District of Puerto Rico
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Three Men Indicted for Environmental Crimes Committed in the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Las Mareas Community of Salinas, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On December 6, 2023, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned two separate indictments charging three individuals for violations of the Clean Water Act. The charges relate to the illegal construction and deposit of material into the wetlands and waters of the United States in the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (the “Jobos Estuarine Reserve”).
Various federal agencies are involved in this ongoing investigation into environmental crimes in the Jobos Estuarine Reserve and Las Mareas community as part of the Caribbean Environmental Crimes Task Force, including the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army-CID), U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General (DOC-OIG), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA-OLE), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement (FW‑OLE).
According to the first indictment, from June 2018 to December 2023, Rafael Carballo-Díaz and Nathaniel Hernández-Claudio knowingly discharged fill material from excavation and earth moving equipment into the wetlands and waters of the United States in violation of the Clean Water Act. Carballo-Díaz operated a guesthouse business called El Cacique Resort on the property located at the Southwest of Camino del Indio in the Las Mareas area of Salinas, Puerto Rico. Nathaniel Hernández-Claudio acted as a host and property manager at El Cacique Resort on the Property.
The second indictment charges Awildo Jiménez-Mercado with violations of the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act. Jiménez-Mercado knowingly discharged fill material from excavation and earth moving equipment into the wetlands and built a boat dock without authorization of the Secretary of the Army, in violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act.
Awildo Jiménez-Mercado also operated a guest house business called “Hidden Paradise” on a separate property. Both El Cacique Resort and Hidden Paradise offered guests a pool, outdoor dining areas, and housing units as short-term rentals.
The Clean Water Act was enacted by Congress in 1972 to protect and maintain the integrity of the waters of the United States. The Clean Water Act’s main purpose is to ensure the restoration and maintenance of the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. It prohibits the discharge of any pollutant and fill material into waters of the United States except when a permit is obtained from the United States.
The Rivers and Harbors Act was originally enacted in 1899 and is generally considered the oldest environmental law in the United States. It serves to regulate and protect the navigable waters of the United States and prohibits the un-permitted construction of structures within those waters.
Both the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act protect the coastal waters within the Jobos Estuarine Reserve.
The Jobos Estuarine Reserve was designated as a National Estuarine Research Reserve by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1981 and is comprised of approximately 2,800 acres of coastal ecosystems in the Southern coastal plain of Puerto Rico. The Jobos Estuarine Reserve contains mangrove islands, mangrove forests, tidal wetlands, coral reefs, lagoons, salt flats, dry forest, and seagrass beds. It is also home to the endangered brown pelican, peregrine falcon, hawksbill turtle, and West Indian manatee. The Jobos Estuarine Reserve is owned and operated by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PR‑DNER).
The three defendants were arrested and are scheduled to appear today before Magistrate Judge Marshal D. Morgan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for their respective initial appearances. If convicted, the defendants are facing up to three years of imprisonment for the Clean Water Act violations, fines, and injunctive relief to remove violative structures. Jimenez-Mercado is also facing one year in prison for the River and Harbors Act violations.
W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, and Todd Kim, Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice made the announcement.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe, Environmental Litigation Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
These indictments are part of an ongoing investigation that include two indictments returned in May 2023. See https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr/pr/two-men-indicted-environmental-crimes-committed-jobos-bay-national-estuarine-research.
If you have any information related to this investigation or environmental crimes in the area, please contact enforcement officials, which may be done anonymously. The EPA can be contacted at (787) 977-5821 or at https://echo.epa.gov/denuncie-violaciones-ambientales. The FBI can be contacted at (787) 987-6500 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.
For more information on the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Reserve, please visit https://www.drna.pr.gov/jbnerr/ or https://coast.noaa.gov/nerrs/reserves/jobos-bay.html.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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23-441_gmm_indict_redacted.pdf 23-440_fab_indict_redacted.pdfFive Defendants Indicted and Arrested for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 29, 2023, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging five individuals with drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez, a.k.a. “Javi Popcorn;” Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez, a.k.a. “Luisito;” Meilyn Vázquez-Álvarez, a.k.a. “La Gorda;” Raymond Omar de Jesús-Rivera, a.k.a. “Villa;” and Sandra Álvarez-Rodríguez are charged with conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. Specific defendants are charged with respect to three substantive charges relating to the possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine on separate occasions.
The United States alleges that Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez and Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez, known as the “Popcorn Brothers,” have led a drug-trafficking organization in Puerto Rico and spanning the eastern seaboard since at least March of this year. The organization’s members acquired kilograms of cocaine in Puerto Rico and used the United States Postal Service to send the kilograms to the continental United States.
Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez, who resides in Puerto Rico, organized the purchase and shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to the continental United States. Defendants Meilyn Vázquez-Álvarez (the sister of the “Popcorn Brothers”) and Sandra Álvarez-Rodríguez (their mother) mailed numerous parcels containing cocaine from post offices throughout the south of Puerto Rico. Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez, who lived in New Jersey, received parcels containing cocaine for further distribution there. The government alleges that Raymond Omar de Jesús-Rivera also conspired in Puerto Rico to facilitate the trafficking of drugs to the United States through the mail.
Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez is currently on bail for a murder case in the municipality of Guayama and engaged in the charged offenses while on bail. Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez is on bail from two separate cases in New Jersey -- for assault and for money laundering. He also participated in the charged drug trafficking activities while on bail on those two cases.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of ten years, up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The announcement was made by W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, U.S. Postal Inspector Sigfredo Martínez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, Denise Foster, and Puerto Rico Police Bureau Commissioner, Colonel Antonio López-Figueroa.
The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau’s Guayama Strike Force investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Vance Eaton is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Three Individuals Indicted and Arrested for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine and for Selling MachinegunsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 27, 2023, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an 18-count indictment charging three individuals with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, distribution of fentanyl and cocaine, possession of machineguns in furtherance of drug trafficking activities, and other firearms-related offenses.
According to court documents, Miguel A. Figueroa-Rodríguez, a/k/a “Tote,” José A. Torres-Narvaez, a/k/a “El Menor,” and Taishia L. Figueroa-Cruz, beginning on a date unknown, but no later than August 22, 2023, conspired with each other and with others to knowingly distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses, as well as engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. Defendant Torres-Narvaez is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms.
“Disrupting drug trafficking networks is vitally important to our ongoing effort to combat the fentanyl crisis in America and save lives,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Our office will prosecute those who traffic in fentanyl and machineguns to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The opioid crisis is taking the lives of Americans every single day and our mission here in Puerto Rico is to protect our people from this national tragedy,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “The subjects in this case made it their business to deal kilos of pure fentanyl, so we had to act quickly. Rest assured our work here is only just beginning.”
During the conspiracy the charged individuals engaged in the following series of transactions:
- On August 25, 2023, they sold to the FBI approximately half a kilogram of fentanyl and a fully automatic firearm. (Below: photograph of fully automatic firearm and approximately half a kilogram of fentanyl seized in August 2023).
- On September 22 and September 26, 2023, they sold to the FBI approximately one kilogram of cocaine and a fully automatic firearm. (Below: photograph of message offering to sell rifle; photographs of approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine, and a fully automatic firearm seized in September 2023).
- On October 16, 2023, they sold to the FBI approximately one eighth of a kilogram of a substance that tested positive to fentanyl, a Glock firearm, and an AR-Type Privately Made Firearm (“PMF”). (Below: photographs of seized Glock firearm, an AR-Type Privately Made Firearm (“PMF”), and approximately 1/8th of a kilogram of a substance that tested positive to fentanyl).
- All three individuals were arrested on December 4, 2023. At the time of their arrest, they were in possession of approximately half of a kilogram of a substance that is presumed to be cocaine.
The defendants are scheduled for their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marshal D. Morgan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted for the conspiracy drug trafficking charges the defendants are facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years of imprisonment with a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. The firearms offenses in furtherance of the drug trafficking crimes carry a consecutive penalty of thirty years (machineguns) or five years (firearms) up to life imprisonment. The felon-in-possession of firearms carry a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and the engaging in the business of dealing in firearms carry a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshal Service are investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section Max J. Pérez-Bouret; Deputy Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, AUSA María L. Montañez-Concepción; and AUSA Antonio J. López-Rivera are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-coordinated, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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18 Individuals Charged in Superseding Indictment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a 60-count superseding indictment charging 18 individuals with importation of cocaine and marijuana into the District of Puerto Rico and continental United States, and money laundering. The investigation is still ongoing. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are in charge of the investigation, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection, CBP Air and Marine Operations, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Puerto Rico Treasury Department, and the Barceloneta Police Department. To date, law enforcement has seized over six million dollars in U.S. currency and assets, approximately ten firearms, and over two thousand kilograms of narcotics.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all our partners who work to dismantle these dangerous drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and stop these criminals from harming our communities,” said United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow.
“The leader of this organization shows no respect for authorities, continuing operations from behind bars,” said Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations. “Today we dismantled his criminal empire, focusing on arresting all individuals involved and seizing millions of dollars in assets acquired with drug money.”
According to the superseding indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The individuals charged in the superseding indictment are:
José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba, a.k.a. “Chambi/Chembi/Josué/Chambo/Patrón”
Bárbara Valentín-Rivera, a.k.a. “Barbara Paola”
Luis Crespo-Cumba, a.k.a. “La L”
Luis Roberto Alvarado-Reyes, a.k.a. “El Viejo”
Ricardo Lopez-Ramos, a.k.a. “Ricky”
Héctor L. Derkes, a.k.a. “El Venezolano”
William J. Pantoja-Nieves, a.k.a. “W”
Luis J. Hernández-Cruz, a.k.a. “Tampa Pana”
Edwin Daniel Gonzalez-Reyes, a.k.a. “Cotto” and “Coto”
Fernando Cortes-Flores, a.k.a. “La Bruja”
Emiliano Feliciano-Hernández
Luis Héctor Adames-Nieves, a.k.a. “Monki”
Ángel Xavier Pérez-Olivencia, a.k.a. “Chavy”
Niurka A. Rodríguez-Cumba, a.k.a. “Adela”
Marta D. Cardona-Cumba
Christian Prado
Luis Alberto Bourdon-Román, a.k.a. “El Negro Capi Bueno”
Edwin Candelaria-Ramos
According to court documents, José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba, directed a large-scale drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed multi-hundred-kilogram shipments of cocaine from South America, into Puerto Rico and the continental United States. The organization also received multi-kilogram shipments of marijuana from the continental United States for distribution throughout Puerto Rico. The superseding indictment alleges that Rodríguez-Cumba’s drug trafficking organization is involved in the distribution and sale of over two thousand kilograms of cocaine and marijuana. Rodríguez-Cumba has been designated as a Regional Priority Organization Target (RPOT) under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program.
As the alleged principal or leader of a drug trafficking organization, Rodríguez-Cumba is also charged in Count Five with engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) whose purpose was to “smuggle, import, offload, purchase, distribute, and supply controlled substances within Puerto Rico and the continental United States all for significant financial gain and profit.” In furtherance of the enterprise, Rodríguez-Cumba, in concert with his associates, including co-conspirators identified in the superseding indictment, committed and caused to be committed, a continuing series of felony drug violations, including but not limited to:
(a) Conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States;
(b) Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances;
(c) Importation of cocaine into the United States;
(d) Attempted importation of cocaine into the United States; and
(e) Distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, to include: Principal Leaders, who were responsible for the day-to-day organizational and operational decision making in Puerto Rico; Cell Leaders, who were responsible for the day-to-day organizational and operational decision making of the cells located and operating in the continental United States; Money Launderers, who were responsible for conducting financial transactions with the goal of legitimizing and disguising millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds generated by the organization; Transporters: who were responsible for the transportation of the narcotics from South America into Puerto Rico, and subsequently into the continental United States; and Enforcers or Hitmen, who were responsible for protecting and securing the assets and members of the organization from rival drug trafficking organization to include committing acts of violence on behalf of the organization. Seven defendants are also charged, in Count Ten, with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
The superseding indictment also charges the defendants with several counts of money laundering. José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba is alleged to have made efforts to disguise the narcotics proceeds as legitimate earnings by establishing several business entities and deposits for Lottery “winnings” from:
- September 24, 2020, he deposited two winnings for $35,000 and $40,000;
- December 16, 2020, he deposited winnings for $10,000;
- December 29, 2020, he deposited winnings for $15,000;
- February 26, 2121, he deposited winnings for $10,000;
- March 10, 2121, he deposited winnings for $50,050; and
- May 14, 2121, he deposited winnings for $250,000.
In total, in a span of eight months, José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba allegedly “won” the lottery seven times for a total of $375,050 in lottery winnings. As part of the manner and means of the money laundering conspiracy, Jose Julio Rodríguez-Cumba and his co-defendants opened personal and corporate bank accounts to manage the finances from both their businesses and its drug trafficking operation, structured both cash deposits and withdrawals to evade financial transaction reporting requirements, made transfers from personal bank accounts to corporate bank accounts and vice-versa to disguise the source and nature of the funds, and used mobile payment systems to transfer proceeds from person to person and avoid detection from authorities.
The superseding indictment also includes forfeiture allegations of more than six million dollars in assets including cash, real property, and personal property, as well as firearms.
If convicted, Rodríguez-Cumba faces a statutory mandatory penalty of life in prison pursuant to Title 21, U.S.C., Section 848(b). All co-defendants charged in the drug conspiracy (Count One) are facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years of imprisonment with a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. The money laundering offenses carry a maximum sentence of twenty years of imprisonment. The firearms offense carries a consecutive penalty of five years to life imprisonment.
Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section Max J. Pérez-Bouret; Deputy Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, AUSA María L. Montañez-Concepción; and AUSAs Jorge L. Matos and Ryan R. McCabe are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-coordinated, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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19-Year-Old Victoria Gabriela Rodríguez-Morales Charged with 13 Counts of Interstate ThreatsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 29, 2023, a grand jury returned an indictment against Victoria Gabriela Rodríguez-Morales for making thirteen interstate threats between May and October 2023 in violation of 18 U.S.C. 875(c), announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office has no tolerance for illegal threats, especially threats that target people who are the victims of the horrific mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “We hope that this arrest brings a sense of peace to those who were targeted by the defendant.”
“Threatening with violence, under any context, is unacceptable behavior. Making threats of violence to schools and other public institutions, is a federal crime,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “School shootings are one of the most heinous of violent acts, and those impacted by this tragedy, such as the family, friends and co-workers of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting, deserve to grieve and process their experiences in peace. The subject in this case was hundreds of miles away from the place she intended to torment through threats of violence. Yet she was still identified, located and arrested. May this serve as public notice that this behavior will not be tolerated, in Puerto Rico or anywhere else in the nation.”
According to the indictment, the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint and other public documents, Rodríguez-Morales used Gmail, Instagram, Facebook and Kick.com to threaten schools, hospitals and law enforcement in Uvalde, Texas. Some of the threats referenced Salvador Ramos, who murdered in May 2022 several students and teachers from the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Rodríguez-Morales described Ramos’ victims as “all the little losers souls … I pray for them to be burning in hell.” Rodríguez-Morales’ interstate threats included the following:
“They will shoot uvalde high school and morales jr high whenever I tell 'em So yeah the persecution is gonna start today”
“I will haunt everyone from class 2022 to 2023 Each and every single one of y’all will die”
“Each and every single one of y’all will die in the name of Salvador”
“Your childrens hospital may blow in pieces If yall dont do as i say”
“there will be bombs at the uvalde memorial hospital”
“We will shoot Uvalde Texas high school and Texas A&M college”
“If Mata Rubio wins the elections I will kill her”
Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose daughter was killed in the Uvalde shooting, ran to become mayor of Uvalde.
