Middle District of Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG – U.S. Attorney David J. Freed of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.

“While we have come a long way in our ability to recognize and prosecute cases of human trafficking, there is more work to be done especially in the area of both prevention of human trafficking and services to victims of human trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Freed.  “These grant opportunities will have a direct positive impact on those who have suffered at the hands of traffickers.”

“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors. 

A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future. 

Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351

Total Available $1.8 million                                      Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)

Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking

Total Available $22 million                                       Opens week of 3/16/2020

Preventing Trafficking of Girls

Total Available $1.7 million                                       Opens week of 3/16/2020

Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons   https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324

Total Available $2.5 million                                       Deadline 4/20/2020   

Services for Victims of Human Trafficking

Total Available $16.5 million                                     Opens week of 3/16/2020

Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking                                                                Total Available $2 million                                     Opens week of 3/16/2020

Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program

Total Available $5 million                                          Opens week of 3/16/2020

Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking                          

Total Available $6 million                                          Opens week of 3/16/2020

Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking

Total Available $8 million                                          Opens week of 3/16/2020

For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities

 

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HARRISBURG – U.S. Attorney David J. Freed for the Middle District of Pennsylvania today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.

“This round of funding creates exciting opportunities for local courts, governments and non-profit entities,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “In particular, the funding for specialty courts, prescription drug monitoring and mentoring programs goes directly to programs that have been shown to produce successful outcomes.  We urge our local partners to take advantage of these opportunities.”

“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime. 

A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open: 

Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program

https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098

Total Available $1.75 million                                     Deadline 5/14/2020    

Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program

https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20

Total Available $27 million                                        Deadline 5/21/2020

Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims

https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf

Total Available: $19 million                                       Deadline: 5/4/2020        

Family Drug Court Program

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090

Total Available $18.2 million                                     Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)

Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754

Total Available $28.1                                                 Deadline 5/5/2020

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051

Total Available $7.2 million                                       Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)

Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930

Total Available $48 million                                        Deadline 4/13/2020  

Opioid Affected Youth Initiative

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352

Total Available $9 million                                          Deadline 4/20/2020

Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime          

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275

Total Available $1 million                                          Deadline 4/20/2020                            

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners

https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20

Total Available $4.5 million                                       Deadline 4/6/2020

For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Corey Foster, age 36, of Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, was indicted in October 2019, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. The case was recently unsealed.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Foster conspired to traffic in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl between February 2018 and February 2019, in Luzerne County.  Foster also was charged with distributing fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl on January 30, February 3, and February 25, 2019, and with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl on February 26, 2019.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Luzerne Country Drug Task Force, and the Kingston Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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.

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 40 years of imprisonment, including a five-year mandatory term 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.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Rankins, age 38, William Barton, age 38, Michael Adams, age 42, Denzel Swan, age 36, Dorral Basknight, age 40, and Furman Dennis, age 38, all of York County, Pennsylvania, were indicted on March 4, 2020, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the 14-count indictment alleges that the six men distributed and conspired to distribute more than 280 grams of cocaine base between March 27, 2019, and December 19, 2019, in York County.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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 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 a term of 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.

 

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 12, 2020, United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Kerry Sprouse, age 23, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, to 24 months’ imprisonment for drug trafficking.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Sprouse distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine in February 2016, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.  Sprouse previously admitted during his guilty plea, to having distributed between 100 and 200 grams of cocaine as part of his trafficking activities.         

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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.

# # #

The Department of Justice announced today that the Western Union Remission Fund began its first distribution of approximately $153 million in funds forfeited to the U.S. government from the Western Union Company (Western Union) to over 109,000 victims located in the United States and abroad. These victims, many of whom were elderly victims of consumer fraud and abuse, will be recovering the full amount of their losses.

“The $153 million distribution announced today brings some measure of justice for the elderly and other victims who were financially harmed by the fraudulent schemes in this case,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “The department remains resolute in its efforts to not only prevent fraud from occurring in the first place, but also to find and return ill-gotten gains.”

“Money Transfer Businesses such as Western Union are particularly susceptible to misuse by scammers,” said U.S. Attorney David J. Freed for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  “In nearly every case of this nature that we have encountered in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, money transfer businesses are used to facilitate the crimes.  Working together with MLARS and the skilled and dedicated investigators of the Postal Inspection Service, we have achieved outstanding results – bringing fraudsters to justice and holding businesses such as Western Union accountable.  In addition to increased fraud detection and protections, an integral part of that accountability involves Western Union making victims whole.  $153 Million is a good start.”

“The losses and the number of victims in this case are staggering.  This initial disbursement will provide relief to more than 100,000 individuals, who lost $153 million,” said Assistant Postal Inspector in Charge John Walker of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division.  “Some lost their life’s savings as a result of these scammers.  Postal Inspectors continue to be out front when it comes to investigating these con men and in protecting American citizens from them.  Today, we are happy to play a third role — returning money to those who were scammed.  Delivering justice, and in this case, delivering restitution.”

“Western Union turned a blind eye to the fraudulent payments made through its money transfer system,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.  “We’re glad to be returning money to those consumers who were ripped off by fraudsters exploiting the Western Union system, and we will not tolerate Western Union or other payments companies facilitating fraud.”   

In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States.  Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud, and agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of the international consumer fraud scheme through the remission process. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission. 

In this case, fraudsters specifically targeted seniors through primarily three distinct scams.  First, in grandparent scams, the fraudster would pose as the victim’s relative, usually a grandchild, in need of immediate money to avoid personal harm such as a payment for medical expenses or ambulatory transportation.  Second, in lottery or sweepstakes scams, victims received phone calls telling them that they had won large cash prizes but had to pay fees such as taxes to claim the prize.  Many of these victims were re-victimized several times, as they were told to transfer large sums of money in multiple transactions on the promise that they would receive their prizes.  Third, romance scams preyed on seniors searching for love or companionship on the internet.  These victims were lulled into believing that their online love interest needed funds for a visit to the United States or some other purpose.

Certain owners, operators or employees of Western Union agent locations were complicit in the schemes.  Western Union aided and abetted the fraud scheme by failing to suspend or terminate complicit agents and by allowing them to continue to process fraud-induced monetary transactions.  Western Union had fulfilled its obligations under the DPA and the government has filed a motion to dismiss the information, which the court granted today.  

This first round of payments is one of several expected to occur in the Western Union remission.  The Department of Justice sent petitions for remission to over 500,000 potential victims of the Western Union fraud and anticipates authorizing compensation for many more victims in the coming months. 

