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26 February 2024
Roofing Company Principal Pleads Guilty for Failing to Protect an Employee Who Fell to His DeathRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JOSE LEMA, a/k/a “Jose Lema Mizhirumbay,” the founder and principal of ALJ Home Improvement, Inc., a New York roofing company, pled guilty to willfully violating Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) regulations, resulting in the death of an employee in New Square, New York, on or about February 8, 2022. LEMA pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy, to whom the case is assigned. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jose Lema endangered the safety of his workers by disregarding regulations and failing to ensure his employees used fall protection systems. This conduct led to the tragically avoidable death of a roof worker at a construction site. Failure of small businesses to comply with safety regulations endangers workers and can lead to unnecessary and preventable tragedy, and this Office will hold them accountable.”
According to statements and filings made in court:
On the morning of February 8, 2022, LEMA sent an ALJ employee (“Victim-1”) and three other employees to install a roof on a three-story multi-family apartment building under construction in New Square, New York. LEMA failed to protect his employees from fall hazards by having them work on the roof at the worksite without fall protection. After ascending a ladder to the roof, Victim-1 fell to the ground and died from his injuries.
Victim-1’s deadly fall was not the first time an employee of LEMA and ALJ fell to their death at one of ALJ’s worksites or were exposed to fall hazards. The first death, on or about February 27, 2019, involved an ALJ employee who slipped off the roof of a newly constructed three-story home in Kiamesha Lake, New York. OSHA investigated and issued citations to ALJ numerous times for failing to ensure employes were using fall protection systems following the 2019 death and once after Victim-1’s death.
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LEMA, 41, of Nanuet, New York, is charged with one count of willful violation of OSHA regulations resulting in death, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
The maximum potential penalties in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of OSHA, the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Margery Feinzig is in charge of the prosecution.
Riverton man sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
Gentry Dean Blackburn, age 31, of Riverton, Wyoming, was sentenced to 53 months’ imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 20 in Cheyenne.
According to court documents, on Jul. 9, 2023, Riverton Police Department officers were dispatched to the area of the Riverton City Park in reference to a report of a discharged firearm. The officers noticed Blackburn, who matched the description given by the reporting party, walking near the park. The officers contacted Blackburn and eventually found a loaded Hi Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol wrapped in a bandana that Blackburn was carrying. The officers also found two spent cartridge casings in the area where witnesses saw Blackburn shoot the gun into the air. Having been previously convicted of a felony, Blackburn is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm. Blackburn was charged in federal court and pled guilty.
This crime was investigated by the Riverton Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist.
Case No. 23-00137
Powell man sentenced for defrauding the U.S. Forest ServiceRead the Press Release
Ronald Ostrom, age 54, of Powell, Wyoming, was sentenced to two years’ probation, including six months of home confinement, for 6 felony convictions related to stealing a horse owned by the U.S. Forest Service. The sentence also included restitution in the amount of $11,747, a fine of $2,500, and special assessments totaling $600.
Ostrom was convicted by a federal jury in Nov. 2023 on one count of stealing government property, one count of concealing and retaining government property, two counts of making false documents, and two counts of making false statements. Ostrom is a retired U.S. Forest Service employee. According to evidence presented at trial, and the jury’s verdict, Ostrom stole a government-owned horse when he retired from the Forest Service and made multiple false statements to cover up this theft.
This crime was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore.
Case No. 22-CR-00060
Poteau Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that David Glen Berryhill, Jr., age 51, of Poteau, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
On July 6, 2023, Berryhill pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. According to investigators, on January 25, 2023, an OHP trooper conducting a traffic stop on Highway 69 near Checotah, Oklahoma, discovered Berryhill in possession of almost three kilograms of methamphetamine.
The Honorable Keith Starrett, Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Berryhill was remanded to 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.
Personal Pilot to Billionaire Investor Joseph Lewis Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of PATRICK O’CONNOR to charges of committing securities fraud and conspiring to commit securities fraud through insider trading. O’CONNOR was arrested in July 2023 and pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jessica G.L. Clarke today.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As the private pilot for billionaire Joe Lewis — previously convicted by this Office of insider trading — Patrick O’Connor was in the orbit of Lewis’s high-flying lifestyle, and a criminal beneficiary of non-public information provided by Lewis. O’Connor accepted and criminally traded on what he knew to be inside information from his well-connected boss, for his own personal gain. O’Connor has now accepted responsibility and awaits sentencing for his federal crimes.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictments and other filings and statements made in court:
PATRICK O’CONNOR worked as a personal pilot to his co-defendant in this case, JOSEPH LEWIS, for several years. LEWIS is a billionaire businessman and investor who is the principal owner of the Tavistock Group, an international private investment organization. At relevant times, by virtue of LEWIS’s investments in certain companies, he controlled one or more board of director seats at those companies and deputized employees to serve on various company boards. In turn, through these employees, LEWIS received material, non-public information about these companies.
During the course of his employment for LEWIS, on multiple occasions, O’CONNOR received material, non-public information from LEWIS and then traded on the basis of that information. On one occasion, after receiving inside information from LEWIS concerning Mirati Therapeutics, O’CONNOR wrote in a WhatsApp message to a friend that he had “talked with Mr. Lewis,” “we will make much more within the next 6 weeks with Mirati,” and “think we have people who know.” Days later, O’CONNOR wrote to the same friend to buy Mirati and that the “Boss[i.e., LEWIS] is helping us out and told us to get ASAP.” O’CONNOR added that “All conversations on app is encrypted so all good. No one can ever see.” A day later, O’CONNOR added in the same text thread that LEWIS said to buy Mirati stock, that Mirati “should only be short term,” and that the “Boss mentioned around 6 to 8 weeks for [Mirati] to take profit.” Within days, LEWIS wired $500,000 to O’CONNOR, and O’CONNOR then used the $500,000 to purchase Mirati stock. On or about October 22, 2019, O’CONNOR texted his same friend that October 28, 2019, was the “big day for MRTX.” O’CONNOR then added that he thought “the Boss has inside info” and “knows the outcome” because “otherwise why would he make us invest.”
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O’CONNOR, 67, of Preston Hollow, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison, and one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison.
LEWIS, 87, a British national, pled guilty on January 24, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison, and two counts of securities fraud, which each carry a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. O’CONNOR is sentenced to be scheduled on May 29, 2024.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He also expressed appreciation for the Securities Exchange Commission, which previously initiated civil proceedings against O’CONNOR.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos and Jason A. Richman are in charge of the prosecution.
Owatonna Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography, Threatening to Carry Out a Murder PlotRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – An Owatonna sex offender has pleaded guilty on the first day of trial to producing sexually explicit images of a minor and sending graphic threats detailing a murder plot against his former child sexual abuse victim, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in March 2021, law enforcement in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, began investigating Michael Lee Kurkowski, 28, regarding the communication and exchange of sexually explicit images of a minor. The investigation revealed that Kurkowski traveled to Pennsylvania to locate the minor and to try to continue a “relationship” after the minor attempted to end the online communications. In April 2021, Kurkowski was charged with multiple felonies and convicted in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, of corruption of a minor related to the sexual exploitation of the minor and was sentenced to 142 days in prison followed by probation. Kurkowski’s probation conditions required him to register as a sex offender, not to contact his victim, to refrain from behavior which may present a danger to others, and not to possess any weapons.
According to court documents, in November 2021, law enforcement began investigating Kurkowski’s online communications and sexual exploitation of another minor victim. Investigators reviewed several messages from Kurkowski to the minor describing in graphic detail a plan to travel to Pennsylvania where Kurkowski would murder the parents of his former victim, rape his sister, and then kill her in front of his former victim.
