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Wednesday 13 December 2023
Evansville Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution Resulting in the Overdose of a 28-Year-Old Kentucky WomanRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Johntavis Matlock, 31, of Evansville, Indiana, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. In September of 2023, a federal jury found Matlock guilty of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to court documents and evidence introduced during trial, on December 11, 2020, Kentucky law enforcement officers responded to the overdose of 28-year-old, Lindsey Wiley in her Kentucky residence. Knowing about this near-death overdose, Matlock continued to invite Lindsey to buy heroin laced with fentanyl.
On February 28, 2021, EMS and local law enforcement responded to another overdose at the same residence. This time, they found Wiley deceased. The cause of death was determined to be an overdose caused by fentanyl intoxication.
An examination of Wiley’s cell phone revealed that Wiley frequently purchased controlled substances from Matlock. From June of 2020 through February of 2021, Matlock coordinated with Wiley to sell her both heroin and fentanyl out of his home in Evansville, Indiana.
During the sentencing hearing, evidence was admitted showing that children lived in the residence from which Matlock sold heroin and fentanyl mixtures to Lindsey Wiley.
“The tragic death of Ms. Wiley highlights the tremendous danger posed by trafficking of fentanyl and other opioids,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Substance use disorder is a devastating disease that international drug cartels and local dealers greedily exploit. Thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors, the DEA, EPD, ISP, and our partners in Kentucky law enforcement, no more families will lose a loved one because of this defendant while he is in federal prison.”
“The DEA would like to continue to extend their deepest condolences to the Wiley family for the tragic passing of Ms. Lindsey Wiley. Additionally, the DEA would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana for their diligent work in prosecuting this important case. The collaborative work of all agencies in this case has led to some solace for the Wiley family and the community that loved Lindsey so dearly. Individuals like Mr. Matlock who recklessly distribute deadly poisons, like fentanyl, in our communities must be held accountable and the sentence imposed today was righteous and justified,” said Special Agent in Charge, Mike Gannon.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department, Henderson County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Office, and the Pennyrile (Kentucky) Narcotics Task Force investigated this case.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Matlock be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Kristian Mukoski and Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. Seven out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets seized by the DEA now contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
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Errant Bullets that Struck an Exeter Residence Lead to Guilty Plea for Illegal Possession for Millinocket ManRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Millinocket man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, in November 2020, the Maine Warden Service (MWS) received a complaint about shots being fired at a residence in Exeter, Maine. A warden observed bullets lodged in the walls of the residence, and the homeowners reported hearing gunshots from across the pond and seeing two individuals wearing hunter’s orange. MWS located Scott Lynch Jr., 23, and a 14-year-old minor in a parked truck. Lynch admitted to the warden that he had been target shooting in the woods. He also told the warden that he was a convicted felon. MWS located .22 caliber and .308 caliber casings in the woods where Lynch stated they had been shooting.
While at the minor’s house to retrieve the .22 rifle, the warden overheard the minor tell his mother that there was another rifle hidden in the house, which was then retrieved by the mother. Lynch had the key to the gun case on a key ring on his belt. Two guns were retrieved from the case, a .308 caliber rifle and a 9mm pistol, with obliterated serial numbers. Further investigation showed both the guns and the case had been stolen from a vehicle in Millinocket, and Lynch told investigators that he had traded a dirt bike for the firearms.
Lynch faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Maine Warden Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
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Eleven men sentenced to federal prison for role in drug trafficking organizationRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Abdul Jamal Ali, Norian Anderson, Kasman Cox, Mark Antonio Goines, Alonzo Heard, Michael Mack, Tremaine Malcom, Hassan Pope, Roger Solario, Joseph Strickland, and Renardo Thomas have been sentenced for their roles as members of a drug trafficking organization in the metro-Atlanta area that was successfully disrupted following a federal, state, and local law enforcement investigation.
“The distribution of narcotics throughout our communities continues to pose a public safety and health threat that we must steadfastly confront,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Through our partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, we have successfully disrupted this organization’s supply chain, prosecuted the distributors and suppliers of these dangerous drugs, and sent a strong message to others involved in polluting our communities with these illegal substances.”
“Justice will always prevail as the most powerful force to remove these individuals off of the streets and out of our communities,” said Thomas E. Brown, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia.
“Through hard work, this criminal enterprise has been dismantled,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “These violent drug traffickers had no regard for the potential impact of their actions.”
"Drug trafficking organizations are an imminent threat to our communities,” said Dan R. Salter, Executive Director, Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AC HIDTA) Task Force. “Federal, state and local law enforcement officers that make up this task force are committed to ridding our communities of these drug trafficking organizations spreading poison and violence in our neighborhoods.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In 2020, Drug Enforcement Administration special agents, and Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force officers, identified a prolific drug trafficker in Atlanta, Hassan Pope. Federal investigators learned that Pope was coordinating multiple narcotics transactions around his residence in College Park and maintaining a drug stash apartment in east Atlanta. Over the course of the investigation, agents identified many of Pope’s associates and obtained evidence of ongoing trafficking of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Agents also identified Alonzo Heard and Tremaine Malcom as assisting Pope in his distribution and Abdul Jamal Ali, Norian Anderson, Kasman Cox, Mark Antonio Goines, Michael Mack, Roger Solario, Joseph Strickland, and Renardo Thomas as drug distributors working with or connected to Pope. Federal, state, and local law enforcement investigators obtained and executed multiple search warrants at locations utilized by the group’s drug trafficking organization and seized distribution quantities of drugs, hundreds of thousands of dollars of drug proceeds, firearms, vehicles, and other property used in the commission, or purchased with the proceeds, of the offenses.
