Eastern District of Virginia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Centerville woman pleads guilty embezzling over half a million dollars from farm cooperativeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Centerville woman pled guilty today to wire fraud relating to her embezzlement of $550,000 from her employer.
According to court documents, Paula Sue Leventhal, 64, was the Chief Executive Secretary to the Chief Executive Officer for a farmer-owned cooperative headquartered in Herndon. Leventhal’s duties included arranging travel for cooperative executives. Leventhal used credit cards issued by the cooperative to make travel arrangements, often using travel websites.
On Nov. 30, 2015, Leventhal created a merchant account on Square, a point-of-sale platform that small businesses and other merchants can use to accept credit and debit card payments. Square allows users to change the name of the merchant account that appears to the customer when making a payment.
From December 2015 through July 2022, Leventhal used cooperative-issued credit cards to send money to herself via Square by charging fraudulent transactions. Leventhal disguised the transactions by changing the merchant name associated with her Square account so the charges would appear as cooperative-authorized business expenses in bank statements. Leventhal often changed the merchant name associated with her Square account to mimic travel providers and other seemingly authorized businesses.
After the funds were available in the Square account, Leventhal would transfer the money to her personal bank accounts. From Dec. 14, 2015, until July 6, 2022, Leventhal used her Square account to fraudulently charge cooperative-issued credit cards 506 times for a total of $550,000 and transferred that amount from her Square account to her personal bank accounts in 373 increments.
Leventhal is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul III and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Hood are prosecuting the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Finnegan provided substantial assistance to the investigation.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-26.
Members of prolific fentanyl distribution conspiracy sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three Virginia men have been sentenced to prison for distributing copious quantities of fentanyl.
According to court documents, from at least July 2023 through April 2024, Xavier Elijah Coltrane, aka X or Slime, 21, of Arlington; Vaughn Meachem, aka Vaughn Lockhart, 34, of Alexandria; and Cameron Harris, 24, of Gainesville, conspired to distribute fentanyl pills. Over a series of five controlled purchases conducted by the FBI, the conspirators sold approximately 65,000 fentanyl pills and a kilogram of cocaine.
Coltrane was co-owner of Exquisite Luxury Transportation, a car service that Coltrane used to facilitate drug trafficking activity. Coltrane arranged the five drug sales, communicating through Instagram messaging, Telegram, and speaking directly on the phone. In some of the controlled purchases, the purchaser booked a reservation with Exquisite Luxury Transportation and was driven to a delivery location. Once the purchaser arrived at the deal location, Meachem arrived and distributed fentanyl pills. On one occasion, Coltrane distributed the fentanyl pills directly. On another occasion when Coltrane feared the use of cars through Exquisite Luxury Transportation was attracting law enforcement attention, Harris delivered the fentanyl pills in his personal vehicle.
Coltrane, Meachem, and Harris each pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl. On Feb. 13, 2025, Coltrane was sentenced to 20 years in prison. On Dec.18, 2024, Harris was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Meachem was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, Virginia State Police, and the Prince William County Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation of this case.
This investigation is part of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Northern Virginia Gang Initiative, which seeks to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations; reduce drug-related crime and violence; and identify and respond to emerging drug trends.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip Alito, Catherine Rosenberg, and Ryan Bredemeier prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-115.
Previously convicted felon sentenced to five years in prison for illegally possessing 28 firearmsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to five years in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms.
According to court documents, on Dec. 26, 2023, officers of the Colonial Heights Police Department responded to the residence of Joshua J. Jernigan, 40, for an unrelated matter. After receiving authority from Jernigan to search his residence, the officers observed a loaded pistol magazine in the garage. The officers obtained a warrant to search the residence and recovered 28 firearms and five unregistered silencers.
Jernigan was convicted in 2004 in Chesterfield County of conspiracy/statutory burglary, statutory burglary with intent, and possession of burglarious tools. As a previously convicted felon, Jernigan cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Miller prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-104.
MS-13 member sentenced to 50 years in prison for his participation in three murdersRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Salvadoran national and member of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) was sentenced today to 50 years in prison for conspiracy relating to his participation in the gang’s criminal enterprise, including three murders.
According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2018, Henry Leonel Barrera Ayala, aka Cusuco, Centinela, and Lil Player, 26, Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, 27, and other members of MS-13’s Uniones Locos Salvatrucha (ULS) clique met in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to murder an associate of MS-13’s Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique, identified in court records as K.A.C. MS-13 leadership in El Salvador had approved the murder because they believed K.A.C. had betrayed MS-13. That evening, they met K.A.C. at the residence of an MS-13 member in New Bedford. After the group ate dinner together, Barrera Ayala and several co-conspirators beat and strangled K.A.C. to death. The co-conspirators then dismembered K.A.C.’s body, placed his remains in trash bags, and buried the remains in a wooded area near New Bedford.
In June 2019, Barrera Ayala, Alas Candray, and other ULS members conspired to murder individuals who frequently gathered to drink in a wooded area in the clique’s perceived territory in Reston. On June 23, 2019, Barrera Ayala, Alas Candray and other ULS members armed themselves with a 9mm firearm, a .45 caliber firearm, and two machetes and traveled to the Hunters Woods area of Reston. The group murdered an individual, identified as J.L.G.M., shooting him and slashing him with a machete.
On Sept. 17, 2020, Barrera Ayala, Alas Candray, and others devised a plan to lure a young woman, identified as I.J.P.G., to Colts Neck Road in Reston under false pretenses and kill her because they believed she was associated with a rival gang and had disparaged MS-13 on social media. Barrera Ayala exchanged messages with I.J.P.G. via Snapchat, pretending to be a member of MS-13’s rival gang. Barrera Ayala and a co-conspirator later picked up I.J.P.G. from her home and drove her to Colts Neck Road, where Alas Candray and another MS-13 member were waiting for them. The four co-conspirators killed I.J.P.G. by taking turns shooting her, primarily in the face.
In addition to the murders, Barrera Ayala also conspired with his fellow MS-13 members to distribute marijuana and cocaine. On multiple occasions, Barrera Ayala sent drug profits to individuals in other states and in Central American countries via money transfer services to benefit the MS-13 enterprise.
On Sept. 18, 2024, Barrera Ayala pled guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. A federal jury convicted Alas Candray on Oct. 21, 2024, on charges relating to his participation in the gang’s criminal enterprise, including six murders and additional murder conspiracies. On Jan. 30, Alas Candray was sentenced to six concurrent life sentences.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Blanchard, Megan Braun, and Natasha Smalky prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-178.
Former prison official pleads guilty to taking bribes from an inmate with whom he had a sexual relationshipRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The former Assistant Director of James River Residential Reentry Facility (James River RRC) pled guilty today to taking bribes as a public official.
According to court documents, Marlon R. Jones, Jr., 44, of Portsmouth, had supervisory authority over an inmate, identified as L.C., who was released to home confinement in January 2021. From at least April 2021 through September 2022, Jones had a direct relationship with L.C. that quickly exceeded appropriate boundaries.
In addition to having sexual contact and exchanging sexual messages via telephone and text, L.C. paid Jones on several occasions for assistance with making violations disappear. This was discovered when another supervisor took over James River RRC and found that L.C. had had at least fourteen incidents, only three of which had been properly recorded.
Jones engaged in hundreds of exchanges with L.C., including messages that revealed that Jones both had sexual contact with L.C. and that L.C. paid Jones in exchange for helping L.C. avoid disciplinary consequences for violations.
Jones both received physical currency and electronic transfers from L.C. through his CashApp account. Between Sept. 24, 2021, and March 29, 2022, L.C. paid Jones a total of $650 over five CashApp transactions.
L.C. also referred other individuals to Jones, including his cousin.
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 7 and faces up to 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Timothy C. Edmiston, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian J. Samuels and Julie Podlesni prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-cr-3.
Businessman sentenced to over nine years in prison for $1.5M fraud on employees, investors, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Suffolk man was sentenced yesterday to nine years and two months in prison for defrauding investors and employees of his business out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. While on pretrial release and after his bond was revoked, he additionally attempted to defraud the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services out of $1.1 million.
According to court documents, in November 2017, Breon Clemons, 36, worked at a car dealership with P.C., whom he told about his plans to form an organic produce company. Clemons later formed GoGreen Farms and Greenhouses, Inc., GoGreen Farms, Inc., and GoGreen Farms, LLC, (collectively GoGreen Farms), and offered employment to P.C. In February 2020, P.C. began working at GoGreen Farms and Clemons, as the owner of GoGreen Farms, had access to P.C.’s personally identifying information.
Also in 2020, Clemons invited his neighbor, C.F., to invest in GoGreen Farms. After C.F. invested $10,000, Clemons asked C.F. if she would like to be an unpaid officer or director of the business, and C.F. agreed. Clemons told C.F. that he needed a copy of her driver’s license for the articles of incorporation, and C.F. provided it. In November 2021, Clemons told C.F. that the company needed a revolving line of credit and asked if she would be a co-applicant. During discussions about the line of credit, Clemons asked C.F. for her Social Security number, and she provided it to him. Clemons later told C.F. that she would not need to co-sign for a line of credit because, he claimed, he would receive a loan from a professional basketball player.
In March 2022, C.F. received a call from Capital One regarding late payments. Upon further inquiry, C.F. discovered that the card in question was a joint account with GoGreen Farms. C.F. conferred with an acquaintance at GoGreen Farms, who indicated that GoGreen Farms also utilized an American Express card and a line of credit with lender TVT Capital that were in C.F.’s name.
The loan application submitted to TVT Capital falsely showed Clemons and C.F. as each owning 50% of GoGreen Farms, and a Virginia State Corporation Commission document was provided to TVT Capital as part of the loan application. The document, titled “Certificate of Entity Conversion,” contained a signature page dated July 6, 2021, with C.F. and Clemons’ purported signatures, when C.F. had not signed the document
The TVT Capital loan amount was $100,000, with interest of $46,000, resulting in a total repayment amount of $146,000. When C.F. confronted Clemons, he denied taking out lines of credit in her name. He also removed Capital One and American Express cards from his pocket and gave them to C.F. The balance on each card was over $100,000.
P.C. later discovered that in November 2021, Clemons took out a $25,000 line of credit with Bluevine Inc. using P.C.’s personal information and without P.C.’s consent. Clemons further forged P.C.’s signature on a financing and security agreement, and guaranty agreement. Bluevine Inc. advanced approximately $30,390 to Clemons on the line of credit.
While on pretrial release, Clemons continued committing fraud. He defrauded two individual investors, H.H. and J.B., taking $5,000 from each victim by promising to pay inordinate returns in one week. Clemons also applied for a $1.1 million Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Clemons submitted a grant application with false representations from prison with the assistance of a family member.
The total loss from Clemons’ fraud was approximately $1.5 million. The total amount of laundered funds was $218,442. Neither P.C. nor C.F. consented to or authorized the use of their personal identifying information being used for these credit cards and lines or credit.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mack Coleman and Brian J. Samuels prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-2.
Salvadoran national pleads guilty to illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Salvadoran national pled guilty today to unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2024, law enforcement responded to a report of a man brandishing a handgun at the Harmony Trailer Park. There, officers located Adalberto Rivas Machado, 20, who matched the description of the subject.
When a uniformed officer exited his marked vehicle, Rivas Machado fled on foot but was detained after a short chase. During a subsequent pat-down, officers located the handgun in Rivas Machado’s sweatpants above his left ankle. The firearm was loaded with 9mm hollow point ammunition.
Rivas Machado was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law. Rivas Machado had illegally entered the United States and did not have any legal status in the country. An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed that he entered the United States without authorization as a juvenile in 2018 and an immigration judge ordered in 2019 that he be removed to El Salvador. Additionally, Rivas Machado could not possess a firearm because he was addicted to and an unlawful user of drugs. Rivas Machado admitted that he was addicted to fentanyl at the time he possessed the firearm. FCPD officers recovered fentanyl from him when he was arrested.
Rivas Machado is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22 and faces up to 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc J. Birnbaum is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-221.
Honduran sex offender sentenced to two years in prison after repeatedly reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Honduran national was sentenced today to two years in prison for illegally reentering the United States and failing to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, Eliseo Garcia Gordillo, aka Julio Antonio Caceres Morales and Julio Caceres-Antonio, 43, has been removed three times previously for illegally entering or reentering the United States. On June 17, 2019, Garcia Gordillo was convicted in Prince William County of two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim under the age of 13. Garcia Gordillo was required to register as a sex offender on a quarterly basis for the rest of his life and to keep his registration current.
After his most recent reentry into the United States, Garcia Gordillo was arrested in Prince William County. Garcia Gordillo failed to keep his registration as a sex offender current.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Shannon Saylor, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lyndi E. McVey, Katherine Legel-Kasper, and Noah Sissoko prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-244.
Hampton man convicted on mail theft and firearm chargesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Hampton man today on charges of conspiracy, mail theft, and illegal receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on July 22, 2024, Jamal Ashton Shields, 33, drove to a postal collection box at the Patrick Henry Post Office in Newport News along with Sampson G. Jumbo, 28, of the Bronx, New York, and another co-conspirator. Because the collection box had been broken into on multiple recent occasions, law enforcement was surveilling it. Jumbo and the other co-conspirator exited the vehicle and approached the collection box, then used an arrow key to open the collection box and remove mail. An arrow key is used to access collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, and apartment mailbox panels in a specific area.