The Justice Department, through the Asset Forfeiture Program, works diligently to restore lost funds to victims of crime and acknowledges the significant assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Philadelphia Division’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Office in the Western Union remission.  The victim compensation payments in the Western Union case would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Southern District of Florida; and the USPIS Philadelphia Division’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Office, the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  Office of Inspector General, and Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General.  

More information about the Western Union remission and its compensation to victims is available on the Western Union remission website at www.westernunionremission.com.  Further questions may be directed to the Western Union Remission Administrator by phone at 844-319-2124 or by email at [email protected].

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

HARRISBURG – U.S. Attorney David J. Freed joined Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, in announcing that the Western Union Remission Fund began its first distribution of approximately $153 million in funds forfeited to the U.S. government from the Western Union Company (Western Union) to over 109,000 victims located in the United States and abroad.  These victims, many of whom included elderly victims of consumer fraud and abuse, will be recovering the full amount of their losses.

 “Money Transfer Businesses such as Western Union are particularly susceptible to misuse by scammers,” said U.S. Attorney David J. Freed for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  “In nearly every case of this nature that we have encountered in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, money transfer businesses are used to facilitate the crimes.  Working together with MLARS and the skilled and dedicated investigators of the Postal Inspection Service, we have achieved outstanding results – bringing fraudsters to justice and holding businesses such as Western Union accountable.  In addition to increased fraud detection and protections, an integral part of that accountability involves Western Union making victims whole.  $153 Million is a good start.”

“The $153 million distribution announced today brings some measure of justice for the elderly and other victims who were financially harmed by the fraudulent schemes in this case,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “The Department remains resolute in its efforts to not only prevent fraud from occurring in the first place, but also to find and return ill-gotten gains.”

 “The losses and the number of victims in this case are staggering.  This initial disbursement will provide relief to more than 100,000 individuals, who lost $153 million,” said Assistant Postal Inspector in Charge John Walker of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division.  “Some lost their life’s savings as a result of these scammers.  Postal Inspectors continue to be out front when it comes to investigating these con men and in protecting American citizens from them.  Today, we are happy to play a third role—returning money to those who were scammed.  Delivering justice, and in this case, delivering restitution.”

“Western Union turned a blind eye to the fraudulent payments made through its money transfer system,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.  “We’re glad to be returning money to those consumers who were ripped off by fraudsters exploiting the Western Union system, and we will not tolerate Western Union or other payments companies facilitating fraud.”   

In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States.  Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud, and agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of the international consumer fraud scheme through the remission process. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission. 

In this case, fraudsters specifically targeted seniors through primarily three distinct scams.  First, in grandparent scams, the fraudster would pose as the victim’s relative, usually a grandchild, in need of immediate money to avoid personal harm such as a payment for medical expenses or ambulatory transportation.  Second, in lottery or sweepstakes scams, victims received phone calls telling them that they had won large cash prizes but had to pay fees such as taxes to claim the prize.  Many of these victims were re-victimized several times, as they were told to transfer large sums of money in multiple transactions on the promise that they would receive their prizes.  Third, romance scams preyed on seniors searching for love or companionship on the internet.  These victims were lulled into believing that their online love interest needed funds for a visit to the United States or some other purpose.

Certain owners, operators or employees of Western Union agent locations were complicit in the schemes.  Western Union aided and abetted the fraud scheme by failing to suspend or terminate complicit agents and by allowing them to continue to process fraud-induced monetary transactions.  Western Union had fulfilled its obligations under the DPA and the government has filed a motion to dismiss the information, which the court granted today.  

This first round of payments is one of several expected to occur in the Western Union remission.  The Department of Justice sent petitions for remission to over 500,000 potential victims of the Western Union fraud and anticipates authorizing compensation for many more victims in the coming months. 

The Justice Department, through the Asset Forfeiture Program, works diligently to restore lost funds to victims of crime and acknowledges the significant assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Philadelphia Division’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Office in the Western Union remission.  The victim compensation payments in the Western Union case would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Southern District of Florida; and the USPIS Philadelphia Division’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Office, the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  Office of Inspector General, and Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General. 

More information about the Western Union remission and its compensation to victims is available on the Western Union remission website at www.westernunionremission.com.  Further questions may be directed to the Western Union Remission Administrator by phone at 844-319-2124 or by email at [email protected].

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that ten previously deported aliens were indicted separately on March 4, 2020, by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States. These matters arose in counties throughout the District including Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Northumberland, and York Counties.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Heriberto Garcia-Juarez, age 26, of Guatemala, was previously deported from the United States to Guatemala in April 2018.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after April 2018, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Carlos Garcia-Enriquez, age 40, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2016.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after April 2016, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Gerardo Say-Lopez, age 40, of Guatemala, was previously deported from the United States to Guatemala in December 2018.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after December 2018, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Manuel Ibarra-Sustaita, age 38, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2016.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after April 2016, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Noe Andres Escarcia-Ortega, age 30, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in September 2018.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after September 2018, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Laureano Melgoza-Zambrano, age 28, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in October 2006. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after October 2006, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Adrian Avina-Quinones, age 35, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in July 2008.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after July 2008, and was found in the United States in Adams County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Augusto Garay-Junco, age 38, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in July 2018.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after July 2018, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Garcia-Juarez, Garcia-Enriquez, Gerardo Say-Lopez, Ibarra-Sustaita, Escarcia-Ortega, Melgoza-Zambrano, Avina-Quinones and Garay-Junco face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 

Anacleto Ruiz-Ruiz, age 34, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in September 2012.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after September 2012, and was found in the United States in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Oscar Campos-Lara, age 39, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in March 2019.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after March 2019, and was found in the United States in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Ruiz-Ruiz and Campos-Lara face a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 

These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).  Assistant United States Attorney Joanne Sanderson is prosecuting the cases.

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.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mikal Jones, age 22, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on March 4, 2020, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Jones possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute on April 11, 2019, in Harrisburg City. The indictment further states that he possessed a firearm during and in relation to his drug trafficking activities.

The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Police Bureau and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

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 a term of 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.

 

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Lorenzo Scott, age 47, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Lewisburg (USP Lewisburg), was indicted by a federal grand jury for murder, assault with intent to commit murder and assault with intent to commit serious bodily injury       

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Scott was an inmate at USP Lewisburg on March 25, 2015, when he assaulted his cellmate and repeatedly struck, stomped and inflicted blunt force trauma to the cellmate’s head, neck and face resulting in life threatening injuries.  The cellmate later died as a result of the injuries.