At least one of Rodríguez-Morales’s prior threats resulted in the temporary closing of a school in Texas.
Each the thirteen counts of conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If the defendant is found guilty, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette M. Collazo-Ortiz of the Violent Crimes Division is prosecuting the case. The FBI’s San Juan Cyber and Violent Crimes Divisions are in charge of the investigation with collaboration from the United States Secret Service.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Two Puerto Rican Men Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime Against a Latina Transgender Woman and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
Two Puerto Rican men were sentenced today to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release each for federal charges of conspiracy to commit a hate crime and obstruction of justice, arising out of an assault with a dangerous weapon against a transgender woman because of her gender identity.
“The defendants have been held accountable for assaulting a Latina transgender woman because of her gender identity and then trying to obstruct an investigation into that assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should live in fear of hate-fueled violence because of who they are. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting people who target LGBTQI+ people with acts of violence or who try to obstruct investigations into these heinous crimes. We hope that this prosecution makes clear to LGBTQI+ victims and survivors that we see them, and we hear them, and we will stand up for them when they are targeted by hate-fueled violence.”
“The defendants’ attack endangered and terrified their victim, and such actions have no place in our community,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “Bias-motivated violence not only runs contrary to our values but violates federal civil rights laws. We recognize the very real threats and acts of violence faced by the LGBTQI+ community and are determined to use every tool available to preserve the life, safety, and dignity of this community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to seek justice for all victims of hate crimes and will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits unlawful acts of hate-fueled violence.”
“Every human being should be treated with respect and dignity,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “There are no minor offenses when it comes to hate crimes. We at the FBI reiterate our position of zero tolerance for hate and ask anyone who has been a victim or a witness to a hate crime, to report it either by calling your local FBI field office or by leaving a tip online through tips.fbi.gov.”
According to court documents, on Feb. 24, 2020, at around 12:29 a.m. ET, Jordany Rafael Laboy-Garcia and Christian Yamaurie Rivera-Otero, along with their former co-defendant Anthony Steven Lobos-Ruiz, were out driving together in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, when they saw the victim, identified as A.N.L., standing under a tent near the side of the road. The defendants recognized A.N.L. from social media posts concerning an incident that had occurred the day prior at a McDonald’s in Toa Baja. During that incident, A.N.L. had used a stall in the McDonald’s women’s restroom.
Upon recognizing A.N.L., Lobos-Ruiz used his iPhone to record a video of himself yelling, “la loca, la loca,” as well as other disparaging and threatening comments to A.N.L. from inside the car. The defendants then decided to get a paintball gun to shoot A.N.L. and record another iPhone video. Within 30 minutes, they retrieved a paintball gun and returned to the location where they had last seen A.N.L., who was still at that location. Lobos-Ruiz then used his iPhone to record Laboy-Garcia shooting at A.N.L. multiple times with the paintball gun. After the assault ended, Lobos Ruiz shared the iPhone video recordings with others.
Several hours later, Rivera-Otero and Lobos-Ruiz exchanged text messages, in which they told each other to delete the evidence of their harassment and paintball gun assault of A.N.L., in order to conceal their involvement. Following this message exchange, Lobos-Ruiz deleted the videos on his iPhone of himself yelling at A.N.L. and of Laboy-Garcia firing paintballs at A.N.L.
As part of the plea agreement, Laboy-Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a hate crime and admitted that he shot paintballs at A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender. Rivera-Otero pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and admitted to directing his co-defendant to delete video recordings of the biased motivated assault and harassment of A.N.L.
Lobos-Ruiz previously pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime, admitting that he participated in assaulting A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
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Two Puerto Rican Men Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime Against a Latina Transgender Woman and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
Two Puerto Rican men were sentenced today to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release each for federal charges of conspiracy to commit a hate crime and obstruction of justice, arising out of an assault with a dangerous weapon against a transgender woman because of her gender identity.
“The defendants have been held accountable for assaulting a Latina transgender woman because of her gender identity and then trying to obstruct an investigation into that assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should live in fear of hate-fueled violence because of who they are. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting people who target LGBTQI+ people with acts of violence or who try to obstruct investigations into these heinous crimes. We hope that this prosecution makes clear to LGBTQI+ victims and survivors that we see them, and we hear them, and we will stand up for them when they are targeted by hate-fueled violence.”
“The defendants’ attack endangered and terrified their victim, and such actions have no place in our community,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “Bias-motivated violence not only runs contrary to our values but violates federal civil rights laws. We recognize the very real threats and acts of violence faced by the LGBTQI+ community and are determined to use every tool available to preserve the life, safety, and dignity of this community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to seek justice for all victims of hate crimes and will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits unlawful acts of hate-fueled violence.”
“Every human being should be treated with respect and dignity,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “There are no minor offenses when it comes to hate crimes. We at the FBI reiterate our position of zero tolerance for hate and ask anyone who has been a victim or a witness to a hate crime, to report it either by calling your local FBI field office or by leaving a tip online through tips.fbi.gov.”
According to court documents, on Feb. 24, 2020, at around 12:29 a.m. ET, Jordany Rafael Laboy-Garcia and Christian Yamaurie Rivera-Otero, along with their former co-defendant Anthony Steven Lobos-Ruiz, were out driving together in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, when they saw the victim, identified as A.N.L., standing under a tent near the side of the road. The defendants recognized A.N.L. from social media posts concerning an incident that had occurred the day prior at a McDonald’s in Toa Baja. During that incident, A.N.L. had used a stall in the McDonald’s women’s restroom.
Upon recognizing A.N.L., Lobos-Ruiz used his iPhone to record a video of himself yelling, “la loca, la loca,” as well as other disparaging and threatening comments to A.N.L. from inside the car. The defendants then decided to get a paintball gun to shoot A.N.L. and record another iPhone video. Within 30 minutes, they retrieved a paintball gun and returned to the location where they had last seen A.N.L., who was still at that location. Lobos-Ruiz then used his iPhone to record Laboy-Garcia shooting at A.N.L. multiple times with the paintball gun. After the assault ended, Lobos Ruiz shared the iPhone video recordings with others.
Several hours later, Rivera-Otero and Lobos-Ruiz exchanged text messages, in which they told each other to delete the evidence of their harassment and paintball gun assault of A.N.L., in order to conceal their involvement. Following this message exchange, Lobos-Ruiz deleted the videos on his iPhone of himself yelling at A.N.L. and of Laboy-Garcia firing paintballs at A.N.L.
As part of the plea agreement, Laboy-Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a hate crime and admitted that he shot paintballs at A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender. Rivera-Otero pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and admitted to directing his co-defendant to delete video recordings of the biased motivated assault and harassment of A.N.L.
Lobos-Ruiz previously pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime, admitting that he participated in assaulting A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Russian and Moldovan National Pleads Guilty to Operating Illegal Botnet Proxy Service that Infected Tens of Thousands of Internet-Connected Devices Around the WorldRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Russian and Moldovan national pled guilty to three counts of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A) Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Computers.
The FBI today revealed US law enforcement’s dismantlement of a botnet proxy network and its infrastructure associated with the IPStorm malware.
According to online reports, the botnet infrastructure had infected Windows systems then further expanded to infect Linux, Mac, and Android devices, victimizing computers and other electronic devices around the world, including in Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
In connection with the operation of that IPStorm malware and botnet proxy service, on September 18, 2023, Sergei Makinin, a Russian and Moldovan national, pled guilty to three counts of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A), knowingly causing the transmission of a program that intentionally caused damage without authorization to protected computers. Each count of conviction carries a statutory maximum of ten years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to court documents, from at least June 2019 through December 2022, Makinin developed and deployed malicious software to hack thousands of Internet-connected devices around the world, including in Puerto Rico. Makinin controlled these infected devices as part of an extensive botnet, which is a network of compromised devices. The main purpose of the botnet was to turn infected devices into proxies as part of a for-profit scheme, which made access to these proxies available through Makinin’s websites, proxx.io and proxx.net. Through those websites, Makinin sold illegitimate access to the infected, controlled devices to customers seeking to hide their Internet activities. A single customer could pay hundreds of dollars a month to route traffic through thousands of infected computers. Makinin’s publicly-accessible website advertised that he had over 23,000 “highly anonymous” proxies from all over the world. Makinin acknowledged that he gained at least $550,000 from the scheme. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Makinin will forfeit cryptocurrency wallets linked to the offense.
“This investigation shows that we will use every lawful tool at our disposal to disrupt cybercriminals, regardless of their location,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen Muldrow. “This case serves as a warning that the reach of the law is long, and criminals anywhere who use computers to commit crimes may end up facing the consequences of their actions in places they did not anticipate.”
“It is no secret that in present times, much criminal activity is conducted or enabled through cybernetic means. Cybercriminals seek to remain anonymous and derive a sense of security because they hide behind keyboards, often thousands of miles away from their victims,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The FBI’s cyber mission has been to impose risk and consequences on our adversaries, ensuring cyberspace is no safe space for criminal activity. This case is one example of how we are doing just that, and I’d like to thank the DOJ’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, and the FBI San Juan Cyber Team for their meticulous and relentless work in this case.”
The scope of the law enforcement dismantlement was limited to disabling the defendant’s infrastructure and did not extend to the information of the owners and users of the computers. The FBI emphasizes the importance of keeping computers updated with the latest security patches and operating systems.
The case was investigated by the FBI San Juan Cyber Team, with cooperation from the FBI legal attaché office in Madrid in coordination with the Spanish National Police-Cyber Attack Group; and the FBI Legal Attaché office in Santo Domingo, in coordination with the Dominican National Police-Interpol and Dominican National Police-International Organized Crime Division, and Ministry of the Interior and Police-Immigration Directorate. Valuable assistance was provided by the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA.net), including Bitdefender DRACO Team, Anomali Threat Research, and Intezer. The NCFTA is an alliance of business and law enforcement working together to disrupt cybercrime.
The case was prosecuted by AUSA Jonathan Gottfried of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and Senior Counsel Jane Lee and Jeff Pearlman of the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, with assistance from the Office of International Affairs.
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Three Port of San Juan Employees Arrested for Narcotics ViolationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Carlos Alberto Hernández-Laguer, a/k/a “Brea”, Luis Roberto De León-Sánchez, a/k/a “Coco”, and Misael Ruiz-Valentín, a/k/a “Misa”, with four counts of conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
On November 6, 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Juan, Seaport-Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST) and partner agencies, arrested three longshoremen working at the Port of San Juan for their involvement in facilitating the transportation of narcotics between the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Continental United States.
According to court documents, on or about June 7, 2022, the defendants intentionally conspired and agreed to possess, import, and distribute cocaine into the United States from the Dominican Republic. The HSI San Juan Seaport-BEST investigation revealed that the three Port of San Juan longshoremen were members of a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) operating between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. These longshoremen exploited their positions to circumvent security and smuggle large quantities of cocaine concealed in cargo ship containers and compartments/voids within the cargo ships.
“Disrupting drug trafficking networks is vitally important to our ongoing efforts to combat the drug trafficking in Puerto Rico and the violence associated with drug trafficking,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “International cartels like these affect many jurisdictions and stopping them requires robust coordination with our domestic and international partners.”
HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge, Rebecca González-Ramos said: “Our agents are relentless in their efforts to protect our borders by dismantling any criminal scheme that facilitates the entrance of poisonous narcotics into our island. This multi-agency law enforcement collaboration is a great example of the work we are doing to detect any intent to smuggle deadly contraband into our communities. With these arrests, HSI is sending a clear and strong message: nobody is above the law, we will find those who violate the law and hold them accountable for their decisions -- especially those in critical positions in our ports that create vulnerabilities to our island.”
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in jail and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This significant operation was successful with the support of U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations San Juan, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard Investigative Services and CBP Air and Marine Operations.
Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Max Pérez-Bouret, Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, AUSA María L. Montañez-Concepción, Deputy Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, and AUSA Camille García-Jiménez are prosecuting the case.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations visit: Homeland Security Investigations. To report suspicious activities, please call (787) 729-6969 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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About Homeland Security Investigations
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
# HSI #
Federal Court Orders Puerto Rico Pharmaceutical Distributor to Pay $12 Million in Connection with Alleged Failure to Report Suspicious Orders of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Other Controlled Substance ViolationsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal court in Puerto Rico entered a consent decree requiring Droguería Betances, LLC (Betances), one of Puerto Rico’s largest distributors of pharmaceutical drugs, to pay $12 million and make extensive improvements to its compliance program, the Justice Department announced today.
The consent decree resolves a complaint filed by the United States on Nov. 3, alleging that from 2016 through at least June 2019, Betances failed to report to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hundreds of “suspicious orders” for opioids and other controlled substances distributed to Betances’ pharmacy customers — i.e., orders that were unusual in their frequency, size or other patterns. According to the complaint, this included at least 655 suspicious orders for fentanyl and at least 113 suspicious orders for oxycodone, both of which are frequently misused products that have been contributing to the current opioid abuse epidemic.
In addition, the complaint alleged that from May 2017 to July 2018, Betances failed to make required reports of its distribution transactions to DEA via an automated reporting system, including all of Betances’ distributions of Schedule II opioids during that period — more than 7.8 million dosage units. According to the complaint, Betances also committed hundreds of recordkeeping violations, such as filling orders for controlled substances with defective order forms and submitting inaccurate shipping or delivery information to DEA.
According to the consent decree, the Justice Department conducted an analysis of Betances’ financial condition in relation to its potential exposure to civil fines and forfeiture. Based in part on ability to pay, the consent decree requires Betances to pay $12 million over five years in annual payments, with $10.2 million in the form of civil penalties and $1.8 million in civil forfeiture.
The consent decree also requires Betances to make extensive improvements in its compliance program. Betances must implement improved controlled substance monitoring program procedures and systems to review all orders of controlled substances and to detect and report suspicious orders to DEA. Betances must also improve its procedures and systems for conducting due diligence reviews of its pharmacy customers. The consent decree further requires Betances to submit annual reports about its compliance program and customers to DEA and other Justice Department components. Betances must also improve its ARCOS reporting system to ensure proper and accurate reporting of all acquisitions and distributions of Schedule II controlled substances.
“Companies that distribute controlled substances to pharmacies and other points of sale have an important responsibility to help stop the illegal distribution of controlled substances by reporting suspicious orders to DEA,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who fail to fulfill their reporting obligations.”
“The duty to report suspicious orders and other reporting requirements imposed on wholesale pharmaceutical distributors by the Controlled Substance Act is critical to ensuring the safety of our citizens from potential harm, including those associated with drug diversion, drug tampering and drug overdoses resulting from illegal drug sales and consumption,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to do everything in our power to ensure compliance and will use all legal remedies available to hold corporate entities and individuals accountable.”
“As we continue to face unprecedented loss of American lives during the ongoing opioid epidemic, DEA believes that everyone within the pharmaceutical supply chain is responsible for doing their due diligence to prevent the diversion of controlled substances,” said Assistant Administrator Thomas W. Prevoznik of the DEA’s Diversion Control Division. “Compliance with the law is one of the best acts of prevention our registrants can do to ensure that these drugs are distributed for legitimate medical use. Reporting suspicious orders is required under the law and a key part in keeping our communities safe.”
The DEA’s Diversion Control Division, Caribbean Division, San Juan Division Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David O. Martorani-Dale and Gabriella S. Paglieri for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Tom Rosso of the Civil Divison’s Consumer Protection Branch represented the United States.
