District of Rhode Island
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
California-Based Company, Company President and Employee Indicted in Alleged Scheme to Violate the Export Control Reform ActRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The president of a California-based electronics distribution company, his company and an employee have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence, Rhode Island, on charges they participated in a conspiracy to conceal information from the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of a scheme to illegally export chemicals manufactured and/or distributed by a Rhode Island-based company to a technology company in China. The company is on a U.S. government list of businesses not permitted to receive products manufactured in the United States.
According to an indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Providence, there is reasonable cause to believe that the Chinese entity is involved in the illicit procurement of commodities and technologies for unauthorized military end-use. Export Administration Regulations restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to the foreign policy or national security of the United States.
It is alleged in the indictment that Broad Tech System Inc., located in Ontario, California, the company’s CEO, CFO, and President Tao Jiang, aka “Jason Jiang” and Bohr Winn-Shih, an equipment engineer for Broad Tech Systems, conspired to order the chemicals HiPR 6517 Photoresist (Photoresist) and HPRD 441 Developer (Developer) from a Rhode Island-based manufacturer, then knowingly submitted false and misleading documentation to the U.S. Government and shipping companies in an effort to have the product illegally shipped to a company in China, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act. Photoresist and HPRD are essential in the chip manufacturing process.
It is alleged the defendants knowingly provided false information in an attempt to ship the chemicals to China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 55th Research Institute, a/k/a Nanjing Electronic Devices Institute, CETC Research Institute 55, NEDI, and NEDTEK, located in Nanjing, China. The company is a state-owned Chinese entity that mainly engages in the manufacturing of electronic components and the research, development and production of core chips and key components in China’s military strategic early warning systems, air defense systems, airborne fire control systems, manned space systems, and other national large-scale projects.
On October 25, 2018, The Customs and Border Protection National Targeting Center alerted an agent from the Department of Commerce (DOC) of an intended export of 58 gallons of Photoresist to NEDI. The shipment was halted and agents from DOC communicated with the RI-based manufacturer to inform them that NEDI was included on a U.S government list of Chinese companies that U.S companies are prohibited from exporting commodities to. The product was returned to the manufacturer.
It is alleged that several days after the shipment to NEDI was halted, the Rhode Island manufacturer received a call from Jason Jiang, acting on behalf of Broad Tech System, requesting to purchase 94 gallons of Photoresist. During continuing communications, Jiang and Bohr Winn-Shih represented to the manufacturer that the intended recipient of the Photoresist, and a quantity of Developer added to the order, was a company called NTESY, located in Nanjing, China. The manufacturer communicated to DOC agents that they found this to be suspicious because they had never done business with Broad Tech; ninety-four gallons was a significant quantity of Photoresist; and that the request came just several days after the shipment to NEDI had been recalled.
Records obtained by DOC agents established that Jiang, Shih and Broad Tech allegedly used NTESY to conceal that NEDI was the intended recipient.
According to the indictment, in January 2019, Jiang, Shih, and Broad Tech provided false information to a California-based freight forwarder about the intended recipient of 58 gallons of Photoresist. In May 2019, Jiang, Shih, and Broad Tech provided false information to the freight forwarder about the intended recipient of an additional 36 gallons of Photoresist and 131 units of Developer. Relying on these false representations, the freight forwarder filed export documents with the DOC that allegedly falsely identified the recipient of the Photoresist and Developer as NTESY.
According to the indictment, on January 29, 2019, Broad Tech received a wire transfer of $65,984 to its account at a bank within the United States purporting to be from NTESY Technology Co., China, representing payment for the 58 gallons of Photoresist. The wire transfer originated in Nanjing, China. Records show that the account where the funds originated from was an account controlled by NEDI.
The indictment charges Broad Tech Systems, Inc., Tao Jiang, 50, of Riverside, CA, and Bohr Winn-Shih, 63, of Ontario, CA, with conspiracy, violation of the Export Control Reform Act, and money laundering conspiracy, announced Aaron L. Weisman, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island and Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge William Higgins.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted in the District of Rhode Island by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
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Providence Man Indicted for Trafficking Crystal Meth, Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man arrested on federal drug trafficking charges by members of the FBI Safe Street Task Force while he was on state probation, having been previously convicted in Rhode Island state court and incarcerated on unrelated drug trafficking charges, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of trafficking crystal methamphetamine (meth) and crack cocaine.
Casimiro Pereira, 28, was arrested during an investigation into his alleged drug trafficking activities during which time it is alleged that on at least five occasions, while under law enforcement surveillance, Pereira delivered varying amounts of crystal meth and crack cocaine in exchange for cash.
It is alleged that on July 25 and on August 15, 2019, Pereira sold approximately 20 grams of crystal meth for $360, and that on at least three occasions between October 1, 2019, and January 28, 2020, he allegedly delivered between approximately 1.45 and 7 grams of crack cocaine for between $100 and $300. Each alleged transaction was monitored by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the drugs quickly seized by members of law enforcement.
On January 31, 2020, a federal court-authorized search of Pereira’s residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 136 grams of crystal meth and 8 grams of crack cocaine, and various items used in the preparation, packaging, and distribution of crystal meth and crack cocaine.
A federal grand jury today returned a seven-count indictment charging Pereira with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, three counts of distribution of cocaine base, and one count of possession of cocaine base with the intent to distribute.
Pereira’s indictment is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Sandra R. Hebert.
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Central Falls Man Indicted in Pawtucket ShootingRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Central Falls man arrested in connection with a shooting in Pawtucket in April 2020, which was caught on video and left a parked car riddled with bullets, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for allegedly being a felon in possession of ammunition.
It is alleged that Jayquan Parker, 25, fired at least 22 rounds into a parked vehicle and nearby garage and drove off. Based on information developed by Pawtucket Police and gleaned from surveillance videos recorded in the surrounding area of the shooting, Pawtucket Police identified Parker as the alleged shooter. He was located and arrested by the Fugitive Task Force and Pawtucket Police on April 19, and arraigned on multiple state charges.
According to court documents, prior to the shooting, Parker had been convicted and sentenced in Rhode Island state court on felony charges on multiple occasions. As a result, in addition to state charges filed against Parker in connection with the April 7 shooting, the Government filed a federal criminal complaint charging Parker with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Today, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Parker with being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, United States Marshal Wing Chau, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case in U.S. District Court is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
The Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force is run by the U.S Marshals Service along with the Rhode Island State Police. The Task Force is comprised of members from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Warwick, Cranston, Coventry, East Providence, Middletown, Pawtucket, Portsmouth and Providence Police Departments who work full time to track down and apprehend the most violent and dangerous fugitives both within the United States and Internationally.
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Registered Sex Offender Charged with Distributing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender convicted in Rhode Island state court in 2014 for possessing child pornography was arrested today by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing and possessing child pornography.
Thomas Andreozzi, 59, of North Providence, was arrested at his home moments after he rushed into his residence in an alleged attempt to avoid members of the ICAC Task Force.
According to court documents, it is alleged that in May 2020, Andreozzi uploaded images depicting child pornography while communicating with a person online. It is alleged that Andreozzi also boasted, “I have lots of young stuff” and “I have little girls.”
As members of the ICAC Task Force approached Andreozzi’s residence today to execute a court-authorized search of his home, Andreozzi allegedly fled inside his apartment and refused law enforcement commands to open the door. After forcing their way into Andreozzi’s apartment, agents and officers immediately seized a cell phone from Andreozzi’s hand and another on a nearby table. It is alleged that the phone in Andreozzi’s hand was opened to an online electronic media storage service. Numerous files of child pornography were allegedly observed by law enforcement.
Andreozzi appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distribution of child pornography and possession and accessing child pornography with intent to view. He was released to home confinement with GPS monitoring, and ordered not to access the internet and to have no contact with children.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Distribution of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of 15-30 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release. Possession and accessing child pornography with intent to view is punishable by statutory penalties of 10-20 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release.
Andreozzi’s arrest and initial appearance is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit along with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
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Cumberland Man Sentenced for Robbing Two BanksRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Cumberland man who previously admitted to robbing banks in Providence and Pawtucket within a month of one another in mid-summer 2019 was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison.
Christopher S. Oladapo, 29, admitted to the court that he robbed a Providence branch of Citizens Bank on July 27, 2019, of $3,286, and that he robbed a Citizens Bank branch in Pawtucket on August 31, 2019, of $2,031. In both instances, he handed tellers threating notes demanding cash.
Oladapo admitted that in the first robbery he handed a note to a teller that read “Don’t be a hero there’s two of us in here Give me all the money in your draw Call police 15 mins after I walk out Your being watched keep your hands where I can see.”
In the second robbery he passed a note to a teller that read, “act normal give me all the money you have, you are being watched. Give me the note back and don’t call the police for 20 minutes.”
Oladapo pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020, to two counts of bank robbery. At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Oladapo to 30 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Additionally, Oladapo was ordered by the court to pay restitution to Citizens Bank totaling $5,299.
Oladapo’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Sandra R. Hebert.
The robberies were investigated by the Providence and Pawtucket Police Departments, with the assistance of the FBI.
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Two-Time Bank Robber SentencedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man twice convicted for robbing banks in Rhode Island, among other crimes he has been convicted of committing as an adult over the past 33 years, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.
David L. Evans, 51, was most recently convicted in federal court of robbing a Providence branch of Santander Bank in May 2018. At the time of his guilty plea, Evans admitted that he handed a note to a teller demanding cash, at the same time telling her to empty both drawers and that “you have three seconds to give me the money and I’m not joking, I’m serious.” He then counted “1, 2, 3,” as the teller handed him cash.
According to information presented to the court, the bank teller handed Evans $568 in cash. Evans did nothing to conceal his face and identity during the robbery, which was recorded on bank surveillance video and still photographs. The images were used to confirm his identity. He was arrested on June 6, 2018, by Providence Police Detectives and agents from the FBI.
Evans pleaded guilty on February 6, 2020, to bank robbery. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Evans was ordered to pay $568 in restitution to Santander Bank.