The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

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

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

The charges carry a maximum sentence under federal law of up to 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.

 

# # #

 

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Ricardo Jimenez-Rodriguez, age 34, of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, was indicted on March 3, 2020, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Rodriguez possessed with the intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine on February 23, 2020, in Conyngham, Pennsylvania. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as 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 law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent 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 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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HARRISBURG – U.S. Attorney David J. Freed joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale  in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history.  This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep.  In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors.  In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.

Law Enforcement Actions in the Middle District:

• Omoefe Okoro, age 48, a citizen of Canada, and others are alleged to have engaged in an attorney “collection scam” in Ontario, Canada, and elsewhere. In particular, Okoro and his co-conspirators are alleged to have conducted a scheme in which they contacted businesses and individuals, including elderly victims, and requested, among other things, to collect an outstanding debt.  The suspects, posing as the third party, then sent a counterfeit check to the victim for deposit and requested that the victim wire funds to an account overseas, typically in Japan, South Korea, or China.  Okoro is currently scheduled for trial on April 6, 2020.

• Anthony W. Redd, age 63, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was allegedly a “Money Mule” and participated in a scheme to defraud individuals out of money by making them believe they were eligible for cash and other prizes.  As part of the scheme, Redd is alleged to have caused the mailing of legitimate postal money orders from Mechanicsburg to his address in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and to have converted the known proceeds of the scheme to cash or to have sent the proceeds through Western Union or MoneyGram to Costa Rica.  Redd is currently scheduled to appear in court on March 31, 2020.

“Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The Department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors.”

“Every day across the Middle District of Pennsylvania - and across the country - fraudsters are out to prey on our most vulnerable citizens, our seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “Whether it is a collection scam, a lottery scam, posing as a representative of the IRS or Social Security Administration or falsely calling on behalf of a grandchild, these scammers are using technology to steal massive amounts of money from citizens who have spent a lifetime building their nest egg.  We are constantly on alert for these scams, and are fighting back along with our federal partners like the FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service.  We urge everyone who has been victimized to make a report so that we can continue this battle.”

“Postal Inspectors have long prioritized the sinister schemes that often victimize elder Americans,” said Assistant Inspector in Charge John Walker of the Philadelphia Division.  “These arrests should put an exclamation point on the fact that if you use the mail or Postal products to defraud any American, Postal Inspectors will work diligently to bring you to justice.  Along with our partners in the Post Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Department of Justice, and quite frankly all law enforcement, stopping the outward flow of money and victimization due to these schemes has been, and will continue to be, a priority for the Postal Inspection Service.”

“Elder fraud and abuse are deplorable acts,” said Tara A. McMahon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Specifically going after older folks because you consider them easy targets isn’t just cowardly, it’s cruel. If you're being victimized or know of someone who is, please reach out to the FBI. We’ll never stop working to protect the elderly from criminals who would take advantage of them.”

This https://www.justice.gov/civil/elder-fraud-sweeps-2020 interactive map provides information on the elder fraud cases highlighted by today’s sweep announcement. 

Elder Fraud Hotline

Attorney General Barr also announced the launch of a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline will be staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a “money mule” to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal district participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.

These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

# # #

 

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney David J Freed joined Attorney General William P. Barr in announcing the Department of Justice’s National Nursing Home Initiative, which will coordinate and enhance civil and criminal efforts to pursue nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents. 

This initiative is focusing on some of the worst nursing homes around the country and the Department has already initiated investigations into approximately thirty individual nursing facilities in nine states as part of this effort. 

“Millions of seniors count on nursing homes to provide them with quality care, and to treat them with dignity and respect when they are most vulnerable,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “Yet, all too often, we have found nursing home owners or operators who put profits over patients, leading to instances of gross abuse and neglect. This national initiative will bring to justice those owners and operators who have profited at the expense of their residents, and help to ensure residents receive the care to which they are entitled.” 

“We count on nursing homes throughout the Middle District of Pennsylvania to provide a safe and caring environment for our seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Freed.  “When they fail in that duty, or when nursing home operators commit fraud to enrich themselves at the expense of their patients and often government programs, we will be their along with our federal partners to ensure that justice is done and our seniors are protected.”

The department considers a number of factors in identifying the most problematic nursing homes.  For example, the department looks for nursing homes that consistently fail to provide adequate nursing staff to care for their residents, fail to adhere to basic protocols of hygiene and infection control, fail to provide their residents with enough food to eat so that they become emaciated and weak, withhold pain medication, or use physical or chemical restraints to restrain or otherwise sedate their residents.  These care failures cause residents to suffer in pain and to be exposed to the great indignities.  Care failures cause residents to develop pressure sores down to the bone, to lie in their own waste for hours, to starve because they cannot reach the food on their trays and to remain unwashed for weeks at a time.  Nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care also force vulnerable elderly residents who cannot leave the facilities to live in filthy and dangerous conditions where there are leaks in the roofs, mold is found growing and rodents found living in residents’ rooms.  These are some of the actions and the inactions that the department intends to pursue.

The National Nursing Home Initiative reflects the department’s larger strategy and commitment to protecting our nation’s seniors, coordinated by the department’s Elder Justice Initiative in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.  The Elder Justice Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are essential to the department’s investigative and enforcement efforts against nursing homes and other long-term care entities that deliver grossly substandard care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.  The Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices also support the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, with the development of training, resources, and information.  Learn more about the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at http://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/.

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT -  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rashaun Flemming, age 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 27, 2020, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment charges Flemming with four counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base between October 7, 2019 and November 21, 2019, in Lycoming County. 

This case was investigated by the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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 by indictment 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 possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base is 30 years’ imprisonment and a fine.  A sentence for each of these offenses also includes a period of supervised release following imprisonment.  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

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dennis Morgan, age 73, of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 27, 2020 by a federal grand jury on three violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Morgan, of Northumberland County, failed to provide a lead hazard pamphlet or warning and failed to retain records as required by the Code of Federal Regulations in violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act. 

The investigation was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin 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 for each violation under federal law is 1 years of imprisonment, 1 years of supervised release, and a fine of $100,000. 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.

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Scott Hemingway, age 63, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 27, 2020, by a federal grand jury on one charge of impeding a federal officer.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on March 29, 2018, in Columbia County, Hemingway did strike and cause physical contact with a mail carrier.  

