Eastern District of Washington
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Drug Trafficker with Ties to Sinaloa Cartel Sentenced to over 17 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jaime Montalvo-Mariscal, age 27, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced November 18, 2019 after having pleaded guilty on July 22, 2019, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Actual Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of Fentanyl and 1 Kilogram or more of Heroin. Senior United States District Judge Nielsen sentenced Montalvo-Mariscal to a 210-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision should Montalvo be allowed to return to the United States.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Montalvo-Mariscal was a member of a substantial drug trafficking organization (DTO) with direct ties to the Sinaloa cartel. During the investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized over 40 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of heroin, approximately 40,000 counterfeit pharmaceutical pills laced with fentanyl (known on the street as “fake oxys” because they are designed to look like brand-name oxycodone pills), a cache of firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition. The investigation revealed that the DTO shipped this quantity of drugs to Eastern Washington on a bi-weekly basis. Montalvo-Mariscal’s role in the DTO included collecting cash proceeds from drug trafficking. During one two-month period, Montalvo collected drug proceeds exceeding $700,000, which he then sent the DTO’s leadership in Sinaloa, Mexico.
The quantity of Fentanyl-laced pills seized during this investigation represented one of the largest seizures of its kind in the Eastern District of Washington. Fentanyl is largely responsible for the increase in drug overdoses and deaths in the community. Based upon targeted investigations by the DEA, Tri-Cities FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, law enforcement was able to identify, arrest and prosecute multiple Fentanyl distributors like Montalvo who were supplying distributors between 2500 and 5000 pills per week in this area.
During sentencing proceedings, Senior Judge Nielsen described fentanyl as the most dangerous and insidious drug in the community. While recognizing that Mr. Montalvo-Mariscal had no previous criminal history, Senior Judge Nielsen emphasized the importance of deterrence in imposing sentence, given the staggering quantity of drugs involved and the horrific impact those drugs have on the community.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Counterfeit pharmaceutical pills laced with fentanyl that are intentionally made by drug trafficking organizations to look like oxycodone create a very serious risk to the health and safety of the community. Targeting those who manufacture and distribute fentanyl-laced pills is a high priority and an essential part of attacking the opioid addiction crisis in our community. This is an incredibly dangerous drug; taking one pill can kill a person. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington intends on prosecuting every fentanyl distribution case that can be proved. I commend the outstanding efforts of the DEA, FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners who investigated this case.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis was pleased with the sentencing further adding that “Opioid abuse is spreading like wildfire devastating our communities and we will aggressively pursue those most responsible for fueling the flames.”
Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tri Cities Task Force in partnership with the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Department of Justice Announces Launch of Project Guardian – A Nationwide Strategic Plan to Reduce Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, joined the Department of Justice in announcing the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.
Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.
“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Project Guardian is complementary to, and will function alongside, the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods. Like PSN, Project Guardian emphasizes close collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors to focus on the individuals and groups who represent the greatest threat of violence to our communities. Project Guardian represents a new application of the principles used in PSN to the specific threat of gun violence, and builds on PSN by articulating a national strategy that incorporates all existing gun laws and employs modern crime gun intelligence tools. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington remains steadfast in its commitment to working closely with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners in reducing violent crime and making our communities safer.”
“ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.”
Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:
1) Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.
2) Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.
Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.
3) Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.
4) Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety.
Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.
5) Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.
Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.
For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download.
Washington law enforcement agencies receive $163,500 in forfeiture from regional drug trafficking prosecutionRead the Press Release
SPOKANE—The dismantling of a regional drug trafficking organization that operated in Washington, Idaho and Montana led to the award last week of $163,500 in asset forfeiture equitable sharing funds to the City of Yakima Police Department and the Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force (LEAD), William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced on Nov. 8.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop presented $81,783.50 to each law enforcement agency to be used for further law enforcement purposes.
The asset forfeiture funds are the result of Operation Rocky Bear Paw, which targeted a regional drug trafficking organization operating in Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The principal drug distribution activities occurred in the Grandview, WA, and Havre, MT, areas.
The drug trafficking organization was the main supplier of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana to the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap Indian reservations in Montana. The investigation and law enforcement action began in 2015, with indictments issued and defendants arrested in 2016. The last of 11 defendants was sentenced in late 2018, and the final assets forfeited were liquidated in 2019. All of the defendants were prosecuted in Washington.
The name Operation Rocky Bear Paw is a combination of the name for the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation where the Cervantes DTO trafficked and sold illegal drugs, and the Bear Paw Mountains which run through the Reservation.
Operation Rocky Bear Paw resulted in the successful prosecution of eleven members of the Cervantes regional drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) outlined in the attached page. As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, $10,338.00 in U.S. Currency, two firearms, and numerous rounds of ammunition from defendant Rafael Cervantes’ residence in Grandview, WA.
The United States forfeited and sold Cervantes’ Yakima County residence because it facilitated the DTO and was purchased with drug proceeds.
Pursuant to applicable regulations, an 80% share of the forfeiture proceeds from the sale of Cervantes’ residence are being shared with the Yakima Police Department and LEAD in recognition of their significant contributions to the Operation. The shared asset forfeiture funds will assist these agencies in their further crime-fighting efforts.
The Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program is a law enforcement program. It removes the tools of crime from criminal organizations, deprives wrongdoers of the proceeds of their crimes, recovers property that may be used to compensate victims, and deters crime. The Department of Justice underscores these law enforcement purposes with all federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
U. S. Attorney Hyslop said, “Operation Rocky Bear Paw exemplifies the positive crime fighting results that can be achieved when federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies collaborate and work together. Our citizens are safer and our communities are more secure as a result of joint law enforcement like what occurred here. The LEAD Task Force assisted with drug buys, provided surveillance during a wiretap, and helped execute a search warrant; the City of Yakima Police Department assisted with wiretap surveillance and the execution of search warrants.”
Hyslop further said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations that may operate in Eastern Washington. Each of these law enforcement agencies were critical to the success of removing the Cervantes drug trafficking organization from Yakima County and we thank them for their assistance.”
The enforcement action resulting in this forfeiture was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Operation Rocky Bear Paw was a significant and successful joint law enforcement effort. The operation received a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (“HIDTA”) award from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for Outstanding Enforcement, Prevention or Treatment Effort on Tribal Lands. The HIDTA Program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug trafficking regions of the United States.
This case was investigated and assisted by the: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (Yakima Resident Office and Billings Resident Office); Bureau of Indian Affairs; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; LEAD Task Force; City of Yakima Police Department; State of Washington Gambling Commission; Rocky Boy’s Indian Nation Police Department; Montana Highway Patrol; and the Western Montana based Tri-Agency and Russell County Drug Task Forces.
This case was prosecuted by Benjamin D. Seal and Brian M. Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
List of Defendants:
1. Rafael Cervantes—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Leader/Organizer, main source of supply. Sentenced to a 121-month term of prison to run consecutive to a 24-month term of prison on an unrelated supervised release violation, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision
2. Erica Godinez—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Yakima area distributor. Sentenced to a 48-month term of prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision
3. Thomas Harold Parisian—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 60-month term of prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision
4. Christopher Paul Parisian—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 108-month term of prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision
5. Lawrence Wade Russette—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 72-month term of prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision
6. Georgie Elaine Russell—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 60-month term of prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision
7. Tyson James Courchane—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 30-month term of prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision
8. Leslee Faye Parisian—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 48-month term of prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision
9. Adam David Ketchum—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 36-month term of prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision
10. Jacob Chad Parker—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 30-month term of prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision
11. Kristina Dawn Russette—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Montana distributor. Sentenced to a 30-month term of prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision.
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Media Advisory – Federal and Local Officials to Hold Press Conference to Present $163,567 Forfeiture Award as a Result of Dismantling a Regional Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that there will be a press conference at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2019, at Yakima City Hall – Council Chambers in Yakima, Washington, to make a significant law enforcement announcement.
WHO:
United States Attorney William D. Hyslop
Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell
Yakima Chief of Police Matthew Murray
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Seal
Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Donovan
United States Drug Enforcement Administration Resident-Agent-In-Charge Jason Diaz
United States Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Matt Petty
Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force Commander Edward Levesque
Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force Supervisor Sergeant Brian Luedtke
WHERE:
Yakima City Hall
Council Chambers
129 N 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
OPEN PRESS
NOTE: All media representatives must present government-issued photo I.D. (i.e., driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Media representatives may begin to arrive at 12:00 p.m. Credentialed media are invited to use camera and audio equipment during the press conference.
Inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Debra Doll, Executive Assistant to the United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, at 509-353-2767.
Child Pornographer Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Ryan Wade Alexander, age 34, of Richland, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty to production and distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced Alexander to a 25-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Mendoza also required Alexander to register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison sentence.
Beginning in 2017, officers and detectives with the Richland and Kennewick Police Departments joined agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) to coordinate on investigations into a ring of adult men who were drugging and engaging in sexual activity with teenage boys in the Tri-Cities, as well as producing child pornography of the boys. Judge Mendoza previously sentenced Zayne Barbre, another defendant in the same group of adults, to 28 years and a lifetime of supervision.
