Western District of Washington
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Bellingham, Washington man sentenced to eight years in prison for dealing fentanyl while carrying firearmsRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 42-year-old Bellingham, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to eight years in prison for drug distribution and illegal firearms possession announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Adam Wisniewski is the fifth and final defendant to be sentenced in a case involving fentanyl distribution in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Wisniewski pleaded guilty in February 2024 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and two counts of illegally possessing firearms.
At today’s sentencing hearing Judge Lauren King noted Wisniewski’s criminal history saying, his life “had been somewhat of a revolving door of offenses and imprisonment.” Judge King recommended the Bureau of Prisons residential drug treatment program for Wisniewski to treat his addiction.
In April 2022, investigators initially saw drug ring leader Enoc Martinez Lopez, aka “Victor,” 28, of Marysville, Washington, meeting with Wisniewski, at the Silver Reef Casino in Whatcom County. Wisniewski was later arrested with more than 1,000 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder and a firearm. Wisniewski was arrested a second time in June 2022 with two firearms and more fentanyl pills.
In the course of the investigation law enforcement seized: 11.5 kilos of fentanyl pills, 2.8 kilos of fentanyl powder, 5.7 kilos of cocaine, 1.6 kilos of heroin and 8.7 kilos of crystal meth, more than $186,000 in cash and nine firearms.
In asking for an eight-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs wrote to the court, “Of particular concern is Wisniewski’s possession of firearms. After being caught by law enforcement with a gun, Wisniewski rearmed himself and – two months later – was in possession of two more firearms. As the Probation Officer notes, the combination of drugs and guns is especially deadly and Wisniewski’s persistence in possessing firearms is extremely concerning.”
The leader of the drug ring, Enoc Martinez Lopez, was sentenced to eight years in prison; Casey Landis, 41, of Bellingham, a drug distributor, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Drug distributor Jesse Witteveen was sentenced to six years in prison; drug trafficking associate Anthony Gunderson was sentenced to 41 months in prison.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bellingham Resident Office (DEA), working with the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, the CBP Air & Marine Operations, the Lummi Police Department, the Everson Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs.
Olympia, Washington, resident pleads guilty to threatening federal worker and agrees to hate-crime enhancementRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 42-year-old Thurston County resident pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to making a threat against a Black federal employee at the Social Security office in Olympia, Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Steven L. Veres was initially charged in July 2023, and will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on June 25, 2024.
According to records filed in the case, on February 16, 2023, Veres and a companion went to the Olympia Social Security Office seeking a replacement Social Security card. When a Black Social Security employee told Veres that Veres lacked the proper paperwork to obtain a new Social Security card, Veres became irate, threatening to assault and, per some witnesses, kill the worker. Veres also repeatedly yelled racial slurs at the employee.
Veres pleaded guilty to Influencing a Federal Official by Threat. He also agreed to the application of the United States Sentencing Guidelines’ hate-crimes enhancement, which increases his offense level by three levels because he targeted the victim because of the victim’s perceived race or color.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, both sides will ask for a sentence of 30 months in prison. If the court accepts the plea agreement at the sentencing hearing, the recommendation will bind the Court.
As part of the plea agreement, Grays Harbor County will dismiss an unrelated prosecution against Veres for attempting to elude a police officer.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Protective Service.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Will Dreher, Jocelyn Cooney, and Elyne Vaught in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
Bellevue, Washington man sentenced to 6+ years in prison for third federal conviction for drug and gun crimesRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 52-year-old Bellevue, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 77 months in prison for drug trafficking while illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sanxay Heng Xayadeth was arrested September 6, 2023, after he sold drugs to a person working with law enforcement. Police searched his home and car that day and found dealer quantities of fentanyl pills, powder, and chunks, as well as cocaine. A Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol was found in his bedroom along with body armor. Xayadeth is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior convictions.
At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said Mr. Xayadeth “has made a career out of selling poison. Fentanyl is causing one to two deaths a day in King County…. He demonstrates an indifference to the harm he does in the community.” Looking at Xayadeth’s long criminal history Judge Robart concluded, “Since age 21 it’s been a complete campaign of criminal conduct inflicted on the public.”
According to records filed in the case, since the age of 21, Xayadeth has served more than 23 years in prison. His first federal conviction was in 2005, for setting up an MDMA drug deal while armed with a 9 mm handgun. He had more drugs and multiple firearms at his residence and was sentenced to 10+ years in prison. In 2015, less than a year after being released from federal prison he was arrested with a stolen firearm and was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison.
In the current case, Xayadeth had been on supervised release for just over a year when he was identified as a significant drug dealer in King County. Following this prison term Xayadeth will be on four years of supervised release.
Xayadeth pleaded guilty in January 2024.
In asking for a sentence of more than six years in prison, Assistant United States Attorney Erika Evans noted the deadly toll of fentanyl on our community. “In 2023, the King County Medical Examiner’s office reported 1,091 confirmed overdose deaths related to fentanyl. In the first two and a half months of 2024 alone, there have been approximately 222 fentanyl-related deaths in King County. Fentanyl is estimated to be fifty times stronger than heroin. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl can kill. In 2023, the year Xayadeth committed his drug trafficking crimes, the King County Medical Examiner’s office said it struggled to store bodies partly due to the rise in fentanyl overdoses.”
The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erika Evans.
Santa Monica, California man sentenced to 5 years in prison for organized retail theft scheme spanning 23 statesRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 27-year-old Santa Monica, California man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to five years in prison for his organized retail theft scheme that caused more than $664,000 in damage, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jaylan Amir Thomas was arrested in May 2023. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud on December 5, 2023. At his sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said Thomas “persisted in this crime spree after being arrested and charged in multiple jurisdictions.”
“Mr. Thomas recruited others to his criminal scheme, and thus altered the trajectory of their lives with criminal charges in various states,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Despite advantages such as a stable home and college studies, Mr. Thomas chose fraud as his path and in the process created higher prices for consumers everywhere.”
According to records in the case, from March 2022, Thomas led a group that traveled the U.S., stopping at home improvement stores and renting two types of expensive construction equipment: jumping jack tampers and vibratory plate compactors valued between $1,500 and $2,000 each. Thomas used more than 150 fake IDs and dozens of fake telephone numbers to trick the stores into renting him the equipment. For each rental, he signed an agreement promising to return the machine on a specific date or pay a mounting fine. He acknowledged with each rental that failure to return the machine could lead to prosecution. Thomas paid small rental deposits with one of nine common debit cards, but he and a co-conspirator locked the accounts to prevent the stores from charging the card for the equipment. Thomas and others transported stolen goods in rental vans. He then sold the equipment on online marketplaces for about $700 per machine.
In all, Thomas and his crew stole more than 480 pieces of equipment from 190 home improvement stores in 23 states.
Thomas was ordered to pay $664,161.50 in restitution to the victim home improvement store.
Thomas was arrested four times in three different jurisdictions in relation to the scheme, but it did not deter him. He would bail out of jail and continue the fraud.
The group stole multiple items of equipment from stores in Federal Way, Tacoma, Vancouver, Covington, Longview, Bothell, Everett, Redmond, and Seattle.
Asking for a 51-month prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Watts Staniar wrote to the court, “Organized retail crime like Thomas’ thefts has a significant impact on our communities: An analysis from the Retail Industry Leaders Association estimates Washington retailers lost $2.7 billion to organized retail crime in 2021. Forbes Advisor ranked Washington as the number one state impacted by organized retail theft based on six metrics. Organized retail crime raises costs for consumers and threatens the safety of stores and employees.”
Judge Martinez noted that organized retail theft has been on the rise since the pandemic and costs U.S. residents some $30 billion a year.
“Mr. Thomas's multi-state retail theft scheme not only resulted in substantial financial losses for retailers but also highlighted the complex and widespread nature of organized retail crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “This orchestrated fraud operation, underscores the critical need for collaborative efforts, including robust public-private partnerships, to combat such threats effectively. Homeland Security Investigations played a pivotal role in unraveling this intricate network, emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts between government agencies and private businesses in safeguarding communities from the pervasive impact of organized crime.”
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Watts Staniar.
Bellingham, Washington drug dealer sentenced to ten years in prison for distributing fentanyl while possessing firearmsRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 39-year-old Bellingham, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison for drug distribution and firearm crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Daniel Faix was arrested in April 2023, and pleaded guilty in January to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of firearms, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones said, “You were caught and charged, and returned to dealing drugs.”
“When Mr. Faix encountered law enforcement in late December 2022, he was carrying thousands of fentanyl pills, and drug proceeds,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “But one arrest didn’t stop him, and four months later a search of his RV home turned up thousands more pills and four guns he kept to protect his drug business. Spreading such poison in our community while illegally
possessing guns, and the defendant’s extensive criminal history, merits a ten-year-prison term.”
According to records filed in the case, Faix was one of six people charged federally in a months-long investigation of fentanyl dealing in Whatcom County. The ring was actively moving fentanyl from the Seattle area to redistributors in Bellingham. Law enforcement officers observed various drug transactions and interdicted the drug loads. In one instance, law enforcement was called to a mini-mart where two people involved with the drug ring overdosed on fentanyl and had to be revived and transported to the hospital.
In asking Judge Jones to impose the ten-year-sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs wrote to the court, “The Court is certainly aware of the dangers that these drugs – particularly fentanyl – pose to those who use them. And Faix must be aware of the harm caused by these drugs as his own life has been consumed and upended by drug use. Ultimately, Faix – for whatever reason – was willing to personally profit from the distribution of an addictive and often deadly controlled substance.”
One other member of the drug ring has been sentenced: 33-year-old Ahbdurman Ahmed of Seattle was sentenced in January 2024 to six years in prison. On Wednesday, defendant Natasha Parkhill, 38, of Bellingham, pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing in July. Defendant Mohamed Abdirisak Mohamed, 35, of Seattle pleaded guilty in January and is scheduled for sentencing in June. Defendant Matthew Anderson, 35, of Bellingham, is scheduled for trial in July. Defendant Robel Sisay Gebremedhin, A/K/A Robel Sisay Gebremedhui, 41, of Burien, WA is being sought by law enforcement.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .
This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, with valuable assistance provided by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs.
Woman who embezzled nearly $400,000 from Renton, Washington company sentenced to 10-month prison termRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 32–year-old Des Moines, Washington woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 10 months in prison for her scheme to steal nearly $400,000 from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Trixie Dela Cruz was employed by a Renton, Washington company that administers employee benefits for employers nationwide. Within six months of her hiring and immediately after she had been promoted, Dela Cruz began her embezzlement scheme. Judge Lauren King sentenced Dela Cruz to three years of supervised release to follow the prison term, saying Dela Cruz had “abused the trust” of her employer with a scheme that “involved planning and continuous affirmative conduct.”
According to records filed in the case, Dela Cruz was hired by the company in October 202o and in March 2021, was promoted to Account Associate. In that role, she managed client accounts and approved claims for benefits. Using her access, she created a duplicate account for a deceased employee of one of the clients. She connected the profile to her own bank account and then submitted and approved 58 fraudulent claims totaling $397,942. Dela Cruz would activate the profile for the fraudulent claim and then deactivate it so no record would show up for her company.
In January 2022, the company discovered the fraud and dismissed Dela Cruz. The company reimbursed the client for the fraudulent claims. Forensic analysis indicated Dela Cruz spent the money on gambling, cash application transfers to family and friends, and to pay for jewelry, travel, car payments and other shopping.
Judge King ordered full restitution to Dela Cruz former employer and its insurance company, which paid the bulk of the company’s losses.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Jensen.
Member of Skagit and Whatcom drug distribution ring sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 38-year-old resident of Maple Falls, Washington was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to six years in prison for his role in distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jesse Witteveen was arrested November 1, 2022, when he fled at high speeds from law enforcement, tossing bags of drugs from the car. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Lauren King said, “Knowing what drugs have done to your life, you chose to perpetuate the cycle of drug addiction in others.”
According to records filed in the case, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bellingham Resident Office (DEA), working with the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force identified a drug trafficking organization spreading large amounts of fentanyl and meth in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Beginning in April 2022, law enforcement monitored various members of the drug conspiracy as they conducted their drug sales.
On November 1, 2022, law enforcement was surveilling Witteveen as he met with a drug supplier. They followed Witteveen, but since he was driving at a high rate of speed, surveillance was ended. A short time later, Whatcom County Sheriff deputies spotted the car near the town of Van Zandt and attempted to pull it over. Witteveen began driving at a high rate of speed. A bag – later found to contain fentanyl and methamphetamine – was thrown from the car. A search of Witteveen’s home and car turned up turned up fentanyl pills, meth, multiple cell phones, firearms parts, and ammunition.
Overall, in this case law enforcement seized: 11.5 kilos of fentanyl pills, 2.8 kilos of fentanyl powder, 5.7 kilos of cocaine, 1.6 kilos of heroin and 8.7 kilos of crystal meth, more than $186,000 in cash and nine firearms.