According to court documents, on February 4, 2022, law enforcement learned that Kurkowski had purchased a Greyhound bus ticket and was currently en route to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the general location of Kurkowski’s former victim and his family. FBI investigators tracked Kurkowski to a bus stop in Toledo, Ohio, where authorities took him into custody. According to court documents, when he was arrested, Kurkowski had with him a bag containing 16 heavy flex cuffs, electrical tape, a taser, a knife, rubber gloves, handcuffs, and hooded facemasks.
Kurkowski pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Joan N. Ericksen to one count of threatening interstate communication and one count of production of child pornography. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Owatonna Police Department, Steele County Community Corrections, the Upper Allen Township (Pennsylvania) Police Department, the East Peoria (Illinois) Police Department, Watertown (Wisconsin) Police Department, Toledo (Ohio) Police Department, and the Cedar Falls (Iowa) Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and Laura M. Provinzino are prosecuting the case.
Additionally, NCMEC’s peer support network, Team HOPE, can provide support, empowerment, and resources to families of missing or exploited children from people who have experienced a similar trauma. If you’d like to connect with someone for emotional support, email: [email protected] or call: 1-877-446-2632 ext. 6117.
Operation Smoke and Mirrors Update: Charleston Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – John Paul Loudermilk, 61, of Charleston, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Loudermilk admitted to his roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in the Charleston area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between January and March 2023, Loudermilk conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine by helping co-defendant Karl Lamont Funderburk distribute methamphetamine to other customers. Loudermilk sometimes received fentanyl from Funderburk in exchange for doing this.
Loudermilk admitted to usually meeting with Funderburk in the Charleston area to obtain methamphetamine and fentanyl. Loudermilk further admitted that he generally received between one-half ounce and one ounce of methamphetamine at a time from Funderburk along with one gram of fentanyl, delivering the methamphetamine to customers, and collecting money from customers in exchange.
Loudermilk and Funderburk are among 32 individuals indicted as a result of Operation Smoke and Mirrors, a major drug trafficking investigation that has yielded the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history. Law enforcement seized well over 400 pounds of methamphetamine as well as 40 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of fentanyl, 19 firearms and $935,000 in cash.
Funderburk, 37, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on December 6, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute a quantity of cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute a quantity of fentanyl. He awaits sentencing. Loudermilk and Funderburk are among 27 defendants who have pleaded guilty. Indictments against the remaining defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-33.
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Omaha Man Sentenced to 16 Years’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nathan Scott Jandreau, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced February 26, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Jandreau to 192 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Jandreau’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
On February 10, 2023, law enforcement were conducting surveillance on a South Omaha residence looking for Jandreau who had a warrant for his arrest for violating the terms of his supervised release. Officers observed Jandreau exit the residence and leave in a car that officers stopped at a nearby location. After Jandreau was taken into custody, he advised officers that a backpack in the car was his. A search of the backpack revealed 335 grams of meth, and evidence of drug distribution consisting of digital scales and small plastic baggies.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jason Felder, age 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 26, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for bank robbery. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Jason Felder to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Felder’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On August 10, 2022, Jason Felder took a note that contained a bomb threat into the victim bank and then walked outside the bank. The victim teller reported it to the security guard working inside the bank, who happened to be an off-duty Wahoo police officer. The off-duty officer walked outside the bank to speak with Felder, and Felder got into a struggle with the officer. Felder fled into the residential area around the bank because Felder’s driver abandoned the scene.
Once Felder was in the residential area, he tried to get into several people’s vehicles but was unsuccessful. He also tried to enter several homes. Felder found a home with an unlocked door and went inside and forced a grandson inside the residence owned by his grandmother to accompany him upstairs in the house. Felder then directed the grandson to get Felder a glass of water but warned the grandson to keep quiet. The grandmother was downstairs when the grandson came down and could tell by looking at the child that something was not right. She asked him about it, and the grandson told her about Felder hiding upstairs. The grandmother then yelled at Felder to come downstairs.
Once downstairs, the grandmother insisted Felder leave the house. Felder refused. The grandmother tried to push past Felder. He pushed her and locked the door with all of them inside the residence. The grandmother again resisted and got past Felder with her grandson and made it outside. Once outside, she saw her son and his girlfriend and told her son about what happened inside the home. The adult son went inside the house in pursuit of Felder.
Police officers arrived on scene shortly thereafter as they were tracking Felder’s movements from the scene of the attempted bank robbery. Officers entered the home and ultimately a K-9 located Felder hiding in the basement of the residence. Felder refused to comply with demands, and the dog forcibly obtained custody of Felder so that officers could arrest him. He was wearing the same clothing as the man in the bank robbery video.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Thomas V. Ratcliff, also known as “Twin,” 32, of South Point, Ohio, was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 7, 2022, law enforcement officers arrested Ratcliff at a Marcum Terrace residence in Huntington on an outstanding Wayne County Circuit Court arrest warrant. Following the arrest, officers executed a search warrant of the residence and found approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol. Ratliff admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine and intended to sell it for money.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-2.
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Nicaraguan National Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Transporting 550 Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that a Nicaraguan national, Jorge Adalberto Gutierrez-Picado, age 27, was sentenced by Judge Wilma A. Lewis on federal drug charges relating to the seizure of bulk cocaine off the coast of Colombia. On February 21, Judge Lewis sentenced Gutierrez-Picado to 70 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on March 5, 2022, during its patrol in international waters in the Eastern Pacific, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Legare observed a go-fast style vessel, “La Bendecida Leo”, 140 nautical miles, southwest of Isla de Malpelo, traveling at a high rate of speed with bundles and fuel barrels observed on deck. The USCG crew next observed occupants of the La Bendecida Leo throwing bundles of suspected narcotics overboard. Crew members then launched an over-the-horizon vessel and helicopter to intercept.
Upon intercepting the vessel, USCG crew members observed that the La Bendecida Leo had no registration and the occupants claimed Nicaraguan nationality for the vessel. Nicaragua could neither confirm nor deny nationality of the vessel to the USCG. A search of the La Bendecida Leo, including the bundles of suspected narcotics recovered from the ocean, resulted in the seizure of approximately 550.6 kilograms of cocaine and 136 pounds of marijuana.
The USCG, Homeland Security Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston 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.
New York Man Sentenced to Prison for Aggravated Identity Theft ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of White Plains, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to 38 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction for use of unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Erick Cottrell, 54.
According to information presented to the Court, in August 2022, Cottrell used a counterfeit Pennsylvania Driver’s License in the name of a victim to make withdrawals of approximately $23,000 from the victim’s bank account. In September 2022, Cottrell was arrested by the Baltimore City Police in connection with another attempt to use the same counterfeit driver’s license to steal money from the victim’s bank account. In April 2023, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police detectives tracked Cottrell and others to a hotel on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, where they had fraudulently rented three rooms, including one by Cottrell in the name of the same victim. Further investigation by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the United States Secret Service revealed that Cottrell used the personal identification information of that victim and other victims at various places to rent hotel rooms and make fraudulent purchases in the Pittsburgh area.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Weigand noted the seriousness of the crimes and Cottrell’s extensive criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Secret Service, Baltimore City Police, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Cottrell.New Orleans Woman Guilty of Staged Automobile Accident ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SHIRLEY HARRIS (“HARRIS”), age 38, of New Orleans, pled guilty on February 20, 2024, to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” to 48.
