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Wednesday 31 January 2024
Cobb County man sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping 12-year-old from Barrow CountyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - James Anthony Reynolds, who drove a 12-year-old girl from Barrow County, Georgia, to Acworth, Georgia, and sexually assaulted and then abandoned her in a Walmart parking lot in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
“Child sexual predators are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to target vulnerable minors,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “While our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners remain steadfast in identifying these criminals, and our office is committed to prosecuting these individuals to the fullest extent of the law, we strongly urge parents to stay vigilant in monitoring their children’s Internet activity, including their use of apps on electronic devices. Thankfully, the minor victim in this case is safe after being reunited with her family.”
“No prison sentence can repair the damage James Anthony Reynolds has done. We hope this sentencing is of great comfort to the victim and her family,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. “The FBI is committed to partnering with our law enforcement partners to prevent, deter, and punish crimes like these.”
“This sentencing represents the determination of our agents and law enforcement partners to catch dangerous predators,” said Chris Hosey, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “This should serve as a warning to those who seek to prey on our most vulnerable that the GBI and our partners will never cease in our mission. As the threats to children online continue to grow, we will remain vigilant and adapt our methods to protect our children and hold predators accountable.”
“As Sheriff I am very proud of the work all agencies did to catch this predator and get him off the streets so that no one else could possibly fall victim to his crimes,” said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith. “Human trafficking is a real problem and I urge if you or anyone you know might be in trouble to call your local law enforcement or the GA Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking at 866-363-4842.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In May 2020, the victim then 12 years old, met a man online on a social media app. During the early morning hours of May 7, 2020, this man, later identified as James Anthony Reynolds, picked up the child, violently and sexually assaulted her, and drove her to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Reynolds then abandoned the child in a Walmart parking lot. The young girl approached a Walmart employee who, fortunately, was able to help the child reach her parents.
James Anthony Reynolds, 25, of Acworth, Georgia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. On November 1, 2023, Reynolds pleaded guilty to kidnapping. He continues to face additional charges related to this case in state court.
This case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Cleveland, Ohio, Man Sentenced to Prison and Supervised Release for Fentanyl and Cocaine ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for his conviction on fentanyl and cocaine trafficking charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Ravon Crockett, 46, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak. Judge Hornak also ordered Crockett to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. In September 2023, Crockett pleaded guilty in this case to (1) conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between March 2020 and August 2021, and (2) distributing fentanyl and cocaine on November 16, 2020.
At sentencing, the Court was informed that Crockett distributed fentanyl and cocaine in New Castle, Lawrence County, for several months in 2020. He was on probation at that time for a prior heroin trafficking conviction in Ohio.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Lawrence County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Crockett.
Clay County Woman Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for Possessing with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and CocaineRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Alyssa Avery (32, Green Cove Springs) to six years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine. Avery entered a guilty plea on October 19, 2023.
According to court documents, on January 30, 2023, deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) observed Avery driving in a rental vehicle in Green Cove Springs. When deputies learned Avery did not have a valid driver’s license, they initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, a CCSO canine alerted the detectives to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found over 20 grams of fentanyl in 17 individual sealed baggies, 60 grams of pure crystal methamphetamine, over 13 grams of cocaine, and over 16 grams of cocaine base. Deputies also recovered a digital scale. Detectives learned Avery had been released from the Florida Department of Corrections the month prior for trafficking methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.
Cincinnati man pleads guilty to leading firearms conspiracy involving 56 guns purchased online with stolen credit cardsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to crimes related to buying firearms with stolen credit card information and leading a conspiracy to pick up the firearms in illegal straw purchases, as well as separately obtaining a fraudulent COVID-relief loan.
Zephaniah Jones, 21, admitted to conspiring to make false statements on federal firearms forms, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
According to court documents, from April through July 2022, Jones and others attempted to place online orders for firearms with Guns.com and other online retailers for delivery to Cincinnati. Jones and his coconspirators completed online orders for 56 firearms and succeeded in obtaining at least 37.
Under federal law, the firearms could not be shipped directly to Jones or a coconspirator; they had to be shipped to a local federal firearms licensee (FFL). At the FFL, Jones’s coconspirators lied on ATF Form 4473, a form required when purchasing a firearm from an FFL, by pretending to be the actual buyer of the firearms. In fact, the firearms were for Jones, who intended to resell them.
Jones used stolen credit card information and billing addresses to place all the orders. For example, within two weeks in June and July 2022, Jones used the credit card information of three individuals to make purchases of firearms totaling more than $15,000. Jones bought large numbers of the same or similar models of firearms, intending to resell them. For example, he bought at least 14 Glock pistols, 11 F.N. Five-Seven pistols, and six FN 509 pistols.
Some of the guns involved in the conspiracy were traced to crimes within a short period of time. For example, just 15 days after purchase, one pistol was used to shoot into an occupied residence in Columbus; it was later also used in a shots-fired incident and a separate felonious assault. Another pistol was recovered from a juvenile less than three months after purchase, after being used in a different shots-fired incident in Columbus.
Separately, in February 2020, Jones submitted a fraudulent application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, falsely claiming that he owned a business called Jones Lawncare LLC. As a result, Jones was awarded a PPP loan for nearly $21,000 that was later forgiven.
Parties involved in Jones’s case have recommended a sentence of 79 months in prison. Five other coconspirators in the straw-purchasing conspiracy have been charged federally.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case. The case investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
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Chinese Nationals Charged with Illegally Exporting U.S.-Origin Electronic Components to Iran and Iranian Military AffiliatesRead the Press Release
Four Chinese nationals are charged in an indictment in the District of Columbia with various federal crimes related to a years-long conspiracy to unlawfully export and smuggle U.S.-origin electronic components from the United States to Iran.
According to court documents, Baoxia Liu, aka Emily Liu; Yiu Wa Yung, aka Stephen Yung; Yongxin Li, aka Emma Lee; and Yanlai Zhong, aka Sydney Chung, unlawfully exported and smuggled U.S. export controlled items through China and Hong Kong ultimately for the benefit of entities affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which supervises Iran’s development and production of missiles, weapons, and military aerial equipment to include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
“For more than a decade, the defendants allegedly orchestrated a scheme to smuggle U.S. manufactured parts to the IRGC and the Iranian agency charged with developing ballistic missiles and UAVs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. “Such efforts to unlawfully obtain U.S. technology directly threaten our national security, and we will use every tool at our disposal to sever the illicit supply chains that fuel the Iranian regime’s malign activity.”
“Aggressively combating illicit procurement networks that support Iranian military systems like radars and UAVs is essential to U.S. national security,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. “Today’s indictment, tied to the work of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, reaffirms that proliferators cannot hide behind front companies in third countries to funnel technology to our adversaries.”
“Our indictment alleges a years-long, complex conspiracy to violate U.S. laws by procuring U.S. technology with military uses for entities in Iran who would do us harm – a serious offense that endangers our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Our office, along with our federal law enforcement partners, will continue to turn over every stone to find those who break our laws and put us at risk. We are committed to making sure that U.S. technology is kept out of the hands of those taking aim at the United States and its citizens through robust enforcement of U.S. sanctions.”
“Our foreign adversaries use many tactics to gain access to critical U.S. technologies and innovation,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “In this instance, it is alleged that U.S.-origin equipment was smuggled by front companies to the benefit of end users in Iran. Any circumvention of U.S. export control law is simply unacceptable – the FBI will work diligently with its partners across the globe to hold all accountable who jeopardize our national security.”
According to the indictment, beginning as early as May 2007 and continuing until at least July 2020, the defendants utilized an array of front companies in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to funnel dual-use U.S.-origin items, including electronics and components that could be utilized in the production of UAVs, ballistic missile systems, and other military end uses, to sanctioned Iranian entities with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) such as Shiraz Electronics Industries (SEI), Rayan Roshd Afzar, and their affiliates.
Throughout the course of the conspiracy, the defendants concealed the fact that the goods were destined for Iran and Iranian entities and made material misrepresentations to U.S. companies regarding the end destination and end users. These deceptive practices caused the U.S. companies to export goods to the defendants’ PRC-based front companies under false pretenses and under the guise that the ultimate destination of these products was China as opposed to Iran. As a result, a vast amount of dual-use U.S.-origin commodities with military capabilities were exported from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions and export control laws and regulations.
The defendants are charged with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), violating IEEPA, smuggling goods from the United States, and one count of submitting false or misleading export information. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for violating the IEEPA; up to 10 years in prison for smuggling goods from the United States; and up to five years in prison for each count of conspiracy and submitting false or misleading export information. Arrest warrants have been issued for Liu, Yung, Li and Zhong who all remain fugitives.
The FBI’s Detroit Field Office and Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement Chicago Field Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack F. Korba for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Heather Schmidt and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
In June 2023, the Department of Justice joined with the Departments of Commerce, State, and Treasury to issue an advisory to share information about the threat posed by Iran’s procurement, development, and proliferation of UAVs. Four months later, in October 2023, the department joined with the same interagency partners to issue an advisory describing the threat posed by Iran’s ballistic missile procurement activities. The advisories gave an overview of the key components sought by Iran, the regime’s use of deceptive practices to acquire certain types of technologies, and recommendations for implementing effective compliance controls to minimize sanctions and export control risk.
Today’s action was coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chinese National Sentenced for Role in International Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Chinese national who overstayed a student visa was sentenced by a federal judge in Providence today to time served –effectively a period of seven months-- for participating in an international fraud ring that targeted individuals in several states, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Fangzhou Qian, 29, pleaded guilty on November 15, 2023, to a charge of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States. Qian was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to time served and one year of federal supervised release.
Qian has been detained in federal custody since making an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on June 30, 2023.
According to information presented to the court, operating at the direction of others, including individuals in China, Qian acted as a courier to collect cash from fraud victims. Members of the conspiracy targeted individuals in several states, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. At the time of Qian’s arrest by Portsmouth, RI, police, Qian was found to be in possession of more than 2,000 gift cards from various stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney G. Michael Seaman.
The matter was investigated by the Portsmouth Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.
Chelsea Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Machinegun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Chelsea man pleaded guilty today to illegally selling multiple machinegun conversion devices to an undercover federal agent.
Michael Williams, 50, was indicted on two counts of transferring or possessing a machinegun and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for May 15, 2024. Williams was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in July 2023 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023.
In January 2023, Williams agreed to sell several machinegun conversion devices and other firearm accessories to an undercover agent. Following a series of communications, Williams met the undercover agent twice at a pre-arranged location. On Jan. 12, 2023, Williams sold the first machinegun conversion device, along with numerous rounds of ammunition. On the following day Williams sold two additional machinegun conversion devices to the undercover agent. Williams is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
The charge of unlawful transferring or possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The felon in possession charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Charges Added Against Former Missouri Police Officer Accused of Sexually Abusing DetaineesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A grand jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Wednesday returned a superseding indictment accusing a former officer with the North County Police Cooperative of sexually assaulting 19 men that he detained or arrested.
Marcellis Blackwell, 34, of St. Louis, was originally indicted in September. Wednesday’s indictment brings the total to 36 charges: 19 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, namely the right to bodily integrity, and 17 counts of altering records in a federal investigation.
The new indictment says that between Nov. 8, 2022, and June 5, 2023, Blackwell fondled the genitals of 19 alleged victims who he had detained and/or restrained. Blackwell also is accused in the indictment of sodomizing one of the men with his finger, an act of aggravated sexual abuse. The indictment also says Blackwell’s conduct constituted the kidnapping of the alleged victims. An additional count of altering the records of another arrest brings the number of alleged/charged victims to 20.
FBI St. Louis has established a hotline for potential victims of Blackwell: (314) 589-2682.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI investigated the case, following an initial investigation conducted by the North County Police Cooperative. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug is prosecuting the case.
Canton Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking 15-Year-OldRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Canton man was sentenced today for sex trafficking a minor who had been reported missing.
Keion Rowell, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In September 2023, Rowell was convicted by a federal jury of one count of sex trafficking of a child.
“Mr. Rowell inflicted severe trauma on a vulnerable young life. Today’s sentence ensures that this dangerous man will be removed from our community for a very long time,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “As we close Human Trafficking Prevention Month, this case serves as a stark reminder that this insidious crime preys on the most vulnerable victims. Our office will work tirelessly to combat human trafficking and ensure that our communities are safe and that even the most vulnerable can live without fear of exploitation or harm.”
“The cruelty and inhumanity displayed by Keion Rowell is staggering. He forced a child into sexual servitude, unleashing physical and emotional abuse even as he profited from that child's exploitation,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Every day, children are being sexually exploited and traumatized in our area, and across the country. FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force will never stop working to find and free trafficked children and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. We ask anyone with knowledge of child sex trafficking to let us know about it. Dial 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov.”