The leader of the drug ring, Enoc Martinez Lopez, aka “Victor,” 29, of Marysville, Washington was sentenced to eight years in prison; Casey Landis, 41, of Bellingham, a drug distributor was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Witteveen was sentenced to four years of supervised release to follow prison, and Judge King recommended he be admitted to the Bureau of Prisons residential drug treatment program.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bellingham Resident Office (DEA), working with the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, the CBP Air & Marine Operations, the Lummi Police Department, the Everson Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs.
Former Computer Privacy Consultant Convicted of CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a former privacy consultant last week for a cyberstalking campaign in which he sent electronic messages and made social media posts threatening sexual assault and other violence against multiple victims.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sumit Garg, 34, of Seattle, engaged in an extensive campaign of threats and sexually explicit messaging and posts about a woman who used to share an apartment with Garg’s spouse. Using personal information Garg accessed after he moved into the apartment with his spouse, Garg threatened and tormented the former roommate in violation of a court order. Garg also used his computer skills to threaten multiple people in the former roommate’s life, including her uncle, who represented her in obtaining a civil protection order; her current boyfriend; the Seattle police detective who investigated the threats; and the deputy prosecuting attorney in King County, Washington, who filed charges against Garg for his illegal stalking conduct. Garg used his computer skills to try to conceal who was sending the threats or making the posts.
The jury convicted Garg of one count of conspiracy to engage in cyberstalking, three counts of cyberstalking in violation of a criminal order, and three counts of cyberstalking. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25 and faces a mandatory minimum of one year in prison and a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington; and Special Agent in Charge Glen Peterson of the U.S. Secret Service Seattle Field Office made the announcement.
The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case, with assistance from the Seattle Police Department.
Senior Counsel Anthony Teelucksingh of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Friedman for the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case.
Former privacy consultant convicted of cyberstalking campaign against former roommate, her family members, boyfriend, police and prosecutorsRead the Press Release
Seattle – A Seattle man previously employed as a privacy consultant was convicted today in U.S. District Court in Seattle of conspiracy to engage in cyberstalking, three counts of cyberstalking in violation of a criminal order, and three counts of cyberstalking, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sumit Garg, 34, was Indicted in March 2021. He has been in custody at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac since that time. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2024.
According to records in the case and testimony at trial, in 2020, Garg began an extensive campaign of threats and sexually explicit messaging and posts about a woman who used to share an apartment with Garg’s wife. Using personal information Garg accessed after he moved into the apartment with his spouse, Garg threatened and tormented the former roommate.
In April 2020, the victim reported the harassment to police. Following this, Garg and his wife tried to make it appear that they too were harassment victims and made false police reports.
Garg also used his computer skills to threaten multiple people in the former roommate’s life, including her uncle who represented her in obtaining a civil protection order; her boyfriend; the Seattle Police Detective who investigated the threats; and even the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney who prosecuted Garg for his illegal stalking conduct. Garg used his computer skills to try to hide who was sending the threats or making the posts. The stalking campaign also grew increasingly violent, ultimately coming to include gruesome threats of rape, torture, and death. Over time, Garg’s stalking campaign involved thousands of emails sent from scores of accounts set up for the purpose of stalking.
At one point in his scheme, Garg was videotaped in the lobby of the victim’s new apartment building at the same time photos were taken and sent of that location to frighten the victim.
Garg enlisted his wife in the scheme – instructing her to send harassing emails to herself and others while he was jailed to make it appear someone else was doing the harassment campaign. He told his wife to destroy clothes he wore when he was in the lobby of the ex-roommate’s apartment building. His wife did send emails but did not destroy the clothes and ultimately cooperated with investigators.
In her trial testimony, Garg’s wife said she finally felt free to tell the truth when he was booked on federal charges and would not be returning to their home to abuse her verbally and physically.
In closing arguments, prosecutors told the jury, “The victims were terrified. They were worried for themselves, and they were worried for their families…the victims all suffered substantial emotional distress.”
Conspiracy to engage in cyberstalking is punishable by up to five years in prison. Cyberstalking in violation of criminal order is punishable by a mandatory minimum of one year and a maximum of five years in prison. Cyberstalking is punishable by up to five years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service with assistance from the Seattle Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Friedman and Senior Trial Attorney Anthony V. Teelucksingh of DOJ’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
Former employee of online car sales company pleads guilty to wire fraud for $2+million theftRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 41-year-old California man, who previously resided in Tacoma, Washington pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to wire fraud, for his scheme to steal more than $2 million from his employer, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. John Whisenant was arrested in July 2023. U.S. District Judge Lauren King scheduled sentencing for July 3, 2024.
According to records filed in the case, Whisenant worked in a variety of roles at the online used car sales company beginning in October 2018. About a year after he began with the company, Whisenant was promoted into a role where he had access to the company bank accounts and accounting software.
Beginning in about June 2019 and continuing until November 2021, Whisenant used his access to make 57 wire transfers totaling over $2 million into accounts he controlled. Whisenant disguised the transfers as legitimate business expenses in the company’s accounting software with a variety of false entries. Whisenant defrauded the company of $2,084,799. Whisenant then transferred the money to others and mixed it with other funds making it difficult to trace.
According to records in the case, Whisenant used some of the money for a lavish lifestyle. He bought luxury automobiles such as Porches and Mercedes. He spent $123,096 for a 2022 Audi E-Tron and bought a $98,100 Tesla. He rented luxury homes in Southern California and purchased two airline tickets to Paris at a cost of nearly $23,000 each.
The fraud on the company accounts was discovered when a bookkeeper began a more comprehensive review of the company’s financials in January 2022. Whisenant resigned abruptly in February 2022.
Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a seven-year prison sentence. Judge King is not bound by that recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Whisenant has agreed to make full restitution of $2,084,779.
The case is being investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Waite.
Oregon registered sex offender sentenced to 25 years in prison for child sexual abuse crimesRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 49-year-old Portland, Oregon man was sentenced last week to 25 years in prison for attempted enticement of a minor and possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Dirk Tichgelaar has been in custody since his arrest on January 25, 2020. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik ordered lifetime supervised release to follow the prison term.
“This defendant acted on his predatory impulse to harm a child – he traveled hundreds of miles thinking he would rape a 5-year-old. The child was fictitious, but his dark intentions were not,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This is a long sentence, but a necessary one, to protect the community.”
According to records filed in the case, Homeland Security Investigations used an internet chat room known to be associated with the trade of images of child sexual abuse, to investigate child predators. Beginning in October 2019, Tichgelaar communicated with an undercover officer about his desire to rape young girls. The undercover officer pretended he had a 5-year-old daughter and Tichgelaar made detailed messages about his desire to rape the child.
Tichgelaar made arrangements to drive from Portland for the sexual abuse, bringing an “Elsa” costume with him as a present for the child. He was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location.
A court authorized search of his home resulted in the seizure of electronic devices including a thumb drive with multiple images of child sexual abuse. Tichgelaar is a registered sex offender due to a 2005 Oregon conviction for first degree sexual abuse.
"In safeguarding our communities' youth, including those as young as 5 years old, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) remains resolute in our mission to combat child exploitation. The recent sentencing of Tichgelaar exemplifies our unwavering commitment to utilizing every available resource to protect innocent children from predators,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “This case underscores the importance of our ongoing efforts to ensure a safer environment for our most vulnerable members and highlights the necessity of continued vigilance in combating child exploitation."
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton with assistance from Oregon Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Sussman.
Co-Owner of diesel truck maintenance and sales companies pleads guilty to tampering with pollution controls in violation of Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
Tacoma – The co-owner of two businesses involved in diesel truck sales and service pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to violating the Clean Air Act, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sean Coiteux, 50, admits he directed employees to tamper with federally-required pollution control hardware on hundreds of diesel trucks and with the trucks’ pollution monitoring systems.
Coiteux and his wife, Tracy Coiteux, 46, own Racing Performance Maintenance Northwest of Ridgefield, Washington, and a related Woodland, Washington, company, RPM Motors and Sales NW. Racing Performance Northwest also pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act. RPM Motors and Sales pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act. Coiteux and both companies are scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on June 24, 2024.
In the plea agreement, Coiteux admits that between January 2018 and January 2021, he directed employees to delete pollution control software and devices on diesel trucks it sold or serviced. Coiteux’ companies charged between $1,000 and $2,000 for this work. Over three years Coiteux’ companies did this work on approximately 375 diesel trucks, for $538,477 in fees.
“By removing required pollution control devices, the defendants caused their customers’ diesel trucks to spew pollutants into the air at a rate of up to 1,200 times the pollution caused by compliant trucks,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This conduct increased toxins in our environment that are linked to cancer, as well as pulmonary, neurological, cardiovascular, and immune system damage. The pollution causes particular harm to disadvantaged communities who live near freeways and other high traffic areas.”
According to records in the case, Coiteux directed his employees to modify legally required software that works to ensure the vehicle’s pollution remains within legal limits. RPM Motors and Sales sometimes offered, as part of the sale of a truck, to remove the emissions control system after the customer purchased a truck. Email and other electronic records document the conspirators’ purchase of equipment and software kits to remove the pollution control and reprogram the monitoring systems. These modifications, which are known as “tunes” and “deletes,” are marketed to truck owners as improving vehicle power and performance.
Tracy Coiteux, 46, remains charged in the case and is scheduled for trial on May 20, 2024.
In September 2022 service manager, Nick Akerill, 44, pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to a Motor Vehicle Emission Control Systems Violation and was sentenced to serve on a work crew for 30 days.
Each violation of the federal Clean Air Act is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Prosecutors have agreed to recommend no more than six months in prison for Coiteux. Judge Settle is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.
The case is being investigated by Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson and Cindy Chang and Environmental Protection Agency Special Assistant United States Attorney Karla Gebel Perrin.
Two Vancouver, Washington men arrested with pound quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine following undercover investigationRead the Press Release
Tacoma –A year-long undercover drug investigation led to a major drug seizure and two Vancouver, Washington arrests this week, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Juan Onofre Flores Carrillo, 48, and Jesus Daniel Valenzuela Ayala, 23, will make their initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
According to the criminal complaint, Flores Carrillo aka “El Cholo,” was identified in early 2023 as a significant fentanyl pill dealer in southwest Washington. Working with confidential informants, law enforcement made a series of significant drug buys from Flores Carrillo. In one instance Flores Carrillo sold an informant 3,000 fentanyl pills on another occasion he sold the informant a kilo of crystal methamphetamine. Twice Flores Carrillo sold high powered firearms.
In January and February 2024, law enforcement worked to identify the stash house where Flores Carrillo kept his drugs. Flores Carrillo continued to make drug sales of heroin as well as fentanyl. On March 13, 2024, Flores Carrillo agreed to sell 10,000 fentanyl pills. Shortly after he turned over the drugs he was arrested. Law enforcement executed the court authorized search warrant on the presumed stash house. Inside they found large amounts of drugs and an AK-47 style rifle with a grenade launcher attached.
The residence contained approximately seven pounds of fentanyl pills and 43 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. The AK-47 was wrapped as if for resale.
Valenzuela Ayala was the only occupant of the stash house and was arrested. Both men are citizens of Mexico who do not have legal status in the United States.
Conspiracy of distribute narcotics in the amounts in this case is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years in prison and up to life in prison.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Vancouver Police Department, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Dillon and Max Shiner.
Two Bellingham, Washington transnational drug dealers sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – Two members of a transnational drug trafficking organization were sentenced to federal prison today for arranging the sale of more than 75,000 fentanyl pills, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez, 21, and a citizen of Mexico, sold 2,000 fentanyl pills to an undercover agent near Bellingham. Then, Lugo Enriquez and Guillermo Vieyra Salas, 24, also a citizen of Mexico, arranged a second deal involving 75,000 pills. U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez sentenced Lugo Enriquez to 38 months and Vieyra Salas to 48 months in prison. Judge Martinez found troubling the large amount of fentanyl at issue here, particularly because fentanyl has become “a leading cause of death over the last couple of years.”
“Federal law enforcement is keenly focused on getting as much fentanyl as possible off our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Seizing more than 75,000 pills will save lives.”
According to records filed in the case, the case began with a tip that a Seattle-based member of the drug trafficking organization, later identified as Lugo Enriquez, was bringing bulk quantities of fentanyl pills into Western Washington from Mexico. Defendant Vieyra Salas was already on law enforcement radar, charged with a drive-by shooting where he fired 27 rounds from a car he was driving while carrying cocaine. He also has a pending cocaine trafficking charge in Skagit County.
Homeland Security Investigations undercover agents quickly set up drug deals – first for 2,000 pills with Lugo Enriquez and then for a large order of 75,000 pills with Lugo Enriquez, Vieyra Salas, and a third defendant. As Lugo Enriquez and Vieyra Salas waited for the third defendant to deliver the drugs, Vieyra Salas offered to sell the undercover agents more pills.
The third defendant arrived at a separate meeting place to deliver the pills and was arrested. Lugo Enriquez and Vieyra Salas were arrested over the following days.
The defendant who delivered the pills, Jaime Alonso Hernandez-Hernandez, 41, is scheduled for sentencing on June 7, 2024.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yunah Chung
Canadian resident sentenced to 3+ years in prison for more than $1 million fraud on COVID relief programsRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 45-year-old Nigerian citizen who defrauded U.S. COVID relief programs from his home in Canada, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali, was arrested in February 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany, as he traveled back to Canada from Nigeria. Ambali was detained in Germany and was extradited to the U.S. last August. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan said, “It is clear that this involved a long series of serious fraudulent conduct.”