Through an extensive electronics-based investigation, a Richland Police Department detective learned that Alexander had manipulated his way into the lives of several teenage boys in an effort to seduce and sexually violate them. The investigation revealed that Alexander started his grooming process by meeting boys on various online platforms, and then teaching them how to use and sell marijuana. Shortly thereafter, Alexander began exchanging explicit sexual texts with the boys, which led to Alexander sexually assaulting several minor boys and obtaining pornographic images of them. Alexander obtained child pornography images of one minor, and then pretended to be that minor to induce a different minor to take and send child pornography of himself to Alexander. He also threatened and tried to extort a minor when the minor’s mother confiscated marijuana that Alexander had given the minor. Alexander engaged in all of this conduct in the Tri-Cities after fleeing from Oregon, where state authorities had previously charged entirely separate child pornography conduct against him.
When a Richland Police Department detective conducted a sophisticated forensic examination of Alexander’s digital devices, he found hundreds of images of child pornography, including sexual images of children that depicted violence, sadomasochism, toddlers, and infants.
During the proceedings, Judge Mendoza described Alexander’s conduct as “egregious, manipulative, dangerous” and that of “a monster.”
United States Attorney William D. Hyslop said “The sentence imposed sends a strong message to anyone who may try to exploit children for sexual gratification. Prosecuting those who produce and distribute pornographic images of children is a priority of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Such crimes will be actively investigated by federal, state and local law enforcement officers. I commend the outstanding investigative efforts and close partnership demonstrated by HSI, the Richland Police Department and the Kennewick Police Department in this case.”
“This investigation highlights the work HSI and our law enforcement partners are doing each day to protect the community from dangerous criminals,” said Eben Roberts, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Seattle. “Child predators and those preying on our community should know we are committed to exposing them and their exploitation. They may think they are safe from justice, but they are not.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood (“PSC”), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The PSC Initiative has five major components:
· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
· Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
This case was investigated by the Richland and Kennewick Police Departments and Homeland Security Investigations, along with the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (“ICAC”) Task Force, which is located in Richland, Washington. Victim services were provided by the Support, Advocacy, and Resource Center (“SARC”) in the Tri-Cities. The case was prosecuted by David M. Herzog, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Woman Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Role in $5.6 Million Staged Accident SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Sandra Victoria Talento, age 58, of Spokane, Washington, and Henderson, Nevada, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty in June 2019, to nineteen counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Talento to a 70-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after she is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Talento to pay restitution in the amount of $2,100,000 and forfeiture of $2,100,000.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Talento was an integral member of an extensive money laundering, insurance and healthcare fraud scheme that staged over thirty accidents in Washington, Idaho, California and Nevada that defrauded nineteen insurance companies out of $5,659,026 by filing fraudulent bodily injury claims. Talento played an “injured victim” in at least thirteen of the phony accidents and received medical treatment for fictitious or intentionally inflicted injuries to her head and other parts of her body. Talento also laundered proceeds generated by the scheme. In one twenty day period in 2013, Talento deposited over $86,000 in fraud proceeds into her bank account. During a six-month period in 2014, she deposited over $270,000 in fraud proceeds into her account.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Sandra Victoria Talento and her cohorts operated a sophisticated insurance/healthcare fraud and money laundering scheme over several years in four different states. Fraud schemes like these ultimately create higher insurance premiums for consumers. The sentence imposed reflects the significant role Talento played in the scheme and the fact that she profited from her fraud at the expense of the insurance and healthcare system. This also sends a strong message to those who may seek to line their pockets through fraud and launder their ill-gotten gains. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively those individuals who may engage in such conduct. I commend the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service for their outstanding work investigating this case.”
"Frauds such as the ones committed by Ms. Talento are not victimless crimes,” said Raymond P. Duda, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Seattle. “Cases such as this demonstrate the commitment of the FBI to identify and pursue investigations against these offenders."
“Sandra Talento was personally involved in staged accidents that generated more than $5.5 million dollars of fraudulent insurance proceeds. Schemes like this cause hard-working American taxpayers to foot the bill by paying higher insurance premiums,” said Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell. “IRS-CI will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to prosecute those individuals that choose greed at the expense of their fellow citizens.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington Criminal Healthcare Fraud Investigator, with assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, and Brian Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Youth Baseball Umpire Sentenced to over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Matthew Lee Lane, age 48 of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced following conviction after a six-day jury trial in June 2019, of one count of Distribution of Child Pornography, and one count of Possession of Child Pornography. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Lane to a 210-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Peterson also required Lane to register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison sentence.
According to evidence introduced at trial, Lane downloaded thousands of images of child pornography via the internet, and then shredded nearly all of them in an effort to elude law enforcement. But he also transmitted images of child pornography to an undercover FBI agent over a Peer-to-Peer network, which led to a federal search warrant at his residence in North Spokane. Significant indicia of child pornography were recovered from his digital devices, including not only log files indicating that he had downloaded and deleted thousands of child pornography files, but memes involving the kidnapping of children and other forms of sexual exploitation of children. Lane was a youth baseball umpire at the time he was engaging in child exploitation conduct online.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that Lane tried to shred all the evidence of his online child exploitation conduct, which demonstrated both consciousness of guilt and an effort to elude law enforcement. She specifically articulated the dangers of online child pornography, and the ways in which the victims are damaged by their images being traded on the Internet forever. In particular, Judge Peterson noted that Lane contributed to a market for additional abuse by engaging in the downloading and trading of child pornography images. Judge Peterson also noted Lane’s criminal history included a prior conviction for rape.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Child pornography victimizes the most innocent and vulnerable in our communities. By distributing child pornography, Matthew Lee Lane further victimized the children depicted in the horrifying images, and helped perpetuate the market for such images. This sentence should serve as a warning to people who may collect or trade child pornography, they will be actively pursued by federal, state and local law enforcement officers. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to aggressively prosecute child exploitation crimes that occur in the Eastern District of Washington.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood (“PSC”), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The PSC Initiative has five major components:
· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
· Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by David M. Herzog, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Prescription Drug “Take Back Day” in the Eastern District of WashingtonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Saturday, October 26, 2019, is National Prescription Drug “Take Back Day.” This event will give the public its 18th opportunity in ten years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. For the first time, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) will now accept vaping devices and cartridges, provided they do not contain lithium ion batteries, at any of it drop off locations. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Prescription Drug ‘Take Back Day’ is an important service provided by the DEA and its local and Tribal law enforcement partners that helps in the prevention of opioid addiction and overdose. I urge all members of our community to participate in this event to safely and anonymously dispose of their expired and unused prescription medications and vaping devices and cartridges.”
Last April, Americans turned in 469 tons (937,443 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 6,258 sites operated by the DEA and 4,969 of its local and Tribal law enforcement partners. Of those numbers, Washington State collected 16,757 pounds of prescription drugs at approximately 95 collections sites operated by the DEA and its local and Tribal law enforcement partners. In its 17 previous “take back” events, Washington State alone has collected 224,037 pounds of prescription drugs. Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11,816,393 pounds – 5,908 tons – of pills.
The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Liquids, needles, or sharps cannot be accepted at the sites, only pills or patches. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose potential safety and health hazards.
In the City of Spokane, year-round disposal sites are located at Spokane Police Department’s North Precinct, 5124 N. Market, Monday through Friday, 9:00 – 4:00; the Public Safety Building, 1100 W. Mallon Avenue, Monday through Friday 8:00 – 5:00; and Spokane Police Department’s Downtown Precinct in the Intermodal, 221 W. First, 24 hr/7 days a week. In Spokane County a year-round disposal site is located in the Spokane Valley Police Department lobby, 12710 E. Sprague Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8:00 – 5:00.
For more information about additional collection sites in Eastern Washington and the disposal of prescription drugs for the October 26, 2019, Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com
Washington Resident Pleads Guilty to Filing a False Tax Return That Failed to Report over $1 Million Held in Offshore Swiss Bank AccountRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that John Thomas Blandi, age 74, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that failed to report over $1 million in income earned in a foreign investment account.
According to court documents, Blandi, a U.S. citizen, held $5,221,514 in an offshore account in Switzerland. The offshore account generated $1,430,000 in income that Blandi did not report on his 2013 income tax return. As a result, Blandi underreported his 2013 tax liability by $598,700.
Blandi maintained the unreported income in an offshore Swiss “insurance wrapper” policy. An “insurance wrapper” policy was an insurance product offered by Swiss and other insurance companies and asset managers primarily to U.S. citizens to allow for asset protection and global investment benefits that was also used by some citizens to evade U.S. taxes. Insurance wrapper policies were private placement life insurance or annuity accounts that combined the benefits of insurance with those of private banking by funding a life insurance policy or annuity policy with investment assets of the client. In many instances, the product would not qualify for treatment as life insurance under United States law. The offshore insurance company would maintain the policy assets in an offshore bank account in the name of the insurance company, rather than the U.S. citizen, while the U.S. citizen still maintained a level of control over the assets and how they were invested. Blandi had an obligation to report this offshore financial account to the IRS on his tax return. He did not.
Blandi’s insurance wrapper policy involved a Swiss-based External Asset Manager (“EAM”) who implemented the investment strategy Blandi desired and managed the assets in a custodial offshore bank account. Blandi communicated with the EAM regarding his offhsore investments, and expressed concerns about creating reportable events that would result in the United States authorities being notified about his offshore account.
Blandi also concealed his foreign financial account and foreign income from the tax professional who prepared his 2013 income tax return. Blandi’s tax return falsely claimed that he did not have a financial interest in or signature authority over a foreign financial account.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “As he admitted, John Blandi tried to conceal over $1 million in income in an offhsore bank account from the IRS. Today’s plea is a reminder that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington continues to work with the IRS to investigate and prosecute individuals who may use off shore accounts to engage in conduct violating U.S. tax laws. I commend the outstanding and dedicated work of the IRS Criminal Investigation special agents who worked on this matter.”