On or about Jan. 18, 2021, Rowell met the 15-year-old victim, who had recently run away from home. Almost immediately, Rowell created and posted numerous online commercial sex advertisements that contained photos of the victim, including nude photos, and told her that she would have to engage in prostitution. Rowell then communicated with sex buyers and sent the victim to meet with those men to have sex in exchange for money he kept. On one occasion, when the victim did not make enough money to satisfy Rowell’s demands, he punched her in the face.
On Jan. 28, 2021, approximately 10 days after the victim had been reported missing, law enforcement participated in an undercover operation to rescue her. When she was recovered, the victim had Rowell’s phone which contained photos of the victim and Rowell, information about his personal bank accounts, links to online advertisements for commercial sex and communications with sex buyers.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office; the Boston and Belmont Police Departments; and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Tochka prosecuted the case.
California Man Who Forged Medical Documents on Pretrial Release and Later Sold Methamphetamine in Jail Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A California man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine by mail, was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison.
James Dean Sterner, age 67, from Tustin, California, received the prison term after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on June 28, 2023. Evidence in the case revealed that from August 2019 to October 2019, Sterner conspired to distribute methamphetamine in and around Sioux City, Iowa after receiving the methamphetamine via mail. Sterner was released on pre-trial supervision in 2020 but failed to appear for a change of plea hearing in October 2021, after submitting forged documents to the court falsely claiming to have cancer. A warrant was issued, but Sterner’s whereabouts were unknown for over a year before he was arrested in April 2023 in Anaheim, California. After pleading guilty to conspiracy charges, Sterner distributed methamphetamine-laced paper in the O’Brien County Jail while awaiting sentencing. Sterner has 10 prior controlled substance-related convictions.
Sterner was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 360 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Sterner is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ron Timmons and Mikala Purdy-Steenholdt.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4088.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
California Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Defrauding Amtrak, Trailways of More Than $475,000Read the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Korey Wise was sentenced today to 51 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release by United States District Judge Nitza Alejandro Quinones for defrauding Amtrak and Trailways Transportation Systems of approximately $475,910. Wise was also ordered to pay full restitution of that sum.
On May 17, 2023, defendant Wise, 48, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft before United States District Judge Edwardo C. Robreno.
From January 2014 through May 2017, Wise devised a scheme in which he made telephone calls to individuals and small business owners located throughout the country. During these calls, he pretended to be a representative of a utility company, calling to collect an overdue bill or an official from a licensing board that oversaw nail salons. Wise falsely told the business owner that the business owed an inspection fee and if the fee was paid over the telephone with a credit card, the fee would be less. Unbeknownst to the victims, he then used the credit card information he collected to purchase travel reservations on carriers, including Amtrak and Trailways Transportation Systems, and then resold those reservations for profit.
The investigation revealed that Wise victimized individuals and small business owners, who spoke English as a second language, throughout the country. He fraudulently obtained the credit card information of three victims located in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania at the time of his calls. Wise falsely told these three victims, who each owned nail salons, that he was from the Cosmetology Board and the Board was planning an inspection of their salon. He told each victim that he or she could prepay the fee with a credit card. Without their knowledge and authorization, Wise used their respective credit cards to purchase reservations from Trailways Transportation Systems in various amounts.
“Korey Wise defrauded Amtrak and Trailways of nearly half a million dollars, using the stolen identities of innocent people to do so,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “It’s despicable that he specifically targeted victims for whom English may have been a second language, hoping they’d be easier to exploit. My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold financial fraudsters like Wise accountable for their crimes.”
The case was investigated by the Amtrak Police Department, the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terri A. Marinari.
Caldwell Man is Sentenced to 20 years for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOISE – Rigoverto Hernandez, 31, of Caldwell, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, on April 4, 2023, officers with the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at an AirBnB where Hernandez was staying. During the search, Hernandez was found in possession of 19,900 fentanyl pills, 13.5 pounds of methamphetamine, and three firearms. Hernandez was prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony convictions.
Hernandez has a criminal history that includes felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance. According to Hernandez, he grew up around a significant amount of gang violence, which lead him to join a local gang. Although Hernandez admitted he was a gang member, he contends he dropped out of the gang in 2014.
U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Hernandez to serve 5 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Hernandez pleaded guilty to the federal charge in November of 2023.
“The quantity of fentanyl pills in this case could have killed thousands of Idahoans, and I am grateful to law enforcement for its successful investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will continue to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to remove dangerous fentanyl dealers from our communities. They have no place here in Idaho.”
“Illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine have destroyed countless lives, and Rigoverto Hernandez helped fuel this epidemic in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “His sentencing is the result of federal, state, and local partners working hand-in-hand to keep our communities safe.”
“I appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners that went into securing justice in this case,” said Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Taylor. “It takes all of us to eradicate the wickedness of fentanyl in our community.”
“We are in a battle to protect our citizens from the onslaught of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs smuggled into the State of Idaho,” said Canyon County Sheriff Keiran Donahue. “The Transcontinental Criminal Organizations (TCO’s) capitalize on drug traffickers like Hernandez to sell these drugs on our streets, with a profit margin to the Cartels, in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. It is cooperative, multi-agency investigative efforts like those of the Metro Violent Crime and Gang Task Force and our relationships with the United States Attorney’s Office that help remove these threats from our streets. I would hope the criminal element is paying attention. If you traffic poisonous and deadly drugs in Idaho, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will send you to prison. That’s a promise.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force for its efforts in this case. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit also thanked the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for its support of the investigation.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth.
This case was also 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.
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Benton Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Benton man was sentenced yesterday to 144 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of Possession of More Than Five Hundred (500) Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, in early 2022, Homeland Security Investigations identified Terrance O’Neal Murphy, age 45, as a large-scale methamphetamine distributer in the Central Arkansas geographical area. On April 5, 2022, Murphy was pulled over by the Arkansas State Police for traffic violations. During the course of the traffic stop, officers located over three (3) kilograms of methamphetamine in Murphy’s vehicle. Murphy subsequently fled from the scene but was apprehended a short time later after a foot pursuit.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations – Little Rock Field Office, 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police and the 18th East Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Benton Harbor Men Sentenced to Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Mark Curtis, Jr. (26), Jordan Allen (22), and Calvin Hill (25), all of Benton Harbor, were each sentenced to federal prison. Curtis was sentenced to 15 years; Allen was sentenced to 8 years; and Hill was sentenced to 46 months. Following a jury trial in August 2023, a jury convicted each man of being a felon in possession of a firearm. At sentencing, Chief Judge Hala Jarbou found that Curtis possessed his gun in connection with first degree premeditated murder.
“Gun violence is an epidemic here in Michigan and across the country that inflicts immense trauma on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “We’ll never prosecute our way out of this epidemic, but accountability is critical. My office is committed to working with community and law enforcement partners to prosecute dangerous offenders.”
Mark Curtis
Calvin Hill
Jordan Allen
Witnesses at trial testified that Hill was feuding with another Benton Harbor man. On the night of September 10, 2022, Curtis, Hill, and Allen met at Hill’s apartment. Investigators found pictures and videos of their guns on Hill’s kitchen table and Hill wiping off rounds of ammunition.
The man that Hill was feuding with was found dead the next morning. He had gunshot wounds to his neck, abdomen, and hand. GPS data from Hill’s Snapchat account showed that he was two blocks north of the victim two minutes before the first 911 call about the shooting. Later that morning, Allen confirmed with another person that the victim had died.
“The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety (BHDPS) works hard every single day to protect our residents from violent crime,” said BHDPS Director Daniel McGinnis. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Mark Totten’s commitment to the residents of Benton Harbor, as well as our other law enforcement partners who help remove illegal guns from our streets, hold dangerous offenders accountable, and provide safer neighborhoods within our city.”
“While the damage and death caused in this case cannot be undone, our hope is that this sentence brings a sense of justice to all those impacted by this senseless violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan. “We would like to commend our law enforcement partners on the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force for their efforts in bringing closure to this case. The FBI remains committed to removing violent offenders from our streets in order to ensure a safe environment for all Michigan residents.”
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities in order to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit: https://www.justice.gov/psn.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Federal Investigation, the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, the Benton Township Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) played a pivotal role in the evaluation of the firearm and shell casing evidence. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
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Barre City Man Charged with Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun and Possession of a Firearm as an Unlawful Drug UserRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Gage Garr, 33, of Barre City, Vermont, has been indicted for possession of a short-barreled shotgun and possession of a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. A federal grand jury in Burlington issued the indictment, and Garr was arraigned yesterday in Burlington.
At his arraignment, Garr pleaded not guilty to the charges. U. S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Garr to remain in the custody of the United States Marshals pending trial.
According to court records, Garr was discovered asleep in his vehicle on November 26, 2023. He was found to be in possession of suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia, as well as a short-barreled shotgun for which he did not have proper registration. Garr had pending state charges against him at the time.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are accusations only and that Garr is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Garr faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the possession of the short-barreled shotgun and 15 years in prison for possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Any ultimate sentence will be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the United States Code.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory and collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); the Barre City Police Department; the Randolph Police Department; and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement and Safety.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Smith. Garr is represented by Devin McLaughlin, Esq.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Bank fraud scheme that stole thousands of dollars from multiple Montana banks sends Texas man to prison for four yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Texas man who admitted stealing more than $100,000 from Montana banks as part of an organized group that used forged checks and stolen identities to defraud banks was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $103,149 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Shanetwann Clayton Waldon, 46, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that Waldon, working with several co-defendants, traveled from Texas to Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to pass fraudulent checks at smaller financial institutions. Waldon targeted rural areas because they were a “little ‘country’ and the bank process was slower than in Texas.” In 2022 and 2023, Waldon made at least four trips to Montana, and on 10 occasions, entered a new bank and stole thousands of dollars. Waldon presented a fake identity to evade detection by law enforcement and used forged instruments to create debts in the name of others. In Montana, Waldon targeted banks in Hamilton, Bozeman, Billings and Missoula. He persisted in the scheme months after his initial co-defendants had been arrested. In total, Waldon and his codefendants stole $141,822 from 30 bank branches in three states. Waldon’s total amount owed of $103,149 is payable to six Montana banks, including First Interstate Bank, TrailWest Bank, First Security Bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, Farmers State Bank and Western Security Bank.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, police departments in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston, and Laurel, Montana, the Yellowstone County (Montana) Sheriff’s Office; police departments in Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, the Bannock County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police; and police departments in Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, and the Teton County (Wyoming) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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Baldwin County Man Sentenced to 17 Months’ Imprisonment for Threatening to Kill Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Baldwin County man was sentenced on January 29, 2024, to 17 months in prison for making threatening communications to a federal law enforcement officer.
According to court documents, David Clarence Shaw placed multiple calls to the Operations Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation threatening to kill a federal task force officer and referring to himself as the “Angel of Death.” After serving his 17-month sentence, Shaw will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way daily to protect the public,” said United States Attorney Sean P. Costello. “Threats to their safety – or to any member of our community – will not be tolerated.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasee S. Heisterhagen prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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.
Attorney General Recognizes Portland Federal Prosecutor for Contributions to January 6 Capitol Breach CasesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON— Today, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland presented federal prosecutor Geoffrey Barrow, an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Oregon, with the prestigious John Marshall Award for his exceptional contributions to criminal cases stemming from the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
John Marshall awards, presented annually by the Attorney General, are the Justice Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys and other litigation support staff for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
“We are incredibly proud of the contributions Geoffrey Barrow has made to these important cases. The department’s January 6 prosecution effort is unprecedented in both its scope and complexity, and has required many dedicated public servants, like Geoff, to temporarily put aside their normal duties to represent the interests of all Americans,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Barrow was recognized, together with 14 other department attorneys and litigation support staff, for his innovation and leadership in meeting the extraordinary discovery demands posed by the simultaneous prosecution of more than 1,200 capitol breach defendants. Together, these cases have produced more than 5 million electronic files and an unprecedented amount of surveillance video, police camera footage, and other digital evidence collected on or after January 6. Barrow and his team worked with a contracted partner to create a secure, online repository for all January 6 evidence to expeditiously meet the government’s discovery production requirements across all January 6 cases.
In the 36 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.
Department of Justice staff from across the country, including multiple Assistant United States Attorneys from the District of Oregon, have been detailed to the department’s January 6 investigation, which is ongoing. Anyone with information or tips should call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Justice Department Employees and Partners for the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
The 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards and recipients are as follows.
70th Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2022
The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award given by the Justice Department to recognize employee achievement. The Attorney General commends Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell Manda Sertich, and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter; Paralegals Henry Fronk of the Civil Rights Division and Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; and Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the Department’s second highest award for employee performance; there are 13 Distinguished Service Awards for 2022.