“Mr. Ambali used the stolen identities of more than 630 American workers to fraudulently claim more than $1 million in pandemic unemployment benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “The fraud created hardship for those who legitimately needed benefits and found someone had already filed a claim. This conduct, in the early days of COVID relief efforts, caused further disruption for thousands of people as Washington State stopped paying any claims for a time, while it tried to screen-out the fraud.”
According to records filed in the case, Ambali and codefendant Fatiu Ismaila Lawal, 45, used the stolen identities of thousands of workers to submit over 1,700 claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to over 25 different states, including Washington State. In total, the claims sought approximately $25 million, but the conspirators obtained approximately $2.4 million, primarily from pandemic unemployment benefits. As part of his plea agreement Ambali agreed to make restitution of $1,035,107.
The co-conspirators allegedly submitted claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to New York, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, California, Washington and some 19 other states. Using 13 Google accounts, they filed some 900 claims. The co-conspirators also allegedly established four internet domain names that they then used for fraud – creating some 800 different email addresses that were used for fraud.
Additionally, between 2018 and 2021, Ambali used stolen personal information of eight U.S. citizens to try to claim tax refunds totaling more than $40,000. The IRS detected the fraud and did not pay the refunds.
Ambali also attempted to use the stolen American identities for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA caught most of the fraud and paid only $2,500.
Ambali and his co-conspirators had the proceeds of their fraud sent to cash cards or to “money mules” who transferred the funds according to instructions given by the co-conspirators. They also allegedly used stolen identities to open bank accounts and have the money deposited directly into those accounts for their use.
In her memo asking for a five-year sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Cindy Chang noted that Ambali’s web search history indicates he continued his fraudulent scheme for nearly three years. “Amabli first searched for (the Employment Security) website on or about May 5, 2020, two days before his first fraudulent submission to ESD, and he most recently visited the page on February 20, 2023, the day before he was arrested and last had access to his devices. In other words, it is possible that Ambali—who had never even stepped foot in the United States much less worked in Washington State—was defrauding ESD until the day before his arrest last year.”
Judge Bryan imposed five years of supervised release to follow prison. One condition is that he not enter the U.S. without permission from the Department of Homeland Security.
Co-defendant Fatiu Ismaila Lawal was arrested in Canada in February 2023 and is pending extradition.
The National Unemployment Fraud Task Force provided a lead on this case to the investigative team in Western Washington. The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). Also contributing to the investigation were Washington State Employment Security Division (ESD), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cindy Chang of the Western District of Washington. DOJ’s Office of International Affairs is assisting.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Seattle woman sentenced to one year of home confinement for defrauding COVID assistance programRead the Press Release
The sentence in this case was updated on April 3, 2024
Seattle – A 62-year-old Seattle woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to home confinement with location monitoring as a condition of a 3-year term of probation for her scheme to steal nearly half a million dollars in COVID 19 benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Danni Walker was indicted on six counts of wire fraud in July 2022. She pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in August 2023. Prosecutors sought a 21-month custodial sentence, while the United States Probation Office recommended a custodial sentence of 12 months and 1 day. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Lauren King said, “this is a very serious offense” and noted the defendant’s use of pandemic relief funds for “lavish expenditures” that she “flaunted on social media.”
“This defendant took resources intended to help businesses struggling to stay afloat in the pandemic, and used them for a high-end car, luxury travel and shopping sprees and unsuccessful trading in cryptocurrency,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Some businesses that needed loans did not get them, because Ms. Walker and others like her committed fraud on government programs.”
According to records filed in the case, between April 2020 and March 2021, Walker used false information to apply for and obtain $473,082 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through the Small Business Administration. Walker submitted the applications on behalf of three different companies, only one of which was in operation, and none of which had the employees she claimed in her applications. Instead of using the PPP money for payroll and other legitimate business expenses, as intended by the program, Walker used it, among other things, to purchase a Jaguar coup; spent $34,000 on a luxury vacation to New York – including a Louis Vuitton shopping spree -; and invested unsuccessfully in cryptocurrency. She also gave large cash gifts to family and friends.
Walker also attempted to obtain two additional PPP loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) totaling approximately $165,000. However, SBA caught the fraud and those loans were declined.
In asking for a 21-month prison sentence, prosecutors highlighted that Walker’s theft of tax dollars meant others did not get the financial support they needed. “This was a calculated and sophisticated offense…. Over a period of approximately 11 months, through six fraudulent PPP loan applications, Walker stole close to a half million dollars in pandemic relief funds. These funds could and should have been provided to businesses that actually qualified for them so those business could pay their employees and other approved business expenses– i.e., to stay afloat during a historic crisis,” Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Jensen wrote in her sentencing memo.
The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) and the FBI.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Jensen and Sok Jiang.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
Member of Tulalip Tribes sentenced to intermittent custody for drunk driving crash at gravel pit that killed passengerRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 40-year-old Snohomish County man who is an enrolled member of the Tulalip Tribes was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to three years of probation, with intermittent confinement (3 days a week) for the first year of probation for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the February 2, 2020, crash that killed the sole passenger in his truck, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Danny Lee Simpson, Jr. pleaded guilty in October 2023. Prosecutors sought an 18-month custodial sentence, while the United States Probation Office recommended a 28-month custodial sentence.
According to records in the case, Simpson, his wife, and a mutual acquaintance had been drinking at a bar in Stanwood, Washington on February 1, 2020. After midnight, Simpson drove his truck, with the acquaintance as his sole passenger, to a gravel pit owned by his parents. Simpson had recently modified his truck, so it was suitable for off road use. Simpson had failed to check the braking system on the truck.
The sand and gravel pit was poorly lit and had a sheer 40-foot cliff face. Simpson knew about the cliff. The truck overheated and stalled. At about 1:15 in the morning, Simpson backed the truck off the sheer cliff. The truck landed upside down at the bottom of the cliff. The crash killed Simpson’s passenger – another member of the Tulalip Tribes. In his plea agreement, Simpson admitted he knew or could have reasonably foreseen that it was dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol near the cliff face in a dark, wet, and poorly lit gravel pit.
Writing to the court, prosecutors highlighted the devastating impact on the victim’s family. “Simpson ended the life of a man who will never be able to play catch with his son, go to activities at his son’s school, or watch his son grow into manhood. Simpson selfishly took all this away from the victim, his son, and their family.”
The victim’s mother spoke at length at the sentencing hearing about the devastating loss that she, her family and the community have suffered because of Simpson’s actions. The victim’s father submitted a victim impact statement saying in part, “As his father, the pain I now endure is constant and paralyzing. My heart hurts, not only for myself, but for my grandson who will never know how much his father loved him.”
Simpson was ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined to the victim’s family.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Tulalip Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Tate London and Jocelyn Cooney. Mr. London and Ms. Cooney serve as Tribal Liaisons for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
Drug trafficker who created fortified compound at Bellingham homeless encampment pleads guiltyRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 32-year-old citizen of Mexico pleaded guilty today to drug trafficking and firearms charges related to his distribution of narcotics at a Bellingham homeless encampment, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez has been in federal custody since he was arrested on August 29, 2023, following a traffic stop near Brownsville, Oregon. Vasquez-Martinez will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Evanson on June 11, 2024.
According to the plea agreement, Vasquez-Martinez lived in a fortified encampment within an area known as the “Walmart encampment” in Bellingham. Vasquez-Martinez admits having armed guards acting as security around the main structure where he stayed. The encampment is called the Walmart encampment because it stretches a half-mile east of Walmart.
Law enforcement has responded to a wide range of incidents at the encampment and received information that Vasquez-Martinez was a significant drug supplier to the area. While Vasquez-Martinez was under investigation, he was stopped in Oregon apparently returning from California where he had picked up a supply of drugs. When Vasquez-Martinez’ car was searched, law enforcement found more than seven kilos of fentanyl pills – more than 65,000 pills in all. Vasquez-Martinez admits he was on his way back to Western Washington to distribute the fentanyl. They also seized $3,000 in cash and multiple cell phones. On that same day, law enforcement searched a storage locker in Lynnwood registered to Vasquez-Martinez’ wife. In it they found three kilos of fentanyl powder, 300 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 1.9 kilograms of heroin, and a 9mm handgun and $46,000 in cash. Vasquez-Martinez admits that 9mm handgun was used in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Finally, on August 31, 2023, law enforcement searched the compound where Vasquez-Martinez had been living. They seized more than $4,000 in cash and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. They also seized a sawed-off shotgun.
Due to the drug amounts and the possession of the firearms, Vasquez-Martinez faces a mandatory minimum ten years in prison. Both possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute are punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
Both prosecutors and defense will recommend a ten-year sentence when Vasquez-Martinez is sentenced. Judge Evanson is not bound by that recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Gang and Drug Task Force (WGDTF).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell with assistance from Oregon Assistant United States Attorney Peter Sax.
Company that improperly took COVID 19 PPP loan agrees to pay nearly $1 million to settle False Claims Act caseRead the Press Release
Seattle –Brands LLC, has agreed to pay $989,438 to the United States to resolve allegations the company improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Docklight Brands develops and sells hemp derived products, and licenses certain marks for use in connection with state-licensed cannabis products. A False Claims Act qui tam lawsuit originally brought by relator Sidesolve LLC, alleged that the company was ineligible for the federal loan program because of its involvement with cannabis businesses that remain illegal under federal law.
According to the settlement, Sidesolve filed the qui tam case in September 2022, alleging that Docklight had falsely certified that it was eligible for a $494,719 Paycheck Protection Program loan. The Small Business Administration program allows the loan amount to be forgiven.
“Those seeking vital assistance from SBA’s pandemic response programs must comply with the requirements,” said SBA OIG’s Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King. “Today’s settlement sends a strong message of accountability. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office and our law enforcement partners for their support and dedication to pursuing justice in this case.”
Under the terms of the settlement, Docklight has agreed to pay back double the amount of the loan, with the additional $494,719 as penalties. Under the qui tam statute, the relator receives a percentage of the settlement for bringing the false claims matter to the government’s attention. In this case Sidesolve LLC will receive $148,416.70 of the settlement funds.
The matter was handled for the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Matt Waldrop with investigative assistance from SBA-OIG.
Romanian citizen pleads guilty to people smuggling scheme across northern borderRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 27– year-old citizen of Romania pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to conspiracy to transport those not legally in the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Daniel Andronache was arrested near Blaine, Washington on November 9, 2023, after he and a coconspirator picked up 12 people who had illegally crossed into the U.S. From Canada. Andronache is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Lauren King on June 12, 2024.
“We are seeing a huge increase in human smuggling attempts across our northern border,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “As in this case, the conduct is unsafe, putting the lives of many at risk. The Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigation is working diligently to stop these smuggling schemes and interdict those being transported in a way that keeps everybody safe from harm.”
According to the plea agreement, Andronache flew from Omaha, Nebraska to Seattle on November 7, 2023, and obtained a white Ford Expedition in Tacoma. Andronache and a coconspirator used the car to drive to Blaine, Washington. The men parked on a road near the international border. Twelve Romanian citizens emerged from brush near the border and got into the car. The car only had seats for eight people, and there were 14 in the vehicle. When Border patrol stopped the car, they found two children unrestrained in the trunk of the car, and another was unrestrained on the center console of the vehicle. The youngest child in the car was under the age of three.
In his plea agreement Andronache admits he knowingly entered the conspiracy to transport the non-citizens so they could stay illegally in the U.S.
Those who entered the U.S. illegally were referred to immigration authorities for processing.
Conspiracy to transport non-citizens is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell.
Mail thief who stole postal vehicles and mailbox keys sentenced to 3+ years in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – A man who committed a series of mail vehicle and mail key thefts was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 41 months in prison for theft of government property, mail theft, illegal transactions on access devices, and illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Johny Mixayboua, 27, committed a string of mail theft incidents involving stolen postal vehicles, stolen postal keys, mail theft and associated crimes. The postal service had to halt deliveries in the zip code 98118 for about a week while investigators worked to track down and arrest Mixayboua. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Court by Judge Richard A. Jones said, “You had opportunities to look at your past and look at your future. You have failed to take advantage of the opportunities provided along the way to change your future…As you grow and mature, you will see all the years wasted engaged in criminal activity.”
“Mr. Mixayboua’s thefts caused widespread hardship – especially for the elderly and disabled who were suddenly forced to line up at the post office to get their mail,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “The theft of checks and credit cards caused harm to those hit with fraudulent charges. But even those who did not suffer theft were impacted. Individuals who relied on the mail for medication, medical supplies, food, and financial documents, were asked to physically come into the post office to pick up their mail because they had to shut down service due to the defendant’s actions.”
“Mail theft and identity theft remains a plague in our communities. Mixayboua’s thefts victimized numerous U.S. Postal Service customers throughout the Seattle area, but through our partnerships with local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we were able to shut down this prolific mail thief,” said Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti, “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains steadfast in our commitment to ensure the U.S. mail remains safe and secure for all members of our community.”