“Placing unreported income in an offshore account is not tax planning, it’s tax evasion,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell. “IRS-Criminal Investigation has been very open about our aggressive efforts to combat offshore tax fraud schemes. We will investigate and seek prosecution of taxpayers who are concealing unreported income in offshore accounts in an attempt to evade their tax obligations.”
Blandi faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison, a one-year term of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. Senior United States District Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen set Blandi’s sentencing for January 21, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Nevada Man Sentenced to 12 Months in Federal Prison for His Role in Staged Accident SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Matthew David Carter, age 36, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on April 9, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and four counts of mail fraud. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Carter to a 12-month and one day term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Carter to pay restitution in the amount of $50,500 and forfeiture of $50,500.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, between June 2015, and November 2017, Carter was involved in two phony automobile accidents in Las Vegas, Nevada, that defrauded insurance companies out of $568,744. Carter played “injured victim” in one of the phony accidents and allowed his BMW to be used as the “at fault” vehicle in another.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Staged accident automobile insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects every driver, as fraud causes insurance rates to increase. It also distracts police and medical personnel from responding to legitimate distress calls. I commend the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service for their outstanding work investigating this case.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington Criminal Healthcare Fraud Investigator, with assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, and Brian Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
California Woman Sentenced to 7 Months in Federal Prison for Her Role in Staged Accident SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Stephanie Stock, age 44, of Los Banos, California, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on April 26, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Stock to a 7-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after she is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Stock to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000 and forfeiture of $10,000.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Stock was involved in a staged automobile accident in Henderson, Nevada, that defrauded insurance companies out of $257,157. Stock allowed her Toyota 4Runner to be deliberately driven by another individual into a Jaguar XK8 occupied by co-conspirator Sandra Victoria Talento and another individual. Before police arrived, and in furtherance of the scheme, the person who deliberately crashed Stock’s vehicle was driven away from the scene by another individual. Stock then posed as the “at fault” driver to police and the insurance companies.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Staged accident automobile insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects every driver, as fraud causes insurance rates to increase. It also distracts police and medical personnel from responding to legitimate distress calls. I commend the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service for their outstanding work investigating this case.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington Criminal Healthcare Fraud Investigator, with assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, and Brian Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Department of Justice Awards More Than $85.3 Million in Grants to Address School ViolenceRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, joined the Department of Justice in announcing it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Students should feel safe in their school and classrooms. These federal grants will provide monies for additional tools and resources for increased safety and coordination with law enforcement. We are grateful to the Department of Justice for providing the Washington Granger School District 204 and Benton County Sheriff’s Office the resources to protect and support our students.”
The grants award more than $481,955 in funding to prevent violence in schools in the Eastern District of Washington. President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Department of Justice Awards over $273.4 Million to Improve Public Safety, Serve Crime Victims in American Indian and Alaska Native CommunitiesRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, joined the Department of Justice in announcing awards totaling more than $273.4 million in grants to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Three of the American Indian communities receiving awards are located in the Eastern District of Washington. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation was awarded $3,080,006, the Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation was awarded $697,972 and the Colville Tribe was awarded $583,707. The funding for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation will support the violence against women and crime victim services programs, public safety and community policing, and corrections and correctional alternatives. The funding for the Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation will support justice systems and the alcohol and substance abuse programs. The funding for the Colville Tribe will support the crime victim services program.
“Violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities remain at unacceptably high levels, and they demand a response that is both clear and comprehensive,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “We will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee they have the resources they need to curb violence and bring healing to the victims most profoundly affected by it.”
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “These grants will give Tribal officials additional tools they need to fight violent crime, protect their citizens, serve crime victims, and deliver justice. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to working with our Tribal, federal, state and local law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime and improving public safety.”
Nationwide, 236 grants were awarded to 149 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $118 million awarded via CTAS, just over $62.6 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, about $33.1 million from the Office on Violence Against Women and more than $23.2 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. A portion of the funding will support tribal youth mentoring and intervention services, help native communities implement requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and provide training and technical assistance to tribal communities. Another $5.5 million was funded by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide training and technical assistance to CTAS awardees.
The Department also announced awards and other programming totaling $167.2 million in a set-aside program to serve victims of crime. The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims by supporting programming and technical assistance. About $25.6 million of these awards were awarded under CTAS and are included in the $118 million detailed above.
CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs. The awards cover 10 purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; violent crime reduction; and tribal youth programs.
The Department also provided $6.1 million to help tribes to comply with federal law on sex offender registration and notification, $1.7 million in separate funding to assist tribal youth and nearly $500,000 to support tribal research on missing and murdered indigenous women and children and other public safety-related topics.
Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
A listing of today’s announced CTAS awards is available at: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/awards. A listing of all other announced tribal awards are available at: https://go.usa.gov/xVJuE.
Washington Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling Tribal Funds and Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Chad Jeremy Monaghan, age 42, of Omak, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019, to one count of embezzling over $1,000 from a Tribal organization, and one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Monaghan to a 24-month term of imprisonment on each count to run concurrently, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Monaghan to pay $107,980 in restitution.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, over a 3-month period, Monaghan embezzled $107,980 from the Colville Fuels, LLC (d/b/a “Tribal Trails Omak”). Tribal Trails Omak is operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and is located on tribal land. Monaghan committed the thefts while working at the store. During its investigation, Colville Tribal Police Department officers obtained a warrant to search Monaghan’s residence, finding $3,000 in U.S. currency and four firearms. Monaghan is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, "The sentence imposed today sends a strong message to those who may steal monies from a Tribal organization and illegally possess firearms. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for individuals who may engage in such conduct. This case is just one example of the cooperative and successful efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colville Tribal Police Department.”
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Colville Tribal Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Joseph P. Derrig and Daniel H. Fruchter, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Nevada Man Sentenced to 10 Months in Federal Prison for His Role in Staged Accident SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Randy Carl Sharp, age 40, of Henderson, Nevada, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on July 17, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and one count of mail fraud. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Sharp to a 10-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Sharp to pay restitution in the amount of $77,000 and forfeiture of $77,000.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, between September 2013, and November 2017, Sharp was involved in two phony automobile accidents in Henderson, Nevada, that defrauded insurance companies out of $527,967. Sharp played “injured victim” in one of the phony accidents and “at fault” driver in another.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Staged accident automobile insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects every driver, as fraud causes insurance rates to increase. It also distracts police and medical personnel from responding to legitimate distress calls. I commend the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service for their outstanding work investigating this case.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington Criminal Healthcare Fraud Investigator, with assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, and Brian
Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
246 Arrested as Part of Combined Law Enforcement Operation “Invictus Civitas” – Undefeatable Community - in Yakima CountyRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that a fifteen-week-long joint federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement initiative has resulted in 246 arrests of fugitives and violent offenders in Yakima County. Fifty-four percent of the arrests were gang-related. The arrests involved a variety of criminal charges, including homicide, assault, sexual assault, extortion, kidnapping, robbery, weapons offenses, burglary, failure to register as a sex offender and narcotics violations.
Operation “Invictus Civitas” (Undefeatable Community) has been a coordinated Project Safe Neighborhoods violence reduction initiative led by the U.S. Marshal Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners reduce violent crime within Yakima, Yakima County and the Yakama Reservation by identifying and arresting violent fugitives and criminal offenders, and by targeting violent gang activity. The operation collected and utilized intelligence information leading to the systematic removal of individuals charged with committing violent crimes.
Operation “Invictus Civitas” launched on June 3, 2019. As part of this coordinated and targeted initiative, the arrests included: 9 for sexual offenses; 62 for assaults; 19 for robberies; 29 for weapons violations; 5 for homicides; 1 for kidnapping; 1 for arson; 15 for burglaries; 63 for narcotics violations; and 40 for other crimes.
In addition, Operation “Invictus Civitas” resulted in the seizure of 33 firearms, nearly 4.5 pounds of controlled substances, over $37,000 in U.S. currency, a ballistic vest, and 12 vehicles that were either stolen and recovered or seized as a result of criminal activity.
“The revitalized Project Safe Neighborhoods program is a major success,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “It packs a powerful punch by combining advanced data with local leadership, further reducing violence in communities across the country and improving overall public safety. U.S. Attorneys continue to focus their enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals and work in partnership with federal, state, local, and Tribal police. The Justice Department’s relationships across the board have never been stronger.”
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “No violent crime is acceptable in the Eastern District of Washington. Operation ‘Invictus Civitas’ has been hugely successful. And it highlights the joint commitment, dedication, and partnership between our state, local, Tribal and federal partners in combatting violent crime and removing violent criminals and gang members from the community to face justice. I commend the outstanding work and tireless efforts of all our law enforcement partners. In addition, Maike & Associates provided tremendous data analysis and support as the Project Safe Neighborhoods research partner.”
U. S. Marshal Craig Thayer, Eastern District of Washington, commented that, “The 246 violent offenders safely arrested during Operation ‘Invictus Civitas’ are testament to the dedication and professionalism of the participating law enforcement agencies. Our communities are safer because of this success. We recognize that there are still those who are committing illegal acts against the community, and we want them to know that we are committed to protecting the community from violent crime going forward.”