The claims resolved by the consent decree announced today are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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betances_consent_decree.pdfFederal Court Orders Puerto Rico Pharmaceutical Distributor to Pay $12 Million in Connection with Alleged Failure to Report Suspicious Orders of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Other Controlled Substance ViolationsRead the Press Release
A federal court in Puerto Rico entered a consent decree requiring Droguería Betances LLC (Betances), one of Puerto Rico’s largest distributors of pharmaceutical drugs, to pay $12 million and make extensive improvements to its compliance program, the Justice Department announced today.
The consent decree resolves a complaint filed by the United States on Nov. 3, alleging that from 2016 through at least June 2019, Betances failed to report to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hundreds of “suspicious orders” for opioids and other controlled substances distributed to Betances’ pharmacy customers — i.e., orders that were unusual in their frequency, size or other patterns. According to the complaint, this included at least 655 suspicious orders for fentanyl and at least 113 suspicious orders for oxycodone, both of which are frequently misused products that have been contributing to the current opioid abuse epidemic.
In addition, the complaint alleged that from May 2017 to July 2018, Betances failed to make required reports of its distribution transactions to DEA via an automated reporting system, including all of Betances’ distributions of Schedule II opioids during that period — more than 7.8 million dosage units. According to the complaint, Betances also committed hundreds of recordkeeping violations, such as filling orders for controlled substances with defective order forms and submitting inaccurate shipping or delivery information to DEA.
According to the consent decree, the Justice Department conducted an analysis of Betances’ financial condition in relation to its potential exposure to civil fines and forfeiture. Based in part on ability to pay, the consent decree requires Betances to pay $12 million over five years in annual payments, with $10.2 million in the form of civil penalties and $1.8 million in civil forfeiture.
The consent decree also requires Betances to make extensive improvements in its compliance program. Betances must implement improved controlled substance monitoring program procedures and systems to review all orders of controlled substances and to detect and report suspicious orders to DEA. Betances must also improve its procedures and systems for conducting due diligence reviews of its pharmacy customers. The consent decree further requires Betances to submit annual reports about its compliance program and customers to DEA and other Justice Department components. Betances must also improve its ARCOS reporting system to ensure proper and accurate reporting of all acquisitions and distributions of Schedule II controlled substances.
“Companies that distribute controlled substances to pharmacies and other points of sale have an important responsibility to help stop the illegal distribution of controlled substances by reporting suspicious orders to DEA,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who fail to fulfill their reporting obligations.”
“The duty to report suspicious orders and other reporting requirements imposed on wholesale pharmaceutical distributors by the Controlled Substance Act is critical to ensuring the safety of our citizens from potential harm, including those associated with drug diversion, drug tampering and drug overdoses resulting from illegal drug sales and consumption,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to do everything in our power to ensure compliance and will use all legal remedies available to hold corporate entities and individuals accountable.”
“As we continue to face unprecedented loss of American lives during the ongoing opioid epidemic, DEA believes that everyone within the pharmaceutical supply chain is responsible for doing their due diligence to prevent the diversion of controlled substances,” said Assistant Administrator Thomas W. Prevoznik of the DEA's Diversion Control Division. “Compliance with the law is one of the best acts of prevention our registrants can do to ensure that these drugs are distributed for legitimate medical use. Reporting suspicious orders is required under the law and a key part in keeping our communities safe.”
The DEA’s Diversion Control Division, Caribbean Division, San Juan Division Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David O. Martorani-Dale and Gabriella S. Paglieri for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Tom Rosso of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch represented the United States.
The claims resolved by the consent decree announced today are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Consent DecreeIndividual Convicted of Firearms Trafficking with Los 27 Prison GangRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN – A federal jury convicted Héctor Kalie Figueroa-Marbelt for helping a member of Los 27 prison gang with engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Los 27 gang was a criminal organization which operated from within the prisons of Puerto Rico using illegally introduced cellphones. To make money from prison, Los 27 members engaged in murder, drug trafficking, extortion, and firearms trafficking. Los 27 members also engaged in firearms trafficking to supply firearms to the members of the criminal organization who would leave prison. Figueroa-Marbelt helped Los 27 with this crime.
The evidence at trial showed that Figueroa-Marbelt was the “outside person” for a Los 27 member considered to be the point of contact for firearms within Los 27—Victor Elias-Boza, aka “Grilla.” From prison, Elias-Boza brokered the sale of a firearm, and Figueroa-Marbelt delivered the firearm. In December 2019, Figueroa-Marbelt delivered a firearm, which Elias-Boza agreed to sell to another member of Los 27. That day, Figueroa-Marbelt showed that he was ready and able to engage in firearms trafficking, offering to sell more firearms. Figueroa-Marbelt had numerous firearms for sale at his disposal.
In September 2021, the FBI arrested Figueroa-Marbelt and seized eight firearms, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and money in Figueroa-Marbelt’s possession. The FBI also found that Figueroa-Marbelt had sufficient firearm parts that arrived in the mail, accessories, and tools to manufacture additional firearms. In sum, the evidenced showed that Figueroa-Marbelt was ready and able to sell firearms for profit with Elias-Boza.
Figueroa-Marbelt is now facing a sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of up to three years.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández was in charge of prosecuting the case.
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Félix Verdejo-Sánchez Sentenced to Life in Prison for Kidnapping Resulting in Death, and Intentionally Killing an Unborn ChildRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico –Félix Verdejo-Sánchez was sentenced today to life in prison for federal crimes that arise from the murder of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz on April 29, 2021.
On July 28, 2023, a jury determined, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial, that Félix Verdejo-Sánchez, along with his co-defendant Luis Antonio Cádiz-Martínez, aiding and abetting each other, committed a kidnapping that resulted in the death of Keishla M. Rodríguez Ortiz and her unborn child.
On the morning of April 29, 2021, Félix Verdejo-Sánchez executed a premeditated plan to murder Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz and her unborn child by luring Ms. Rodríguez Ortiz into his Dodge Durango where, with the assistance of Luis Cádiz Martínez, Verdejo punched Ms. Rodríguez Ortiz, injected her with drugs and then tied her with metal wire to a cement block. Mr. Verdejo Sánchez then drove the victim to the Teodoro Moscoso bridge, and, with Cadiz’s assistance, threw Ms. Rodríguez Ortiz into the San José Lagoon. He later jumped into the lagoon in order to finish murdering both victims.
“Today’s life sentence rightly holds Verdejo-Sánchez responsible for the pain and suffering he inflicted on his victims,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “To this day, the defendant maintains his unrepentant attitude. Like Verdejo-Sánchez now knows, anyone who commits cold-blooded crimes of violence in violation of federal law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the Justice Department and this office.”
“In cases such as this one, regardless of the outcome, there is no way to restore what has been lost,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “The only salve we can offer victim’s families is to do our work zealously and without rest, until justice is served. I believe we have done that here and I pray that this will give Keishla’s family some peace. Special recognitions to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, the Police of Puerto Rico and to our Violent Crimes Squad for a detailed and arduous job well done.”
The FBI was in charge of the investigation with the close collaboration and support of the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Gottfried, Chief of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette Collazo prosecuted the case.
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Youth Basketball Coach Sentenced to 15 years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado-Colón sentenced Ángel Gabriel Díaz-Rosado, a youth basketball coach from Toa Baja to 15 years in prison and 15 years of supervised release. Díaz-Rosado was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in 2019 after being charged for attempted production of child pornography, coercion and enticement of minors, and transfer of obscene material to a minor.
According to court documents, Ángel Gabriel Díaz-Rosado plead guilty on June 20, 2023, for enticement and coercion of a 13-year-old male minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, knowing that such visual depiction would be transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce by using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce.
In March of 2019, the defendant was a youth basketball coach for minor males. During such period, Díaz Rosado used his cell phone via the WhatsApp messaging application to communicate and request sexually explicit images of a 13-year-old male minor he coached. Díaz Rosado communicated with the male minor in a sexually explicit manner, requested images of the minor’s penis, and videos of the minor masturbating. The minor complied with the requests and sent the sexually explicit images to Díaz Rosado.
“The actions of this individual in this case were nothing short of reprehensible,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “He shamefully targeted minors who were under his care. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting children from abuse and holding accountable those individuals who would victimize minors.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos said: “We must be vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to stop predators, especially the ones serving in public trust positions. This individual was a former basketball coach and a Physical Education teacher; we feel that justice was served with today’s sentence. HSI will continue its efforts to protect our children and will continue to collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and apprehend those who attempt to abuse them.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, Jenifer Y. Hernández-Vega, prosecuted the case.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation with the assistance of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the Puerto Rico Department of Family.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians; and to report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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About Homeland Security Investigations
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
# HSI #
Hainze Díaz Arroyo, “La H,” Indicted for Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Hainze Díaz Arroyo, also known in the music industry as “Hanzel la H”, with firearms violations. Díaz Arroyo was arrested on July 10 for violating his federal supervised release and has remained detained since his arrest.
According to court documents, Díaz Arroyo was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, that is, a convicted felon. Specifically, it was alleged that on July 10, 2023, Díaz Arroyo, knowing he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess a firearm. Díaz Arroyo possessed a Glock model 23 .40 caliber pistol, one 13-round capacity magazine, one 22-round capacity magazine, and 36 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.
“Fighting gun violence remains a top priority for our office and the Justice Department and, as this case shows, we are steadfast in our commitment to prosecute those who violate federal firearms laws,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We commend the special agents, Deputy U.S. Marshals, and prosecutors who continue working together to fight against violent crime in our communities.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos said: “To reduce the violence on our island, we need to focus on removing the firearms and the violent individuals from the streets; this is the second time in the last ten years that this individual has been arrested for firearm violations. As an agency, we will not tolerate violent individuals who believe they are above the law.”
United States Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico, Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra said: “This significant arrest highlights the strategic coordination and collaboration of the United States Marshal Service and Homeland Security Investigations. Hainze Díaz Arroyo thought he would evade the authorities in Puerto Rico. The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to the safety of our community, we will never stop the search of violent fugitives who are trying to evade the law. As we have always pointed out, it is a matter of time before we knock on your door.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals are investigating the case, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Zapata-Valladares, Deputy Chief of the Gang Unit, and AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo are prosecuting the case.
To report suspicious activities related to the illegal movement of firearms, call HSI San Juan's 24/7 phone line at 787-729-6969.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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VIP Healthcare Solutions, Inc. and Two Company Officials Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Ivelisse Rivera-Padilla, Carla Carrillo-Torres, and VIP Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (“VIP Healthcare”) pleaded guilty before United States District Court Chief Judge Raul M. Arias Marxuach.
VIP Healthcare pleaded guilty to making a false statement in connection with a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan application, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014. As admitted in Court by VIP Healthcare’s secretary, Carla Carrillo-Torres, the company falsely certified the accuracy of their April 7, 2020, PPP loan application for $249,755.35 and failed to identify additional owners of VIP Healthcare that owned more than 20% of the company.
Carla Carrillo-Torres separately pleaded guilty to violating 15 U.S.C. § 645(c) and admitted to submitting the fraudulent PPP loan application on behalf of VIP Healthcare. Additionally, Carla Carrillo-Torres admitted to answering “no” when required to disclose if any owner of VIP Healthcare was presently involved in any bankruptcy proceeding. At the time, Carla Carrillo-Torres knew that her partner, Ivelisse Rivera-Padilla, owned more than 20% of VIP Healthcare and was involved in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy proceeding. The pending bankruptcy would have precluded VIP Healthcare from obtaining the PPP loan if disclosed to the United States Small Business Administration.
Ivelisse Rivera-Padilla, the President of VIP Healthcare and a licensed attorney, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of bankruptcy fraud for making materially false representations in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 157.
Ivelisse Rivera-Padilla concealed property and income and failed to disclose all of the bankruptcy estate during the course of her bankruptcy proceedings, including, but not limited to, the creation, operation, ownership, and control of VIP Healthcare, which operated the “Job Andujar” Diagnostic and Treatment Center in the Municipality of Cataño until approximately March 25, 2023.
Ivelisse Rivera-Padilla also concealed the purchase of an apartment located at Condominium Golf & Playa, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, for $270,000, and a 2,159.5152 square-meter plot of land located at Rainforest and Sea View Resort in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, for $275,000. Rivera-Padilla further concealed her interest in another corporate entity known as Farmacia Libertad, as well as income from a rental property business through AirBnB.
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on January 17, 2024. Both Carla Carrillo-Torres and Ivelisse Rivera-Padilla have agreed to forfeit any interest in the two concealed properties as a part of their plea agreement, in additional to the sentence to be imposed by United States District Court Chief Judge Raul M. Arias Marxuach.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Mary Ida Townson, U.S. Trustee for Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (Region 21); and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Trustee Program are investigating the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney José Capó Iriarte and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney José C. Díaz Vega from the Office of the U.S. Trustee are prosecuting the case.
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Carolina Man Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Carolina man was arrested on criminal charges related to his alleged child exploitation conduct.
On October 13, 2023, Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Juan arrested Matthew John McGlone, a 33-year-old man from Carolina, P.R.
A federal grand jury indicted McGlone on October 12, 2023, with three counts for coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt of child exploitation material, and transfer of obscene material to a minor. This is an investigation led by the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF) in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
According to court documents, between September 11, 2023, and October 5, 2023, McGlone used a cellular phone and an internet instant messaging platform to coerce a fourteen-year-old male minor to engage in sexual activity. During the same period, McGlone knowingly attempted to receive child exploitation material and transferred obscene material to the fourteen-year-old male minor.
McGlone also had multiple arrest warrants from the state of Georgia related to several charges including criminal attempt of child molestation.
“We will continue to track down those who engage in child exploitation and will hold them accountable for their criminal conduct,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue its effort to protect the most vulnerable among us by aggressively prosecuting all those who prey on our children.”
Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos stated: “The defendant is a wanted person in the state of Georgia for similar charges. HSI has zero tolerance for those who repeatedly engage in criminal behavior against children. In this case, thanks to the collaboration of parents, teachers, and social workers, our agents were able to identify suspicious child exploitation activities against a fourteen-year-old minor. As we have stated, the first line of defense to protect children is those who interact with them daily. HSI agents responded rapidly, and we successfully arrested the suspect to bring him before justice.”
Special Assistant United States Attorney Nadia Y. Pineda-Pérez of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor; a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to 20 years for receipt of child exploitation material; and up to 10 years in prison for the transfer of obscene material to a minor. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians; and to denounce suspicious activities call 787-729-6969.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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About Homeland Security Investigations
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
# HSI #
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of PR Celebrates the Award of Federal Grant Funds in Excess of $28.8 Million to the PR Department of Justice, the Forensic Science Institute, and to Stakeholders in Community Responses to Gender-Based ViolenceRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office celebrates a comprehensive federal grant funds package awarded to the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, the Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute, and to Community Response to Gender-Based Violence Stakeholders in excess of $28.8 million.
“The Puerto Rico U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with our state law enforcement partners and community response stakeholders to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes and provide justice and protection to our victims of crime. Identifying available federal funding and ensuring that these funds are properly and efficiently expended enhances our collaborative law enforcement efforts,” said United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow.
These recent funding allocations from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP) are intended to build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies.