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin 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 each offense is 8 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a 3 year term of supervised release. 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.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Craig M. Killmeyer, age 54, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was charged on February 24, 2020, in a criminal information with exploitation of minors.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Killmeyer is alleged to have received and distributed child pornography between December 2017 and December 9, 2018.  The one-count information also includes a notice of the Government’s intent to forfeit all images of child pornography and the electronic devices associated with those images.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy 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.”

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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that the former owner/operator of a Harrisburg based dental and vision claims processing business, Michael Timothy Buchanan, age 69, currently a resident of Fishers, Indiana, was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on February 26, 2020, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, for defrauding a trust fund established by the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) out of $1,493,629.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Buchanan pleaded guilty in May 2019 to a criminal information charging him with one count of health care fraud.  Buchanan executed a scheme to defraud the Pennsylvania Faculty Health and Welfare Fund (The Fund) between 2007 and 2017 by his submission of false, inflated invoices for the services his company, Actuaries, Consultants and Administrators, Inc. (ACA), provided The Fund in connection with the processing of dental and vision claims submitted by members of the APSCUF Union.

The Fund paid ACA $5.20 for each vision claim it processed and $8.10 for each dental claim it processed. Buchanan routinely and artificially inflated the number of claims it allegedly processed for The Fund between 2007 and 2017 that resulted in a $1,493,629 overpayment to ACA. 

“Citizens have a right to expect that the hard-earned dollars they contribute towards ever increasing health care costs will be protected by the stewards of those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Freed.  “When such funds are misappropriated via fraud, we in federal law enforcement will step in to hold the fraudsters accountable.  We are pleased that Judge Rambo’s sentence recognized the serious nature of the defendant’s conduct, and that he has been ordered to pay back what he stole.”

“For a decade, Buchanan orchestrated the overbilling of the faculty union,” said Tara A. McMahon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.” “His company deliberately and repeatedly submitted one false claim after the next, resulting in the theft of nearly $1.5 million. With this sentence, he’ll begin to answer for such brazen fraud.”

“In an effort to personally enrich himself, Michael Buchanan stole more than $500,000 from union members’ health benefits through his scheme of submitting inflated invoices to the union trust fund,” said Derek Pickle, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.  “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the financial integrity of labor organizations,”

Judge Rambo ordered Buchanan to pay $1,493,629 in restitution to the Fund, to forfeit his interest in $1,493,629 in U.S. currency, and six Fidelity Brokerage Services retirement accounts.  Judge Rambo also ordered Buchanan to commence service of his sentence on April 20, 2020.

The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel prosecuted the case.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony “Tony” D’Ambrosio, age 37, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 26, 2020 by Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 10 years’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release for sex and drug trafficking. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, D’Ambrosio was convicted on December 18, 2017 following a two-week jury trial, of, conspiracy to transport an individual to engage in prostitution, transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution, conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, cocaine and marijuana, and distribution and possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone.

D’Ambrosio and his co-conspirators recruited and transported girls and young women between the ages of 17 and 21 years old to engage in commercial sex acts in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia and frequently paid them in drugs.

D’Ambrosio and his co-defendants, participated in a conspiracy that began in approximately July 2012, and continued to January 2015.  D’Ambrosio and the others rented motel rooms and posted “escort” advertisements and photographs on backpage.com from July 2012 through January 2015.  D’Ambrosio and the others would take the majority of the money made during the course of the prostitution business, and distributed various drugs to the women, including oxycodone, cocaine and marijuana.  

D’Ambrosio’s co-defendants received the following sentences:

• Albert E. “Pipo” Martinez was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment;
• Keanu Martinez was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment;
• Brandon Hill was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment; and
• Armando Delgado was sentenced to time served or approximately 52 months’ imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Scott Ford prosecuted the case.

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

 

# # #    

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Johnson, age 52, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 20, 2020, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to 230 months’ imprisonment for his convictions on Hobbs Act robbery and firearms convictions.

According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, Johnson and his co-conspirator robbed and shot the victim in the head on Girard Avenue, York, on January 9, 2016.  During the investigation, law enforcement officers recovered the gun used to shoot the victim, a stolen Smith and Wesson 9mm caliber semiautomatic pistol, from Johnson’s co-conspirator during her arrest on January 13, 2016. Johnson was convicted on all charges after a two-day jury trial in May 2019.

Testimony established that the victim remained in a comatose state for at least four months following the shooting.  The victim required three brain surgeries and other life-saving medical interventions to repair the damage caused by Johnson and his co-conspirator. 

Based on Johnson’s conviction for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, Johnson was sentenced to an enhanced penalty requiring a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, which was ordered to be served consecutively to the 110 month sentence imposed for the Hobbs Act robbery conviction.  Judge Rambo ordered that the federal sentence will be served after any other sentence imposed by the York County Court of Common Pleas on several charges against Johnson that are still pending there.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the York City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

# # #

SCRANTON -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William Hayes, age 72, of Wilmington, Delaware, was sentenced on February 19, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 210 months’ imprisonment for transportation of minors to engage in criminal sexual activity.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Hayes repeatedly transported two minors from Pennsylvania to Florida, Tennessee and Delaware, to engage in sexual activity for an approximate 10-year period. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daumoniqe Jackson, age 22, and Christopher De Codio, age 24, both of Brooklyn, New York, were indicted on February 19, 2020, by a federal grand jury for passing counterfeit U.S. currency.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Jackson and De Codio passed $2,700 of counterfeit United States currency in businesses in Mifflin and Juniata Counties on December 11, 2019.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.  Prosecution is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment 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 passing counterfeit currency 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.

# # #

 

 

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 18, 2020, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Floyd Powell III, age 36, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to 102 months’ imprisonment for heroin trafficking.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Powell distributed between 100 and 400 grams of heroin between February and November 2017.  That equates to between approximately 4,000 and 16,000 individual doses of heroin.  Over 1,600 dosage bags were seized during the execution of a search warrant on Powell’s residence, along with $11,000 cash and an illegally-possessed handgun. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Hanover Township Police Department, and the Kingston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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 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.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Princeton Flagg-Garrett, age 28, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 19, 2020, by a federal grand jury on bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and obstruction of correspondence charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Flagg-Garrett opened mail intended to be delivered through the U.S. Postal Service, took checks out of that mail, altered the payee and amounts on checks, and deposited those checks, resulting in unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts.  The total loss amount is over $8,700.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (OIG).  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the case.