Operation “Invictus Civitas” is a joint United States Marshal Service, Operation Triple Beam, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force initiative geared toward reducing violent crime in the Yakima region. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a national initiative that brings together federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. Yakima County, and specifically the City of Yakima, was selected as a PSN area of focus in 2018 due to its high rates of gang and gun-related violent crime. The U.S. Marshal Service designed Operation “Invictus Civitas” to initiate a community-based, comprehensive, multi-component strategy being implemented over a two-year period.
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) is a U.S. Marshal Service sponsored partnership composed of federal, state and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon and Alaska. The primary mission of the PNVOTF is to locate, arrest, and return to the justice system the most violent, most egregious federal and state fugitives. Operation “Invictus Civitas” partners include the United States Marshal Service, United States Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Department of Corrections, Yakima Police Department, Union Gap Police Department, Yakama Nation Department of Public Safety, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Kennewick Police Department, LEAD Task Force, Yakima County Prosecutors Office and Maike & Associates.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jose Manuel R. Andrade, age 43, of Parker, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 13, 2019, to distributing heroin. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice, sentenced Andrade to a 24-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 2-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, in December 2012, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) agents observed Andrade distributing 133 grams of heroin to another individual in the parking lot of a truck stop off I-90 near Medical Lake, Washington. Andrade was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Washington, and an arrest warrant was issued. On March 25, 2019, Andrade was arrested in California by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry when he sought admission to the United States from Tijuana, Mexico.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking just punishment for individuals who distribute drugs in our communities. I commend the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection officers, for their commitment to this successful prosecution.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Daniel Alfredo Coreas, Jr., age 28, of Soap Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on July 2, 2019, to possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Coreas to an 84-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on June 12, 2018, while executing a warrant to search Coreas’s residence, the Grant County Interagency Narcotic Enforcement Team (INET) seized over 18 grams of methamphetamine and multiple rounds of ammunition.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “This prosecution was made possible by the diligent work of agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Grant County INET. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for drug traffickers.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team. This case was prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jose Manual Mendoza, age 30, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on July 18, 2019, to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced Jose Manual Mendoza to a 10-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, the METRO Drug Task Force and Benton County Sheriff’s Office identified Jose Manual Mendoza as he was leaving a residence in a pickup truck. At the time, Mendoza was under the supervision of the Washington State Department of Corrections (“DOC”) and there were felony warrants for his arrest. When officers initiated a traffic stop on the truck, Mendoza tried to conceal his identity by providing the officers with a false identification document and an alias name. After confirming his true identity, the officers arrested Mendoza and applied for a warrant to search his truck. While searching Mendoza’s truck, officers found a half pound of methamphetamine, two loaded 9mm firearms and a digital scale.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, METRO Drug Task Force and Benton County Sheriff’s Office who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Tri-cities Task Force, the METRO Drug Task Force, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Bo Aaron Divorne, age 30, of Colville, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 13, 2019, to distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Divorne to a 5-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) began investigating Divorne for suspected trafficking in firearms and controlled substances. During the investigation, ATF conducted a controlled purchase of over 26 grams of methamphetamine from Divorne.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for drug traffickers distributing controlled substances in our communities. I commend the ATF and our other federal, state and local law enforcement partners for their efforts in investigating drug trafficking crimes.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”). This case was prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
California Woman Sentenced to 6 Months in Federal Prison for Her Role in Staged Accident SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Bonnie Jean Bonney, age 77, of Placerville, California, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on February 13, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Bonney to a 6-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 6-month term of home confinement and a 3-year term of court supervision after she is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Bonney to pay restitution in the amount of $68,681 and forfeiture of $68,681.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, between May 2014, and September 2016, Bonney was involved in phony automobile accidents in Shingle Springs, California, Rescue, California and Las Vegas, Nevada, that defrauded insurance companies out of $1,183,822. Bonney played “injured victim” in one of the phony accidents and “at fault” driver in another.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Staged accident automobile insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects every driver, as fraud causes insurance rates to increase. It also distracts police and medical personnel from responding to legitimate distress calls. I commend the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service for their outstanding work investigating this case.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington Criminal Healthcare Fraud Investigator, with assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, and Brian Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Habitual Offender Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Stabbing His Girlfriend in Nespelem, WashingtonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Tommie Joe Flett, age 47, of Spokane, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on July 18, 2019, to Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender in Indian Country. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced Flett to a five-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on the evening of July 11, 2018, Flett traveled with his girlfriend to Owhi Lake in Okanogan County, Washington. While there, Flett became upset with his girlfriend, pulled her out of a car, and hit her several times in the face. Flett’s girlfriend was able to get away and walked several miles to Nespelem, Washington, where Flett found her and again began striking her in the face. Flett then brandished a knife and stabbed his girlfriend multiple times in her leg and hands. Fortunately, a third-party intervened, protecting the girlfriend from further physical harm. At the time of the assault, Flett had multiple prior convictions for assault against a spouse or intimate partner, making Flett a habitual offender under federal law.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The sentence imposed by the Court removes a serial abuser from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, the FBI and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Police are committed to investigating and prosecuting violent crimes occurring in the exterior boundaries of the Colville Indian Reservation.”
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Police. This case was prosecuted by Richard R. Barker and Alison L. Gregoire, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
California Man Sentenced to 14 Months in Federal Prison for His Role in Staged Accident SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Alexander Arceo, age 32, of South El Monte, California, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 17, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and one count of mail fraud. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Arceo to a 14-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Arceo to pay restitution in the amount of $40,000 and forfeiture of $40,000.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, between February 2016, and September 2016, Arceo was involved in a staged automobile accident in Rescue, California, and a staged stair fall accident in Las Vegas, Nevada, that defrauded two insurance companies out of $412,015. In the phony automobile accident, Arceo falsely claimed that he suffered serious bodily injuries, including loss of consciousness, as a result of the accident and obtained medical treatment over an eighty-four day period after the accident. In the phony stair fall accident, a co-conspirator used Arceo’s name when he falsely claimed to an insurance company that he suffered head and other injuries and needed medical treatment over a five-month period. When the defrauded insurance company issued settlement checks for bodily injury in Arceo’s name, he endorsed the checks thereby enabling co-conspirators to get the fraudulent proceeds.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Staged accident automobile insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects every driver, as fraud causes insurance rates to increase. It also distracts police and medical personnel from responding to legitimate distress calls. I commend the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service for their outstanding work investigating this case.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington Criminal Healthcare Fraud Investigator, with assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, and Brian Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Gang Member Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Randy Coy James Holmes, age 22, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on May 9, 2019, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced Holmes to a 37-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, a Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle with four occupants in Moses Lake, Washington. During the encounter, the deputy seized a stolen firearm from the vehicle’s rear passenger compartment and in close proximity to Holmes, a member of the Little Valley Locos street gang. Holmes is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The firearm was submitted to the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory, which determined it contained a latent print belonging to Holmes.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting individuals who unlawfully possess firearms. Such offenses are serious and just punishment will be pursued against those individuals who violate the firearms laws. I commend the ATF, Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory for their commitment to this successful prosecution.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Regional Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory. This case was prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Host Community Roundtable to Increase Awareness of Sexual Harassment in HousingRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Rights Division, recently hosted roundtables in Yakima and Spokane, Washington, for community organizations to discuss the problem of sexual harassment in housing. The event included local law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, shelters and transitional housing providers. Those organizations were invited because they often work with vulnerable populations who are most likely to become victims of sexual harassment in housing.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Sexual harassment in housing is often underreported. I encourage anyone who has been subjected to sexual harassment by his or her landlord or employer of a landlord to report it to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Sexual harassment is illegal under the Fair Housing Act, and my office is committed to enforcing the law and working to secure justice for victims of these offenses. We are extremely proud of our community partners joining us in a meaningful discussion on how to increase community awareness of, and identify barriers to reporting, sexual harassment in housing in the Eastern District of Washington.”
While most people are familiar with the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, harassment also occurs in housing, and the Fair Housing Act prohibits it. Sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and others with power over housing often affects the most vulnerable populations - single mothers, women who are financially unstable, and women who have suffered sexual violence in their past. These women often do not know where to turn for help.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is working closely with the Civil Rights Division to spread the word here in the Eastern District of Washington about options to help victims experiencing sexual harassment or who experienced sexual harassment in housing in the past. Often it is community organizations, such as local law enforcement, legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, shelters and transitional housing providers, that are in the best position to identify housing abuses and recommend that victims report sexual harassment to DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. By increasing awareness and building strong partnerships, we can better combat this problem in our community.
Since launching the Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in 2017, the Department of Justice has filed 11 lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing. The Justice Department has filed or settled 15 sexual harassment cases since January 2017, and has recovered over $2.6 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing. These cases often involve egregious conduct, including allegations that defendants have exposed themselves sexually to current or prospective tenants, requested sexual favors in exchange for reduced rents or making necessary repairs, made unrelenting and unwanted sexual advances to tenants, and evicted tenants who resisted their sexual overtures. The DOJ’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years or decades and identify numerous victims who never reported the conduct to federal authorities.
Roundtable discussions like the one that United States Attorney Hyslop hosted recently are an integral part of a DOJ initiative that seeks to identify barriers to reporting sexual harassment in housing, increase awareness of its enforcement efforts - both among victims and those they may report to - and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase reporting and help women quickly and easily connect with federal resources.
DOJ encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing: [email protected].
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, Joseph P. Derrig, by calling 509-353-2767.