After witnessing Jumbo and the co-conspirators take mail from the box, law enforcement moved in to apprehend them, and the three men fled. Shields, who fled in the vehicle, was eventually pulled over and taken into custody after a high-speed chase. When officers approached the vehicle, Shields informed them that he had a firearm in the vehicle. An investigation revealed that Shields had received the firearm while under felony indictment for rape and forcible sodomy in Hampton.
Jumbo, who fled on foot along with the co-conspirator, was apprehended 50 yards from the collection box. Jumbo had a black backpack with approximately 35 pieces of stolen mail.
The other co-conspirator discarded his jacket and then carjacked a vehicle. The discarded jacket was recovered and contained the arrow key.
The conspirators stole at least 82 pieces of outgoing mail, at least ten of which included checks.
On Nov. 15, 2024, Jumbo pled guilty to mail theft. Jumbo is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21 and faces up to five years in prison.
Shields faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced on June 13. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen accepted the verdict. The Virginia State Police and Newport News Police Department assisted in the investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Therese O'Brien and Mack Coleman are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-49.
Dumfries man pleads guilty to nearly $150,000 fraud of COVID relief programRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Dumfries man pled guilty today to wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent application for and receipt of funds through a COVID-19 relief program.
According to court documents, in 2021, Kingsley Apenteng, 40, was the registered owner of Pioneers Real Estate LLC (Pioneers). From at least 2017 through 2021, Pioneers had no employees, transacted no business, and was completely inactive.
In March 2021, Apenteng completed and signed a loan application seeking $149,740.00 for Pioneers through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program intended to provide loans to certain businesses to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. Apenteng falsely claimed on the application that, during all of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, Pioneers had nine employees and paid them, on average, a combined payroll of $59,896 per month. Apenteng falsely certified on the application that the PPP loan funds he was requesting would be used to pay the wages of those employees.
Apenteng prepared fraudulent tax return forms to support the PPP application. Apenteng filled out five IRS Forms 941 for Pioneers, one for each quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020. To make these forms appear legitimate, Apenteng falsely claimed that they had been prepared by a professional tax preparer. Apenteng wrote the name of a real tax preparer, forged that person’s digital signature, and entered that person’s business information.
Apenteng also fraudulently altered a bank account statement. After downloading a PDF of a monthly statement for Pioneers’ bank account, Apenteng used a computer program to alter the date and transaction information on the statement to make it appear that Pioneers paid payroll to employees during the first quarter of 2020.
On or around March 10, 2021, Apenteng caused the fraudulent PPP loan application, tax forms, and bank statement to be electronically submitted to a lender and to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Based on the false claims in those fraudulent documents, Apenteng’s PPP loan application was approved and Apenteng received PPP loan funds in the amount of $149,740.00 on April 28, 2021.
On Nov. 2, 2021, Apenteng submitted a loan forgiveness application to the SBA for the Pioneers PPP loan. Apenteng again falsely claimed that Pioneers had nine employees and claimed that he spent all the PPP loan funds on their wages. On Nov. 9, 2021, the SBA approved Apenteng’s loan forgiveness application and reimbursed the lender for the full amount of the loan. Apenteng never repaid any portion of the PPP loan.
Apenteng is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6 and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-21.
Stafford man convicted by federal jury for brutally assaulting a deaf passenger during a flightRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Stafford man today on charges relating to his assault of a fellow passenger on a flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on Oct. 28, 2024, Everett Chad Nelson, 44, was a passenger on United Airlines flight 2247. Without provocation, Nelson approached a sleeping, deaf passenger over twenty rows ahead of his seat, entered the passenger’s row, and began brutally punching the passenger in the face. Nelson punched the victim repeatedly and rapidly, using both hands, and landing forceful, violent blows on the victim’s cheeks, nose, and forehead. Nelson caused serious bodily injury to the victim, breaking his nose and leaving the victim with injuries that have required months of medical treatment.
Another passenger, sitting a few rows ahead, heard the commotion, saw the altercation, ran towards the assault and restrained Nelson. The flight crew relocated Nelson and secured him for the remainder of the flight. Nelson was arrested by the FBI upon the flight’s arrival at Dulles.
Nelson faces up to 10 years in prison, and sentencing will be set for a later date. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sanjay Virmani, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel K. Amzallag and Heather D. Call are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-251.
Richmond felon convicted of illegally possessing firearmsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Richmond man today on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on Jan. 12, 2022, investigators with the Richmond Police (RPD) Youth and Family Crimes Unit were conducting an investigation at 3443 Walmsley Ave. During that investigation, investigators learned that Randel Douglas Hoggard, 39, and his significant other, K.B. had outstanding arrest warrants and requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals to complete the arrest at the couple’s Richmond apartment.
Marshals arrested Hoggard and RPD procured a search warrant for items relevant to the investigation at the apartment. During the search, investigators observed multiple firearms and indicia of narcotics trafficking in the residence. Investigators obtained and executed a second search warrant and recovered four firearms, ammunition, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia. Hoggard was a convicted felon at the time and could not legally possess firearms or ammunition.
On Jan. 16, 2024, the Chesterfield County Police Department Homicide Unit, assisted by RPD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Virginia State Police, executed a search warrant at another apartment at 3447 Walmsley Ave. Hoggard was present during the execution of the search warrant. Investigators located a loaded .40 caliber handgun hidden within the void of his closet door. Investigators also located .40 caliber ammunition in the defendant’s bedroom and suspected drugs. Hoggard was arrested on and has been in custody since Jan. 16, 2024.
Hoggard faces a up to 10 years in prison for the 2022 charge and up to 15 years in prison for the 2024 charge when sentenced on June 3. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police; and Col. Edward F. Carpenter Jr., Chief of Chesterfield County Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Anthony and Janet Jin Ah Lee is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-66.
Career offender sentenced to 25 years in prison for fentanyl traffickingRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A North Carolina man was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute parafluorofentanyl and fentanyl.
According to court documents, on the evening of September 17, 2023, Jaron James Starkey, 35, of Charlotte, and formerly of New Castle County, Delaware, was driving erratically southbound on I-95 in Caroline County. Other drivers traveling on I-95 called 911 to report the erratic driving. Virginia State Police (VSP) responded to the area and upon arrival observed that Starkey had crashed his Jeep. Starkey, who was alone in the car, was speaking incoherently and his eyes were bloodshot. He was transported to the Mary Washington Hospital emergency room.
Upon approaching the vehicle, the responding VSP officers also observed thousands of glassine baggies, each of which appeared to contain a white powder, scattered throughout Starkey’s car. A total of 4,497 blue glassine baggies collected contained Parafluorofentanyl, with a net weight of over 122 grams. Also in the vehicle were 120 white glassine baggies containing fentanyl.
Starkey has 21 prior convictions as an adult, including two previous drug trafficking convictions, convictions for possessing firearms as a convicted felon, and conspiracy to commit burglary, among others.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Lt. Colonel Matt Hanley, Virginia State Police Interim Superintendent; and Brian Layton, Chief of Fredericksburg Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. The Fredericksburg Regional Narcotics Task Force assisted in the investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-58.
Maryland man convicted of supplying cocaine and fentanyl to Fredericksburg drug traffickerRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Maryland man today of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, over 40 grams of fentanyl, and a detectable amount of p-fluorofentanyl.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, from at least July 1, 2022, through June 8, 2023, Sean Shaka Myles Sr., 50, of Baltimore, supplied Omar Jermel Dixon, 48, of Fredericksburg, with cocaine, fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl, which Dixon then supplied to a number of individuals for redistribution in and around Fredericksburg.
Myles faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on June 18. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the verdict. The Fredericksburg Regional Narcotics Task Force assisted in the investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gilliland, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-95.
Virginia gang members sentenced to decades in prison for kidnapping and murderRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Hezekiah Carney, 26, of Norfolk, and Jayquan Jones, 22, of Richmond, were each sentenced today to 38 years in prison for federal charges relating to the kidnapping and murder of a fellow Almighty Black P. Stone gang member. A total of four defendants have now been sentenced as part of the case.
“This act of wanton violence exemplifies the senseless brutality we associate with organized gangs and emphasizes the importance of eradicating them from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The investigation and prosecution that brought these defendants to justice were successful because of the vital partnerships built with our law enforcement partners working together toward our common goal of public safety.”
“The defendants assaulted and kidnapped a 25-year-old mother of two, drove her to a remote location, and murdered her by shooting her eight times,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Cold-blooded, senseless gang violence like this affects entire communities. Today’s sentencings underscore that protecting our communities from violent criminals is a top Department priority. I applaud the tremendous work of all our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, who made securing these significant sentences possible.”
“When gang members resort to kidnapping and murder, they leave behind shattered lives and communities in fear,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This sentencing should send a message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding dangerous criminals accountable, protecting innocent lives and ensuring our neighborhoods are safe from violence.”
“Today’s sentencing marks another significant step towards justice for the victim, her family and the community. While no sentence can ever undo the pain caused by this tragic crime, we hope this outcome brings forth an amount of closure” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division. “The ATF remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners as we protect our community and ensure those that commit violent crimes are held accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of May 6, 2023, Carney, along with co-defendants Jamica Langley, 25, of Richmond; Donnisha Goodman, 27, of Portsmouth; and Acacia Jackson, 20, of New York, traveled to the victim’s residence in Richmond to beat her for a perceived gang infraction.
The group left the apartment after beating the victim. About an hour later, Goodman, Jackson, Carney, and Langley returned to the victim’s apartment with fellow gang member Jones. Some of them were armed and wearing masks.
The defendants forced the victim into a Hyundai Sonata and drove her approximately an hour east of Richmond to a remote area in York County. After forcing the victim from the vehicle, Jones and Goodman executed her by shooting her at least eight times to the head, abdomen, back, buttocks, and legs.
Upon returning to Portsmouth after the murder, Carney, the leader of the gang, directed Goodman, Jackson, and Langley to burn their clothing, stay together, and not to speak with law enforcement.
The day after the murder, on May 7, 2023, the Norfolk Police Department located the Sonata with Jackson, Goodman, and Langley in the car. From the car, police recovered a 9mm cartridge that displayed the same markings as casings found at the murder scene.
On Aug. 29, 2024, Carney, Goodman, and Jones pled guilty to using a firearm causing death, and Langley and Jackson pled guilty to conspiring to commit kidnapping. On Jan. 7, Goodman was sentenced to 35 years in prison and Langley was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 13.
The FBI, ATF, and state and local law enforcement partners investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Mack Coleman for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-1.
Virginia Gang Members Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Kidnapping and MurderRead the Press Release
Hezekiah Carney, 26, of Norfolk, Virginia, and Jayquan Jones, 22, of Richmond, Virginia, were each sentenced today to 38 years in prison for federal charges relating to the kidnapping and murder of a fellow Almighty Black P. Stone gang member. A total of four defendants have now been sentenced as part of the case.
“The defendants assaulted and kidnapped a 25-year-old mother of two, drove her to a remote location, and murdered her by shooting her eight times,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Cold-blooded, senseless gang violence like this affects entire communities. Today’s sentencings underscore that protecting our communities from violent criminals is a top Department priority. I applaud the tremendous work of all our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, who made securing these significant sentences possible.”
“This act of wanton violence exemplifies the senseless brutality we associate with organized gangs and emphasizes the importance of eradicating them from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The investigation and prosecution that brought these defendants to justice were successful because of the vital partnerships built with our law enforcement partners working together toward our common goal of public safety.”
“When gang members resort to kidnapping and murder, they leave behind shattered lives and communities in fear,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This sentencing should send a message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding dangerous criminals accountable, protecting innocent lives and ensuring our neighborhoods are safe from violence.”
“Today’s sentencing marks another significant step towards justice for the victim, her family and the community. While no sentence can ever undo the pain caused by this tragic crime, we hope this outcome brings forth an amount of closure” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division. “The ATF remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners as we protect our community and ensure those that commit violent crimes are held accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of May 6, 2023, Carney, along with co-defendants Jamica Langley, 25, of Richmond; Donnisha Goodman, 27, of Portsmouth, Virginia; and Acacia Jackson, 20, of New York, traveled to the victim’s residence in Richmond to beat her for a perceived gang infraction.
The group left the apartment after beating the victim. About an hour later, Goodman, Jackson, Carney, and Langley returned to the victim’s apartment with fellow gang member Jones. Some of them were armed and wearing masks.
The defendants forced the victim into a Hyundai Sonata and drove her approximately an hour east of Richmond to a remote area in York County, Virginia. After forcing the victim from the vehicle, Jones and Goodman executed her by shooting her at least eight times to the head, abdomen, back, buttocks, and legs.
Upon returning to Portsmouth after the murder, Carney, the leader of the gang, directed Goodman, Jackson, and Langley to burn their clothing, stay together, and not to speak with law enforcement.
The day after the murder, on May 7, 2023, the Norfolk Police Department located the Sonata with Jackson, Goodman, and Langley in the car. From the car, police recovered a 9mm cartridge that displayed the same markings as casings found at the murder scene.
On Aug. 29, 2024, Carney, Goodman, and Jones pleaded guilty to using a firearm causing death, and Langley and Jackson pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit kidnapping. On Jan. 7, Goodman was sentenced to 35 years in prison and Langley was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 13.