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 bank fraud is 30 years in prison; for aggravated identity theft, 2 years in prison consecutive to the prison term imposed for the underlying fraud; and for obstructing correspondence, 5 years in prison.   Each offense also carries 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Lee Boose, age 37, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 19, 2020, by a federal grand jury with receipt and possession of child pornography.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that between January 2016 and August 2019, Boose received and possessed images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors under the age of 12. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Gettysburg Borough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby 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.

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 penalties under federal law for the offenses charged is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of up to lifetime 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 offenses charged is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

# # #

 

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 12, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo sentenced Jose David Santiago-Curet, age 23, of York, Pennsylvania, to five years’ imprisonment followed by five years on supervised release for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.   

According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, Santiago-Curet pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on July 8, 2019.  Following a traffic stop in York, a 9mm SR-9C handgun, a bag of heroin (2.51 grams), and a scale were found in a vehicle occupied by Santiago-Curet on June 30, 2018.      

The matter was investigated by the York Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.   

This case was brought as 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.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Mark Komoroski, age 57, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 14, 2020, to seven months’ imprisonment to be followed by two years’ supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for violating federal export laws.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Komoroski previously pleaded guilty to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and related regulations.  Komoroski admitted that in early 2016, he attempted to export two riflescopes to an individual in Russia even though he knew that the export licenses required by federal law had not been obtained. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerce.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case.

                  

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Ryall, Jr., age 40, of Simpson, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 13, 2020, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 108 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release, for an armed bank robbery.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Ryall robbed the Honesdale National Bank in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 2017, threatening employees with a mock firearm.  Ryall obtained $5,255, but was restrained by a bank customer, and taken into custody by the Scott Township Police Department shortly thereafter.

Ryall received sentencing enhancements for causing physical injury to a bank customer, and for threatening a material witness from prison, after he was arrested and charged.  Judge Mariani also ordered him to pay $600 to Honesdale National Bank, for damages to the bank during Ryall’s struggle with a customer.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and by the Scott Township Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two United States Penitentiary Allenwood (USP Allenwood) inmates Alexander Palmisano, age 35, and William Oloane, age 30, were indicted on February 13, 2020, by a federal grand jury for an assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on April 5, 2019 Palmisano and Oloane assaulted another inmate at USP Allenwood.  The assault resulted in serious bodily injury, including 10 broken ribs, two collapsed lungs, and injuries to the head and face requiring hospitalization.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons.  Assistant U.S. 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.

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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WILLIAMSPORT—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeremy Snyder, age 43, of State College, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 10, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to 18 months’ imprisonment followed by two years on supervised release, for income tax evasion.   

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, as an employee of Number One Cycle Centre, in Centre County, Snyder embezzled over $800,000 from the business between 2009 and 2016. Snyder failed to pay income tax on the funds he embezzled, resulting in a tax loss of approximately $211,000 and a total of $222,000 in additional penalties and interest due the IRS. 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford prosecuted the case.  

 

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 11, 2020, Roberto Torner, age 47, of Freeland, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 270 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for drug trafficking, firearms, and explosives offenses.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Torner was convicted following a 13-day jury trial of conspiring to distribute 15 grams of heroin from June 2, 2015 and June 8, 2015, and for distributing five grams of heroin on June 8, 2015.  Torner also was convicted of possessing and conspiring to possess firearms as a multi-convicted felon.  From May 12, 2012 to August 28, 2017, Torner obtained and had access to numerous firearms, including several that were maintained by his co-defendant, Liza Robles.

After Torner was charged initially with heroin trafficking and firearms offenses, he was released on bail in advance of trial.  While on pretrial release, Torner planted stolen, U.S. military C4 plastic explosives at the residence of his co-defendant, David Alzugaray-Lugones.  Judge Mannion also found that Torner obstructed justice by lying on the stand at trial about his criminal activities, and by destroying evidence—his own shirt—in the middle of trial by flushing it down a holding cell toilet bowl.

Torner’s codefendants, Liza Robles and David Alzugaray-Lugones, also were convicted at trial of heroin trafficking offenses, and Robles was convicted of firearms offenses.  Alzugaray-Lugones previously was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment.  Robles previously was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment.

Judge Mannion ordered Torner to pay a $20,000 fine.  Judge Mannion also ordered the forfeiture of the ammunition and firearms seized during the investigation, which included a:

1. Magnum Research 1911U .45acp, Serial Number U100343;
2. Hi-Point JHP .45acp, Serial Number 4266999;
3. Stag Arms STAG-15, .223 cal., Serial Number 185412, which is capable of accepting a high capacity magazine;
4. Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun, Serial Number U080316;
5. Norinco MAC90, 7.62x39, Serial Number 934134, which is capable of accepting a high capacity magazine; and a
6. Tikka T3, 30.06, Serial Number C77995.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Weatherly Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip Caraballo and Todd Hinkley prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

The case also 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.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 

 

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a settlement with Lackawanna County under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act to improve physical accessibility at the county’s polling places for individuals who use wheel chairs and other mobility aids, and for individuals who are blind or have vision impairments. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, during the May 16, 2017 primary election, the United States Attorney’s Office, along with an architect from the Department of Justice, surveyed a portion of the county’s polling place locations.  The survey resulted in a finding that many of the county’s polling places contain barriers to access for persons with disabilities. Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by a state or local government in any of its programs or services, including its voting program. 

Lackawanna County is working collaboratively with the United States Attorney’s Office to make all polling places accessible.  Under the terms of the agreement, the county will use an evaluation form for each current and prospective polling place based on ADA architectural standards.  The settlement requires the county to either relocate inaccessible polling places to new, accessible facilities, or to use temporary measures such as portable ramps, signs, traffic cones and doorbells, where appropriate to ensure accessibility on Election Day. 

“I commend Lackawanna County for agreeing to achieve our shared goal of making polling places accessible to all eligible voters with a disability,” said U.S. Attorney Freed.  “Individuals with disabilities have a fundamental right to participate in our democracy and barriers to access polling places must not diminish or restrict that right.”

This investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Butler, the civil rights coordinator for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, with the assistance of the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (Disability Rights Section).  Those interested in finding out more about the ADA can access the ADA website at www.ada.gov. 

 

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SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Vincent Ingino, age 28, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of two counts of unlawfully distributing a controlled substance resulting in death after a five-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, jurors deliberated for approximately three hours before rendering the guilty verdicts against Ingino for the August 11, 2018 death of Victim 1, age 24, and the August 12, 2018 death of Victim 2, age 28, both from Monroe County, Pennsylvania.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony of Dr. Rameen Starling-Roney, a Forensic Pathologist, and Dr. Michael Coyer, Forensic Toxicologist, who opined that fentanyl laced heroin caused the deaths of Victim 1 and Victim 2.  Additional testimony was provided by Pennsylvania State Police Officers and other individuals related to the investigation who testified that Ingino first sold fentanyl laced heroin to Victim 1 on Friday night, August 10, 2018 and made another sale of fentanyl laced heroin to Victim 2 on Saturday night, August 11, 2018.  FBI Special Agents and other individuals related to the distribution also testified.

