Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Wilkes-Barre Man Pleaded Guilty to Transporting A Minor for Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Trevon Jackson, age 24, of Wilkes-Barre pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik in Scranton pursuant to a plea agreement.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Jackson was charged in a Criminal Information in May 2016 with transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The Information alleged that in December 2013, Jackson transported an individual under the age of 18, from Pennsylvania to New York, with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution.
The case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
A sentence following a finding of guilty 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 transportation of minors for criminal activity is imprisonment for life, with a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment for 10 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Inmate at United States Penitentiary Enters Guilty Plea to Assault of Corrections OfficerRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton to the charge of assaulting a federal corrections officer.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Orlando Garcia-Mata, age 24, formerly of Texas, admitted to throwing a punch at a corrections officer at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan on March 22, 2016.
Garcia-Mata was indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton in April 2016, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara
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 which can be imposed under federal law is 8 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $100,000 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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Daughter Who Helped Father Sell Heroin and Cocaine in Monroe and Wayne Counties Sentenced to 27 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 26-year-old woman who admitted to participating in a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy headed by her father in Monroe and Wayne Counties in 2011-2014, was sentenced to 27 months in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Rubie Cruz, of Tobyhanna, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. Cruz admitted to being responsible for the distribution of more than 80 grams of heroin, which is equivalent to more than 2000 retail bags of heroin.
Cruz was indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton in August 2014, as a result of an investigation by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office, and Pocono Mountain Regional Police.
Two of Cruz’s siblings, Tiffanyann Cruz, age 22, and Brandon Cruz, age 24, were previously sentenced to prison for their roles in the drug conspiracy.
Carlos Cruz, the father who was a leader of the conspiracy, was previously sentenced to eight years in prison.
Judge Mannion also ordered Rubie Cruz to serve three years on supervised release following her prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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.
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Schuylkill County Man Indicted for Production of Child Pornography and Enticement of A MinorRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal grand jury in Scranton returned an indictment yesterday charging a 19-year-old Pine Grove man with production of child pornography and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Indictment alleges that Josiah Ferrebee persuaded and coerced a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual image of such conduct, and enticed, persuaded and coerced the minor to engage in illegal sexual activity in January 2016.
The charges stem from an investigation by agents from the Department of Homeland Security and detectives from the County Sheriff’s Office in Grand Traverse Michigan.
If convicted, Ferrebee faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for the child pornography charge, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of life in prison for the enticement of a minor charge.
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."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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 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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Monroe County Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking Conspiracy and Interstate Prostitution CrimesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal grand jury in Scranton returned an indictment on June 14, 2016, charging a 39-year-old East Stroudsburg man with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force and coercion, and interstate transportation of others for purposes of prostitution.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Indictment alleges that Thurman Stanley allegedly forced and coerced several women to engage in prostitution in Monroe County and elsewhere, and transported women from Pennsylvania to New York, Iowa, and North Dakota to engage in prostitution.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Bismarck, North Dakota detectives.
The indictment alleges that Stanley and/or his co-conspirators used social network sites to recruit females for prostitution; used cell phones to post ads on adult escort websites to solicit customers; rented hotel and motel rooms in Monroe County and elsewhere for purposes of prostitution; provided heroin and other illegal drugs to the prostitutes; and used force, threats, and coercion to carry out prostitution activities. The indictment alleges that the conduct occurred between December 2013 and December 2015.
Stanley was arrested in May 2016 on a Criminal Complaint and remains in custody.
If convicted of the charges, Stanley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of life in prison for the sex trafficking charge, and up to 10 years in prison on each of the interstate prostitution charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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 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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Lancaster Resident Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Unemployment Compensation Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Angel Luis Carrasco-Rivera, age 54, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner in Harrisburg for fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Carrasco-Rivera, Lancaster, was charged in a Criminal Information with mail fraud in January 2016. The charge stemmed from Carrasco-Rivera filing claims for unemployment compensation benefits from 2008 through late 2012 with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in Harrisburg. Carrasco-Rivera knew he was not entitled to those benefits because he was employed full time when he applied for and received them. Carrasco-Rivera obtained more than $102,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled during that four-year period.
Carrasco-Rivera pled guilty in February 2016 pursuant to a plea agreement. Chief Judge Conner ordered Carrasco-Rivera to pay $89,500 in restitution to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Internal Audits Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case.
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Former U.S. Probation Officer Charged with Obstruction of InvestigationRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Criminal Information was filed today in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh charging Rachel Lynn Howze with obstructing an official federal proceeding while serving as a U.S. Probation Officer in Pittsburgh.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Howze, age 30, Pittsburgh, attempted to obstruct and impede an investigation of an individual serving a term of federal supervised release. Howze allegedly attempted to obstruct an investigation by intentionally disclosing to unauthorized persons the existence of a state criminal investigation involving the individual under federal supervision.
Together with the Criminal Information, the government filed a plea agreement in the case which is subject to the approval of the court. Howze is no longer employed by the U.S. Probation Office.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, which would otherwise be prosecuting the case, is recused under U.S. Department of Justice policy because the defendant was an employee under the supervision of the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh at the time of the alleged activity.
This investigation was conducted by the Pittsburgh Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz has been assigned to prosecute 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 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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Former Cumberland County Attorney Charged with Income Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Criminal Information was filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg on June 14, 2016, charging a former Cumberland County attorney with tax evasion and failure to file a federal tax return.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, in 2012, Karl E. Rominger, age 43, an attorney in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, attempted to evade federal income taxes due and owing for the calendar years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, all years in which Rominger received taxable income. Rominger allegedly made false statements to agents of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the location of his business operating accounts, with the intent to evade and defeat the actions of the IRS.
Rominger is also charged with willful failure to file a federal income tax return for the calendar year 2012.
The government also filed a plea agreement with the defendant which is subject to the approval of the court.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz.
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 is 6 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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Former CEO of Scranton Area Federal Credit Union Charged with Bank FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that the former Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Scranton-based Valor Federal Credit Union (“Valor”), formerly known as Tobyhanna Federal Credit Union, has been charged in an Information with bank fraud and attempted bank fraud.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the charges filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton allege that Sean E. Jelen, age 33, committed and attempted to commit a series of fraudulent activities from July 2014 to August 2015. During the majority of that time, Jelen served as the CEO of Valor. All of the alleged fraudulent activities were associated with Valor and many allegedly involved forged and altered documents created by Jelen.