Evans sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
According to court documents, Evans, who has been involved in the justice system for the past 33 years, has spent most of his adult life incarcerated. His convictions include arrests and convictions on, among other crimes, firearm, drugs, assault, domestic assault, breaking and entering, wire fraud, transportation of stolen goods, and second degree robbery charges. Evans was convicted of robbing a bank branch office located inside a Warwick supermarket in March 2010.
The most recent case, prosecuted in U.S. District Court in Providence, was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey P. Veroni and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
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Five Charged as Cocaine Pipeline to Rhode Island ShutdownRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An alleged drug trafficking pipeline that U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents believe may have been responsible for the shipment through the U.S. Mail of upwards of 100 kilos of cocaine into Rhode Island from Puerto Rico was shut down today when five individuals were charged in U.S. District Court in Providence and more than a dozen firearms were seized.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) agents and law enforcement agents and officers from the Rhode Island High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force culminated an investigation of the alleged drug trafficking organization with the execution of federal court-authorized search warrants at four locations in Woonsocket, seizing 16 firearms, multiple military style bullet proof vests, ammunition, cross bows, a kilogram of cocaine, a cocaine press, and other items used in the distribution of cocaine.
Also today, USPIS agents intercepted and seized three packages sent from Puerto Rico to addresses in Woonsocket. A federal court-authorized search of the packages resulted in the seizure of eight kilos of cocaine.
According to information presented to the court, 15 unsecured firearms, many of which were loaded, to include handguns, shotguns and rifles, including a modified AK-47, were seized from a Woonsocket residence. The firearms were discovered by members of law enforcement out in the open and within reach of a 6-year-old child who was in the residence at the time. Luis Alvarez, 25, was arrested, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony.
A loaded firearm was also seized from another Woonsocket residence searched today by law enforcement, where William Lugo, 29, was arrested, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony. According to court documents, Lugo is currently on state probation related to a 2016 firearm conviction.
According to court documents, a USPIS investigation identified approximately 55 Priority Mail packages alleged to contain one or more kilograms of cocaine that were shipped from different post offices in Puerto Rico to various addresses in Woonsocket since January 2019. Often times, multiple packages were mailed on the same day. The investigation showed that the parcels’ sender names were not associated with the listed return address, and similarly, the listed recipients were not associated with the Rhode Island addresses to which the parcels were sent. Many of the parcels had similar weights, and some bear similar handwriting.
It is alleged that several individuals worked together to track the shipments through the U.S. Postal Service, retrieve the Priority Mail parcels, and deliver them to other members of the drug trafficking organization at the locations searched today by law enforcement.
Also arrested today, charged by way of federal criminal complaints with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony, were Natasha Belardo, 27, of Woonsocket, and Hector G. Rios, 37, of Cranston.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a fifth person, Victor L. Casanova, 26, of Woonsocket. Casanova is charged by way of federal criminal complaint with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation and today’s arrests and seizures are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman acknowledges and thanks the Woonsocket Police Department for their assistance today in the execution of the search warrants and in the arrest of Alvarez, Lugo, and Belardo.
The Rhode Island HIDTA Task Force is managed by the Rhode Island State Police and is comprised of law enforcement agents and officers from the Rhode Island State Police, Lincoln Police Department, Providence Police Department, North Providence Police Department, Middletown Police Department, West Warwick Police Department, Bristol Police Department, ATF, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, ACI Special Investigative Unit, and Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine D. Lowell and Denise M. Barton.
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Taxpayers Reminded to be Vigilant as Filing Deadline ApproachesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE — The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island reminded taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warned against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.
Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.
“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due”, said Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in New England. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”
“With the extended tax filing deadline now just days away, scammers are working overtime to steal your identity and your personal financial information,” noted United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “Be vigilant. The IRS will not call you, email you, text you, or contact you on social media.”
In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.
Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) e-mails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to [email protected].
For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.
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Inmate Sentenced for Running Crack Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy from PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – An Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) inmate who admitted to running a drug trafficking conspiracy from inside the prison that delivered crack cocaine to individuals outside of the prison was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison.
James Gomes, 33, formerly of Pawtucket, previously admitted to the Court that he executed a scheme where fellow inmates provided him with prospective crack cocaine buyers outside of prison and their contact information. Gomes often passed the information through his mother, Lisa Ellis, 51, of Pawtucket, to two individuals, Joshua Moore, 19, formerly of Pawtucket, and Gerald Price, 34, of Cranston, who delivered the drugs to Gomes’ customers.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Rhode Island Task Force determined that, using his prison call account and the accounts of others, Gomes frequently called his mother directing her to establish conference calls with Moore and Price. During the conference calls, Gomes directed Ellis, Moore and/or Price to sell crack cocaine to others. According to information presented to the court, Ellis allegedly kept a small portion of the proceeds from the sales for herself and deposited the rest of the money into Gomes’ ACI prison account.
Gomes pleaded guilty on October 15, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, one count of distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and three counts of distribution of cocaine base.
At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Gomes to 77 months in federal prison, to be served concurrently with his present term of incarceration at the ACI, to be followed by 4 years of federal supervised release, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Kelly D. Brady.
Joshua Moore pleaded guilty on September 4, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and three counts of distribution of cocaine base. He was sentenced on November 21, 2019, to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Gerald Price pleaded guilty on November 8, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and three counts of distribution of cocaine base. He was sentenced on February 24, 2020, to 60 months incarceration to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Lisa Ellis is awaiting trial in federal court on charges of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and four counts of distribution of cocaine base.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The ATF Rhode Island Task Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
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Dominican National Charged with Trafficking Fentanyl, Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man deported in March 2015 to his native Dominican Republic, having entered the United States illegally in March 2013, and who is currently facing a drug trafficking charge in Massachusetts, has been ordered detained in federal custody in Rhode Island, charged with illegal re-entry into the United States and with trafficking fentanyl.
Franklin Carlos Soto, 33, was arrested by members of the Rhode Island FBI Safe Street Task Force on July 2, 2020, following an investigation that included the alleged purchase from Soto of 50 grams of fentanyl for $2,500 on June 9 and June 18, and the alleged purchase from Soto of 25 grams of fentanyl for $1,250 on June 25. Each of the alleged transactions were monitored by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
On Thursday, members of the task force arrested Soto and executed a federal court-authorized search warrant at Soto’s residence and at a second Providence residence allegedly used by Soto as a stash house. Agents and officers seized a total of approximately 200 grams of fentanyl and a loaded 9mm ammo clip.
Soto appeared on Monday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan and was ordered detained, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with two counts of distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of distribution of less than 40 grams of fentanyl, and one count of illegal re-entry into the United States, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
Additionally, an immigration detainer has been lodged against Soto by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Area Task Force for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Department of Justice Awards $2.2 Million for Innovative Community Policing ProjectsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The Department of Justice today announced $2.2 million in grant funding to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) Community Policing Development (CPD) Microgrants Program. COPS Office Director Phil Keith announced 29 awards with award amounts ranging from $15,090 to $100,000.
The Narragansett Police Department, one of just 29 law enforcement agencies in the nation selected to receive a Community Policing Development Microgrant Program Grant, will administer a $99,993 grant to bolster a regional Crisis Intervention Team shared by the Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Westerly, and Richmond Police Departments. The funding will be used to expand a regional, comprehensive response to citizens in Washington County dealing with mental health issues. The grant will, in part, fund a second clinician to ride along with police officers to respond to individuals in psychiatric or substance use crisis.
“I congratulate the Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Westerly, and Richmond Police Departments for recognizing the need to provide critical community policing programs such as the Crisis Intervention Team, and the important role that a trained medical professional can play when police officers are called upon to respond to calls involving a person in personal crisis,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.
“The CPD Microgrants Program is a critical resource to advance innovative community policing projects across the country,” said Director Keith. “These strategic investments from the COPS Office pay huge dividends to state and local law enforcement agencies and the communities that they serve.”
CPD Microgrants Program funds are used to develop the capacity of local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies to implement community policing strategies. Applicants were invited to propose demonstration or pilot projects to be implemented in their agency that offer creative ideas to advance crime fighting, community engagement, problem solving, or organizational changes to support community policing in one of the following areas:
- Human Trafficking
- Meeting Rural Law Enforcement Challenges
- Officer Safety and Wellness
- Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention
- School Safety
- Staffing and Allocation Studies
- Victim-Centered Approaches
- Violent Crime
- Youth Engagement
Funding through this program is available for the first time since 2018, following the successful removal of a nationwide injunction. These awards are being announced at a critical time for our country, when community policing strategies are very much needed to improve police and community relations.
The complete list of awards can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/cpdmicrogrants/Award_List.pdf. To learn more about CPD Microgrants, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/cpdmicrogrants. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Department of Justice Warns of Inaccurate Flyers and Postings Regarding the Use of Face Masks and the ADARead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband reiterated today that cards and other documents bearing the Department of Justice seal and claiming that individuals are exempt from face mask requirements are fraudulent.
Inaccurate flyers or other postings have been circulating on the web and via social media channels regarding the use of face masks and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these notices included use of the Department of Justice seal and ADA phone number.
As the Department has stated in a previous alert, the Department did not issue and does not endorse them in any way. The public should not rely on the information contained in these postings.
The ADA does not provide a blanket exemption to people with disabilities from complying with legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operations.
The public can visit ADA.gov or call the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY) for more information.
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Chiropractor Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud, Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence chiropractor today admitted that he created and executed a scheme to defraud a health care benefits program and that he failed to pay taxes on some of the income he received from his business.
Eugene Kramer, 51, sole owner of New England Spine and Disc Center, admitted to the court that he committed health care fraud by billing for days a patient did not attend treatment, for treatment not provided, and by falsifying medical notes and documentation to support a nonexistent personal injury claim.
As part of the scheme, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, Kramer provided invoices for chiropractic treatment to an attorney, who then, in order to support a patient’s bodily injury claim, provided those invoices to an automobile insurance company in Rhode Island. To bolster the claim, Kramer created falsified medical notes and documentation.
