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Friday 26 January 2024
Phoenix Man Arrested for Making Online Death Threats Against the President and Vice PresidentRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. –David Michael Hanson, 41, of Phoenix, was arrested on Wednesday for making online threats against the President and Vice-President. Hanson was charged by federal criminal complaint on Tuesday with five counts of Threats Against the President and Successors to the Presidency and five counts of Interstate Communication of Threats.
The complaint alleges that in November and December of 2023, while living in Arizona, Hanson used a social media platform to post threats to murder the President and Vice President of the United States. On November 19, 2023, Hanson posted online a series of threatening statements including one that stated, “#joeAndKamala I’m asking you to resign on Monday your alternative is death brutally murdered.” After the U.S. Secret Service spoke to Hanson and warned him that it was a federal crime to post such threats, on December 23, 2023, Hanson posted another series of similar threats aimed at the President and Vice-President.
Each count of Threats Against the President and Successors to the Presidency carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count of Interstate Communication of Threats carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
A complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The United States Secret Service is conducting the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 24-6010MJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-010_Hanson# # #
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.Newport News Man Convicted of Receiving Cocaine Parcel in MailRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Newport News man yesterday of possession of two kilograms of cocaine that he received in the mail.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, James Arthur Scott, 33, waited in a parking lot in Hampton for more than an hour and a half to take personal delivery of a parcel from California to be delivered to “Lit Wick.” Prior to delivery, law enforcement agents had intercepted the parcel at a UPS facility in Newport News. Further inspection of the parcel revealed two shoeboxes inside several layers of packaging. The shoeboxes were filled with wax. Inside the wax was a kilogram of cocaine, one in each shoebox, totaling two kilograms of cocaine.
A controlled delivery of the two shoeboxes was conducted, and Scott was identified in a rental car waiting for the delivery. Scott accepted delivery of the parcel and placed it in his vehicle. A vehicle takedown was conducted and the parcel containing two kilograms of cocaine was found on Scott’s front seat. UPS identified Scott as receiving at least four other deliveries in the same parking lot for packages to be delivered to “Lit Wick.”
Scott was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of forty years in prison when sentenced on June 4. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent; Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police; and Jimmie Wideman, Chief of Hampton Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Heath and Eric M. Hurt are prosecuting the case.
Assistance was provided by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-79.
New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Control Act and Controlled Substances Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROXANNE CARTER, age 36, pled guilty on January 23, 2024 before United States District Judge Brandon S. Long to a five-count superseding bill of information. Specifically, CARTER pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, distribution of a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).
CARTER also pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
As to Counts one, two and three, CARTER faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three (3) years of supervised release. As to Count four, CARTER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years and up to life imprisonment to run consecutive to any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five (5) years of supervised release. As to Count five, CARTER faces up to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) supervised release. As to each count, CARTER also faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
According to court documents, CARTER conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine in Orleans Parish. CARTER also possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, specifically possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. CARTER admitted she was a prohibited person and knew she had a prior felony conviction that prohibited her from possessing a firearm.
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.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish Crime Laboratory. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit
Nearly 200 Defendants Charged in Series of Arrests Targeting Drug-Trafficking Organizations NationwideRead the Press Release
Nearly 200 people have been charged as part of a series of arrests targeting large-scale drug-trafficking organizations operating throughout the United States.
“Over just three days and across 10 states, the Justice Department has charged nearly 200 individuals for their alleged roles in major drug trafficking operations,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These cases represent just a fraction of the work our agents and prosecutors are doing every day to target, disrupt, and dismantle the cartels and drug trafficking organizations that are poisoning the American people.”
“Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die from illicit drugs trafficked into our communities, including fentanyl and other synthetic opioids,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “This wave of indictments and arrests — stretching from Alaska to Mississippi and from Nebraska to West Virginia — shows the reach of the Justice Department and our partners across the country and around the world when it comes to disrupting narcotics trafficking.”
The cases announced this week were brought by federal law enforcement in four districts leading to the arrest of defendants from 10 states that cover crime rings operating in the Eastern, Southern, and Midwest regions of the U.S. and throughout Alaska.
These efforts are all part of a Department-wide Violent Crime Reduction Strategy implemented under Attorney General Garland to leverage the resources of the Department’s federal prosecutors, agents, investigators, criminal justice experts and grant programs to combat violent crime.
Every U.S. Attorney’s Office across the country has worked alongside state and local partners to implement district-specific violent crime reduction strategies. These cases represent the ongoing, targeted efforts by U.S. Attorney’s Offices to seize deadly drugs and to prosecute those whose actions bring violence in communities.
On Jan. 25, the District of Alaska announced charges against 54 defendants in connections with a large-scale organized crime ring operating within the state of Alaska, allegedly run by an inmate from a California prison. Heraclio Sanchez-Rodriguez, 57, is accused of using contraband cell phones to communicate with his suppliers in Mexico and their brokers, leaders in California and Oregon, and distributors of the drug trafficking enterprise in Alaska. From February 2022 to July 2023, law enforcement intercepted over 36 kilograms of fentanyl, 27.3 kilograms of meth, 11.3 kilograms of heroin, and 118 grams of cocaine connected to the enterprise The indictments allege the enterprise mainly used high-level suppliers to send drug packages through the U.S. Postal Service from Oregon and California to Alaska. Distributors located in Alaska would allegedly receive the packages and traffic the drugs to Alaskan communities, from the most populous cities to some of Alaska’s smallest villages.
On Jan. 24, the Northern District of West Virginia announced charges against 82 defendants for a drug trafficking ring operating in the Eastern Panhandle. According to court documents, Gary Bernard Brown Jr., 38, of Baltimore, supplied others with large quantities of fentanyl capsules and powder for redistribution in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. The investigation yielded 10 kilograms of fentanyl with a street value of $1.2 million. The fentanyl being trafficked was blue and packaged in colorful capsules, potentially attractive to children. It was enough fentanyl to create more than 33,000 of the capsules for sale. Officers also found cocaine, methamphetamine, firearms, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets during the investigation.
On Jan. 23, the District of Nebraska announced charges against 19 defendants for their roles as part of a meth distribution ring operating throughout Nebraska with ties to Kentucky and California. Alejandro Ruiz, 41, allegedly ran the crime syndicate out of California and trafficked meth and other narcotics from Mexico into California and then into the Midwest, including central Nebraska. In addition to meth seized through controlled buys, law enforcement also seized three firearms.
On Jan. 23, the Southern District of Mississippi arrested 40 individuals stemming from a four-year federal investigation of multiple drug-trafficking organizations distributing meth, cocaine, and other illegal narcotics. The case included defendants throughout Mississippi with connections to Mexico, California, Texas, Alabama, and elsewhere. Some defendants are charged with committing a meth drug offense while minors, including a young toddler, were at the location. Investigators seized 36 firearms, five kilograms of crystal meth, and one kilogram of cocaine.
The investigation and prosecution of these cases are part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operations, which aim to identify, disrupt, and dismantle 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.
Moss Point Man Sentenced to 5 years in Prison for Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial NumberRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. -- A Moss Point man was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
According to court documents, on April 15, 2022, Anthony Loyd Parson, Jr., 37, fled on foot after making an erratic stop in a vehicle he was driving when Moss Point Police Department officers were attempting to conduct a traffic stop. Officers found outside Parson’s door a cell phone and a firearm with a serial number that had been removed. Parson had previous felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and a drive-by shooting.
Parson was indicted by a federal grand jury, and he pled guilty on October 19, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Moss Point Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones is prosecuting the case.
Moraima Escarlet Vasquez Flores Sentenced for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on January 25, 2024, Moraima Escarlet Vasquez Flores, 40, of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, was sentenced in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, to serve 90 months in prison after her guilty plea to one count of aiding and abetting the receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography (also known as child sexual abuse material, or CSAM). U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss also ordered Vasquez Flores to serve a five-year term of supervised release and to pay a $100 special assessment.
According to court records and proceedings, Vasquez Flores participated in the production of a video which showed her inflicting sadistic abuse of a prepubescent boy who was known to her. In the video, Vasquez Flores slapped and hit the boy, whose arms and legs were bound. She placed her fully clothed genital area over the boy’s face and bounced on it. She also held her hands over his mouth and nose and appeared to suffocate him. By the end of the video, it appeared that the child was unconscious. Vasquez Flores made the video knowing that it would be sent to a sexual sadist who would use the video for sexual stimulation.
A link to the video was sent on October 13, 2018, to Sean Fiore, Vasquez Flores’ co-defendant. On March 25, 2022, Judge Reiss sentenced Fiore to serve 27-years in prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his guilty plea to murder for hire, conspiracy to kidnap and murder a person overseas, conspiracy to produce child pornography (CSAM), and possession of child pornography (CSAM). Judge Reiss also ordered Fiore to pay restitution to the victims of his offense conduct.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in the investigation of Vasquez Flores and Fiore.
Barbara A. Masterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont, Patrick Jasperse, Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, and Eduardo Palomo, Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, represented the government. Sara Puls and Steven Barth of the Office of the Federal Public Defender represented Vasquez Flores.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Judicial Attaché’s office at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota provided critical assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Vasquez Flores.
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 Child Exploitation Obscenity Section, Criminal Division (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 .
Monterey Caterer Charged with Defrauding the Government Out of $4 Million in Covid-Relief FundsRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Dory Lindsay Ford with charges related to COVID fraud, including bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Mosley of the Oakland Field Office; and Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Weston King.
According to the indictment, Ford, 57, of Monterey, California, operated a catering company called Aqua Terra Culinary, Inc. (Aqua Terra). During the pandemic, Ford applied for and received approximately $4 million in loans and grants from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL).
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was a federal law enacted in or around March 2020 and designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP.
Section 5003 of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) established the RRF and appropriated $28.6 billion to the SBA for the purpose of making grants under the RRF. The SBA awarded funding through the RRF to restaurants, bars, and similar businesses serving food and drink. The purpose of this funding was to provide support to eligible entities that suffered revenue losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigation measures.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program is an SBA program that provided low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters.
According to the indictment, Ford obtained approximately $4 million in PPP, RRF, and EIDL funds by using false and fraudulent, representations, promises, and omissions and concealed material facts. The indictment alleges that Ford used the COVID-19 loan and grant money to purchase real estate properties in the country of Belize, to invest in the stock market, and to fund a different business venture instead of using the loan money for proper expenses, such as payroll costs, rent or mortgage payments, and supplies.
The indictment charges Ford with bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344, as well as three counts of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and two counts of money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Ford faces a maximum statutory sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $1 million for bank fraud; a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 for each count of wire fraud; and a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 for both counts of money laundering. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Ford’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 31, 2024, before the Honorable Virginia K. DeMarchi, United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California.
Assistant United State Attorney Neal C. Hong is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is a result of an investigation by CI and SBA-OIG.
Middle District of Florida Prosecutors Indict 167 Firearms and Violent Crime Defendants During 2023 as Part of Project Safe Neighborhoods StrategyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the results of the 2023 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. During 2023, which includes the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has indicted 167 defendants. These defendants face federal firearms and violent crime charges. Law enforcement seized approximately 445 firearms associated with these defendants.
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, ending on December 31, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida indicted 41 defendants for federal firearms and violent crime offenses, removing 93 firearms from our streets in the process. (See chart for case details)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also engaged in community outreach efforts aimed at violent crime prevention throughout the year. Members of the United States Attorney’s Office spoke with more than 200 middle and high school students during the first quarter of 2024. Assistant United States Attorneys also met with college and law students to discuss firearm and violent crime prevention and prosecution. Prison re-entry events at Baker Re-entry Center and Lawtey Correctional Institute this quarter reached almost 100 inmates.
