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31 January 2024
Former Blackfeet Tribal operations manager admits stealing tribal COVID-19 relief fundingRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — The former operations manager for the Blackfeet Tribe today admitted to stealing more than $78,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funding the tribe received by fraudulently submitting requests for repayments to the tribe after falsely claiming to buy COVID-19 supplies, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
James Cameron McNeely, 43, pleaded guilty to theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal funding. McNeely faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 6. McNeely’s release was continued pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that from about October 2021 until October 2022, McNeely, while employed as the Blackfeet Tribe’s operations manager, submitted requests for repayment to the tribe, and received such payments, after falsely claiming to purchase COVID-19 supplies on behalf of the tribe from Amazon. In reality, McNeely never purchased the supplies, and he was not entitled to the money he claimed and received, which totaled approximately $78,415. The tribe reimbursed McNeely with checks issued from the bank account containing American Rescue Plan Act funds, which were allocated to the tribe following a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Former Army Reservist Sentenced for Theft of Government Funds ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – Former United States Army reservist DERRICK BRANCH was sentenced on January 25, 2024, after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft of federal funds, to 2 years of probation, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. Pursuant to the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act, Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown ordered payment of $15,469.30 in restitution.
According to court records, BRANCH stole $15,469.30 from the United States Department of the Army by claiming reimbursement for the performance of military funeral honors ceremonies that never occurred.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2000 authorizes military funeral honors for active-duty soldiers, retirees, and veterans. At a family’s request, eligible persons can receive military funeral honors, including the folding and presenting of the United States flag and the playing of “Taps.”
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, including Special Agents Dustin Stevens, John Hiniker, Jeffrey Riedeman, and Denny Richter. Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Five Colorado Assistant U.S. Attorneys among those Honored by Attorney General Merrick B. GarlandRead the Press Release
DENVER -- The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that five Assistant United States Attorneys from Colorado were among those honored by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland this afternoon during the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s award ceremony.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Licht, Katherine Ross, Nicholas Deuschle, David Moskowitz, and Andrew Soler received the John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution for their work concerning the 416 Fire, which burned on public and private lands near Durango in 2018. The resolution of that dispute recovered $20 million to compensate the United States for damages caused by the fire. The terms of the proposed resolution also allowed the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to continue to operate, under specific conditions designed to reduce the risk of future fires. More information about that resolution can be found here.
The Attorney General’s award ceremony celebrated numerous other public servants from the Department of Justice and its partners for their extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nations laws.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country."
“Exceptional public servants work at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan, who was on hand for today’s event. “Coloradans have every right to be proud of the work that this office accomplishes every day in the pursuit of justice.”
More details about the award ceremony can be found here.
Final Member of Cargo Theft Ring Convicted of Stealing 19,000 Pounds of Perry Ellis Perfume Worth over $230,000Read the Press Release
MIAMI – On Jan. 19, a jury found Eligio Bacallao, 69, of Miami, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit cargo theft and one count of cargo theft.
The evidence at trial revealed that Bacallao and his co-conspirators stole over $230,000 of Perry Ellis perfume, weighing in at over 19,000 pounds, from the inside of a steel-sealed, GPS-monitored tractor trailer in April 2016. The shipment was destined for Laredo, Texas, but 22 of the 24 pallets of perfume never left Hialeah, Florida because of the theft.
Two of Bacallao’s co-conspirators were previously found guilty for their roles in the theft, in July 2017.
U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard is scheduled to sentence Bacallao on April 10, 2024. The defendant is facing a total statutory maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stefan Diaz Espinosa and Alexandra D. Comolli are prosecuting this case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 16-cr- 20965.
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Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Five Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger today sentenced Ernesto Hidalgo (30, Orlando) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Hidalgo entered a guilty plea on September 21, 2023.
According to court documents, over the course of several months in 2023, Hidalgo engaged in a series of drug sales to a source cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hidalgo sold the source an ounce of cocaine for $1,000 on January 10, 2023; an ounce of fentanyl for $2,000 on January 17, 2023; another ounce of fentanyl for $1,900 on March 2, 2023; 50 fake fentanyl pills (pills that are pressed to look like pharmaceutical controlled substances but actually contain fentanyl) for $1,000 on March 27, 2023; and another three ounces of cocaine for $2,700 on March 31, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Felon Sentenced to an Additional 16 Months in Federal Prison for Escape from Residential Reentry FacilityRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jaylen Brancheau, 23, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to an additional 16 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to escape from federal custody. This sentence will be served consecutively to Brancheau’s remaining state sentence.
According to court documents, on October 22, 2020, Brancheau was sentenced to 60 months and 1 day imprisonment after being convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
On October 4, 2022, Brancheau was transferred to the Volunteers of America (“VOA”) in Indianapolis, Indiana, to complete his sentence. The Bureau of Prisons contracts with residential reentry centers, also known as halfway houses, to aid inmates who are nearing release as they transition back into the community. Inmates serving a portion of their sentence at a residential reentry center are only authorized to leave through sign-out procedures for approved activities.
Brancheau was to remain in, and abide by the rules of, the facility for six months until his projected release date in April 2023.
U.S. Marshals received notice from the Bureau of Prisons that Brancheau was granted a church pass and did not return. USMS attempted to contact Brancheau multiple times with no success. In July of 2023, Brancheau was located and arrested in Blackford County on a state warrant for Resisting Law Enforcement and Reckless Driving.
U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Brancheau be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Barry D. Glickman, who prosecuted this case.
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Federal Drug Charges Unsealed against Six Individuals in Colorado Springs and PuebloRead the Press Release
DENVER - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces federal drug charges against six individuals in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
According to Court records unsealed today, from January 30, 2023, to October 2023, investigators from multiple federal and state agencies conducted 9 separate undercover narcotics transactions, which resulted in seizing various amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. On January 30, 2024, search warrants were executed for multiple locations, including a residence in Pueblo, Colorado. During the search, investigators located more than 4 kilograms of heroin.
Federal charges were unsealed today against five individuals for their alleged role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Three of these individuals made their initial appearance in federal court today and were identified as follows:
- Alex LNU a/k/a Miguel Angel Gonzalez (formally identified as Alonso Quinonez-Velazquez),
- Fidel LNU (formally identified as Roberto Gutierrez), and
- Francisco LNU (formally identified as Luis Saucedo-Bonilla)
In addition, Adan Trevizo was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of a mixture of substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.
“Together with our law enforcement partners, we are removing dangerous drugs from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “We are grateful for the continued dedication and hard work of our law enforcement partners who are protecting our communities from drug trafficking.”
“Yesterday’s enforcement actions involved over 150 members from Southern Colorado law enforcement agencies,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky. “Fentanyl is continuing to gravely impact Southern Colorado. Collectively, Colorado law enforcement agencies are prioritizing investigative efforts to decrease the fentanyl supply and prevent fentanyl poisonings in our communities.”
“Yesterday’s operation truly shows how cooperation between partners at all levels, using pooled resources, is a force multiplier,” said HSI Denver Deputy Special Agent in Charge Jeff Brannigan. “I would especially like to highlight the relationship between our agents and those of the DEA in southern Colorado, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to execute this wide ranging and far-reaching operation.”
“My Office will work with our federal partners to protect the citizens of El Paso County. The efforts of all involved with preventing illicit drugs from hitting our streets is nothing short of incredible,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal.
“This is just another great example of our local law enforcement working with our federal partners to combat illicit drugs in our community. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have two task force detectives assigned to the DEA. Even though this unit is not highly publicized, they are having a positive impact on this community in reducing the distribution of illegal drugs,” said Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero.
Two other individuals charged by indictment are fugitives.
This investigation is conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement & Removal Operations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S Marshals Service, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the Pueblo Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Colorado State Patrol.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The charges in the indictment and complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Case Numbers: 24-cr-32, 24-mj-18
Federal Court Orders Baldwin Pharmacy to Stop Dispensing Controlled Substances and to Comply with Controlled Substance LawsRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Chief U.S. District Court Judge Hala Y. Jarbou entered a consent decree ordering Baldwin Pattie Drug Store, LLC (Pattie Drug), to discontinue dispensing controlled substances. The consent decree resolves allegations in a complaint filed by the United States against defendants Pattie Drug, a pharmacy located in Baldwin, MI, and its owner, Matthew Krawczak, for violating the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
“Lake County is one of Michigan’s most vulnerable communities in the ongoing opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “The alleged misconduct in this case violates the core tenets of responsible dispensing of opioids by a pharmacy and its pharmacists. My office remains committed to using all the tools at our disposal to protect communities from this crisis.”
In its complaint, the United States alleged that the defendants stocked and dispensed a particular brand of hydrocodone, sometimes referred to as “Yellow Norcos,” that are commonly sought out by individuals for their purported abuse potential. The defendants allegedly ordered these yellow opioid pills to maintain a competitive advantage over other pharmacies and then dispensed these controlled substances to patients they believed were abusing drugs. The United States also alleged that the defendants failed to meet multiple recordkeeping obligations, including keeping accurate dispensing records. The complaint notes that when Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigators inspected the pharmacy, an audit revealed thousands of unaccounted-for opioids, including hydrocodone pills. It also alleges that the DEA discovered that the defendants failed to submit annual certifications to DEA that pharmacy employees had been trained on CSA and DEA laws involving the sale of products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine directly to customers.
In the consent decree, Chief Judge Jarbou ordered the defendants to immediately comply with federal laws regarding dispensing of controlled substances and DEA recordkeeping. Within a set period, the consent decree permanently prevents Pattie Drug from dispensing controlled substances and orders it to surrender its DEA registration. The consent decree also prevents Krawczak from dispensing controlled substances in a pharmacy setting for ten years unless he is working under the supervision of another pharmacist in charge. Finally, the consent decree orders the defendants to pay a civil penalty between $10,000 to $30,000, negotiated based on the defendants’ inability to pay a larger settlement amount.
“The unlawful dispensing of controlled substances by a few healthcare practitioners throughout the country has caused immense harm to communities over the years,” stated DEA Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Schumacher. “If the requirements of a proper prescription and adherence to procedure are not met, the men and women of DEA Diversion Control stand ready to hold these pharmacists accountable.”
The resolution obtained in this case was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Hull prosecuted this case.
The complaint and consent decree in this case can be found on the Court’s online docket under United States v. Baldwin Pattie Drug Store, LLC, et al., No. 1:24-cv-70 (W.D. Mich.).
The claims resolved by the consent decree are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Former Wayne County Employee Sentenced to 1½ Years in Prison for Defrauding County Out of over $2.3 Million in Taxpayer FundsRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Former Wayne County Roads Division employee John Gibson was sentenced to 1½ years in prison today for conspiring to defraud the county out of over $2.3 million, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced.
Ison and Worthy were joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington.
Gibson, 55, of Detroit, pleaded guilty in July 2023. He and fellow Wayne County employee Kevin Gunn engaged in a scheme to use taxpayer dollars to make unauthorized purchases of generators and other power equipment from retailers in southeast Michigan which they sold for hundreds of thousands in personal profit. Gunn also pleaded guilty as part of the scheme and was sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison on November 8, 2023.
According to court documents, in March of 2021, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation into the potential misuse of taxpayer dollars. The Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the FBI to investigate the criminal actions of Gunn, Gibson, other employees of the Wayne County Roads Division, and vendors to Wayne County. At the beginning of the investigation, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office secured a search warrant which broke open the case and exposed the embezzlement scheme. Investigators with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office have played an ongoing and important role in the investigation.
As part of the scheme to defraud, between January 2019 and August 2021, Gunn solicited Wayne County vendors to provide generators and other power equipment the vendors were not authorized to provide under their contracts with the county. To conceal the scheme to defraud, Gunn instructed the vendors to list on their invoices different items which they were authorized to sell as part of their Wayne County contracts. Roads Division employees approved and paid each vendor’s invoice with taxpayer funds. After these fraudulent purchases were verified and approved by Roads Division employees, Gibson took possession of the equipment, paid Gunn for the items, and resold the generators and other items to members of the public.
A review of invoices from Wayne County vendors revealed that between January 16, 2019, and August 3, 2021, Wayne County vendors sold to Wayne County 596 unauthorized generators, and a variety of other power equipment including lawnmowers, chainsaws, and backpack blowers. The purchase of these items was not authorized under any vendor contract with Wayne County nor were the items ever provided to or used by Wayne County. The total value of equipment obtained as part of the scheme was over $2.3 million.
United States Attorney Dawn Ison said, “Today’s sentence represents our commitment to ensuring that the citizens of the Eastern District of Michigan are served by public officials who elevate the needs of the public over their own self-interest.”
