Eastern District of Virginia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Virginia Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man pleaded guilty yesterday to production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, on March 31, the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) were jointly conducting online investigations of persons looking to engage in sexual activity with minor children. Dylan Seader, 22, started a sexually explicit chat online with an undercover law enforcement agent (UC) who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. Seader and the UC agreed to meet that night to engage in sex. That night, Seader showed up at the designated meeting spot in Virginia Beach. As discussed in the chat, Seader brought condoms with him. A subsequent forensic review of Seader’s phone by VBPD showed, in addition to the chat with the UC, he possessed images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct in his Google Photos. The analysis also showed Seader produced visual depictions of himself performing a sexual act with a toddler.
Seader is scheduled to be sentenced on March 9, 2023. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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; Derek W. Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. HSI Washington, D.C.; Mack Hickman, Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Norfolk Field Office; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Yusi is prosecuting 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.
In 2021, EDVA launched “UnMasked,” a community-based educational outreach and prevention program in Virginia dedicated to raising awareness and educating the community about the prevalence of online sexual exploitation involving children and young adults. UnMasked is a multi-disciplinary partnership of local, state, federal, and non-profit stakeholders. The core curriculum is provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) NetSmartz program. To report an incident involving online sexual exploitation, call 1-800-843-5678 or submit a report at report.cybertip.org. To request an UnMasked event at your school or organization, please contact EDVA’s Community Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].
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-69.
Baltimore Drug and “Ghost” Gun Trafficker SentencedRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Baltimore man was sentenced today to 136 months in federal prison for distributing fentanyl and heroin and for selling two “ghost” guns.
According to court documents, O'Neil Gayle, a.k.a. “Pat,” 33, pleaded guilty on June 30 to distributing nearly 150 grams of a fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl mixture in the Richmond metropolitan area and elsewhere within the Eastern District of Virginia. Between September 17, 2021 and November 18, 2021, Gayle sold to an undercover source an additional 148 grams of fentanyl (6,976 dosage units), 140 grams of heroin (1,400 dosage units), a 9mm semiautomatic ghost gun, and a second high-capacity ghost gun capable of accepting more than 28 rounds of ammunition. A ghost gun is a firearm that is not marked with a serial number and is often made using a 3-D printer, so there is no way to track its origins or owners.
On December 15, 2021, Gayle was arrested while in possession of 400 grams of fentanyl, 58 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” 7 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, and $7000 in U.S. currency.
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; Gerald M. Smith, Chief of Richmond Police; and Charlie J. Patterson, 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 John A. Gibney, Jr.
Special assistance was provided by the DEA’s Baltimore District Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea-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. 3:22-cr-055.
District Election Officers Appointed to Receive Election Day ComplaintsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – United States Attorney Jessica D. Aber announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Harvey, Avi Panth, and Anthony Mozzi, will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEO) for the Northern Virginia region, Assistant U.S. Attorney Panth for the Central Capitol region, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mozzi for the Tidewater region. In this capacity, they are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“The ability to vote freely and without interference is the right of every eligible American,” said U.S. Attorney Aber. “In order for fair, impartial elections to take place, election officials and staff must be able to do their work in facilitating the vote without suffering threats or violence. EDVA, in partnership with the Department of Justice, has taken the measure of appointing these District Election Officers with the intent of responding rapidly and effectively to any reports of voting-related criminal conduct to ensure our district’s election process is lawful and accurate.”
The Department of Justice and EDVA have an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud on November 8, the DEOs will be on duty while the polls are open. From 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., any calls should be directed to 703-299-3700. From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., calls should be directed to the below phone numbers:
Alexandria - Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey, 703-299-3700
Norfolk and Newport News - Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mozzi, 757-441-6331
Richmond - Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth, 804-819-5400
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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.
Career Criminal Sentenced for Distributing CocaineRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for distributing cocaine after previously receiving at least two felony convictions for controlled substance offenses.
According to court documents, Craig Antonio Dawson, 51, helped co-conspirator Charles Boomer, 46, of Portsmouth, operate a drug stash house in Portsmouth across the street from an elementary school. On September 17, 2018, this location was the site of an attempted armed robbery where a third co-conspirator, Keith Redman, 27, also of Portsmouth, was shot. Police caught the three of them in a car, with Boomer sitting on wholesale amounts of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and marijuana. The officers also recovered a gun used in the shooting on the floorboard within reach of all three of them. When Boomer exited the car, the arresting officer observed cash falling out of his pant legs and recovered more cash and the magazine matching the gun from his pockets. Dawson had additional crack cocaine in his pocket.
Dawson and Boomer were arrested then released from jail within the next week or two. By the next summer, they had moved to another drug stash house in Portsmouth and been the subject of three controlled buys of cocaine coordinated by law enforcement. Investigators searched the residence, recovering even more crack and powder cocaine.
In 2020, Boomer and Redman were sentenced to 16 years and 10 years in prison respectively for their role in the conspiracy. Since 2018, four additional defendants, all from Portsmouth, have been sentenced in connection with this case. For their roles in the conspiracy, Michael Howard, 42, was sentenced to 108 months, William Peele, 48, was sentenced to 121 months, Antonio Brown, 47, was sentenced to 210 months, and Roman Hurdle, 43, was sentenced to 108 months.
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; and Stephen Jenkins, Interim Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Jackson prosecuted the case.
The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). Dawson is the final defendant to be sentenced under OCDETF Operation Promotional Deceit. This operation resulted in seven convictions, more than 84 years in prison sentences, and multiple kilograms of heroin, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine removed from the streets.
The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
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-31.
Real Estate Agent and Her Husband Sentenced for Fraud Using Stolen Personal Identifying InformationRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Merrifield couple was sentenced today for stealing at least nine people’s identities and using the stolen personal identifying information (PII) to fraudulently buy a luxury vehicle, lease high-end residences, and obtain loans and credit.
According to court documents, Caprice Foster, 51, and Marcus Foster, 33, stole the PII of numerous people primarily through Mrs. Foster’s work as a real estate agent and timeshare salesperson. The Fosters then used the victims’ information for their own benefit. To carry out their fraud scheme, the Fosters created numerous false identification documents in other people’s names, including social security cards and driver’s licenses, and they also fabricated tax and employment documents in their victims’ names. The Fosters opened fraudulent bank accounts using stolen identities and deposited stolen and altered checks into these accounts. The Fosters also incorporated a business that they used in furtherance of the fraud. Mr. Foster even impersonated victims in state court eviction proceedings to prolong the Fosters’ stay in residences they fraudulently leased.
Caprice Foster and Marcus Foster were sentenced to 80 months and 58 months in prison, respectively.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Jerome A. Winkle, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mid-Atlantic Region; Michael McGill, Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis III.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heidi B. Gesch and Carina A. Cuellar 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. 1:20-cr-178.
Man Sentenced for Violent Threats to State and Federal Elected OfficialsRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for making more than 60 threats to murder, rape, torture, and otherwise harm state and federal elected officials, including numerous members of Congress and a former President of the United States.
According to court documents, Steve Cochran, 43, repeatedly threatened to murder, kidnap, torture, and/or rape elected officials and their loved ones. The threats were often highly graphic, expressed in unconditional language, and intended to influence the recipient to change his or her political views. For example, Cochran threatened to shoot a U.S. Senator. Cochran added that this was “not a threat” – it was a “guarantee.” He also threatened a Governor repeatedly that he would not “live past August” and his “wife and kids are in imminent danger.”
Cochran is a two-time convicted felon. He has prior felony convictions for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and burglary with intent to commit larceny. Cochran also has an assault conviction stemming from repeated threats to kill his spouse.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Mack Coleman prosecuted the case.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Peninsula Safe Streets Task Force and U.S. Capitol Police. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also assisted. The Peninsula Safe Streets Task Force is a partnership that includes the FBI, Virginia State Police, Hampton Police Division, James City County Police Department, Newport News Police Department, and United States Postal Inspection Service. This task force investigates the most violent criminal enterprises operating on the Virginia Peninsula. Tips regarding gang activity and other violent crimes in the region can be reported to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or www.fbi.gov/tips.
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. 4:22-cr-7.
Felon Convicted of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Hampton man yesterday on charges of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Christopher McPherson, 30, of Hampton, was arrested in April 2021 for his charged role in a drug trafficking organization. When he was arrested, he was found in possession of a firearm, cocaine, marijuana, a cutting agent to mix with cocaine, a money counting machine, currency and a cocaine press, which is a device used to press powder cocaine into kilogram sized blocks. Witnesses testified that the firearm in his possession was a tool of the drug trade used to intimidate others and to protect McPherson from other drug dealers. The jury also heard that McPherson was previously convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
McPherson was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and of possessing the firearm after having been convicted of a felony. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment when sentenced on February 13, 2023. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Robert C. Young accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Nielsen 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. 4:21-cr-10.
Aldie Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Aldie man pleaded guilty today to a criminal information charging him with one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Kevin Lee, 38, was the controller for a McLean company. By virtue of his position, he had access to all the company’s finances, recordkeeping, and operational accounts. Between October 2018 and August 2021, Lee used his unique access to embezzle more than $7,000,000 through multiple transfers into his personal bank accounts. He disguised these transactions as payments to vendors and by falsifying information in the company’s recordkeeping software. Lee also re-directed money from an existing line of credit in the company’s name to cover revenue shortfalls created by his crime.
Lee is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2023. He 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Washington Criminal Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Peters, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Monika Moore, 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. 1:22-cr-135.
EDVA Takes Part in Department’s Wide-Ranging Efforts to Protect Older AdultsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Justice Department announced yesterday the results of its efforts over the past year to protect older adults from fraud and exploitation. During the past year, the Department and its law enforcement partners tackled matters that ranged from mass-marketing scams that impacted thousands of victims to bad actors scamming their neighbors. Substantial efforts were also made over the last year to return money to fraud victims. yesterday, the Department also announced it is expanding its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to amplify efforts to combat scams originating overseas.
“EDVA is committed to pursuing justice on behalf of vulnerable members of our community, especially those impacted by elder fraud schemes,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Criminals who prey on the elderly and rob innocent victims of their lifelong savings and hard-earned retirement funds leave devastating emotional and financial trauma. This office will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute perpetrators of these harmful scams.”
“We are intensifying our efforts nationwide to protect older adults, including by more than tripling the number of U.S. Attorneys’ offices participating in our Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force dedicated to disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This expansion builds on the Justice Department’s existing work to hold accountable those who steal funds from older adults, including by returning those funds to the victims where possible.”
During the period from September 2021 to September 2022, Department personnel and its law enforcement partners pursued approximately 260 cases involving more than 600 defendants, both bringing new cases and advancing those previously charged.
This past year, the Eastern District of Virginia has continued to pursue justice for elders in a wide range of cases, including:
- U.S. v. Mable Jones, 3:21-cr-30 - The former owner of a Richmond-based assisted living facility that served primarily elderly and incapacitated adults was sentenced to 2 years in prison for health care fraud after diverting over $800,000 in federal and state benefits that were intended to pay for the care of the facility’s residents. Jones used the residents’ benefits to satisfy her personal debts, including her mortgage and bankruptcy payments, and to fund her personal travel, retail purchases, and gambling expenses, including at casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Jones’s diversion of resident benefits led to significant and persistent deficiencies in the facilities, care, and services provided to her facility’s residents, including deficiencies that endangered residents’ health and safety.