The first Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Deputy Chief Barbara “Bobbi” Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Special Agents Jeffrey Roberts, Marcus Griffin, and Skylar Barnes; Investigator Steven Harrell of the Civil Rights Division; Paralegals Taylore Thomas of the Civil Rights Division and Tracy Long for the Southern District of Georgia; Victim Witness Coordinators Kellie Wiggins and Iverna Campbell for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Maria Pagan; Special Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Perras of the Civil Rights Division; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Amy Vaughan.
The second Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Supervisory Special Agents Michael D. Muller and Kerry M. Whitmore of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA Diversion Investigator Jessica A. Stransky-Chrisman; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos, Alexandra Rothman, Louis Pellegrino, Stephanie Lake, and Thomas Burnett for the Southern District of New York; DEA Special Agent George J. Burdzy; DEA Diversion Investigators Kathleen M. Whitmore, Brittany G. Korines, and Christine L. Barnes; and DEA Staff Coordinator William J. Kivelehan.
The third Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Zachary Stendig, and Anatoly Smolkin for the District of Maryland; FBI Special Agent Alicia C. Zimmerman, FBI Task Force Officer Detective Tara Baione Augustin, FBI Task Force Officer Kyrie Yackovich, FBI Staff Operations Specialist John Coward II; Special Agent Kimmesia Sampson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The fourth Distinguished Award is presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia and Jessica Lieber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp, and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
The fifth Distinguished Award is presented to Acting Director Katherine Harman-Stokes of the Office of Privacy & Civil Liberties; Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Richard Downing and Bruce Swartz of the Criminal Division; Associate Director Sheri Shepherd-Pratt of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs; Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Senior Counsels Benjamin Fitzpatrick and Kenneth Harris of the Criminal Division; and Attorney Advisor Hannah Mayer of the Criminal Division.
The sixth Distinguished Award is presented to Supervisor Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Viera; Deputy U.S. Marshals Teddy Josh Moff, Brady M. Flannigan, Troy W. Oberly, and Kyle L. Perry; and Task Force Officers Brandon J. Bansemer and Truman S. Wiles of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
The seventh Distinguished Award is presented to Director John Patrick Glynn of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Section.
The eighth Distinguished Award is presented to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aidan Taft Grano-Mickelsen, Dennis M. Fitzpatrick, and John T. Gibbs for the Eastern District of Virginia; Trial Attorney Alicia H. Cook of the National Security Division; Paralegal Specialist Nicole M. Lopez for the Eastern District of Virginia; Victim-Witness Coordinator Jennifer A. Donnarumma for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI Supervisory Special Agent John M. Chiappone; FBI Special Agents Brian D. Czekala, Daniel P. O’Toole, William H. Heaney, and Julius F. Nutter; FBI Intelligence Analyst Edward R. Laney; Command Judge Advocate Elisabeth L. Gilman of the Department of Defense; and Associate Deputy General Counsel Michael D. Vozzo of the Department of Defense.
The ninth Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss R. Basil, Alexia R. DeVincentis, Stephen E. Frank, Kristen A. Kearney, Justin D. O’Connell, Ian J. Stearns, Leslie A. Wright, and Carol E. Head for the District of Massachusetts, Financial Investigator Lauren M. George for the District of Massachusetts, FBI Special Agents Laura C. Smith, Kaitlyn A. Cedrone, Keith T. Brown, and Chris Giankura; IRS Special Agent Elizabeth A. Keating; and Special Agent Mark G. Deckett of the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.
The 10th Distinguished Award is presented to FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Andrew P. Patchman; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edward A. Panetta; FBI Special Agents Raymond Esposito and Keri A. Shannon; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Amanda Rossi and Samir Taslaman; FBI Language Specialist Dragan Minic; FBI Assistant Legal Attaches Veh Bezdikian and Justin Hefner; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Hafetz, J. Matthew Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York; Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer for the Eastern District of New York; and DHS Special Agent/Task Force Officer Charles M. Reich.
The 11th Distinguished Award is presented to Attorney-Advisors Christopher Clements, Megan Fluckiger, Alice Jou, Tyler Wood, and Stephen Buckingham of the National Security Division; Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Mike Granzini.
The 12th Distinguished Award is presented to Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Nutt of the Office of the Inspector (OIG); OIG Program Manager Mark E. Gray; OIG Special Agent Rolando Ortiz-Rodriguez; Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Karen Rich, Office of the Inspector General.
The 13th Distinguished Award is presented to Chief of the Criminal Appeals Division David C. James for the Eastern District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes a remarkable act of bravery and risk of life while performing official duties. Two Exception Herrorism Awards are presented this year.
The first Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented posthumously to DEA Group Supervisor Michael G. Garbo; DEA Special Agent Steven J. Fox; DEA Detective/Task Force Officer Gabe A. Lopez of the Tucson Police Department; Sergeant/Task Force Officer Jesse Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department; and Officer/Task Force Officer Phillip M. Hengsteler Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department.
The second Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented to USMS Senior Inspector Michael Cundiff.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity pays tribute former Attorney General Edward H. Levi by honoring an individual whose service to the Department exemplifies these qualities. The 2022 recipient of this award is Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2022.
The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Acting Deputy Chief Gerald A. Toner of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented posthumously to Deputy Chief Nathaniel Douglas of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environment Enforcement Section.
The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement recognizes state and local law enforcement officials who have made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. The 2022 recipients of this award are Assistant Special Agents in Charge Richard Dial and Jason Seacrist of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country recognizes extraordinary efforts by Justice Department employees that demonstrate the Department’s commitment to fight crime in Indian Country. The award is presented to DEA Supervisory Special Agent Mihajlo D. Zivkovic; DEA Special Agents Daryl A. Iannillo, Christopher H. Salyer, and Virginia W. Foster; DEA Task Force Officer Preston H. Brogdon; Officer Tyler Bond of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Rex Van Ausdall of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Sergeant Steve Gunis of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; and Chief Nathan Huibregtse of the Yavapai Apache Police Department.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers within the Justice Department. Two Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards are presented for 2022.
The first Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to DEA Special Agents Adam J. Cirillo, Adrian M. Owens, Kelly Y. Chang, Kelly D. Webster, Kevin D. Novick, Silvana M. Restrepo, Trenton L. Shaffer, and Tiffany Hsieh; and DEA Intelligence Analyst Diana D. Wu.
The second Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Margaret Mande; FBU Special Agent Jose M. De La Sierra; FBI Special Agent William Lewis Donaldson III; and Supervisory Officer/Task Force Officer Daniel Jose Gonzalez of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significant improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs. The award is presented to Director for Strategic Planning and Performance Staff Robin S. Funston of the Justice Management Division; Senior Performance Advisor Tennille R. Nance of the Justice Management Division; Senior Evaluation Advisor Russell C. Burnett of the Justice Management Division; Senior Advisor for Enterprise Risk Management Debra R. Williams of the Justice Management Division; Program Analyst Marita J. La Palm of the Justice Management Division; Senior Counsel Sonja M. Ralston of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; and Special Advisor Apiyo Oloya of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes exceptional achievement in applying information technology to enhance Department operations, maintain efficiency, and solve problems. This award is presented to FBI Information Technology Specialists Angela S. Epperly, Chad E. Elliott, Dennis G. Klingensmith, Donald Carpenter Jr., Dustin Tawney, Gregory A. Wood, James D. Marple, James M. Murray, Matthew L. Groves, Nicholas Daniel Fleming, Richard L. Whitescarver, Tonya Nicole Church, and Warren A. Morgan Jr.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. national security. This award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve for the Southern District of California; Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley for the Southern District of California; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the Department’s highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Special Assistant Erika Pugh of the Office of the FBI Deputy Director; FBI Supervisory Management and Program Analysts Janelle Anite Jones and Joshua Lyn Curry; FBI Management and Program Analysts Kathleen Ann Oltman, Kourtney Pearson, and Amanda L. Carroll; and FBI Special Advisor/Management and Program Analyst Apiyo Oloya.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys by paralegal specialists and other legal assistants.
The first award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Litigation Technology Case Manager Amanda J. Reinken of the Tax Division.
The second award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Data Analyst Patrick Gifford of the Criminal Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. This award is presented to Administrative Services Specialist Rae N. Ross of the Justice Management Division.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility recognizes a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in the area of professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. The award is presented to Senior Associate Counsel William J. Birney of the Office of Professional Responsibility.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C. Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida and Dina McLeod for the Southern District of New York; Special Agents David Brant of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Special Agent Tyreek Brown of the U.S. Secret Service; Special Agents Sara Oliver, Sandip Singh, and Simon Dinitis of the Small Business Administration; Special Agent Ramon De Leon of the Social Security Administration; FBI Special Agents Adam Dixon and Zac Effting; and General Analyst Larry Alfonso of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes excellent achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes the significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of these programs. This award is presented to Deputy U.S. Marshal Albert Maresca Jr.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service. The 2022 award is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Daniel L. Winik of the Civil Division.
The John Marshall Awards are the Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance. Ten awards in eight categories are presented this year.
The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Deputy Chiefs Alixandra E. Smith and Jennifer E. Ambuehl of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Co-Principal Deputy Chief Brent Wible of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew G. Rolle and Dylan Stern for the Eastern District of New York.
The second John Marshall Award is presented to Acting Chief Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander F. Mindlin and Artie McConnell for the Eastern District of New York.
The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Deputy Chief Rachael Tamar Hagler of the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section; Trial Attorneys Erin Meehan Richmond, Kathryn Legomsky, and Natasha Babazedeh of the Civil Rights Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Campion and Susan Millenky for the District of New Jersey.
The fourth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Counsel Jared S. Hosid of the Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Miller for the District of Columbia, Geoffrey Barrow for the District of Oregon, and Marcus Busch for the Northern District of Texas; National Criminal Discovery Coordinator Andrew Goldsmith of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Legal Administrative Officer Caitlin Grzymala of the Antitrust Division; FBI Associate Division Counsel Vicki Wilson; Litigation Technology Coordinator Susan Cooke of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Program Manager Mustafa Edrisy of the Justice Management Division; Information Technology Program Manager John Brandon Platt of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell of the National Security Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joshua Taylor; FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan; Information Technology Specialist Joshua Ellen for the Western District of North Carolina; Paralegal Specialist Cassi Wiseman of the Antitrust Division; and Litigation Chief Karen McColman of the National Security Division’s Technology Support Services.
The fifth John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Lindsey Powell of the Civil Division.
The sixth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Rosemary A. Hart of the Office of Legal Counsel; Senior Counsels Laura E. Heim and Nathan Forrester of the Office of Legal Counsel; Counsel Nicholas Nasrallah of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Attorney-Advisors James A. Durling, Amin Aminafar, Janine S. Balekdijan, Kevin J. Barber, Conor J. Clarke, Conor J. Craft, Adam Grogg, Kelley Brooke Hostetler, Anjali Motgi, and Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel.
The seventh John Marshall Award for Preparation or Handling of Legislation is presented to Chief Sarah Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; and Attorney-Advisors Molly Cusson and Susan Schneider of the Criminal Division.
The eighth John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Section Chief Seth M. Barsky of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Assistant Section Chief Meredith L. Flax of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Senior Attorney Mary E. Hollingsworth of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Briena L. Strippoli and Devon L. Flanagan of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Chief Susan S. Brandon for the Eastern District of Oklahoma’s Civil Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. O’Malley for the Eastern District of Oklahoma; Senior Policy Advisor Darrin L. McCullough of the Criminal Division; Assistant Section Chief Jennifer L. Crane of the USMS’ Asset Forfeiture Division; USMS Property Management Specialist Cynthia L. Bridges; and USMS Assistant Chief Inspector Sean M. Xuereb.
The ninth John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Soler, David Z. Moskowitz, Katherine A. Ross, Jacob Licht, and Nicholas A. Deuschle for the District of Colorado.
71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2023
The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award granted by the Attorney General within the Justice Department. The 2023 award is presented to Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price; IRS Special Agent John Tschida; and Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the second highest Justice Department award granted by the Attorney General. There are 16 Distinguished Service Awards presented in 2023.
The first Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Director Andrew R. Lange of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)’s Enforcement Programs and Services; Chief Vivian S. Chu of the ATF’s Office of Regulatory Affairs; ATF Senior Economist Jeana L. Davalos; ATF Regulations Writers Helen L. Koppe and Denise R. Brown; ATF Senior Policy Counsel Eric M. Epstein; ATF Associate Chief Counsel James P. Vann; ATF Deputy Associate Chief Counsel Jonathan S. Jacobs; ATF Senior Counsel Melissa A. Anderson; ATF Firearms & Ammunition Chief William J. Ryan; ATF Chief Counsel Pamela J. Hicks.