“This sentence should serve as a deterrent to prevent any future employees from stealing from Wayne County. If you do, there will be life changing criminal consequences,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Worthy.
"The alleged misconduct by Mr. Gibson was a betrayal of his fellow government employees and is not representative of the honest and hard work they perform on a daily basis," stated Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The defendant was entrusted with taxpayer money, which was intended to be used for a specific purpose, not his personal profit. I would like to commend Prosecutor Kym Worthy and the Wayne County investigators for their assistance during this case. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take strong action against individuals who seek to corrupt the integrity and fair administration of government programs."
“The alleged actions of these individuals are nothing short of disgraceful,” said Sheriff Raphael Washington. “To brazenly steal from hardworking taxpayers and fraudulently line their own pockets while holding positions of public trust make these crimes all the more deplorable. Today’s sentencing is another example of our strong commitment to working together.”
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit Area Corruption Task Force. In addition, Wayne County Executive Evans and his administration have been assisting and cooperating with the investigation since they first learned of fraudulent activity within their organization. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown.
FBI agent indicted for theftRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 36-year-old federal agent from Houston has been charged with theft of personal and government property and providing false statements, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities have arrested Nicholas Anthony Williams. He is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan at 2 p.m.
According to the indictment, returned Jan. 31, Williams has been an FBI special agent in the Houston Field Office since 2019. He allegedly served in both the criminal violent gang and counterterrorism squads.
The charges allege that from March 2022 to July 2023, Williams took money or property from multiple residences while executing search warrants as an FBI special agent and then allegedly converted the money or property to his personal use.
Williams also stole multiple cell phones which were FBI property and provided false statements with regard to several fraudulent charges on his government-issued credit card, according to the indictment.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General is conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia and Sarina DiPiazza prosecuted the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Eastern Oregon Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An eastern Oregon drug dealer identified by law enforcement as part of an investigation into a fatal overdose on the Umatilla Indian Reservation was sentenced to federal prison today, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Ulises Echevarria-Molina, 40, of Pendleton, Oregon, was sentenced to 75 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, on May 15, 2021, officers from the Umatilla Tribal Police Department responded to a suspected fatal drug overdose at the Wildhorse Casino in Pendleton and located several counterfeit Oxycodone pills believed to contain fentanyl near the deceased victim. Toxicology reports later confirmed the victim had consumed fentanyl and cocaine prior to their death.
Further investigation revealed that the overdose victim likely obtained the fentanyl pills from a family member’s supply and the family member had recently purchased fentanyl from a local dealer. Investigators soon identified Echevarria-Molina as a third-level drug distributor to the deceased victim’s family member and, on May 18, 2021, arrested him without incident.
At the time of his arrest Echevarria-Molina possessed approximately 1,500 fentanyl pills and $9,000 in cash on his person. A search of Echevarria-Molina’s Pendleton home returned approximately 24 pounds of methamphetamine, two pounds of cocaine, and 1,500 additional fentanyl pills. Investigators also located and seized $18,000 in cash, digital scales, and various drug packaging materials from Echevarria-Molina’s residence.
On May 21, 2021, Echevarria-Molina was charged by criminal complaint with distribution or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Later, on May 19, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Echevarria-Molina with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Because of the combination of controlled substances in the toxicology results, Echevarria-Molina was not charged with the overdose death.
On September 5, 2023, Echevarria-Molina pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team (BENT), FBI and the Umatilla Tribal Police Department. It was prosecuted Cassady Adams, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
BENT is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force that includes detectives from the Pendleton Police Department, Hermiston Police Department, Boardman Police Department, Oregon State Police, Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Milton-Freewater Police Department, and Umatilla Tribal Police Department.
Driving Instructor Who Allegedly Bribed RMV Road Test Examiner for Driver's Licenses Agrees to Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A driving instructor has been charged, and has agreed to plead guilty, to allegedly conspiring to defraud the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) into issuing driver’s licenses to applicants who did not pass the road test.
Ngan Dinh, 48, of Boston, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging document, Dinh allegedly paid a road test examiner at the Brockton RMV service center to misrepresent to the RMV that certain driver’s license applicants had passed their road test when in fact they had not. According to court documents, some of the applicants did not even show up to take the test. As a result of the fraud, the RMV mailed driver’s licenses to unqualified applicants.
The charge of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. 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; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
District Employee Receives the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished ServiceRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees and included litigation teams that have made outstanding contributions in law enforcement.
Among the award recipients was Joshua Ellen, Information Technology Specialist for the Western District of North Carolina. Mr. Ellen was part of a team of Department of Justice employees recognized with The John Marshall Award, the Department’s highest award presented to recipients for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
“Today, Joshua Ellen was recognized for his contribution to the Department of Justice’s mission,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “This award symbolizes Joshua’s skills and dedication as a public servant and his work exemplifies our ongoing commitment to deliver justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Mr. Ellen joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina in 2018, as Litigation Support Team Lead. From 2009 to 2018, Mr. Ellen served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia as Litigation Technology Specialist and later as Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Ellen worked as a Management Analyst with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General’s Office of Investigations. Most recently, Mr. Ellen was detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia to serve in the Discovery Unit of the Capitol Siege Section.
Mr. Ellen received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Maryland.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King congratulated Mr. Ellen for his award and commended him for his lengthy career in public service.
Denver man sentenced for conspiracy to distribute fentanylRead the Press Release
Traquevis Dewayne Hardy, age 46, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Wyoming. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Jan. 30.
Hardy was indicted by a federal grand jury and pleaded not guilty in May 2023. Hardy was tried and convicted by a federal jury in October 2023. According to trial evidence, between July and December 2022, Hardy supplied at least 5,600 fentanyl pills to several individuals who then sold this fentanyl in the Cheyenne area.
This crime was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy J. Forwood and Paige Hammer.
Case No. 23-CR-00053
Delta Passenger Accused of Being Unruly and Abusive During Flight Faces Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
UPDATE
Upon motion of the United States, the indictment described in the press release below against Darnel Silver Collins, in this case was dismissed on June 12, 2024.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City, Utah, returned an indictment today charging a Netherlands national, living in Arizona, with multiple federal charges, including interference with a flight crew.
According to court documents, Darnel Silver Collins, 19, of Surprise, Arizona, was a passenger onboard a Delta Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Salt Lake City, who allegedly engaged in unruly and abusive behavior one hour after takeoff. Collins continued to cause problems and had to be consistently monitored for the remaining nine hours of the flight.
According to witnesses, Collins was loud, disruptive, threatening and abusive to other passengers and crew members. Throughout the flight, Collins’ behavior escalated and he eventually had to be restrained. As alleged in the complaint, during the flight, Collins began following and touching multiple passengers. At one point, Collins approached a female passenger as she was exiting the restroom. Collins grabbed onto the female passenger’s arm and did not release her until another passenger and flight crew member intervened. Approximately eight passengers were moved from the area around Collins seat to avoid further problems. Eventually, Collins was moved to the very back row of the aircraft. Collins spit on a passenger striking at least two other people with his saliva and he continued to touch passengers as they walked by. Due to his continued unwanted touching of other passengers, Collins was physically restrained in flexicuffs by the flight crew. He was taken into custody upon arrival at Salt Lake City International Airport. Collins is in the United States on a P1 Visa (National/International athletes and performers). Collins is a minor league baseball player and is sponsored by the Kansas City Baseball Corporation. He travels between the U.S. and the Netherlands during the baseball off-season.
Collins is charged with interference with a flight crew and assault by striking, beating, and wounding in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. His initial court appearance on the indictment is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
An FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Kennedy of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
order_granting_leave_to_dismiss_the_indictment._darnel_silver_collins.pdf motion_for_leave_to_dismiss_indictment._darnel_silver_collins.pdf darnelcollins_indictment.pdf darnelsilvercollins.complaint.pdfDavenport Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, to 33 months in federal prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
According to public court documents, Gabriel Anjel Trujillo, 20, was identified by law enforcement in January 2023 during routine surveillance. Trujillo is a known and admitted member of the Lowrider street gang. A traffic stop and vehicle block were conducted on the vehicle in which Trujillo was a passenger. Trujillo fled on foot from law enforcement and a handgun was later found in the vehicle where Trujillo was sitting. At the time of his arrest, Trujillo was on state supervision for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Trujillo will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Past prosecution of other Lowrider members can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/fifteen-defendants-charged-37-count-racketeering-indictment-against-lowrider-criminal
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. 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.
Cranston Man Admits to Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Cranston man admitted to a federal judge today that he produced and possessed images and videos of child pornography, including some that he produced involving a girl who was under ten years old, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Gregory Phillips, 42, pleaded guilty today to federal charges of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2024. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Philips admitted to the court that in late 2021 and early 2022, he produced sexually explicit images and videos involving a minor female, and that he stored those and other images and videos of child sexual abuse on a storage cloud that he controlled.
Philips first came to the attention of law enforcement when members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force reviewed a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating that an individual in Rhode Island possessed and transferred child pornography. Further investigation by the ICAC Task Force and a Cranston Police Detective determined that the images and videos were being transferred from an account linked to Philips’s phone number.
A forensic review of images and videos located on cellphones seized from Philips by law enforcement resulted in the discovery of a total of 109 images and 15 videos of child pornography, some containing images of Philips and various household items and locations within Philips’s residence.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the ICAC Task Force and Cranston Police, with the assistance of Homeland Security. United States Attorney Cunha extends his thanks to the Cranston Police Department for its support and assistance in this matter.
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Connoquenessing Resident Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for $1.67 Million Embezzlement and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Connoquenessing, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on January 30, 2024, to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release on her convictions for wire fraud and making false statements on her tax returns, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Constance Stobert, 58.
According to information presented to the court, Stobert worked as a controller for a company called Mechanical Operations Company (MOC) from 1994 until July 2021. Between January 2014 and July 2018, Stobert stole at least $1,678,893 in MOC’s assets to pay for her personal expenses. Among other things, Stobert wrote checks from MOC’s business banking accounts to make personal credit card payments and used MOC’s credit cards to withdraw cash at ATMs in casinos located in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas. Stobert also admitted that, during the tax years 2016 through and including 2019, she willfully and knowingly filed false tax returns, in which she failed to report the money she embezzled from MOC, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $545,990.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Schwab stated that Stobert caused substantial financial hardship to MOC and its owners and noted that Stobert’s crimes were intentional, serious, and occurred over a substantial period of time. Judge Schwab also stressed that efforts to portray the defendant as the victim were not convincing and that, given the seriousness of the offenses, defense counsel’s request for a sentence of home incarceration “is a bridge too far.”
“The victim entrusted Ms. Stobert with unfettered access to corporate funds, and, for years, she betrayed that trust by stealing more than $1.5 million and taking deliberate steps to cover up her theft,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “This type of deception will not be tolerated, and bringing the perpetrators of such financial crimes to justice will continue to be an important part of the work of this office and our partners in law enforcement.”
“Ms. Stobert used her position to fund her lavish lifestyle and while doing so not only defrauded her employer, but honest hardworking Americans who pay their tax obligations every year,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “This sentencing should serve as reminder to anyone willing to take advantage of their employment to steal funds - the FBI will ensure you are held accountable in the criminal justice system.”
“No matter the source of the income, all income is taxable, and accurate tax returns must be filed,” said Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “Constance Stobert embezzled from her employer for years and failed to report the stolen funds on her personal income tax returns. The prosecution of individuals who intentionally conceal income and evade taxes is always a priority for IRS-CI.”
Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Stobert.
Cobb County man sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping 12-year-old from Barrow CountyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - James Anthony Reynolds, who drove a 12-year-old girl from Barrow County, Georgia, to Acworth, Georgia, and sexually assaulted and then abandoned her in a Walmart parking lot in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
“Child sexual predators are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to target vulnerable minors,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “While our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners remain steadfast in identifying these criminals, and our office is committed to prosecuting these individuals to the fullest extent of the law, we strongly urge parents to stay vigilant in monitoring their children’s Internet activity, including their use of apps on electronic devices. Thankfully, the minor victim in this case is safe after being reunited with her family.”
“No prison sentence can repair the damage James Anthony Reynolds has done. We hope this sentencing is of great comfort to the victim and her family,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. “The FBI is committed to partnering with our law enforcement partners to prevent, deter, and punish crimes like these.”
“This sentencing represents the determination of our agents and law enforcement partners to catch dangerous predators,” said Chris Hosey, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “This should serve as a warning to those who seek to prey on our most vulnerable that the GBI and our partners will never cease in our mission. As the threats to children online continue to grow, we will remain vigilant and adapt our methods to protect our children and hold predators accountable.”