“Our office is committed to reducing violent crime throughout the Middle District of Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners and community stakeholders as part of our joint effort to make our communities safer.”
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. This evidence-based program has proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders working together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in communities and developing comprehensive solutions that reduce crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on prevention and intervention efforts through community engagement and problem-solving partnerships, strategic enforcement of the most violent offenders, and locally based re-entry programs to reduce recidivism.
Q1 PSN case highlights:
United States v. Edward James Bess, III (Ft. Myers)
On December 12, 2023, Edward James Bess, III (29, Fort Myers) was sentenced to 33 years and 4 months for carjacking causing serious bodily injury, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and a second carjacking. Bess carjacked two victims, one in Fort Myers whom Bess shot in the leg before taking the victim’s vehicle. The victim was injured but survived the shooting. Bess carjacked a second victim in Sumter County. Bess was eventually apprehended by law enforcement following a chase.
United States v. Jesse Moore (Jacksonville)
In November 2023, a federal jury found Jesse Rance Moore (46, Bell) guilty of four counts pertaining to Hobbs Act robberies and three counts of brandishing a firearm during the robberies. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the FBI first learned of a masked man robbing a string of pharmacy stores in the Columbia County area after the North Florida Pharmacy in Fort White was robbed at gun point on January 13, 2022. This masked individual was captured on surveillance exiting a blue/grey sedan, walking into the pharmacy with a black handgun, and demanding controlled substances, specifically, oxycodone, oxycontin, and Percocet. After holding up multiple store employees and taking the controlled substances, the masked man exited the pharmacy and drove southbound on US Highway 27. Unbeknownst to the robber, a good Samaritan in the pharmacy’s drive-thru followed the getaway vehicle and captured the license plate number, which led back to Moore. Further, the FBI later discovered that the vehicles used in the previous three robberies either matched the description of a pickup truck registered to Moore or matched the vehicles Moore’s wife had rented just days prior to the robberies. Law enforcement seized articles of clothing, multiple masks, the firearm, handwritten notes, and brown boots associated with the robberies. During trial, evidence seized from Moore’s cellphone was presented to demonstrate that he had googled medications stolen from the pharmacies, the store hours of pharmacies, and a variety of keyword searches, including the question “do drug stores get robbed in florida,” which he had Googled just a couple weeks prior to the first robbery. Moore’s sentencing is set for January 30, 2024.
United States v. Kingsley Wilson and Viviana Rodriguez (Ocala)
In November 2023, Kingsley Wilson (35, Kissimmee) pleaded guilty to 1 count of dealing in firearms without a license, 14 counts of making a materially false statement to a federally licensed firearms (FFL) dealer, and 14 counts of causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. In December 2023, his girlfriend, Viviana Rodriguez (41, Kissimmee), pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license, seven counts of making a materially false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL), and seven counts of causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. According to the plea agreement and evidence presented in court, between January 2022 and July 2023, Wilson purchased 92 firearms from FFLs within the Middle District of Florida. Rodriguez purchased an additional 47 firearms during the same period. While purchasing these firearms, Rodriguez falsely certified on ATF Form 4473s (Firearm Transaction Records) that she was the “actual transferee/buyer” of the firearms. Rodriguez was actually purchasing these firearms for others in exchange for monetary payments. Wilson’s cellphone revealed numerous conversations between Wilson and others, including Rodriguez, about the illegal purchases and transfer of these firearms. Fourteen of the firearms purchased by Wilson and Rodriguez have been recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes (including homicides) in the Bahamas and Canada.
United States v. Bernard Rogers (Orlando)
On October 10, 2023, Bernard Rogers was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for committing three armed robberies in July 2022. First, Rogers entered a Cracker Barrel in Melbourne and robbed the cashier of cash using a firearm. He then robbed a cashier at a Dollar General in Orlando, once again stealing cash from the register. Rogers was caught shortly after his third armed robbery, a T.D. Bank in Melbourne. The bank teller gave Rogers a concealed GPS tracker and law enforcement caught him after a brief car chase. Rogers was arrested in his rental getaway car with more than $3,000, the GPS tracker, and a loaded Ruger .380 firearm.
United States v. Antonio Brown and Steven Jackson (Tampa)
On October 4, 2023, Antonio Brown (45, Tampa) was sentenced to 17 years in prison for conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. His codefendant, Steven Jackson, was previously sentenced to 13 years and 6 months in prison. According to court documents, Brown and Jackson robbed two auto parts stores in the Tampa area on August 29, 2021. During the first auto parts store robbery, Brown and Jackson carried firearms and wore surgical masks when they entered the store. They brandished their firearms, demanded money from store employees, and stole approximately $300 from cash registers. Brown and Jackson then drove to a second auto parts store where they again entered wearing masks and carrying firearms. They pointed their firearms at store clerks and demanded money from the cash registers. Later that night, officers from the Tampa Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that Brown was driving. During a search of the car, they found a distinctive hat that one of the robbers had worn during the armed robberies, approximately $900 in cash, and Jackson’s wallet containing his identification. Further investigation provided evidence showing Jackson in the vicinity of the auto parts stores at the times of the robberies. Officers also found the clothes Jackson wore during the robberies in his garbage outside his residence.
These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys in all five divisions throughout the Middle District of Florida. For additional information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit our website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/project-safe-neighborhoods-0.
Charged Cases
Defendant(s)
(Age)
Charges
Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment
Firearms Seized
Fort Myers Division
1st Quarter
Javier Velasquez, Jr. (37)
Distribution of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of a machinegun, and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 5 years, up to life in federal prison.
6
Luis Armando Rodriguez-Padilla (27)
Illegal reentry by a previously convicted felon, possession of a firearm by and alien unlawfully in the United States, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 25 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Mark Morgan and Benjamin S. Winter.
Jacksonville Division
1st Quarter
Timothy Crowe (54)
False statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Gabriel Daniel Pinnace (31)
False statement during purchase of firearm, aiding and abetting smuggling firearms, aiding and abetting possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison (false statement), 5 years in federal prison (aiding and abetting).
3
Eric Joel Valdez (22)
Possession of a stolen firearm and transportation of a stolen firearm
Maximum Penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
1
Andre Lee Long (48)
Distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Minimum/maximum penalty: 5 years, up to life, in federal prison and 10 years, up to life in federal prison.
1
Scott Randall Chance, Jr. (22)
Dealing Firearms without a license, possession of an illegal machinegun, distribution of a controlled substance.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison and 10 years in federal prison.
8
Anthony Lavar Wilson (40)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
Markee Washington (33)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a machinegun.
Minimum/maximum penalty: 15 years, up to life, in federal prison and 10 years in federal prison.
2
Jaime Rosario Ang (51)
Distribution of 5 grams or more of pure methamphetamine and distribution/possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine.
Minimum/maximum penalty: 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison and 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Mar’Kesie Williams (27)
Possession of a machine gun
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
1
Michael Thomas Sawyer (49)
Making false statements to a firearms dealer
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Paul Allen Anderson, Jr. (31)
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Minimum/maximum penalty: 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
5
Randolph Wayne Swindle
Making false statements to a firearms dealer.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Roberto Roman Ramirez (50)
False statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Frank Talbot, Aakash Singh, Michael Coolican, John Cannizzaro, Kirwinn Mike, and Kevin Frein.
Ocala Division
1st Quarter
Jared Boyle (33)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 in federal prison.
1
Jerome Junior Swopshire (40)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 in federal prison.
1
Marcus Cleaver Morgan, Jr. (23)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 in federal prison.
1
James Wendell Jackson
(31)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Tyran Terrell Harris
(23)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Gregory Howard Coleman, III (27)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
William Scott Fogg (37)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Kevin Eugene Leeks, Jr. (33)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Frank Thomas Diviak (23)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Tyrie Boyer, Sara Swartzberg, and Hanna Nowalk.
Tampa Division
1st Quarter
Gabriel Gladman (23)
False statements with the intent to purchase firearms and selling/transferring a firearm to a juvenile under the age of 18.
Maximum penalties: 10 years in federal prison (false statement) and up to 1 year in federal prison (selling/transferring a firearm to a juvenile).
16
Nahum Rodriguez-Jaimes (46)
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl (3 counts), and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (per fentanyl count); and up to 15 years in federal prison (firearm offense).
0
Brandale Swails (29)
Hobbs Act robbery.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison.
0
Marcel Morris (33)
Darrence White (27)
Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Maximum penalty: 40 years in federal prison (fentanyl offense); and up to life imprisonment (methamphetamine offense)
1
Baruch Roche, II (33)
Possession of a firearm in a federal facility.
Maximum penalty: One year in federal prison.
0
Darius Lavon Williams (38)
Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine;
possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (drug offense); Minimum mandatory 20 years, up to life, in federal prison (firearms offenses).
2
Kavar Young (32)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Maria Guzman, Diego F. Novaes, and Ross Roberts.
Orlando Division
1st Quarter
Dainton Steve Drummond (61)
Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Dana Calley (54)
Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
4
Karon Lyshawn Watson (36)
Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 15 years, up to life, in federal prison under Armed Career Criminal Act.
1
Tramon Jamal Stewart (23)
Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Shawndell Johnson (31)
Distribution of fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
2
Verun Maharajh (31)
Export of firearms and ammunition, shipment of firearms without a license, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Maximum penalty: 35 years in federal prison.
4
Chrissie Fier Williams (38)
Export of firearms and ammunition (3 counts), and shipment of firearms without a license (3 counts).
Maximum penalty: 60 years in federal prison.
18
Victor Morales-Acosta (26)
Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Kristian Moises Ramos (43)
Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Michael Sartoian, Dana Hill, Richard Varandan, Adam Nate, Megan Testerman, Diane Hu, Matthew Del Mastro, and Noah Dorman.
Adjudicated Cases
Defendant(s)
(Age)
Charges
Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment
Firearms Seized
Fort Myers Division
1st Quarter
Grant Elmore Davis, Jr. (71)
Armed bank robbery; discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 25 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
This PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division is being handled by AUSA Mark Morgan.
Jacksonville Division
1st Quarter
Jesse Rance Moore (46)
Interference with commerce by threats or violence robberies and burglaries involving controlled substances; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison; minimum mandatory penalty of 7 years, up to life, in federal prison (brandishing a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence).
1
Paul Bryan McCorkle (55)
Receiving and possessing an explosive by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
0
Samuel Arthur Thompson (53)
Possession and receipt of child sex abuse material; intrusion of protected computer causing damage; production of child sex abuse material; failure to register as a sex offender; possession of firearm by a convicted felon.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 10 years, up to 20 years in federal prison; 15 years up to 40 years in federal prison; up to 10 years in federal prison; 25 to 50 years in federal prison; 10 years in federal prison.
1
Diandre Murel (30)
Conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Mandatory minimum penalty: 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
3
Annette Elaine Jones
Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more methamphetamine.
Mandatory minimum penalty: 10 years, up to life in federal prison.
2
These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Kirwinn Mike, Laura Taylor, Frank Talbot, and Aakash Singh.
Ocala Division
1st Quarter
Jared Boyle (33)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Wendell Doyle Goney (51)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Raymond Devon Haynes (33)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Kingsley Samuel Richard Wilson (35)
False statement to firearms dealer; dealing in firearms without a license.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
139
Viviana Rodriguez (41)
False statement in required information kept by a firearms dealer.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Craig Antwon Oneal (53)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Tyrie K. Boyer, Robert Bodnar, Jr., Belkis Crockett, and Sarah Swartzberg.
Tampa Division
1st Quarter
Floyd Hintteon Green, Jr. (62)
Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
0
Kenneth Lorenzo Jackson (48)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Minimum mandatory penalty:15 years, up to life, in federal prison under Armed Career Criminal Act.