Each of the following defendants pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and/or firearms offenses and received the following sentences imposed by U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross:
- Abdul Jamal Ali, 41, of Decatur, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of nine years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Norian Anderson, a/k/a “Knot,” 50, of Jonesboro, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of four years, eight months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Kasman Cox, a/k/a “Cat” and “Tamario Davis,” 44, of Fayetteville, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and received a sentence of 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Mark Antonio Goines, a/k/a “Luckie,” 43, of Hampton, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of five years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release;
- Alonzo Heard, a/k/a “Pee-Wee,” 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of eight years, three months in prison, to be followed by eight years of supervised release;
- Michael Mack, a/k/a “Stank,” 49, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release;
- Tremaine Malcom, a/k/a “Twin,” 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of four years, 10 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Hassan Pope, a/k/a “Ali,” “Hot,” and “Tyrone Dunn,” 46, of College Park, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and received a sentence of 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Roger Solario, 29, of Marietta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of five years, three months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Joseph Strickland, a/k/a “Joe,” 45, of Decatur, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of eight years, four months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release; and
- Renardo Thomas, a/k/a “Donald Garwood,” 44, of Fairburn, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and received a sentence of six years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service, with valuable assistance provided by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Corrections, Marietta Police Department, and South Fulton Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary S. Howard and Teresa M. Stolze prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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.
El Paso Man Sentenced to Five Years for Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.
According to court documents, between November 6, 2022 and November 17, 2022, Jacob Isaiah Spencer, 25, had sexually explicit conversations on social media, to include sending lascivious photos of male genitalia, with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old child. On November 17, 2022, Spencer arranged to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity by arranging transportation for the minor to Spencer’s home. Agents from the FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Spencer while he waited for the minor to show up.
On August 30, 2023, Spencer pleaded guilty to one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest on November 17, 2022.
“Protecting our children and our community is a top priority for our office,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “We will continue to prosecute those who seek to harm our minors for their own sexual gratification.”
“The defendant in this case tried to share sexually explicit material to a minor in an attempt to progress the relationship to become sexually physical,” said John Morales, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “Parents can rest easy with this man in federal prison, but there are so many more predators like him. The FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force remains committed to the fight against exploitation of our children.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Valenzuela prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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El Paso Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possession of Meth and FentanylRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court documents, during an El Paso Police Department traffic stop on September 6, 2022, Erich Calixtro, 45, was found in possession of approximately 138 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 28 grams of fentanyl.
On September 14, 2023, Calixtro pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Due to his extensive criminal history, the Court found that Calixtro was a career criminal offender. Calixtro has remained in federal custody since his arrest on September 6, 2022.
“My office will continue to prosecute those who peddle illegal drugs in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “I’m proud of the work accomplished by the El Paso Police Department and the FBI in taking another drug dealer off our streets.”
“Illicit synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl continue to drive addiction and fatal poisonings in our communities,” said John Morales, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “People like Calixtro fuel these addictions by making these poisons accessible in our communities. His disregard for how he destroys families will no longer be a concern as he spends the next 20 years in federal prison.”
The FBI and EPPD investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Myers prosecuted the case.
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Eight People Indicted in Connection with Nationwide Conspiracy Targeting Credit UnionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Two leaders of a nationwide bank fraud conspiracy have been arrested in connection with a scheme that has targeted credit unions all over the country since at least December 2021.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
According to the indictment, court filings, and statements made by prosecutors in court, beginning in at least December 2021, Oluwaseun Adekoya, a/k/a “John Calling,” age 38, a Nigerian citizen residing in Newark, New Jersey, and David Daniyan, a/k/a “Bamikole Laniyan,” a/k/a “David Enfield,” a/k/a “Tajudeen Dosunmu,” a/k/a “David James,” a/k/a “Tony James,” a/k/a “James Bush,” age 59, a Nigerian citizen residing in Brooklyn, New York, obtained the personal identifying information of scores of individuals who banked at credit unions throughout the United States.
The credit unions were members of a shared branching network that allowed customers of member credit unions to withdraw funds from their accounts at other member credit unions by presenting an identification with their photograph, their account number, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. The network was designed to allow customers of localized credit unions easier access to their accounts when traveling throughout the country.
According to the indictment, the defendants exploited this network by creating fake identifications in the names of real credit union customers, but with photographs of other individuals, whom they employed to conduct fraudulent transactions at credit unions all over the country. In total, the indictment charges Adekoya and Daniyan with orchestrating over 200 fraudulent transactions, and fraudulently obtaining more than $900,000, which they allegedly used to purchase luxury items including watches, a vehicle, and high-end clothing and apparel. The fraud was perpetrated in Albany, Clinton, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties in the Northern District of New York, and all over the country.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Adekoya was arrested and appeared yesterday in federal court in the District of New Jersey. He was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 14, 2023. Daniyan was arrested and appeared yesterday in federal court in the Eastern District of New York, and was ordered detained pending transfer to the Northern District of New York.
Also arrested yesterday were Gaysha Kennedy, age 45, of Brooklyn, and Danielle Cappetti, 45, of the Bronx, New York. The arrests of four additional defendants are pending.
Law enforcement has seized over $45,000 in proceeds of the conspiracy, and an estimated tens of thousands of dollars in luxury jewelry and merchandise.
The following charges were unsealed yesterday:
- Adekoya is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- Daniyan is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
- Kennedy is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; and
- Cappetti is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
The bank fraud conspiracy charges carry a maximum term of 30 years in prison and the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed on the bank fraud charge. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
FBI is investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for BurglaryRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota man convicted of Second Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on December 11, 2023.
Melvin Bagola III, age 23, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution of $5,760.67, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. The 12 month sentence of imprisonment runs consecutive to a seven month sentence imposed for Bagola’s violation of his federal supervised release in another case.
Bagola was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty to Second Degree Burglary on July 10, 2023.
On September 15, 2022, Deputy U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest Bagola in Eagle Butte for violating his supervised release. When Bagola saw the deputy marshals, he fled into an occupied home and slammed the front door. When a deputy marshal entered the home to arrest him, Bagola leapt out an open window and sprinted into another occupied home. The deputy marshals set up a perimeter around the second house. Bagola refused to leave until the officers broke the home’s windows and prepared to saturate it with OC gas. Bagola then surrendered peaceably.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 144 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Approximately 90,000 Counterfeit Pills Containing Fentanyl and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Pilar Angel Leon-Beltran, 44, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 144 months in prison. Leon-Beltran pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime on March 22, 2023. Leon-Beltran also admitted to being in violation of a condition of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.