“As Sheriff I am very proud of the work all agencies did to catch this predator and get him off the streets so that no one else could possibly fall victim to his crimes,” said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith. “Human trafficking is a real problem and I urge if you or anyone you know might be in trouble to call your local law enforcement or the GA Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking at 866-363-4842.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In May 2020, the victim then 12 years old, met a man online on a social media app. During the early morning hours of May 7, 2020, this man, later identified as James Anthony Reynolds, picked up the child, violently and sexually assaulted her, and drove her to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Reynolds then abandoned the child in a Walmart parking lot. The young girl approached a Walmart employee who, fortunately, was able to help the child reach her parents.
James Anthony Reynolds, 25, of Acworth, Georgia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. On November 1, 2023, Reynolds pleaded guilty to kidnapping. He continues to face additional charges related to this case in state court.
This case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Cleveland, Ohio, Man Sentenced to Prison and Supervised Release for Fentanyl and Cocaine ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for his conviction on fentanyl and cocaine trafficking charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Ravon Crockett, 46, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak. Judge Hornak also ordered Crockett to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. In September 2023, Crockett pleaded guilty in this case to (1) conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between March 2020 and August 2021, and (2) distributing fentanyl and cocaine on November 16, 2020.
At sentencing, the Court was informed that Crockett distributed fentanyl and cocaine in New Castle, Lawrence County, for several months in 2020. He was on probation at that time for a prior heroin trafficking conviction in Ohio.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Lawrence County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Crockett.
Clay County Woman Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for Possessing with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and CocaineRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Alyssa Avery (32, Green Cove Springs) to six years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine. Avery entered a guilty plea on October 19, 2023.
According to court documents, on January 30, 2023, deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) observed Avery driving in a rental vehicle in Green Cove Springs. When deputies learned Avery did not have a valid driver’s license, they initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, a CCSO canine alerted the detectives to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found over 20 grams of fentanyl in 17 individual sealed baggies, 60 grams of pure crystal methamphetamine, over 13 grams of cocaine, and over 16 grams of cocaine base. Deputies also recovered a digital scale. Detectives learned Avery had been released from the Florida Department of Corrections the month prior for trafficking methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.
Cincinnati man pleads guilty to leading firearms conspiracy involving 56 guns purchased online with stolen credit cardsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to crimes related to buying firearms with stolen credit card information and leading a conspiracy to pick up the firearms in illegal straw purchases, as well as separately obtaining a fraudulent COVID-relief loan.
Zephaniah Jones, 21, admitted to conspiring to make false statements on federal firearms forms, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
According to court documents, from April through July 2022, Jones and others attempted to place online orders for firearms with Guns.com and other online retailers for delivery to Cincinnati. Jones and his coconspirators completed online orders for 56 firearms and succeeded in obtaining at least 37.
Under federal law, the firearms could not be shipped directly to Jones or a coconspirator; they had to be shipped to a local federal firearms licensee (FFL). At the FFL, Jones’s coconspirators lied on ATF Form 4473, a form required when purchasing a firearm from an FFL, by pretending to be the actual buyer of the firearms. In fact, the firearms were for Jones, who intended to resell them.
Jones used stolen credit card information and billing addresses to place all the orders. For example, within two weeks in June and July 2022, Jones used the credit card information of three individuals to make purchases of firearms totaling more than $15,000. Jones bought large numbers of the same or similar models of firearms, intending to resell them. For example, he bought at least 14 Glock pistols, 11 F.N. Five-Seven pistols, and six FN 509 pistols.
Some of the guns involved in the conspiracy were traced to crimes within a short period of time. For example, just 15 days after purchase, one pistol was used to shoot into an occupied residence in Columbus; it was later also used in a shots-fired incident and a separate felonious assault. Another pistol was recovered from a juvenile less than three months after purchase, after being used in a different shots-fired incident in Columbus.
Separately, in February 2020, Jones submitted a fraudulent application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, falsely claiming that he owned a business called Jones Lawncare LLC. As a result, Jones was awarded a PPP loan for nearly $21,000 that was later forgiven.
Parties involved in Jones’s case have recommended a sentence of 79 months in prison. Five other coconspirators in the straw-purchasing conspiracy have been charged federally.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case. The case investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
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Chinese Nationals Charged with Illegally Exporting U.S.-Origin Electronic Components to Iran and Iranian Military AffiliatesRead the Press Release
Four Chinese nationals are charged in an indictment in the District of Columbia with various federal crimes related to a years-long conspiracy to unlawfully export and smuggle U.S.-origin electronic components from the United States to Iran.
According to court documents, Baoxia Liu, aka Emily Liu; Yiu Wa Yung, aka Stephen Yung; Yongxin Li, aka Emma Lee; and Yanlai Zhong, aka Sydney Chung, unlawfully exported and smuggled U.S. export controlled items through China and Hong Kong ultimately for the benefit of entities affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which supervises Iran’s development and production of missiles, weapons, and military aerial equipment to include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
“For more than a decade, the defendants allegedly orchestrated a scheme to smuggle U.S. manufactured parts to the IRGC and the Iranian agency charged with developing ballistic missiles and UAVs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. “Such efforts to unlawfully obtain U.S. technology directly threaten our national security, and we will use every tool at our disposal to sever the illicit supply chains that fuel the Iranian regime’s malign activity.”
“Aggressively combating illicit procurement networks that support Iranian military systems like radars and UAVs is essential to U.S. national security,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. “Today’s indictment, tied to the work of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, reaffirms that proliferators cannot hide behind front companies in third countries to funnel technology to our adversaries.”
“Our indictment alleges a years-long, complex conspiracy to violate U.S. laws by procuring U.S. technology with military uses for entities in Iran who would do us harm – a serious offense that endangers our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Our office, along with our federal law enforcement partners, will continue to turn over every stone to find those who break our laws and put us at risk. We are committed to making sure that U.S. technology is kept out of the hands of those taking aim at the United States and its citizens through robust enforcement of U.S. sanctions.”
“Our foreign adversaries use many tactics to gain access to critical U.S. technologies and innovation,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “In this instance, it is alleged that U.S.-origin equipment was smuggled by front companies to the benefit of end users in Iran. Any circumvention of U.S. export control law is simply unacceptable – the FBI will work diligently with its partners across the globe to hold all accountable who jeopardize our national security.”
According to the indictment, beginning as early as May 2007 and continuing until at least July 2020, the defendants utilized an array of front companies in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to funnel dual-use U.S.-origin items, including electronics and components that could be utilized in the production of UAVs, ballistic missile systems, and other military end uses, to sanctioned Iranian entities with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) such as Shiraz Electronics Industries (SEI), Rayan Roshd Afzar, and their affiliates.
Throughout the course of the conspiracy, the defendants concealed the fact that the goods were destined for Iran and Iranian entities and made material misrepresentations to U.S. companies regarding the end destination and end users. These deceptive practices caused the U.S. companies to export goods to the defendants’ PRC-based front companies under false pretenses and under the guise that the ultimate destination of these products was China as opposed to Iran. As a result, a vast amount of dual-use U.S.-origin commodities with military capabilities were exported from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions and export control laws and regulations.
The defendants are charged with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), violating IEEPA, smuggling goods from the United States, and one count of submitting false or misleading export information. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for violating the IEEPA; up to 10 years in prison for smuggling goods from the United States; and up to five years in prison for each count of conspiracy and submitting false or misleading export information. Arrest warrants have been issued for Liu, Yung, Li and Zhong who all remain fugitives.
The FBI’s Detroit Field Office and Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement Chicago Field Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack F. Korba for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Heather Schmidt and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
In June 2023, the Department of Justice joined with the Departments of Commerce, State, and Treasury to issue an advisory to share information about the threat posed by Iran’s procurement, development, and proliferation of UAVs. Four months later, in October 2023, the department joined with the same interagency partners to issue an advisory describing the threat posed by Iran’s ballistic missile procurement activities. The advisories gave an overview of the key components sought by Iran, the regime’s use of deceptive practices to acquire certain types of technologies, and recommendations for implementing effective compliance controls to minimize sanctions and export control risk.
Today’s action was coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chinese National Sentenced for Role in International Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Chinese national who overstayed a student visa was sentenced by a federal judge in Providence today to time served –effectively a period of seven months-- for participating in an international fraud ring that targeted individuals in several states, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Fangzhou Qian, 29, pleaded guilty on November 15, 2023, to a charge of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States. Qian was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to time served and one year of federal supervised release.
Qian has been detained in federal custody since making an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on June 30, 2023.
According to information presented to the court, operating at the direction of others, including individuals in China, Qian acted as a courier to collect cash from fraud victims. Members of the conspiracy targeted individuals in several states, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. At the time of Qian’s arrest by Portsmouth, RI, police, Qian was found to be in possession of more than 2,000 gift cards from various stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney G. Michael Seaman.
The matter was investigated by the Portsmouth Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.
Chelsea Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Machinegun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Chelsea man pleaded guilty today to illegally selling multiple machinegun conversion devices to an undercover federal agent.
Michael Williams, 50, was indicted on two counts of transferring or possessing a machinegun and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for May 15, 2024. Williams was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in July 2023 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023.
In January 2023, Williams agreed to sell several machinegun conversion devices and other firearm accessories to an undercover agent. Following a series of communications, Williams met the undercover agent twice at a pre-arranged location. On Jan. 12, 2023, Williams sold the first machinegun conversion device, along with numerous rounds of ammunition. On the following day Williams sold two additional machinegun conversion devices to the undercover agent. Williams is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
The charge of unlawful transferring or possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The felon in possession charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Charges Added Against Former Missouri Police Officer Accused of Sexually Abusing DetaineesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A grand jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Wednesday returned a superseding indictment accusing a former officer with the North County Police Cooperative of sexually assaulting 19 men that he detained or arrested.
Marcellis Blackwell, 34, of St. Louis, was originally indicted in September. Wednesday’s indictment brings the total to 36 charges: 19 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, namely the right to bodily integrity, and 17 counts of altering records in a federal investigation.
The new indictment says that between Nov. 8, 2022, and June 5, 2023, Blackwell fondled the genitals of 19 alleged victims who he had detained and/or restrained. Blackwell also is accused in the indictment of sodomizing one of the men with his finger, an act of aggravated sexual abuse. The indictment also says Blackwell’s conduct constituted the kidnapping of the alleged victims. An additional count of altering the records of another arrest brings the number of alleged/charged victims to 20.
FBI St. Louis has established a hotline for potential victims of Blackwell: (314) 589-2682.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI investigated the case, following an initial investigation conducted by the North County Police Cooperative. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug is prosecuting the case.
Canton Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking 15-Year-OldRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Canton man was sentenced today for sex trafficking a minor who had been reported missing.
Keion Rowell, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In September 2023, Rowell was convicted by a federal jury of one count of sex trafficking of a child.
“Mr. Rowell inflicted severe trauma on a vulnerable young life. Today’s sentence ensures that this dangerous man will be removed from our community for a very long time,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “As we close Human Trafficking Prevention Month, this case serves as a stark reminder that this insidious crime preys on the most vulnerable victims. Our office will work tirelessly to combat human trafficking and ensure that our communities are safe and that even the most vulnerable can live without fear of exploitation or harm.”
“The cruelty and inhumanity displayed by Keion Rowell is staggering. He forced a child into sexual servitude, unleashing physical and emotional abuse even as he profited from that child's exploitation,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Every day, children are being sexually exploited and traumatized in our area, and across the country. FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force will never stop working to find and free trafficked children and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. We ask anyone with knowledge of child sex trafficking to let us know about it. Dial 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov.”
On or about Jan. 18, 2021, Rowell met the 15-year-old victim, who had recently run away from home. Almost immediately, Rowell created and posted numerous online commercial sex advertisements that contained photos of the victim, including nude photos, and told her that she would have to engage in prostitution. Rowell then communicated with sex buyers and sent the victim to meet with those men to have sex in exchange for money he kept. On one occasion, when the victim did not make enough money to satisfy Rowell’s demands, he punched her in the face.
On Jan. 28, 2021, approximately 10 days after the victim had been reported missing, law enforcement participated in an undercover operation to rescue her. When she was recovered, the victim had Rowell’s phone which contained photos of the victim and Rowell, information about his personal bank accounts, links to online advertisements for commercial sex and communications with sex buyers.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office; the Boston and Belmont Police Departments; and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Tochka prosecuted the case.
California Man Who Forged Medical Documents on Pretrial Release and Later Sold Methamphetamine in Jail Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A California man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine by mail, was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison.
