District of Puerto Rico
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Media Producer Convicted of Extortion and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Puerto Rican man today of 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 and evidence presented at trial, Sixto Jorge Díaz Colón, 54, of San Juan, attempted to extort a public official in the Government of Puerto Rico in June 2019. Díaz Colón attempted to secure a $300,000 payment and other things of value from the official in exchange for the assurance that certain Telegram chat messages containing damaging information about various public officials in the government would not be disclosed publicly. 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.
Díaz Colón was convicted in the District of Puerto Rico of one count of attempted extortion, one count of interstate extortion, and one count of obstruction of justice. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the top counts. 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, 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 are prosecuting the case. Former PIN Trial Attorney James Pearce and Trial Attorney Byron Jones of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section also provided assistance.
HSI San Juan Arrests 3 Men on Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – In three separate cases, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents with the support of the Puerto Rico Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau arrested three men charged with production of child pornography, transportation of minors to engage in sexual criminal acts, coercion and enticement of minors and possession of child pornography, respectively.
According to court documents, from on or about July 2021 through on or about May 9, 2022, Fredis Cruz-Bonilla, 41, of San Juan, did knowingly persuade, induce, and coerce a female minor who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in sexual activity for which a defendant could be charged with a criminal offense under the laws of the Unites States of America and Puerto Rico. Cruz-Bonilla was also charged with possession of child pornography.
In an unrelated case, HSI special agents arrested Luis E. Ojeda-Peña, 37, of San Juan. According to the indictment, from on or about July 9, 2022, through on or about August 2, 2022, Ojeda-Peña did knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a nine-year-old minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
In another case, HSI special agents arrested religious leader José Bermudez-Soler, 42, of Adjuntas. According to the indictment, from in or about June 2021 to in or about January 2022, the defendant persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a 14-year-old female minor to engage in sexual activity for which Defendant could be charged with a criminal offense. The indictment indicates that in July 2021, the defendant transported the female minor with the intent that the minor engage in sexual activity. The indictment also charges Bermudez-Soler with attempted production of child pornography.
Assistant United States Attorney Daynelle Álvarez, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting these cases.
“The sexual abuse of children is intolerable in civilized society, and victimizes the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We are committed to bringing the defendants in these cases to justice and protecting every child. I would like to thank the agents and state and local partners who are relentless in their pursuit of child predators.”
“HSI San Juan’s priority is to protect our children from sexual predators,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Rebecca C. González Ramos “We will continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to identify, arrest and prosecute those who in the cruelest manner steal the innocence of our children.”
HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crimes and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse and help make the internet a safer place for children.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians.
If convicted, defendant Cruz-Bonilla faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison; Ojeda-Peña faces a mandatory minimum 15 years and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison; and Bermudez-Soler faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison. Defendants convicted of these crimes also face, after serving their term of imprisonment, an additional mandatory supervised release term of 5 years up to life and would be required to register in the Sexual Offender Registry. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations 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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Individual Sentenced to 262 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Minors via the Internet and Social Media ApplicationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On January 20, 2023, United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado sentenced Ryan Yared Ortiz-Pérez to 21 years and 10 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release for production of child pornography and for soliciting and receiving the child exploitation material via the internet and social media applications. Ortiz-Pérez was charged in a federal Indictment on May 13, 2021 and plead guilty on August 3, 2022.
According to court documents, from December 2020 to February 2021, Ryan Yared Ortiz-Pérez, used, induced, enticed, and coerced seven identified male minors, ranging from 12 to 16 years of age, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The defendant, posing as a female, communicated in a sexually explicit manner with the male minors via a profile in Instagram and solicited and received the sexually explicit images from the male victims via chats. Defendant used those images to further demand and coerce the male minors to send more explicit images under the threat of publicizing the images in social media if the minors did not comply.
Enticing and coercing minors to send sexually explicit images of themselves is a serious federal offense. The production of child pornography material has a statutory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment and the coercion and enticement of minors via the internet and social media applications to engage in illegal sexual conduct, which includes the production of the sexually explicit images, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment up to life.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity by contacting HSI at 787-729-6969; through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE; or by completing its online tip form.
United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Rebecca C. González-Ramos, made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández-Vega, Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, prosecuted the case.
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Man Sentenced to 262 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach sentenced Aníbal Joel Burgos-Vargas to 21 years and 10 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Burgos-Vargas was indicted on November 17, 2021 and plead guilty on October 17, 2022.
According to court documents, from October 2020 to October 2021, Aníbal Joel Burgos-Vargas, 27 years old, transported and sexually assaulted a male minor when between the ages of 9 and 10. The defendant used a cellular phone to record the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
“The defendant engaged in devastating acts of sexual exploitation against a defenseless child and produced videos of his sexual abuse for his personal gratification. Child pornography and exploitation are intolerable crimes committed against children, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue our commitment to prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
“This sentencing is a clear message to those individuals that are considering harming our children, HSI agents work long hours investigating these heinous crimes,” stated Rebecca C. González-Ramos, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations. “It is our responsibility as a society to come together and protect our children.”
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández-Vega, Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, prosecuted the case.
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Individual Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Laundering Unemployment Benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FundsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – Martín Scamaroni-Cintrón was sentenced on January 18, 2023 by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado-Colón to 30 months in prison for laundering Unemployment Benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Funds from his bank account in Puerto Rico.
Scamaroni-Cintrón pleaded guilty on November 15, 2022 to sixteen violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1596(a)(1)(B)(i) and admitted to withdrawing in excess of $87,000 in fraudulently obtained funds from his bank account from September 2020 to December 2021. As alleged in the Indictment, the funds were fraudulently obtained from the Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program from multiple states as well as the proceeds of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans that he was not qualified and authorized to receive. The applications for Unemployment Insurance UI and PUA were fraudulently submitted in the names of other persons, who never applied for UI and PUA benefits or SBA loans, but the applications utilized the defendant’s bank account and routing numbers.
Scamaroni-Cintrón was also ordered to pay restitution to all the agencies involved in his scheme:
- SBA- $204,800.00
- Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services- $51,543.00
- Maine Department of Labor- $10,295.00
- Arizona Department of Jobs and Family Services- $13,257.00
- Washington State Employment Security Department- $10,710.00
- Illinois Department of Employment Security- $71,078.00
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), and the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA) Victor Acevedo and Manuel Muñiz Lorenzi handled the prosecution of the case.
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
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Federal Agent Arrested for Receiving Gratuity and Making False StatementRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment on Friday January 13, 2023, charging Javier Delgado-Padín, a special agent of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, with receiving and accepting something of value in exchange for him performing his official duties and making a false statement.
According to court documents, in March of 2020, Delgado-Padín, a federal agent with approximately 19 years of service, accepted money because of his assistance with the immigration status of F.A. in the United States, who was a national of the Dominican Republic residing in the United States.
Count two of the indictment alleges that, in September of 2018, the defendant willfully and knowingly made a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement in a loan application submitted to the Federal Employee Retirement Thrift Savings Plan (known as the TSP) by stating and representing he was not married in a loan application for approximately $49,140, when he knew he was legally married at the time, which required his spouse’s consent to receive a loan from his TSP account.
“Investigating and prosecuting government officials who abuse their positions of trust to receive illegal gifts and gratuities or who commit fraud 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.
“DHS OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively investigate allegations of corruption to protect our borders and the integrity of DHS personnel, programs, and operations,” said Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security.
Delgado-Padín made 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 five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Department of Homeland Security -- Office of Inspector General is investigating the case and the FBI, San Juan Field Office, Public Corruption Unit collaborated during the arrest.
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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Man Indicted for Smuggling in Aliens unlawfully into the United States in a Crime that Resulted in the Death of a Three-Year-Old Haitian BoyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment on January 4, 2023, charging Alcibades De Paz, a Dominican national, with smuggling aliens into the United States in a crime resulting in the death of a minor child; aiding and abetting; and improper entry of an alien.
“Transnational human smuggling and trafficking networks pose a serious criminal threat,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Our office will prosecute those who illegally smuggle individuals into the United States and routinely place these migrants’ lives in danger. We will continue efforts to disrupt and dismantle smuggling networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, and pose serious national security threats.”
According to court documents, Alcibades De Paz was the captain of a vessel that transported approximately 39 non-U.S. citizens in an attempted to enter Puerto Rico illegally. The human smuggling venture took place from the Dominican Republic to the United States through the West coast of Puerto Rico. De Paz is alleged to have operated the engine of the suspected vessel while law enforcement, including the Puerto Rico Police Bureau marine unit (Fuerzas Unidas de Rápida Acción, FURA), tried to intercept it. The vessel capsized before landing in Puerto Rico.
Among the 39 subjects on board, one was a three-year-old child who was found unresponsive in the water. He was taken to the hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead after unsuccessful resuscitation attempts. His mother, who identified herself as Haitian, was one of the individuals aboard the vessel.
The incoming subjects, nationals of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Afghanistan, were apprehended and transported to the Ramey Border Patrol Station for further investigation, processing, and removal proceedings, but one of the illegal aliens, identified as Dominican national, absconded through the brush.
Defendant De Paz had his arraignment and bail hearing yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce McGiverin of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico who ordered him detained pending trial. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty life in prison or the death penalty. 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 Acting Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Rebecca González, and Desi Deleon, Acting Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, Ramey Sector, made the announcement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI); the United States Border Patrol, Ramey Sector; and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau marine unit (Fuerzas Unidas de Rápida Acción, FURA) are investigating the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney from ICE HSI Nadia Pineda 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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Former Mayor of Trujillo Alto Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The former mayor of the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, José Luis Cruz-Cruz, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments in exchange for directing municipal employees to execute municipal contracts for the benefit of an asphalt and paving company and a trash removal company.
José Luis Cruz-Cruz, 63, pleaded guilty in June 2022 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, Cruz-Cruz was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Trujillo Alto from 2009 until 2022. In 2020 and 2021 he directed municipal employees to execute municipal contracts with Company A and Company B. In exchange, Cruz-Cruz agreed to receive kickback payments in cash from Company A and Company B. 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, United States 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 A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
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); 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. Ramon Conde-Melendez, 22-221 (PAD); United States v. Pedro Miranda-Marrero, 22-251 (RAM); and United States Jose Bou-Santiago, 22-379 (ADC).
Additionally, the department recently obtained indictments charging several former officials with bribery related to municipal contracts, and those cases are still pending. See United States v. Ángel Pérez-Otero, 21-474 (ADC); United States v. Javier García-Pérez, 22-185 (ADC); and United States v. Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 22-186 (PAD).
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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Woman Arrested for Interfering with Security Screening Personnel at the Luis Muñoz Marín International AirportRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Nathalia Carolina Rosado with Interfering with Security Screening Personnel at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The indictment was unsealed upon her arrest on January 4, 2023.
According to court documents, on November 24, 2022, Rosado assaulted two federal airport and air carrier employees who had security duties within the airport, and such assault interfered with the performance of duties of the employees and lessened the ability of the employees to control the access to the aircraft jet bridge and preventing entry of an unauthorized person into the secured area. The indictment alleges that Rosado, a Spirit Airlines passenger, assaulted two Spirit Airlines employees while attempting to force her way into the jet bridge after she had been removed from the plane.
“Incidents like this are unacceptable and dangerous because they not only put the federal employees at risk, but all of the people at the airport, employees and travelers,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Airport employees work each and every day to keep the flying public safe, and law enforcement authorities will also remain vigilant so that those who break the law will be brought to justice.”
“Airports are crucial to our economy and society in general. They facilitate tourism, trade, connectivity, economic growth, provide employment and enable a rapid response when disasters occur,” stated Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, San Juan Field Office. “Airport security is almost synonymous with national security, and behavior such as this is dangerous. The FBI is vigilant and will respond aggressively to events such as these. We urge travelers to be safe and respect the safety of other travelers, to avoid facing federal charges.”
If convicted, Rosado faces a maximum penalty of 10 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 is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Olinghouse 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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Gun Shop and Owner Charged with Transfer of Firearm to a Felon, Aiding and Abetting Unlicensed Firearm Trafficking, and Failure to Maintain Firearm RecordsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Aileene Mudafort-Fernández and Mudafort Xtreme Sports & Motorsports Inc. for disposing of a pistol to a felon, aiding and abetting in unlicensed firearm trafficking, and failure to maintain firearm records. In a separate indictment, José Berrios-Aquino, an armorer of Mudafort Xtreme Sports & Motorsports Inc., was charged with the possession of a machinegun.
According to the indictments, since at least 2020, Ms. Mudafort-Fernández and her gun shop aided and abetted “R.R.M.” in the illegal trafficking of guns. Additionally, Ms. Mudafort-Fernández disposed of a Taurus pistol in 2019 to “P.C.T.,” knowing that he was a felon. Ms. Mudafort-Fernández and her armory further failed to maintain firearm accords according to law.
An armorer of Mudafort Xtreme Sports & Motorsports Inc., José Berrios-Aquino, was charged in a separate indictment with possessing a pistol that had been modified to be a machinegun. According to public documents, Mr. Berrios-Aquino’s gun had been altered with an Alamo-15 Forced Reset Trigger, which modifies a gun to automatically fire more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger.