“Drug dealers such as this defendant, who profit from their illegal enterprise, bear responsibility for the destruction, damage and death that they cause,” said U.S. Attorney Freed.  “We are proud to work with our partners in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI to bring a measure of justice to two families who have lost loved ones.  While we will continue to do all that we can to promote treatment for those with substance use disorders, my office will always hold the dealers who push poison in our streets to account.”

The investigation was conducted by the FBI – Scranton Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Detectives of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Jenny Roberts prosecuted the case.

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

The maximum penalty under federal law is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The drug distribution resulting in death charge also carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. 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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SCRANTON -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mary Handzus, age 63, of Laporte, Pennsylvania, was charged on February 10, 2020, in a criminal information with theft.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the criminal information alleges that between 2012 and 2019, while employed as a Sheriff’s Deputy, Handzus stole $198,566 from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts 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 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jorge Maldonado, age 59, Joel Maldonado, age 23, and Jose Flores, age 58, all of Harrisburg, were indicted on February 5, 2020, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl; possession of a firearm by a felon; and maintaining a drug premises in Harrisburg between August 1, 2019 and January 23, 2020.  The conspiracy involved over 100 grams of heroin and over 40 grams of fentanyl.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Dauphin County Drug Task Force, and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford is prosecuting the case. 

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

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

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 conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances is 40 years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for maintaining a drug premises is 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for possession of a firearm by a felon is 10 years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.   Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Laverne Schaeffer, age 48, of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 5, 2020 to 28 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Schaeffer previously pleaded guilty to participating in the drug trafficking conspiracy between July 2016 and May 2017 that operated in Schuylkill and Berks Counties.

Judge Mariani also ordered Schaeffer to forfeit to the United States more than 105 acres of property in Schuylkill County that was used by her, her husband Ernest Schaeffer, and other members of the drug conspiracy to store methamphetamine and firearms.

Ernest Schaeffer was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Anibal Rodriguez, the leader of the drug conspiracy, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police in Schuylkill County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 

           

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marvin Reymundo-Lopez, age 28, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged on February 5, 2020, by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Reymundo-Lopez was previously deported from the United States to Guatemala in March 2010.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after March 2010, and was found in the United States in Dauphin 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). 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.

Reymundo-Lopez faces a maximum penalty of two 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.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Samson Paul Yohe, age 28, of  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 5, 2020, by a federal grand jury with malicious attempt to destroy building by fire and explosive and possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device).

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, on December 22, 2019, it is alleged that Yohe threw an incendiary device, commonly referred to as a Molotov cocktail, through the window of the Adams County Courthouse. The device consisted of an antique yellow bottle filled with liquid and a cotton sock used as a wick, which was lit prior to throwing.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Gettysburg Borough Police, the Adams County Detective Bureau, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the Adams County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl F. Bloom and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Sinnett are 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 total maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 50 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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SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Popish, age 41, of Pittston, was sentenced on February 4, 2020, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, to 80 months’ imprisonment followed by three years on supervised release for his role in a Luzerne County-based drug conspiracy that obtained and distributed large quantities of alpha-pvp, commonly known as “bath salts,” during 2014 and 2015.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Popish previously pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy by selling alpha-pvp to customers in Luzerne County. Popish was responsible for distributing approximately 300 grams of the drug.

Popish was one of seven people charged by a grand jury in August 2016. That indictment was the fourth wave of arrests connected to alpha-pvp distribution in Luzerne County. In all, 18 people have been charged in the case since July 2013, including two Texas-based suppliers of the bath salts.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police from Luzerne County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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.

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Diaz, age 52, formerly of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was convicted on January 30, 2020 following a jury trial, of wire fraud and mail fraud offenses.  The 12-day trial was held before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the jury returned the guilty verdict on all counts charged in the superseding indictment after approximately eight hours of deliberation.  Diaz was convicted of seven counts of wire fraud and four counts of mail fraud, all stemming from the same scheme.

“Schemes like this one committed by unscrupulous investment advisors seeking to line their own pockets by selling high-risk and high-commission securities to unsophisticated investors based on lies about the safety of the security and net worth of the investor are fraud, pure and simple,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “I hope this case sends a message to others in the industry that similar misconduct will not be tolerated and will have potential criminal consequences as well as the more common civil consequences.”

The evidence presented at trial showed that from approximately 2008 through April 2015, Diaz owned and operated Financial Planners Group of America, a financial planning business in East Stroudsburg and Scotrun, Pennsylvania.  Diaz persuaded his clients to invest in high risk, illiquid “alternative investment products,” including real estate investment trusts, business development companies, oil and gas drilling companies, and equipment leasing companies.

A dozen of Diaz’s former clients testified at trial that Diaz convinced them to invest their life savings in the alternative investments through a series of false representations, including that the investments were low-risk, with guaranteed protection of principle and guaranteed rates of return, and that the investments were liquid, giving investors access to their funds in an emergency.  Evidence introduced at trial showed that the investments were high-risk and speculative, with no guarantees, and that in some instances, investors lost all of their money.  Evidence at trial also showed that the investments had lengthy holding periods, with no access to funds, and that could be extended indefinitely at the unilateral discretion of the investment company.  Some witnesses testified to having invested money over a decade ago that they still could not liquidate.

At trial, jurors saw extensive client documentation bearing false information about the clients’ assets, risk tolerance, investment experience, and investment objectives.  Clients testified that Diaz regularly had them sign blank documents, with the promise that missing information would be filled in by his office.  Former employees of Diaz testified that he ordered them to add false information to the account forms, inflating clients’ assets, risk tolerance, and investment experience to qualify them as suitable investors for the alternative investments.

Jurors also learned that Diaz was terminated by five broker-dealers and permitted to resign by a sixth broker-dealer.  Clients who asked about the frequent changes to new broker-dealers were told that it was for their benefit.  Diaz’s former employees testified that they were ordered to conceal his firings and lie to the clients about his changes between broker-dealers.

Jurors also learned that Diaz was suspended by the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards in 2013, and under investigation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, both of whom ultimately barred Diaz from the securities industry in 2015.  Diaz’s clients testified that he failed to disclose his suspension from the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards, and concealed the nature and severity of the regulatory investigations.