James Dean Sterner, age 67, from Tustin, California, received the prison term after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on June 28, 2023. Evidence in the case revealed that from August 2019 to October 2019, Sterner conspired to distribute methamphetamine in and around Sioux City, Iowa after receiving the methamphetamine via mail. Sterner was released on pre-trial supervision in 2020 but failed to appear for a change of plea hearing in October 2021, after submitting forged documents to the court falsely claiming to have cancer. A warrant was issued, but Sterner’s whereabouts were unknown for over a year before he was arrested in April 2023 in Anaheim, California. After pleading guilty to conspiracy charges, Sterner distributed methamphetamine-laced paper in the O’Brien County Jail while awaiting sentencing. Sterner has 10 prior controlled substance-related convictions.
Sterner was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 360 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Sterner is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ron Timmons and Mikala Purdy-Steenholdt.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4088.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
California Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Defrauding Amtrak, Trailways of More Than $475,000Read the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Korey Wise was sentenced today to 51 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release by United States District Judge Nitza Alejandro Quinones for defrauding Amtrak and Trailways Transportation Systems of approximately $475,910. Wise was also ordered to pay full restitution of that sum.
On May 17, 2023, defendant Wise, 48, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft before United States District Judge Edwardo C. Robreno.
From January 2014 through May 2017, Wise devised a scheme in which he made telephone calls to individuals and small business owners located throughout the country. During these calls, he pretended to be a representative of a utility company, calling to collect an overdue bill or an official from a licensing board that oversaw nail salons. Wise falsely told the business owner that the business owed an inspection fee and if the fee was paid over the telephone with a credit card, the fee would be less. Unbeknownst to the victims, he then used the credit card information he collected to purchase travel reservations on carriers, including Amtrak and Trailways Transportation Systems, and then resold those reservations for profit.
The investigation revealed that Wise victimized individuals and small business owners, who spoke English as a second language, throughout the country. He fraudulently obtained the credit card information of three victims located in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania at the time of his calls. Wise falsely told these three victims, who each owned nail salons, that he was from the Cosmetology Board and the Board was planning an inspection of their salon. He told each victim that he or she could prepay the fee with a credit card. Without their knowledge and authorization, Wise used their respective credit cards to purchase reservations from Trailways Transportation Systems in various amounts.
“Korey Wise defrauded Amtrak and Trailways of nearly half a million dollars, using the stolen identities of innocent people to do so,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “It’s despicable that he specifically targeted victims for whom English may have been a second language, hoping they’d be easier to exploit. My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold financial fraudsters like Wise accountable for their crimes.”
The case was investigated by the Amtrak Police Department, the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terri A. Marinari.
Caldwell Man is Sentenced to 20 years for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOISE – Rigoverto Hernandez, 31, of Caldwell, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, on April 4, 2023, officers with the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at an AirBnB where Hernandez was staying. During the search, Hernandez was found in possession of 19,900 fentanyl pills, 13.5 pounds of methamphetamine, and three firearms. Hernandez was prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony convictions.
Hernandez has a criminal history that includes felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance. According to Hernandez, he grew up around a significant amount of gang violence, which lead him to join a local gang. Although Hernandez admitted he was a gang member, he contends he dropped out of the gang in 2014.
U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Hernandez to serve 5 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Hernandez pleaded guilty to the federal charge in November of 2023.
“The quantity of fentanyl pills in this case could have killed thousands of Idahoans, and I am grateful to law enforcement for its successful investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will continue to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to remove dangerous fentanyl dealers from our communities. They have no place here in Idaho.”
“Illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine have destroyed countless lives, and Rigoverto Hernandez helped fuel this epidemic in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “His sentencing is the result of federal, state, and local partners working hand-in-hand to keep our communities safe.”
“I appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners that went into securing justice in this case,” said Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Taylor. “It takes all of us to eradicate the wickedness of fentanyl in our community.”
“We are in a battle to protect our citizens from the onslaught of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs smuggled into the State of Idaho,” said Canyon County Sheriff Keiran Donahue. “The Transcontinental Criminal Organizations (TCO’s) capitalize on drug traffickers like Hernandez to sell these drugs on our streets, with a profit margin to the Cartels, in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. It is cooperative, multi-agency investigative efforts like those of the Metro Violent Crime and Gang Task Force and our relationships with the United States Attorney’s Office that help remove these threats from our streets. I would hope the criminal element is paying attention. If you traffic poisonous and deadly drugs in Idaho, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will send you to prison. That’s a promise.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force for its efforts in this case. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit also thanked the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for its support of the investigation.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth.
This case was also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Press Release Video Statement
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Benton Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Benton man was sentenced yesterday to 144 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of Possession of More Than Five Hundred (500) Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, in early 2022, Homeland Security Investigations identified Terrance O’Neal Murphy, age 45, as a large-scale methamphetamine distributer in the Central Arkansas geographical area. On April 5, 2022, Murphy was pulled over by the Arkansas State Police for traffic violations. During the course of the traffic stop, officers located over three (3) kilograms of methamphetamine in Murphy’s vehicle. Murphy subsequently fled from the scene but was apprehended a short time later after a foot pursuit.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations – Little Rock Field Office, 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police and the 18th East Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Benton Harbor Men Sentenced to Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Mark Curtis, Jr. (26), Jordan Allen (22), and Calvin Hill (25), all of Benton Harbor, were each sentenced to federal prison. Curtis was sentenced to 15 years; Allen was sentenced to 8 years; and Hill was sentenced to 46 months. Following a jury trial in August 2023, a jury convicted each man of being a felon in possession of a firearm. At sentencing, Chief Judge Hala Jarbou found that Curtis possessed his gun in connection with first degree premeditated murder.
“Gun violence is an epidemic here in Michigan and across the country that inflicts immense trauma on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “We’ll never prosecute our way out of this epidemic, but accountability is critical. My office is committed to working with community and law enforcement partners to prosecute dangerous offenders.”
Mark Curtis
Calvin Hill
Jordan Allen
Witnesses at trial testified that Hill was feuding with another Benton Harbor man. On the night of September 10, 2022, Curtis, Hill, and Allen met at Hill’s apartment. Investigators found pictures and videos of their guns on Hill’s kitchen table and Hill wiping off rounds of ammunition.
The man that Hill was feuding with was found dead the next morning. He had gunshot wounds to his neck, abdomen, and hand. GPS data from Hill’s Snapchat account showed that he was two blocks north of the victim two minutes before the first 911 call about the shooting. Later that morning, Allen confirmed with another person that the victim had died.
“The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety (BHDPS) works hard every single day to protect our residents from violent crime,” said BHDPS Director Daniel McGinnis. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Mark Totten’s commitment to the residents of Benton Harbor, as well as our other law enforcement partners who help remove illegal guns from our streets, hold dangerous offenders accountable, and provide safer neighborhoods within our city.”
“While the damage and death caused in this case cannot be undone, our hope is that this sentence brings a sense of justice to all those impacted by this senseless violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan. “We would like to commend our law enforcement partners on the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force for their efforts in bringing closure to this case. The FBI remains committed to removing violent offenders from our streets in order to ensure a safe environment for all Michigan residents.”
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities in order to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit: https://www.justice.gov/psn.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Federal Investigation, the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, the Benton Township Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) played a pivotal role in the evaluation of the firearm and shell casing evidence. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
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Barre City Man Charged with Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun and Possession of a Firearm as an Unlawful Drug UserRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Gage Garr, 33, of Barre City, Vermont, has been indicted for possession of a short-barreled shotgun and possession of a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. A federal grand jury in Burlington issued the indictment, and Garr was arraigned yesterday in Burlington.
At his arraignment, Garr pleaded not guilty to the charges. U. S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Garr to remain in the custody of the United States Marshals pending trial.
According to court records, Garr was discovered asleep in his vehicle on November 26, 2023. He was found to be in possession of suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia, as well as a short-barreled shotgun for which he did not have proper registration. Garr had pending state charges against him at the time.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are accusations only and that Garr is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Garr faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the possession of the short-barreled shotgun and 15 years in prison for possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Any ultimate sentence will be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the United States Code.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory and collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); the Barre City Police Department; the Randolph Police Department; and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement and Safety.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Smith. Garr is represented by Devin McLaughlin, Esq.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Bank fraud scheme that stole thousands of dollars from multiple Montana banks sends Texas man to prison for four yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Texas man who admitted stealing more than $100,000 from Montana banks as part of an organized group that used forged checks and stolen identities to defraud banks was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $103,149 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Shanetwann Clayton Waldon, 46, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that Waldon, working with several co-defendants, traveled from Texas to Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to pass fraudulent checks at smaller financial institutions. Waldon targeted rural areas because they were a “little ‘country’ and the bank process was slower than in Texas.” In 2022 and 2023, Waldon made at least four trips to Montana, and on 10 occasions, entered a new bank and stole thousands of dollars. Waldon presented a fake identity to evade detection by law enforcement and used forged instruments to create debts in the name of others. In Montana, Waldon targeted banks in Hamilton, Bozeman, Billings and Missoula. He persisted in the scheme months after his initial co-defendants had been arrested. In total, Waldon and his codefendants stole $141,822 from 30 bank branches in three states. Waldon’s total amount owed of $103,149 is payable to six Montana banks, including First Interstate Bank, TrailWest Bank, First Security Bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, Farmers State Bank and Western Security Bank.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, police departments in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston, and Laurel, Montana, the Yellowstone County (Montana) Sheriff’s Office; police departments in Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, the Bannock County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police; and police departments in Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, and the Teton County (Wyoming) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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Baldwin County Man Sentenced to 17 Months’ Imprisonment for Threatening to Kill Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Baldwin County man was sentenced on January 29, 2024, to 17 months in prison for making threatening communications to a federal law enforcement officer.
According to court documents, David Clarence Shaw placed multiple calls to the Operations Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation threatening to kill a federal task force officer and referring to himself as the “Angel of Death.” After serving his 17-month sentence, Shaw will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way daily to protect the public,” said United States Attorney Sean P. Costello. “Threats to their safety – or to any member of our community – will not be tolerated.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasee S. Heisterhagen prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Automobile accessory company Yakima Products Inc. settles allegations failed to pay duties on extruded aluminum from ChinaRead the Press Release
Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Yakima Products Inc. headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has resolved allegations that Yakima Products knowingly failed to pay required antidumping and countervailing duties on extruded aluminum components imported from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Yakima will pay the U.S. $3 million, of which $1,325,000 is restitution. Yakima will pay the settlement over a one-year period.
“Yakima Products Inc. has successfully manufactured and sold automobile accessories for years, but failed to take action when it was informed that it was not paying appropriate duties on material imported from China,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Knowingly avoiding those costs gives Yakima an unfair advantage over other manufacturers who pay those required fees. Now the company is not only paying those costs, but also penalties as well as the attorney fees of the relator who reported the improper conduct.”
According to the settlement agreement, from January 1, 2012, through July 5, 2021, Yakima Products Inc failed to pay the duties it owed. Yakima had been informed of the need to pay the duties but chose not to do so.
Ultimately, a former employee brought the matter to the attention of the government in a qui tam lawsuit filed in April 2021. As the person who reports the fraud on a government program or policy, the former employee, known as the relator, will receive 17% of the funds paid to the government. In addition, Yakima Products Inc. will pay $75,000 in legal fees for the relator.
As part of the settlement agreement, Yakima Products Inc does not admit wrongdoing, but seeks to resolve the matter to avoid the delay, uncertainty, and expense of protracted litigation.
“This settlement agreement with Yakima marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of fair-trade practices,” said Christopher Perry, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “I commend the dedication and hard work of CBP’s trade specialists, along with our invaluable federal partners, in upholding the integrity of our nation’s trade policies. Together, we remain steadfast in ensuring a level playing field for American businesses and ensuring everyone plays by the rules.”
The settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Nickolas Bohl and Senior Attorney Kenneth Misbin with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Attorney General Recognizes Portland Federal Prosecutor for Contributions to January 6 Capitol Breach CasesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON— Today, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland presented federal prosecutor Geoffrey Barrow, an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Oregon, with the prestigious John Marshall Award for his exceptional contributions to criminal cases stemming from the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
John Marshall awards, presented annually by the Attorney General, are the Justice Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys and other litigation support staff for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
“We are incredibly proud of the contributions Geoffrey Barrow has made to these important cases. The department’s January 6 prosecution effort is unprecedented in both its scope and complexity, and has required many dedicated public servants, like Geoff, to temporarily put aside their normal duties to represent the interests of all Americans,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Barrow was recognized, together with 14 other department attorneys and litigation support staff, for his innovation and leadership in meeting the extraordinary discovery demands posed by the simultaneous prosecution of more than 1,200 capitol breach defendants. Together, these cases have produced more than 5 million electronic files and an unprecedented amount of surveillance video, police camera footage, and other digital evidence collected on or after January 6. Barrow and his team worked with a contracted partner to create a secure, online repository for all January 6 evidence to expeditiously meet the government’s discovery production requirements across all January 6 cases.