“Violent crimes involving guns are often committed by people who cannot legally obtain a firearm, but they find a way. According to the indictments, these defendants engaged in the business of dealing guns without following the firearms laws,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The manufacturing and unlicensed sale for profit of high-capacity firearms is a serious threat to public safety. We will continue to vigorously investigate gun dealers and prosecute violations of the law.”
“Federal Firearms Licensees hold a special responsibility as the first line of defense against the illegal diversion of firearms from lawful commerce,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson. “A dereliction of that duty by willfully participating in these alleged actions will never be tolerated by ATF.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Linet Suarez of the Violent Crimes Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is in charge of the investigation. If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to ten years in prison. An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt.
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 Individuals Indicted and Arrested for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) FraudRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – On December 15, 2022, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned four-separate indictments charging four individuals with engaging in fraud to obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits totaling $210,228, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Various-federal agencies were involved in the investigations, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), the United States Secret Service (USSS), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources.
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 and FPUC funds.
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 (PUA and FPUC) 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, FPUC, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits.
The indictments charge the four individuals with theft of United States’ property—PUA and FPUC benefits—and mail fraud because the defendants engaged in deceptive conduct designed to fraudulently obtain multiple-unemployment checks from the DTRH by using false social security numbers. The defendants received PUA and FPUC benefits from the DTRH via mail in the form of checks that they were not entitled to receive. The defendants then negotiated the checks or deposited them in their bank accounts.
The defendants charged are Juan I. De La Cruz-David, who fraudulently obtained $133,518; Diana C. Infante-Frias, who fraudulently obtained $10,122; Miguel El Rosario-Taveras, who fraudulently obtained $27,366; and Olimpia Buntin, who fraudulently obtained $39,222.
“These arrests send a clear and unmistakable message to those who try to exploit a national emergency to steal taxpayer-funded resources from vulnerable individuals and small businesses: do not use the global pandemic to scam and steal from hardworking citizens. If you do, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “We are proud to work with our law enforcement partners to hold wrongdoers accountable and to safeguard taxpayer funds.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Acevedo is 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 innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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The United States Attorney of Puerto Rico and the FBI San Juan Encourage You to Think Before You Post (#ThinkBeforeYouPost)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico –The United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, and the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the San Juan Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Joseph González, today warned the public about the serious consequences of issuing threats to schools or colleagues and reminded the community that hoax threats are no joke.
“Making a threat against the safety of a person or an organization through social media, by text message, or by email is a federal crime for constituting a threat through interstate communications. Those who post or send such threats can receive up to five years in federal prison, or may face charges before the courts in Puerto Rico,” said US Attorney Muldrow. He also added that “a reckless and impetuous comment on social media could result in our youth beginning their adult life in prison and becoming labeled as criminals for the rest of their days. It is necessary to educate them to avoid such dire consequences.”
“Public safety is our number one concern. When it comes to threats to schools and other public places, our posture is to treat all threats as credible to ensure public safety and thoroughly investigate the origin of every threat,” said SAC González. “We will follow every tip to get to the bottom of each occurrence. So, to those making hoax threats, know that, even if you never intended to carry them out, threatening a school is not a joke. It is a serious federal crime which could result in up to five years in prison.”
Public assistance is crucial to support the efforts of federal and state agencies to counter this trend. Therefore, people with information about any possible threat or suspicious activity that puts security in schools and in the community at risk should contact the FBI in San Juan by calling 787-987-6500.
Also, if you understand that your safety or the safety of others is in imminent danger, call 9-1-1 immediately.
We wish to emphasize that threats to schools and other organizations not only cause serious emotional distress to students, school staff, and parents, but also create a great social toll. Schools lose valuable teaching time responding to these threats, and state and federal law enforcement agencies spend countless man hours and resources investigating each threat to determine its credibility and protect the public. Furthermore, a young person can ruin their future by making a false threat to a school and end up being prosecuted.
For all these reasons, please think before you post. #ThinkBeforeYouPost
What can you do to help?
1. Never post or send false threats… period.
2. If you are the subject of an online threat, alert your local authorities immediately.
3. If you see a threat posted on social media, contact the authorities and the FBI immediately.
4. Notify authorities, but do not share or distribute the threat until authorities have had a chance to investigate – doing so can spread incorrect information and cause panic in the community.
5. If you are a parent or relative, be aware that some young people post these threats seeking attention, revenge, or to manipulate. Talk to the children and young people in your care about the correct way to express your frustrations and other emotions. Explain to them the importance of responsible use of social networks and the consequences of posting false threats.
Additional Resources:
- https://www.fbi.gov/image-repository/think-before-you-post-hoax-threats-graphic-052318.jpg
- Think Before You Post PSA
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Fiscalía Federal de Puerto Rico y el FBI San Juan
Exhortan a Pensar Antes de Publicar (#ThinkBeforeYouPost)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – El Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, y el Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina de San Juan del Negociado Federal de Investigación (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés), Joseph González, advirtieron hoy a la ciudadanía sobre las serias consecuencias de emitir amenazas a escuelas o compañeros, y recordaron a la comunidad que las amenazas falsas o “hoax threats” no son cosa de bromas.
“Hacer una amenaza contra la seguridad de una persona o una organización a través de las redes sociales, por mensaje de texto, o por correo electrónico es un delito federal por constituir una amenaza mediante comunicaciones interestatales. Aquellos que publiquen o envíen dichas amenazas pueden recibir hasta cinco años en una prisión federal, o pueden enfrentar cargos ante los tribunales en Puerto Rico”, comentó el Fiscal Federal Muldrow. También añadió que “un comentario imprudente e impetuoso en las redes sociales pudiese resultar en que nuestros jóvenes comiencen su vida adulta en prisión y que lleguen a ser etiquetados como delincuentes por el resto de sus días. Es necesario educarlos para evitar tan nefastas consecuencias”.
“La seguridad pública es nuestra prioridad número uno. Cuando se trata de amenazas a escuelas y otros lugares públicos, nuestra postura es de tratar toda amenaza como si fuese creíble para garantizar la seguridad del público”, dijo González, quien dirige el FBI en Puerto Rico. “Seguiremos cada pista y llegaremos hasta el final de cada uno de estos eventos. Para aquellos que estén realizando estas amenazas, sepan que, aún si nunca tuvo la intención de cometer un delito, una amenaza de esta naturaleza no es un chiste. La mera amenaza es un crimen federal serio que conlleva hasta cinco años de cárcel”.
La asistencia del público es crucial para apoyar los esfuerzos de las agencias federales y estatales de contrarrestar esta tendencia. Por eso, las personas con información sobre cualquier posible amenaza o actividad sospechosa que ponga en riesgo la seguridad en las escuelas y en la comunidad deben contactar al FBI en San Juan llamando al 787-987-6500.
Además, si usted entiende que su seguridad o la seguridad de otros está en peligro inminente, llame al 9-1-1 inmediatamente.
Deseamos recalcar que las amenazas a escuelas y otras organizaciones no sólo causan angustia emocional grave a los estudiantes, el personal escolar y los padres, sino que también crean un gran cargo social. Las escuelas pierden tiempo valioso de enseñanza al tener que responder a estas amenazas, y las agencias estatales y federales de ley y orden dedican incontables horas de trabajo y una gran cantidad de recursos investigando cada amenaza para determinar su credibilidad y proteger a la ciudadanía. Mas aún, una persona joven puede arruinar su futuro al realizar una amenaza falsa a una escuela y terminar siendo procesado.
Por todas estas razones, por favor, piense antes de publicar. #ThinkBeforeYouPost
¿Qué puede hacer para ayudar?
- Nunca publique o envíe amenazas falsas… punto.
- Si usted es objeto de una amenaza en línea, alerte a las autoridades locales de inmediato.
- Si usted ve una amenaza publicada en las redes sociales, contacte a las autoridades y al FBI de inmediato.
- Notifique a las autoridades, pero no comparta ni distribuya la amenaza hasta que las autoridades hayan tenido la oportunidad de investigar – hacerlo puede difundir información incorrecta y ocasionar pánico en la comunidad.
- Si usted es padre, madre o familiar, sepa que algunos jóvenes publican estas amenazas buscando atención, venganza o para manipular. Hable con los niños y jóvenes a su cargo sobre la forma correcta de expresar sus frustraciones y otras emociones. Explíqueles sobre la importancia del uso responsable de las redes sociales y de las consecuencias de publicar amenazas falsas.
Recursos adicionales:
- https://www.fbi.gov/image-repository/think-before-you-post-hoax-threats-graphic-052318.jpg
- Think Before You Post PSA
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Justice Department Secures Promotion and Backpay for National Guardsman in Puerto Rico and Continues to Defend Reemployment Rights of ServicemembersRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has resolved a claim that the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE) violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) when it failed to reemploy Puerto Rico National Guardsman Sergeant(E-5) Daniel Nazario to his proper position upon his return from military service. Based on the terms of the settlement, PRDE will promote Sergeant Nazario to his proper position as a school director in his preferred school district and will be awarding him backpay and seniority.
“Federal law requires employers to reemploy servicemembers into the positions that they would have held had their employment not been interrupted by military service, and also prohibits employers from denying promotions because of employees’ military obligations,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting the civil rights of servicemembers who sacrifice to serve our country.”
Congress enacted USERRA to encourage non-career service in the military by reducing employment disadvantages; to minimize the disruption to the lives of persons performing military service, their employers, and others, by providing for the prompt reemployment of such persons upon the completion of their service; and to prohibit discrimination and retaliation against servicemembers if they pursue a claim under USERRA.
“The successful settlement of National Guardsman Daniel Nazario’s case with the PRDE, including his reinstatement to a permanent position, is an important step in the enforcement of servicemember rights and serves to highlight the proper treatment that must be afforded to these valuable members of our community,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico.
At the time his deployment, Sergeant Nazario was one of six temporary school directors in the Barranquitas school district. During his deployment, the PRDE promoted all the school directors in that district except for Sergeant Nazario to permanent positions. Upon his return from active duty, the PRDE initially rehired him as an English teacher and did not to promote him into a permanent school director position. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the PRDE agreed to promote Sergeant Nazario to a permanent school director position with full benefits retroactive to June 2017, the date of his return from active duty, and pay him $2,840.00 in full back wages for his lost salary.
The Department of Labor (DOL) referred this matter to the Justice Department following an investigation by its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.
Senior Trial Attorney and USERRA/USAO Program Coordinator Alicia D. Johnson in the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section (ELS), in collaboration with Assistant U.S. Attorney David Martorani for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted this matter.
The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. ELS continues to work collaboratively with the DOL to protect the jobs and benefits of military members. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers, as well as on the Department of Labor’s website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra.
Former Police Officer Sentenced to 25 Years of Imprisonment for Stealing 125 Firearms from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau Shooting Range at Isla De CabraRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño Coll sentenced José Padilla-Galarza to a total of 25 years’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release for the theft of 125 firearms. Specifically, the defendant will be serving 20 years of imprisonment for his conviction on May 6, 2022, for counts One and Six, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), concurrent with 10 years of imprisonment for his conviction on counts Three and Five, stealing firearms and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He will also serve 5 years of imprisonment, consecutive to the 20-year sentence, for his conviction under count Two, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“As proven at trial, the defendant, a former Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) officer, used his specialized knowledge of the PRPB to enrich himself by stealing and selling firearms,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The sentence imposed demonstrates the seriousness of defendant’s crimes and the Justice Department’s determination to investigate and prosecute such a blatant abuse of trust. Thanks to the diligent work of ATF, ICE-HSI, the FBI, and our trial team, the defendant will spend decades in federal prison for his crimes.”
During the trial, the government presented evidence that showed that Padilla-Galarza visited the PRPB Isla de Cabra Shooting Range on multiple occasions over a one-year period to become familiar with the personnel, their shifts, and the layout of the facility. Padilla-Galarza, as mastermind of the October 26, 2010, robbery at the range, took this time to plan how he and his co-conspirators would take 125 firearms from this PRBP facility, including two pistols taken from duty officers, 40 AR15 rifles, 24 shotguns, nine 9mm carbines, one MP3 rifle, and 49 pistols.
During the robbery, the co-conspirators used a white Ford Crown Victoria with fake PRPB decals to give it the appearance of an official PRPB patrol car and dressed as PRPB police officers, some in regular police uniforms and others in tactical uniforms. The co-conspirators assaulted, subdued, and bound the duty police officers at the range and stole the firearms stored in the vault to subsequently sell them for significant pecuniary gain and profit. This was the biggest firearms robbery in the history of Puerto Rico.
Padilla-Galarza’s 25-year sentence of imprisonment in this Hobbs Act case is also to be served consecutive to the 228-month term of imprisonment imposed by United States District Judge Daniel R. Dominguez on October 15, 2018, for conspiracy to commit bank robbery and bank robbery by force.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) lead the investigation with the collaboration of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The case was prosecuted and tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Max Pérez-Bouret and Jawayria Z. Auchter.
Co-conspirator Sentenced to 33 Months for Hate Crime Against a Transgender WomanRead the Press Release
U.S. District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón sentenced Anthony Steven Lobos-Ruiz to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a hate crime committed on Feb. 24, 2020, with a dangerous weapon against a transgender woman identified as A.N.L., because of her gender identity.