0
Nicholas Quinton Hanson (31)
Marcus Dewonn Mobley, Jr. (23)
Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
0
Kenneth Lorenzo Jackson (48)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Mandatory minimum penalty: 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Erik Barner (44)
Possession of controlled substance with the intent to distribute it; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (drug offense); minimum mandatory of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison (firearm charge).
0
Ivan Lamar Vasquez (39)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 15 years, up to life, in federal prison, qualifies for enhanced penalties under Armed Career Criminal Act.
1
Francisco Cabrera (28)
Armed robbery; possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 28 years, up to life, in federal prison.
0
Jason Washington (42)
Possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine with intent to distribute it.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
0
Donald Robert Smith (29)
Hobbs Act robberies; brandishing a firearm during and in relation to one of the robberies; and discharging a firearm during and in relation to another of the robberies.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison for robbery offenses; minimum mandatory of 7 years, up to life, in federal prison for brandishing the firearm; and a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison for discharging the firearm.
0
Oscar Freemond Fowler III (48)
Possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (drug offense); maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison (firearm offense).
1
John Knight (46)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Donovan Shabazz (50)
Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
2
These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Samantha Newman, David W.A. Chee, Shauna S. Hale, Christopher F. Murray, David P. Sullivan, Callan L. Albritton, and Diego F. Novaes.
Orlando Division
1st Quarter
Angel Ruben Hernandez, Jr. (75)
Failure to record firearms purchaser by FFL dealer (3 counts)
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
9
Nicholas Brooks Race (40)
Bank robbery.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison.
0
Desha Cooper (31)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
Carlos Aquino (42)
Possession of 400 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Minimum mandatory penalty: 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
O’Neil Clifton Gordon (31)
Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Dana Hill, Michael Sartoian, Noah Dorman, Richard Varandan, Kara Wick, and Rachel Lyons.
Sentenced Cases
Defendant(s)
(Age)
Charges
Sentence Imposed
Firearms Seized
Fort Myers Division
1st Quarter
Manuel Alfredo Dickerson Copland (30)
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of MDMA, possession of oxycodone, and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Sentence imposed: 26 years, 10 months in federal prison.
2
Steven Dewayne Barnes, Jr. (26)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Sentence imposed: 10 years, 1 month in federal prison.
1
Deshon G. Walker (27)
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison.
1
Omar Arriojas (57)
Attempting to smuggle goods from the United States and making a false statement during a firearms acquisition.
Sentence imposed: 18 months in federal prison.
3
Edward James Bess, III (29)
Carjacking causing serious bodily injury; discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and carjacking.
Sentence imposed: 33 years, 4 months in federal prison.
1
Chester Lewis Risco (20)
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 10 months in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Mark Morgan, Patrick L. Darcey, Simon R. Eth, and Trent Reichling.
Jacksonville Division
1st Quarter
Jonathan Donte Rogers, Jr. (22)
Possession of unregistered short-barreled rifle.
Sentence imposed: 21 months in federal prison.
0
Shawntae Jamell Clark (45)
Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 10 years, 5 months in federal prison.
2
Dwayne Eric Thompson (39)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 7 years in federal prison.
1
D’Trevious Sharron Epps (26)
Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Sentence imposed: 5 years in federal prison.
2
Pocols Lashawn Jackson (39)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 6 years, 3 months in federal prison.
10
Maisha K. Daniels (47)
Possessing, selling, and disposing of a stolen firearm.
Sentence imposed: 3 years’ probation.
1
Adam Taylor (33)
Making false statements to a firearms dealer
Sentence imposed: 4 years’ probation.
2
James Frank Little (50)
Making false statements to a firearms dealer
Sentence imposed: 4 years’ probation.
0
Thelonious Kirby (52)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Sentence imposed: 37 months in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division were handled by AUSAs John Cannizzaro, Kevin C. Frein, Frank Talbot, and Michael Coolican.
Ocala Division
1st Quarter
Mario Jerard Delaney (33)
Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 37 months in federal prison.
1
Cody Richard Hawk (51)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison.
1
Timothy Roberts (28)
Possession of an unregistered NFA weapon; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 6 years, 5 months in federal prison.
3
Christopher Worlds (36)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 6 years in federal prison.
1
Eddie Lee Parks, III (24)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 4 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Ocala Division were handled by AUSAs Sarah Swartzberg, Hannah Nowalk. and Tyrie K. Boyer.
Orlando Division
1st Quarter
Bernard Rogers (35)
Armed robbery.
Sentence imposed: 17 years in federal prison.
1
Christian Arroyo-Rivera (30)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing cocaine.
Sentence imposed: 6 years in federal prison.
1
Allen Lee Glover (25)
Possession of a loaded firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 6 years, 5 months in federal prison.
1
Cristian Burgos (25)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 7 years in federal prison.
1
Terrell Robinson (37)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
Sentence imposed: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Jennifer Lee Branham (42)
Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it.
Sentence imposed: 6 years in federal prison.
0
Zachary Ramyard (22)
Robbery of Postal Carrier
Sentence imposed: 12 years, 1 month in federal prison.
0
Camilo Ignacio Vivas Sanchez (20)
Conspiracy to rob a Postal Carrier, robbery of Postal Carrier
Sentence imposed: 4 years in federal prison.
0
Jonathan James Pilgrim (42)
Possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, and Possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentence imposed: 10 years in federal prison.
1
Jarule Jhlem Jarvis Neal (22)
Possession of a loaded firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 4 years in federal prison.
2
These PSN cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs Dana E. Hill, Megan Testerman, Shannon Laurie, Kara Wick, Noah P. Dorman, Stephanie A. McNeff, and Karina Valdes.
Tampa Division
1st Quarter
Basilio Amaury Bron, Jr. (43)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of federal supervised release.
Sentence imposed: 5 years, 4 months in federal prison.
1
Kranston Algeno Rolle (33)
Firearms trafficking.
Sentence imposed: 4 years in federal prison.
2
Deterrio M. Young (29)
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 15 years, 10 months in federal prison.
1
Carvia Harris (35)
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 2 years in federal prison.
0
Randell Alexander Love (48)
Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute it and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Sentence imposed: 25 years in federal prison.
0
Terrence Thompson (42)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 6 years in federal prison.
0
Clinton Justesen (49)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
Sentence imposed: 6 years, 2 months in federal prison.
0
Eugene Washington, Jr. (36)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
Sentence imposed: 9 years in federal prison.
0
Marquis Henry Mack (33)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison.
0
Johnathan Anton Williams (39)
Distribution of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Sentence imposed: 8 years, 8 months in federal prison.
0
John Charles Anderson (40)
Bank robbery with an assault by using a deadly weapon.
Sentence imposed: 12 years in federal prison.
0
Michael Edward Lindsay (47)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it.
Sentence imposed:
(under the Armed Criminal Act)
15 years in federal prison.
0
Terrence Johnson, Jr. (28)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 7 years in federal prison.
0
John Kennedy Braun (51)
Bank robbery.
Sentence imposed: 20 years in federal prison.
0
Michelle Denise Herds (45)
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Sentence imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison.
1
Yvens Philone (36)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
Sentence imposed: 10 years in federal prison.
7
These PSN cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs David W.A. Chee, Michael Kenneth, David P. Sullivan, Callan Albritton, Christopher F. Murray, Diego F. Novaes, and Samantha E. Beckman.
Mexican Mafia Associate Found Guilty of Participating in Attack in Orange County Jail That Left Victim with His Throat SlashedRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – An associate of the Mexican Mafia prison gang has been found guilty by a jury of federal charges for participating in an attack on a fellow Orange County jail inmate in 2019, an assault that left the victim with his throat slashed, the Justice Department announced today.
Robert Amezcua, 52, a.k.a. “Flaco,” of Santa Ana, was found guilty Thursday afternoon of one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering (VICAR), namely, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
According to evidence presented at a three-day trial, Amezcua is a member of the Madison Park clique of the Santa Ana-based Lopers street gang and an associate of the Mexican Mafia.
On December 31, 2019, Amezcua took part in the assault of another inmate at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange. Amezcua delivered more than 20 blows to the victim while another inmate, using a razor blade, slashed the victim’s throat. The victim survived the attack. Amezcua is one of 31 defendants charged in a 33-count federal grand jury indictment brought in 2022.
United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney scheduled a May 20 sentencing hearing at which time Amezcua will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
Of the other two inmates charged with this assault and attempted murder, Mher Darbinyan, 48, a.k.a. “Hollywood Mike,” of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty on January 3 to conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and admitted in his plea agreement that he and two co-conspirators assaulted the victim. Darbinyan’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 22. Robert Martinez, 41, a.k.a. “Lil Rob” and “Blacky,” of Placentia, another defendant charged in the 2019 attack, is scheduled for trial on June 25 on this charge and additional charges.
Of the 31 defendants charged in the original indictment, a total of four have been convicted at trial, consisting of three convicted of VICAR murder in October 2023, and Amezcua. An additional 15 have pleaded guilty. Three defendants remain for trial scheduled in April on charges of VICAR murder. An additional nine defendants remain scheduled for trial on racketeering, VICAR murder, and related charges on June 25.
The FBI; the Santa Ana Police Department; the Orange County Sheriff’s Department; the Federal Bureau of Prisons; the Anaheim Police Department; the Fullerton Police Department; the Orange County Probation Department; and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Scally and Greg Staples of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Trial Attorneys Chris Matthews and Grace Bowen of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.
Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Jesus Hector Lagarda-Gil, 45, of Mexico, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 11 years in prison and five years of supervised release. The court also ordered that Lagarda-Gil forfeit a 2018 Mazda CX5 automobile and $148,000 in United States currency. Lagarda-Gil pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on September 21, 2023.
A co-defendant, Jesus Omar Encincas-Burruel, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release on December 1, 2023.
Lagarda-Gil negotiated and coordinated the delivery of over 300 pounds of methamphetamine to undercover agents during a four-month period in 2022. On March 29, 2022, Lagarda-Gil met with an undercover agent in Las Vegas, Nevada, and personally delivered 45 pounds of methamphetamine to the agent after receiving the methamphetamine from Encinas-Burruel. In June of 2022, Lagarda-Gil traveled to Las Vegas again and delivered another 61 pounds of methamphetamine to the undercover agent. On July 1, 2022, Lagarda-Gil was arrested after delivering 217 pounds of methamphetamine to agents.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Homeland Security Investigations – Tucson office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Tucson office conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-1607-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-009_LaGarda-Gil# # #
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.Marion Man Sentenced to over 20 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Ice MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who sold over 30 pounds of methamphetamine was sentenced today to more than 20 years in federal prison.
Robert Lee Michael Bates, age 31, from Marion, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 2, 2023 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence at prior hearings in the case showed that David Belton, a/k/a “Blood,” and others orchestrated shipments of between 30 to 60 pounds of ice methamphetamine between Los Angeles, California, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, between 2017 and March 2022. Belton paid other individuals to transport the ice methamphetamine, typically in a vehicle that contained a specially made hidden compartment. Once the ice methamphetamine arrived in Cedar Rapids, Belton or his associate would retrieve the methamphetamine and distribute it to other members of the organization for sale to customers. Evidence at prior hearings showed that Bates was intercepted over a wiretap of phones used by the Belton organization. Evidence showed Bates was ordering pounds of ice methamphetamine and 100 ecstasy pills from the organization.
Bates was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Bates was sentenced to 248 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Bates is the last of twelve co‑defendants in the investigation to be sentenced:
- Kiyonte Levell Sowell was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment;
- Albert Henry Bailey was sentenced to 88 months’ imprisonment;
- Jesus Vera was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment;
- Calub Joseph Storlie was sentenced to 200 months’ imprisonment;
- Christopher Eric Curley was sentenced to 175 months’ imprisonment;
- David Poitier Belton was sentenced to 396 months’ imprisonment;
- Derek Michael Mims was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment;
- Phillip Lanell Rogers was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment;
- Anton Tarrice Whitney, Jr. was sentenced to 216 months’ imprisonment;
- Elmer Mims was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment; and
- Timothy Michael Webber was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment.