The Information charges Jelen with executing a scheme to defraud Valor of approximately $718,000, some of which went to pay for his personal credit card, his graduate tuition, his spouse’s birthday party, and a golf tournament sponsorship.
The Information also charges Jelen with rigging elections held for the Valor Board of Directors, whereby he elected and subsequently impersonated fictitious members of the Board of Directors and its Supervising Committee.
The Information further charges Jelen with attempting to obtain an additional approximate $1,146,000 through fraudulent means, and with creating a forged severance contract that would be triggered by his termination.
Valor is a federal credit union, its assets are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) which also supervises and regulates it.
The Information seeks forfeiture of property obtained as a result of the fraud, including a residence located in New York. The government also filed a plea agreement with Jelen to the alleged charges, which is subject to approval of the court. A date for his initial appearance has not been set. Valor terminated Jelen’s employment in August.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Gurganus, Evan Gotlob and Phil Caraballo. Valor’s current management is cooperating with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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 charges is 60 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Federal Inmates Charged with Assaulting Another Inmate with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on June 14, 2016, a federal grand jury in Scranton indicted Tony Knott, age 32 and Antoine Whitfield, age 26, both federal inmates at the United States Penitentiary Canaan (“USP Canaan”), in Waymart, Pennsylvania, with assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment charges Knott and Whitfield with assaulting a fellow inmate at USP Canaan on May 9, 2016. Knott also was charged with possessing a homemade weapon made from a sharpened piece of metal, commonly known as a “shank.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers from USP Canaan. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob.
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 is 10 years of imprisonment for Whitfield and 15 years of imprisonment for Knott, 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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Chambersburg Man Indicted on Federal Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Chambersburg man has been indicted by a grand jury in Harrisburg on federal drug trafficking and firearm charges.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Quinton Noel Gordon, age 36, of Chambersburg, was charged with being a convicted felon illegally in possession of a loaded .45 caliber handgun, possession of cocaine hydrochloride, heroin, crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, and with possession of the handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The charges arise out of the arrest of Gordon on June 1, 2016 in connection with a search at his residence in Chambersburg. That search led to the recovery of cocaine hydrochloride, crack cocaine, approximately 2 ounces of unpackaged heroin and the loaded .45 caliber handgun.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Franklin County Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.
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.
This case was also brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.
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 charge is 20 years imprisonment. The felon in possession of a firearm count of the indictment carries a 10 year term of imprisonment. The charge of possessing a firearm to further drug trafficking is punishable by up to life imprisonment and by a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 5 years imprisonment. Each count of conviction also includes 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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Carbondale Man Charged with Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Criminal Information was filed today in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging a Carbondale man with tax evasion.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, in 2010 and 2011, Thomas Rice, age 64, of Carbondale, made false statements to the Internal Revenue Service to conceal his mother’s assets by deliberating underreporting his mother’s retirement account balance and inflating her expenses in an attempt to evade federal income taxes due for the years 2004 through 2008. At the time, Mr. Rice was acting under a power of attorney for his mother. Rather than reporting his mother’s assets in the retirement account accurately, Mr. Rice was using funds from that account to pay his own personal expenses instead of her outstanding tax balances.
The government also filed a plea agreement with the defendant which is subject to the approval of the court.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob.
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 is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a maximum 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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New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide False Statements Related to Export of Prohibited Goods to IranRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a New Jersey man pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide false statements related to illegally exporting goods to Iran before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito in Wilkes-Barre.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Asim Fareed, age 51, of North Brunswick, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide false statements in connection to the illegal export of goods to Iran. According to the Information to which he pleaded guilty, Fareed operated an export business in Somerset, New Jersey and agreed to ship items purchased by customers in Iran and to provide false documentation to the U.S. Department of Commerce for export purposes. Communications concerning the shipments passed between New Jersey and a site in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. No actual shipments were, in fact, delivered to Iran.
The Information charges that in 2013 and 2014 Fareed conspired with others to export items from the United States, through third party countries to customers in Iran. According to the Information, Fareed prepared invoices which included false information as to the identity and geographic location of the purchasers of the goods. The items were then to be shipped from the United States to the United Arab Emirates, and thereafter transshipped to Iran. The guilty plea is pursuant to a plea agreement with the government.
"The Office of Export Enforcement protects our national security and foreign policy interests by vigorously pursuing violators of our nation's export control laws. Today's guilty plea is an example of our close work with our colleagues at HSI and other law enforcement agencies to complement our robust enforcement program. Providing or causing false statements on export documents and illicit trade with Iran will remain a high priority for the Office of Export Enforcement," said Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office."
“This case demonstrates how far individuals will go to circumvent U.S. export laws to export goods to countries like the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI in New York. “The Iran Trade Embargo prohibits Americans from supplying goods, technology and services to Iran directly or indirectly. HSI is committed to aggressively pursuing those who conduct illegal business with Iran.”
No sentencing date has been scheduled.
The case was investigated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Malachi Maurice Glass, age 33, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in prison by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, III in Harrisburg, for distribution of cocaine base (crack) and cocaine hydrochloride.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Glass previously pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine. Glass, in his plea, acknowledged distributing more than 55 grams of crack cocaine in Mifflin County (with a value over $3,000) between April and August 2013.
Glass was indicted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg in October 2013, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mifflin County Drug Task Force, and the Lewistown Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.
Judge Jones also ordered Glass to be placed on three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
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Former Utz Quality Foods Employee & Vendor Charged with $1.4 Million False Invoice Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a former employee of Utz Quality Foods, Inc., Hanover, Pennsylvania and a former Utz vendor have been charged with a false invoice kickback scheme that defrauded Utz out of approximately $1.4 million.
Kevin Myers, age 38, a former resident of Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, and the former Director of Purchasing for Utz, and Jonathan Haas, age 45 of Easton, Pennsylvania, the former owner of Haas Packaging and Design, Inc. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, were each charged today in a Criminal Information filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.
The government also filed plea agreements with the defendants which are subject to the approval of the court.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Haas Packaging & Design was a vendor that supplied Utz with shelving and packaging products between January 2010 and August 2014. The defendants allegedly defrauded Utz by Haas’ submission of approximately 83 false invoices and approximately 43 bogus purchase orders prepared by Myers for products Utz never actually received. After Myers approved Haas’ false invoices for payment, Haas allegedly would kickback a portion of the proceeds to Myers. Haas allegedly received approximately $1,474,765 from Utz as a result of the false invoices and kicked back approximately $651,000 of that amount to Myers.