According to the court documents, Lobos-Ruiz acted in coordination with Jordany Rafael Laboy-García and Christian Yamaurie Rivera-Otero in perpetrating a hate crime. On Aug. 29, Lobos-Ruiz pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting others in the attempted assault of A.N.L. with a paintball gun because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender. Court records show that Lobos-Ruiz admitted to procuring a paintball gun with his co-defendants to cause bodily injury to A.N.L. after he and his friends spotted A.N.L. on the side of the road in Toa Baja and verbally harassed the victim. Lobos-Ruiz also admitted to video recording the assault with his iPhone and sharing the video with others.
The charges against Laboy-García and Rivera-Otero are still pending. If convicted, Laboy-García and Rivera-Otero face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the hate crime charge, five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and a fine up to $250,000 with respect to each charge. If convicted with obstruction of justice, Rivera-Otero also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for the obstruction of justice charge.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Shan Patel and Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney José A. Contreras for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
Attorney Found Guilty of Attempting to Provide Contraband in Prison and for Making False Statements on Federal Agency FormsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico announced that after a five-day jury trial, a federal jury convicted Jorge L. Armenteros-Chervoni on Friday, November 18, for attempting to provide contraband in prison and for making false statements on federal agency forms. Armenteros is a licensed attorney at both the federal and state levels. United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach presided over the trial.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Armenteros, 51, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, attempted to enter the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on December 22, 2021 through the front lobby with two cell phones and seventy-five SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards hidden inside of a secret compartment of a bubble mailer envelope. Prior to passing the envelope through security, Armenteros handed the front lobby officer three Bureau of Prisons Notification of Visitor forms, for three different inmates, indicating that he did not have in his possession any phones or other electronic devices.
The front lobby officer detected the contraband and after inspection of the bubble mailer envelope, it was opened in the presence of Armenteros. The envelope contained two cell phones and seventy-five SIM cards inside of the secret compartment of the envelope. Testimony presented at trial described a black market within MDC for contraband cell phones and SIM cards which are used by inmates to engage in criminal activities. The two cell phones had a conservative value of $50,000 each and the SIM cards were valued at $2,000 each, for a total value of the contraband electronic devices within MDC of approximately $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julian Radzinschi, of the Violent Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case, as well as U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was in charge of investigating the case. The sentencing date is scheduled for February 16, 2023. The maximum penalties for these offenses are: one year for attempting to provide contraband to inmates, and up to five years in prison for lying on federal agency forms.
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Postal Employee Indicted and Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 17, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging Ramón Rodríguez González with sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest follows an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the, United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General (USPS-OIG) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB).
According to court documents, Rodríguez González, 43, of Caguas, in or about April 2021 through June 24, 2022, did knowingly attempt to employ, use, persuade, induce, and coerce a female minor while she was 15 and 16 years old to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.
“The sexual exploitation of minors is a horrific crime that can negatively affect victims for their entire lives,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners, are committed to aggressively investigate and prosecute these crimes.”
“The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force mission is to protect our minors, we will remain vigilant and will arrest those who attempt to exploit our children,” said Rebecca C. González Ramos, Acting Special Agent in Charge, HSI. “It is our responsibility as a society to come together and protect our children.”
“The Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Postal Service and its personnel. Although the majority of postal employees are hardworking individuals, there are some who choose to commit criminal acts. The Special Agents of the Postal Service, Office of Inspector General will work tirelessly to bring them to justice. The USPS OIG is thankful for the great relationships we have developed with our law enforcement partners and with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat child pornography and exploitation,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Pérez.
On Friday, Rodríguez González had his initial hearing before Honorable Magistrate Judge Camile Vélez-Rivé and he was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center to await further judicial proceedings.
Assistant United States Attorney Ginette Milanes, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting this case. If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, and a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years’ incarceration for the attempted production of child pornography count; and a statutory maximum of twenty (20) years’ imprisonment for the attempted possession of child pornography count.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crimes and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to using its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
# ICE #
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit: www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.
Vladimir Natera Abreu Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison and Eight Years of Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Vladimir Natera Abreu was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño Coll.
Defendant Natera-Abreu was one of the main leaders in the drug trafficking organization known as “Las FARC,” (Las FuerzasArmadas Revolucionarias de Cantera).
According to court documents, Natera Abreu pleaded guilty on August 9, 2022 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack, heroin, cocaine, marihuana, Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet) and Alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax), all within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising the Villa Kennedy, Las Casas, El Mirador and Las Margaritas Public Housing Projects, and other areas, and within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds located in the Municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The object of the conspiracy was the large-scale distribution of controlled substances for significant financial gain and profit.
The defendant also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of money laundering.
The defendant agreed to forfeit to the United States any drug proceeds or substitute assets derived from proceeds generated or traceable to the drug trafficking offense, to include: $75,947,040 in U.S. currency, and the real estate properties as described in Count seven of the indictment.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, San Juan Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, Denise Foster made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), San Juan Strike Force, were in charge of the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort, Joseph L. Russell, R. Vance Eaton, and María L. Montañez-Concepción prosecuted the case.
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.
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Man Found Guilty of 19 Counts of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – After a seven-day jury trial, Francisco Xavier Ortiz-Colón was found guilty of 19 counts, including nine counts of production of child pornography, eight counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual conduct, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach presided over the trial.
According to the Superseding Indictment, from August 2019 through June 2020, Ortiz-Colón induced, enticed, and coerced nine female victims, ranging from nine (9) to fourteen (14) years of age, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Ortiz‑Colón used multiple Instagram accounts to commit these crimes.
During trial, the government presented evidence to prove that Ortiz-Colón used three Instagram accounts, while impersonating a female user, to procure armpit photos of the minor victims. After obtaining photos of the minors’ armpits and breasts, he used those photos to extort further explicit pornographic photos of the minors. HSI law enforcement agents executed several search warrants of the address where Ortiz-Colón’s Instagram account IP Address was identified and found him in possession of the smartphone through which he exercised control of the Instagram accounts used to extort the minor victims.
“The materials this defendant produced through his Instagram accounts are evidence of the intentional sexual abuse of these minors. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly investigate and prosecute the misuse of social media platforms to perpetrate these heinous crimes,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the investigative and prosecution team that effectively secured this meaningful conviction.”
“The guilty verdict not only concludes a long emotional week of victim testimonies which impacted everybody present in the courthouse, but most importantly provides closure to all the minors who this predator attacked without mercy,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González‑Ramos. “This man once told one of his victims that he would never get caught by law enforcement. He preyed on our children, believing he was above the law. HSI arrested him and a jury found him guilty. It’s now time for him to face the consequence of his transgressions.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Y. Hernández-Vega, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator in the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, prosecuted the case. The defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen (15) years’ imprisonment, and a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years’ incarceration for the production of child pornography counts; a mandatory minimum sentence of ten (10) years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life for the coercion and enticement of a minor counts; and a statutory maximum of twenty (20) years’ imprisonment for the receipt and possession of child pornography counts. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 6, 2023, at 10:00 am. The defendant was ordered detained pending sentencing.
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Eight Individuals Indicted and Arrested for Bank and Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On October 28, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a 40-count superseding indictment charging eight individuals with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering conspiracy. The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are in charge of the investigation of the case.
The USPIS and the FBI have been investigating a fraudulent scheme whereby the debit cards of mostly elderly clients of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico have been used in connection with the fraudulent purchase and cashing of Postal Money Orders. Specifically, between in or about October 21, 2021, through the present, Ángel De La Rosa a.k.a. “Julio Zapata” and others, posing as either federal agents or bank officials, visited the residences of account holders claiming that their bank accounts had been compromised. Under the guise of helping restore the integrity of their respective accounts, De La Rosa and others asked victims to provide their ATM debit cards and PIN numbers.
Upon obtaining physical possession of the debit cards, De La Rosa—aided and abetted by Raisa Raymundo-Vargas, a.k.a. “Oleidy”; Adonis Marquez-Marte; Josué Figueroa-López, a.k.a. “Pachin”; Mirkin Espinosa-Salvador, a.k.a. “José Mesa”; Jan González-López; Nicole Figueroa-De Jesús; Edwin Peña-Valdez, a.k.a. “Pajarito,” and others would purchase Postal Money Orders at various U.S. Post Offices throughout Puerto Rico. The Postal Money Orders were negotiated into cash at U.S. Post Offices at a later time.
Defendants De La Rosa and Marquez-Marte made cash purchases of over $40,000 worth of jewelry at various locations in New York with proceeds obtained from the fraudulent purchases of Postal Money Orders and operated a jewelry store in San Juan, Puerto Rico as a means of laundering proceeds from the fraudulent scheme.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue and prosecute individuals that take advantage of others, including the elderly and other vulnerable members of our community,” said United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “Once again, we urge everyone to take steps to protect their personal information. Do not share your personal identification information with strangers. If you suspect that your bank account, credit card or ATH Móvil account has been compromised, call or visit your bank directly. That is the best way to avoid becoming a victim of a fraud scheme like the one involved in this case.”
“Elder fraud is a sophisticated endeavor, and it can happen to anyone. Victims will often hide their losses, even when they realize they’re being scammed, out of shame and fear of ridicule. This silence is what gives these perpetrators ample opportunity for illicit gain,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, Joseph González. “We need to break that silence and the FBI is here to help. If you, or anyone you know, has been a victim or a witness to an elder fraud scheme, we urge you to call 787-987-6500 or submit a tip online, by visiting Tips.FBI.gov. Highlighting awareness is the key to avoid falling prey to these scams and can help you navigate a crisis such as this.”
“Protecting our senior citizens from criminals who target them is one of our highest priorities,” said Juan A. Vargas, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ending the exploitation of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least two years for the aggravated identity theft charges. The proceeds of the fraud scheme are subject to criminal forfeiture and include a vehicle and approximately $619,344. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum is prosecuting the case.
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 the Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
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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Doctor Indicted and Arrested for Illegally Distributing Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Doctor Roberto F. Unda-Gómez (Unda) with dispensing controlled substances without any legitimate medical purpose. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are in charge of the investigation of the case.
According to court documents, Unda is a general practitioner medical doctor licensed to practice in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Honduras, not in the continental United States. The defendant knowingly and intentionally dispensed and distributed Schedule II and IV controlled substances such as Adderall, Oxycodone, and Xanax without any legitimate medical purpose, to patients in Puerto Rico and in the continental United States. Unda used FedEx Corp. and United Parcel Service shipping and delivery services to distribute the controlled substances.
“The Department of Justice continues to fight the deadly opioids epidemic, which kills thousands each year in the United States and Puerto Rico,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The defendant broke both his professional duty and the law by selling prescriptions for addictive opioids for individuals he never examined who had no medical need for the drugs.”
Unda is charged with seven counts for dispensing controlled substances by a practitioner, and three counts for the use of a communication facility to facilitate the commission of a felony. The defendant is scheduled for his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marshal D. Morgan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, Unda 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.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay S. Rehrig 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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Woman Sentenced to Probation for Offering Illegal Silicone Augmentation InjectionsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Caguas woman, 55, was sentenced today to one year probation, $10,000 fine, and $1,393.75 of restitution for offering illegal buttock injections to prospective clients at Belleza Vital Spa Inc. d/b/a Belleza Vital Estetic (“BVE”), a business she operated in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, Debra Esteves-Meléndez, who was not a licensed physician or other medical practitioner, offered buttock injections to prospective clients at Belleza Vital Estetic and made false statements to her clients as to the safety of the material that she was injecting with the intent to defraud and mislead. The products the defendant injected into her clients were purchased and shipped from Colombia to Puerto Rico.
In or about September 2021, Esteves-Meléndez possessed material at BVE which was tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and determined to contain polydimethylsiloxane, or silicone oil, a medical device under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).
“Injecting illegal material such as liquid silicone without the involvement of a medical professional endangers consumers and violates the law,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with the FDA to investigate and prosecute the illegal dispensing of misbranded material and unauthorized drugs.”
“Liquid silicone injected into individuals’ bodies can cause serious harm and even death, and FDA has not approved any such product for body contouring,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin C. Fielder, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Miami Field Office. “We will continue to aggressively pursue and bring to justice those who endanger consumers by offering this hazardous procedure in order to enrich themselves.”
The Food and Drug Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbe, Chief of the Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Section prosecuted the case.
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Two Former Directors of Public Works Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The former Director of Public Works of the Municipality of Guayama, Puerto Rico, and the former Director of Public Works of Cataño, also in Puerto Rico, were sentenced this week to two years and two years and 6 months in prison, respectively, for their involvement in separate bribery schemes in which they received cash payments in exchange for approving invoice payments for an asphalt and paving company.
According to court documents, Ramón Conde-Meléndez, 56, was the Director of Public Works in the municipality of Guayama from 2013 until 2022. In 2019 and 2021, Conde- Meléndez agreed to receive and received cash payments from an individual (Individual A) in exchange for certifying that the asphalt and paving company (Company A) completed asphalt projects in the municipality. The certification was required for the approval of invoices for payments from the municipality of Guayama to Company A. In 2019 and 2021, Conde- Meléndez received kickback payments, equaling $1 per each square meter of asphalt removed by Company A, which totaled more than $15,000. In addition to the term of imprisonment, he was sentenced to two years of supervised release. In May 2022, Conde- Meléndez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery.