Among the most significant awards, the Puerto Rico Department of Justice received $12.6 million for the VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant to enhance victim services in Puerto Rico. Additionally, the Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded $700,000 to institute a Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) through the Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute. That initiative also provides funding for the hiring of a Special Prosecutor, primarily in charge of firearms prosecutions arising from intelligence gathered from the CGIC. Other significant awards are listed below:
Date
Grant
Recipient
Amount
9/28/23
OJJDP FY 2023 Title II Formula Grants Program
Oficina para el Desarrollo Socioeconómico y Comunitario
$590,509
9/28/23
BJA FY 23 John R. Justice (JRJ) Formula Grant Program
PR Department of Justice
$ 89,310
9/26/23
BJA FY 2023 Invited to Apply- Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds Program
PR Department of Justice
$136,058
9/26/23
OJJDP Combined FY 2021 and FY 2022 Invited to Apply – Prison Rape Elimination Act Reallocation Funds
Oficina para el Desarrollo Socioeconómico y Comunitario
$ 27,761
9/25/23
BJA FY 23 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program - Formula
Instituto de Ciencias Forenses
$312,708
9/25/23
BJA FY 23 Project Safe Neighborhoods Formula Grant Program
PR Department of Housing
$133,930
9/25/23
OJJDP FY 2023 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
Boys & Girls Club of Puerto Rico
$972,405
9/22/23
BJA FY 23 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - State Solicitation
PR Department of Justice
$2,313,909
9/18/23
BJA FY 23 Invited to Apply Sex Offender and Registration Notification Act (SORNA) Reallocation Program
PR Department of Justice
$272,117
9/8/23
BJA FY 23 Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative
Instituto de Ciencias Forenses
$700,000
9/8/23
Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)
Instituto de Ciencias Forenses
$675,188
8/23/23
VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant
PR Department of Justice
$12,669,225
8/23/23
VOCA Victim Compensation Formula Grant
PR Department of Justice
$309,000
8/10/23
Invited to Apply- Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program
Municipality of Loíza
$279,000
8/10/23
Invited to Apply- Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program
Municipality of Vieques
$420,000
8/10/23
Invited to Apply- Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program
Municipality of Ciales
$ 92,000
2/13/23
BJA FY 2022-2023 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Formula Solicitation
PR Department of Justice
$2,274,664
More information about the awards announced can be found by visiting www.ojp.gov/funding/fy23awards.
In order to provide support to victims of crime, the Justice Department announced nearly $193 million in formula and discretionary grant awards to support crucial services and justice responses for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including $6,496,287 for the District of Puerto Rico to support community responses to gender-based violence. Among those grants are the following:
Date
Grant
Recipient
Amount
9/27/23
OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Solicitation
Proyecto Matria, Inc.
$550,000
9/22/23
OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking - Solicitation
Taller Salud, Inc.
$450,000
9/22/23
OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking - Solicitation
Hogar Ruth, Inc.
$575,000
9/22/23
OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking - Solicitation
Casa Juana Colón, Apoyo y Orientación a la Mujer, Inc.
$400,000
9/22/23
OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Sexual Assault Services
Hogar Ruth, Inc.
$495,000
9/8/23
OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Legal Assistance for Victims - Solicitation
Taller Salud, Inc.
$750,000
8/22/23
OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Sexual Assault Services and Formula Program - Solicitation
Women’s Advocate Office
$858,652
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
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Manatí School Security Guard Indicted for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On October 6, 2023, Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested Pedro Juan Molina-Falconi, a 34-year-old security guard from a school in Manatí, P.R.
A federal grand jury indicted Molina-Falconi on October 5, 2023, with three-counts for coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt of child exploitation material, and transfer of obscene material to a minor. This HSI-led investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) and the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE).
According to court documents, between June and August 2023, Molina-Falconi used a cellular phone and an internet instant messaging platform to coerce a fifteen-year-old female minor to engage in sexual activity. During the same period the security guard, knowingly received child exploitation material and transferred obscene material to the fifteen-year-old female minor.
“These types of crimes cause immeasurable harm to both the child victims and their families,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and hold accountable those who exploit our children.”
Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos stated: “The defendant in this case was a security guard of a school in Manatí, holding a position of public trust. He used his position of trust to take advantage of a minor within the safe space of our schools. HSI prioritizes the safety and well-being of our children, working together with the PRPB and the PRDE, to create a secure learning environment, we will not tolerate predators’ presence in our schools.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina Agrait-Barreto of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor; a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to 20 years for receipt of child exploitation material; and up to 10 years in prison for the transfer of obscene material to a minor. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. After his initial appearance in court, the defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardiansArr; and to denounce suspicious activities call 787-729-6969.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Dog-Fighting Violations of the Animal Welfare ActRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 22, 2023, Antonio Casillas Montero, the owner of Stone City Kennels, was sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and for possession of dogs for use in animal fighting ventures, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to the facts stipulated by the parties, for over 35 years, Casillas ran Stone City Kennels, which participated in over 150 dog fights. Casillas bred pit-bull type dogs for fights in Puerto Rico, México, Ecuador, Perú, the Dominican Republic, and various cities in the continental United States. During a search of his property in Humacao, several pit-bull type dogs were seized which suffered from pustules, fungus, lameness, and jaw clamping.
In its sentencing memorandum (see PDF attached), the Government argued that “Casillas’s conduct is on the extreme end of the spectrum of cruelty in an already cruel form of abuse.” According to the evidence presented by the Government, Casillas would use veterinarians in Puerto Rico to obtain health certificates to send fighting dogs to the Dominican Republic on a ferry, where the dogs would be trained in the weeks before matches. During the fights, which could last for over 1.5 hours, Casillas would let losing dogs perish from their injuries, rather than removing them from a fight. During the sentencing hearing, the Government presented a video of one of Casillas’ dogs dying after a match in the Dominican Republic while being insulted for its defeat.
In addition to fighting numerous dogs, Casillas organized large, international matches. He and his partners would breed fighting dogs for sale for thousands of dollars and ship them on airplanes from Puerto Rico around the world. The Government presented evidence of inquiries from potential customers in South America and Europe regarding Stone City Kennels’ dogs. Casillas would also mentor dog fighters on training techniques with steroids. Evidence presented by the Government indicated that Casillas was considered a “Caribbean legend” of dogfighting.
“Dogfighting for entertainment and profit is not only cruel and inhumane, but also a violation of federal law,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “This sentencing ends the defendant’s decades-long involvement in this illegal business and hopefully will deter others.”
“The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General-Investigations, actively investigates allegations of animal abuse. This agency has made animal fighting a high priority in order to demonstrate that these blatant acts of cruelty to animals will no longer be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Miles Davis. “We would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for aggressively prosecuting perpetrators of animal fighting, our federal law enforcement partners, and United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Investigative Enforcement Services for their dedicated work in this investigation.”
HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos said, “This sentencing is a strong message of a firm stance against animal cruelty; we must work together to create more humane and compassionate societies. This sentencing of this individual who profited from the illegal and cruel practice of dog fighting does exactly that: hold those who profit from animal cruelty accountable.”
The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Homeland Security investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gottfried of the Violent Crimes Section prosecuted the case.
If you have information regarding dog fights or animal cruelty, please call PRPB Office of the Coordinator of Law 154 at (787)793-1234, extensions 3128 and 3131.
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Two Puerto Rican Men Plead Guilty to Federal Hate Crime Against a Transgender Woman and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two Puerto Rican men pleaded guilty today to federal charges of conspiracy to commit a hate crime and obstruction of justice, arising out of an assault with a dangerous weapon against a transgender woman because of her gender identity.
According to court documents, on Feb. 24, 2020, at around 12:29 a.m. ET, Jordany Rafael Laboy-Garcia and Christian Yamaurie Rivera-Otero, along with their former co-defendant Anthony Steven Lobos-Ruiz, were out driving together in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, when they saw the victim, identified as A.N.L., standing under a tent near the side of the road. The defendants recognized A.N.L. from social media posts concerning an incident that had occurred the day prior at a McDonald’s in Toa Baja. During that incident, A.N.L. had used a stall in the McDonald’s women’s restroom.
Upon recognizing A.N.L., Lobos-Ruiz used his iPhone to record a video of himself yelling, “la loca, la loca,” as well as other disparaging and threatening comments to A.N.L. from inside the car. The defendants then decided to get a paintball gun to shoot A.N.L. and record another iPhone video. Within 30 minutes, they retrieved a paintball gun and returned to the location where they had last seen A.N.L., who was still at that location. Lobos-Ruiz then used his iPhone to record Laboy-Garcia shooting at A.N.L. multiple times with the paintball gun. After the assault ended, Lobos Ruiz shared the iPhone video recordings with others.
Several hours later, Rivera-Otero and Lobos-Ruiz exchanged text messages, in which they told each other to delete the evidence of their harassment and paintball gun assault of A.N.L., in order to conceal their involvement. Following this message exchange, Lobos-Ruiz deleted the videos on his iPhone of himself yelling at A.N.L. and of Laboy-Garcia firing paintballs at A.N.L.
“The defendants are being held accountable for assaulting a transgender woman because of her gender identity and then trying to obstruct an investigation into that assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Acts of violence against LGBTQI+ people have no place in our society today. As we mark 25 years since the death of Matthew Shepard, the Justice Department remain steadfast in its commitment to investigate and prosecute those who target LGBTQI+ people with acts of violence.”
“To assault an innocent victim who posed no threat to the defendants for no other reason than her gender identity is reprehensible behavior that will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously defend the rights of all people, regardless of their gender identity, to be free from hate-fueled violence. Our community must stand together against acts of violence motivated by hate for any group of people – we remain steadfast in our commitment to prosecute civil rights violations and keep our communities safe and free from fear.”
“What makes our country great is our diversity in all aspects of life,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “This diversity makes us strong, and criminal acts undermine our society's foundations. The FBI will not tolerate hateful criminal activity of any kind and will pursue these cases to the full extent of the law. We urge anyone who thinks they have been a victim or a witness to a hate crime to call 787-987-6500 or leave a tip by visiting Tips.FBI.Gov. Know that we are here for you."
As part of the plea agreement, Laboy-Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a hate crime and admitted that he shot paintballs at A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender. Rivera-Otero pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and admitted to directing his co-defendant to delete video recordings of the assault and harassment of A.N.L.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Lobos-Ruiz previously pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
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42 Members of a Violent Gang Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations in Manatí, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 20, 2023, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 42 violent gang members from the municipality of Manatí with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. This investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), Arecibo Strike Force, with the collaboration of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the U.S. Marshals Service. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CBP Air and Marine Operations, and the Barceloneta Police Department collaborated during the arrests.
“By arresting and prosecuting these defendants, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners are working to uphold the rule of law and punish violent offenders who terrorize our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “The Department of Justice is committed to dismantling criminal organizations, holding gang members accountable, and pursuing justice for victims.”
“For the last year, the residents in the Manatí area have been victims of violent crimes, going to bed and waking up to the sound of gunshots, tonight they will be able to rest,” said Rebecca González Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of HSI. “This organization is extremely violent; therefore this takedown included the activation of a total of 12 tactical teams and over 200 law enforcement officers from HSI San Juan and the U.S. Mainland along with federal, state, and local partners. This is a clear example of a multiagency collaboration; we were able to dismantle the new generation of a very violent drug trafficking organization that has been stealing the peace of these communities. Not anymore, HSI remains focused, determined, and steadfast to assure Puerto Rico’s public safety.”
The indictment alleges that from 2016, the drug trafficking organization called “Hasta los Marcian” (HLM) distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), cocaine, marihuana, Tramadol, and Clonazepam within 1,000 feet of the Enrique Zorrilla, Villa Evangelina, Vivamery, and Los Murales Public Housing Projects (PHPs), the Cerro Gandía Ward and the Morovis cemetery, all for significant financial gain and profit.
The goal of HLM was to maintain control of all the drug trafficking activities within the Manatí area by the use of force, threats, violence and intimidation. In preserving power and protecting territory, the members of HLM profited from the illegal distribution of narcotics including transportation and distribution of kilogram quantities of cocaine into the continental United States.
The investigation revealed that during the conspiracy the defendants and their co-conspirators participated in murders and shootings to further their drug trafficking operations. The defendants and their co-conspirators would sometimes use bullet proof vests to protect themselves when they participated in acts of violence. They modified firearms in order to convert them to automatic weapons (machineguns). On occasions, the co-conspirators legally purchased firearms and then sold them to members of the drug trafficking organization. Also, defendants and their co-conspirators would mail pieces of firearms or entire firearms from the continental United States to other members of the drug trafficking organization in Manatí.
The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, to wit: leaders, suppliers, drug point owners, enforcers, runners, sellers, lookouts, and facilitators. The members of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to maintain control of the areas in which they operated. The defendants charged in the indictment are:
[1] Fabián López-Pino, a.k.a. “Fabi/Gordo/Panda”
[2] Michael Ángelo Reyes-Vázquez, a.k.a. “Chucky/Choky”
[3] Joshua Siragusa-Romero, a.k.a. “Tres Dobles”
[4] Alejandro Sáenz-Escobar, a.k.a. “Fresa/Fresita/Andito”
[5] Christopher Alberto Centeno-Marrero, a.k.a. “Chupy/Chupa Compras”
[6] Victor Cardoza, a.k.a. “Vitoy”
[7] Francisco Efrén Marín-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Frank/F/El Viejo”
[8] Cesar Tyron Villegas–Cintrón
[9] Daniel Morla-Reyes, a.k.a. “Bebe/Bebe Murales/El Domi”
[10] Christopher Maldonado-López, a.k.a. “Gordo Flow”
[11] Christian Maldonado-López, a.k.a. “Ninja”
[12] José Israel Rivera-Morán, a.k.a. “Isratek/Isra”
[13] Christopher Pagán-Moux, a.k.a. “Zion”
[14] Carlos Jadriel Rivera-León, a.k.a. “Hulk/Carlitos Hulk”
[15] Jacier Collazo-Cruz
[16] Kenneth Noel Padilla-Martínez, a.k.a. “Dement/Demente”
[17] Jairo Luis Sánchez-Romero, a.k.a. “Grillo”
[18] Jonathan Yadriel Negrón-Quintero, a.k.a. “Wiwi”
[19] Adán David López-Quintero, a.k.a. “Chaco”
[20] Jadriel Yandel Bruno-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Cuty”
[21] José Rafael Domínguez-Rivera, a.k.a. “Ojos Bellos”
[22] Bryan Joel Nieves-Romero, a.k.a. “Cabulla/Cabuya”
[23] Kelvin Joel Rivas-Quiñonez, a.k.a. “Piki/Rubio”
[24] Kenneth Córdova-Real, a.k.a. “Pope/Menor”
[25] Norma Iris Cintrón-Pino, a.k.a. “Normita”
[26] Ángel Javier Marrero-González, a.k.a. “Chacorta/Chacolta/Titi”
[27] William Omar Nieves-Maisonet, a.k.a. “Tito Llorón”
[28] Kevin Renier Marrero-Ocasio, a.k.a. “Coraje”
[29] Edsel Rodríguez-Ramírez, a.k.a. “La R/El Gordo/El Goldo”
[30] Miguel Ángel Ayala-De León, a.k.a. “Tonka”
[31] Jorge Luis Santiago-Robles, a.k.a. “El Mono/El Mono De Cerro Gandía”
[32] Jeremy Nael Rodríguez-Ortega, a.k.a. “Jordan”
[33] Shaquille Emmanuel Rivera-De Jesús
[34] Jonathan Montano-Menéndez, a.k.a. “Ata”
[35] Kelvin Luis Núñez-Otero, a.k.a. “Colilla”
[36] Manuel Ángel Jr. Torres-Pérez, a.k.a. “Manolo”
[37] María De Los Ángeles Candelario-Rosa, a.k.a. “María Pasillo”
[38] Victor David Santos-Medina, a.k.a. “Davisito”
[39] Richard Vázquez-Aponte, a.k.a. “BTA”
[40] Jorge Luis Rivera-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “El Mono/El Mono De Zorrillas”
[41] Isaías Daniel Lugo-Nazario, a.k.a. “Panda”
[42] John Anthony Sánchez-Valentín, a.k.a. “Joshua Pauta/Pauta”
Thirty-Three (33) defendants are facing one charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and fifteen (15) of those defendants are facing one count of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort; Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares; AUSAs Corinne Cordero-Romo and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in Count Six, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. The defendants charged in Count Seven with possession of machineguns in furtherance of drug trafficking face a mandatory sentence of thirty years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the drug trafficking charges. All defendants are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $31,347,400.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Individual Indicted and Arrested for Child Exploitation and Drug Trafficking Charges; Another Charged with Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF), along with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) arrested Bryan Xavier Pérez Hernández, 26, from San Sebastián, PR, and Melanie Cruz Clivilles, 31, from Aguadilla, PR, for charges related to the death of 13-year-old female minor G.L.C.C.
