Eastern District of Wisconsin
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Registered Sex Offender Indicted for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Today, United States Attorney James L. Santelle of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced the grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Jermaine L. Johnson (age: 36) formerly of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Specifically, Johnson was indicted for two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Count one of the indictment alleges that on or about July 20, 2009, Johnson knowingly produced child pornography which involved a minor female engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Count two alleges that on or about August 2, 2011, Johnson again knowingly produced child pornography which involved a second minor female engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Count three of the indictment alleges Johnson possessed child pornography on or about March 15, 2012.
If convicted of production of child pornography, as set forth in count one of the indictment, Johnson faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. If convicted of production of child pornography, as set forth in count two of the indictment, Johnson faces a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 50 years’ imprisonment. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The higher minimum mandatory term of imprisonment for counts two and three is the result of Johnson’s prior conviction in 2009, for second degree sexual assault (State of Wisconsin v. Jermaine L. Johnson, Case No: 2009CF00966, Waukesha County)
This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Penelope L. Coblentz has been assigned to prosecute this case.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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.Man Sentenced in Federal Court to Ten Years imprisonment for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced today that on January 31, 2013, Charles W. Adams (age:46), formerly of Spencer, Indiana, was sentenced in federal district court to 120 months imprisonment - the maximum sentence - for the crime of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Chief Judge William C. Griesbach also ordered that Adams serve a lifetime of supervised release following his release from federal prison and continue to register as a sex offender.
Adams was indicted in federal court for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender following his December 1, 2010 arrest in Winnebago County on sexual assault charges. Adams has entered a not guilty plea to the Winnebago County state sexual assault charge, case number 10CF754, and has a jury trial scheduled for March 25, 2013. Adams was also charged in Winnebago County case number 11CF563 with two felony counts of Capturing an Image of Nudity Without Consent. He proceeded to trial on the latter two offenses, was found guilty, and will be sentenced on February 28, 2013.
In filings with the federal court, the government argued the pending sexual assault charge served to enhance the seriousness of Adams’ failure to register as a sex offender offense, as did his prior convictions for sexual offenses. Chief Judge Griesbach agreed and ultimately sentenced Adams to the statutory maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. The failure to register as a sex offender statute requires qualifying sex offenders to advise law enforcement of any location where they reside, work, or attend school. The indictment filed against Adams alleged that between October 2010 and the time of his arrest in December 2010, he traveled interstate and knowingly failed to register and update his registration.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshal Service with the assistance of the Neenah Police Department The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William J. Roach.
# # # #Beaver Dam Woman Who Defrauded Social Security Administration Sentenced to 3 Months Incarceration and Orders to Pay $67,683 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced that on February 1, 2013, Sara Livingston (age: 42) of Beaver Dam was sentenced to serve 3 months of incarceration and ordered to pay $67, 683 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. Livingston had previously pled guilty to theft of government funds and making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
In February 2008, Livingston applied for and received Social Security Disability benefits based on false information. Livingston failed to inform the SSA that she was employed by a Beaver Dam chiropractic clinic and earning income above allowable limits. Additionally, in September 2008, Livingston started a home childcare business and earned substantial income while still collecting Social Security disability benefits.
The Inspector General’s Office for the Social Security Administration began their investigation in September 2011 after they received an anonymous tip. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karine Moreno-Taxman.
Former Twin Lakes, Wisconsin Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Mortgage Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney announced that on January 29, 2013 Federal District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced Paul Zaleski, (age: 64), formerly of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, now living in Ojai, California, to fourteen months in federal prison for his part in a mortgage fraud scheme that spanned 2004 to 2006. Zaleski, who pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, faced a total of 30 years in prison for these offenses.
According to the indictment, Zaleski, acting as a mortgage broker, orchestrated a scheme which involved straw buyers, fraudulent loan applications, and inflated appraisals. At the result, he was able to arrange in excess of $14 million in loans for the purchase of approximately 51 properties located in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. More than $2 million of the loan proceeds wired by the various lenders were funneled to shell companies that Zalesk established.
In connection with the scheme, Zaleski represented himself as a person involved in the purchase and improvement of real estate for profit and the coordinator of a group of investors engaged in that activity. All but a few of the properties ultimately went into foreclosure resulting in a loss of more than $5 million.
The money laundering counts alleged that ill-gotten loan proceeds were used, in part, for the purchase of additional properties, and for personal expenses, including Zaleski’s purchase of a new Chevrolet Corvette.
Adelman previously sentenced Zaleski’s co-conspirators for their roles in the fraud scheme. Appraiser John Hochrek, 51, of Ingleside, Illinois, was sentenced to one year in prison for wire fraud. Remodeling contractor Michael Pembroke, 48, of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, was sentenced to one year in prison for wire fraud and money laundering. Investor Patricia Kay, 60, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was sentenced to three years probation for misprision of a felony. Loan processor, Robert Farrell, 33, of Mundelein, Illinois, was sentenced to three years probation for conspiracy. Restitution has yet to be determined.
According to First Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Haanstad “This prosecution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting homeowners, lenders, and the economy from the serious damage that flows from mortgage fraud. As was the case in this prosecution, our office will continue to work collaboratively with the FBI, the IRS, and our other law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who engage in these frauds and who, by doing so, undermine the integrity of our housing and credit markets.”
"Mortgage fraud has had a devastating impact on our society" said Teresa L. Carlson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Milwaukee Division. "However, through the great collaboration of our law enforcement partnerships we will continue to dedicate resources to combat the threat of mortgage fraud here in Wisconsin and across the nation."
“Mr. Zaleski held a position of trust not only in First Security Financial, but also in the eyes of the public and the Kenosha community as a whole, and unfortunately chose to violate that trust and abuse his position” said Kelly Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation office who investigated Zaleski. Jackson added that federal authorities will continue their efforts to diligently investigate and prosecute crimes which financially victimize others.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.