In April of 2022, Leon-Beltran traveled with three co-conspirators from Tucson to the Phoenix metropolitan area. Leon-Beltran and his co-conspirators were subsequently stopped by federal agents and Arizona DPS Troopers in Scottsdale during an undercover operation. Approximately 90,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl were discovered in their possession. Leon-Beltran had a loaded firearm in his possession while he was transporting the fentanyl-laced pills.
Co-conspirator Enrique Flores-Diaz pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and was sentenced to 78 months in prison on February 3, 2023. Co-conspirator Denisse Calderon-Razura pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and was sentenced to 15 months in prison on June 28, 2023. Co-conspirator Laura Elena Hambrick has pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 18, 2024.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Operation. The OCDETF Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Petermann, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-1094-JGZ-JR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-197_Leon-Beltran# # #
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.District Woman Indicted for Defrauding the D.C. Medicaid ProgramRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Bridgette White-Chase, 61, of the District of Columbia, was arraigned today on a 20-count indictment with felony fraud and first-degree theft related to claims submitted to the District of Columbia’s Medicaid program.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.
The indictment was returned by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on December 6, 2023. According to court documents, White-Chase operated Chase Counseling and Consulting Services LLC, and was licensed by D.C. Department of Health to provide professional counseling services. Between September 2020 and continuing through January 2023, White-Chase submitted claims to the D.C. Medicaid program for psychiatric services allegedly provided to District Medicaid beneficiaries. The indictment alleges that through these schemes, White-Chase caused the D.C. Medicaid program to pay over $263,000 for services she did not render and overpayment for services she did allegedly provide.
White-Chase was arrested and arraigned today, and subsequently released pending trial. She is scheduled to appear before the Honorable Erik P. Christian on January 9, 2024.
In announcing the indictment, U.S. Attorney Graves and Inspector General Lucas acknowledged the work of those who are investigating and prosecuting the case from the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the D.C. Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU). They commended the efforts of Special Assistant United States Attorney Emmanuela Charles, on detail from the D.C. OIG MFCU, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Derry Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Importing, Manufacturing, and Distributing SteroidsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Derry man pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute steroids and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Ralph Cardarelli, 44, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute steroids and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for April 2, 2024. Cardarelli was indicted on August 16, 2023.
During the execution of a search warrant at Cardarelli’s residence on March 23, 2023, federal investigations discovered over 4800 vials and bottles of suspected controlled substances and prescription drugs, including: Nandrolone Phenylpropionate; Trenbolone Acetate; Dromostanolone Propionate; Boldenone Undecylenate; Testosterone Propionate; Trenbolone Enanthate; Nandrolone Decanoate; Testosterone Enanthate; and Testosterone Cypionate. These drugs are commonly known as steroids. Evidence was also discovered through the search warrant that Cardarelli was importing these drugs, manufacturing, and packaging them in his residence, and dispensing the drugs without requiring a prescription.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Food & Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.
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Court Sentences Mobile Man to 292 Months Imprisonment in Multi-Defendant Interstate Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – On November 29, 2023, United States District Court Judge, Callie V. S. Grande sentenced David Erik Crumpton to 292 months imprisonment for his role in a multi-defendant interstate drug trafficking conspiracy.
Documents filed with the Court established that Christopher Perales, from the state of Texas, would regularly supply Crumpton in Mobile, Alabama, with pound quantities of methamphetamine starting in approximately 2019. During the conspiracy Perales and Crumpton opened a joint checking account at Woodforest National Bank in Texas in order for Crumpton to be able to pay Perales for the methamphetamine. From July 27, 2020, through December 7, 2020, Crumpton made deposits of $125,000 into the joint account for the methamphetamine he purchased from Perales.
Perales hired the co-defendant, Daniel Castillo-Garcia, to serve as a drug courier/driver who would transport the methamphetamine from Texas to Lafayette, Louisiana for Perales. Once in Lafayette, Castillo-Garcia would meet the co-defendant David Willis Hale, who had been hired by Crumpton and HJB, to transport the methamphetamine back to Mobile for them. On some occasions, Castillo-Garcia drove the methamphetamine from Texas all the way to Mobile, Alabama for Perales. Also, on some occasions Crumpton and another co-conspirator drove themselves to Texas to obtain the methamphetamine directly from Perales.
On August 3, 2020, Crumpton and another co-conspirator had directed Hale to drive to Lafayette, Louisiana to pick-up approximately 672 grams of methamphetamine from Castillo-Garcia, that had been sent by Perales. On this occasion another co-conspirator had provided HALE $8,000 in US currency to purchase the methamphetamine. During the trip, on the way to purchase the methamphetamine, Hale was stopped and arrested in Hancock County, Mississippi. Hale had approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine, also provided to him by the same co-conspirator who provided him the US currency, ten ecstasy pills, 1 gram of heroin and the $8,000 in U.S Currency.
On October 12, 2020, the Mobile Police Department (MPD) Narcotics Unit conducted a search warrant on the home of co-defendant Julie Alesia Roberts in Theodore, Alabama and recovered approximately 615 grams of methamphetamine from Roberts. Crumpton and Roberts had agreed and conspired for Roberts to store the methamphetamine at her home. Both Crumpton and Roberts had a separate customer base they distributed methamphetamine to.On December 7, 2020, the MPD Narcotics Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2007 Black Suburban bearing a Texas license plate and being driven by Castillo-Garcia. Following the stop, investigative team members conducted a search of the vehicle and seized approximately 491 grams of crystal methamphetamine. The seizure occurred after a recorded phone call was made from a confidential informant to Perales ordering a pound of methamphetamine and Perales stating he would send his courier to Mobile to deliver the methamphetamine.
On December 28, 2020, a Harrison County, Mississippi highway interdiction unit stopped Hale on Interstate 10 Eastbound. As a result of the stop law enforcement seized approximately 300 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Hale. Hale was in the process of delivering the crystal methamphetamine to Crumpton in Mobile Alabama.
