Western District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Munhall Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute HeroinRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Munhall, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 90 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. This term of imprisonment is to be followed by four years of federal supervised release. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence yesterday on Ryan Harper, 37.
According to information presented to the court, from in and around May 2012, and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2013, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Harper conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. Additionally, the indictment charged that, in March, 2013, Harper engaged in a controlled sale of heroin to a confidential informant. Harper had previously pled guilty to these charges contained in the Superseding Indictment.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, McKeesport Police Department, Munhall Police Department, and the West Homestead Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution and sentencing of Ryan Harper.
California Man Conspired to Distribute MethRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Elk Grove, Calif., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Joseph Rojas, 28, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Rojas conspired to distribute in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. on May 15, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years or more than life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court revoked Rojas’s bond and ordered him to be detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rojas.
Former Philadelphia Resident Sentenced for Assaulting A Deputy US MarshalRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 27 months in jail on his conviction of assaulting a federal officer, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr. imposed the sentence on Ryan Bell, 27.
According to information presented to the court, on January 15, 2013, Bell assaulted a Special Deputy United States Marshal, a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Western Pennsylvania Task Force, who was engaged in official duties as the task force was executing an arrest warrant against Bell.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the United States Marshal’s Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bell.
Washington, Pa., Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Possessing Stolen GunRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Washington, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Ronald Gardner, 45, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Feb. 3, 2010, Gardner knowingly possessed a .45 caliber stolen firearm.
Subsequent to the entry of Gardner’s guilty plea, Judge Fischer sentenced Gardner to seven years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, together with the City of Washington and South Strabane Township Police Departments, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ronald Gardner.
Six Plead Guilty in Hydroponic Marijuana CaseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Six residents of Western Pennsylvania and California pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to violate the federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Stanley Van Bach, 45, of Oakland, Calif.; Quynh Tran, 30, of San Jose, Calif.; Caquaine McGriff, 40, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Toron Brooks-Chapman, 35, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Tom Ich Chieu, 35, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Poi Tran, 30, of Oakland, Calif., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute high-quality hydroponic marijuana before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that co-conspirator Jennifer Chieu moved to Pennsylvania in 2010, and by October of that year was in the drug business, using her old contacts to ship her 10-20 pound packages of high-quality marijuana from California on a daily basis. Chieu then resold the marijuana for $2,400-$4,600 a pound, depending on quality, to a small network of dealers.
United States Postal Inspectors eventually identified more than 250 inbound drug packages, and in excess of 350 outbound parcels containing drug proceeds, with $12,000-$20,000 in each package. The total wholesale value of the marijuana was as much as $16 million, with the retail value being several multiples of that.
Postal inspectors and IRS, FBI, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents observed Chieu making deals out of her Green Tree home and a nail salon she owned on Liberty Avenue in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh.
Between January and April 2011, postal inspectors served nine search warrants on outgoing parcels suspected to contain drug proceeds. Each of the parcels contained between $12,000-$20,000 in cash, with the total exceeding $143,000.
Wiretaps were approved for Chieu’s phones and several others between June and October 2011. Chieu and her co-conspirators spoke four languages on the wiretaps – Vietnamese, English, and two Chinese dialects - often switching languages in mid-sentence in an obvious attempt to hamper law enforcement agents and interpreters who might be listening.
Hundreds of hours of drug calls were intercepted between Chieu and her primary Oakland, Calif., drug supplier and other conspirators. On a daily basis, Chieu and her conspirators discussed how much marijuana would be sent, the quality or “brand name” of the product, and how much Chieu would charge for it here and how many packages of cash she planned to send to California the next day.
Tom Chieu, brother to Jennifer Chieu, assisted her in the conspiracy by driving her to drug deals, transporting multiple pounds of marijuana, and mailing cash drug proceeds to California, at Jennifer Chieu’s direction.
Poi Tran and Stanley Van Bach were secondary suppliers in California of marijuana sent to Jennifer Chieu.
Toron Brooks-Chapman and Caquaine McGriff, husband and wife, were local dealers of multiple pounds of marijuana they purchased from Jennifer Chieu.
Quynh Tran was the passenger in a van stopped on July 24, 2011, by the Pennsylvania State Police westbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near the Ohio line. More than $136,000 in cash drug proceeds was seized from the van.
About 3500 pounds of marijuana were distributed in the conspiracy. Large seizures of cash demonstrated the broad scope of this drug ring. In April 2012, Chieu and a conspirator were stopped in Utah for a traffic violation. Hidden within their car was more than one-half million dollars in cash. Both individuals refused to claim the cash, with Chieu telling officers she didn’t know how it got there.
Following the indictment of Chieu and 19 other individuals, Chieu was arrested in April 2012, at which time more than $70,000 was seized from her Green Tree home, and $100,000 from a safe deposit box. About a million dollars in cash was seized in this investigation, with homes and cars also seized for forfeiture to the government.
Fourteen of the 20 indicted individuals have now entered pleas of guilty and await sentencing. On Jan. 14, 2014, Jennifer Chieu entered a plea of guilty to drug and money laundering conspiracies.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years to 40 years in prison and a fine of $5,000,000 or both, for Stanley Van Bach; up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000 for Tom Ich Chieu; and up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for Quynh Tran, Caquaine McGriff, Toron Brooks-Chapman, and Poi Tran.
Sentencing has been scheduled for May 20, 2014, for Quynh Tran and Caquaine McGriff; May 21, 2014, for Tom Chieu; May 22, 2014, for Toron Brooks-Chapman; May 28, 2014, for Stanley Van Bach; and June 27, 2014, for Poi Tran.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were the lead agencies in this case, and were assisted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police in this investigation that led to the prosecution of these defendants.