The second Distinguished Service award is presented to Economists Malika Krishna and Jessica C. Stahl of the Antitrust Division; Trial Attorneys Ihan Kim, Jessica Leal, Brittney A. Dimond, Sarah Licht, Jon Goldsmith, Bennett Matelson, Collier Kelley, John P. Read, Kevin Krautscheid, Lauren Riker, Ethan Stevenson, and Robert Vance of the Antitrust Division; and Senior Litigation Counsel Jeffrey Vernon of the Antitrust Division.
The third Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sarah E. Harrington of the Civil Division; Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division; Senior Appellate Counsel Alisa B. Klein of the Civil Division; Assistant Branch Directors Eric B. Beckenhauer and Julie Straus Harris of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch; Assistant Director Hilary K. Perkins of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch; Appellate Attorney Cynthia A. Barmore of the Civil Division; Trial Attorneys Christopher A. Eiswerth, Kate Talmor, Emily B. Nestler, Noah T. Katzen, Scott P. Kennedy, Oliver J. McDonald, and Isaac C. Belfer of the Civil Division; Assistants to the Solicitor General Luke McCloud and Erica Ross; Special Counsel Daniel S. Schwei of the Civil Division; Counsel Kathleen A. Choi of the Civil Division; Attorney-Advisor Naomi Gilens of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Senior Trial Counsel Amy D. Kossak of the Civil Division.
The fourth Distinguished Service award is presented to Trial Attorneys Christen Gallagher and Alison Zitron of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Bryan Hamaker, Delaney Jester, Paul Rey, Justin Crenshaw, and Timothy Callinan; Assistant Deputy Chief William Hall and Deputy Chief James Silver of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chauncey Bratt for the Middle District of Florida and Jonathan Keim and Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI IT Specialist Angel V. Nanov; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Ryan J. Leszczynski; and Cyber Operations International Liaison Louisa Becker of the Criminal Division.
The fifth Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Chief Elizabeth E. McDonald of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section; Trial Attorneys Lindsey M. Weinstock, Hans Justin Park, James V. Fletcher, Lauren M. Latterell Powell, Jillian R. Lenson, Amanda B. Pearlstein, Janelle J. Geddes, Nonny Onyekweli, Beth Esposito, and Nicole Kovite Zeitler of the Civil Rights Division; Program Specialist Sara Olsen of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida; Litigation Support Specialist Justin Fields-Gray of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Specialist Krysten Diaz-Silveira of the Civil Rights Division.
The sixth Distinguished Service award is presented to Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McDonald and Ian Hanna for the Western District of Texas; Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Acosta for the Western District of Texas; Trial Attorneys Timothy Visser and Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Michael Warbel of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Victim Witness Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez for the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agents Eddie Dominguez, Christina Papp, and America Guevara; FBI Victim Specialists Jennifer Romero, and Kelly Murphy; ATF Special Agent Nate Anderson; and FBI Task Force Officer Brandon Speed.
The seventh Distinguished Service award is presented to DEA Group Supervisors Eric Jolley and Elvis Hugee and DEA Special Agents Brent Ramos, Peter Kinyoun, Rochelle Cup-Choy, Alexander Pearlstone, Audrey Alaniz, Michael Sier, and Eric Kischer.
The eighth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Senior Attorney Gabriel M. Allen of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Katherine A. Abend of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Assistant Section Chief Lori B. Jonas of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Enforcement Section; Community Outreach Specialist Brenda J. Horner of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Cynthia M. Ferguson Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Office of Environmental Justice; Chief Angela Givens Williams for the Southern District of Mississippi’s Civil Division; Paralegal Specialist Minnie V. Becton of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Senior Counsels Karl J. Fingerhood and Angela Mo of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Dease Paige for the Southern District of Mississippi; and Lead Conciliation Specialist for Region IV Walter L. Atkinson of the Community Relations Services.
The ninth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy, Philip Pilmar, and Adam Amir for the Eastern District of New York; Deputy Chief Erin Reid for the Eastern District of New York’s Civil Rights Section; Chief Ryan Harris of the Eastern District of New York’s Public Integrity Section; Paralegal Specialists Huda T. Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett for the Eastern District of New York; Special Agent George Dietz for the Eastern District of New York; FBI Special Agent Paul West; DEA Special Agents Jason Franks, James Cain, and John Muglia; and HSI Special Agents Damian Mazzaferro, Jimmy Cepeda, and Scott Vogel.
The 10th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Rakoczy, Jeffrey Nestler, Alexandra “Alex” Hughes, Jocelyn Ballentine, and Troy A Edwards Jr. for the District of Columbia; FBI Special Agents Michael Palian, Sylvia Hilgeman, Joanna Abrams, Byron Cody, Kelsey Harris, John D. “Jack” Moore, Adam K. Pope, and Justin T. Eller; FBI Intelligence Analyst Katherine Riley Prendergast; Paralegal Specialist Amanda Rohde for the District of Columbia; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant for the District of Columbia; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Banks.
The 11th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason B.A. McCullough and Erik M. Kenerson for the District of Columbia and Nadia Moore for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Conor Mulroe of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Nicholas Hanak, Kathryn Camiliere, Anthony J. “A.J.” Needler, Peter R. Dubrowski, Nicole Miller, and Brandon Camiliere; FBI Tactical Specialist Rebecca Corazzi; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brian M. Lizana; and FBI Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Jennifer Kathryn Cain.
The 12th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents David B. Bannan, Steven M. Dixon, Melissa M. Fair, Deana M. Jones, Ashley T. Kakareka, Brian Sharrow, and Jason R. Maslow; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Tawnya Delarosa; FBI Intelligence Analysts Kris Hemme and Stacy Hamilton; FBI Legal Assistant Thomas Donnelly; FBI Task Force Officer Andrew Maurer; Chief Cherie Krigsman for Middle District of Florida’s National Security Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida.
The 13th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents Ryan Boron, Nicholas Milan, and Thomas H. Lipp; Special Agent Christopher O’Neill of the Department of Commerce; FBI Supervisory Special Agents Calvin R. Davis and Steven Jefferson; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Alexander J. Kornberger and Kathryn McCool; FBI Forensics Accountant Jordanna A. Lubelli; FBI Assistant Legal Attache Jonathan R. Schmidt, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division; Justice Department Attache Josh Cavinato of the Office of International Affairs.
The 14th Distinguished Service Award is presented to OIG Special Agent Lyeson T. Daniel; OIG Assistant Special Agents in Charge Dennis E. Matulewicz Jr., Ryan T. Geach and H. Jeremy Horne; OIG Deputy Assistant Inspector General Sandra D. Barnes; and Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Erin Aslan.
The 15th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler; Appellate Trial Attorneys Amber B. Blaha and Mary Gabrielle Sprague of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant to the Solicitor General Frederick Liu; Chief S. Craig Alexander of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Indian Resources Section; Assistant Appellate Section Chiefs William B. Lazarus and Rachel E. Heron of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Christine W. Ennis of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gina L. Allery of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Tracy Toulou of the Office of Tribal Justice; and Deputy Director JoAnn L. Kintz of the Office of Tribal Justice.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism is designed to recognize an extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty. One Exceptional Heroism Award is presented to ATF Special Agent Adam R. Daniels.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity is established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor, and dean and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department. In 2023, one Edward H. Levi Award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General George Z. Toscas of the National Security Division.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2023.
The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to ATF Senior Counsel to the Director Joseph J. Allen.
The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Section Chief Steven H. Rosenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section.
The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law Enforcement was established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General William French Smith for his establishment of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees (LECCs), and his outstanding efforts in promoting law enforcement cooperation and coordination throughout the nation. It is designed to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who, through their participation in cooperative interagency efforts, have made significant contributions to law enforcement endeavors and objectives. This award is presented to DEA Task force Officer Jason Pearce-Best.
The Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service is the top public service award granted by the Department and is designed to recognize the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of its missions and objectives. This award is presented to District Attorney Summer Stephan for the County of San Diego California.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is designed to recognize extraordinary efforts to demonstrate the Department's commitment to fight crime in Indian Country.
The first Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Victim Assistant Specialists Brandi Duvall, Taelyn Langford, and Karriem Harris for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The second Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Supervisory Grants Management Specialists Anne Hamilton and LeBretia White of the Office of Justice Programs; Principal Deputy Director Katherine Darke Schmitt of the Office of Justice Programs; and Grant Management Specialists Jessica Andrew, Mary Atlas-Terry, Yolanda Curtis Gibson, Dawn Hill, Tanya Miller, Ramesa Pitts, Alexis Polen, Barbara L. Robertson, Carmen Santiago Roberts, Lori Gardner, Jenny Semanta Stancell, and Kimberly R. Woodard of the Office of Justice Programs.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly improved the operations or productivity of the Department or have reduced costs. This award is presented to Director Christian C. Alvarez of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Deputy Director Matthew J. Roper of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Associate Directors Jeffrey D. Pullen and Nathaniel H. Wheeler of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Assistant Directors Marc Berlove and Vu C. Truong of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Finance Management Specialists Dara L. Sabanosh and Catherine Green-Lee of the Justice Management Division; Systems Accountant Jocelyn M. Harris of the Justice Management Division; Supervisory IT Specialist Leon Braddell of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialists Giles T. Welles, Vincent B. Anderson, and Reena J. Shah of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialist Jerome K. Milligan of the Justice Management Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve the operations or productivity of the Department, reduce or avoid costs, or solve problems. Two Awards for Excellence in Information Technology are presented this year.
The first Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director Edward Stely in the ATF’s Office of Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Special Agent Cassandra Mullins; ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard; ATF Intelligence Research Specialist Stacie Alvey of the Louisville Field Division; ATF Acting Branch Chief Carl A. O’Day of the Application Development Branch; and Colonel Philip Burnette Jr. and Lieutenant Colonel Larry Newton of the Kentucky State Police.
The second Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to DEA Chief Information Officer Nick Ward; Senior Counsel Leonard Bailey of the Criminal Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Michael Bettine; Attorney Advisor Gabriel Slater of the National Security Division; Deputy Cyber Chief Sean Newell of the National Security Division; and Chief Information Security Officer Vu Nguyen of the Justice Management Division; Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Yasuda of the Justice Management Division; and Acting Assistant Director Larry Tun of the Justice Management Division’s Office of the Chief Information Officer.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security is designed to recognize a special act or service by a Department employee who has greatly contributed to protecting U.S. national security. The 2023 award is presented to FBI Computer Scientist Michael R. Berger; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Katherine Miles; FBI Intelligence Analyst Laci Falk; FBI Special Agents Chad R. Loewenstine, Jason Moore, Jonathan R. Perlstein, Martin A. Quintana, Justin H. Rowland and Taylor M. Forry; FBI Intelligence Analysts Adam E. Foster and Alec T. Hass Cyber Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Richardson for the District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is designed to recognize significant contributions to the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Director Richard Toscano of the Justice Management Division’s Equal Employment Opportunity Staff; Special Assistant to the Executive Officer Elizabeth D. Preston of the Tax Division’s Office of Management and Administration; and Assistant Section Chief Michelle O. Rindone of the Antitrust Division’s International Section.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys. The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Paralegal Specialist Anna Rogers of the Criminal.
The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Legal Assistant Debra L. Nash for the Northern District of Iowa.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. There are two Excellence in Administrative Support Awards this year.
The first Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented to Lead Management Analyst Catherine M. Murray of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.
The second Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented posthumously to IT Specialist Hector Radhames Gonzalez for the District of Massachusetts.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support – Non-Legal Secretarial is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements. This award is presented to Psychology Secretary Christa A. Butler of Federal Correctional Institution – Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is designed to recognize a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct.
The first Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Peter Ko for the Southern District of California.