According to court documents, HARRIS, and others, conspired to fraudulently stage an automobile collision to obtain money. HARRIS, Antoine Clark “Clark,” and other co-conspirators intentionally collided with a tractor-trailer on April 24, 2017, in the area of Interstate 10 near the Crowder Boulevard exit in New Orleans. HARRIS and Clark made false police reports, filed fraudulent lawsuits, lied during deposition testimony, and sought unnecessary medical treatment to further their fraudulent claims. As part of her plea agreement, HARRIS agreed to pay $10,000.00 in restitution to the insurance company. The Honorable Sarah S. Vance set sentencing in this matter for June 12, 2024.
HARRIS faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years of imprisonment; up to three (3) years of supervised release; and a fine of up to $250,000.00. A $100 mandatory special assessment fee is also applicable.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Carboni, and Edward Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Robbery and Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on February 21, 2024, COREY LEWIS, a/k/a “Co,” was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Hobbs Act Robbery.
LEWIS previously pled guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to interfere and interference with commerce through robbery (Hobbs Act Conspiracy and Hobbs Act Robbery), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951. LEWIS additionally pled guilty to Count 3, charging him with possessing firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). For Counts 1 and 2, LEWIS was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. As to Count 3, LEWIS was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, which must run consecutively to the sentences in Counts 1 and 2, as well as five years of supervised release. In total, LEWIS received a sentence of 156 months. LEWIS must also pay a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee for each count.
According to court documents, in 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated a group responsible for committing violent crimes and illegal drug trafficking, primarily in New Orleans East and the Ninth Ward area of New Orleans. LEWIS, along with nine others, were indicted for conspiring to possess firearms, traffic drugs and commit armed robberies of drug dealers. LEWIS committed a Hobbs Act robbery with his co-conspirators, during which they victimized a mother and her two-young children by breaking into their house, brandishing firearms, tying up the mother, and ransacking the house.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit and Elizabeth Privitera, Chief of the Violent Crime Unit, are in charge of the prosecution.
Nashville Man Found Guilty of Federal Narcotics and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – On February 20, 2024, a jury in the Middle District of Tennessee found Michael Davis guilty of attempting to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis.
According to evidence presented at trial, in October 2020, Davis met with two confidential informants at a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, to discuss purchasing large amounts of cocaine. The following day, Davis brought a loaded handgun and more than $300,000 in cash to a Pilot Travel Center to purchase over five kilograms of cocaine from the informants. Federal agents arrested Davis on the scene after a brief foot chase.
“We are committed to fighting drug trafficking in Middle Tennessee,” said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. “The verdict in this case underscores that commitment and ensures this defendant will be held accountable for his crimes.”
Davis will be sentenced on June 24, 2024, by United States District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr. Davis faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Hinkle and Robert Levine prosecuted the case.
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Motorcycle Gang Member Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Six FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael C. McDermott, age 30, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for stealing six firearms from a Walmart, a federally licensed firearms dealer. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Bethlehem Police Chief Gina F. Cocchiara made the announcement.
When pleading guilty last October, McDermott admitted to forcing his way into the Walmart in Glenmont, New York, while it was closed overnight, smashing the glass gun case, and stealing five shotguns and one rifle. McDermott also admitted that when employees chased him into the woods, he pointed a firearm at them.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a 3-year-term of supervised release, which includes a special condition of supervision barring McDermott from any association with members, associates and/or prospects of the Suicide Squad motorcycle gang.
The ATF and Bethlehem Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted.
More Than A Dozen People Sentenced in Federal Investigation Targeting the 4k Street Gang in Alachua FloridaRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – The last of 12 federal defendants was sentenced for drug-trafficking and firearm charges related to a joint federal and state investigation into the 4K criminal street gang in the city of Alachua, Florida. The sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Our law enforcement partners’ concerted investigation and prosecution of violent crime – here acts of murder and retaliatory gun violence by rival gang members – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “The sentences imposed in this investigation, some spanning multiple decades, illustrate our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with gun violence by gang-affiliated drug traffickers.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force began an investigation of the 4K gang following a number of gang-related shootings in the city of Alachua in 2018. The FBI worked with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Alachua Police Department to investigate the initial shooting and numerous other shootings thereafter. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) aided through investigation of 4K’s drug-trafficking activity. Between February 22, 2020, and May 20, 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office, FBI, and DEA obtained six court-authorized Title III wiretaps on cellphones used by members of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. On May 20, 2020, federal search warrants were executed, and four individuals were federally arrested, with others being indicted in June and August 2020.
The federally sentenced defendants, which included 4K gang members and associates, as well as people selling drugs to the 4K gang, were:
- Roddrae Antonio Williams, 32, Alachua, Florida, 480 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
- Elboric Quadarius Robinson, 32, Alachua, Florida, 336 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
- Decoda Kadarrell King, 36, Williston, Florida, 168 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
- Eric Jermaine Williams, 42, Gainesville, Florida, 104 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
- Daniel Heath Willis, 30, Alachua, Florida, 96 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
- Morris Cordell Robinson, Jr., 58, Alachua, Florida, 78 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
- Gregory Lavough Williams, Jr., 44, Yorba Linda, California, 48 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
- Rakeidra Alexandria Neal, 33, Gainesville, Florida, 14.5 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
- Rayme Herhandez, 47, Morriston, Florida, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
- Tomeka Necole Bryant, 44, Gainesville, Florida, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
- Edward Lashawn Garrison, Jr., 27, Fort White, Florida, 10 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
- Lorenza Durr, 33, Alachua, Florida, 8 months in prison in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
"The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the grave threats posed by drug trafficking and firearm violations,” said Sheriff Emory Gainey. “We understand that multi-agency cooperation is not merely a strategy but an essential approach to addressing these challenges. Together, we stand united in our mission to protect our neighborhoods and uphold the rule of law."
"The sentencing of Roddrae Williams brings to a close a years-long joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement and investigative partners.” “The cooperation between these agencies resulted in the successful prosecution of these 12 individuals who terrorized our local communities,” said Alachua Police Chief Jesse J. Sandusky. “We are thankful for the assistance we received from our partners and hope that this can help bring closure to the victim's families."
Charges by the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office were brought against the following:
- Hakiem Brockman, 25, West Palm Beach, Florida, pled nolo contendere to second degree murder with discharge of a firearm causing death, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, and four counts of attempted murder in the first degree with discharge of a firearm. Brockman was sentenced to 35 years in prison, 25 of which will be served day-for-day.
- McKenzley Edwards, 30, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to six counts of attempted second degree murder with discharge of a firearm and actual possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with a witness, victim, or informant, and one count of conspiracy to commit first degree murder (premeditated) and attempted murder. Edwards was sentenced to 25 years in prison, 20 of which will be served day-for-day.
- Kenzel Edwards, 28, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to three counts of attempted second degree murder with a firearm and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, 10 of which will be served day-for-day.
- Jeffery Robinson, Jr., 29, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to accessory after the fact to the murder and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
- Roddrae Williams pled guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder (premediated) and is pending sentencing.
“Each of these violent felony offenders posed a significant risk to the safety of our community. Thanks to the professional, expert work of this task force and our prosecutors, this community will be protected from further violence by these offenders,” said Brian Kramer, State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
“These sentencings demonstrate the FBI's relentless determination to eradicate drug-fueled gang violence that is plaguing communities," said FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis. "Disrupting organizations like this one is a critical part of the FBI mission, and we will use every legal means available to hold accountable those who threaten our neighborhoods. The rule of law is not optional, and we want to make clear to other gangs operating in our communities: the FBI and our local, state, and federal partners are coming for you, and the violence won't be tolerated."
