Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 47 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Nestor, age 41, of Ringtown, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to 47 months’ imprisonment and to serve four years on supervised release for his role in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Nestor previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Nestor admitted to distributing heroin and transporting other drug traffickers to Hazleton and other locations to obtain large quantities of heroin on multiple occasions. Nestor was involved in transporting and distributing between 400 grams and 700 grams of heroin, which is equivalent to 16,000 and 28,000 retail bags of heroin.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police in Schuylkill County. Nestor was one of 11 people charged in the investigation. 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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North Carolina Man Sentenced to Three Years’ Imprisonment for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicolai Varga, age 30, of Leland, North Carolina, who resided in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, at the time of his arrest, was sentenced on July 18, 2019, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to three years’ imprisonment and to serve two years on supervised release for his role in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Varga previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Varga admitted to distributing heroin and transporting other drug traffickers to New York and New Jersey to obtain large quantities of heroin on several occasions. Varga was involved in transporting and distributing between 400 grams and 700 grams of heroin, which is equivalent to approximately 16,000 and 28,000 retail bags of heroin.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police in Schuylkill County. Varga was one of 11 people charged in the investigation. 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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Mexican Man Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Manuel Salinas-Hernandez, age 47, of Mexico, was indicted on July 17, 2019, 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, Salinas-Hernandez was previously deported from the United States to Mexico 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 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 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.
Salinas-Hernandez 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.
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Chicago Man Sentenced to 28 Months’ Imprisonment for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Pedro Hernandez, age 35, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced on July 17, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 28 months’ imprisonment for participating in a conspiracy that transported heroin from Chicago to Carbon County and elsewhere in Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin. Hernandez admitted to acting as a courier for a Chicago-based heroin trafficking organization that shipped drugs to Pennsylvania during 2010 through 2015.
During the course of the investigation, thirteen defendants were charged and convicted, and more than 10 kilograms of heroin was seized by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and members of the Pennsylvania State Police. Members of the drug ring also distributed other drugs during the course of the conspiracy, including cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
Other members of the drug ring, which operated in Chicago and various locations in Pennsylvania, including Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, were sentenced by Judge Mariani as follows:
- Juan Mendez-Lazaro -156 months’ imprisonment;
- Romualdo Hermosillo - Avendano - 120 months’ imprisonment;
- Ramon Baez - 96 months’ imprisonment;
- Donald Patnelli, Jr. - 75 months’ imprisonment;
- Jose Hernandez-Tirado - 72 months’ imprisonment;
- Luis Linarez - 66 months’ imprisonment;
- Gilberto Bautista-Ocampo - 48 months’ imprisonment;
- Arnando Diaz-DeJesus - 37 months’ imprisonment;
- Richard Carvajal - 28 months’ imprisonment;
- Maria Pina - 11 months’ imprisonment;
- Stephen Krpata - 10 months’ imprisonment; and
- Stephen Nordmark - 6 months’ imprisonment.
The matter was investigated by DEA, HSI, 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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Harrisburg Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of A MachinegunRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jacob Soto, age 22, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on July 17, 2019, by a federal grand jury for illegal possession of a machinegun.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Soto possessed a semiautomatic pistol equipped with a Glock-Compatible Auto Switch in Harrisburg on December 11, 2018.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg City Police Department 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.
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 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Second Luzerne County Man Sentenced to More Than 13 Years’ Imprisonment for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gerald Pambianco, age 30, of Plains Township, was sentenced on July 16, 2019, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 161 months’ imprisonment for his role in an armed robbery of a bank in Luzerne County.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Gerald Pambianco previously pleaded guilty to the charges of aiding and abetting an armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in connection with the robbery of the Luzerne National Bank in Plains Township, Luzerne County, which occurred on May 16, 2018. On that date, Pambianco’s co-defendant, Derek Spaide, age 27, of Hanover Township, entered the bank, pointed a rifle at bank employees, and demanded money. Approximately $8,204 was taken in the robbery. Spaide then entered a vehicle driven by Pambianco, who engaged police in a high-speed chase on Route 81, reaching speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. Police were able to disable the getaway vehicle on Route 309 in Plains Township, and Pambianco was apprehended behind the wheel of the vehicle. Spaide tried to flee from the vehicle, but was also apprehended by police.
Judge Mannion previously sentenced Spaide to serve 168 months’ imprisonment for his role in the robbery.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Plains Township Police Department, and the Hanover Township Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.
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 enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 70 Months’ Imprisonment for Directing the Unlawful Purchase of Several FirearmsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 16, 2019, United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Mark Tullock, age 37, of New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to 70 months’ imprisonment and a two-year term of supervised release, for orchestrating the unlawful purchase of several firearms.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, on various dates in 2016 and 2017 in Schuylkill County, Tullock directed other individuals to serve as “straw purchasers” for several handgun-style firearms, which Tullock himself was not permitted to purchase or possess based upon his prior criminal record.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John 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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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Heroin Trafficking and Unlawful Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brandon Diggs, age 29, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 16, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 188 months’ imprisonment and to serve six years supervised release for trafficking in heroin and unlawfully possessing a handgun as a convicted felon.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Diggs previously pleaded guilty to committing both crimes and admitted to possessing with intent to distribute heroin and unlawfully possessing a loaded 9mm handgun on June 9, 2018, in Kingston.