The second Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant Chief Jeremy Sanders of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Victim-Witness Attorney Coordinator Brian Strang of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorney Gwendolyn Stamper of the Criminal Division; Senior Counsels Lauren Britsch Slater, Alissa Kempler, and Daniel Richenthal of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorneys Sonja Lauren Kupersmith and Anne Pings of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Alexandra Gelber of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section; Child Victim Witness Program Administrator Nicole Borello of Criminal Division; Attorney Advisor Molly Cusson of the Criminal Division; Appellate Attorney Sonja Ralston of the Criminal Division; and Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Administration is designated to recognize exceptional dedication to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. A Recipient’s actions through participation in the processes of FOIA administration should foster a spirit of openness in government and dedicated service to FOIA requesters. This award presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah S. Normand for the Southern District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention is designed to recognize those who have been involved with the prevention, investigation and prosecution of fraud and other white-collar crimes. This award is presented to Trial Attorneys James F. Bresnahan II, Lauren A. Darwit, Richard G. Rose, Harris J. Phillips, and Gregory E. Van Hoey of the Tax Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to building collaborations that draw upon the skills and resources of a range of stakeholders within a community – including state and local community leaders, law enforcement, service providers, as well as local residents and representatives of the business community – in addressing public safety, crime prevention and control, community justice and other community-building and revitalization issues. This award is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kalon P. Fancher; FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Ryan C. Summers; FBI Intelligence Analyst Donald L. Metzmeier; FBI Operational Support Technician Amelia M. Herrera; FBI Liaison Specialist John Bush; FBI Management and Program Analyst Russell J. Myers II; FBI Intelligence Analyst Nicolette G. Rose; FBI Native American Affairs Coordinator Dawn Begay of the City of Albuquerque; Task Force Chair Lynn Trujillo of the Department of Interior; Public Safety Answering Point Supervisor Reycita Billie of the Albuquerque Division of Public Safety; Special Agent in Charge Clarence Gibson of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Assistant General Counsel Stephanie Salazar of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Acting Commander Gerald Bartlett of the Albuquerque Police Department; Staff Lead Melody Delmar of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department; Task Force Officer Darlene Gomez of the Albuquerque Law Offices of Darlene Gomez LLC.
The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Federal Wage Grade System Employee is designed to recognize extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics and skilled craft workers. The award is presented to Electrical Worker Foreman Charles D. Treadway II of the Federal Detention Center SeaTac.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee is designed to recognize exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of service with the Department and federal government. This award is presented to Trial Attorney Nathan J. Bu of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Litigation Section.
The John Marshall Award, named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, recognizes outstanding professional achievement by attorneys of the Justice Department.
The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Leach, Kelly I. Volkar, John C. Bostic, and Jeffrey D. Nedrow for the Northern District of California.
The second John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M. Yusi John, F. Butler, and E. Rebecca Gantt for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Senior Trial Counsel John Adam Bain of the Civil Division.
The fourth John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Co-Chiefs David J. Kennedy and Ellen Blain for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; Deputy Chief Christine S. Poscablo for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Lillywhite for the Southern District of New York.
The fifth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Attorneys Paul Cirino and Leslie M. Hill of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Lucy E. Brown and David M. Mitchell of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; and Assistant Section Chief Martha C. Mann of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Defense Section.
The sixth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Trial Attorney Leigh P. Rendé of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The seventh John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida.
The eighth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Laura Eddleman Heim of the Office of Legal Counsel; Attorney-Adviser Ryan N. Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; Director Mark R. Freeman of the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff; and Assistant Director Joshua M. Salzman Civil Division’s Appellate Staff.
The ninth John Marshall Award for Handling Legislation is presented to Special Master Mary Patrice Brown of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recover Section; Attorney Advisors Barbara Gilmore, Regan Kruse, Jane Lee, Anish Mather, and Jacqueline Feil of the Criminal Division; Senior Legal Counsel James Curt Bohling of the Criminal Division; Chief Sarah B. Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; Chief Jennifer Bickford of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit; and Deputy Chief Matthew Colon of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit.
The 10th John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Chief Brent S. Wible of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Principal Deputy Chief Margaret A. Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Deputy Director Michael Khoo of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Attorney Advisor Janice Nsor of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Christina Calce of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Director Andrew C. Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture; Associate Deputy Attorney General L. Rush Atkinson of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thane Rehn, Jessica Greenwood, and Vladislav Vainberg for the Southern District of New York; and Deputy Director David Lim National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The 11th John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant Branch Director Carlotta P. Wells of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch and Senior Trial Counsel Lisa A. Olson Civil Division.
The 12th John Marshall Award for Interagency Cooperation is presented to Senior Litigation Counsel John J. W. Inkeles of the Civil Division; Trial Attorney Mack J. Swan of the Civil Division; Senior Attorney Kim Kucik of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office (ICE); ICE Deputy Chief Counsel Kimberlee Krawchuk; ICE Assistant Chief Counsel Katerina Alexopolous; ICE Associate Legal Advisor Michael McVicker; ICE Special Agent Thomas Connors; and ICE Historian William Tomljanovich.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees, Including Western District of Pennsylvania Assistant United States Attorney, with Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
Jessica Lieber Smolar, Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, was part of a group that received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for the group’s outstanding work in U.S. v. Toebbe et al. Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, of Annapolis, Maryland, were sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to communicate restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships to a foreign government. Read more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/maryland-nuclear-engineer-and-his-wife-sentenced-espionage-related-offenses.
Along with Assistant United States Attorney Smolar, the Distinguished Award was presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
Employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida were among those recognized during the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards ceremony.
“We are incredibly proud of our Southern District of Florida staff members who were recognized today with an Attorney General’s Award,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “The honorees have carried forth the Department of Justice’s mission with extraordinary skill and dedication. These distinguished employees have protected our safety and security, as well as our civil rights. They have given a voice to the victimized, prevented crime, prosecuted fraud schemes, and litigated important appellate issues. As a community, we are incredibly grateful for their tireless efforts and commend their well-deserved accolades.”
70th Attorney General’s Awards – 2022
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C. Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida, alongside a Southern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorney and other honorees, to include Special Agents and employees of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), U.S. Secret Service, Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), FBI, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
71st Attorney General’s Awards – 2023
A Distinguished Service award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida, alongside a Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section, trial attorneys, and other personnel of the Civil Rights Division.
A John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida.
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees. Two prosecution teams from the District of Minnesota were awarded the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
“The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award is the Justice Department’s highest award for employee performance,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “The prosecutors, agents, paralegals, victim/witness and litigation support specialists on these teams showed exceptional skill and professionalism in their work on two monumental civil rights cases, cases that will have a lasting impact for years to come. I am so proud of these individuals and their outstanding work and commitment in service of justice.”
The 2022 Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is presented to the investigation and prosecution team in United States v. Chauvin, et al., a prosecution involving four former police officers who violated George Floyd’s civil rights, resulting in his death.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell, Manda Sertich, and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota, FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter; Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Henry Fronk for the Civil Rights Division.
The 2023 Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is presented to the investigation and prosecution team in United States v. Sumalee Intarathong, et al. and United States v. Michael Morris, et al., a prosecution involving an international sex trafficking organization that was responsible for coercing hundreds of Thai women to engage in commercial sex acts across the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price; IRS Special Agent John Tschida; Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce; Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; and Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
For details on all of today’s award recipients, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners with Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
Jarod Douglas, Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for Outstanding Work in Investigation Threats to Critical U.S. Navy Technology for his exemplary work in U.S. v. Toebbe et al. Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, of Annapolis, Maryland, were sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to communicate restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships. Read more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/maryland-nuclear-engineer-and-his-wife-sentenced-espionage-related-offenses. This is Mr. Douglas’s second Distinguished Service Award.
Along with Mr. Douglas, the Distinguished Award was presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Leiber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
“It is indeed an honor to join Attorney General Garland in recognizing three members of my office for their distinguished service to our district and country,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “AUSAs Bratt, Krigsman, and Asokan continue to perform at the highest level as they work with our law enforcement partners to keep our citizens safe.”
In the Middle District of Florida, for 2023, Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt for his contributions to an international investigation involving the Hive ransomware group that targeted more than 1,500 victims in over 80 countries around the world, including hospitals, school districts, financial firms, and critical infrastructure. In addition, the Middle District of Florida’s National Security Chief Cherie Krigsman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan were recognized for their valuable contributions to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
For details on all of today’s award recipients, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and
Attorney General Garland Honors U.S. Department of Justice Employees and Others for their Service at Annual Awards CeremonyRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the annual Attorney General’s Awards recognizing extraordinary work of Justice Department employees and others. Recipients included several San Diego-based federal prosecutors and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
San Diego recipients include:
- Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. They received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions toward protecting U.S. national security. They were singled out for their work on an espionage case. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer.
"This extraordinary team identified and exposed a worldwide computer-hacking campaign,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Their perseverance and dedication disrupted China’s efforts to steal trade secrets and sensitive data from universities, companies, and governmental organizations around the globe.”
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko, second-in-command of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was recognized for exemplary leadership over the course of his DOJ career. “Mr. Ko has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and commitment to justice for more than two decades,” McGrath said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”
- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan received the Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service. Each year the DOJ gives out just one award for meritorious public service nationwide. The award is designed to recognize significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in accomplishing its mission and objectives.
“During Summer Stephan’s tenure as DA, San Diego has remained one of the safest large cities in America,” McGrath said. “Collaborative law enforcement relationships have been a hallmark of DA Stephan’s leadership. Her work with Department of Justice partners has resulted in dozens of high-impact cases, from fentanyl trafficking and elder fraud to illegal firearms and violent crime.”
For a comprehensive list of all award winners, please see https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and.
- Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. They received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions toward protecting U.S. national security. They were singled out for their work on an espionage case. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer.
Arizona Woman Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Second Alien Smuggling ConvictionRead the Press Release
Tucson, Ariz. – Nicole Shermaine Martinez, 40, of Sells, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. A jury found Martinez guilty of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and Transportation of Illegal Aliens on November 8, 2023. Martinez also was sentenced to six months in prison for violating conditions of her federal probation from a prior alien smuggling conviction.
On January 18, 2023, Martinez picked up two undocumented non-citizens, including a 17-year-old unaccompanied minor, near the village of Menagers Dam on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. She was apprehended by United States Border Patrol agents as she was driving the individuals further into the United States. Martinez had previously been convicted of alien smuggling after she transported four undocumented non-citizens, including two in the trunk of her car, also through the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. Martinez was placed on five years of probation but violated her conditions of probation by committing the new offense five months after she was sentenced.
Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-01459-TUC-CKJ-MAA
CR-23-00081-TUC-CKJ-MAARELEASE NUMBER: 2024-011_Martinez
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Pleads Guilty to Willful Failure to Implement Anti-Money Laundering ControlsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison.Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Erin Keegan, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) announced the guilty plea.
“Asre was an experienced anti-money laundering specialist well-versed in the Bank Secrecy Act’s provisions and deliberately ignored these protections, exposing financial institutions to the risk of illicit criminal activity,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will vigorously enforce these laws to ensure the integrity of the U.S. financial system and to hold responsible those who would deliberately disregard them for financial gain.”
“Gyanendra Asre was specifically trained in proper banking protocols and procedures. Yet, instead of following the necessary steps, the defendant took advantage of a small New York financial institution, which primarily served state employees, to the tune of $1 billion," said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. "I commend HSI New York and our law enforcement partners for their dedication to ensuring vitally integral regulations — the foundation of our banking system — are upheld.”
According to court filings, from 2014 to 2016, Asre devised a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business lines such as international currency trading to small, unsophisticated financial institutions. Asre was trained in anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, and represented to the financial institutions that, because of his experience and training, he understood the risks associated with the high-risk business lines and would conduct appropriate anti-money laundering oversight as required by the Bank Secrecy Act.
Based on Asre’s representations, the New York State Employees Federal Credit Union (NYSEFCU), a small financial institution with a volunteer board that primarily served New York state public employees, allowed Asre to conduct high-risk transactions through the NYSEFCU. Asre then caused the transfer of more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions, including hundreds of millions of dollars originating from high-risk foreign jurisdictions, through the NYSEFCU and other entities. Asre, who was a certified anti-money laundering specialist with experience in international banking and anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, was a member of the NYSEFCU’s supervisory board during this time period. However, contrary to his representations, Asre willfully failed to implement and maintain the requisite anti-money laundering programs or conduct oversight required to detect, identify and report suspicious transactions. This caused, among other things, the NYSEFCU to process more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions during Asre’s tenure, without ever filing a single Suspicious Activity Report as required by law.
In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and identity theft.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, in coordination with the Office’s Bank Integrity Task Force, which is charged with investigating and charging corporate and individual actors who launder criminal proceeds using the U.S. banking system and enforcing anti-money laundering controls under the Bank Secrecy Act. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan C. Harris and Francisco J. Navarro of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with Acting Chief Margaret Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. The investigation is being conducted by HSI’s El Dorado Task Force in New York.
The Defendant:
GYANENDRA ASRE
Age: 56
Greenwich, ConnecticutE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-174 (DG)
Active-Duty Airman Sentenced for Production of Images of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Goldsboro, North Carolina man was sentenced today to 27 years in prison after he used social media accounts to target underage girls in the Hampton Roads area and caused at least 29 victims to produce sexually explicit videos and images.