Mercer County Teen Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of Farrell Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – On Jan. 16, a Mercer County teen pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court on charges of violating federal Hobbs Act conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Devine Campbell, 19, of Farrell, was 17 years old at the time that he robbed the B&M Market in Farrell on Dec. 20, 2011. Prior to pleading guilty, Campbell waived his right to a juvenile proceeding and agreed to be prosecuted as an adult. Campbell then pled guilty as an adult to two counts before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court learned that on Dec. 20, 2011, Campbell, acting together with Joshua Stewart, entered the B&M Market, a local convenience store in Farrell. Upon entering the store, Campbell, brandishing a .22 caliber handgun, fired off two rounds to scare the proprietor of the store. Campbell then forced the store owner to open his register and hand over more than $100 in cash. While Campbell did this, Joshua Stewart kept watch and served as a “lookout,” making sure that the police did not come in the store. In addition, Stewart stole cigarettes from the store. After Campbell secured the money, Campbell backed away from the store owner, and as he did so, he shot the owner once in the hip. Campbell and Stewart then fled from the store. The bullet fired by Campbell remains lodged in the store owner’s hip. Stewart has pleaded not guilty to the robbery of the B&M Market.
Subsequent to pleading guilty, Campbell waived a pre-sentence report and was sentenced by Judge McVerry to 15 years in prison. Under the terms of the plea agreement, 10 years of this sentence are to be served concurrently with Campbell’s state court sentence of 35 years to life imprisonment for second-degree murder. In November, 2013, a jury in Mercer County convicted Campbell of participating in the murder of local bar owner William Basilone. The remaining five years of Campbell’s federal sentence are to be served consecutively to Campbell’s state court murder sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Southwest Mercer County Police, and the Mercer County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Devine Campbell.
Judge Sentences New Yorker to 10 Years in Prison for Cocaine PossessionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Yonkers, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison on his conviction of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Mark Hornak imposed the sentence yesterday on Darrell Rhett, 52 of Yonkers.
According to information presented to the court, Rhett, who was on federal supervised release for his participation in a large heroin distribution conspiracy at the time of his offense, possessed approximately 600 grams of cocaine, which was discovered in a traffic stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in October, 2012. This cocaine was destined for Pittsburgh. The court further learned that prior to this traffic stop, Rhett had brought large quantities of heroin to the Pittsburgh area for purposes of distribution.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Troopers for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rhett.
Cambria County Man Sentenced to Probation for Participating in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Elmora, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation on his conviction of conspiracy to manufacture and possess marijuana plants, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Gerald F. Knee, 62.
According to information presented to the court, in the spring of 2011, Knee conspired to manufacture and possess with the intent to distribute less than 100 marijuana plants. In addition, evidence presented to the Court at the time of Knee's guilty plea reflected that Knee conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others to grow marijuana plants with the intent to facilitate and promote Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Knee. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Cambria County District Attorney's Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.
Two Sentenced to Prison in Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Jermaine Edmonds and William Johnson, both from Pittsburgh, were sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh for violating federal drug trafficking laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Edmonds, 35, and Johnson, 37, were sentenced by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab. They were both convicted at the conclusion of a jury trial in August 2013 of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and attempting to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Edmonds was sentenced to serve 130 months in prison followed by eight years supervised release. Johnson was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison followed by eight years supervised release.
Both Edmonds and Johnson were under court supervision following imprisonment imposed for prior drug trafficking convictions when they conspired and attempted to acquire over $90,000 worth of cocaine with the intent to distribute it in the Pittsburgh area. Edmonds’ prior drug trafficking sentence was reduced as a result of reductions to the federal crack cocaine sentencing guidelines. As a result of those reductions, he was released from incarceration in November 2011 – three years prior to when he was scheduled to be released from prison. He committed the additional cocaine conspiracy and attempt crimes less than 10 months after his prior sentence reduction.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the convictions and sentences in this case.
Former Springdale Borough Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for Deprivation of Civil RightsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former Springdale Borough police officer has been sentenced in federal court to one year and one day of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of deprivation of civil rights, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Mark E. Thom, Jr., 32.
According to information presented to the court, on or about Dec. 17, 2011, Thom, a police officer of the Springdale Borough Police Department, punched and used a Taser on a man who was in handcuffs after Thom had arrested him for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.
U.S. Attorney Hickton said, “The vast majority of law enforcement officials uphold the highest standard of public trust. But when someone abuses his position, we will aggressively hold him accountable. We argued that a prison sentence was especially just, not only for the crime he committed, but also because he was discouraging other police officers from cooperating with us and providing information.”
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thom.
13 Charged in Multi-Agency Wiretap Investigation Led by FBI and DEARead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted 13 individuals in four separate, but related, indictments resulting from a multi-agency wiretap investigation, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. All of the indictments were returned on Jan. 14 and unsealed today.
The first indictment, containing five counts, charges the following defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, from September 2013 to December 2013. The indictment also charges certain of the defendants with firearms offenses, as well as specific distributions and/or possessions with intent to distribute quantities of heroin.
Fredrick Mack, 43, of Munhall, Pa.;
Christopher Boyd, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
Jalaspian L. Charles, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
Henry Freeman, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
Felix Manuel Cespedes Gomez, 32, of Brooklyn, NY;
Dwight Hester, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
Tonya Demitria Kendrick, 44, of Rankin, Pa.;
Royance Godfrey Lambert, 48, of Brooklyn, NY;
Robert Schatzman, 43, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and
Allen William Turner, 45, of East Pittsburgh, Pa.The second indictment charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of powder cocaine, and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, from September 2013 to December 2013:
Christopher Boyd, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
Dwight Hester, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
Fredrick Mack, 43, of Munhall, Pa.;
Allen William Turner, 45, of East Pittsburgh, Pa.; and
Harold C. Young, 39, of Pittsburgh, Pa.The third indictment contains two counts and charges Royance Godfrey, 48, of Brooklyn, New York, and John R. Johnson, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pa. Count one charges both defendants with a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in October 2013. Count two charges only Johnson with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, on or about Oct. 6, 2013.
The final indictment contains two counts and charges Guy Amatangelo, 41, of Pittsburgh, Pa, as sole defendant. Amatangelo is charged with a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine in September and October 2013, and he is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug-trafficking crime, on or about Oct. 5, 2013.