Former Bookkeeper Sentenced to 36 Months in Federal Prison for Scheme to Embezzle in Excess of $99,000 from Greater Spokane County Meals on WheelsRead the Press Release
Spokane –William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Michelle Susan Ferrell, age 59, of Spokane Valley, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on February 26, 2019, to wire fraud. Senior United States District Judge Robert H. Whaley sentenced Ferrell to a 36-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after she is released from federal prison. Judge Whaley also ordered Ferrell to pay restitution, and forfeiture of $99,871. Judge Whaley ordered that Ferrell be immediately taken into custody to begin serving her sentence.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, Ferrell worked as a bookkeeper for Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels (Meals on Wheels) between May 2013 and April 2018. Meals on Wheels, which is part of the nationwide Meals on Wheels America organization operating throughout the United States, relies on government funding and private donations to provide over 1,000 meals each day to elderly and disabled residents of Spokane County. As a bookkeeper for Meals on Wheels, Ferrell had access to the organization’s bank accounts, debit cards, and payroll system.
While employed at Meals on Wheels, Ferrell used the organization’s funds and bank accounts to pay for her unauthorized personal expenses, including mortgage, utility, and property tax payments on her residence, and to electronically transfer funds to herself and her businesses. Ferrell concealed her thefts by making false and misleading entries in Meals on Wheels’ internal accounting system, creating the appearance that she was paying legitimate operating expenses of the organization. Over a five-year period, Ferrell stole in excess of $99,000 in Meals on Wheels funds.
Ferrell also defrauded the United States Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Ferrell was responsible for withholding and paying Meals on Wheels’ quarterly payroll taxes to the IRS. As part of her scheme, Ferrell withheld payroll taxes but did not remit all the taxes to the IRS, or failed to file the organization’s quarterly payroll tax returns for certain quarters, and made false entries in the organization’s internal accounting records representing that the quarterly payroll taxes were paid in full. By engaging in these fraudulent actions, Ferrell ensured there would be sufficient funds in the Meals on Wheels account to cover her personal expenses.
United States Attorney Hyslop stated, “The sentence imposed today holds Ferrell accountable for abusing her position of trust as a bookkeeper for Meals on Wheels, a charitable organization that provides critical services to so many vulnerable people in our community. By lining her pockets, Ferrell put herself above the needs of others. I commend the excellent work done by the FBI in investigating this case. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute white collar crime and fraud.”
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Dan Fruchter, Tyler H.L. Tornabene and Brian Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Woman Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Drunken Driving Fatal CrashRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Tanaya Janatia Tromblee, age 33, of Wapato, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on June 5, 2019, to involuntary manslaughter. United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Tromblee to a 46-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after she is released from federal prison. Judge Bastian also ordered Tromblee to pay $82,213 in restitution.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on October 23, 2017, Tromblee operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine. Tromblee ran a stop sign at an intersection in Wapato and crashed into another vehicle, resulting in the death of a passenger.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense that can and does result in grave consequences to victims. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Yakama Nation Police Department, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated this case. Their symbiotic professional partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter.”
This case was investigated by the Yakima Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Yakama Nation Police Department, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Benjamin D. Seal, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Illegal Trafficker of Fish and Wildlife Sentenced to Four Years ProbationRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Simon Lee Sampson, age 71 of Toppenish, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on April 24, 2019, to two Lacey Act violations, including the Sale of Wildlife and Conspiracy to Sell Fish/Wildlife. United States District Judge Bastian sentenced Sampson to a four-year term of probation.
The Lacey Act enforces federal conservation efforts for birds, wildlife, fish, and plants. It applies to tribal and non-tribal members alike. According to information disclosed during court proceedings, beginning in August 2015 through November 2016, Sampson sold sturgeon, steelhead, salmon, smelt, and deer to an undercover Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife detective in violation of Yakama tribal law and the Lacey Act. Sampson described himself as “hustling fish” since 1976.
Sampson illegally trafficked a number of species of fish listed as threatened by the Endangered Species Act. With the assistance of other individuals, Sampson harvested or possessed fish or hunted deer in violation of Yakama tribal law, then unlawfully sold the fish or deer to the undercover, which violated the Lacey Act. At times, Sampson indicated that the sale was “under the table” and “hush hush.” Sampson also acknowledged to the undercover officer that steelhead fishing was regulated because of over-harvesting. Sampson’s illegal sales of fish and wildlife to the undercover officer totaled $4,720.
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Bastian cautioned Sampson that if he did not follow the rules during his term of probation, there could be severe consequences. Sampson has a prior state conviction in Oregon for fishing violations during prohibited seasons. He was convicted in 2017 in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon for Prohibited Activities During Closed Season involving Chinook Salmon.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Illegal trafficking of wildlife represents a serious threat to our critical ecosystems. I commend the collaborative work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife-Police in investigating this matter. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to aggressively prosecute those individuals who may engage in the illegal trafficking of wildlife.”
Jim Landon, Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement, said, “NOAA is committed to managing marine resources in a fair and sustainable manner. Criminals who circumvent the law for their own personal gain harm both the resource itself as well as those who depend on the resource. The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and its state and tribal partners are dedicated to enforcing the laws and regulations that exist to prevent this type of exploitation."
This case was investigated by the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife-Police. This case was prosecuted by Meghan McCalla, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Transnational Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine and for Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Braulio Jimenez, age 24, based out of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on May 14, 2019, to Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine and 1 Kilogram or More of Heroin, two counts of Money Laundering, and Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or more of Fentanyl. Senior United States District Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Jimenez to an 18-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 7-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison, and imposed a $10,000 fine.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, this case arose from a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Task Force investigation in Southern California. The Task Force identified a transnational drug trafficking organization (DTO) and worked in an undercover capacity to identify the DTO’s money laundering activities and locations in the United States where the DTO was trafficking narcotics. Jimenez, who delivered $910,000 in cash drug proceeds to undercover agents, and other co-conspirators were identified by FBI as members of the DTO. When investigators executed a warrant to search Jimenez’s residence, he attempted to flee but was apprehended. Inside Jimenez’s residence, investigators seized over 19,000 Fentanyl-laced pills, 40 pounds of heroin, 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 23 pounds of cocaine, $170,000 in U.S. currency, a cache of firearms including an AR 15 rifle, and ledgers recording drug sales exceeding $6 million.
Senior District Judge Shea commented on the stunning amount of narcotics and drug cash proceeds involved in the case and the damage the DTO has done to the community. United States Attorney Hyslop said, “This case highlights the joint commitment, dedication, and partnership between our state and federal partners in combatting drug trafficking in our community. I commend their outstanding work. This investigation made a substantial mark upon a large-scale organization that had chosen Eastern Washington as a point of operation. It is these types of investigations that bring into focus the dangers drug trafficking organizations pose to our community.”
Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force in Tri-Cities Washington, Cross Border Violence Task Force (CBVTF) in San Diego CA, Kennewick Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington Department of Corrections. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 160 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jason Michael Clark, age 46, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on May 30, 2019, to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Robert H. Whaley sentenced Clark to a 160-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, members of the Spokane Police Department, Patrol Anti-Crime Team (“PACT”) encountered Clark leaving a residence as they were arresting another individual who had an outstanding warrant. Officers subsequently determined that Clark left a backpack in the residence’s driveway. A search of Clark’s abandoned backpack revealed that it contained over 50 grams of methamphetamine and drug-trafficking paraphernalia.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who worked on this case should be commended for their ongoing commitment to investigate aggressively individuals trafficking in methamphetamine. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will similarly continue its ongoing commitment to prosecute methamphetamine traffickers and to seek appropriate punishment for their criminal conduct.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force, the Spokane Police Department PACT, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Drug Trafficker Who Possessed Firearm Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Daniel Rodriguez-Santos, age 38, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced after having been convicted after a 2-day jury trial in May 2019, of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced Rodriguez-Santos to a 12-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the Yakima Police Department obtained a warrant to search Rodriguez-Santos’ residence. During execution of the warrant, officers found a large quantity of methamphetamine and a .380 caliber handgun and ammunition in his bedroom closet.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is, and will continue to be, committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for individuals who may engage in drug trafficking and firearm-related offenses. I commend the DEA and Yakima Police Department officers for their tireless efforts in combating drug trafficking and related offenses in our community.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Yakima Resident Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Yakima Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Benjamin D. Seal, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop to Take Part in 36th Annual National Night OutRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, will be joining Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl and other law enforcement, community leaders, and residents on Tuesday, August 6th to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.
National Night Out is a community-building and crime prevention campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Thousands of communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood block parties, festivals, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, and activities that heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts. Events such as these help to strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships, and demonstrate a shared commitment for strong and safe communities.
“Reducing violent crime and promoting safety in American communities is a major focus of the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys across the country,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “National Night Out is an opportunity to strengthen the bonds, the respect, and the camaraderie between neighbors and law enforcement officers. These relationships make our country stronger and safer.”
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “For 36 years, National Night Out has rallied neighborhood residents, law enforcement and community leaders in the common goal of strengthening relationships to help prevent and deter crime in our local community. I’m told that Spokane has one of the highest participation rates, if not the highest participation, in the State. There are approximately 90 parties signed up to host parties within the city limits, which does not include Spokane County. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and my neighbors to support safer streets and work together to drive out crime.”
National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday.
