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22 February 2024
Couple Charged for $2 Million Bank Loan and COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte charges Antoine Johnson, 48, and Kimberly Maddox, 43, formerly of Huntersville, N.C., currently residing in Georgia, with fraudulently obtaining approximately $2 million in bank loans and COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, announced Dena J. King U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations in the indictment, the defendants owned and operated Pick Up and Go Moving International, Inc. and affiliated businesses (collectively, PUGMI). Johnson was the president of PUGMI and Maddox the vice president. The indictment alleges that, between 2018 and 2023, the defendants fraudulently obtained multiple lines of credit, bank loans, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program loans on behalf of their businesses totaling approximately $2 million. To secure the loans, the defendants allegedly lied on loan applications about PUGMI’s income, gross revenues, expenses, and number of employees, and submitted fabricated supporting documents that included fraudulent tax returns and fictitious financial statements.
The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and making false statements to a financial institution and face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making the announcement U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI for their investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Connecticut Man Sentenced to 210 Months’ Imprisonment for Enticement of A Minor and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Capozza, age 42, of Newington, Connecticut, was sentenced yesterday to 210 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for the online enticement of a minor and production of child pornography.
Capozza previously pleaded guilty to one count of online enticement of a minor and one count of production of child pornography. Between July 23, 2020, and December 31, 2020, Capozza used Snapchat to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, including to engage in sexual intercourse with Capozza and to travel with him to Connecticut and Massachusetts for the purposes of continuing their illegal sexual activity together. On or about August 23, 2020, Capozza persuaded, induced, and enticed the same minor victim to make several pornographic videos and then send those videos to him via Snapchat.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Omaha, Nebraska Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Connecticut and Nebraska. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Cleveland Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
AKRON – Curtis Anderson, age 53, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison and 5 years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after a jury previously convicted him of participating in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
According to court documents and testimony, in June 2021, Anderson’s coconspirator, Earl King, boarded a flight from Cleveland, Ohio to Brownsville, Texas. Law enforcement searched King’s checked bag and found that it contained approximately $154,000 in cash hidden inside of a hollowed-out desktop computer. Several days later, law enforcement seized a UPS parcel containing approximately eleven kilograms of cocaine that had been shipped from a UPS store in Brownsville to an address in Cleveland. The cocaine in the UPS parcel was hidden inside a similar type of hollowed-out desktop computer tower. Law enforcement subsequently searched Earl King’s apartment in Cleveland as part of the investigation and seized several cell phones from the apartment. Those cell phones had numerous saved text messages showing that King, Anderson, Donnell Gochett, and others were all participating in a conspiracy to smuggle kilograms of cocaine across the US-Mexico border near Brownsville, and then ship the cocaine kilograms back to Cleveland in UPS parcels.
Based on a review of cell phone evidence, flight records, and UPS shipment records, Curtis Anderson’s role in the conspiracy included providing cash for King to travel to the border to purchase cocaine kilograms from a person, who was a Mexican national, providing King with an address in Cleveland where the cocaine parcels could be shipped, tracking the delivery status of the UPS parcels, selling the cocaine after it was shipped back to Cleveland, and traveling to the US-Mexico border to meet with others.
Earl King and Donnell Gochett both previously pleaded guilty. King was sentenced to 180 months in prison, and Gochett was sentenced to 100 months in prison.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the DEA and the Cleveland Division of Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Lewis and Yasmine Makridis.
Clarksdale resident sentenced to prison for assaulting a postal carrierRead the Press Release
Oxford, MS – A Clarksdale, Mississippi resident was sentenced today to serve the statutory maximum sentence of eight years in prison following his conviction for assaulting a U.S. Postal carrier.
According to court documents, John Scott, 21 years old, assaulted a U.S. Postal carrier and attempted to force the carrier to perform oral sex on February 11, 2023. Scott was arrested that day and has remained in Federal custody since.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills ordered Scott to serve 96 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He also recommended that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons evaluate Scott for sexual dangerousness under Federal law.
“Postal employees and all gainfully employed people should be able to do their jobs without being victimized by violent individuals,” remarked U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “We hope that today’s sentence will send a message that this type of violence against unsuspecting, hard-working individuals in the workplace will not go unpunished.”
“The safety and security of Postal Service employees is core to the mission of the Postal Inspection Service. While assaults against our employees are rare, when they do occur, we will aggressively investigate to find those responsible and bring them to justice,” said Scott Fix, Inspector-in-Charge of the Houston Division. “The severity of the sentencing handed down to John Thomas Scott shows that the Judge has also taken the physical assault against our Letter Carrier seriously. We extend our appreciation to the Clarksdale Police Department that assisted with this investigation.”
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Clarksdale, Mississippi Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Roberts prosecuted the case.
City Man Convicted of Drug, Gun Offenses for Role in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Organization Operating in Port Richmond Section of PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Phillip Gillard, 46, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted at trial on February 16, 2024, of federal drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
On July 18, 2023, a grand jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania returned a 54-count superseding indictment charging Gillard and eight co-defendants with their participation in a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, in the immediate vicinity of the Memphis Street Academy, a charter school located at 2950 Memphis Street.
The charges in the indictment arose from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s two-year investigation into the Gillard drug trafficking organization, which supplied other drug traffickers with wholesale quantities of methamphetamine, phencyclidine (“PCP”), fentanyl, and other narcotics.
Throughout the course of the investigation, law enforcement agents conducted surveillance and undercover sting operations during which drugs were purchased from the defendants. Gillard and his co-defendants maintained three separate properties in connection with their drug trafficking organization, all of which were less than 1,000 feet away from the Memphis Street Academy.
In total, the FBI confiscated over 20 pounds of pure methamphetamine, three gallons of PCP, one and a half kilograms of cocaine, 900 grams of crack cocaine, 400 grams of fentanyl, and 11 firearms.
Gillard now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Co-defendants Diane Gillard, Raphael Sanchez, Sharif Jackson, Amin Whitehead, Cesar Maldonado, and Terrence Maxwell previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and also face maximum sentences of life in prison. Co-defendants Melvin Dreher and Arron Preno previously pleaded guilty and face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Philadelphia Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations, with extraordinary cooperation from the Memphis Street Academy, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Robert W. Schopf.
Cheshire Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Tax Offenses Stemming from Nearly $1 Million Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIN SULLIVAN, 53, of Cheshire, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and tax offenses stemming from an embezzlement scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sullivan was employed as the office manager for a family-owned construction business, identified in court documents in “Company A,” based in Orange. Beginning at least as early as 2016, Sullivan made false entries into Company A’s payroll and accounting system that caused the system to generate hundreds of fraudulent checks payable to her or to “Petty Cash.” Almost immediately after she generated a fraudulent check, Sullivan changed the reference in the payroll and accounting system to show that it had been issued to a different payee. Sullivan sometimes generated checks in the name of Company A’s owner, forged the signature of Company A’s owner on the checks, and either cashed the checks or deposited them into her bank account. She also altered the payroll and accounting system in other ways, which resulted in her receiving additional pay to which she was not entitled. Through this scheme, Sullivan embezzled $955,960.71 from Company A.
In addition, Sullivan failed to pay $233,738 in federal income taxes on her embezzled income for the 2016 through 2021 tax years.
Judge Dooley ordered Sullivan to pay restitution of more than $1.17 million. Sullivan has paid approximately $640,000 in restitution to date.
On October 30, 2023, Sullivan pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion.
Sullivan, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 8.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the Orange Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.
Charlotte Man Pleads Guilty to Committing Bank Fraud Using Stolen MailRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Douglas Gumbs, 38, of Charlotte, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to committing bank fraud using stolen mail, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which oversees Charlotte, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed documents and court proceedings, from February 2022 to April 2023, Gumbs and Soheil Akhavan Rezaie, targeted neighborhoods in Charlotte and surrounding areas and stole large quantities of mail from residential mailboxes. The stolen mail included credit cards, tax forms, financial statements, personal identifying information (PII), and personal and business bank checks. Gumbs used the stolen mail to commit bank fraud by altering the amounts of the stolen checks or changing the names of the payees to his own and then depositing the altered checks into bank accounts he controlled. Gumbs then withdrew the funds before the victims and financial institutions had an opportunity to determine the checks were stolen. Gumbs also admitted to using fraudulent identification to execute the fraud. Over the course of the investigation, Gumbs was found to be in possession of more than 850 pieces of stolen mail that belonged to at least 10 victims.
Gumbs pleaded guilty to bank fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of 30 years and a $1 million fine. Gumbs is currently in custody. A sentencing date has not been set. Rezaie was previously convicted for related conduct and was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and USPIS for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is in charge of the prosecution.
Each year, the U.S. Postal Service® handles billions of letters and packages, the majority of which arrive safely at their intended destinations. According to USPIS, here are the extra steps the public can take to prevent mail theft and ensure that mail arrives safely at its destination:
- Promptly pick up mail – try not to leave letters and packages in the mailbox or at the door unattended for any length of time.
- Deposit mail close to pick up time – deposit outgoing mail into collection boxes before the last collection or inside the local postal office.
- Inquire about overdue mail – if you have not received valuable or important mail you’re expecting, contact the sender to inquire about it.
- Do not send cash – be careful about what you are sending in the mail. Avoid mailing cash and gift cards.
- Arrange for prompt pick up – if you will not be available to receive a package in person, contact the postal service to hold your package.
- Use the Hold for Pick Up option – when shipping packages, use the Hold for Pick Up option, so the recipients can pick up package at their local post office.
- Request signature confirmation – when mailing important mail, consider requesting a signature confirmation from the recipient.
- File a change of address – when moving, promptly file a change of address with the Postal Service.
To report suspected mail theft, please call USPIS at 1-877-876-2455.
Charlotte Man Pleads Guilty to Committing Bank Fraud Using Stolen MailRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Douglas Gumbs, 38, of Charlotte, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to committing bank fraud using stolen mail, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which oversees Charlotte, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed documents and court proceedings, from February 2022 to April 2023, Gumbs and Soheil Akhavan Rezaie, targeted neighborhoods in Charlotte and surrounding areas and stole large quantities of mail from residential mailboxes. The stolen mail included credit cards, tax forms, financial statements, personal identifying information (PII), and personal and business bank checks. Gumbs used the stolen mail to commit bank fraud by altering the amounts of the stolen checks or changing the names of the payees to his own and then depositing the altered checks into bank accounts he controlled. Gumbs then withdrew the funds before the victims and financial institutions had an opportunity to determine the checks were stolen. Gumbs also admitted to using fraudulent identification to execute the fraud. Over the course of the investigation, Gumbs was found to be in possession of more than 850 pieces of stolen mail that belonged to at least 10 victims.