According to information that has been filed with the Court, beginning in September 2013, and continuing until December 2013, federal agents received authorization to intercept wire (voice calls) and electronic (text message) communications on four different cellular telephones. As a result of those wiretap intercepts, agents learned that a group of individuals was traveling to Brooklyn, New York on a regular basis to obtain quantities of heroin and cocaine for distribution in the greater Pittsburgh area. The four indictments are a result of that wiretap investigation.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence for the various charges ranging from 20 years to life in prison, and fines ranging from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses, and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Rivetti and Jonathan Ortiz are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This prosecution is the result of a federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Other participating agencies include the Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Munhall Police Department and Wilkinsburg Police Department.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Postal Employee Charged with Stealing $50 Bill and A Gift CardRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – An employee of the United States Postal Service has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of mail by postal employee, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on Jan. 14, named Sara M. Dewall, 32, of North Versailles, Pa.
According to the indictment presented to the court, Sara M. Dewall, while employed by the U.S. Postal Service, embezzled an envelope containing a $50 United States Note and a grocery store gift card.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Service/Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Man Made and Passed Fake Prescriptions to Obtain OxycodoneRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Brett Farrell, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Maurice Cohill.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that from June 2011 to May, 2012, Farrell, acting together with others, created fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions on his home computer. Farrell then passed these fraudulent prescriptions at area pharmacies, from whom he obtained oxycodone, which is a Schedule II controlled substance. Farrell primarily obtained this oxycodone for personal use, but he also sold small quantities of oxycodone to other addicts.
Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Brett Farrell.
Pittsburgh Jewelry Store Owner Failed to File IRS Report of $10,000+ TransactionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A downtown Pittsburgh jeweler pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to a charge of failing to file a report of currency received by non-financial business, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Alan Kashi, 32, of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 13, 2012, Kashi, who was engaged in the jewelry business known as Kashi Jewelers, for the purpose of evading federal reporting requirements, failed to file an Internal Revenue Service Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business, following the receipt of approximately $12,500 in currency as payment for a Breitling watch.
A civil forfeiture complaint filed in July 2013 alleged that the owners and/or employees of Kashi Jewelers conducted financial transactions involving the proceeds of drug trafficking. Pursuant to a stipulation, Alan Kashi and his family members ultimately agreed to forfeit $933,075 to the federal government, and the court issued its final order of forfeiture on Dec. 19, 2013.
“This important case highlights the use of asset forfeiture as a resource in our effort to stop the illegal flow of drugs in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Hickton. “By freezing and forfeiting assets of a jewelry store used by drug dealers to launder their drug monies, we have taken another step to make our community safer and put about a million dollars in the federal treasury.”
Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for May 14, 2014, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court released Kashi on an unsecured $25,000 bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Alan Kashi.
Green Tree Woman Led Cross-Country Hydroponic Marijuana Distribution RingRead the Press Release
Wholesale Value of Marijuana Exceeded $16 Million
PITTSBURGH – The leader of a cross-country drug ring pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to charges of conspiracy to violate the federal drug and money laundering laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Jennifer Chau Chieu, 37, of Green Tree, Pa., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) or more of high-quality hydroponic marijuana, and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Chieu moved to Pennsylvania in 2010, and by October of that year was in the drug business, using her old contacts to ship her 10-20 pound packages of high-quality marijuana from California on a daily basis. Chieu then resold the marijuana for $2,400-$4,600 a pound, depending on quality, to a small network of dealers.
United States Postal Inspectors eventually identified more than 250 inbound drug packages, and in excess of 350 outbound parcels containing drug proceeds, with $12,000-$20,000 in each package. The total wholesale value of the marijuana was as much as $16 million, with the retail value being several multiples of that.
Postal inspectors and IRS and FBI special agents observed Chieu making deals out of her Green Tree home and a nail salon she owned on Liberty Avenue in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh.
Between January and April 2011, postal inspectors served nine search warrants on outgoing parcels suspected to contain drug proceeds. Each of the parcels contained between $12,000 and $20,000 in cash, with the total exceeding $143,000.
Wiretaps were approved for Chieu’s phones and several others between June and October 2011. Chieu and her co-conspirators spoke four languages on the wiretaps – Vietnamese, English, and two Chinese dialects - often switching languages in mid-sentence in an obvious attempt to hamper law enforcement agents and interpreters who might be listening.
More than a hundred hours of calls were intercepted between Chieu and her primary Oakland, Calif., drug supplier. On a daily basis, Chieu and her conspirator discussed how much marijuana he would be sending, the quality or “brand name” of the product, and how much Chieu would charge for it here and how many packages of cash she planned to send to California the next day.
About 3500 pounds of marijuana were distributed in the conspiracy. Large seizures of cash demonstrated the broad scope of this drug ring. In April 2012, Chieu and a conspirator were stopped in Utah for a traffic violation. Hidden within their car was more than one-half million dollars in cash. Both individuals refused to claim the cash, with Chieu telling officers she didn’t know how it got there.
Following the indictment of Chieu and 19 other individuals, Chieu was arrested in April 2012, at which time more than $70,000 was seized from her Green Tree home, and $100,000 from a safe deposit box. Another seizure in 2011 of drug proceeds from a van leaving Pittsburgh for California turned up $136,000 in cash. About a million dollars in cash was seized in this investigation, with homes and cars also seized for forfeiture to the government.
Eight of the 20 indicted individuals have now entered pleas of guilty and await sentencing, with six more defendants scheduled to plead guilty later this week.
On motion of the government, Jennifer Chieu’s bond was revoked and she was ordered detained pending sentencing on July 1, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years to life in prison, a fine of $10,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were the lead agencies in this case, and were assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police in this investigation that led that led to the prosecution of Jennifer Chau Chieu.
Beaver County Woman Admits Threatening Potential Federal Witnesses via FacebookRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A Beaver County woman pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal witness intimidation laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Natalie Moskorisin, 23, of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of witness intimidation before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court learned that Moskorisin sent a threatening Facebook message to potential witnesses in the federal narcotics case involving her boyfriend at the time, David Best. This message warned these potential witnesses not to cooperate with the Government in its investigation of David Best.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Natalie Moskorisin.
Ambridge Woman Passed Fake Painkiller Scripts, Drove Getaway Car in Pharmacy BurglaryRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics and burglary laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Katie Adams, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Adams conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. In that regard, the Court learned that Adams passed a number of fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions at pharmacies in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Adams then provided the obtained oxycodone to charged co-defendant David Best, who later resold this oxycodone. In addition, law enforcement from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office conducted a controlled buy of oxycodone from Adams in July, 2013.