Various industry witnesses testified that Diaz earned commissions on the alternative investments that were often double, or even quadruple the commissions earned on more conventional investments, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.  Documents at trial showed that Diaz regularly earned in excess of $1.5 million in commissions annually.  Witnesses described how Diaz spent his money on expensive automobiles, a dozen properties across the United States, and frequent vacations to exotic locales.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip Caraballo and Robert O’Hara prosecuted the case.

The combined maximum penalty under federal law for Diaz is up to 220 years of imprisonment. There is also 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.

 

# # #

Harrisburg – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that U.S. Attorney David J. Freed presented awards on Thursday, January 30, 2020, to 32 individuals, including law enforcement officers, agency counsel and private citizens for their outstanding efforts in fighting crime.

“We are pleased and proud to have the opportunity to recognize the contributions of our local, state and federal partners from throughout the Middle District,” said U.S. Attorney Freed.  “Too often, the hard work of unsung heroes goes unrecognized. Today’s ceremony emphasizes the industry and dedication that fuels our efforts to reduce crime and enhance public safety.”

The award recipients are being honored for their distinguished service, lifetime service and outstanding contributions to cooperative law enforcement. Those honored at Thursday’s ceremony included:

Two law enforcement members received the Lifetime Service Award which recognized their many years of exemplary service to their agency:   

• York County Drug Task Force Detective Sergeant Craig Fenstermacher; and
• Retired Special Agent Chris Kegerreis with the IRS, Criminal Investigation Division.

Four law enforcement members received an Award For Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement for significantly increasing cooperation among law enforcement agencies:

• York County District Attorney David W. Sunday;
• ATF Special Agent Jarrod Chittum;
• One PA State Police Task Force Officer working with FBI’s Safe Street Task Force in Harrisburg; and
• PA State Police Task Force Officer Shawn Wolfe working with FBI’s Safe Street Task Force in Harrisburg.

Associate Regional Counsel for Criminal Enforcement, Environmental Protection Agency, Martin Harrell received an Award For Outstanding Contributions As a Special  Assistant United States Attorney for his contributions as the primary contact for all Middle District environmental criminal cases prosecuted by this office for over thirty years and for serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney on many of those matters.

C.A.R.E. Court volunteer Albert R. Murray, Esquire received an award for Community Service for his six years of dedicated volunteer service to the Middle District Court Assisted Re-entry (C.A.R.E.) program.

The following individuals received an Award For Distinguished Service for their exceptional work of the “Southside” investigation that led to the successful prosecution of approximately 30 members of the Southside gang, a violent criminal enterprise that operated in York County.

• Retired Special Agent Scott Endy, ATF;
• Special Agent Ryan Anderson, ATF;
• Detective Scott Nadzom, York City P.D.;
• Detective Paul DeHart, York City P.D.;
• Detective Andrew Shaffer, York City P.D;
• Retired Detective Barton Seelig, York City P.D.;
• Detective Zachary Pelton, York City P.D.;
• Detective Timothy Shermeyer, York City P.D.;
• Detective Travis Sowers, York City P.D.;
• Detective Andy Baez, York City P.D.;
• Detective Kyle Hower, York City P.D.;
• Lt. William Wentz, York City P.D. and
• Police Officer Stephen Aderhold, York City P.D.

Five law enforcement members received an Award for their Distinguished Service for their tireless efforts of the Dr. Fui Li prosecution of a corrupt physician who operated a massive “pill mill” under the guise of a pain management clinic:

• DEA Diversion Investigator James Hischar;
• DEA Diversion Investigator Louis Callavini;
• DEA Diversion Investigator Denise Williamson;
• DEA Diversion Investigator William E. Davis; and
• IRS Special Agent Carmine Pellegrino.

The following law enforcement members received an Award for Distinguished Service for their outstanding efforts of the “cross-border fraud” investigation that led to criminal charges being filed against 54 Canadian individuals and 23 domestic defendants since 2007 for various international mass-marketing consumer fraud schemes victimizing senior citizens nationwide of millions of dollars:

• United States Postal Inspection Service Investigative Support Analyst Nicholas M. Alicea;
• United States Postal Inspection Service Investigative Support Analyst Michael C. Hartman;
• United States Postal Inspection Service Investigative Support Analyst David L. Bobersky;
• United States Postal Inspection Service Inspector James F. Wilson; and
• United States Postal Inspection Service General Analyst Sharon R. Miller.

United States Postal Inspector Michael J. Corricelli received an Award for Distinguished Service for his many years of exceptional service to the Middle District in serious child exploitation and drug trafficking investigations.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 

 

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two previously deported aliens were indicted separately on January 29, 2020, by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States. These matters arose in counties throughout the District including Adams and York Counties.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Jose Garcia-Ceja, age 30, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in May 2011.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after May 2011, and was found in the United States in Adams County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Alvaro Hidalgo-Sanchez, age 39, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in February 2013.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after February 2013, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Garcia-Ceja and Hidalgo-Sanchez face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  

These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).  Assistant United States Attorney Joanne Sanderson is prosecuting the cases.

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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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Karin Breitlauch, age 56, of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania and Linda Breitlauch, age 62, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, were indicted on January 28, 2020, by a federal grand jury on criminal tax charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Karin Breitlauch, a veterinarian and owner of Creature Comfort Veterinary Services and Linda Breitlauch, the Comptroller for the veterinary practice, withheld federal taxes from their employees’ paychecks but failed to turn the withholdings over to the Internal Revenue Service for tax quarters in 2014-2016.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts 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 offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is promoting the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative throughout the Middle District, announced U.S. Attorney David J. Freed. On January 28, 2020, the Middle District partnered with the FBI and AARP to raise awareness and to educate older adults about the latest scams so they do not fall victim.  Over 9,500 seniors in Pennsylvania participated in an interactive telephone town hall as part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative.  U.S. Attorney Freed and representatives from FBI and AARP conducted the town hall. 

Scammers are targeting seniors at an alarming rate. Statistics collected by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center show that victims of all ages lost over $2.7 billion dollars to fraud in 2018, with victims over the age of 60 accounting for $649,227,724 of those losses. According to the same statistics, in Pennsylvania, over 10,500 people lost more than $62 million dollars, putting Pennsylvania in the top ten states by number of victims.