According to court documents, Bryan Xavier Pérez Hernández attempted to induce, entice, and coerce a minor, that is, a 13-year-old female G.L.C.C., to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child exploitation material. Pérez Hernández is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and distribution of cocaine to a minor.
Melanie Cruz Clivilles, mother of G.L.C.C., is charged with lying to a federal law enforcement agent. The allegations are that Cruz Clivilles made a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation by falsely stating to a Task Force Officer of the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations that she first met Bryan Xavier Pérez Hernández at the hospital on August 4, 2023, where he arrived with defendant’s deceased daughter G.L.C.C. The statement and representation was false because, as she then and there knew, because she had met Pérez Hernández at the latest in July of 2023, and had been with him during a meeting on August 3, 2023.
If convicted, Pérez Hernández faces a statutory minimum sentence of between15 and 30 years in prison for production of child pornography; and up to 40 years in prison for the drug trafficking charges. Defendant Cruz Clivilles is facing up to five years in prison for making false statements. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández Vega, Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case. The investigation continues.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians; and to denounce suspicious activities call 787-729-6969.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Two Men Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – In two separate cases, Federal Bureau of Investigations special agents, with the support of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, arrested two men charged with child exploitation.
According to court documents, from June 2022 through June 2023, Rafael A. Pérez Rodríguez, 19, from Ponce, PR knowingly transported child exploitation material in his cellular phone; distributed and received child pornography; and possessed images of child pornography, including pictures of prepubescent minors, or minors who had not attained 12 years of age. Assistant United States Attorney Emelina M. Agrait Barreto, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting this case.
In an unrelated case, FBI arrested Emiliano Echevarría Collado, 41, from Ponce, PR, for attempted production and attempted possession of child pornography. From October 1st through October 2, 2021, Echevarría Collado attempted to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 15-year-old female minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
“Soliciting the production of child sexual abuse material is a particularly disturbing crime,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The arrests that we announced today reflect the unwavering commitment of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners to stand up for victims and to hold offenders accountable for their conduct.”
“Children are not only the most vulnerable members of society but also its future,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “Criminals who target children are a threat to the very fabric of strong and functional communities. This is why the FBI is committed to continuing our work of putting these violent sex offenders behind bars and we urge the public to report these heinous crimes by calling 787-987-6500 or leaving a tip online visiting tips.FBI.gov”.
If convicted, Rafael A. Pérez Rodríguez faces a minimum sentence of 10 years up to 20 years in prison. Emiliano Echevarría Collado faces a statutory minimum sentence of 15 years up to 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI San Juan Field Office is investigating the cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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HSI San Juan Arrests Cataño Woman on Child Exploitation and Sex Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF), along with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) arrested Daryana González Montañez, a 30-year-old woman from Cataño, PR, for sex trafficking of children, production on child pornography, and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to court documents, from February through March 28, 2023, Daryana González Montañez, recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, maintained, and patronized a 14-year-old minor female to engage in sexual activity for profit. González Montañez also employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced the same minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing and transmitting child pornography.
“Human trafficking – particularly trafficking of children – is a reprehensible crime with far reaching consequences,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The United States Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies will continue to take full advantage of our investigative tools and prosecution powers in order to protect our children from sexual predators. We want to remind the public to report all inappropriate behavior with children to their local authorities and together, local and federal law enforcement will see that justice is carried out.”
Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos stated: “We have been following the pattern of this woman for a few months now. We have implemented our Victim Centered Approach; forensic interviews were performed, and data was gathered from digital equipment. All these efforts resulted in good evidence for a strong case of human trafficking in Puerto Rico. The victim and her family have the support they need to face this horrendous experience; and our special agents will continue this process until justice is served. We will continue to support and work with all our fellow law enforcement partners to get dangerous offenders off the streets. There will be zero tolerance for those who intend to harm our children.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case. If convicted, the defendant faces a statutory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison for sex trafficking of children; 15 up to 30 years in prison for production of child pornography; and 10 years up to life in prison for transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendant was transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center to await further judicial proceedings.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians; and to denounce suspicious activities call 787-729-6969.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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About Homeland Security Investigations
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
# HSI #
Hawksbill Sea Turtle Successfully Rescued in Juana DíazRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On August 25, 2023 federal and local authorities worked in conjunction with a local conservation group to rescue an adult hawksbill sea turtle in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico and return it safely to its habitat, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, and Stephen Clark, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) were alerted that an individual had taken a hawksbill sea turtle away from the Singapur Community beach in Juana Díaz during the evening of August 24, 2023. The turtle was allegedly transported utilizing a wheelbarrow. After responding to the scene, FWS agents successfully identified the individual involved, the location of the individual’s home, and confirmed that the turtle was still alive. (See photograph below)
In conjunction with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and personnel from Tortugueros del Sur, the FWS agents successfully returned the hawksbill sea turtle to its nearby habitat. (See photographs below)
The primary responsibility of the FWS is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust for the people today and future generations. With that goal, the FWS works to protect species from extinction, restore habitats, foster biological diversity, and enforce United States conversation laws, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Fish and Wildlife Service is an active member of the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force and routinely works in conjunction with local authorities, including the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and local conservation groups to respond when protected species are reported as being taken, harmed, possessed, or sold.
The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle that inhabits tropical and sub-tropical waters, including those surrounding Puerto Rico. The name comes from their beak-like mouth, which resembles a hawk and is used to find food in hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. Adult hawksbill sea turtles can be 2-3.5 feet long and can weigh 100-150 pounds. Their lifespan is estimated to be 50 years or more. Every 1 to 5 years, the female hawksbill will lay three to five nests containing 130 to 160 eggs. They typically nest at night on small or isolated beaches. Hatchlings orient seaward by moving away from dark landward dunes toward the brighter ocean horizon. Hawksbill sea turtles face threats from fishing gear, direct harvest of turtles and eggs, loss and degradation of nesting habitats, predation of eggs and hatchlings, vessel strikes, ocean pollution, and climate change.
The hawksbill sea turtle is recognized as an endangered species by the United States government, meaning that it is illegal to take, possess, sell, deliver, carry, or transport pursuant to the ESA, specifically Title 16, United States Code, Section 1538. The Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) also forbids the trade of any turtle products on the international market, including sea tortoise shells (which are sometimes sold as “tortoiseshell”).
You can help hawksbill sea turtles and other endangered species by reducing ocean trash, keeping your distance, protecting sea turtle habitats and nesting sites, and reporting marine life in distress. To report marine life in danger or distress, please contact the Puerto Rico office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (787) 749-4338 or the national tip line by telephone at 1-844-FWS-TIPS, by email at [email protected] , or via www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips .
Special thanks are provided to Tortugueros del Sur, a non-profit Puerto Rico entity whose mission is to help sick or injured sea turtles, to aid in conservation programs in the south of Puerto Rico, and to educate the public about sea turtles.
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Group Charged in Forty-Count Indictment with Fourteen Armed Carjackings, One Attempted Carjacking, and Five Armed Robberies of BusinessesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On August 24, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a forty-count indictment charging Ángel Mercado-Aquino, Ferdinand Escobar-Castillo, Ismael Reyes-Rivas and Andro Bianchi-Montalvo with a series of armed carjackings and robberies of businesses, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to the Government’s allegations, between January 31 and March 6, 2023, the four defendants (acting together or as part of a smaller group) committed a series of armed robberies in Río Piedras, Río Grande, Guaynabo, Caguas, Canóvanas, Puerto Nuevo, Toa Baja, and Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The businesses that were targeted included Burger King and Shell gas stations. Most of the carjackings occurred early in the morning at gas stations, including a Gulf Gas Station in Río Grande, a Mobil Gas Station in Guaynabo, the Any Time Gas Río Cañas in Caguas, the Total Energies Gas Station in Canóvanas, and a Gulf Gas Station located at La Virgencita, Toa Baja.
“Violent criminal street gangs are a constant threat to our communities. These arrests will not only make our neighborhoods safer but send a message to other gang members that the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue efforts to disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups such as these,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow.
Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, commented: “This investigation is a testament to the commitment of the ATF San Juan Field Office in the fight against armed criminals who terrorize our communities with the plague of violent crime.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julian Radzinschi of the Violent Crimes Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case. Special Agent Ivys Rosado-Díaz of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is in charge of the investigation. If convicted on all counts, the defendants face over 100 years in prison.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Puerto Rico Mayor Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The former mayor of the municipality of Humacao, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments for awarding municipal contracts to two companies.
According to court documents, from 2021 until 2022, Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 49, was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Humacao. Starting in 2021, Vargas-Rodríguez was involved in a bribery conspiracy in which he received and accepted cash payments from two businessmen in exchange for awarding municipal contracts for waste disposal services, asphalt and paving services, and debris removal, and paying outstanding invoices on the contracts. Vargas-Rodríguez received at least $27,000 in cash bribes from January 2021 through July 2021 from the two businessmen.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott H. Anderson for the District of Puerto Rico assisted in the investigation.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat public corruption by municipal officials in Puerto Rico. In addition to the above matters, the Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico have recently obtained convictions against other former public officials and contractors in the District of Puerto Rico for soliciting and accepting bribes related to municipal contracts.
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Former Puerto Rico Mayor Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
The former mayor of the municipality of Humacao, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments for awarding municipal contracts to two companies.
According to court documents, from 2021 until 2022, Reinaldo Vargas-Rodriguez, 49, was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Humacao. Starting in 2021, Vargas-Rodriguez was involved in a bribery conspiracy in which he received and accepted cash payments from two businessmen in exchange for awarding municipal contracts for waste disposal services, asphalt and paving services, and debris removal, and paying outstanding invoices on the contracts. Vargas-Rodriguez received at least $27,000 in cash bribes from January 2021 through July 2021 from the two businessmen.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbefor the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott H. Anderson for the District of Puerto Rico assisted in the investigation.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat public corruption by municipal officials in Puerto Rico. In addition to the above matters, the Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico have recently obtained convictions against other former public officials and contractors in the District of Puerto Rico for soliciting and accepting bribes related to municipal contracts.
Former Police Officer Sentenced to 8 years in Prison for Theft of Firearms from Police Weapons Vault and Tampering with Multiple WitnessesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Former police officer William Cintrón-Rivera, a.k.a. “El Kid/Kid” was sentenced to eight years in prison for the theft of 54 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), Guayama headquarters on July 17, 2019. The defendant was ordered to forfeit his position as a PRPB officer and ordered to pay $48,624 in restitution to the PRPB.
On January 20, 2021, a federal grand jury charged the defendant with multiple counts of firearms violations and tampering with three witnesses and he pleaded guilty in April of 2023.
According to court documents, on July 17, 2019, in the District of Puerto Rico, defendant Cintrón-Rivera stole 54 firearms from the PRPB, Guayama headquarters. At the time of the theft, defendant Cintrón-Rivera was a police officer in the PRPB. In addition, the defendant was charged with the possession of six of the stolen firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
The investigation revealed that Cintrón-Rivera attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade two individuals to provide false information to federal investigators relevant to the theft, such as Cintrón-Rivera’s whereabouts on the night of the crime. Cintrón-Rivera also attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade a female to provide false information o federal investigators regarding: (a) the nature and duration of their relationship; (b) Cintrón-Rivera’s whereabouts during the timeframe of the theft; (c) the identity of an alleged informant; and (d) communications involving Cintrón-Rivera and her, including payment for an alleged cell phone.
Anyone with any information regarding any of the missing PRPB firearms is encouraged to contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Christopher Robinson, Special Agent in Charge for ATF, made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis A. Valentin was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
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Former Media Producer Sentenced for Extortion and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former media producer was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for extortion and obstruction of justice related to his involvement in a scheme to obtain money in exchange for preventing the release of chat messages involving senior officials in the government of Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, in June 2019, Sixto Jorge Díaz Colón, 54, of San Juan, attempted to extort a public official in the government of Puerto Rico. Díaz Colón attempted to secure a $300,000 payment and other things of value from the official in exchange for the assurance that a third-party would not publicly disclose certain messages containing damaging information about various public officials in the government. When approached by the FBI in July 2019, Díaz Colón deleted messages containing information about his involvement in the scheme before surrendering his cellular telephone to the authorities.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Michael N. Lang of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Myriam Fernández-González for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case. Former PIN Trial Attorney James Pearce, former Trial Attorney Byron Jones of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood for the District of Puerto Rico provided assistance.
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Former Media Producer Sentenced for Extortion and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
A former media producer was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for extortion and obstruction of justice related to his involvement in a scheme to obtain money in exchange for preventing the release of chat messages involving senior officials in the government of Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, in June 2019, Sixto Jorge Díaz Colón, 54, of San Juan, attempted to extort a public official in the government of Puerto Rico. Díaz Colón attempted to secure a $300,000 payment and other things of value from the official in exchange for the assurance that a third-party would not publicly disclose certain messages containing damaging information about various public officials in the government. When approached by the FBI in July 2019, Díaz Colón deleted messages containing information about his involvement in the scheme before surrendering his cellular telephone to the authorities.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Michael N. Lang of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Myriam Fernández-González for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case. Former PIN Trial Attorney James Pearce, former Trial Attorney Byron Jones of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood for the District of Puerto Rico provided assistance.
Félix Verdejo-Sánchez Found Guilty of Kidnapping Resulting in Death, and Intentionally Killing an Unborn ChildRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal jury convicted Félix Verdejo-Sánchez today for federal crimes that arise from the murder of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz on April 29, 2021.
The jury determined, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Félix Verdejo-Sánchez, along with his co-defendant Luis Antonio Cádiz-Martínez, aiding and abetting each other, committed a kidnapping that resulted in the death of Keishla M. Rodríguez Ortiz and her unborn child.
On the morning of April 29, 2021, Félix Verdejo-Sánchez executed a premeditated plan to murder Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz and her unborn child by luring Ms. Rodríguez Ortiz into his Dodge Durango where, with the assistance of Luis Cádiz Martínez, Verdejo punched Ms. Rodríguez Ortiz, injected her with drugs and then tied her with metal wire to a cement block. Mr. Verdejo Sánchez then drove the victim to the Teodoro Moscoso bridge, and, with Cadiz’s assistance, threw Ms. Rodríguez Ortiz into the San José Lagoon. He later jumped into the lagoon in order to finish murdering both victims.
“We stand firmly with the family of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz and all those in the community who sought justice for this senseless, cruel, and heinous act of premeditated and cold-blooded violence against Keishla and her unborn child,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “I also commend the hard work, dedication, and relentless pursuit of justice by federal and local law enforcement, including the FBI, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, the Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute, and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, as well as the prosecutors and professional staff in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“There are damages which cannot ever be repaired, not even by a just verdict,” said FBI San Juan Special Agent in Charge, Joseph González. “In cases such as these, all we can do is give our all in the pursuit of justice. Today, I can say that my team did exactly that, and I am proud of their dedication. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the amazing work and the jury for their service. We did what we do and justice was served.”