“DEA’s top priority is protecting the safety and health of our Florida communities. Drug trafficking and associated violence puts our communities in danger,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime, remove dangerous drugs from our streets, and hold those responsible for distributing this poison in our communities accountable for their actions.”
These convictions were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua Police Department, Gainesville Police Department, University of Florida Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocala Police Department. The federal cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain, and the state cases were prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Daniel Owen.
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.
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.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Mississippi Man Sentenced for Cyberstalking and Sending Interstate Threats to Fresno BusinessRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — William Lee Robinson, 43, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in prison for five counts of sending threatening interstate communications and three counts of cyberstalking, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Robinson worked at a business in Fresno from June to November in 2017. After the business fired him, Robinson began sending threatening messages to his former supervisor and other coworkers in an attempt to extort money from them. Robinson directed his threats at employees of the company and stated his intent to murder, rape, and commit other violent acts against the recipients and their family members. Robinson made the threats because he wanted the company to pay him between $10,000 and $20,000 to cover the cost of relocating to a different city.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.
Miami Resident Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Operating Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On Feb. 22, Jack Connor Ridall, 29, of Miami, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, for operating an investment fraud scheme.
Ridall defrauded victims out of approximately $735,000, by falsely indicating he would use their money for various investments. Ridall was the founder and sole member of Stratcapital LLC, Guss Capital, LLC, and Guss Actium Manager, LLC. Using these three companies, Ridall succeeded in causing at least three people to provide him money based on his material misrepresentations. The false statements Ridall made to these victims included (a) Ridall’s investing experience and performance, (b) the use of investor funds for purposes other than those that he promised, and (c) the safety of the investment. Ridall also falsely told his victims, among other things, that his companies were investment management companies with substantial assets. Ridall did not invest investor funds in securities or in an investment fund, but instead he misappropriated investor funds to pay for luxury retail purchases, hotel stays, restaurants, and fraudulent transfers to family members. When victims asked Ridall for updates on their investments, he provided forged attorney letters and audit reports indicating that the victims' investments yielded high rates of return.
In Nov. 2023, Ridall pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of FBI, Miami Field Office made the announcement.
FBI Miami investigated the case. The Securities and Exchange Commission provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
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-20152.
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Memphis Man Sentenced to Nearly 23 Years in Federal Prison for Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal judge recently sentenced a Memphis man to federal prison for two carjackings that occurred in February 2022. U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes sentenced Martavious Marr, 20, to 275 months in federal prison for the crimes and ordered Marr to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to United States Attorney Ritz and information presented in court, at approximately 9:00pm on February 1, 2022, Marr approached a man at a gas station on N. Bellevue Blvd, pointed a gun at him, and demanded the keys to his 2009 Pontiac G6. The victim told Marr that the keys were already in the car. As the man turned to run inside the store, Marr shot him in the back and drove away in the victim’s car. Marr later used his social media page to sell the car for $1,225.00.
On February 13, 2022, Marr approached another man outside a bar on Poplar Avenue at approximately 3:00am. Marr pointed a gun at the victim and demanded the keys to his 2020 Dodge Journey. The victim complied and Marr drove away in the car. Marr also took the victim’s AirPods and gun, as they had been left in the car. The victim tracked the car to Marr’s place of employment and called police.
Marr was later arrested and charged with both carjackings. At the time of his arrest, Marr was carrying the second victim’s gun in his waistband.
In November 2023, Marr pled guilty to discharging a firearm during a violent crime, brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, possessing a stolen firearm, and two counts of carjacking.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Memphis Police Department.
This case is also 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.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.
McAlester Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Brittany Nicole Mekler, age 31, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The charges arose from investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the McAlester Police Department.
On July 18, 2023, Mekler pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. According to investigators, on August 27, 2022, Mekler was found in possession of 163.18 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and $3,774 cash.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings. Mekler was remanded to 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.
Mayes County Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jacob Aaron Ward, age 43, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The charges arose from investigations by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On May 11, 2023, Ward pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. According to court documents, a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputy found Ward in possession of a loaded .38 Special revolver during a traffic stop in August of 2022. The deputy located the revolver in Ward’s back pocket while conducting a pat-down. Ward knew when he possessed the firearm that he had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
The Honorable Keith Starrett, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Ward was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Geizura represented the United States.
Man Indicted for Decades-long Fraud of Veteran’s Benefits, Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Raymond Kenneth Musgrove, formerly of Grant County, Washington, for fraud in connection with benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The Indictment announced today charges Musgrove, formerly of Grant County, Washington, with false representation of a social security number, wire fraud, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft. The Indictment alleges that Raymond Kenneth Musgrove posed as J.M.C., a real person and military veteran, for several decades, collecting Veterans Affairs Compensation Payments and receiving healthcare at the VA in the name of J.M.C. According to the Indictment, Musgrove has purported to be J.M.C. since at least 1997, in the process collecting over $825,000 in federal funds from the VA to which he was not entitled. According to the Indictment, the VA terminated benefit payments several times after the real J.M.C. passed away in 2018, but each time Musgrove reached out to the VA purporting to be J.M.C. and requested that benefits should continue. The Indictment alleges that due to Musgrove’s misrepresentations, the VA continued to provide Veterans Affairs Compensation Payments in the name of J.M.C.
“Military Veterans have given selfless service to this country. Schemes to steal funds set aside to support them are an insult to their sacrifices,” said United States Attorney Waldref. “My office is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that federal government programs and missions are protected from fraudulent actions and will hold fraudsters accountable when they seek government funds in order to line their own pockets.”
The fraud charges carry sentences of up to 20 years in federal prison as well as restitution for fraudulently obtained funds. This case was investigated by SSA-OIG and VA-OIG. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frieda K. Zimmerman.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Case No: 2:24-CR-00016-SAB
Lutcher Man Sentenced to Twenty-Four Months Imprisonment for Drug Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On February 21, 2024, TROY MALBROUGH, age 48, a resident of Lutcher, La., was sentenced to 24-months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl, a quantity of heroin, and a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 846.
According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration began a drug-trafficking investigation into MALBROUGH's organization in 2019. MALBROUGH conspired with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Louisiana. He also purchased and distributed these same drugs within the district. In 2018, MALBROUGH distributed fentanyl to an individual who later died after ingesting that fentanyl.
After serving his term of imprisonment, MALBROUGH will be supervised by U.S. Probation for 3 years. MALBROUGH must also pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
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 Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit.
Lockport man previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child charged with possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Damon Singleton-Spencer, 31, of Lockport, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that in September 2023, the New York State Police received a report that an individual had uploaded 184 files of suspected child pornography to a cloud storage application. Subsequent investigation traced the uploaded files to Singleton-Spencer, who was previously convicted in 2017 of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. On February 16, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Singleton-Spencer’s Lockport residence. During the search, investigators seized multiple devices including computers, hard drives, and cell phones. A preliminary review of one cell phone recovered multiple images and videos of child pornography.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Possession of Drugs and FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Perrion Bluford, 23, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 23, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska following his conviction for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Bluford to 5 years’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bluford is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Bluford pleaded guilty to both offenses on July 27, 2023.
Police learned that Bluford was distributing illegal drugs and using social media accounts to advertise the sale of drugs. Police obtained a search warrant for Bluford’s apartment and searched his apartment on January 13, 2021. In Bluford’s bedroom, police located 79 suspected MDMA pills, 3.2 pounds of suspected marijuana, and other suspected prescription medications. Police also found a Masterpiece Arms 5.7 by 288 mm pistol, which was loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, police located other items consistent with the distribution of illegal drugs, and $8,015 in United States currency.