The FBI, ATF, and state and local law enforcement partners investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Mack Coleman for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case.
Manassas man sentenced to 18 years in prison for sex trafficking a child and possession of child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Ayilaran recorded the sex acts on his cellphone. A forensic examination of Ayilaran's phone revealed 73 sexually explicit images and videos of the victim and approximately 1,000 images and videos depicting other minors, including prepubescent children, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ayilaran kept the majority of his CSAM in a folder that he titled with a smiley face emoji.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Halper and Vanessa Strobbe prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-164.
MS-13 member sentenced to life in prison for murders in Virginia and MassachusettsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Salvadoran national and member of the Uniones Locos Salvatrucha (ULS) clique of the violent Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) gang was sentenced today to six concurrent life prison sentences and additional terms of years following his conviction on charges relating to his participation in the gang’s criminal enterprise, including six murders and additional murder conspiracies.
According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2018, Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, aka German Alexander Ramirez Lopez, Buky, and Desquiciado, 27, met other MS-13 members in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to murder an associate of MS-13's Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique, identified in court records as K.A.C. MS-13 leadership in El Salvador had approved the murder because they believed K.A.C. had betrayed MS-13. That evening, they met K.A.C. at the residence of an MS-13 member in New Bedford. After the group ate dinner together, they beat and strangled K.A.C. to death. The conspirators then dismembered K.A.C.’s body, placed his remains in trash bags, and buried the remains in a wooded area near New Bedford. Alas Candray and other conspirators were promoted in the MS-13 ranks for their participation in the murder.
In June 2019, Alas Candray and others conspired to murder individuals who frequently gathered to drink in a wooded area in the clique’s perceived territory in Reston. On June 23, 2019, Alas Candray and other members and associates armed themselves with a 9mm firearm, a .45 caliber firearm, and two machetes and traveled to the Hunters Woods area of Reston. The group murdered an individual, identified as J.L.G.M., shooting him and slashing him with a machete.
On Sept. 17, 2020, Alas Candray and others devised a plan to lure a young woman, identified as I.J.P.G., to Colts Neck Road in Reston under false pretenses and kill her because they believed she was associated with a rival gang and had disparaged MS-13 on social media. A co-conspirator exchanged messages with I.J.P.G. via Snapchat, pretending to be a member of MS-13’s rival gang. He and another co-conspirator later picked up I.J.P.G. and drove her to Colts Neck Road, where Alas Candray and another MS-13 member were waiting for them. The four co-conspirators killed I.J.P.G. by taking turns shooting her, primarily in the face.
In March 2021, MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder an individual, identified as S.A.T.L., because they believed he was a member of a rival gang. On March 11, 2021, Alas Candray and other MS-13 members and associates, surveilled S.A.T.L. in Fairfax County and waited for an opportunity to murder him. Alas Candray and his co-conspirators went to an apartment complex on Winterthur Court in Reston where Alas Candray fatally shot S.A.T.L.
On May 30, 2022, Alas Candray and co-conspirators travelled to the Lerner Springs at Reston Apartment Homes and joined others on a footpath behind the complex to patrol the clique’s perceived territory. Shortly thereafter, the conspirators encountered an individual, identified as R.A.P.S., on the footpath. Alas Candray and others murdered R.A.P.S. by kicking him and dropping a large rock on his head as he lay on the footpath.
On June 18, 2022, Alas Candray and a co-conspirator picked up an individual, identified as F.R.A.R., from Reston and drove him to Seneca Regional Park in Fairfax County. Alas Candray, and his co-conspirators believed that F.R.A.R. had disrespected MS-13 and violated its rules. After arriving at a pre-selected location in the park, Alas Candray and several co-conspirators murdered F.R.A.R. by beating him with a baseball bat and stabbing him. They then dismembered F.R.A.R.’s body and buried F.R.A.R.'s remains in a clandestine grave.
On Aug. 17, 2022, Alas Candray instructed a relative to relay a message to other ULS members and associates. Using coded language, Alas Candray instructed a co-conspirator to get rid of ammunition, warned ULS members and associates that law enforcement had pictures of them, and advised them to move. The relative relayed the message the following day.
The jury convicted Alas Candray of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, five counts of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, five counts of murder in aid of racketeering, and three counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Blanchard, Megan Braun, and Natasha Smalky prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-1789.
Eleven members of deadly drug trafficking organization sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Eleven Virginia residents have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a violent drug trafficking organization that was responsible for a double homicide in Chesapeake. A twelfth defendant is awaiting sentencing.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, between January 2020 and November 2022, Cortney Allen Conley, aka KO, 36, of Virginia Beach, ran a large-scale, violent interstate drug trafficking organization principally based in the Hampton Roads area. The organization frequently sold drugs at “pop-up” shops, which regularly appeared in new locations to avoid detection by law enforcement.
In 2021, Conley was robbed at gunpoint at a pop-up on Providence Road in Chesapeake, after which Conley and his co-conspirators were regularly armed while they trafficked drugs. In July 2021, an armed robber attempted to rob a pop-up, and shop workers, including Javaid Akhtar Reed, 27, of Chesapeake, and Aaron Butler Hunter, 38, of Virginia Beach, defended Conley’s drugs and drug proceeds. During the attempted robbery, Reed ordered the attempted robber out of the shop at gunpoint.
On May 13, 2022, two armed subjects attempted to rob the organization’s pop-up on Wintercress Way in Chesapeake. Conley and Rashaun Marcquez Johnson, 28, of Virginia Beach, shot and killed the two subjects. During the gun battle, Davian Marcelis Jenkins, 27, of Suffolk, pistol-whipped one of the subjects as the subject lay dying in the foyer. During the shootout, bullets flew across the hall into another apartment and hit a child’s play kitchen. Immediately afterward, Conley and Jenkins removed controlled substances, drug proceeds, and firearms from the pop-up and fled. Conley directed Jenkins to go back to the shooting scene and remove security cameras, which had recorded the shootout. Jenkins removed one camera from the front door of the apartment. Conley then fled the state.
On Nov. 8, 2022, Conley was arrested in Virginia Beach at a pop-up he established after the double homicide. During the arrest, Conley jumped from a second story window and tried to run from the police.
On April 15, 2024, after a ten day jury trial, Conley, Reed, and Kyron Speller, 29, of Norfolk, were convicted for their involvement in the organization.
Conley was convicted of continuing criminal enterprise; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn; possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Conley was sentenced today to 40 years in prison.
Other members of the organization who were sentenced include:
Name
Date of Sentencing
Sentence Imposed
Javaid Akhtar ReedDec. 23, 2024
14 years, 3 monthsCorey Melic BlackwellJuly 12, 2024
13 yearsAaron HunterSept. 26, 2024
10 yearsKasheim BryantOct. 31, 2024
7 yearsAmadeo Ilan ClassenNov. 7, 2024
10 yearsDavian Marcelis JenkinsNov. 7, 2024
4 yearsJeron D’Nell CephusJuly 22, 2024
3 years, 6 monthsKyron SpellerOct. 25, 2024
3 years, 5 monthsLateya ConleySept. 25, 2024
3 yearsJasmine Deneen CuffeeOct. 31, 2024
1 year, 3 monthsJohnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 21, 2025.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael Feinberg, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan M. Montoya, Joe DePadilla, and Luke Bresnahan prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-147.
Alabama woman pleads guilty to conspiring to create and distribute sadistic animal torture videosRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – An Alabama woman pled guilty today to conspiracy to create and distribute animal crushing videos.
According to court documents, Stacey Storey, 49, and her co-conspirators administered and were members of private online chat groups on an encrypted messaging platform to fund, view, distribute, and promote videos depicting the torture, murder, and sexually sadistic mutilation of juvenile and adult monkeys.
Storey and her co-conspirators collectively funded the creation of the videos by co-conspirators outside of the United States who tortured, performed sexually sadistic mutilation of, and murdered the animals. The foreign co-conspirators recorded the brutal acts and transmitted the videos to Storey and co-conspirators in the United States, who would then distribute them to the broader online chat group members, including Storey.
Between at least Aug. 22, 2021, and July 7, 2022, Storey received hundreds of electronic payments from co-conspirators to fund, among other things, the creation of new animal crush videos by videographers outside the United States. Storey and others had direct communications with a co-conspirator in Indonesia who hired the videographers. Storey and others routinely directed and paid for the creation of the videos, including directing the videographers on how to torture the animals. Storey sent numerous payments for the videos.
On or about June 21, 2022, Storey distributed a video to the online chat groups depicting the torture of a juvenile monkey using a jar of ants and sodomy with an object, causing the monkey’s death. Storey stated, “Enjoy this one ladies and gents,” and suggested, “If you guys would like to send in a small donation for this guy a little bonus for a job well done that we've always wanted to see would be absolutely amazing.”
In June 2023, law enforcement seized Storey’s electronic devices. Storey’s electronic media and accounts contained over 675 videos and 11,000 images depicting animal crushing.
Co-conspirator Michael Macartney, 51, of Chesapeake, pled guilty on April 30, 2024. Macartney was sentenced on Oct. 1, 2024, to three years and six months in prison. Co-conspirator Jeffrey Radtke, 61, of Bloomington, Minnesota, pled guilty on Sept. 24, 2024. Radtke is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 13 and faces up to five years in prison. Co-conspirator Drexel Venero, 30, of Rockville, Maryland, pled guilty on December 12, 2024. Venero is schedule to be sentenced on April 22, 2025.
Storey is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10 and faces up to five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-103.
Fort Belvoir woman pleads guilty to brutally beating her 10-year-old childRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Fort Belvoir woman pled guilty yesterday to assault with a dangerous weapon; assault by striking, beating, and wounding; and cruelty to children.
According to court documents, on Oct. 8, 2024, China Ashley Charles, 38, was enraged at her 10-year-old child because his bedroom was messy. She struck him with a chair, dresser drawers, a hot iron, a charging wire, a hairbrush, and a large serving spoon. She attempted to strike his face with the iron, but he blocked it with his hands. When Charles hit the child with the charging wire, his finger was cut and began bleeding.
Charles tried to hide her crime by making the child sit in a cold bath and splashing cold water on his face.
The child dropped onto the roof from his second-floor bedroom and then jumped down from the roof and fled. He was recovered by police with substantial bruises, abrasions, a knot on the back of his head, and a cut and bleeding finger. The child was transported to the emergency room at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital by ambulance.
Law enforcement recovered numerous items from China’s residence, including the iron, chair, hairbrush, spoon, multiple dresser drawers, and a sweater and a shirt with “I’M ON PUNISHMENT” written on them in black marker. Several of these items appeared to have blood on them, and further examination confirmed that the child’s blood was located on the iron and at least one dresser drawer. The child’s sister reported that China had been beating him for the past four years.
Charles is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9 and faces up to 16 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jake Cameron, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys April N. Russo and Marc J. Birnbaum and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire M. Horrell are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-248.
Two men sentenced to over seven years in prison for laundering proceeds from an elder fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two men were sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for their roles in laundering over $6 million in elder fraud proceeds.
According to court documents, Fei Liang, 42, of Flushing, New York, and Ziguang Li, 36, of Las Vegas, Nevada, opened bank accounts for fictitious businesses. These bank accounts were used to launder the proceeds of fraud.
Liang’s and Li’s co-conspirators operated a nationwide “tech support” scam or other similar elder fraud scheme, in which they targeted unsuspecting victims who logged onto their computer to use one or more online services from various corporations. The conspirators falsely advised victims of purported criminal or technical issues with their accounts associated with these online services, and that to address these issues they were required to wire money to business accounts. The accounts to which the victims wired money were controlled by the conspirators.
Money from the scam was directed to the accounts opened by Liang and Li. The accounts were then used to wire the proceeds to other members of the conspiracy, domestically and internationally.
During a search of Li’s residence, law enforcement recovered a handwritten list of the fictitious businesses used to further the money laundering scheme, records associated with bank accounts that received victim-funded wires, and copies of documents bearing personal identifiable information (PII). Law enforcement also recovered Li' s cellphones and computers, which contained victims’ PII, business documents, identification documents, Employer Identification Numbers, and bank account information for at least 25 different entities, including fictitious businesses that provided victim-funded transfers to Li.
Liang pled guilty on Sept. 6, 2024, and was sentenced on Dec. 13, 2024. Li, pled guilty on Nov. 1, 2024, and was sentenced today.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and and Special Agent in Charge Scott Moffit, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Cybercrimes Investigation Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Hood and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth R. Simon Jr. prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-170.
Washington man pleads guilty to extorting clients using phony escortsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Washington man pled guilty today to using phony online escort profiles to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients.
According to court documents, from at least August 2020 through October 2024, Abdul Kareem Kabba, 29, used photos and videos of women purchased from OnlyFans to create fake escort profiles on websites such as TheEroticReview.com. Kabba then would assume the identity of the “escort” and communicate with people interested in acquiring services. Kabba would typically ask them to send a deposit using peer-to-peer payment platforms or through websites that are commonly used by adult content creators to receive money. Kabba also would ask clients to verify their identities by sending a picture of themselves holding a form of identification such as a driver license and sending him a link to their social media profiles.
