sure that individuals involved in this type of criminal behavior are prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows.”
The case was investigated by the IRS, Criminal Investigations Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Berwick Man Pleads Guilty to Committing over $400,000 in Covid-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hayes D. Horner, Jr., age 67, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud in a scheme to obtain and attempt to obtain over $400,000 in COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Horner pleaded guilty before Chief District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann on October 18, 2021, and was released pending sentencing.
The EIDL program is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, EIDL funds are offered in low-interest rate loans, designated for specific business expenses, such as fixed debts, payroll, and business obligation.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Horner pleaded guilty to aiding his coconspirators in obtaining and attempting to obtain over $400,000 in EIDL funds by opening two bank accounts that received EIDL funds obtained pursuant to fraudulent loan applications made in the names of identity theft victims. Horner allegedly withdrew over $58,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds, and attempted unsuccessfully to wire approximately $165,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds to other accounts under his coconspirators’ control.
Investigators seized over $100,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds from a bank account under Horner’s control. As part of his guilty plea, Horner agreed to forfeit those seized funds, and to repay nearly $160,000 in restitution.
“COVID-19 relief fraud is a high priority for the Department of Justice and our office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute these offenses,” stated Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “These funds were intended to help people and businesses harmed by the pandemic, not to line the pockets of fraudsters. We will do everything in our power to make sure that individuals involved in this type of criminal behavior are prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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York Man Sentenced to 15 Months’ Imprisonment for Stealing $105,875 Worth of Postage StampsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Elieze Guilamo, age 20, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 15 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for conspiring to steal government property.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Guilamo previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to purchase $105,875 worth of postage stamps from post offices in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Guilamo admitted that to purchase the stamps, he used personal checks, knowing that the funds in his bank account were insufficient to cover the cost of the stamps. As part of his plea agreement, Guilamo agreed to pay restitution to the U.S. Postal Service in the amount of $105,875, which represents the value of the postage stamps that Guilamo and his coconspirators unlawfully obtained.
Guilamo’s codefendants, Steven Williams and Arthur Gibson, were previously sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and 18 months’ imprisonment, respectively.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Northeastern Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Pike County Man Guilty of Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 18, 2021, Jerald Ungerer, age 34, formerly of Milford, Pennsylvania, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to production of child pornography.
According to Acting United States Attorney, Bruce D. Brandler, Ungerer admitted to producing multiple videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Northeast Computer Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment, up to a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Federal and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Announce Operation Scarecrow- HarrisburgRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Harrisburg Police Bureau announced a joint initiative (Operation Scarecrow - Harrisburg) that targets individuals who illegally purchase and possess firearms in Harrisburg and surrounding areas. Operation Scarecrow focuses on individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction who use third parties (“straw parties”) to purchase firearms on their behalf. Under federal and state law, such transactions are illegal and both the prohibited person and the straw party are subject to criminal prosecution for engaging in this type of behavior.
Operation Scarecrow - Harrisburg began in April 2021 and has thus far resulted in ten individuals being charged in federal court regarding 139 straw purchases of firearms, and 26 firearms being recovered.
U.S. v. Holton, et. al.
- Jamia Philecia Holton, age 22, Harrisburg, PA, charged with conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of a firearm;
- Shadaya Nakeyma Jackson, age 30, York, PA, charged with conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of a firearms;
- Tykeam Markel Jackson, age 26, York, PA and Boston, MA, charged with conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of firearms, unlawful possession of firearm by prohibited person, and two counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm;
- 53 guns straw purchased;
- 10 additional attempted straw purchases
- 5 recovered.
U.S. v. Tasker, et. al.
- Dontrece Tasker, age 22, Harrisburg, PA, charged with conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license and false statement during purchase of a firearm;
- Yahmir Miller-Holmes, age 22, Harrisburg, PA, charged with conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license;
- Khyree Randolph, age 20, Harrisburg, PA, charged with conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license;
- Anthony Braxton, age 22, Harrisburg, PA, charged with conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license;
- 33 guns straw purchased;
- 10 recovered.
U.S. v. Lugo-Brooks
- Destynee Lugo-Brooks, age 23, Harrisburg, PA, charged with three counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm;
- 6 guns straw purchased;
- 5 recovered.
U.S. v. Bailey
- Darar Bailey, age 25, Newark, NJ, charged with six counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm;
- 22 guns straw purchased;
- 0 recovered.
U.S. v. Adorno
- Jose Ramon Adorno, Jr., age 25, Harrisburg, PA, charged with engaging in the unlawful business of dealing in firearms;
- 25 guns straw purchased;
- 6 recovered.
The investigations are continuing, and numerous other individuals are expected to be charged in the near future.
“Taking illegal guns off the streets is a high priority of the Department of Justice,” stated Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “Illegal guns fuel the epidemic of violence we see too often in Harrisburg, and around the nation. We will work with all our state and local partners to reduce gun violence and investigate any and all suspicious straw party transactions that result in felons or other prohibited persons illegally possessing firearms.”
“ATF has a zero-tolerance policy for straw purchasers who acquire firearms from a federal firearms licensee for someone who is either ineligible to purchase a firearm or wishes to conceal his/her identity,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “ATF remains committed to removing those offenders who put these guns in the hands of criminals. We will continue to work with our partners at all levels to make our communities safer.”
“The City of Harrisburg is working diligently to ensure that the safety of its residents is a priority,” said Mayor Papenfuse. “The Police Bureau’s collaboration with ATF on Operation Scarecrow is an important step in making the City streets safer.”
The indictments are the result of an investigation by ATF, and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Kingston Man Charged with Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 15, 2021, Ahmyr Younger, age 19, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was charged by felony information with illegally possessing a firearm.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that on June 30, 2021, in Luzerne County, Younger possessed a Jimenez Arms 9mm handgun, but was prohibited by law to possess firearms.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Newark, New Jersey Police Department, and the Kingston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni 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.”
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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USP Allenwood Inmate Charged with Possession A WeaponRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that yesterday Alfonso Algeria, age 39, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Allenwood (USP Allenwood) was indicted by the federal grand jury for possessing a weapon in prison.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges that on September 4, 2021, while an inmate at USP Allenwood, Algeria possessed an approximately 7 1/2-inch long piece of wood, sharpened to a point and wrapped with tape and cord to form a hand grip and lanyard, concealed within his rectal cavity.