A sampling of the seized drugs was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory. The first submitted sample tested negative for the presence of controlled substances. A second sample was then submitted for testing. Some of the suspected marijuana was confirmed to be marijuana. Had the cases proceeded to trial, a drug investigator would have explained that those involved in drug dealing sometimes sell counterfeit or fake drugs to unsuspecting customers.
On a separate occasion, police were conducting surveillance of Bluford on November 2, 2022. They saw him leaving a barber shop with another person when the police attempted to contact Bluford. Bluford ran from police. During the foot pursuit, Bluford discarded a handgun, as well as a loaded magazine for the handgun. Shortly thereafter, Bluford was apprehended. The police searched Bluford and found seven grams of marijuana in his pocket. Those drugs were also sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory and were confirmed to be marijuana.
The investigation was conducted by the Lincoln Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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.
Lauderdale County Man Sentenced to over 3 Years in Federal Prison for Making Threats of Violence over the InternetRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Lauderdale County man was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for making threats of violence over the internet.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May and July 2020, Christian Blake Bunyard, 21, utilized Snapchat to threaten a school shooting, to kill and rape African Americans in Oxford, Mississippi, and to rape another Snapchat user if she did not provide nude photos.
Bunyard was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in November 2020. He entered a guilty plea in April 2021 to making threats in interstate commerce and making an interstate transmission of an extortionate communication.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent in Charge Maher Dimachkie of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie prosecuted the case.
Keenesburg Man Charged in Two Colorado Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that John Michael Kirby, 56, has been charged by federal complaint in connection with bank robberies in Brighton, Colorado.
According to allegations in the criminal complaint, in the month of February 2024, Kirby robbed two banks in Brighton.
The Defendant had his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kathryn A. Starnella on February 26.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, and the Denver Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn is handling the prosecution.
The charges in the complaint are allegations and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Case Number: 1:24-mj-00032-KAS
Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jerry Dewayne Carroll, 42, of Crown Hill, pleaded guilty today to possession of prepubescent child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about April 10, 2023, Carroll possessed at least 82 videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Carroll admitted that he uploaded the digital media files over the internet using his cell phone or a computer, and kept them in his encrypted cloud storage account held by Mega LTD. Carroll further admitted that the digital media files included videos depicting minors engaged in actual or simulated sexual intercourse and oral sex and the lascivious exhibition of the genitals and pubic areas of prepubescent minors.
Carroll is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18, 2024, and faces a penalty of 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Carroll must also register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Holly Wilson and Josh Hanks are prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-122.
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Jury Convicts Oswego County Man of Receiving, Distributing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Austin Tennant, age 29, of Phoenix, New York, was convicted on Friday, after a four-day jury trial, on four counts of Distribution of Child Pornography, three counts of Receipt of Child Pornography, and one count of Possession of Child Pornography. The charges relate to Tennant’s distribution of child pornography he downloaded from the Internet as well as child pornography he received directly from child victims he chatted with online.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The evidence at trial established that, between September 2022 and January 2023, Tennant obtained from the Internet and directly from child victims hundreds of videos and thousands of images of child pornography. The evidence further established that Tennant later redistributed that same child pornography to others, including to other children in an effort to induce them to provide him with sexually explicit images and videos of themselves.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2024, in Syracuse, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. For each of his convictions on Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, Tennant faces a term of imprisonment between five and twenty years, and a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years on his conviction for Possession of Child Pornography. Tennant also faces a fine of up to $250,000, mandatory restitution to the victims, and a term of supervised release between five years and life. Tennant will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The case was investigated by HSI Syracuse with assistance from the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Illegal Alien from Honduras Sentenced for Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that FRANKLYN ORELLANO-VELASQUEZ, a/k/a “Rony Aguilera,” “Rochy Gutierrez,” age 19, a native of Honduras, was sentenced on February 21, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance for possession of ammunition by an illegal alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).
According to court documents, on September 6, 2023, OERLLANO-VELASQUEZ was arrested for possessing 40 live .223 caliber rounds. Judge Vance sentenced ORELLANO-VELASQUEZ to 17 months in prison and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. ORELLANO-VELASQUEZ will be deported following the completion of his sentence.
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.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Kenner Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Hughes County Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kent Matthew Stapp, age 34, of Wetumka, Oklahoma, was sentenced was sentenced to 60 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
The charges arose from investigations by the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On March 13, 2023, a federal jury found Stapp guilty at trial of one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. According to court documents, on February 11, 2022, Okmulgee County Sheriff’s deputies discovered Stapp in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol after Stapp attempted to flee during a traffic stop. At trial, Stapp testified that he attempted to flee in order to prevent the discovery of the firearm on his person. The jury found that Stapp knew he had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year while he was in possession of the firearm.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Stapp was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Geizura and Jarrod Leaman represented the United States at sentencing.
Honduran National Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN JAVIER AMAYA-AGUILAR, 27, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 14 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Amaya-Aguilar illegally entered the U.S. in 2013. He settled in Connecticut and, in 2016, was arrested by Danbury Police for first-degree sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to the offense, received a sentence of five years of incarceration and 10 years of special parole, and was deported to Honduras in July 2021.
Amaya-Aguilar illegally reentered the U.S. and, on July 2, 2023, was arrested by Danbury Police for breach of peace and assault offenses. He has been detained since his state arrest.
On November 27, 2023, Amaya-Aguilar pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal reentry.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Mahard.
Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry of Removed AlienRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ALLAN ENRIQUE GOMEZ VILLEDA age 41, a native of Honduras, was indicted on February 23, 2024, for illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to the indictment, GOMEZ VILLEDA reentered the United States illegally after being previously deported on May 9, 2019. If convicted, GOMEZ VILLEDA faces a sentence of up to 2 years imprisonment, up to 1 year of supervised release, up to a $ 250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – JONATHAN JOSE CASTILLO-JANEZ, age 24, was indicted on February 23, 2024 for illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to the indictment, JONATHAN JOSE CASTILLO-JANEZ, (“CASTILLO-JANEZ”) reentered the United States after being previously deported on June 14, 2017. If convicted, CASTILLO-JANEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of up to one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. He faces a sentencing enhancement of up to 10 years imprisonment, because of a prior felony conviction.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Orleans Parish Sherif’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Henryetta Resident Sentenced to Thirty-Five Years for Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Sean Paul Baker, age 31, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, was sentenced to thirty-five years imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after being found guilty by a federal jury of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that beginning in February of 2015 and continuing until December of 2021, Sean Paul Baker engaged in sexual acts with a minor victim, who had not reached 10 years of age. The crimes occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Baker was remanded to 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 Caila M. Cleary and Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
Halifax Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Fentanyl and Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Elijah Tyler Thorne, 25, of Halifax County was sentenced to 87 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after complaints of drug activity led to an investigation that uncovered drugs and illegal guns in Thorne’s residence. Thorne pled guilty to the charges on October 26, 2023.
“Thorne’s illicit fentanyl operation will no longer be a thorn in the side of Halifax County. This case is just one example of our strong partnership with local law enforcement to make our communities safer by getting fentanyl and illegal guns off of our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.
“This successful prosecution represents the ongoing commitment of our local, state, and federal partners to identify the most dangerous and prolific offenders in Halifax County,” said Halifax County Sheriff Tyree Davis. “It is crucial for us to concentrate our resources on those individuals who cause our community the greatest harm. We appreciate our law enforcement partners and look forward to our continued work together.”