Sureno Street Gang Member Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Justin Mark Mullenix, age 35, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on March 13, 2019, to Conspiracy to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Mullenix to a 17-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Mullenix, a Sureno criminal street gang member, had been released back to Spokane from Washington State prison after serving a term of incarceration for a conviction for Attempted First Degree Assault. The prior conviction arose from an incident where Mullenix shot an individual he believed to be a police informant during a drug deal. After being released from state prison, and while on state court supervision, Mullenix chose to re-engage in significant heroin and methamphetamine trafficking with other Sureno gang members. In sentencing Mullenix, Judge Rice noted Mullenix’s lengthy history of committing violence in the community, which included multiple previous serious assault and drug trafficking convictions.
United States Attorney Hyslop said “This case is a prime example why the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington continues to prioritize prosecution of gang-related drug trafficking. I commend the outstanding work of the law enforcement officers with the Spokane Police Department, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the removal of a recidivist drug trafficker from our community.”
Spokane Police Department Captain Brad Arleth stated that “The Spokane Police Department Investigative Division would like to thank our federal partners for the hard work they put in to the investigation and prosecution of this case. We will continue to work together to reduce the flow of drugs and the violence associated with their distribution, to make our community safer.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Spokane Police Department, and the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. This case was prosecuted by Caitlin Baunsgard, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Street Gang Member Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that David Navarrete, age 25, of Prosser, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on March 21, 2019, to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Lonny R. Suko sentenced Navarrete to a 96-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Navarrete, a Bell Garden Locos street gang member, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by a Prosser Police Department officer. The driver was arrested for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. During the traffic stop, officers observed Navarrete making furtive movements in the center console area of the vehicle. After obtaining a warrant to search the truck, officers found a plastic bag containing over 200 grams of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment in the center console. The plastic bag was submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crime Laboratory for analysis. The FBI determined the plastic bag contained traces of Navarrete’s DNA.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Prosser Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Yakima Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Prosser Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Overdose Death from Fentanyl-Laced Pills Sends Drug Dealer to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Hector Medina, age 37, of Kennewick, Washington, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl resulting in the Death of another person. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Medina to a 15-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Medina was distributing Fentanyl-laced pills, commonly referred to as “Fake Oxy’s” or “Mexi-pills,” and other illegal narcotics into the local community. Fentanyl-laced pills are illegally manufactured most commonly in Mexico and have found their way into this community and others in devastating numbers. Fentanyl is a 100 times more potent than morphine and hundreds of times more potent than street-level Heroin. Through an investigation by the Kennewick Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets FBI Task Force, Medina was confirmed to be the source of supply for the Fentanyl-laced pills that were distributed to a father of two small children who subsequently overdosed and died on October 26, 2017. The investigation into Medina culminated with a federal indictment and arrest in May 2018. Judge Mendoza commented about Medina’s direct role in poisoning the local community and in this case, directly causing the victim’s death. Noting there were no words of comfort that could be provided to the victim’s family, Judge Mendoza advised Medina his sole job now was to atone for his conduct.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The sentence imposed today is a stern warning to individuals who may distribute Fentanyl-laced pills. Prosecuting Opioid/Fentanyl-related cases, particularly one where an overdose occurred, is a top priority for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Fentanyl-laced pills are a dangerous threat to our community and a major contributing factor to the opioid epidemic, an epidemic that has taken approximately 70,000 lives in recent years. The successful outcome of this case was a direct result of the exceptional cooperation between the FBI and its local counterparts.”
Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes.
This OCDETF investigation was conducted the Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force, which is compromised of the FBI, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Kennewick Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pasco Police Department and Washington Department of Corrections were the lead investigative agency in this matter after referral from the Kennewick Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Two Spokane Men Sentenced for Their Roles in Unlawfully Distributing OpioidsRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Dr. James Stein-Sheridan Shelby, age 50, of Spokane, Washington, and Timothy James Felch, age 36, also of Spokane, Washington, were sentenced after having pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute opioid pain medications, hydrocodone and tramadol, without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Dr. Shelby also pleaded guilty to three separate counts of distributing hydrocodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Senior United States District Judge Lonny R. Suko sentenced Shelby to a 15-month term of home confinement, to be followed by a three-year term of probation. Shelby also surrendered his DEA Certificate of Registration and is no longer authorized to prescribe controlled substances. Senior United States District Judge Lonny R. Suko sentenced Felch to a 13-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision.
According to court documents and information disclosed during the court proceedings, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Tactical Diversion Squad, and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), initiated a criminal investigation of Dr. Shelby, a dentist, after receiving information that he was distributing hydrocodone and tramadol, without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice to an individual identified as M.B. In April 2018, DEA and HHS OIG executed a warrant to search Shelby’s clinic, Indian Trail Dental Care. When interviewed by federal agents, Shelby immediately indicated he knew DEA agents were at his clinic because of his prescribing to M.B. Shelby stated he initially performed extensive dental work on M.B. and prescribed her hydrocodone when she complained of pain in the lower left side of her jaw with a lump. Shelby stated that he eventually became involved in an inappropriate relationship with M.B. and she became addicted to hydrocodone. Shelby also stated that it had been several years since M.B. had been a regular patient and he was ultimately responsible for the prescriptions. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Shelby used Felch and others by issuing numerous prescriptions in Felch’s name and in the names of others as a mechanism to provide M.B. with additional amounts of hydrocodone and tramadol.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The sentence imposed today holds Dr. Shelby and Mr. Felch accountable for illegally prescribing and distributing opioids. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting medical professionals who may prescribe pain medications to individuals for no legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. I commend the DEA and HHS-OIG agents who investigated this case.”
This investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Sinaloa Cartel Associate Sentenced to 10 Year Prison Term for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jose Luis Muniz, age 38, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and five kilograms of cocaine. Senior United States District Judge Wm Fremming Nielsen sentenced Muniz to a 135-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Muniz was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Muniz was a member of the Bueno Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), a part of the Sinaloa cartel. On behalf of the DTO, beginning in 2014 Muniz distributed large quantities of cocaine and kept track of the organization’s drug shipments and cash drug proceeds that were collected and returned to German Bueno, the DTO’s leader, in Sinaloa, Mexico. During the investigation, several ledgers were seized from Muniz’s residence and documented monthly narcotic shipments in excess of 100 pounds and the cash value for each shipment. In 2016, Bueno was murdered in Mexico. During sentencing, Senior Judge Nielsen commented about Muniz’s aggravated role in the DTO. Judge Nielsen further noted that Muniz had a stable source of legitimate employment but instead chose to align himself with a dangerous DTO responsible for importing, transporting, and distributing significant quantities of narcotics into the Eastern District of Washington.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity. I commend the law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Spokane Police Department, and Oregon State Patrol, who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. ”
Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was investigated by the Tri-Cities Resident Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Spokane Resident Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Spokane Police Department, and the Oregon State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter and Richard Barker, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
William D. Hyslop Assumes Office as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of WashingtonRead the Press Release
Today, William D. Hyslop was sworn-in as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. William Hyslop was nominated by President Donald Trump in May 2019 and confirmed by the United States Senate on June 27, 2019.
Bill Hyslop joined Lukins & Annis, P.S. in 1980, and became a Principal in the firm in 1984. He served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington from 1991-1993. He rejoined Lukins & Annis, P.S. in 1993, and has been serving as Principal in the firm in its Litigation Department. He has also served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Bill Hyslop graduated from Washington State University in 1973, received a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington in 1977, and earned his Law Degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 1980.
He is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, for the Western District of Washington, and for the District of Idaho; in the Ninth Circuit for the U.S. Court of Appeals; and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also admitted to practice in the state courts in Washington and Idaho. In addition, he has been active in a number of professional and civic roles, and has received honors including:
President, Washington State Bar Association, 2015 – 2016
Washington State Bar Association President’s Award, 2006
Member, Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar Association Lawyer Representative, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference
President, Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington
Trustee, Legal Foundation of Washington
President, Spokane County Bar Association
Spokane County Bar Association Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award, 2008
Co-Chair, Washington State Bar Association Committee on Public Defense
Washington Supreme Court Task Force on Equal Justice Funding
Vice Chair, City of Spokane Use of Force Commission
Associated Builders & Contractors Chair of Inland Pacific Chapter
Associated General Contractors, Inland Northwest Chapter, Director
President, Washington State University Alumni Association
Washington State University Alumni Achievement Award, 2002
Washington State University President’s Award for Leadership and Service, 2001
Co-Chair of Citizens for Spokane’s Schools and successful Bond Issue
Campaigns to Construct New Schools
Co-Chair of Community Campaign for Construction of Spokane’s New Veteran’s
Memorial Arena
Assistant Scoutmaster and Trooper Committee Chair, Boy Scouts of America
Board Member, Morning Star Boys’ Ranch
President, Morning Star Boys’ Ranch Foundation
Member, Rotary Club of Spokane
United States Attorney, William D. Hyslop said, “It is with great honor and humility that I assume this office for a second term. I look forward to supporting our justice system, working with law enforcement at all levels, and to maintaining and preserving the fine reputation this office has for upholding the law and administering equal justice for all.”
ATF, DEA and U.S. Border Patrol operation leads to arrest of 15 people involved in methamphetamine & heroin drug trafficking in Eastern WashingtonRead the Press Release
SPOKANE, Wash. – Early this morning, the Bureau Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) led a large-scale enforcement action targeting a methamphetamine and heroin drug trafficking organization with ties to a Washington State based street gang identified as the Eastside Familia Norteno (ESF). Over 300 law enforcement officials, including federal agents and state and local officers executed 19 federal search warrants located in Grant, Yakima and Adams Counties.