Defendant Verdejo-Sánchez faces a mandatory life sentence for each conviction under 18 USC Sections 1201(a)(1) and 1841, respectively. The sentencing was scheduled for November 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm.
The FBI was in charge of the investigation with the close collaboration and support of the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Gottfried, Chief of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette Collazo prosecuted the case.
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Alexis Candelario Santana Convicted at a Retrial of 40 Counts of Drug Trafficking, 9 Murders, and 19 Attempted Murders for the October 2009 La Tómbola Massacre in Toa Baja, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal jury convicted Alexis Candelario Santana today for: violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 8 murders, the murder of an unborn child, 19 attempted murders, drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession. United States District Court Senior Judge Francisco A. Besosa presided over the retrial that commenced on June 20, 2023.
Alexis Candelario Santana, 51, faces life in prison following his conviction of murdering eight people and an unborn child and attempting to murder 19 others during a mass shooting that occurred at a Puerto Rico on Oct. 17, 2009, in what became known as the “La Tómbola Massacre.”
Candelario Santana was convicted of 28 counts of violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, one count of racketeering conspiracy, nine counts of using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
According to the evidence presented at trial, from approximately 1993 through 2003, Candelario Santana was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that operated in the Sabana Seca ward of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The organization purchased drugs in bulk, processed and packaged the drugs, and sold them in Sabana Seca through numerous sellers, runners, and enforcers under Candelario Santana’s direction and control. The organization trafficked in crack, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The members of the organization routinely possessed firearms to protect their drug points. The evidence introduced at trial also established that, between 1995 and 2001, Candelario Santana either personally killed, or ordered others to kill, 13 individuals whom he viewed as threats or as disloyal members of his drug trafficking organization.
Around 2002, Candelario Santana was arrested and charged in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with numerous murders. Initially, Candelario Santana maintained control of the drug trafficking organization from prison with assistance from co-defendant Carmelo Rondón Feliciano, who had taken charge of the drug trafficking organization’s activities. Sometime in 2004 Candelario Santana was marginalized by co‑conspirators Wilfredo Semprit Santana and Rondón Feliciano. On September 25, 2006, however, Rondón Feliciano was arrested and charged in the District of Puerto Rico with federal drug trafficking crimes. These charges stemmed, in part, from Rondón Feliciano’s distribution of narcotics in Sabana Seca. After Rondón Feliciano’s arrest, co‑conspirator Semprit Santana assumed control of the drug trafficking organization in Sabana Seca. According to evidence presented at the second trial, Candelario Santana became infuriated at being removed from power within the drug trafficking organization.
Candelario Santana was released from prison in February 2009. Thereafter, on October 17, 2009, Semprit Santana held a grand opening of a pub he rented in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico called La Tómbola. The event was heavily attended, with people congregating inside and outside the establishment. At approximately 11:50 p.m., Candelario Santana and others, drove to La Tómbola. When they arrived, they immediately opened fire on the patrons outside the establishment. Candelario Santana and others also entered the pub and opened fire on the people inside.
Eight people and an 8-month unborn child were killed because of the gunfire. 19 other victims were also shot and injured. Those killed included Candelario Santana’s godson, Rondón Feliciano’s stepson and Candelario Santana’s cousin. The evidence presented at trial included 335 expended shell-casings recovered from the La Tómbola crime scene. The ballistics evidence established that 17 different firearms were used during the massacre, which included the following calibers: 9 mm, .40, 45, AK-47, and AR-15.
Candelario Santana is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2023.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, made the announcement.
The case was investigated by FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, with the collaboration of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Instituto de Ciencias Forenses; and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Víctor Acevedo-Hernández and Scott Anderson prosecuted the case.
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Federal Grand Jury Indicts 27 Individuals for Roles in a Fraudulent Scheme to Obtain COVID-19 Relief FundsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced the indictment of 27 individuals for their participation in a scheme to illegally obtain federal recovery funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Grand Jury charged the defendants with multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering. The charging documents allege that from April 2020 through July 2023, the defendants and their co-conspirators caused the submission of at least 23 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications seeking the illegal disbursement of at least $458,923 in federal recovery funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Bank 1.
“This is the third round of defendants charged since April 2023 relating to this fraud scheme, and the investigation remains ongoing,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “The EIDL and PPP loans were supposed to benefit those whose legitimate businesses were suffering from losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecution of those who illegally obtain government benefits will continue to be a priority for our office.”
The United States Secret Service, the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department, the Puerto Rico Bureau of Special Investigations, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and the Guaynabo Municipal Police.
According to court documents, defendant Brian Oniel Blassini, together with Manfred A. Pentzke Lemus, a.k.a. “Man/Contable/El Gestor”, Rodolpho R. Pagesy Roussel, a.k.a. “El Banquero”, Augusto A. Lemus Berrios, a.k.a. “Primo”, Jonatan Ben David Prieto Ruiz De Val, a.k.a. “Johnny Millones”, Ligia María Lemus De Pentzke, and others knowingly devised a scheme to defraud the SBA and Bank 1 to obtain federal money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises submitted through applications for EIDL and PPP loans made available to help small businesses recover from the impact of the pandemic through the CARES Act. Pentzke Lemus, Pagesy Roussel, Lemus Berrios, Prieto Ruiz De Val, and Lemus De Pentzke were previously charged in April in a separate indictment.
The defendants are:
[1] Brian Oniel Blassini
[2] Denise Marie Torres Polonio
[3] Rosario Polonio Báez
[4] Isaac Adorno Polonio
[5] Luis Manuel González Blassini
[6] Carlos J. Negrón Flores
[7] Christopher Molina Chévere
[8] Edgar R. Rodríguez Torres
[9] Giovanni Hernández Collazo
[10] Ismael Ramírez Zayas
[11] Jancarlo Morales
[12] Julio Vera De Jesús
[13] Kiara Lee Sierra Bermúdez
[14] Luis Miguel Burgos Dávila
[15] Maximino Vera Rivera
[16] Michael Jovany Pagán Ruiz
[17] Nelson Yadiel Rodríguez Vega
[18] Roberto Argenis Fragoso Negrón
[19] Saúl L. Maldonado Acosta
[20] Homar Javier Horta Torres
[21] Carlos E. Nevárez Correa
[22] Elías Díaz Delgado
[23] Michelle Crespo Blanco
[24] Norberto Torres Colón
[25] Stephanie D. Ruiz Martínez
[26] Victor L. González Barbosa
[27] Yanhzee Puig Maisonet
The CARES Act authorized federal assistance through the issuance of SBA loans to small businesses and non-profit entities that experienced revenue loss due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. The EIDL program was one such loan assistance program for small businesses. To procure the loan, applicants had to fill out an online application detailing operational information for the 12‑month period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the number of employees in the business, the gross business revenues realized, and the cost of goods sold. Another form of assistance provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of United States taxpayer funds in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, such as interest on mortgages, rent and utilities, through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The indictment alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators submitted at least 23 fraudulent EIDL and PPP loan applications containing materially false and fraudulent information and false documents, including false and fictitious tax documents, payroll records, bank records, and identification documents, to procure the disbursement of EIDL and PPP assistance loans by Bank 1. The indictment further alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators directed the recipients of the fraudulently obtained PPP and EIDL loans to remit a portion of the proceeds of the loans to the defendants and their co-conspirators and used the loan proceeds to benefit themselves and others, and to pay for expenses prohibited under the requirements of the EIDL and PPP programs.
The court documents claim that defendant Manfred A. Pentzke Lemus was the principal organizer of the fraudulent scheme and the efforts to launder the proceeds; defendant Rodolpho R. Pagesy Roussel worked at Bank 1 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and used his position to obtain the approval of fraudulent PPP applications; defendant Augusto A. Lemus Berríos assisted in the preparation of fraudulent PPP applications; defendant Jonatan Ben David Prieto Ruiz De Val acted as a money courier and coordinated the delivery of “kickback” payments to further the fraudulent scheme; defendant Ligia María Lemus De Pentzke received “kickback” payments from proceeds of the fraudulent scheme and forwarded them to her co‑conspirators; and defendant Carlos Manfredo Pentzke Chamorro received fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans in furtherance of the conspiracy.
Defendants Brian Oniel Blassini and Homar Javier Horta Torres are facing one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, for knowingly conducting financial transactions involving the proceeds of wire fraud, together with other individuals previously indicted. The defendants, including Brian Oniel Blassini, are also alleged to have recruited other unindicted co-conspirators to not only obtain additional EIDL and PPP loans under false pretenses, but recruit others to submit fraudulent applications.
If convicted, the defendants are facing up to 30 years in prison for the wire fraud counts. Brian Oniel Blassini and Homar Javier Horta Torres are also facing up to 20 years of imprisonment for the money laundering count.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy R. Henwood and Daniel J. Olinghouse.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Task Force Agent ArrestedRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment on Thursday, July 13, 2023, charging Antonio Pizarro Adorno, a Puerto Rico Special Investigations Bureau (“NIE” as known in Spanish) officer assigned to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI), for concealing $170 during a law enforcement seizure.
According to court documents, on April 27, 2023, Pizarro Adorno, took $170 in cash seized by the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), with the intent to impair its integrity and availability for use in an investigation being conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives related to drug trafficking in a community in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Investigating and prosecuting officials who abuse their positions of trust will continue to be a top priority in the Justice Department and this office,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
Pizarro Adorno is scheduled for his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López-Soler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI San Juan Field Office, Public Corruption Unit is investigating the case, with the collaboration of the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Walter Pierluisi Isern, Eduardo Pierluisi Isern, and American Management and Administration Corporation Sentenced for Federal Program Theft in Excess of $3.7 MillionRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico –Today, United States District Court Judge Camille Vélez Rivé sentenced Walter Pierluisi Isern, Eduardo Pierluisi Isern, and American Management and Administration Corporation (AMAC). The defendants pleaded guilty in April to one count of Theft of Federal Program Funds in relation to the misappropriation of operational funds provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the administration of public housing projects (PHPs) in Puerto Rico.
Defendant Walter Pierluisi Isern was sentenced to serve 43 months of imprisonment, two years of supervised release, and to pay the restitution amount of $2,035,498.86, jointly and severally with AMAC. Defendant Eduardo Pierluisi Isern was sentenced to serve 24 months of imprisonment, two years of supervised release, and to pay the restitution amount of $363,202.28, jointly and severally with AMAC. Defendant AMAC was sentenced to 3 years on probation and to pay the restitution amount of $3,712,000.00, jointly and severally with the co-defendants. All restitution amounts are to be paid to the United States.
According to court documents, the defendants were convicted of knowingly and intentionally stealing money from HUD federal assistance programs from 2014 to August 2022 for their own use and the use of others. The total amount of theft was approximately $3,712,000.00.
The defendants admitted in their plea agreements that despite AMAC’s fiduciary obligations, Walter Pierluisi Isern and Eduardo Pierluisi Isern used their executive positions within AMAC to operate a fraudulent scheme designed to circumvent that prohibition. In furtherance of that scheme, they illegally caused operational funds from the federal assistance programs to be routed via corporations and individuals they controlled, all to personally enrich themselves.
As detailed in the proceedings, Walter Pierluisi Isern created contracts for FiveStar Pest Control, Inc. (FiveStar) and CoolBreeze Air Conditioning, Inc. (CoolBreeze) to provide services to PHPs under AMAC’s management. He then caused multiple payments to be made by FiveStar and CoolBreeze to funnel money to Docu Warehouse, Pier Property, and XY Enterprises, companies controlled and owned by Walter Pierluisi Isern. Through this scheme, Walter Pierluisi Isern illegally obtained approximately $2,035,498.86 in HUD funding that was earmarked for PHP operational expenses.
The admissions included the recognition that Eduardo Pierluisi Isern caused checks from FiveStar and CoolBreez to be issued to the names of others, which he then cashed and deposited into his personal bank account for his personal use and benefit. Through this scheme, Eduardo Pierluisi Isern illegally obtained approximately $363,202.28 in HUD funding that was earmarked for PHP operational expenses.
AMAC, through its executives and officials, was convicted of illegally diverting a total of $3,712,000 in HUD funding that was earmarked for PHP operational expenses.
“As today’s sentences demonstrate, those who attempt to defraud federal programs will be held accountable,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The defendants and their company harmed the integrity of a program designed to help underprivileged homeowners. Today’s sentences send a clear message that any time federal dollars are misused and regardless of who steals taxpayer monies, we will work tirelessly to pursue justice.”
“Safeguarding taxpayer funded programs and resources that benefit low-income families in our communities is vital to the success of HUD’s programs,” said HUD OIG Special Agent in Charge, Jerome Winkle. “HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to work closely with Federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies and state and local partners to aggressively investigate those who threaten HUD programs.”
“When unscrupulous individuals scheme to create a contract monopoly, everyone loses,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “The federal government loses because the money, destined to better communities in need, ends up in the pockets of criminals with inflated contract rates. The local government loses because every time federal funds are stolen in this manner; more stringent measures must be implemented to avoid future fraud. But the saddest of losses is the one suffered by the honest entrepreneur. The hard worker with a small maintenance company who puts his savings and the sweat of his brow into his business and doesn’t even get a chance to compete against these criminals for a government contract. The FBI will not allow this to happen without consequence. No one is above the law.”
Their co-defendant, David Vélez Hernández, former Director of Finance for AMAC, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2023.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigated this case with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy is prosecuting the case.
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Four Men Charged in a Superseding Indictment with Conspiring to Launder Funds from Various Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico returned a superseding indictment charging four men with one count of conspiracy to launder funds from wire, mail, and access device fraud schemes. One defendant, Oluwasegun Baiyewu, was previously charged on Oct. 21, 2021.
According to court documents, Oluwaseun Adelekan 40, and Temitope Omotayo, 40, both of Staten Island, New York; Ifeoluwa Dudubo, 37, of Austin, Texas; and Temitope Suleiman, 37, and Oluwasegun Baiyewu, 37, of Richmond, Texas, conspired to launder funds from different international organized fraud schemes, including romance, pandemic relief unemployment insurance fraud, and business email compromise scams. These fraud schemes disproportionately impacted elderly or otherwise vulnerable Americans.
“Fraud that targets seniors is reprehensible, and money laundering networks like the one alleged in this case allow fraudsters to profit from their unlawful schemes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to pursuing investigations and prosecutions of those who victimize the elderly and other vulnerable members of our community.”
“These charges reflect the Department’s ongoing commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold criminals accountable, especially those who prey on vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain steadfast in our resolve to prosecute individuals who target seniors who have been victimized for far too long by individuals who hide in the shadows and in foreign nations to commit their crimes.”
“This case shows what true coordination and teamwork looks like, and it speaks to our Cyber mission to bring risk and consequence to cyber criminals wherever they may be,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “The FBI’s commitment to protect the people and uphold the Constitution is not limited to the subjects' or victims' location. This is only possible thanks to our strong working relationships with our state and federal partners and our FBI colleagues across the nation and the globe. Special thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico for their continued support and our FBI San Antonio and Houston colleagues for their assistance in this investigation.”
The superseding indictment alleges that in 2020 and 2021, the defendants worked together to profit from efforts to “clean” money from scams involving victims, many of whom were older adults, in California, Illinois, Washington, and Nevada, and business email compromise schemes affecting victim companies in Puerto Rico and Missouri. After receiving the proceeds, the defendants or their co-conspirators conducted hundreds of transactions with the funds, including by obtaining cashier’s
checks and money orders, and then using the cashier’s checks and money orders to purchase used cars that were shipped overseas to Nigeria.Adelekan, Baiyewu, Dudubo, Omotayo, and Suleiman are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and Federal Bureau of Investigation San Juan Cyber Task Force are investigating this case, with assistance from the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force supporting the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force teams.