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Kingston Police seized more than 100 bags of heroin and the firearm from a residence where Diggs was staying.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Kingston Police Department. 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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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Derek Spaide, age 27, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 15, 2019, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 14 years’ imprisonment for the armed robbery of a bank in Luzerne County.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Spaide previously pleaded guilty to the charges of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with the robbery of the Luzerne National Bank in Plains Township, Luzerne County, which occurred on May 16, 2018. On that date, Spaide placed a t-shirt over his face, entered the bank, pointed a rifle at bank employees, and demanded money. Approximately $8,204 was taken in the robbery. Spaide then entered a vehicle driven by his co-defendant, Gerald Pambianco, age 29, of Plains Township, and a high-speed chase with the police ensued. Police were able to disable the getaway vehicle on Route 309 in Plains Township. Spaide then fled from the disabled vehicle and attempted to enter the vehicle of a bystander stopped in traffic. Spaide was then apprehended by the police.
Gerald Pambianco is awaiting sentencing.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Plains Township Police Department, and the Hanover Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted 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 enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
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Monroe County Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 9, 2019, Jonathan Brownlee, age 41, of Long Pond, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Brownlee committed the offense between August 2017 and April 10, 2018. The indictment further alleges that Brownlee possessed and accessed with intent to view images of child pornography, including images of minors under the age of 12.
The indictment also states that Brownlee committed the offense after having been convicted of receipt and distribution of child pornography in 2012 in federal court.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offenses is 20 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment. 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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Berks County Man Sentenced to over 44 Years’ Imprisonment for Armed Bank Robberies in York, Lebanon and Berks CountiesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Derek Pelker, age 29, of Reading, Pennsylvania was sentenced on July 10, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane to 533 months’ imprisonment for armed bank robbery. As part of his sentencing, Judge Kane also ordered Pelker to pay restitution in the amount of $318,000.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Pelker was convicted on May 21, 2018, on four counts of armed bank robbery, four counts of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; and, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The charges stem from the armed robbery of the Susquehanna Bank in East Prospect, Pennsylvania on April 24, 2015; the BB&T Bank in Valley View, Pennsylvania on November 16, 2015; the Gratz Bank in Valley View, Pennsylvania on January 14, 2016; and the M&T Bank in Lebanon on April 5, 2016.
Pelker’s co-defendants were previously sentenced for their involvement in the robberies:
- June 13, 2018, Ryan Martin was sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the BB&T and Gratz robberies;
- July 16, 2018, Morgan Steiner was sentenced to 9 month’s imprisonment for purchasing the firearm Pelker used in the Susquehanna Robbery;
- July 24, 2018, Lindsay Scholl was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for the attempted disposal of the weapon used in the Lebanon Robbery;
- July 24, 2018, Kelsie Bair was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment also for the attempted to disposal of the weapon used in the Lebanon Robbery;
- July 24, 2018, Andrew Ishman was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the Susquehanna Robbery;
- August 21, 2018, Shannon Gadzouris was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the M&T robbery;
- August 22, 2018, Ryan Miller was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the Susquehanna Robbery and the robbery of the National Penn Bank in Oley, Pennsylvania on May 20, 2015; and
- December 17, 2018, Derek Pelker’s brother, Keith Pelker, was sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the Gratz and M&T robberies.
The case was investigated by the FBI Capital City Violent Crimes Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the South Lebanon Township Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. The Capital City Violent Crimes Task Force consists of representatives from the FBI’s Harrisburg Field Office and the Harrisburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford 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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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ernest Schaeffer, age 43, of Schuylkill Haven, was sentenced on July 2, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 15 years’ imprisonment followed by five years on supervised release for participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Schaeffer previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine between June and October 2016.
Judge Mannion explained that he imposed a sentence above the advisory guidelines range because during the course of the drug conspiracy Schaeffer held a woman captive for three days in a shed on his property and tortured her with electric shocks and a stun gun.
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.
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Dauphin County Man Convicted of Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Miguel Scott Arnold, age 32, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was convicted on June 21, 2019, of (1) conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; (2) sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; (3) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana; and (4) possession with intent to distribute heroin, after a four-day trial before United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the jury returned with the guilty verdict after approximately one hour of deliberation. The evidence showed that Arnold was part of a significant sex trafficking operation that exploited over 20 victims, including juveniles. Arnold and his co-conspirators coerced the sex trafficking victims though fraud, physical assault, the deprivation of heroin to addicted victims, and threats of violence.
Following the entry of the verdict, Judge Rambo remanded Arnold to the custody of the U.S. Marshals, at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Arnold has been incarcerated on state charges since August 2016.