Gumbs pleaded guilty to bank fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of 30 years and a $1 million fine. Gumbs is currently in custody. A sentencing date has not been set. Rezaie was previously convicted for related conduct and was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and USPIS for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is in charge of the prosecution.
Each year, the U.S. Postal Service® handles billions of letters and packages, the majority of which arrive safely at their intended destinations. According to USPIS, here are the extra steps the public can take to prevent mail theft and ensure that mail arrives safely at its destination:
- Promptly pick up mail – try not to leave letters and packages in the mailbox or at the door unattended for any length of time.
- Deposit mail close to pick up time – deposit outgoing mail into collection boxes before the last collection or inside the local postal office.
- Inquire about overdue mail – if you have not received valuable or important mail you’re expecting, contact the sender to inquire about it.
- Do not send cash – be careful about what you are sending in the mail. Avoid mailing cash and gift cards.
- Arrange for prompt pick up – if you will not be available to receive a package in person, contact the postal service to hold your package.
- Use the Hold for Pick Up option – when shipping packages, use the Hold for Pick Up option, so the recipients can pick up package at their local post office.
- Request signature confirmation – when mailing important mail, consider requesting a signature confirmation from the recipient.
- File a change of address – when moving, promptly file a change of address with the Postal Service.
To report suspected mail theft, please call USPIS at 1-877-876-2455.
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who distributed methamphetamine, possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, and possessed a firearm as a prohibited person, was sentenced today to more than 19 years in federal prison.
Dennis Wayne Hager, age 65, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 1, 2023 guilty plea to two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm as a felon and drug user.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that on May 25, 2021, Hager distributed 110 grams of methamphetamine to another person. On June 1, 2021, Hager distributed 222 grams of methamphetamine to another person. That day, law enforcement officers searched his home and found a firearm that Hager was prohibited from possessing because he was a felon and methamphetamine user. Hager had four felony convictions related to drugs. Finally, on September 1, 2021, Hager possessed over 100 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
Hager was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Hager was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
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.
Hager 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 Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-40.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Carjacker of Pizza Delivery Driver in St. Louis Sentenced to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White on Thursday sentenced a man who carjacked a pizza delivery driver and crashed the stolen vehicle after a police chase to 11 years in prison.
On July 29, 2022, Jacoby Watts and others carjacked a Domino's Pizza delivery driver in St. Louis, Missouri. A juvenile pointed a gun at the delivery driver and Watts drove the carjacked 2019 Dodge Charger away. Police later tracked the vehicle to East St. Louis. Watts fled, leading police on a chase that ended back in St. Louis when Watts crashed into other vehicles, injuring one of the other drivers. Police found two ski masks in the car, as well as the loaded.45-caliber Glock 21 that was used in the carjacking.
Watts, now 21, of Belleville, Illinois, pleaded guilty in November to one count of carjacking and one count of possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Illinois State Police, the East St. Louis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra Wiemken prosecuted the case.
Bronx Man Pleads Guilty to Charges of Interstate Transportation of Money Stolen from Skilled Gaming MachinesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of interstate transportation of stolen money and conspiracy to transport stolen money in interstate commerce, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Roland Jose Pena, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between April 2022 and March 2023, Pena and various others from the New York City area traveled to dozens of stores in Pennsylvania and Virginia and, in a coordinated effort, broke into and stole money from skilled gaming machines located in those stores. Pena and his conspirators then traveled back to New York with the stolen money. In the plea agreement, Pena agreed that he and his conspirators caused losses of at least $550,000.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the Court detained the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with police departments in Pennsylvania and Virginia, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pena.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Prison for Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENNETH JOYNER, 33, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for firearm and drug offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2022, Bridgeport Police stopped Joyner’s car for motor vehicle violations. Joyner was arrested after he was found in possession of a loaded Polymer P80 9mm semi-automatic pistol (“ghost gun”) and several bags of marijuana that he intended to sell. A subsequent search of Joyner’s residence revealed a loaded Ruger P95 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, marijuana that Joyner intended to sell, and drug paraphernalia.
On November 28, 2023, Joyner pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Joyner has been detained since his federal arrest on April 13, 2023.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Karen L. Peck through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Bank Fraud Charges Added to Indictment Against Swiss Businessman in Connection to Russian Oligarch’s SuperyachtRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A superseding indictment, unsealed today, charges Vladislav Osipov, 52, a Russian national who resides in Switzerland, with five counts of bank fraud, in addition to charges previously lodged, in connection with the operation of a 255-foot luxury superyacht owned by the sanctioned Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg.
The superyacht, registered in the Cook Islands, is known as the Motor Yacht (M/Y) Tango (International Maritime Organization number 1010703). The Tango was the first superyacht to be seized by the U.S. government under court order following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The new charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin Winston of the Minneapolis Field Office, and Task Force Klepto-Capture Co-Directors Michael Khoo and David Lim.
Osipov remains at large. The U.S. State Department today offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. The reward is offered under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.
Osipov was previously indicted in November 2022 on multiple charges in connection with operating the superyacht that included conspiracy to defraud the United States; violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; and money laundering. The superseding indictment brings the total number of charges to 17, and seeks the forfeiture of Tango and all fees, payments, and monies derived from services performed on its behalf.
According to the superseding indictment, despite U.S. sanctions that had been previously issued against Vekselberg in 2018, Osipov and a co-conspirator facilitated the operation of the Tango through the use of U.S. companies and the U.S. financial system, attempting to obfuscate Vekselberg’s involvement in the vessel.
“Facilitators of sanctions evasion enable the oligarchs supporting Vladimir Putin’s regime to flout U.S. law,” said U.S Attorney Graves. “The United States will not allow its financial institutions and persons to be manipulated or defrauded for the purposes of benefitting those who support tyranny.”
“The security of our financial systems and protection of our nation's economic integrity are of utmost importance,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The FBI will not relent in ensuring that U.S. law is upheld and that our financial institutions remain impervious to exploitation by those who support tyranny.”
Osipov served in senior positions in multiple companies controlled by Vekselberg. Among his many roles, Osipov functioned as Vekselberg’s personal manager of Tango. Osipov designed a complicated ownership structure of shell companies to hide Vekselberg’s ownership of the superyacht, despite that Vekselberg designed the vessel, was its sole user, and was the ultimate beneficial owner. The conduct enabled Vekselberg to evade the Treasury Department’s “Know Your Customer” regulations applicable to U.S. financial institutions and the reporting of transactions to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Vekselberg is described by the Treasury Department as the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Renova Group, which is comprised of asset management companies and investment funds that own and manage assets in several sectors of the Russian economy, including tech and energy.
As alleged, after Vekselberg was sanctioned in April 2018, he hired a yacht management company in Palma de Mallorca, Spain to take over the management of Tango. Osipov and his employees instructed the yacht management company to avoid doing business with banks in Tango’s true name. The management company, thereafter, devised a scheme to use a false name for the yacht, “the Fanta,” to hide from financial institutions that payments were ultimately for the benefit of Tango and Vekselberg, a practice to which Osipov and his employees assented. The bank account for Tango thereafter bore the reference name “Fanta” on the bank records. Additionally, Osipov instructed employees of the superyacht, to include its captains, that they could continue to do business with U.S. companies despite sanctions, as it was up to the U.S. companies to decide what to do. Osipov further instructed the same employees that the yacht management company could organize payments for the superyacht in dollars, and then be reimbursed by Vekselberg (through Osipov) in Euros.
Thus, due to these instructions from Osipov, Vekselberg’s personal yacht manager, the superyacht’s management company and its employees conveyed false information to U.S. financial institutions and conducted business with U.S. companies, in an effort to avoid the impact of U.S. sanctions against Vekselberg. Tango employees used their own credit cards to purchase an array of items from U.S. companies on behalf of the superyacht, only to be reimbursed by the yacht management company. Tango employees ordered goods through use of a U.S. internet service provider as an intermediary, who then billed the same items back to the yacht management company. Items purchased included navigation and computer software, luxury monogramed bath robes, leather basket magazine holders, weather forecasting software, internet computing systems, satellite television, and teleconferencing software, all products of U.S.-origin products or services supplied by U.S. companies.
As a result of the obfuscations, U.S. financial institutions unknowingly processed hundreds of thousands of dollars of transactions for Tango that they otherwise would not have permitted had they known of Vekselberg’s involvement in the financial transaction. The financial institutions received information, all done in furtherance of the scheme designed by Osipov, that the goods were sold to the Tango employees, the U.S. internet service provider, and to “the Fanta.” Further, these payments and Vekselberg’s involvement in them were not reported to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
On April 4, 2022, Spanish law enforcement executed a Spanish court order freezing Tango. The Spanish acted following a request from the Department of Justice that it assist with the execution of a seizure warrant, issued in March 2022 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which alleged that Tango was subject to forfeiture based on violations of U.S. law.
The case is part of the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The task force leverages all the Department’s tools and authorities against efforts to evade or undermine the economic actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
The charges are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted of any offense, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office. Valuable assistance has been provided by the Spanish Guardia Civil - Jefatura de Informacion - Unidad Especial Numero III (UCE-III). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert and Maeghan Mikorski and Paralegal Brian Rickers, with valuable assistance provided by Paralegal Jorge Casillas and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick, all of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in working with the Spanish authorities throughout this matter.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Designates Jonathan Mayer to Serve as the Justice Department’s First Chief Science and Technology Advisor and Chief AI OfficerRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced today the designation of Jonathan Mayer as the Justice Department’s first Chief Science and Technology Advisor and Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer.
“The Justice Department must keep pace with rapidly evolving scientific and technological developments in order to fulfill our mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights,” said Attorney General Garland. “Jonathan’s expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that the entire Justice Department — including our law enforcement components, litigating components, grantmaking entities, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices — is prepared for both the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present.”