According to court documents, an individual electronically monitored by the FBI visited Kramer’s office on 15 occasions for chiropractic treatment, under the pretext of having been involved in an automobile accident. In most instances little or no treatment was provided and few if any medical notes were taken. At no time did Kramer provide the person with a diagnosis or discuss a treatment plan. The individual was emailed a package requesting a monetary settlement in connection with a supposed injury claim to Progressive Insurance requesting, among other things, reimbursement for chiropractic services.
In addition to admitting to executing the health care fraud scheme, Kramer admitted that for tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017, he failed to report a portion of his personal income, resulting in him owing the IRS $66,914.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court William E. Smith, Kramer pleaded guilty to one count each of health care fraud and filing a false tax return, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Kristina O'Connell.
Kramer is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2020.
Health care fraud is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release. Filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of $100,000, and one year of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The matter was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Hopkinton Man Sentenced on Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Hopkinton, RI, man previously convicted on domestic assault and receiving stolen goods, and who admitted to illegally possessing firearms and to illegally ordering gun parts from China used to convert Glock 9mm pistols to automatic weapons, was sentenced on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Providence.
David Poole, 32, previously admitted to the court that in early 2019, he purchased at least two Glock conversion devices from a web site operated out of China. The parts, when added to a Glock pistol, convert a Glock pistol into a fully automatic weapon.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) identified at least 3,800 transactions by U.S. customers who are believed to have illegally purchased conversion devices and had them shipped to the United States. Often times, the contents of the packages shipped to the United States were labeled as “MULTITOOL SWITCH” and/ or “HANDCRAFTED FINISHED PIECES.”
According to information presented to the court, as part of the investigation the U.S. Postal Inspection Service determined and reported to ATF that at least five packages from assorted vendors containing various firearms-related accessories were delivered to Poole’s residence between February and April 2019.
Poole was arrested on May 7, 2019, as he accepted delivery from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service of the package containing the conversion devices illegally ordered and shipped from China.
Poole pleaded guilty on November 5, 2019, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun (eight conversion switch parts each capable of enabling a Glock pistol to fire as a fully automatic weapon). He was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to three years probation, the first six months to be served at the Neil J. Houston, Jr., House in Pawtucket to be followed by three months home confinement with electronic monitoring.
Poole’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kelly D. Brady, and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman thanks U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
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Fentanyl Dealer Facing up to Eighty Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man who admitted to selling significant quantities of fentanyl on the streets of Pawtucket is facing between five and eighty years in federal prison after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court to drug trafficking charges.
Jessie Yanez, 34, was arrested by members of the Cranston Police Department on November 16, 2019, following an investigation by members of the Pawtucket Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The investigation included four controlled purchases of varying amounts of fentanyl and cocaine from Yanez.
According to information presented to the court, Yanez sold an individual 3.5 grams of fentanyl for $240 on October 28, 2019, 20 grams of fentanyl for $1,800 on November 1, 2019, 50 grams of fentanyl for $2,750 on November 6, 2019, and 50 grams of cocaine for $1,900 on November 14, 2019.
Yanez, who has been detained since his arrest, appeared today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. and pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of less than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of less than 500 grams of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
Yanez is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25, 2020.
Distribution of less than 40 grams of fentanyl is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl is punishable by a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment followed by 4 years of supervised release. Distribution of less than 500 grams of cocaine is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Stacey P. Veroni and Gerard B. Sullivan.
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Dominican National Sentenced in Massive Credit Card, Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national convicted in a massive fraud scheme that resulted in tens of thousands of stolen credit card numbers and the stolen personal identifying information of thousands of individuals being used to defraud banks of at nearly $1.3 million dollars was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 41 months in federal prison.
Juan Jose Rodriguez-Castro, 37, and fellow Dominican national, Wilbred Armando Reyes-Castro, 27, were arrested by Pawtucket Police on June 6, 2018, when officers responded to a 911 emergency call for an armed home invasion in progress at a Pawtucket residence. Pawtucket Police detained three individuals as they fled out a rear door. Jewelry and a watch belonging to individuals inside the apartment were located on the individuals detained by the officers.
Inside the apartment, officers encountered Rodriguez-Castro and Reyes-Castro, and observed a laptop computer, color printers, a laminating machine, a home-made ATM-style card reader, and American Express signature stickers similar to those used on the backs of credit cards.
A further court-authorized search of the residence resulted in the seizure of seven laptops containing credit card numbers of approximately 18,000 individuals. Also seized was equipment used to steal credit and debit card information at gas pumps, a mobile credit card reader, the inside of an ATM, a photo ID card printer, numerous flip phones, a laminating machine, color printers, numerous flash drives, credit card readers and scanners, blank checks, boxes of identification holograms used to make driver’s licenses in fourteen states, three Dominican passports in the names of other individuals, numerous blank credit cards with chips, and numerous other items commonly used in the creation of fraudulent identification documents and access devices.
According to information presented to the court, during the course of the investigation Rodriguez-Castro’s fingerprints were found on credit card skimming machines in at least two states outside of Rhode Island.
Juan Jose Rodriguez-Castro pleaded guilty on January 20, 2020, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and possession of unauthorized access devices. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 41 months in federal prison to be followed to three years’ supervised release, and to pay $1,281,376 in restitution to the banks that were defrauded.
Wilbred Armando Reyes-Castro pleaded guilty on December 9, 2019, to aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced on March 12, 2020, to a term of 24 months incarceration.
The sentences are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, and Craig A. Marech, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence Office of the United States Secret Service.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the Pawtucket Police Department and the United States Secret Service, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations.
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Boston Man Sentenced in Phony Bail Scam Targeting Senior CitizensRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Boston man who participated in a scheme to defraud senior citizens by persuading them to send significant cash bail payments to various addresses in Rhode Island to secure the release of a relative they claimed had been arrested and was in jail, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence to three years’ probation, ordered to perform 150 hours of community service, and pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $31,500.
Julio J. Feliciano, 32, previously admitted to the court that between April and October 2019, he participated in a scheme that scammed seniors in at least four states, North Carolina, Delaware, Illinois, and Tennessee. Seniors were contacted and told that a relative, typically a grandson or nephew, had been involved in a serious car accident and that their relative had been arrested. The scammers told their victims that cash bail payments ranging from $7,000 to $9,500 were required to secure their relative’s release from jail. The claims were not true.
In each instance, a member of the conspiracy, using various fictitious names, instructed the senior citizen victim to mail packages containing cash to locations in Rhode Island, including private residences, UPS stores, and a pharmacy. Feliciano admitted that he traveled to the various locations to retrieve the packages.
Feliciano, arrested on November 22, 2019, by Rhode Island State Police and agents from Homeland Security Investigations, pleaded guilty on January 21, 2020, to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Feliciano to three years’ supervised release, to perform 150 hours of community service, and to pay restitution totaling $31,500 to the victims directly impacted by his criminal conduct.
Feliciano’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Rhode Island State Police Superintendent James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. If you are a victim or know a victim of elder fraud, you can call 1-877-FTC-HELP or go to ftc.gov/complaint. For downloadable Elder Abuse Prevention resources and for information about community outreach programs in Rhode Island, visit the United States Attorney’s Office’s Elder Justice Initiative web page at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/elder-justice
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Providence Man Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl, Heroin and CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man found to be in possession of more than 384 grams of fentanyl, nearly 2,000 grams of heroin, and more than 2,260 grams of cocaine, and who was expecting to take possession of six kilograms of fentanyl before it was intercepted by law enforcement, was sentenced today to six years in federal prison.
Ronny B. Nova, a/k/a Benancio, 33, was arrested in August 2017, two years after members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and Cranston Police began an investigation into his drug trafficking activities.
As part of the investigation, in November 2015, a federal court-authorized search of a Cranston residence with ties to Nova resulted in the seizure of 2,269.3 grams of cocaine; 1,954.1 grams of heroin; and 348.4 grams of fentanyl. Three days prior to the execution of the search warrant, Nova sold an individual 2.5 grams of heroin.
According to court documents, in August 2017, Missouri State Police executed a traffic stop of a rental truck, inside of which they discovered six kilograms of fentanyl. The driver was arrested, and the fentanyl and the truck were seized. The driver told arresting troopers that he had driven from Baldwin Park, California, with the fentanyl, with instructions to drive the truck to a pre-determined location in Warwick, Rhode Island.
According to court documents, the DEA obtained a similar rental truck in Rhode Island, and on August 23, 2017, an undercover law enforcement officer, posing as the truck driver arrested in Missouri, drove the truck to the location that the truck carrying the six kilograms of fentanyl was to have been brought. Law enforcement watched as a vehicle driven by Nova entered the area, surveilled the truck, and then drove off. A short time later, the undercover officer posing as the person instructed to drive the truck containing the fentanyl to Warwick received a call and was directed to a different parking lot nearby. When the truck arrived at the second location, the same vehicle driven by Ronny Nova also arrived. As Nova exited the vehicle and began to approach the truck, law enforcement surrounded him. He attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended and arrested. Nova was found to be carrying more than $12,800 in cash. He was to have paid the driver of the truck $12, 000 for delivering the drugs.
Nova pleaded guilty on November 14, 2019, as charged in a five-count indictment with possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy with intent to distribute fentanyl, attempt to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. sentenced Nova to 72 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Daly and William J. Ferland.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA and Providence, East Providence, Central Falls, Coventry, North Kingstown, Woonsocket, Cranston, Pawtucket, Newport, South Kingstown, Warwick, and West Warwick Police Departments, Rhode Island State Police, and Amtrak Police Department.
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New Jersey Man Sentenced for Interstate Travel to Engage in Illicit SexRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A New Jersey man arrested by Rhode Island State Police and Homeland Security Investigations in January after he traveled to Rhode Island believing that he was going to have sex with a 9th grade student he befriended online was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison.
Amish Jayant Patel, 47, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, communicated online for nearly a month with a person he thought to be a 14-year-old, 9th grade Rhode Island student. During the exchange of messages, Patel sent the girl photographs of himself and several sexually explicit images. He arranged to meet with the girl in Rhode Island on January 5, 2020, purchase alcohol for them to share, and to engage in illicit sexual activity.