Bates is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the DEA Task Force in Cedar Rapids and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The DEA Task Force in Cedar Rapids consists of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22‑CR‑39‑CJW‑MAR.
Mandeville Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty to EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on January 25, 2024, DEBORAH C. KLOOR, age 60, of Mandeville, pleaded guilty to access device fraud before Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.
According to court documents, KLOOR admitted to embezzling money from her Folsom-based employer, identified as “Company A” in the indictment, where she worked as a bookkeeper. KLOOR also stole funds from that business’s owner, “Individual B,” for whom KLOOR worked as a personal assistant. KLOOR admitted to using Company A’s credit cards and Individual B’s bank accounts and Amazon account without authorization, for her own personal benefit. From approximately January 2015 through December 2019, KLOOR admitted to misappropriating $446,324.04 from Company A and from Individual B, without their knowledge or permission.
KLOOR faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine or the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, and up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment. She would also pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Chief Judge Brown scheduled KLOOR’S sentencing for April 25, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Field Office, in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne, Senior Litigation Counsel, is in charge of the prosecution.
Manchester Woman Pleads Guilty for Her Role in a Conspiracy to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester woman pleaded guilty today in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in New Hampshire. She is the third of the 22 defendants in the conspiracy to plead guilty, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Alesha Neault, age 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely, fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for May 3, 2024. The defendant was indicted on April 26, 2023.
On September 13, 2022, the defendant sold approximately 10 grams of fentanyl, and another 10 grams of fentanyl on October 6, 2022. Customers called a phone number for a “dispatch” line used to purchase narcotics and would speak to a dispatcher who would put the defendant in touch with the customer to complete the drug sale. The defendant or her associate would then arrange a meeting place for the drug transaction. On both occasions, the defendant met the customer at an agreed-upon location in Manchester, picked the customer up in a car in which she was a passenger, and provided the customer with fentanyl in exchange for money inside of the car.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Jarad Hodes are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Man Who Laundered over $300,000 in Drug Trafficking Proceeds to Colombian Organization Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Venezuelan man was sentenced yesterday for laundering drug trafficking proceeds from around the world.
Manuel Calderin Calderin, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 27 months in prison and one year of supervised release. In October 2023, Calderin Calderin pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conducting substantive money laundering transactions.
According to court documents, beginning in 2016 and continuing until 2022, an undercover investigation began into a money laundering organization based primarily in Barranquilla, Colombia. An undercover investigator infiltrated the organization by portraying himself as an international money launderer who could pick up bulk cash throughout the world, launder the proceeds through United States-based accounts and send the money to Colombia through the Black Market Peso Exchange – a common method of trade based money laundering used to repatriate the proceeds of drug trafficking to Colombia.
Calderin Calderin was a business owner in Colombia who used his business bank account to receive drug proceeds in Colombia. During the course of the conspiracy, Calderin Calderin received over $300,000 in wire transfers to his account. After receipt, Calderin Calderin withdrew the funds from his account to pay out the money in Colombia to the owners. Calderin Calderin also created fake invoices to mask the true source of the funds and evade anti-money laundering protocols.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua R. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Jared C. Dolan and Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Luzerne County Man Sentenced to Three Years’ Imprisonment for Covid-Relief and Credit Card Fraud, and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Brownstein, age 52, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to 36 months of imprisonment, for wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Brownstein and his coconspirators used stolen identities to create forged identification documents and credit and debit cards. The conspirators used those forged items and stolen identities to open bank accounts, apply for lines of credit, and obtain retail merchandise. The conspirators also used the stolen identities to apply for multiple COVID-19 pandemic relief loans issued under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including by submitted false federal tax documentation. The conspirators fraudulently obtained over $100,000 in pandemic stimulus funds.
The PPP was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, PPP funds were offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria were met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.
Brownstein’s coconspirator, Reynard Lewis, age 30, formerly of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, previously was convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft offenses, and sentenced to serve 42 months of imprisonment. The coconspirators were ordered to pay $111,579.92 in restitution to the victims of their crimes.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Pottsville Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Lexington Woman Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Related to COVID-19 ReliefRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington woman, Sandybell Fierro, 23, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, for wire fraud and money laundering.
According to her plea agreement, on April 5, 2021, Fierro submitted a materially false application to the Small Business Administration (SBA), to obtain an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fierro falsely stated in the application that she established a personal services business, “Sandybell Fierro” in 2018, that the business had 17 employees, that she had sold $94,000 worth of goods in the last 12 months, and that the business had a gross revenue of $197,000. However, no such business existed.
As a result of Fierro’s misrepresentations in the application, she was awarded a EIDL in the amount of $206,000, which she used for her own benefit. As part of her sentencing, Fierro was ordered to pay $206,000 in restitution to the SBA.
Under federal law, Fierro must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Mattingly Williams and Brittany Dunn-Pirio prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Lehigh Acres Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing A Firearm During Drug TransactionRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Mar’tavoius Martel Brown (25, Lehigh Acres) to five years in federal prison for possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Brown had pleaded guilty on September 14, 2023.
According to the plea agreement, on August 19, 2022, Brown sold a pistol and cocaine to an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Fort Myers.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
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.
Lee County Man Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Alanzo Lamart Edison, a/k/a “Nuely,” (42, Cape Coral) to 10 years in federal prison for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl and cocaine. The court ordered that Edison’s federal sentence be served consecutive to a 15-year Florida state sentence previously imposed for unrelated criminal conduct. Edison had pleaded guilty on October 10, 2023.
According to court records, Edison sold fentanyl to an FBI informant on three occasions between November 2022 and January 2023. During the transactions, Edison was wearing a GPS monitor in connection with his pre-trial release for a pending Lee County felony criminal case. In April 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at a residence in Lehigh Acres associated with Edison and recovered more than a half-kilogram of controlled substances, including fentanyl and cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fort Myers Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.
Last member of robbery crew targeting shoppers pleads guiltyRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On Jan. 24, Wayne Tarpley, 30, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty for his involvement in a series of armed robberies targeting retail shoppers.
Tarpley’s co-defendants, Tyreke Lafane Jackson, 23, and Da’Vontae Bobby McCrae, 23, both of Miami, previously pleaded guilty. Tarpley, Jackson, and McCrae pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to the agreed upon factual proffers, on Aug. 19, 2022, McCrae and Tarpley discussed going “Downtown [to] lurk the jewelers [and] see who walk in with a big bag obvious money … and follow [them] or if it’s sweet get em where they stand.” Later that day, Jackson crashed a car into a vehicle leaving the Design District. McCrae and Tarpley got out of the car and robbed the victims, at gunpoint, of a watch they had just purchased. Tarpley and McCrae also admitted their involvement in a Sept. 13, 2022, robbery where they chased, tackled, pistol whipped and robbed a victim who was walking to an event.
Tarpley is scheduled to be sentenced on Apr. 23. Jackson and McCrae are scheduled to be sentenced on March 25, and Feb. 23, respectively, before U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams. The defendants face up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Chief of Police Manuel A. Morales of the Miami Police Department (MPD), and Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, announced the guilty pleas.
MPD and ATF Miami Field Division investigated the case with assistance from the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Lapointe thanked the State Attorney’s Office for their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arielle Klepach and Hayden P. O’Byrne are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Raemy Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.
This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, and the community, to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Anyone with information related to possible gun crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-20132.
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Lake Worth woman and man convicted of sex trafficking two young girlsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A Lake Worth woman and a man pleaded guilty in federal district court to four counts of sex trafficking two minor girls on Jan. 23 and Jan. 9, respectively.
As part of their guilty pleas, Maria Eugenia Barrios Calero, 44, admitted that she planned with Ricardo Tobon Flores, 44, for Flores to pay her for having sex with two minor girls at a motel in Lake Worth, Florida.
On Aug. 6, 2023, a local motel owner observed two young females in a hotel room sitting on a bed, while Flores argued with another male about paying for the motel room and Calero stood by. The motel owner contacted law enforcement while Calero and Flores drove off in a car with the two young females. Calero, Flores and the young females then returned to the motel. Law enforcement officers from the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, who had responded to the scene, confirmed that Flores and Calero had engaged in commercial sex trafficking of the two minor females. Law enforcement officers discovered that Flores had paid $200 to have sex with both underage females and had coordinated the transaction with Calero, who was to take $50 from each girl for having sex with Flores.
Calero’s sentencing is scheduled for April 2, at 11:00 a.m. Flores’s sentencing is scheduled for March 14, at 11:00 a.m., both before U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg in West Palm Beach. Calero and Flores each face up to life in prison, lifetime supervised release, and payment of restitution to his victims.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) announced the guilty plea.
HSI West Palm Beach Office and PBSO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller is prosecuting it.
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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/project-safe-childhood.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-80181.
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Justice Department and the FTC Update Guidance that Reinforces Parties’ Preservation Obligations for Collaboration Tools and Ephemeral MessagingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today announced that both agencies are updating language in their standard preservation letters and specifications for all second requests, voluntary access letters and compulsory legal process, including grand jury subpoenas, to address the increased use of collaboration tools and ephemeral messaging platforms in the modern workplace. These updates reinforce longstanding obligations requiring companies to preserve materials during the pendency of government investigations and litigation.
“These updates to our legal process will ensure that neither opposing counsel nor their clients can feign ignorance when their clients or companies choose to conduct business through ephemeral messages,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Manish Kumar of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission expect that opposing counsel will preserve and produce any and all responsive documents, including data from ephemeral messaging applications designed to hide evidence. Failure to produce such documents may result in obstruction of justice charges.”
“Companies and individuals have a legal responsibility to preserve documents when involved in government investigations or litigation in order to promote efficient and effective enforcement that protects the American public,” said Director Henry Liu of the FTC Bureau of Competition. “Today’s update reinforces that this preservation responsibility applies to new methods of collaboration and information sharing tools, even including tools that allow for messages to disappear via ephemeral messaging capabilities.”
Companies continue to adopt new technologies to do their work, and in recent years there has been an increase in use of collaboration tools and ephemeral messaging applications, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams and Signal. Some of these technologies allow, or even automatically enable, immediate and irretrievable destruction of communications and documents. Documents created through use of these technologies have long been covered by Justice Department and the FTC document requests. However, companies have not always properly retained these types of documents during government investigations and litigation.
Today’s announcement underscores the continued cooperation between the Antitrust Division and FTC’s Bureau of Competition on criminal enforcement of antitrust laws and related issues that arise in antitrust actions.
Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement with State of New York Executive Chamber to Resolve Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims Under Title VIIRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has signed an agreement with the State of New York Executive Chamber (Executive Chamber) to resolve the department’s claims that the Executive Chamber under former Governor Andrew Cuomo engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The agreement memorializes the reforms already carried out by current Governor Kathy Hochul as well as additional reforms aimed at preventing sexual harassment and retaliation in the Executive Chamber.
Title VII is a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Title VII also forbids employers from retaliating against current and former employees for complaining about workplace discrimination or otherwise asserting their Title VII rights.
The department’s investigation, conducted jointly by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, found that the Executive Chamber under former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (1) subjected female employees to a sexually hostile work environment; (2) tolerated that environment and failed to correct the problem on an agency-wide basis and (3) retaliated against employees who spoke out about the harassment.