As the Chief Science and Technology Advisor, Mayer will advise the Attorney General and Justice Department leadership and collaborate with components across the Department on complex issues requiring technical expertise, including on matters relating to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other areas of emerging technology. Mayer will also spearhead the Department’s technological capacity-building efforts, including by advising on recruiting technical talent to ensure the Department has the expertise and is equipped to meet the challenges ahead.
Mayer will serve in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy, which is developing a team of technical and policy experts in technology-related areas important to the Department’s responsibilities, including cybersecurity and AI. This team will advise leadership, as well as collaborate and coordinate with components across the Department and with federal partners on cutting-edge technological issues.
Additionally, in accordance with the President’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, Attorney General Garland designated Mayer as the Justice Department’s Chief AI Officer. In this role, he will work on intra-departmental and cross-agency efforts on AI and adjacent issues. He will also lead the Justice Department’s newly established Emerging Technology Board, which coordinates and governs AI and other emerging technologies across the Department.
Mayer is an assistant professor at Princeton University’s Department of Computer Science and School of Public and International Affairs. His research has focused on the intersection of technology, policy, and law with an emphasis in criminal procedure, national security, and consumer protection. Mayer holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.
The mission of the Office of Legal Policy is to develop and implement the Justice Department’s significant policy initiatives, handle special projects that implicate the interests of multiple Department components, coordinate with other interested Department components and other Executive Branch agencies, and serve as the primary policy advisor to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.
Associate of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Home Invasion RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the violent Boston gang Cameron Street pleaded guilty today to committing an armed home invasion robbery with fellow gang members.
Brendon Amado, 27, of Randolph, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2024.
Amado was identified as an associate of Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston. According to court documents, Cameron Street members use violence, including murder and attempted murder, to preserve, protect and expand their territory. They allegedly use social media to promote Cameron Street, celebrate murders and other violent crimes and denigrate rival gangs. They allegedly possess, carry and use firearms; distribute controlled substances; commit armed robberies; and engage in human trafficking in part to generate income.
In July 2018, Amado, along with Cameron Street members and co-defendants Deronde Bethea and Michael Nguyen, committed a home invasion robbery with firearms of two victims at the home of a rival drug dealer in Canton. Amado, Bethea and Nguyen broke into the home through the back door, wearing masks and dark hoodies and carrying firearms. One victim ran out of the front door of the house and called 911. The second victim was brought into the living room, punched in the head, had a gun put to her head. as the men ransacked the house demanding, “where’s the stuff, where’s the money, where’s your boyfriend?” Amado, Bethea and Nguyen later fled the house in a silver pickup truck after stealing $2,000 in cash and a safe. Among other evidence, Amado and Bethea were identified on convenience store surveillance footage shortly before the robbery took place.
Nguyen pleaded guilty in December 2023 and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2024. Bethea pleaded guilty on on Feb. 12, 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, 2024.
Conspiracy to interference with commerce by threats or violence provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, and Boston Police Commissioner Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ardmore Resident Sentenced for Cyberstalking, Assault with A Dangerous Weapon, Receipt and Possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Material, and Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Geovanta Ty’Kearon Lee, age 23, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a total of 255 months in prison for one count of Cyberstalking, one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, one count of Discharging of a Firearm during and in relation to a Crime of Violence, one count of Receipt of Material involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and one count of Possession of Material involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
The charges arose from investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the City of Ardmore Police Department.
On March 1, 2023, a federal jury found Lee guilty at trial on all counts. According to investigators, on February 21, 2022, Lee assaulted the victim with a firearm, fired a round into the victim’s vehicle, then fled the scene. In the weeks after the assault, Lee used social media and phone calls to intimidate the victim. Phones recovered from Lee's home during the course of the investigation showed that Lee received and possessed a video depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The crimes occurred in Carter County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Lee 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 Patrick Flanigan represented the United States.
Angola Man Sentenced to 92 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –Nolan Thomas, 36 years old, of Angola, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Thomas was sentenced to 92 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in December 2022, law enforcement received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child sexual abuse material being uploaded to an online storage site. After investigation, law enforcement determined the origin of the upload to be an account associated with Thomas. After obtaining a search warrant in January 2023 for Thomas’ Angola home, law enforcement recovered evidence of Thomas’ possession of child sexual abuse material. During a post-Miranda interview, Thomas admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Angola Police Department and the Lagrange Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Anderson Man Sentenced to over Fifteen Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of Anderson BankRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Raymond Johnson, 35, of Anderson, Indiana, has been sentenced to 184 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bank robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to court documents, on September 23, 2021, around 4:20pm, Johnson entered a First Merchants Bank in Anderson, Indiana, armed with a handgun. Johnson immediately brandished his firearm, jumped onto the teller counter, ordered employees to the ground, and demanded money. Johnson also fired one shot into the teller cabinet.
In total, Johnson left with $13,585 in cash. Johnson was arrested by Anderson Police Department Officers in the early morning of September 24th.
“This violent criminal didn’t just rob a bank of customer deposits, he robbed everyone inside the bank of their sense security and peace,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Gun crimes have a negative impact on our entire community, and the sentence imposed today demonstrates that this conduct simply not be tolerated. The people of Anderson are safer with this defendant off of our streets, thanks to the hard work of the FBI, the Anderson Police Department, and our federal prosecutors.”
FBI and the Anderson Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman, Judge Brookman also ordered Johnson to be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison and pay back the $13,585 in full.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jayson W. McGrath and Pam S. Domash, who prosecuted this case.
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A Leader of Gorilla Stone Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Murder of 15-Year-Old and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BRANDON SOTO, a/k/a “Stacks,” was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern to 35 years in prison for racketeering, transferring a firearm to a juvenile, and conspiracy to commit arson arising out of his leadership role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang (“Gorilla Stone”). As part of his participation in the racketeering conspiracy, SOTO planned out and ordered a fellow gang member, who was a teenager at the time, to murder a rival gang member. On September 21, 2020, SOTO drove the shooter to the location and provided him with the gun and directions to commit the shooting. With people, including small children, nearby, the shooter shot Jalani Jones in the head, killing him instantly. Jones was just 15 years old at the time. Following the murder, SOTO took numerous steps to avoid detection, including setting fire to the car that was used in connection with the murder and ordering the deletion of social media accounts associated with those involved. SOTO previously pled guilty on October 27, 2022, before Judge Halpern to one count of conspiring to conduct and participate in the conduct of the affairs of a criminal enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, one count of transferring a firearm to a juvenile, and one count of conspiracy to commit arson.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Brandon Soto used his leadership role in the violent Gorilla Stone gang to direct a teenager to kill a 15-year-old boy, who was riding his bike down the street. This horrific act of violence was committed in broad daylight as small children looked on just feet away. Today’s sentence holds Soto accountable for the senseless murder of Jalani Jones, as well as for his yearslong participation in the wide range of crimes committed by the Gorilla Stone gang. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively prosecute those who engage in such violence in our communities.”
According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:
Since at least 2004, Gorilla Stone has been a brutally violent street gang with a national presence that was founded by SOTO’s co-defendant Dwight Reid, a/k/a “Dick Wolf.” Gorilla Stone has many members across New York State, including throughout New York City, Westchester, and the New York State Prison System, and all over the country. Gorilla Stone is comprised of various sets (or “Caves” as they are called by gang members). Gorilla Stone is a highly organized and efficient street gang with an organizational commitment to violence that strictly enforces its internal laws.
For years, SOTO participated in and was associated with the Gorilla Stone racketeering conspiracy. Over time, SOTO rose to a leadership role in the gang. SOTO took an active role in the gang’s distribution of crack cocaine, which is one of the main ways the gang made money. SOTO was also one of the gang’s more violent members. SOTO bragged about his access to firearms and directed that his reports in the gang commit retaliatory acts of violence, the most significant of which was his direction and involvement in the murder of Jalani Jones. Following the murder of Mr. Jones, SOTO got a new phone number and directed another Gorilla Stone member to delete relevant social media accounts to avoid being caught. Days after the murder, SOTO’s car, which he had used in connection with the murder, was towed. SOTO went with other Gorilla Stone members to the lot where the car was parked, stole the car from the lot, and then set it on fire in a further effort to avoid being caught.
SOTO’s violence extended beyond his involvement in the murder of Mr. Jones. SOTO violently attacked someone in the street, punching and kicking the man in the head and body as he lay defenseless on the ground and ultimately became unconscious. As SOTO beat the man unconscious, he yelled “You’re not Gorilla.” The violent incident was recorded on video, and SOTO proudly posted the video to his Instagram account.
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In addition to the prison term, SOTO, 26, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
All 21 defendants in the Gorilla Stone case before Judge Halpern have been convicted. With SOTO’s sentencing today, 14 defendants have been sentenced and seven defendants have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing. The 13 defendants aside from SOTO who have been sentenced by Judge Halpern to date are:
- Godfather DONAVAN GILLARD, a/k/a “Donnie Love,” who was sentenced to 248 months in prison;
- Godmother NAYA AUSTIN, a/k/a “Baby,” who was sentenced to 234 months in prison;
- Godmother BRINAE THORNTON, a/k/a “Luxury,” who was sentenced to 210 months in prison;
- JARRETT CRISLER, Jr., a/k/a “Jayecee,” who was sentenced to 207 months in prison;
- CASWELL SENIOR, a/k/a “Casanova,” who was sentenced to 188 months in prison;
- Godfather BRANDON NIEVES, a/k/a “Untouchable Dot,” who was sentenced to 110 months in prison;
- JAMAL TRENT, a/k/a “Trap Smoke,” who was sentenced to nine years in prison;
- DEZON WASHINGTON, a/k/a “Blakk,” who was sentenced to 97 months in prison;
- ROBERTA SLIGH, a/k/a “Trouble,” who was sentenced to eight years in prison;
- JORDAN INGRAM, a/k/a “Flow,” who was sentenced to eight years in prison;
- STEPHEN HUGH, a/k/a “Chino,” who was sentenced to seven years in prison;
- ISAIAH SANTOS, a/k/a “Zay,” who was sentenced to seven years in prison; and
- SHANAY OUTLAW, a/k/a “Easy,” who was sentenced to three years in prison.