According to court documents, Brandon Tyler Lindsey, 27, an active-duty servicemember attached to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, routinely traveled to his hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia and met minor females to engage in sexual acts with them. His youngest victim was 12 years old. Lindsey used multiple social media accounts to target minor females in the Hampton Roads area. For example, using Instagram, he direct messaged multiple minor girls with the same boilerplate message and “liked” their photos. After gaining their trust, he would then request child pornography from the minors and attempt to meet in person for sexual acts. Lindsey sometimes met with the same minors on multiple occasions over a period of years. Lindsey caused at least 29 victims to produce child pornography for his sexual gratification.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Douglas Edens, Special Agent in Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-95.
17 Eastern District of New York Employees and Two Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Receive 2022 and 2023 Attorney General AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Fourteen Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), two paralegal specialists, a Special Agent and two former AUSAs from the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) were recognized by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland for their extraordinary public service at the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” stated Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”“The outstanding work of EDNY attorneys, professional staff and our law enforcement partners in service to our district and our country, has been breathtaking, prosecuting complex economic crime, high-level drug trafficking, foreign terrorism, insurrection, cybercriminals and litigating the expert defense of our cases appealed to the Second Circuit,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Their excellence and dedication are boundless, and as a result, they have made the world, a safer place.”
This year’s program honors individuals across the department and our federal, state, local, and tribal partners for their selfless efforts, protecting our national security and our civil rights, addressing rising violent crime in our communities, and prosecuting gangs and those trafficking in dangerous narcotics and human beings. The awards also honor the work of civil and environmental litigation, which enforces the rule of law and upholds our Constitution. They also recognize employees whose ideas and efforts save taxpayer dollars and help our government operate more effectively and efficiently, among other contributions to public safety and good governance.
70th Annual Attorney General AwardsThe Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Work in the Investigation, Extradition and Prosecution of ISIS Senior Leader
United States v. Kandic
AUSAs Matt Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy, former AUSA Josh Hafetz and Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer, together with law enforcement partners from the FBI and HSI, are being recognized for their outstanding work obtaining a trial conviction of Mirsad Kandic of Brooklyn, on charges of conspiring to provide, and providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. He had multiple responsibilities within ISIS, including recruiting foreign fighters, trafficking foreign fighters from the West through Turkey and into Syria, and obtaining weapons, military equipment, maps, money and false identifications for ISIS fighters. In carrying out these responsibilities, Kandic worked directly with ISIS emirs and battlefield commanders.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for 35 Years of Outstanding Work in Litigating Criminal Cases Before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
AUSA David James
Throughout AUSA David James’s 35-year career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, he has represented the government in the Second Circuit in hundreds of cases with skill and dedication. He has worked on some of the most significant and important appeals of the last few decades, from John Gotti in 1993 to Joaquin Guzman-Loera, aka “El Chapo,” in 2022.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional and Successful Work in the Trial Against Roger Ng
United States v. Roger Ng
AUSAs Alixandra Smith, Drew Rolle and Dylan Stern, in partnership with colleagues from DOJ’s Fraud Section and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, are recognized for securing the trial conviction of Roger Ng, a former managing director of the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs) for his role in a multibillion-dollar bribery and money laundering scheme involving Malaysia’s state-owned investment and development fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad. As part of the scheme, Ng and his co-conspirators, including Tim Leissner, the former Southeast Asia Chairman and participating managing director of Goldman Sachs, paid more than $1 billion in bribes to 12 government officials in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to obtain and retain lucrative business for Goldman Sachs. They also conspired to, and did, launder the proceeds of their criminal conduct through the U.S. financial system, including funding major Hollywood films such as “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurism and Dedication in the Criminal Prosecution in the Digital Advertising Industry Inflicted by Foreign Cybercriminals
United States v. Zhukov
AUSAs Saritha Komatireddy, Alex Mindlin and Artie McConnell brought a first-of-its-kind prosecution, exposing rampant fraud in the digital advertising industry inflicted by foreign cybercriminals seeking to steal from American companies and weaken American economic power. This case exposed a fraud that affected nearly every American business and consumer and converted America’s own internet infrastructure and innovations into weapons for cybercrime. The prosecution led to significant reforms and increased security controls among digital advertising platforms, cybersecurity companies and the entities that run the global registration system for IP addresses. The team secured the indictment of 10 cybercriminals from two separate international cybercrime rings and the conviction of five of those cybercriminals, including the leader of each ring.
71st Annual Attorney General AwardsAttorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service
U.S. v. Garcia Luna Trial Team
AUSAs Saritha Komatireddy, Phil Pilmar, Adam Amir, Erin Reid and Ryan Harris, EDNY Special Agent George Dietz, Paralegal Specialists Huda Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett, together with law enforcement partners from DEA and HSI, successfully investigated and obtained a trial conviction against the former Mexican cabinet official Genaro Garcia Luna for his corrupt assistance to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the largest and most violent criminal organizations in the world. Garcia Luna is the highest-ranking Mexican government official to have been prosecuted in a U.S. court. The six-week trial included testimony from high-level Sinaloa Cartel leaders, Mexican public officials who had themselves engaged in corruption, former Mexican law enforcement officers who worked under Garcia Luna, and a former U.S. Ambassador.
Operation Disruptive Capture
United States v. Orekhov et al. and United States v. Grinin et al.
AUSAs Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor and SAUSA Scott Claffee teamed with law enforcement partners from FBI and DOJ task forces to disrupt Russia’s ability to illegally acquire sensitive U.S. technology and enforce sanctions imposed on Russia for their invasion of Ukraine. The initiative resulted in two indictments involving charging 15 defendants and arrests in Germany, Italy, Estonia, and France. The investigation also led to administrative enforcement actions, civil forfeiture involving millions of dollars in multiple foreign jurisdictions, and additional sanctions against individuals and companies.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security Operation Medusa
Former AUSA Ian Richardson
Through Operation MEDUSA, former EDNY AUSA Ian Richardson, together with the FBI, completed a court-authorized operation to disrupt a global peer-to-peer network of computers compromised by sophisticated malware, called “Snake,” that the United States Government attributes to a unit within Center 16 of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. For nearly 20 years, this unit, referred to in court documents as “Turla,” used versions of the Snake malware to steal sensitive documents from hundreds of computer systems in at least 50 countries, which have belonged to North Atlantic Treaty Organization member governments, journalists, and other targets of interest to the Russian Federation. After stealing these documents, Turla exfiltrated them through a covert network of unwitting Snake-compromised computers in the United States and around the world. Operation MEDUSA disabled Turla’s Snake malware on compromised computers through the use of an FBI-created tool named PERSEUS, which issued commands that caused the Snake malware to overwrite its own vital components.
January 6th Proud Boys Prosecution Team
AUSA Nadia Moore
EDNY AUSA Nadia Moore was a vital member of the trial team, which included prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. and the Organized Crime and Gang Section, and agents from the FBI, that secured convictions against five members of the Proud Boys for their actions before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. According to the trial evidence, in the months leading up to Jan. 6, the defendants plotted to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, and to prevent the Members of Congress, and the federal law enforcement officers who protect them, from discharging their duties.
Tuesday 30 January 2024
Woman Sentenced for Leadership Role in Visa Fraud, Identity Theft, and Human Smuggling SchemeRead the Press Release
A New York woman was sentenced today to two years and one month in prison for her role in a multi-year visa fraud, identity theft, and immigrant smuggling conspiracy that brought Armenian citizens into the United States for profit.
According to court documents, Stella Boyadjian, 53, of Rego Park, led a transnational network of co-conspirators who engaged in a widespread visa fraud scheme to bring Armenian citizens into the United States by fraudulently claiming to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the Armenians were members of performance groups, and thus qualified for P-3 “Culturally Unique Artist” visas. The P-3 nonimmigrant visa classification allows foreign nationals to temporarily travel to the United States to perform, teach, or coach as artists or entertainers, under a program that is culturally unique. A U.S. employer or sponsoring organization is required to submit a USCIS Form I-129 Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker, along with supporting documentation, attesting that the performances in the United States are culturally unique.
Boyadjian ran a non-profit organization called Big Apple Music Awards (BAMA) Foundation based in Rego Park. She used the BAMA Foundation as well as formal and informal music industry contacts in the United States and Armenia to perpetuate the scheme. Boyadjian and others solicited Armenian citizens who wanted to come to the United States and charged them between $3,000 and $15,000 for P-3 visas facilitated by Boyadjian and others submitting fraudulent Form I-129 Petitions to the USCIS. To accomplish this, Boyadjian and other associates in Armenia acquired fraudulent performer certificates and organized staged photo sessions where the aliens wore traditional Armenian folk outfits to appear to be traditional Armenian performers. After being trained by Boyadjian and her conspirators on how to answer questions from USCIS visa adjudicators, the individual aliens presented these certificates and photos to U.S. consular officers during their visa interviews. Once the Armenians entered the United States, some would pay Boyadjian and her associates additional money to be included in another fraudulent petition asking for P-3 visa extensions. Some aliens overstayed their visas and remain unlawfully in the United States.
Boyadjian previously pleaded guilty in March 2019 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit visa fraud, and unlawfully bring aliens to the United States, one count of visa fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York, and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Carlos F. Matus made the announcement.
The DSS’ Criminal Fraud Investigations and Overseas Criminal Investigations Divisions investigated the case, with assistance from the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security, Center Fraud Detection Operations in Vermont.
Deputy Chief Rami S. Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John O. Enright for the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case.
United States Reaches Agreement with Guam Waterworks Authority Requiring Investment in Sewer System InfrastructureRead the Press Release
Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) agreed to a consent decree with the United States today to improve the quality of its sewer system, estimated to cost approximately $400 million, to address unauthorized overflows of untreated sewage and other violations of the Clean Water Act. The Government of Guam is also a party to the agreement.
The United States filed a complaint alleging that GWA was in violation of provisions of the Clean Water Act and applicable permits by repeatedly discharging untreated sewage from its wastewater collection system and discharging excess pollutants from its wastewater treatment plants. At least 237 sanitary sewer overflows have occurred from GWA’s collection system since 2018. GWA has also been implementing Safe Drinking Water Act work and other Clean Water Act work under a 2011 federal court order.
“Today’s action shows our continuing commitment to prioritize enforcement and encourage environmental improvement in the communities most burdened by environmental harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “By improving Guam’s sewer system infrastructure, GWA can encourage and support better health for people and the environment and improve their ability to meet the challenges presented by a changing climate.”
“Sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities, which is why today’s settlement with Guam Water Authority is so essential,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “By improving sewer system operations and updating infrastructure, Guam will meet its legal obligations and be better prepared for the major storms that are likely to happen more frequently due to climate change.”
“Clean water is fundamental to public health,” said U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. “Guam deserves an enhanced, modern infrastructure to ensure the continuing preservation of its natural resources and the health of our communities. The benefits of this agreement will be enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors on this beautiful island.”
The consent decree requires GWA to minimize overflows, which will have immediate benefits to the island’s environment. Untreated sewage from overflows can pose serious threats to human health and damage the environment.
GWA will improve sewer system operation and maintenance programs and implement new requirements for pretreatment of wastewater and to control fats, oils and grease (FOG). Sewer system upgrades will include practices to improve climate change resiliency of pump stations and to consider EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities initiative, including the Resilient Strategies Guide for Water Utilities. The settlement also requires enhanced public outreach and engagement to increase transparency around GWA’s plans to comply with the agreement and educate the public on its environmental improvements.
GWA will also develop a feasibility study for secondary treatment upgrades to the Hagåtña wastewater treatment plant, which will include analyses of climate change and sea level rise and be submitted for EPA’s approval. This secondary treatment upgrade will be embodied in a subsequent judicial settlement. GWA receives some grant funding from EPA for wastewater and drinking water projects, including $50 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding over the past two years.
Reducing overflows will also protect coral reef ecosystems from adverse nutrient imbalances and coral diseases that can result from sewage discharges. The environmental impacts of sewage spills to waters include hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, habitat degradation, floating debris and impacts to sensitive species.
For more information about today's settlement, please visit the Guam Waterworks Authority settlement sheet here.
The proposed partial consent decree is lodged in the U.S. District Court of Guam. The settlement is subject to a public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
US World Gang Member Who Shot at FBI Agent Sentenced to 26+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident and member of a criminal street gang who fired multiple rounds at an FBI agent in the course of armed drug trafficking was sentenced to serve more than 26 years in prison for his crimes this week.
Joshuia Johnathon Luke Brown aka “Black,” 26, was sentenced to serve a total of 319 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Jan. 29, after Brown was found guilty of one count of forcible assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on Sept. 18, 2023.
Co-defendant Jarvis Smith, 29, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on Aug. 9, 2023. Smith is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison. Smith’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20. The defendants are not eligible for parole.