This case was investigated by the federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Algeria faces a maximum term of 5 years’ imprisonment on the single count of the indictment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a maximum term of supervised release of three years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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USP Allenwood Inmate Charged with Possessing A Weapon and Threatening A Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Ronald Rogers, age 31, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Allenwood (USP Allenwood) was indicted by the federal grand jury for possessing a weapon in prison and threatening to assault and murder a law enforcement officer.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the two-count indictment charges that on April 13, 2021, while an inmate at USP Allenwood, Rogers possessed a piece of plastic-like material with a metal screw sharpened to a point, measuring approximately 6-inches in length. The indictment also charges Rogers with threatening to assault and murder a correctional officer following the recovery of the weapon.
This case was investigated by the federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Algeria faces a total maximum term of 15 years’ imprisonment on both counts of the indictment, a fine of up to $500,000 on both counts, and a maximum term of supervised release of three years on each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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North Carolina Man Indicted for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 14, 2021, Jelani Lee, of Durham, North Carolina was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for methamphetamine distribution.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on multiple occasions in July 2021, Lee sold methamphetamine to others in Wyoming and Luzerne counties.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this count is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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El Salvador Man Indicted for Possession of Fraudulent Immigration DocumentsRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 14, 2021, Carlos Zavala Zamora, age 40, of El Salvador was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of possessing fraudulent immigration documents.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that in September 2021, Zamora Zavala was arrested in Bloomsburg, PA, by agents of the Department of Homeland Security after being found in possession of a counterfeit Permanent Resident Card and counterfeit Social Security card.
The case was investigated by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement section of the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this count is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Texas Woman Sentenced to over Four Years’ Imprisonment for Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shannon Gray, age 41, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced today to 51 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Gray previously admitted that in September 2019, she purchased approximately $50,000 in postage stamps from post offices in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia by using personal checks that were not hers and that she was not authorized to use. Gray was arrested on September 13, 2019, outside of the post office in Mountville, Pennsylvania, after she attempted to purchase $935 in stamps using a fraudulent check. Gray was also ordered to pay $48,610.91 in restitution.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the West Hempfield Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler Thanks WVIA for Producing “A Call to Care”Read the Press Release
HARRISBURG – WVIA will premiere the original documentary film “A Call to CARE” on Thursday, October 14th, at 8 p.m. on WVIA TV. WVIA is the PBS and NPR affiliate serving over 22 counties in northeastern and central Pennsylvania and encores of the documentary will air on Friday, October 15th, at 1 p.m., Sunday, October 17th, at 12:30p.m., Thursday October 21st, at 9 p.m., and Friday, October 22nd, at 2 p.m. In addition, it will also be available to watch on-demand at WVIA.org and on the PBS and WVIA Apps after the broadcast premiere.
“A Call to CARE” is a one-hour original documentary film produced by WVIA that explores the Court-Assisted Re-Entry (CARE) Program that exists in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The Middle District’s CARE program is designed to help individuals released from prison avoid a devastating relapse into criminal behavior. As described by WVIA, “the documentary chronicles the program’s comprehensive rehabilitative process and celebrates its healing resonance in the community.”
“The Middle District’s CARE program was one of the first re-entry programs to operate in the federal system and represents one of the most important initiatives of the Department of Justice,” stated Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “Re-entry programs are not just a matter of public safety-it’s also an issue of housing and health care; a question of education and employment; and a family challenge that affects millions across the country every year. Since 2009 we have proudly participated in CARE along with many others in the federal judiciary, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and the U.S. Probation Office. Numerous private individuals and private organizations have also devoted significant time and money to implement ground-breaking public-private partnerships to provide participants with access to a range of otherwise unavailable resources. We are gratified that WVIA has dedicated its resources to chronicle our efforts and the numerous successful outcomes that have resulted. I want to thank all those who played a part in producing this remarkable documentary and I also want to express my appreciation to all the private individuals and private organizations who have contributed to the program’s success over the years.”
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Department of Justice Awards over $270,000 to “Pa Coalitions Against Rape and Domestic Violence” to Combat Sexual Assault and Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
HARISBURG –Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded $172,076 to “PA Coalition Against Rape,” located in Enola, Pennsylvania, to help combat sexual assault, and $98,706 to “PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence,” located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to help combat domestic violence.
OVW’s grant to “PA Coalition Against Rape” (PCAR) will build on and sustain on PCAR’s prior efforts to enhance services to under and unserved communities impacted by sexual harassment, abuse, and assault. Funding from this grant helps support local efforts to improve services and infrastructure to better serve all members of communities impacted by sexual violence. The grant also supports internal workgroups, staff learning opportunities, ongoing technical assistance, and collaboration with network of rape crisis centers and statewide partners. This funding affords PCAR the opportunity to build internal racial justice and language access work by continuing to work in partnership with culturally specific organizations.
OVW’s grant to “PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence” (PCADV) is foundational to continuing to support and grow PCADV’s primary initiatives that support the core of its mission. The funding allows for sustainability of key training and technical assistance, and public awareness activities that support core initiatives at the statewide and local levels. The initiatives include:
- Impact of domestic violence on children;
- Intimate partner violence in later life (IPVILL);
- Helping underserved populations;
- Providing safe housing;
- Ending abuse in the LGBTQ+ community;
- Economic justice and empowerment;
- The intersection of domestic violence and animal abuse;
- Lethality Assessment Program (LAP);
- Civil Legal Representation (CLR); and
- Medical Advocacy.
“The awards we are making this year will touch the lives of millions of survivors of violence and help our nation end these devastating crimes,” said Allison Randall, OVW Acting Director. “OVW is proud to be the leading federal voice in the country’s fight against sexual and domestic violence.”
“This funding provides the Coalition with important support of its infrastructure, which is rare but extremely necessary to ensure PCAR has the capacity to provide support for local sexual assault services programs,” stated COO Joyce Lukima.
“The DOJ OVW State Coalition grant funding is essential for sustaining our fundamental projects,” said Susan Higginbotham, CEO, PCADV. “It funds state-level training and technical assistance for intersectional initiatives and resources that enable our local programs to serve more survivors, especially those in underserved communities.”