According to court documents, Pedro Marrero-Miranda, 54, was the Director of Public Works in the municipality of Cataño from 2017 until 2021. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, Marrero-Miranda agreed to receive and received cash payments from Individual A and another individual (Individual B) in exchange for the distribution of asphalt removal projects by the municipality of Cataño to Company A, and the certification of invoices for payments from the municipality of Cataño to Company A. Specifically, Marrero-Miranda received multiple kickback payments equaling approximately $1 for each square meter of asphalt removed by Company A in the municipality of Cataño, which totaled more than $40,000. In addition to the term of imprisonment, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release. In June 2022, Marrero-Miranda pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery.
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 cases.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the cases.
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); United States v. Luis Arroyo-Chiques, 21-485 (SCC); United States v. Eduardo Cintron-Suarez, 22-151 (SCC); Jose Luis Cruz-Cruz, 22-276 (SCC); United States Jose Bou-Santiago, 22-379 (ADC).
Additionally, federal grand juries recently indicted several former officials with bribery related to municipal contracts, and those cases are still pending. See United States v. Ángel Pérez-Otero, 21-474 (ADC); United States v. Radamés Benítez-Cardona, 21-475 (PAD); United States v. Javier García-Pérez, 22-185 (ADC); and United States v. Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 22-186 (PAD).
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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22-1160
Two Former Directors of Public Works Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
The former Director of Public Works of the Municipality of Guayama, Puerto Rico, and the former Director of Public Works of Cataño, also in Puerto Rico, were sentenced this week to two years and two years and 6 months in prison, respectively, for their involvement in separate bribery schemes in which they received cash payments in exchange for approving invoice payments for an asphalt and paving company.
According to court documents, Ramon Conde-Melendez, 56, was the Director of Public Works in the municipality of Guayama from 2013 until 2022. In 2019 and 2021, Conde-Melendez agreed to receive and received cash payments from an individual (Individual A) in exchange for certifying that the asphalt and paving company (Company A) completed asphalt projects in the municipality. The certification was required for the approval of invoices for payments from the municipality of Guayama to Company A. In 2019 and 2021, Conde-Melendez received kickback payments, equaling $1 per each square meter of asphalt removed by Company A, which totaled more than $15,000. In addition to the term of imprisonment, he was sentenced to two years of supervised release. In May 2022, Conde-Melendez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery.
According to court documents, Pedro Marrero-Miranda, 54, was the Director of Public Works in the municipality of Cataño from 2017 until 2021. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, Marrero-Miranda agreed to receive and received cash payments from Individual A and another individual (Individual B) in exchange for the distribution of asphalt removal projects by the municipality of Cataño to Company A, and the certification of invoices for payments from the municipality of Cataño to Company A. Specifically, Marrero-Miranda received multiple kickback payments equaling approximately $1 for each square meter of asphalt removed by Company A in the municipality of Cataño, which totaled more than $40,000. In addition to the term of imprisonment, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release. In June 2022, Marrero-Miranda pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery.
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 cases.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the cases.
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); United States v. Luis Arroyo-Chiques, 21-485 (SCC); United States v. Eduardo Cintron-Suarez, 22-151 (SCC); Jose Luis Cruz-Cruz, 22-276 (SCC); United States Jose Bou-Santiago, 22-379 (ADC).
Additionally, federal grand juries recently indicted several former officials with bribery related to municipal contracts, and those cases are still pending. See United States v. Ángel Pérez-Otero, 21-474 (ADC); United States v. Radamés Benítez-Cardona, 21-475 (PAD); United States v. Javier García-Pérez, 22-185 (ADC); and United States v. Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 22-186 (PAD).
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Sentenced to 149 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Commit ArsonRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Rafael García-Sánchez was sentenced to 12 years and five months in prison for conspiracy to commit arson in furtherance of wire fraud and wire fraud, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.
According to court documents, from May until July 2016, defendants Rafael García-Sánchez, Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier, and Jesús Torres-Lazzu, a.k.a. “Bimbo,” conspired to set a fire to commit insurance fraud through wire communications. The conspirators agreed to set the physical premises of Organización Pro Ayuda a Personas con Impedimentos (OPAPI) in Río Grande, PR on fire for the purpose of collecting insurance proceeds, and in furtherance of this scheme, García-Sánchez caused items to be sent and delivered by wire in interstate commerce.
Rafael García-Sánchez solicited assistance from Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier, Jesús Torres-Lazzu, and Christian Aponte-Charbonier to set on fire the physical premises of OPAPI and then file a fraudulent insurance claim with Universal Insurance Company. Christian Aponte-Charbonier (now deceased), set fire to OPAPI with the assistance of his brother Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier, and Jesús Torres-Lazzu , causing damage to the premises and their contents. While starting the fire, Christian Aponte-Charbonier suffered major burns and died from his injuries on July 10, 2016. García-Sánchez, aided and abetted by others, filed a fraudulent claim for $250,000.00 with Universal Insurance Company in connection with the damages at OPAPI in Río Grande.
On July 11, 2016, Jean Gabriel García-Charbonier falsely reported to agents of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) that Christian Aponte-Charbonier sustained his burn injuries while working with an electric generator at the premises of OPAPI Casa Dorada in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, a story that he concocted with Rafael García-Sánchez and Raúl García-Sánchez. After reporting this false information, García-Charbonier accompanied agents of the PRPB to the premises of OPAPI Casa Dorada, where they encountered a staged accident scene with a fire-damaged electric generator.
Raúl García-Sánchez was charged with one count of accessory after the fact for assisting the other defendants in staging an accident scene involving a fire-damaged electric generator at the premises of OPAPI located in Yabucoa, and ultimately pled guilty to misprision of a felony. Jean Gabriel García-Charobonier and Jesús Torres-Lazzu also pled guilty and served terms of imprisonment because of their role in the scheme.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Miami Field Division made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum prosecuted the case.
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Four Men and Three Women Charged with Sending Cocaine to the Continental United States Through the MailRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On October 12, 2022, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging seven individuals with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) Aguadilla Strike Force led the investigation with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the PRPB Strike Force units from Mayagüez and Arecibo.
“Drug trafficking destroys families and communities,” said USA Muldrow. “This organization fed a pipeline of drugs ultimately sold on American streets, fostering violence and drug addiction across the nation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners will continue to pursue drug traffickers who operate in all areas of Puerto Rico and to seek justice for our communities.”
“Criminal organizations are constantly looking for ways to transport narcotics to the continental United States, using Puerto Rico as a transshipment point because of its strategic location in the Caribbean,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “This case is an example of the FBI’s commitment to combat drug trafficking organizations, using an intelligence-driven approach to disrupt their criminal operations at all levels. I’d like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Postal Service, Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and the Aguadilla Strike Force for their continued work in support of our joint mission.”
The indictment alleges that from 2018 until May of 2022 the defendants conspired to mail kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to the continental United States for further distribution, all for significant financial gain and profit. The defendants charged are:
Freddie Talavera-Acevedo, a.k.a. “Boss/Kenton/F/Fred/Freddie Blue/Pucho Vázquez”
Katherine Pérez-Martínez
Edwin Gómez-Vale, a.k.a. “Papilla Jr.”
Edwin Alberto Gómez-Medina, a.k.a. “Papilla/Paquio”
Tamara Enid Acevedo-Torres, a.k.a. “Mara”
Tasha Marie Cordero-Dilan, a.k.a. “Negra”
Jayson Zabdiel Cardona-Morales, a.k.a. “Barbero/Barber/Barbel/Negro”
In furtherance of their conspiracy, the defendants acquired kilograms of cocaine from co‑conspirators in Puerto Rico and concealed them in U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) parcels that they forwarded to the continental United States. For example, they purchased commercial products, including air mattresses, towels, and children’s toys, and concealed kilograms of cocaine in those newly bought items before mailing the items in larger boxes by way of the USPS. Other co‑conspirators received the cocaine-laden shipments in the continental United States and proceeded with their further distribution.
At times, the defendants tracked the packages using the USPS tracking number and sent each other photos of the tracking numbers. They also used fake names and/or fake addresses on the boxes and tried to mask the smell of drugs using Vaseline, tape, air mattresses, and other items.
Upon conviction of the conspiracy, all the defendants are facing a forfeiture allegation of the following:
- $30,000.00 in U.S. currency seized from a postal parcel on or about October 8, 2020.
- $16,500.00 in U.S. currency seized from a postal parcel on or about October 8, 2020.
- $52,800.00 in U.S. currency seized from a postal parcel on or about January 26, 2021.
- $40,000.00 in U.S. currency seized from a postal parcel on or about September 29, 2021.
- An additional $40,000.00 in U.S. currency seized from a postal parcel seized on or about September 29, 2021.
- $23,400,000.00 in U.S. currency- The sum of money equal to the total amount of money involved in each offense.
Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort, Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Tereza Zapata-Valladares, and AUSA Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow Announces More than 23 Million Dollars in Justice Department GrantsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $ 143,935 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of Puerto Rico. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to the Puerto Rico Department of Housing, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our federal, state and local law enforcement and community partners will continue to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems we face in Puerto Rico,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “Our partnerships are the most powerful tool to protect our communities from violent crime.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
In addition to the grant listed above, in recent weeks the Department of Justice has awarded the following additional grants to entities and organizations in Puerto Rico:
Date
Recipient Agency
Grant
Amount
8/12/22
PR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
$ 288,426
8/25/22
PR Department of Justice
Sex Offender and Registration Notification Act (SORNA) Reallocation Program
$ 251,001
8/25/22
PR Department of Justice
VOCA Victim Compensation Formula Grant
$ 385,000
8/25/22
PR Department of Justice
VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant
$13,684,986
8/31/22
PR Department of Justice
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds Program
$ 125,500
9/6/22
PR Department of Justice
Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program
$ 400,000
9/6/22
University of Puerto Rico
Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence
$ 550,000
9/8/22
Oficina para el Desarrollo Socioeconómico y Comunitario
Title II Formula Grants Program
$ 608,772
9/16/22
PR Department of Justice
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program
$ 2,134,687
9/22/22
PR Department of Justice
John R. Justice (JRJ) Formula Grant Program
$ 78,115
9/27/22
Instituto de Ciencias Forenses
Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program
$ 293,954
9/27/22
Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Contra la Adicción
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
$ 1,400,000
9/27/22
PR Department of Justice
Building State Technology Capacity and Jabara-Heyer No HATE Act State-Run Hate Crime Reporting
$ 500,000
9/29/22
Taller Salud, Inc.
Office of Justice Programs Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative
$ 2,000,000
9/29/22
Instituto de Ciencias Forenses
DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program
$ 621,890
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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Student Who Hacked over a Dozen Email and Snapchat Accounts of Female Students from the University of Puerto Rico Sentenced to 13 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On October 12, 2022, United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño Coll sentenced Iván Santell-Velázquez to 13 months in prison and two years of supervised release for cyberstalking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2261A(2), announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The defendant plead guilty on July 13, 2022.
According to the parties’ stipulation of facts, Santell-Velázquez, while a student at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, sent unauthorized emails to faculty, administration, and students under the moniker “Slay3r_r00t”. Santell-Velázquez targeted over 100 student email accounts and used phishing and spoofing schemes to successfully break into multiple university e-mail accounts. He also hacked into several female students’ Snapchat accounts between 2019 and 2021, some of which contained nude images that he shared with third parties who published the images online.
After Santell-Velázquez broke into a victim’s Snapchat account, she began receiving harassing text messages with her intimate pictures. Nude photos stolen from the victim’s Snapchat account were also posted on Twitter and on a Facebook page. The plea agreement identified 15 women and the University of Puerto Rico as victims of Santell-Velázquez.
“The prosecution of cyber criminals is a top priority in the Justice Department. Cybercrimes not only cause financial losses to corporate victims, but also result in financial and psychological harm to vulnerable victims, oftentimes children or the elderly. This conduct will not be tolerated.” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “This case also demonstrates the importance of safeguarding personal information and passwords, and the care we must take when responding to suspicious e-mails and text messages.”
“Cyberstalking can have a major impact on its victims, which can range from suicidal ideation, fear, anger, depression, to PTSD,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, Joseph González. “This is why, at the FBI we are committed to investigating these terrible crimes and we urge the public to report incidents to law enforcement immediately. Victims and witnesses can report cybercrimes via iC3.gov (https://www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice) or by calling 787-987-6500. We’d like also to thank the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico for their support in this important investigation.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette Collazo prosecuted the case, and the FBI San Juan Cyber Division conducted the investigation.
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20-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 40-Years of Imprisonment for Armed Robberies, Carjackings, and Four MurdersRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – On October 12, 2022, U.S. District Senior Judge Francisco A. Besosa sentenced Nycole Amaury Rosario-Sánchez to 40 years in prison for committing three robberies and two carjackings during which four victims were murdered.
“This defendant, who senselessly killed victims just to rob them, has today been brought to justice through the imposition of a significant sentence,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will continue to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that those who threaten our communities with acts of violence face the consequences of their actions.”
When he pled guilty on May 27, 2022, Rosario-Sánchez admitted that on January 4, 2018, he robbed Pizzería de Fernan in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, and wounded an employee and a client. Defendant Rosario-Sánchez also recognized that on January 11, 2018, during the robbery of the food business El Invader on Highway #1 in San Juan, PR, he shot and killed an employee. His plea included the confession to his participation in the January 13, 2018 carjacking of an all-terrain motorcycle at a Puma station in Santurce where he shot the driver, who died from the injuries.