Former Governor Cuomo and many complicit senior staff left the Executive Chamber in 2021. Since the department’s investigation began in August 2021, the Executive Chamber has implemented changes to its policies and practices intended to prevent and address the alleged misconduct. The agreement announced today memorializes these efforts and calls for additional reforms, including:
- Expanding the Executive Chamber’s Human Resources Department;
- Creating new policies and procedures for the external reporting, investigation and resolution of complaints involving high-level Executive Chamber employees, including the Governor;
- Developing and implementing robust training and anti-retaliation programs and
- Creating mechanisms to assess the reforms’ effectiveness on a systemic basis.
“Executive Chamber employees deserve to work without fear of sexual harassment and harsh reprisal when they oppose that harassment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The conduct in the Executive Chamber under the former governor, the state’s most powerful elected official, was especially egregious because of the stark power differential involved and the victims’ lack of avenues to report and redress harassment. With this settlement agreement, the Executive Chamber under Governor Hochul is undertaking additional actions that will address system failures of the past while helping prevent the recurrence of systemic sexual harassment and retaliation in the future.”
“We appreciate the Governor’s stated determination to make sure that sexual harassment does not recur at the highest level of New York State government,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “We share that goal and enter into this agreement to advance our common goal of creating clear, comprehensive and, most importantly, enduring policies preventing sexual harassment in the Executive Chamber.”
The enforcement of Title VII and other federal laws against employment discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department. This agreement is part of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section’s Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Initiative, which seeks to eradicate sexual harassment in state and local government workplaces. It focuses on litigation, outreach and developing effective remedial measures to address and prevent sex discrimination and harassment.
More information about the work of the Civil Rights Division, the division’s Employment Litigation Section and civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is available at www.justice.gov/crt, www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section and www.justice.gov/usao-edny/civil-rights.
Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement with State of New York Executive Chamber to Resolve Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims Under Title VIIRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has signed an agreement with the State of New York Executive Chamber (Executive Chamber) to resolve the department’s claims that the Executive Chamber under former Governor Andrew Cuomo engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The agreement memorializes the reforms already carried out by current Governor Kathy Hochul as well as additional reforms aimed at preventing sexual harassment and retaliation in the Executive Chamber.
Title VII is a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Title VII also forbids employers from retaliating against current and former employees for complaining about workplace discrimination or otherwise asserting their Title VII rights.
The department’s investigation, conducted jointly by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, found that the Executive Chamber under former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (1) subjected female employees to a sexually hostile work environment; (2) tolerated that environment and failed to correct the problem on an agency-wide basis and (3) retaliated against employees who spoke out about the harassment.
Former Governor Cuomo and many complicit senior staff left the Executive Chamber in 2021. Since the department’s investigation began in August 2021, the Executive Chamber has implemented changes to its policies and practices intended to prevent and address the alleged misconduct. The agreement announced today memorializes these efforts and calls for additional reforms, including:
- Expanding the Executive Chamber’s Human Resources Department;
- Creating new policies and procedures for the external reporting, investigation and resolution of complaints involving high-level Executive Chamber employees, including the Governor;
- Developing and implementing robust training and anti-retaliation programs and
- Creating mechanisms to assess the reforms’ effectiveness on a systemic basis.
“Executive Chamber employees deserve to work without fear of sexual harassment and harsh reprisal when they oppose that harassment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The conduct in the Executive Chamber under the former governor, the state’s most powerful elected official, was especially egregious because of the stark power differential involved and the victims’ lack of avenues to report and redress harassment. With this settlement agreement, the Executive Chamber under Governor Hochul is undertaking additional actions that will address system failures of the past while helping prevent the recurrence of systemic sexual harassment and retaliation in the future.”
“We appreciate the Governor’s stated determination to make sure that sexual harassment does not recur at the highest level of New York State government,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “We share that goal and enter into this agreement to advance our common goal of creating clear, comprehensive and, most importantly, enduring policies preventing sexual harassment in the Executive Chamber.”
The enforcement of Title VII and other federal laws against employment discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department. This agreement is part of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section’s Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Initiative, which seeks to eradicate sexual harassment in state and local government workplaces. It focuses on litigation, outreach and developing effective remedial measures to address and prevent sex discrimination and harassment.
More information about the work of the Civil Rights Division, the division’s Employment Litigation Section and civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is available at www.justice.gov/crt, www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section and www.justice.gov/usao-edny/civil-rights.
Justice Department Announces Surge of Resources to Fight Violent Crime in Washington, D.C.Read the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it will surge additional law enforcement tools and resources to target those most responsible for violent crime and carjackings in Washington, D.C.
“Last year, we saw an encouraging decline in violent crime in many parts of the country, but there is much more work to do — including here in the District of Columbia,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This surge in law enforcement resources will build on the Department’s efforts to target the individuals and organizations that are driving violent crime in the nation’s capital. The Justice Department will not rest until every community in our country is safe from the scourge of violent crime.”
“We have been surgically targeting and prosecuting those driving violence within our community,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The surge of resources to these efforts will allow us to continue to expand on these efforts and to take even more drivers of violence off our streets.”
The additional resources include a multi-component Gun Violence Analytic Cell (GVAC), which is led by the FBI with partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Using data analytics, GVAC will identify additional federal investigations that should be opened to combat violent crime and carjackings.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has already charged hundreds of such cases in recent years, including a case announced this week against five alleged fentanyl traffickers, three of whom were charged with firearms violations in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The case was a result of a year-long multiagency investigation into narcotics distribution points in the Washington Highlands neighborhood of Southeast Washington, D.C.
To increase the capacity to prosecute the additional investigations generated from GVAC and other efforts, the initiative will also detail federal prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division to work violent crime cases in D.C., and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is moving additional prosecutors within the Superior Court docket to focus on carjacking and both lethal and non-lethal firearms cases.
This announcement builds on similar prosecutorial and investigative resource surges throughout the country as part of the Department’s strategy to combat violent crime in targeted communities. In November 2023, the Justice Department announced a significant increase in prosecutorial resources in Memphis, Tennessee, and in September 2022, the Justice Department similarly announced additional prosecutors detailed to fight target gangs in Houston.
These efforts are all part of a Department-wide Violent Crime Reduction Strategy announced by Attorney General Garland in May 2021, aimed at addressing the spike in violent crime during the pandemic. Since then, every U.S. Attorney’s Office across the country has worked alongside its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to implement district-specific violent crime reduction strategies. In addition, the Department has also focused on strengthening its national Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, as well as the National Public Safety Partnership, which makes Department tools and expertise available to more than 50 specific local law enforcement agencies.
All of these efforts are emblematic of the Department’s recognition that the best anti-violent crime strategies are tailored to the needs of, and are developed with, individual communities.
Jury Finds Registered Sex Offender from Michigan Guilty of Interstate Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity with A Minor; Sexual Exploitation of A Minor; And Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A registered sex offender from Michigan has been convicted of committing multiple sex offenses in Arkansas at the conclusion of a three-day trial. On Wednesday, a federal jury found Jeremy Robert Ward, 33, of Marine City, Mich., guilty on all nine counts for which he was indicted: one count of interstate travel with the purpose of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity with a minor, six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of travel with the purpose to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor.
The jury returned their verdict after deliberating for approximately 90 minutes. United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker presided over the trial and will sentence Ward at a later date. One of Ward’s charges carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.
“This defendant, who is already a convicted sex offender, continued this abhorrent behavior by acting on his desire to have sex with a minor. He used social media to seek out the victim and took advantage of her innocence,” said Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “This verdict the jury reached sends a clear message that Arkansas juries will not hesitate to convict sex offenders for this type of conduct. If you seek to have sex with children, you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent under federal law.”
Ward was previously convicted in 2013 in Michigan of three counts possession of child sexually abusive material and one count of accosting a child for an immoral purpose. He is a registered sex offender in Michigan.
Ward met the 12-year-old minor victim online in September 2022 when he added her to his Snapchat account. He exchanged messages with the victim for approximately three weeks before traveling to Arkansas from his home in Michigan to meet her. On October 15, 2022, he met her face-to-face when he drove up to her in his pickup truck while she was riding her bike near her neighborhood in Bryant. During her encounter with Ward, the victim began surreptitiously recording a portion of her exchange with him. On the video, Ward told her, “I was hoping to take you home” and “I just wish she [her mom] would let you go, especially since I drove all the way down here.” Ward also told the minor victim that she must “think I’m gonna kidnap you or something,” to which she replied, “You probably are about to at this point.” He later asked if she knew of any “private spots,” in an attempt to find a more secluded place to be with her.
Around the same time, using an application on her cell phone, her father noticed she was outside of the established boundary where she was permitted to be. Her parents went to her location, and her father found the minor victim laying in the grass with Ward, whose pants were around his ankles. Ward then fled into the woods.
The minor victim testified at trial that while she was in the field with Ward, he attempted to commit sexual acts with her. Subsequent investigation revealed that the victim and Ward communicated through video messages, some of which Ward recorded on his phone. The recorded video messages were recovered from Ward’s phone and included video and still images of the nude minor victim in the shower.
“Each year thousands of children are targeted and victimized by child predators. Mr. Ward’s heinous crimes highlight the prevalent threat Arkansas youth and families face,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder of FBI’s Little Rock Field Office. “This case is yet another example of FBI Little Rock’s commitment to working with our partners to target individuals who seek to exploit the most vulnerable members of our community.”
The statutory penalty for sexual exploitation of a minor ranges from not less than 25 years to not more than 50 years. The statutory penalty for traveling with the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a minor is not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life imprisonment. The statutory penalty for receipt of child pornography is not less than 15 years and not more than 40 years imprisonment. The statutory penalty for of travel with the purpose to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor is not more than 30 years imprisonment. All offenses of conviction include a potential penalty of not more than a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to life of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Bryant and Amanda Fields.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@EDARNEWS
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years for Distributing Illegal, Unregistered FirearmsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Chief United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Lucas Shirley II (28, Jacksonville) to five years and five months in federal prison for transferring unregistered short-barreled rifles. Shirley pleaded guilty on August 17, 2023.
According to court documents, on January 4, 2023, an undercover (UC) agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and a confidential informant (CI) went to Shirley’s home in Jacksonville posing as leaders of a motorcycle gang. Shirley sold the CI three privately manufactured rifles (to include a machinegun, a short-barreled rifle, and a combination machinegun short-barreled rifle) and a firearm silencer. None of the firearms were registered in the National Firearms Registrations and Transfer Record, as required by law. Inside the home, the UC saw various tools and machines suitable for manufacturing firearm components and accessories.
In the weeks that followed, the CI, UC, and Shirley spoke on the phone and exchanged text messages about firearms Shirley was manufacturing. Shirley told the CI he had armor-piercing ammunition and the firearms he was building were like the ones that U.S. Navy SEALs carry in battle. Through text messages, Shirley also sent the UC photographs of short-barreled rifles and firearm silencers.
On January 24, 2023, the UC went to Shirley’s home and bought four short-barreled rifles equipped with firearm silencers. Shirley confirmed that two of the rifles were machineguns. These silencers and rifles were again not registered in the National Firearms Registrations and Transfer Record. Shirley also gave the UC three privately manufactured derringer-style pistols with the understanding the UC would pay for them at a later date.
On February 2, 2023, the UC and other agents arrested Shirley and executed a federal search warrant. During the search, they found a privately manufactured pistol, a privately manufactured rifle equipped with a silencer, over 200 rounds of ammunition, approximately 12 machinegun conversion devices, a template for manufacturing machinegun conversion devices, two bags containing methamphetamine and marijuana, a pipe suitable for smoking methamphetamine, and various firearm accessories and parts, including components that had been created using 3D printers. They also found tools, raw materials, and equipment, including a 3D printer, which can be used to manufacture firearms, silencers, and machinegun conversion devices. Shirley has never been licensed to manufacture or sell firearms.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.
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.