According to records in the case, on December 28, 2022, a U.S. Postal Service vehicle was stolen from the 6300 block of South Bangor Street in Seattle. In the vehicle was a postal key that is used to access the cluster mailbox units in the 98178 zip code. The key allows the postal worker to open the back of the cluster box to deliver mail to multiple households. Since the theft of the vehicle and postal key, there had been numerous reports of cluster boxes in zip code 98178 being opened and mail stolen.
Working with neighbors, the Postal Inspection Service was able to get door camera footage showing the person accessing the postal boxes. Neighbors reported credit cards being stolen and attempts being made to use them. Inspectors were able to review images from when the credit card attempts occurred and ultimately identified Mixayboua as the person stealing the mail and attempting to use the stolen credit cards.
Additionally, local law enforcement determined that vehicles used in a number of the mail theft incidents were reported stolen.
On January 17, 2023, two more Postal Service vehicles were stolen. One in the 3000 block of Beach Drive SW and a second one in the 3600 block of 57th SW. Both are in zip code 98116. Using doorbell camera footage from the block where one of the vehicles was recovered, investigators saw Mixayboua removing mail and parcels from the stolen postal vehicle and putting them in another vehicle. Again, law enforcement traced credit cards stolen from the mail and obtained surveillance footage that appears to show Mixayboua attempting to make purchases with the credit cards.
On January 30, 2023, a fourth postal vehicle was stolen – this time from the 2000 block of S. Columbian Way in Seattle. On March 28, 2023, a fifth postal vehicle was stolen from the 5700 block of S. 129th Ave. One of the people associated with the theft matched the description of Mixayboua. In late January and February, the mail theft incidents continued -- this time in the Snoqualmie, Washington area. The cluster boxes were opened with either a counterfeit or authentic postal key. Again, credit cards were stolen, and one was linked to images of Mixayboua making purchases at Target.
Throughout April, mail thefts continued from as far north as Lake Forest Park and as far south as southeast Seattle.
The postal service halted deliveries in zip code 98118 for about a week while investigators worked to track down and arrest Mixayboua.
Mixaboua apparently was living in a vehicle near a relative’s home. He was arrested after running from officers. Law enforcement found a Polymer unregistered firearm – known as a ‘ghost gun’ - that Mixayboua threw into the bushes while attempting to run away. Mixayboua is prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple felony convictions in King County for auto theft, possession of stolen property, and bail jumping.
In asking for a 41-month prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Elyne Vaught wrote to the court, “Beginning in December of 2022 up to his arrest in May of 2023, the defendant, Johny Mixayboua’s full-time job was to use stolen postal keys to steal mail from the residents of King County, leaving a trail of financial and sentimental loss along the way. As the thefts increased, the United States Postal Service made the difficult decision to shut down mail service to an entire zip code, requiring residents, including the elderly and disabled, to physically come into the office to pick up their mail.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elyne Vaught.
In separate cases, two defendants plead guilty to assaults on aircraftRead the Press Release
Seattle – Two defendants entered guilty pleas this week, to abusive sexual contact and to simple assault of a person under 16, connected to their conduct on aircraft flying into Seattle, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Both defendants are scheduled for sentencing in June 2024.
Today, Jack Roberson, 69, entered a plea of guilty to simple assault for his contact with a 15-year-old seated next to him on a July 2023 flight from Atlanta to Seattle. According to records in the case, Roberson placed his hand on the 15-year-old victim’s thigh and slowly moved it up her thigh and under her skirt to her inner thigh. The victim reported to her guardian immediately and the defendant was taken into custody when the flight landed. Roberson faces up to a year in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lauren King on June 5, 2024.
On Tuesday March 5, 2024, Duane Brick, 53, entered a guilty plea to abusive sexual contact. Brick admitted that on March 20, 2023, on a flight from Phoenix to Seattle, he took the hand of the woman seated next to him and placed it on his crotch. The woman appeared to be asleep, and Brick reached under the woman’s shirt and touched her breast. He admits he did it for his sexual gratification. Sentencing is scheduled in front of U.S. District Judge John H. Chun on June 10, 2024. Brick faces up to two years in prison.
Finally, this week a 38-yar-old Indian citizen was arraigned on a charge of abusive sexual contact for an assault on a teen sitting near him on an Emirates flight to Seattle. Abhinav Kumar was arrested when the flight arrived on Sunday February 18, 2024. Today he pleaded “not guilty,” and trial before U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead is scheduled for May 6, 2024.
“The Western District of Washington continues to see an alarming increase in sexual abuse cases aboard aircraft,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Last August we emphasized that we have zero tolerance for such assaults. Sadly, we continue to learn of new allegations and are investigating and charging those cases.”
The Assistant United States Attorneys prosecuting these cases are Sanaa Nagi, Jocelyn Cooney, Amanda McDowell, and Jin Kim.
These cases were investigated by the FBI, Port of Seattle Police, and U.S. Air Marshals.
Semi-Pro Rugby player indicted for Ponzi scheme involving false representations about cryptocurrency mining investmentsRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 36-year-old Seattle semi-pro rugby player was arrested on an indictment charging him with nine counts of wire fraud. Shane Donovan Moore operated Quantum Donovan LLC – a Washington company Moore claimed was purchasing and operating cryptocurrency mining equipment. In fact, the indictment alleges the company never invested in such equipment and operated as a Ponzi scheme, with the investments from later investors being used to pay off earlier investors. Moore made his initial appearance on the indictment Monday morning.
“Cryptocurrency investors can fall victim to all the same fraud tactics as any investor. Mr. Moore used a ‘Ponzi scheme,’ – a fraud that has been around for decades - and uses new investor money to pay off older investors until the scheme collapses,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “So far investigators have identified 38 known victims but believe there could be many more. We urge any such investors to contact the FBI.”
“According to the indictment, between January 2021 and October 2022, Moore allegedly made fraudulent promises to obtain investor money. Moore claimed both verbally and in writing that the invested money would be used to purchase computers for a cryptocurrency mining operation. He told investors they would receive 1% of their investment daily based on the work of the mining machines. However, Moore never purchased the mining machines. He comingled the investor money with his personal accounts and used some of those funds to live a lavish lifestyle. Some of the funds were used to purchase cryptocurrency so that a portion of the funds could be sent to investors to lull them into believing the cryptocurrency mining operation existed.
An analysis of accounts controlled by Moore show he purchased more than $820,000 in cryptocurrency from crypto.com during the course of the scheme. Other records show Moore transferring more than $1 million in cryptocurrencies from his Coinbase account to other Coinbase accounts.
Moore recruited investors in Utah, Oregon, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Washington. Many of the investors are people he knew from his rugby activities.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne.
Leader of $6.8 million pandemic fraud scheme sentenced to 5 years in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – The leader of a wide-ranging fraud scheme that stole more than $3.3 million from federally funded pandemic assistance programs was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 5 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Paradise Williams, 29, personally received more than $2 million in fraudulent proceeds and spent the money on luxury cars, lavish trips, cosmetic surgery, jewelry, and designer goods. Overall, the fraud ring sought to steal more than $6.8 million, in pandemic benefits from nearly every major pandemic assistance program. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge John H. Chun said, “These were serious and terrible crimes. [Williams and her co-defendants] stole from programs designed to help members of their community during the pandemic.”
“Paradise Williams was relentless in her efforts to steal pandemic benefits throughout the entire duration of our national emergency, and it is unconscionable that she funded a life of luxury by stealing millions in taxpayer funds that should have prevented King County residents from being evicted in the winter,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Combatting pandemic fraud is a priority for our district, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable for exploiting a national crisis.”
According to records in the case, from June 2020 to February 2022, Williams personally submitted over 125 fraudulent applications for the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds administered by King County, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment benefits. Williams enlisted over 50 associates, including her five codefendants, to obtain more than $3.3 million by posing as fake tenants, landlords, and small business owners in need of assistance. In submitting these applications, Williams, among other things, created falsified bank statements, tenant ledgers, and landlord attestations.
Upon receipt of the illegal funds, Williams and her associates methodically laundered the funds through cash withdrawals, wire transfers, and expensive luxury purchases. In addition to fraudulently obtaining over $700,000 directly from administrating agencies, Williams received more than $1.2 million in kickback payments from her associates for facilitating the fraudulent submissions.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Williams will pay restitution in the amounts of $2,791,241 to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and $512,730 to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The defendant will forfeit $2,023,104, the proceeds Williams personally obtained through the scheme. Williams will also forfeit a Lexus sedan and a Range Rover SUV that she purchased with the fraudulent gains.
Williams’ codefendants D’Arius Jackson, Tia Robinson, Rayvon Peterson, and David Martinez previously entered guilty pleas for their participation in the scheme. Judge Chun sentenced Jackson to three years in prison and Robinson to 18 months in prison. Martinez is scheduled for sentencing March 11, 2024, and Peterson is scheduled for sentencing March 18, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cindy Chang.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
US Attorney Tessa Gorman joins HSI for a roundtable on organized retail crimeRead the Press Release
Seattle- US Attorney Tessa M. Gorman and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer hosted an organized retail crime roundtable discussion on Thursday, February 29th. US Attorney Tessa Gorman and HSI Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer gave opening remarks to retailers to discuss their work in investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting organized retail crime. Representatives from Walmart, Lowe’s, Ulta, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Safeway, Fred Meyer, and Target were among the attendees at the roundtable.
“We have seen organized retail crime become more and more common in the country, and in Western Washington,” said US Attorney Tessa Gorman. “Retail theft impacts retailers of all sizes and communities across our District. It leads to customers feeling unsafe, puts security guards at risks, and causes significant losses to retailers. I am proud to partner with HSI, local law enforcement, and the retailers in Western Washington to put a stop to organized retail crime.”
“Organized retail crime does not only impact businesses, it undermines the well-being of our communities while threatening the safety and security of everyday people," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Those who commit these offenses, regardless of if they are a part of a criminal organization or acting individually, will not be allowed to wreak havoc upon our private sector partners unchecked. This meeting is an important step in what I hope is a continued partnership with businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest to catch and prosecute organized theft groups that are conducting, promoting, and profiting off this dangerous activity.”
In March of 2023, the United States Attorney’s office indicted a pair for a retail theft scheme, in which both defendants plead guilty to wire fraud. According to the plea agreement, they worked collaboratively to steal more than $800,000 of equipment from a large retailer through the retailer’s rental service. They rented the equipment under false identities, and then sold it on secondhand retail sites like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace. As of Mach 2023, the defendants had rented equipment from over 190 different store locations in 23 states under 150 names. This case was investigated by HSI.
Bellingham man sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempted enticement of a minor and possession of images of child sexual abuseRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 28-year-old Bellingham, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 12 years in prison for possession of child pornography and attempted enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Clayton Harker was arrested in December 2022, when he arrived at a Bellingham hotel believing he was going to sexually assault an 8-year-old girl. The ‘girl’ in this case was fictitious and Harker had been communicating with undercover Homeland Security Investigation agents.
At today’s sentencing hearing Judge Richard jones said, “The court finds these cases extremely troubling. Fictitious individual or not, you had a clear thought in your mind to act on your desires.”
According to records in the case, Harker came to the attention of law enforcement as they were investigating a different snapchat user who was pressuring young people for explicit images, claiming he wanted to pay them as “models.” Based on the communication between that subject and the person later identified as Harker, law enforcement began investigating his online activity. In November 2022, Harker began communicating with an undercover agent who claimed to have an 8-year-old niece Harker could molest. Harker not only communicated with that undercover agent, he also communicated with another agent who posed as the 8-year-old girl. Harker arrived at the hotel with materials to molest the child and video the assault. Harker was arrested before he even entered the hotel.
In asking the court to sentence Harker to 30 years in prison, Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton noted that Harker told agents that he regularly solicited minors to send him sexually explicit imagery over the internet and would use threats and extortion when necessary to induce these children to send him that imagery. “Simply put, Harker has cut a swath of destruction across the lives of vulnerable minors whose only mistake was to cross paths with a predator. The threat he poses is real. And neutralizing that threat will require incapacitation through lengthy confinement followed by close supervision for the remainder of Harker’s life.”
Harker will be on 15 years of supervised release following prison and will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force based at the Seattle Police Department. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton.
Makah tribal member indicted for drunken crash on beach that killed friendRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 21-year-old member of the Makah Tribe was indicted February 21, 2024, for involuntary manslaughter for the death of a friend in a car accident on a Pacific Ocean beach within the Makah Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Meric Soeneke is scheduled for arraignment in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on March 4, 2024.
According to records filed in the case, on December 21, 2023, Soeneke was driving at a high rate of speed on the ocean beach with three others in the vehicle. Soeneke had been drinking and was impaired. He was driving on the unlit beach in the dark when he hit a large tree that had fallen across the beach. Another Makah Tribal member, a 26-year-old woman, was killed in the crash.
Soeneke was originally charged in Tribal Court and released on bail. At his first federal court appearance a Magistrate Judge will determine whether there are conditions under which he can be released from federal custody.
Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by up to eight years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Neah Bay Public Safety Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jocelyn Cooney. Ms. Cooney serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
soeneke_indictment.pdfKent, Washington man who illegally purchased and trafficked more than 100 firearms pleads guilty to gun crimesRead the Press Release
Seattle – A South King County man pleaded guilty last week in U.S. District Court in Seattle to multiple firearms offenses for his purchase of more than 100 firearms in a “straw purchaser” scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Dion Jamar Cooper, 31, of Kent, Washington was arrested in April 2023, following an investigation by Seattle Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez scheduled sentencing for May 17, 2024.
“Mr. Cooper lied on purchase forms and then trafficked more than 100 firearms on the streets of our community. He trafficked to those who are prohibited from possessing guns, because of their criminal history. It is not surprising that more than two dozen of the firearms have been linked to crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Congress has responded to the epidemic of gun violence with new laws targeting such “straw purchasing” and we are using them in this case.”
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began in late January 2023, with the assault and attempted robbery of a woman in Rainier Valley. The victim was able to flee in her car. Police found a firearm in her vehicle that had been dropped by one of the assailants. A check of the firearm revealed it had been purchased by Dion Jamar Cooper on December 10, 2022. That recovery led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) to check Cooper’s purchase history. Cooper had purchased 107 firearms since June 2021. On 24 different instances he purchased multiple firearms – sometimes four or more. Of the 107 firearms identified as being purchased in this scheme, 26 of the guns have been recovered and linked to crimes.
During March and April 2023, agents surveilled Cooper as he made arrangements to purchase additional firearms. Agents identified De’ondre Lamontia Phillips as the person who drove Cooper to the gun shops where he purchased the firearms. Phillips is prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms due to convictions for distribution of heroin (2014) and convictions for illegal firearms possession and two counts of assault (2009). Surveillance of the two revealed Cooper turning the firearms over to Phillips who stored them in his residence.
Cooper pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms, one count of straw purchasing firearms and one count of trafficking in firearms. Phillips pleaded guilty last month to drug and gun possession crimes. He is scheduled for sentencing April 26, 2024.
Straw Purchasing of Firearms and Trafficking in Firearms are both punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Making a false statement in connection with a firearms acquisition is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Seattle Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
Former bank manager sentenced to 3+ years in prison for theft from customer accountsRead the Press Release
Tacoma –A 44-year-old former bank manager from Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 42 months in prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identify Theft, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Brian Davie, a former branch manager at Wells Fargo, used unauthorized cash withdrawals, money transfers, and cashier’s checks to steal over $1 million. Davie targeted elderly and vulnerable customers. Eight victims have been identified. One woman had more than $566,000 stolen from her retirement accounts.
At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “The wake of damage in this case is large. It involved multiple victims over some time... Our society depends on the trust of those who hold our finances.”
Davie worked for Wells Fargo in Battle Ground from March of 2014 until he was fired in June 2019. According to records in the case, Davie used his position as a manager at the branch to conduct unauthorized transactions. Davie had access to customer files containing information about bank account balances. Davie hid his criminal activity by repeatedly exchanging cashier’s checks until they were small enough to cash without triggering banking reporting requirements.
Davie continued undetected because he stole from elderly customers who might be less likely to closely monitor their account balances. Some of Davie’s victims had dementia or had limited English skills and did not understand banking transactions. In at least one case, Davie failed to file the paperwork to install a victim’s relative as a co-signer on the victim’s accounts. That failure prevented the relative from being able to monitor the account and detect the fraudulent transactions.
Davie deposited some of the stolen money in an account he created in the name of a relative’s business. He made some of the cashier’s checks payable to that relative or to the business account he created. Much of the money was withdrawn as cash.
In all, Davie embezzled S1,279,840 from victim accounts. Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims for their losses.
Judge Settle will decide the amount of restitution Davie owes on March 18, 2024.
In asking for a four-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Dillon wrote to the court, “Bank fraud and aggravated identity theft cause devastating effects on their victims. It can often take years or even decades to undo the impact of identity theft and to untangle the impact it had on your finances and your credit score. Let alone the untold psychological damage it causes when you are unable to trust the government institutions that are designed to protect you. As a bank manager, Defendant knew better.”
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Wells Fargo investigation team.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Dillon.
Member of Nisqually Tribe indicted for three counts of sexual abuse of a minorRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 49-year-old member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe was indicted by the grand jury this week for three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Marcus Jerome Douglas was arrested on a criminal complaint on January 31, 2024. Douglas remains detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac. He will be arraigned on the indictment next week.
According to records filed in the case, three victims have disclosed sexual abuse by Douglas at times when he had access to them. Some of the victims report long- time abuse from a very young age.
Because Douglas is a tribal member and the abuse occurred in residences on tribal land, the case is being investigated by the FBI and the jurisdiction is in federal court.
Sexual abuse of a minor is punishable by a mandatory minimum 30 years in prison to life in prison.
The FBI investigation is ongoing, and investigators are interested in speaking with any additional victims or witnesses who should call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Olympia Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson and Kristine Foerster.
douglas_marcus_indictment.pdfDOJ and Vancouver, Washington, hospital resolve allegations of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violationsRead the Press Release
Seattle – PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington has resolved allegations it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide a sign language interpreter to a patient who is deaf. The settlement, with the U.S. Department of Justice, requires the medical facility to improve its services, staff training, and communications with the public. The patient will be paid $75,000 for the discrimination she suffered while hospitalized March 20-23, 2020.
“Ensuring compliance with the American with Disabilities Act is a top priority of our Civil Rights Unit – and that is critically important in the health care setting,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman. “When facing hospitalization and treatment, every patient deserves clear communication about their course of treatment. This settlement seeks to ensure that effective communication for each patient.”
According to the settlement agreement, PeaceHealth violated the ADA by failing to have a sign language interpreter for the patient and that failure caused significant emotional distress as the patient was unable to understand the reason for her hospitalization or the suggested course of treatment. Other patients who needed sign language interpreters or video remote interpreting services, were also denied appropriate communication aids.
Under the terms of the settlement, hospital staff will now assess a patient’s communications needs at the initial visit. They will also assess the needs of the patient’s companion. As part of their scheduling obligation, staff will make sure appropriate language services are available for effective communication.
The medical center will designate members of staff as the communications services resources. At least one of these staff members will be available at all times the hospital is operating. This person is responsible for knowing where the assistive devices are located and how to arrange for qualified sign language interpreters.
The hospital will keep a log of all requests for qualified interpreters or video remote interpretation. The hospital will keep records of all complaints about services provided to patients who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. The hospital may not charge additional fees for the interpretation services.
Under the terms of the agreement, PeaceHealth Southwest will maintain relationships with five different interpreter services. The hospital will have access to Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) but will not use it if it does not provide effective communication for the patient.
PeaceHealth agrees to post information about auxiliary aids and services in the facility and on its website. The medical facility also commits to training personnel about the communications resource program and services.
Every six months PeaceHealth Southwest will provide a compliance report to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and will report any complaint regarding failure to provide effective communication within 45 days.
In addition to the $75,000 paid to the complaint in this case, the medical center will pay DOJ $10,000 for violating the ADA.
This matter was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by the Northwest Justice Project (NJP).
The matter was investigated, and the settlement was negotiated, by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Kas, who serves as the Civil Rights Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
Owners and Operators of illicit marijuana business sentenced to federal prison for violations of federal and state lawRead the Press Release
Seattle – A father and son from Seattle were each sentenced today to 30 months in prison for their scheme to violate the state’s marijuana production regulations and produce and sell marijuana on the black market, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Qixian Wu, 59, and Yong Cong Wu, 30, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. At their sentencing hearing today, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour said the men knew what they were doing violated state law and he was concerned “about the firearms connected with the grows.”
“Even after multiple visits from state regulators, the Wu family continued to illegally grow and sell marijuana – some of it likely tainted with illegal pesticides,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “By seeking licensing under the regulatory scheme—while not complying in any meaningful way with this system—the Wu family not only violated federal law, but also, threatened the viability of the state’s approach to the legalization of marijuana in Washington.”
According to records filed in the case, as early as November 2016, regulators began noticing irregularities in reports from the Wu’s licensed marijuana production business—New Direction—located on West Marginal Way SW. Inspections in July, August and September 2018 identified product that was not appropriately tagged or tracked. Samples taken in September were tested and found to be tainted with illegal pesticides. In October, inspectors from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) seized all the product at New Direction.
Despite the regulatory attention, the Wu family did not change operations and continued to falsify reports with respect to the marijuana produced at New Direction.
Yong Cong Wu and his brother—who is scheduled for sentencing in April—also operated a second business, Affordable Indoor Growing Supplies (AIG), which provided marijuana grow equipment to other illegal growers throughout the area. The men deposited cash derived from illegal marijuana sales into the accounts of the gardening store business to hide the fact that these deposits, in fact, involved illicit drug proceeds. They also used a casino next to the gardening store to launder the funds.
When investigators searched the home and businesses associated with the Wu family in October 2020, they seized more than 3,000 marijuana plants and over 100 kilograms of processed marijuana. At the garden store they seized $69,456 in cash drug proceeds and $34,800 in money orders. At the Wu family residence investigators seized $152,631 in cash drug proceeds, eleven firearms, a 2018 Mercedes G-550 and a 2020 Mercedes G63 W4—purchased outright in September 2020 for more than $235,000.
In all, the defendants are forfeiting the commercial property that facilitated their illicit conspiracy, two luxury cars, and about $250,000 in cash as proceeds of crime. The defendants also agreed to abandon the firearms seized from the family residence. Both men will be on three years of supervised release following the prison terms.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), King County Sheriff’s Office, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Silvio with substantial investigative assistance from OCDETF Auditor Becky Carnell.
Federal Way, Washington man indicted for abusive sexual contact on a flight from San Diego to SeattleRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 25-year-old Federal Way, Washington resident will appear today on an indictment returned last year for Abusive Sexual Contact, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Desmond D. Bostick was located by law enforcement and arrested on February 9, 2024. The indictment was returned under seal September 27, 2023.
According to records in the case, Bostick was seated in the last row of the plane on an Alaska Airlines flight from San Diego to Seattle. Bostick was in the aisle seat and the victim, who was a stranger to Bostick, was seated in the middle seat. Bostick allegedly repeatedly touched the victim on the thigh and grabbed her buttocks when she stood to allow the passenger in the window seat to exit the row. Bostick allegedly used a blanket he brought on the plane to hide his conduct.
After the plane touched down, the victim reported the conduct to the flight crew and law enforcement began its investigation. Bostick had left the airport and his location was unknown. The FBI located and arrested him.
In June 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported an alarming increase of sexual misconduct on aircraft. Since highlighting the issue, three additional cases have been filed or adjudicated.
This case is being investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the Port of Seattle Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean H. Waite.
법무부, 워싱턴 주 보안관 사무실과 언어 접근성 협약 체결Read the Press Release
워싱턴 법무부는 오늘 워싱턴 주, 킹 카운티 보안관 사무실(KCSO)이 1964년 민권법 제6조를 위반하여 영어 능력이 제한된 사람(LEP)을 차별했다는 의혹을 해결하기 위한 협약을 발표했다.
협약 조건에 따라, KCSO는 LEP 사용자를 위한 언어 접근성을 개선하기 위한 여러 조치를 취하기로 합의했다. 타이틀 VI는 연방 재정 지원을 받는 기관의 인종, 피부색, 출신 국가에 따른 차별(영어 능력에 따른 차별 포함)을 금지하고 있다.
법무부 민권국의 크리스틴 클라크 법무부 차관보는 "법무부는 법 집행 기관이 영어 구사 능력에 관계없이 범죄 피해자를 포함한 지역 사회의 모든 사람들을 보호하고 지원할 수 있도록 최선을 다하고 있습니다. 이번 협약으로 공공 안전이 강화되고 킹 카운티의 영어 능력이 부족한 사람들을 위한 언어 서비스 제공이 개선될 것입니다."라고 말했다.
워싱턴 서부 지역의 테사 엠. 고먼 미국 연방 검사는 "오늘 킹 카운티 보안관실과의 협약은 지역 사회의 신뢰를 구축하는 데 도움이 될 것입니다. 보안관실에 문제가 제기되자마자 해당 기관에서 언어 접근성 관련 정책을 개선해야 한다는 사실을 깨닫고 즉시 변경에 동의하게 되어 기쁘게 생각합니다."라고 말했다.
일련의 언어 접근 지원을 통한 KCSO 보안관보와 LEP를 가진 개인 간의 의사 소통을 개선하는 것을 목표로 오늘 체결한 협약은 2년간의 단계적인 실행 계획을 상세히 담고 있다. 이 협약에 따라 KCSO는 언어 접근 프로그램 관리자를 고용하고, 언어 지원을 위해 아동, 가족, 구경꾼 및 기타 자격이 없는 개인이 이용하는 것을 금지하는 임시 및 최종 지침을 개발하며, 지역 사회 구성원 및 이해 관계자와의 소통을 강화하고, 강력한 교육 프로그램을 개발하며, 접근 가능한 민원 절차를 보장하기로 합의했다.