The criminal conduct for which he was sentenced also included the January 14, 2018, robbery of a food business called Tripletas Mixtas Ruiz in Cidra, PR, during which several employees were shot and where one employee died. On that same day, the defendant and others carjacked a 2010 Toyota Tacoma and shot the driver, who also died from the gunshot wounds. Rosario-Sánchez was a minor when he committed these heinous crimes, and he was aided and abetted by others. However, in accordance with Department of Justice procedures, he was prosecuted as an adult.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gottfried prosecuted the case. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau conducted the investigation and supported the prosecution.
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Man Indicted for Dog-Fighting Violations of the Animal Welfare ActRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment yesterday charging Antonio Casillas-Montero, a.k.a. Stone City Kennel with conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act.
The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General (USDA OIG) as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) are in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the Humacao Strike Force East; the Puerto Rico Police Bureau Welfare and Protection of Animals (Bienestar y Protección de los Animales) from the Arecibo area; the FBI San Juan Cyber Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Humane Society of the United States.
“Dogfighting for entertainment and profit is the organized and atrocious business of breeding and conditioning dogs to fight each other until one dog kills the other,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “Beyond the needless suffering it inflicts on animals, it exacts a toll on local animal shelters, humane organizations, and people in general. This arrest ends the defendant’s decades-long involvement in this illegal business, and hopefully will deter others who seek to profit from forcing animals to fight to the death.”
“To force dogs to fight, in some occasions to death, is not only a federal crime, it is also cruel and despicable,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos. “HSI will remain vigilant and will support our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those committing these heinous crimes.”
According to court documents, Casillas and his co-conspirators (including one who has been living in Florida) have operated for over 30 years in Puerto Rico and elsewhere “Stone City Kennel,” which breeds and fights pit-bull type dogs in the United States and internationally. Stone City Kennel has participated in over 150 dog fights in locations that have included Puerto Rico, México, Ecuador, Perú, the Dominican Republic, New Jersey and New York. In 2020, Casillas explained that Stone City is “Me [and] my partner in Florida.” According to Casillas, he does not “pick up” dogs during fights, meaning that he does not remove a losing dog from a fight.
During the course of the conspiracy, Casillas trained dogs in Puerto Rico for fights. This included using steroids on the fighting dogs, including winstrol, metenolone, and sustanon. Casillas also would chain pit-bull type dogs to tread mills to walk or run for miles.
Casillas sometimes sent his dogs outside of the United States to be conditioned for fighting. This included sending dogs to St. Croix and Ecuador. Some of the reasons were, according to Casillas, the risk associated with conditioning the dogs in the United States and that he had friends abroad who worked the dogs well. The Dominican Republic was the location of several dog fights, where Casillas traveled. After one fight in Santo Domingo, he explained that his dog died after he “got hit with bleeder on nose that never stop[ped].” Dog fights could last over an hour.
The defendant sold pit-bull type dogs for animal fighting ventures, including a female “champion” (a dog who has won around three fights) for approximately $20,000. Other dog sales were negotiated for prices ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with shipment to the continental United States via airplane cargo for $200, in addition to the veterinary and kennel expenses. Casillas encouraged potential buyers to fly to Puerto Rico to pick up the dogs in his possession.
On October 6, 2022, four pit-bull-type dogs chained to stakes in the ground near over-turned barrels were found on property associated with Casillas in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
If convicted, Casillas faces up to five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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.
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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Seven Individuals Indicted for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 29, 2022, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned seven separate indictments charging seven individuals with Social Security Fraud.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau are investigating the cases.
“The seven defendants arrested yesterday stole thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits that didn’t belong to them- they stole from the government, from victims, and even from victims that had passed away. We remain steadfast in our commitment to bring to justice unscrupulous individuals who illegally seek personal financial gain,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
“These arrests represent our commitment to hold individuals responsible for defrauding Social Security programs. As evidenced by the more than one-million-dollar fraud loss in these collective cases, our collaborative efforts help to protect taxpayer funds and preserve much needed programs,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “I thank the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, and the Puerto Rico Police Department for their assistance. I also appreciate the high level of support that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has shown us in seeking prosecution of those who commit Social Security fraud and I thank Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Bonano for her outstanding work.”
The defendants and the charges are:
- Sonia I. Vargas-Rodríguez was the owner and representative of Hogar Sendero de Amor, Inc. (HSA), an elderly care facility located in Mayagüez, PR. She had S.R. and R.F under her care. They both passed away in 2013 and 2014 respectively, and the defendant failed to report their deaths to the SSA and continued collecting their Social Security checks. In addition, the Puerto Rico Family Department closed HSA in June of 2014 due to claims of negligence and abuse.
- Counts one and two- Wire Fraud. The defendant sent electronic transmissions of fraudulent Representative Payee Reports to SSA for S.R. and R.F.
- Count three- Theft of Government Property. The defendant received $114,590.40 illegally from the SSA.
- Yahaita Cruz-Cintrón
- Count one- Theft of Government Property. The defendant received $196,772.75 from the SSA illegally.
- Count two- False Statement. The defendant provided false statements to the SSA in a Work Activity Report; said she worked in the Continental United States for eight years when the reality was that she didn’t work.
- Count three- Health Care Fraud. The defendant received illegally $164,694.03 in Medicare Payments.
- Norberto Berríos-Rodríguez
- Count one- Theft of Government Property. The defendant received $129,346.30 from the SSA illegally.
- Count two- False Statement. The defendant provided false statements to the SSA in a Work Activity Report. He stated that he started working in August 2021 but, in fact, he had been working since before that date.
- Count three- Concealment or Failure to Disclose Event to SSA. The defendant failed to disclose that he was working and continued receiving the SSA benefits.
- Count four- Health Care Fraud. The defendant received illegally $33,608.00 in Medicare Payments.
- Pedro Medina-Medina
- Count one- Theft of Government Property. The defendant received $159,254.40 from the SSA illegally.
- Count two- False Statement. The defendant provided false statements to the SSA in a Work Activity Report. He stated that he only worked part-time for the years 2015 to 2017 knowing that he worked full-time since 2009.
- Count three- Concealment or Failure to Disclose Event to SSA. The defendant failed to disclose that he was working and continued receiving the SSA benefits.
- Count four- Health Care Fraud. The defendant received illegally $22,673.14 in Medicare Payments.
- Luis A. Soto-Torres
- Count one- Theft of Government Property. The defendant knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, purloined, and converted to his own use $122,483.90 from the SSA, which payments were made payable to M.S.C. and the defendant knew he was not entitled to receive.
- Marialices Cora-Martínez
- Count one- Theft of Government Property. The defendant knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, purloined, and converted to her own use $59,079.30 from the SSA, which payments were made payable to L.L.M. and the defendant knew she was not entitled to receive.
- Janice Rodríguez-Méndez
- Count one- Theft of Government Property. The defendant knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, purloined, and converted to her own use $18,784.00 from the SSA, which payments were made payable to A.R.L. and the defendant knew she was not entitled.
If convicted, the defendants face the following maximum penalties: 10 years of imprisonment for Theft of Government Property and Health Care Fraud; 5 years of imprisonment for False Statements and Concealment or Failure to Disclose Event to SSA; and 20 years of imprisonment for Wire Fraud. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
During fiscal year 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted for Social Security fraud a total of eight additional cases via Information, six of which have been sentenced, for a total loss amount of $529,334.80.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa D. Bonano-Rodríguez is prosecuting these 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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Puerto Rico U.S. Attorney’s Office Takes Part in U.S. Department of Justice’s Wide-Ranging Efforts to Protect Older AdultsRead the Press Release
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The United States Justice Department announced today the results of its efforts over the past year to protect older adults from fraud and exploitation. During the past year, the Department and its law enforcement partners tackled matters that ranged from mass‑marketing scams that impacted thousands of victims to bad actors scamming their neighbors. Substantial efforts were also made over the last year to return money to fraud victims. Today, the Department also announced it is expanding its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to amplify efforts to combat scams originating overseas.
“We are intensifying our efforts nationwide to protect older adults, including by more than tripling the number of U.S. Attorneys’ offices participating in our Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force dedicated to disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This expansion builds on the Justice Department’s existing work to hold accountable those who steal funds from older adults, including by returning those funds to the victims where possible.”
W. Stephen Muldrow indicated that “the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico has actively joined ongoing nationwide efforts not only to prosecute those who target the elderly but also to educate Puerto Rico citizens about the fraud schemes that are being used in our area. Keeping all our citizens safe from criminal predators requires not only law enforcement action after the fact, but also a fair amount of knowledge and affirmative action by our community members. Awareness and prevention about the scams that exist are integral in our battle against elder fraud. Reporting incidents of victimization is also important to allow the U.S. Department of Justice to pursue the recovery of funds for victims.”
During the period from September 2021 to September 2022, U.S. Department of Justice personnel and its law enforcement partners pursued approximately 260 cases involving more than 600 defendants, both bringing new cases and advancing those previously charged.
As part of the District’s elder fraud efforts, our personnel engaged in outreach to the community and industry to raise awareness about scams and exploitation, and to prevent victimization. This year, the USAO‑Puerto Rico’s PACE Division held a series of crime prevention seminars in the Multiple Activities Centers for the Elderly (known in Spanish by the acronym of “CAMPEA”) managed by the Family Department across the Island. Pursuant to this initiative, the PACE (Public Affairs and Community Outreach Unit) visited the following CAMPEA locations where Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Zenón and Community Outreach Specialist Genesis González provided important and insightful training to the elderly community: Bayamón, Arecibo, Lares, Juana Díaz, Aguada, Guayama and Aguadilla. The photograph included was taken during the Financial Fraud Prevention Seminars at the CAMPEA locations.
The Department also highlighted three other efforts being pursued nationwide to address this important matter: expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, success in returning money to victims, and efforts to combat grandparent scams.
The Department announced that as part of its continuing efforts to protect older adults and bring perpetrators of fraud schemes to justice it is expanding the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, adding 14 new U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Expansion of the Strike Force will help to coordinate the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat largest and most harmful fraud schemes that target or disproportionately impact older adults.
In the past year, the Department has notified over 550,000 people that they may be eligible for remission payments. Notifications were made to consumers whose information was sold by one of three data companies prosecuted by the Department and were later victims of “sweepstakes” or “astrology” solicitations that falsely promised prizes or individualized services in return for a fee. More than 150,000 of those victims cashed checks totaling $52 million, and thousands more are eligible to receive checks. Also notified were consumers who paid fraudsters perpetrating person-in-need scams and job scams via Western Union. In the past year, the Department has identified and contacted over 300,000 consumers who may be eligible for remission. Since March of 2020 more than 148,000 victims have received more than $366 million because of a 2017 criminal resolution with Western Union for the company’s willful failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and its aiding and abetting of wire fraud.
Over the past year, the Department pursued cases against the perpetrators of “grandparent scams,” otherwise known as “person-in-need scams.” These scams typically begin when a fraudster, often based overseas, contacts an older adult, and poses as either a grandchild, other family member or someone calling on behalf of a family member. Call recipients are told that their family member is in jeopardy and is urgently in need of money. When recently sentencing one of eight perpetrators of a grandparent scam indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal judge described such scams “heartbreakingly evil.” The Department is working with government partners and others to raise awareness about these schemes.
Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcements efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professional who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov.
Some of the cases that comprise today’s announcement are charges, which are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Public Reporting of Environmental Justice ConcernsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Environmental Justice is a principle that combines civil rights with environmental protection by examining whether all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income are receiving fair treatment and meaningful involvement with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
On May 5, 2022, the Attorney General announced actions to enhance and advance the U.S. Department of Justice’s environmental justice (EJ) work. These efforts include the issuance of a Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy (Strategy), the creation of an Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) within the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), and the issuance of both an interim final rule rescinding the Department’s regulations at 28 C.F.R § 50.28 and a policy allowing the Department’s components to enter into settlement agreements that include payments under limited circumstances to non-governmental persons or entities that are not parties to the underlying litigation.
In furtherance of the Strategy, the OEJ will convene a standing DOJ Environmental Justice Enforcement Steering Committee and each U.S. Attorney’s Office will designate an environmental justice coordinator. Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Erbe has been designated to serve as the environmental justice coordinator (EJC) for the District of Puerto Rico.
The EJC will coordinate efforts to enforce both civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. An intentional decision to violate these laws may be a federal crime. For example, intentionally discharging pollutants into a river without a permit, or bypassing a required pollution control device, is a criminal act that carries the possibility of incarceration and monetary fines.
Efforts will also be undertaken to remedy environmental violations and pollutants by pursuing actions under the civil rights laws, worker safety and consumer protection statutes, and the False Claims Act, where appropriate. For example, a federal contractor who violates a contractual provision mandating the proper disposal of hazardous waste may be subject to liability under the False Claims Act.