Inmate at USP Canaan Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Assaulting Another Inmate with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Isiah Robinson, age 37, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced on January 23, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to serve 27 months’ imprisonment for assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Robinson previously pleaded guilty to assaulting another inmate at USP Canaan with a sharpened piece of metal commonly known as a “shank.” The charge stems from an incident which occurred in October 2020. The injuries received by the victim inmate were not life-threatening.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
At the time of the incident, Robinson was serving a sentence of 120 months from the District of Maryland for heroin trafficking. That sentence has since expired.
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Inmate at FCI Schuylkill Sentenced to an Additional 12 Months in Prison for Possession of ContrabandRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daquon Brooks, age 25, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 25, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley, to serve an additional 12 months in prison on the charge of possession of contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Brooks, formerly of Washington D.C., previously pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing a dangerous prison-made weapon, commonly known as a “shank.” The charge stems from an incident in April 2023, in which staff at FCI Schuylkill found Brooks in possession of the weapon.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
At the time of the incident at FCI Schuylkill, Brooks was serving a sentence from Washington D.C. for assault with a dangerous weapon and stalking. That sentence does not expire until 2033. The sentence imposed by Judge Munley for the charge of possession of contraband in prison will run consecutive to the Washington D.C. sentence.
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Individual Indicted and Arrested for Sex Trafficking of Children, Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, and Production and Receipt of Child Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Cándido López-Lebrón, 59, with sex trafficking of children. The United States Coast Guard Investigative Service was in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the Department of Homeland Security.
According to court documents, López-Lebrón, from November 2022, to December 2023, knowingly affecting interstate commerce, recruited, enticed, harbored, transported a female minor between the ages of 11 and 12 years old, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that the female victim had not attained the age of 18 years and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. The defendant used a cellular phone, as well as internet instant messaging service to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce the female minor to engage in sexual activity.
In addition, López-Lebrón is charged with one count of production of child exploitation material and one count of receipt of child exploitation material.
“Those who engage in child exploitation, including the sex trafficking of children and possession of child sexual abuse material, will be held accountable for their criminal conduct,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to ensure that these defendants are held accountable for their crimes.”
“Homeland Security - Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Margelot stated, “The indictment of Cándido López-Lebrón for child sex trafficking is a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our society. This joint effort between the Coast Guard Investigative Service and our Federal, State, and Local Partners underscores our determination and commitment to investigating criminal acts that extend beyond the waterline. We are dedicated to serving and safeguarding this community by ensuring the safety and well-being of our children.”
Homeland Security Investigation San Juan’s Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos stated: “HSI is committed to our children, as a society we need to get together to protect our children, as an agency we won’t stop until every individual that commits a crime against our most vulnerable is prosecuted. Sex trafficking of children is a horrific form of human trafficking that requires everyone’s attention. During Human Trafficking Awareness Month we make a call to “see something, say something” encouraging individuals to report any suspicious activities. By raising awareness and staying vigilant, we can play a vital role in identifying and preventing these crimes.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Indiana County Man Sentenced for Possession of Material Depicting the Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa.- A resident of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison, five years of supervised release, restitution of $2,000, and an assessment pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of $5000 on his conviction of possession of material depicting the exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Jeffrey Allen Sink, 57, formerly of Commodore, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the Court, in February of 2018, as a result of an ongoing investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, HSI Pittsburgh was advised that Sink, who was a convicted sex offender, was obtaining child sexual abuse material from a mobile communication application. In March of 2018, investigators seized Sink’s electronic devices, including a cellphone, and located videos and images of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minor children.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Department of Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sink.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Imperial County Dentist Sentenced to over Three Years in Prison and Nearly $8.5 Million in Restitution for Medicare FraudRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – January 26, 2024
SAN DIEGO – Imperial County dentist Javad Aghaloo was sentenced in federal court today to 37 months in prison for defrauding Medicare and then covering it up. His former billing manager, Melissa Rosas, was sentenced to three years of probation with one year of home confinement for obstructing Medicare’s efforts to audit Aghaloo’s dental offices by providing false information.
The pair, along with others, conspired to commit health care fraud by billing Medicare for procedures that were not covered, not performed, or otherwise not necessary. Aghaloo pleaded guilty on October 2, 2023 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud; Rosas pleaded guilty on October 13, 2023 to obstructing a federal audit.
“Doctors should treat patients, not exploit them,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “This office is committed to protecting vulnerable patients from doctors who take advantage of them, particularly when they do so with no regard for patient safety.”
U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta also ordered Aghaloo to forfeit more than $1 million in property purchased with money obtained from the fraud and pay restitution to Medicare in the amount of $8,476,466.23.
According to court records, Aghaloo and others recruited Medicare beneficiaries to get dental work done at one of Aghaloo’s two dental offices in Imperial County. To recruit Medicare patients, Aghaloo and his employees marketed their dental services as being covered by Medicare. Aghaloo and his employees knew this was untrue since Medicare does not cover dental services.
Once a Medicare beneficiary was in one of Aghaloo’s offices, Aghaloo and others performed some type of procedure (usually a tooth extraction) and submitted false claims to Medicare for the dental work using the person’s Medicare beneficiary number. Since tooth extractions are not covered by Medicare, Aghaloo’s offices submitted false claims for procedures like bone grafts that were never performed.
Between March 1, 2016 and October 18, 2018, Aghaloo’s dental offices submitted more than 7,000 false claims totaling over $18 million to Medicare, for which Aghaloo’s offices received $8,476,466.23.
To conceal the fraud, between April of 2017 and October of 2018, Rosas and Theresa Flores, Aghaloo’s office manager, submitted false documents to Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC., a Federal auditor for the Medicare program. Flores, who also pleaded guilty to obstructing an audit, is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, March 8, 2024.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Alexander.
DEFENDANT Case Numbers 23cr0616-JO; 23cr2127-JO
Javad Aghaloo Age: 50 Indio, CA
Melissa Rosas Age: 42 Calexico, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Obstructing a Federal Audit, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1516.
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
Illegal Possession of Machine Gun Leads to Federal Prison for Shreveport ManRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Juhntrayvious J. White, 20, of Shreveport, was sentenced today for illegally possessing a machine gun. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced White to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to information presented in court, on September 9, 2022, a Shreveport Police Department officer stopped White for a traffic violation on Hearne Avenue. As the officer approached the vehicle, White took off at a high rate of speed, reaching a speed of over 100 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone. The car stopped and White fled from the scene on foot and escaped. Officers found an Anderson Arms AM-15 equipped with an auto sear and White’s cell phone in the vehicle. White was later apprehended by law enforcement officers and admitted that he obtained the auto sear and converted the Anderson Arms AM-15 into a machine gun.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Idabel Resident Sentenced for Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dakota Shay Fox, age 27, of Idabel, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree.
The charges arose from investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
On October 11, 2022, Fox plead guilty to one count of Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree. On January 4, 2018, Fox shot the victim at an Idabel intersection. The victim was later pronounced dead at an area hospital. The crime occurred in McCurtain County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings. Fox will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jarrod Leaman and Joshua Satter represented the United States.
Houston dental clinic operator convicted in $6M pediatric fraud schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 68-year-old man has pleaded guilty in a $6 million Medicaid fraud and kickback scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Rene Gaviola was the operator of Floss Family Dental Care clinic located in Houston. From 2018 until April 2021, Gaviola admitted to submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid for pediatric dental services, including numerous cavity fillings, that Floss did not provide.
Gaviola admitted he employed one individual to practice dentistry without a license on Medicaid-insured children. He also operated Floss, on occasion, without any dentists at all. Floss billed Medicaid for these dental services as if licensed dentists provided them.
Gaviola also admitted to paying kickbacks to marketers and caregivers of Medicaid-insured children to bring them to Floss for dental services. Ultimately, he admitted to laundering Medicaid monies from the Floss business bank account to his personal bank account in several transactions exceeding $100,000.
From 2019 to 2021, the dental clinic billed Medicaid nearly $6.9 million in claims for pediatric dental services. Medicaid paid approximately $4.9 million on those claims.
“These precious Medicaid funds were intended to provide necessary dental services to low-income children in our community, not line Gaviola’s pockets,” said Hamdani. “This conviction is a reminder to all who attempt to defraud our healthcare system that we are committed to stamping out fraud and protecting the integrity of Medicaid and other federal programs.”
“Gaviola took advantage of the system, and he took advantage of the children to defraud the system,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston field office. “Not only that, he also jeopardized the young patients' healthcare by putting them in the hands of unlicensed practitioners, all in the name of his greed. This case is a perfect example that healthcare fraud is not a victimless crime, and the FBI will continue to follow and uncover the fraud.”
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the guilty plea and has set sentencing for April 16. At that time, Gaviola faces up to 10 years for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, each of five substantive health care fraud counts, three counts of payment of kickbacks and six counts of money laundering as well as five years for conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks. The convictions also carry as possible punishment hundreds of thousands in potential fines.
Gaviola was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
FBI, Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Valenti are prosecuting the case.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Duglas Hernandez Valladares (38, Honduras) has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Valladares faces a penalty of two years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, E-Verify is a web-based system through which employers electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their employees. E-Verify is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The SSA and USCIS check submitted information against the records of actual persons who are authorized to work in the United States. E-Verify is a voluntary program for employers and requires documents such as a Social Security number and photo identification of a prospective employee.
From at least 2021 through October 2022, Valladares used another person’s means of identification in order to defeat the E-Verify system and to commit the felony offenses of misuse of a Social Security number and making a false claim of United States citizenship for employment purposes.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Transportation–Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration–Office of the Inspector General, the United States Border Patrol, the Department of Labor–Office of Inspector General, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
Homestead Man Indicted on Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A Pittsburgh man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of illegally possessing a machine gun and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Michael William Horvwalt, 37, a resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about May 26, 2023, Horvwalt, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a machine gun with a round in the chamber. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Brown is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 70 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Denzel Moore, age 30, formerly of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by the Honorable Jennifer P. Wilson to serve 70 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised released based upon his previously entered guilty plea to distributing cocaine and possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on September 25, 2019, Moore was observed by Harrisburg police officers selling cocaine on Swatara Street, in Harrisburg. Moore fled the scene on a bicycle and when police apprehended him, they recovered a loaded .9mm semi-automatic pistol, two cellular phones, 24 oxycodone pills, and $585 in cash. Moore had two prior convictions for distributing cocaine and was designated a career offender by the Court.
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.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler and Assistant United States Attorney Johnny Baer prosecuted the case.
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Halibut Cove woman pleads guilty, sentenced on federal navigation interference chargesRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Halibut Cove woman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years’ probation, with three months of the probation spent in home confinement, a $9,500 fine and is required to give up her mariner’s license after she attempted to interfere with the navigation of a seaplane using a boat.
According to court documents, on Aug. 23, 2022, Marian Beck, 70, operated a boat in a reckless manner by making several close passing maneuvers in front of a seaplane while it was taxiing out of the waterway. The seaplane was full of passengers participating in a bear and sightseeing tour via the plane.
Beck is a licensed mariner and operates commercially in Halibut Cove and the surrounding area. Beck is required to relinquish her Master-Captain’s license to the U.S. Coast Guard as part of her sentence.
The U.S. District Court imposed three years’ probation, including a requirement of three months’ home confinement, citing that the defendant’s actions created a reckless and dangerous situation and factored into the court’s decision. During the hearing, the court commented that the sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and sends a message to industry professionals to deter future criminal actions.
“Ms. Beck’s conscious disregard for the safety of the pilot and his passengers will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “Seaplanes are an integral piece of Alaska, and the pilots and passengers of these planes should be free to operate and travel freely within the state and elsewhere without harassment in their day-to-day operations.”