The defendants also allegedly attempted to conceal kickbacks to Myers as payments for consulting services. Some of the kickbacks were in the form of checks payable to “Myers Packaging Consulting,” a fictional business entity created by Myers.
The specific wire fraud charge relates to an alleged interstate wire transmission of a $26,000 check into a Myers Packaging Consulting bank account in January 2014. The government is also seeking forfeiture of approximately $1.4 million as proceeds of the scheme.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Utz Quality Foods, Inc. cooperated with the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel.
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 is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Shippensburg Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dante Kaleek Darby, age 32, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, III in Harrisburg, for distribution of cocaine hydrochloride.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Darby previously pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine hydrochloride in December 2015. Darby, in his plea, acknowledged distributing cocaine hydrochloride in Franklin County on four separate occasions - September 2012, March 2013, August 2013 and October 2013.
Darby was indicted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg in May 2014, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Franklin County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor prosecuted the case.
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York Woman Sentenced to Prison for Threatening A Federal Witness via Social MediaRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mae Joy Harris, age 25, York, Pennsylvania, who previously pleaded guilty to making threatening interstate communications, was sentenced to four months in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane in Harrisburg.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the case arose out of a trial in September 2015 involving 12 defendants, known as Southside York gang members. The jury trial testimony included witnesses who were themselves charged criminally and who agreed to cooperate in the prosecution in exchange for favorable consideration in their own cases. One of the witnesses, J.B. aka “Boogie,” testified on October 5-6, 2015 as a government witness and implicated former associates in criminal activity. On October 6, 2015, Harris posted on her Facebook profile page under the name “Mae Elliot” and made threatening statements towards J.B. and his family as a consequence of J.B.’s testimony.
Harris was indicted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg in November 2015, as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). She pleaded guilty in January 2016.
According to ATF, this is the first prosecution of a case in the Middle District of Pennsylvania it has had involving use of social media to threaten witnesses. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute all cases of threats to government witnesses in any form or media as a very high priority.
Judge Kane also ordered Harris to serve one year on supervised release following her prison sentence. Harris is to turn herself into the Federal Bureau of Prisons on July 11, 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Schinnour prosecuted the case.
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Scranton Woman Sentenced to 57 Months’ Imprisonment for Acting as A Getaway Driver for Two Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Stephanie Ann Ware, age 27, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani in Federal Court on June 9th, to 57 months’ imprisonment.
In December 2015, she pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the robbery of two banks by acting as a getaway driver. Ware admitted to charges that she aided Lee Sokalsky in the robberies of the NBT Bank, Dickson City, on July 25, 2014 and the Mauch Chunk Trust Bank, Tamaqua, on August 26, 2014.
Sokalsky was previously indicted by a Federal Grand Jury and is awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Hazleton, Rush Township, Dickson City, and Scranton Police Departments. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.
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Hazleton Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Distributing Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 56-year-old man who pleaded guilty to distributing crack cocaine in the Hazleton area in September 2013, was sentenced to 72 months in prison yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani in Scranton.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Angel Rafael Tejeda-Mejia (also known as “Jose Angeles”), a citizen of the Dominican Republic who resided in the Hazleton area at the time of his arrest, pleaded guilty on November 6, 2015 to distribution of crack cocaine.
Tejeda-Mejia was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2014, as a result of an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Hazleton Police.
Judge Mariani also ordered the defendant to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence. The defendant is also subject to deportation following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
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Former Employee of the Luzerne County Correctional Facility to Plead Guilty to Extortion and A Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Louis Elmy, age 52, of Wilkes-Barre, has been charged with extortion and a firearms violation.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Elmy is charged in a Criminal Information, filed today in the United States District Court in Scranton, with extortion and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, specifically, the possession of and intent to distribute crack cocaine.
The Criminal Information further alleges that, while acting in his official capacity as the work release counselor at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, Elmy extorted money and other items of value from work release inmates in exchange for giving them special privileges and unauthorized furloughs.
It is alleged that, to have documentation that appeared legitimate, Elmy created court orders, cut and pasted a Luzerne County Judge’s signature from an older order onto the fraudulent order, and then photocopied the document for the file. Elmy allegedly engaged in the conduct between November 2013 and February 2016.
Elmy was arrested in February 2016 on a criminal complaint relating to the firearms charge and was released with conditions of supervision.
The Criminal Information was filed pursuant to a plea agreement with Elmy, which is subject to approval by the court. No date has been scheduled as yet for the entry of Elmy’s guilty plea. Elmy was employed by Luzerne County for approximately 20 years, including work as a corrections officer at the correctional facility prior to being a work release counselor. Elmy also served as a member and president of the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board prior to the time period when the alleged criminal conduct occurred.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Scranton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
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 guilty 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 the extortion charge is 20 years’ imprisonment. The firearms charge carries a maximum term of life, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Each charge also carries a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release following any period of incarceration. 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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Dauphin County Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking and Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Khalid Fahide Carter, age 22, of Harrisburg was arrested yesterday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Capital City Safe Streets Task Force and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.
Carter had his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab on June 7, 2016 and was ordered detained.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Carter was indicted in May 2016 for distribution of cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on January 12, 2016. During the drug deal, Carter allegedly possessed a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Capital City Safe Streets Task Force and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.
This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.
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 is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Harrisburg Man Pleads Guilty to 14 Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Harrisburg man has pled guilty before United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo in Harrisburg to committing 14 bank robberies in four central Pennsylvania counties.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Andre Mosley, age 48, of Harrisburg, pled guilty to robbing 14 financial institutions in Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin and York Counties between late 2014 and February 2015. The total loss is estimated at approximately $52,295. Mosely has agreed to make restitution.
The institutions that were robbed and the amounts stolen are as follows:
$1,540, Members First Federal Credit Union, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg; $2,900, Patriot Federal Credit Union, Chambersburg; $950, Fulton Bank, 200 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg; $3,495, Fulton Bank, 1429 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg; $1,930, PNC Bank, Carlisle; $3,000, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Carlisle; $7,790, Citizens Bank, Highspire; $1,920, M&T Bank, Harrisburg; $14,480, Fulton Bank, Hummelstown; $4,670, Santander Bank, Red Lion; $4,250, Northwest Savings Bank, York; and $5,370, Mid-Penn Bank, Harrisburg.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Harrisburg Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police and local and municipal police departments in the communities where the financial institutions were located. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe prosecuted the case.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law 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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Former Hazle Township Solicitor Charged with Theft of $105,000 Escrow FundRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that the former Solicitor for Hazle Township, Luzerne County, has been charged with the theft of $105,586.80 from the Township, a local government agency which receives federal funds.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Charles Pedri, age 64, of Hazleton, is charged with theft from a program receiving federal funds in a Criminal Information filed today in United States District Court in Scranton. Pedri was the Solicitor for Hazle Township at the time of the alleged theft.