Arnold and four co-defendants, each of whom previously pleaded guilty to engaging in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, participated in a conspiracy that began in Harrisburg in the fall of 2015, and continued until it was dismantled in August 2016. Arnold and the co-conspirators rented hotel rooms and posted “escort” advertisements and photographs on backpage.com, a website that the FBI has since seized and which is no longer operational. Testimony taken at trial demonstrated that Arnold and his co-conspirators would frequently solicit women to engage in prostitution by lying to them about the services that they would be expected to perform. Arnold and his co-conspirators would also target victims who were vulnerable by virtue of their age, financial insecurity, or drug addiction. Testimony at trial indicated that at least three victims of the conspiracy were minors, one as young as 14 years old. Arnold and the others would take the majority of the money made during the course of the prostitution business, and distributed drugs to the women, including heroin.
In addition to Arnold, the four others charged in the indictment include Tevin Bynoe, Terrence Hawkins, Joshua Guity-Nunez, and Emonie Murphy, all from Harrisburg. Murphy, age 23, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion on August 27, 2018. Bynoe, age 27, and Hawkins, age 26, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion on September 20, 2018. Guity-Nunez, age 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.
Sentencing proceedings for Arnold and his co-defendants remain to be scheduled.
The FBI coordinated the investigation and was aided by law enforcement agencies in the Harrisburg area. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio and Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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California Woman Guilty of Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Briana Ramirez, age 22, of Simi Valley, California, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Ramirez admitted to participating in the conspiracy during July through November 2018. Ramirez also admitted that she agreed with others to transport the heroin from California to Carbon County, Pennsylvania. A kilogram of heroin is approximately equivalent to 40,000 retail bags of heroin.
Judge Mannion ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 Mayor Pleads Guilty to Corruption ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Scranton Mayor William L. Courtright, age 61, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to a criminal information charging him with three felony public corruption offenses. The guilty pleas were entered before Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner in Williamsport where Judge Conner was presiding over a trial in an unrelated matter. Before entering his guilty pleas, Courtright resigned from his position as Mayor of Scranton.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the criminal information charges Courtright with engaging in a multi-year conspiracy with unidentified individuals to take bribes from vendors who did business with the City. The information also alleges that other objectives of the conspiracy were to commit the offenses of attempted extortion under color of official right and extortion through use of fear of economic harm.
Courtright’s corrupt activities came to light during a multi-year undercover investigation headed by the FBI. The undercover investigation revealed that the former mayor accepted cash payments from vendors doing business with the city in a pay-to-play scheme.
“In this County, in this Commonwealth, in this Country – our elected officials work for us,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “Not the other way around. Using public office for personal financial gain is a crime, plain and simple. All citizens, not just those of us in law enforcement, should demand that our public officials scrupulously follow the law. And when they do not, no matter how difficult the investigations may be, or how long they may take, the United States Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will hold them to account. I want to commend the painstaking work of our partners at the FBI who have never wavered in their commitment to the citizens of this district. We are also grateful for the valuable assistance of IRS-Criminal Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. We will not rest in the fight against corruption.”
“Bill Courtright used the city of Scranton,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “He traded on his office in exchange for money and other valuable favors. He wielded his official powers for his own benefit, when he should’ve been focused on that of his community. The FBI will never stop seeking to bring to justice corrupt public officials who so badly betray the public trust. To that end, we and our partners at the Pennsylvania State Police and the IRS have launched a task force specifically to take on public corruption in the northeast Pennsylvania region. We’re working on behalf of the people, who expect — and deserve — honest services from all their elected officials.”
The FBI was assisted during the investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Consiglio, Michelle Olshefski and William Houser are prosecuting the case.
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 35 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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Wyoming County Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Hoyt, age 55, of Eaton Township, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 25, 2019, for drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession. The indictment remained under seal until Hoyt was arrested by ATF agents on July 1, 2019.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment charges Hoyt with being a user of illegal drugs in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of stolen firearms, and the distribution of suboxone, between November 11, 2018 and April 9, 2019 in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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 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 for the drug distribution offense is twenty years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release, and a fine. The maximum penalty for the firearms offense is ten years’ imprisonment and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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York Man Sentenced on Health Care Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nagy Mohamed Abdelhamed, age 68, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 27, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones, III, to two years’ probation on Health Care Fraud charges stemming from his fraudulent receipt of Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamp benefits.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Abdelhamed applied for Medicaid and SNAP benefits with the York County Assistance Office in August of 2014, even though he owned a four bedroom residence in York, a gas station in York, a 2008 Mercedes Benz E350 automobile, received $1,124 a month in Social Security disability benefits, and held approximately $58,500 in eight different bank accounts.
On August 22, 2014, Abdelhamed sold his gas station for $172,883 and deposited $87,016 of the sales proceeds into a bank account. Abdelhamed did not notify the York County Assistance Office of the sale or his receipt of the sales proceeds and continued to receive Medicaid and SNAP benefits into 2018. As a result, Abdelhamed fraudulently obtained approximately $29,337 in benefits, including approximately $20,000 in Medicaid benefits.
Judge Jones also ordered Abdelhamed to pay restitution in the amount of $29,337.
The matter was investigated by the Harrisburg Offices of the FBI and the HHS Office of Inspector General. Assistant U. S. Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel is prosecuting the case.