In the 36 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.
Department of Justice staff from across the country, including multiple Assistant United States Attorneys from the District of Oregon, have been detailed to the department’s January 6 investigation, which is ongoing. Anyone with information or tips should call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Justice Department Employees and Partners for the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
The 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards and recipients are as follows.
70th Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2022
The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award given by the Justice Department to recognize employee achievement. The Attorney General commends Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell Manda Sertich, and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter; Paralegals Henry Fronk of the Civil Rights Division and Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; and Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the Department’s second highest award for employee performance; there are 13 Distinguished Service Awards for 2022.
The first Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Deputy Chief Barbara “Bobbi” Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Special Agents Jeffrey Roberts, Marcus Griffin, and Skylar Barnes; Investigator Steven Harrell of the Civil Rights Division; Paralegals Taylore Thomas of the Civil Rights Division and Tracy Long for the Southern District of Georgia; Victim Witness Coordinators Kellie Wiggins and Iverna Campbell for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Maria Pagan; Special Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Perras of the Civil Rights Division; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Amy Vaughan.
The second Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Supervisory Special Agents Michael D. Muller and Kerry M. Whitmore of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA Diversion Investigator Jessica A. Stransky-Chrisman; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos, Alexandra Rothman, Louis Pellegrino, Stephanie Lake, and Thomas Burnett for the Southern District of New York; DEA Special Agent George J. Burdzy; DEA Diversion Investigators Kathleen M. Whitmore, Brittany G. Korines, and Christine L. Barnes; and DEA Staff Coordinator William J. Kivelehan.
The third Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Zachary Stendig, and Anatoly Smolkin for the District of Maryland; FBI Special Agent Alicia C. Zimmerman, FBI Task Force Officer Detective Tara Baione Augustin, FBI Task Force Officer Kyrie Yackovich, FBI Staff Operations Specialist John Coward II; Special Agent Kimmesia Sampson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The fourth Distinguished Award is presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia and Jessica Lieber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp, and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
The fifth Distinguished Award is presented to Acting Director Katherine Harman-Stokes of the Office of Privacy & Civil Liberties; Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Richard Downing and Bruce Swartz of the Criminal Division; Associate Director Sheri Shepherd-Pratt of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs; Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Senior Counsels Benjamin Fitzpatrick and Kenneth Harris of the Criminal Division; and Attorney Advisor Hannah Mayer of the Criminal Division.
The sixth Distinguished Award is presented to Supervisor Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Viera; Deputy U.S. Marshals Teddy Josh Moff, Brady M. Flannigan, Troy W. Oberly, and Kyle L. Perry; and Task Force Officers Brandon J. Bansemer and Truman S. Wiles of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
The seventh Distinguished Award is presented to Director John Patrick Glynn of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Section.
The eighth Distinguished Award is presented to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aidan Taft Grano-Mickelsen, Dennis M. Fitzpatrick, and John T. Gibbs for the Eastern District of Virginia; Trial Attorney Alicia H. Cook of the National Security Division; Paralegal Specialist Nicole M. Lopez for the Eastern District of Virginia; Victim-Witness Coordinator Jennifer A. Donnarumma for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI Supervisory Special Agent John M. Chiappone; FBI Special Agents Brian D. Czekala, Daniel P. O’Toole, William H. Heaney, and Julius F. Nutter; FBI Intelligence Analyst Edward R. Laney; Command Judge Advocate Elisabeth L. Gilman of the Department of Defense; and Associate Deputy General Counsel Michael D. Vozzo of the Department of Defense.
The ninth Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss R. Basil, Alexia R. DeVincentis, Stephen E. Frank, Kristen A. Kearney, Justin D. O’Connell, Ian J. Stearns, Leslie A. Wright, and Carol E. Head for the District of Massachusetts, Financial Investigator Lauren M. George for the District of Massachusetts, FBI Special Agents Laura C. Smith, Kaitlyn A. Cedrone, Keith T. Brown, and Chris Giankura; IRS Special Agent Elizabeth A. Keating; and Special Agent Mark G. Deckett of the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.
The 10th Distinguished Award is presented to FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Andrew P. Patchman; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edward A. Panetta; FBI Special Agents Raymond Esposito and Keri A. Shannon; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Amanda Rossi and Samir Taslaman; FBI Language Specialist Dragan Minic; FBI Assistant Legal Attaches Veh Bezdikian and Justin Hefner; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Hafetz, J. Matthew Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York; Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer for the Eastern District of New York; and DHS Special Agent/Task Force Officer Charles M. Reich.
The 11th Distinguished Award is presented to Attorney-Advisors Christopher Clements, Megan Fluckiger, Alice Jou, Tyler Wood, and Stephen Buckingham of the National Security Division; Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Mike Granzini.
The 12th Distinguished Award is presented to Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Nutt of the Office of the Inspector (OIG); OIG Program Manager Mark E. Gray; OIG Special Agent Rolando Ortiz-Rodriguez; Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Karen Rich, Office of the Inspector General.
The 13th Distinguished Award is presented to Chief of the Criminal Appeals Division David C. James for the Eastern District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes a remarkable act of bravery and risk of life while performing official duties. Two Exception Herrorism Awards are presented this year.
The first Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented posthumously to DEA Group Supervisor Michael G. Garbo; DEA Special Agent Steven J. Fox; DEA Detective/Task Force Officer Gabe A. Lopez of the Tucson Police Department; Sergeant/Task Force Officer Jesse Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department; and Officer/Task Force Officer Phillip M. Hengsteler Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department.
The second Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented to USMS Senior Inspector Michael Cundiff.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity pays tribute former Attorney General Edward H. Levi by honoring an individual whose service to the Department exemplifies these qualities. The 2022 recipient of this award is Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2022.
The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Acting Deputy Chief Gerald A. Toner of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented posthumously to Deputy Chief Nathaniel Douglas of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environment Enforcement Section.
The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement recognizes state and local law enforcement officials who have made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. The 2022 recipients of this award are Assistant Special Agents in Charge Richard Dial and Jason Seacrist of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country recognizes extraordinary efforts by Justice Department employees that demonstrate the Department’s commitment to fight crime in Indian Country. The award is presented to DEA Supervisory Special Agent Mihajlo D. Zivkovic; DEA Special Agents Daryl A. Iannillo, Christopher H. Salyer, and Virginia W. Foster; DEA Task Force Officer Preston H. Brogdon; Officer Tyler Bond of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Rex Van Ausdall of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Sergeant Steve Gunis of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; and Chief Nathan Huibregtse of the Yavapai Apache Police Department.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers within the Justice Department. Two Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards are presented for 2022.
The first Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to DEA Special Agents Adam J. Cirillo, Adrian M. Owens, Kelly Y. Chang, Kelly D. Webster, Kevin D. Novick, Silvana M. Restrepo, Trenton L. Shaffer, and Tiffany Hsieh; and DEA Intelligence Analyst Diana D. Wu.
The second Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Margaret Mande; FBU Special Agent Jose M. De La Sierra; FBI Special Agent William Lewis Donaldson III; and Supervisory Officer/Task Force Officer Daniel Jose Gonzalez of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significant improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs. The award is presented to Director for Strategic Planning and Performance Staff Robin S. Funston of the Justice Management Division; Senior Performance Advisor Tennille R. Nance of the Justice Management Division; Senior Evaluation Advisor Russell C. Burnett of the Justice Management Division; Senior Advisor for Enterprise Risk Management Debra R. Williams of the Justice Management Division; Program Analyst Marita J. La Palm of the Justice Management Division; Senior Counsel Sonja M. Ralston of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; and Special Advisor Apiyo Oloya of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes exceptional achievement in applying information technology to enhance Department operations, maintain efficiency, and solve problems. This award is presented to FBI Information Technology Specialists Angela S. Epperly, Chad E. Elliott, Dennis G. Klingensmith, Donald Carpenter Jr., Dustin Tawney, Gregory A. Wood, James D. Marple, James M. Murray, Matthew L. Groves, Nicholas Daniel Fleming, Richard L. Whitescarver, Tonya Nicole Church, and Warren A. Morgan Jr.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. national security. This award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve for the Southern District of California; Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley for the Southern District of California; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the Department’s highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Special Assistant Erika Pugh of the Office of the FBI Deputy Director; FBI Supervisory Management and Program Analysts Janelle Anite Jones and Joshua Lyn Curry; FBI Management and Program Analysts Kathleen Ann Oltman, Kourtney Pearson, and Amanda L. Carroll; and FBI Special Advisor/Management and Program Analyst Apiyo Oloya.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys by paralegal specialists and other legal assistants.
The first award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Litigation Technology Case Manager Amanda J. Reinken of the Tax Division.
The second award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Data Analyst Patrick Gifford of the Criminal Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. This award is presented to Administrative Services Specialist Rae N. Ross of the Justice Management Division.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility recognizes a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in the area of professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. The award is presented to Senior Associate Counsel William J. Birney of the Office of Professional Responsibility.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C. Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida and Dina McLeod for the Southern District of New York; Special Agents David Brant of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Special Agent Tyreek Brown of the U.S. Secret Service; Special Agents Sara Oliver, Sandip Singh, and Simon Dinitis of the Small Business Administration; Special Agent Ramon De Leon of the Social Security Administration; FBI Special Agents Adam Dixon and Zac Effting; and General Analyst Larry Alfonso of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes excellent achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes the significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of these programs. This award is presented to Deputy U.S. Marshal Albert Maresca Jr.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service. The 2022 award is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Daniel L. Winik of the Civil Division.
The John Marshall Awards are the Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance. Ten awards in eight categories are presented this year.
The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Deputy Chiefs Alixandra E. Smith and Jennifer E. Ambuehl of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Co-Principal Deputy Chief Brent Wible of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew G. Rolle and Dylan Stern for the Eastern District of New York.
The second John Marshall Award is presented to Acting Chief Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander F. Mindlin and Artie McConnell for the Eastern District of New York.
The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Deputy Chief Rachael Tamar Hagler of the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section; Trial Attorneys Erin Meehan Richmond, Kathryn Legomsky, and Natasha Babazedeh of the Civil Rights Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Campion and Susan Millenky for the District of New Jersey.
The fourth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Counsel Jared S. Hosid of the Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Miller for the District of Columbia, Geoffrey Barrow for the District of Oregon, and Marcus Busch for the Northern District of Texas; National Criminal Discovery Coordinator Andrew Goldsmith of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Legal Administrative Officer Caitlin Grzymala of the Antitrust Division; FBI Associate Division Counsel Vicki Wilson; Litigation Technology Coordinator Susan Cooke of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Program Manager Mustafa Edrisy of the Justice Management Division; Information Technology Program Manager John Brandon Platt of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell of the National Security Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joshua Taylor; FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan; Information Technology Specialist Joshua Ellen for the Western District of North Carolina; Paralegal Specialist Cassi Wiseman of the Antitrust Division; and Litigation Chief Karen McColman of the National Security Division’s Technology Support Services.
The fifth John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Lindsey Powell of the Civil Division.
The sixth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Rosemary A. Hart of the Office of Legal Counsel; Senior Counsels Laura E. Heim and Nathan Forrester of the Office of Legal Counsel; Counsel Nicholas Nasrallah of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Attorney-Advisors James A. Durling, Amin Aminafar, Janine S. Balekdijan, Kevin J. Barber, Conor J. Clarke, Conor J. Craft, Adam Grogg, Kelley Brooke Hostetler, Anjali Motgi, and Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel.
The seventh John Marshall Award for Preparation or Handling of Legislation is presented to Chief Sarah Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; and Attorney-Advisors Molly Cusson and Susan Schneider of the Criminal Division.
The eighth John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Section Chief Seth M. Barsky of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Assistant Section Chief Meredith L. Flax of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Senior Attorney Mary E. Hollingsworth of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Briena L. Strippoli and Devon L. Flanagan of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Chief Susan S. Brandon for the Eastern District of Oklahoma’s Civil Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. O’Malley for the Eastern District of Oklahoma; Senior Policy Advisor Darrin L. McCullough of the Criminal Division; Assistant Section Chief Jennifer L. Crane of the USMS’ Asset Forfeiture Division; USMS Property Management Specialist Cynthia L. Bridges; and USMS Assistant Chief Inspector Sean M. Xuereb.
The ninth John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Soler, David Z. Moskowitz, Katherine A. Ross, Jacob Licht, and Nicholas A. Deuschle for the District of Colorado.
71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2023
The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award granted by the Attorney General within the Justice Department. The 2023 award is presented to Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price; IRS Special Agent John Tschida; and Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the second highest Justice Department award granted by the Attorney General. There are 16 Distinguished Service Awards presented in 2023.