법무부는 한 지역 사회 기반 단체가 KCSO 보안관보와 LEP 거주자 간의 사건에 대해 우려를 제기한 후 KCSO와 협력하기 시작했다. 법무부는 KCSO에 기술 지원을 제공하여 이번 협약에 이르게 되었다.
이 협약은 민권부와 미국 워싱턴 서부 지방 검찰청이 공동으로 협상한 결과이다.
이 협약은 법 집행 기관이 일상 업무에서 언어 장벽을 극복할 수 있도록 지원하기 위한 전국적인 노력인 법무부의 법 집행 언어 접근 이니셔티브(LELAI)의 일환이다. 민권국이 미국 검찰청과 협력하여 주도하는 이 계획은 기술 지원 자원과 도구를 제공한다. 이 두 가지를 제공함으로써, 주 및 지역 법 집행 기관이 LEP를 가진 개인에게 의미 있는 언어 접근을 지원한다. 이 계획의 목적은 언어 접근 정책, 계획 및 교육을 검토, 업데이트
및/또는 강화하려는 법 집행 기관을 적극적으로 참여시키고, 법 집행기관과 LEP 지역 사회 이해 관계자 및 LEP 인구 간의 연결을 강화하기 위함이다.
민권국 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt에서 민권국에 대한 추가 정보를 확인할 수 있으며, 제한된 영어 능력 및 타이틀 VI에 대한 정보는 www.lep.gov에서 확인할 수 있다. LELAI에 대한 자세한 정보는 www.lep.gov/law-enforcement에서 확인할 수 있다. 일반인은 civilrights.justice.gov/report/에서 민권 침해 가능성을 신고할 수 있다.
司法部与华盛顿州警长办公室达成语言协助协议Read the Press Release
司法部今天宣布达成一项协议，撤销针对华盛顿金县治安官办公室 (KCSO) 歧视英语水平有限 (LEP) 人士的指控。该办公室被指控违反了 1964
年《民权法案》第六章。
根据协议条款，KCSO 同意采取一系列措施来改善 LEP
个人的语言使用能力。第六章禁止接受在联邦财政援助的实体中出现基于种族、肤色和国
籍的歧视（包括基于英语水平的歧视）。
司法部民事部门助理总检察长克里斯汀·克拉克(Kristen Clarke)
表示：“司法部致力确保执法机构能够保护和服务社区中的所有人，包括犯罪受害者，无论他们是否能够流利地说英语。”“这项和解协议将增强公共安全，并改善为金县（King County）英语水平有限的人们提供的语言服务。”
“今天与金县治安官办公室达成的协议有助建立社区信任，”华盛顿西区联邦检察官泰莎· M·戈尔曼表示。“当问题上报到治安官办公室后，KCSO
便意识到自己必须改善语言协助方面的政策，并马上同意做出改变。对此我感到很高兴。”
本日达成的协议详细介绍了一项为期两年的计划，该计划将分阶段提供一系列语言协助支持，以改善 KCSO 代表与 LEP 个人之间的沟通。根据协议，KCSO
同意聘请一名语言协助项目经理，并制定临时和最终指令，禁止儿童、家庭、旁观者和其他不合格的个人提供语言援助。此外，KCSO佳将会与社区成员和利益相关者进行外展活动，同时制定健全的培训计划，并确保建立无障碍投诉流程。
在收到一个社区组织对 KCSO 专员与 LEP
居民之间发生的事件表示担忧后，司法部开始与 KCSO 接触。司法部向 KCSO
提供了技术援助，最终达成了这项和解协议。
本次协议是由民权部门和美国华盛顿西区检察官办公室共同谈判达成。该协议是该部门执法机构语言通达倡议 (LELAI)
的一部分。该计划是一项全国性行动，旨在协助执法机构克服日常工作中可能遇到的语言障碍。该计划由民权部门与美国检察官办公室合作牵头，提供 技术援助资源 和
工具，帮助州和地方执法部门为 LEP
个人提供有意义的语言协助，并积极吸引那些希望审查、更新和/或加强其语言协助政策
、计划和培训的执法机构，同时加强执法机构与 LEP 社区利益相关者和LEP
人群之间的联系。
有关民权部门的更多信息，请访问： www.justice.gov/crt 。有关英语水平有限和第六章的信息，请访问：www.lep.gov。有关 LELAI 的更多信息，请访问 www.lep.gov/law- enforcement。如果需要举报可能侵犯公民权利的行为，请访问： civilrights.justice.gov/repo rt/。
Министерство юстиции США заключило соглашение о языковом доступе с Управлением шерифа в штате ВашингтонRead the Press Release
Сегодня Министерство юстиции США объявило о заключении соглашения об урегулировании обвинений в том, что Управление шерифа округа Кинг, штат Вашингтон (KCSO), дискриминировало лиц с ограниченным знанием английского языка (LEP) в нарушение раздела VI Закона о гражданских правах 1964 года.
По условиям соглашения, KCSO согласилось предпринять ряд шагов для улучшения языкового доступа для лиц с ограниченным знанием английского языка (LEP). Раздел VI запрещает дискриминацию по признаку расы, цвета кожи и национального происхождения (включая дискриминацию по признаку владения английским языком) организациям, получающим федеральную финансовую помощь.
«Министерство юстиции США стремится к тому, чтобы наши правоохранительные органы могли защищать и обслуживать всех лиц в их местных сообществах, включая жертв преступлений, независимо от их способности свободно говорить по-английски», — заявила помощник Генерального прокурора США Кристен Кларк (Kristen Clarke) из отдела по гражданским правам Министерства юстиции США. «Это соглашение повысит уровень общественной безопасности и улучшит предоставление языковых услуг лицам с ограниченным знанием английского языка в округе Кинг».
«Сегодняшнее соглашение с Управлением шерифа округа Кинг способствует укреплению доверия в обществе», — отметила Прокурор США по Западному округу штата Вашингтона Тесса М. Горман (Tessa M. Gorman). «Я удовлетворена тем, что, как только проблема была представлена Управлению шерифа, ведомство осознало, что ему необходимо усовершенствовать политику в области языкового доступа, и сразу же согласилось внести изменения.»
Сегодняшнее соглашение предусматривает двухлетний план поэтапного внедрения ряда средств языковой поддержки для улучшения общения между сотрудниками KCSO и лицами с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком. В рамках этого соглашения KCSO обязалось нанять менеджера программы по обеспечению языкового доступа; разработать промежуточные и окончательные директивы, запрещающие использовать для оказания языковой помощи работу детей, членов семьи, посторонних лиц и других неквалифицированных лиц; провести разъяснительную работу с членами сообщества и заинтересованными сторонами; разработать эффективную программу обучения и обеспечить доступный процесс рассмотрения жалоб.
Министерство юстиции США начало взаимодействовать с KCSO после того, как общественная организация выразила обеспокоенность по поводу инцидента между помощником шерифа KCSO и жителем с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком. Министерство юстиции США оказало техническую помощь KCSO, в результате чего было заключено мировое соглашение.
Это соглашение было заключено совместно Отделом по гражданским правам и Прокуратурой США по Западному округу штата Вашингтон.
Соглашение является частью Инициативы по обеспечению языкового доступа в правоохранительных органах (LELAI), общенациональной инициативы по оказанию помощи правоохранительным органам в преодолении языковых барьеров в их повседневной работе. Эта инициатива, возглавляемая Отделом по гражданским правам в партнерстве с Прокуратурами США, предоставляет ресурсы технической помощи и инструменты, которые могут помочь штатным и местным правоохранительным органам обеспечить полноценный языковой доступ для лиц с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком, привлекает правоохранительные органы, которые хотят пересмотреть, обновить и/или укрепить свою политику, планы и обучение в области языкового доступа, а также укрепляет связь между правоохранительными органами и заинтересованными лицами из сообщества лиц с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком и населением с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком.
Дополнительную информацию об Отделе по гражданским правам можно найти на его веб-сайте www.justice.gov/crt, а информацию об ограниченном владении английским языком и разделе VI: www.lep.gov. Дополнительная информация об инициативе LELAI выложена по ссылке: www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. Представители общественности могут сообщить о возможных нарушениях гражданских прав по следующей ссылке: civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Waaxda Caddaaladdu waxay Heshiis Helitaan Luuqadeed La Gashay Xafiiska Sheriff ee Gobolka WashingtonRead the Press Release
Waaxda Caddaaladda ayaa maanta ku dhawaaqday heshiis lagu xallinayo eedeymaha sheegaya in Xafiiska Sheriff ee Degmada King ee Washington (KCSO) uu takooray dadka aqoontooda Ingiriisiga ay xaddidan tahay (LEP), taasoo xadgudub ku ah Qodobka VI ee Xeerka Xuquuqda Madaniga ee 1964.
Sida uu dhigayo xeerka heshiiska, KCSO waxay ogolaatay inay qaado tallaabooyin dhowr ah oo lagu wanaajinayo helitaanka luqadda ee shakhsiyaadka ah LEP. Qodobka VI waxa uu mamnuucayaa takoorka ku salaysan isirka, midabka iyo asalka qaranka (ay ku jirto takoorida ku salaysan aqoonta Ingiriisiga) ee ay sameeyaan hay'adaha hela kaalmada maaliyadeed ee federaalka.
“Waaxda Cadaaladda waxaa ka go'an in ay hubiso in hay'adahayada sharci fulinta ay awoodaan in ay ilaaliyaan oo ay u adeegaan dhammaan dadka ku nool bulshadooda, oo ay ku jiraan dhibanayaasha dambiyada, iyada oo aan loo eegin awoodda ay u leeyihiin in ay si fiican ugu hadlaan Ingiriisiga,” ayuu yiri Kaaliyaha Xeer Ilaaliyaha Guud Kristen Clarke oo ka tirsan Waaxda Caddaaladda Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga. “Heshiiskan xalintu waxa uu wanaajin doonaa badqabka dadwaynaha, wuxuuna wanaajin doonaa bixinta adeegyada luqadda ee dadka aan ku hadlin luuqadda Ingiriisiga ee ku nool Degmada King.”
“Heshiiska maanta lala galay Xafiiska Sheriff ee Degmada King wuxuu gacan ka gaysanayaa dhisitaanka kalsoonida bulshada,” ayuu yiri Xeer Ilaaliyaha Mareykanka Tessa M. Gorman ee Western District of Washington. “Waan ku faraxsanahay in isla markii dhibaatada loo soo bandhigay Xafiiska Sheriff, ay wakaaladu ogaatay inay tahay in ay hagaajiso siyaasadaha ku saabsan helitaanka luqadda waxayna isla markiiba ogolaatay inay isbeddel sameyso.”
Heshiiska maanta ayaa faahfaahinaya qorshe laba sano ah oo lagu wajihi doono taageerooyin xiriir ah oo luuqadeed si loo horumariyo xiriirka ka dhexeeya ku xigeennada KCSO iyo shaqsiyaadka ah LEP. Sida ku cad heshiiska, KCSO waxay ogolaatay inay shaqaalaysiiso maamulaha barnaamijka helitaanka luqadda; dhisidda amarro ku meel gaadh ah iyo kuwa kama dambaysta ah ee mamnuucaya u adeegsiga carruurta, qoyska, dadka qalaad iyo shakhsiyaadka kale ee aan u qalmin bixinta adeegyada luqadda; la xiriiridda xubnaha bulshada iyo daneeyayaasha; dhisidda barnaamij tababar oo balaaran iyo hubinta habraac cabasho oo la heli karo.
Waaxda cadaaladda ayaa bilowday la shaqeynta KCSO kadib markii urur bulshada ku salaysan uu soo saaray walaacyo ku saabsan dhacdo dhexmartay ku xigeenka KCSO iyo degane ah LEP. Waaxda cadaaladda ayaa caawimo farsamo siisay KCSO, taas oo keentay in heshiiskan la dejiyo.
Heshiiskan waxaa si wadajir ah uga wada gorgortamay Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga ah iyo Xafiiska Xeer Ilaaliyaha Maraykanka ee Western District of Washington.
Heshiisku waa qayb ka mid ah Hindisaha Sharci-Fulinta ee Helitaanka Luuqadda ee waaxda (LELAI), dadaal qaranka oo dhan ah oo lagu caawinayo hay'adaha fulinta sharciga si ay uga gudbaan caqabadaha luqadda ee shaqadooda maalinlaha ah. Hindisaha, oo ay hogaaminayso Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga ah iyada oo lala kaashanayo Xafiisyada Xeer Ilaaliyaha Mareykanka, waxay bixisaa khayraadyada kaalmada farsamada iyo agabyada ka caawin kara fulinta sharciga gobolka iyo deegaanka inay si macno leh luqad u helaan shaqsiyaadka ah LEP, waxay si cad ula hawlgalaan hay'adaha fulinta sharciga ee doonaya dib-u-eegista, cusboonaysiinta iyo/ama xoojinta siyaasadoodda helidda luuqadooda, qorshayaashooda iyo tababaradooda waxayna xoojiyaan xiriirka ka dhexeeya wakaaladaha fulinta sharciga iyo daneeyayaasha bulshada LEP iyo dadka LEP.