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Federal Inmate Sentenced to Four Months’ Imprisonment for EscapeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 27, 2019, United States District Court Judge James Munley sentenced Raymond Collazo, age 34, to four months of imprisonment, for escaping from federal custody.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Collazo was a federal inmate at Schuylkill Federal Prison Camp (FCI Schuylkill), where he was serving a 130-month sentence for heroin trafficking and firearms offenses. Collazo absconded on March 15, 2018, but returned to custody shortly thereafter. Judge Munley imposed the four-month sentence to run consecutively to Collazo’s existing sentence.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and by Officers with FCI Schuylkill. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Cumberland County Man Sentenced to Fifteen Months’ Imprisonment for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Suhail Farooq, age 26, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 27, 2019, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 15 months’ imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release for wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Farooq previously admitted to perpetrating a computer-based fraud scheme that targeted victims across the United States. As part of the scheme, Farooq and others pretended to work for technology companies and contacted victims through computer pop-ups and telephone calls. Once contact was made, Farooq and others induced victims to authorize payments under false pretenses and utilized remote desktop access applications to initiate unauthorized financial transactions from the victims’ financial accounts.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli and Chelsea Schinnour prosecuted the case.
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Two Romanian Nationals Charged with Bank Fraud and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Costel Aparaschivei, age 35, a Romanian national, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 25, 2019, for conspiring to commit and committing bank fraud, and with aggravated identity theft. In a related case, Daniel Gologan, age 29, also a Romanian national, was charged in a criminal information on June 26, 2019, for conspiring to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment and information charge Aparaschivei and Gologan with conspiring to commit bank fraud between October 6, 2018 and October 21, 2018. Aparaschivei was charged with six counts of bank fraud during that time period, and two counts of aggravated identity. Gologan also was charged with a single count of aggravated identity theft.
The indictment and information allege that the defendants obtained counterfeit debit cards bearing stolen account numbers and PINs in New York, and transported them to South Abington, Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the defendants used the counterfeit debit cards at Penn East Federal Credit Union and attempted to withdraw approximately $140,360. The defendants successfully withdrew $66,510.
The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service and by the South Abington Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the cases.
Indictments and 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 penalties under federal law for the most serious charges are up to 30 years of imprisonment. The aggravated identity theft charges carry mandatory, consecutive two-year terms of 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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Three Individuals Charged with Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Bressi, age 47, of Danville, Pennsylvania, Terry Harris, age 45, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Damonico Henderson, age 54, of Elyria, Ohio, were indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Bressi, Harris and Henderson conspired to manufacture, distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, carfentanil, and other fentanyl analogue substances between 2015 and June 2019.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur 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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Stroudsburg Woman Charged with Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jennifer Annette Bush, age 44, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on June 25, 2019, by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Bush distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute both cocaine and heroin/fentanyl on diverse dates in late 2017, 2018 and early 2019.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John 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.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 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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Scranton Woman Sentenced to A Year in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Patricia Cook, age 61, of Scranton, was sentenced on June 26, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to one year in prison and three years on supervised release for distributing heroin and cocaine.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Cook previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and distribution of cocaine. Cook distributed less than 10 grams of heroin and less than 50 grams of cocaine to another person on April 7, 2015.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, Pike County Detectives, and Scranton Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and 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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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 28 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Derek Yashinsky, age 29, of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 26, 2019, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to 28 months’ imprisonment followed by two years on supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the defendant previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Yashinsky admitted to distributing heroin and transporting other drug traffickers to Patterson, New Jersey, and Hazleton to obtain large quantities of heroin on multiple occasions. Yashinsky was involved in transporting and distributing between 400 grams and 700 grams of heroin, which is equivalent to between than 16,000 and 28,000 retail bags of heroin. Yashinsky was one of 11 people charged in the investigation.
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.
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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Mountain Top Accountant Sentenced to Seven Years of Imprisonment for Laundering Nearly $1.4 Million and for Failing to Report over $800,000 to the IRSRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 24, 2019, United States District Court Judge James Munley sentenced Adam Kamor, age 44, to seven years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, for committing money laundering and tax evasion.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Kamor worked as a Certified Public Accountant and operated the accounting business Decker Accounting LLC in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. From October 2014 to January 2018, Kamor embezzled approximately $1,384,000 from one of his clients, a non-profit organization, by shifting the funds through a series of accounts under his control. Kamor used the embezzled funds for his own personal benefit, primarily to gamble at the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino.
Kamor also failed to report a total of $804,365.73 in income between tax years 2014 ($110,607.08), 2015 ($315,224.71), and 2016 ($378,533.94). Kamor filed false Form 1040 Individual Income Tax Returns for each of those tax years.
The United States seized $32,443 of the remaining embezzled funds, which will be returned to the victim of Kamor’s crimes. Judge Munley ordered Kamor to pay additional restitution of $1,353,244.56 to his victim, and $241,623 to the IRS, to satisfy his outstanding tax obligation. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Munley highlighted the serious nature of the offense, and interests in sending a deterrent message to like-minded criminals.
“Not only did this defendant willfully fail in his duty as a citizen to pay his fair share, he further enriched himself by stealing from an organization that existed for the benefit of others,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “We were able to aggressively prosecute this white collar criminal because of the hard work and dedication of our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation. If tax cheats in the Middle District of Pennsylvania are not on notice, then they are not paying attention.”