After a client paid the deposit and sent the identifying information, Kabba then would blackmail them. Kabba would threaten the clients that, unless they sent Kabba additional money, he would alert the police, the clients’ families, and the clients’ employers that the men were attempting to solicit a prostitute. As a result of his scheme, Kabba caused a total loss of $692,000 to his victims.
Kabba is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9 and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and John T. Perez, Special Agent in Charge, Headquarters Operations, Office of Inspector General of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (FRB-CFPB OIG), made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hood for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Babasijibomi Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-263.
Six foreign nationals sentenced for attempting to traffic cocaine into the United StatesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Four Mexican nationals and two Ecuadoran nationals have been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, on Feb. 24, 2024, while on routine patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, a helicopter from the Coast Guard Cutter Munro detected a go-fast vessel (GFV) with no identifying markings of nationality approximately 450 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, in international waters. The Munro was patrolling in the vicinity and diverted to intercept. A long-range interceptor small boat was launched and navigated to the last known position of the GFV.
The helicopter observed the GFV jettison a fuel barrel and used warning shots to halt the boat. The LRI arrived and a boarding team took control of the GFV.
The team encountered six individuals aboard the GFV, identified as Rudi Euriel Santos Bernal, Juan Manuel Gastelum Valenzuela, Ronny Rosado Alvarez, Juan Ramon Vega Cardenas, Manuel Rodrigo Otero Rivera, and Kennedy Samuel Rivera Flores. None of the individuals made a claim of nationality for the vessel. Permission was granted to treat the vessel as “without nationality,” and a full law enforcement boarding was conducted. The boarding team safely located and then transferred to the cutter all contraband, which included 38 bales of cocaine for an estimated at-sea weight of 1,790 kilograms.
Gastelum Valenzuela pled guilty on Aug. 19, 2024, and was sentenced on Dec. 18, 2024, to two years in prison.
Rosado Alvarez and Rivera Flores pled guilty on August 20, 2024, and was sentenced on Dec. 18, 2024, to two years in prison. On Dec. 19, 2024, Rivera Flores was sentenced to two years in prison. On Dec. 18, 2024, Rosado Alvares was sentenced to two years in prison.
Otero Rivera and Vega Cardenas pled guilty on July 29, 2024. Otero Rivera was sentenced on Dec. 11, 2024, to two years in prison. Vega Cardenas was sentenced on Jan. 21 to two years and three months in prison.
Santos Bernal pled guilty on Sept. 18, 2024, and was sentenced on Jan. 21 to two years in prison.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ibrar A. Mian, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric M. Hurt and Kevin M. Comstock prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-15.
Erik Siebert appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of VirginiaRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Erik S. Siebert was sworn in today as the Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA).
As Interim United States Attorney, Mr. Siebert supervises the prosecution of all federal crimes and the litigation of all civil matters in EDVA in which the United States has an interest. He leads a staff of approximately 300 prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel across four divisions in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News. The District serves over six million residents.
Mr. Siebert began his service to EDVA in 2010 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, handling a variety of cases related to violent crime, international and domestic drug trafficking, illegal possession and trafficking of firearms, fraud, child sexual exploitation, illegal immigration, and public corruption offenses. Mr. Siebert also served as the Lead Task Force Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for EDVA. From 2019 to 2024, he served as the Deputy Criminal Supervisor for the Richmond Division of EDVA.
Mr. Siebert has received numerous awards related to his prosecutions, including the 2018 OCDETF, Mid-Atlantic Region, Case of the Year Award; and the 2024 Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking AREA (HIDTA) Award for “Outstanding Community Impact Investigation.”
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Siebert served as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C., from 2002 to 2006. He served as a law clerk for Judge Henry E. Hudson on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from 2009 to 2010.
Mr. Siebert received his J.D., with cum laude honors, from the University of Richmond Law School in 2009 and his B.A., with distinction, from the Virginia Military Institute in 2001.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber announces resignationRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jessica D. Aber announced today that she is resigning as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), effective January 20, 2025, at 11:59 pm, after serving in the role for more than three years.
“I’ve had the privilege of spending my career as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia working alongside talented, hard-working public servants who manage matters affecting citizens here and across the world.” said U.S. Attorney Aber. “Concluding my service to the District as its U.S. Attorney has been an honor beyond measure. I am deeply grateful to Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and to President Biden for the opportunity to lead this office, and to Attorney General Garland for his steadfast leadership. I am proud of the work we have done with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to enforce the law and build community trust.”
After working in private practice, U.S. Attorney Aber began her service in EDVA in 2009 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and child exploitation cases. From 2015 to 2016, she served on a detail assignment as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. From 2016 until becoming U.S. Attorney, Ms. Aber served as the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for EDVA.
Ms. Aber was nominated by President Biden on Aug. 10, 2021, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 5, 2021.
Maya D. Song, who currently serves as the First Assistant United States Attorney, will become the Acting United States Attorney upon U.S. Attorney Aber’s departure.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Prolific fraudster pleads guilty to multiple scams that resulted in over $600,000 in lossesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Washington man pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, from at least January 2021 through April 2022, Marco Raquan Honesty, 28, engaged with co-conspirators in a number of fraud schemes including defrauding COVID relief programs, “smishing” scams, forged money orders, creating fake IDs and vehicle titles, a bank account takeover scheme, and selling stolen financial information online.
From at least April through October of 2021, Honesty conspired to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provided loans that were supposed to help eligible businesses cover specific permissible business expenses, such as making payroll payments. Honesty and his co-conspirators submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications for non-existent sole proprietorships. Honesty obtained kickback payments or fees from some of the PPP loans that he helped obtain, sometimes receiving payment of $10,000 per fraudulent PPP loan.
Honesty and his co-conspirators submitted at least 16 first draw and nine second draw PPP loan applications, all of which were funded by the Small Business Association (SBA). Honesty and his co-conspirators also created false tax returns, including 2019 1040 Schedule C IRS Forms, to support the fraudulent PPP loan applications. A total of 15 individuals were involved in the fraudulent scheme, which resulted in a total loss of $509,069.00 to the SBA. Honesty procured PPP loans through this scheme for himself, his father, his two sisters, his grandmother, his cousin, the mother of his children, and various other friends and associates.
Honesty engaged in a “smishing” scheme, short for “SMS phishing,” where he used a website that was spoofed to resemble a legitimate bank website. Honesty would send victims text messages crafted to appear to be from a bank, and typically included a link to the website in the message. Typically, the fraudulent text message alerted the victim of an unauthorized transfer of the victims’ funds. Victims would click the link in the text message and enter their username and password into the fraudulent website, allowing Honesty to obtain the victims’ usernames and passwords.
Honesty used one smishing victim’s information to complete a purchase with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for temporary permits in support of a scheme to defraud car dealerships by providing fraudulent identification documents, cashier’s checks, and insurance documents for ostensible car purchases. From January through June of 2021, Honesty created fraudulent IDs to sell to other individuals, who in turn supplied these fraudulent documents to dealerships and attempted to purchase vehicles.
From December 2021 to January 2022, Honesty engaged in a scheme in which he purchased large quantities of Western Union money orders, typically for one dollar each, then scratched the true amount off the money order and used computers, software programs, and printers to manipulate the money orders to reflect larger amounts, typically $500, $900, or $1,000. After the money orders were altered, Honesty deposited them into ATMs at various banks. In some instances, Honesty coordinated with co-conspirators to deposit the money orders and withdraw the proceeds quickly before the banks could determine that the money orders had been altered and reverse the deposits. Honesty conspired to deposit at least $79,700 of fraudulent money orders.
Honesty operated a Telegram channel called “Heavenly Logs” with the username @Criptonic831, on which he advertised stolen credit cards, stolen checks, stolen bank log-in information, and other fraud-related contraband for sale to his followers. Honesty also orchestrated an account takeover scheme in which he gained access to victim accounts and, without the knowledge or permission of the account owner, transferred money to himself and his co-conspirators via payment platforms such as Zelle and intrabank transfers.
On Sept. 7, 2023, law enforcement searched Honesty’s residence. Among other things, agents seized 24 cellphones, three laptops, blank Social Security card templates, a 16-pound box of blank IRS 1099 forms, Virginia temporary vehicle tags, multiple SIM cards for cellphones, a credit card embossing machine, blank cards with microchips, a credit card reader, a debit card in the name of an unrelated person, and a check stolen from an unrelated person.
The known attempted loss for all of Honesty’s fraud schemes combined is $850,204.64. The actual known loss amount of the schemes is $621,958.50.
Honesty is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23 and faces a up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and a mandatory term of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft to be served consecutively with any other term of imprisonment imposed. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Rumbaugh and Kathleen Robeson are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-3.
Justice Department files nationwide lawsuit alleging Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purposeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In a civil complaint filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Justice Department alleges that Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co. and various subsidiaries (collectively, Walgreens) dispensed millions of unlawful prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and then sought reimbursement for many of these prescriptions from various federal health care programs in violation the False Claims Act (FCA). Walgreens is one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains, with over 8,000 pharmacies across the United States.
“This lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for the many years that it failed to meet its obligations when dispensing dangerous opioids and other drugs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Our complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of controlled substance prescriptions with clear red flags that indicated the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful, and that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions, including controlled substance prescriptions, without taking the time needed to confirm their validity. These practices allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Walgreens stores.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that we are doubling down on our commitment to both combat the opioid crisis and enforce corporate accountability,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Maya D. Song for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will continue to work with colleagues across the nation to confront these issues and deter pharmacies from failing to honor their obligation to ensure that these powerful drugs are provided only to those with a true medical need.”
The government’s complaint alleges that, from approximately August 2012 through the present, Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice. Among the millions of unlawful prescriptions that Walgreens allegedly filled were prescriptions for dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids, prescriptions for early refills of opioids and prescriptions for the especially dangerous and abused combination of drugs known as the “trinity,” which is made up of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant.
The complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear “red flags” that indicated that the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful. Walgreens allegedly ignored substantial evidence from multiple sources that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions, including from its own pharmacists and internal data.
The complaint further alleges that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without taking the time needed to confirm each prescription’s validity. Walgreens also allegedly deprived its pharmacists of crucial information, including by preventing pharmacists from warning one another about certain prescribers.
The complaint alleges that by knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, Walgreens violated the CSA and, where Walgreens sought reimbursement from federal health care programs, also violated the FCA. The complaint alleges that Walgreens’s actions helped to fuel the prescription opioid crisis and that, in some particularly tragic instances, patients died after overdosing on opioids shortly after filling unlawful prescriptions at Walgreens. If Walgreens is found liable, it could face civil penalties of up to $80,850 for each unlawful prescription filled in violation of the CSA and treble damages and applicable penalties for each prescription paid by federal programs in violation of the FCA. The court also may award injunctive relief to prevent Walgreens from committing further CSA violations.
“As alleged in the complaint, Walgreens continually disregarded its obligations under the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act by illegally dispensing powerful controlled substances and unlawfully seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “These laws are critically important in protecting our communities from the dangers of the opioid epidemic. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that opioids are properly dispensed and that taxpayer funds are only spent on legitimate pharmacy claims.”
“The damage caused by the opioid crisis continues to reverberate in the Middle District of Florida and around the country,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The filing of this civil complaint is a major step in our continued effort to confront those responsible for the harm they have done to our communities.”
“Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring that only lawful controlled substance prescriptions are dispensed – Walgreens failed to do just that,” said U.S. Attorney Erek Barron for the District of Maryland. “We are committed to holding Walgreens accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities across the country, including in Maryland.”
“This country is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic, and New York is no exception,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carolyn Pokorny for the Eastern District of New York. “Walgreens, which operates one of the largest pharmacy chains in the United States, including nearly 300 pharmacies in the Eastern District of New York during the relevant time period, repeatedly ignored its obligations to ensure that these drugs did not fall into the wrong hands. My office will continue to work with others in the Justice Department to combat the opioid crisis by holding pharmacies that fill unlawful prescriptions accountable.”
“Walgreens and its pharmacists have an obligation to ensure that every prescription they fill is legitimate and issued responsibly. As this lawsuit alleges, Walgreens failed in this obligation, and many times ignored the red flags that warned of suspicious prescribing practices,” said DEA Principal Deputy Administrator George Papadopoulos. “Walgreens placed the public in danger by disregarding their responsibility. DEA will continue to pursue any individual or corporation that chooses profit over patient safety and we will hold them accountable.”
“Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health care programs count on pharmacies to dispense drugs responsibly. When pharmacies disregard federal laws and put profits ahead of patients, they endanger Americans’ health and compromise taxpayer dollars,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains diligent in pursuing entities involved in unlawful behavior that abuses the public’s trust in health care services.”
Four different whistleblowers who previously worked for Walgreens in various parts of the country filed whistleblower actions under the qui tam provisions of the FCA. Those provisions authorize private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it has done here. The four cases have been consolidated and are captioned United States ex rel. Novak v. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. No. 18 C 5452 (NDIL).