The government also filed a plea agreement with the defendant which is subject to the approval of the court.
As set forth in the Criminal Information, Hazle Township required a company which was developing a project in the Humboldt Industrial Park in the township to complete certain specific improvements to the property, pursuant to land development ordinances. As security for the completion of the improvements, the company and Hazle Township entered into an escrow agreement.
Pedri, in his capacity as Township Solicitor, signed the agreement as escrow agent. The company then paid to Hazle Township the sum of $105,586.80 to be held in escrow as security for the completion of the improvements. Pedri, as escrow agent, deposited the funds into his law office account. Thereafter, Pedri allegedly began withdrawing the funds held in trust and converted the money to his personal use. The investigation revealed that, between December 2012 and November 2013, Pedri allegedly wrote checks payable to himself, drawn on the Township funds. By November 2013, the funds were gone.
Upon completion of the improvements in May 2014, the company requested that Hazle Township return the escrowed funds. Over a period of approximately eight months, Pedri allegedly made misrepresentations to representatives of the company regarding the status of the funds and failed to make payment. In January 2015, after the company informed Pedri it intended to file a law suit, Pedri allegedly admitted that he had converted the funds to his own use.
Pedri was subsequently terminated from the position of Township Solicitor, restitution was paid and Pedri agreed to a voluntary suspension of his license to practice law for a period of at least five years.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.
No date has yet been scheduled for the entry of Pedri’s guilty plea.
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.
In this case, the maximum penalty which can be imposed under federal law is ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Former Operator of Money Transfer Business Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Illegal Structuring of Financial TransactionsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Criminal Information was filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging a Northampton County man with conspiring to unlawfully structure financial transactions.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, from January 2008 through December 2011, German Ossa Rocha, age 45, conspired with others to utilize a money transmitter service in order to transfer the proceeds from unlawful criminal activity to the Dominican Republic. Ossa Rocha, together with his then-wife, Mirela Desouza, operated Tropic Express, Inc., a money transfer service business, in Stroudsburg. The defendants were residents of Northampton County. Desouza previously pleaded guilty to the same criminal charge and is awaiting sentencing. Both defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2015 on money laundering and illegal structuring charges.
The government also filed a plea agreement in the case. As part of the agreement, the government agreed to dismiss the money laundering charge.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. Ossa-Rocha faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the alleged crime is “structuring,” the conducting of transactions in currency for the purpose of evading federal currency transaction reporting requirements. Under federal law, money transmitter agents are required to obtain identification, social security numbers and occupations of clients sending money to other countries, in this case the Dominican Republic, in amounts over $1,000. The defendants ignored the directives. The law also prohibits evading or attempting to evade the reporting requirements or attempting to cause failures to file currency transaction reports.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Wilkes-Barre Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Failing to Comply with Sex Offender Registration RequirementsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON-The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Wilkes-Barre man was sentenced today in federal court in Scranton by United States District Judge James M. Munley, to serve 41 months in prison on the charge of failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Joseph Brant, age 56, a resident of the Sherman Hills Apartments in Wilkes-Barre, pleaded guilty to being a person required to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act by reason of a sexual abuse conviction under the laws of the State of New York, but failed to do so upon establishing a residence in Pennsylvania. The indictment charged that Brant traveled interstate to Pennsylvania, established a residence in Wilkes-Barre, but failed to register or update his sex offender registration information in Pennsylvania as required by the law.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Munley also ordered that Brant be supervised by a probation officer for five years following his release from prison, that he undergo sexual offender treatment, and that he comply with all registration requirements of the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The charges were the result of an investigation by the United States Marshals Service - Scranton and New York offices. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Two Harrisburg Men Charged Federally with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that John L. Gilbert, III, age 36, and Timothy Rissmiller, age 44, both residents of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania were indicted yesterday by a grand jury in Harrisburg and charged with possession of child pornography.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Gilbert and Rissmiller were taken into custody by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police after they allegedly printed photographs containing child pornography at a store in Harrisburg. Harrisburg police also searched the residence of the two men and found additional evidence of alleged child pornography.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law 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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Additional Criminal Charges Brought Against Indicted Penn National Horse TrainerRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury brought additional criminal charges yesterday against a thoroughbred horse trainer already under indictment for wire fraud and criminal conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Murray L. Rojas, age 50, of Grantville, Pennsylvania was charged in a 21 count superseding indictment with additional charges relating to the dispensing of misbranded drugs and criminal conspiracy. Rojas was previously indicted in August 2015 on charges of wire fraud and criminal conspiracy for conduct related to 11 races in which she had horses entered at Penn National Race Course in early 2013. Two additional wire fraud charges were brought relating to two additional races bringing the total to 13 races.
In addition to the misbranded drug distribution charges, the indictment also expands the time frame for the wire fraud conspiracy to at least 2009 and identifies additional races in which Rojas allegedly had prohibited substances administered to the horses. The superseding indictment alleges that Rojas directed and conspired with unnamed and unindicted coconspirator veterinarian(s) to administer substances to horses on the day they were entered to race, in violation of the criminal laws of Pennsylvania and the racing rules and regulations prohibiting the administering of those substances.
The indictment also alleges that steps were taken to conceal this conduct by the backdating of invoices for the sale and administration of drugs to the horses on race day, as well as the submission of fraudulent veterinarian treatment reports to the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission.
The purse money for the races is funded by the interstate electronic transfer of funds and, therefore, the involvement of the transmission of these funds that are used to pay successful owners/trainers is essential to the alleged scheme to defraud. The superseding indictment now alleges that Rojas won a total of $124,756 from the races in which it is alleged she directed the administration of prohibited substances to her horses.
“As with human prescription drugs, veterinary prescription drugs may only be administered under the supervision of a licensed medical professional” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Office. “The FDA works to ensure that prescription drugs used on our animals are safe and effective, and issued with a valid prescription. When that does not happen, we will take action.”