“Joshuia Brown used a machine gun to spray a hail of bullets at law enforcement in the middle of the day in a residential neighborhood, striking an FBI agent’s car as well as a nearby private residence,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Brown will now have more than 26 years in federal prison to consider his utter disregard for human life.”
“Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer is dangerous and an extreme threat to public safety. Stopping violent criminals, like Brown, is one of the most important things we can do to protect our communities,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "Thankfully, no one—including our Special Agent—was injured during Brown's act of terror. Columbus is a safer community with him off the streets."
“The federal system leveraged justice for both cowards involved,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. “This wild west behavior is unacceptable. I am grateful for the work and courage our FBI agents displayed. I see the fruits of their labor in our community. It's making a huge impact with gang and criminal activity.”
According to facts presented in court, federal agents were surveilling Brown and Smith in July 2022 as part of a larger and ongoing investigation into armed drug trafficking in the Columbus community. Through surveillance, agents observed a drug transaction involving Smith and Brown on July 28, 2022, in the vicinity of 1049 Winston Road in Columbus. At 4:35 p.m., Smith departed the scene in his car with Brown. FBI Agent S.A. conducted mobile surveillance as Smith traveled down Wade Street, turning south on Sheridan Avenue. Smith, who was driving, stopped his car in the middle of the road and he and Brown, who was a passenger, stepped outside of the car with weapons pointed in the agent’s direction and fired multiple rounds at the agent’s car, hitting the passenger door, the roof and the rear bumper of the FBI vehicle. One round traveled through the back of the FBI agent’s passenger seat, hitting a small bag on the front passenger side. Another round entered a private residence’s living room window, shattering a painting on the wall. The FBI agent was not injured during the shooting.
FBI and Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office units attempted to stop Smith’s car; Smith and Brown were able to elude law enforcement in a lengthy pursuit by car and on foot. Smith was taken into custody on July 28. After a manhunt that last several days, Brown turned himself in on Aug. 10. A bag dropped by Brown during the pursuit contained a fully loaded Glock 19X handgun with an extended magazine. Two bullets recovered from the FBI agent’s vehicle matched the Glock 19X found inside Brown’s discarded bag. Law enforcement recovered a camo backpack dropped by Smith during the pursuit that held a fully loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine, a fully loaded .380 semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Also, several baggies containing methamphetamine, pills and other illegal drugs were found inside Smith’s backpack. Both the Glock 19X and the Glock pistol were modified to operate as machine guns.
Brown is a member of US World, a hybrid criminal street gang based out of Columbus that is affiliated with other national criminal gangs. Smith is a confirmed member of the Bloods criminal street gang and has a prior conviction of aggravated assault, burglary and robbery in Muscogee County, Georgia, Superior Court, Case No. SU-13-Cr-1336. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.
These cases were prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies including the DEA, the Columbus Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Phenix City Police Department and the Russell County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Williams and Crawford Seals are prosecuting the case for the Government.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Settles Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against Roosevelt Care CentersRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a proposed consent decree today to resolve its lawsuit against Roosevelt Care Centers (RCC) for violating Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
According to the complaint, which was filed in federal court on March 20, 2023, Roosevelt Care Centers unlawfully terminated a dietary worker whose disability inhibited her ability to lift objects heavier than 20 pounds. Prior to her termination, the employee had been successfully working at RCC for approximately 18 years and remained able to perform the essential functions of her position. Nonetheless, Roosevelt Care Centers terminated the dietary worker’s employment due to her disability without engaging in an interactive process to provide her with a reasonable accommodation.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“Qualified individuals with disabilities must be given an equal opportunity to be part of the workforce. This settlement reflects the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to ending discriminatory employment practices and protecting the civil rights of all employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Under the terms of the consent decree, which must be approved by the court, RCC has agreed to pay $50,000 in compensation to the complainant. The settlement also requires RCC to train its staff on the ADA and to periodically submit reports about its compliance with the consent decree.
Title I of the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against a qualified individual on the basis of disability. An employer may not demote, terminate, or deny employment opportunities to an employee who is otherwise qualified if the demotion or termination is based on the need to make reasonable accommodations for the employee.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger created a Civil Rights Division with the sole focus on enforcing federal civil rights laws, including the ADA, with the goal of protecting and upholding the civil rights of those in our community. This matter was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s newly formed Civil Rights Division based on a referral from the Newark Area Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office at http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint or call the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thandiwe Boylan of the Civil Rights Division in Newark.
roosevelt.complaint.pdf roosevelt.decree.pdfU.S. Attorney’s Office Observes National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
CHICAGO – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois today commemorated National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and renewed its commitment to prosecuting human traffickers, protecting victims, and empowering survivors.
Every year since 2010, the President of the United States has proclaimed January as “National Human Trafficking Prevention Month,” reaffirming our nation’s commitment to combatting human trafficking in all its forms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office joins in this commitment and continues to prioritize combatting forced labor, domestic servitude, and sex trafficking of children and adults throughout northern Illinois. As part of these efforts, the office works in partnership with the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force, taking a multidisciplinary approach to prevention and prosecution.
“Human trafficking is a brutal crime and its impact on victims is immeasurable. Our office will continue to work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as the remarkable men and women who work with victims, to bring traffickers to justice. Those who exploit other human beings for personal gain must be held accountable.”
-Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
“The Department of Justice launched our National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking to bring the full force of the Department to the fight against human trafficking,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Since then, we’ve taken sustained steps forward to make our anti-trafficking efforts stronger than ever. We have brought human traffickers to justice, dismantled trafficking enterprises, and empowered survivors to rebuild their lives. I am proud of the progress the Department has made, but there is still much more work left to do.”
Human trafficking includes sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and indentured servitude. As with many crimes of exploitation and abuse, human traffickers often prey upon members of marginalized communities and other vulnerable individuals. Traffickers often manipulate the vulnerabilities of victims on multiple levels, first offering protection and opportunity, and then coercing victims to provide labor, services, or commercial sex through a combination of physical and sexual violence, threats of physical or psychological harm, financial or debt-related threats, threats of deportation or arrest, manipulation of substance use disorder, or withdrawal of housing security or other support.
Anyone with information about a potential human trafficking situation or a person who may be experiencing human trafficking should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733. More information about the Justice Department’s work to combat human trafficking can be found here.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $9,881,859.25 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
Greensboro, NC -- U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC) collected $9,881,859.25 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $7,799,811.20 was collected in criminal actions and $2,082,048.05 was collected in civil actions.
“Recovering criminal and civil debts, including restitution owed to crime victims, is a vital part of our mission,” said U.S. Attorney Hairston. “We appreciate the work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and we will continue to prioritize collections in order to hold criminals accountable, collect debts to the government, and compensate victims of crime.”
Criminal collections in MDNC in FY23 included more than $6.6 million recovered from sales of properties belonging to Thomas Earl Tilley. In 2015, Tilley pled guilty to an elaborate scheme of sham trusts, fake corporations, and other nominee entities in order to hide his income and assets, including real property, from the IRS, thereby preventing the IRS from assessing and collecting Tilley’s federal tax debts. He was sentenced to 32 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $7,676,757.00. Following his conviction, Tilley continued to obstruct efforts to collect his restitution debt including the filing of fraudulent UCC financing statements, transferring properties to a trust controlled by his son, and selling, or attempting to sell, several properties without paying the proceeds toward his restitution debt. In 2019, the United States filed a civil action to void the property transfers as fraudulent and to enforce the United States’ lien. The court-ordered property sales in 2023 marked the end of years of litigation and produced funds sufficient to satisfy the remaining restitution balance of $6,650,223.25.
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 Middle District of North Carolina, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected approximately $2.0 million in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice and Department of Treasury Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
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Two San Bernardino Brothers Involved in Marijuana Armed Robbery that Resulted in Victim’s Death Sentenced to Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – Two brothers have been sentenced to terms in federal prison for their roles in a July 2021 armed robbery of a marijuana dealer in San Bernardino, which resulted in the victim’s death from gunshot wounds, the Justice Department announced today.
Martrell Patrick Shaw, 20, of San Bernardino, one of two people who robbed the victim, was sentenced late Monday by United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal to 20 years in federal prison.
At a separate hearing on Monday, Judge Bernal sentenced Rontrell Brainell Shaw, 22, of San Bernardino, the robbery crew’s getaway driver, to 14 years in federal prison. Both defendants were ordered to pay $14,342 in restitution to the victim’s father for funeral expenses.
Martrell Shaw pleaded guilty in May 2023 to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death. Rontrell Shaw pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
According to court documents, on July 31, 2021, co-defendant Dillion Jones, 20, of San Bernardino, the Shaw brothers’ cousin, placed an order with the victim – identified in court documents as “D.M.” – for one pound of marijuana. Jones placed the order knowing that neither he, Martrell Shaw nor Rontrell Shaw had enough money to pay for it. Instead, the trio planned to rob the victim at gunpoint. Jones and Martrell Shaw brought a loaded firearm with them while Rontrell Shaw acted as their driver.
Once the victim arrived at what he thought was the drug deal location in San Bernardino, Martrell Shaw and Jones robbed him at gunpoint. During the robbery, one of the robbers discharged the firearm twice, striking the victim in the neck and torso. Martrell Shaw and Jones then stole the marijuana and a firearm belonging to the victim, who later died from the gunshot wounds he suffered.
Rontrell Shaw then picked up Martrell Shaw and Jones and drove away to avoid detection by law enforcement. Shortly after picking them up, Rontrell Shaw learned the victim was shot during the robbery, and he eventually learned that the victim died from his wounds.
“These defendants’ greed and violence led to the death of the victim,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Their disregard for human life has left the victim’s family and friends devastated. My office’s priority is public safety and today’s sentences show our continued determination to punish and deter violent criminals.”
“These violent individuals clearly have no regard for life,” said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bombardiere. “In this instance, greed outweighed humanity. Today is a win for justice and a heavy message to the community. Law enforcement will combine their resources and all our areas of expertise to find these trigger pullers. We will build the cases and win, they will lose.”
Jones pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of discharging a firearm in during a crime of violence resulting in death, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 1, at which time he will face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Bernardino Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter H. Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
Terlingua Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Terlingua man was sentenced in a federal court in Alpine to 87 months in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, Harold Lee McMullen, 74, possessed more than 400 images depicting the sexual abuse of children. He was subjected to a search warrant after a Texas Department of Public Safety agent identified his computer’s IP address as exchanging CSAM over BitTorrent. McMullen was arrested Aug. 15, 2023 and pleaded guilty Sept. 14, 2023.
“The sexual abuse of children is horrific and individuals like Mr. McMullen who further traffic such despicable material continue the harmful exploitation of these innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Along with our partners, we will continue to hold offenders accountable for their actions.”
HSI and Texas DPS investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the 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 Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.
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Tennessee Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over 27 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Memphis man was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 27 grams of methamphetamine.
Bryant Williams, 40, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.
According to court records, in 2015, an investigation began into a large-scale drug trafficking organization located largely in Picayune, MS (Pearl River County). In 2018, Bryant Williams and two others were identified as being part of the conspiracy. On October 24, 2018, Williams and two of his co-conspirators sold 27.9g of actual methamphetamine at 99% purity to an individual in Picayune.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Hofer of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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.
Teen Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Selling Drugs, Guns in St. Louis and FentonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a teen from Jefferson County, Missouri to 70 months in prison for selling guns and drugs in St. Louis and Fenton.
Donye “El Baggo” Peace, 19, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in November to four counts of distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of dealing firearms without a license.
Peace admitted selling cocaine to undercover agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Aug. 19, 2022, Aug. 26, 2022, Sept. 7, 2022, and Sept. 15, 2022. He also sold a Glock pistol to the agent on September 7 and two more pistols on September 15.
Peace’s publicly accessible Instagram account had a hyperlink to a Telegram group chat page called “Local Pharmacy,” which offered drugs for sale and provided a phone number. He later created a Telegram group chat called “LocalAmmunitions,” which offered firearms for sale.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen prosecuted the case.
Summer Camp Operator Who Defrauded over 300 Families Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for stealing tuition and deposits from families who planned to send their children to sports camps in the Boston area in July and August 2019.
Mehdi Belhassan, 53, of Tampa, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Belhassan was also ordered to pay restitution of $575,427 and forfeiture of $443,346. In October 2023, Belhassan was convicted of two counts of wire fraud following a six-day jury trial.
Beginning in the fall of 2018, Belhassan falsely claimed that he would operate his annual MB Sports Camps at a Boston-area college. Later, Belhassan falsely announced that the camps would occur at a Boston-area university. The City of Boston told Belhassan that he could not have his camp anywhere in Boston because he lacked the appropriate permits; however, Belhassan continued to promote the camp and collect funds.