The person he was actually communicating with was a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
According to court documents, when Patel arrived at T.F. Green Airport on January 5, he was followed by undercover law enforcement officers and agents as he deplaned, as he traveled to a local liquor store where he purchased alcohol, and then traveled to a pre-determined location where he was expecting to meet with the 14-year-old girl. He was arrested without incident.
Patel pleaded guilty on March 12, 2020, to traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual activity. At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. sentenced Patel to 46 months in federal prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and to pay a mandatory assessment of $5,000 as provided for in the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
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North Kingstown Man Charged with Transferring Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A North Kingstown man made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on Wednesday, arrested by members of the Providence FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force on a federal criminal complaint charging him with transfer of obscene material to a person under sixteen.
It is alleged that Neil Streich, 57, transferred obscene images of himself to a person he believed to be a 10-year-old girl.
It is alleged in court documents that for approximately three months Streich communicated online with an individual he believed to be a 10-year-old girl from Pennsylvania. During those communications he requested that the girl provide him with images to show that she was, in fact, a 10-year-old girl as she described to him. Three days after receiving a non-sexually explicit image from the purported 10-year-old, it is alleged that Streich began transmitting obscene images of himself to the girl.
The person Streich allegedly communicated with was, in fact, an undercover FBI Special Agent.
At the time of Streich’s arrested, FBI agents, with the assistance of North Kingstown Police and the United States Marshals Service, executed a court-authorized search of Streich’s residence and seized electronic devices allegedly owned by Streich. A preliminary forensic examination of the devices alleged revealed the online application and username used by Streich to communicate with the purported 10-year-old girl.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Streich appeared on Wednesday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan and was released on unsecured bond.
Neil Streich’s arrest and initial appearance is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. McAdams.
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Department of Justice Launches Civil Rights Reporting PortalRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The Department of Justice has announced the launch of the Civil Rights Reporting Portal. This new online tool will make it easier for the public to report a civil rights violation. This tool is now available in addition to direct contact with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island.
“The department is committed to upholding the civil and constitutional rights of all people in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Reporting Portal will make it easier for the public to connect with us, which in turn makes us more effective at upholding these important rights. I encourage the public to use this portal to report civil rights violations.”
“We take seriously our obligation to ensure that everyone’s civil rights are protected,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “Without hesitation or favor every allegation of a civil rights violation brought to this office’s attention is carefully scrutinized. The Civil Rights Reporting Portal is one more step that ensures that the public can quickly and efficiently contact the Department of Justice.”
The new Civil Rights Reporting Portal – located at https://www.civilrights.justice.gov/ – will consolidate over 30 unique reporting pathways. The portal will dramatically ease the burden on victims of civil rights violations to identify the proper reporting channel. The form is fully accessible to people with disabilities. It is also available in both English and Spanish, with more languages to be added over the next year.
Individuals can continue to report civil rights violations locally to the United States Attorney’s Office via email at [email protected] or by calling (401) 709-5010.
Individuals who believe they may have been a victim of a civil rights violation can learn how to report violations to the Department by visiting civilrights.justice.gov. When appropriate, the Civil Rights Division staff will refer complainants to other agencies that are responsible for handling specific types of complaints.
Individuals who believe they are a victim of criminal violation of their civil rights, such as misconduct by law enforcement officers, a hate crime, or human trafficking, should contact their local FBI office.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
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RI Businessman Charged with Running Elaborate Scheme to Defraud AmazonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The former owner of an East Providence automobile transport company who is awaiting sentencing in federal court for fraudulently obtaining more than $400,000 from various financial institutions and using the stolen personal identifying information of another person to continue to illegally operate his auto hauling business after being ordered to shut down for safety violations, was arrested and charged today with allegedly executing an elaborate scheme to defraud Amazon.
It is alleged in court documents that Michael Chaves, 40, former owner of CAT Inc., executed a scheme to defraud Amazon through fraudulent transactions and theft of inventory through falsely represented returns. It is alleged that Chaves ordered thousands of products from Amazon and replaced the original products with lesser value replacements, often items different than the ones he originally ordered, before returning the packages to Amazon for refunds.
According to court documents, since March 2017, Chaves has held approximately 30 Amazon customer accounts under various names and email addresses. Over this time period, Chaves’ accounts placed approximately 10,795 orders totaling approximately $713,970.78, most of which have been refunded based on Chaves’ return of the items purchased. Chaves received a total of approximately $643,324.04 in concessions or refunds on approximately 7,450 orders, including nearly approximately 7,200 items that were physically returned to Amazon. Many of the returned items were sent back in the original packaging in an attempt to deceive Amazon’s incoming inspection process. Amazon’s standard inspection process flagged approximately 149 of the returned items as potentially fraudulent, valued at $23,872.89.
According to court documents, while investigating Chaves’ fraudulent activities associated with his now defunct automobile transport company, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General agents executed a court-authorized search of Chaves’ home and business. At the business location, agents observed many opened and unopened Amazon packages and packaging materials. The room containing these items appeared to be a packing area for Amazon returns. The room contained a wide-ranging variety of items such as televisions, incense, European wall plugs (some for phone chargers), computer parts, small electronics, and a significant quantity of auto parts. At a later date, a United Parcel Service (UPS) driver told investigators that he would stop at Chaves’ business location every day delivering Amazon packages and picking up returns, often times dropping off an Amazon package one day and picking up the same package the next day as a return back to Amazon.
According to court documents, currently Chaves has six active Amazon accounts. The majority of Chaves’ purchases and returns consist of auto and commercial motor vehicle parts. Chaves also purchased and returned many other non-vehicle related items, including, but not limited to; electronics including cellular telephones and televisions, household items including chandeliers, closet organizers, lawn sheds, lawn mowers and vacuum cleaners. Most of these items were returned in an unsellable condition.
According to court documents, Chaves’ schemes would, at times, include replacing an original product purchased with a substitute product which, at first glance, appeared similar to the original purchase. Other returns were placed in boxes to represent the approximate weight of the original product. Among the examples cited in court documents of purchases and fraudulent returns include Chaves having ordered a commercial truck tire and sending back two pieces of wood; Chaves having ordered Apple Air Pod Pros and returning an unopened package of mini light bulbs; Chaves ordering a vehicle suspension joint and returning an oil filter wrench; and Chaves ordering a stabilizer bar link kit and returned in its place doggie treats.
Chaves was arrested today by U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division agents, with the assistance of East Providence Police, on a federal criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud and mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Region II U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Kristina O'Connell, and East Providence Police Chief William Nebus.
Chaves appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Patricia A. Sullivan and was ordered detained in federal custody pending a possible preliminary hearing.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Chaves is currently on pretrial supervision while awaiting sentencing, having pleaded guilty in August 2019 to falsification of US DOT records, aggravated identity theft, five-counts of bank fraud, two-counts of wire fraud, and tax evasion. The charges were brought in connection with the investigation into Chaves having falsified US DOT safety records at his trucking company, using the personal identification of another person to continue to run the transport company after it was ordered closed, fraudulently securing $400,000 in financing, and having taken numerous steps to evade paying personal income taxes to the IRS.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
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Drug Trafficking Organization Leader Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The admitted leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed dozens of kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine in New England was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in federal prison.
Ramon Delossantos, 27, a Dominican national who lived in Cumberland at the time of his arrest in October 2017, previously admitted to the court that he and members of his drug trafficking organization trafficked at least at least 25 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine throughout several New England states.
According to court documents, a Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigation dubbed “Operation Panemera” determined that Delossantos utilized multiple telephones to avoid law enforcement detection as he facilitated the distribution of narcotics with the use of “runners.” The deliveries varied from small quantities for users to kilogram quantities for large-scale distributors. Delossantos’ favorite mode of transportation was a 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo. The vehicle was seized by law enforcement at the time of his arrest and forfeited to the government.
The investigation, which resulted in the arrest of 23 individuals, resulted in the seizure of approximately 23 kilograms of fentanyl, 18 kilograms of cocaine, 11 kilograms of marijuana, and two kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms. The seizures were made as the drugs moved through the U.S. Postal Service; during traffic stops, including a traffic stop in Fairfield, Conn., on September 30, 2017, where 5 kilograms of fentanyl, ultimately headed to Rhode Island for distribution, were seized; and the execution of court authorized searches of residences, storage units and vehicles where, for example, 5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl were seized from a residence in Norton, Mass., on September 30, 2017.
Arrested and detained on October 2, 2017, Delossantos pleaded guilty on June 14, 2018, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Delossantos to 120 months in federal prison, 5 years supervised release, and a fine of $10,000.
Delossantos’ sentenced is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.
According to court documents, Delossantos, who has strong ties to the Dominican Republic, was previously convicted in Massachusetts and Rhode Island state courts on drug trafficking and firearms charges. Most recently, Delossantos was convicted and sentenced to the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) in Rhode Island in December 2014 on firearms charges.
An immigration detainer has been lodged against Delossantos by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr., and Milind M. Shah.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman acknowledges and thanks the Middleborough, Pembroke, and Norton, Mass. Police Departments, Cumberland, RI, Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Connecticut State Police, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the DEA Cape Cod Drug Task Force for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Department of Justice Observes 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Today, U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.
The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic and targeting seniors offering them fake testing kits and fake help obtaining stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds. On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors, the Department of Justice sends a strong message that we continue the fight to keep seniors safe a top priority.
“Scammers and fraudsters are guided not by conscience, but by greed alone. They will confuse, lie to, and steal from their victims, particularly seniors, with total disregard for the financial and emotional ruins they leave behind,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “The Department of Justice makes it our mission to both prevent and prosecute fraud on our seniors through enforcement and outreach.”
Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities. Over the past year, the District of Rhode Island has brought federal charges in several cases alleging that seniors were targeted for fraud. Among the cases:
- A Boston man admitted to participating in a scheme to defraud senior citizens in Rhode Island and across the country by persuading them to send significant cash payments to various addresses in Rhode Island to secure the release of a relative from jail, purportedly arrested after being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
- Two individuals from Houston and three from the Atlanta area were charged in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., with allegedly participating in online romance scams that bilked more than two dozen people, most of them elderly, out of more than two million dollars.
Major strides have already been made to that end:
- National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11
Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.
- Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel. Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants, including a Pawtucket, RI, man who admitted to participating in an international telemarking scam operating out of Jamaica whose elder victims were contacted by telephone and told they have won cash or prizes in a lottery or sweepstakes. However, they are told their winnings will not be released to them without upfront payment of taxes or fees.
- Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors.
- Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019 actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.
- Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.
For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
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Central Falls Man Facing up to 80 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Central Falls man, who today admitted to a federal court judge that he used a young child under the age of four for the purpose of producing sexually explicit videos, is facing up to 80 years in federal prison when he sentenced in September.
Jose Cortes, 40, admitted to the court that on at least two dates between December 2013 and December 2015, he used a female child who was between approximately 2.5 to 3.5 years old to take part in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct. The sexually explicit images included graphic images of and sexual contact with the child, and of a male’s genitalia next to the child’s head. Cortes admitted that he stored and shared the images on several electronic devices in his control.
An investigation led by the Central Falls Police Department, with the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police and Homeland Security Investigations, included a forensic audit of some of the electronic devices seized from Cortes. Several thousand images and videos of child pornography were discovered.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Cortes pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Central Falls Police Chief Colonel Daniel J. Barzykowski, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
Cortes is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, 2020. Each count of sexual exploitation of a child is punishable by between 15 and 30 years in federal prison. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman thanks the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General for their assistance in the prosecution of this matter.
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Woonsocket Barber Sentenced for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Woonsocket barber who admitted to preparing and selling crack cocaine in and around his barbershop, among other places, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.
In March 2019, members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force opened an investigation into the alleged drug dealing of Jason Simpson, 34, and two other men, James Ruth, 31, and Sean Breton, 27. The investigation included electronically monitored controlled purchases of more than 41 grams of crack cocaine.
According to information presented to the court, on July 2, 2019, agents and officers executed a court-authorized search of Simpson’s barbershop and seized a 9mm pistol and two pistol magazines with ammunition. The seized items were found hidden inside a printer.
Simpson pleaded guilty on October 9, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Simpson to 60 months incarceration to be followed by four years supervised release.
Simpson’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
James Ruth pleaded guilty on October 22, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, and four counts of distribution of cocaine base. He was sentenced on February 6, 2020, to 77 months in federal prison.
Sean Breton pleaded guilty on November 8, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. He is awaiting sentencing.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Sandra R. Hebert.
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New Bedford Man Sentenced for Trafficking Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A New Bedford man who admitted to participating in the delivery of more than an ounce of crack cocaine in Rhode Island in February 2018 was sentenced on Thursday to 42 months in federal prison.
Chanel Williams, 41, previously admitted to the court that, following Facebook communications with an individual in Pawtucket seeking crack cocaine, he and another New Bedford man traveled to Pawtucket on February 13, 2018, to deliver the drugs. Williams admitted to the court that he remained inside the vehicle he drove to Pawtucket while Jordan Fernandes, 30, went inside a residence to deliver the drugs.
The delivery was electronically monitored by members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force and Providence Police.
Williams pleaded guilty on December 4, 2019, to possession with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine base. At sentencing on Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Williams to 42 months in federal prison to be followed by five years supervised release.
Williams’ sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Providence Police Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
Jordan Fernandes, who pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020, to two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, three counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, is awaiting sentencing.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Helen H. Lee and Terrence P. Donnelly.
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Scituate Man Charged in Project Guardian InvestigationRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Scituate man who is the subject of a domestic no-contact order and who is facing felony larceny charges in Rhode Island state court was arraigned before a federal court magistrate judge today, charged in a Project Guardian investigation with allegedly making false statements on a federal application to purchase two firearms.
Brandon Andreason, 31, appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a federal criminal complaint charging him with making false statements in an application to purchase firearms, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kelly D. Brady.
Project Guardian is the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
It is alleged in court documents that Andreason, who is the subject of a domestic no-contact order and is facing multiple felony charges in Rhode Island state court, made false statements on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives federal application when attempting to purchase a handgun and a shotgun from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
It is alleged that Andreason answered no to questions that asked if he was under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or any other crime, for which he could be imprisoned for more than one year, and if he is the subject of a court order restraining him from harassing, stalking, or threatening a child or an intimate partner.
Andreason is currently awaiting trial in Rhode Island state courts on felony charges of larceny greater than $1,500 and less than $5,000, receiving stolen goods greater than $1,500 and less than $5,000, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This Project Guardian case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
Project Guardian draws upon the Department of Justice’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
The United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: ATF, Scituate Police Department, and the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian .
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Mexican National Sentenced for Immigration FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Mexican national who was held in federal custody for nearly two years for creating and selling fraudulent immigration and social security documents was sentenced today to time served and faces deportation.
Eufemio Aguilar, 52, previously admitted to the court that, working out of his Providence residence, he created and sold fraudulent federal government documents, such as fraudulent lawful resident cards and social security cards.
According to information presented to the court, on at least three occasions in March 2018, Homeland Security Investigations agents and Providence Police detectives arranged for controlled purchases of fraudulent immigration documents and social security cards created and sold by Aguilar for $100 dollars each. The lawful permanent resident cards contained alien registration numbers of real people.
On May 22, 2018, Homeland Security Investigations agents and Providence Police, with the assistance of Central Falls and Warwick Police, executed a federal court-authorized search warrant at Aguilar’s residence and seized, among other items, five laptop computers, two document producing machines and supplies used in the manufacture of government documents, several fraudulent government documents and $27,150 in cash, which was later administratively forfeited.
Aguilar pleaded guilty on May 8, 2020, to immigration document fraud. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court William E. Smith to time served, approximately 23 months, and one year supervised release, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina, and Providence Police Chief Colonel High T. Clements, Jr.
Aguilar, who had an application for lawful permanent resident status pending with immigration authorities at the time of his arrest, faces deportation proceedings.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.
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High School Student Charged with Coercion and Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An 18-year-old Providence high school student has been charged in U.S. District Court in Providence with allegedly coercing a 10-year-old Utah girl to disrobe and engage in sexually explicit conduct in front of a live online camera.
It is alleged in court documents that Akinola Akinlapa, with the online user name of Melissa#7384, messaged and provided a 10-year-old girl with a link to what he told her was an online children’s gaming platform. After that link and a second link allegedly sent to the girl by Akinlapa opened to blank pages, a video call was initiated between the two.
It is alleged that Akinlapa told the young girl that the links she had clicked transmitted a virus to her computer and that her personal information had been taken from the computer. Akinlapa instructed the 10-year-old to undress in front of the camera if she failed to do so her personal information would be posted to the Internet.
It is alleged in court documents that when the 10-year-old undressed and stood in front of the camera, Akinlapa instructed the girl to perform sexually explicit acts. The girl pretended to comply, cut off the communications, and notified her mother who in turn contacted the West Valley City, Utah Police Department. An investigation by the West Valley City Police Department and FBI agents in Salt Lake City, Utah, and in Providence identified an IP address at Akinlapa’s Providence residence as being the source of communications with the 10-year-old Utah girl.
On June 2, 2020, members of the Providence FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, to include law enforcement officers and agents from the FBI and Providence and Warwick Police Departments, executed a federal court-authorized search of computers and smart phones at Akinlapa’s residence. A brief forensic review of the contents of a smart phone allegedly belonging to Akinlapa was found to contain images of at least two pre-pubescent females that were also allegedly discovered by investigators to be contained in an online account belonging to Akinlapa.
According to information presented to the court, investigators have determined that Akinlapa allegedly communicated with more than a dozen pre-pubescent girls in much the same way it is alleged that he communicated with the 10-year-old Utah girl.
Akinlapa was arrested on June 3, 2020, on a federal criminal complaint charging him with sexual exploitation of a child, possession of visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, coercion and enticement of a minor, and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank the United States Marshal Service, Rhode Island State Police and the Cranston, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and Central Falls for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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DOJ Awards Nearly $400 million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The Department of Justice today announced nearly $400 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.
The Providence Police Department has been awarded $1,250,000 to hire 10 officers. The Pawtucket Police Department has been award COPS grant funding totaling $750,000 to hire 6 additional officers.
“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”
“The women and men of local law enforcement who think nothing of putting their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities truly are unsung heroes,” added United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “I am delighted that the Department of Justice has rewarded these two very deserving communities that truly lead by example.”
The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics. In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.
CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. 43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.
A complete list of awards can be found here. To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Former RI Attorney Sentenced for Stealing Deceased Man's PensionsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A former Providence attorney who fraudulently collected nearly a quarter of a million dollars in pension funds in the name of a former client for nearly twelve years following the man’s death was sentenced today to12 months and a day in federal prison to be followed by 6 months home confinement.
Oleg Nikolyszyn, 65, previously admitted to the Court that from December 2003 through September 2015, he collected monthly pension payments totaling $234,586 in the name of a former City of Providence employee and a member of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA).
According to information presented to the Court, in May 2000, the former City of Providence employee hired Nikolyszyn as his attorney and executed a power of attorney that authorized Nikolyszyn to take certain acts on his behalf. Those actions included receiving pension benefits owed him and signing and depositing checks payable to him.
Nikolyszyn admitted to the Court that he continued to receive monthly pension payments in his client’s name for nearly twelve years following the man’s death in Poland on November 12, 2003. Nikolyszyn admitted to depositing the funds into a bank account in the name of both himself and his former client, and then transferring the money into his and his family’s personal bank account for their own personal use.
Nikolyszyn fraudulently collected $173,597 in payments from the City of Providence Employee’s Retirement System and $60,989 from the LIUNA Pension Fund in the name of his former client.