The case was investigated by the by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Horse Racing Commission and the Federal Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.
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 is 20 years of imprisonment on the wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud counts. The counts alleging the distribution of misbranded drugs and conspiracy to do so are each punishable by up to 3 years in prison. A term of supervised release following imprisonment and a fine are also part of the possible sentence. 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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Citizen of Mexico Enters Guilty Plea for Illegal Re–Entry into the United States After Having Been Previously DeportedRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jenaro Moctezuma-Galicia, age 30, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge A. Richard Caputo in Wilkes-Barre to the charge of illegally re-entering the United States after having been previously deported.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Moctezuma-Galicia was indicted by a grand jury in April 2016 and was charged with illegal re-entry into the United States after having previously been removed from the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations (ERO).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara
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 which can be imposed under federal law is two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two California Men Convicted of Methampetamine, Cocaine and Heroin Trafficking in Monroe CountyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that two California men were convicted of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin trafficking in Monroe County by a jury after a four-day trial held before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Reginald Braddy, age 33, and Fontaine Horton, age 37, both formerly of San Bernardino, California, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin in the Monroe County area between 2012 and 2014. In addition, Fontaine Horton was convicted of two counts of distributing methamphetamine in Monroe County in October of 2013.
The defendants were charged with obtaining high-quality methamphetamine from sources in California, along with heroin and cocaine, which they then distributed for profit in the Monroe County area over a two-year period.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department. Officers from the Orange County, California Sheriff’s Office, the Scranton Police Department, and Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania, Police Department assisted in the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. O’Hara and Francis P. Sempa.
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.
Fontaine Horton is facing a maximum possible penalty of 60 years’ imprisonment under federal law, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Reginald Braddy is facing a maximum possible penalty of 20 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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Tioga County Physician and Drug Dealer Sentenced for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dr. John Terry, age 65, and Thomas Ray, age 53, both of Wellsboro, were sentenced yesterday by Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner in Williamsport. Terry was sentenced to 20 months’ in federal prison and ordered to pay $4,762 in restitution to the state Department of Human Services for fraudulent prescriptions he wrote for Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Ray was sentenced to 71 months’ in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which will run consecutively to 30 months of a Tioga County term consisting of 51 months to 15 years. Ray is serving the state sentence on unrelated charges.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, in April 2013, Terry allegedly caused Medicare to be billed for fraudulent prescriptions of Oxycodone intended for David Hatch, age 28, of Addison, New York, but written in the name of Stephen Heffner, Jr., age 46, of Elkland. Terry knowingly wrote the prescription in the name of Heffner, knowing Heffner was not his patient, and that the Oxycodone was intended for Hatch. Medicare paid for the prescription received by Heffner but actually delivered to Hatch.
Terry also wrote prescriptions for Oxycodone and other narcotics for Ray, in reckless disregard of the fact that the drugs were not being used by Ray for legitimate medical purposes, but being diverted and sold on the street. Medicaid paid for the medically unnecessary prescriptions written for Ray.
Heffner and Hatch were both previously sentenced to six months’ probation for theft from the Medicare Program.
The investigation was initiated in June 2013 by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) drug diversion agents and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. During the execution of a federal search warrant at his office on July 8, 2013, Dr. Terry voluntarily agreed to surrender his medical license and his DEA registration.
The Pennsylvania State Police assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.
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State College Man Indicted for Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a State College man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Williamsport for the prohibited possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment alleges that Dennis E. Lowe sold a military-style rifle and several hundred rounds of ammunition in March 2016, despite being a person prohibited under Federal law from engaging in such activity based on a 2014 conviction for illegally possessing firearms. Lowe is also alleged to have possessed, sold and offered for sale additional handguns since July 2015. According to the indictment, the firearms include:
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a Colt handgun;
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a Smith & Wesson handgun;
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a 1911 Colt handgun;
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a 1911 cold .45 caliber handgun;
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two Colt 1903 .32 caliber handguns;
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a 12 gauge shotgun;
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two .22 caliber revolvers;
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a .32 caliber British revolver;
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an M-1 Garand rifle;
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and approximately 650 rounds of ammunition.
The government is also seeking forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur.
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 is from 10 years, a term of 3 years supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 dollar 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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New York Man Sentenced on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ibrahim Stevens, age 26 of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Conner for his role in a drug trafficking operation in Williamsport.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the charge arose from an investigation conducted by the Lycoming Narcotics Enforcement Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. During a search of Stevens’ apartment in May 2014, police found 80 grams of crack cocaine and heroin. The drugs were found partially flushed in a toilet.
A second co-defendant, Anthony Gaskin, has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur 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.
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Allenwood Federal Prison Inmate Charged with Threatening Federal OfficialRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that charges have been filed against Dakota Gardner who is currently confined at the U.S. Penitentiary, Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Gardner, age 25, is charged in a six-count Indictment with threatening to harm a prosecutor who previously brought charges against him, as well as threatening the prosecutor’s family and making additional threats against the President and other government officials. The threats were communicated in a series of letters written by Gardner in 2015 and 2016 that were intercepted by prison officials.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur has been assigned to prosecute the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statues and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statutes is 70 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine of $1,500,000.
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 necessarily an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Ukrainian Man Pretending to Be U.S. Citizen Indicted Federally for Passport and Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Ukrainian man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for passport fraud and social security fraud.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment alleges that Artur Samuel Samarin, age 23, a Ukrainian citizen, using the identity of Asher Samuel Potts, fraudulently applied for a United States passport at the Main Post Office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on December 7, 2015. Samarin also allegedly submitted false and misleading information to the Social Security Administration resulting in his obtaining a social security card in the name of Asher Potts in July 2014 and he applied for and received a replacement card in November 2015.
This case is part of a continuing investigation by the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.
Samarin was arrested on state charges in February 2016 for statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, identity theft, falsification to authorities, and tampering with public records. Samarin was detained and remains in local custody.
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 passport fraud is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release of three years and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty under federal law, for social security fraud is five years’ imprisonment, a three term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Lancaster Man Pleads Guilty to Hacking Apple and Google E-Mail Accounts Belonging to More Than 100 People, Mostly CelebritiesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Lancaster man pled guilty to felony computer hacking charges related to a phishing scheme that gave him illegal access to over 100 Apple and Google e-mail accounts, including those belonging to members of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Ryan Collins, age 36, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to a felony violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act before Senior U.S. District Court Judge William W. Caldwell in Harrisburg. Collins pled guilty to one count of unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information. He faces up to five years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine as a result of the guilty plea. No date was set for sentencing.