Roberts was previously sentenced by the Court and Perales, Castillo-Garcia and Hale have all plead guilty and are pending sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mobile Police Department, Narcotics Unit, the Harrison and Hancock County, Mississippi, Sherriff’s Offices and the Galveston County Texas Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.Court Sentences Mobile Man to 20 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – On December 13, 2023, United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Eugene Darnell Cornner to 240 months imprisonment for methamphetamine trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of his methamphetamine trafficking.
Documents filed with the court in connection with his guilty plea established that on November 8, 2021, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at a motel room where Cornner was staying and discovered Cornner lying in a bed. Items found during the search included approximately $10,960.00 in cash on the bed where Cornner was laying; a .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a brown Louis Vuitton bag with approximately 45 grams of fentanyl, 183 grams of methamphetamine and two nasal spray applicators containing 4mg of Narcan.
On January 20, 2023, Cornner was stopped by the Mobile Police Department on Tillman’s Corner Parkway for a window tint violation. The stop lead to the vehicle being impounded and found in the vehicle was approximately 176 grams of methamphetamine and $2,091 in cash.
In early February 2023 the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office made a controlled buy of drugs from Cornner and then executed a search at a trailer where Cornner was living in Theodore. Officers recovered approximately 500 grams of methamphetamine from Cornner’s bedroom, and a small amount of marijuana and fentanyl.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Mobile Police Department and the Mobile County Sherriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced Samuel Charles Hardeman, age 55, of Easton, Maryland, to 18 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity. Hardeman had a previous federal conviction in a 2002 case in the Northern District of Georgia for use of a computer to entice a child to engage in sexual activity, for which he was sentenced to 174 months in prison. Judge Russell ordered that, upon his release from prison, Hardeman must continue to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Talbot County Sheriff Joseph Gamble.
According to his guilty plea, from December 11, 2022 through December 26, 2022, Hardeman engaged in conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer (UC) who purported to have a 10-year-old daughter. During the conversations, Hardeman expressed how he wanted to have sex with the 10-year-old, sent a video containing child pornography to the UC, and made plans to drive to New York, where the UC purportedly lived, to have sex with the 10-year-old. Hardeman communicated with the UC by phone, including a video call, text, and using encrypted messaging platforms. All of this occurred while Hardeman was on the sex offender registration for a previous federal sex offense conviction. During a call on December 26, 2022, Hardeman expressed hesitation about traveling to New York to visit the UC and her daughter. The UC did not hear from Hardeman after that time.
On March 14, 2023, a federal search warrant was executed at Hardeman’s residence and several electronic devices were seized. A forensic examination of one of the phones revealed the encrypted messaging account which Hardeman used to communicate with the UC, a text message thread between Hardeman and the UC, photos sent to Hardeman by the UC at Hardeman’s request, the photos and videos that Hardeman sent to the UC, and dozens of images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Forensic examinations of several other devices and Hardeman’s Cloud storage account recovered additional images of child sex abuse material, including bestiality.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Spencer Todd and Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Possessing A Firearm Linked to Two Orlando ShootingsRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Cristian Burgos (25, Kissimmee) to seven years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Burgos to forfeit a Glock firearm, an Anderson Manufacturing firearm and associated ammunition, which are traceable to the offense. Burgos had pleaded guilty on August 22, 2023.
According to court documents, on January 29, 2023, officers from the Orlando Police Department located a vehicle that had been carjacked. They conducted a stop of the vehicle and the driver, Burgos, began to flee on foot. Officers apprehended Burgos after a short chase. They recovered a Glock firearm, an Anderson Manufacturing rifle, and ammunition from inside the vehicle. Laboratory testing of the rifle identified it as having been used to commit two shootings in Orlando in October 2022.
At the time of this offense, Burgos had previously been convicted in state court in Florida of four counts of robbery with a firearm. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
Burgos is facing six counts of attempted murder and two counts of shooting into a building in state court in Florida related to the two shootings that occurred in October 2022.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Orlando Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie A. McNeff.
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.
Company President, Two Rhode Island Trucking Companies Sentenced in Federal Court for Conspiring to Violate the Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The owner and President of a North Kingstown-based trucking company and his two corporations were sentenced in federal court in Providence, RI, today for conspiring together with trucking and diesel vehicle sales and service companies throughout the United States and with a foreign national to violate the Clean Air Act by selling and providing a software program that tampered with on-board vehicle computers in order to alter or bypass key features in emission control systems.
United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that, having previously pled guilty to a charge of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act, United States District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy today ordered Michael J. Collins to serve a term of three years of probation; to perform 100 hours of community service; pay a fine $50,000; and to create a compliance and ethics program and to notify his employees and stockholders of said program.
Additionally, District Court Judge McElroy placed each of Collins’ corporations on probation for three years and ordered each corporation provide a payment of $125,000 to the Rhode Island Environmental Recovery Fund.
Under the federal Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established standards that limit the emission of air pollutants from various types of vehicle engines. To meet those standards, vehicle manufacturers design and install certain hardware components as part of the systems that manage and treat engine exhaust to reduce multiple types of pollution.
For nearly five years, beginning in September 2014, Michael J. Collins, his North Kingstown company M&D Transportation, Inc.; his now-defunct computer company Diesel Tune-Ups of RI, Inc.; various trucking and diesel vehicle sales and repair companies throughout the United States; and a foreign national all conspired to alter or disable certain functions of the Electronic Control Modules (ECM) and On Board Diagnostic (OBD) monitoring systems of heavy-duty diesel vehicles such as semi-trucks or “big rigs.” These alterations are referred to in the industry as “tunes.”
At the time of Collins’ guilty plea in April, United States Attorney Cunha commented, “Our environmental laws are here to protect the clean air that every Rhode Islander deserves to breathe. When companies choose to ignore those laws and put profit over their legal duties, and spew diesel soot and contaminants across Rhode Island and New England in the process, this Office will hold them to account.”
Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge for EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division for New England added, “Tampering with diesel vehicles by installing defeat devices increases emissions of smog and soot, both of which contribute to serious health problems that often disproportionately affect families, especially children, living in underserved communities. Placing profit over public health in Rhode Island has clear accountability.”