The United States’ intervention in this matter underscores the government’s commitment to combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant Director Amy DeLine, Senior Litigation Counsel Donald Lorenzen and Trial Attorney Nicole Frazer of the Justice Department’s Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant Director Natalie Waites and Trial Attorney Joshua Barron of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Wuerker for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie R. Raedy for the Northern District of Illinois, Chief of the Civil Division Randy Harwell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Tapie for the Middle District of Florida, Chief of the Civil Division Thomas Corcoran for the District of Maryland, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot M. Schachner for the Eastern District of New York.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Colorado and the Southern District of California, the DEA, HHS-OIG, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Health Agency (DHA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General and FBI Chicago Field Office provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law. In March 2023, the Associate Attorney General announced the creation of the Opioid Epidemic Civil Litigation Task Force, which formalizes and enhances coordination of the department’s existing work and will consider new initiatives. Because of the scope and duration of the crisis, the Task Force includes U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, DEA and other department components. The Task Force steers the department’s civil litigation efforts involving actors alleged to have contributed to the opioid epidemic, including by diverting prescription opioids.
The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Additional information about the Fraud Section of the Civil Division and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/fraud-section.
For information about the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, visit:
• Middle District of Florida, justice.gov/usao-mdfl;
• Northern District of Illinois, justice.gov/usao-ndil;
• District of Maryland, justice.gov/usao-md;
• Eastern District of New York, justice.gov/usao-edny; and
• Eastern District of Virginia, justice.gov/usao-edva.
For information about the federal agencies involved in this investigation and their work to combat the opioid crisis and federal health care fraud, visit:
• DEA at dea.gov;
• FBI at fbi.gov;
• HHS at hhs.gov;
• DHA at health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency;
• OPM at opm.gov; and
• DOL at dol.gov.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Former CIA analyst pleads guilty to transmitting Top Secret National Defense InformationRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former CIA analyst pled guilty today to retaining and transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information to people who were not entitled to receive it, information which was publicly posted on a social media platform in October 2024.
According to court documents, Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, was an employee of the CIA since 2016 and had a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
“Asif Rahman is pleading guilty in federal court three months to the day that he disclosed top secret American documents in violation of his oath, his responsibility, and the law,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This District, in partnership with federal law enforcement and the intelligence community, exemplified dedication, skill, and speed to bring him to justice expeditiously. Mr. Rahman’s actions placed lives at risk, undermined U.S. foreign relations, and compromised our ability to collect vital intelligence in the future.”
“Mr. Rahman betrayed the trust of the American people by unlawfully sharing classified national defense information he swore an oath to protect,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that the Justice Department will spare no effort to swiftly find and aggressively prosecute those who harm the United States by illegally disclosing our national security secrets.”
“With today's plea, Asif Rahman acknowledges he betrayed the trust of his country by sharing classified information in spite of the risk to the United States and our allies,” said Robert Wells, Executive Assistant Director of the FBI's National Security Branch. “Government employees who are granted security clearances and given access to our nation's classified information must promise to protect it. Rahman blatantly violated that pledge and took multiple steps to hide his actions. The FBI will use all our resources to investigate and hold accountable those who illegally transmit classified information and endanger the national security interests of our country.”
“Today’s plea demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to deploy the necessary tools and authorities to identify, locate, and bring to justice a government clearance holder who violated the oath he took to support and defend the U.S. Constitution,” said Assistant Director David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “This is a good reminder to all clearance holders that the FBI and our Intelligence Community partners will spare no resource to immediately find and hold accountable those who violate the law and disclose classified information without authorization, no matter where in the world they are located.”
According to court documents, on Oct. 17, 2024, Rahman accessed and printed two Top Secret documents containing National Defense Information regarding a U.S. foreign ally and its planned actions against a foreign adversary. Rahman removed the documents, photographed them, and transmitted them to individuals he knew were not entitled to receive them. By Oct. 18, 2024, the documents appeared publicly on multiple social media platforms, complete with the classification markings.
After Oct. 17, 2024, Rahman deleted and edited journal entries and written work product on his personal electronic devices to conceal his personal opinions on U.S. policy and drafted entries to construct a false narrative regarding his activity. Rahman also destroyed multiple electronic devices, including a personal mobile device and an internet router he used to transmit classified information and photographs of classified documents, and discarded the destroyed devices in public trash receptacles in an effort to thwart potential investigations into him and his unlawful conduct.
Beginning in the spring of 2024 and continuing through November 2024, Rahman repeatedly accessed and printed classified National Defense Information, including documents classified up to the Top Secret level, to take them to his residence. There, Rahman reproduced the documents and, while doing so, altered them in an effort to conceal their source and his activity. Rahman then communicated Top Secret information that he learned in the course of his employment to multiple individuals he knew were not entitled to receive it.
Rahman was indicted by a grand jury on Nov. 7, 2024, and was arrested by the FBI as he arrived to work on Nov. 12, 2024. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
Rahman pled guilty to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to the national defense. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25. He faces up to 10 years in prison for both counts in the plea agreement. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy A. Edwards Jr. for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Brett Reynolds of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-CR-249.
Former CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Transmitting Top Secret National Defense InformationRead the Press Release
A former CIA analyst pleaded guilty today to retaining and transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information to people who were not entitled to receive it, information which was publicly posted on a social media platform in October 2024.
According to court documents, Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, was an employee of the CIA since 2016 and had a Top-Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
“Mr. Rahman betrayed the trust of the American people by unlawfully sharing classified national defense information he swore an oath to protect,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that the Justice Department will spare no effort to swiftly find and aggressively prosecute those who harm the United States by illegally disclosing our national security secrets.”
“Asif Rahman is pleading guilty in federal court three months to the day that he disclosed top secret American documents in violation of his oath, his responsibility, and the law,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This District, in partnership with federal law enforcement and the intelligence community, exemplified dedication, skill, and speed to bring him to justice expeditiously. Mr. Rahman’s actions placed lives at risk, undermined U.S. foreign relations, and compromised our ability to collect vital intelligence in the future.”
“With today's plea, Asif Rahman acknowledges he betrayed the trust of his country by sharing classified information in spite of the risk to the United States and our allies,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Government employees who are granted security clearances and given access to our nation's classified information must promise to protect it. Rahman blatantly violated that pledge and took multiple steps to hide his actions. The FBI will use all our resources to investigate and hold accountable those who illegally transmit classified information and endanger the national security interests of our country.”
“Today’s plea demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to deploy the necessary tools and authorities to identify, locate, and bring to justice a government clearance holder who violated the oath he took to support and defend the U.S. Constitution,” said Assistant Director David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “This is a good reminder to all clearance holders that the FBI and our Intelligence Community partners will spare no resource to immediately find and hold accountable those who violate the law and disclose classified information without authorization, no matter where in the world they are located.”
According to court documents, on Oct. 17, 2024, Rahman accessed and printed two Top Secret documents containing National Defense Information regarding a U.S. foreign ally and its planned actions against a foreign adversary. Rahman removed the documents, photographed them, and transmitted them to individuals he knew were not entitled to receive them. By Oct. 18, 2024, the documents appeared publicly on multiple social media platforms, complete with the classification markings.
After Oct. 17, 2024, Rahman deleted and edited journal entries and written work product on his personal electronic devices to conceal his personal opinions on U.S. policy and drafted entries to construct a false narrative regarding his activity. Rahman also destroyed multiple electronic devices, including a personal mobile device and an internet router he used to transmit classified information and photographs of classified documents, and discarded the destroyed devices in public trash receptacles in an effort to thwart potential investigations into him and his unlawful conduct.
Beginning in the spring of 2024 and continuing through November 2024, Rahman repeatedly accessed and printed classified National Defense Information, including documents classified up to the Top Secret level, to take them to his residence. There, Rahman reproduced the documents and, while doing so, altered them in an effort to conceal their source and his activity. Rahman then communicated Top Secret information that he learned in the course of his employment to multiple individuals he knew were not entitled to receive it.
Rahman was indicted by a grand jury on Nov. 7, 2024, and was arrested by the FBI as he arrived to work on Nov. 12, 2024. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
Rahman pleaded guilty to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to the national defense. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for both counts in the plea agreement. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy A. Edwards Jr. for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Brett Reynolds of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
United States takes possession of Union Hill house from occupants who used it to sell drugs for over a decadeRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A house in the Union Hill neighborhood of Richmond was ordered forfeited to the United States today based on its longstanding use as a drug-involved premises.
According to court documents filed in federal court, the house at 2221 Venable Street had been used by its occupants for over a decade both to sell and use a wide variety of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, and crack and powder cocaine. Occupants had even sold a mixture of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and the animal tranquilizer drug xylazine out of the house, a combination commonly referred to as “tranq” or “the zombie drug.”
Drug trafficking had been occurring at the house as far back as 2008. The property was the site of four drug trafficking-related search warrants executed by Richmond Police (RPD), one of which occurred in 2010 and three in 2022. RPD and EMS also responded to two drug overdose deaths at the property, one in 2016 and another in 2020. Frustrated local residents had repeatedly written to their city councilwoman to complain about the incessant criminal activity occurring at the property. Local residents referred to 2221 Venable Street as “the Yellow House.”
Several neighborhood residents wrote to local officials for help, having witness, among other things, open prostitution, illicit drug use, public indecency, public urination and defecation, violent fights, drug overdoses, theft, and more.
“This successful action demonstrates the positive impact of coordinated federal and state law enforcement partnerships to improve our community,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The Yellow House was more than a blight on this neighborhood. For years, it was a haven for criminal activity, endangering the safety and wellbeing of local residents. I am proud that we were able to use federal tools to help RPD address this quality of life issue for Union Hill.”
“Drug trafficking had been occurring at the house as far back as 2008,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division. “The property was the site of four drug trafficking-related search warrants executed by Richmond Police, one of which occurred in 2010 and three in 2022. RPD and EMS also responded to two drug overdose deaths at the property, one in 2016 and another in 2020. In the fall of 2022, the DEA Richmond District Office team collaborated with the Richmond Police Department to investigate the drug distribution activities at 2221 Venable Street as part of Operation Overdrive – Phase 2. The collaborative efforts of the Richmond Police Department, DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office culminated in the seizure of the residence. Frustrated local residents had repeatedly written to their city councilwoman to complain about the incessant criminal activity occurring at the property.”
“There are times in public safety when law enforcement cannot arrest a problem away,” said Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police. “Investigations and charges to individuals, even across several years of enforcement, did not solve this problem. I truly appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other federal law enforcement agencies, for partnering with RPD to address this longstanding issue in one of our neighborhoods.”
The United States began a civil forfeiture action against this drug-involved premises by publicly filing a civil forfeiture complaint in U.S. District Court. The government then sent notice of the forfeiture action to every person who appeared to have a potential property interest in the house, in addition to giving notice more broadly through online publication. This gave potential claimants an opportunity to contest the forfeiture action in court. Since no claimant came forward to contest the forfeiture action, the United States obtained a default forfeiture judgment. The house will now be sold by the United States Marshals Service, which will remove it from the possession of the occupants who were using it as a base of operations for drug sales. Some of those occupants have been prosecuted in state court.
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Janet Jin Ah Lee and Kevin Hudson.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cv-207.
Oakton doctor pleads guilty to running pill millRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Oakton doctor pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and amphetamines, maintaining drug premises, and false statements relating to health care matters.
According to court documents, David Allingham, 64, was the owner of and sole medically licensed practitioner at Oakton Primacy Care Center (OPCC), an urgent care center. Between at least April 2019 and January 2024, Allingham wrote prescriptions for opioids and amphetamines for numerous patients without properly assessing the individual needs of those patients, which was outside the usual course of professional practice and regulations and without legitimate medical purpose. During that time, Virginia pharmacies filled approximately 7,330 prescriptions for oxycodone prescribed by Allingham, totaling approximately 405,164 pills.
All of Allingham’s patients were instructed to pay out of pocket for office visits at Allingham’s practice, which cost $300-$550 per patient, typically paid via cash, credit card, or Venmo. An extra $700 was required if the patient wanted a doctor’s letter. Allingham required his chronic pain patients to pay for an office visit at least every 21 days, though he allowed a significant number of these “office visits” to be conducted via a phone call to employees who were not medically trained. Allingham authorized renewals of medication without physically examining patients or without medical indication other than the uncorroborated information the patients provided.
Multiple pharmacies investigated Allingham’s opioid prescribing practices and thereafter refused to fill prescriptions for controlled substances issued by Allingham. After a national pharmacy chain informed Allingham that its stores would no longer fill prescriptions written by him, Allingham instructed his employees to phase out all brand pharmacies in favor of “mom and pop” pharmacies to avoid further scrutiny of his patients and so he could continue to prescribe high-dose opioids for them.
Allingham authorized and directed untrained medical staff to issue prescriptions for controlled substances for his patients in his absence and without a proper medical exam. Allingham directed untrained staff to issue his prescriptions for opioids or amphetamines on at least 487 occasions, generating at least $168,000 in proceeds.
Allingham typically required a urine drug screen (UDS) at each in office appointment but failed to act on them in a medically appropriate way. Allingham consistently excused or ignored failed UDSs, which were then withheld from patient files or falsely documented in his medical records. One patient failed 40 drug tests between 2019 and 2023. Allingham’s medical record falsely documented that the patient had tested positive for cocaine in his urine merely from handling currency contaminated with cocaine residue. Allingham nevertheless continued to prescribe oxycodone to the patient.
Allingham also prescribed amphetamines to multiple chronic pain patients to assist them in weight loss in contravention of regulations. Allingham prescribed amphetamines for weight loss purposes regardless of whether the patient was obese. During the conspiracy, Allingham distributed at least 527 prescriptions for amphetamines for this purpose, totaling over 13,500 pills.