According to court records and other evidence presented in court, numerous complaints of drug activity led to an investigation into Thorne. A search warrant executed on his residence recovered marijuana, fentanyl, flualprazolam pills (a Schedule I Controlled Substance), eutylone (a synthetic cathinone similar to MDMA), and MDMA pills. Thorne was also found to be in possession of a handgun and a 50-round drum magazine. Thorne has previous felony convictions for robbery and drug possession, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart prosecuted the cases.
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. 7:21-CR-87-BO.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the United States After Being Deported Four TimesRead the Press Release
A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison.
Juan De Leon-Santiago, age 42, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 13, 2023, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.
In a plea agreement, De Leon-Santiago admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. De Leon-Santiago was previously deported in November 2009, December 2015, September 2016, and May 2017. On June 20, 2023, immigration officials learned De Leon-Santiago had illegally returned to the United States and found De Leon-Santiago at the Linn County Jail following his arrest on state assault charges. On August 11, 2023, the defendant was convicted in Linn County, Iowa, of Domestic Abuse Assault (Strangulation), a felony. De Leon-Santiago was also previously convicted in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas of Illegal Entry into the United States, a misdemeanor, in November 2015, and Illegal Reentry into the United States, a felony, in February 2017.
In the plea agreement, De Leon-Santiago also admitted he knowingly used a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent Permanent Resident Card (a/k/a “Green Card”) to prove his authorization to work in the United States when he completed employment and tax forms in February 2023 and May 2023 at two different businesses in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Illegal aliens are not authorized to work in the United States. The number on the Social Security card was unassigned. The number on the number on the Permanent Resident Card was assigned to a male from Vietnam.
De Leon-Santiago was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. De Leon-Santiago was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
De Leon-Santiago is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-47.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Gore Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Andrew Jake Craig, age 35, of Gore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 60 months of probation for possessing a firearm after a domestic violence conviction.
The charges arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On March 10, 2023, Craig pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of a Firearm After Conviction of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence. According to court documents, on June 7, 2022, Muskogee police officers responded to a report of a disturbance at an area residence. During the investigation, officers discovered Craig in possession of a loaded .22 semi-automatic handgun. In 2018, Craig pleaded guilty and was sentenced by an Oklahoma district court on one count of misdemeanor domestic violence.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Lawrenceville, Georgia man pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 251.5 grams of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on May 15, 2023, Martin Louis Williams was pulled over by law enforcement in a traffic stop on Interstate 10 in Hancock County. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded 1000 pills stamped with a “Facebook” logo. The pills were sent to the DEA lab and confirmed to be 251.5 grams of methamphetamine at 5% purity, mixed with caffeine. Williams was interviewed and admitted that he was taking the pills to Georgia to be sold.
Williams pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2024, and faces up to twenty years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent in Charge Mike Arnett of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose is prosecuting the case.
Gaithersburg Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Fraud Related to a Debt Elimination SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Mary Ann Mendoza, a/k/a “Mary Ann Manuel,” “Trinity,” “M3,” and “Emily James,” age 51, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, to 12 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud related to a debt elimination and wealth management fraud scheme. Judge Chuang imposed the sentence on Friday, February 23, 2024, and ordered Mendoza to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $981,293.07 and pay restitution of $3,281,109.38. A federal jury convicted Mendoza and co-defendant Willie Lamont Hicks, a/k/a “Will Woodward” and “CW,” age 52, of Kansas City, Missouri, on October 4, 2023.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Edwin S. Bonano of the Southeastern Region - Federal Housing Finance Agency - Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Javan Wilson of the U.S. Department of the Treasury - Office of Inspector General; Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy; and Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.
According to the evidence presented at the seven-day trial, from August 2011 to at least September 2017, Mendoza and Hicks, who represented themselves as partners and as husband and wife, held in-person trainings purporting to educate victim-debtors on how to discharge consumer debt, including mortgage debt, credit card debt, and automobile financing debt. Mendoza and Hicks also marketed wealth management services to victims, including purporting to set up a family office and to fund business opportunities.
As detailed in trial testimony, during the debt elimination classes, Mendoza and Hicks, who claimed to be an attorney, told victims that on the back of their social security cards and birth certificates, there was a number that unlocked access to a special bank account with funds owed to the victims by the U.S. government. The defendants also told the victim-debtors that they could create or use “trusts” to fulfill the wealth management or debt elimination services, or to obtain return on investment.
The evidence proved that Mendoza, Hicks, and their associates offered to facilitate the discharge of the debt held by the victims or perform other purported services for a fee, such as a percentage of the victim-debtors’ outstanding debt. The defendants accepted payment in the form of cash, wire transfers, personal and cashier’s checks, and the use of the victim-debtors’ credit. Victim-debtors also paid the defendants through the liquidation of their retirement savings, the leasing of apartments, and the purchase of vehicles and office equipment and supplies. In 2017, Mendoza and Hicks caused one victim to transfer almost $100,000 from the victim’s bank account to the accounts of fraudulent corporate entities controlled by the defendants. Trial testimony showed that victim-debtors were induced into providing the defendants with over one million dollars in cash and other forms of payment during the period of the conspiracy.
According to the evidence also presented at trial, Mendoza and Hicks used the victims’ personal identifying information without the victims’ knowledge or permission and provided the victims with fraudulent documents, including Internal Revenue Service forms, memorandums of agreement, intake forms, and other materials that the defendants claimed were necessary for discharging debt. The evidence showed that Hicks, Mendoza, and their associates mailed the fraudulent paperwork to the victim-debtors’ creditors, lenders, and the Internal Revenue Service purporting to effectuate the discharge of the victim’s debts.
As a result of Mendoza’s and Hicks’ scheme, victims suffered substantial financial harm, including foreclosure and eviction, homelessness, depletion of their retirement savings, significant downgrading of their credit scores, bankruptcy, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees and penalties owed to the IRS as a result of the fraudulent paperwork mailings.
On February 15, 2024, Judge Chuang sentenced Hicks to 22 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $1,649,897.33 and pay restitution of $3,281,109.38.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the Federal Housing Finance Agency - Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of the Treasury - Office of Inspector General, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Barron thanked the United States Marshals, the Hinesville, Georgia Police Department, the Gwinnett County, Georgia Police Department, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Offices of Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Georgia, Eastern District of Texas, New Jersey, and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Coreen Mao, who is prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Four Co-Conspirators Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl and Methamphetamine in the Magic ValleyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Four members of a drug trafficking conspiracy were recently sentenced to federal prison for distributing large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Idaho, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, beginning in March 2023, Idaho State Police detectives working in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), learned about a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Magic Valley. Using an undercover officer, detectives infiltrated the organization and began receiving drugs in exchange for cash payments. On April 27, 2023, Jamie Lee Coltrin, 35, of Rupert, met with an undercover officer at a gas station parking lot in Heyburn. Coltrin gave the officer 1,000 fentanyl pills in exchange for $4,500 that the officer agreed to deposit in a co-conspirator’s bank account. Then, on May 24, 2023, the undercover officer met with Jenika Ann Johnson, 30, of Pocatello, and again received 1,000 fentanyl pills in exchange for $4,000.
As the investigation continued, the detectives were able to identify additional members of the organization. On June 12, 2023, detectives observed Tina Jane Morris, 45, of Pocatello, meet with a co-conspirator at a gas station parking lot in Jerome and complete a drug transaction. Police later stopped Morris’ vehicle as she traveled east on I-86 near Power County. A search of her vehicle revealed 11,216 fentanyl pills, two pounds of methamphetamine, and a 9mm handgun. The investigation revealed that Morris had just returned from the Mexico border where she obtained these drugs before bringing them to Idaho.