According to court documents, when the matter was referred to the Rhode Island Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Nikolyszyn represented to Bar Counsel that he had travelled annually to Poland and delivered the money in bulk cash payments to a nephew of his deceased client. Bank records proved that information to be demonstrably false.
Nikolyszyn, who pleaded guilty on January 3, 2020, to two counts of mail fraud and one count of theft from an employee benefit pension fund, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 12 months and one day in federal prison to be followed by one year supervised release, the first six months of supervised release to be served in home confinement with electronic monitoring.
Nikolyszyn’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman; Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Region for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Investigations - Labor Racketeering and Fraud; Carol S. Hamilton, Acting Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni; and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman acknowledges and thanks the Rhode Island Supreme Court Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
Oleg Nikolyszyn was suspended from the practice of law in Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Supreme Court on December 1, 2016, following an investigation by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. He was disbarred on an Order issued on January 23, 2020, retroactive to December 1, 2016.
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Residence searched; Warwick Man Arrested on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – FBI agents, members of the FBI Boston Division’s Human Trafficking Child Exploitation Task Force, and members of local and state law enforcement today executed a federal court authorized search of a Warwick residence, culminating in the arrest of a Warwick man on child exploitation charges.
James Diggins, 47, made an initial appearance Wednesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a federal criminal complaint charging him with receiving and distributing child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
According to court documents, it is alleged that an undercover FBI Task Force Officer in Green Bay, Wisconsin, posing in an undercover capacity as a 40-year old female from Wisconsin, entered multiple online public groups which appeared to have been created for individuals interested in child sexual abuse material. It is alleged that Diggins was a member of one of those groups when multiple videos and images containing child sexual exploitation materials were shared, at one point commenting on the recycling of videos he shared with the group.
It is also alleged in court documents that during a private online chat with the undercover law enforcement officer, Diggins sent the officer videos depicting child exploitation and a live photo of himself.
During a search of Diggins' residence today, an FBI agent seized an electronic device allegedly belonging to Diggins which was found to contain images and videos of child pornography.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Diggins was released on unsecured bond to home incarceration and electronic monitoring following his appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. McAdams.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank agents from the Milwaukee Division of the FBI, the Winnebago County Sherriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service in Providence, the Warwick, Cranston, Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Woonsocket, Rhode Island Police Departments, and Rhode Island State Police for their assistance.
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Dominican National Sentenced, Facing Deportation for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national, one of more than two dozen individuals arrested in a wide-sweeping investigation in 2017 and 2018 dubbed “Operation Panamera” into the importation and trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine in three New England states, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence to approximately 26 months of incarceration, a time served sentence.
As part of a wiretap investigation, Raul Ocasio, 42, whose true name is Eladio Andres Puig Medina, was intercepted on numerous occasions communicating with the Ramon Delossantos, the admitted leader of a multi-state fentanyl and cocaine trafficking network.
According to information presented to the court, in early September 2017, communications between Ocasio and Delossantos indicated that Ocasio had obtained fentanyl from Delossantos and that it had a high purity level. By mid-September, communications indicated that Ocasio was making arrangements to purchase 500 grams of fentanyl from Delossantos.
Ocasio, arrested in March 2018 and ordered detained in federal custody, pleaded guilty on January 30, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
At sentencing today, U.S District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Ocasio to time served, which was approximately 26 months of incarceration. An immigration detainer has been lodged against Ocasio, who will face deportation proceedings.
Ocasio’s sentenced is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.
Ramon Delossantos, 28, the admitted leader of the drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed cocaine and fentanyl in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 16, 2020.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr., and Milind M. Shah.
The matter was investigated by DEA and Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
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Rhode Island Chiropractor Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence chiropractor who failed to report to the IRS more than $1 million dollars in business revenue he diverted from his business for personal use was sentenced today to 3 years probation, the first year to be served in home confinement, and fined $75,000, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Kristina O'Connell.
Dr. Leonard Marino, 51, of Johnston, President of Chiropractic Associates in Providence, whose business relied mostly on money derived from insurance company payments for bodily injury claims submitted by law firms on behalf of many of his patients, devised various schemes to cash many of the law firms’ checks and divert the proceeds for his own personal use.
Marino previously admitted to the court that in 2017 he failed to report $531,408.38 in gross income, which would have resulted in tax due the IRS of approximately $236,945. He admitted that from 2016 through 2108, he failed to report income totaling $1,061,000.
According to court documents, Marino told the government that he spent unreported income at, among other places, Whole Foods and strip clubs, and that he used some of the funds to purchase drugs.
Marino also claimed that he paid approximately $2,000 per week in extortion money to an individual named M.B., a known associate of organized crime, and that he made between 10 and 20 payments per week to “runners” to bring him clients. Neither claim of payments could be corroborated by the government.
Marino pleaded guilty on February 6, 2020, to tax evasion. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to three years probation, the first year to be served in home confinement; pay a $75,000 fine; and to pay penalties and interest owed to the IRS. Back taxes owed by Marino to the IRS have been paid.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
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United States Attorney Weisman Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local enforcement. The week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.
“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”
United States Attorney Arron L. Weisman added, “Every day we as a community ask our police officers to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Given what we as a nation are going through today, they do so at even greater peril. Yet, without hesitation they stand tall on the front lines twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We will never stop being grateful.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.
Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.
The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.
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Florida Man Sentenced in Rhode Island in Bank Fraud, Mail Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Stacy Moore, 48, of Miami Beach, FL, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence Thursday to 36 months in federal prison for executing an identity theft, bank fraud, and mail theft scheme. One of his victims wrote the court that Moore engaged in a “systematic thought out plan of doing the unconscionable act of stealing” when he used individuals’ stolen identities to order and then steal debit cards and PINs from mailboxes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He subsequently used those cards at ATMs in both states to steal funds from bank accounts.
Another of Moore’s victims wrote the court, “Moore thinks that he can be a lazy person and just take from people who work hard, live right and do the right thing. It's obvious that he thinks these rules [don’t] apply to him. He may think that he’s smarter than we fools who get up, sacrifice and go to work every day!”
Moore previously admitted to the court that as part of the scheme, replacement debit cards were ordered from banks using stolen personal identifying information. New debit cards and PINs were sent to the actual bank account holders, then stolen from the account holders’ mailboxes upon delivery by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). An Informed Delivery account through the USPS website was established for account holder’s address, allowing for notification when the replacement debit cards and PINs would be delivered.
Moore admitted that among his fraudulent activities were 17 unauthorized ATM withdrawals totaling $9,600 at ATMs in Boston in December 2018, and 10 unauthorized withdrawals totaling $6,000 in 2019 from ATMs in Middletown and Newport. Moore admitted to making multiple withdrawals from at least six individuals’ personal bank accounts.
According to information presented to the court, Moore made unauthorized withdrawals totaling $36,000, and attempted to withdraw an additional $4,800.
Moore pleaded guilty on February 5, 2020, to two counts of bank fraud and one count each of aggravated identity theft and theft of mail. He was sentenced on Thursday to a total of 36 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
Moore’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division Joseph W. Cronin, and Craig A. Marech, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence Office of the United States Secret Service.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman thanks the East Greenwich, West Warwick, Barrington and Middletown Police Departments, and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Central Falls Man Arraigned on Federal Charge Related to Pawtucket ShootingRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Central Falls man wanted on a federal arrest warrant charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition in connection with a shooting in Pawtucket on April 7, 2020, during which a parked vehicle was riddled with bullets, was arrested today by members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force and Pawtucket Police.
It is alleged that Jayquan Parker, 25, fired at least 22 rounds into a parked vehicle and nearby garage, and then drove off. Based on information developed by Pawtucket Police and gleaned from surveillance videos recorded in the surrounding area of the shooting, Pawtucket Police identified Parker as the alleged shooter. He was located and arrested by the Fugitive Task Force and Pawtucket Police on April 19, and arraigned on multiple state charges.
According to court documents filed in U.S. District Court, a review of the matter determined that prior to his arrest in connection with the April 7 shooting, Parker had been convicted and sentenced in Rhode Island state court on felony charges on multiple occasions. As a result, in addition to the state charges brought against Parker, for which he is currently free on bail, a federal criminal complaint was issued charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Parker appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a criminal complaint charging him with felon in possession of ammunition and was ordered detained, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, United States Marshal Wing Chau, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case in U.S. District Court is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
The Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force is run by the U.S Marshals Service along with the Rhode Island State Police. The Task Force is comprised of members from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Warwick, Cranston, Coventry, East Providence, Middletown, Pawtucket, Portsmouth and Providence Police Departments who work full time to track down and apprehend the most violent and dangerous fugitives both within the United States and Internationally.
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Two Charged with Stimulus FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Two businessmen have been charged in the District of Rhode Island with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than a half-million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
David A. Staveley, aka Kurt D. Sanborn, 52, of Andover, Massachusetts, and David Butziger, 51, of Warwick, Rhode Island, ar charged with conspiring to seek forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA, claiming to have dozens of employees earning wages at four different business entities when, in fact, there were no employees working for any of the businesses.
Staveley and Butziger are charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to make false statements to influence the SBA and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Additionally, Staveley is charged with aggravated identity theft. Butziger is charged with bank fraud.
“Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and have had their lives thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from a program intended to help hard working Americans continue to be paid so they can feed their families and pay some of their bills,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman for the District of Rhode Island. “Attorney General Barr has directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to coronavirus and COVID-19, and we are doing just that.”
“Every dollar stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program comes at the expense of employees and small business owners who are working hard to make it through these difficult times,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to root out abuse of the important relief programs established under the CARES Act.”
“As alleged, David Staveley and David Butziger tried to capitalize on the coronavirus crisis by conspiring to fraudulently obtain more than half a million dollars in forgivable loans that were intended to help small businesses teetering on the edge of financial ruin,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Field Office. “Thankfully we were able to stop them before taxpayers were defrauded, but today’s arrests should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively go after bad actors like them who are utilizing the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to commit fraud.”