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
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York Man Convicted of Drug-Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eric Banks, age 41, of York, Pennsylvania, was convicted on October 8, 2021, following a four-day jury trial held before United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson of conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of firearms as a previously convicted felon.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Banks distributed significant quantities of heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine in the York area in 2017 and 2018. In January 2018, during the execution of a search warrant at Banks’ York residence, law enforcement recovered drugs, drug-packaging materials, and three loaded handguns. Two of the handguns had been reported stolen.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the York County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli and Christian T. Haugsby are 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. 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.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is imprisonment for life, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Pittston Man Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Pay TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John T. Stuchkus, age 59, of Pittston, Pennsylvania was sentenced yesterday to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for failing to pay federal income and payroll taxes.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Stuchkus is the owner and operator of The Chicken Coop, a restaurant located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The Chicken Coop employed several people during tax years 2013 through 2017. Although Stuchkus deducted and collected F.I.C.A. and other taxes from his employee’s payroll checks, Stuchkus failed to pay the collected taxes to the United States as required by law. Stuchkus also paid employees cash “under the table” and failed to withhold federal employment and F.I.C.A. taxes. Stuchkus was ordered to pay $397,406.91 in restitution, representing the tax loss to the United States.
The case was investigated by the IRS and Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
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Former West Hazleton Police Chief Sentenced to Two Months’ Imprisonment for Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
WILKES-BARRE- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian Buglio, age 46, of Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr., to two months of imprisonment and a one-year term of supervised release that includes four months of home confinement.
According to Acting United States Bruce D. Brandler, Buglio, the former Chief of Police for the West Hazleton Police Department, pleaded guilty to a deprivation of civil rights, after he threatened a private citizen with felony criminal charges, in retaliation for social media posts created by the private citizen that were critical of Buglio and of the West Hazleton Police Department.
In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Saporito deemed Buglio’s actions an “abuse of power” when he threatened to use the criminal justice system to further his own personal interests. In addition to the term of imprisonment and supervised release, Judge Saporito also ordered Buglio to pay a $5,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Wayne County Man Charged with Enticement of A MinorRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 1, 2021, Michael Jacob Walczyk, age 41, of Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, was charged by a criminal information with enticement of a minor.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that between July 10, 2019 and September 2020, Walczyk knowingly persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a victim under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity for the purposes of producing child pornography.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni 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."
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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“The Prescription Center” to Pay $57,073 in Civil Penalties for Recordkeeping Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that “The Prescription Center,” located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay the United States $57,073 in civil penalties for allegedly failing to comply with recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.
The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. sections 801 et seq. (CSA), was passed to combat illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications. The CSA’s recordkeeping and prescribing requirements are designed to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal purposes. The CSA is enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division, whose mission is to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals and listed chemicals from legitimate sources while ensuring adequate and uninterrupted supply for legitimate medical, commercial, and scientific needs. Under the CSA, entities registered with the DEA who purchase, distribute, dispense, transfer, or sell controlled substances must comply with inventory and documentation requirements, and are subject to compliance audits.
Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, maintain complete and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of by the registrant. These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting, and distribution of controlled substances. Violations of the record-keeping requirements subject DEA registrants to civil monetary penalties.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, between March 2020 and March 2021, “The Prescription Center” failed to keep complete, timely, and accurate inventories and records regarding the receipt and dispensing of Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances, including but not limited to hydrocodone, buprenorphine-naloxone, and alprazolam. As a result of the Center’s alleged actions and inactions, thousands of doses of controlled substances went unaccounted for.
The present civil investigation was prompted by a scheduled DEA audit in March 2021. “The Prescription Center” cooperated with the investigators and has since enhanced its recordkeeping and internal compliance program in response to concerns raised by the DEA in the course of this investigation. Although there are no allegations that any of the alleged unaccounted for controlled substances were diverted, this settlement addresses the independent obligation of “The Prescription Center” to ensure it has systems in place adequate to prevent improper dispensing, as required by 21 U.S.C. §§ 827, 842, and associated regulations.
“While no known actual diversion took place in this instance, pharmacies have a crucial responsibility to protect controlled substances from being diverted and potentially abused. Our nation remains in the midst of an opioid crisis, and the importance of keeping complete and accurate records of incoming and outgoing controlled substances at the pharmacy level cannot be overstated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “I commend the owners of “The Prescription Center” for taking this responsibility seriously and being proactive in this investigation to strengthen their systems and processes to protect their legitimate dispensing from diversion.”
This Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by the pharmacy nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division. The investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney, Harlan W. Glasser and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner to Pay $21,000 to Resolve Civil Liability for Alleged Violations of the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG, PA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) Kate Cordisco, has agreed to pay the United States $21,000 to resolve civil liability for alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
According to Acting United States Attorney, Bruce D. Brandler, between August 2018 and April 2019, Ms. Cordisco accepted consultation fees for ordering Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for patients with whom she did not have an established provider-patient relationship. She attested to the medical necessity of the orders for pre-selected products without any physical examination of the patients. In many instances, Ms. Cordisco had no interaction at all with the patients, and in some instances she had only a brief phone call. By approving and signing orders for medically unnecessary DME such as knee braces in exchange for a small fee per patient from a third-party marketing company, Ms. Cordisco played a key role in a larger telemedicine scheme that resulted in Medicare paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to DME companies for unnecessary medical equipment.
“While telemedicine can result in efficient and accurate patient care when practiced correctly, if providers are willing to jettison their professional responsibilities and accept small consultation fees from marketing companies to sign off on medically unnecessary orders for expensive DME, the healthcare system as a whole becomes compromised,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler, “When providers in MDPA choose to engage in this conduct and facilitate these fraudulent schemes in this manner, they will be held accountable.”
This Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by Ms. Cordisco nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
The investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney, Tamara J. Haken and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Pike County Man Sentenced to 41 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 29, 2021, Dimitriy Maltsev, age 41, of Milford, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, federal authorities conducted two controlled multi-gram purchases of cocaine before securing a federal search warrant for Maltsev’s residence in Milford. Upon executing the search warrant, authorities seized 390 grams of cocaine, 10 pounds of marijuana, hashish, liquid THC, psilocybin mushrooms, $30,000 in cash, drug packaging materials, and a .357 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver. Maltsev is a Ukrainian citizen residing in the United States as a Permanent Resident.