Macluumaad dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga ah ayaa laga heli karaa mareegteeda oo ah www.justice.gov/crt iyadoo macluumaadka ku saabsan aqoonta Ingiriisiga xaddidan iyo Qodobka VI laga heli karo www.lep.gov. Macluumaad dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan LELAI ayaa laga heli karaa www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. Xubnaha ka tirsan ee dadweynaha waxay ku soo wargelin karaan xadgudubyada xuquuqda madaniga ee suuragalka ah barta civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Taholah, Washington man sentenced to 30 months in prison for sex offense against minorRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 21-year-old Taholah, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 30 months in prison for abusive sexual contact in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager on the Quinault Nation reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jerimiah McCrory was arrested in July 2021, after a teen victim reported McCrory raped her after attending a gathering on the Quinault reservation. The investigation by Quinault Nation Police and the FBI revealed that other teens also had been sexually assaulted. U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright rejected a defense request for a time-served sentence, saying the forcible rape followed an escalating pattern of the sexual abuse of others.
According to the plea agreement, the sexual assault of one teenager occurred on April 12, 2021, when McCrory and the victim were visiting a home on the Quinault Nation reservation. McCrory is a member of the Quinault Nation. McCrory admitted that he sexually assaulted the teen and pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact in connection with that assault in October 2023. As part of the plea agreement, McCrory admitted to two other sexual assaults against teenage victims in 2019. Those facts were considered by the judge at sentencing as relevant conduct.
McCrory will be on 10 years of supervised release following prison and will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the Quinault Nation Police and the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Tate London and Rebecca S. Cohen. Mr. London serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
Sở Tư Pháp Ký Thỏa Thuận Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ với Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng tại Tiểu Bang WashingtonRead the Press Release
Sở Tư Pháp hôm nay công bố thỏa thuận để giải quyết cáo buộc rằng Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng của Quận King (KCSO), Washington phân biệt đối xử với những người có khả năng Tiếng Anh hạn chế (LEP), vi phạm Tiêu Đề VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền Năm 1964.
Theo các điều khoản của thỏa thuận, KCSO đã đồng ý thực hiện một số bước để cải thiện việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho các cá nhân LEP. Tiêu Đề VI cấm phân biệt chủng tộc, màu da và nguồn gốc quốc gia (bao gồm cả phân biệt đối xử dựa trên khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh) bởi các tổ chức nhận hỗ trợ tài chính từ liên bang.
“Sở Tư Pháp cam kết đảm bảo rằng các cơ quan thi hành pháp luật của chúng ta có khả năng bảo vệ và phục vụ tất cả mọi người trong cộng đồng của họ, bao gồm cả tội phạm, bất kể khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh của họ,” Trợ Lý Tổng Chưởng Lý Kristen Clarke của Sở Tư Pháp đã nói. “Thỏa thuận dàn xếp này sẽ nâng cao an ninh công cộng và cải thiện việc cung cấp dịch vụ ngôn ngữ cho những người có khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh hạn chế ở Quận King.”
“Thỏa thuận hôm nay với Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng Quận King giúp tạo dựng niềm tin trong cộng đồng,” Công Tố Viên Hoa Kỳ Tessa M. Gorman tại Quận Tây Washington cho biết. “Tôi rất vui mừng là ngay sau khi vấn đề được đưa ra cho Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng, cơ quan này nhận ra rằng cần phải cải thiện chính sách về việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ và ngay lập tức đồng ý thực hiện các thay đổi.”
Thỏa thuận ngày hôm nay ghi chi tiết một kế hoạch kéo dài hai năm để áp dụng một loạt các hỗ trợ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ nhằm cải thiện giao tiếp giữa các cảnh sát viên của KCSO và các cá nhân LEP. Theo thỏa thuận, KCSO đã đồng ý thuê một quản lý chương trình tiếp cận ngôn ngữ; xây dựng các chỉ thị tạm thời và cuối cùng để cấm sử dụng trẻ em, gia đình, người ngoài cuộc và những người khác không đủ điều kiện nhận hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ; thực hiện hoạt động tiếp xúc các thành viên cộng đồng và các bên liên quan; phát triển một chương trình đào tạo thiết thực và đảm bảo quy trình khiếu nại dễ tiếp cận.
Sở Tư Pháp bắt đầu tiếp xúc với KCSO sau khi một tổ chức cộng đồng nêu ra lo ngại về một sự việc giữa một Nhân Viên Cảnh Sát KCSO và một cư dân LEP. Sở Tư Pháp đã cung cấp hỗ trợ kỹ thuật cho KCSO, kết quả là có thỏa thuận dàn xếp này.
Thỏa thuận này đã được đàm phán chung bởi Phòng Dân Quyền và Văn Phòng Công Tố Hoa Kỳ tại Quận Tây Washington.
Thỏa thuận này là một phần của Sáng Kiến Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Hành Pháp (LELAI) của sở, một nỗ lực quốc gia để hỗ trợ các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật vượt qua các rào cản ngôn ngữ trong công việc hằng ngày. Sáng kiến này, do Phòng Dân Quyền dẫn đầu và phối hợp với Văn Phòng Công Tố Hoa Kỳ, cung cấp các nguồn lực hỗ trợ kỹ thuật và công cụ có thể giúp cơ quan thực thi pháp luật cấp tiểu bang và địa phương cung cấp khả năng tiếp cận ngôn ngữ có ý nghĩa cho các cá nhân LEP, tích cực hợp tác với các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật muốn rà soát, cập nhật và/hoặc củng cố các chính sách, kế hoạch và đào tạo về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của họ, và củng cố mối liên kết giữa các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật và các bên liên quan của cộng đồng LEP và những nhóm dân số đó LEP.
Thông tin thêm về Phòng Dân Quyền có trên trang web của cơ quan này tại địa chỉ www.justice.gov/crt và thông tin về khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh hạn chế và Tiêu Đề VI có tại www.lep.gov. Các thông tin khác về LELAI có tại www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. Công chúng có thể báo cáo các trường hợp có khả năng vi phạm về dân quyền tại civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Justice Department Secures Language Access Agreement with Sheriff’s Office in Washington StateRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today an agreement to resolve allegations that the King County, Washington, Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) discriminated against people who are limited English proficient (LEP), in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Under the terms of the agreement, KCSO has agreed to take a number of steps to improve language access for individuals with LEP. Title VI prohibits race, color and national origin discrimination (including discrimination on the basis of English proficiency) by entities that receive federal financial assistance.
“The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that our law enforcement agencies are able to protect and serve all people in their community, including crime victims, regardless of their ability to speak English fluently,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement agreement will enhance public safety, and improve delivery of language services for people with limited English proficiency in King County.”
“Today’s agreement with the King County Sheriff’s Office helps build community trust,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington. “I am pleased that as soon as the problem was presented to the Sheriff’s Office, the agency realized it had to improve policies around language access and immediately agreed to make changes.”
Today’s agreement details a two-year plan to phase in a series of language access supports to improve communication between KCSO deputies and individuals with LEP. Under the agreement, KCSO has agreed to hire a language access program manager; develop interim and final directives prohibiting the use of children, family, bystanders and other unqualified individuals for language assistance; engage in outreach with community members and stakeholders; develop a robust training program and ensure an accessible complaint process.
The Justice Department began engaging with KCSO after a community-based organization raised concerns about an incident between a KCSO Deputy and a resident with LEP. The Justice Department provided technical assistance to KCSO, which resulted in this settlement agreement.
This agreement was jointly negotiated by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
The agreement is part of the department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative (LELAI), a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies to overcome language barriers in their day-to-day work. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, provides technical assistance resources and tools that can help state and local law enforcement provide meaningful language access to individuals with LEP, affirmatively engages law enforcement agencies that want to review, update and/or strengthen their language access polices, plans and training and strengthens the connection between law enforcement agencies and LEP community stakeholders and LEP populations.
Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. More information on LELAI is available at www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Justice Department Secures Language Access Agreement with Sheriff’s Office in Washington StateRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today an agreement to resolve allegations that the King County, Washington, Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) discriminated against people who are limited English proficient (LEP), in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Under the terms of the agreement, KCSO has agreed to take a number of steps to improve language access for individuals with LEP. Title VI prohibits race, color and national origin discrimination (including discrimination on the basis of English proficiency) by entities that receive federal financial assistance.
“The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that our law enforcement agencies are able to protect and serve all people in their community, including crime victims, regardless of their ability to speak English fluently,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement agreement will enhance public safety, and improve delivery of language services for people with limited English proficiency in King County.”
“Today’s agreement with the King County Sheriff’s Office helps build community trust,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington. “I am pleased that as soon as the problem was presented to the Sheriff’s Office, the agency realized it had to improve policies around language access and immediately agreed to make changes.”
Today’s agreement details a two-year plan to phase in a series of language access supports to improve communication between KCSO deputies and individuals with LEP. Under the agreement, KCSO has agreed to hire a language access program manager; develop interim and final directives prohibiting the use of children, family, bystanders and other unqualified individuals for language assistance; engage in outreach with community members and stakeholders; develop a robust training program and ensure an accessible complaint process.
The Justice Department began engaging with KCSO after a community-based organization raised concerns about an incident between a KCSO Deputy and a resident with LEP. The Justice Department provided technical assistance to KCSO, which resulted in this settlement agreement.
This agreement was jointly negotiated by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
The agreement is part of the department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative (LELAI), a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies to overcome language barriers in their day-to-day work. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, provides technical assistance resources and tools that can help state and local law enforcement provide meaningful language access to individuals with LEP, affirmatively engages law enforcement agencies that want to review, update and/or strengthen their language access polices, plans and training and strengthens the connection between law enforcement agencies and LEP community stakeholders and LEP populations.
Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. More information on LELAI is available at www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con la Oficina del Sheriff en el estado de Washington sobre el acceso lingüísticoRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy un acuerdo para resolver las acusaciones de que la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de King, Washington (KCSO, por sus siglas en inglés), discriminaba a personas con un dominio limitado del inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés), en contra del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964.
En virtud de los términos del acuerdo, KCSO ha acordado tomar una serie de medidas para mejorar el acceso lingüístico para las personas LEP. El Título VI prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color de piel y nacionalidad de origen (incluida la discriminación con base en el dominio del inglés) por parte de entidades que reciben apoyo financiero federal.
«El Departamento de Justicia se compromete a garantizar que nuestros organismos encargados del cumplimiento de la ley puedan proteger y servir a todas las personas de su comunidad, incluidas las víctimas de delitos, independientemente de su capacidad para hablar inglés con fluidez», dijo Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Este acuerdo conciliatorio mejorará la seguridad pública y la prestación de servicios lingüísticos para personas con un dominio limitado del inglés en el Condado de King».
«El acuerdo de hoy con la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de King ayuda a generar confianza en la comunidad», comentó Tessa M. Gorman, la Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Oeste de Washington. «Me complace que tan pronto como se presentó el problema ante la Oficina del Sheriff, la agencia se dio cuenta de que tenía que mejorar las políticas sobre el acceso lingüístico y acordó inmediatamente realizar cambios».
El acuerdo de hoy detalla un plan de dos años para la introducción de una serie de apoyos de acceso lingüístico para mejorar la comunicación entre los sheriffs adjuntos de la KCSO y las personas LEP. En virtud del acuerdo, la KCSO ha acordado contratar a un gerente del programa de acceso lingüístico; desarrollar directivas provisionales y finales que prohíban el uso de niños, familiares, transeúntes y otras personas no cualificadas para el apoyo lingüístico; participar en actividades de alcance comunitario con miembros de la comunidad y partes interesadas; desarrollar un programa de formación sólido y garantizar un proceso de reclamación accesible.
El Departamento de Justicia comenzó a interactuar con la KCSO después de que una organización comunitaria planteara inquietudes sobre un incidente entre un sheriff adjunto de la KCSO y un residente LEP. El Departamento de Justicia proporcionó asistencia técnica a la KCSO, lo que dio lugar a este acuerdo conciliatorio.
Este acuerdo fue negociado conjuntamente por la División de Derechos Civiles y la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Oeste de Washington.
El acuerdo forma parte de la Iniciativa del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico (LELAI, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento, un esfuerzo nacional para ayudar a las agencias del orden público a superar las barreras lingüísticas en su trabajo diario. La iniciativa, dirigida por la División de Derechos Civiles en asociación con las Fiscalías Federales, proporciona recursos de asistencia técnica y herramientas que pueden ayudar a las fuerzas del orden público estatales y locales a proporcionar un acceso lingüístico significativo a las personas LEP, trabaja afirmativamente con las agencias de aplicación de la ley que desean revisar, actualizar o fortalecer sus políticas, planes y capacitación de acceso lingüístico y fortalece la conexión entre las agencias de aplicación de la ley y las partes interesadas de la comunidad LEP y las poblaciones LEP.