Allingham also unlawfully used and directed his employees to use another doctor’s identity without authorization to prescribe medications for himself and his family. Allingham instructed his employees to provide the OPCC phone number for prescriptions purportedly written by that doctor and directed them how to respond if pharmacists called inquiring about the prescriptions, because at that time the doctor was not an employee of OPCC.
Multiple of Allingham’s patients died of drug overdoses within hours, days, or weeks of receiving an oxycodone prescription from Allingham.
In July 2023, law enforcement conducted a search of Allingham’s residence and medical practice. When interviewed by law enforcement, Allingham made false statements regarding his prescribing practices and directed at least one of his employees to delete records of her text message communications with him.
Allingham is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30 and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea.
The Fairfax County Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather D. Call is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-2.
Norfolk drug trafficker sentenced to 19 years in prison after being caught with 17 firearms and 17 kilos of methRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced yesterday to 19 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Eric Joseph McGinnis, 44, had been supplying controlled substances to a co-conspirator since November 2022. On July 28, 2023, law enforcement searched McGinnis’ residence and business, EJM Enterprise, both in Norfolk. Agents seized 17 firearms, including two personally manufactured firearms. Agents also recovered 17 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of marijuana, 1.5 kilograms of psilocyn, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, a half-kilogram of fentanyl mixed with Xylazine and/or para-fluorofentanyl, and hundreds of capsules and tablets of different types of controlled substances, including Oxycodone.
As a previously convicted felon, McGinnis cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
After the searches at his business and residence, McGinnis directed his girlfriend to destroy or conceal evidence that was material to the investigation.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-72.
Federal jury convicts man who flew from Bogota to Dulles with over two kilograms of cocaineRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Rockville, Maryland, man today on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on April 25, 2024, Gildo Ricci, 69, a citizen of Peru and a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on a flight from Bogota, Colombia. At the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection area, CBP officers referred RICCI for a secondary inspection, during which officers found several desserts and other food items. After applying pressure to one of the items, it emitted a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride.
When an officer observed that a cake was unusually heavy and decided to probe the cake with a knife, the knife failed to penetrate the cake. The officer began to remove the top layer of the cake and discovered a foil wrapped brick inside. Each cake contained cocaine hydrochloride. Soup mix packets also contained cocaine hydrochloride. Altogether, the CBP officers found 2.07 kilograms of cocaine in Ricci’s assorted food and dessert items.
Within one of Ricci’s suitcases was a child's backpack that contained of $7,750, which was later determined to be counterfeit.
Ricci faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on April 25. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Matthew S. Davies, Acting Director of CBP’s Baltimore Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the verdict.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Carter and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony R. Roberts are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-149.
Farmville felon sentenced to over 13 years in prison for illegal firearm possessionRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Farmville man was sentenced today to 13 years and four months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on Oct. 31, 2023, an officer with the Richmond Police Department encountered Pierre Redd, 32, asleep in the driver seat of a vehicle stopped at an intersection in Richmond. The car was in drive at the time. The officer observed in plain view a loaded handgun between Redd’s legs and a bag containing 15.3 grams of cocaine in Redd's hand.
The officer opened the driver-side door, removed the firearm and cocaine, and awakened Redd. The officer directed Redd to place the car in park, and then reached in and placed the car in park himself. The officer then directed Redd to exit the vehicle. After Redd repeatedly declined to comply, the officer placed a handcuff on Redd's left wrist. Redd then placed the car in drive and sped away.
The officer returned to his police vehicle and pursued Redd with his lights and siren engaged. As Redd attempted to flee, he ran numerous stop signs and drove on the wrong side of the street. Redd eventually pulled into an apartment complex, where he exited his vehicle without putting it in park. The officer eventually subdued and arrested Redd after a foot pursuit.
At the time of the offense, Redd had several previous felony convictions, including, among others, for attempted malicious wounding, reckless handling of a firearm, receiving a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, assault, forgery of public records, and possession of heroin. As a previously convicted felon, Redd cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. McGorman and Stephen W. Miller prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-56.
Suffolk man sentenced to 10 years in prison for federal drug trafficking and firearms convictionRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Suffolk man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on Sept. 15, 2023, law enforcement intercepted a package containing two pounds of crystal meth that had been shipped from Murrieta, California, to Norfolk through the U.S. Postal Service. Investigators removed all but 33 grams of the meth, repackaged the parcel, and conducted a controlled delivery to the intended address.
After the package was delivered, Dobeir Quam Rudolph, 35, arrived at the address and retrieved the package. An arrest team attempted to detain Rudolph, but he resisted and attempted to flee in his vehicle. Officers observed Rudolph reaching for something and attempting to destroy his cellphone. Rudolph was eventually placed into custody.
During a search of the vehicle, investigators recovered a handgun where Rudolph had been reaching. Rudolph has two prior felony convictions. As a previously convicted felon, Rudolph cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA’s Washington Division; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc W. West, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-23.
Chesapeake hospital indicted for healthcare fraud involving unnecessary surgical proceduresRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Chesapeake Regional Medical Center (CRMC) with healthcare fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and interference with government functions.
As alleged in the indictment, CRMC, formerly known as Chesapeake Regional Hospital, granted privileges to Javaid Perwaiz from 1984 until his arrest in 2019, despite knowing that Perwaiz’ privileges had been terminated at another hospital for performing unnecessary surgeries and that he was convicted of two federal felonies in 1996. From 2010 to 2019, CRMC allegedly received approximately $18.5 million in reimbursements from health care benefit programs for surgical and obstetric procedures Perwaiz performed at the facility.
“After Dr. Perwaiz was convicted of performing irreversible hysterectomies and other medically unnecessary surgeries on women, we continued to investigate the role that CRMC played,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “As alleged in the indictment, Dr. Perwaiz did not act alone in this conspiracy to needlessly sterilize and otherwise harm women. The Grand Jury found today that CRMC was complicit in this horrifying scheme to place profits over patient care.”
Beginning at least as early as January 2010 and continuing until November 2019, CRMC, Perwaiz, and others allegedly conspired to defraud the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare, Medicaid, the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, and TRICARE. CRMC and Perwaiz allegedly agreed to Perwaiz continually performing surgeries and other procedures at CRMC that were in violation of the rules and regulations of the healthcare benefit programs. CRMC also allegedly defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Anthem, Optima, Humana, Cigna, Aetna, United, and others to obtain reimbursements for obstetric deliveries that were elective inductions for no medical reason before 39 weeks of gestation, contrary to medical necessity and the standard of care. CRMC allegedly submitted such reimbursements itself, and aided and abetted Perwaiz to do the same.
“These latest charges are the next step toward justice for the women that were significantly impacted by Perwaiz’ predatory actions, as well as the negligence of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center,” said Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “The hospital’s prioritization of profits jeopardized the safety of many of their patients, many whom had full trust in them to provide reliable medical care. The FBI and our partners will continue to hold all parties responsible who abuse positions of power in such a manner, and that’s what today’s charges reflect.”
As alleged in the indictment, Perwaiz exclusively performed his obstetric deliveries at CRMC and routinely scheduled them as elective inductions on Saturdays, a day when he was already scheduled to be at CRMC to perform surgeries. To schedule such deliveries, Perwaiz allegedly submitted to CRMC obstetric flowsheets that often had two different delivery dates clearly noted. One due date was accurate and within the standard of care, while the other was fabricated later by Perwaiz to appear that the patient was actually at or after 39 weeks of gestation at the time of induction or cesarean section, when she was not. A review of such forms for Medicaid patients in 2019 allegedly revealed that approximately 64% of forms were altered, resulting in about 39% of his patients of CRMC being induced before 39 weeks of gestation for no medical reason. CRMC employees and practitioners allegedly observed or were made aware of such discrepancies, but nonetheless allowed Perwaiz to continue these practices and continued billing for them.
“As alleged in today’s indictment, CRMC knowingly disregarded patient care and allowed Dr. Perwaiz’s unnecessary surgeries, in order to increase its own revenue,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating allegations of patient harm and theft from federal health insurance programs.”
The indictment alleges CRMC knew that Perwaiz routinely and knowingly misclassified inpatient only surgeries as outpatient procedures but allowed him to continue performing these surgeries. CRMC also allegedly knew that certain health care benefit programs would not reimburse a hospital for an inpatient procedure performed on an outpatient basis, that the majority of private health care benefit programs reimbursed such procedures at a significantly lower rate, and that inpatient surgeries required an increased level of scrutiny.
“Ensuring the full measure of justice is brought to all those complicit in the heinous acts committed by Dr. Perwaiz is of the highest priority,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher W. Dillard of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the DoD’s Office of Inspector General. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to work with our partner agencies to pursue individuals and corporations for fraudulent actions, particularly those that involve patient harm.”
CRMC allegedly routinely allowed Perwaiz to deviate from scheduling policies for non-emergent surgical cases. Perwaiz often scheduled his Saturday surgeries on late Friday afternoons. Perwaiz repeatedly performed sterilizations on Medicaid patients at CRMC without valid consent forms, and CRMC allegedly knowingly allowed him to continue to do so.
The indictment alleges that Perwaiz was a solo practitioner who applied to CRMC for privileges in September 1983. While his application was pending, in December 1983, CRMC’s President, who remained the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) until 2005, was notified by Maryview Hospital in Portsmouth that Perwaiz’s privileges at Maryview had been terminated earlier that year for performing unnecessary surgeries. After review of Perwaiz’s application, it is alleged that CRMC’s Department of Surgery initially declared him unacceptable for appointment, but nonetheless granted him privileges in April 1984.
The indictment further alleges that Perwaiz continued to conduct office visits, in-office diagnostic procedures, inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, and obstetric deliveries at CRMC until his arrest on Nov. 8, 2019. Perwaiz also allegedly performed all his obstetric deliveries and inpatient surgeries, including hysterectomies, and other surgeries and procedures, at CRMC. The vast majority of these procedures allegedly took place on Saturdays when he had a reserved surgical block time at CRMC.
In 1995, Perwaiz was indicted on six counts of felony tax fraud in federal court. He pled guilty to two of the counts, and admitted in public filings to extensive fraudulent conduct, including, among other things, falsely claiming a Ferrari luxury sports car as an ultrasound machine so that he could write it off as a business expense.
In November 2020, Perwaiz was convicted of 52 counts of health care fraud and false statements in health care matters and was sentenced to 59 years in prison. Approximately 38 counts of the convictions were for procedures performed at CRMC, including unnecessary hysterectomies and other invasive and irreversible surgeries, elective inductions prior to 39 weeks of gestation without medical justification, and sterilizations of Medicaid patients without consent forms signed 30 days in advance.
The indictment alleges that CRMC periodically reviewed the credentials of practicing physicians, including Perwaiz, every two years. Perwaiz’s re-credentialing packet allegedly contained information regarding his felony conviction, his prior hospital suspension, and notes regarding medical malpractice lawsuits resulting from procedures he performed at CRMC. It is alleged that CRMC continually re-credentialed Perwaiz approximately every two years between 1984 and 2019. Perwaiz was last re-credentialed in June 2019, just five months before his arrest.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Gantt and Elizabeth M. Yusi are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim in this case or who has information regarding this matter is urged to contact the HHS-OIG tipline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS /1-800-447-8477 or online at tips.oig.hhs.gov.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-1.
An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Virginia contractor to pay over $2.6M to settle allegations of falsely obtaining small business contractsRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – R&K Enterprises Inc. (R&K), headquartered in Newport News, has agreed to pay over $2.6 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act and the common law that the company represented that it was eligible for certain small business set-aside contracts when it did not meet the program rules to qualify as a small business.
The United States alleged that R&K represented and certified in its bid that it met the size standard for the General Services Administration’s One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Small Business Pool 1 Contract — measured in average revenue over the previous three years from the date of the bid — when it did not. To appear to meet the size standard, R&K allegedly novated a contract to another company, K&P Management Inc. (K&P), and represented the two companies were not affiliated. The United States alleged that, under the applicable rules, the two companies were affiliated based on several factors, including that the wife of R&K’s owner owned K&P, all of K&P’s purported revenue came from R&K, the two companies shared executives, and R&K exercised control over K&P. As a result, the United States contended that R&K should have included K&Ps revenue in R&K’s calculation of its size.
“My office is committed to identifying, investigating and eradicating attempts to exploit programs intended to protect competition for contracts,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The complex, multi-agency investigation that culminated in this settlement exemplifies the importance of strong partnerships that maximize our expertise and authority to effectively enforce the law.”
“Small business set-aside contracts assist small businesses to compete,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When ineligible companies fraudulently obtain contracts reserved for small businesses, they prevent the small business community from receiving the contracting opportunities that Congress intended.”
“We will work with law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of small business fraud, including companies that misrepresent their status to get federal contracts,” said Deputy Inspector General Robert C. Erickson of the General Services Administration (GSA).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section with assistance from the GSA Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Wuerker for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Danielle Rowan of the Justice Department’s Civil Division investigated the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
Five gang members sentenced to prison for armed robbery spreeRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Five men affiliated with the United Blood Nation gang have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a series of armed robberies of convenience stores in Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
According to court documents, on January 14, 2022, Harold Edward Spencer III, 34, of Virginia Beach, and Kareem Doyle Ross, 34, of Newport News, began a two-month robbery spree when they robbed a Citgo Mini Mart in Virginia Beach. Spencer and Ross entered the store and pointed firearms at employees, taking money, lottery tickets, and cigarettes. Later that day, Spencer and Ross, while still armed, robbed a Circle D Food Mart in Virginia Beach. During the robbery, Spencer fired his handgun twice at a fleeing customer.