“Money laundering is tax evasion in progress,” stated Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco of the IRS’s Criminal Investigations Division. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes where individuals attempt to conceal the true source of their money. Rest assured that IRS-CI will continue to protect the integrity of the tax system by ensuring everyone pays the right amount of tax.”
The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Luzerne County Man Convicted of Drug Distribution Resulting in Death of Pregnant Woman and Unborn FetusRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis Antonio Zayas, age 48, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was convicted on June 21, 2019, for drug distribution resulting in death after a four-day trial before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the jury returned with the guilty verdict in less than an hour of deliberation. The evidence showed that Zayas sold what he believed to be heroin to the victim on July 6, 2016. In reality, the drug was 100 percent fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid painkiller. The victim, who was 33 weeks pregnant at the time, overdosed and died. Toxicology results showed that both the mother and unborn fetus died from lethal levels of fentanyl in their systems. Zayas arranged the drug deal with the victim via text messages and proclaimed at one point that he had “damm good shit….good enough to get way higher than intended lol.”
As a result of the conviction, Zayas faces up to life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Scranton, and the Pennsylvania State Police. 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. 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.
his case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and 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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Effort Man Charged with Illegal Machinegun PossessionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyler Lameo, age 27, of Effort, Pennsylvania, was charged on June 18, 2019, in a criminal information with the illegal possession of a machinegun.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the information alleges that Lameo possessed a Glock 19 9mm bearing an auto sear from April 20, 2018 through December 18, 2018. The information also seeks forfeiture of several firearms, ammunition, and firearms components, including:
- Glock 19 9mm bearing an auto sear;
- Beretta Model ARX160 bearing a suppressor;
- Iver Johnson Model Champion 12-gauge shotgun bearing a shortened barrel;
- Chiappa Firearms Model SR-556 9mm bearing a shortened barrel;
- Sten 9mm bearing a shortened barrel;
- Partial bump stock; and
- Miscellaneous suppressor components.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 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.
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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Inmate Sentenced to 17 Months’ Imprisonment for Possession of Drugs and Contraband in Lackawanna County PrisonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Coss, age 37, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 17, 2019, to 17 months’ imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo, for possessing illegal drugs and contraband inside the Lackawanna County Prison.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Coss previously pleaded guilty to possessing contraband in prison. Coss admitted that between July 2015 and April 2016, while an inmate at the prison, he obtained, possessed and attempted to obtain suboxone and tobacco that were smuggled into the prison by others on several occasions. To date, four people have been charged in connection with the investigation.
Judge Caputo imposed the 17-month sentence to run consecutive to a sentence Coss is currently serving in state prison for an unrelated crime. Judge Caputo also ordered Coss to serve two years on supervised release following his prison sentence.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
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Harvey’s Lake Man Charged with Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Steve Weaver, age 35, of Harvey’s Lake, Pennsylvania, was indicted on June 6, 2019, by a federal grand jury for multiple counts of illegal firearms possession. The indictment remained under seal until Weaver was arrested by ATF agents on June 17, 2019.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that between March 18, 2019 and May 9, 2019, in Luzerne County, Weaver, a user of illegal drugs was in possession of firearms and ammunition, possessed a stolen firearm, and made false statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm. The charges stem from an incident in which law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at Weaver’s residence in Harvey’s Lake and seized 10 firearms and approximately 1,493 rounds of ammunition.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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 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 for the firearms offenses is ten years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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York Man Sentenced to over 21 Years’ Imprisonment on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Raul Cotto-Rivera, age 41, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 11, 2019, to 262 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane for drug trafficking offenses.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Cotto-Rivera was convicted in March 2018, after a three-day jury trial, of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin and 500 grams and more of cocaine hydrochloride, distribution of heroin (3 counts), possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine hydrochloride, distribution of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride and marijuana,
The charges stemmed from a number of controlled buys of heroin that were made by and through Cotto-Rivera in September and October of 2015. In October 2015, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant and located approximately $20,000 in United States currency, a drug ledger, drug packaging material and distribution quantities of cocaine and heroin all in the defendant’s home. While on release, Cotto-Rivera continued to sell drugs and was engaged in the distribution of marijuana from his store. A second search warrant executed in February 2017, located distribution quantities of marijuana and cocaine, drug packaging materials and a loaded stolen firearm.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the York County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the York Area Regional Police Department, the West Manchester Township Police Department, the York County Sheriff’s Office, the Springettsbury Township Police Department, and the York County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Daryl F. Bloom and Carl Marchioli prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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United States Penitentiary Canaan Inmate Pleads Guilty to Assault of Correctional Officer and Is Sentenced to Serve an Additional 15 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILKES-BARRE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Johnny Fletcher, age 41, formerly of South Carolina and currently an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Canaan, pleaded guilty on June 12, 2019, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo, to assault on a correctional officer and was immediately sentenced to serve an additional 15 months in prison.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Fletcher admitted to punching a correctional officer on February 5, 2019, after Fletcher set off a metal detector and refused to submit to a search by the correctional officer.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
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Schuylkill County Man Guilty of Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Navarro-Velez, age 33, of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on June 6, 2019, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the defendant admitted to participating in the conspiracy during 2014 and 2015. Navarro-Velez admitted that he and others in the conspiracy distributed between one and three kilograms of heroin, which is approximately equivalent to between 40,000 and 120,000 retail bags of heroin.