The case was investigated by the DEA in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pike County (Pennsylvania) Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.
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East Stroudsburg Man Sentenced to 68 Months’ Imprisonment for Trafficking in Fentanyl and Cocaine While Serving A Term of Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Grier Woodall, age 43, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 29, 2021, to 27 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 6-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for fentanyl and cocaine trafficking. Because Woodall engaged in this new criminal conduct while serving a term of federal supervised release, Judge Mannion also sentenced Woodall to a consecutive 41 month term of imprisonment on the supervised release violation, resulting in a total aggregate sentence of 68 months.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, from approximately January 2019 to September 2019, Woodall possessed with the intent to distribute both fentanyl and cocaine. Woodall engaged in this conduct while he was serving a term of federal supervised released that had been imposed in connection with a prior 2005 140-month sentence for his conviction of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St. John prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.
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Second Old Forge Man Charged with Bribery and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 28, 2021, James J. Peperno, Jr., age 57, of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury with various bribery, money laundering, and perjury offenses.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Peperno solicited cash payments and debt forgiveness from a local business owner, to provide to Robert Semenza, Jr., the former President of the Old Forge Borough Council. Peperno allegedly provided and promised cash and future employment to Semenza, in exchange for Semenza performing and promising to perform official acts, between November 2018 and October 2020. In particular, the official acts were in connection with a civil litigation filed by Old Forge Borough against the local business owner, in a dispute over Old Forge zoning ordinances.
Semenza allegedly agreed, in exchange for cash payments, to vote on the local business owner’s behalf in matters before the Old Forge Borough Council, to advocate on behalf of the local business owner with the Old Forge Borough Council, the Old Forge Borough Solicitor, and Old Forge zoning officials, and to propose a favorable resolution for the civil litigation to the Old Forge Borough Council and Solicitor, among other things.
Peperno allegedly kept a portion of the cash payments paid by the local business owner, depositing them in a bank account in his parents’ name. Peperno was charged with a bribery conspiracy, with two counts of federal program bribery, two counts of honest services wire fraud, violating the Travel Act, and two counts of money laundering.
Peperno also was charged with false statements and perjury, in connection with an outstanding restitution obligation owed from a prior federal conviction. Peperno allegedly claimed, in a written filing and when testifying under oath, that he did not have any income or access to any bank accounts, despite receiving approximately $6,000 from the local business owner, some of which he deposited in his parents’ bank account.
Peperno is the second individual charged in this investigation. Robert Semenza, Jr., pleaded guilty in June 2021 to federal program bribery, and awaits sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Mt. Carmel Doctor Pleads Guilty to Operating A Massive “Pill Mill”Read the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Raymond Kraynak, age 64, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on September 23, 2021, before Chief United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to 12 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. The guilty plea occurred after 13 days of trial testimony in the Williamsport federal courthouse and after the government rested its case-in-chief.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Kraynak pled guilty to 12 counts of unlawful distribution and dispensing of a controlled substance outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose. Kraynak also admitted that the Schedule II narcotic opioid drugs that he prescribed resulted in the deaths of five of his patients. Under the terms of his plea agreement, and if accepted by the Court, Kraynak will be sentenced to a 15 year term of imprisonment on each of the twelve counts he pleaded guilty to and the sentences will run concurrently. Kraynak also faces a fine of $1 million, and a maximum term of supervised release for up to life.
Kraynak was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 20, 2017, in a 19-count indictment charging unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, causing the death of five patients by the unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, and maintaining two drug-involved premises, one in Mt. Carmel and the other Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Kraynak stopped seeing patients and surrendered his license in December 2017 when he was arraigned in federal court on the indictment.
Kraynak operated two offices, one in Mt. Carmel and the other in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, both known as Keystone Family Medicine Associates, and prescribed approximately 9.5 million units of oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxycontin and fentanyl to patients between January 2014 and July 31, 2017. The prosecution evidence included testimony from DEA analysts that Kraynak was the top prescriber of opioids in Pennsylvania in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and during those years prescribed more opioids than both the Veterans Medical Center in Pittsburgh and the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia.
The prosecution’s evidence at trial also included testimony by a medical expert that Kraynak continued to prescribe high doses of opioids despite knowing that patients had previously been treated for drug overdoses, respiratory problems and other medical conditions increasing the risks of overdose and death.
The prosecution’s evidence also established that Kraynak, in prescribing these opioids to multiple patients outside of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, and did so without conducting a proper medical examination, inadequately verifying the patient’s medical complaint, and failing to assess the risk of abuse by individual patients.
“When this case was indicted in 2017 former Attorney General Jeff Sessions described Kraynack’s behavior as ‘unconscionable’,” stated Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. Former AG Sessions further stated that “we will take this fight to street dealers, corrupt doctors, and the companies that helped fuel this devastating crisis.” The Department of Justice continues this fight under the leadership of Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Middle District of Pennsylvania is proud to be a part of it.”
“Dr. Kraynak’s criminal acts are especially reprehensible as his unlawful distribution of powerful painkillers resulted in the death of five people,” said Thomas Hodnett, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “His total and utter disregard of his professional and ethical obligations as a doctor and care of his patients was sickening.”
"Dr. Kraynak recklessly funneled millions of units of opioids into Shamokin neighborhoods, continuing to fuel an epidemic that takes the lives of 14 Pennsylvanians every day," said Attorney General Shapiro. "We're working closely with our federal partners to combat this crisis that continues to destroy Pennsylvania families and communities."
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Mt. Carmel Borough Police Department, Shamokin Police Department, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention, the Northumberland County Coroner’s Office, the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office, and Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys William Behe and George Rocktashel prosecuted the case.