On Feb. 7, 2022, Spencer, Ross, and a third individual robbed an Express Food Mart in Norfolk. On Feb. 19, 2022, Spencer, Ross, and Marvin Eugene Lockhart Jr., 34, of Virginia Beach, robbed a Crown Gas Station in Virginia Beach. During both robberies, all of the conspirators pointed firearms at employees and customers and stole money and cigarettes. During the Express Food Mart robbery, the men also took lottery tickets and cigars.
On March 5, 2022, Spencer, Ross, and Roshaun Devon Griffin, 36, of Virginia Beach, robbed an Arrowhead Food Mart in Virginia Beach, again taking money, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. During the robbery, Spencer and Ross pointed firearms at an employee.
On March 12, 2022, Spencer, Ross, and Lockhart robbed a Jr. Market in Norfolk, taking money and lottery tickets. During the robbery, all three pointed firearms at an employee.
On March 18, 2022, Ross, Spencer, Lockhart, Griffin, and Jon Demetrious Jacques Morgan, 34, of Portsmouth, attempted to rob a Tiger Mart in Virginia Beach. During the attempted robbery, Ross, Lockhart, Griffin, and Morgan approached the Tiger Mart as a group while Spencer remained in a vehicle nearby as a getaway driver. Ross, Lockhart, Griffin, and Morgan aborted the robbery and ran back to the getaway vehicle. The group then attempted to flee from the police. As they attempted to escape, the conspirators threw from the car the firearms they had possessed during the robbery. Virginia Beach Police used spike strips to disable the vehicle and all five conspirators were arrested.
On Oct. 4, 2022, Griffin pled guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by means of robbery; interference and attempted interference with commerce by means of robbery; and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. On June 9, 2023, Griffin was sentenced to 15 years and four months in prison.
On Oct. 14, 2022, Ross pled guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by means of robbery; interference and attempted interference with commerce by means of robbery; and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. On June 13, 2023, Ross was sentenced to 27 years and one month in prison.
On Dec. 13, 2022, Spencer and Morgan were convicted at trial. Spencer and Morgan were convicted of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by means of robbery; attempted interference with commerce by means of robbery; and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Spencer was also convicted of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. On Nov. 7, 2023, Morgan was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison and Spencer was sentenced to 42 years and three months in prison.
On Oct. 6, 2022, Lockhart pled guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by means of robbery; interference and attempted interference with commerce by means of robbery; and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Lockhart, who left a family member’s birthday party to commit one of the armed robberies, was sentenced today to 22 years and one month in prison.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after Lockhart’s sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Butler and Joseph E. DePadilla prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-106.
Virginia Beach doctor agrees to $625,000 False Claims Act settlementRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Dr. Scott Saffold, of Virginia Beach, and his practice, Chesapeake Bay, ENT, P.C. (Chesapeake Bay), located in Belle Haven, have agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a civil fraud case that claimed Dr. Saffold and his medical practice engaged in the routine and systematic practice of falsely billing government health care programs.
The United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia alleged that Saffold and Chesapeake Bay billed federal and state payors for balloon sinus dilations that were not medically necessary. The government alleged that Saffold and Chesapeake Bay performed these surgeries on six sinuses for many patients even when there was no medical indication of need in some or all dilated sinuses. The government further alleged that Saffold and Chesapeake Bay staged these procedures, performing each side at separate times, to increase reimbursement from government payors and without any medical justification. The government also alleged that Saffold and Chesapeake Bay routinely billed government payors for endoscopies with sphenoid sinusoscopy under Current Procedural Terminology Code 31235 when they were not actually performing that code.
The settlement arises in connection with a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act. A whistleblower suit, or qui tam action under the False Claims Act, is commenced by an individual filing a complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court and providing a copy of the complaint and evidence to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States then has an opportunity to investigate the claims. The False Claims Act provides whistleblowers with a share of the government’s recovery.
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General.
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Wuerker and Senior Assistant Attorney General Kristin Gray and Assistant Attorney General Airen Adamonis from the Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Case records may be found on PACER under case number 2:18cv435.
The civil claims settled are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
Former Federal Bureau of Prisons employees convicted of charges arising from their failure to obtain medical care for an inmate who later died from his injuriesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant was found guilty on Dec. 21 of violating the civil rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs. The lieutenant and an FBOP nurse were also found guilty of making false statements to a federal agent with the intent to obstruct the investigation into the inmate’s death.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Lieutenant Shronda Covington, 49, and Registered Nurse Tonya Farley, 53, both of Chesterfield, were on duty and working in their official capacities at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg on Jan. 9, 2021. Covington willfully failed to ensure that the inmate, a 47-year-old man identified as W.W., was provided with necessary medical care, even though she knew that W.W. had a serious medical need, and Covington and Farley each made false statements to federal agents during the investigation into the inmate’s death.
Another FBOP official, Lieutenant Michael Anderson, previously pleaded guilty for his role in the inmate’s death and was sentenced to three years in custody.
“These defendants showed an appalling indifference and disregard for W.W.’s life,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who fail in their duty to provide basic care and humane treatment to those in their custody.”
“Federal inmates are human beings in a uniquely vulnerable environment,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Their care is the responsibility of corrections staff entrusted to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. The failure to honor that trust in this case cost a man his life.”
“Covington’s inexcusable apathy to the medical needs of W.W. over the course of two days caused his unnecessary death,” said Special Agent in Charge Tim Edmiston of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region. “Covington and Farley also decided to lie about their involvement in order to escape accountability. The Justice Department Office of the Inspector General will continue to investigate civil rights violations at the hands of Federal Bureau of Prisons employees.”
Evidence presented at trial established that, in the early morning hours of Jan. 9, 2021, W.W.’s cellmate reported to facility staff that W.W. was exhibiting bizarre and unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly incontinent and unable to talk and walk normally. Over the course of two days, FBOP officials knew of but disregarded W.W.’s symptoms of a sudden neurological crisis, including his sudden incontinence, incomprehension, inability to talk, and struggles to stand or walk without falling.
Without medical attention to address his sudden and serious medical need, W.W. fell into walls and other objects numerous times, causing significant bruising and bleeding to his head and body. Although FBOP policy requires staff to provide necessary medical care to inmates, Covington and Anderson ignored the policy and their training and failed to respond to repeated calls for help from inmates and line staff.
W.W. finally fell head-first into a wall and then to the floor in an observation cell, where — despite inmate-observers’ continued calls for help — he lay for an hour and 40 minutes before officers rendered aid. An autopsy concluded that W.W. died of blunt force trauma to his head and that the lack of medical assistance he received during his series of falls and after his last fall contributed to his death.
Covington is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025, and Farley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8, 2025. Covington faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and Farley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Katherine McCallister of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case and were previously assisted by then-Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-68.
Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Employees Convicted of Charges Arising from Their Failure to Obtain Medical Care for an Inmate Who Later Died from His InjuriesRead the Press Release
A Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant was found guilty this past weekend of violating the civil rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs. The lieutenant and a FBOP nurse were also found guilty of making false statements to a federal agent with the intent to obstruct the investigation into the inmate’s death.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Lieutenant Shronda Covington, 49, of Chesterfield, Virginia, and Registered Nurse Tonya Farley, 53, of Chesterfield, were on duty and working in their official capacities at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg, Virginia, on Jan. 9, 2021. Covington willfully failed to ensure that the inmate, a 47-year-old man identified as W.W., was provided with necessary medical care, even though she knew that W.W. had a serious medical need, and Covington and Farley each made false statements to federal agents during the investigation into the inmate’s death.
Another FBOP official, Lieutenant Michael Anderson, previously pleaded guilty for his role in the inmate’s death and was sentenced to three years in custody.
“These defendants showed an appalling indifference and disregard for the victim’s life, and their failure to act caused his death,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who work inside our prisons and jails, including our federal facilities, when they fail in their duty to provide basic care and humane treatment to the people held in their custody.”
“Federal inmates are human beings in a uniquely vulnerable environment,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Their care is the responsibility of corrections staff entrusted to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. The defendants in this case failed to honor that trust, and the inmate died.”
“Covington’s inexcusable apathy to the medical needs of W.W. over the course of two days caused his unnecessary death,” said Special Agent in Charge Tim Edmiston of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region. “Covington and Farley also decided to lie about their involvement in order to escape accountability. The Justice Department Office of the Inspector General will continue to investigate civil rights violations at the hands of Federal Bureau of Prisons employees.”
Evidence presented at trial established that, in the early morning hours of Jan. 9, 2021, W.W.’s cellmate reported to facility staff that W.W. was exhibiting bizarre and unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly incontinent and unable to talk and walk normally. Over the course of two days, FBOP officials knew of but disregarded W.W.’s symptoms of a sudden neurological crisis, including his sudden incontinence, incomprehension, inability to talk and struggles to stand or walk without falling.
Without medical attention to address his sudden and serious medical need, W.W. fell into walls and other objects numerous times, causing significant bruising and bleeding to his head and body. Although FBOP policy requires staff to provide necessary medical care to inmates, Covington and Anderson ignored the policy and their training and failed to respond to repeated calls for help from inmates and line staff.
W.W. finally fell head-first into a wall and then to the floor in an observation cell, where — despite inmate-observers’ continued calls for help — he lay for an hour and 40 minutes before officers rendered aid. An autopsy concluded that W.W. died of blunt force trauma to his head and that the lack of medical assistance he received during his series of falls and after his last fall contributed to his death.
Covington and Farley will be sentenced on a later date. Covington faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and Farley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Katherine McCallister of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case and were previously assisted by then-Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Hampton landlord who racially harassed and evicted tenants sentenced to 17 years in prisonRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Hampton man was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and race-based interference with housing and employment.
According to court documents, David L. Merryman, 59, owned 39 rental properties in Newport News and 23 more in Hampton. Many of Merryman’s rental properties were in poor condition and located in low-income neighborhoods. He primarily rented the properties to underprivileged African American tenants with limited credit and housing options.
From 2019 through at least January 2024, Merryman engaged in a multifaceted scheme that included obtaining rent relief benefits to which he was not entitled, as well as fraudulently obtaining large initial payments in the form of security deposits, prepaid rent, and other fees for rental homes that were in poor repair. Merryman represented to prospective tenants that he would lease the rentals for longer tenancy terms but intended to evict them as quickly as possible to restart the cycle of fraud and collect more high initial payments from new tenants.
“David Merryman deliberately targeted families of color with limited means and housing options.” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Easter District of Virginia. “Landlords have a responsibility under the law to uphold the housing rights and protect the human dignity of the people to whom they rent. Mr. Merryman failed to uphold that responsibility and is paying a heavy price for his for racial discrimination and fraud.”
“For years, David Merryman used his position of power as a landlord and his tenant’s economic vulnerability to make a profit,” said Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “He not only sought out tenants with few housing options to rent, but then continued to racially harass and subject them to unsuitable living conditions. His victims were oftentimes mothers or fathers who just wanted to keep a roof over their family’s head. We’re thankful for today’s sentence which showcases the serious nature of these types of offenses, as well as the FBI’s commitment to investigating the perpetrators of these crimes.”
“Merryman specifically sought to rent his derelict properties to vulnerable minority tenants, and then subjected them to abhorrent racial discrimination and other abusive conduct,” said Rae Oliver Davis, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “His criminal actions were in repulsive disregard for both the law and well-being of his low-income tenants. Today’s sentencing stops his cycle of fraud and abuse and brings Mr. Merryman to justice.”
On several occasions, Merryman harassed his minority tenants with slurs, comments about slavery, mocking comments, death threats, and assaultive conduct related to their race, all in violation of their right to occupy and lease a dwelling free from racially motivated harassment, threats, and force. He also interfered with at least one victim’s right to enjoy employment free from racial threats and assaultive conduct.
Merryman fabricated lease documents, often with incorrect information related to the tenants, and backdated documents before forging tenants’ signatures and falsely representing that he was authorized to act on their behalf.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, state and federal governments made rent relief benefits available to those struggling during the national health crisis. Merryman filed fraudulent rent relief applications and used his tenants' names and personal information without their consent and forged their signatures. In many cases, he obtained significant sums of rent relief without telling the tenants, even evicting, or seeking to evict, the very same tenants for unpaid rent. To obtain housing-assistance payments from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Merryman also made false representations about the condition of his rental properties and whether he was receiving other payments that would be duplicative of federally funded rental assistance.
Merryman also defrauded tenants by obtaining money and property from them under false pretenses, primarily through false representations that he would repair his properties to induce tenants to pay significant upfront fees for neglected, even uninhabitable, properties that he never intended to improve.
For example, a tenant, identified as L.G., made requests for necessary repairs to the home she was renting, to which Merryman repeatedly made racially derogatory responses. In April 2019, Merryman threatened to turn L.G. and her children into “potting soil.” L.G. obtained a protective order against Merryman, who then responded by, among other things, parking his vehicle just outside the prohibited radius of the order and intimidating L.G. and her family.