Five additional defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing: Godfather DESHAWN THOMAS, a/k/a “Don,” Godfather WALTER LUSTER, a/k/a “Shells,” AHMED WALKER, a/k/a “Ammo,” NEIKO CRUDUP, a/k/a “JhitRilla,” and ROBERT WOODS, a/k/a “Blakk Rob.” Finally, DWIGHT REID a/k/a “Dick Wolf,” and CHRISTOPHER ERSKINE, a/k/a “Beagle,” were convicted following a jury trial and are awaiting sentencing.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (“FBI”) Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of special agents and task force officers from the FBI; U.S. Probation; New York State Police; New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; New York City Police Department; Westchester County Police Department; Westchester County District Attorney’s Office; Putnam County Sheriff’s Office; Rockland District Attorney’s Office; and the Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Greenburgh, White Plains, Peekskill, Ramapo, and Clarkstown Police Departments. Mr. Williams also thanked the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office and the Poughkeepsie Police Department for their assistance.
This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shiva H. Logarajah, David R. Felton, Courtney L. Heavey, and Kathryn Wheelock are in charge of the prosecution.
17 Charged in Abilene Drug BustRead the Press Release
Seventeen alleged drug dealers were charged following a large scale drug bust in Abilene on Wednesday, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
The operation involved more than 80 agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Abilene Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives' Dallas Field Division, and IRS – Criminal Investigations. Over the course of the operation, agents seized 29 kilos of meth, 721 grams of cocaine, 1370 grams of fentanyl, and 60 firearms.
Those charged in four separate indictments unsealed Thursday include:
- Diana Nichole Perez, aka Diana Santana, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Orson Rolando Ortegon, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Rafael Perez, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Eddie Ochoa Lomas, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Angel Alvarez, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Hannah Rai Gongora, aka Hannah Alvarez, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and possession of firearms (a Taurus 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and a Sarsilmaz 9mm semiautomatic pistol missing a serial number) in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Jacob Lee DeLeon, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Jason Eugene DeLeon, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Nathaniel Deal, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Lisa Ann Beckham, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Gloria Santibanez, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Petra Soliz, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Alexandrea Delgado, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Laura Trevino, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Juan Manuel Oliveros, Jr., charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Joseph Brassell, charged with possession to distribute fentanyl
- Joshua Gosson: charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and with possession of a firearms (a Rohm, RG10 Model, .22 caliber short barrel revolver) in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, some defendants face up to life in federal prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and the Abilene Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives' Dallas Field Division, and the IRS – Criminal Investigations. The cases are being prosecuted by the West Texas Branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
13 Defendants Indicted in Connection with Two Drug Trafficking ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Thirteen defendants have been indicted in connection with drug trafficking organizations out of Manchester and Concord, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Over the past week and a half, law enforcement arrested nine of these defendants on conspiracies to distribute controlled substance charges, namely methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The following defendants have been indicted in connection with these charges:
- Rashidahmed Cantave, 42, of Boston, Massachusetts, who was released on federal pretrial supervision.
- Matthew Schnell, 43, of Bellingham, Massachusetts, who is in federal custody.
- Thomas Conway, 53, of Bedford, New Hampshire, who is in federal custody.
- Michael Raiche, 47, of Manchester, New Hampshire, who is in federal custody.
- Angel Demarco, 41, of Manchester, New Hampshire, who is in federal custody.
- Anthony Conley, 47, of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, who is in federal custody.
- Dennis Drew, 50, of Northfield, New Hampshire, who is in federal custody.
- Robby Lewis, 51, of Manchester, New Hampshire, who is in federal custody.
- Maureen Corsetti, 34, of Manchester, New Hampshire, who was released on federal pretrial supervision.
- Serene Hull, 38, of Concord, New Hampshire, who is in federal custody.
- Zachary Albert, 42, of Concord, New Hampshire, who is in state custody.
- Jeremy Trask, 35, of Milford, New Hampshire, who is in state custody.
- Alton Ryan, 50, of Boscawen, New Hampshire, who is in state custody.
According to court documents and statements made in court, these drug trafficking rings have allegedly been supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl to customers since at least October 2022.
The charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Major Offender Task Force and the New Hampshire State Police led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department, the Concord Police Department, the Bow Police Department, and the Seabrook Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarad E. Hodes and Heather A. Cherniske are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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11 Defendants Indicted for $220,000 Covid Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Eleven defendants from Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Washington have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy that resulted in more than $220,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Daisha Sanders, 32, and her boyfriend, Joel Wright, 34, both formerly of Blue Springs, Mo., and her mother, Denise Sanders, 60, all of Royse, Texas; Shaquille Fielder, 31, of Kansas City, Mo.; Jordan Nichols, 30, of North Kansas City, Mo.; Kiandra Crowe, 33, of Grandview, Mo.; Alfred Hayes IV, 29, of Overland Park, Kansas; Luana McNurlin, 36, of St. Louis, Mo.; Rashonda Golden, 34, of Tacoma, Washington; Roxanne Nazir, 38, of Arlington, Texas; and Jeffrey Chillis, 30, of Corpus Christi, Texas, were charged in a 13-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 6, 2024.
That indictment was unsealed and made public today following the arrests of nine defendants. Crowe, Hayes, McNurlin and Fielder will have their initial court appearances in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., today. Daisha and Denise Sanders, Wright, Nazir and Chillis were arrested in Texas and will have their first court appearances tomorrow.
The federal indictment alleges that each of the 11 defendants participated in a conspiracy to submit false and fraudulent applications for PPP loans from February 2021 to July 2022. The conspiracy allegedly caused more than $220,000 in fraudulent PPP loans to be issued to ineligible borrowers, most of which were forgiven even though the funds were not used for the purposes specified in the PPP.
According to the indictment, Daisha Sanders created PPP loan applications for herself and for each of the co-conspirators in exchange for a payment from the loan proceeds. The applications falsely stated either the existence of a sole proprietorship prior to the pandemic or greatly inflated the revenues of any “businesses” that did exist in 2019. Daisha Sanders allegedly created fictitious bank records, IRS forms and other false financial documents to support the fraudulent PPP loan applications.
Daisha Sanders submitted the PPP loan applications on behalf of each of the co-conspirators, according to the indictment. Once the PPP loans were funded, the co-conspirators would pay her up to $5,000 for making and submitting the false loan applications.
In addition to the wire fraud conspiracy, Daisha Sanders is charged with one count of wire fraud and each of the remaining defendants is charged with aiding and abetting Daisha Sanders in one count of wire fraud. Each of the defendants allegedly applied for a PPP loan of approximately $20,833.
Daisha Sanders is also charged with one count of money laundering. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Daisha Sanders to forfeit to the government any proceeds she derived from the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of $70,832.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
21 February 2024
Woman Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Her Role in Stealing Firearms from Her FamilyRead the Press Release
A woman who conspired to steal firearms and other valuables from a family member’s home was sentenced February 20, 2024, to more than 7 years in federal prison.
Tresa Fiedler, 24, from LeMars, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 28, 2023, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to possess stolen firearms and one count of possession of stolen firearms.
Evidence in the case revealed that on October 1, 2021, Fiedler participated in a home burglary where she and coconspirator, Ian Bigler stole 10 guns. The burglary was planned in advance, and Fielder used diversions to insure the home was empty when the burglary was committed. Afterward, Fielder and Bigler took several steps to conceal the conspiracy. On October 5, 2021, Fiedler, in an attempt to leave town, purchased a 2008 Dodge Charger for $5,500 in cash. On October 11, 2021, Bigler, fled from police in a 2008 white Dodge Ram pickup truck that contained evidence of the burglary (including a pistol which had been stolen during the burglary). On October 15, 2021, Bigler equipped himself with a bulletproof vest and two firearms (including a pistol, which had been stolen during the burglary) and a shortened shotgun, and hid himself from law enforcement at a home in North Sioux City, and held another person against his/her will.
Fielder was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 87 months’ imprisonment adjusted for time served. She must also serve a 1-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ian Bigler was sentenced July 20, 2023, in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 180 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Fielder is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by LeMars, Iowa Police Department, Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, and ATF, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-4022.
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Utica Woman Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Melisa Muminovic, age 26, of Utica, New York, was sentenced today to 72 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven G. James, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, John B. Devito, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New York Field Division, and Chief Mark Williams, Utica Police Department.
As part of her prior guilty plea, Muminovic admitted that between approximately January 2021 and July 2021, she conspired with Jahari Brown, Jr. and others to knowingly and intentionally distribute fentanyl in the Utica area. More specifically, she acknowledged that she agreed to keep bags of fentanyl mixture at her residence and other locations, which she delivered to Brown and others, who in turn sold the fentanyl mixture to customers. Muminovic also admitted that in furtherance of the conspiracy, she accompanied Brown to the New York City area for the purpose of purchasing fentanyl and bringing it back to the Utica area, where it would be packaged for sale.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also sentenced Muminovic to serve a term of supervised release of 4 years, upon her release from prison.
Five other defendants were charged in the indictment as co-conspirators with Muminovic. All of them pleaded guilty and were previously sentenced as follows:
Jahari Brown, Jr., aka “JB,” aka “Yay,” age 23, of Utica, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on April 26, 2023, to serve 216 months (18 years) in federal prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release and an order of forfeiture totaling $177,874. He also pleaded guilty in Oneida County Court to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, and was sentenced to serve a total of 18 years in state prison and 5 years of post-release supervision. The Federal and New York State sentences are to be served concurrently. The cases in Oneida County Court were prosecuted by the Oneida County District Attorney's Office.
Kymani K. Minott, aka “Bizz,” aka “K-Bizz,” age 20, of Utica, was sentenced on July 14, 2022, to 60 months’ imprisonment, 4 years’ supervised release, and an order of forfeiture of $2,500. Minott pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and distribution of, a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
Daequon D. Perkins, age 26, of Utica, was sentenced on November 10, 2022 to 27 months’ imprisonment, 4 years’ supervised release, and an order of forfeiture of $2,500. Perkins pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and distribution of, a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
Mark W. Baker, age 45, of Utica, was sentenced on May 18, 2023, to 110 months’ imprisonment, 4 years’ supervised release, and forfeiture of $1,193, three firearms (a .40-caliber pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a 12-caliber shotgun), and assorted rounds of ammunition. Baker pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possession with the intent to distribute, a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Matthew Brooks, age 37, of Utica, was sentenced on July 25, 2023, to 108 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, and forfeiture of $3,377 and four firearms (a Mossberg .22 caliber rifle, an Armalite M-15 semiautomatic rifle, a Mossberg Maverick 88 12-gauge shotgun, and a Mossberg 500A, 12-gauge shotgun). Brooks pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
New York State Police-Special Investigations Unit (NYSP-SIU) and investigators from the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office investigated this case, with assistance from the City of Utica Police Department, DEA, and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Richard R. Southwick prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office hosts United Against Hate meeting in Great FallsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office held a United Against Hate meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Great Falls Public Library with community members, along with federal and local law enforcement representatives, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
United Against Hate is an initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice focused on improving the prevention of hate crimes and hate incidents by building relationships at the local level. Through this initiative, the Justice Department seeks to create and strengthen partnerships among law enforcement, community leaders and residents.