An additional drug transaction was planned for July 6, 2023, with Daniel Ross Coltrin, 39, of Paul, Idaho. Coltrin was stopped by police prior to the transaction and was found in possession of $5,600 that he planned to use to purchase 1,250 fentanyl pills. Coltrin intended to distribute these pills into the community.
On February 20, 2024, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford sentenced Tina Morris to 97 months in federal prison and Jamie Coltrin to 48 months in prison. The following day, Judge Brailsford sentenced Jenika Johnson and Daniel Coltrin to 48 months and 25 months in prison respectively. All four sentences are to be followed by three years of supervised release.
“These prosecutions reflect that the people of Idaho will not tolerate drug traffickers bringing their poisons into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “The backbone of our counter-drugs program is the partnership at the federal, state, and local level, and this holds true in the Magic Valley, where our teamwork is making a difference.”
“DEA and our partners will work tirelessly to stop drug traffickers from flooding our communities with drugs and violence,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The sentences in this case highlight the serious threat fentanyl and methamphetamine traffickers pose as well as our commitment to stop them.”
“Law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions are joining forces to combat the proliferation of illicit drugs within our communities,” said Idaho State Police Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Kelley. “Through unwavering collaboration, we will work tirelessly to dismantle the networks responsible for distributing drugs throughout Idaho. By disrupting these operations, we not only uphold the law but also prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens, ensuring our streets remain free from the harmful influence of drugs.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office as part of the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force, the Twin Falls Police Department Special Investigations Unit, the Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Pocatello Police Department, for their work on these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Booker and Francis Zebari prosecuted these cases.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Former St. Albans Auxiliary Police Officer Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Child Pornography CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Billy J. Griffith, 58, of St. Albans, was sentenced today to 11 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for receipt of child pornography and possession of prepubescent child pornography. Griffith must also register as a sex offender.
A federal jury found Griffith guilty on June 15, 2023, following a two-day trial. Evidence at trial showed that on August 24, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Griffith’s Baier Street residence. Officers obtained the search warrant for Griffith’s residence after tracing an Internet Protocol (IP) address that had been used to download multiple digital media files of child pornography. Griffith was an auxiliary officer with the St. Albans Police Department at the time of the search, and had been for approximately seven years. Griffith was also an exterminator, and his wife operated a child daycare at the residence.
Officers seized numerous electronic devices during the search of Griffith’s residence, including an external hard drive, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, and a cell phone. Griffith told officers that the electronic devices were his and that he had sole access to the computers and cell phone through password protections. An analysis found digital media files of child pornography on all four electronic devices, totaling 3,383 images and four video files.
United States Attorney Will Thompson and Assistant United States Attorneys Julie M. White, Andrew J. Tessman and J. Parker Bazzle II prosecuted the case.
“I am proud to work with all our law enforcement partners. I helped try this case personally because Mr. Griffith betrayed his position of trust in the community with criminal conduct that involved the degradation of prepubescent minors,” Thompson said. “I commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and our other law enforcement partners who investigated this case and analyzed the evidence.”
“Today’s sentence should serve as a reminder to all predators. We will not allow crimes against children to go unpunished,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “The FBI and our partners will continue to find, arrest, and prosecute those who seek to exploit our most vulnerable population, no matter who they are or what their profession is."
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-218.
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Former Couple Sentenced to Prison Terms for Illegally Trafficking over 80 Firearms from Georgia and Texas to the DMVRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Gregory Bournes Jr., 31, of Lancaster, Va., and Dream Jackson, 30, of Riverdale, Ga., were sentenced today in connection with trafficking more than 80 firearms into the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai, of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Bournes and Jackson each pleaded guilty on October 5, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States. They were sentenced by the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth. Based on the applicable federal sentencing guidelines, Judge Lamberth sentenced Bournes to 30 months in prison and Jackson to 27 months in prison. Following their prison terms, Bournes and Jackson will each serve three years of supervised release.
According to court papers, from February 2021 through February 2022, Bournes and Jackson—who were in a romantic relationship at the time—conspired to purchase firearms from licensed dealers in the States of Georgia and Texas and to transport and transfer the firearms to the District of Columbia and elsewhere, for the purpose of unlawfully reselling the firearms for profit. In total, Bournes and Jackson purchased more than 80 pistols, which they then sold to others. As part of their guilty pleas, Bournes and Jackson each admitted that they knew or had to reason to believe that their conduct would result in prohibited persons receiving firearms.
In March 2023, following their indictment by a federal grand jury, Bournes and Jackson were arrested in Georgia—where they both resided at the time—pursuant to warrants issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. They have remained in custody since the time of their guilty pleas.
Most of the firearms trafficked by Bournes and Jackson remain unaccounted for, and law enforcement in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area continue to recover the trafficked firearms in connection with criminal activity. To date, 34 firearms have been recovered by law enforcement. Several of those firearms had been used in furtherance of criminal activity, including an armed carjacking in the District of Columbia and an attempted murder in Prince George’s County.
The case was investigated by the ATF with valuable assistance from the ATF’s Washington Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine A. Pattison, with valuable assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas G. Strong.
Former Chicago Police Officer Sentenced to a Year in Prison for Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former Chicago Police Officer has been sentenced to a year in prison on a federal civil rights charge for sexually assaulting an individual while on duty.
JAMES SAJDAK, 65, of Chicago, pleaded guilty last year to one count of deprivation of civil rights, a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in federal prison. U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr. imposed the sentence Friday during a hearing in federal court in Chicago.
Sajdak admitted in a plea agreement that he sexually assaulted the victim on March 5, 2019. Sajdak, driving a marked squad car and wearing a police uniform while on duty, approached the victim on a street in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood. Sajdak said words to the effect of, “You can get in the front seat or you can get in the back,” by which he meant that the victim should get in the car or else be arrested. After the victim complied with his demand and got in the front seat of the squad car, Sajdak drove to an abandoned lot in a secluded area and forced the victim to engage in a sex act for Sajdak’s gratification, the plea agreement states.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.
“Defendant abused the power and responsibility with which he had been entrusted,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Morgan and Erika L. Csicsila argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. In addressing the need for a statutory maximum term of imprisonment, which the Court ultimately imposed, the government also argued, “Defendant’s misconduct diminishes the public’s trust in law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a whole.”
Florida Tax Preparer Sentenced for False Return ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Florida tax return preparer was sentenced today to two years in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by preparing and filing false tax returns for clients.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2017 through 2020, Phedson Dore and his co-conspirator ran Empire Tax Services and filed hundreds of false returns each year. Dore typically inflated federal income tax withholdings and reported fictitious itemized deductions to generate refunds for clients to which they were not entitled. To conceal his participation in the fraud, Dore did not always list on the returns his name as the person who prepared them or include Empire’s Electronic Filing Number (EFIN). Instead, he used his employees’ names and the EFINS of other return preparation businesses. Dore and his co-conspirator caused a loss to the IRS of approximately $970,000.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. ordered Dore to serve two years of supervised release and to pay approximately $970,976.00 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Brian Flanagan and Marissa Brodney of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney Richardson-Jones and Shannon Laurie for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Florida Tax Preparer Sentenced for False Return ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Florida tax return preparer was sentenced today to two years in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by preparing and filing false tax returns for clients.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2017 through 2020, Phedson Dore and his co-conspirator ran Empire Tax Services and filed hundreds of false returns each year. Dore typically inflated federal income tax withholdings and reported fictitious itemized deductions to generate refunds for clients to which they were not entitled. To conceal his participation in the fraud, Dore did not always list on the returns his name as the person who prepared them or include Empire’s Electronic Filing Number (EFIN). Instead, he used his employees’ names and the EFINS of other return preparation businesses. Dore and his co-conspirator caused a loss to the IRS of approximately $970,000.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. ordered Dore to serve two years of supervised release and to pay approximately $970,976.00 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Brian Flanagan and Marissa Brodney of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney Richardson-Jones and Shannon Laurie for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Family Dollar Stores LLC Pleads Guilty to Holding Consumer Products under Insanitary Conditions, Agrees to Pay $41.675 Million in Connection with Rodent-Infested WarehouseRead the Press Release
Family Dollar Stores LLC pleaded guilty today to holding food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics under insanitary conditions, related to a rodent infestation at the company’s West Memphis, Arkansas, distribution center.