- U.S. v. Bank et al, 2:19-cr-47 - The defendants executed a nationwide investment scheme involving fraudulent wireless spectrum and dental franchise investments. The scheme, operated out of California, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, and Hampton Roads, among other locations across the country, deceived hundreds of unsuspecting investors, most of whom were at or near retirement age. As a result of this investment fraud scheme, the victims suffered losses in excess of $20 million. Ten defendants were prosecuted and sentenced to terms ranging from 5 to 35 years.
- U.S. v. Prasad, 1:22-cr-40 - The defendant conspired with several other individuals primarily based at a call center in India to carry out a tech support scheme that affected mostly elderly victims. From April 2016 through September 2021, more than 1,300 individuals were defrauded. The victims suffered losses totaling more than $1.6 million. The defendant was sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment.
- U.S. v. Garuba, 1:20-cr-201 - The defendant engaged in financial transactions with illegal proceeds as part of a romance fraud scheme against mostly elderly victims. He received large wire transfers from a number of senior citizens living throughout the United States who were duped into believing that they were sending money at the request of and for the benefit of romantic partners they met through online dating sites. In total, Garuba transferred approximately 15% of the nearly $2.9 million that the fraudsters obtained from the victims. The defendant was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment.
As part of the Eastern District of Virginia’s elder fraud efforts, it engages in outreach to the community and industry to raise awareness about scams and exploitation and preventing victimization. This year, our District provided training on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting romance scams to state and local law enforcement and social services partners to help combat and prevent affinity frauds.
The Department also highlighted three other efforts: expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, success in returning money to victims and efforts to combat grandparent scams.
The Department announced that as part of its continuing efforts to protect older adults and bring perpetrators of fraud schemes to justice it is expanding the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, adding 14 new U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Expansion of the Strike Force will help to coordinate the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat the largest and most harmful fraud schemes that target or disproportionately impact older adults.
In the past year, the Department has notified over 550,000 people that they may be eligible for remission payments. Notifications were made to consumers whose information was sold by one of three data companies prosecuted by the Department and were later victims of “sweepstakes” or “astrology” solicitations that falsely promised prizes or individualized services in return for a fee. More than 150,000 of those victims cashed checks totaling $52 million, and thousands more are eligible to receive checks. Also notified were consumers who paid fraudsters perpetrating person-in-need scams and job scams via Western Union. In the past year, the Department has identified and contacted over 300,000 consumers who may be eligible for remission. Since March of 2020 more than 148,000 victims have received more than $366 million as a result of a 2017 criminal resolution with Western Union for the company’s willful failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and its aiding and abetting of wire fraud.
Over the past year, the Department pursued cases against the perpetrators of “grandparent scams,” otherwise known as “person-in-need scams.” These scams typically begin when a fraudster, often based overseas, contacts an older adult and poses as either a grandchild, other family member or someone calling on behalf of a family member. Call recipients are told that their family member is in jeopardy and is urgently in need of money. When recently sentencing one of eight perpetrators of a grandparent scam indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal judge described such scams as “heartbreakingly evil.” The Department is working with government partners and others to raise awareness about these schemes.
Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcements efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-866 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.[ET]. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov.
Some of the cases that comprise yesterday’s announcement are charges, which are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
California Man Sentenced to Prison for Multimillion Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme Involving Professional Athletes and PPP Loan FraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A California man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for conspiring with others in schemes to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal loans initiative designed to help businesses pay their employees and meet expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Quin Ngoc Rudin, 55, a convicted felon, was the Secretary, Director and Chief Financial Officer of Mana Tax Services, a tax preparation business in the Los Angeles area. Rudin engaged in a conspiracy to commit two fraud schemes using Mana Tax while on supervised release.
First, Rudin conspired with his brother, Thanh Rudin, 59, of Rosemead, California, as well as Seir Havana, 46, of North Hollywood, California, and others, to prepare and file with the IRS a series of false income tax returns on behalf of at least nine professional athletes. The false tax returns reported fictitious business and personal losses to generate refunds the athletes were not entitled to receive. Rudin also filed amended tax returns for most of the athletes for prior years to correct what he falsely characterized as “errors” made by their previous accountants. Mana Tax charged the athletes a fee of 30% of the resulting refunds issued by the IRS. Rudin’s tax fraud scheme caused a total tax loss of more than $19 million.
Second, Rudin and his co-conspirators, also including Milton Estrada, 49, of Fullerton, California, at Mana Tax also prepared and submitted false applications for PPP loans on behalf of small businesses, shell companies, and other business entities they controlled. Rudin and his co-conspirators prepared fraudulent PPP loan applications for these firms in exchange for a fee of 30% of the resulting loan. The co-conspirators submitted fabricated tax returns to support the PPP loan applications, and some of the business owners never saw their loan applications before Mana Tax filed them. To conceal the 30% fee from the government, Rudin and his co-conspirators directed the businesses to pay the co-conspirators with cashier’s checks and to note on the memo lines that the checks were related to payroll. To obtain fraudulent PPP loans on behalf of shell companies and other business entities they controlled, Rudin and the co-conspirators grossly inflated the number of employees and monthly payroll costs claimed on the applications. Some of the businesses were not eligible for any PPP loan funds at all because they did not have any payroll expenses. The fraud loss to the U.S. government stemming from the PPP scheme exceeded $43 million.
Rudin committed these crimes while he was on supervised release for another fraud scheme in California. He pleaded guilty on May 13 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit wire fraud, as well as to one count of wire fraud. Three other co-conspirators, including Rudin’s brother, Thanh Rudin, Seir Havana, and Milton Estrada also pleaded guilty as part of this conspiracy. Thanh Rudin and Havana are scheduled to be sentenced on November 9. Milton Estrada is to be sentenced on December 21.
“Between the complex and calculated tax fraud scheme and the PPP fraud to steal funds designated to provide relief to Americans suffering from the pandemic, this defendant’s crimes resulted in a staggering loss in the tens of millions,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Today’s sentence demonstrates the swift and exacting justice that awaits anyone who attempts to steal funds from the U.S. Government and taxpayers. This result is in no small part due to the diligence of the investigative agents on this case, who reacted decisively to identify the scheme and recover significant portions of defrauded taxpayer funds.”
“I commend the hard work of the Eastern District of Virginia, the Tax Division, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” said Kevin Chambers, Director of COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement. “The Department will continue to aggressively pursue all who exploited the pandemic as a means to enrich themselves at the expense of those for whom pandemic relief funds were intended.”
“Quin Ngoc Rudin defrauded the Treasury of tens of millions of dollars by securing grossly inflated tax refunds and fraudulently obtaining COVID relief loans with fabricated tax returns,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “Tax preparers should know that whether their clients are professional athletes or the neighbor down the block, they need to do their jobs honestly and professionally, or face the consequences.”
“Today, Quin Ngoc Rudin was sentenced for his fraudulent scheme to exploit a program designed to provide to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unacceptable for anyone to prioritize their own greed above others and steal funds from the American taxpayers. Rudin and his co-conspirators spent their fraudulently obtained funds to further their scheme, including traveling on private jets to portray themselves as successful business owners,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “The FBI and our partners will work to bring those to justice who attempt to enrich themselves at the expense of others and take advantage of government programs designed to aid businesses, people, and our economy during a time of need.”
“Honest taxpayers are fed up with crooks like Quin Rudin who defrauded a government program meant to help those in need to line their pockets while skirting their tax obligations," said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon, Washington, D.C. Field Office. "Rudin and his conspirators devised a scheme to steal from a CARES Act loan program to fund their lifestyles. His actions not only caused negative ramifications to those financially connected to him, but also the honest taxpayer when he and his conspirators committed significant tax fraud violations.”
The United States recovered over $15 million of the fraud proceeds. Rudin’s restitution amount will be ordered at a later date.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stuart M. Goldberg, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Darrell J. Waldon, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigations made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and U.S. Small Business Administration provided assistance with the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly M. Shartar and Kimberly R. Pedersen, and Assistant Chief David Zisserson of the Tax Division 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. 1:22-cr-46.
Hampton Gang Member Sentenced for Pandemic Unemployment FraudRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Hampton man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for a fraud scheme to obtain unemployment benefits made available because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to court documents, Demichael J. Peeples, 27, submitted multiple false unemployment claims with the Commonwealth of Virginia and State of California. He filed fraudulent claims for benefits for himself and on behalf of others. In these claims, Peeples falsely represented, among other things, the applicants’ work history and that they lost their employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Peeples recruited individuals on social media to provide their personally identifying information, so he could file fraudulent claims for benefits in their name. In many cases, the defendant had the benefit payments delivered to his residence and kept the proceeds for himself.
Peeples is a documented member of the “10K” street gang on the Peninsula. While on pretrial release, he used illegal drugs, failed to seek employment, did not report contact with law enforcement to his supervising probation officer, and otherwise failed to comply with his conditions of release. In March, Peeples was evicted from a hotel room where police found a Glock semiautomatic firearm that had a preliminary match to a shooting that occurred earlier that same day. In May, police were dispatched to Peeples’s residence after unknown individuals fired 19 rounds at Peeples. After pleading guilty, the Court revoked his bond and remanded him into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Troy Springer, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, DC Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Hampton Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
This case was investigated under the leadership and coordination of the Newport News Financial Crimes Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys D. Mack Coleman and Devon E.A. Heath 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. 4:21-cr-66.
Richmond Doctor to Pay Penalties for Allegedly Violating the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond physician has agreed to pay $50,000 in civil penalties for allegedly issuing prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
The government alleged that, in 2019, Dr. Salman Akbar, 55, issued seven prescriptions for tramadol, a Schedule IV opioid, and lorazepam, a Schedule IV benzodiazepine, to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force Officer over the course of four visits to Akbar’s office. The government alleged that Akbar issued the prescriptions outside the usual course of professional practice in Virginia, and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
The Controlled Substances Act regulates individuals and companies that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances. The law aims to protect public health and safety from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances, including the diversion or improper use of such substances, while also ensuring that patients have access to pharmaceutical controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes.
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 DEA’s Washington Division- Richmond District Office.
The matter was investigated by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilene Albala and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McIntosh. The civil claims settled by this agreement are allegations only; there has been no admission of civil liability.
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
Doctors to Pay Penalties for Allegedly Violating the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Two physicians have agreed to pay $100,000 in civil penalties for allegedly issuing prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
The government alleged that, between March and July 2016, Dr. Steven Deschner, 67, and Dr. Bonnie Deschner, 67, who formerly practiced in Hanover County, issued five prescriptions for morphine, a Schedule II narcotic, to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force Officer over the course of four visits to the Deschners’ DeBoss Clinic. The government alleged that the Deschners issued the prescriptions outside the usual course of professional practice in Virginia, and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
The Controlled Substances Act regulates individuals and companies that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances. The law aims to protect public health and safety from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances, including the diversion or improper use of such substances, while also ensuring that patients have access to pharmaceutical controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes.
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 DEA’s Washington Division- Richmond District Office.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McIntosh. The civil claims settled by this agreement are allegations only; there has been no admission of civil liability.
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.
Leader of Oxycodone Distribution Network Sentenced for Decade-Long ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Front Royal woman was sentenced today to seven years in prison for being the ringleader of a decade-long oxycodone distribution network, sourcing high-dosage oxycodone pills from a doctor in Arlington.