Collins admitted that from November 2012 until the beginning of September 2014, he engaged in a phishing scheme to obtain usernames and passwords for his victims. He sent e-mails to victims that appeared to be from Apple or Google and asked victims to provide their usernames and passwords. When the victims responded, Collins then had access to the victims’ e-mail accounts. After illegally accessing the e-mail accounts, Collins obtained personal information including nude photographs and videos. In some instances, Collins would use a software program to download the entire contents of the victims’ Apple iCloud backups.
The charge against Collins stems from the investigation into the leaks of photographs of numerous female celebrities in September 2014 known as “Celebgate.” However, investigators have not uncovered any evidence linking Collins to the actual leaks or that Collins shared or uploaded the information he obtained.
Many of Collins’ victims were members of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. By illegally accessing the e-mail accounts, Collins accessed at least 50 iCloud accounts and 72 Gmail accounts, most of which belonged to female celebrities.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce Brandler, Chief of the Criminal Division.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Centre County Couple Indicted for Explosives and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton has indicted a husband and wife from Centre Hall, Pennsylvania for explosives and firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment charges James Woodring, age 50, and Christina Woodring, age 43, with conspiring to manufacture and deal in explosives from May 1 through 18, 2016, and associated offenses. The indictment also charges James Woodring with being a felon in possession of firearms and with possessing a stolen firearm. James Woodring was arrested on May 20, 2016, and charged by criminal complaint with similar offenses premised on the same conduct. On May 20, 2016, he was brought before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson who ordered that Woodring be held in custody pending an indictment or preliminary hearing.
According to the indictment, and the complaint, the Woodrings conspired to purchase and transport commercial grade fireworks, to increase the fireworks’power and volatility, and sell them, all without a license to do so.
James Woodring also allegedly also possessed the following: a stolen semi-automatic pistol, a shotgun, a pump rifle and a rifle. As a previously convicted felon, Woodring is prohibited from possessing the firearms.
The government is also seeking forfeiture of the firearms.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Centre Hall Police Department, and the Springettsbury Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
Indictments contain only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most severe charges 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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Two Men Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that two men allegedly involved in drug trafficking in York and Berks Counties were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Ruben Guadalupe Morales, age 25, and Jose G. Avila, age 28, both of Reading, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms and more of cocaine hydrochloride and 280 grams of crack cocaine during January through April 2016. Each man was also accused of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine on April 27, 2016. Avila was also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of U.S. currency totaling approximately $137,000 seized by law enforcement agencies during the investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the York City Police Department.
Both men were arrested on April 27.
The case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy H. Fawcett.
If convicted each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release. Avila is also subject to a five-year mandatory minimum for the firearms charge which must be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
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.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is 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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Six Luzerne County Residents Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton indicted six individuals yesterday from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania for various narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses. The defendants are:
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Truman Jones, age 40, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania;
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Al Dunlap, age 25, Wilkes-Barre;
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Jaquan Henderson, age 26, Edwardsville, Pennsylvania;
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Nadeurdra Mayhams, age 24, Edwardsville;
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Davon Beckford, age 21, Edwardsville; and
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Stephanie Walter, age 25, Edwardsville.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment charges all of the defendants with conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base (crack cocaine) in Luzerne County from on or about November 10, 2015 through May 6, 2016. Each of the defendants also is charged with one or more counts of distributing or possessing with intent to distribute heroin or crack cocaine. The indictment also charges defendants Jones, Dunlap and Mayhams with possessing firearms in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking activities. The indictment seeks forfeiture of the firearms, ammunition and currency recovered from the defendants.
Defendants Jones and Mayhams had previously been arrested and charged in federal criminal complaints premised on the same activities, on February 9, 2016 and May 6, 2016, respectively.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Wilkes-Barre and Edwardsville Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic of 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.
This case was also brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district-wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalties under federal law for the most severe charges are life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Previously Convicted Hazleton Heroin Trafficker on Supervised Release Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Hazleton man pleaded guilty to a Criminal Information charging him with a heroin trafficking offense.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Claudio Herrera, age 49, appeared before Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick yesterday in Scranton and admitted to possessing with intent to distribute approximately 60 grams (approximately 1,800 doses) of heroin in Hazleton on November 19, 2015.
The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation which culminated in the execution of a search warrant at Herrera’s residence. During the search the State Police seized approximately 60 grams of heroin and other drug paraphernalia. Herrera was immediately arrested and has been detained ever since in prison. The case is being prosecuted by John C. Gurganus.
At the time of his arrest, Herrera was serving the federal supervised release portion of a previously imposed federal drug trafficking sentence. In July 2011, U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik sentenced Herrera to a term of fifty-four (54) months of imprisonment based on a guilty plea to heroin and crack cocaine trafficking.
At the guilty plea hearing yesterday before Magistrate Judge Mehalchick, Herrera acknowledged that he (1) had been selling heroin in the Hazleton area since the summer of 2015; (2) sold heroin to a State Police cooperating witness leading to the execution of the search warrant; and (3) intended to distribute the heroin seized in his home by the State Police. Herrera further acknowledged that he faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for the offense, to be followed by an additional term of imprisonment for his supervised release violation.
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.
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.
As mentioned above, the maximum penalty under federal law 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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Pennsylvania Man Charged with Additional ISIL-Related OffensesRead the Press Release
Defendant Originally Charged with Providing Material Support to ISIL
Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, 19, a U.S. citizen and resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was charged in a superseding indictment with solicitation to commit a crime of violence and transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure.
The additional charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
On Dec. 22, 2015, Aziz was charged in an indictment with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. The following day, Aziz appeared before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson of the Middle District of Pennsylvania and entered a plea of not guilty.
According to the indictment, from July 2014 to Dec. 17, 2015, Aziz knowingly conspired to provide, provided and attempted to provide material support, including personnel and services, to ISIL. The superseding indictment alleges that during the same time period, Aziz solicited, commanded, induced and endeavored to persuade others to kill and attempt to kill officers and employees of the United States. The superseding indictment further alleges that he knowingly tweeted the names, addresses, photographs and military branches of approximately 100 U.S. servicemembers to followers and viewers of his Twitter account. The communication also contained threats to injure the servicemembers, stating “kill them in their own lands, behead them in their own homes, stab them to death as they walk their street thinking that they are safe.”