“The alleged actions of defendants Staveley and Butziger are criminally reprehensible,” said Special Agent in Charge Kristina O’Connell of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Defrauding a government program designed to provide financial assistance to small business owners during the Coronavirus pandemic is tantamount to taking money directly out of the pockets of those who need it most. Today’s arrests exemplify the hard work, dedication and efficiency of IRS-CI and the entire investigative team.”
“This is a critical time for our nation’s small businesses. It is well known that fraudsters prey upon those in vulnerable positions,” said SBA Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “As this result shows, SBA-OIG and its law enforcement partners are actively working together to root out fraud in SBA’s programs and bring those responsible to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their leadership and dedication throughout this investigation.”
According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island, the fraudulent loan requests were to pay employees of businesses that were not operating prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and had no salaried employees, or, as in one instance, to pay employees at a business the loan applicant did not own.
Allegedly, Staveley and Butziger discussed via email the creation of fraudulent loan applications and supporting documentations to seek loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It is alleged that Staveley posed as his brother in real estate transactions.
It is alleged that Staveley claimed in loan applications requesting more than $438,500 that he had dozens of employees at three restaurants he owned, two in Warwick, Rhode Island, and one in Berlin, Massachusetts. An investigation determined that one of the Rhode Island restaurants, the former Remington House, and the Massachusetts restaurant, On The Trax, were not open for business prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the time the loan applications were submitted, or at any time thereafter. Moreover, Staveley did not own or have any role in the second Rhode Island restaurant, Top of the Bay, for which he was seeking financial relief.
According to court documents, Staveley’s Massachusetts restaurant was closed by March 10, 2020, when the town of Berlin revoked the business’ liquor license for numerous reasons, including that “Sanborn” allegedly misrepresented that his brother owned the restaurant. Investigators obtained information that Staveley/Sanborn allegedly used his brother’s personal identifying information in other real estate transactions as well.
According to court documents, it is alleged that on April 6, 2020, Butziger filed an application seeking a $105,381 SBA loan under the PPP as owner of an unincorporated entity named Dock Wireless. Butziger claimed in documentation filed with the bank and in a telephone call with an FBI undercover agent posing as a bank compliance officer that he had seven full-time employees on Dock Wireless’ payroll, including himself. Butziger falsely represented to the agent that he brought the employees on full-time on Jan. 1, 2020, and laid them off at the end of March. Butziger claimed the employees continued to work without being paid through April 2020, and that he would use SBA PPP funds to pay them.
The Rhode Island State Department of Revenue provided information to the IRS of having no records of employee wages having been paid in 2020 by Butziger or Dock Wireless. Agents interviewed several of the supposed Dock Wireless employees who reported that they never worked for Butziger or Dock Wireless.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
Staveley and Butziger are the first individuals in the nation charged with allegedly defrauding the CARES Act SBA Paycheck Protection Program.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant Chief Lawrence Atkinson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker for the District of Rhode Island are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the FBI, IRS-CI, SBA Office of Inspector General, and the FDIC, Office of Inspector General for their efforts investigating this mater.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Two Charged in Rhode Island with Stimulus FraudRead the Press Release
Two businessmen have been charged in the District of Rhode Island with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than a half-million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
David A. Staveley, aka Kurt D. Sanborn, 52, of Andover, Massachusetts, and David Butziger, 51, of Warwick, Rhode Island, are charged with conspiring to seek forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA, claiming to have dozens of employees earning wages at four different business entities when, in fact, there were no employees working for any of the businesses.
Staveley and Butziger are charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to make false statement to influence the SBA and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Additionally, Staveley is charged with aggravated identity theft. Butziger is charged with bank fraud.
“Every dollar stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program comes at the expense of employees and small business owners who are working hard to make it through these difficult times,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to root out abuse of the important relief programs established under the CARES Act.”
“Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and have had their lives thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from a program intended to help hard working Americans continue to be paid so they can feed their families and pay some of their bills,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman for the District of Rhode Island. “Attorney General Barr has directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to coronavirus and COVID-19, and we are doing just that.”
“As alleged, David Staveley and David Butziger tried to capitalize on the coronavirus crisis by conspiring to fraudulently obtain more than half a million dollars in forgivable loans that were intended to help small businesses teetering on the edge of financial ruin,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Field Office. “Thankfully we were able to stop them before taxpayers were defrauded, but today’s arrests should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively go after bad actors like them who are utilizing the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to commit fraud.”
“The alleged actions of defendants Staveley and Butziger are criminally reprehensible,” said Special Agent in Charge Kristina O’Connell of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Defrauding a government program designed to provide financial assistance to small business owners during the Coronavirus pandemic is tantamount to taking money directly out of the pockets of those who need it most. Today’s arrests exemplify the hard work, dedication and efficiency of IRS-CI and the entire investigative team.”
“This is a critical time for our nation’s small businesses. It is well known that fraudsters prey upon those in vulnerable positions,” said SBA Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “As this result shows, SBA-OIG and its law enforcement partners are actively working together to root out fraud in SBA’s programs and bring those responsible to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their leadership and dedication throughout this investigation.”
According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island, the fraudulent loan requests were to pay employees of businesses that were not operating prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and had no salaried employees, or, as in one instance, to pay employees at a business the loan applicant did not own.
Allegedly, Staveley and Butziger discussed via email the creation of fraudulent loan applications and supporting documentations to seek loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It is alleged that Staveley posed as his brother in real estate transactions.
It is alleged that Staveley claimed in loan applications requesting more than $438,500 that he had dozens of employees at three restaurants he owned, two in Warwick, Rhode Island, and one in Berlin, Massachusetts. An investigation determined that one of the Rhode Island restaurants, the former Remington House, and the Massachusetts restaurant, On The Trax, were not open for business prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the time the loan applications were submitted, or at any time thereafter. Moreover, Staveley did not own or have any role in the second Rhode Island restaurant, Top of the Bay, for which he was seeking financial relief.
According to court documents, Staveley’s Massachusetts restaurant was closed by March 10, 2020, when the town of Berlin revoked the business’ liquor license for numerous reasons, including that “Sanborn” allegedly misrepresented that his brother owned the restaurant. Investigators obtained information that Staveley/Sanborn allegedly used his brother’s personal identifying information in other real estate transactions as well.
According to court documents, it is alleged that on April 6, 2020, Butziger filed an application seeking a $105,381 SBA loan under the PPP as owner of an unincorporated entity named Dock Wireless. Butziger claimed in documentation filed with the bank and in a telephone call with an FBI undercover agent posing as a bank compliance officer that he had seven full-time employees on Dock Wireless’ payroll, including himself. Butziger falsely represented to the agent that he brought the employees on full-time on Jan. 1, 2020, and laid them off at the end of March. Butziger claimed the employees continued to work without being paid through April 2020, and that he would use SBA PPP funds to pay them.
The Rhode Island State Department of Revenue provided information to the IRS of having no records of employee wages having been paid in 2020 by Butziger or Dock Wireless. Agents interviewed several of the supposed Dock Wireless employees who reported that they never worked for Butziger or Dock Wireless.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
Staveley and Butziger are the first individuals in the nation charged with allegedly defrauding the CARES Act SBA Paycheck Protection Program.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant Chief Lawrence Atkinson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker for the District of Rhode Island are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the FBI, IRS-CI, SBA Office of Inspector General, and the FDIC, Office of Inspector General for their efforts investigating this matter.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
AG Barr Directs US Attorneys to Investigate Housing-Related Sexual Harassment Amid COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Attorney General William P. Barr has directed U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country to investigate reports of housing-related sexual harassment resulting from the current COVID-19 pandemic.
As the country adopts drastic measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, many Americans have lost their jobs and many more have seen their wages diminish. These financial losses have impacted some Americans’ ability to pay their rent. According to a recent memo from the Attorney General, there have been reports of landlords who have responded to requests to defer rent payments with demands for sexual favors and other acts of unwelcome sexual conduct. Behavior like this is a form of sexual harassment, and is illegal under the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. Sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and others with power over housing often impacts society’s most vulnerable populations.
“Demanding sexual favors in exchange for housing – one of the most basic necessities of life – is illegal and unconscionable,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “The idea that any American should have to submit to unwanted sexual conduct in order to have a safe place to call home is appalling at any time; in the midst of a pandemic, it is intolerable. My office and our law enforcement partners will aggressively investigate these cases.”
The Attorney’s General’s directive reaffirms the commitment that the Department of Justice made when it launched the Sexual Harassment Initiative in October 2017. That initiative seeks to identify barriers to reporting sexual harassment in housing, increase awareness of its enforcement efforts – both among survivors and those they may report to – and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase reporting and help survivors quickly and easily connect with federal resources.
If you think you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord, or other person who has control over housing, resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling 401-709-5010 or emailing [email protected]. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative
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New Jersey Man Admits to Cyberstalking, Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A New Jersey man today admitted to befriending four minor females on social media, three of them in Rhode Island, and persuading them to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves to him.
Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel, 23, of Closter, NJ, also admitted that he stalked some of the girls via social media and text messages, and threatened to share the photographs on social media with their classmates and others if they didn’t continue to communicate with him.
According to court documents, Patel befriended the girls on various social media platforms and persuaded them to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves to him. Patel admitted to the court that he sent sexually explicit photographs of himself to the girls and, in at least one instance, communicated in much the same way via a live video chat.
In pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to charges of cyberstalking and receipt of child pornography, Patel admitted to the court that he threatened and harassed the girls on social media, by text messaging, and /or by calling them, repeatedly demanding that, after breaking off communications with him, that they resume communicating with him and unblock his access to their social media accounts. Patel admitted that he threatened to post the sexually explicit photos of them online and that he would share them with their friends, classmates, and family members. He also threatened to create Instagram accounts in the girls’ names and use those accounts to post the pictures online.
On at least one occasion he followed through on his threats by posting a sexually explicit picture of one of the girls, a 13-year-old girl from Indiana, on an Instagram account he created using her name.
The investigation into Patel’s criminal activity began when the family of one of the girls brought the matter to the attention of the Hopkinton, R.I., Police Department.