According to court documents, Candie Marie Calix, 40, nominally worked as an office manager for a physician in Arlington, referred to in court records as Doctor-1. Between 2012 and 2022, Doctor-1 prescribed Calix nearly 40,000 oxycodone 30-mg pills and more than 9,000 oxycodone 15-mg pills. Doctor-1 also prescribed similar quantities of oxycodone 30-mg and 15-mg pills to Calix’s relatives, including her mother, grandparents, great-grandmother, brother, and husband. These quantities were far in excess of therapeutic doses, and Calix personally distributed or directed others to distribute most of the pills that Doctor-1 prescribed to Calix and her family members.
Calix functioned as the gatekeeper to Doctor-1; she recruited individuals she knew from around Front Royal to be “patients” of Doctor-1 and obtain large quantities of oxycodone. These “patients,” in turn, typically kicked back the oxycodone 30-mg pills they were prescribed to Calix to redistribute, and kept the oxycodone 15-mg pills for their own use. Calix recruited at least 12 individuals to be “patients” of Doctor-1—even though she knew them to be addicted to opiates already.
Calix and her co-conspirators used coded language to refer to the pills they distributed, for example, referring to oxycodone 30-mg pills as “tickets,” “blueberries,” or “muffins.” The co-conspirators typically sold oxycodone 30-mg pills at a cost of $25 per pill, and over the course of the conspiracy, generated at least $5,000 per month in profits. Calix agreed to entry of a money judgment of more than half a million dollars representing the proceeds of the conspiracy that she realized.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh prosecuted the case.
The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principle mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
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-115.
High Ranking MS-13 Leader Sentenced to Life ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A White Post man was sentenced yesterday to life imprisonment for his leadership role in multiple violent crimes, including a 2017 murder in Charlottesville and two 2019 attempted murders in Prince William County.
According to court documents and evidence presented during a three-week trial of his co-defendants, Andy Tovar, 33, was the First Word or leader of the Guanacos Lil Cycos Salvatruchas (GLCS) clique of MS-13. Tovar is considered to be one of the highest-ranking MS-13 members in the United States.
In July 2017, Tovar authorized members and associates of the GLCS clique to travel from Prince William County to Charlottesville to murder an individual the GLCS clique believed was a rival gang member (Victim-1). At Tovar’s direction, on or about July 3, 2017, four members of the GLCS clique stabbed Victim-1 to death over 140 times using a machete and knives before they dumped Victim-1’s body in a river, burned his car, and fled back to Prince William County. Victim-1 was struck so hard by the machete that the machete’s handle broke. The following day, Tovar celebrated the Fourth of July with two of his co-conspirators and congratulated them on what they had done for the clique.
In March 2019, Tovar’s co-defendant, Roberto Cruz Moreno, 22, aka “Solo,” of Woodbridge, who was a “chequeo” or soldier in the GLCS clique under Tovar, picked up three other members or associates of GLCS and Victim-2 and drove them to an isolated area in Bristow. There, one associate of GLCS, using a firearm supplied by Tovar, shot Victim-2 multiple times and another associate of GLCS attempted to slit Victim-2’s throat and stabbed him because members and associates of GLCS believed Victim-2 was disrespecting MS-13. Following the attempted murder, Cruz Moreno fled the scene with the three other GLCS participants and drove them to his residence. Tovar informed MS-13 leadership in El Salvador of this attempted murder and mocked the GLCS associate who shot Victim-2 for being unable to kill Victim-2.
In April 2019, local law enforcement officers in Fairfax County found Cruz Moreno in possession of the same firearm used to shoot Victim-2, and several grams of packaged cocaine in his vehicle with three other associates of GLCS. Cruz Moreno obtained the cocaine from Tovar and had been selling the cocaine on behalf of the clique.
In July 2019, Tovar’s co-defendant, Marvin Torres, 21, aka “Trance,” of Manassas, a chequeo in GLCS, identified Victim-3 as a rival gang member living in GLCS-controlled territory, and provided photographs of Victim-3 to GLCS members, including Tovar.
On August 3 and 4, 2019, Tovar’s co-defendant Jose Rosales Juarez, aka “Gears,” 27, of Manassas, a “paro,” an entry level member of the GLCS clique, surveilled Victim-3 at a restaurant in Manassas, and discussed plans to kill Victim-3 with Tovar.
On August 12, 2019, Tovar’s co-defendant, Kevin Perez Sandoval, 21, aka “Nocturno,” of Warrenton, an “observacion”, or lower level soldier in the GLCS clique, and two members or associates of GLCS observed Victim-3 at a laundromat in Manassas and sought Tovar’s permission to kill Victim-3 at the laundromat. After Tovar granted permission, Perez Sandoval drove the two members or associates of MS-13 to retrieve a firearm, and back to the laundromat area, where Victim-3 was shot twice before Perez Sandoval drove them from the scene of the shooting. Tovar then directed his co-conspirators in evading law enforcement detection by relaying information from Torres, who was watching law enforcement at the site of the shooting, and helping the co-conspirators find new transportation and a hotel room with the assistance of Rosales Juarez.
Tovar pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering activity, attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity, and using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, all in relation to Victim-3. Tovar also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. field office; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division; Colonel Sean Reeves, Chief of Albemarle County Police; Douglas W. Keen, Chief of Manassas City Police; Peter Newsham, Chief of Prince William County Police; Amy Ashworth, Commonwealth Attorney for Prince William County; and Kevin Davis, Chief of Fairfax County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas U. Murphy and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Patterson, and Amanda Lowe 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. 1:20-cr-18.
Extradited UK Citizen Pleads Guilty to Defrauding VCU in Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. –A United Kingdom citizen pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, after being extradited from the United Kingdom at the request of the United States.
According to court documents, Olabanji Egbinola, 43, of London, England, participated in a cyber-enabled business email compromise (BEC) fraud scheme that targeted Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). A BEC scheme, also known as “cyber-enabled financial fraud,” is a sophisticated scam that typically targets employees with access to the finances of a business or organization that regularly perform large wire transfer payments. Using technological means and social engineering techniques, BEC conspirators impersonate an employee with a company that has ongoing contracts with the targeted victim. BEC conspirators then trick employees of the victim organization to change bank accounts for upcoming transaction to a bank account that the conspirators control or have access to.
As part of his guilty plea, Egbinola admitted that he impersonated an employee named “Rachel Moore” of the Kjellstrom + Lee Construction Company of Richmond, which had an ongoing construction project with VCU. From September 2018 through December 2018, over the course of multiple emails, Egbinola tricked VCU to change bank accounts for an upcoming payment to Kjellstrom + Lee. On December 20, 2018, a payment intended for Kjellstrom + Lee in the amount of $469,819.44 was transferred from a bank account controlled by VCU to a Bank of Hope account in Los Angeles, California, that the conspirators controlled. Very little of that money was recovered.
Egbinola is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2023. He 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Richmond Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the plea.
The Richmond FBI Cyber Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI Cyber Division, FBI Criminal Division, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the FBI Legal Attaché London office. United Kingdom authorities also provided substantial assistance.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in UK to secure the arrest and extradition of Egbinola to the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hood 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. 3:22-cr-124.
EDVA Honors Law Enforcement for Exceptional ServiceRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber recognized over 300 officers and agents from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with Public Service Awards.
The Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) typically holds an annual awards ceremony to recognize the law enforcement officials for their service and contribution to various criminal and civil cases investigated and prosecuted here in EDVA. For the first time since 2019, this ceremony was held in person at venues near each of the four EDVA offices.
“The awardees went above and beyond to investigate these cases and are emblematic of the good that law enforcement can do for our local, state, and national communities,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “However, they also represent a fraction of the incredible work that goes on every day with state and federal law enforcement. Both them and their agencies at large should be commended for their sustained efforts.”
The awards highlighted federal cases, operations, and initiatives from 2021. The federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies listed below had officers and/or agents who were recognized for their bravery, outstanding collaboration, investigative achievement, investigative excellence, and victim assistance.
Alexandria
Newport News
Norfolk
Richmond
Virginia State Police
ATF Washington Field Division
ATF Washington Field Division
ATF Washington Field Division
Dept. of State, Diplomatic Security Service
United States Postal Inspection Service
Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
Dept. Health & Human Services, OIG
Transportation Security Administration OGC
DHS Homeland Security Investigations
North Carolina State Police
DHS Homeland Security Investigations
Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
DEA Washington
Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Department of Justice, OIG
Dept. Health & Human Services, OIG
FBI-Norfolk Field Office
Dept. Health & Human Services, OIG
DEA Washington
DHS Homeland Security Investigations
Mathews County Sheriff’s Office
DHS Homeland Security Investigations
FBI-Richmond Field Office
Stafford County Fire Marshal
Hampton Police
DEA
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Army Criminal Investigation Division
IRS-Criminal Investigations
FBI-Norfolk Field Office
Henrico Police
Dept. of Transportation, OIG
Virginia Department of Forensic Science
Suffolk Police Department
U.S. Army – Criminal Investigations
DEA Washington
York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office
IRS-Criminal Investigations
Eden Prairie (Minnesota) Police Department
Department of State OIG
Newport News Police
Bureau of Prisons
Colonial Heights Police Department
Fairfax County Police
U.S. Secret Service
Norfolk Police
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
FBI Washington Field Office
Virginia State Police
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Coast Guard Investigative Service
Housing and Urban Development OIG
U.S. Marshals Service
Virginia State Police
IRS-Criminal Investigations
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Virginia Office of Attorney General
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Export-Import Bank OIG
General Services Administration OIG
Virginia Dept. of Forensic Science
Southside Drug and Gang Task Force
Prince George’s County Police
Virginia Beach Police
Caroline County Sheriff’s Office
Prince William County Police
Chesapeake Police Department
Chesterfield County Police Department
Defense Criminal Investigative Services
U.S. Attorney’s Office
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (OIG)
Portsmouth Police Department
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Food and Drug Administration
Dept. of Labor OIG
Arlington County Police
Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office
U.S. Secret Service
United States Army
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Jury Convicts Fairfax County Serial Armed RobberRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted an Alexandria man yesterday on charges stemming from a string of armed gas station and convenience store robberies in the Herndon area of Fairfax County.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Rashawn Perkins, 28, wore a ski mask and brandished a firearm while committing four robberies in five weeks. The evidence established that Perkins robbed a 7-Eleven on December 30, 2021 and a Sunoco on January 19, 2022. The evidence further proved that on February 5, 2022, Perkins returned to both locations and robbed them at gunpoint again. Body-worn camera footage showed that when detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Bureau executed a search warrant at Perkins’ residence, Perkins – who had previously been convicted of three felony offenses – threw a firearm out of his bedroom window. Evidence at the trial established that this was the same firearm Perkins used to commit several of the robberies.
Perkins faces a mandatory minimum of 28 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment when sentenced on January 12, 2023. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John C. Blanchard and Nicholas J. Patterson are prosecuting the case.
This matter was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force, which is composed of Special Agents and detectives from law enforcement agencies within Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force concentrates on investigating violent crimes and criminal threats within the Capital Region.
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-114.
Former Newport News Police Officer Pleads Guilty to the Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A former sergeant with the Newport News Police Department pleaded guilty today to the sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents, Michael Nicholas Covey, 39, of Newport News, used a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing a visual depiction of such conduct and distributing those images to a sex offender in Ohio.
When child sexual assault images were found on the convicted sex offenders’ electronic devices, the images were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in Alexandria. During the analysis of the images, NCMEC determined that the images may have been produced in Newport News. NCMEC forwarded the information to the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SOVA ICAC) who, in turn, contacted the FBI. Agents with the FBI were able to identify the child depicted in the images. Further investigation led the agents to Covey. He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Friday, June 10.