Other examples of civil or criminal environmental misconduct include:
- Air emissions of toxic pollutants resulting from inadequate or nonexistent pollution control
- Oil spills or other environmental incidents that compromise the land or practices of disadvantaged communities
- Unpermitted discharges of a pollutant into waters of the United States
- Illegal discharges into waters or sewer systems that threaten public safety and cause damage to our water infrastructure
- Illegal handling, transportation, and disposal of hazardous wastes and pesticides
- Illegal asbestos removals that expose and create health risks for workers and the public
- False statements to the EPA or other regulatory agencies that threaten the integrity of environmental protection programs
Engagement in the Commonwealth
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico will conduct island-wide outreach efforts via the Public Affairs and Community Engagement (PACE) Division. These outreach efforts are designed to increase communication regarding identified environmental justice concerns; 2) identify impacted communities; 3) assist in engagement with impacted communities; and 4) promote transparency regarding Federal environmental justice enforcement efforts and results.
What Can You Do?
Reporting environmental, public health and safety concerns supports a safe community for all. U.S. Attorney Muldrow encourages Puerto Rico residents to use the following contact information to report violations to federal agencies.
If the violation concerns air quality, health, water, land, waste, chemicals and toxins (e.g., pesticides and lead paint), and/or a cleanup, contact the Environmental Protection Agency at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations.
If the violation concerns an oil or chemical spill, contact the EPA National Response Center at 1-800-424-88022.
If the violation concerns a marine environment, contact the United States Coast Guard at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878.
If the violation concerns harm to wildlife (e.g., pesticide misuse), contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-800-344-9453 or www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips.
If the violation concerns the destruction of wetlands, contact your local district branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Locations/.
If the violation concerns workplace conditions, such as chemicals or noxious fumes, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-6742 or www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint.
If the violation concerns housing conditions, contact the Department of Housing & Urban Development – Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) at 1-800-347-3735 or https://www.hudoig.gov/hotline/hotline-form.
If the violation concerns transportation of hazardous materials or a pipeline, contact the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) at 1-800-424-9071 or https://www.oig.dot.gov/fraud-hotline.
If the violation concerns medications, cosmetics, biological products, and other products for human consumption, contact the FDA at 1-888-463-6332 or https://www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda.
If the violation concerns discriminatory environmental and health impacts, contact DOJ Civil Rights at 1-855-856-1247 or https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
If the violation involves public corruption, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://tips.fbi.gov/ or (787)987-6500.
You can also send information or concerns by mail to:
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Attn: Environmental Justice Coordinator
District of Puerto Rico
Torre Chardón, Suite 1201
350 Chardón Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/oej; www.epa.gov; www.justice.gov/usao/pr
Man Receives 25-Year Sentence for Carjacking Murder of Uber Eats DriverRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – On September 30, 2022, U.S. District Judge Daniel R. Domínguez sentenced Carlos Rafael Rosario-Morales to 25 years in prison for committing two carjackings, during one of which he murdered an Uber Eats driver, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
When he pled guilty on May 26, 2022, Rosario-Morales acknowledged that on August 6, 2019, he took a 2017 Ford Transit from an Uber Eats driver, whom he stabbed multiple times with a knife, and thereby caused his death. Rosario-Morales also acknowledged that on July 22, 2019, he took a Mitsubishi Outlander from a female victim while brandishing a knife.
“The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who threaten our communities with senseless acts of violence face the consequences of their actions. I commend the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the FBI for their excellent work in bringing Mr. Rosario to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow.
The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau were in charge of the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Alum prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Urges the Public to Report Suspected Hurricane Fiona Relief Fraud and Cautions Those Who Would Seek to Illegally Profit from this DisasterRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to disaster relief operations and federal funding for victims of Hurricane Fiona by calling National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or the NCDF's on-line portal for complaints at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
In coordination with our federal and local law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will investigate and prosecute hurricane relief schemes. The NCDF Hotline can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes.
United States Attorney Muldrow also cautioned those unscrupulous and predatory individuals and organizations who use this tragic event to take advantage of those in need and who seek to illegally profit from this natural disaster at the expense of the good and hard-working residents of Puerto Rico.
“The United States Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute those who commit disaster-related fraud, including those who willfully attempt to delay or disrupt the delivery of critical supplies to those in need, including water, gasoline, diesel fuel and other materials, so that they can unjustly enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “We also take this opportunity to thank our first responders and those who have selflessly helped their neighbors and others in need. It is that spirit of resilience and compassion that typifies Puerto Rico.”
“Disaster Fraud and related acts of corruption hurt those who need it most in their time of greatest need. This should shock everyone’s conscience and move anyone who witnesses such acts to immediate action,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, Joseph González. “The FBI is on alert, and we encourage anyone with information on disaster fraud and/or any related acts of corruption, to call 787-987-6500 or leave a tip online by visiting Tips.FBI.Gov - Don’t let criminals steal Puerto Rico’s chance to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Fiona.”
Some examples of disaster-related fraud schemes include:
- Impersonation of federal law enforcement officials
- Identity theft
- Fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government
- Fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving
- Fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns from profits from recovery and cleanup efforts
- Price gouging
- Theft, looting, and other violent crime
Members of the public are reminded to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods.
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Man Found Guilty of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 15, 2022, a federal jury convicted Carlos J. Reyes-Rosario, a.k.a. “Carlitos El Mea,” of five counts for drug trafficking in the municipalities of Caguas, Cidra, and Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. He faces a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison.
Convict Reyes-Rosario was charged on December 8, 2017, along with 43 other defendants with conspiracy to distribute heroin, crack, cocaine, marihuana, Percocet, and Xanax at the Turabo Heights, Brisas del Turabo, Juan Jiménez-García, Práxedes Santiago, Jardines de Cidra, and Vistas de Jagüeyes Public Housing Projects and other areas nearby the municipalities of Caguas, Cidra and Aguas Buenas, PR.
Evidence at trial proved that Reyes-Rosario was a gang leader at the Jardines de Cidra public housing project. The gang’s territory spanned the greater Caguas area and had as its main leader federal fugitive Nelson Torres-Delgado, a.k.a. “El Burro”. The jury heard evidence that upon the arrest and subsequent murder of a prior gang leader at Jardines de Cidra, Torres-Delgado appointed Reyes-Rosario to a leadership position. Reyes-Rosario served as the gang leader of Jardines de Cidra from late 2015 until the federal indictment came down.
Within Jardines de Cidra, armed drug dealers working under the leadership of Reyes-Rosario sold heroin, crack, cocaine, marijuana, and pills in broad daylight while residents, including families and children, went about their lives. The United States presented evidence that this gang routinely carried guns to include illegally modified automatic weapons. The gang engaged in violent territory wars to maintain control of drug sales in and around Caguas and their corresponding profits.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), specifically the Caguas Strike Force, were in charge of the investigation, with the collaboration of the DEA and the US Marshals.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Gang Section, Corinne Cordero and R. Vance Eaton.
The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). This multi-agency task force investigates and dismantles major drug trafficking organizations responsible for the movement of multi kilogram quantities of narcotics as well as the gang violence that is generated by drug trafficking.
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Two Men Found Guilty by a Jury of Six Carjackings, Two Kidnappings, and MurderRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – After a seven-day jury trial, yesterday, a federal jury convicted Jairo Huertas-Mercado and Erik Pizarro-Mercado for six carjackings, one kidnapping, one kidnapping murder, and related firearms offenses.
According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, the defendants committed the following offenses:
- May 20, 2018-the armed carjacking of a 2016 Toyota Tacoma
The victim was driving his Tacoma toward Naguabo, PR, in the Rio Blanco sector, when the defendants and two others used another vehicle to block the driver of the Tacoma. The defendants and another participant showed their firearms at the victim and forced him out of the Tacoma. The participants then took the victim’s Tacoma and other-personal property. The Tacoma was subsequently used in furtherance of another carjacking.
- May 27, 2018-the armed carjacking of a 2004 Infiniti
The defendants used the Tacoma that they carjacked on May 20, 2018 to carjack an Infiniti. Specifically, the defendants and two-other participants drove the Tacoma up to a family who were enjoying their day in the area of El Yunque. There, they showed firearms at the members of the family and took the Infiniti and the family’s personal property, including cameras which the participants used in another carjacking. Eventually, the participants burned the Infiniti in an area where they killed Luis Saenz-Matias.
- May 31, 2018-the kidnapping murder of Luis Saenz-Matías
The defendants and another kidnapped Luis Saenz-Matias because they believed him to be a member of a rival group. The defendants were members of a drug trafficking group that was at odds with a group which the defendants believed Sanz-Matias was a member. The defendants and the other participant took Luis Saenz-Matias to the area where they had burned the Infiniti in La Central, Canovanas, PR and shot and killed him.
- June 3, 2018-the armed carjacking of a 2009 Nissan Altima on June 3, 2018
Jairo Huertas-Mercado and another participated in this carjacking which occurred at the beach in Piñones, PR. At first, Jairo Huertas-Mercado and the other participant used cameras taken from the victims of the Inifiniti carjacking to pretend to be doing a photo shoot so as to not raise the victim’s suspicions. They then pointed firearms at the victims—a male and his two female friends. The other participant in the offense hit one of the females. Then, Jairo Huertas-Mercado and the other participant took the Altima.
- June 4, 2018- the armed carjacking of a red-burgundy Toyota Camry
The defendants and another carjacked the Camry from an elderly couple who were fishing for crabs near Tropical beach in Naguabo. The participants first blocked the Camry and then pointed firearms at the couple. They then took the Camry from the couple. The Camry was immediately used in furtherance of another carjacking that day.
- June 4, 2018- the armed carjacking of a 2016 Kia Sportage
Soon after the carjacking of the Camry, the defendants took a Sportage from a female victim that had just come from her church in Canovanas, PR. The defendants used the Camry to block the front of the victim’s vehicle. The other participant of the carjacking of the Camry was behind the Sportage. A firearm was displayed at the victim, and the defendants took the Sportage from the female victim. Then, the female victim asked for help from the driver of the vehicle behind her who unbeknownst to her was the other participant of the carjacking of the Camry and was with the ones who had just carjacked her. The other participant did not help the female victim and drove after the defendants, who had just taken the Sportage. The Sportage was used by the defendants and two others to carjack and kidnap Bryan Rohena-Perez, who is better known by his stage name Bryant Myers. After the kidnapping and carjacking of Bryant Myers, the Sportage was burned.
- June 5, 2018- carjacking and kidnapping of Bryan Rohena-Pérez, also known as Bryant Myers and his mother
Jairo Huertas-Mercado had a grudge with Bryant Myers because of the death of Jairo Huertas-Mercado’s cousin—Corroro, who Bryant Myers mentioned in a song. In retaliation, defendants and two others set out in the Sportage to kidnap Bryant Myers who they knew was in the basketball court in Loma Alta, Carolina, PR. Once the participants arrived at Loma Alta, they went towards Bryant Myers and pointed firearms at him. They then forced Bryant Myers into the Sportage. Bryant Myers struggled and one of the participants used a gun to hit Bryant Myers in the head. While this is happening, Bryant Myers’ mom went to the scene and pled with the armed participants, asking them not to harm her son. Meanwhile, other persons approached the participants, and one of the participants shot in the air to disperse the crowd. Jairo Huertas-Mercado then took Bryant Myers’ mom in Bryant Myers’ BMW X6 SUV and Erick Pizarro-Mercado and the other two participants took Bryant Myers in the Sportage. They drove to a land fill in Carolina. There, police arrived at the scene, and Bryant Myers was able to jump out of the Sportage. Bryant Myers’ mom also got out of the BMW. She was unharmed. On that date, the defendants and the other-two participants escaped from the police.
Because of their conviction for the kidnapping murder, both defendants face mandatory-life sentences, in addition to any sentence imposed for the remaining convictions.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Joseph González made the announcement.
The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau were in charge of investigating these cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández prosecuted the case.
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23 Members of a Violent Gang Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations in Yauco, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 14, 2022, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 23 violent gang members from the municipality of Yauco with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, as well as firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), Ponce Strike Force, led the investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
“Today’s arrests reflect the unwavering commitment of the U.S. Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who fuel violence in our streets through illegal drug trafficking activities” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the hard work of the agents and prosecutors who worked tirelessly on this investigation to make our community safer.”
“HSI San Juan remains committed to work side by side with our state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal organizations,” said Iván Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations. “This investigation is the direct result of multiple law enforcement entities working together towards a safer Puerto Rico.”
The indictment alleges that from 2019 until the date of the return of the indictment, the drug trafficking organization distributed cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), heroin, cocaine, and marihuana within 1,000 feet of the Santa Catalina Public Housing Project. The object of the conspiracy was the large-scale distribution of controlled substances in the municipality Yauco for significant financial gain and profit.
The 23 defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of their organization, including as leaders, drug point owners, suppliers, runners, enforcers, sellers, facilitators, and lookouts. Nine of the defendants are also facing a charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The members of the drug trafficking organization routinely possessed, carried, brandished, and used different types of firearms, including modified automatic firearms and high-capacity rifles.
As part of the conspiracy, the defendants and their co-conspirators established a drug distribution point that would move within different areas inside the public housing projects to avoid police detection, including the basketball court and a tree in front of the old school inside the Santa Catalina PHP. Sometimes the defendants moved the drug point to the third floor of a building and dispatched the controlled substances from a balcony using a rope down to the first floor to avoid law enforcement detection.
Members of the organization would steal cars and use them to further their drug trafficking activities like transport money, narcotics, and firearms. The members of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to maintain control of the areas in which they operated. They often abducted and assaulted rival drug traffickers, as well as members of their own drug trafficking organization, to intimidate and maintain control of the drug trafficking operation.