A criminal information unsealed today in federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas, charged Family Dollar with one misdemeanor count of causing FDA-regulated products to become adulterated while being held under insanitary conditions. The company, a subsidiary of Dollar Tree Inc., entered into a plea agreement that includes a sentence of a fine and forfeiture amount totaling $41.675 million, the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case. The plea agreement also requires Family Dollar and Dollar Tree to meet robust corporate compliance and reporting requirements for the next three years. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney presided over the company’s guilty plea and sentencing at today’s hearing.
“When consumers go to the store, they have the right to expect that the food and drugs on the shelves have been kept in clean, uncontaminated conditions,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “When companies violate that trust and the laws designed to keep consumers safe, the public should rest assured: The Justice Department will hold those companies accountable.”
“Companies distributing and selling food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics must ensure that these products are being held in safe and sanitary conditions,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work closely with the FDA to investigate and prosecute those who put public health at risk by failing to meet this important obligation.”
“Consumers trust that products purchased from retail stores such as Family Dollar are safe,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “It is incomprehensible that Family Dollar knew about the rodent and pest issues at its distribution center in Arkansas but continued to ship products that were unsafe and insanitary. Knowingly selling these types of products not only places the public’s health at risk but erodes the trust consumers have in the products they purchase. Products shipped and sold are required to be safe for consumers and the safety of Arkansans and others are extremely important to this office. Let me be clear, if you conduct business in Arkansas and allow the shipment or sale of unsafe and insanitary products, you will be held accountable.”
“U.S. consumers rely on the FDA to ensure that their food is safe and wholesome,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Kansas City Field Office. “When companies put themselves above the law and distribute food that has been held under extremely insanitary conditions, putting the public’s health at risk, we will see that they are brought to justice.”
In pleading guilty, the company admitted that its Arkansas distribution center shipped FDA-regulated products to more than 400 Family Dollar stores in Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. According to the plea agreement, the company began receiving reports in August 2020 of mouse and pest issues with deliveries to stores. By the end of 2020, certain stores reported receiving rodents and rodent-damaged products from the warehouse. The company admitted that by no later than January 2021, some of its employees were aware that the insanitary conditions caused FDA-regulated products held at the warehouse to become adulterated in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).
According to the plea agreement, the company continued to ship FDA-regulated products from the warehouse until January 2022, when an FDA inspection revealed live rodents, dead and decaying rodents, rodent feces, urine, and odors, and evidence of gnawing and nesting throughout the facility. According to the plea agreement, subsequent fumigation of the facility resulted in the reported extermination of 1,270 rodents. On Feb. 18, 2022, the company voluntarily recalled all drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and human and animal food products sold since Jan. 1, 2021 in the 404 stores that had been serviced by the warehouse.
FDA-OCI Special Agents Chad Medaris and Daniel Allgeyer investigated the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorney Alisha Crovetto of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Peters and Cameron McCree for the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Family Dollar Stores LLC Pleads Guilty to Holding Consumer Products under Insanitary Conditions, Agrees to Pay $41.675 Million in Connection with Rodent-Infested WarehouseRead the Press Release
Family Dollar Stores LLC pleaded guilty today to holding food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics under insanitary conditions, related to a rodent infestation at the company’s West Memphis, Arkansas, distribution center.
A criminal information unsealed today in federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas, charged Family Dollar with one misdemeanor count of causing FDA-regulated products to become adulterated while being held under insanitary conditions. The company, a subsidiary of Dollar Tree Inc., entered into a plea agreement that includes a sentence of a fine and forfeiture amount totaling $41.675 million, the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case. The plea agreement also requires Family Dollar and Dollar Tree to meet robust corporate compliance and reporting requirements for the next three years. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney presided over the company’s guilty plea and sentencing at today’s hearing.
“When consumers go to the store, they have the right to expect that the food and drugs on the shelves have been kept in clean, uncontaminated conditions,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “When companies violate that trust and the laws designed to keep consumers safe, the public should rest assured: The Justice Department will hold those companies accountable.”
“Companies distributing and selling food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics must ensure that these products are being held in safe and sanitary conditions,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work closely with the FDA to investigate and prosecute those who put public health at risk by failing to meet this important obligation.”
“Consumers trust that products purchased from retail stores such as Family Dollar are safe,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “It is incomprehensible that Family Dollar knew about the rodent and pest issues at its distribution center in Arkansas but continued to ship products that were unsafe and insanitary. Knowingly selling these types of products not only places the public’s health at risk but erodes the trust consumers have in the products they purchase. Products shipped and sold are required to be safe for consumers and the safety of Arkansans and others are extremely important to this office. Let me be clear, if you conduct business in Arkansas and allow the shipment or sale of unsafe and insanitary products, you will be held accountable.”
“U.S. consumers rely on the FDA to ensure that their food is safe and wholesome,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Kansas City Field Office. “When companies put themselves above the law and distribute food that has been held under extremely insanitary conditions, putting the public’s health at risk, we will see that they are brought to justice.”
In pleading guilty, the company admitted that its Arkansas distribution center shipped FDA-regulated products to more than 400 Family Dollar stores in Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. According to the plea agreement, the company began receiving reports in August 2020 of mouse and pest issues with deliveries to stores. By the end of 2020, certain stores reported receiving rodents and rodent-damaged products from the warehouse. The company admitted that by no later than January 2021, some of its employees were aware that the insanitary conditions caused FDA-regulated products held at the warehouse to become adulterated in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).
According to the plea agreement, the company continued to ship FDA-regulated products from the warehouse until January 2022, when an FDA inspection revealed live rodents, dead and decaying rodents, rodent feces, urine, and odors, and evidence of gnawing and nesting throughout the facility. According to the plea agreement, subsequent fumigation of the facility resulted in the reported extermination of 1,270 rodents. On Feb. 18, 2022, the company voluntarily recalled all drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and human and animal food products sold since Jan. 1, 2021 in the 404 stores that had been serviced by the warehouse.
The FDA-OCI investigated the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorney Alisha Crovetto of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Peters and Cameron McCree for the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Evansville man sentenced for willfully injuring government propertyRead the Press Release
Stephen Clifford Swingle, age 45, of Evansville, Wyoming, was sentenced to six years’ probation for willfully injuring government property. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 20 and ordered the defendant to pay $5,839.50 in restitution.
Swingle pled guilty to the charges on Nov. 16, 2023. According to court documents, starting in August 2022, campground fee tubes at the Muddy Mountain Environmental Education Area in Natrona County were broken into four times resulting in the theft of camping fees and significant property damage. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) placed game cameras in the area and captured multiple images of Swingle and his truck in the area around the time of the break-ins. When interviewed by investigators, Swingle admitted to breaking into and stealing the fee tubes.
This crime was investigated by the BLM and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne Martens.
Case No. 23-CR-00094