Further, the Court was advised that Adams conspired with others to burglarize the Med-Fast pharmacy in Baden, Pa., on Sept. 26-27, 2012, and from that pharmacy, stole controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone. In that regard, the Court learned that Adams conspired together with separately charged defendants David Best and Carlos Martinez to burglarize the pharmacy. On the evening of Sept. 26, 2012, Adams drove Best and Martinez to the pharmacy. Best first broke into the Chinese restaurant next door to the pharmacy, and from there, bore through the wall of the restaurant and into the pharmacy. Once inside the pharmacy, Best stole the controlled substances. While Best was inside the pharmacy, Martinez served as a “lookout” outside the pharmacy. Best then left the pharmacy, and Katie Adams, the “getaway” driver, drove Martinez and Best away from the pharmacy. The three persons later split the obtained narcotics amongst themselves. Carlos Martinez has previously pled guilty to burglarizing the pharmacy. David Best has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence on each count of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Katie Adams.
Removed Alien Charged with Illegally Re-Entering U.S.Read the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - An alien found in Cranberry Township, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry after deportation, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment named Raul Cartagena, 32, of El Salvador, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment presented to the court, Raul Cartagena, an alien, was formally removed from the United States by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 15, 2011. Raul Cartagena was found to be illegally present in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 18, 2013.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of two years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh-area Businessman Sentenced in Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – The owner of Carnegie-based Victory Security Agency was sentenced today in federal court to three years’ probation and a $30,000 fine payable within 30 days on his conviction of conspiracy, bribery of agent of an organization receiving federal funds and mail fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Arthur J. Bedway, Jr., 64, of Pittsburgh, Pa.
According to the evidence presented to the court at the time Bedway entered a guilty plea on Aug. 6, 2013, Bedway owned Victory Security. In order to obtain a contract with the City of Pittsburgh to install radios and mobile data terminals (MDTs) in City Police vehicles, Bedway created Alpha Outfitters, which he falsely represented to the City as a Women's Business Enterprise. He conspired with a city employee, Christine Ann Kebr and others, to obtain the MDT contract for Alpha Outfitters. Bedway paid Kebr for her assistance in obtaining the MDT contract. Kebr pleaded guilty to a charge on conspiracy on Dec. 6, 2012, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11, 2014.
Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Lee J. Karl are prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation for conducting the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bedway.
Former Johnstown Redevelopment Authority Director Charged with Extortion, BriberyRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Johnstown, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of violating federal extortion and bribery laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The six-count indictment named Ronald W. Repak, 62.
According to the indictment presented to the court, Repak, while serving as Executive Director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority (JRA), engaged in conduct in violation of the Hobbs Act for extortion under color of official right, and engaged in multiple acts of federal program bribery. Specifically, in exchange for Repak’s official actions and influence as the Executive Director of the JRA to facilitate the award of JRA contracting work, Repak solicited and obtained from local contracting firms a new roof for his personal residence, building demolition and grading services at Evolution Gym, his son’s privately-owned business, and multiple Pittsburgh Steelers football game tickets.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 90 years in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Repak.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Western Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $24.4 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2013Read the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced today that the Western District of Pennsylvania collected $24,480,775.61 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2013. Additionally, the Western District of Pennsylvania worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $5,702,777.80 in cases pursued jointly with these offices.
Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Thursday that the Justice Department collected approximately $8.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013. The more than $8 billion in collections in FY 2013 represents nearly three times the appropriated $2.76 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.
“The department’s enforcement actions help to not only ensure justice is served, but also deliver a valuable return to the American people,” said Attorney General Holder. “It is critical that Congress provide the resources necessary to match the department’s mounting caseload. As these figures show, supporting our federal prosecutors is a sound investment.”
“Recovering monies due the American taxpayer is a priority and we have made substantial progress improving our performance over the last three years,” said U.S. Attorney Hickton. “The $24.4 million collected in FY 2013 represents a 86.2 percent increase over last year’s collections of $13.1 million. Collections related to civil actions rose 58 percent, to $22.9 million from $9.6 million in FY 2012. Overall, in FY 2013, we collected more than twice the amount of money the federal government allocates us to operate our office.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
Ambridge Man Admits Serving as A "Lookout" for Baden Pharmacy BurglaryRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal burglary laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Carlos Martinez, 27, of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of burglarizing a pharmacy before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Martinez conspired with others to burglarize the Med-Fast pharmacy in Baden, Pa., on September 26-27, 2012, and from that pharmacy, stole controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone. In that regard, the Court learned that Martinez conspired together with separately charged defendants David Best and Katie Adams to burglarize the pharmacy. On the evening of Sept. 26, 2012, Adams allegedly drove Best and Martinez to the pharmacy. Best first broke into the Chinese restaurant next door to the pharmacy, and from there, bore through the wall of the restaurant and into the pharmacy. Once inside the pharmacy, Best allegedly stole the controlled substances. While Best was inside the pharmacy, Martinez served as a "lookout" outside the pharmacy. Best then left the pharmacy, and Katie Adams, the "getaway" driver, drove Martinez and Best away from the pharmacy. The three persons later split the obtained narcotics amongst themselves. Katie Adams and David Best have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Carlos Martinez.
Two New Castle Men Facing Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Two residents of New Castle, Pa., have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The six-count indictment, returned on Jan. 8, named David Jonathan Stouffer, 36, and Robert Yakubik, 41. The case is assigned to Judge Mark Hornak.
According to the indictment, from in and around 2011, to in and around November 2012, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Stouffer and Yakubik conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, the indictment charges that Yakubik possessed with intent to distribute and did distribute a quantity of oxycodone on or about the following dates in 2012: April 16 and 25, May 31, Aug. 30, and Sept. 5.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Castle Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Man Charged with Producing, Possessing Child PornograhyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - An Allegheny County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of production and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The four-count indictment, returned on Jan. 8, named George Orbin, 58, of Pittsburgh, Pa., as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about Dec. 10, 2011, June 10, 2013, and June 11, 2013, Orbin employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the sexual exploitation of the minors. The indictment further alleges that on or about Sept. 10, 2013, Orbin knowingly possessed videos and images in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not yet attained 12 years of age.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 100 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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.justice.gov/psc.