“The United States Department of Justice knows we have an obligation, both legally and morally, to hold individuals accountable for crimes driven by all forms of hatred. Indeed, we are united against hate and this essential and sobering work requires all of us pulling in the same direction. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our federal and local partners to combat hate crimes in Montana,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“The latest FBI statistics show that hate-fueled violence is on the rise,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “It's imperative we take a collective approach to address this issue head on. We hope this event spurred conversations, strengthened relationships, and empowered the community with the knowledge and tools to combat hate crimes together.”
The meeting with the Great Falls community is one in a series of meetings the U.S. Attorney’s Office is holding throughout Montana and provided an opportunity for community members to have a better understanding of hate crimes and hate incidents, how to report them to law enforcement and to learn about available resources. Approximately 60 people attended the event, which was hosted by the Great Falls Public Library. Additional Justice Department information and resources about hate crimes are available at https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Speakers at the event included U.S. Attorney Laslovich and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon, from the Missoula Division Office. In addition, the event featured a Hate Crimes Panel Discussion and question and comment session that included U.S. Attorney Laslovich; FBI Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha, from the Salt Lake City Field Office; Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki; and Great Falls Police Department Captain Rob Moccasin.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be holding additional United Against Hate events in coming months in communities across the state.
XXX
U.S. Attorney Announces Nuclear Materials Trafficking Charges Against Japanese Yakuza LeaderRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced the issuance today of a Superseding Indictment charging TAKESHI EBISAWA with conspiring with a network of associates to traffic nuclear materials from Burma to other countries. In the course of this conspiracy, EBISAWA and his confederates showed samples of nuclear materials in Thailand to a DEA undercover agent (“UC-1”), who was posing as a narcotics and weapons trafficker. With the assistance of Thai authorities, the nuclear samples were seized and subsequently transferred to the custody of U.S. law enforcement. A U.S. nuclear forensic laboratory later analyzed the samples and confirmed that the samples contain uranium and weapons-grade plutonium.
EBISAWA and co-defendant SOMPHOP SINGHASIRI were previously charged in April 2022 with international narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses, and both have been ordered detained. EBISAWA and SINGHASIRI will be arraigned on the Superseding Indictment before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon tomorrow at noon.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “It is impossible to overstate the seriousness of the conduct alleged in today’s Indictment. As alleged, Takeshi Ebisawa brazenly trafficked material containing uranium and weapons-grade plutonium from Burma to other countries. He allegedly did so while believing that the material was going to be used in the development of a nuclear weapons program, and the weapons-grade plutonium he trafficked, if produced in sufficient quantities, could have been used for that purpose. Even as he allegedly attempted to sell nuclear materials, Ebisawa also negotiated for the purchase of deadly weapons, including surface-to-air missiles. I want to thank the career prosecutors of my Office and our law enforcement partners for their unwavering commitment to protecting our national security by ensuring that the defendant will now face justice in an American court.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “The defendant stands accused of conspiring to sell weapons grade nuclear material and lethal narcotics from Burma, and to purchase military weaponry on behalf of an armed insurgent group. It is chilling to imagine the consequences had these efforts succeeded, and the Justice Department will hold accountable those who traffic in these materials and threaten U.S. national security and international stability.”
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said: “As alleged, the defendants in this case trafficked in drugs, weapons, and nuclear material — going so far as to offer uranium and weapons-grade plutonium fully expecting that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons. This is an extraordinary example of the depravity of drug traffickers who operate with total disregard for human life. I commend the men and women of DEA and this prosecution team for their tireless work to protect us from such evil.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment, which was unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
Beginning in early 2020, EBISAWA informed UC-1 and a DEA confidential source (“CS-1”) that EBISAWA had access to a large quantity of nuclear materials that he wanted to sell. Later that year, EBISAWA sent UC-1 a series of photographs depicting rocky substances with Geiger counters measuring radiation, as well as pages of what EBISAWA represented to be lab analyses indicating the presence of thorium and uranium in the depicted substances. In response to EBISAWA’s repeated inquiries, UC-1 agreed, as part of the DEA’s investigation, to help EBISAWA broker the sale of his nuclear materials to UC-1’s associate, who was posing as an Iranian general (the “General”), for use in a nuclear weapons program. EBISAWA then offered to supply the General with “plutonium” that would be even “better” and more “powerful” than uranium for this purpose. Examples of the photographs sent by EBISAWA are shown below:
During their discussions regarding EBISAWA’s access to nuclear materials, EBISAWA also engaged with UC-1 concerning EBISAWA’s desire to purchase military-grade weapons. To that end, in May 2021, EBISAWA sent UC-1 a list of weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, that EBISAWA wished to purchase from UC-1 on behalf of the leader of an ethnic insurgent group in Burma (“CC-1”). Together with two other co-conspirators (“CC-2” and “CC-3”), EBISAWA proposed to UC-1 that CC-1 sell uranium to the General, through EBISAWA, to fund CC-1’s weapons purchase. On a February 4, 2022 videoconference, CC-2 told UC-1 that CC-1 had available more than 2,000 kilograms of Thorium-232 and more than 100 kilograms of uranium in the compound U3O8 — referring to a compound of uranium commonly found in the uranium concentrate powder known as “yellowcake” — and that CC-1 could produce as much as five tons of nuclear materials in Burma. CC-2 also advised that CC-1 had provided samples of the uranium and thorium, which CC-2 was prepared to show to UC-1’s purported buyers. CC-2 noted that the samples should be packed “to contain . . . the radiation.”
About one week later, EBISAWA, CC-2, and CC-3 participated in a series of meetings with UC-1 and CS-1 in Southeast Asia, to discuss their ongoing weapons, narcotics, and nuclear materials transactions. During one of these meetings, CC-2 asked UC-1 to meet in CC-2’s hotel room. Inside the room, CC-2 showed UC-1 two plastic containers each holding a powdery yellow substance (the “Nuclear Samples”), which CC-2 described as “yellowcake.” CC-2 advised that one container held a sample of uranium in the compound U3O8, and the other container held Thorium-232. UC-1 photographed and video-recorded the Nuclear Samples, images of which are shown below:
With the assistance of Thai authorities, the Nuclear Samples were seized and subsequently transferred to the custody of U.S. law enforcement authorities. A U.S. nuclear forensic laboratory examined the Nuclear Samples and determined that both samples contain detectable quantities of uranium, thorium, and plutonium. In particular, the laboratory determined that the isotope composition of the plutonium found in the Nuclear Samples is weapons-grade, meaning that the plutonium, if produced in sufficient quantities, would be suitable for use in a nuclear weapon.
* * *
A table containing the charges and minimum and maximum penalties for EBISAWA, 60, of Japan, and SINGHASIRI, 61, of Thailand, is set forth below. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by Judge McMahon.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit. Mr. Williams also thanked the DEA Tokyo Country Office, DEA Bangkok Country Office, DEA Chiang Mai Resident Office, DEA Jakarta Country Office, DEA Copenhagen Country Office, DEA New York Field Office, DEA New Delhi Country Office, the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and our law enforcement partners in Indonesia, Japan, and the Kingdom of Thailand for their assistance.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (“OCDETF”) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Li, Kaylan E. Lasky, and Kevin T. Sullivan are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin of the Counterterrorism Section.
The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COUNT
DEFENDANT(S)
MIN. AND MAX. PRISON TERM
Count One: Conspiracy to commit international trafficking of nuclear materials
EBISAWA
Maximum of 10 years in prison
Count Two: International trafficking of nuclear materials
EBISAWA
Maximum of 20 years in prison
Count Three: Narcotics importation conspiracy
EBISAWA and SINGHASIRI
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
Count Four: Conspiracy to possess firearms, including machineguns and destructive devices
SINGHASIRI
Maximum of life in prison
Count Five: Conspiracy to acquire, transfer, and possess surface-to-air missiles
EBISAWA
Mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
Count Six: Narcotics importation conspiracy
EBISAWA
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
Count Seven: Conspiracy to possess firearms, including machineguns and destructive devices
EBISAWA
Maximum of life in prison
Count Eight: Money laundering
EBISAWA
Maximum of 20 years in prison
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition of Organized Crime Leader Charged with A Murder Plot Directed from Iran Targeting A JournalistRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States; and Christopher A. Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the extradition of POLAD OMAROV, a/k/a “Araz Aliyev,” a/k/a “Polad Qaqa,” a/k/a “Haci Qaqa,” from the Czech Republic on murder-for-hire and money laundering charges contained in a Superseding Indictment. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. OMAROV was arrested in the Czech Republic on January 4, 2023, at the request of the United States, arrived in the Southern District of New York on February 21, 2024, and will be arraigned on the charges in the Superseding Indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave later today.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Polad Omarov is alleged to have brazenly attempted to murder an outspoken critic of Iran’s human rights abuses – right here on American soil. The audacious alleged plot to kidnap and murder the victim are indicative of Iran’s policies of aggressive suppression and violence against anyone who speaks against them. Today’s extradition makes clear our unwavering resolve to charge and bring to justice any individuals attempting to stifle free speech in the U.S., especially at the behest of a malign foreign regime.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “Last year, I announced charges against three defendants for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a U.S. citizen who has long been targeted by the Government of Iran. At the time of the announcement, two of the defendants were in U.S. custody, and we said that the long arm of the law would find and bring to justice those who seek to threaten, silence, or harm American citizens. Today, we have done just that. The third defendant, Polad Omarov, was extradited to the United States to face charges for attempting to murder on U.S. soil a journalist, author, and human rights activist who is a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin. We are grateful to our Czech government counterparts for this extradition. The Department of Justice will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to undermine the rights to which every American citizen is entitled.”