Collins previously admitted to the court that for nearly five years, beginning in September 2014, he and his North Kingstown company M&D Transportation, Inc.; his now-defunct computer company Diesel Tune-Ups of RI, Inc.; various trucking and diesel vehicle sales and repair companies throughout the United States; and a foreign national all conspired to alter or disable certain functions of the Electronic Control Modules (ECM) and On Board Diagnostic (OBD) monitoring systems of heavy-duty diesel vehicles such as semi-trucks or “big rigs.” These alterations are referred to in the industry as “tunes.”
Collins admitted that in exchange for a fee, the foreign national would download tuning software through a laptop computer provided by Collins and his companies, that was then connected to each vehicle. Through a remote connection, the “tunes” were downloaded onto each vehicle’s Electronic Control Module or computer to reprogram the vehicle’s monitoring systems. The vehicle’s monitoring systems were manipulated so that they would not detect malfunctions in the emission control components, thereby allowing vehicles to operate without proper emission controls. As a result, “tuned” vehicles could run with increased horsepower and torque, which can reduce maintenance and repair costs, but which results in significant increases in pollutant emissions.
The tuning business was marketed on Facebook. Interested companies were directed to contact a Rhode Island telephone number associated with Collins, M & D, and Diesel Tune-Ups. Customers paid Collins’ companies between $1,700 and $3,650 for each vehicle “tuned.” Collins and his companies wired a portion of the funds to their foreign co-conspirator and retained a portion of the funds for themselves.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division - Boston Area Office.
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Colorado Man Sentenced to More than 19 Years in Prison for Enticing a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On Dec. 7, Miles Steven McGough, 25, of Colorado, was sentenced to 235 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore, after previously pleading guilty to enticing a minor victim to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to the agreed upon factual proffer in support of McGough’s guilty plea, McGough engaged in conduct with a Southern District of Florida minor to include, he sent sexually explicit communications to the minor victim through the Snapchat messaging service, a search warrant of McGough’s cellular phone revealed images of McGough’s genitals that he shared with the minor victim, and McGough's cell phone revealed videos and images of the minor victim performing oral sex on McGough that were created during McGough’s visit to Florida.
Judge Moore ordered that McGough’s term of incarceration be followed by 15 years of supervised release. McGough was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami announced the sentence imposed.
HSI investigated the case with assistance from Castle Rock Police Department in Colorado. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ajay J. Alexander prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-60061.
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Colombian Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Carlos Alejandro Coneo-Contreras (51, Colombia) to 15 years in federal prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. Coneo-Contreras had pleaded guilty on September 25, 2023.
According to court documents, Coneo-Contreras was a logistical coordinator for a Colombian drug trafficking organization based in Cartagena, Colombia. In July 2017, Coneo-Contreras acquired a sailing vessel in Cartagena, which was to set sail with cocaine to San Andrés Island, Colombia, an island approximately 100 miles east of Nicaragua. Once the cocaine-laden vessel reached San Andrés Island, the cocaine was to be transported to Central America and then smuggled into the United States. In addition to obtaining the vessel, Coneo-Contreras purchased food, fuel, and navigation equipment for the mariners to use while on their journey to San Andrés Island. The Colombian Navy interdicted the sailing vessel, which had 164 kilograms of cocaine on board.
In June 2018, Coneo-Contreras again acquired a sailing vessel in Cartagena to transport cocaine to San Andrés Island. The Colombian Navy interdicted that vessel, this time with 452 kilograms of cocaine on board. Again, the ultimate destination for the cocaine was the United States.
This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of agents and analysts from the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. The Colombian Navy and Colombian National Police also provided valuable assistance. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo.
Catholic Priest Sentenced to Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Father James W. Jackson, 68, a former Rhode Island priest assigned to St. Mary’s Church in Providence, was sentenced today to six years in federal prison, having previously admitted to a federal judge that that he downloaded and stored thousands of files of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
According to documents filed with the court, in September 2021, an East Providence Detective assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force identified an IP address assigned to the rectory at St. Mary’s Church that was being utilized to share files of child sexual abuse material.
A court-authorized search of a computer and digital device located in a church rectory bedroom utilized by Father Jackson was found to contain images and videos of child sexual abuse, including multiple images involving prepubescent females, and some of which involved acts of bestiality and sadomasochism. A forensic audit of the devices subsequently identified over 12,000 images and 1,300 videos of child pornography.
The defendant, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint and arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence on November 3, 2021, was later released while awaiting trial to the custody of his sister, who resides in Kansas. In June 2022, members of the Kansas ICAC identified an IP address at the residence in Kansas where Father Jackson was staying that was being utilized to download child pornography. Acting on a court-authorized search warrant, members of the Kansas ICAC seized a portable computer and an external hard drive from Jackson’s bedroom; an analysis of the storage device revealed evidence that numerous files with names indicative of child sexual abuse material had been deleted.
Father Jackson was returned to Rhode Island and ordered detained while awaiting trial on federal charges filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. He pleaded guilty on June 8, 2023, to a charge of receipt of child pornography.
Jackson was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to seventy-two months of incarceration to be followed by five years of federal supervised release. In addition, pursuant to federal law, the Court imposed special assessments of $17,000 (The Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018), and $5,000 (The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015). In addition, the Court indicated it will order restitution to specific victims in approximately thirty days.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police ICAC and Homeland Security Investigations.
U.S. Attorney Cunha expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Overland Park, Kansas Police Department and the Kansas ICAC.
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Carrollton man convicted of federal child pornography violationsRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Carrollton man has been convicted of federal child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Eric Victor Henry Blood, 43, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography following a trial before U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on December 12, 2023.
According to information presented in court, Blood came to the attention of law enforcement when Google reported that his email address had been used to upload images and videos of child pornography onto a cloud storage account. Homeland Security Investigations special agents served a federal search warrant at Blood’s residence in Carrollton in May 2022, during which Blood admitted to using that Google account. He also ultimately admitted to accessing and possessing child pornography. Agents located child pornography files on multiple electronic devices he owned and possessed. Blood was charged with three counts of transporting child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.
The case proceeded to trial on December 11, 2023 and, at the conclusion, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts.
Under federal statutes, Blood faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Miller and Lesley Brooks.