Covey pleaded guilty to two counts of the sexual exploitation of children and one count of receipt of child pornography and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22, 2023. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 80 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Miller accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa McKeel and Pete Osyf are prosecuting the case.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Norfolk Child Exploitation Task Force (NCETF), as part of Project Safe Childhood. The NCETF is composed of FBI agents and detectives from the Chesapeake Police Department, Hampton Police Division, and Newport News Police Department. Assistance in this matter was also provided by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children. Tips regarding child exploitation can be provided to the task force at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Project Safe Childhood is 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. 4:22-cr-48.
Federal Jury Convicts Virginia Beach Man for Drug Trafficking and Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Virginia Beach man yesterday on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Jerod Askew, 32, was involved in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana in the Hampton Roads area. His source of supply was located in Baltimore, Maryland, and he would rent vehicles to make frequent trips to Maryland to re-up his supply of drugs. He sent numerous text messages to his co-conspirators in the Hampton Roads area letting them know he had a supply of illegal narcotics for sale. A search warrant at his residence revealed approximately nine ounces of heroin, approximately two ounces cocaine, approximately one ounce of crack cocaine, marijuana, six loaded firearms and drug distribution paraphernalia. A search of his storage unit revealed over four pounds of marijuana, a loaded firearm, drug distribution paraphernalia, a kilo press, and empty kilo wrappers that once contained cocaine.
Askew faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum life in prison when sentenced on March 17, 2023. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Muhr and Matthew Heck 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. 2:21-cr-8.
Prince William Man Convicted of Causing Multiple OverdosesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Dumfries man today on charges of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury, and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on September 21, 2021, Michael Vaughn, 28, distributed cocaine laced with fentanyl at a party at an apartment in the Skyline area of Fairfax County. Six individuals took the substance, believing it to be cocaine. All six suffered overdoses and were transported to area hospitals. Five of the overdose victims were able to be saved by the administration of Narcan. However, the sixth individual died as a result of a fentanyl overdose. At trial, the evidence showed that Vaughn had intentionally added fentanyl to the cocaine. Additionally, Vaughn possessed approximately 60 additional grams of fentanyl powder at his residence when he was arrested on October 20, 2021.
Vaughn faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison when sentenced on December 21. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account 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; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston accepted the verdict.
Significant assistance was provided by the Prince William County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachael C. Tucker and Michael P. Ben’Ary 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. 1:21-cr-261.
Norfolk Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Firearm Used in an Attempted Malicious WoundingRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on May 7, 2021, Louis Bernard Lee, III, 26, was stopped by an Old Dominion University Police Department (ODUPD) officer for speeding. Lee had an outstanding warrant for an attempted malicious wounding that occurred on April 26, 2021. During the arrest, ODUPD discovered two firearms in Lee’s vehicle. Also recovered from the vehicle was a 30-round magazine and a 50-round drum magazine. Lee was previously convicted of a felony in the City of Norfolk and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Lee admitted he used one of the firearms recovered from the vehicle in a shooting on April 26, 2021. For the April 2021 shooting he was convicted in Norfolk Circuit Court for attempted malicious wounding, use of a firearm in a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Lee was sentenced for those charges on December 22, 2021, and received a 4-year sentence.
Lee is scheduled to be sentenced for his federal conviction on February 10, 2023. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Krask accepted the plea.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle and Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler are prosecuting the case. Stolle also serves as an Assistant Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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-85.
Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography while on Probation for Prior Sex OffenseRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Highland Springs man pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography.
According to court documents, Deric Wallace Peacock, 39, used Wickr, an encrypted messaging service, to distribute child pornography using his “vapastor” user account. At the time that Peacock distributed the child pornography, he was on probation for two prior state court convictions for procuring sex acts by computer of an individual believed to be under the age of 15.
Peacock is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2023. Due to his prior enticement conviction, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark R. Colombell accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Jordan-Detamore is prosecuting 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
In 2021, EDVA launched “UnMasked,” a community-based educational outreach and prevention program in Virginia dedicated to raising awareness and educating the community about the prevalence of online sexual exploitation involving children and young adults. UnMasked is a multi-disciplinary partnership of local, state, federal, and non-profit stakeholders. The core curriculum is provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) NetSmartz program. To report an incident involving online sexual exploitation, call 1-800-843-5678 or submit a report at report.cybertip.org. To request an UnMasked event at your school or organization, please contact EDVA’s Community Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].
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. 3:22-cr-109.
Norfolk Woman Sentenced for Identity Theft Impersonation SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Norfolk woman was sentenced last week to 10 years in prison for misuse of a Social Security number, loan fraud, and identity theft.
According to court documents, Shaneca Moseley, 39, engaged in an identity takeover of C.J., a New Jersey resident. Between 2018 and 2020, Moseley impersonated C.J. by possessing and using a forged driver’s license containing C.J.’s personal identifying information, including name, date of birth, home address, and driver’s license number, and a Social Security card containing C.J.’s Social Security number. During these two years, Moseley used C.J.’s personal identifying information in acquiring an apartment lease; purchasing and obtaining a loan for a Mercedes Benz; purchasing furniture on credit; obtaining an email account, insurance, and other utilities; and masking her true identity during a traffic stop, among various other acts. Moseley’s activity left C.J. to deal with the results of various payment defaults and impacts to their credit.
Moseley pleaded guilty in 2009 to running another social security fraud scheme and was previously sentenced to 2 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, 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; and Michael Goldsmith, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Samuels and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Danbee C. Kim 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. 4:21-cr-54.
Vision Center in Colonial Heights Agrees to Settle ADA AllegationsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The United States Attorney’s Office announced a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Colonial Heights Vision Center Optometry, PC (CHVC), a professional eye care center located in Colonial Heights.
The settlement agreement resolves allegations that CHVC’s eye exam chair and equipment were not accessible to patients with mobility disabilities, who may use mobility equipment such as walkers, scooters, or wheelchairs, and that CHVC had a practice of asking patients who use mobility devices to bring an attendant—such as a family member or friend—to facilitate manual transfer into the exam chair.
Medical facilities are not accessible under the ADA standards unless medical equipment, such as diagnostic and treatment equipment, is made accessible to all patients, including those with mobility disabilities. Accessible health care for people with disabilities is especially critical in detecting and treating serious medical conditions, which may become life-threatening if patients with disabilities do not receive equal access to care. Manual transfer of individuals with mobility disabilities can be dangerous for both patients and health care staff, unnecessarily risking bodily injury.
“The resolution of this case represents this office’s ongoing commitment to ensuring compliance with the ADA’s requirement that people with disabilities have equal access to and independence when accessing health care,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “No patient should be denied health care as a result of a mobility disability.”
To resolve this complaint, CHVC agreed to supplement its exam equipment, adopt new ADA policies that ensure that patients with mobility disabilities may attend appointments independently, transfer safely to the exam chair, and receive full and equal access to eye examinations. CHVC has also agreed to pay $1,000 to the complainant patient, for whom CHVC was unable to provide an eye exam.
The case was handled by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren “Lo” Stadler and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Gordon, who is the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Department of Justice has several resources available to assist healthcare entities in complying with the ADA, including a Technical Assistance Publication entitled: Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities. For more information on the ADA and to access these publications, please 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). ADA complaints may be filed by email to [email protected].
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The civil claims asserted are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
Man Who Caused Fatal Alexandria Crash Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man who was intoxicated and had used drugs, and then drove his truck more than 50 miles per hour over the speed limit before crashing into a tree and killing his front seat passenger was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for manslaughter.
According to court documents, on May 31, 2020, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Samuel Meyer, 22, was driving his Toyota Tacoma truck southbound on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which is a federal land. Near Mt. Vernon Circle, as the road curves, Meyer lost control of his truck, left the roadway, and crashed into the woods next to the travel lanes. The truck crashed with such force that the skin of the passenger side of the vehicle was peeled off entirely, and the front passenger door of the vehicle was embedded into a tree a short distance from where the truck came to a stop. Meyer’s front seat passenger, Michael Cunningham, 19, who was wearing his seatbelt, was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Hospital personnel could not resuscitate him, and he died from blunt trauma injuries to his head, neck, trunk, and extremities.
Meyer and a backseat passenger were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. About three and a half hours after the crash, blood samples were taken from Meyer. An analysis showed that Meyer’s blood alcohol content was .09 g/100 mL, still above the legal limit hours after the crash. Also present in Meyer’s blood were benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine; THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana; and cocaethylene, which is formed by the liver when cocaine and alcohol coexist in the blood.
Meyer’s vehicle’s electronic data recorder revealed that he was driving 85.1 miles per hour at the time of impact. The speed limit at the location of the accident is 35 miles per hour. There was no sign that Meyer had applied his brakes and the accelerator was pressed for the last five seconds prior to impact. The roadway was clear and dry, and Meyer’s truck was working properly with no defects or malfunctions. Just before the accident, Cunningham and the other passenger had each implored Meyer to slow down.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of U.S. Park Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Haynes and Marc J. Birnbaum 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. 1:21-cr-281.
Four Men Sentenced for Gang-Related Murder and Multistate Drug Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Four individuals were sentenced Monday and yesterday to multiple life terms and 26 years in prison for numerous charges relating to a murder, a violent gang enterprise, and a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in Virginia, California, and several other states.
According to court documents, Peter Le, 25, of Dunn Loring, Young Yoo, 26, of Centreville, Joseph Lamborn, 28, of California, and Tony Le, 28, also of California, were members of a violent Northern Virginia Street gang called the Reccless Tigers, which was affiliated with a California gang called the West Side Asian Boyz. The gang, which originated in Centreville in 2011, distributed thousands of pounds of marijuana as well as other THC products, cocaine, ecstasy, and prescription drugs. Many of the gang’s customers were middle and high school students in Northern Virginia and college students at a number of Virginia universities.
According to court records, gang members over a number of years engaged in a persistent pattern of intimidation and retaliation against individuals who did not pay their drug debts and anyone who were believed to have cooperated with law enforcement. Gang members attacked homes – with Molotov cocktails and even engaged in a drive-by shooting – in early morning hours when adults and children were sleeping in their homes in Fairfax, Stafford, and Prince William counties. Further, Peter Le and other gang members vandalized numerous homes and engaged in physical assaults against those who owed drug debts or were suspected of cooperating with law enforcement.
Reccless Tigers members are also responsible for two homicides. The first homicide occurred at one of the gang’s house parties in April 2016. During the party, one of the guests (the “victim”) began arguing with a gang member. The argument turned into a brawl, during which numerous gang members attacked the victim. The victim was stabbed in the chest during the fight, and he then left the party with friends unaware that he had life-threatening injuries. He died later that night at his home.
The second homicide occurred on Feb. 1, 2019. The victim, Brandon White, owed Yoo several thousand dollars for marijuana he had obtained when he was a juvenile in and around 2013-14. David Nguyen, a Reccless Tigers gang member, assaulted White over this drug debt on Aug. 8, 2018, which resulted in White sustaining serious injuries that required hospitalization. The Fairfax County Police Department subsequently arrested Nguyen and charged him with robbery and malicious wounding. As Nguyen’s criminal case progressed, gang members became aware that White had been subpoenaed to testify against Nguyen at a preliminary hearing. In response, gang members attempted to pay White in return for him refusing to cooperate in Nguyen’s prosecution. Gang members also threatened to kill White if he testified. White refused the gang’s offer, and he testified against Nguyen on Nov. 19, 2018. Less than two and a half months later, Peter Le, Yoo, and Lamborn carried out gang members’ threats by murdering White.