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Department of Justice Awards $600,000 to “Centre Safe” to Combat Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
HARISBURG –Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded $600,000 to “Centre Safe” to help combat domestic violence and support survivors. “Centre Safe” is a private, not-for-profit agency located in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
OVW’s grant to Centre Safe’s Civil Legal Representation Project (CLRP) will provide legal services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, in civil litigation including divorce, custody, support, housing, and Title IX matters. The grant will support the CLRP’s work to reduce vulnerability and mitigate the lifelong effects of domestic violence and sexual assault. These expert legal services help survivors move toward family stability and economic independence. Additionally, these funds will allow for travel throughout Centre County to assure that those in more rural areas have increased access to legal services.
“This substantial grant will improve the lives of many victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “I am very pleased to join with OVW and Centre Safe in empowering survivors and stabilizing families.”
“We are so pleased to receive this grant from OVW,” said Anne Ard, Executive Director of Centre Safe. “Legal services are critical for survivors of domestic and sexual violence as they work to build new lives for themselves and their children and this grant will allow the CLRP to enhance and expand its assistance to those survivors.”
“The awards we are making this year will touch the lives of millions of survivors of violence and help our nation end these devastating crimes,” said Allison Randall, OVW Acting Director. “OVW is proud to be the leading federal voice in the country’s fight against sexual and domestic violence.”
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
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Two Men Indicted on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 21, 2021, Walter Pruitt, age 34, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Michael Cox, age 38, of Brooklyn, New York were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on August 5, 2021, in Lackawanna County, Pruitt and Cox conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two Federal Inmates Charged with Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christina Covey, age 34, formerly of Drums, Pennsylvania, and Fredy Mendoza, age 33, formerly of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, were charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with fraudulently obtaining pandemic unemployment benefits between July and October 2020.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program was created by the March 2020 CARES Act, as part of the United States government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s health and economic well-being. The PUA program was designed to provide unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Covey and Mendoza conspired to file false PUA applications on behalf of Mendoza and another inmate, seeking unemployment benefits for both of them by claiming that they were laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic and available to work, despite their incarceration on underlying federal drug trafficking charges. The conspirators subsequently filed false weekly certifications required to continue receiving PUA benefits, ultimately securing tens of thousands of dollars, which were mailed in debit cards to Covey, prior to her own incarceration in the underlying federal drug trafficking case. Covey also is charged with lying to federal agents about filing PUA applications for Mendoza and another inmate.
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to unemployment insurance programs,” stated Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”
The case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and by the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Criminal Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Three Men Charged with Federal Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that three men have been charged with federal drug trafficking crimes.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Scranton indicted Erwin Montes Deoca, age 27, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on charges alleging that he distributed cocaine and fentanyl in March and April 2021. Additionally, federal criminal complaints were filed today alleging that Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca, age 27, and Jonathan Fontanez, age 36, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Law enforcement officers arrested the three individuals today and they appeared before United States Magistrate Joseph F. Saporito, Jr. in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for their initial hearings on the charges.
The arrests, in part, are the result of federal search warrants executed this morning at residences in Wilkes-Barre which resulted the following seizures:
- 39 Regent Street, Wilkes-Barre – approximately five kilograms of cocaine; over 3,000 pills of fentanyl; two handguns; tens of thousands of dollars;
- 10 Minden Place, Wilkes-Barre – approximately 100 grams of cocaine; tens of thousands of dollars; approximately 1,000 pills of fentanyl;
- 125 Waller Street, Wilkes-Barre – approximately five kilograms of cocaine; tens of thousands of dollars; thousands of fentanyl pills.
Law enforcement agents arrested (1) Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca at 125 Waller Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; (2) Jonathan Orlando Fontanez at 10 Minden Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and (3) Erwin Montes Deoca at 39 Regent Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in connection with the service of the federal search warrants.
"The allegations against these defendants, and the substantial amount of illegal drugs, cash, and guns that were recovered from the search warrants this morning, are indicative of the threat that drug-traffickers pose to our communities," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Hodnett of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. "I want to thank our partners at the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for our collaboration on this case. Working partnerships like these are what lead to successful investigations."
“The investigation is the result of the cooperative effort of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working within the Wilkes-Barre City and Luzerne County targeting drug trafficking and violent crime,” stated Chief Joseph Coffay, Wilkes-Barre City Police Department. “I personally appreciate the cooperation and effort from all of the investigators involved.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments and Criminal Complaints are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses against Erwin Montes Deoca and Jonathan Fontanez is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses against Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Dallas Man Illegally in the United States Charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David DaSilva, age 33, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, was indicted on September 14, 2021, by a federal grand jury for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that from July 2020 through September 1, 2021, in Pike County, DaSilva possessed two .22 caliber rifles and several rounds of ammunition while knowing he was illegally and unlawfully in the United States.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendnt's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Previously Deported Alien Charged with Illegal Re-Entry, Illegal Gun Possession, and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a federal grand jury in Harrisburg charged Anthony Rodriguez-Ortiz, age 33, yesterday with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien, felon in possession of a firearm, illegal alien in possession of a firearm, possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of controlled substances.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Rodriguez-Ortiz was previously deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic in December 2013. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after December 2013 and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. When encountered, he, as an illegal alien and convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm, and fentanyl. He also had sold fentanyl on two previous occasions.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Rodriguez-Ortiz faces a maximum penalty of 40 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Berwick Man Indicted on Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 14, 2021, Colton Oppel, 30, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on firearms charges.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that in January 2020, Oppel, who is prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior convictions, possessed 25 firearms including handguns, rifles and shotguns, including a firearm with an obliterated serial number and a sawed-off shotgun.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Briar Creek Police Department and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for each count is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Williamsport Man Indicted on Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today a federal grand jury in Harrisburg indicted James Lampley, 29, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on firearms charges.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that in July 2021, Lampley, who is prohibited from possessing firearms based on a prior conviction, possessed a shotgun and a handgun with an obliterated serial number.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for each count is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Schuylkill County Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Aaron Walter Gray, age 36, of Frackville, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Gray with possessing with the intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, and possessing a pistol with an obliterated serial number in furtherance of trafficking heroin. The indictment further charges Gray with possessing two additional firearms and a quantity of ammunition while knowing that he had previously been convicted of a felony.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office, the Snyder County District Attorney’s Office, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, and the Frackville Borough Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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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 today a federal grand jury in Harrisburg charged Joel Luis-Aguilar, age 53, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Luis-Aguilar was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2014. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after April 2014 and was found in the United States in Adams County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Luis-Aguilar faces a maximum penalty of 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Berwick Man Indicted on Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today a federal grand jury in Harrisburg indicted Cody Drumheller, 28, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, on firearms charges.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that in July 2021, Drumheller, who is prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior convictions, possessed a handgun and two sawed-off shotguns.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for each count is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Lackawanna County Man Sentenced to Twenty-Four Months’ Imprisonment for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jean Quinones, age 26, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 9, 2021, to 24 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for cocaine trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Quinones previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mannion for attempting to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Customs and Border Patrol Agents intercepted a package which had been mailed from the Virgin Islands to Scranton, Pennsylvania that contained a kilogram of cocaine. Homeland Security Agents and U.S. Postal Inspectors arrested Quinones shortly after he picked up the package at a post office in Scranton.
The matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Customs and Border Patrol and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Update on Ongoing Strategies to Combat Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – Protecting our communities from violent crime is a top priority for the Department of Justice. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a renewed comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy, which is built around four principles:
- Build trust and earn legitimacy in our communities;
- Invest in community-based prevention and intervention programs;
- Target enforcement efforts and priorities by identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of gun violence and other violent crime;
- Measuring the results of these efforts through a decrease in violent crime – not merely by arrests and convictions.
The core of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts continues to be Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 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.
“Violent crime is a problem in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and throughout the nation,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “For many years our office has worked together with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime and we continuously update and revise our PSN strategy to improve our results. I am pleased to update the public on our efforts and remain committed to making sure all citizens can live safely in our community.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has in place a multi-faceted program to reduce violent crime within the district. Gun violence, driven mostly by drug trafficking or by neighborhood rivalries and gangs, is identified as the main problem in many of the larger more populated counties within the district.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office endeavors to disrupt violent crime by pursuing appropriate prison sentences and seeking forfeitures of crime-derived assets to deter dangerous individuals from continuing to disrupt our communities. Through enforcement actions, prosecutions, and community partnerships, the U.S. Attorney’s Office works to lower violent crime and make neighborhoods safer.
Enforcement Strategy
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has long partnered with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to collaboratively address violent crime in the district. These efforts include regular meetings with these agencies to exchange information about areas of mutual concern, including deconflicting pending investigations, as well as identifying violent offenders, local crime trends, and notable criminal events.
Criminal Division supervisors regularly meet with with District Attorneys from Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, state prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office, and supervisors from area Pennsylvania State Police barracks to strengthen ongoing partnerships to combat violent crime, including violence that is often associated with drug trafficking. The Criminal Division supervisors have also discussed with these state and local officials, strategies to combat violent crimes against children, including sex trafficking, child pornography offenses, and internet enticement crimes.
Violent crime and firearm investigations are supported by use of ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is a national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. This proven investigative and intelligence tool allows law enforcement to link firearms from multiple crime scenes and to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. Federal, state, and local law enforcement in the Middle District of Pennsylvania have used NIBIN to help solve violent crimes and prosecute gun offenders.
Prosecution Activity
The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains active in the fight against violent crime through various enforcement actions, prosecutions, and sentencings, as demonstrated by the recent examples below:
Firearms Prosecutions
- On April 2, 2021, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the York County District Attorney’s Office, and the York City Police Department announced a joint initiative (Operation Scarecrow) that targets individuals who illegally purchase and possess firearms in York County. Operation Scarecrow’s focus is on individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction who use third parties (“straw parties”) to purchase firearms on their behalf. The Operation that began on January 20, 2021, has thus far resulted in 26 firearms being recovered in relation to straw purchasing violations.
To date, seven individuals have been federally indicted with making false statements during the purchase of a firearm:
- Donte Christian, of Baltimore, MD, indicted on February 3, 2021;
- Jahzaire Jahzaire Gilliam, of York, indicted March 24, 2021;
- Hannah Lapham, of York, indicted March 24, 2021;
- Nijee Baskins, of York, indicted on March 31, 2021;
- Olivia Marie Johnson, of York, indicted on July 28, 2021;
- Alicia Lauren Butler-Sanchez, of Philadelphia, indicted on July 28, 2021;
- Deontrae Marquis Jackson, of Philadelphia, indicted on July 28, 2021.
- Bruce Redmond, of Dallas, was sentenced on September 1, 2021, to 46 months’ imprisonment for illegal possession of 58 firearms, 6,664 rounds of ammunition and methamphetamine trafficking.
- Akee Ly, of Lemoyne, was sentenced on August 25, 2021, to 262 months’ imprisonment for previously being convicted of a felony and using a third party to purchase multiple firearms on his behalf.
- Sierra Benninger, age 26, of Mountaintop, was sentenced on June 29, 2021, to time served of 8 ½ months for providing false statements to purchase a Taurus 9mm handgun, which she was prohibited from possessing as a person who used and was addicted to a controlled substance.
- Walter Valdivia, Jr., of Matamoras, was sentenced on June 21, 2021, to 33 months’ imprisonment for possession of a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches.
Drug Prosecutions
- Omar Tollinchi-Torres, of Harrisburg, was charged on September 1, 2021, for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and possessing a Glock model 23 .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol during and in relation to the attempted drug trafficking offense.
- On August 27, 2021, Tysheen Gott, of Wilkes-Barre, was found guilty following a jury trial of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, cocaine, crack, and tramadol. Gott was one of eleven defendants indicted. All other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
- Michael Rinaldi, of Wilkes-Barre, was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment following a jury trial conviction in August 2021, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 6 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of cocaine base, 15 grams of heroin, and 48 pounds of marijuana. Two additional co-defendants, Duwayne Brown and Andrew Henry, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.
- On July 27, 2021, Modest Moreno, of Wilkes-Barre, was indicted for allegedly distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. The indictment also alleged that Modesto, a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessed a Ruger handgun.
- The head of a drug trafficking organization, Charles Gibson, Jr., of Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on June 23, 2021, for conspiring to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl. Members of the drug trafficking organization possessed firearms and engaged in acts of violence. Gibson was charged in June 2017 with 14 other individuals, who all pled guilty and received sentences ranging from 84 months’ imprisonment to probation.
- James R. Bell, of Newark, New Jersey was sentenced on June 21, 2021, to 240 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin which resulted in the death of a 22-year-old Monroe County man.