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Brothers Sentenced to More Than 35 Years Combined for Manufacturing and Distributing Machineguns Intended for ISISRead the Press Release
Moyad Dannon, 26, of Fishers, Indiana, was sentenced today to 200 months, equivalent to 16 years and eight months, in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support or resources, namely, firearms, to a designated foreign terrorist organization. His brother, Mahde Dannon, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in October 2021, after pleading guilty to the same charges.
“The defendants in this case fused together two grave threats to Americans’ security by attempting to support a brutal terrorist organization through the illicit manufacture of ghost guns,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Just as we’ve done in the fight against terrorism, the Justice Department is committed to prevention — stopping gun violence before it happens by cracking down on the illegal production and trafficking of ghost guns.”
“The defendant showed an absolute disregard for the rule of law and is being held accountable for his actions,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “Working with his brother, the defendant produced large caches of privately made firearms and attempted to place them in the hands of ISIS members overseas to be used against U.S. service members and allies. The FBI and our partners worked tirelessly to prevent the weapons from reaching their intended destination, and ensured these defendants faced justice for their attempts to support a foreign terrorist organization. We will continue to aggressively investigate anyone who tries to help terrorists and endangers the lives of others.”
“Violent extremists inspired by events abroad continue to pose a threat to our local communities and to our national security. Indiana is not immune from the poison of radicalization, fueled by terrorist propaganda available online,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “For nearly a year, these defendants worked persistently to arm murderous terrorists with deadly, illegal weapons. Cases like this demonstrate the need for law enforcement agencies to use all available lawful means to identify, disrupt, and prosecute national security threats here at home. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Fishers Police Department, these dangerous men have been held accountable for their actions and our communities will be safe from them for many years.”
According to court documents, in June 2018, the Dannon brothers devised a scheme to deliver stolen firearms to a convicted felon who was cooperating with the FBI.
Between July 2018 and December 2018, the Dannon brothers sold a number of illegally obtained firearms to the cooperating individual. Around the same time period, the Dannon brothers also began to manufacture untraceable “ghost guns” by purchasing firearms parts online and assembling those parts into fully-functioning, .223 caliber semi-automatic rifles, which they sold to an FBI undercover agent.
In late 2018, the Dannon brothers began manufacturing untraceable, fully automatic, .223 caliber rifles, using much the same process they used to manufacture the semi-automatic rifles, and selling those to the undercover agent and confidential informant (CI).
Shortly thereafter, Moyad Dannon accompanied the undercover agent to a location near the U.S. southwest border in an effort to market that rifle, and additional fully-automatic rifles, to a potential buyer who was also cooperating with the FBI. During that trip, Moyad Dannon learned that the potential buyer sought to ship the weapons to a location in the Middle East, where they would be used by ISIS. ISIS is a designated foreign terrorist organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Despite learning of the ultimate destination of the weapons, the Dannon brothers agreed to manufacture and sell at least 55 additional fully automatic “ghost guns” to the buyer from the American southwest border, believing those weapons would be shipped to the Middle East, to ISIS and its members.
On May 15, 2019, the Dannon brothers manufactured five untraceable, fully automatic, .223 caliber rifles from parts they had purchased online. At that time, the Dannon brothers were fully aware that the plan was to send the five automatic rifles overseas to ISIS. After building the fully automatic rifles, the Dannon brothers sold all five weapons to undercover FBI agents posing as employees of the buyer from near the southwest border. The Dannon brothers were arrested immediately thereafter by the FBI.
Between February and May of 2019, Moyad Dannon had numerous and extensive conversations with an undercover agent who he believed was a member of ISIS then fighting in Syria. During those conversations, Moyad expressed his desire to travel from Indiana to ISIS-controlled areas of Syria, where he sought to utilize his knowledge of firearms and other skills to provide direct military assistance to ISIS in its fight against the United States and Syrian government.
In a search following his arrest, FBI agents located a flash drive on Moyad’s keychain containing approximately 16 gigabytes of ISIS propaganda, including graphically violent videos depicting ISIS fighters beheading civilians and hostages, and ISIS snipers killing U.S. military personnel. Identical ISIS propaganda videos were discovered on a laptop computer.
The FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Fishers, Indiana, Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Rinka, Kate Olivier, and Kelly Rota for the Southern District of Indiana and Deputy Chief Paul Casey and Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case.
Billings man sentenced to prison for stealing firearms in pawn shop burglaryRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to stealing six firearms after breaking into a pawn shop in Billings was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Eric Frederick Welch, Jr, 22, pleaded guilty in August to an indictment charging him with theft from a federal firearms licensee and possession of stolen firearms.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court also ordered $3,025 in restitution.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of June 12, Welch broke into Yellowstone Pawn and stole six firearms. Welch had been released on conditions on state charges just over a month earlier, and he used a truck he had stolen two days before to conduct the pawn shop burglary. Welch fled from law enforcement and threw one of the stolen firearms before being arrested.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas K. Godfrey prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Bank Employee Charged with Stealing Federal Benefits Intended for Deceased CustomerRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An employee of an Essex County, New Jersey, bank was charged with fraudulently withdrawing federal retirement benefits from the account of a former customer who had died, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Jorge Nova, 35, of Passaic, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer and was on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In 2014, Nova was an employee at a commercial bank in Nutley, New Jersey, where a customer received Social Security Administration (SSA) retirement benefits via direct deposit. The Social Security Administration was not notified of the beneficiary’s death and continued to deposit retirement benefits into the beneficiary’s bank account for more than four years, until October 2018. Nova fraudulently obtained funds from the beneficiary’s account by causing debit cards to be issued to himself in the beneficiary’s name, which he then used to drain the retirement benefits from the beneficiary’s bank account. Nova also registered new accounts with a money service provider in the name of the deceased beneficiary and withdrew money from a second bank account held in the beneficiary’s name. Nova fraudulently obtained more than $105,000 intended for the deceased beneficiary.