On Jan. 31, 2019, and continuing into the early morning hours of Feb. 1, 2019, Peter Le, Yoo, Lamborn, and others kidnapped White at a shopping mall in Fairfax County. The conspirators then held White against his will in a vehicle and drove him to a wooded area of Richmond, where Peter Le, Yoo, and Lamborn then repeatedly stabbed White in his face and other areas, and ultimately shot White three times in the back. White was left in the woods and died from his injuries.
Twenty-one defendants have pleaded guilty to federal charges and have been sentenced. Three defendants are fugitives. The table below shows the key sentences.
Name
Conviction(s)
Result
Peter Le*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Violent crimes in aid of racketeering murder; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Kidnapping resulting in death; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Killing while engaged in drug trafficking; Maintaining a drug-involved premises; Distribution of marijuana and cocaine; Use, carry, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and Money laundering.
Sentenced to five terms of life imprisonment; 30 years for conspiring to distribute controlled substances, six terms of 240 months; and 60 months to be served consecutive for using, carrying, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime
Young Yoo*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Violent crimes in aid of racketeering murder; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Kidnapping resulting in death; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, Killing while engaged in drug trafficking.
Sentenced to five terms of life imprisonment and 20 years for conspiring to distribute controlled substances.
Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Violent crimes in aid of racketeering murder; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Kidnapping resulting in death; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Killing while engaged in drug trafficking; Firearms murder.
Sentenced to six terms of life imprisonment, with one term to be served consecutive, and 15 years for conspiring to distribute controlled substances.
Tony Minh Le*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Sentenced to 312 months
Kevin Aagesen
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity.
Sentenced to 188 months
Sascha Amadeus Carlisle
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Sentenced to 196 months
Abdullah Abdow Sayf
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentenced to 180 months
Fahad Abdulkadir
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity; Possession with the intent to distribute 50 kilograms or less of marijuana; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentenced to 192 months
David Thai Hoang Nguyen
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 171 months
Kyu Wa Hong
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 216 months
Sang Thanh Huynh
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Money laundering; Felon in possession of a firearm.
Scheduled to 192 months
Soung Park
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 132 months
Tasneef Amhed Chowdhury
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 121 months
Joshua Andrew Miliaresis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 18 months
Tyler Thang Le
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 135 months
Dane Nicholas Hughes
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 12 months and one day
Richard Pak
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Distribution of cocaine; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentenced to 178 months
Spencer Pak
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Distribution of cocaine; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentenced to 120 months
Tyler Pranompi Sonesamay
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 120 months
Khalil Yasin
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 97 months
Anthony Nguyen Thanh Le
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of cocaine
Sentenced to 92 months
Angel Hoang Le
Maintaining a drug-involved premises
Sentenced to 42 months
Zu Hun Chang
Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine
Sentenced to 42 months
Brandon Sobotta
Distribution of cocaine
Sentenced to time served (about 7 months)
This was a multi-jurisdictional OCDETF case involving the FBI Washington Field Office, ATF, HSI, IRS, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Fairfax County Police Department, Prince William County Police Department, City of Richmond Police, Montgomery County (MD) Police, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Falls Church Police, City of Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax County Fire Marshal, Prince William County Fire Marshal, Stafford County Fire Marshal, City of Monterey Park (CA) Police, Garden Grove (CA) Police, Anaheim (CA) Police; Trinity County (CA) Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, DEA San Francisco Division – Reading Office, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Department of Food & Agriculture, California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Cannabis Control, U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of California – Sacramento Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California – Santa Ana and Riverside Offices, and the FBI’s Field Offices in Richmond, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Office; and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jim Trump, Carina A. Cuellar, 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. 1:19-cr-57.
Midlothian Woman Sentenced for $1.8 M COVID-19 Fraud Using Information Obtained from Her State EmploymentRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Midlothian woman was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for defrauding the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, using victims’ personal identifying information that she obtained from her state government employment.
According to court documents, in the first of three fraud schemes, from May 2020 to August 2021, Sadie Mitchell, 30, with the assistance of her co-conspirator, executed a scheme to defraud the Virginia Employment Commission by filing at least 20 fraudulent unemployment applications using the personal identifying information of inmates. Among the false information included in these applications were false physical addresses, false last employers, and a false certification that the inmates were ready, willing, and able to work in the event employment became available. The conspirators further defrauded the Virginia Employment Commission by filing at least 30 fraudulent applications in the names of other individuals whose personal identifying information was obtained, in part, by Mitchell querying a government database she had access to as an employee of the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board. Through this fraud scheme, the conspirators obtained approximately $1 million in PUA and Unemployment Insurance benefits.
Additionally, from June 2020 to June 2021, Mitchell devised and executed a scheme to defraud the PPP and EIDL programs. The defendant submitted 5 PPP applications to a financial institution, each containing false statements, false representations, or false certifications. For instance, these applications contained false and fabricated gross figures and false certifications that the businesses were in operation on February 15, 2020. The defendant further executed a scheme to defraud the EIDL program, which was intended to give forgivable loans to small businesses. Mitchell submitted several fraudulent EIDL applications to the Small Business Administration for businesses that had no customers, employees, or business activity, and in those applications, she made false statements, representations, and false certifications.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Tira A. Hayward, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division; Troy Springer, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, D.C. Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Hannah M. Lauck.
Significant assistance was provided by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle, Virginia Employment Commission and the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kashan K. Pathan and Carla Jordan-Detamore 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. 3:22-cr-44.
Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Scheme Targeting Navy ServicemembersRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud Navy Federal Credit Union and its members out of money and property.
According to court documents, from approximately April to August 2021, Samari Smith, 20, conspired with at least four other people to commit credit union fraud by convincing account holders to withdraw and turnover funds to them under false pretenses. Smith and his coconspirators targeted sailors in the United States Navy on online dating applications like Tinder by posing as women interested in a romantic relationship. Smith and his co-conspirators asked the victimized Sailors to withdraw and turnover funds – often under the guise of helping a relative in the Navy who was trying to send them money.
Samari Smith was directly involved in defrauding four Sailors in the Navy who were then stationed in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, which caused more than $40,000 in fraud losses to these victims. Two co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty, including the leader of the conspiracy, Trequan Smith, 21, of Hampton and Emani Burton, 23, also of Hampton. The broader fraud conspiracy orchestrated by Trequan Smith victimized dozens of Sailors in the Navy and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of fraud loss.
Samari Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 27, 2023. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Trequan Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison and a maximum penalty of 32 years in prison. Burton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and was sentenced to a term of one day of incarceration and three years of supervised release.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Tira A. Hayward, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division; and Frederick Franks, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen accepted the plea.
This case was investigated under the leadership and coordination of the Newport News Financial Crimes Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Mack Coleman 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 Nos. 4:22-cr-56, 4:21-cr-67, and 4:21-cr-68.
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Farmville Auto DealershipRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A New York man pleaded guilty today to committing an armed robbery in Farmville, during which he shot the victim in the leg.
According to court documents, on July 16, 2020, Herbert Young III, 54, committed an armed robbery of the Farmville auto dealership, Auto Connection. During the robbery, Young physically restrained the victim-owner’s hands using an electrical extension cord and a phone charging cord. When a customer entered the store, the victim attempted to free himself and flee. Before the victim could do so, Young shot at him and struck the calf area of the victim’s right leg.
Young then stole a 2000 BMW, which belonged to the Auto Connection and fled the scene. In addition to the 2000 BMW, Young took the victim’s cell phone as well as other property that belonged to the Auto Connection.
Young is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2023. He faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison for the robbery and a consecutive mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and maximum of life imprisonment for the discharge of the firearm. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police made the announcement after Senior United States District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth R. Simon, Jr. and Michael R. Gill 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. 3:22-cr-77.
Honduran Drug Trafficking Organization Member Pleads Guilty to Distributing CocaineRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Honduran man pleaded guilty today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine in the United States.
According to court documents, Rafael Antonio Pineda Santos, 43, was extradited from Guatemala in May 2022 after being indicted in June 2014 for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, knowing it would be imported into the United States. From 2005 until at least June 2014, members of an international drug trafficking organization based in Honduras known as the “Los Valles” Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) conspired to import multi-ton quantities of cocaine from Central America to the United States.
Pineda Santos was a member of the Valle DTO. He was paid by the leaders of the Valle DTO to provide information about the status of possible law enforcement cooperators and pending law enforcement actions against the Valle DTO. Pineda Santos maintained an extensive network through which he obtained information that he provided the Valle DTO to further the conspiracy. He contacted leaders of the organization to advise them of planned raids or surveillance being conducted against the Valle DTO. Over the course of the conspiracy, Pineda Santos and members of the Valle DTO distributed at least 50 kilograms of cocaine.
Pineda Santos is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2023 by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of ten 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sean Ragan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Sacramento Field Office; and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachael Tucker and Katherine Rumbaugh are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Guatemala to secure the arrest and extradition of Pineda Santos to the United States.
The case was investigated by the FBI Sacramento Field Office and the Sacramento Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principle mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
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. 1:14-cr-135.
Richmond Assisted Living Facility Owner Sentenced for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – The former owner of a Richmond-based assisted living facility was sentenced today to 2 years in prison for health care fraud after diverting over $800,000 in federal and state benefits that were intended to pay for the care of the facility’s residents.
According to court documents, Mable B. Jones, 79, of Richmond, owned and operated Jones & Jones, an assisted living facility complex that served primarily elderly and incapacitated adults. For residents who were legally incapable of managing their own funds, Jones & Jones served as a representative payee and regularly received state and federal benefit payments on behalf of those residents. Representative payees are required to use Social Security benefits to provide for the beneficiary’s needs, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Representative payees, moreover, are specifically prohibited from using Social Security benefits for anything other than the beneficiary’s needs. Similar requirements also apply to auxiliary grants issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
Beginning around December 2015 and continuing through the facility’s closure in the spring of 2019, Jones converted more than $800,000 of the residents’ federal and state benefits for her own personal use. Jones used the residents’ benefits to satisfy her personal debts, including her mortgage and bankruptcy payments, and to fund her personal travel, retail purchases, and gambling expenses, including at casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jones’s diversion of resident benefits led to significant and persistent deficiencies in the facilities, care, and services provided to Jones & Jones residents, including deficiencies that endangered residents’ health and safety. These conditions ultimately prompted state and federal audits of the facility before its closure, during which Jones made false statements about her conversion and use of resident funds.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Michael McGill, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin G. Cooke and Shea Gibbons prosecuted the case.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.
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. 3:21-cr-30.
Marijuana Trafficker Sentenced for Drug-Related MurderRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man was sentenced today to 45 years in prison for murdering another man in retaliation for robbing him of an ounce of marijuana, and trying to convince a witness to lie for him to cover it up.
According to court documents, Melvin Palma Flores, 20, was a marijuana dealer who carried firearms for protection while dealing drugs. Evidence presented at trial from Palma Flores’s social media accounts showed that Palma Flores posted images depicting the marijuana he sold, his cash proceeds, and the multiple guns and ammunition that he used to protect his drugs and his money. On October 25, 2019, the victim, X.B., arranged for his two associates to purchase marijuana from Palma Flores. In reality, X.B. intended for his associates to rob Palma Flores. When the associates showed up to Palma Flores’s home in Alexandria, one of them stole the marijuana from Palma Flores and brought it back to X.B.