Another tenant, identified as E.P., regularly paid Merryman rent from 2015 until she was laid off from her job in 2021 during the pandemic after suffering medical problems resulting in her hospitalization. On May 10, 2021, Merryman applied to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for approximately $15,100 in rent relief benefits for E.P. and forged her signature, all without her consent. Despite obtaining those benefits for E.P., Merryman evicted her, citing her unpaid rent. E.P. then lost all her belongings when Merryman sent a crew to remove them from her home and tow her car when she was hospitalized.
After Merryman failed to complete a driveway construction project, the customer hired a concrete construction business owner, identified as E.S., to finish the job. E.S. had worked in the concrete construction business for more than 40 years. On July 8, 2020, shortly after E.S. finished the project, he received a call from Merryman, who repeatedly threatened him. E.S. obtained a protective order against Merryman, after which, in March 2021, Merryman came to a different jobsite where E.S. was working to intimidate him and his team.
Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Mack Coleman, Julie D. Podlesni, and Brian J. Samuels prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-4.
CEO of mergers and acquisition advisory firm pleads guilty to defrauding clients of over $2MRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington-based business owner pled guilty yesterday to wire fraud in connection with his scheme to defraud eight companies of over $2 million.
According to court documents, from at least January 2020 through December 2022, Kiel Brendan Brandt, 34, owned and operated Epsilon Acquisition Services, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm. From at least February 2021 through December 2022, Brandt defrauded companies and individuals by lying about the status of deals and the state of Epsilon’s finances, by falsely claiming that Epsilon would refund fees if deals did not close, and by falsely claiming that refunds had been or imminently would be issued.
When Brandt failed to secure funding and deals did not close, Brandt falsely claimed that the deals were delayed because the lenders and/or partners needed additional due diligence materials, insurance records, or other documentation.
For example, a client company in Argentina paid Epsilon approximately $275,000 in refundable payments and fees to find a buyer to purchase the company. Brandt never closed the deal, but rather than repaying the funds, he told the company that the bank was having payment processing issues, that there were delays in the money posting to the account, that the bank was unable to timely send the funds because of a bank holiday, and that the delays were because of technical complications in transferring funds overseas. To make his supposed efforts appear legitimate, Brandt initiated a transfer from his bank and obtained a confirmation order, but he then canceled the transfer before any of the money was sent from his account. Brandt, nonetheless, sent the confirmation number to the company.
Brandt further obfuscated the scheme by suggesting there had been an internal miscommunication at Epsilon with an employee named “Steph” regarding from which account the transfer should be initiated. In truth, “Steph” was a fictitious employee who did not exist. Brandt also suggested that the company could help facilitate the transfer of funds by opening a U.S. bank account. When that did not result in a refund payment, Brandt communicated that he would open a bank account in Central America from which he would make payment. Approximately a year-and-a-half after the company first sought repayment of its funds, Brandt signed and executed a contract acknowledging that Epsilon had failed to return money held in escrow as well as other refundable fees. Brandt again falsely promised to repay a portion of the $225,000 that he owed the company by September 9, 2022, but did not send any money.
In September 2021, another company agreed to provide Epsilon with a $1 million bridge loan to facilitate transactions for the company. In the loan agreement, Brandt falsely represented Epsilon’s debts, hiding that Epsilon owed hundreds of thousands of dollars to other victims. Rather than using the funds for their intended purpose, Brandt directed over $700,000 in repayments to other clients to whom he owed money and used the remaining funds primarily for transfers to employees and payments to personal accounts.
Brandt also solicited upfront fees by various names including “good faith deposits,” “loan commitment fees,” “insurance fees,” and “prepayments of commissions.” As with the bridge loan, however, rather than directing the funds towards their intended uses, Brandt directed payments to Epsilon’s operating expenses, and made sizeable payments to his personal bank accounts. Brandt also used payments from victims to pay other victims and clients.
In total, Brandt defrauded eight companies of $2,002,750 and he repaid the victims only $193,323. Epsilon also failed to repay $175,000 in advances to a ninth company. In his plea agreement, Brandt agrees to pay $1,984,426 in total restitution.
Brandt is scheduled to be sentenced on April 3, 2025, and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack A. Morgan and Kenneth R. Simon Jr. are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-250.
Virginia Man Convicted for Crypto Financing Scheme to ISISRead the Press Release
A jury convicted Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, Virginia, on Dec. 13 for charges relating to his efforts to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, from at least October 2019 through October 2022, Chhipa collected and sent money to female ISIS members in Syria to benefit ISIS in various ways, including by financing the escape of female ISIS members from prison camps and supporting ISIS fighters. Chhipa would raise funds online on various social media accounts. He would receive electronic transfers of funds and travel hundreds of miles to collect funds by hand. He would then convert the money to cryptocurrency and send it to Turkey, where it was smuggled to ISIS members in Syria.
His primary co-conspirator was a British-born ISIS member residing in Syria who was involved in raising funds for prison escapes, terrorist attacks, and ISIS fighters. Over the course of the conspiracy, the defendant sent out over $185,000 in of cryptocurrency.
The jury found Chhipa guilty of one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Chhipa faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 5, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch, and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony T. Aminoff and Amanda St. Cyr for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Andrew John Dixon and Andrea Broach of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
Norfolk man sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for trafficking guns and drugsRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced on Dec. 13 to 10 years and 11 months in prison for distribution of Para-fluorofentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, on Dec. 28, 2023, Tramaine Waldell Riddick, 42, sold 4.4 grams of heroin and an AK47 rifle with a 30-round magazine and ammunition at his residence in a controlled purchase conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Chesapeake Police Department (CPD).
In multiple subsequent controlled purchases in January and February, Riddick sold 57.35 grams of suspected heroin, six firearms, and ammunition. One of the firearms Riddick sold was stolen, and during one of the controlled purchases Riddick sold a machinegun conversion device. The substances Riddick sold tested positive for heroin, para-fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, and xylazine. Riddick is attributed with possessing with intent to distribute or distributing 79 grams of fentanyl and 179 grams of cocaine.
On April 9, 2024, law enforcement conducted a search of Riddick’s residence and recovered four additional firearms and ammunition.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Office prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-74.
Federal jury convicts Springfield man for crypto financing scheme to ISISRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Springfield man on Dec. 13 on charges relating to his efforts to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), which was designated by the United States Secretary of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, from at least October 2019 through October of 2022, Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, collected and sent money to female ISIS members in Syria to benefit ISIS in various ways, including by financing the escape of female ISIS members from prison camps and supporting ISIS fighters. Chhipa would raise funds online on various social media accounts. He would receive electronic transfers of funds and travel hundreds of miles to collect funds by hand. He would then convert the money to cryptocurrency and send it to Turkey, where it was smuggled to ISIS members in Syria.
His primary co-conspirator was a British-born ISIS member residing in Syria who was involved in raising funds for prison escapes, terrorist attacks, and ISIS fighters.
Over the course of the conspiracy, the defendant sent over $185,000 in cryptocurrency.
The jury found Chhipa guilty of one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Chhipa faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count when sentenced on May 5, 2025. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony T. Aminoff and Amanda St. Cyr for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Andrea Broach and Andrew John Dixon for the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-97.
Travel agent arrested for alleged sham travel arrangements for college basketball team after receiving over $100,000Read the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Atlanta man was arrested today on charges of wire fraud after allegedly taking payment for travel services he never provided.
According to a criminal complaint, in June 2023, representatives from George Mason University’s (GMU) men’s basketball team began discussions with a company, identified in court records as Company A, about organizing an international trip for the team the following summer. Company A’s owner contacted Maurice Eugene Smith, 44, about making the travel arrangements for the basketball team to travel to the Bahamas in August 2024 through Smith’s company, Eugene Toriko LLC. On Sept. 25, 2023, Smith allegedly provided an estimated cost for the trip, which included transportation, hotel accommodations, activities, and some meals for 30 people at a cost of $149,542.40.
In early 2024, the owner of Company A presented a detailed draft itinerary and cost estimate to GMU for a five-day trip to Nassau, Bahamas, based in part on information that Smith had provided to Company A. On Feb. 26, Smith allegedly emailed another draft invoice for the trip that totaled $164,336, which included pricing for all transportation, lodging, a private catamaran tour, some meals, and fees associated with basketball games. The owner of Company A frequently relayed information that Smith allegedly provided to him about the trip’s cost and itinerary to GMU. At one point, Smith allegedly lowered the proposed cost of the trip to $159,756.
On April 3, representatives from GMU, the George Mason University Foundation (GMUF, which is GMU’s fundraising arm), and Company A digitally signed a contract related to the planned trip. On April 17, GMUF wired a $55,914.60 deposit to Company A’s bank account.
On April 19, Smith allegedly emailed Company A an invoice that detailed the services Eugene Toriko LLC was to provide on behalf of Company A for GMU and GMUF, and the cost for those services. On April 24, Company A wired $40,800 to Eugene Toriko LLC’s bank account.
On May 20, a representative from GMU requested an invoice for the next deposit that was due on May 27. In turn, Company A requested invoice information from Smith. Using the information that Smith allegedly provided, Company A sent an invoice to GMU for $103,841. On May 23, GMUF wired the balance of $103,841 to Company A’s bank account. Company A paid Eugene Toriko LLC $57,736.07 on May 29 and the remaining balance of $11,220 on June 10.
Family members, friends, and supporters of the GMU men’s basketball student-athletes also paid Company A and Eugene Toriko LLC to accompany the team on their trip to the Bahamas.
As alleged in the complaint, Smith reserved 30 seats for “[GMU] MENS BASKETBALL” on roundtrip flights between Ronald Reagan National Airport and Nassau International Airport for which he was to pay a $3,000 deposit no later than May 24 with the balance due by July 9. Smith also allegedly reserved a block of rooms for the GMU men’s basketball team at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Although Eugene Toriko LLC received $109,756.07 from Company A, Smith allegedly spent no money to hold those reservations, and no payments were made to any catamaran companies or to any Bahamian companies.
Despite Smith never paying for the airline tickets or hotel rooms, he allegedly continued to exchange numerous emails and text messages with the owner of Company A as if he had, including communications about flights, frequent flier numbers, room assignments, resort fees, and other logistics for the trip up until three days before the basketball team was scheduled to depart for the Bahamas in August.
GMUF has not been reimbursed for any payments made to Company A and Eugene Toriko LLC. Although Smith allegedly represented that his professional liability insurance would cover the loss, he allowed his professional liability insurance to lapse and was not insured at the time.
Smith is charged with wire fraud. If convicted, Smith faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David E. Geist, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-mj-485.
Norfolk fentanyl trafficker sentenced to over 14 years in prisonRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk woman was sentenced today to 14 years and six months in prison for fentanyl trafficking.
According to court documents, in December 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) intercepted a parcel containing one pound of cocaine that was sent from a UPS store in Chula Vista, California, to an address in Norfolk. On Dec. 13, 2023, a controlled delivery was conducted at the intended address. A coconspirator collected the package and started driving in the direction of the residence of Felisha Alexander, aka Fe, 48. Upon realizing law enforcement was following, the co-conspirator threw the parcel from the car.
During the roadside detention and investigation of the coconspirator after the car was stopped, investigators observed Alexander watching and video recording the detention and arrest of the co-conspirator. A short time later, Investigators saw Alexander and a second coconspirator leaving Alexander’s residence. The second coconspirator placed a backpack in the trunk of a vehicle parked directly in front of the residence. With consent and based on a canine alert, investigators searched the vehicle and Alexander’s residence.
Investigators recovered the backpack, which contained 1,779 grams of a mixture of para-fluorofentanyl and fentanyl as well as 2,815 fentanyl pills pressed to appear like legitimate medicine. From Alexander's residence, investigators recovered numerous tracking receipts for shipped parcels, a loaded handgun, and approximately $82,000.
A search of cellphones recovered during the investigation contained communications between Alexander and a third co-conspirator coordinating the shipping and distribution of controlled substances as well as multiple photos of large quantities of suspected methamphetamine, heroin, and other controlled substances and large quantities of money.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kai Wah Chan, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Washington, D.C.; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony C. Marek prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-61.
Testing entity that administers the National Physical Therapist Examination agrees to settle Americans with Disabilities Act complaintsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), located in Alexandria, Virginia, which administers licensing examinations for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, agreed to settle allegations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) involving requests for accommodations for test candidates with disabilities.
The settlement agreement resolves allegations that FSBPT, a national testing organization that administers the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), incorrectly reviewed requests for disability-based test accommodations and required test candidates to submit an unreasonable amount of documentation to support their requests. The ADA requires entities that administer high stakes examinations, such as the NPTE, to ensure that test results accurately reflect an individual’s aptitude and not their disability.
To resolve this complaint, FSBPT agreed to pay $295,000 to individuals who had to provide excessive and expensive documentation to receive, and/or were denied, disability-based testing accommodations. FSBPT has also agreed to make changes to its review process for disability-based testing accommodations to comply with ADA requirements. This settlement agreement ensures that individuals with disabilities seeking to become physical therapists or physical therapist assistants do not face discriminatory barriers to licensure.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Gordon, the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The civil complaints settled by this ADA agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
The Department of Justice has a number of publications available to assist entities in complying with the ADA, including ADA Requirements: Testing Accommodations. For more information on the ADA and to access these publications, visit http://www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office.