Patel is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on July 30, 2020. A plea agreement filed in this matter jointly recommends that the Court impose a term of incarceration of 84 months in federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman acknowledges and commends the Hopkinton Police Department for their investigative efforts that ultimately led to the identity and arrest of Patel.
The matter was investigated by the Hopkinton Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, New Jersey State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations.
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Dominican National Sentenced for Health Care Fraud, Misuse of a Social Security Number, ID TheftRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national in the United States illegally, who admitted to fraudulently gaining access to Medicaid benefits with the use of a stolen identity and Social Security number, was sentenced today to two years and one day in federal prison.
Martha Martinez Lara, 48, previously admitted to the court that in August 2015, she applied for Medicaid benefits in Rhode Island using a stolen identity, date of birth, and Social Security number of another person. Lara’s application for Medicaid coverage was approved, and from approximately September 2015 through January 2019, she obtained RIte Care benefits totaling $11,288.46.
An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations agents determined that the identity and Social Security number used by Lara belonged to a person living in Puerto Rico who told investigators that she never lived nor visited Rhode Island.
Lara, who was arrested on August 1, 2019, pleaded guilty on December 2, 2019, to an information charging her with false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft, and health care fraud.
Lara was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 24 months in federal prison, one year supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,288.46, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.
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Providence Chiropractor to Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud, Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence chiropractor has agreed to plead guilty to charges that he allegedly executed a scheme to defraud health care benefits programs and that he allegedly failed to pay taxes to the IRS for some of the income he received from his business, according to documents filed in federal court in Providence.
It is alleged that Eugene Kramer, 50, sole owner of New England Spine and Disc Center, devised a scheme to defraud insurance companies by billing for days patients did not attend treatment, for treatment not provided, and by falsifying medical notes and documentation to support nonexistent personal injury claims.
It is alleged in court documents that from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, Kramer provided invoices for chiropractic treatment to various attorneys, who then, in order to support a patient’s bodily injury claim, provided those invoices to various automobile insurance companies in Rhode Island. At times, Kramer allegedly provided falsified medical notes and documentation.
According to court documents, an individual assisting the FBI in the investigation of Kramer’s alleged criminal activity, visited Kramer’s office on 15 occasions for chiropractic treatment, under the pretext of having been involved in an automobile accident. It is alleged that in most instances little or no treatment was provided and few if any medical notes were taken. At no time did Kramer provide the person with a diagnosis or discuss a treatment plan. Nearly all of the patient’s visits were electronically monitored by the FBI.
According to court documents, the individual who visited Kramer’s office in an undercover capacity was allegedly emailed a package requesting a monetary settlement in connection with the individual’s supposed injury claim to Progressive Insurance requesting, among other things, reimbursement for chiropractic services.
According to court documents, it is alleged that for tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017, Kramer failed to report a portion of his personal income, resulting in him owing the IRS $66,914.
An information and plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court charges Kramer with health care fraud and filing a false tax return, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Kristina O'Connell.
An information is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Health care fraud is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years’ supervised release. False tax return is punishable by up to 3 years in prison, a fine of $100,000, and 1 year supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The matter was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Department of Justice Commemorates National Crime Victims' Rights WeekRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections and services throughout the week. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice| Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”
“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the shock and trauma of criminal victimization, affecting their well-being and sense of security and dignity,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “To these victims, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting them in their hour of need. We also commend the thousands of victim advocates and public safety professionals who labor tirelessly to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman added, “During this, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we renew our commitment, evidenced day in and day out by law enforcement, prosecutors, and community partners, to keeping victims of crime – to whom we owe every ounce of our support, empowerment, and comfort – front and center in our sacred obligation of securing justice.”
“While we have made tremendous progress driving down crime and violence across the country, far too many Americans continue to suffer the pain and loss of criminal victimization,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs. “This week, we stand by these survivors and their families, and we pledge our ongoing support to the countless men and women who serve them with such extraordinary skill and compassion.”
Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims. President Trump and his administration have implemented historic levels of support for victim assistance and victim compensation.
Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.
During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.
This year’s commemoration began yesterday, 25 years to the day when a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, taking the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring hundreds of others. The mass murder remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in our nation’s history and led to the establishment of the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which is administered by OVC, and has been used to provide direct services to hundreds of victims of mass violence and terrorism.
“Crime victims deserve to know that they have the encouragement and support of the American people,” said OVC Director Jessica E. Hart. “I hope that citizens throughout the nation will take the opportunity this week to remember all victims of crime and their heroic stories of survival. I encourage everyone to also find meaningful ways to express their appreciation to the many committed and compassionate service providers across the country who work tirelessly supporting these survivors.”
This year, the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be postponed until a time when we can honor this year’s award recipients in person. During the ceremony, OVC will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from across the nation for their outstanding service on behalf of crime victims. The awardees will be selected from public nominations in 11 categories, including federal service, special courage, public policy, and victim services. Visit www.ovc.gov/gallery to learn more about past recipients.
For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2020/overview.html.
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Two Charged with Bank FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Federal bank and credit card fraud charges have been filed in U.S. District Court in Providence against two individuals who allegedly participated in ATM skimming schemes that defrauded banks in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Craig A. Marech, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence Office of the United States Secret Service.
It is alleged in court documents that Rafael Pedro Dutra DaSilva, 29, of Miami, FL, and Guilherme Mendes Altafin, 28, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, collectively accessed bank accounts at nearly a dozen bank branch offices with the use of gift and credit cards activated with stolen personal identifying information, fraudulently obtaining nearly $150,000.
According to court documents, in October 2019, law enforcement in Rhode Island and Massachusetts began receiving reports of a wave of fraudulent activity at bank ATMs. In November 2019, bank managers at an Acushnet, Mass., bank branch office notified police of a series of suspicious ATM transactions. Bank surveillance video showed the same individual as being responsible for many of the suspicious transactions. Acushnet Police established a live-streaming surveillance camera at the ATM, and on November 24, 2019, watched as the same person, later identified as DaSilva, allegedly attempted numerous transactions, completing several of them, repeatedly placing cash retrieved from the ATM inside a satchel he was carrying. He was detained and arrested outside of the bank.
Guilherme Mendes Altafin was arrested on December 10, 2019, shortly after an Acushnet police officer, familiar with the DaSilva investigation, watched as Altafin attempted several transactions, completing at least one of them, at the same ATM where DaSilva was arrested. It is alleged that a bank representative confirmed suspicious transactions, including two withdrawals of $500 each and six declined transactions.
Altafin’s arrest came two weeks after he allegedly was seen by an Acushnet police sergeant entering a New Bedford, Mass., courthouse carrying a bag with what appeared to contain a significant amount of cash on the same day a judge set $25,000 cash bail for DaSilva.
On Thursday, Altafin was ordered detained in federal custody by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. DaSilva remains in custody in Massachusetts. His appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence has not yet been scheduled.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
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Federal, State, Local Law Enforcement Discuss Strategies to Combat Covid-19 FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE –Local and state police departments from across Rhode Island and federal law enforcement agencies today participated in a teleconference hosted by the United States Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the United States Postal Inspection Service to discuss strategies to identify and combat COVID-19 fraud.
The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other federal law enforcement agencies report a steady increase in the number and kinds of fraudulent schemes related to COVID-19 being perpetrated. As people become more isolated, particularly the elderly, they become more susceptible to falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
The FBI reports that in recent weeks, cyber actors have engaged in phishing campaigns against first responders, deployed ransomware at medical facilities, and created fake COVID-19 websites that quietly download malware to victim devices. Based on recent trends, the FBI assesses these same groups will target businesses and individuals working from home via telework software vulnerabilities, education technology platforms, and new Business Email Compromise schemes.
“Fraud related to COVID-19 is particularly disturbing as it exploits a national crisis that threatens the health and safety of every American for personal gain,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “Attorney General William Barr has directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to coronavirus. Working with local, state, and federal law enforcement across the state we are committed to doing just that. There will be no second chances for COVID-19 fraudsters.”
“With the outbreak of COVID-19, scammers are using people’s fears, isolation, and thirst for information to their advantage. They’re targeting anyone they deem as vulnerable to try and steal their money, their personal information, or both,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We want you to help us stop these fraudsters by reporting suspicious activity, fraud and attempted fraud to www.ic3.gov We also want you to avoid falling prey to these scams. So please don’t click on links within emails from senders you don’t recognize, always independently verify information originates from a legitimate source, never supply your login credentials or financial data in response to an email or phone call, and visit websites by inputting their domains manually. By working together, we can help stop this type of activity.”
"The United States Postal Inspection Service wants to emphasize how important it is to stay connected with our loved ones during these trying times. The United States Postal Service continues to deliver to every door, every day. It is sometimes the only means of communication available to our many, particularly our elder population,” said Sean M. Boyce, Team Leader of the Providence U.S. Postal Inspection Service field office. “Under the right conditions, anyone could fall victim to a scam, but scammers are especially successful at targeting people with certain risk factors, like social isolation, loneliness, limited mobility, and cognitive aging. Scammers are also attracted by the pensions and life savings of retirees. But there are many ways to help older Americans protect the nest eggs they’ve worked so hard to secure – by staying connected with them and staying alert. For everything this generation has done to protect our freedoms and defend this country, we owe it to them to protect and defend them from these scams during this difficult time."
In addition to investigating and arresting fraudsters, law enforcement across Rhode Island are committed to providing important information to help keep individuals from falling victim to fraudsters and scammers. To support that effort, the United States Attorney’s Office has created a web page with information on how to avoid becoming a victim and how to report cases of suspected fraud. The information is available at www.justice.gov/ri
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Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoner Reentry ServicesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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More than $65 Million Available to Combat Human Trafficking and Assist VictimsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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$850 Million Available to Help Public Safety Agencies Address Covid-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The Department of Justice today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
“The brave members of Rhode Island local and state law enforcement respond 24/7 to the call of duty regardless of the risks they face. Their commitment to maintaining public safety and the rule of law has scarcely been more evident nor more challenging than in their response during these unprecedented times,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “I encourage our local and state law enforcement agencies to apply for these critical funds.”
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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