Leader of Lawrence County Drug Ring SentencedRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - Two residents of New Castle, Pa., were sentenced in federal court today. Christopher Klingensmith was sentenced to 17 and ½ years incarceration and James Cracraft was sentenced to 37 months incarceration, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, on their convictions of violating the narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentences on Christopher Klingensmith, 39, and James Cracraft, 39.
According to information presented to the court, between September 2008 and June 2011, a drug ring operated in the New Castle area, selling highly-addictive narcotic pills containing oxycodone on the street to drug users. Larry Dorsey, a former New Castle resident who was living in Florida during the conspiracy, was the supplier for Klingensmith and Cracraft and others charged in this indictment. Klingensmith was the leader of the drug organization in New Castle, and Cracraft was a distributor. Eleven individuals were charged in the drug conspiracy, and all have pleaded guilty. Four of the co-conspirators were relatives of Christopher Klingensmith, including his father, a brother, and a sister.
Nearly 50,000 oxycodone pills were sold during the conspiracy. The evidence showed that the oxycodone purchased for $9 a pill in Florida was being resold in New Castle for up to $25 a pill.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Castle Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Christopher Klingensmith and James Cracraft.
Fraudulent Vending Machine Business Reference Sentenced to Prison TermRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Clarion, Pa., was sentenced today in federal court to one year and a day, and ordered to pay $215,033.00 in restitution, on her conviction of criminal conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Court Judge David Stewart Cercone imposed sentence upon Pearl Pastilock, 50.
According to information presented to the court, Pastilock worked as a fraudulent reference for the business, American Vending Systems, Inc. (AVS). AVS sold energy candy vending machine business opportunities. Potential purchasers were told that, for a minimum purchase price of approximately $10,000, they would receive candy vending machines, an initial supply of candy, and assistance in running their business opportunity. In reality, the business opportunity was not lucrative for purchasers. Pastilock made and received interstate phone calls wherein she told potential purchasers that she successfully operated an AVS business and made substantial income, when in fact she did not operate the business at all and was being paid to defraud potential purchasers.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton and Trial Attorney Patrick R. Runkle, Consumer Protection Branch, Department of Justice, prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service, who conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Pastilock.
14 Charged with Violating Federal Gun and Drug LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Fourteen people from Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for violating federal narcotics trafficking and firearm laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The eight-count superseding indictment, returned on Jan. 8, charges Neil Thomas, 29, Marcus Battles, 27, Luis Colon, 30, Gabriel Garcia, 25, Christopher Greene, 30, Stephanie Goehring, 27, Ryan Hutchinson, 28, William Krszal, 23, Phillip Lacher, 26, Colin Mitchell, 28, Dustin Petry, 26, Kailen Young, 28, David Wallace, 32, and Marc Perkins, 33, as the defendants.
According to the superseding indictment, between January 2013 and October 2013, the defendants (except for Krszal, Lacher, Wallace, and Perkins) conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; Garcia, Petry, and Thomas possessed firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and distributed heroin or possessed heroin with intent to distribute it; and Thomas, Greene, Krszal, Lacher, Wallace, and Perkins conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (also known as MDMA or “molly”) and methamphetamine. The indictment seeks forfeiture of the proceeds of the crimes as well as property acquired with the proceeds and property used to commit the crimes.
The law provides for maximum total sentences ranging from up to 20 years to up to life in prison as well as mandatory minimum sentences starting at five years in prison. Fines ranging from $1,000,000 to up to $10,000,000 may also be imposed. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal histories, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office led the multi-agency investigation of this case that also included the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Moon Township Police Department, the North Fayette Police Department, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, the McKees Rocks Police Department, the Cranberry Township Police Department, the McKeesport Police Department, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Illinois Man Operated Website for the Illegal Distribution of Peptides, HGHRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – An Illinois resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of mail fraud, distribution of human growth hormone and money laundering, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Ronald J. DeFranco, 54, pleaded guilty to 3 counts before United States District Judge Donetta Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, DeFranco maintained a web-site for the illegal distribution of peptides - chemical compounds which require a prescription for dispensation, but which are illegitimately sought by body builders for muscle enhancement. DeFranco deceived the Internet service provider and the FDA by falsely representing on the web-site that he was selling these substances "for research purposes only . . . not for human consumption." In addition to sales of peptides, DeFranco also sold human growth hormone (HGH) without the required physician's prescriptions. During the period from May 2010, until January 2011, DeFranco paid $94,777.40 in Western Union and bank wire transfers to acquire these substances from suppliers in the People’s Republic of China.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. on May 13, 2014. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on the mail fraud count; 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the HGH distribution count; and 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 on the money laundering count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court modified defendant’s bond to include home detention with electronic monitoring.
Assistant United States Attorney Leo M. Dillon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The prosecution arose from the combined efforts of agents with the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, IRS - Criminal Investigation and the DEA.
Alcoa World Alumina Agrees to Plead Guilty to Foreign Bribery and Pay $223 Million in Fines and ForfeitureRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Alcoa World Alumina LLC, a majority-owned and controlled global alumina sales company of Alcoa Inc., has agreed to plead guilty later today and pay $223 million in criminal fines and forfeiture to resolve charges that it paid millions of dollars in bribes through an international middleman in London to officials of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton of the Western District of Pennsylvania, Chief Richard Weber of IRS—Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Assistant Director in Charge Valerie Parlave of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
“Alcoa World Alumina today admits to its involvement in a corrupt international underworld in which a middleman, secretly held offshore bank accounts, and shell companies were used to funnel bribes to government officials in order to secure business,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. “The law does not permit companies to avoid responsibility for foreign corruption by outsourcing bribery to their agents, and, as today’s prosecution demonstrates, neither will the Department of Justice.”
“Today’s case shows that multinational corporations cannot get away with using middlemen to structure sham business arrangements that funnel kickbacks to government officials,” said U.S. Attorney Hickton.