Trial Attorneys Emily C. Powers and Brandon Robers of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edwin G. Mercado for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
The department’s extensive and broad-based efforts to combat elder fraud seek to halt the widespread losses seniors suffer from fraud schemes. The best method for prevention, however, is by sharing information about the various types of elder fraud schemes with relatives, friends, neighbors, and other seniors who can use that information to protect themselves. The agencies involved in this effort urge consumers to be on the lookout for signs someone is trying to recruit them to receive and transmit fraud proceeds. Do not agree to receive money or checks mailed to you or sent to your bank account for someone you have met over the phone or online. Do not open a bank or cryptocurrency account at someone else’s direction. Fraudsters will lie to persuade you to help them. They may falsely tell you that they are helping you get a lottery prize, initiate a purported romantic relationship and then tell you that they need money, or pretend to offer you a job, an opportunity to invest in a business venture, or the chance to help in a charitable effort.
The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for unauthorized debits to their accounts. Regularly check your bank, credit card, and other financial statements and contact your financial institution if you see a charge you do not recognize. Report any fraudulent debit you identify to law enforcement. Reports may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico visit their website at www.justice.gov/usao-pr. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. Information about the Justice Department's COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force is available at www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Four Men Charged in a Superseding Indictment with Conspiring to Launder Funds from Various Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico returned a superseding indictment charging four men with one count of conspiracy to launder funds from wire, mail, and access device fraud schemes. One defendant, Oluwasegun Baiyewu, was previously charged on Oct. 21, 2021.
According to court documents, Oluwaseun Adelekan 40, and Temitope Omotayo, 40, both of Staten Island, New York; Ifeoluwa Dudubo, 37, of Austin, Texas; and Temitope Suleiman, 37, and Oluwasegun Baiyewu, 37, of Richmond, Texas, conspired to launder funds from different international organized fraud schemes, including romance, pandemic relief unemployment insurance fraud, and business email compromise scams. These fraud schemes disproportionately impacted elderly or otherwise vulnerable Americans.
“Fraud that targets seniors is reprehensible, and money laundering networks like the one alleged in this case allow fraudsters to profit from their unlawful schemes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to pursuing investigations and prosecutions of those who victimize the elderly and other vulnerable members of our community.”
“These charges reflect the Department’s ongoing commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold criminals accountable, especially those who prey on vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain steadfast in our resolve to prosecute individuals who target seniors who have been victimized for far too long by individuals who hide in the shadows and in foreign nations to commit their crimes.”
“Cases like this demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to protecting the American people and defending them against financial fraud schemes,” said Executive Assistant Director Tim Langan of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch. “The FBI will continue to hold anyone accountable who seeks to exploit vulnerable Americans, including the elderly.”
The superseding indictment alleges that in 2020 and 2021, the defendants worked together to profit from efforts to “clean” money from scams involving victims, many of whom were older adults, in California, Illinois, Washington, and Nevada, and business email compromise schemes affecting victim companies in Puerto Rico and Missouri. After receiving the proceeds, the defendants or their co-conspirators conducted hundreds of transactions with the funds, including by obtaining cashier’s checks and money orders, and then using the cashier’s checks and money orders to purchase used cars that were shipped overseas to Nigeria.
Adelekan, Baiyewu, Dudubo, Omotayo, and Suleiman are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and FBI San Juan Cyber Task Force are investigating this case, with assistance from the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force supporting the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force teams.
Trial Attorneys Emily C. Powers and Brandon Robers of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edwin G. Mercado for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico visit their website at www.justice.gov/usao-pr. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. Information about the Justice Department's COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force is available at www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Improve Public Sidewalk Accessibility for People with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department filed a proposed stipulated order that will require the Municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to take critical steps towards making its public sidewalk system accessible to individuals with disabilities. The proposed order was filed jointly with the municipality and private plaintiffs and pauses the department’s lawsuit against the municipality while requiring it to conduct a comprehensive assessment of sidewalk accessibility and to begin fixing accessibility barriers. The lawsuit alleges that San Juan has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) by failing to provide people with disabilities equal access to the municipality’s sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks and other pedestrian facilities.
“City sidewalks must be accessible so that people with disabilities can equally participate in community life and enjoy the many benefits that come from being able to safely navigate city streets and sidewalks,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This stipulated order puts San Juan on the path to making its public sidewalks accessible and we will continue working with San Juan to ensure it follows that path to its conclusion and achieves full program access.”
“We are heartened by San Juan’s willingness to commit significant resources to start addressing the accessibility of its public sidewalk system,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “The municipality’s investment and ongoing efforts will benefit all of its citizens and will help ensure that people with disabilities who live in or visit San Juan can enjoy all that the city has to offer.”
Under the proposed order, which requires court approval, San Juan will hire an outside accessibility consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the municipality’s public sidewalk system to identify barriers to people with mobility disabilities. San Juan will also create a process for individuals to report barriers and to request installation or repair of curb ramps or sidewalks. The information gathered through the assessment and barrier reporting process will provide the basis for the parties to negotiate a final resolution of the lawsuit.
In addition, San Juan will provide training on the ADA Accessibility Standards to municipal employees who supervise construction, repair, or maintenance work related to the public sidewalk system. San Juan will retain independent licensed architects and engineers to verify that any construction or alterations related to the public sidewalk system comply with the ADA Accessibility Standards. Whenever the municipality repaves or resurfaces roads, it will provide compliant curb ramps at any intersection with a sidewalk. San Juan will also post its ADA Notice, ADA Grievance Procedure, and ADA Coordinator contact information in an accessible format on the municipality’s website.
This matter is being handled by the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto.
The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report.
Leader of Drug Trafficking Gang 65 INC. Found GuiltyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal jury convicted Joseph E. Pérez-González, a/k/a “Peca/Stripper” for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and firearms violations. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), San Juan and Carolina Strike Forces, and the United States Marshals Service investigated the case.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Joseph E. Pérez-González, a/k/a “Peca/Stripper” was the leader of a drug trafficking organization called 65 Inc. which distributed cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), heroin, cocaine, marihuana, Oxycodone (Percocet), and Alprazolam (Xanax) in the Jardines del Paraíso, Jardines de Monte Hatillo, Las Dalias, Monte Park, Jardines de Campo Rico, San Martín, Jardines de Country Club, Ernesto Ramos Antonini, La Esmeralda, and Nuestra Señora de Covadonga Public Housing Projects, Los Claveles Condominium, and Buen Consejo Ward between the years 2015 to 2021.
65 Inc. used violence (including murders) and intimidation to maintain control of the Public Housing Projects to control the drug trafficking in those areas. 65 Inc. distributed hundreds of kilograms of crack, cocaine, marihuana and heroin during the course of the conspiracy.
Of the 55 co-defendants, 8 remain fugitives, 2 were arrested in May 2023, and the rest pleaded guilty.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Christopher Robinson, Special Agent in Charge for ATF Miami Field Division made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pedro Casablanca and Joseph Russell prosecuted the case.
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Former Mayor of Aguas Buenas Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The former mayor of the municipality of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, Javier García-Pérez, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments in exchange for the awarding of municipal contracts and the payment of invoices related to those contracts.
García-Pérez, 47, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to one count of conspiracy to engage in a bribery scheme. According to court documents and statements made in connection with his plea and sentencing, García-Pérez was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Aguas Buenas from 2017 until 2022. Starting in 2017, García-Pérez, was involved in a bribery conspiracy in which he received and accepted cash payments from two businessmen in exchange for awarding municipal contracts for waste disposal services, asphalt and paving services, and debris removal and paying outstanding invoices on the contracts. Specifically, García-Pérez received at least $32,000 in cash payments from August 2020 through September 2021 from the two businessmen. In addition to the term of imprisonment, the defendant was sentenced to two years of supervised release.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbe, Chief of the Public Corruption and Financial Fraud Section for the District of Puerto Rico, are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott H. Anderson for the District of Puerto Rico assisted in the investigation.
These cases are part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat public corruption by municipal officials in Puerto Rico. In addition to the above matters, the Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico have recently obtained convictions against other former public officials and contractors in the District of Puerto Rico for soliciting and accepting bribes related to municipal contracts. See United States v. Félix Delgado-Montalvo, 21-463 (RAM); United States v. Oscar Santamaria-Torres, 21-464 (RAM); United States v. Raymond Rodríguez, 21-465 (RAM); United States v. Mario Villegas-Vargas, 21-468 (FAB); See United States v. Ángel Pérez-Otero, 21-474 (ADC); United States v. Radamés Benítez-Cardona, 21-475 (PAD); United States v. Luis Arroyo-Chiques, 21-485 (SCC); United States v. Eduardo Cintron-Suarez, 22-151 (SCC); United States v. Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 22-186 (PAD); United States v. Ramon Conde-Melendez, 22-221 (PAD); United States v. Pedro Miranda-Marrero, 22-251 (RAM); United States v. Jose Cruz-Cruz, 22-276 (SCC); and United States Jose Bou-Santiago, 22-379 (ADC).
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40 Members of a Violent Gang Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations in San Juan, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On June 8, 2023, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 40 violent gang members from the municipality of San Juan with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. This investigation was led by the FBI San Juan Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the FBI San Juan, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), the San Juan Municipal Police, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the Puerto Rico Treasury Department (Hacienda), the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of the Inspector General (HUD-OIG), the Carolina Municipal Police Department, and the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections (PRDOC).
The FBI wants to thank the DEA San Juan Office, the PRPB San Juan Strike Force and the PRPB San Juan Homicide Division for their assistance in this investigation and the Guaynabo Municipal Police, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Marshals Service for their collaboration during the arrests.
“Violent gangs wreak havoc on our communities, engaging in bloody street wars and selling dangerous drugs that devastate communities and families,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “As today’s announcement demonstrates, the United States Justice Department continues to deploy its resources and expertise in close coordination with our law enforcement partners to target violent criminals and hold gang members accountable for their crimes.”
“Violent gangs are a real threat to public safety and this particular gang was among the most violent Puerto Rico has ever seen. The leaders of this organization acted with a complete disregard for authority and human life and caused much harm to the communities in which they operated,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, Joseph González. “Our commitment to the people of Puerto Rico has been and will continue to be bringing these violent criminals to justice so they can have peace in their communities. As always, the contributions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, as well as those of our federal and local law enforcement partners, were instrumental in disrupting this dangerous criminal enterprise and we remain thankful for their support to the FBI mission.”
The indictment alleges that from 2015 to June 8, 2023, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), cocaine, marihuana, Fentanyl, Oxycodone (Percocet), and Alprazolam (Xanax) within 1,000 feet of the Manuel A. Pérez, the Alejandrino, and the Los Laureles Public Housing Projects (PHPs), and other areas nearby, as well as the San Isidro ward in the Municipality of Canóvanas, all for significant financial gain and profit.
The investigation revealed that during the conspiracy the defendants and their co-conspirators would tattoo their arms with gang symbols as evidence of their allegiance to the organization. For example: members of the organization would get a “1500” tattoo to indicate their allegiance to “Los Mil Quinientos.” A selected group of leaders and enforcers, highly trusted by the leadership of the organization, were also permitted to get tattoos with the phrase “STARS INC”, to identify their heightened status to other members of the organization.
As part of the conspiracy, the defendants used abandoned apartments in the Public Housing Projects to prepare the drugs for distribution at the drug points and procured access to many vehicles to transport money, narcotics, and firearms. For that purpose, the co‑conspirators would steal cars or buy stolen cars from others to use in furtherance of the drug trafficking activities. Some of the defendants sold drugs in the presence of minors.
The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, to wit: leaders/suppliers, enforcers, runners, sellers, lookouts, and facilitators. The members of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to maintain control of the areas in which they operated. The defendants charged in the indictment are:
[1] Orlando Carmona Serrano, a.k.a. “Barber/Bar/Capi/Orlan”
[2] Miguel Ángel Santiago Laiz, a.k.a. “Miguelito/Enano”
[3] Victor Rafael Molina Santos, a.k.a. “Father/Cano/Alka/El Cano/Arka”
[4] Félix Benjamín Sánchez Valles, a.k.a. “Goldi/Gordi/Goldy/Tuco/El Manco”
[5] Lloyd David Guzmán Ortiz, a.k.a. “Pumo”
[6] Carmelo Estarella Carmona, a.k.a. “Melo”
[7] Marlon Laguna Santos, a.k.a. “Fuji”
[8] Joseph Manuel Molina Santos, a.k.a. “Bloke/Bloque”
[9] Gregory Lee Matías Gutiérrez, a.k.a. “Pinki/Pinky”
[10] Israel García Ojeda, a.k.a. “Dientes”
[11] Jamisael Jiménez Pérez, a.k.a. “Misa”
[12] Gilberto Jiménez Estrada, a.k.a. “Pichu”
[13] Michael X. Miranda Santiago, a.k.a. “Boqui/Boki”
[14] Jonathan Franqui Robles, a.k.a. “El Malcri/Gatito”
[15] Luis Ángel Crespo Rivera, a.k.a. “Luisin/Chiwi/Chegui”
[16] Luis Yerier Jorge Pabón, a.k.a. “Lento”
[17] Luis Jaffet Díaz Santana, a.k.a. “Piki”
[18] John Anthony Cruz Ramírez, a.k.a. “Cerebro”
[19] Francisco Javier Carrillo Hernaiz, a.k.a. “Polvo/Polvorón/Pelotero/Tito”
[20] Stephenn Dwight Nazario Santiago, a.k.a. “Curry”
[21] Ricardo José Rivera Ortiz, a.k.a. “Chiringa/Chiri”
[22] Juan Ramón Martínez Casanova, a.k.a. “Mota”
[23] Jesús Manuel Crespo Rivera, a.k.a. “Maco”
[24] Nelson Omar Díaz Zambrana, a.k.a. “Sopa”
[25] Luis Rafael Colón Feliciano, a.k.a. “Bichotito”
[26] Miguel Ángel Forteza Ramos, a.k.a. “Migue”
[27] Gregori Gil Colón Colón, a.k.a. “Yoyo”
[28] Jose M. Cotto Velázquez, a.k.a. “Cándido/Negro”
[29] Malik Jordan Walrond León, a.k.a. “King”
[30] Ángel Manuel Peña Méndez, a.k.a. “Peña El Armero”
[31] Julio Cesar Sarit Valle, a.k.a. “Bebito”
[32] Juan Manuel González Ayala, a.k.a. “Goza/Gozando”
[33] Guillermo Jesús Valdez Mari, a.k.a. “Chicha”
[34] Kevin Anthony Ortiz Reyes, a.k.a. “Teta/Terembloko/Terrembloko”
[35] Nelson Martínez Montañez, a.k.a. “El Viejo/Karen”
[36] Steven Cancel Carmona, a.k.a. “Doble”
[37] Jean Carlos Rosario Brito, a.k.a. “Yomo”
[38] Johnuel Rosario Cotto, a.k.a. “Picua/Karen”
[39] Héctor Manuel Sánchez Rivera, a.k.a. “El Ñeco/Bemba/Boca”
[40] Jefferson Díaz Mota, a.k.a. “Barbie/Barbie Mota”
Twenty-nine (29) defendants are facing one charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Counts seven, eight and nine charge three different murders that occurred during the conspiracy.
Count seven charges defendants [1] Orlando Carmona Serrano, [5] Lloyd David Guzmán Ortiz, [7] Marlon Laguna Santos, and [9] Gregory Lee Matías Gutiérrez for the murder of W.L.A. on January 9, 2015, by shooting him with a firearm willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation.