The count of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon MacDermott, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Organized Crimes and Gang Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
nova.indictment.pdfAssociate Attorney General Vanita Gupta Statement on Supreme Court’s Order Granting Certiorari to Review the Fifth Circuit Decision in Alliance for Hippocratic MedicineRead the Press Release
The Justice Department issued the following statement from Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta following the Supreme Court’s order granting certiorari to review the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine:
“We are glad that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear this important case. While the litigation continues, the stay the Court entered earlier this year means that mifepristone will remain available under the conditions approved by the FDA based on its expert scientific judgment. The Justice Department will not cease its efforts to defend the FDA’s authorities and expertise in this area.”
Alleged Member of ‘Memphis Mob’ Street Gang Sentenced to 18 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal judge has sentenced a Memphis man to more than 18 years in federal prison for his involvement in an armed drug trafficking operation. Jacquez “Mob Kilo” Reverand, 25, of Memphis was sentenced to 217 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine and discharging a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking. U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris also ordered Reverand to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to information presented at trial, while looking into drug trafficking activity by members of the Memphis Mob, investigators identified a North Memphis home from which narcotics were being sold. On March 4, 2019, someone allegedly stole narcotics from the house which led to shots being fired. A Memphis police officer responded and witnessed someone with a gunshot wound to the head running away from the house. Surveillance video from the house showed the defendant and another person firing into a vehicle occupied by five people including a minor child. One person was injured from the shooting but survived. Reverand fled prior to police arrival.
In addition, the surveillance video showed Memphis Mob members distributing narcotics from the North Memphis house daily until the shooting, after which the group relocated operations.
In July 2022, Reverand was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to use or carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; and discharge of a firearm during an in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Memphis Police Department, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Allen and Michelle Kimbril-Parks, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.
Aliquippa Resident Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Involvement in a Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Aliquippa, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 5 years of imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release, in connection with his involvement in a drug trafficking organization from May 2021 to November 2021, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on Anthony Tusweet Smith, Jr., age 24.
According to information presented to the court, Smith belonged to a multi-defendant conspiracy that dealt in large quantities of controlled substances. Within the conspiracy, Smith distributed fentanyl to end users in the vicinity of his residence in Aliquippa, PA. In conjunction with his federal arrest, law enforcement seized four firearms from that residence, to include a loaded semiautomatic rifle with an attached 30-round capacity magazine near packaged fentanyl. During the course of the conspiracy, Smith was responsible for the distribution and/or the possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stressed that mixing drugs and guns equates to death within the community.
The successful prosecution of Smith was the result of an extensive and collaborative investigation conducted by Federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Smith.
20-Year-Old Pleads Guilty to Possessing 115 Pounds of Fentanyl Pills with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Nathan Hernandez, 20, of Yuma, pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl last week. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2024, before United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi.
Hernandez admitted that on November 3, 2023, he entered the United States through the San Luis Port of Entry in San Luis, Arizona, with 115.04 pounds of fentanyl pills hidden in a non-factory compartment of his 2020 Dodge Ram. Hernandez further admitted that he possessed the fentanyl with the intent to deliver it to another person. In his plea agreement, Hernandez agreed to forfeit the 2020 Dodge Ram used to transport the fentanyl pills into the United States.
A conviction for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Doyle, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01674-MTL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-199_Hernandez# # #
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.
Tuesday 12 December 2023
법무부의 법률집행 언어접근 발의안 관련 가상회의 개요Read the Press Release
오늘 민권국은 법무부의 법률집행 언어 접근 발의안의 일환으로 법률집행 관계자들과 가상회의를 소집하여 치안 유지시 부딪히는 언어 장벽의 해소와 효과적인 언어 접근 프로그램을 구축하기 위한 그들의 노력에 대해 논의하였습니다.
2022년 12월에 출시된 이 발의안은 법률집행 기관이 영어 구사 능력에 한계(LEP)가 있는 개개인들에게 의미있는 언어 지원을 제공해야 할 의무를 충족시켜 지역 사회를 더욱더 봉사하고 보호할 수 있도록 지원하는 전국적인 노력의 결과입니다. 또한 이 발의안은 1964년 민권법 제6장 (Title VI)과 옴니버스 범죄 통제 및 거리 안전법에 따라 연방 재정 지원을 받는 법률집행 기관의 연방 차별금지 의무화를 준수토록 하기 위한 본 부서의 오래된 업무를 기반으로 합니다.
크리스틴 클라크(Kristen Clarke) 법무차관보는 개회사를 빌어 법률집행 기관이 LEP가 있는 사람들과 소통하는 방식을 개선하기 위한 본 부서의 일관된 노력을 개략적으로 설명하였습니다. 한 예로 법무차관보는 본 부서가 킹 카운티(워싱턴주) 보안관 사무실 (KCSO)과 원칙적으로 합의에 도달했으며 이 합의가 완료되면 LEP가 있는 개개인들을 KCSO가 차별했다는 주장을 해소할 수 있을 것이라고 발표했습니다. 이 합의에 따라 KCSO는 LEP가 있는 사람들의 용이한 언어 접근을 위한 언어 접근 정책 수립 및 절차 시행, 지역 사회 참여 및 봉사 활동 전략 개발, 강력한 교육 프로그램 창출 및 기타 많은 것을 포함하는 제도를 약속하였습니다. KCSO는 200만여명의 시민들을 보호하고 카운티 소재 약 12개 도시 내의 법률집행 서비스를 제공하고 있습니다.
법무차관보는 또한 오늘 본 부서가 법률집행 기관들에게 발행한 편지를 통해 LEP가 있는 사람들을 위한 언어 지원 서비스를 제공하고 청각 장애인과 청각 장애가 있는 사람들에게 효과적인 통신을 제공해야 하는 연방 민권에 대한 그들의 법적 의무를 반복 강조하였다고 발표하였습니다. 마지막으로 법무차관보는 경찰관들이 언어 장벽을 줄이고 지역 사회 신뢰를 구축하며 경찰관들의 안전을 유지하기 위해 마련된 교육 비디오와 40개 이상의 언어로 번역된 FBI의 권리 조언서를 포함한 여러 리소스가 있음을 부각하였습니다. 이러한 자원은 COPS 교육 포털(Training Portal)에 소장되어 있습니다. 지역사회 지향 치안 서비스 제공 사무실(COPS Office)이 자금을 지원하고 국립 치안 혁신 센터(National Center for Policing Innovation)가 운영하는 이 포털은 법률집행 실무자 및 지역 사회 파트너에게 새로운 공공 안전 사안 및 지역 사회 치안에 관한 인터렉티브 교육 및 리소스를 제공하는 무료 플랫폼입니다.