“The Coast Guard Investigative Service values the safety of all mariners, and will not tolerate dangerous and deliberate acts that endanger the lives of others. We thank the local community for their tips and their patience as this case was investigated and brought to resolution,” said Paul M. Shultz, Special Agent in Charge of the Coast Guard Investigative Service Northwest Field Office.
“The Coast Guard fully supports the just result in this case,” said Rear Admiral Megan Dean, Commander of the Coast Guard’s 17th District. “We want every mariner to operate their vessel safely and in compliance with the law.”
The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Northwest Field Office, with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Gavelek are prosecuting the case.
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Gore Resident Sentenced for Accessory After the Fact to KidnappingRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Tristen Riley Cawhorn, age 26, of Gore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 38 months in prison for Accessory After the Fact to Kidnapping.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Muskogee Police Department.
On March 21, 2023, Cawhorn pleaded guilty to one count of Accessory After the Fact to Kidnapping. According to investigators, in September 2021, Cawhorn assisted Patrick Wayne McHenry in a kidnapping, allowing McHenry to lock the victim in a shed on her property and alerting McHenry when the victim attempted to escape.
On December 21, 2022, McHenry was convicted by a federal jury in the Eastern District of Oklahoma for Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, Kidnapping, Carjacking, Robbery in Indian Country, and the Carry/Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
The crime occurred in Muskogee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Cawhorn will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States at sentencing.
Four time felon going back to prison on new drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ivan Morales, 48, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra. Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis A. Testani and Casey Chalbeck, who handled the case, stated that on October 13, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Morales’s Ideal Street residence and seized suspected marijuana, a digital scale, and approximately $2,546.00 in U.S. currency. They also searched a Shanley Street apartment associated with Morales and seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 12 clear bags containing cocaine, suspected MDMA pills, eight firearms, numerous magazines and ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and 250 $100 bills, for a total of $25,000.00 in U.S. currency. In 1998, 2004, 2006, and 2020, Morales was convicted of felonies in state and federal court and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
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Fort Myers Felon Sentenced to Prison for Unlawfully Possessing A Loaded Firearm and CocaineRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Keith Dewayne Drayton, Jr. (27, Fort Myers) to four years and one month in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine. The court also ordered Drayton to forfeit the firearm and ammunition possessed during the offense. Drayton had pleaded guilty on August 29, 2023.
According to court records, on the night of June 17, 2023, officers from the Fort Myers Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Drayton was the front-seat passenger. The vehicle did not stop, and by the time the officers caught up to the vehicle, both the driver and Drayton had fled from the vehicle on foot. On the ground near the front passenger door of the vehicle, officers found a loaded Glock handgun. Inside the vehicle, officers located a satchel which contained a prescription pill bottle bearing Drayton’s full name, as well as a baggie containing almost a half-ounce of crack cocaine. Drayton was later located by officers hiding in a nearby dumpster.
As a convicted felon who previously served time in federal prison for a firearm offense, Drayton is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Myers Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.
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.
Former Soldier Receives 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking Ketamine and Laundering More than $700,000Read the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Gordon Ray Custis 26, of Fayetteville, was sentenced to 180 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute ketamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute ketamine; and money laundering. He pled guilty to the charges on September 14, 2023. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. Common street names for ketamine include Cat Tranquilizer, Cat Valium, Jet K, Kit Kat, Purple, Special K, Special La Coke, Super Acid, Super K, and Vitamin K.
“We are partnering with the Army to crack down on drug-trafficking soldiers like Custis, who was caught with over sixty pounds of illicit African-sourced ketamine,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This fifteen-year sentence is a warning to any member of our armed services who thinks they can engage in drug-trafficking and money-laundering while wearing the uniform. American troops are the greatest fighting force in the world’s history, and we are proud to partner with the Army to ensure integrity in the ranks.”
“This case is a great example of strong partnerships across the spectrum of law enforcement,” said Shane Watts, Special Agent in Charge of the Carolinas Field Office. “Army CID will continue to target those responsible for degrading the Army mission through criminal acts by conducting professional and comprehensive investigations.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on May 7, 2021, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations was notified by the French Customs Service stationed at Charles De Gaulle International airport that a package from Cameroon had been intercepted containing approximately three kilograms of ketamine. The package was delivered to Gordon Ray Custis, then a soldier at Fort Liberty, at his home in Fayetteville, by Federal Task Force Officers with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Custis pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute ketamine and he was released pending sentencing. While awaiting sentencing, the Army Criminal Investigative Division and Defense Criminal Investigative Service received information that Custis was laundering money. The subsequent investigation revealed that Custis, acting in a leadership role involving co-defendant and others, laundered over $700,000.
On February 1, 2023, a second search warrant was executed at Custis’s home and investigators recovered 28.5 kilograms of ketamine, $164,200 in cash, digital scales and vacuums sealing materials.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabe Diaz prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-0058-D-1.
Former Scranton Police Officer and Police Union President Pleads Guilty to Federal Program Fraud in Connection with Overtime Patrol Shifts at Scranton Area Housing ComplexesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Paul Helring, age 47, a former Scranton police officer and the former elected police union president, pleaded guilty on January 25, 2024, before United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the offense of Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the criminal Information to which Helring pleaded guilty alleges that, from approximately March 2021 to May 2022, while serving as the coordinator of Scranton Police Department’s extra duty overtime program, Helring knowingly obtained by fraud over $5,000.00 in compensation that was paid to him for certain extra duty patrol shifts at local, Scranton-area, lower-income housing complexes that Helring claimed to work but did not in fact work.
Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement with the United States, Helring acknowledged that the monetary loss attributable to his conduct was between $15,000 and $40,000, and that he abused a position of public trust in a manner that significantly facilitated the commission of his offense. Helring also agreed to make restitution to the affected housing complexes in the amount of $17,831.40.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force with assistance from the Office of Inspector General within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffery St John and Phillip J. Caraballo are prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Former Rogers Company Owner and Former CEO Sentenced in Workers’ Comp Fraud/Kickback ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE - The former owner of a Rogers-based medical supply and billing company and its former chief executive officer were both sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court for their roles in leading a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and also private workers’ compensation insurers by way of a billing and kickback fraud scheme with multiple physicians and medical clinics, and schemes with two Louisiana physicians to ship medications to them from Arkansas and distribute those medications from their clinics in violation of Louisiana laws.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks sentenced company owner Hunter Matthew Burroughs, age 44, to four years’ (48 months’) incarceration in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Brooks further ordered Burroughs to pay a total of $3,525,219.77 in restitution, primarily to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, which handles workers’ compensation claims on behalf of federal employees, to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $4,022,873.00 representing his unlawful gain from the criminal scheme and issued him an additional $25,000 fine.
Judge Brooks sentenced company CEO Stephen Keith Andrews, age 50, to two and a half years’ (32 months’) incarceration, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Brooks further ordered Andrews to pay a total of $2,353,591.84 in restitution, primarily to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, and to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $508,838.57.
According to the defendants’ guilty pleas, Burroughs, who in 2011 founded the Rogers company, and Andrews, who first served as a sales manager for the company, and later as its chief executive officer, defrauded both federal and private workers’ compensation insurers in schemes that ran until 2017. The basic premise of the health care fraud scheme was that Burroughs, Andrews, and other individuals associated with the Rogers company recruited physicians to dispense pain creams and patches to their workers’ compensation patients by offering them a split of the profits collected from successfully billing insurers, typically 50 percent.
After signing contracts with physicians, Burroughs and Andrews caused the Rogers company to supply them with pain creams and patches, and to act as the billing agent for the physicians, handling all of the paperwork and submitting fraudulent claims to both the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, which covers all federal employees, and to private insurers as well. The company billed insurers at markups of anywhere from 15 to 20 times what the medications actually cost, and then paid the physicians unlawful kickbacks on amounts collected. The company’s former billing director, Amanda Dawn Rains, pleaded guilty to her role in the same conspiracy on October 6, 2021.
Additionally, Burroughs and Andrews conspired with Louisiana physicians Robert Dale Bernauer, Sr. and Robert Clay Smith to have the Rogers company ship medications to the doctors, and bill insurers for their prescriptions, despite knowing neither physician had the required Louisiana license to dispense medications from his clinic. Bernauer, who ran a clinic in Lake Charles, La., pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on July 30, 2021. Smith, who ran a clinic in Alexandria, La. pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on March 29, 2022, but later attempted to withdraw that guilty plea, failed, and was sentenced to four years’ (48 months’) incarceration.
These two sentencing hearings bring to a close the criminal cases against Burroughs and Andrews, which began Feb. 28, 2022, when a federal grand jury in Fort Smith returned a 12-count indictment, charging with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud. On Jan. 11, 2023, a second federal grand jury, also in Fort Smith, returned a superseding indictment, adding detail to the criminal allegations. And on Sept. 20, 2023, both Burroughs and Andrews waived further indictment and entered pleas of guilty to a criminal information charging the above-described conspiracy.
Because the restitution obligations are shared amongst all defendants in these related cases, the total Burroughs and Andrews must pay in restitution plus forfeitures is $8,081,931.34. This does not include a $664,176.30 payment Bernauer made in 2021 to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for his portion of the loss but does include Smith’s shared responsibility for $827,083.40 of the total restitution due in the cases. Rains and Bernauer still await sentencing for their roles in the criminal conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Louisiana Department of Justice, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hunter Bridges and Steven Mohlhenrich are prosecuting the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Former Nurse Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Fentanyl and Other Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
A Sioux City, Iowa nurse who stole fentanyl, morphine, hydromorphone, and hydrocodone was sentenced today to 9 months in federal prison.
Morgan Miralles, age 32, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 30, 2023, guilty plea to one count of acquiring a controlled substance by means of misrepresentation, fraud, deception and subterfuge, and one count of false statements relating to health care matters.
Evidence in the case revealed that as early as April 2020, and continuing through August 2022, Miralles diverted controlled substances that were supposed to be dispensed to patients and kept them for her for her own personal use. Miralles falsified documents on an almost weekly basis by omitting information from log entries designed to track the disbursement of controlled substances. Miralles further admitted that in a “petty and vindictive” act of revenge, she stole vials of Benedryl after not receiving a promotion.
Miralles was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand 9 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Miralles was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons a date to be determined.
The case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-4049.
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Former New York City Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Salary and Overtime FraudRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, former New York City Department of Correction (DOC) officer James Internicola pleaded guilty to federal program fraud, admitting that he fraudulently obtained a significant amount of salary and overtime pay by lying about the hours he worked. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. When sentenced, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment. Internicola resigned from the DOC after his arrest.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the guilty plea.
“The defendant defrauded the City of New York by falsely claiming to have worked thousands of hours and fraudulently pocketing more than $170,000, when he was actually at home, vacationing in Aruba or elsewhere,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The defendant’s greed cost taxpayer’s substantial money and threatens to undermine public confidence in our government institutions. This Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to fighting corruption on Rikers Island.”
DOI Commissioner Strauber said, “This defendant, while a New York City Correction Officer, lied about the hours he worked, claiming to be on duty when, in fact, he was at home or on vacation, in order to obtain more than $170,000 of City funds by fraud. The criminal conduct that he has acknowledged today does not reflect the dedication and integrity of the many City employees who show up every day to do their jobs and serve their fellow New Yorkers. I thank our law enforcement partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the New York Office of the FBI for their commitment to protect City resources and to ensure that employees who defraud the City will be held accountable.”
According to court documents and facts presented at the guilty plea proceeding, Internicola fraudulently obtained more than $171,000 in salary and overtime pay by lying about the hours he worked from at least July 2021 to January 2023. During this time, Internicola claimed to work large amounts of overtime nearly every week. In fact, based on license plate reader data, E-Z pass toll records and cell site location information, Internicola frequently showed up to work more than two hours late and left work several hours early. In many instances, Internicola claimed to be at work when he actually never showed up to Rikers Island at all, including when he was at his home on Staten Island, visiting the Jersey Shore or vacationing in Aruba. In total, Internicola claimed to have worked more than 2,250 hours more than he actually did in a period of approximately 18 months and he fraudulently received the equivalent of more than a year of his base salary.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew D. Grubin and Philip Pilmar.