Palma Flores then planned his retaliation against X.B. for setting up the robbery. Palma Flores, who was carrying a firearm, met with two of his associates and traveled to X.B.’s apartment complex in Alexandria. X.B., who was unarmed, was sitting on the staircase outside of his apartment. Palma Flores discharged his firearm multiple times, striking X.B. in the right arm and in the top of the head, causing X.B.’s death.
Following his arrest in February of 2020, Palma Flores wrote a letter to his girlfriend instructing her to lie about the events that occurred on the night of the murder and to influence others to lie about the incident to law enforcement—specifically, to try to frame another person for the murder.
In December 2021, Palma Flores was convicted by a federal jury of first-degree murder by firearm in relation to drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and witness tampering
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police; and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Ben’Ary and Katherine E. Rumbaugh 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. 1:20-cr-142.
Fugitive Extradited from Mexico Sentenced for Role in Prostitution SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A man who was extradited from Mexico to face charges in the United States was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for aiding and abetting the transportation of a woman for purposes of prostitution.
According to court documents, from 2009 to 2010, Ramon Raudel Campos Murillo, 45, of Michoacan, Mexico, along with other individuals, conspired to operate a sex trafficking organization. In 2010, he aided and abetted those who drove a young woman from Maryland to locations across the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere to perform sex acts in exchange for money.
The prostitution enterprise operated in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, and elsewhere. Drivers received calls from customers to arrange prostitution. Then, the drivers drove the young women to those customers. Young women saw as many as 30 clients per day and charged $30 for 15 minutes of sexual activity. The drivers collected the proceeds and the young women received only half of the money.
Campos Murillo was charged by indictment in 2011 and a warrant was issued for his arrest at that same time. According to a coconspirator, after some of Campos Murillo’s accomplices were charged, he fled from the United States to Mexico to avoid arrest. Campos Murillo was located in Mexico in 2021 and extradited to the United States earlier this year. At least seven other individuals were previously convicted of sex trafficking offenses for their roles in the scheme.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Washington D.C.; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Campos Murillo to the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc J. Birnbaum and Raizza K. Ty 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. 1:11-cr-578.
EDVA Observes Overdose Awareness WeekRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – This week the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) recognized Overdose Awareness Week and renewed its commitment to addressing the nation’s overdose epidemic.
“Over 107,000 people died of a drug overdose in the United States last year. That is more than twice the number of people who were killed by firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber. “In Virginia, more people died of a drug overdose than by firearm and car accidents combined. We must raise awareness of what is killing our loved ones at such an alarming rate.”
Overdose Awareness Week, observed from August 29 through September 3, is a time to remember those tragically lost to overdose and the pain of the families who are left behind. On Wednesday, the flags around Virginia flew at half-staff in recognition of the lives lost to overdose. This week is also an opportunity to recommit to working together to build safe, healthy, and resilient communities. By adopting evidence-based approaches to reducing overdose risks and lowering barriers to treatment and support, we can save more American lives.
According to the CDC, in 2021 there was a 15 percent rise in the rate of overdose deaths in the United States. The death rate for 2022 is on track to be even higher. Opioids were responsible for almost 75 percent of the overdose deaths in 2020 – and the primary driver of those deaths was illicit fentanyl, the synthetic opioid most commonly found in counterfeit pills bought on the street. According to the CDC, across the U.S., law enforcement has seized everything from fake blue 30mg Oxycodone pills, to fake Adderall and Xanax pills which contain illicitly made fentanyl. Recently, law enforcement have begun seizing multicolored pills that look like candy made with illicit fentanyl. Within Virginia, a recent trend of cocaine laced with fentanyl has caused a number of overdoses. Overdose deaths within the state from methamphetamine are also on the rise. Law enforcement seizures in and around the district have included what appear to be Ecstasy pills made with high-purity methamphetamine.
In addition to prosecuting offenders who distributed illicit substances, EDVA leads a number of on-going programs and efforts to raise awareness and find solutions to the overdose pandemic, including the Central Virginia Overdose Working Group, Project Recover, and the “Silent No More” awareness program for schools, parents, and community organizations.
The Central Virginia Overdose Working Group (CVOWG) is comprised of over 330 stakeholders from 14 disciplines. It was created to eliminate the siloed structure of the substance use arena by bringing experts from multiple fields together to discuss issues, identify gaps, and develop solutions to the overdose epidemic in Central Virginia.
Project Recover funds Certified Peer Recovery Specialists to support Virginians suffering with substance use disorders during one of the most critical times in their path to recovery – immediately following an overdose. All too often, once EMS and law enforcement have addressed the immediate trauma of an overdose incident and have left the scene to respond to the next call from the community, the victim is left without sustainable treatment and recovery options. Project Recover’s goal is to help fill this gap by providing individuals in need with immediate support from a peer who has overcome similar challenges and has gained real-world knowledge of the ongoing process of treatment and recovery. Currently, Project Recover funds peers in Richmond City Police Department, Chesterfield County Police Department, Henrico Fire/EMS and Police Department, and Richmond Ambulance Authority.
“Silent No More” is a community-based educational outreach and prevention program. This program is being introduced at schools in the Eastern District of Virginia to educate students and parents about the threat of opioids and other dangerous substances, as well as connecting law enforcement with parents, medical professionals, and educators for life-saving conversations. “Silent No More” is currently available in Central Virginia and in Tidewater and is in the process of developing a program in Northern Virginia.
If you or your organization would like to participate in the Working Group or would like to have the “Silent No More” team present to your school or organization, please contact Kim Ulmet at [email protected].
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.
Member of “Merry Point Boys” Gang SentencedRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Lancaster man was sentenced yesterday to nearly 10 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Shadonta Lateef Beane, 26, was indicted on federal charges of possessing a Romarm/Cugir Mini Draco pistol, having a 30-round magazine and 22 rounds of ammunition, and possessing a stolen Taurus .40 caliber handgun with 10 rounds of ammunition after having been convicted of a felony. Beane pled guilty on February 23 to possessing the Draco firearm as a convicted felon. Evidence and testimony at Beane’s sentencing hearing showed that he was previously charged with and convicted of possessing a firearm at the Raceway Gas Station in Tappahannock, Virginia on October 31, 2020. Testimony at sentencing also identified that Beane is a member of the Merry Point Boys, a street gang operating in the Northern Neck area that has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Corrections as a gang.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and FBI Fredericksburg Field Office provided significant assistance in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea-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. 3:21-cr-54.
Career Offender Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine, Fentanyl and Illicit Pill ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Chesapeake man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, from about January 2019 through April 2021, Barry Justin King, 41, received and distributed approximately four to five kilograms of methamphetamine every month by traveling out of the district to pick up illegal narcotics from sources in New Jersey. In addition to methamphetamine, King also distributed counterfeit pills that bore the appearance of prescription pills but contained fentanyl and other illegal narcotics.
On April 27, 2021, one of King’s sources of supply, who is now a cooperating witness, advised law enforcement that they had a vehicle that contained illegal narcotics intended for King. A search of said vehicle yielded approximately three pounds of methamphetamine, 632 orange pills containing methamphetamine, 794 counterfeit Xanax pills containing etizolam, and 51 white pills containing both fentanyl and acetaminophen. Subsequently, law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from King on two separate occasions. On April 6, 2022, King was stopped at a traffic stop where a drug detection canine positively alerted to the presence of approximately nine ounces of methamphetamine, approximately 569 Fentanyl pills, and approximately 826 counterfeit Adderall pills laced with methamphetamine. King has twice been convicted before for drug distribution offenses in state court.
King is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11, 2023. He faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in prison and a maximum term of 40 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; and Mike Goldsmith, Interim Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu 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. 2:22-cr-72.
Arizona and California Men Sentenced for $20 Million Investment FraudRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – An Arizona man and a California man were sentenced to 15 years and 5 months and 13 years in prison, respectively, for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, in connection with a nationwide investment scheme involving fraudulent wireless spectrum and dental franchise investments.
According to court documents, from approximately 2011 through 2017, David Alcorn, 78, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Aghee William Smith II, 70, of Roseville, California, were part of an investment fraud conspiracy that operated out of California, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, and Hampton Roads, among other locations across the country. Alcorn, Smith, and their co-conspirators—including Kent Maerki, 78, and his wife Norma Jean Coffin, 60, of Arizona; Daryl Bank, 51, of Florida; insurance salesman Tony Sellers, 62, of Idaho; insurance salesman Tom Barnett, 69, of California; attorney Billy Seabolt, 56, of Williamsburg; Raeann Gibson, 49, of Florida; and Roger Hudspeth, 51, of Suffolk – deceived hundreds of unsuspecting investors, most of whom were at or near retirement age, by convincing them to invest in or send money to companies owned and controlled by Alcorn, Bank, and Maerki. Alcorn and others then misappropriated significant portions of the investment funds to pay for their criminal enterprise and lavish lifestyles, as well as to pay exorbitant commissions to Smith and other salesmen.
Smith began selling these fraudulent investments in 2011 for Alcorn, Maerki, and Bank. The conspirators used material misrepresentations to sell illiquid, highly speculative investments that were then used as vehicles for fraud. Trusting the conspirators’ fraudulent misrepresentations, unsuspecting investors cashed out of 401(k) and other retirement accounts to invest without knowing that Alcorn, Bank, and Maerki were immediately transferring 20%–70% of the funds to other companies they controlled in the form of purported “fees.” As a result of this investment fraud scheme, the victims suffered losses in excess of $20 million.
Bank was convicted after trial of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, selling unregistered securities, securities fraud, and money laundering, and was sentenced in September 2021 to 35 years in prison. Maerki pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced in March 2021 to 16 years in prison. Seabolt was convicted after trial of conspiracy and mail fraud and sentenced in September 2021 to 10 years in prison. Gibson pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced in February 2020 to 10 years in prison. Hudspeth pleaded guilty to investment advisor fraud and money laundering and was sentenced in May 2018 to over 12 years in prison. Sellers pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced in January to 5 years in prison. Coffin pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced in April to 5 years in prison. Barnett will be sentenced in September.
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; Darrell J. Waldon, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Internal Revenue Service; and Tira A. Hayward, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission provided significant assistance with this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa O’Boyle, Elizabeth Yusi, and Andrew Bosse are prosecuting the case.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.
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. 2:19-cr-47.
Norfolk Man Sentenced for Possessing Glock Switches and Glock Handgun in Furtherance of Drug-Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to 140 months in prison for possessing several Glock switches, or autosear kits, that convert handguns into fully automatic machineguns, as well as a Glock handgun that he used protect his marijuana-distribution efforts.
According to court documents, Karon Rayosha Howard, 28, sold Glock switches, or autosear kits, that convert handguns into fully automatic machineguns. One of his customers, Shy'Quan Dodson, was a Kai Gang member who used a Glock machinegun in a shootout on July 18, 2021, in downtown Norfolk, then was involved in a high-speed chase with police officers that resulted in his vehicle crashing. He threw the Glock out the car window, but officers recovered it and saw that it had been illegally modified with a 3D-printed Glock switch, and evidence from Dodson’s phone indicated that Howard had sold him the device.