Belhassan also defrauded a financing company to obtain operating funds for his non-existent camp using a fraudulent contract with a college that contained the forged signature of a college administrator. Belhassan used the operating funds for his camp to fly to Las Vegas where he gambled and spent the money on entertainment and hotels.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss Basil and Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
St. Michael, ND, Woman Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Accessory After the Fact, False Statements and Retaliation Against a WitnessRead the Press Release
FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced that on January 29, 2024, Skyla Kay Cavanaugh, age 23 of St. Michael, ND, appeared before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, U.S. District Court, Fargo, ND, and was sentenced to three years in federal prison, three years supervised release and $300.00 in special assessments for one count of Accessory After the Fact, one count of False Statements, and one count of Retaliation Against a Witness. The federal prison term will run consecutive to an unrelated state sentence she has yet to complete. Cavanaugh pleaded guilty to the offenses on October 12, 2023.
As charged by the United States Attorney’s Office, Cavanaugh pleaded guilty to being an Accessory After the Fact in relation to the May 22, 2022, non-fatal shooting of a man in St. Michael, and for giving False Statements in the ensuing investigation. Cavanaugh also pleaded guilty to Retaliation Against a Witness for confronting and striking a witness to the May 22 shooting several months later.
For committing the May 22, 2022, shooting, 21-year-old Nathaniel Azure was convicted in December 2023, after a 7-day jury trial of two crimes for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Azure was also convicted at trial for his role in a non-fatal shooting in Fort Totten, ND, on January 6, 2021, and for assaulting another person while brandishing a firearm in St. Michael, ND, on May 21, 2022. Sentencing of Azure is scheduled for April 16, 2024.
Michael Al-Jerome Denne, the 25-year-old brother of Azure, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the January 6, 2021, shooting and has been sentenced. Dantae Jerome Whitetail, aged 23, Minnewaukan, ND, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the May 21, 2022, brandishing assault, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2024.
“This result is reflective of the office’s commitment to public safety in Indian country,” Schneider said. “Retaliation against people who witness crimes and tell the truth to law enforcement will not be tolerated. This sentence will serve as a strong deterrent to anyone who thinks they can use violence to evade justice.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Benson County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Rodenbiker and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemestrud Puhl, District of North Dakota.
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St. Louis County Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Buying Stolen Catalytic ConvertersRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Court Ronnie L. White on Tuesday sentenced a St. Louis County, Missouri man who bought thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen catalytic converters to 15 months in prison.
In a Facebook post in 2021, Asmir Jasarevic, now 33, of Lakeshire, falsely claimed to be a licensed dealer who wanted to buy catalytic converters. Jasarevic admitted in his guilty plea in September that he made a “significant” number of purchases when he had direct knowledge that the catalytic converters were stolen. Jasarevic offered no receipts and paid only in cash, offering well below market value. He bought converters at his apartment or public places, kept no records and conducted business at night, his plea says.
Jasarevic admitted selling nearly $50,000 worth of converters to a recycling company in Illinois, $20,000 of which came from stolen property. Catalytic converters contain trace amounts of precious metals and have been cut off vehicles around the country by thieves.
Jasarevic pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Maryland Heights Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware prosecuted the case.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Antowan L. Wade, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Wade was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.
On Aug. 3, 2023, Wade pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On May 9, 2022, members of the U.S. Probation Office conducted a search of Wade’s apartment. Wade was on supervised release after serving a federal prison sentence for bank robbery. Officers found a Canik55 9mm semi-automatic pistol with 16 rounds of ammunition under a pillow on the bed in his bedroom.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Wade has two prior felony convictions for bank robbery, a prior felony conviction for the robbery of a Best Buy store in Joplin, Mo., and prior felony convictions for making and passing counterfeit currency and for burglary.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Six Defendants Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Offenses for Obstructing Access to a Reproductive Health Services Facility in Mount Juliet, TennesseeRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A federal jury convicted six defendants today of federal civil rights offenses arising out of their blockade of a reproductive health care clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, on March 5, 2021. The defendants were each convicted of a felony conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) offense.
According to evidence presented at trial, Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Calvin Zastrow, Coleman Boyd, Paul Vaughn and Dennis Green engaged in a conspiracy to prevent the clinic employees from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services, a civil right secured by the FACE Act. As part of the conspiracy, Idoni, Zastrow, Boyd and Green traveled to Tennessee from other states to participate in the clinic blockade, and Gallagher and Vaughn stalled the Mount Juliet Police Department through negotiations that Gallagher referred to as a delay tactic. Evidence at trial further proved that the defendants violated the FACE Act by using physical obstruction to interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient because the clinic was providing, and the patient sought, reproductive health services.
“These defendants are being held accountable for unlawfully obstructing access to reproductive health services,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce the FACE Act to protect the rights of those who provide and those who seek access to such services.”
“These defendants knowingly chose to violate laws they disagreed with,” said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. “The jury’s verdict today is a victory for the rule of law in this country and a reminder that we cannot pick and choose which laws we follow. It is also a testament to the outstanding work done in this case by the trial team and our law enforcement partners.”
A sentencing hearing has been set for July 2. The defendants each face up to a maximum of 10 and a half years in prison, three years of supervised release and fines of up to $260,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Memphis Field Office, Nashville Resident Agency investigated the case.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted the case.
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Six Defendants Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Offenses for Obstructing Access to Reproductive Health Services in TennesseeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted six defendants today of federal civil rights offenses arising out of their blockade of a reproductive health care clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, on March 5, 2021. The defendants were each convicted of a felony conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) offense.
According to evidence presented at trial, Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Calvin Zastrow, Coleman Boyd, Paul Vaughn and Dennis Green engaged in a conspiracy to prevent the clinic employees from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services, a civil right secured by the FACE Act. As part of the conspiracy, Idoni, Zastrow, Boyd and Green traveled to Tennessee from other states to participate in the clinic blockade, and Gallagher and Vaughn stalled the Mount Juliet Police Department through negotiations that Gallagher referred to as a delay tactic. Evidence at trial further proved that the defendants violated the FACE Act by using physical obstruction to interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient because the clinic was providing, and the patient sought, reproductive health services.
“These defendants are being held accountable for unlawfully obstructing access to reproductive health services,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce the FACE Act to protect the rights of those who provide and those who seek access to such services.”
“These defendants knowingly chose to violate laws they disagreed with,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “The jury’s verdict today is a victory for the rule of law in this country and a reminder that we cannot pick and choose which laws we follow. It is also a testament to the outstanding work done in this case by the trial team and our law enforcement partners.”
A sentencing hearing has been set for July 2. The defendants each face up to a maximum of 10 and a half years in prison, three years of supervised release and fines of up to $260,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Memphis Field Office, Nashville Resident Agency investigated the case.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted the case.
Serial Health Care Fraudster Sentenced for $234M Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A California man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for conspiring to conceal his involvement in operating a laboratory and billing Medicare approximately $234 million for various lab tests, including COVID-19 and respiratory pathogen panel tests, despite his decades-long exclusion from the Medicare program.
“Criminals who cheat federal health programs and profit at the expense of American taxpayers will be met with the full force of the Justice Department,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As our country was battling the COVID-19 pandemic, this individual was fraudulently billing Medicare for hundreds of millions of dollars. Today, thanks to the work of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, he will now spend 10 years in federal prison for his crimes. We will continue to disrupt schemes that defraud the federal health programs the American people rely on, and we will hold accountable those who perpetrate those schemes.”
According to court documents, Imran Shams, 65, of Glendale, was convicted of Medicare and Medicaid fraud in separate 1990 and 2001 cases in New York and California, respectively. After each conviction, he was excluded from participation in Medicare and all federal health care programs, and advised by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) that he had to submit a written application to be considered for reinstatement in federal health care programs. Shams never sought reinstatement, yet he continued to operate health care clinics in New York that billed federal health care programs. In November 2017, Shams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks and other charges in the Eastern District of New York related to his operation of these clinics.
By 2018, Shams was an owner, operator, and manager of Matias Clinical Laboratory, doing business as Health Care Providers Laboratory (HCPL), a Baldwin Park, California-based clinical testing laboratory that billed Medicare and other federal health care programs. In order to maintain HCPL’s status as a Medicare provider and enable it to receive payments from Medicare for its testing services, Shams and a co-conspirator fraudulently concealed Shams’ role in HCPL from Medicare, including failing to submit required enrollment documentation identifying Shams’ ownership, management position, and prior convictions; causing the submission of false documentation to Medicare identifying another person as HCPL’s sole owner and managing officer; submitting false documentation concerning HCPL’s ownership and management to the California Department of Public Health; and making false statements to the U.S. Probation Office and Pretrial Services Agency while Shams was on federal court supervision following his 2017 conviction. Between August 2018 and April 2022, when the grand jury returned the indictment in this case and Shams was arrested and ordered detained without bond, HCPL fraudulently billed Medicare approximately $234 million. Medicare paid HCPL approximately $31.7 million based on these fraudulent claims.
Shams pleaded guilty in the Central District of California on Jan. 24, 2023, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and concealment of his exclusion from Medicare.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Shams was ordered to forfeit $31,761,286.21, including $4,513,106.30 in funds that the government previously seized from two bank accounts, as well as his interest in two residential properties and one business property in the Los Angeles area. Shams was also ordered to pay $31,761,286.21 in restitution.
“Shams engaged in a years-long scheme in which he billed American taxpayers nearly $234 million and lined his pockets with millions of dollars of funds intended for the health and welfare of patients,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This case demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to rooting out fraud to help ensure critical healthcare funds go where they are needed most.”
“The integrity of the federal health care system rests, in part, on providers’ proper, lawful billing of Medicare and other HHS programs,” said Inspector General Christi A. Grimm of HHS-OIG. “Providers who violate federal health care law and defy measures intended to protect programs and patients from fraud will be held accountable. We remain steadfast and persistent in our efforts to investigate schemes targeting federal health care programs.”
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Gary A. Winters and Raymond E. Beckering III of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxwell Coll for the Central District of California handled the financial penalties.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Schenectady Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Matthew Shaver, age 23, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a loaded shotgun as a felon.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Shaver admitted that on December 15, 2022, he knowingly possessed a loaded shotgun at his residence in Schenectady. On that date, federal investigators recovered the shotgun while executing a search warrant on the residence. A prior felony conviction for assault in the first degree prevented Shaver from legally possessing the firearm in New York. Shaver was arrested following the search and has remained in custody since then.
Shaver faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on May 29, 2024, by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
ATF and HIS investigated this case with assistance provided by the Rotterdam Police Department, the Schenectady Police Department, and the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Savage Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun and Attempted Possession of GrenadesRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Savage man has been sentenced to 80 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a machine gun and attempted possession of hand grenades, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in September of 2022, the FBI received tips from concerned citizens reporting disturbing behavior of a man at a firearm range, later identified as River William Smith, 21. In November and December 2022, Smith began communicating via a social media platform with an FBI confidential human source (the “CHS”). The FBI’s investigation revealed evidence that Smith was preparing for a violent exchange with police. Smith stated he is “pro mass shooting,” sympathized with the Parkland school shooter, and expressed admiration for the individual charged with the recent shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub. The FBI also discovered Smith had access to an AR-style rifle, handguns, body armor, and a Kevlar helmet. In online messages, Smith discussed learning about his “enemy” by watching police bodycam shootings online.
According to court documents, on November 17, 2022, Smith asked a second CHS for auto sears to convert his AR-15 style rifle and his Glock handgun into fully automatic machine guns. The CHS told Smith that he could obtain the auto sears for him, and Smith provided the CHS with a down payment of $60. On November 28, 2022, Smith asked whether the CHS knew about M67 fragmentary grenades, which are hand grenades used by the U.S. military in close combat. Smith told the CHS that he wanted three hand grenades to outfit his tactical vest and discussed a plan to purchase the grenades. On December 5, 2022, Smith provided the CHS with a $200 down payment for three hand grenades, priced at $250 per hand grenade.
According to court documents, on December 14, 2022, under supervision of law enforcement, a meeting between Smith and the second CHS was arranged. At the meeting, Smith took possession of three auto sears and three inert hand grenades in exchange for $690 in cash. Smith was then placed under arrest by law enforcement.
Smith pleaded guilty on May 16, 2023, to one count of possession of a machine gun. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge David S. Doty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Savage Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Justin Sher prosecuted the case.
Sanostee Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Nathan Mescale appeared in federal court on an indictment charging him with aggravated sexual abuse. Mescale, 34, of Sanostee, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending trial.
According to the indictment, between Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, 2023, Mescale caused Jane doe to engage in a sexual act by using force.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Mescale faces up to life in prison.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mia Ulibarri-Rubin is prosecuting the case.
View the Indictment# # #
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