- Two Philadelphia men, Naim Taylor and Antwan Dozier, were indicted on June 10, 2021, for conspiring to distribute heroin to a network of drug sellers and users.
Robbery Prosecutions
- On March 5, 2021, Jimmy Carter, of Erie, was sentenced to 216 months’ imprisonment for robbing a Unimart convenience store and during the course of this robbery, Carter fired a handgun at the proprietor of the store.
- Gerard Gaffney of Mount Ranier, Maryland, was sentenced on April 26, 2021, to 84 months’ imprisonment for his role as the driver in an armed robbery of a Rite Aid pharmacy. A stolen firearm was recovered from codefendant, David Marable, who was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on July 21, 2020.
Community Partnerships
- Court Assisted Re-Entry (CARE) Program. The U.S. Attorney’s Office actively participates in the CARE Program-- a four-phase program designed to aid the rehabilitation and re-integration of federal inmates recently released into the community under federal supervised release and who face a moderate to high-risk of recidivism.
The Middle District of Pennsylvania CARE Program operates in the Harrisburg, Scranton and Williamsport Courts, and has existed since 2009 as one of the first federal court reentry programs in the country. The early efforts to support court-assisted reentry helped inspire the changes that took place in courts and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country.
The CARE Program relies upon support from groundbreaking partnerships between public institutions and agencies as well as volunteer private entities and individuals to provide financial, educational, and health benefits to recently releases inmates. The U.S. Probation Office, the Federal Public Defenders and the U.S. Attorney’s Office participate in the program. The CARE Program offers an alternative program of supervision and a blend of treatment and support to effectively address offender behavior and rehabilitation. Most CARE participants have served multi-year prison sentences and face barriers to reintegration to the community.
- Group Violence Initiative (GVI). In 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined community and law enforcement partners in York as part of the York Group Violence Initiative (GVI). GVI is designed to reduce street group–involved homicide and gun violence. GVI was pioneered by the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College. As the National Network’s website notes, GVI has repeatedly demonstrated that violence can be dramatically reduced when a partnership of community members, law enforcement, and social service providers directly engages with the small and active number of people involved in street groups and clearly communicates a credible moral message against violence, prior notice about the consequences of further violence, and a genuine offer of help for those who want it. A central method of communication is the call-in, a face-to-face meeting between group members and the strategy’s partners. The aim of the GVI strategy is to reduce peer dynamics in the group that promote violence by creating collective accountability, to foster internal social pressure that deters violence, to establish clear community standards against violence, to offer group members an “honorable exit” from committing acts of violence, and to provide a supported path for those who want to change. The focus at the beginning of 2020 was developing the Community Moral Voice of the GVI strategy. Though interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic, individuals are still being identified who will be “credible messengers” working in the neighborhoods on a daily basis to bring the “we want you safe, alive, and out of prison” message to group members. A partnership was formed working with WellSpan Health System to develop a Hospital Based Violence Intervention program to actively engage gun violence victims and their families. Most often these victims are also part of the groups that are involved in most of the violence in the city. The Hospital based strategy engages them at a vulnerable point where they are more receptive to engage the help that is offered. Also, as part of the effort to reduce the initial shootings, the York City Police Department developed a strong relationship with the York City 2020 Annual Report School Police to be proactive in addressing youth before they become involved in “street” activity. Statistically, there was a 34% reduction in group member involved incidents over 2019 and a 50% reduction year to date in criminal homicide incidents by firearm.
- Neighborhood Social Events. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has increased involvement in neighborhood social events conducive to law enforcement participation, including community walks and National Night Out. Although the pandemic has temporarily slowed our efforts in this area, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will resume our hard work as the pandemic subsides.
- Project Safe Childhood. In May 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the York County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation presented a Project Safe Childhood presentation of Keeping Children Safe & Secure Online to York County Southwestern School District parents and teachers. A variety of topics were covered including: Social Media/Apps, Gaming, Cyberbullying, Sexting, Sextortion, Internet Predators, and Being Safe & Secure Online.
Our office has since been invited to present the Keeping Children Safe & Secure Online presentation as a “featured session” at the PA State Superintendents' Association (PASA) annual conference with the PA School Boards' Association (PSBA) on October 6, 2021.
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Harrisburg Man Charged with Unlawfully Exchanging $1.8 Million in Federal Nutrition Assistance Benefits for CashRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jimmy Tran, age 40, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with the unauthorized use, acquisition, and possession of benefits of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that Tran, who owned and operated Asia Market in Harrisburg, unlawfully provided cash in exchange for SNAP benefits between January 2017 and August 2020. The information further alleges that the value of the SNAP benefits exceeded $1.8 million.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Wilkes-Barre Woman Sentenced to 127 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Scranton - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 2, 2021, Danielle Moorer, age 36, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for her involvement in a conspiracy that distributed more than a 1,000 grams of heroin and other drugs throughout Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Moorer previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin (which is equivalent to more than 50,000 retail bags) between 2015 and 2018. Moorer also admitted that she possessed firearms in connection with her drug trafficking activities.
Moorer’s conviction and sentence resulted from a federal investigation involving Moorer and her husband, Hakim Wilburn, as drug traffickers operating throughout Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties. Wilburn previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and was sentenced to a term of 198 months’ imprisonment.