The DOJ Elder Justice Initiative aims to combat elder financial exploitation by expanding efforts to investigate and prosecute financial scams that target seniors; educating older adults on how to identify scams and avoid getting ripped off by scammers; and promoting greater coordination with law enforcement partners.

Some examples of financial frauds targeting seniors discussed during the town hall were:

• Social Security impostor schemes: defraud victims by posing as Social Security Administration agent and claiming that there is an issue with the victims’ account;
• IRS impostor schemes: defraud victims by posing as IRS agents and claiming that victims owe back taxes;
• Lottery phone scams: callers convince seniors that a large fee or taxes must be paid before one can receive lottery winnings;
• Romance scams: lull victims to believe that their online paramour needs funds for a U.S. visit or some other purpose;
• Grandparent scams: convince seniors that their grandchildren have been arrested and need bail money;
• Tech support scams: scammers offer assistance with viruses or malware they claim were detected on the victim’s computer; and
• Grant scams: scammers congratulate you on your eligibility to receive a free grant to pay for education costs, home repairs, unpaid bills, etc., then ask for your checking account information so they can deposit your grant directly into your account or cover a one-time processing fee.

Below are some tips shared with participants during the town hall on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam:

• Don’t share personal information with anyone you don’t know.
• Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning.
• Don’t click on pop-up ads or messages.
• Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger.
• Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or a lucrative business deal.
• Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls.
• If a scammer approaches you, take the time to talk to a friend or family member.

• Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life.
• Remember, it’s not rude to say, “NO.”
• A good rule of thumb is, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.

Attacking exploitation and fighting fraud are two priorities of the Middle District, and the U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to aggressively pursuing individuals who engage in such acts. Some recent prosecutions include:

The Middle District of Pennsylvania charged Omoefe Okoro, a citizen of Canada, and others for allegedly engaging in an attorney “collection scam” in Ontario, Canada, and the United States. In particular, Okoro and his co-conspirators are alleged to have conducted a scheme in which they contacted businesses and individuals, including elderly victims, and requested, among other things, to collect an outstanding debt.  The suspects, posing as the third party, then sent a counterfeit check to the victim for deposit and requested that the victim wire funds to an account overseas, typically in Japan, South Korea, or China.  Canada surrendered Okoro to the United States and he is currently scheduled for trial on March 2, 2020.

The Middle District also prosecuted Jenmariey Burchell, a 26-year-old Jamaican citizen for her part in a scheme to defraud senior citizens that were falsely told they had won multi-million dollar international sweepstakes prizes.  The purported winners were directed to send Western Union and MoneyGram money transfers, money orders and checks to persons known as “money mules,” ostensibly to pre-pay taxes and other fictitious expenses, in order to collect the non-existent cash prizes. Burchell enlisted the “money mules” to receive and transfer the fraud proceeds to him and other conspirators in Jamaica.  Burchell ultimately received a sentence of 51 months’ imprisonment on November 12, 2019.

The Department of Justice announced first-of-its-kind steps yesterday, to stop hundreds of millions of predatory robocalls every month from entering the United States to perpetrate costly imposter scams against Americans, including many older victims. The civil actions are aimed at shutting down firms in Long Island, New York, and Scottsdale, Arizona, that provide internet services and act as “gateway carriers” for calls from overseas, mostly from India. The actions come after Americans in 2019 endured a record-shattering 58.5 billion robocalls, of which 25.9 billion were scams.

Elder abuse includes physical abuse, caregiver neglect, financial exploitation, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and abandonment. For help, you can contact the Victim Connect Hotline between 9am-6pm, Monday through Friday, at: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846) or contact the FBI Internet Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or 1-800-Call FBI. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.   You may also contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network free helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to report a scam.   

For more information about the Elder Justice Initiative, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. To get tips to avoid scams and fraud text FWN to 50757 to receive biweekly alerts from the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 

 

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brendon Rothrock, age 21, of Kannapolis, North Carolina, formerly of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on January 28, 2020, by a federal grand jury on child exploitation charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Rothrock aided and abetted the use of a minor to produce child pornography between January and February 2018, and received images of child pornography in February 2018.  The indictment also seeks forfeiture of all electronic equipment used to take and transmit those images.  

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy 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.

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 production of child pornography is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  The maximum penalty under federal law for receipt of child pornography 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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PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with violations of the federal robbery, extortion, firearms, and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The seven-count Superseding Indictment named Kevin Harris, age 37, as the defendant.

According to the Superseding Indictment, from in and around September 1, 2017 to September 18, 2018, Harris conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute marijuana. Also on September 18, 2018, Harris is charged with committing the offenses of attempted Hobbs Act extortion, Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and/or a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to information presented to the Court in previous hearings, the charges in this case stem from an attempted kidnapping of a victim over a drug debt on September 18, 2018 in Monroeville, PA.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 years in prison and up to life, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case. This Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, Stowe-Rox Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cresencio Antonio Chinchilla-Roque, age 26, of Honduras, was indicted on January 22, 2020, by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Chinchilla-Roque was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in June 2016.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after June 2016, 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).  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.

Chinchilla-Roque 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.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

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PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Davee Ward, age 29, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Ward possessed with the intent to distribute heroin on July 25, 2016. The government also filed with the Court a notice that the defendant was previously convicted in Federal Court in Pittsburgh for distribution of heroin. The defendant was on supervised release for the prior offense at the time of the alleged new offense.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. The defendant also faces a maximum of three years of imprisonment based on the alleged violation of his supervised release stemming from his prior federal prosecution for drug trafficking. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ward.

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jamir M. Ceruti, age 22, of Burlington, New Jersey, was indicted on January 23, 2020, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Ceruti possessed with the intent to distribute multiple bags of cocaine and marihuana in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on March 23, 2018.  The indictment also alleges that Ceruti possessed a Glock semi-automatic pistol, loaded with a 30-round magazine, and a stolen, and loaded, Ruger semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.  Ceruti also allegedly possessed magazines and 58 loose cartridges, in addition to the two pistols.

The case was investigated by the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as 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 law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.  

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NCIS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. 

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 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.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 

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SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Curtis Riley, age 57, of Dayton, Ohio, was sentenced on January 15, 2020 by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 6 ½  years’ imprisonment followed by two years on supervised release for acting as a courier for a heroin trafficking conspiracy that distributed large quantities of heroin to locations throughout the United States.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Riley previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. Riley transported a total of between four and 10 kilograms of heroin (which is equivalent to between 160,000 and 400,000 retail bags) between 2017 and December 2018. There were traces of fentanyl in some of the heroin seized by state police troopers.

The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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 also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

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