Puede encontrar información adicional sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/es/crt e información sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y el Título VI está disponible en www.lep.gov. Encontrará más información sobre LELAI en www.lep.gov/law-enforcement. Los miembros del público pueden denunciar posibles infracciones de los derechos civiles en civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
U.S. Attorney’s Office collects more than $24 million in civil and criminal actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
Seattle- U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced today that the Western District of Washington collected more than $24 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $12,306,908 was collected in criminal actions and $11,958,411 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Western District of Washington worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $41,493,471 in civil cases pursued jointly by these offices.
“Overall, our collections have increased significantly over prior years and that is a win for taxpayers and crime victims who benefit when we are able to collect restitution and settlement funds,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Of particular note is the $40 million settlement in a False Claims Act matter involving telecommunications for health care in Alaska.”
In May 2023, the Western District of Washington recovered $40,252,546 as part of the settlement in the GCI communications False Claims Act Case. The Anchorage Alaska based corporation resolved allegations that it knowingly inflated its prices and violated Federal Communications Commission (FCC) competitive bidding regulations in connection with GCI’s participation in the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Western District of Washington working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $4,765,255 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
Electrician at Federal Detention Center recognized by U.S. Attorney General for outstanding work on behalf of DOJRead the Press Release
Seattle – An Electrical Worker Supervisor at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac was recognized last week with the Attorney General’s Cubby Dorsey Award for outstanding service. Charles D. Treadway II was presented the award at a ceremony in Washington DC. The award reads for “Outstanding Service in support of programs and operations through extraordinary performance and achievements.”
“I am so pleased that Attorney General Merrick Garland recognized the outstanding work of Charles Treadway,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “He demonstrates the best of the federal workforce with his dedication to making improvements to benefit the staff and people in custody at the FDC.”
In the Bureau of Prisons nomination form, it notes that Mr. Treadway saved taxpayers more than $55,000 with his innovative approach to a lighting project at the Federal Detention Center. FDC SeaTac, a high-rise building, needed outdoor lighting to reduce areas of dark shadow that posed a security risk. BOP had estimated it would need to spend $60,000 for a major project to improve the lighting. Mr. Treadway improvised with new LED lighting fixtures designed for stadiums and was able to complete the project for just $5,000 – a significant savings. Mr. Treadway is also working to improve the lighting in recreation areas with bulbs that can be protected from recreation equipment. This too will improve security at the facility.
Charles Treadway was also recognized for his quick work to complete projects that benefit staff and those in custody. For example, when BOP decided to allow tablets for inmates, Mr. Treadway developed the plans for charging locations and completed the installation months ahead of schedule.
The Bureau of Prisons further commended Treadway for his teamwork, by volunteering to fill corrections posts when short staffed and reporting for work in off hours when there are power outages. His work with outside contractors sets an example for other employees.
Mr. Treadway is the sole employee in federal service receiving this year’s Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a wage Grade Employee.
Tacoma man pleads guilty to brutal assault that left victim critically injuredRead the Press Release
Tacoma– A 41-year-old Tacoma man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Shaun Lee Blue faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo on May 3, 2024.
According to records filed in the case, Blue worked for the victim as a day laborer. On March 19, 2023, the men were working on removing an old trailer from a property in Eatonville, Washington. At the end of the workday, the two met up at the Roy Y Park and Ride lot so that the victim could pay Blue for the work he had done.
At the parking lot, both men got out of their cars and started to argue. Blue pulled a knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen multiple times causing serious cuts to his intestines, colon, and liver. Blue continued to stab the victim even after the victim fell to the ground.
After the attack, Blue drove away and the victim was able to call 9-1-1 for help. He was found critically injured in his vehicle and was taken to the hospital. The victim continues to recover from his significant injuries and multiple surgeries.
The Roy Y Park and Ride is on the property of Joint Base Lewis McChord and therefore is in exclusive federal jurisdiction.
Blue has agreed to make restitution to the victim.
Assault resulting in serious bodily harm is punishable by up to ten years in prison and $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, and Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with assistance from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hillary K. Stuart.
Former Washougal, Washington resident sentenced to 15 years in prison for production of images of child sexual abuseRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 29-year-old former resident of Washougal, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 15 years in prison for making videos of the rape of two infant children, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Steven Rian Price was convicted at trial of multiple felonies in Clark County Superior Court. Price was sentenced to 108 years in state custody. The 15-year federal sentence will run concurrently with the state sentence. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “The seriousness of this offense cannot be overstated. The crime was unspeakably cruel and depraved. No words can describe the horrors of the abuse… The victims will live with this for the rest of their lives.”
According to records in the case, Price was residing in a motel in Washougal. In summer 2019, Price used a smartphone to videotape the rape of an infant child. Later that year, Price used the online communication platforms Discord and Skype to share videos depicting the rape of the infant. Also in the summer of 2019, Price filmed the sexual assault of a second infant – the child of an acquaintance. In October 2019, the day after one of the videos was uploaded, Discord alerted law enforcement and Vancouver Police moved quickly to arrest Price.
The case was investigated by the Vancouver Police Department Digital Evidence Cybercrimes Unit.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Dillon.
Automobile accessory company Yakima Products Inc. settles allegations failed to pay duties on extruded aluminum from ChinaRead the Press Release
Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Yakima Products Inc. headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has resolved allegations that Yakima Products knowingly failed to pay required antidumping and countervailing duties on extruded aluminum components imported from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Yakima will pay the U.S. $3 million, of which $1,325,000 is restitution. Yakima will pay the settlement over a one-year period.
“Yakima Products Inc. has successfully manufactured and sold automobile accessories for years, but failed to take action when it was informed that it was not paying appropriate duties on material imported from China,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Knowingly avoiding those costs gives Yakima an unfair advantage over other manufacturers who pay those required fees. Now the company is not only paying those costs, but also penalties as well as the attorney fees of the relator who reported the improper conduct.”
According to the settlement agreement, from January 1, 2012, through July 5, 2021, Yakima Products Inc failed to pay the duties it owed. Yakima had been informed of the need to pay the duties but chose not to do so.
Ultimately, a former employee brought the matter to the attention of the government in a qui tam lawsuit filed in April 2021. As the person who reports the fraud on a government program or policy, the former employee, known as the relator, will receive 17% of the funds paid to the government. In addition, Yakima Products Inc. will pay $75,000 in legal fees for the relator.
As part of the settlement agreement, Yakima Products Inc does not admit wrongdoing, but seeks to resolve the matter to avoid the delay, uncertainty, and expense of protracted litigation.
“This settlement agreement with Yakima marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of fair-trade practices,” said Christopher Perry, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “I commend the dedication and hard work of CBP’s trade specialists, along with our invaluable federal partners, in upholding the integrity of our nation’s trade policies. Together, we remain steadfast in ensuring a level playing field for American businesses and ensuring everyone plays by the rules.”
The settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Nickolas Bohl and Senior Attorney Kenneth Misbin with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Florida man pleads guilty to production of images of child sexual abuse, and traveling to sexually assault a minorRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 42-year-old New Port Ritchey, Florida, man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to production of child pornography and interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Samuel Aaron Leonard was arrested July 2, 2020, in Vancouver, Washington, just outside the home of the 14‑year-old girl he had spent months enticing online for sexual abuse. Leonard communicated with the girl on a number of social media platforms and represented to the girl that he was 20 years old. Leonard is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on April 15, 2024.
According to records filed in the case, Leonard contacted the girl via a social media platform around April 1, 2020. Over the next few months, Leonard communicated with the girl on various social media sites and sent her a cell phone so that they could communicate by text and telephone. Unbeknownst to the girl, Leonard had installed tracking and surveillance software in the phone so that he could monitor her location and read her texts and emails. Leonard turned the conversations with the girl to a sexual nature and convinced her to send various sexually explicit photos.
The girl’s guardians became aware of the communication and contacted police in late June 2020. Law enforcement immediately seized both phones that the teen had been using to communicate and had an undercover officer take over the communication. Analyzing the communications and the cell phone information, the investigation revealed that Leonard had traveled from Florida to the Vancouver area via bus and was within a short bike ride of the girl’s home. When the officer, posing as the girl, revealed that the girl’s guardian had taken the phone Leonard had sent to her, Leonard said he would get her a new one. Police surveilled Leonard as he took a newly purchased phone, hid it in a package, and tossed the package over the fence to the girl’s backyard. Leonard was arrested shortly afterwards.
A search of Leonard’s hotel room revealed that he had a number of items used to restrain someone, such as ten sets of flex cuffs and two sets of metal handcuffs, as well as duct tape and electrical tape. He also had various sex toys and lubricants. In the plea agreement Leonard admits that in 2018 he traveled to Oklahoma to sexually assault a 16-year-old. Leonard’s phone contained videos of that sexual assault.
Production of child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and up to 30 years in prison. Interstate travel to engage in sex acts with a minor is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, both prosecutors and defense will recommend a prison term of 20 years. Prosecutors will argue for a lifetime term of supervised release to follow prison. Judge Settle is not bound by the recommendations and can impose any sentence allowed by law. Leonard will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Vancouver Police Department, and Kalama Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Sean Waite with assistance from the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Black Diamond, Washington couple charged with illegally possessing machine guns, silencers, “Glock switches” and fentanyl for distributionRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 38-year-old Black Diamond, Washington man will appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today following his arrest for six federal felonies related to illegal firearms and fentanyl distribution, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Ross A. Heinzinger was arrested yesterday shortly after leaving his residence. His co-defendant, Ashley N. Lewis, 36, will make a court appearance at a later date.
According to the criminal complaint, the couple were first contacted by law enforcement when a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy noticed them apparently passed out in their vehicle at the Village Store in Port Ludlow, Washington. Officers observed burned foil and blue pills in the car. The couple was arrested, and officers obtained a search warrant for the car.
Inside the car were seven privately made firearms – these are guns that have no serial number, often called ghost guns. There were also three handguns with serial numbers. Also in the car were 12 silencers and 11 Glock conversion
devices – a small part that turns a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic or machine gun. Law enforcement also found high-capacity magazines, ammunition, more than $53,000 in cash, and 700 suspected fentanyl pills.
The pair were charged in Jefferson County for drug distribution and carrying a concealed weapon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) undertook a deeper investigation into the pair’s gun activity.
A court-authorized review of a cell phone seized from the couple revealed numerous videos of their fentanyl dealing activity and videos related to Heinzinger’s manufacturing of firearms. Several videos on the phone document his sales of firearms to a convicted felon. At one point in the video, Heinzinger offers the person several of his machineguns.
In October 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants on the couple’s Black Diamond apartment, storage locker, and vehicles. Agents seized 23
firearms, four silencers, two ballistic vests, and 2,300 rounds of ammunition. In one of the vehicles was a large quantity of fentanyl pills as well as a pistol magazine loaded with ammunition. In another vehicle were a silencer and additional ammunition.
Neither Heinzinger nor Lewis was present at the apartment during the search. Following the search, a warrant was issued for the pair’s arrest.
Both are now charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute; two counts of unlawful possession of machineguns; unlawful possession of unregistered silencers; and unlawful possession of unregistered firearms.
Because of the drug quantity involved, if convicted, the pair face a mandatory minimum five years and up to 40 years in prison. The firearm charges are punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the King County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marci Ellsworth.
heinzinger_and_lewis_filed_complaint.pdfBremerton, Washington man pleads guilty to four federal felonies connected to his extensive “swatting” schemeRead the Press Release
Tacoma –A 21-year-old Bremerton, Washington, man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today to four federal felonies stemming from his extensive illegal harassing activity known as “swatting,” announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion, and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle scheduled sentencing for April 15, 2024.
According to the plea agreement and records in the case, from early June 2022 through March 2023, Garcia used voice over internet technology and social media platforms to make false emergency calls to dispatch services while urging others watch his illegal activity via social media. In his plea agreement, Garcia admits he intended his calls to cause a large-scale deployment of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, bomb squads, and other police units to the targeted locations. He made these calls with malicious intent to harass, intimidate, and retaliate against certain individuals and organizations, and to obtain items of value through extortion.
The plea agreement details 20 different false emergency reports targeting victims in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Garcia gathered personal information about his victims, and then threatened some of his victims with harm, including placing swatting calls to send an armed police presence to their home. Garcia demanded money, virtual currency, credit card information, or sexually explicit photos from some of the people he threatened.
Garcia made fake reports to non-emergency police numbers claiming things such as that he and others had planted explosive devices in particular locations. He falsely accused other individuals of committing crimes, such as murder, rape, and kidnapping, and he falsely claimed that these individuals possessed dangerous weapons, such as knives, firearms, and explosive devices. Frequently, he used the same scripts claiming that his father was holding him hostage, false claims that he shot his parents, false claims that his father stabbed his mother, and false claims that his father had raped female members of the family.
The false reports tied up law enforcement resources that could have been used for actual emergencies. In some instances, law enforcement entered the victim residence with weapons drawn and detained people at the residence.
Garcia treated the swatting calls like entertainment. He broadcast his swatting calls via the internet platform Discord. Garcia told other Discord users that he considered himself a “cyber terrorist.”
Threats and hoaxes involving explosives are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Extortion is punishable by up to two years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend no more than 4 years in prison. Judge Settle is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.
Garcia remains detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Washington.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from numerous local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and in Canada.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Manca.
garcia_plea_agreement_-_swatting.pdf