The defendants charged are:
Jesús Manuel Castro-Oliveras, a.k.a. “Chuy/Chui”
Giovanni Joel Vargas-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Giova, Jova, La J”
Carlos Irving Caraballo-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Coco/Vizco”
Ángel Osvaldo Pietri-Velázquez, a.k.a. “Chuleta”
Dayan Joel Caraballo-Ortiz, a.k.a. “Jowel/Joel”
José Ramón Cannizaro-Burgos, a.k.a. “Monchito”
Luis Antonio Irizarry-Albino, a.k.a. “Luisito”
Isaías Manuel Rivera
Irving Joel Torres Pacheco
Jean Carlos Ayala-Morales, a.k.a. “Flaco”
Ángel Edid Vélez-Echevarría, a.k.a. “Gordo Ángel/Hammer”
Néstor Rodríguez-Echevarría, a.k.a. “Tito”
Steven Vélez-Echevarría, a.k.a. “Steven”
Jean Carlos Cabello-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Pikin”
José Ángel Velázquez-Seda, a.k.a. “Tito Chuleta”
Richardson Enoc Cordero-Gallardo, a.k.a. “Richard”
Alejandro Martín Borrero-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Alejandro”
Kevin Joel Bermúdez-Torres
Daniel Pérez
Liz Marie Rosado-Vélez, a.k.a. “La Gorda”
Benjamín Vélez-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Benji”
Manuel De Jesús Castro-Peña, a.k.a. “Manolo/Manuel De-Jesús-Castro”
Harvey Ramírez-Pérez
All the defendants are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $10,501,050.
Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort, Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Tereza Zapata-Valladares, Special AUSAs Cristina Caraballo and R. Vance Eaton are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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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Seven Individuals Charged for Smuggling Kilogram Quantities of Cocaine Through the Luis Muñoz Marín International AirportRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a four count indictment charging four men and three women with drug trafficking through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
According to the charging document, from January 2020 through the return of the indictment, Luis Avilés-Colom, Michael Pérez-Antonsanti, Tanisha Rosario-Torres, Luis Alberto Cruz-Maldonado, Iván Andino-Núñez, Shirley Córdova-Rosario, and Ashely Ruiz-Rosado, conspired to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants were part of a drug trafficking organization comprised of a network of recruiters, coordinators, and transporters who traveled from Puerto Rico to the continental United States via commercial flights with cocaine for wholesale distribution, all for significant financial gain.
“This drug trafficking organization was using the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to deliver large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to several destinations throughout the continental United States. Today, federal agencies curtailed their impact by arresting leaders, organizers and travelers who made their distribution network possible,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “The US Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in Puerto Rico and the Continental US to gather the intelligence and evidence necessary to bring the leaders and associates of these dangerous organizations to justice. Efforts like today’s multiple arrests prove the effectiveness of our resolve and commitment.”
“The Airport Investigations Tactical Team (AirTAT), a task force under the Caribbean Corridor strike force, is composed of multiple state and federal entities and is charged with protecting our Airport, including protection from its misuse by criminal organizations,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Iván Arvelo. “The indictment and the arrests send a clear message to any organization that tries to exploit our airport: “we will protect the Airport and the citizens and visitors who use this important port. You will be arrested if you abuse our facilities.”
In addition to the drug trafficking charges, defendant Luis Avilés-Colom is charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, specifically $525,790, which involved the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity, that is the felonious manufacture, importation, receiving, concealment, buying, selling, and otherwise dealing in controlled substances.
If convicted, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and their respective Airport Investigations and Tactical Teams (AirTAT) were in charge of the investigation. AirTAT identifies, locates, disrupts, dismantles, and prosecutes transnational crime organizations using the airports in Puerto Rico to smuggle narcotics, weapons, human cargo, counterfeit documents, illegal proceeds, and other contraband.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jawayria Z. Auchter from the Transnational Organized Crime Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
This investigation 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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Man Sentenced to 135 months for Operating a “Ponzi” Scheme and Committing Securities and Bank FraudRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Carlos Maldonado, owner of Business Planning Resources International Corporation (BPRIC), Glorimar Fashions and Tailoring, LLC, Global Business Insurance Agency Inc., and associated under the incorporation documents with Pet Card Systems, Inc., and Datavos Corporation, was sentenced today to 11 years and three months (135 months) in prison for securities fraud and bank fraud, and ordered to serve five years of supervised release. Maldonado was also ordered to pay $1,986,734.26 in restitution to 46 of his victims.
Maldonado was charged with 16 counts of securities fraud and bank fraud on October 27, 2016. In December 2019, he was found guilty on all counts after a jury trial. The jury found that, from on or about the year 2007 through the year 2012, Carlos Maldonado along with several associates fraudulently solicited and procured over $5,000,000 on behalf of BPRIC from over 100 individuals and other businesses. As part of the fraudulent scheme, Maldonado and his associates provided phony Investment Contracts to victims in Puerto Rico and the Continental US in exchange for their monetary investment in his bogus business enterprises.
During trial, the government presented checks, bank records, emails, other documentary evidence, and witness and victim testimonies that proved that the defendant made or caused materially false and misleading representations to be made to investors, including: (i) that the various companies were involved in legitimate business functions―which he knew not to be true; (ii) failing to disclose to investors that their funds would be used to buy and trade stocks and commodities on a ScottTrade account, Foreex Capital markets, LLC, and other personal trading accounts, and for Maldonado’s family expenses instead of funding the bogus business ventures; and (iii) failing to disclose that the investment funds fraudulently obtained were to be used by Maldonado to purchase goods and services at retail stores, restaurants, and spend money for travel, rent, entertainment, and personal auto loan payments.
After the imposition of this substantive sentence by US District Judge John A. Woodcock, District Judge from the District of Maine, United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico emphasized that “investment fraud can come in many forms, but its main feature is the promise of a fast and high return. Fraudsters, posing as salespeople or entrepreneurs, contact unsuspecting individuals and offer them seemingly exciting investment opportunities. The victims are lured in by the promise of a deal that is “too good to be true” because it isn’t true. We want to remind the citizens of Puerto Rico that no investment is risk-free and that an offer of a high rate of return always means greater risk. Before investing, get written information, such as a prospectus or annual report, and be wary if a salesperson pressures you to invest immediately, promises you quick profits, encourages you to borrow money or cash-in retirement funds to invest, tells you to write false information on your account forms, or uses words like “guarantee,” “high return,” or “limited offer”. As soon as you suspect that you have been the target of fraudulent scheme, contact law enforcement so we can prosecute those responsible and attempt to recover the stolen funds.”
“The victims in this case, as with most cases, were promised an incredible return on the investment of their hard-earned money. Sadly, the promises were based on lies and they were preyed on by someone who used their desire for a better future to gain their trust and steal their dreams,” said FBI SAC Joseph González. “At the FBI we are committed to pursuing these cases to the end of the line, but we need victims to come forward. If you believe you or anyone you know has been a victim of one of these schemes, call 787-987-6500 or leave a tip online through tips.FBI.gov. Help us bring these criminals to justice.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Edward Veronda and Jeanette Collazo, and investigated by the FBI.
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Justice Department Moves to Intervene in Disability Discrimination Suit Against San Juan, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today intervened in a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by individuals with mobility disabilities against the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504). The department’s complaint alleges that San Juan fails to provide people with mobility disabilities equal access to the city’s public sidewalk system.
The department’s complaint alleges that there are widespread accessibility issues with San Juan’s sidewalks, including curb ramps that are cracked, too steep or nonexistent, and walkways that are uneven, too narrow, or obstructed by bollards, utility poles or other obstacles. The department’s allegations are based on findings by the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Civil Rights as well as corroborating evidence developed in a subsequent investigation conducted by the department.
Both San Juan and the plaintiffs consented to the department’s intervention in the proceedings. The department has already participated in productive discussions with the parties and hopes for San Juan’s continued cooperation in reaching a resolution that brings the city into compliance with the ADA and Section 504.
“The ADA’s employment, transportation, and public accommodation protections provide little benefit to people with mobility disabilities if they cannot safely navigate a city’s streets and sidewalks,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit aims to ensure that San Juan meets its obligations under federal law to ensure that its public sidewalk system is accessible to people with disabilities.”
“The ADA and Section 504 require that individuals with disabilities have equal access to city sidewalks so that they can fully participate in community life,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We are committed to ensuring that San Juan takes the necessary steps to make its sidewalks, curb ramps and crosswalks accessible to all city residents and visitors, and confident that we can work with the city and the plaintiffs to secure a meaningful resolution of this civil action.”
The motion and complaint seeking intervention were jointly filed by the department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. The department also previously filed a statement of interest in this matter.
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 https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
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Former Puerto Rico Legislator Sentenced to 57 Months for Bribery and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former Puerto Rico legislator was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for engaging in a bribery and kickback scheme. He was also ordered to pay $190,000 in restitution.
Nelson Del Valle Colón, 56, of Dorado, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty in the District of Puerto Rico to federal program bribery on March 31, 2022. According to court documents, Del Valle Colón was elected to be a member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives in 2016. He thereafter hired Mildred Estrada-Rojas, 55, and her daughter, Nickolle Santos-Estrada, 33, both of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to work in his legislative office. In exchange for their employment and their salaries, however, Estrada and Santos paid biweekly kickbacks to Del Valle Colón of between approximately $500 and $1,300 from early 2017 until approximately July 2020.
According to statements made in connection with their pleas, Del Valle Colón, Estrada, and Santos admitted that the biweekly kickbacks were paid in a variety of ways. Estrada and Santos generally paid their biweekly cash kickbacks in envelopes that they provided to Del Valle Colón in offices in the Capitol building in Old San Juan. Estrada sometimes paid her kickback to Del Valle Colón over ATH Móvil, a mobile phone cash transfer application.
Estrada is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28. Santos is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 16. 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, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Anderson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
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Former Puerto Rico Legislator Sentenced for Bribery and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
A former Puerto Rico legislator was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for engaging in a bribery and kickback scheme. He was also ordered to pay $190,000 in restitution.
Nelson Del Valle Colon, 56, of Dorado, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty in the District of Puerto Rico to federal program bribery in March. According to court documents, Del Valle Colon was elected to be a member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives in 2016. He thereafter hired Mildred Estrada-Rojas, 55, and her daughter, Nickolle Santos-Estrada, 33, both of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to work in his legislative office. In exchange for their employment and their salaries, however, Estrada and Santos paid biweekly kickbacks to Del Valle Colon of between approximately $500 and $1,300 from early 2017 until approximately July 2020.
According to statements made in connection with their pleas, Del Valle Colon, Estrada, and Santos admitted that the biweekly kickbacks were paid in a variety of ways. Estrada and Santos generally paid their biweekly cash kickbacks in envelopes that they provided to Del Valle Colon in offices in the Capitol building in Old San Juan. Estrada sometimes paid her kickback to Del Valle Colon over ATH Móvil, a mobile phone cash transfer application.
Estrada is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28. Santos is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 16. 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, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Anderson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
Fourth Contractor Enters Guilty Plea to Bribing Former Mayor of CatañoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – José Bou-Santiago, 50, was charged via information and pleaded guilty today in Puerto Rico to engaging in a bribery scheme in which he provided a bribe in exchange for being awarded a future municipal construction service contract that benefited his maintenance service company.
In 2019, Bou-Santiago, the owner Bou Maintenance Service, secured municipal contracts in Cataño for green area maintenance, construction, and the purchase, sale, and rental of vehicles. In order to stay competitive with bidding for these types of municipal contracts, Bou-Santiago agreed to provide the former mayor of Cataño with a Rolex watch. In April 2019, Bou-Santiago met with the former mayor of Cataño at his home and provided him with the watch. The watch was a Rolex “Pepsi” Model #116719 purchased by Bou-Santiago for $33,000 and given to the former mayor of Cataño in exchange for the awarding of a future construction service contract to Bou Maintenance Service.
In June 2019, in exchange for the Rolex watch provided to the former mayor of Cataño, Bou Maintenance Service was awarded a Cataño municipal contract for construction services valued at approximately $190,000.00.
Bou-Santiago pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a bribery scheme. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 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, W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Erbe of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
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 three 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. United States v. Raymond Rodríguez, 21-465 (RAM); United States v. Mario Villegas, 21-468(FAB); United States v. Luis Arroyo-Chiques, 21-485 (SCC); United States v. Eduardo Cintron-Saurez, 22-151 (SCC); United States v. Ramon Conde-Melendez, 22-221 (PAD); United States v. Pedro Marrero-Miranda, 22-251 (RAM); and United States v. Jose Luis Cruz-Cruz, 22-276 (SCC).
Additionally, the department recently obtained indictments charging several former officials and contractors with bribery related to municipal contracts, and those cases are still pending. See United States v. Ángel Pérez-Otero, 21-474 (ADC); United States v. Radamés Benítez-Cardona, 21-475 (PAD); United States v. Javier García-Pérez, 22-185 (ADC); and United States v. Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 22-186 (PAD).
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President and Treasurer of Super PAC Sentenced for Dark Money SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The president and treasurer of a Super PAC was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for scheming to lie to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) about the true identities of donors.
The Super PAC, which was also sentenced today, was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and to serve three years of probation.