Judge Munley ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed, and scheduled sentencing for September 9, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Shenandoah Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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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Monroe County Man Was Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Role in Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WILKES-BARRE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joseph Morales, age 27, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 12, 2019, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo to eleven years’ imprisonment and ten years on supervised release for his role in a Monroe County-based heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Morales previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute between 700 grams and one kilogram of heroin (which is equivalent to 28,000 to 40,000 individual doses of heroin), as well as between 840 grams and 2.8 kilograms of crack cocaine, in the Monroe County area between May and July 2015. Morales was one of eleven individuals indicted by a grand jury in July 2015 and charged with conspiring to distribute heroin, powder cocaine and crack cocaine in the Monroe County area.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
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.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
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Monroe County Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILKES-BARRE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sherquille Ernest, age 26, of Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on June 12, 2019, before U.S. District Court Senior Judge A. Richard Caputo to the charge of conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Morales admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute between 20 and 40 grams of heroin (which is equivalent to 800 to1,600 individual doses of heroin), as well as between 28 and 112 grams of crack cocaine, in the Monroe County area between May and July 2015. Ernest was one of eleven individuals indicted by a grand jury in July 2015, and charged with conspiring to distribute heroin, powder cocaine and crack cocaine in the Monroe County area.
Judge Caputo ordered a presentence report to be completed. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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 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.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum penalty under federal law is up to forty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Harrisburg Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Donald Jackson, age 33, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on June 12, 2019, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Jackson distributed cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, possessed with intent to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine, and illegally possessed a Ruger 9mm pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking and as a previously convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Mobile Street Crimes Unit with assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy 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.
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 the drug trafficking offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum sentence for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum sentence for possessing a as a convicted felon is 10 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Cuban Man Sentenced to 27 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 11, 2019, David Alzugaray-Lugones, age 50, a Cuban refugee from Weatherly, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for drug trafficking offenses.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Alzugaray-Lugones 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. Alzugaray-Lugones also attempted to obstruct justice by authoring a letter sent to law enforcement, in which he claimed responsibility for C-4 explosives crimes committed by one of his co-conspirators.
Alzugaray-Lugones’s codefendants, Roberto Torner and Liza Robles, also were convicted at trial of various heroin trafficking, firearms, and explosives charges. Torner and Robles both are awaiting sentencing.
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.
The case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Allentown Man Charged with Mail Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony W. Redd, age 63, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was indicted on June 12, 2019, by a federal grand jury on mail fraud and money laundering charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Redd was 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. The 12-count indictment charged Redd with five separate counts of mail fraud, engaging in a mail fraud and money laundering conspiracy, and both domestic and international money laundering. The indictment also includes a notice of the Government’s intent to seize and forfeit more than $280,000 involved in the scheme.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy 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 the conspiracy offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum sentence for each of the mail fraud and money laundering counts 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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Monroe County Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Heroin and Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILKES-BARRE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Morales, age 25, of Pocono Summit, Monroe County, was sentenced June 6, 2019, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo to six years’ imprisonment and four years on supervised release for his role in a Monroe County-based heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Morales previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute between 10 and 40 grams of heroin (which is equivalent to 400 to 1600 individual doses of heroin), as well as between 28 and 112 grams of crack cocaine, in the Monroe County area between May and July 2015. Morales was one of eleven individuals indicted by a grand jury in July 2015 and charged with conspiring to distribute heroin, powder cocaine and crack cocaine in the Monroe County area.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
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.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
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Luzerne County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that a Luzerne County man pleaded guilty on June 6, 2019, in United States District Court in Scranton, before United States District Court Judge James M. Munley, to drug distribution resulting in death.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Michael F. Bogdon, age 26 of Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, knowingly and intentionally distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a controlled substance, fentanyl, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, causing the death of another person.
The deadly distribution occurred on or about December 12, 2017 and resulted in the death of an 18-year old woman.
The charges stemmed from a joint investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton, and the Kingston Police Department. Prosecution is assigned to United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
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.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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. In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute for drug distribution resulting in death is life imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Dauphin County Man Guilty of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Santino Rey Texidor, age 29, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pled guilty yesterday to drug trafficking charges before Magistrate Judge Susan Schwab. Sentencing was deferred pending the preparation of a presentence report.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Texidor pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of cocaine in Harrisburg in 2015.
This case was part of a joint investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Narcotics Investigations and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Smulktis and Assistant United States Attorney Daryl Bloom.
“In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, we are particularly proud of the strong working partnerships that we enjoy with state and local law enforcement. This combined investigation including prosecution assistance from the PA Office of Attorney General once again shows that there are no boundaries when the goal is to remove illegal drugs from our communities and keep our streets safe,” said United States Attorney David J. Freed.