The first Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Director Andrew R. Lange of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)’s Enforcement Programs and Services; Chief Vivian S. Chu of the ATF’s Office of Regulatory Affairs; ATF Senior Economist Jeana L. Davalos; ATF Regulations Writers Helen L. Koppe and Denise R. Brown; ATF Senior Policy Counsel Eric M. Epstein; ATF Associate Chief Counsel James P. Vann; ATF Deputy Associate Chief Counsel Jonathan S. Jacobs; ATF Senior Counsel Melissa A. Anderson; ATF Firearms & Ammunition Chief William J. Ryan; ATF Chief Counsel Pamela J. Hicks.
The second Distinguished Service award is presented to Economists Malika Krishna and Jessica C. Stahl of the Antitrust Division; Trial Attorneys Ihan Kim, Jessica Leal, Brittney A. Dimond, Sarah Licht, Jon Goldsmith, Bennett Matelson, Collier Kelley, John P. Read, Kevin Krautscheid, Lauren Riker, Ethan Stevenson, and Robert Vance of the Antitrust Division; and Senior Litigation Counsel Jeffrey Vernon of the Antitrust Division.
The third Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sarah E. Harrington of the Civil Division; Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division; Senior Appellate Counsel Alisa B. Klein of the Civil Division; Assistant Branch Directors Eric B. Beckenhauer and Julie Straus Harris of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch; Assistant Director Hilary K. Perkins of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch; Appellate Attorney Cynthia A. Barmore of the Civil Division; Trial Attorneys Christopher A. Eiswerth, Kate Talmor, Emily B. Nestler, Noah T. Katzen, Scott P. Kennedy, Oliver J. McDonald, and Isaac C. Belfer of the Civil Division; Assistants to the Solicitor General Luke McCloud and Erica Ross; Special Counsel Daniel S. Schwei of the Civil Division; Counsel Kathleen A. Choi of the Civil Division; Attorney-Advisor Naomi Gilens of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Senior Trial Counsel Amy D. Kossak of the Civil Division.
The fourth Distinguished Service award is presented to Trial Attorneys Christen Gallagher and Alison Zitron of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Bryan Hamaker, Delaney Jester, Paul Rey, Justin Crenshaw, and Timothy Callinan; Assistant Deputy Chief William Hall and Deputy Chief James Silver of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chauncey Bratt for the Middle District of Florida and Jonathan Keim and Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI IT Specialist Angel V. Nanov; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Ryan J. Leszczynski; and Cyber Operations International Liaison Louisa Becker of the Criminal Division.
The fifth Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Chief Elizabeth E. McDonald of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section; Trial Attorneys Lindsey M. Weinstock, Hans Justin Park, James V. Fletcher, Lauren M. Latterell Powell, Jillian R. Lenson, Amanda B. Pearlstein, Janelle J. Geddes, Nonny Onyekweli, Beth Esposito, and Nicole Kovite Zeitler of the Civil Rights Division; Program Specialist Sara Olsen of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida; Litigation Support Specialist Justin Fields-Gray of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Specialist Krysten Diaz-Silveira of the Civil Rights Division.
The sixth Distinguished Service award is presented to Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McDonald and Ian Hanna for the Western District of Texas; Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Acosta for the Western District of Texas; Trial Attorneys Timothy Visser and Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Michael Warbel of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Victim Witness Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez for the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agents Eddie Dominguez, Christina Papp, and America Guevara; FBI Victim Specialists Jennifer Romero, and Kelly Murphy; ATF Special Agent Nate Anderson; and FBI Task Force Officer Brandon Speed.
The seventh Distinguished Service award is presented to DEA Group Supervisors Eric Jolley and Elvis Hugee and DEA Special Agents Brent Ramos, Peter Kinyoun, Rochelle Cup-Choy, Alexander Pearlstone, Audrey Alaniz, Michael Sier, and Eric Kischer.
The eighth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Senior Attorney Gabriel M. Allen of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Katherine A. Abend of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Assistant Section Chief Lori B. Jonas of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Enforcement Section; Community Outreach Specialist Brenda J. Horner of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Cynthia M. Ferguson Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Office of Environmental Justice; Chief Angela Givens Williams for the Southern District of Mississippi’s Civil Division; Paralegal Specialist Minnie V. Becton of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Senior Counsels Karl J. Fingerhood and Angela Mo of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Dease Paige for the Southern District of Mississippi; and Lead Conciliation Specialist for Region IV Walter L. Atkinson of the Community Relations Services.
The ninth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy, Philip Pilmar, and Adam Amir for the Eastern District of New York; Deputy Chief Erin Reid for the Eastern District of New York’s Civil Rights Section; Chief Ryan Harris of the Eastern District of New York’s Public Integrity Section; Paralegal Specialists Huda T. Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett for the Eastern District of New York; Special Agent George Dietz for the Eastern District of New York; FBI Special Agent Paul West; DEA Special Agents Jason Franks, James Cain, and John Muglia; and HSI Special Agents Damian Mazzaferro, Jimmy Cepeda, and Scott Vogel.
The 10th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Rakoczy, Jeffrey Nestler, Alexandra “Alex” Hughes, Jocelyn Ballentine, and Troy A Edwards Jr. for the District of Columbia; FBI Special Agents Michael Palian, Sylvia Hilgeman, Joanna Abrams, Byron Cody, Kelsey Harris, John D. “Jack” Moore, Adam K. Pope, and Justin T. Eller; FBI Intelligence Analyst Katherine Riley Prendergast; Paralegal Specialist Amanda Rohde for the District of Columbia; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant for the District of Columbia; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Banks.
The 11th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason B.A. McCullough and Erik M. Kenerson for the District of Columbia and Nadia Moore for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Conor Mulroe of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Nicholas Hanak, Kathryn Camiliere, Anthony J. “A.J.” Needler, Peter R. Dubrowski, Nicole Miller, and Brandon Camiliere; FBI Tactical Specialist Rebecca Corazzi; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brian M. Lizana; and FBI Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Jennifer Kathryn Cain.
The 12th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents David B. Bannan, Steven M. Dixon, Melissa M. Fair, Deana M. Jones, Ashley T. Kakareka, Brian Sharrow, and Jason R. Maslow; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Tawnya Delarosa; FBI Intelligence Analysts Kris Hemme and Stacy Hamilton; FBI Legal Assistant Thomas Donnelly; FBI Task Force Officer Andrew Maurer; Chief Cherie Krigsman for Middle District of Florida’s National Security Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida.
The 13th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents Ryan Boron, Nicholas Milan, and Thomas H. Lipp; Special Agent Christopher O’Neill of the Department of Commerce; FBI Supervisory Special Agents Calvin R. Davis and Steven Jefferson; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Alexander J. Kornberger and Kathryn McCool; FBI Forensics Accountant Jordanna A. Lubelli; FBI Assistant Legal Attache Jonathan R. Schmidt, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division; Justice Department Attache Josh Cavinato of the Office of International Affairs.
The 14th Distinguished Service Award is presented to OIG Special Agent Lyeson T. Daniel; OIG Assistant Special Agents in Charge Dennis E. Matulewicz Jr., Ryan T. Geach and H. Jeremy Horne; OIG Deputy Assistant Inspector General Sandra D. Barnes; and Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Erin Aslan.
The 15th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler; Appellate Trial Attorneys Amber B. Blaha and Mary Gabrielle Sprague of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant to the Solicitor General Frederick Liu; Chief S. Craig Alexander of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Indian Resources Section; Assistant Appellate Section Chiefs William B. Lazarus and Rachel E. Heron of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Christine W. Ennis of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gina L. Allery of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Tracy Toulou of the Office of Tribal Justice; and Deputy Director JoAnn L. Kintz of the Office of Tribal Justice.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism is designed to recognize an extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty. One Exceptional Heroism Award is presented to ATF Special Agent Adam R. Daniels.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity is established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor, and dean and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department. In 2023, one Edward H. Levi Award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General George Z. Toscas of the National Security Division.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2023.
The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to ATF Senior Counsel to the Director Joseph J. Allen.
The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Section Chief Steven H. Rosenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section.
The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law Enforcement was established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General William French Smith for his establishment of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees (LECCs), and his outstanding efforts in promoting law enforcement cooperation and coordination throughout the nation. It is designed to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who, through their participation in cooperative interagency efforts, have made significant contributions to law enforcement endeavors and objectives. This award is presented to DEA Task force Officer Jason Pearce-Best.
The Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service is the top public service award granted by the Department and is designed to recognize the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of its missions and objectives. This award is presented to District Attorney Summer Stephan for the County of San Diego California.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is designed to recognize extraordinary efforts to demonstrate the Department's commitment to fight crime in Indian Country.
The first Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Victim Assistant Specialists Brandi Duvall, Taelyn Langford, and Karriem Harris for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The second Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Supervisory Grants Management Specialists Anne Hamilton and LeBretia White of the Office of Justice Programs; Principal Deputy Director Katherine Darke Schmitt of the Office of Justice Programs; and Grant Management Specialists Jessica Andrew, Mary Atlas-Terry, Yolanda Curtis Gibson, Dawn Hill, Tanya Miller, Ramesa Pitts, Alexis Polen, Barbara L. Robertson, Carmen Santiago Roberts, Lori Gardner, Jenny Semanta Stancell, and Kimberly R. Woodard of the Office of Justice Programs.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly improved the operations or productivity of the Department or have reduced costs. This award is presented to Director Christian C. Alvarez of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Deputy Director Matthew J. Roper of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Associate Directors Jeffrey D. Pullen and Nathaniel H. Wheeler of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Assistant Directors Marc Berlove and Vu C. Truong of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Finance Management Specialists Dara L. Sabanosh and Catherine Green-Lee of the Justice Management Division; Systems Accountant Jocelyn M. Harris of the Justice Management Division; Supervisory IT Specialist Leon Braddell of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialists Giles T. Welles, Vincent B. Anderson, and Reena J. Shah of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialist Jerome K. Milligan of the Justice Management Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve the operations or productivity of the Department, reduce or avoid costs, or solve problems. Two Awards for Excellence in Information Technology are presented this year.
The first Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director Edward Stely in the ATF’s Office of Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Special Agent Cassandra Mullins; ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard; ATF Intelligence Research Specialist Stacie Alvey of the Louisville Field Division; ATF Acting Branch Chief Carl A. O’Day of the Application Development Branch; and Colonel Philip Burnette Jr. and Lieutenant Colonel Larry Newton of the Kentucky State Police.
The second Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to DEA Chief Information Officer Nick Ward; Senior Counsel Leonard Bailey of the Criminal Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Michael Bettine; Attorney Advisor Gabriel Slater of the National Security Division; Deputy Cyber Chief Sean Newell of the National Security Division; and Chief Information Security Officer Vu Nguyen of the Justice Management Division; Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Yasuda of the Justice Management Division; and Acting Assistant Director Larry Tun of the Justice Management Division’s Office of the Chief Information Officer.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security is designed to recognize a special act or service by a Department employee who has greatly contributed to protecting U.S. national security. The 2023 award is presented to FBI Computer Scientist Michael R. Berger; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Katherine Miles; FBI Intelligence Analyst Laci Falk; FBI Special Agents Chad R. Loewenstine, Jason Moore, Jonathan R. Perlstein, Martin A. Quintana, Justin H. Rowland and Taylor M. Forry; FBI Intelligence Analysts Adam E. Foster and Alec T. Hass Cyber Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Richardson for the District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is designed to recognize significant contributions to the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Director Richard Toscano of the Justice Management Division’s Equal Employment Opportunity Staff; Special Assistant to the Executive Officer Elizabeth D. Preston of the Tax Division’s Office of Management and Administration; and Assistant Section Chief Michelle O. Rindone of the Antitrust Division’s International Section.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys. The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Paralegal Specialist Anna Rogers of the Criminal.
The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Legal Assistant Debra L. Nash for the Northern District of Iowa.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. There are two Excellence in Administrative Support Awards this year.
The first Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented to Lead Management Analyst Catherine M. Murray of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.
The second Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented posthumously to IT Specialist Hector Radhames Gonzalez for the District of Massachusetts.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support – Non-Legal Secretarial is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements. This award is presented to Psychology Secretary Christa A. Butler of Federal Correctional Institution – Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is designed to recognize a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct.
The first Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Peter Ko for the Southern District of California.