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said: “With today’s extradition of Omarov, we have taken a significant step forward to hold Iranian actors accountable for their brazen plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen on American soil. I am honored to be here in Prague today to thank our Czech law enforcement, intelligence, and prosecutor partners for their collaboration and commitment to upholding the rule of law.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:[1]
OMAROV, a leader within an Eastern European organized crime group (the “Organization”), worked with other members of the Organization to attempt to murder a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin (the “Victim”) on instructions from individuals in Iran. The Victim previously has been the target of plots by the Government of Iran to intimidate, harass, and kidnap the Victim. The Victim is a journalist, author, and human rights activist who has publicized the Government of Iran’s human rights abuses and suppression of political expression, including in connection with continuing protests against the regime across Iran. As recently as 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap the Victim from within the United States for rendition to Iran in an effort to silence the Victim’s criticism of the regime.
Beginning in approximately mid-July 2022, OMAROV’s co-defendant, RAFAT AMIROV, a leader within the Organization residing in Iran, sent targeting information – which AMIROV had received from other individuals in Iran – about the Victim and the Victim’s residence to OMAROV. OMAROV, in turn, communicated the targeting information to co-defendant KHALID MEHDIYEV, a leader within the Organization residing in Yonkers, New York, in order to begin conducting surveillance of the Victim and reconnaissance of the Victim’s residence and surrounding neighborhood. MEHDIYEV sent photographs and videos of the Victim’s residence to OMAROV for further sharing with AMIROV and the plot’s orchestrators in Iran.
After MEHDIYEV’s initial surveillance of the Victim’s residence, AMIROV and OMAROV arranged for the delivery of a $30,000 cash payment to MEHDIYEV in New York City in furtherance of the plot. MEHDIYEV used a portion of this cash payment to buy an AK-47-style assault rifle manufactured in China, along with two magazines for ammunition and at least 66 rounds. MEHDIYEV bragged in electronic communications that he had procured for himself a “war machine.”
Between July 20 and 28, 2022, MEHDIYEV repeatedly travelled to the Victim’s neighborhood to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance, sending reports of the Victim’s activities, photographs, and videos to OMAROV for further distribution to AMIROV. On July 24, 2022, after arriving at the Victim’s residence, MEHDIYEV reported to OMAROV that MEHDIYEV was “at the crime scene.” OMAROV encouraged MEHDIYEV, “You are a man!” MEHDIYEV described to OMAROV that “we blocked it from both sides, it will be a show once she steps out of the house.” OMAROV forwarded this report to AMIROV, who responded, “God willing.”
MEHDIYEV was unable to carry out the assassination that day and returned on several subsequent days to seek out opportunities to complete the murder mission. AMIROV, OMAROV, and MEHDIYEV schemed different strategies to attempt to draw the Victim out, including by attempting to ask the Victim for flowers from the Victim’s garden. On July 28, 2022, MEHDIYEV sent OMAROV a video taken from inside the car MEHDIYEV was driving showing the assault rifle, along with the message that “we are ready.” The Victim, after observing suspicious activity outside the residence, left the area, and MEHDIYEV drove away shortly afterwards. After MEHDIYEV drove away from the Victim’s residence, he was stopped after a traffic violation, and during a subsequent search of the car, police officers found the assault rifle, 66 rounds of ammunition, approximately $1,100 in cash, and a black ski mask.
* * *
OMAROV, 39, of Georgia, has been charged with: (i) murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; (ii) conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and (iii) conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum 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 Judge McMahon.
AMIROV, 45, of Iran, and MEHDIYEV, 25, of Yonkers, New York, were previously arrested on the charges contained in the Superseding Indictment.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office Counterintelligence Division and the New York FBI Iran Threat Task Force. Mr. Williams also thanked the New York Field Office Criminal Division, the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing OMAROV’s arrest and extradition. Mr. Williams also appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by authorities in the Czech Republic.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig, Matthew J.C. Hellman, and Michael D. Lockard are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Christopher Rigali of the National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Superseding Indictment and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Two men sentenced for illegal moose kill in Denali National ParkRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Two men were sentenced to four years’ probation for killing a bull moose inside Denali National Park.
According to court documents, on Sept. 20, 2021, Andrew McDonald, 42, of Harrisburg, South Dakota, and Christopher Brumwell, 42, of Anchorage, were hunting in Denali National Park when McDonald shot a bull moose inside the park boundary. Three groups of hunters witnessed the illegal kill and separately reported McDonald’s and Brumwell’s conduct to law enforcement. The defendants spent several hours field dressing the moose to move the skull and a small portion of the meat to a concealed location outside the park boundary. The rest of the meat was left at the kill site for two days, until Park Rangers packed out an additional 76 pounds.
McDonald denied any knowledge of the moose kill when questioned by law enforcement the next day, while Brumwell was out in the field attempting to move the rest of the meat. Witnesses reported that Brumwell denied any knowledge of the kill when they contacted him in the field. Brumwell returned to his camp without moving any more of the meat.
Park rangers directed the men to retrieve the two game bags they moved, along with the remainder of the meat. Two days after the illegal kill, Park Rangers contacted McDonald and Brumwell as they were headed out of the field. The Park Rangers observed the men with the skinned moose skull from the kill site and the two game bags, but the men failed to retrieve the rest of the meat from the kill site as directed.
McDonald was hunting on a non-resident license, and Brumwell was hunting on a resident license.
The court delivered a sentence of four years’ probation and prohibited both defendants from hunting or seeking hunting licenses anywhere in the world for four years. Brumwell is required to pay a fine of $10,000. McDonald will pay a fine of $2,500 and $7,500 in restitution to Denali National Park. When delivering the sentence, the Court emphasized the seriousness of the crime by stating, “I want anyone who is aware of this case to know that this is not a mistake, this is a big deal. … We take this very seriously.”
Moose that aren’t taken through conventional hunting are donated to the Alaska Department of Safety “Roadkill Salvage Program,” which donates the moose meat to participating charities, people and organizations. The average moose yields roughly 500 pounds of meat, but because of the defendants conduct in this case, Rangers were able to salvage and donate only approximately 196 pounds of meat.
"Mr. McDonald and Mr. Brumwell’s actions are an affront to law abiding hunters and Alaskan subsistence living,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “Hunting must be done legally and in accordance with regulations. My office will continue to work with our wildlife law enforcement partners to ensure that hunting rules and regulations are followed by resident and non-resident hunters.”
“We are very proud of the work our rangers, special agents, and law enforcement partners accomplished to ensure the successful outcome of this case," said National Park Service Alaska Regional Director, Sarah Creachbaum. “A special thanks to the local hunters who witnessed the violations and helped out with the case.”
The National Park Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney prosecuted the case.
###
Two Individuals Charged with Non-Fungible Token “Rug Pull” and Laundering Proceeds Through the Solana and Ethereum BlockchainsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Devin Alan Rhoden (24, Pinellas Park), a/k/a “Denny” and “Deviinz,” and Berman Jerry Nowlin, Jr. (20, Huntsville, AL), a/k/a “Repulse” and “Zayous,” with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted, Rhoden and Nowlin each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
According to court documents, in March 2022, Rhoden and Nowlin minted two non-fungible token (NFT) collections on the Solana blockchain named “UndeadApes” and “Undead Lady Apes.” In the weeks following the mint, the average sale price of both NFT collections (pictured below) increased significantly.
UndeadApes Collection
Undead Lady Apes Collection
In April 2022, Rhoden and Nowlin announced their intention to mint a third NFT collection named “Undead Tombstone.” In the announcement and subsequent advertisements, Rhoden and Nowlin made a number of material misrepresentations to attract victim-investors. On April 19, 2022, Rhoden and Nowlin minted 632 Undead Tombstone NFTs, resulting in approximately $135,000 USD in cryptocurrency being sent to wallets under the Rhoden and Nowlin’s control. Rhoden and Nowlin then abandoned the mint without satisfying several of the representations made to victim-investors, commonly known as a “rug pull.”
Rhoden and Nowlin transferred the fraud proceeds from the Solana blockchain to the Ethereum blockchain, also known as “chain-hopping.” This obfuscation technique is used by cybercriminals and money launderers to make identifying and tracing illicit funds more difficult. Rhoden and Nowlin then used the cryptocurrency to purchase U.S. dollars and transferred the currency into their respective bank accounts. In a matter of weeks, the three NFT collections resulted in Rhoden and Nowlin receiving more than $300,000 USD in cryptocurrency from hundreds of victim-investors all over the world.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Pasco Sheriff's Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.
Download IndictmentTenderloin Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine; And Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Melvin Alexis Diaz Arteaga (Diaz), a resident of Oakland, was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison following his conviction last year on six drug charges relating to his sale of—and intent to sell—fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. The sentence was imposed by the Hon. Charles R. Breyer, Senior United States District Judge.
Diaz, 30, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(vi); possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(vi), (b)(1)(B)(i)–(ii); and distribution of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii), (b)(1)(C).
In his plea agreement, Diaz admitted he possessed 6.6 kilograms—that is, nearly 15 pounds—of fentanyl, along with lesser quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and other controlled substances, all of which he intended to sell, when he was arrested outside an apartment in Berkeley, California, on November 16, 2022. He also admitted that he (i) used that Berkeley apartment to manufacture and store significant quantities of drugs for sale in the Tenderloin, among other locations; and (ii) sold, or arranged the sale of, fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) on four separate occasions between September 16, 2022, and October 5, 2022.
According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, officers found two firearms, cash, and drug manufacturing and processing equipment inside the stash house, in addition to the drugs themselves. In addition, the government’s sentencing memorandum says, officers determined that Diaz traveled from his residence in Oakland to the Tenderloin every night between October 13, 2022, and November 11, 2022. As part of his regular commute, Diaz typically picked up his co-defendant at another location in the East Bay and the two men then stopped by their Berkeley stash house to pick up drugs before heading into San Francisco to sell those drugs on the streets of the Tenderloin.
“By his own admission, this defendant had access to a staggering quantity of fentanyl, which he repeatedly sold in the Tenderloin,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning to those who regularly sell dangerous drugs on our streets: you will not escape justice. I am proud of the work being done by this Office and by our federal and local law enforcement partners to ensure that fentanyl dealers operating throughout this District, and particularly in the Tenderloin, are held to account.”