Alcoa World Alumina has agreed to plead guilty in the Western District of Pennsylvania to one count of violating the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA in connection with a 2004 corrupt transaction, to pay a criminal fine of $209 million, and to administratively forfeit $14 million. As part of the plea agreement, Alcoa Inc. (Alcoa) has agreed to maintain and implement an enhanced global anti-corruption compliance program.
In a parallel action, Alcoa settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and will pay an additional $161 million in disgorgement, bringing the total amount of U.S. criminal and regulatory penalties to be paid by Alcoa and Alcoa World Alumina to $384 million.
“This case is the result of unraveling complex financial transactions used by Alcoa World Alumina LLC’s agent to facilitate kickbacks to foreign government officials,” said Chief Richard Weber of IRS-CI. “IRS-CI will not be deterred by the use of sophisticated international financial transactions as we continue our ongoing efforts to pursue corporations and executives who use hidden offshore assets and shell companies to circumvent the law.”
“Corrupt kickback payments to foreign government officials to obtain business diminish public confidence in global commerce,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “There is no place for bribery in any business model or corporate culture. Today’s plea demonstrates the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to curbing corruption and will pursue all those who try to advance their businesses through bribery.”
Today’s court filings allege that Alcoa of Australia, another Alcoa-controlled entity, originally secured a long-term alumina supply agreement with Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), an aluminium smelter controlled by the government of Bahrain. At the request of certain members of Bahrain’s Royal Family who controlled the tender process, Alcoa of Australia inserted a London-based middleman with close ties to certain Royal Family members as a sham sales agent and agreed to pay him a corrupt commission intended to conceal bribe payments, according to court papers. Over time, Alcoa of Australia expanded the relationship with the middleman, identified as Consultant A in today’s court filings, to begin invoicing increasingly larger volumes of alumina sales through his shell companies, which permitted Consultant A to make larger bribe payments to certain government officials, according to today’s filings.
As admitted in the charging documents, in 2004, Alcoa World Alumina corruptly secured a long-term alumina supply agreement with Alba by agreeing to purportedly sell over 1.5 million metric tons of alumina to Alba through offshore shell companies owned by Consultant A. The sham distributorship permitted Consultant A to mark up the price of alumina by approximately $188 million from 2005 to 2009, the duration of the corrupt supply agreement. Court filings allege that Consultant A used the mark-up to pay tens of millions in corrupt kickbacks to Bahraini government officials, including senior members of Bahrain’s Royal Family. To conceal the illicit payments, Consultant A and the government officials used various offshore bank accounts, including accounts held under aliases, at several major financial institutions around the world, including in Guernsey, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
In addition to the monetary penalty, Alcoa and Alcoa World Alumina agreed to cooperate with the department in its continuing investigation of individuals and institutions involved in these matters.
The plea agreement and related court filings acknowledge Alcoa’s current financial condition as a factor relevant to the size of the criminal fine, as well as Alcoa’s and Alcoa World Alumina’s extensive cooperation with the department, including conducting an extensive internal investigation, making proffers to the government, voluntarily making current and former employees available for interviews, and providing relevant documents to the department. Court filings also acknowledge subsequent anti-corruption remedial efforts undertaken by Alcoa.
The department acknowledges and expresses its appreciation for the cooperation and assistance of the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, the Guernsey Financial Intelligence Service and Guernsey Police, the Australian Federal Police, the U.K.’s Serious Fraud Office, and other law enforcement authorities in the department’s investigation of this matter. The department also acknowledges and expresses its appreciation for the significant assistance provided by the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.
The investigation is being conducted by Special Agents and analysts with the IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Washington Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Adam G. Safwat and Trial Attorneys Andrew Gentin, Allan J. Medina and Andrew H. Warren of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance during this investigation.
Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Braddock Woman Charged with Stealing Mail from Shadyside and Southside MailboxesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A Braddock woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of theft of mail and destruction of letter/mail boxes, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The 33-count indictment named Carolyne Korotko, aka Carolyne Elizabeth Golosky, 40, of Braddock, Pa., as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, from March 2013, through December 2013, Korotko forcibly opened multiple mail boxes and stole the mail from victims in the Shadyside and Southside sections of Pittsburgh.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 133 years in prison, a fine of $8,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Selling Kilo Quantities of CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today that a Pittsburgh resident, Darnell Edge, 38, was sentenced today in connection with his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
According to the evidence presented to the court at the time Edge entered a guilty plea on Sept. 10, 2012, Edge was responsible for receiving multi-kilo loads of cocaine on a monthly basis, which he in turn sold to a regular group of customers in whole kilogram amounts. He acknowledged his responsibility for conspiring to distribute up to 150 kilograms of cocaine.
Judge Maurice B. Cohill sentenced Edge to 96 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Judge Cohill also ordered the forfeiture of more than $400,000 in cash, two handguns, a 2008 Infiniti M45 and a 2010 GMC Yukon.
Darnell Edge was one of 14 defendants charged in connection with a cocaine distribution group that was operating out of the eastern suburbs of Allegheny County. All 14 defendants have pleaded guilty.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted by state and local law enforcement agencies, conducted the investigation which led to the indictment in this case.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Selling Cocaine Purchased from His CousinRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today that a Pittsburgh resident, Marcus Edge, 26, was sentenced today in connection with his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
According to the evidence presented to the court at the time Edge entered a guilty plea on Aug. 19, 2013, Edge was responsible for receiving and distributing cocaine which he purchased from his cousin, Darnell Edge, in whole kilogram amounts on a monthly basis. As a part of his plea he acknowledged his responsibility for conspiring to distribute up to five kilograms of cocaine.
Judge Maurice B. Cohill sentenced Marcus Edge to 48 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release.
Marcus Edge was one of 14 defendants charged in connection with a cocaine distribution group that was operating out of the eastern suburbs of Allegheny County. All 14 defendants have pled guilty.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted by state and local law enforcement agencies, conducted the investigation which led to the indictment in this case.