The second Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant Chief Jeremy Sanders of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Victim-Witness Attorney Coordinator Brian Strang of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorney Gwendolyn Stamper of the Criminal Division; Senior Counsels Lauren Britsch Slater, Alissa Kempler, and Daniel Richenthal of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorneys Sonja Lauren Kupersmith and Anne Pings of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Alexandra Gelber of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section; Child Victim Witness Program Administrator Nicole Borello of Criminal Division; Attorney Advisor Molly Cusson of the Criminal Division; Appellate Attorney Sonja Ralston of the Criminal Division; and Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Administration is designated to recognize exceptional dedication to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. A Recipient’s actions through participation in the processes of FOIA administration should foster a spirit of openness in government and dedicated service to FOIA requesters. This award presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah S. Normand for the Southern District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention is designed to recognize those who have been involved with the prevention, investigation and prosecution of fraud and other white-collar crimes. This award is presented to Trial Attorneys James F. Bresnahan II, Lauren A. Darwit, Richard G. Rose, Harris J. Phillips, and Gregory E. Van Hoey of the Tax Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to building collaborations that draw upon the skills and resources of a range of stakeholders within a community – including state and local community leaders, law enforcement, service providers, as well as local residents and representatives of the business community – in addressing public safety, crime prevention and control, community justice and other community-building and revitalization issues. This award is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kalon P. Fancher; FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Ryan C. Summers; FBI Intelligence Analyst Donald L. Metzmeier; FBI Operational Support Technician Amelia M. Herrera; FBI Liaison Specialist John Bush; FBI Management and Program Analyst Russell J. Myers II; FBI Intelligence Analyst Nicolette G. Rose; FBI Native American Affairs Coordinator Dawn Begay of the City of Albuquerque; Task Force Chair Lynn Trujillo of the Department of Interior; Public Safety Answering Point Supervisor Reycita Billie of the Albuquerque Division of Public Safety; Special Agent in Charge Clarence Gibson of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Assistant General Counsel Stephanie Salazar of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Acting Commander Gerald Bartlett of the Albuquerque Police Department; Staff Lead Melody Delmar of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department; Task Force Officer Darlene Gomez of the Albuquerque Law Offices of Darlene Gomez LLC.
The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Federal Wage Grade System Employee is designed to recognize extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics and skilled craft workers. The award is presented to Electrical Worker Foreman Charles D. Treadway II of the Federal Detention Center SeaTac.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee is designed to recognize exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of service with the Department and federal government. This award is presented to Trial Attorney Nathan J. Bu of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Litigation Section.
The John Marshall Award, named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, recognizes outstanding professional achievement by attorneys of the Justice Department.
The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Leach, Kelly I. Volkar, John C. Bostic, and Jeffrey D. Nedrow for the Northern District of California.
The second John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M. Yusi John, F. Butler, and E. Rebecca Gantt for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Senior Trial Counsel John Adam Bain of the Civil Division.
The fourth John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Co-Chiefs David J. Kennedy and Ellen Blain for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; Deputy Chief Christine S. Poscablo for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Lillywhite for the Southern District of New York.
The fifth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Attorneys Paul Cirino and Leslie M. Hill of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Lucy E. Brown and David M. Mitchell of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; and Assistant Section Chief Martha C. Mann of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Defense Section.
The sixth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Trial Attorney Leigh P. Rendé of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The seventh John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida.
The eighth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Laura Eddleman Heim of the Office of Legal Counsel; Attorney-Adviser Ryan N. Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; Director Mark R. Freeman of the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff; and Assistant Director Joshua M. Salzman Civil Division’s Appellate Staff.
The ninth John Marshall Award for Handling Legislation is presented to Special Master Mary Patrice Brown of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recover Section; Attorney Advisors Barbara Gilmore, Regan Kruse, Jane Lee, Anish Mather, and Jacqueline Feil of the Criminal Division; Senior Legal Counsel James Curt Bohling of the Criminal Division; Chief Sarah B. Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; Chief Jennifer Bickford of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit; and Deputy Chief Matthew Colon of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit.
The 10th John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Chief Brent S. Wible of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Principal Deputy Chief Margaret A. Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Deputy Director Michael Khoo of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Attorney Advisor Janice Nsor of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Christina Calce of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Director Andrew C. Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture; Associate Deputy Attorney General L. Rush Atkinson of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thane Rehn, Jessica Greenwood, and Vladislav Vainberg for the Southern District of New York; and Deputy Director David Lim National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The 11th John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant Branch Director Carlotta P. Wells of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch and Senior Trial Counsel Lisa A. Olson Civil Division.
The 12th John Marshall Award for Interagency Cooperation is presented to Senior Litigation Counsel John J. W. Inkeles of the Civil Division; Trial Attorney Mack J. Swan of the Civil Division; Senior Attorney Kim Kucik of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office (ICE); ICE Deputy Chief Counsel Kimberlee Krawchuk; ICE Assistant Chief Counsel Katerina Alexopolous; ICE Associate Legal Advisor Michael McVicker; ICE Special Agent Thomas Connors; and ICE Historian William Tomljanovich.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees, Including Western District of Pennsylvania Assistant United States Attorney, with Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
Jessica Lieber Smolar, Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, was part of a group that received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for the group’s outstanding work in U.S. v. Toebbe et al. Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, of Annapolis, Maryland, were sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to communicate restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships to a foreign government. Read more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/maryland-nuclear-engineer-and-his-wife-sentenced-espionage-related-offenses.
Along with Assistant United States Attorney Smolar, the Distinguished Award was presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
Employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida were among those recognized during the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards ceremony.
“We are incredibly proud of our Southern District of Florida staff members who were recognized today with an Attorney General’s Award,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “The honorees have carried forth the Department of Justice’s mission with extraordinary skill and dedication. These distinguished employees have protected our safety and security, as well as our civil rights. They have given a voice to the victimized, prevented crime, prosecuted fraud schemes, and litigated important appellate issues. As a community, we are incredibly grateful for their tireless efforts and commend their well-deserved accolades.”
70th Attorney General’s Awards – 2022
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C. Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida, alongside a Southern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorney and other honorees, to include Special Agents and employees of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), U.S. Secret Service, Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), FBI, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
71st Attorney General’s Awards – 2023
A Distinguished Service award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida, alongside a Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section, trial attorneys, and other personnel of the Civil Rights Division.
A John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida.
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees. Two prosecution teams from the District of Minnesota were awarded the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
“The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award is the Justice Department’s highest award for employee performance,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “The prosecutors, agents, paralegals, victim/witness and litigation support specialists on these teams showed exceptional skill and professionalism in their work on two monumental civil rights cases, cases that will have a lasting impact for years to come. I am so proud of these individuals and their outstanding work and commitment in service of justice.”
The 2022 Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is presented to the investigation and prosecution team in United States v. Chauvin, et al., a prosecution involving four former police officers who violated George Floyd’s civil rights, resulting in his death.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell, Manda Sertich, and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota, FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter; Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Henry Fronk for the Civil Rights Division.
The 2023 Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is presented to the investigation and prosecution team in United States v. Sumalee Intarathong, et al. and United States v. Michael Morris, et al., a prosecution involving an international sex trafficking organization that was responsible for coercing hundreds of Thai women to engage in commercial sex acts across the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price; IRS Special Agent John Tschida; Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce; Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; and Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
For details on all of today’s award recipients, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners with Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
Jarod Douglas, Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for Outstanding Work in Investigation Threats to Critical U.S. Navy Technology for his exemplary work in U.S. v. Toebbe et al. Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, of Annapolis, Maryland, were sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to communicate restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships. Read more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/maryland-nuclear-engineer-and-his-wife-sentenced-espionage-related-offenses. This is Mr. Douglas’s second Distinguished Service Award.
Along with Mr. Douglas, the Distinguished Award was presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Leiber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
“It is indeed an honor to join Attorney General Garland in recognizing three members of my office for their distinguished service to our district and country,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “AUSAs Bratt, Krigsman, and Asokan continue to perform at the highest level as they work with our law enforcement partners to keep our citizens safe.”
In the Middle District of Florida, for 2023, Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt for his contributions to an international investigation involving the Hive ransomware group that targeted more than 1,500 victims in over 80 countries around the world, including hospitals, school districts, financial firms, and critical infrastructure. In addition, the Middle District of Florida’s National Security Chief Cherie Krigsman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan were recognized for their valuable contributions to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
For details on all of today’s award recipients, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and
Attorney General Garland Honors U.S. Department of Justice Employees and Others for their Service at Annual Awards CeremonyRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the annual Attorney General’s Awards recognizing extraordinary work of Justice Department employees and others. Recipients included several San Diego-based federal prosecutors and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
San Diego recipients include:
- Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. They received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions toward protecting U.S. national security. They were singled out for their work on an espionage case. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer.
"This extraordinary team identified and exposed a worldwide computer-hacking campaign,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Their perseverance and dedication disrupted China’s efforts to steal trade secrets and sensitive data from universities, companies, and governmental organizations around the globe.”
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko, second-in-command of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was recognized for exemplary leadership over the course of his DOJ career. “Mr. Ko has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and commitment to justice for more than two decades,” McGrath said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”
- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan received the Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service. Each year the DOJ gives out just one award for meritorious public service nationwide. The award is designed to recognize significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in accomplishing its mission and objectives.
“During Summer Stephan’s tenure as DA, San Diego has remained one of the safest large cities in America,” McGrath said. “Collaborative law enforcement relationships have been a hallmark of DA Stephan’s leadership. Her work with Department of Justice partners has resulted in dozens of high-impact cases, from fentanyl trafficking and elder fraud to illegal firearms and violent crime.”
For a comprehensive list of all award winners, please see https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and.
- Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. They received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions toward protecting U.S. national security. They were singled out for their work on an espionage case. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer.
Arizona Woman Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Second Alien Smuggling ConvictionRead the Press Release
Tucson, Ariz. – Nicole Shermaine Martinez, 40, of Sells, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. A jury found Martinez guilty of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and Transportation of Illegal Aliens on November 8, 2023. Martinez also was sentenced to six months in prison for violating conditions of her federal probation from a prior alien smuggling conviction.
On January 18, 2023, Martinez picked up two undocumented non-citizens, including a 17-year-old unaccompanied minor, near the village of Menagers Dam on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. She was apprehended by United States Border Patrol agents as she was driving the individuals further into the United States. Martinez had previously been convicted of alien smuggling after she transported four undocumented non-citizens, including two in the trunk of her car, also through the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. Martinez was placed on five years of probation but violated her conditions of probation by committing the new offense five months after she was sentenced.
Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-01459-TUC-CKJ-MAA
CR-23-00081-TUC-CKJ-MAARELEASE NUMBER: 2024-011_Martinez
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Pleads Guilty to Willful Failure to Implement Anti-Money Laundering ControlsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison.Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Erin Keegan, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) announced the guilty plea.
“Asre was an experienced anti-money laundering specialist well-versed in the Bank Secrecy Act’s provisions and deliberately ignored these protections, exposing financial institutions to the risk of illicit criminal activity,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will vigorously enforce these laws to ensure the integrity of the U.S. financial system and to hold responsible those who would deliberately disregard them for financial gain.”
“Gyanendra Asre was specifically trained in proper banking protocols and procedures. Yet, instead of following the necessary steps, the defendant took advantage of a small New York financial institution, which primarily served state employees, to the tune of $1 billion," said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. "I commend HSI New York and our law enforcement partners for their dedication to ensuring vitally integral regulations — the foundation of our banking system — are upheld.”
According to court filings, from 2014 to 2016, Asre devised a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business lines such as international currency trading to small, unsophisticated financial institutions. Asre was trained in anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, and represented to the financial institutions that, because of his experience and training, he understood the risks associated with the high-risk business lines and would conduct appropriate anti-money laundering oversight as required by the Bank Secrecy Act.
Based on Asre’s representations, the New York State Employees Federal Credit Union (NYSEFCU), a small financial institution with a volunteer board that primarily served New York state public employees, allowed Asre to conduct high-risk transactions through the NYSEFCU. Asre then caused the transfer of more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions, including hundreds of millions of dollars originating from high-risk foreign jurisdictions, through the NYSEFCU and other entities. Asre, who was a certified anti-money laundering specialist with experience in international banking and anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, was a member of the NYSEFCU’s supervisory board during this time period. However, contrary to his representations, Asre willfully failed to implement and maintain the requisite anti-money laundering programs or conduct oversight required to detect, identify and report suspicious transactions. This caused, among other things, the NYSEFCU to process more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions during Asre’s tenure, without ever filing a single Suspicious Activity Report as required by law.
In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and identity theft.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, in coordination with the Office’s Bank Integrity Task Force, which is charged with investigating and charging corporate and individual actors who launder criminal proceeds using the U.S. banking system and enforcing anti-money laundering controls under the Bank Secrecy Act. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan C. Harris and Francisco J. Navarro of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with Acting Chief Margaret Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. The investigation is being conducted by HSI’s El Dorado Task Force in New York.