According to the admissions made in connection with their pleas, Joseph Fuentes-Fernández, 62, of Arlington, Virginia, and Salvemos a Puerto Rico, the Super PAC for which he served as president and treasurer, raised funds to support the 2020 election campaign of Public Official-1, then a candidate for office in the executive branch of the government of Puerto Rico. Soon after Salvemos a Puerto Rico was organized, Fuentes and others also formed two shell § 501(c)(4) nonprofit social welfare organizations. These two § 501(c)(4) entities were registered within seven minutes of each other, listed the same mailing address, and shared some of the same officers.
Fuentes further admitted that he and others solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars of donations to the two shell nonprofit entities, which rapidly sent most of those funds to Salvemos a Puerto Rico. Fuentes and Salvemos a Puerto Rico then reported to the FEC that the nonprofit entities were the donors of those funds, rather than reporting the true source of the funds. The purpose of routing these donor funds through the nonprofit entities was exclusively to conceal the true identities of the donors to Salvemos a Puerto Rico. For example, in October 2020, Fuentes sent this text message to a potential donor: “You can use a third party to not disclose the true donor.” By ensuring that many of the true donors to Salvemos a Puerto Rico remained anonymous, Fuentes and Salvemos a Puerto Rico deprived the people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the FEC of information about the true source of hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing into Puerto Rico’s political system.
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, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case.
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President and Treasurer of Super PAC Sentenced for Dark Money SchemeRead the Press Release
The president and treasurer of a Super PAC was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for scheming to lie to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) about the true identities of donors.
The Super PAC, which was also sentenced today, was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and to serve three years of probation.
According to the admissions made in connection with their pleas, Joseph Fuentes-Fernandez, 62, of Arlington, Virginia, and Salvemos a Puerto Rico, the Super PAC for which he served as president and treasurer, raised funds to support the 2020 election campaign of Public Official-1, then a candidate for office in the executive branch of the government of Puerto Rico. Soon after Salvemos a Puerto Rico was organized, Fuentes and others also formed two shell § 501(c)(4) nonprofit social welfare organizations. These two § 501(c)(4) entities were registered within seven minutes of each other, listed the same mailing address, and shared some of the same officers.
Fuentes further admitted that he and others solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars of donations to the two shell nonprofit entities, which rapidly sent most of those funds to Salvemos a Puerto Rico. Fuentes and Salvemos a Puerto Rico then reported to the FEC that the nonprofit entities were the donors of those funds, rather than reporting the true source of the funds. The purpose of routing these donor funds through the nonprofit entities was exclusively to conceal the true identities of the donors to Salvemos a Puerto Rico. For example, in October 2020, Fuentes sent this text message to a potential donor: “You can use a third party to not disclose the true donor.” By ensuring that many of the true donors to Salvemos a Puerto Rico remained anonymous, Fuentes and Salvemos a Puerto Rico deprived the people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the FEC of information about the true source of hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing into Puerto Rico’s political system.
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, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods Inicia Nueva CampañaRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – MI MEJOR ARMA ES AMAR, es el lema oficial de la campaña publicitaria de prevención de violencia y armas ilegales de la iniciativa Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), constituida por agencias federales, estatales y entidades comunitarias entre las que se encuentran la Fiscalía Federal, la Administración de Vivienda Pública, el Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano, Departamento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico, Alianza para un Puerto Rico sin Drogas, Departamento de la Familia de PR, Departamento de Justicia de PR, Departamento de Recreación y Deportes y el Buró de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos.
“Con esta campaña de PSN buscamos unir las fuerzas del orden público federales, estatales y locales, junto con las estrategias de las organizaciones comunitarias que tienen un conocimiento vasto sobre lo que funciona, y más importante aún, lo que disuade y previene la violencia en sus comunidades,” dijo W. Stephen Muldrow, fiscal federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico. “Continuaremos llegando a nuestras comunidades junto con los demás grupos y agencias para buscar la manera de mantener nuestras comunidades seguras”.
“Nosotros, como sociedad, nos estamos acostumbrando a escuchar sobre tiroteos, asesinatos o conductas violentas. Las actividades delictivas no deben ser normalizadas. Es nuestra responsabilidad hacer un esfuerzo por promover espacios de paz y de seguridad por el bien de nuestra niñez y juventud”, afirmó la licenciada Katiana Pérez Torres, directora ejecutiva de la Alianza para un Puerto Rico sin Drogas, quienes colaboraron en la creación de los mensajes.
En 2001, se lanzó PSN para reducir la violencia con armas de fuego y los delitos violentos en los Estados Unidos. Es una iniciativa nacional que reúne a funcionarios encargados de hacer cumplir las leyes federales y estatales, fiscales, funcionarios gubernamentales, socios comunitarios y otras partes interesadas para identificar los problemas de delitos violentos más apremiantes en una comunidad y desarrollar soluciones para combatirlos.
A nivel local, la iniciativa está coordinada por las Fiscalías Federales en los 94 distritos en los 50 estados y territorios de los EE. UU. PSN utiliza la investigación, el análisis de datos y las lecciones aprendidas de otras iniciativas de reducción de delitos violentos, para informar la toma de decisiones sobre las estrategias de reducción de violencia más efectivas.
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Dominican Drug Lord extradited to the United States from the Dominican Republic to Face Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico –Dominican authorities extradited Consolidated Priority Organizational Target (CPOT) Julio De Los Santos-Bautista, also known as “Julito Kilo,” to the United States to face drug trafficking charges filed in the District of Puerto Rico.
“This successful extradition demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Justice to support our law enforcement partner agencies and our strong working relationship with dedicated foreign partners who assist in apprehending drug trafficking criminals wherever they may be hiding,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “We will continue to maximize our multi-agency efforts to bring to justice those who disregard our laws and smuggle drugs into Puerto Rico and the continental United States.”
Julio De Los Santos-Bautista was the leader of a transnational criminal organization (TCO) based in the Dominican Republic. This TCO received multi-ton shipments of cocaine from South America through the Dominican Republic and then transported these to Puerto Rico and the continental United States.
On July 14, 2021, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a superseding indictment against De Los Santos-Bautista charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine for the Purpose of Unlawful Importation, Conspiracy to Import Cocaine, and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States. The Indictment includes a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $25,000,000.
The investigation, Operation El Patron, was jointly conducted with the collaboration of CCSF partner agencies: Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The Attorney General designated De Los Santos-Bautista as an OCDETF Consolidated Priority Organizational Target (CPOT) in 2020. The Attorney General’s (AG) Interagency CPOT list is comprised of leaders who exercise “command and control” of the elements of the most prolific drug trafficking/money laundering organizations that have the greatest impact on the United States’ illicit drug supply. The CPOT list represents the “most wanted” of the cartel leadership and ensures that the full capabilities of the U.S. government are focused, in a coordinated and clear manner, on a group of agreed-upon high-level targets.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of De Los Santos-Bautista from the Dominican Republic. The Department of Justice also recognizes the significant collaboration provided by authorities in the Dominican Republic.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Max J. Pérez-Bouret, Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Bonhomme, Deputy Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section.
If convicted, De Los Santos-Bautista faces a possible minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison for all the drug trafficking charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle large scale international drug trafficking and money laundering organizations importing and further transshipping cocaine, as well as money laundering activities.
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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Individuals Charged with Labor Racketeering in the Port of San JuanRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On August 11, 2022, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 7 defendants with running a criminal enterprise dedicated to extorting and misleading shipping companies into paying fees for the loading and unloading of cargo at the Port of San Juan—Piers 9, 10, and 11—under the threat of strikes and blockades on the part of union members of the ILA-1740 of the International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO (“ILA”) and under false representations that companies had to pay a fee in order to be able to use “union-free labor” for the loading and unloading of cargo, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation related to the total value of the loss, approximately $1,184,524.26, and one residential property, a vehicle, and a boat.
Pursuant to the indictment, Pedro Pastrana-González and his ex-wife, Iara Clemente-Rivera, owners and managers of JCPY, Inc. (JCPY), aided by a public employee and Puerto Rico Port Authority worker, Jorge Batista-Maldonado and Carlos Sánchez-Ortiz, the president of the union ILA-1740, are charged with running the fraudulent and extortionate scheme against shipping companies using Piers 9, 10, and 11. Members of the enterprise took some of the money made from the scheme and concealed it in JCPY and as payments to ILA-1740’s employee benefit plan called Plan de Bienestar UTM-PRSSA (the “Plan”).
Pastrana-González, Clemente-Rivera, Victor F. Torres-Barroso, José A. Fernández-Cruz, and Carlos A. Hernández-Laguer are also charged in the indictment for their participation in an agreement to take funds and falsify records of the Plan. Pastrana-González and Clemente-Rivera agreed that Torres-Barroso, Fernández-Cruz, and Hernández-Laguer—members of ILA-1740 who worked in a company that provides stevedoring services (longshore work) — would do “chimbos” for Clemente-Rivera. “Chimbo” is slang for a person who uses the union card of another individual when working at the docks so that it appears that the union member is working. Because it appeared that the person on the union card (Clemente-Rivera) was working, the hours worked were fraudulently counted for Clemente-Rivera’s yearly-hour requirement to qualify for Plan benefits.
The defendants are charged with the following counts:
- Pedro Pastrana-González, Counts 1-7;
- Iara Clemente-Rivera, Counts 1-7;
- Carlos Sánchez-Ortiz, Counts 1-5;
- Jorge Batista-Maldonado, Counts 1-3;
- Victor F. Torres-Barroso, Counts 6 and 7;
- José A. Fernández-Cruz, Counts 6 and 7; and
- Carlos A. Hernández-Laguer, Counts 6 and 7.
- Count One of the indictment charges a RICO conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d), which subjects the defendants to a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years;
- Count Two charges a Hobbs Act extortion conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951, which subjects the defendants to a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years;
- Count Three charges a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, which subjects the defendants to a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years;
- Count Four charges a conspiracy to violate the Taft-Hartley Act (labor management relations) in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 186, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, which subjects the defendants to a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years;
- Count Five charges a money laundering conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h), which subjects the defendants to a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years;
- Count Six charges a conspiracy to willfully convert funds and falsify records of the Plan in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 664 and 18 U.S.C. § 1027, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, which subjects the defendants to a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years; and
- Count Seven charges health care fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347, which subjects the defendants to a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years.
“These arrests are the result of a comprehensive investigation that now will put a stop to the illegal fees that the defendants were charging the shipping companies at Piers 9, 10 and 11,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I want to congratulate the attorneys and agents from all of these agencies who worked diligently to uncover this years-long scheme.”
“Schemes such as the one uncovered and charged in this indictment, negatively impact local economy and stalls the economic progress the people of Puerto Rico deserve,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “This scheme was sustained by silence, and I hope the work we’ve done here with our partners, serves as a motivation for those with information, to speak up.
“An important part of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) mission is to protect the integrity of labor unions and affiliated benefit plans by investigating those who allegedly abuse their positions of trust for personal financial gain. The OIG would like to thank our partners for their assistance in this complex and large-scale investigation,” stated Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
“Today’s indictment includes allegations of corruption against a union president as well as several union members. OLMS will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold accountable union officials, who hold positions of trust, as well as others who may seek personal gain through illegal activities, taking advantage of the union and the hardworking rank and file workers who the union represents,” said Megan Underwood, Northeastern Regional Director of the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS). “OLMS thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and all of the partner agencies for their dedication to this case.”
“These fraudulent actions resulted in people improperly receiving benefits they were not eligible for, hurting thousands of Puerto Ricans who worked tirelessly to earn those benefits honestly and legally,” said Ali Khawar, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). “When anyone commits a crime involving an employee benefit plan, EBSA will make sure they are brought to justice.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations who seek to exploit legitimate business and individuals for financial gain. Today’s arrests will not only bring a sense of justice to the victims but will also help increase awareness on these type of fraudulent schemes,” said Juan A. Vargas, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspector, Miami Division.
The FBI is in charge of the investigation, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor—Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor—Office of Labor-Management Standards, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistance was also provided by the San Juan Municipal Police, the Carolina Municipal Police, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.
The investigation was carried out in consultation with attorneys of the Organized Crime and Gang Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández 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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Former Teacher’s Aide Indicted and Arrested for Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging former teacher’s aide Josualis Carrasquillo-Ramos, 21, with sexual exploitation of a minor, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The arrest follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Puerto Rico Department of Education and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to the indictment, in October and November of 2021, Carrasquillo-Ramos did knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual who had not attained the age of eighteen to engage in sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.
“The defendant used his position of trust to prey on a minor, making the minor a victim of child exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “If you are a victim or know of another victim of this individual, please come forward; contact the authorities so we can protect you and others from these crimes. We want the community to know that 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 these criminals.”
“The sexual exploitation of minors, in all forms, is a despicable and a very serious crime. HSI will fiercely investigate these crimes to identify the alleged perpetrator, arrest him or her, and obtain solid evidence that will prevail in court,” said Iván J. Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) for HSI San Juan. “To those contemplating perpetrating this crime, we will continue working with our local and federal partners and using all resources available and robust investigative authorities to identify you, arrest you and prosecute you.”
On Friday, Carrasquillo-Ramos had his initial hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Camile Velez-Rive. He was transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center to await further judicial proceedings.
If convicted, Carrasquillo-Ramos faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant United States Attorney Ginette Milanés, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crimes and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse and help make the internet a safer place for children.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians.
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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