Stanton Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges, Admits Operating Stash House and Using Juvenile "Runners"Read the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug trafficking charges, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Brady Hall, 19, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Specifically, Hall pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more heroin, possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, and employment of juveniles to distribute heroin. In total, Hall agreed to accept responsibility for between 700 and 1,000 grams of heroin.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that from May 2012 to February 2013, Hall conspired together with his charged co-defendants, Jay Germany, Jaquan Washington, and others, to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute, heroin. In addition, Hall conspired with uncharged co-conspirator Andre Corbett and his associates to distribute heroin. Germany and Washington have both pled not guilty, while Corbett has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The Court learned that during the timeframe of the heroin trafficking conspiracy, Germany was the leader of the conspiracy, in that he operated the "customer phone," whereby retail heroin customers would call Germany to arrange a heroin transaction. Once the transaction had been finalized, Germany, in turn, called either Washington or Hall to deliver the heroin to the customer. Hall operated a heroin "stash house," located in Homestead. From that stash house, Hall used runners, including juvenile runners, to deliver heroin to customers.
Finally, Count Five of the Superseding Indictment related to a heroin transaction that took place at the Giant Eagle on the Waterfront in Homestead. On Oct. 30, 2012, a heroin customer arranged to purchase 100 stamp bags of heroin from Germany at the Giant Eagle. Germany drove Hall to complete the deal at Giant Eagle. Hall met the customer in the Giant Eagle bathroom. In the bathroom, Hall provided the customer with the 100 stamp bags of heroin. Law enforcement, who had been intercepting the telephone conversations of Germany, monitored this transaction, and later conducted a traffic stop of the customer as he drove away. Law enforcement recovered the purchased heroin from the customer.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2014, at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, McKeesport Police Department, Munhall Police Department, and the West Homestead Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Brady Hall.
Homestead Man Conspired to Distribute Heroin from ACJ, SCI-Camp HillRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Homestead, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug trafficking charges, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Jordan Murphy, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. In total, Murphy agreed to accept responsibility for between 700 and 1,000 grams of heroin.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that from May 2012 to February 2013, Murphy conspired together with his charged co-defendants Andre Corbett, Sterling Marshall, and others, to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute, heroin. Those named co-defendants have previously pleaded guilty.
Specifically, the Court learned that during the timeframe of the heroin trafficking conspiracy, Murphy was incarcerated on state charges at Allegheny County Jail and SCI-Camp Hill. However, Murphy still participated and coordinated heroin sales from those facilities. Specifically, Murphy, in recorded "jail calls," had Corbett and Marshall sell heroin through uncharged co-conspirator Brady Hall, who used "runners" to deliver this heroin to heroin customers in Homestead. This conspiracy was primarily supplied heroin by uncharged co-conspirator Brandon Thompson, amongst others. Murphy set pricing and coordinated drug payments over the telephone. Thompson has pleaded not guilty in a related indictment.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2014, at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, McKeesport Police Department, Munhall Police Department, and the West Homestead Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jordan Murphy.
New York Man Provided Contraband to Federal InmateRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Newark, New York pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of providing contraband in a federal prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Mirelis Lopez, 32, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 3, 2013, Lopez provided a quantity of marijuana to an inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 28, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Officers of the McKean Federal Correctional Institution conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lopez.
Judges Sentences Inmate Caught Speeding Away from Federal Prison CampRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - An inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to 2 months in jail on his conviction for escape after conviction, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Locksley Brian Millwood, 37. The sentence was imposed to run consecutively to the sentence Millwood is currently serving.
According to information presented to the court, on August 21, 2013, Millwood escaped from the McKean Federal Prison Camp. He was returned to the prison within a few hours after his escape, when he was found in a vehicle that was stopped for speeding by the Bradford Township Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended Officers of the McKean Federal Correctional Institution and the Bradford Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Millwood.
Judge Sentences Inmate to 4 Additional Months in Prison for Possessing ContrabandRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - An inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to 4 months in jail on his conviction for possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Pedro Kline, 25. The sentence was imposed to run consecutively to the sentence Kline is currently serving.
According to information presented to the court, from on or about May 11, 2013 to on or about May 13, 2013, Kline was in possession of contraband, namely, marijuana.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended Officers of the McKean Federal Correctional Institution for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Kline.
Federal Inmate in Possession of A Cell Phone Sentenced to 3 More Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - An inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to 3 months in jail on his conviction for possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Ameet Kotak, 27. The sentence was imposed to run consecutively to the sentence Kotak is currently serving.
According to information presented to the court, on or about June 28, 2013, Kotak was in possession of contraband, namely, a cell phone.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Federal Inmate Gets 3 More Months in Prison for Possessing MarijuanaRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - An inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to 3 months in jail on his conviction for possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Jason Cruz, 36. The sentence was imposed to run consecutively to the sentence Cruz is currently serving.
According to information presented to the court, on February 3, 2013, a visitor provided a quantity of marijuana to Jason Cruz, an inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended Officers of the McKean Federal Correctional Institution for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Cruz.
Fox Chapel Woman Sentenced to Probation for Smuggling Anti-Cancer Drugs into U.S. for Sale at Stanton-Negley PharmacyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Fox Chapel woman was sentenced in federal court to two years’ probation on her conviction of smuggling and unlawfully importing prescription drugs, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentenced on Robin W. Simon, 45. She was also required to pay $600,000 to the United States government. The amount represents the profits from the resale of the unlawfully imported prescription drugs. Simon paid that amount prior to sentencing.
According to information presented in court, in July of 2007 Simon unlawfully imported the anti-cancer prescription drug known as "Xeloda" from Lisbon, Portugal. Simon had purchased the Xeloda from United Drug Wholesalers, which is based in Ireland, and directed United Drug to send those drugs to her in Portugal. In September of 2008, Simon unlawfully imported Xeloda from Heathrow Healthcare, Limited, which is based in Hounslow, Great Britain. The Xeloda tablets which Simon unlawfully imported from Portugal and Great Britain had been manufactured by Roche Laboratories in New Jersey. Simon then caused those medications to be dispensed to persons who presented prescriptions for Xeloda to the Stanton-Negley Pharmacy, which is located on North Negley Avenue in Pittsburgh.
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the U.D. Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service for conducting the investigation that led to the prosecution of Simon.