The Defendant:
JAMES INTERNICOLA
Age: 56
Staten Island, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-531 (KAM)
Former Los Angeles Politician José Huizar Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Former Los Angeles City Councilmember José Luis Huizar was sentenced today to 156 months in federal prison for using his powerful position at City Hall to enrich himself and his associates, as well as for cheating on his taxes.
Huizar, 55, of Boyle Heights, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered him to pay $443,905 in restitution to the City of Los Angeles and $38,792 in restitution to the IRS. Judge Walter ordered Huizar to surrender to federal authorities no later than April 30.
At today’s hearing, Judge Walter said public corruption carries “the real potential to destroy the delicate fabric of our democracy” and causes the public “to disengage in the democratic process” and “give up all hope of participating” with the government.
Huizar pleaded guilty in January 2023 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and one count of tax evasion. He represented Council District 14 (CD-14), which includes downtown Los Angeles and its surrounding communities, from 2005 until his resignation in 2020.
“No one is above the law,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Today’s sentence shows that even a powerful elected official like Huizar will be held accountable for engaging in criminal misconduct. Huizar was elected to serve the interests of the hard-working people of Los Angeles, but he instead served his own personal interests in a long-running, pay-to-play, bribery scheme. Our community deserves better.”
“This years-long investigation uncovered one of the most audacious public corruption cases in this city’s history,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “This case would not have been possible without the dedication of agents and prosecutors – and importantly – the cooperation of many citizens who were fed up with rampant malfeasance by public officials. Mr. Huizar ignored the needs of his constituents and instead, served his own interests by accepting bribes and a wide assortment of luxury perks from wealthy real estate moguls and others who could afford Huizar’s political favors at the taxpayer’s expense. My hope is that this case brings more citizens forward to the FBI when they suspect corrupt practices and foreign influence.”
For years, Huizar led what prosecutors in court documents called the CD-14 Enterprise, a criminal conspiracy that operated a pay-to-play scheme with three key goals: gain financial enrichment through bribes, maintain Huizar’s political power, and avoid detection by law enforcement.
By leveraging his position as CD-14’s councilmember and chair of the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee, which oversaw all major commercial and residential development projects throughout the entire city, Huizar – assisted by others – sought nearly $2 million worth of benefits in bribes from real estate developers and their proxies.
The benefits ranged from cash bribes, casino gambling chips, prostitution services, political contributions, flights on private jets and commercial airlines, stays at luxury hotels and casinos, expensive meals, tickets to concerts and sporting events, and other things of value. In exchange for these benefits, Huizar used his positions of public office to take official acts and give favorable treatment towards the projects of the paying real estate developers.
Huizar facilitated at least five bribery schemes. In one of the schemes, Huizar solicited $500,000 in cash for himself and his co-conspirators from developer David Lee in exchange for taking an official act to resolve an appeal by a labor organization against Lee’s project. In another scheme, Huizar accepted more than $1 million in benefits from billionaire real estate developer, Wei Huang, in exchange for pushing future approvals of the redevelopment of Huang’s hotel into the tallest tower west of the Mississippi.
To maintain his political seat, which was threatened by a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2013, Huizar also schemed to surreptitiously route $600,000 in the form of collateral from Huang through a foreign shell company, which Huizar used to confidentially settle the lawsuit. Huizar similarly concealed his many other bribes, including by laundering cash through his mother and brother, and by omitting his financial benefits on his tax returns.
When Huizar’s final term for the CD-14 Council seat was set to expire in 2020, Huizar pushed his wife, who had never held public office, to run as his successor, then used the CD-14 Enterprise and the pay-to-play scheme to extract campaign contributions that would allow him to maintain political power through her. Instead, Huizar, while he was still in office, was ultimately indicted in July 2020 on the charges in this case, and he resigned from his council and committee positions later that year.
As part of his plea agreement, Huizar also admitted to obstructing justice, including by tampering with two witnesses, and lying to federal prosecutors and federal agents.
In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors described how Huizar chose “to place his own lust for money and power above the rights and interests of the people he was elected to serve” and “[i]n the wake of his criminal activity…helped gut the public’s confidence in the integrity of its local government – and beyond – and eroded a sense of fair play therein.”
“Mr. Huizar was entrusted with making decisions in the best interest of Angelenos. Instead, he leveraged his position to enrich himself and his close allies in a mafia-style organization. His greed further emboldened him to hide his criminally gained profits from the IRS, which was a big mistake,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is the best in the world at following the money, and by teaming with our federal partners we will aggressively investigate corruption at every level.”
Other defendants charged alongside Huizar in the indictment are:
- Dae Yong Lee, 59, a.k.a. “David Lee,” of Bel-Air, a real estate developer who is serving a six-year prison sentence for his convictions for honest services wire fraud, bribery, and falsification of records in a federal investigation.
- 940 Hill LLC, a Lee-controlled Los Angeles-based company, which was convicted of the same crimes as Lee and sentenced in July 2023 to five years of probation, fined $1.5 million, and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.
- Wei Huang, 58, of Shenzhen, China, a billionaire real estate developer who is charged with several felonies, has yet to make a court appearance in this case and is a fugitive believed to be in China.
- Shen Zhen New World I LLC, a downtown Los Angeles-based company convicted – through the actions of its owner, Huang – of paying more than $1 million in bribes to Huizar, including the $600,000 sham loan. The company was sentenced in May 2023 to five years of probation, fined $4 million, and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.
- Raymond She Wah Chan, 67, of Monterey Park, a former Los Angeles deputy mayor, has pleaded not guilty to charges of RICO conspiracy, bribery, honest services fraud and lying to federal agents. His retrial is scheduled to begin on March 12.
Other defendants in related criminal cases stemming from this corruption matter are:
- Justin Jangwoo Kim, 57, of Mar Vista, a political fundraiser who pleaded guilty in June 2020 to one count of bribery and is scheduled for sentencing on June 21.
- Morris Roland Goldman, 61, of Porter Ranch, a lobbyist who pleaded guilty in September 2020 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services fraud and is scheduled for sentencing on July 12.
- George Chiang, 45, of Granada Hills, a real estate development consultant who pleaded guilty in June 2020 to one count of racketeering conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on July 19.
- George Esparza, 37, of Boyle Heights, Huizar’s former special assistant, who pleaded guilty in July 2020 to one count of racketeering conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on July 26.
- Salvador Huizar, 57, of Boyle Heights, José Huizar’s brother, who testified as a witness for the prosecution in the Shen Zhen trial and pleaded guilty in October 2022 to a felony charge of making false statements to federal investigators. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 2.
The FBI investigated this matter with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant United States Attorneys Cassie D. Palmer, Susan S. Har, and Brian R. Faerstein of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, are prosecuting this case.
Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter in the City of Los Angeles is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s tip line at tips.fbi.gov or to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.
Former Lafayette Educator Enters Guilty Plea on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Angel Rafael Cardona, 35, of Youngsville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to one count of use of a facility to cause a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. United States District Judge David C. Joseph presided over the hearing today.
According to information presented in court, in June 2023, Cardona began communicating through Whisper, an online chat application, with a user who identified as a 13-year-old female. Unbeknownst to Cardona, the user was an undercover law enforcement agent. Cardona sent a direct message to the user inquiring about a post she had made about summer school. Two days later, Cardona asked the user if they had an account on another online chat site and the agent responded that they did have a Kik account. Cardona then contacted the undercover minor female through the Kik application. These communications between the two continued from June 8, 2023, to July 10, 2023, at which time the user told Cardona that the Kik application kept crashing and to contact her through text message and provided a phone number. These text messages continued through July 24, 2023.
From the time the conversations between the undercover agent and Cardona began, Cardona initiated conversations about sex, sexual experiences, and the undercover agent’s body. On numerous occasions, the undercover agent made reference to her age of 13. The conversations regarding her sexual inexperience increased over time becoming more graphic and detailed. Over time, Cardona began asking the undercover agent for pictures of herself and eventually, asked for images containing sexual material. On July 11 and 13, 2023, Cardona specifically and explicitly asked for the undercover agent to produce and send him child pornography. The undercover agent gave excuses of her mother’s presence in the home for not complying and Cardona instructed her to be sneaky about it in order to create the images.
Cardona brought up the idea of meeting in person on numerous occasions and eventually they agreed to meet at Veterans Park in Lafayette on July 24, 2023. The defendant agrees and admits that he intended to meet the person he believed to be a minor female for the purpose of engaging in some form of sexual activity that would be a crime under the laws of the state of Louisiana.
Cardona faces a sentence of not less than 10 years in prison and up to life in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for April 25, 2024 at 10:00.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Luke Walker.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Former Foxborough High School Teacher Who Collected Child Pornography Sentenced to Five Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former teacher at Foxborough High School was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possession of child pornography and receiving child pornography over the internet.
Thomas Davis, 43 of Mansfield, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In February 2023, Davis pleaded guilty to one count of possession and receipt of child pornography.
“Child pornography is not a victimless crime – every image or video depicts the real-life pain and abuse inflicted on an innocent child. Downloading this vile material on the internet only furthers their victimization,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “As a teacher, Mr. Davis was entrusted with protecting and safeguarding our children. Clearly, he violated that sacred responsibility. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that our children grow up in an environment free from predators.”
“The FBI works hard every day to track down those who seek out child pornography, because the demand for these depraved images leads to the continued sexual exploitation of young children,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The fact that Thomas Davis, a former teacher, was involved with such material is extraordinarily disheartening to all of us, and today’s sentence ensures he will remain locked behind bars so he can’t extend the trauma of the children he already victimized.”
On Aug. 26, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Davis’ residence where a laptop was seized. An on-site examination revealed approximately 40 images of child pornography on the laptop, including images involving prepubescent minors under the age of 12-years-old. A forensic analysis of Davis’ laptop revealed additional child pornography.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Mansfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin the Major Crimes Unit 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Federal Employees Sentenced for Conspiracy to Steal Proprietary U.S. Government Software and DatabasesRead the Press Release
Three former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees were sentenced today in the District of Columbia for a conspiracy to steal proprietary software and sensitive law-enforcement databases from the U.S. government for use in a commercial venture.
Charles K. Edwards, 63, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. In January 2022, Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property and to defraud the United States and theft of government property.
Sonal Patel, 49, of Sterling, Virginia, was sentenced to two years of probation. In April 2019, Patel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property.
Murali Y. Venkata, 58, of Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to four months in prison. In April 2022, a jury convicted Venkata of conspiracy to commit theft of government property and to defraud the United States, theft of government property, wire fraud, and destruction of records.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Edwards was the former Acting Inspector General of the DHS Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG). Patel and Venkata were employed in DHS-OIG’s information technology department. Edwards, Patel, and Venkata were all previously employed at the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). Edwards, Patel, and Venkata conspired to steal proprietary U.S. software and databases containing sensitive law-enforcement information and the personally identifiable information (PII) of over 200,000 federal employees from DHS-OIG and USPS-OIG. They planned to use the stolen software and databases to create a commercial software product to be offered for sale to government agencies. As part of the scheme, the co-conspirators disclosed the stolen software and databases containing PII to software developers located in India. After Venkata learned of the investigation, he deleted incriminating text messages and other communications in an effort to obstruct the investigation.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of DHS-OIG, and Executive Special Agent in Charge Michael Ray of USPS-OIG made the announcement.
DHS-OIG and USPS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Celia Choy of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Macey for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case, with significant assistance from former PIN Senior Litigation Counsel Victor Salgado and former Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kent.