Aziz was initially charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIL in a complaint that was unsealed on Dec. 17, 2015, following his arrest. According to the complaint, Aziz used at least 57 different Twitter accounts to advocate violence against the United States and its citizens, to disseminate ISIL propaganda and to espouse pro-ISIL views. On at least three occasions, Aziz allegedly used his Twitter accounts and other electronic communication services to assist persons seeking to travel to and fight for ISIL. In one instance, Aziz allegedly acted as an intermediary between a person in Turkey and several well-known members of ISIL.
According to the allegations in the complaint, Aziz passed location information, including maps and a telephone number, between these ISIL supporters. A search of a backpack located in Aziz’s closet identified five loaded M4-style high-capacity magazines, a modified kitchen knife, a thumb drive, medication and a ski mask.
The charges contained in an indictment are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty. The maximum sentence for both conspiring and attempting to provide material support is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum sentence for the solicitation count is 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of five years and a $100 special assessment. The maximum sentence for the transmitting a threat to injure count is five years’ in prison, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of three years and a $100 special assessment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, and the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Robert Sander and Adam L. Small of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl F. Bloom of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Aziz Superseding Indictment
Jalil Abn Ameer Aziz Who Was Charged with Providing Material Support to ISIL Faces New Charges for Solicitation to Commit A Crime of Violence and Transmitting A Communication Containing A Threat to InjureRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, 19, a U.S. citizen and resident of Harrisburg, who was previously charged by a federal Grand Jury in Scranton on charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) faces new federal charges. In a Superseding Indictment a federal Grand Jury in Harrisburg charged Aziz with solicitation to commit a crime of violence and transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, on December 22, 2015, Aziz was charged in an indictment with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. The following day, Aziz appeared before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson of the Middle District of Pennsylvania and entered a plea of not guilty.
According to the indictment, from July 2014 to December 17, 2015, Aziz knowingly conspired to provide, provided and attempted to provide material support, including personnel and services, to ISIL. The superseding indictment alleges that during the same time period, Aziz solicited, commanded, induced and endeavored to persuade others to kill and attempt to kill officers and employees of the United States. The superseding indictment further alleges that he knowingly tweeted the names, addresses, photographs and military branches of approximately 100 U.S. servicemembers to followers and viewers of his Twitter account. The communication also contained threats to injure the servicemembers, stating “kill them in their own lands, behead them in their own homes, stab them to death as they walk their street thinking that they are safe.”
Aziz was initially charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIL in a complaint that was unsealed on December 17, 2015, following his arrest. According to the complaint, Aziz used at least 57 different Twitter accounts to advocate violence against the United States and its citizens, to disseminate ISIL propaganda and to espouse pro-ISIL views. On at least three occasions, Aziz allegedly used his Twitter accounts and other electronic communication services to assist persons seeking to travel to and fight for ISIL. In one instance, Aziz allegedly acted as an intermediary between a person in Turkey and several well-known members of ISIL.
According to the allegations in the complaint, Aziz passed location information, including maps and a telephone number, between these ISIL supporters. A search of a backpack located in Aziz’s closet identified five loaded M4-style high-capacity magazines, a modified kitchen knife, a thumb drive, medication and a ski mask.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom and by Trial Attorneys Robert Sander and Adam L. Small of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
The maximum penalty provided in the statute for each of counts 1 and 2 is 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for Count 3, Solicitation to Commit a Crime of Violence is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of five years and a $100 special assessment. The maximum penalty for count 4, Transmitting a Communication Containing a Threat to Injure, is five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of three years and a $100 special assessment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, and the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
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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New York Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Two BanksRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Robert Meader, age 31, of Liverpool, New York, pleaded guilty to a Criminal Information charging him with robbing two banks.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, on May 16, 2016, Meader appeared before United States District Court Judge Robert Mariani in Federal Court in Scranton and pleaded guilty to committing the following two bank robberies:
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$14,147 from the NBT Bank, Great Bend, Pennsylvania, on October 13, 2015; and
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$5,721 NBT Bank, Albany, New York, on January 6, 2016.
Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police arrested Meader without incident in Liverpool, New York, on January 12, 2016. Since his arrest, he has been held at the Lackawanna County Jail in Scranton.
The case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, New York. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for each offense under federal law 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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New Jersey Man Charged with Conspiracy to Provide False Statements Related to Export of Prohibited Goods to IranRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a plea agreement and a felony Criminal Information charging a New Jersey man with conspiring to provide false statements related to illegally exporting goods to Iran have been filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Asim Fareed, age 51, of North Brunswick, New Jersey, has agreed to enter a guilty plea to conspiracy to provide false statements in connection to the illegal export of goods to Iran. According to the Information, Fareed operated an export business in Somerset, New Jersey and agreed to ship items purchased by customers in Iran and to provide false documentation to the U.S. Department of Commerce for export purposes. Communications concerning the shipments passed between New Jersey and a site in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. No actual shipments were, in fact, delivered to Iran.
The Information charges that in 2013 and 2014 Fareed conspired with others to export items from the United States, through third party countries to customers in Iran. According to the Information, Fareed prepared invoices which listed false information as to the identity and geographic location of the purchasers of the goods. The items were then to be shipped from the United States to the United Arab Emirates, and thereafter transshipped to Iran. The plea agreement is subject to the approval of the court.
"The Office of Export Enforcement vigorously pursues violators of our nation's export control laws, which are in place to further and protect our national security and foreign policy. As in this instance, we work closely with our colleagues at HSI and other law enforcement agencies in prosecuting this case," said Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office.
“This case demonstrates how far individuals will go to circumvent U.S. export laws to export goods to countries like the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI in New York. “The Iran Trade Embargo prohibits Americans from supplying goods, technology and services to Iran directly or indirectly. HSI is committed to aggressively pursuing those who conduct illegal business with Iran.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.
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 guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Florida Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Role in Heroin-Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy in Monroe-Wayne CountiesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a man who pleaded guilty to participating in a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy that operated in Monroe and Wayne Counties in 2011-2014, was sentenced to eight years in prison today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy in Scranton.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Carlos Ruben Cruz, age 48, who resided in Wayne and Monroe Counties in Pennsylvania throughout much of the drug conspiracy but was arrested in the state of Florida, previously admitted to overseeing the conspiracy which involved three of his children and the distribution of between 400 and 700 grams of heroin, which is equivalent to between 13,000 and 23,000 retail bags of heroin.