The Defendant:
GYANENDRA ASRE
Age: 56
Greenwich, ConnecticutE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-174 (DG)
Active-Duty Airman Sentenced for Production of Images of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Goldsboro, North Carolina man was sentenced today to 27 years in prison after he used social media accounts to target underage girls in the Hampton Roads area and caused at least 29 victims to produce sexually explicit videos and images.
According to court documents, Brandon Tyler Lindsey, 27, an active-duty servicemember attached to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, routinely traveled to his hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia and met minor females to engage in sexual acts with them. His youngest victim was 12 years old. Lindsey used multiple social media accounts to target minor females in the Hampton Roads area. For example, using Instagram, he direct messaged multiple minor girls with the same boilerplate message and “liked” their photos. After gaining their trust, he would then request child pornography from the minors and attempt to meet in person for sexual acts. Lindsey sometimes met with the same minors on multiple occasions over a period of years. Lindsey caused at least 29 victims to produce child pornography for his sexual gratification.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Douglas Edens, Special Agent in Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-95.
17 Eastern District of New York Employees and Two Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Receive 2022 and 2023 Attorney General AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Fourteen Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), two paralegal specialists, a Special Agent and two former AUSAs from the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) were recognized by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland for their extraordinary public service at the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” stated Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”“The outstanding work of EDNY attorneys, professional staff and our law enforcement partners in service to our district and our country, has been breathtaking, prosecuting complex economic crime, high-level drug trafficking, foreign terrorism, insurrection, cybercriminals and litigating the expert defense of our cases appealed to the Second Circuit,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Their excellence and dedication are boundless, and as a result, they have made the world, a safer place.”
This year’s program honors individuals across the department and our federal, state, local, and tribal partners for their selfless efforts, protecting our national security and our civil rights, addressing rising violent crime in our communities, and prosecuting gangs and those trafficking in dangerous narcotics and human beings. The awards also honor the work of civil and environmental litigation, which enforces the rule of law and upholds our Constitution. They also recognize employees whose ideas and efforts save taxpayer dollars and help our government operate more effectively and efficiently, among other contributions to public safety and good governance.
70th Annual Attorney General AwardsThe Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Work in the Investigation, Extradition and Prosecution of ISIS Senior Leader
United States v. Kandic
AUSAs Matt Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy, former AUSA Josh Hafetz and Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer, together with law enforcement partners from the FBI and HSI, are being recognized for their outstanding work obtaining a trial conviction of Mirsad Kandic of Brooklyn, on charges of conspiring to provide, and providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. He had multiple responsibilities within ISIS, including recruiting foreign fighters, trafficking foreign fighters from the West through Turkey and into Syria, and obtaining weapons, military equipment, maps, money and false identifications for ISIS fighters. In carrying out these responsibilities, Kandic worked directly with ISIS emirs and battlefield commanders.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for 35 Years of Outstanding Work in Litigating Criminal Cases Before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
AUSA David James
Throughout AUSA David James’s 35-year career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, he has represented the government in the Second Circuit in hundreds of cases with skill and dedication. He has worked on some of the most significant and important appeals of the last few decades, from John Gotti in 1993 to Joaquin Guzman-Loera, aka “El Chapo,” in 2022.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional and Successful Work in the Trial Against Roger Ng
United States v. Roger Ng
AUSAs Alixandra Smith, Drew Rolle and Dylan Stern, in partnership with colleagues from DOJ’s Fraud Section and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, are recognized for securing the trial conviction of Roger Ng, a former managing director of the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs) for his role in a multibillion-dollar bribery and money laundering scheme involving Malaysia’s state-owned investment and development fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad. As part of the scheme, Ng and his co-conspirators, including Tim Leissner, the former Southeast Asia Chairman and participating managing director of Goldman Sachs, paid more than $1 billion in bribes to 12 government officials in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to obtain and retain lucrative business for Goldman Sachs. They also conspired to, and did, launder the proceeds of their criminal conduct through the U.S. financial system, including funding major Hollywood films such as “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurism and Dedication in the Criminal Prosecution in the Digital Advertising Industry Inflicted by Foreign Cybercriminals
United States v. Zhukov
AUSAs Saritha Komatireddy, Alex Mindlin and Artie McConnell brought a first-of-its-kind prosecution, exposing rampant fraud in the digital advertising industry inflicted by foreign cybercriminals seeking to steal from American companies and weaken American economic power. This case exposed a fraud that affected nearly every American business and consumer and converted America’s own internet infrastructure and innovations into weapons for cybercrime. The prosecution led to significant reforms and increased security controls among digital advertising platforms, cybersecurity companies and the entities that run the global registration system for IP addresses. The team secured the indictment of 10 cybercriminals from two separate international cybercrime rings and the conviction of five of those cybercriminals, including the leader of each ring.
71st Annual Attorney General AwardsAttorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service
U.S. v. Garcia Luna Trial Team
AUSAs Saritha Komatireddy, Phil Pilmar, Adam Amir, Erin Reid and Ryan Harris, EDNY Special Agent George Dietz, Paralegal Specialists Huda Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett, together with law enforcement partners from DEA and HSI, successfully investigated and obtained a trial conviction against the former Mexican cabinet official Genaro Garcia Luna for his corrupt assistance to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the largest and most violent criminal organizations in the world. Garcia Luna is the highest-ranking Mexican government official to have been prosecuted in a U.S. court. The six-week trial included testimony from high-level Sinaloa Cartel leaders, Mexican public officials who had themselves engaged in corruption, former Mexican law enforcement officers who worked under Garcia Luna, and a former U.S. Ambassador.
Operation Disruptive Capture
United States v. Orekhov et al. and United States v. Grinin et al.
AUSAs Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor and SAUSA Scott Claffee teamed with law enforcement partners from FBI and DOJ task forces to disrupt Russia’s ability to illegally acquire sensitive U.S. technology and enforce sanctions imposed on Russia for their invasion of Ukraine. The initiative resulted in two indictments involving charging 15 defendants and arrests in Germany, Italy, Estonia, and France. The investigation also led to administrative enforcement actions, civil forfeiture involving millions of dollars in multiple foreign jurisdictions, and additional sanctions against individuals and companies.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security Operation Medusa
Former AUSA Ian Richardson
Through Operation MEDUSA, former EDNY AUSA Ian Richardson, together with the FBI, completed a court-authorized operation to disrupt a global peer-to-peer network of computers compromised by sophisticated malware, called “Snake,” that the United States Government attributes to a unit within Center 16 of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. For nearly 20 years, this unit, referred to in court documents as “Turla,” used versions of the Snake malware to steal sensitive documents from hundreds of computer systems in at least 50 countries, which have belonged to North Atlantic Treaty Organization member governments, journalists, and other targets of interest to the Russian Federation. After stealing these documents, Turla exfiltrated them through a covert network of unwitting Snake-compromised computers in the United States and around the world. Operation MEDUSA disabled Turla’s Snake malware on compromised computers through the use of an FBI-created tool named PERSEUS, which issued commands that caused the Snake malware to overwrite its own vital components.
January 6th Proud Boys Prosecution Team
AUSA Nadia Moore
EDNY AUSA Nadia Moore was a vital member of the trial team, which included prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. and the Organized Crime and Gang Section, and agents from the FBI, that secured convictions against five members of the Proud Boys for their actions before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. According to the trial evidence, in the months leading up to Jan. 6, the defendants plotted to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, and to prevent the Members of Congress, and the federal law enforcement officers who protect them, from discharging their duties.
30 January 2024
Woman Sentenced for Leadership Role in Visa Fraud, Identity Theft, and Human Smuggling SchemeRead the Press Release
A New York woman was sentenced today to two years and one month in prison for her role in a multi-year visa fraud, identity theft, and immigrant smuggling conspiracy that brought Armenian citizens into the United States for profit.
According to court documents, Stella Boyadjian, 53, of Rego Park, led a transnational network of co-conspirators who engaged in a widespread visa fraud scheme to bring Armenian citizens into the United States by fraudulently claiming to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the Armenians were members of performance groups, and thus qualified for P-3 “Culturally Unique Artist” visas. The P-3 nonimmigrant visa classification allows foreign nationals to temporarily travel to the United States to perform, teach, or coach as artists or entertainers, under a program that is culturally unique. A U.S. employer or sponsoring organization is required to submit a USCIS Form I-129 Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker, along with supporting documentation, attesting that the performances in the United States are culturally unique.
Boyadjian ran a non-profit organization called Big Apple Music Awards (BAMA) Foundation based in Rego Park. She used the BAMA Foundation as well as formal and informal music industry contacts in the United States and Armenia to perpetuate the scheme. Boyadjian and others solicited Armenian citizens who wanted to come to the United States and charged them between $3,000 and $15,000 for P-3 visas facilitated by Boyadjian and others submitting fraudulent Form I-129 Petitions to the USCIS. To accomplish this, Boyadjian and other associates in Armenia acquired fraudulent performer certificates and organized staged photo sessions where the aliens wore traditional Armenian folk outfits to appear to be traditional Armenian performers. After being trained by Boyadjian and her conspirators on how to answer questions from USCIS visa adjudicators, the individual aliens presented these certificates and photos to U.S. consular officers during their visa interviews. Once the Armenians entered the United States, some would pay Boyadjian and her associates additional money to be included in another fraudulent petition asking for P-3 visa extensions. Some aliens overstayed their visas and remain unlawfully in the United States.
Boyadjian previously pleaded guilty in March 2019 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit visa fraud, and unlawfully bring aliens to the United States, one count of visa fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York, and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Carlos F. Matus made the announcement.
The DSS’ Criminal Fraud Investigations and Overseas Criminal Investigations Divisions investigated the case, with assistance from the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security, Center Fraud Detection Operations in Vermont.
Deputy Chief Rami S. Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John O. Enright for the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case.
United States Reaches Agreement with Guam Waterworks Authority Requiring Investment in Sewer System InfrastructureRead the Press Release
Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) agreed to a consent decree with the United States today to improve the quality of its sewer system, estimated to cost approximately $400 million, to address unauthorized overflows of untreated sewage and other violations of the Clean Water Act. The Government of Guam is also a party to the agreement.
The United States filed a complaint alleging that GWA was in violation of provisions of the Clean Water Act and applicable permits by repeatedly discharging untreated sewage from its wastewater collection system and discharging excess pollutants from its wastewater treatment plants. At least 237 sanitary sewer overflows have occurred from GWA’s collection system since 2018. GWA has also been implementing Safe Drinking Water Act work and other Clean Water Act work under a 2011 federal court order.
“Today’s action shows our continuing commitment to prioritize enforcement and encourage environmental improvement in the communities most burdened by environmental harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “By improving Guam’s sewer system infrastructure, GWA can encourage and support better health for people and the environment and improve their ability to meet the challenges presented by a changing climate.”
“Sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities, which is why today’s settlement with Guam Water Authority is so essential,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “By improving sewer system operations and updating infrastructure, Guam will meet its legal obligations and be better prepared for the major storms that are likely to happen more frequently due to climate change.”
“Clean water is fundamental to public health,” said U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. “Guam deserves an enhanced, modern infrastructure to ensure the continuing preservation of its natural resources and the health of our communities. The benefits of this agreement will be enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors on this beautiful island.”
The consent decree requires GWA to minimize overflows, which will have immediate benefits to the island’s environment. Untreated sewage from overflows can pose serious threats to human health and damage the environment.
GWA will improve sewer system operation and maintenance programs and implement new requirements for pretreatment of wastewater and to control fats, oils and grease (FOG). Sewer system upgrades will include practices to improve climate change resiliency of pump stations and to consider EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities initiative, including the Resilient Strategies Guide for Water Utilities. The settlement also requires enhanced public outreach and engagement to increase transparency around GWA’s plans to comply with the agreement and educate the public on its environmental improvements.
GWA will also develop a feasibility study for secondary treatment upgrades to the Hagåtña wastewater treatment plant, which will include analyses of climate change and sea level rise and be submitted for EPA’s approval. This secondary treatment upgrade will be embodied in a subsequent judicial settlement. GWA receives some grant funding from EPA for wastewater and drinking water projects, including $50 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding over the past two years.
Reducing overflows will also protect coral reef ecosystems from adverse nutrient imbalances and coral diseases that can result from sewage discharges. The environmental impacts of sewage spills to waters include hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, habitat degradation, floating debris and impacts to sensitive species.
For more information about today's settlement, please visit the Guam Waterworks Authority settlement sheet here.
The proposed partial consent decree is lodged in the U.S. District Court of Guam. The settlement is subject to a public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.