On July 10, 2019, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Washington returned an indictment charging 16 individuals for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. The lead defendants in this case are Luis Manuel Farias-Carendas, 40, of Moses Lake, and Joshua Isaac Stine, 34, of Ephrata, who are accused of being the leaders of the drug trafficking conspiracy. Both were taken into custody today. Twelve others named in the indictment are also in custody pending an initial appearance in federal court in Spokane, Washington. They are:
Patrick Elliot Pearson, 47, of Moses Lake
Cristian Misael Gomez, 23, of Grant County
Luis Manuel Ramirez, 25, of Moses Lake
Zacarias Martinez-Garza, 23 of Moses Lake
Mariano Ruiz-Balderas, 19, of Moses Lake
Jesse Leon Manion Jr., 55, of Moses Lake
Heather Elaine Keating, 41, of Moses Lake
Leonel Caballero, 62, of Warden
Forrest Walker Herzog, 34, of Moses Lake
Amy Jo Dygert, 33, of Moses Lake
Michael Edward McLaughlin, 59, of Ephrata
Jesus Valenica-Morfin , 31, of Yakima
One additional person, Tomas Gomez, 49, of Los Angeles, Calif., was also arrested during the operation and charged by federal complaint.
The 15 individuals were arrested in the following cities: 11 in Moses Lake, one in Ephrata, two in Yakima, and one in Warden. At this time, agents and officers have seized pound quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, over 50 firearms and U.S. currency.
This investigation is a continuation of law enforcement efforts in December 2017, which focused on violent drug traffickers who were operating in Grant County. The earlier investigation resulted in 24 individuals who have pled guilty in federal court and eight pounds of methamphetamine, 10 vehicles, $25,000 and more than 80 firearms were seized.
The following agencies provided significant assistance for today’s enforcement action: ATF, DEA, USBP, United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Moses Lake Police Department, Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, Washington State Patrol, Idaho State Police, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Law Enforcement Against Drugs, Yakima Police Department, Columbia River Drug Task Force, North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force, Warden Police Department, Ephrata Police Department and Quincy Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Caitlin Baunsgard, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
An Indictment Contains Mere Allegations That an Individual Has Committed a Crime. Every Individual Is Presumed Innocent Until and Unless Proven Guilty Beyond a Reasonable Doubt in a Court of Law.
PIO Contacts:
U.S. Attorney’s Office Spokane – George Jacobs, Assistant United States Attorney, (509) 353-2767
DEA Seattle – Jodie Underwood (206) 553-1162 / (206)571-1996
ATF Seattle – Jason Chudy (206) 573-7493
USBP Spokane – Bill Kingsford (509) 468-3808
30 Year Prison Term for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Dale Gordon Black, age 63, of Kennewick, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on December 18, 2018, to three counts of Production of Child Pornography. Senior United States District Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Black to a 30-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. The court ordered Black to forfeit $185,900 in cash and his Subaru Legacy, and to pay $305,000 in fines, $5,000 of which was imposed under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on July 18, 2017, undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation agents downloaded a child pornography video from an Internet Protocol address that resolved to Black's residence using a peer-to-peer file sharing program.
Investigators obtained a search warrant and seized many electronic devices from Black’s residence. A forensic examination of Black’s electronic devices revealed child pornography images that he had produced. The images were of three children Black knew either as neighbors or through his work in a local youth mentoring program. Black produced the images at his house and on overnight trips he took alone with the children.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “Prosecuting those who would produce pornographic images of vulnerable minors is a priority of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. The sentence imposed in this case serves as a stern warning to offenders that you will be held accountable for your actions. I commend the dedicated work of the federal, state and local law enforcement officers who investigated this case.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
· Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Southeast Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Richland Police Department and Kennewick Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Alison L. Gregoire, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Ten Year Prison Term Imposed for a Fentanyl DistributorRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Taylor Fertig, age 24, of Kennewick, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 400 grams or more of Fentanyl. Senior United States District Judge Edward Shea imposed a 10-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after release from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Fertig was identified as one of the first major distributors of Fentanyl-laced pills that are unlawfully made to appear to be prescription oxycodone medication. Fentanyl, an extremely potent opioid, is largely responsible for the marked increase in drug overdoses and deaths in this District. As Judge Shea noted during the sentencing hearing, Fentanyl is the most dangerous and insidious drug facing our community today and, based upon the quantity of pills being sold by Fertig and his negative impact on this community, in combination with his possession of multiple firearms, a ten year sentence was appropriate.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will aggressively prosecute cases involving fentanyl distribution, and the sentence imposed in this case demonstrates that fentanyl dealers will be held accountable for their illegal conduct. I commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis was pleased with the sentencing further adding that “Opioid abuse is spreading like wildfire devastating our communities and we will aggressively pursue those most responsible for fueling the flames.”
Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Eastern District of Washington Assistant U.S. AttorneysRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Alison Gregoire and Thomas Hanlon of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington were among 172 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 35th Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.
The Eastern District of Washington was one of 31 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In his prepared remarks, Deputy Attorney General Rosen addressed the recipients and guests, saying, “Today’s honorees have earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, you have earned the gratitude of your fellow citizens — whose communities you have made safer, whose lives you have improved, and whose trust you have rewarded.”
In his remarks, EOUSA Director James Crowell told the recipients, “The Department of Justice is in truth a deployed force. Your work isn’t easy, but it is vital to the functioning and enduring nature of our democracy. As federal prosecutors, we are held to a higher standard, a standard that requires us to ensure that we uphold the rule of law and the fundamental rules of fairness in every trial, every settlement, every plea, and every legal argument in which we are involved.”
United States Attorney Joseph H. Harrington stated, “Ms. Gregoire and Mr. Hanlon are career prosecutors who have dedicated their professional lives to making our community safer. Their work shows that they uphold the highest standards of the Department of Justice.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Alison Gregoire and Thomas Hanlon were recognized for their dedication to making Indian Country a priority in the Eastern District of Washington. Serving four different tribes, Ms. Gregoire and Mr. Hanlon have prosecuted challenging cases with unparalleled dedication and excellence. Through their dedicated service to Indian Country, they have built lasting, productive partnerships and exceeded expectations in establishing credibility of federal investigations and prosecutions in Indian Country.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
Consultant Agrees to Pay $751,571 to Settle False Claims Act Liability for Alleged Falsification of Snap Quality Control DataRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON -- Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington announced that Julie Osnes and her company, Julie Osnes Consulting LLC (together “Osnes”), of Pierre, South Dakota, agreed to pay the United States $751,571 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by causing states to submit false quality control data for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Until 2008, SNAP was known as the food stamp program. Under SNAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides eligible low-income individuals and families with financial assistance to buy nutritious food. Since 2010, SNAP has served on average more than 45 million Americans per month, and provided more than $71 billion annually. Although the federal government funds SNAP benefits, it relies on the states to determine whether applicants are eligible for benefits, to administer those benefits, and to perform quality control to ensure that eligibility decisions are accurate. The USDA requires that the states’ quality control processes ensure that benefits are correctly awarded, are free from bias, and accurately report states’ error rates in making eligibility decisions.
Between 2008 and 2013, Osnes provided consulting services and advice regarding SNAP quality control to various states. The USDA reimburses states for half of their administrative and quality control expenses in administering SNAP, including costs of consultants like Osnes. The USDA also pays performance bonuses to states that report the lowest and the most improved error rates each year, and can impose monetary sanctions on states with high error rates that do not show improvement.
The settlement resolves allegations that Osnes’ advice and recommendations improperly biased the SNAP quality control processes of the states with which Osnes consulted, in violation of USDA rules. Specifically, the United States alleged that between 2008 and 2013, pursuant to Osnes’ recommendations and advice, certain states manipulated and biased the quality control process to falsely reduce their error rate, resulting in the states receiving bonuses to which they were not entitled based on the false and biased quality control information.
Thus far, the United States has reached settlements with three of the states at issue, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Alaska, resulting in recoveries collectively of more than $17 million.
United States Attorney Harrington said: “I am deeply troubled that these actions involved state agencies and a program designed to provide vulnerable and needy residents with essential food and nutrition services in Washington State and across the nation. This office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that each individual and organization that manipulated and defrauded SNAP in this manner is held fully accountable.”
“SNAP provides vital assistance to needy families,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “This settlement demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that taxpayer funds are properly spent so that the public can have confidence in the integrity of important programs like SNAP.”
“We appreciate the commitment and investigative assistance provided by our partners at the Department of Justice’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office throughout this important investigation,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG). “We also wish to note the technical assistance provided by our colleagues in the Office of Audit at OIG, as well as concerns relayed by the employees of multiple states and others who alleged that the integrity of the SNAP quality control process was weakened by third-party consultants. These concerned individuals reported that cases were not being treated in a consistent manner, and that certain advice from consultants resulted in identified errors being diminished rather than used to improve eligibility determinations. This settlement is particularly significant due to the message it relays to those contractors and consultants whose business relationships impact Government programs, and advice and actions ultimately result in the misrepresentation of facts to Federal authorities and fraud in programs meant to benefit those in need.”
The settlement was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the USDA Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, and the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch. The investigation arose out of a nationwide audit of SNAP QC processes by the USDA-OIG. The investigation for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene. The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
41 Month Prison Term Imposed for a Stabbing That Resulted in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Josiah Jacob Arquette, age 20, of Toppenish, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on September 11, 2018, to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Arquette to a 41-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Mendoza imposed restitution in the amount of $256.35.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on March 17, 2018, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Arquette approached a home in Toppenish and rang the doorbell. A resident of the home answered the door. Arquette asked about a missing dog, but the resident said he was unable to help. Arquette then pushed the door completely open and used a knife to stab the resident in the abdomen and in the hand. Arquette fled the residence and stole a truck located nearby. Arquette led police on a high speed chase for twelve miles. Law enforcement personnel were ultimately able to use spike strips to puncture the truck tires, resulting in Arquette crashing into a field where he was arrested.