On September 1, 2021, officers secured and executed a search warrant for Howard’s residence, where they recovered two more Glock switches, another firearm, and marijuana packaged for distribution. Howard admitted to possessing all the recovered contraband and told the police: “I’m always gonna go to jail for firearms. You feel me? I’m gonna have a gun on me.”
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division; and Mike Goldsmith, Interim Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Jackson and Joe Depadilla, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Graham Stolle 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-2.
Newport News Teacher Sentenced for Importing EcstasyRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced yesterday to two years in prison for importing MDMA, or Ecstasy, into the United States.
According to court documents, Andrew Myers, 39, a high school special education teacher, was importing MDMA into the United States from Germany and Spain. MDMA, sometimes referred to as Ecstasy, is an illegal narcotic. In February 2020, special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and detectives with the Newport News Police Department received information that a package containing MDMA was entering the United States and was addressed to Myers. The agents conducted a controlled delivery of the package to Myer’s residence. Myers denied any knowledge of the package.
In July 2021, agents located an additional package of MDMA that was entering the United States from Spain. The agents did a controlled delivery of the package to a post office box in Yorktown. When Myers arrived to retrieve the package he was arrested.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Tira A. Hayward, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt 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. 4:22-cr-3.
Recidivist Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to 25 YearsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Washington, D.C. man was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for brandishing a firearm during a January 2021 bank robbery he committed less than a year after being released from prison for a previous string of armed bank robberies.
According to court documents, between 2007 and 2008, Amobi Chibuza Agu, 37, committed seven armed bank robberies in the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of Maryland. Court records show Agu was convicted in federal court of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in 2008 and was sentenced to prison, where he remained until March 2020.
According to court filings, on the morning of January 2, 2021, Agu robbed the Bank of America located in Dulles Crossing Plaza in Sterling. During the course of the robbery, Agu brandished a handgun at a bank teller and an unarmed security guard.
Agu was convicted of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a federal crime of violence, second offense. As part of his guilty plea, Agu also admitted to robbing two Maryland jewelry stores at gunpoint in January 2021.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Michael L. Chapman, Loudoun County Sheriff; Marcus Jones, Montgomery County Chief of Police; and Malik Aziz, Chief of Prince George’s County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Blanchard and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Kramer 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. 1:21-cr-228.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Red Cross of Hurricane Relief FundsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richardson, Texas, man pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring to commit wire fraud to defraud the American Red Cross of disaster relief funds donated to the Red Cross by members of the American public for the benefit of the victims of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
According to court documents, Muata Khalif, 55, conspired with other individuals to obtain the personal information of Texas residents, and to use that personal information to apply for and obtain Red Cross disaster relief payments in those individuals’ names. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in August of 2017, and the resultant damage to areas of Texas and Louisiana, the Red Cross initiated an “Immediate Assistance Program,” funded by public donations, to provide financial assistance to disaster victims. Upon verifying that an applicant was, in fact, a resident of an affected area in Texas, the Red Cross would provide the applicant with a $400 cash payment, which the applicant could retrieve at, among other designated locations, Wal-Mart Money Centers. To retrieve the $400 Red Cross payment, the applicant needed to be able to provide the applicant’s verified Red Cross client ID number and a corresponding, specific payment reference number.
In October of 2017, Khalif – at the time, a resident of Emporia, Virginia – obtained the client ID and reference numbers of at least 116 individuals. Armed with this information, and over the course of a five-day span, Khalif traveled to Wal-Mart stores located in Emporia, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, and Midlothian to obtain the Red Cross relief payments intended for those individuals. One day into his scheme, Khalif met, befriended, and then recruited a Petersburg Wal-Mart Money Center cashier. Assisted by this Wal-Mart employee, Khalif eventually obtained 116 Red Cross disaster relief payments, totaling more than $46,000 in fraud loss to the Red Cross—funds which had been donated to the Red Cross for the explicit purpose of assisting hurricane victims.
Khalif is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17. He 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jerald W. Page, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark R. Colombell accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin Cooke and Thomas A. Garnett 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. 3:22-cr-29.
Chesapeake Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Firearms and Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Chesapeake man was sentenced to 90 months in prison for possessing firearms as a prohibited person and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Kim Joseph Habit, 49, as a person who had been committed to a mental institution, violated federal law by subsequently possessing an AM-15 rifle and other firearms. During the course of the investigation, the FBI determined that Habit had been purchasing significant quantities of chemicals and other laboratory equipment that could be used to create a destructive device. Agents also obtained evidence that a computer user at the Habit residence was participating in a peer-to-peer file-sharing network through which images of child pornography were downloaded.
On December 14, 2021, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Habit’s residence and found numerous firearms, a box containing components that could be used in combination to create an improvised explosive device, and electronic devices containing images of child pornography.
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; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division; and Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
This outcome was made possible by significant contributions by our state and local law enforcement partners; the Virginia State Police, Hampton Police Division, the Virginia Beach Police Department, Suffolk Police Department, Norfolk Police Department, the Chesapeake Police Department, the Newport News Police Department and support from the Hampton Road’s regional bomb squads.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Montoya 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-009.
ISIS ‘Beatle’ Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Hostage-Taking Scheme that Resulted in the Deaths of American, British, and Japanese CitizensRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The highest-ranking fighter for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization, to have ever faced a jury trial in the United States was sentenced today to life imprisonment for his participation in a brutal hostage-taking scheme that resulted in the deaths of four American citizens, as well as the deaths of British and Japanese nationals, in Syria.
“I want to express my gratitude for the tireless work of the trial team, including all our partners, in bringing about today’s sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber. “Their efforts over many years of investigating and prosecuting the ISIS Beatles are emblematic of the best of the Department of Justice, and truly our country, has to offer in pursuing justice in the face of terrorism. I am also deeply appreciative of the efforts of the victims’ families in this case. Without their commitment, this case never would have made it to our courthouse and we would not have the result we have today.”
“Today, the men and women of the Department of Justice and our criminal justice system delivered justice,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Today, we remember the four Americans for whom it was delivered: James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig. My thoughts are with their families, whose strength and resolve inspired the men and women of the Justice Department as they investigated and prosecuted this case with skill and determination.”
“ISIS committed horrific acts against hostages held in Syria and nothing can make up for their suffering and loss,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “We will always remember the victims who perished and our thoughts today are especially with the Foley, Mueller, Sotloff, and Kassig families. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those who kill or injure our citizens cannot hide forever. The FBI and our partners throughout the U.S. government will work relentlessly to bring them to justice. I am grateful for the dedication of the men and women of the FBI, and that of our partners both in the United States and internationally, who stand with us.”
“Today, El Shafee Elsheikh was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the heinous hostage-taking and appalling deaths of American, British, and Japanese citizens,” said Steven M. D’Antuono, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “This case has always been about the victims, and while this sentence does not take away any pain felt by their families, we hope that it brings some justice. The families of James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig have shown remarkable resilience and strength through the ordeal of their loved ones’ abduction and murder and the ensuing years it took for this investigation and trial to conclude. The scope of this investigation was immense, and involved a myriad of individuals at the FBI, other U.S. agencies, and international partners working together to obtain this significant sentence. Today’s sentence demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our partners to continue to investigate crimes against Americans and pursue justice on behalf of the families of these victims, no matter how long it takes or where in the world it takes us.”
According to court documents, from November 2012 through February 7, 2015, former British citizen El Shafee Elsheikh, 34, served as a leader in a wide-ranging conspiracy involving the captivity of 26 hostages in Syria. Elsheikh personally participated in the detention of and hostage negotiations for four American citizens – James Wright Foley, Kayla Jean Mueller, Steven Joel Sotloff, and Peter Edward Kassig – each of whom died as hostages in ISIS custody. In addition, Elsheikh personally participated in the detention of and hostage negotiations for British, French, Italian, Danish, German, Spanish, Swedish, Belgian, Swiss, and New Zealand nationals.
According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, Elsheikh and two other ISIS members supervised the terrorist organization’s jails and detention facilities at which the hostages were held. Elsheikh and his co-conspirators engaged in a prolonged pattern of physical and psychological violence against hostages that was meant as an effort to subdue the hostages. These actions were also intended to compel the victims’ family members and their governments to pay large monetary ransoms for their release, in addition to compelling the U.S. government and other governments to agree to other terms and conditions for the victims’ return.
According to evidence presented during trial, in addition to physically and psychologically abusing the hostages, Elsheikh and his co-conspirators participated in forcibly exposing the hostages to the murder of other hostages held by ISIS, including a Russian hostage who was killed in or about February 2014 and a Syrian prisoner who was executed in or about April 2014. After a group of European hostages were forced to witness the execution of the Syrian prisoner, Elsheikh and his co-conspirators returned the hostages to the prison where they were being held with American and British hostages.
From August 2014 through October 2014, ISIS released videos depicting the beheadings of James Foley, Steven Sotloff, and British citizens David Haines and Alan Henning. In November 2014, ISIS released a video depicting the decapitated head of Peter Kassig. In January 2015, ISIS released videos depicting the decapitated body of Japanese citizen Haruna Yukawa and the beheading of Japanese citizen Kenji Goto. On or about February 7, 2015, Kayla Mueller’s family received an email from ISIS confirming Mueller’s death in Syria.
According to evidence presented during trial, Elsheikh was part of a group of ISIS members who spoke with British accents and were referred to by the hostages as the “Beatles.” He and his convicted co-conspirator, Alexanda Amon Kotey, 38, were captured together in January 2018 by the Syrian Democratic Forces as they attempted to escape Syria for Turkey. Mohammed Emwazi, who conducted the above-referenced videotaped beheadings, was killed in November 2015 in a U.S. military airstrike in Syria.
On September 2, 2021, Kotey pleaded guilty to all of the offenses charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia in the eight-count indictment, consisting of one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death; four counts of hostage taking resulting in the deaths of the four Americans (James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig); one count of conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens outside of the United States; one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to terrorists resulting in the deaths of U.S., British, and Japanese nationals; and one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in the deaths of U.S., British, and Japanese nationals. Kotey was sentenced to eight concurrent terms of life imprisonment on April 29, 2022.
On April 14, 2022, Elsheikh was convicted by a jury in the Eastern District of Virginia of all eight of the above-listed offenses. Earlier today, the Court sentenced Elsheikh to eight concurrent terms of life imprisonment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia expresses its profound appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Counter Terrorism Command of the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police Service, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and our many foreign partners for their dedicated commitment to assist the United States in seeking justice for all the victims of these crimes.
First Assistant United States Attorney Raj Parekh, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis M. Fitzpatrick, John T. Gibbs, and Aidan Taft Grano-Mickelson, all of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Trial Attorney Alicia H. Cook of the Justice Department’s National Security Division 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. 1:20-cr-239.
ISIS ‘Beatle’ Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Hostage-Taking Scheme that Resulted in the Deaths of American, British, and Japanese CitizensRead the Press Release
The highest-ranking fighter for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization, to have ever faced a jury trial in the United States was sentenced today to life imprisonment for his participation in a brutal hostage-taking scheme that resulted in the deaths of four American citizens, as well as the deaths of British and Japanese nationals, in Syria.
“Today, the men and women of the Department of Justice and our criminal justice system delivered justice,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Today, we remember the four Americans for whom it was delivered: James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig. My thoughts are with their families, whose strength and resolve inspired the men and women of the Justice Department as they investigated and prosecuted this case with skill and determination.”