Federal agents also seized approximately $100,000 in cash from Moorer and Wilburn, which was forfeited as a resulted of their prosecution, along with multiple Rolex watches, vehicles, and four firearms.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and members of the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Four Previously Deported Aliens Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that four previously deported aliens were indicted separately on September 1, 2021, by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States. These matters arose in counties throughout the District including Dauphin, Franklin, and Lackawanna.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Luis Mizhirumbay-Taquiri, age 42, was previously deported from the United States to Ecuador in June 2019. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after June 2019 and was found in the United States in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Edwin Jeovany Sanchez-Ordonez, age 37, of Honduras, was charged by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. Sanchez-Ordonez was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in June 2014. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after June 2014 and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Hector Bienvenido Amador-Medina, age 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. Amador-Medina was previously deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic in June 2018. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after June 2018 and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Mizhirumbay-Taquiri, Sanchez-Ordonez and Amador-Medina face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
Rodrigo Cabrera-Tolentino, age 22, of Mexico, was charged by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. Cabrera-Tolentino was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in November 2017. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after November 2017 and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Cabrera-Tolentino faces a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
These matters were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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York County Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 1, 2021, Stanley Bobula, age 63, of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of child pornography.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Bobula was in possession of images containing sexual exploitation of children on January 23, 2021, in York County. The indictment further alleges that Bobula possessed the child pornography images using a computer or cell phone.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense charged in the indictment is 20 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for the defendant if convicted. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 30 Months’ Imprisonment for Automobile Warranty Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Gershkoff, age 64, of North Providence, Rhode Island was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for conspiring to commit wire fraud, and for aggravated identity theft offenses. Judge Mannion also ordered Gershkoff to pay restitution of $385,352.19 to the victim of his crime.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Gershkoff was convicted of preparing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs at multiple automobile repair shops located in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts, and for forging policy owners’ signatures. The invoices were sent to and paid by an automobile warranty company in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Gershkoff pleaded guilty on May 18, 2020, to causing between $250,000 and $550,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company.
Three of Gershkoff’s coconspirators were convicted in this investigation:
- Brian Larry, age 59, of Clark’s Summit, Pennsylvania, was convicted on May 10, 2021, following a jury trial, of mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false statement offenses. Larry was convicted of defrauding his former employer, the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, from approximately January 2014 through October 2018. Larry also was convicted of stealing the personal information of warranty policy owners and providing it to his coconspirators, who created false invoices for nonexistent automobile repair work supposedly performed at various garages in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, including by forging the policy owners’ signatures on the paperwork. The false and forged documentation was then sent to the warranty company, where Larry approved payment of the invoices. During the course of the scheme, Larry and his coconspirators obtained approximately $400,000 paid out by the warranty company pursuant to the false invoices, including thousands of dollars in repair work for Larry’s personal vehicle that he charged to other policy owners. The evidence at trial showed that Larry then falsified internal warranty company documents in an attempt to conceal his crimes.
- Herman Cabral, age 62, of Cranston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud, and was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Cabral was convicted of processing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs through his Providence, Rhode Island automobile detailing shop, A Plus Auto Services. Cabral pleaded guilty on July 23, 2019, to causing between $150,000 and $250,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, and was ordered to pay over $211,644.03 in restitution.
- Jason Pannone, age 40, of North Providence, Rhode Island pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud, and to aggravated identity theft, and was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release. Pannone was convicted of processing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs through his Providence, Rhode Island automobile detailing shop, Platinum Auto Services, and through Ultra Auto Services, where he was employed. Pannone pleaded guilty on March 23, 2021, to causing between $95,000 and $150,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, and was ordered to pay restitution of $128,667.16 to the victim of his crime
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John prosecuted the case.
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Oxford Man Indicted for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 1, 2021, Jeffrey Christopher Cerrato, age 21, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking offenses.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on January 14, 2021, in York County, Pennsylvania, Cerrato possessed with the intent to distribute approximately one pound of methamphetamine.
The matter was investigated by the York City Police Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for the distribution of a controlled substance offense is life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of incarceration, a term of at least 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $10,000,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to Forty-Six Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Bruce Redmond, age 32, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 1, 2021, to 46 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for illegal possession of firearms and methamphetamine trafficking.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Redmond previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mannion and admitted to being an illegal user of controlled substances in possession of firearms and to the possession of methamphetamine for further distribution. The charges stem from an incident in which law enforcement authorities served search warrants at Redmond’s residence in Dallas and business office in Kingston and seized approximately 58 firearms, 6,664 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of methamphetamine.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Harrisburg Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 1, 2021, Omar Tollinchi-Torres, age 42, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on March 30, 2021, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Tollinchi-Torres attempted to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. The indictment further alleges that Tollinchi-Torres was in possession of a Glock model 23 .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol during and in relation to the attempted drug trafficking offense.
The matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, along with United States Postal Inspectors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for the attempted distribution possession with the intent to distribute of a controlled substance offense as charged in the indictment is 40 years of imprisonment, a term of at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $5,000,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime is life imprisonment, a term of 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Berwick Man Charged with over $400,000 in Covid-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Hayes D. Horner, Jr., age 67, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with perpetrating a wire fraud scheme to obtain and attempt to obtain over $400,000 in COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
The EIDL program is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, EIDL funds are offered in low-interest rate loans, designated for specific business expenses, such as fixed debts, payroll, and business obligation.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the Information alleges that Horner aided his coconspirators in obtaining and attempting to obtain over $400,000 in EIDL funds by opening two bank accounts that received EIDL funds obtained pursuant to fraudulent loan applications made in the names of other, unknowing individuals. Horner allegedly withdrew over $58,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds, and attempted unsuccessfully to wire approximately $165,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds to other accounts under his coconspirators’ control. Investigators seized over $100,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds from a bank account under Horner’s control.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S.Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Wilkes-Barre Man Convicted of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tysheen Gott, a/k/a “LB”, age 45, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, and tramadol, after a seven-day trial before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the jury found Gott guilty for having conspired to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and more than 400 grams of fentanyl during the conspiracy. The jury also found Gott guilty on eight additional counts of unlawfully distributing fentanyl and/or crack between the time period beginning April 10, 2019 through March 5, 2020.
The Government presented testimony from five of Gott’s co-conspirators, as well as testimony from ten of Gott’s former drug customers, which spanned the conspiracy beginning in 2013 until the time of Gott’s arrest in June 2020. Federal law enforcement agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and police officers from the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Police Departments also testified.
Gott was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020. All other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are 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.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Lemoyne Man Sentenced to 262 Months’ Imprisonment for Possession of A Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Akee Ly, age 32, of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 25, 2021, to 262 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Ly had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms and used a third party to purchase firearms on his behalf. During a search warrant of Ly’s home in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, officers found: an SCCY Industries pistol, a Taurus pistol, a Taurus revolver, a Springfield Armory pistol, firearm magazines, assorted ammunition, 75 grams of cocaine, $12,265, three bottles of promethazine, multiple Xanax bars, marijuana, eight Ecstasy pills, 200 THC vape bottles, and narcotics packaging material.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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