United States Attorney Joseph H. Harrington stated: “I commend the Yakama Nation Police Department, Zillah, Granger, and Sunnyside Police Departments, the Washington State Patrol, and the FBI for their commitment to attacking and reducing violent crime. This successful prosecution is yet another example of the superb work that can be accomplished when tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement officers work in partnership investigating violent crimes occurring within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Reservation. Each of these law enforcement agencies demonstrate their dedication to public safety day in and day out.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, Granger Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Yakama Nation Police Department, Zillah Police Department, and Sunnyside Police Department conducted the investigation of this matter. The case was prosecuted by Benjamin D. Seal, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
10 Year Prison Term for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Michael Leavitt, age 54 of Warden, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on March 14, 2019, to receipt of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Leavitt to a 10-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice imposed restitution in the amount of $3,000 for one of the child pornography victims whose picture Leavitt had in his collection. Chief Judge Rice also required Leavitt to register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison sentence.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Leavitt received over 600 images of child pornography via the internet. The images were discovered on his digital devices, which were searched pursuant to federal search warrants. The investigation began when a 9-year-old student reported to authorities that Leavitt attempted to take photographs under her skirt while he was substitute teaching in her class at Warden Elementary. Investigators discovered Leavitt possessed numerous images of other students. During an interview with law enforcement, Leavitt admitted he had taken pictures of the students without their knowledge.
Chief Judge Rice noted that the lives of the child victims depicted in child pornography images will never be the same and Leavitt was not the type of child pornography defendant who only acted alone in front of a computer without access to children. The Court ruled that Leavitt’s attempted interactions with young children merited a more serious sentence, and his conduct was very close to the kinds of child exploitation conduct that often merits a life sentence.
U.S. Attorney Harrington said, “This case sends a strong message that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners are firmly committed to protecting the public from individuals with a sexual interest in children who receive and collect child pornography. The United States Attorney’s Office commends the law enforcement officers with the Warden Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated this case. Their partnership during the investigation resulted in the successful outcome of this case.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
· Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Warden Police Department. This case was prosecuted by David M. Herzog, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Richland Husband and Wife and Their Trucking Companies Plead Guilty to Renewable Energy FraudRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Hector M. Garza, Jr., age 48, his wife, Tammy L. Garza, age 37, of Richland Washington, and their companies, HTG Trucking, LLC, and Freedom Fuel, Inc., pled guilty to fraud and false statement charges in connection with a renewable energy fraud scheme.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, Hector Garza, HTG Trucking, and Freedom Fuel were participants in a conspiracy involving Gen-X Energy Group, Inc. (Gen-X), a renewable energy company formerly located in Pasco and Moses Lake, Washington. Between January 2013 and April 2013, Hector Garza and his co-conspirators falsely claimed the production of hundreds of thousands of marketable renewable energy credits, which they then sold for more than $296,000, and filed false claims with the IRS for $284,546 in excise credit refunds. Throughout this period, much of the renewable fuel claimed to be produced at the Gen-X facilities was either not produced or re-processed multiple times. Hector Garza, HTG Trucking, and Freedom Fuel pled guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States with respect to the false claims made upon the IRS, through the use of the trucking companies, which were used to “round” supposed renewable fuel by driving the same material back and forth between Gen-X’s Moses Lake facility and the Garzas’ businesses in Othello, Washington, and generating fraudulent renewable energy credits and tax credits each time the material was “rounded.” Tammy Garza pled guilty to aiding and abetting the use of false statements in connection with the renewable energy credits that were claimed and sold as part of the scheme, a separate offense.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “Defrauding the public by scamming renewable energy incentive programs will not be tolerated. I commend the tenacious and thorough efforts of investigators from IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute fraud and other white collar crimes in the Eastern District of Washington."
A number of other conspirators have previously pled guilty and been sentenced in connection with their role in the fraud. In June 2017, Scott Johnson, the former CEO of Gen-X, was sentenced to a 97-month term of imprisonment in connection with his role in the fraud scheme. Most recently, in June 2018, Jin Chul “Jacob” Cha of Tustin, California, was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment in connection with his role in the fraud.
“The United States tax system is designed to provide vital government services to American citizens. It is not a slush fund for fraudsters,” said Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Carrie Nordyke of IRS Criminal Investigation. “The IRS will continue to work with federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute scammers like Hector and Tammy Garza who illegally claim thousands in tax credits for personal financial gain.”
The guilty pleas were accepted by United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. The conspiracy offense to which Hector Garza pled guilty carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, while the false statement charge to which Tammy Garza pled guilty has a maximum imprisonment term of 2 years. Each corporation faces a maximum fine of $500,000, or of double the loss to the victim or the gain to the defendant, whichever is greater. All four defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on October 17, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in Richland, Washington.
This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division.
The case was prosecuted by Dan Fruchter, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington; Karla G. Perrin, EPA Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel and Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington; and Jennifer Leigh Blackwell, Senior Trial Attorney, Environmental Crimes Section, United States Department of Justice.
Pasco Man Sentenced to over 22 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Rosalio Emmanuel Sanchez, age 33, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced today after having been convicted after a 5-day jury trial in March 2019, of one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and five kilograms of cocaine and one count of distributing 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Wm Fremming Nielsen sentenced Sanchez to two concurrent 270-month terms of imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Senior Judge Nielsen also imposed an additional 27-month term of imprisonment to run consecutive to the 270-months, after finding that Sanchez violated court supervision stemming from a previous drug conviction.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Sanchez was a member of the Bueno Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), a part of the Sinaloa cartel. After being released from federal prison in late 2015, Sanchez began distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in the Spokane Washington area for the Bueno DTO. During the investigation, DEA seized over 50 pounds of methamphetamine and 25 kilograms of cocaine. During sentencing, Senior Judge Nielsen concluded the Bueno DTO was responsible for importing, transporting, and distributing hundreds of pounds of narcotics into the Eastern District of Washington.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Spokane Police Department, and Oregon State Patrol, who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity.”
Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was investigated by the Tri-Cities Resident Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Spokane Resident Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Spokane Police Department, and the Oregon State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter and Richard Barker, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Wilbur Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Cyberstalking and Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Thomas Martin Roberts, age 52, of Wilbur, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 12, 2018, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possessing an unregistered firearm and cyberstalking. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Roberts to a 137-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on April 19, 2015, the Wilbur Police Department (WPD) was notified that a woman discovered two GPS tracking devices on her two vehicles and that Roberts always seemed to know where she was. The female had multiple domestic violence no contact orders against Roberts and was scheduled to appear in court on April 20, 2015, to testify that Roberts had violated one of the no contact orders. On April 20, 2015, WPD removed one of the GPS devices from the female’s vehicle and placed the device in the WPD station. Later that evening or in the early morning hours the next day, the police station was burglarized and the GPS device and a Taser were stolen. WPD also received information that in the early morning hours of April 21, 2015, an individual wearing a hoodie sweatshirt removed the GPS tracking device from the second vehicle parked outside the female’s residence. After obtaining a state warrant to search Roberts’ residence, investigators found and seized a Winchester, model 70, .270 caliber rifle, .223 caliber AR magazines, and multiple rounds of ammunition. Roberts had prior convictions for second degree assault, harassment-threat to kill, residential burglary, and first degree burglary and was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition. After learning that Roberts also had a room at another residence, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) obtained a warrant to search that location, finding and seizing a sawed-off shotgun and nine other firearms, 5,500 rounds of ammunition, and evidence that Roberts had purchased two portable GPS tracking devices in 2014. Further investigation revealed that Roberts had been tracking the female’s vehicles and had sent her text messages indicating he knew where she was.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “This case sends a clear message that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners are firmly committed to protecting the public and aggressively pursuing individuals who engage in cyberstalking and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. I commend the law enforcement officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and Wilbur Police Department who investigated this case.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and Wilbur Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Earl A. Hicks, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Moses Lake Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Loren John Jay Meade, age 32, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on October 2, 2018, to conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of actual methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Meade to a 12 year and four month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Meade conspired with Michael John Montejano, age 28, also of Moses Lake, Washington, to distribute methamphetamine in Moses Lake. For his role in the conspiracy, Montejano was sentenced on April 9, 2019, to a seven year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “Methamphetamine is a highly dangerous and addictive drug and federal law enforcement is committed to investigating and prosecuting those responsible for its distribution anywhere in the Eastern District of Washington. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who investigated this case. The sentences imposed in this case by the court removes two drug traffickers from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to distribute methamphetamine in our communities.”
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by James A. Goeke, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
U.S. Attorney Harrington Recognizes Law Enforcement Service and Sacrifice During National Police WeekRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.
In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
United States Attorney Harrington said “During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe. As the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks. We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation.”
According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers nationwide were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018. The names of all 106 fallen officers will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019. The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.
Spokane previously hosted two events to honor law enforcement officers in the State of Washington who were killed or died in the line of duty last week: the Annual Candlelight Ceremony (held on Monday, May 6th) and the 32nd Annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony (held on Tuesday, May 7th).
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit: www.policeweek.org