Cruz was indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton in August 2014, as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office, and Pocono Mountain Regional Police.
Three of Cruz’s children, Rubie Cruz, age 26, Tiffanyann Cruz, age 22, and Brandon Cruz, age 24, have previously pleaded guilty to participating in the drug conspiracy. Brandon Cruz and Tiffanyann Cruz were sentenced to prison terms. Rubie Cruz is awaiting sentencing.
Judge Conaboy also ordered Carlos Cruz to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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.
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New York Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Heroin Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dameon Lattimore, age 39, of New York, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones, III in Harrisburg, to distributing heroin and crack cocaine that led to the death of a York City man.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Lattimore was charged by a grand jury in Harrisburg in December 2015 with codefendants Yushonda Durant, age 40, of New York, and Frederick Gladfelter, age 46, of York.
Gladfelter pleaded not guilty in December 2015 and is awaiting trial. Durant remains a fugitive.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the York City Police Department and the York County District Attorney’s Office and is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Behe.
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.
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 is life imprisonment on the drug charges. The charge of causing death from drug distribution carries a mandatory minimum 20 year term 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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Financial Advisor Charged with Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that that a federal grand jury in Scranton has charged Anthony Diaz, age 48, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, with defrauding his clients by using false and misleading statements and misrepresentations to induce those clients to purchase high risk and/or otherwise unsuitable investment products, through which Diaz received substantial fees and commissions to which he was not entitled.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Diaz allegedly operated the scheme between approximately 2006 and 2015, while he was a registered representative and/or a certified financial planner associated with financial investment firms. Diaz had his own office, under the name of Financial Planners Group of America, with employees reporting to him during the periods when he was associated with other firms. From December 2006 through May 2015, Diaz allegedly sold what were called “alternative investment products” to his clients. Such products are generally high risk, speculative and illiquid (i.e., they cannot readily be converted to cash); may require long holding periods of up to nine years, and have “suitability requirements” related to the net worth and/or income of investors.
As part of the scheme, Diaz allegedly instructed clients to sign blank or partially completed documents, and provided false information on documents concerning the clients’ net worth, income, risk tolerance and/or investment experience to falsely make it appear that the clients met the applicable requirements to invest in the products.
Diaz also allegedly failed to explain to clients that alternative investment products lacked liquidity and had no public market for resale. He allegedly falsely assured clients they would have access to their funds and falsely told some of them the investments were “guaranteed” to earn a certain rate of return, when, in fact, he knew there was no guaranteed rate of return.
Diaz also allegedly made it appear that his clients were receiving interest payments from the investments as a return on the investment, when, in most instances, the payments were the return of the investors’ initial capital investment.
Diaz allegedly told his clients that he voluntarily left the firms he was associated with at various times and for the clients’ benefit, when, in fact, he was terminated or asked to leave. As a result, some clients incurred additional fees and expenses.
The indictment charges Diaz with six counts of wire fraud. Each count relates to an interstate wire transmission concerning investments made in connection with the fraud scheme, totaling approximately $293,000, between December 2012 and May 2014.
In May 2015, the Financial Industry Regulating Authority (FINRA), part of the U.S. Treasury Department, permanently banned Diaz from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sold securities to the public. In June 2015, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities banned Diaz from representing an issuer or seller of securities in Pennsylvania and from being registered as a broker-dealer, agent or investment advisor in Pennsylvania.
Anyone with information concerning financial services rendered by Diaz and/or Financial Planners Group of America, should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 570-348-2800.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Evan Gotlob and Robert O’Hara.
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 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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Chambersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Chambersburg man has pled guilty to conspiring to possess and distribute heroin.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Rashawn Spriggs, age 28, of Chambersburg, pled guilty before United States District Court Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner to conspiring to distribute more than 1,000 grams of heroin from October 1, 2015 to January 7, 2016 in Franklin County and elsewhere.
Sentencing is deferred pending the preparation of a presentence report. Co-defendant Jerthione Bell has already pled guilty and is also awaiting sentencing. Co-defendants Addan Brito-Torres, Yovelin Mendez-Marte, Jose Perez-Delgado, Joshua Baker, Brandon Morant and Deajon Spriggs are all awaiting trial. All were indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2016.
The investigation is being conducted by the Harrisburg Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Lancaster and Franklin County Drug Task Forces. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.
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.
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 is life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum 10 year term of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Carbondale Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 27-year-old Carbondale man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy in Scranton, for using a computer to download child pornography from an internet website.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Edward Jeter, previously pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography between the dates of November 2014 and August 2015. Agents executed a search warrant and found more than 90 videos and more than 2100 images of child pornography on Jeter’s computer, including images of children between the ages of 3 and 14 being sexually molested by adults.
Jeter was charged in a criminal Information filed by the United States Attorney in November 2015, as a result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Judge Conaboy also ordered Jeter to serve five years on supervised release after serving his prison sentence. Jeter must also register as a sex offender, receive sex offender treatment, and abide by restrictions on associating with minors.
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."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
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Avoca Man Sentenced to Two Years’ Imprisonment for Providing False Information to Firearms Dealers in Connection with Firearms PurchasesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Barnes, age 27, of Avoca, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to serve two years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for providing false information to federally licensed firearms dealers in connection with his purchase of 10 firearms.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, in February 2015, Barnes entered a guilty plea to a charge in an Indictment which alleged he made false statements in completing ATF forms between November 7, 2011, and May 14, 2013. The defendant admitted that on ten separate occasions between those dates, he falsely stated when buying firearms that he was not an unlawful user of controlled substances. Under federal law, unlawful users of controlled substances are prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms.
In addition to the two-year imprisonment sentence, Judge Mariani ordered Barnes to be placed on two years of supervised release following service of his prison sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Hinkley prosecuted the case.
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York Resident Sentenced for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Andrew Gonzalez, age 30, York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane for his role in a heroin trafficking scheme operated out of a York City home.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the charge arose from a search warrant executed in March 2013 by York City Police. During the search, police found 35 grams of crack cocaine, cocaine, and heroin. The majority of the heroin – 900 bags – were found floating in a toilet.
Andrew Gonzalez and co-defendant Veronica Rivera pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute drugs. A third defendant, Andrew Alexander, was convicted last month after a jury trial. Ms. Rivera was sentenced to two years in prison on May 4, 2016. Alexander is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the York City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio and Scott Ford 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.
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