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Diaz agreed to forfeit, among other things, more than $50,000 in cash that officers seized on the night of his arrest, including nearly $42,000 found in Diaz’s bedroom. Diaz acknowledged these funds either were, or were derived from, drug proceeds, or that they were used, or were intended to be used, to commit or facilitate his drug trafficking crimes.
Diaz and two co-defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on January 5, 2023. Diaz was charged in six of the eight counts alleged in the indictment.
In addition to sentencing Diaz to prison, Judge Breyer ordered the defendant to serve four years of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed. Diaz has been in custody since he was arrested on November 16, 2022, and he was remanded into custody following his sentencing today.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas M. Parker is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessie Chelsea. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from SFPD.
Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Extradition of Polad Omarov from Czechia to the United StatesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the extradition of Polad Omarov from Czechia to the United States:
“Last year, I announced charges against three defendants for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a U.S. citizen who has long been targeted by the Government of Iran. At the time of the announcement, two of the defendants were in U.S. custody, and we said that the long arm of the law would find and bring to justice those who seek to threaten, silence, or harm American citizens. Today, we have done just that. The third defendant, Polad Omarov, was extradited to the United States to face charges for attempting to murder on U.S. soil, a journalist, author, and human rights activist who is a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin.
“We are grateful to our Czech government counterparts for this extradition.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to undermine the rights to which every American citizen is entitled.”
St. Louis County Man Sentenced for Trying to Bribe Postal WorkersRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Wednesday sentenced a man who tried to buy keys to mail collection boxes from postal workers to 20 months in prison.
Dwaundre K. Valley, 21, of Bridgeton, pleaded guilty in October to bribery of a public official. He admitted offering three different postal carriers a bribe in March and April of 2022 for the “arrow” keys that allow access to certain mail collection boxes. Valley offered one letter carrier $5,000 for the key, his plea agreement says.
In a sentencing memo, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow wrote that the bribery attempts come at a time when mail theft has been on the rise, as criminals steal mail to obtain checks and use those checks to commit fraud. Crimes like Valley’s undermine the public’s sense of security and confidence in a vital government service, Clow wrote.
These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. A U.S. Marshals Service task force that includes the St. Louis County Police Department assisted in apprehending Valley. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow prosecuted the case.
St. Charles County Man Admits Collecting Child Pornography for YearsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Charles County, Missouri on Wednesday admitted collecting child sexual abuse material for years.
Philip Daniel Shurtliff, 34, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of receipt of child pornography and admitted being caught with child sexual abuse material twice. In March of 2021, the St. Charles County Cyber Crimes Task Force received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that someone used Kik Messenger to send child pornography. Detectives traced a Kik account to Shurtliff and performed a court-approved search of his home in April of 2021. Shurtliff told them that he obtained child pornography and sent it to someone to gain access to a Kik group. Investigators found five videos on his cell phone.
In 2023, the task force received a second report from NCMEC about child sexual abuse material that led them to Shurtliff’s home again, where they arrested Shurtliff in relation to the 2021 report. Shurliff told detectives that he is a “monster” and has been trading child pornography for approximately 19 years. Detectives found 97 images and 27 videos containing child pornography on his cell phone.
Shurtliff is scheduled to be sentenced May 21. The receipt of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of up to 20 years.
The St. Charles County Cyber Crimes Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Chapman is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
South Texan imprisoned for stolen identity and plot to smuggle firearms to MexicoRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 32-year-old Brownsville man has been sentenced for aggravated identity theft and straw purchasing in connection to a firearm purchasing scheme out of Texas into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Leonardo Barroso pleaded guilty June 9, 2022.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Barroso to serve 87 months for the straw purchase conviction and a mandatory 24 months for the identity theft to be served consecutively for a total of 111 months in federal prison. The sentence will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Barroso worked as a door-to-door electricity salesman who used his customers’ personal information to purchase firearms in San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Barroso purchased over 20 firearms to be smuggled into Mexico and intentionally delivered to cartel members.
On Feb. 7, 2022, Barroso purchased a firearm from a dealer in Corpus Christi using a Social Security number and identification that belonged to a known victim of identity theft. He then used the stolen identification to purchase a firearm for a third party to smuggle into Mexico. Barroso additionally provided false and misleading statements to the firearms dealer upon completing required paperwork for the purchase.
Barroso also admitted to law enforcement he was transporting other firearms out of the United States. He served as a facilitator by recruiting Mexican nationals to purchase numerous firearms from dealers in Texas to be smuggled into Mexico.
Barroso will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Marck and Lance Watt prosecuted the case.
South Portland Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A South Portland man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute.
According to court records, in April 2023, law enforcement located Joshua Hopkins, 33, who had an active state arrest warrant, at a South Portland hotel. A search of a backpack Hopkins had been wearing revealed multiple scales, a single round of 7.62 mm x 39 mm ammunition, a blender that contained suspected fentanyl powder, smaller containers of additional suspected fentanyl powder, bags of suspected cocaine, and what appeared to be a substance used to “cut” drugs. A man with Hopkins told officers that Hopkins supplied him with drugs and had left a rifle and personal belongings in his car. Officers found a black Norinco SKS-style rifle in the vehicle. The round of ammunition in the backpack matched the caliber of the rifle. Hopkins is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Hopkins faces up to 15 years in prison on the gun charge and five to 40 years on the drug charge, with maximum fines of $250,000 and $5 million, respectively. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; South Portland Police Department; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
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South Bend Man Sentenced to 132 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Lincoln Glass, 30 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Glass was sentenced to 132 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in 2021, Glass sold different types of controlled substances on three separate occasions: September one pound of methamphetamine; November and December fentanyl pills. Thereafter, in March 2022, law enforcement recovered a loaded handgun stored with dealer amounts of marijuana from Glass’ residence.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the DEA North Central Laboratory, the Indiana State Police, and the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
This case was 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.
Seymour Man Admits Involvement in Danbury Post Office Bribery and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Kenneth Cleevely, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL D. LUTZ, 26, of Seymour, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to a conspiracy offense stemming from a bribery and kickback scheme involving the Postmaster of the Danbury Post Office.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ephrem D. Nguyen was employed by the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) as the Postmaster of the Danbury Post Office in Danbury, with responsibilities that included supervising the maintenance and repair of all equipment, facilities, and vehicles assigned to the post office. Lutz was the general manager for a company, identified in court documents as “Vendor-1,” which provided vehicle maintenance and repair services for the Danbury Post Office.
In November 2020, Nguyen required that all Danbury Post Office vehicle maintenance and repair work be performed by Vendor-1, even though Nguyen knew that another vendor already had a contract with the Danbury Post Office for those services. Nguyen demanded that Vendor-1 provide free vehicle maintenance and repairs for himself, one of his children, a USPS employee, and employee of Nguyen’s personal business. In 2022, Nguyen solicited and received from Lutz $90,000 in cash bribes, which Lutz paid from Vendor-1’s proceeds. In exchange for these bribes, Nguyen caused the USPS to overpay the Vendor-1 for vehicle maintenance and repair, which Nguyen characterized as a “raise.” Between approximately January 2022 and February 2023, Nguyen used USPS credit cards to pay Vendor-1 approximately $1.1 million, approximately $260,000 of which was for legitimate maintenance and repair work.
The USPS lost approximately $843,271.32 though this scheme.
Lutz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services wire, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for May 16.
Lutz is released on bond pending sentencing.
On October 13, 2023, Nguyen pleaded guilty to one count of honest services wire fraud related to this scheme and also admitted that he embezzled more than $80,000 from the USPS by using his USPS credit cards to rent vehicles for the personal use of himself and others, and that he approved more than $8,000 in fraudulent travel expense reimbursement claims for a co-worker.
Nguyen is released on a $100,000 bond and residing in Massachusetts while awaiting sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis.
Ridgefield Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICHOLAS SKIRKANICH, 44, of Ridgefield, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to a charge related to possessing and accessing images and videos depicting child sex abuse material.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2022, an online service provider submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) indicating that a TikTok video containing child sex abuse imagery was sent from Skirkanich’s email account to another email account. Subsequent investigation revealed that Skirkanich possessed and accessed additional material containing child sex abuse imagery between approximately August 2021 and December 2022.
Skirkanich was arrested on December 15, 2022.
Skirkanich pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view and possessing child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for May 15. Skirkanich is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Ridgefield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel, with the assistance of the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Pulaski County Man Sentenced to 28 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Somerset, Ky., man, Johnathan Fitzgerald Cannada, 41, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, to 28 years in prison, for production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, Cannada admitted to having a sexual relationship with a minor, where he persuaded the minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct, to produce visual depictions of the conduct. On at least two occasions, Cannada filmed himself engaging in sexual activity with the minor. Separately, the minor would also capture sexually explicit depictions of herself, on a device Cannada provided her, and would then send them to him, via Facebook Messenger, at his request. During the investigation, Cannada also attempted to obstruct justice in several ways, by remotely wiping the victim’s device while it was in police custody, encouraging the victim to delete evidence through Facebook Messenger, and threatening physical violence toward a family member of the victim.
Under federal law, Cannada must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office; and Chief William Hunt, Somerset Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by FBI, ,Somerset Police Department, and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. David Dalton, Commonwealth Attorney for the 28th Judicial Circuit, also provided significant assistance to the investigation and prosecution of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Prominent Ghanaian “Influencer” Pleads Guilty to Receiving Fraud Proceeds from Romance ScamsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the guilty plea today of MONA FAIZ MONTRAGE for her role in laundering the proceeds of a series of romance scams. MONTRAGE pled guilty today to conspiracy to receive stolen money before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Mona Faiz Montrage knowingly received money stolen from older Americans through romance scams and was arrested abroad and now faces serious consequences for her actions. Romance scams such as Montrage’s harmed her vulnerable, elderly victims not only in the cruel betrayal of trust in the realization that their online romantic connection was fiction, but by also callously stealing their money. This Office and our law enforcement partners are relentless in bringing fraudsters who target Americans to justice, no matter where they are.”
As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in public filings and public court proceedings:
From at least in or about 2013 through in or about 2019, MONTRAGE was a member of a criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in West Africa that committed a series of frauds against individuals and businesses in the U.S., including romance scams.