“As Attorney General, I am committed to keeping Pennsylvanians safe and getting dangerous drugs off their streets,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “The defendant was peddling large quantities of cocaine into our communities, threatening the safety of the people of Dauphin County. I’m proud of the strong collaboration between my Office and our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office which resulted in today’s guilty plea.”
A sentence following a finding of guilt will be imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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 maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 40 years of imprisonment, a mandatory four year term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $5,000,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Columbia County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that a Columbia County man pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019 in United States District Court in Williamsport, before United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, to drug distribution resulting in death.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, James Mark Minichella, age 23 of Catawissa, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, knowingly and intentionally distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a controlled substance, heroin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance, and fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, causing the death of another person.
The deadly distribution occurred on or about August 11, 2017 and resulted in the death of a 20-year old man.
The charges stem from a joint investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Scranton, and the Pennsylvania State Police - Troop N, Bloomsburg. Prosecution is assigned to United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
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.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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. In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute for drug distribution resulting in death is life imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two USP Canaan Inmates Charged with Assault and Possession of ContrabandRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joshua Truesdale, age 37, and James Brooks, age 34, inmate as United States Penitentiary Canaan (USP Canaan) in Waymart, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 4, 2019. for conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on August 13, 2018, Truesdale and Brooks conspired and attacked another inmate with a sharpened piece of metal and plastic, commonly referred to as a “shank.”
The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Canaan. 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 under federal law for both conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon is 10 years of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The maximum penalty for possession of contraband is 5 years of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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.
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Perry County Woman Sentenced for Role in Defrauding Disabled VeteranRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Laurie Ehrhart, age 48, of New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania was sentenced yesterday by Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 6 months home confinement and 2 years probation for helping her former husband defraud a disabled veteran out of $316,360.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Laurie Ehrhart pleaded guilty on December 7, 2018, to one count of Health Care Fraud. Ehrhart’s former husband, Jason Ehrhart, also pleaded guilty to Health Care Fraud and was sentenced on April 15, 2019, by Judge Conner to 19 months’ incarceration. The charges against the couple related to their misappropriation of Michael Ehrhart’s veteran’s disability benefits.
While serving in the U.S. Army in 1985, Michael Ehrhart, a former resident of Perry County, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In 1998 Michael Ehrhart began receiving disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Michael was eventually hospitalized on a permanent basis at the VA hospital in Lebanon, Pennsylvania in November of 2004 and began receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2006.
In August of 2006 Michael was deemed by the VA to be incompetent to handle his own financial affairs. As a result, on October 2, 2006, Michael’s brother, Jason Ehrhart, applied to serve as Michael’s VA Fiduciary and Legal Custodian. Under the terms of a Fiduciary Agreement, Jason Ehrhart agreed to use all of Michael’s VA disability benefits exclusively for Michael’s benefit. The agreement warned Jason that the funds were not for his personal use. The Fiduciary Agreement also required Jason Ehrhart to submit an annual accounting to the VA with respect to the amount of money received and spent on Michael’s behalf.
While Jason Ehrhart served as Michael’s VA Fiduciary and Legal Custodian, all of Michael’s VA benefits, plus most of his Social Security disability checks, were deposited into a checking account Jason opened at The Orrstown Bank. Altogether, $476,260 in federal benefits ($422,828 in VA disability, $48,187 in Social Security disability, and $5,244 in VA clothing allowance) were deposited into the account between January 2009 and August 2016.
However, during that same time period $316,360 of the $476,260 was misappropriated by Jason and Laurie Ehrhart and converted to their own use Checks totaling $218,832 ($96,202 payable to Jason and $122,630 payable to Laurie), were drawn against the account. Of the $218,832, $157,742 was deposited into Jason and Laurie Ehrhart’s joint checking account at the Juniata Valley Bank (JVB) and at least $23,496 was converted to cash. Thereafter, the funds in the joint JVB account were employed by Jason and Laurie Ehrhart to pay personal expenses.
Checks totaling $7,174 were also made payable to Jason and Laurie Ehrhart’s two minor children. Jason Ehrhart would instruct the children to take the checks to the bank, cash them, and surrender the cash to him.
Checks totaling $19,890 were also made payable to another couple who were Jason and Laurie Ehrhart’s best friends. Jason Ehrhart regularly treated the couple and their children to dinners out and at least two, all-expense paid vacations to Disney World in Florida. Jason also purchased two automobiles for the family and paid for the wife’s dental work.
To conceal his embezzlements, Jason Ehrhart submitted eight false annual accountings to the VA in which he falsely claimed he spent $402,408 on Michael’s behalf. The itemized expenditures in the annual accountings were grossly inflated. For example, Jason Ehrhart claimed he paid the mortgage on the veteran’s residence ($1,631 per month) plus Michael’s share of the mortgage on his mother’s residence ($881) after she died in May 2011. However, the lenders for both properties obtained default judgments and both properties were eventually foreclosed and sold.
Jason Ehrhart also falsely claimed in the annual accountings that he spent thousands on miscellaneous expenditures for the veteran, including storage unit rentals, vehicle maintenance bills, state and local taxes, life and auto insurance, and credit card bills. However, in 2016 the veteran’s specially equipped wheelchair van, for which Jason Ehrhart claimed he spent approximately $32,395 on maintenance, was found broken down and abandoned along a Perry County roadside. Laurie Ehrhart admitted she helped Jason complete the 8 false annual accountings in her handwriting.