“ISIS committed horrific acts against hostages held in Syria and nothing can make up for their suffering and loss,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “We will always remember the victims who perished and our thoughts today are especially with the Foley, Mueller, Sotloff, and Kassig families. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those who kill or injure our citizens cannot hide forever. The FBI and our partners throughout the U.S. government will work relentlessly to bring them to justice. I am grateful for the dedication of the men and women of the FBI, and that of our partners both in the United States and internationally, who stand with us.”
“I want to express my gratitude for the tireless work of the trial team, including all our partners, in bringing about today’s sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Their efforts over many years of investigating and prosecuting the ISIS Beatles are emblematic of the best of the Department of Justice, and truly our country, has to offer in pursuing justice in the face of terrorism. I am also deeply appreciative of the efforts of the victims’ families in this case. Without their commitment, this case never would have made it to our courthouse and we would not have the result we have today.”
“Today, El Shafee Elsheikh was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the heinous hostage-taking and appalling deaths of American, British, and Japanese citizens,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office. “This case has always been about the victims, and while this sentence does not take away any pain felt by their families, we hope that it brings some justice. The families of James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig have shown remarkable resilience and strength through the ordeal of their loved ones’ abduction and murder and the ensuing years it took for this investigation and trial to conclude. The scope of this investigation was immense, and involved a myriad of individuals at the FBI, other U.S. agencies, and international partners working together to obtain this significant sentence. Today’s sentence demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our partners to continue to investigate crimes against Americans and pursue justice on behalf of the families of these victims, no matter how long it takes or where in the world it takes us.”
According to court documents, from November 2012 through Feb. 7, 2015, former British citizen El Shafee Elsheikh, 34, served as a leader in a wide-ranging conspiracy involving the captivity of 26 hostages in Syria. Elsheikh personally participated in the detention of and hostage negotiations for four American citizens – James Wright Foley, Kayla Jean Mueller, Steven Joel Sotloff, and Peter Edward Kassig – each of whom died as hostages in ISIS custody. In addition, Elsheikh personally participated in the detention of and hostage negotiations for British, French, Italian, Danish, German, Spanish, Swedish, Belgian, Swiss, and New Zealand nationals.
According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, Elsheikh and two other ISIS members supervised the terrorist organization’s jails and detention facilities at which the hostages were held. Elsheikh and his co-conspirators engaged in a prolonged pattern of physical and psychological violence against hostages that was meant as an effort to subdue the hostages. These actions were also intended to compel the victims’ family members and their governments to pay large monetary ransoms for their release, in addition to compelling the U.S. government and other governments to agree to other terms and conditions for the victims’ return.
According to evidence presented during trial, in addition to physically and psychologically abusing the hostages, Elsheikh and his co-conspirators participated in forcibly exposing the hostages to the murder of other hostages held by ISIS, including a Russian hostage who was killed in or about February 2014 and a Syrian prisoner who was executed in or about April 2014. After a group of European hostages were forced to witness the execution of the Syrian prisoner, Elsheikh and his co-conspirators returned the hostages to the prison where they were being held with American and British hostages.
From August 2014 through October 2014, ISIS released videos depicting the beheadings of James Foley, Steven Sotloff, and British citizens David Haines and Alan Henning. In November 2014, ISIS released a video depicting the decapitated head of Peter Kassig. In January 2015, ISIS released videos depicting the decapitated body of Japanese citizen Haruna Yukawa and the beheading of Japanese citizen Kenji Goto. On or about Feb. 7, 2015, Kayla Mueller’s family received an email from ISIS confirming Mueller’s death in Syria.
According to evidence presented during trial, Elsheikh was part of a group of ISIS members who spoke with British accents and were referred to by the hostages as the “Beatles.” He and his convicted co-conspirator, Alexanda Amon Kotey, 38, were captured together in January 2018 by the Syrian Democratic Forces as they attempted to escape Syria for Turkey. Mohammed Emwazi, who conducted the above-referenced videotaped beheadings, was killed in November 2015 in a U.S. military airstrike in Syria.
On Sept. 2, 2021, Kotey pleaded guilty to all of the offenses charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia in the eight-count indictment, consisting of one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death; four counts of hostage taking resulting in the deaths of the four Americans (James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig); one count of conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens outside of the United States; one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to terrorists resulting in the deaths of U.S., British, and Japanese nationals; and one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in the deaths of U.S., British, and Japanese nationals. Kotey was sentenced to eight concurrent terms of life imprisonment on April 29, 2022.
On April 14, 2022, Elsheikh was convicted by a jury in the Eastern District of Virginia of all eight of the above-listed offenses. Earlier today, the Court sentenced Elsheikh to eight concurrent terms of life imprisonment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia expresses its profound appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Counter Terrorism Command of the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police Service, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and our many foreign partners for their dedicated commitment to assist the United States in seeking justice for all the victims of these crimes.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis M. Fitzpatrick, John T. Gibbs, and Aidan Taft Grano-Mickelson, all of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorney Alicia H. Cook of the Justice Department National Security Division prosecuted the case.
Norfolk Man Guilty of Stealing Identities to Defraud Navy Federal Credit UnionRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft and bank fraud in connection with a fraud scheme targeting Navy Federal Credit Union.
According to court documents, Taimak Peters, 28, helped devise a scheme to defraud Navy Federal Credit Union out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. From approximately April through July 2018, Peters, along with other co-conspirators, stole the identities of various victims, including their names, social security numbers, and dates of birth. Using this information, the conspirators established accounts at Navy Federal Credit Union and applied for automobile loans in the victims’ names from information secured from internet websites such as Autotrader. The court records indicate that once these loans were approved, a conspirator would go to a Navy Federal Branch, retrieve the loan check, then take it to a different branch to cash. The conspirators then split the proceeds of the fraudulently obtained check amongst themselves. Peters admitted in Court to supplying stolen identities in this fashion on at least three such transactions. Peters specific action caused Navy Federal Credit Union to lose over $57,000, the overall conspiracy caused a loss exceeding $300,000. Peters is the fourth person to plead guilty in this scheme.
Peters is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of 32 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Co-conspirators, Raven Dixon, 29, of Norfolk, Ryan Eugene Gregory, 38, of Norfolk, and Thomas Jules Rogers, 33 of Prince George’s County, Maryland, all previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Derek W. Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Washington, D.C., made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky 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. 2:20-cr-78.
Virginia Beach Man Sentenced for Possessing a Machine Gun Used in a Norfolk ShootoutRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to 7 years in prison for possessing a machine gun used in a shootout in Norfolk.
According to court documents, Shy’Quan Dodson, 25, possessed a machine gun on July 18, 2021. That day, Norfolk police officers were in the vicinity of the 900 block of Tunstall Avenue in Norfolk, where they observed multiple individuals shooting at each other. The individuals fled in three separate vehicles, and during the ensuing pursuit a firearm was tossed from the rear of the vehicle. After a 15-minute pursuit that ended in a crash in Portsmouth, the defendant was detained while attempting to flee on foot from the vehicle. The firearm tossed from the vehicle was a Glock with an attached component that converted the handgun into a fully automatic machine gun.
A search of Dodson’s cell phone showed photos of him holding the weapon, and a primer residue test revealed that Dodson had primer particles on his hands from the discharge of a firearm. Dodson’s phone also contained communications with another individual related to the buying and selling of machine gun conversion kits. According to court filings Dodson is a member of the Norfolk-based Kai Gang, a criminal street gang.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William B. Jackson and Joseph DePadilla and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle are 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. 2:22-cr-1
Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery of Credit UnionRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced Wednesday to almost 12 years in prison for the armed robbery of Call Federal Credit Union in Midlothian.
According to court documents, Okello Chatrie, 27, entered the Call Federal Credit Union in Midlothian on May 20, 2019, demanding money at gunpoint. Chatrie robbed the Credit Union of nearly $200,000. Chatrie pleaded guilty to the robbery of a credit union and brandishing a firearm during that robbery.
When Chatrie entered the Call Federal Credit Union, he presented a bank teller with a note that read, in part, “I got your family as hostage and I know where you live, If you or your coworker alert the cops or anyone your family and you are going to be hurt ... I need at least 100k.” Before the teller could hand over the money, Chatrie brandished a pistol and directed all employees and customers of the bank to kneel down before directing them to an area where a safe was located.
The ensuing investigation ultimately led to the execution of a search warrant at two residences tied to Chatrie. At one residence, law enforcement recovered nearly $100,000 of the stolen money, a money counter, as well as the silver and black 9mm G2C Taurus semiautomatic pistol used during the robbery. At the other residence, law enforcement recovered practice robbery demand notes.
At sentencing, the Court heard testimony from the teller who received Chatrie’s note as well as the bank manager who was ordered at gunpoint to turn over the money. The bank manager called it one of the worst days in his life.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck.
This case was investigated by FBI Richmond's Central Virginia Violent Crimes Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney s Kenneth R. Simon, Jr. and Peter S. Duffey prosecuted the case. Senior Counsel Nathan Judish of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Department of Justice also served on the prosecution team.
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. 3:19-cr-130.
Two Men Convicted of Laundering Proceeds of a Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted two individuals yesterday on charges of money laundering as part of a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Onyewuchi Victor Ibeh, 33, of Mitchellville, Maryland, and Jason Eugene Joyner, 42, of Hyattsville, Maryland, participated in a scheme to launder the proceeds of a BEC scheme. In this scheme, conspirators infiltrate the computer systems of a victim company, including their email servers and email accounts, through phishing attacks or the use of malware. Once there, the conspirators impersonate the victim’s business partner and claim the business partner’s bank account information has changed. Intending to send the money to the business partner, the victim business instead sends the money to bank accounts controlled by the conspirators.
The defendants and their coconspirators laundered over $13 million fraudulently obtained from numerous victim businesses—including five who testified at trial—as a result of a scheme. The co-conspirators laundered the proceeds of the scheme through various financial transactions using dozens of bank accounts that they directly and indirectly controlled. Joyner’s role in the scheme was to withdraw the proceeds of the fraud in cash, which he delivered to other conspirators, including Ibeh. Ibeh’s role in the scheme was to manage the money laundering by causing conspirators to open bank accounts, which he used to wire money domestically and internationally. Ibeh spent the proceeds of the fraud on luxury items, including a custom jewelry piece costing close to $40,000.
Ibeh and Joyner conspired with, among others, Anthony Ayeah and Mouaaz Elkhebri, both of whom have also been convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Ibeh and Joyner were convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. Ibeh and Joyner each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on November 4, 2022. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael Ray, Inspector in Charge of Cybercrime and National Security of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Matthew Stohler, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hood, Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Carlberg, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Bagwell 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. 1:21-cr-200.
New York Man Sentenced for Threatening Public OfficialsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A New York man was sentenced today to more than 9 years in federal prison for mailing threatening letters to a federal law enforcement officer with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and to a federal prosecutor.
According to court documents, in 2021, Brock Beeman, 29, sent multiple threatening letters from prison to governmental employees associated with a separate criminal prosecution of the defendant in Norfolk. These letters included detailed threats to kill, torture, and/or maim various individuals, including a United States District Judge, a United States Probation Officer, Assistant United States Attorneys, Special Agents with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, United States Marshals, and other individuals associated with the defendant’s Norfolk criminal prosecution, as well as their friends and family members. These letters further included bomb threats for various locations, including federal courthouses, a military installation, and law enforcement offices.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Shannon Saylor, Acting United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela Mastandrea-Miller and Avi Panth 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. 3:21-cr-095.