Many of the Enterprise’s romance scam victims were vulnerable, older men and women who lived alone. The Enterprise frequently conducted the romance scams by sending the victims emails, text messages, and social media messages that deceived the victims into believing that they were in romantic relationships with a person who was, in fact, a fake identity assumed by members of the Enterprise. Once members of the Enterprise had successfully convinced victims that they were in a romantic relationship and had gained their trust, they convinced the victims, under false pretenses, to transfer money to bank accounts the victims believed were controlled by their romantic interests, when, in fact, the bank accounts were controlled by members of the Enterprise.
MONTRAGE is a Ghanaian public figure who rose to fame as an influencer through her Instagram profile under the username “Hajia4Reall,” which at one point had approximately 3.4 million Instagram followers and was among the top 10 profiles with the most followers in Ghana.
MONTRAGE received money from several victims of romance frauds who members of the Enterprise tricked into sending money. Among the false pretenses used to induce victims to send money to MONTRAGE were payments to transport gold to the U.S. from overseas payments to resolve a fake FBI investigation, and payments to assist a fake U.S. Army officer in receiving funds from Afghanistan.
In total, MONTRAGE controlled bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from the Enterprise.
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MONTRAGE, 31, of Accra, Ghana, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. MONTRAGE also agreed to pay forfeiture in the amount of $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount. MONTRAGE is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mitzi Steiner and Kevin Mead are in charge of the prosecution.
Philadelphia Man Admits Receiving Child Pornography and Transferring Obscene Images to MinorRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Philadelphia man today admitted causing a minor victim to create and send him sexually explicit images and videos and sending the victim obscene images of himself, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Francisco Andres-Medina, 33, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to two counts of an indictment charging him with receipt of child pornography and transfer of obscene material to a minor.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In March and April 2020, Medina communicated over the internet with a 15-year-old victim located in Camden County, New Jersey. After learning that his victim was 15 years old, Medina sent her obscene photographs of his exposed penis. Medina also caused the victim to produce videos and images of the victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Medina then caused the victim to send him the sexually explicit images and videos. Medina also directed the victim to send him a video of the victim having sex with another individual.
The count of receiving child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison. The count of transferring obscene material to a minor is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. Each count carries a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes and Special Victims Units, under the direction of Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Bender and Josephine Park of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
andresmedina.indictment.pdfOwner of Cuyahoga Falls Tax Prep Business Sentenced for Filing a False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
Lateesha Black, 52, of Hudson, Ohio, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison by United States District Judge Benita Y. Pearson and ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $114,022 after previously pleading guilty to aiding or assisting in filing a false tax return and corrupt endeavor to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws. Black was also fined $15,000.
According to court documents, Black owned and operated Ideal Accounting Solutions L.L.C. (“Ideal”), an accounting and tax preparation business in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Over the course of several years, Black knowingly prepared several false tax returns for her clients by claiming false Schedule C net losses, income, and expenses in order to inflate the size of her clients’ tax refund. Black then electronically filed these false tax returns in her clients’ names.
In 2019, Special Agents with IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) interviewed Black regarding Ideal’s tax preparation activities and served Black with an IRS summons for Ideal’s business records. After being served the summons, and in an attempt to conceal her fraud from IRS-CI, Black requested to meet with multiple clients and had them sign false and, in some instances back-dated, tax preparation working papers in order to substantiate the false Schedule C net losses, income, and expenses previously filed. The false tax preparation working papers were then provided to Special Agents.
The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward D. Brydle.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gary Pope II, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced February 21, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Pope to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pope’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release.
Law enforcement became aware of Pope as a dealer of cocaine in the Omaha area. This led to a three-month wiretap of Pope’s cell phone in 2022. The wiretap intercepts and resulting investigation confirmed that Pope would receive cocaine deliveries from Texas in kilogram quantities and sell the cocaine in lesser quantities in the Omaha area. As part of a plea agreement, Pope admitted to agreeing to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine in Nebraska between January 19, 2022, and July 15, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Pope has also pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa to two charges – possession with intent to distribute marijuana and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for March 19, 2024.
Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Government’s Online Auctions, Purchasing Vehicles and Jewelry for $1Read the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – An Oklahoma man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after hacking a government auction website and purchasing vehicles and jewelry for $1, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between February 25 and March 6, 2019, Evan James Coker, 41, participated in a scheme to defraud General Service Administration’s (“GSA”) auctions. The GSA conducts online auctions through which it sells excess equipment, including surplus, seized, and forfeited assets, as well as equipment that is no longer needed by government agencies. The auctions are conducted online through servers located in Eagan, Minnesota.
As part of his scheme, Coker bid in multiple auctions for vehicles and jewelry on the GSA Auctions website. When Coker won a particular auction, he was directed to the pay.gov website to remit payment in the amount of his winning bid. Instead of remitting payment in the amount of his winning bid, Coker breached the pay.gov website and falsified the true auction price to $1.
In total, Coker bid on and won 19 auction items and fraudulently paid just $1 for each item. As a result of his scheme, Coker obtained three vehicles, including a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, for which he bid $8,327; a Ford F550 pickup truck, for which he bid $9,000; and a Chevrolet C4500 Box Truck, for which he bid $22,700.
Coker pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Michael J. Davis to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.
Northern Cambria Woman Sentenced for Tax and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on February 20, 2024, to a total of 12 months and one day in prison followed by two years of supervised release on her conviction of tax and wire fraud, United States Attorney Eric Olshan announced today.
United States Senior District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Sarah Stiles, 39.
According to information presented to the Court, Stiles admitted that, in and around December 2019, she willfully failed to collect and pay over employees’ employment taxes, a task for which she was personally responsible as the vice president of a Northern Cambria business. She further admitted that, from on or about August 2, 2019, until on or about February 26, 2020, she knowingly and willfully conspired to commit wire fraud, in part by directing fraudulent payments from her employer to a fictitious company.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Stiles.
North Tonawanda man going to prison for 10 years on drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Daniel Rodriguez, 40, of North Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that leading up to September 11, 2020, Rodriguez and co-defendant Adrienne Czosnyka resided together on Center Avenue in North Tonawanda. Rodriguez was a suspect in an investigation being conducted by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department. On September 11, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at the Center Avenue residence and on a vehicle belonging to defendant Czosnyka. They recovered over 500 grams of cocaine, four digital scales, 10 cellular telephones, and over $4,700 in currency. Investigators also recovered a 12-gauge shotgun, and three rounds of ammunition. Rodriguez was previously convicted of felonies in 2001 and 2007, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
Adrienne Czosnyka pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of cocaine and faces up to a year in prison when sentenced.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, III, New York Field Division; the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger; the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith T. Glass; and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.
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North Henderson, Illinois, Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A North Henderson man, Alan Dean Secrist, 48, of the 500 block of 300th Street, North Henderson, Illinois, was sentenced on February 14, 2024, to 30 months of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for Failure to Register as a sex offender.
At the sentencing hearing, Chief United States District Judge Sara L. Darrow determined that Secrist was a Tier III offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) and was required to register for life as a sex offender due to his 2011 conviction in Knox County, Illinois, for aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Secrist failed to register his residence and in March of 2023, he was located arrested on the charge. Secrist has remained in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest.
Secrist pleaded guilty in October 2023, to Failure to Register. The statutory penalty for failure to register as a sex offender is up to 10 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years to life of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Galesburg Police Department, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the Fountain Police Department in Fountain, Colorado, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Lee Aguilar represented the federal government in the prosecution.
North Carolina Man Sentenced for Role in 59 Kilo Cross-Border Cocaine DeliveryRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Durham, North Carolina man was sentenced yesterday to 123 months in prison for his role in the attempted delivery of 59 kilograms of cocaine that was transported across the U.S.-Mexico border en route to Providence Forge, Virginia.
According to court documents, on July 26, 2023, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations intercepted a load of cocaine as it crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. Agents then replaced the cocaine with an imitation substance and took the load to a truck stop in Providence Forge to make a controlled delivery to the intended recipient, Jose Daniel Arellano Rodriguez, 36.
Arellano Rodriguez arrived at the truck stop with $90,000 in cash to take delivery of the cocaine. He was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted possession with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt prosecuted the case.
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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-61.
New Orleans Man and Woman Indicted for Fraudulent Vehicle Purchase SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on Friday, February 16, 2024, KENNETH RICHMOND, age 63, and KENDRA WALKER, age 40, of New Orleans, were charged in a six-count indictment by for conspiring to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
In Count One, RICHMOND and WALKER were charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. According to the indictment, in 2022, RICHMOND and WALKER conspired to use fake or stolen personal identifying information to make fraudulent vehicle purchases from a local car dealership. The vehicle purchases were bank financed, and the loans went into default.
Counts Two through Five of the indictment allege that on several dates between February and November of 2022, RICHMOND and/or WALKER caused credit applications to be submitted through wire communications, in order to defraud a car dealership and bank, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 2.
Count Six alleges that RICHMOND and WALKER knowingly transferred, without lawful authority, a means of identification belonging to another actual person, to further their fraudulent scheme, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A and 2.
If convicted of Counts One through Five, RICHMOND and WALKER face, as to each count, up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. As to Count Six, RICHMOND and WALKER face a prison term of two (2) years consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one (1) year of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Cars Stolen from Norfolk Southern Railyard and Federal Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MISTER MACKEY, JR., age 22, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on February 20, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to two counts of possessing goods stolen from an interstate shipment, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 659; possession with intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D); and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. MACKEY is the tenth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case.
According to court documents, on March 29, 2023,a 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor Crew Cab 4X4 and a 2023 Lincoln Aviator were stolen from the Norfolk Southern Automotive Distribution Facility. Between March 29 and April 3, 2023, MACKEY was observed on surveillance video occupying both stolen vehicles.
On August 19, 2023, MACKEY was the sole passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation. A vehicle search revealed backpacks containing marijuana, digital scales, and a Glock Model 17 handgun with a loaded 30-round magazine partially inserted in the gun, and an additional loaded drum magazine in the glove box. MACKEY possessed the marijuana for distribution, and also possessed the Glock Model 17 and ammunition. Previously, MACKEY had been convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and bank fraud.
Each count of possessing a stolen car carries a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. As to his conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, MACKEY faces up to 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and a minimum of two years of supervised release. As to his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, MACKEY faces up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. As to each count of conviction, MACKEY also faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
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 Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.