Former Office Manager Charged with Defrauding Car Dealership, Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - On Dec. 17, 2013, a former resident of Venetia, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud and filing false income tax returns, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The seven-count indictment, unsealed today, named Deborah Cassini, 61, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, Cassini was employed by Three Rivers Volkswagen as the Office Manager. As the Office Manager, Cassini had access to the company’s bank accounts, payroll system, accounting system and cash. Over the course of several years, Cassini embezzled funds in numerous ways, including making online payments to her personal credit cards from the company bank account; by making online payments for her BMW from the company bank account; by issuing herself additional compensation through the payroll system; by skimming cash; by writing checks to herself and to cash on company checks and by making cash withdrawals from the company bank account. Cassini concealed the theft by making false accounting entries into the company’s accounting system. The indictment further charges that she submitted false income tax returns for the years in which the embezzlement occurred.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 89 years in prison, a fine of $1,750,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Cambria County Man Sentenced to Probation for Conspiring to Assist Drug Distribution OrganizationRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Carrolltown, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Matthew C. Bopp, 52.
According to information presented to the court, from July 2008 to May 9, 2011, Bopp conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute quantities of oxycodone and methadone. Evidence presented to the court at the time of Bopp's sentencing reflected that Bopp conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others in order to facilitate and promote Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
A joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bopp. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Cambria County District Attorney's Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.
Turtle Creek Man Charged with Failing to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A Turtle Creek man was indicted on Dec. 10, 2013 by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of failing to register as a convicted sex offender, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment named Kevin McCree, 30, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, McCree was required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act after having been convicted in 2007 in Utah of the felony sex offenses of Enticing a Minor over the Internet and Dealing in Material Harmful to a Minor. The indictment states that between in and around March 2013, and Dec. 10, 2013, McCree traveled in interstate commerce and knowingly failed to register and update a registration, as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
New Stanton Man Sentenced to Home Confinement, Probation for Enabling the Straw Purchase of A FirearmRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of New Stanton, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to eight months of home confinement and two years of probation on his conviction for aiding and abetting the making of false statements concerning matters within the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch of the United States, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Sergey Ozhiganov, 26.
According to information presented to the court, on or about Oct. 29, 2011, Ozhiganov aided and abetted the making of a false statement in connection with the "straw purchase" of a firearm from the Cloverleaf Gun and Sport Shop in Latrobe, Pa.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Greensburg Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sergey Ozhiganov.
New Kensington Man Committed Armed Robbery of North Hills Fidelity BankRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A New Kensington man pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal armed bank robbery and firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Mario Lanair Robinson, a/k/a Donovan Noris, 24, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Oct. 17, 2012, Robinson committed an armed robbery of the Fidelity Bank located at 1009 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, Pa., and during that crime of violence, a Ruger firearm was used, carried, and brandished.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 17, 2014, at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan B. Ortiz is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ross Township Police Department, West View Police Department, North Regional Police Department and Ohio Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mario Lanair Robinson.
Felon Sentenced to Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Guns, Ammo and Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - Felix Cruz was sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh for violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Cruz, 50, formerly of Houston, Pa., was sentenced by United States District Judge Gustave Diamond to serve 46 months in prison followed by three years supervised release for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm on Nov. 8, 2011. Cruz unlawfully possessed a pistol, two semi-automatic rifles with high-capacity magazines, another rifle, and a shotgun, along with 1,290 rounds of ammunition, at his place of employment in Washington County. By 2011, Cruz was prohibited from lawfully purchasing or possessing any firearms as a result of a prior felony conviction in New York for criminal possession of a loaded firearm. Some of the firearms Cruz possessed were unlawfully “straw purchased” for him by other people who could pass a background check. The straw purchasers have been prosecuted for doing so.
In addition to unlawfully possessing the firearms and ammunition at his place of employment, Cruz possessed several vials of synthetic drugs containing AM-2201, which has been designated as a Schedule I controlled substance as a result of its harmful health effects and the toll it has taken on many users, particularly adolescents and teenagers. Cruz was distributing the drugs, sometimes referred to as “K2” or “spice”, from his place of employment in addition to storing his firearms there.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated this case. This case was prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.
Elk County Man Violated Federal Firearms and Narcotics LawsRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Brockport, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
James A. Volpe, 55, pleaded guilty to four counts before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Volpe distributed an imprint die on Aug. 20, 2012, which would facilitate the production of counterfeit Viagra tablets. In addition, on Nov. 1, 2012, Volpe possessed with the intent to distribute in excess of 50 marijuana plants and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and he also possessed a German Sports Gun pistol. He had been convicted in 2009 in United States District Court of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year from possessing ammunition or firearms. Unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is such a crime.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for April 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 58 years in prison, a fine of $5,510,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Volpe.
According to Mr. Hickton, Volpe is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.
Deported Guatemalan Sentenced to Time-Served for Re-Entering United StatesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - An individual found in Pittsburgh has been sentenced in federal court to time served on his conviction of re-entry into the United States after deportation, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Milton Garcia-Lopez, 25, formerly from Guatemala.
According to the information presented to the court, Garcia-Lopez, an alien, was removed from the United States by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 12, 2007. Milton Garcia-Lopez was found on May 27, 2013, subsequent to his arrest in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Milton Garcia-Lopez.
Cambria County Woman Sentenced to Probation for Controlled Substances Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Elmora, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation on her conviction of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Lori A. Weaver, 43.
According to information presented to the court, from July 2008 to May 9, 2011, Weaver conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute quantities of oxycodone and methadone. Evidence presented to the court at the time of Weaver's sentencing reflected that Weaver conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others in order to facilitate and promote Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
A joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Weaver. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Cambria County District Attorney's Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.
Ben Avon Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Pornographic Videos of MinorsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh-area resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of receipt of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Charles Appel, 71, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Appel received by United States mail, on or about Feb. 21, 2011, a video which depicted the sexual exploitation of minor boys from a Canadian video production company known as “Azov”, which previously operated a website offering DVD’s and streaming videos depicting children being sexually exploited. Appel ordered and received the video, titled “Boy Fights XIX: Triple Threat (2009)”, in both electronic and DVD format for $29.95 on Feb. 21, 2011, which he paid for with a credit card. During the period May 15, 2009 through March 13, 2011, Appel ordered videos from Azov on 29 occasions for a total cost of $1,864.54.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for March 28, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 5 years nor more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued defendant’s bond with the added condition that he register as a sex offender.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Appel.