Michael Ehrhart died at the Lebanon VA Hospital on July 30, 2018. As part of their sentences Judge Conner ordered Laurie and Jason Ehrhart to pay $316,360 restitution to Michael’s son, his only known heir.
The Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel prosecuted the case.
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Inmate Charged with Assault and Possession of ContrabandRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Turhan Jessamy, age 30, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Canaan (USP Canaan), was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 4, 2019, for assault and possession of a weapon.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on July 25, 2018, Jessamy assaulted another inmate with a sharpened piece of metal and plastic commonly referred to as a “shank.”
The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Canaan. 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 under federal law for assault with a dangerous weapon is 10 years of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The maximum penalty for possession of contraband is 5 years of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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.
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Ghanaian National Sentenced to 40 Months Time Served for Refusing to Depart the United StatesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 5, 2019, United States District Court Judge James M. Munley sentenced Patrick Owusu, age 42, a citizen of Ghana, to a time served sentence of approximately 40 months, for hindering his removal from the United States.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, in 2012, an Immigration Judge ordered Owusu to return to his home country of Ghana after he was convicted of several serious criminal offenses while residing in the United States. On March 31, 2014 and May 28, 2014, immigration officials attempted to remove Owusu from the United States, but he resisted and refused to board the plane.
Owusu has remained in custody since being charged in December 2015. He is to be deported back to Ghana following this sentence.
The case was investigated by officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
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Dominican Republic Man Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 4, 2019, United States District Court Judge James M. Munley sentenced Daniel Silvestre-Ubri, age 40, to 120 months of imprisonment and a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute heroin and crystal methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Silvestre-Ubri, his co-defendant and brother, Willis DeLaRosa-Baez, and other individuals conspired to distribute heroin and crystal methamphetamine in Pennsylvania between February 4, 2016 and April 6, 2016. Silvestre-Ubri admitted to supplying other drug dealers with narcotics, and to trafficking in excess of 2.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 3 kilograms of heroin, the latter of which is the equivalent of 120,000 potentially fatal doses of heroin.
Silvestre-Ubri, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, entered the United States illegally and will be deported upon the conclusion of his sentence. He was indicted on May 17, 2016, and has remained in custody since his arrest on March 8, 2018. His co-defendant, DeLaRosa, was convicted and sentenced to 80 months of imprisonment. DeLaRosa also is expected to be deported upon the conclusion of his sentence.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo 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 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.
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Lancaster County Woman Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Wendi E. Detter, age 46, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones III, to 18 months’ imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release for wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Detter previously admitted to embezzling more than $100,000 from YCP, Inc., a construction and excavation business headquartered in York County. Detter was president and part owner of YCP, Inc. She used her position and her access to the company’s financial accounts to write herself checks for her own personal use and financial gain.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph J. Terz and Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Hazleton Man Sentenced to 37 Months’ Imprisonment for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Franklin Gonzalez, age 23, who resided in Hazleton and is a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced yesterday to 37 months’ imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, for participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed heroin in the Schuylkill County area between 2012 and May 2016.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the defendant previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, which is equivalent to more than 4,000 retail bags of heroin.
Judge Munley also ordered Gonzalez to serve four years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Gonzalez is also subject to being deported to the Dominican Republic.
The mater 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.
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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Monroe County Man Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WILKES-BARRE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jace Bradley, age 58, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, entered a guilty plea on May 30, 2019, and was immediately sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo to 18 months’ imprisonment and four years supervised release for his role in a Monroe County-based cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Bradley pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute between 500 grams and two kilograms of cocaine, in the Monroe County area between May and July 2015. Bradley was one of eleven individuals indicted by a grand jury in July 2015 and charged with conspiring to distribute powder cocaine, crack cocaine and/or heroin in the Monroe County area.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
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.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
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Hazleton Woman Sentenced to Probation for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 31, 2019, United States District Court Judge James M. Munley sentenced Jasmine Wing, age 27, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to two years of probation and 50 hours of community service, for making false statements in the purchase of firearms.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Jasmine Wing purchased six firearms while making false representations that she was the actual buyer, when in fact her father, Theodore Wing, and his co-conspirators selected, paid for, and took possession of the firearms. The firearms were purchased from Bob’s Sporting Goods in Hazleton, PA, and from Dave’s Gun Shop in Drums, PA, between September 19, 2014 and April 14, 2015. The firearms were:
- Glock 19 9mm;
- Glock 23 .40 caliber;
- Taurus PT745Pro .45acp;
- Extar EXP556 5.56;
- CAI/Romarm Micro Draco 7.62x39 (a semiautomatic firearm that is capable of accepting a large capacity magazine); and
- Ruger P91DC .40acp.
Two of the firearms subsequently were recovered in law enforcement operations, including one that had been used in a shooting in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, in February 2015.
Theodore Wing was previously convicted of aiding and abetting the making false statements in the purchase of firearms and on April 24, 2019, was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the cases.
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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