Count eight charges [3] Victor Rafael Molina Santos and [7] Marlon Laguna Santos for the murder of W.X.M.G. through the use of a firearm on April 22, 2015.
Count nine charges [1] Orlando Carmona Serrano, [3] Victor Rafael Molina Santos, [7] Marlon Laguna Santos, [8] Joseph Manuel Molina Santos, and [9] Gregory Lee Matías Gutiérrez for the murder of M.J.P.R. on September 7, 2015.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort, Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares, AUSAs Damaré Theriot and Pedro Casablanca, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Romo Aledo from the Puerto Rico Department of Justice are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. All defendants are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $38,000,000 and a property in Campo Rico Urbanization in Sabana Llana ward in San Juan, PR, which was currently being operated as “La Casa Roja” AirBnB.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Addresses Latin American Judges at Justice Department’s Judicial Studies InstituteRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Yesterday at the Judicial Studies Institute (JSI) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor virtually addressed 22 judges from Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Peru as part of a Department of Justice training program for the judiciaries of the Western Hemisphere. Justice Sotomayor stressed the importance of their contribution to the rule of law in the hemisphere and lauded them for their role in the transformation of Latin American justice.
JSI Program Manager Vivian Durieux Rodriguez (third row, far right, standing), Dean of Interamerican University School of Law Julio Fontanet (third row, first on the far left), and JSI Program Analyst Suzette Escamilla Morales (second row, far right, standing) with the 22 participant judges during the special session.
With the support of Justice Sotomayor, and in partnership with the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Justice Department’s Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) launched JSI in 2012 as a response to the wave of justice sector reforms in Latin America that saw many countries transition from an inquisitorial to an adversarial system of justice. Through Spanish instruction, practical exercises, and observations of courtroom proceedings, participating judges learned about evidentiary guidelines, the role of judges, courtroom management in an adversarial justice system, human smuggling, and judging without gender bias, among other important topics.
This capacity building is critical to the region as there are significant differences between the two judicial system models. For example, in an inquisitorial system, judges investigate charges and determine guilt through written deliberations behind closed doors. In an adversarial system, the judge acts as an impartial referee responsible for weighing evidence and guaranteeing the rights of both the victim and the accused in an open courtroom setting. JSI offers judges practical skills, and JSI alumni become agents of change within their judiciary. Many have been able to impart what they have learned through trainings within their own judiciary system and at OPDAT-sponsored events.
Since establishing JSI in 2012, OPDAT and its partners at the University of Puerto Rico and Inter-American University law schools, the Puerto Rico State Judiciary, and the U.S. Federal Judiciary have trained over 1,114 Latin American judges.
Please visit www.justice.gov/criminal-opdat for more information about OPDAT’s capacity building efforts around the world.
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Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Role in Identity Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A foreign national pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to sell identity documents belonging to U.S. citizens to undocumented noncitizens and others residing within the United States without lawful authority.
According to court documents, Manuel Ruiz-Aguilera, 44, of Mexico, and his co-conspirators sold government-issued identity documents, including Government of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates and corresponding U.S. social security cards, to undocumented noncitizens residing within the United States. Ruiz-Aguilera sold the documents to undocumented noncitizens so they could assume the identities of U.S. citizens, and/or fraudulently apply for other identity documents in that person’s name in order to reside in the United States. Ruiz-Aguilera and his co-conspirators knew these documents pertained to real people.
Ruiz-Aguilera was arrested in Mexico in February 2022 pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition. In March 2023, he was extradited to Puerto Rico.
Ruiz-Aguilera pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit identification fraud by possessing, producing, and transferring identification documents. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 29. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Tae D. Johnson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement.
The charges are the result of Operation Island Express, an ongoing, nationally-coordinated investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) offices in Chicago, in coordination with HSI San Juan. The Illinois Secretary of State Police; Elgin, Illinois, Police Department; Seymour, Indiana, Police Department; and Indiana State Police provided substantial assistance. The HSI Assistant Attaché office in the Dominican Republic and International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2), as well as various ICE, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, DSS, and IRS-CI offices around the country, provided invaluable assistance.
Trial Attorneys Frank Rangoussis and Marie Zisa of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Anderson for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with prosecutors to prepare the extradition request for Ruiz-Aguilera. The department thanks the Government of Mexico for their assistance in arresting and extraditing Ruiz-Aguilera.
Potential victims and the public may obtain information about the case at www.justice.gov/criminal/vns/caseup/beltrerj.html. Anyone who believes their identity may have been compromised in relation to this investigation or who may have information about particular crimes in this case should call the ICE toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or use its online tip form at www.ice.gov/tipline.
Anyone who believes that they have been a victim of identity theft, or wants information about preventing identity theft, may obtain helpful information and complaint forms on various government websites including the Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft. Additional resources regarding identity theft can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/pubs/ID_theft/idtheft.html, www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html, and www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=186436,00.html.
Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Role in Identity Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A foreign national pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to sell identity documents belonging to U.S. citizens to undocumented noncitizens and others residing within the United States without lawful authority.
According to court documents, Manuel Ruiz-Aguilera, 44, of Mexico, and his co-conspirators sold government-issued identity documents, including Government of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates and corresponding U.S. social security cards, to undocumented noncitizens residing within the United States. Ruiz-Aguilera sold the documents to undocumented noncitizens so they could assume the identities of U.S. citizens, and/or fraudulently apply for other identity documents in that person’s name in order to reside in the United States. Ruiz-Aguilera and his co-conspirators knew these documents pertained to real people.
Ruiz-Aguilera was arrested in Mexico in February 2022 pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition. In March 2023, he was extradited to Puerto Rico.
Ruiz-Aguilera pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit identification fraud by possessing, producing, and transferring identification documents. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 29. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Tae D. Johnson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement.
The charges are the result of Operation Island Express, an ongoing, nationally-coordinated investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) offices in Chicago, in coordination with HSI San Juan. The Illinois Secretary of State Police; Elgin, Illinois, Police Department; Seymour, Indiana, Police Department; and Indiana State Police provided substantial assistance. The HSI Assistant Attaché office in the Dominican Republic and International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2), as well as various ICE, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, DSS, and IRS-CI offices around the country, provided invaluable assistance.
Trial Attorneys Frank Rangoussis and Marie Zisa of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Anderson for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with prosecutors to prepare the extradition request for Ruiz-Aguilera. The department thanks the Government of Mexico for their assistance in arresting and extraditing Ruiz-Aguilera.
Potential victims and the public may obtain information about the case at www.justice.gov/criminal/vns/caseup/beltrerj.html. Anyone who believes their identity may have been compromised in relation to this investigation or who may have information about particular crimes in this case should call the ICE toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or use its online tip form at www.ice.gov/tipline.
Anyone who believes that they have been a victim of identity theft, or wants information about preventing identity theft, may obtain helpful information and complaint forms on various government websites including the Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft. Additional resources regarding identity theft can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/pubs/ID_theft/idtheft.html, www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html, and www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=186436,00.html.
Canóvanas Man Indicted for Production of Child Pornography and Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced that Christopher Joel Rabell-Pineiro, a 25-year-old man from Canóvanas was indicted on counts of production of child pornography and child exploitation.
Pursuant to the allegations in the indictment, Rabell-Pineiro used his cell phone and internet instant messaging services from November 2021 through March 2022 to use and coerce a 12-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that sexual conduct and transmitting the images in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2422(b) and 2251(a) and (e).
The charges of coercion and enticement under Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b), carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life. The sentences on a conviction for Production of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a), vary from 15 years to life depending on the enhancements set out in Section 2251(e).
On May 31, 2023, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Rabell-Pineiro with counts of production of child pornography and child exploitation and he was arrested on June 6, 2023. These charges resulted from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Juan along with the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF) during which materials used for the production and distribution of child pornography were seized from the defendant.
HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos explained that: “the diligent and extensive investigative work by our special agents led to the identification and prosecution of this defendant who will face the consequences for his actions. He will now have to answer for the crimes for which he is charged.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains steadfastly committed to prosecuting those who violate federal laws regarding child endangerment,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, along with our federal, state and local partners, are committed to protecting children from those who would seek to exploit them.”
HSI and the PRCACTF conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Emelina Agrait, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting this case.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians, and to denounce suspicious activities call 787-729-6969.
Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Bayamón Psychologist Sentenced to 19 years and 7 months of Imprisonment for the Attempted Coercion and Enticement of Two Minor FemalesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico announced that this afternoon psychologist Samuel Pérez-Figueroa was sentenced to 235 months of imprisonment, equivalent to 19 years and 7 months, by Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for the attempted coercion and enticement of two minor females. Pérez-Figueroa will also have to serve an additional 6 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender.
Pursuant to the facts admitted by Perez-Figueroa as part of his plea agreement, he used a cellular telephone and internet instant messaging capabilities from October through November 2021 to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce two female minors, a 15-year-old and an 11-year-old, to engage in illegal sexual activity. Perez-Figueroa used his cellular phone to solicit sexually explicit images from two minors he was contracted to provide mental health services to. Chief Judge Arias indicated during the sentencing hearing that this crime was particularly disgraceful because Perez-Figueroa abused his position of trust as a psychologist. Instead of being a source of comfort for his patients, he chose to traumatize these minor victims.
The FBI conducted the investigation and Assistant United States Attorney and Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, Jenifer Y. Hernández-Vega, prosecuted the charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI encourage other victims of sexual extortion to report this type of criminal behavior. If you or anyone you know has been the victim or a witness to this or any other federal crime, please call (787) 987-6500 or visit tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
###Project LEAD Graduates 47 Students in the Municipality of Toa AltaRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– This week, a total of 47 students from the Alejandro Jr. Cruz Elementary School and the José Pablo Morales Miranda Middle School in Toa Alta graduated from the Project LEAD school program in a ceremony held in U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. In January of 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico began a 20-week school curriculum in both schools. The curriculum focused on the legal and social consequences of juvenile crimes and included techniques to help students resolve conflicts and resist peer pressure. Assistant United States Attorney Dennise Longo Quiñones, Chief of the Public Affairs and Community Engagement Division was the facilitator in charge of leading the weekly sessions with the students.
Project LEAD (Legal Enrichment and Decision-making) was established in 1993 by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Constitutional Rights Foundation. Its goal is to teach children that the choices they make today can affect their lives forever. An evaluation of the program conducted by Bernadette Chi, PhD and Ellen Middaugh, M.A. of the University of California, Berkley showed that Project LEAD provides:
- Protective factors that decrease students’ propensity to become involved in negative and illegal activities.
- An increase in students’ knowledge about the legal system.
- An increase in positive dispositions, for example: Confidence in their own decision-making capacities; Attitudes about the legal system; and Attitudes about authority.
The USAO launched the program in two public schools in Loíza in December of 2020. The USAO translated the Project LEAD program into the Spanish language and tailored the curriculum to focus on situations that youth in the District of Puerto Rico are likely to encounter. The 20-week curriculum focuses on the social and legal consequences of juvenile crimes, such as truancy, illicit drug use, shoplifting, graffiti, animal abuse, and bullying. Project LEAD also teaches students techniques to resolve conflicts, resist peer pressure, promote tolerance and respect for diversity, and the role of education to achieve economic stability. Students also learn about the federal and state judicial systems, including how each operates, and the roles played by prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and defendants in the litigation process. The curriculum concludes with the students’ performance of a scripted mock trial, putting into practice what they have learned about the criminal justice system.
United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow stated: “We are grateful for the schools and the parents who trusted the USAO personnel along with other state and federal law enforcement agencies to provide the students with the skills and experience to evaluate challenging situations and help them make good decisions. We are looking forward to expanding our Project LEAD with the participation of the personnel from the Proyecto de Seguridad y Educación para el Desarrollo de la Niñez who have adopted our program and will continue to work along with us to continue with our project throughout Puerto Rico.”
This Project was possible with the collaboration of many federal and state agencies. Special thanks to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico; the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico; the Federal Public Defender; the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Council; the PR Department of Justice; the PR Department of Public Safety; the PR Department of Education, in particular, the personnel at the Bayamón Regional Office; the PR Police Bureau; the PR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Administration of Juvenile Institutions; the PR Department of Natural and Environmental Resources; and personnel from the US Attorney’s Office.
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Six Individuals Indicted and Arrested for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Fraud and the Misuse of Social Security NumbersRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – On May 17, 2023, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned six separate indictments charging six individuals with engaging in fraud to obtainPandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits totaling $350,616, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Various federal agencies were involved in the investigations, including the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the assistance of the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
According to the indictments, the defendants engaged in schemes to defraud the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources (Departamento del Trabajo y Recursos Humanos, “DTRH”) by submitting fraudulent applications to obtain unemployment insurance benefits which contained PUA funds.
The defendants charged are: (1) Roberto J. Hernández Rivera, who fraudulently obtained $103,422; (2) Jeremy Sánchez Rivera, who fraudulently obtained $87,972; (3) Axel J. Pagán Rodríguez, who fraudulently obtained $86,772; (4) Ednier Torres-Burgos, who fraudulently obtained $34,956; (5) Eli Eteniel Correa Fernández, who fraudulently obtained $19,380; and (6) Nomar J. Mimbs Machiavelo, who fraudulently obtained $18,114.
“As our COVID-19 fraud prosecutions demonstrate, we continue to investigate these cases. Those who seek to make “easy” money by stealing federal funds from the government should take heed that there are consequences to your actions,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow.
“Operation Chango emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our federal and state partners, reinforcing the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s mission of protecting the public and preventing the criminal misuse of our mail system.” said Miami Division Postal Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas.
“This violation is not new. At this point, it is common knowledge that many thought they could take advantage of a global crisis and make additional income by breaking the law. This was never the case, it isn’t the case now and it will never be the case,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, Joseph González. “No matter how long it takes, the FBI and our state and federal partners, will continue to investigate these cases to bring these criminals to Justice. So if you, or anyone you know has been a witness to this crime, you should report it by calling (787) 987-6500 or leaving a tip online by visiting tips.FBI.gov. To those who know they’ve broken the law, it’s best you reach out to us before we reach out to you.”
Under the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, persons who were business owners, self-employed workers, independent contractors, or gig workers qualified for federal benefits administered by the DTRH if they previously performed such work in Puerto Rico and were unemployed, partially unemployed, unable to work, or unavailable to work due to a COVID-19 related reason. To obtain these federal benefits, individuals could apply online through the DTRH’s web site—www.trabajo.pr.gov. Claimants answered various questions to establish their eligibility and were required to provide personal identifying information, which included their name, mailing address, gender, email, phone number, social security number, and date of birth. Moreover, claimants had to identify a qualifying occupational status and COVID-19 related reason for being out of work. In their application, claimants could also submit several documents as evidence of their income.
If the DTRH approved a claimant’s application, the DTRH would send a check to the claimant via the United States Postal Service for qualified benefits which could contain regular unemployment insurance benefits and federal funds in the form of PUA, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits.
The indictments charge the six individuals with theft of government money in PUA benefits, mail fraud and the misuse of Social Security numbers. The defendants engaged in deceptive conduct designed to fraudulently obtain multiple unemployment checks via mail from the DTRH by using false social security numbers.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vanessa D. Bonano Rodríguez and R. Vance Eaton are in charge of the prosecution of these cases. If convicted, the defendants are facing the following sentences: 20 years of imprisonment for mail fraud and 10 years of imprisonment for theft of government money; a fine of up to $250,000; and three years of supervised release.
To report a COVID-19-related fraud scheme or suspicious activity, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling the NCDF Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
The indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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