클라크 법무차관보의 발언에 이어 법무부 고위관리와 경찰 기관장들은 지역 사회와 경찰서에 맞춤화된 언어 접근 정책 개발을 포함하여 자격 미달 및 편향적일 수 있는 통역사 고용 방지, 정책과 절차 이행을 위한 언어 접근 조정자 선임, 중요 정보 번역, 언어 접근 절차에 관한 경찰관 교육, 의미 있는 고충 처리 절차 수립 등 언어 접근에 관련된 효과적인 전략에 대한 패널 토론에 참여했습니다. 패널들은 또한 이해 관계자들 및 LEP가 있는 지역 사회와 긍정적 관계 맺음의 중요성을 강조했습니다.
패널 토론에는 브리언 피스(Breon Peace) 뉴욕 동부 지검 검사, 매튜 커쉬(Matthew Kirsch) 콜로라도 지검 수석 검사, 로버트 채프만(Robert Chapman) COPS Office부실장, 트렌트 글로슨(Trent Glosson) FBI 언어업무부 과장, 론 토마스(Ron Thomas) 덴버 경찰서장 및 토드 들레인(Todd Delain) 위스콘신 주 브라운 카운티 보안관이 참여하였습니다.
오늘의 회의 및 발표는 언어 접근성 발전에 대한 법무부의 오랜 공약의 기반을 지속적으로 다져나가는데 기여합니다. 법무부는11월에 연방 정부 전반에 걸쳐 언어 접근을 조정할 새로운 관계 부처 간 노력의 결과인 연방 언어 접근 실무그룹의 출범을 발표하였습니다(announced the launch of the Federal Language Access Working Group). 이 실무그룹의 창설과 함께 법무부는 메릭 갈랜드(Merrick B. Garland) 법무장관이 연방 기관들에게 보낸 언어 접근 각서(memorandum)의 대한1주년이 되는 날을 맞아 법무부의 웹사이트 www.LEP.gov를 통해 업데이트된 연방 기관 언어 접근 계획을 발표하였습니다. 또한 민권국은 주 법원 웨비나(webinar for state courts)와 협력하여 법정 언어 접근에 대한 팩트 시트(fact sheet on courts language access)를 최근 발행하였습니다. 법률집행청으로 보낸 서신의 사본이나 법률집행 언어 접근 발의안에 대한 추가 정보를 찾으시려면 www.lep.gov를 방문하십시오.
在美國司法部《執法語言無障礙倡議》網上會議上的發言Read the Press Release
今天，作為美國司法部《執法語言無障礙倡議》的一部分，民權司主持了一個由執法界相關人士參加的網上會議，探討他們在處理警務中出現的語言障礙以及建立有效的語言無障礙專案上做出的努力。
《執法語言無障礙倡議》於2022年12月提出，旨在全國範圍內幫助執法部門履行為英語能力有限者 (LEP) 提供有意義的語言協助的職責，更好地服務和保護社區。此倡議還在本司長期工作的基礎上，確保接受聯邦財政資助的執法部門遵守其根據1964年《民權法》第六條和《打擊犯罪和安全街道綜合法》應承擔的聯邦反歧視的職責。
在助理檢察長克裡斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 的開場發言中，她介紹了民權司在改善執法部門與英語能力有限者之間的溝通所做出的堅持不懈的努力。例如，她宣佈，民權司和華盛頓州金郡警長辦公室(KCSO)達成了原則性協議。一旦最終確定，該協議將會化解針對該辦公室歧視英語能力有限者的指控。根據該協議，金郡警長辦公室承諾保證為英語能力有限者提供語言服務，包括設立語言服務政策和實施程式，制定社區參與和推廣的策略，創建強有力的培訓專案，等等。金郡警長辦公室為轄區內兩百多萬民眾提供服務，並為該郡其他十幾個城市提供執法服務。
助理檢察長克拉克還宣佈，民權司今天向各執法部門發出了一封信，重申了執法部門擔負的聯邦民權職責，即他們必須為英語能力有限者提供語言協助服務，以及為聾啞人和聽力障礙者提供有效的溝通方式。最後，她特別指出了幾項能幫助警員減少語言障礙、增進社區信任感和保障警員安全的資源，包括一個培訓視頻和被翻譯成40多個語言的《聯邦調查局權利通知書》。這些資源位於面向社區警務服務辦公室的培訓門戶網站上。該門戶站由社區警務服務辦公室提供經費，由全國警務創新中心運作，是一個執法從業者和社區合作夥伴們的免費平臺， 其特色是提供關於新興的公共安全專題及社區警務方面的互動式的培訓和資源。
助理檢察長克拉克發言後，司法部的官員和執法界的領導參加了一次制定語言服務有效策略的專題小組討論會。討論會議題包括制定專門面對社區和警察局的語言服務政策，避免使用不合格或可能帶有偏見的口譯員，指派語言服務協調員來落實政策和流程，翻譯關鍵的資訊，對警員進行語言服務流程的培訓，和設立有意義的投訴機制等。專題小組成員還強調了與英語能力有限者相關的各方和社區積極接觸的重要性。
專題小組討論會的與會者包括美國紐約東區檢察長布里昂·皮斯 (Breon Peace)、科羅拉多區首席助理檢察長馬修·柯什 (Matthew Kirch)、面向社區警務服務辦公室中負責社區警務發展工作的副主任羅伯特·查普曼(Robert Chapman)、聯邦調查局語言服務處科長川特·格朗森(Trent Glosson)、丹佛警察局局長朗·湯瑪斯(Ron Thomas)和威斯康辛州布朗郡警長陶德·德萊恩(Todd Delain)。
今天的集會和聲明是對司法部改善語言服務的長期承諾做出的繼續改進。11月時，該部宣佈成立了“聯邦語言無障礙工作組”。這是一個新的跨機構組織，將在整個聯邦政府裡協調語言的無障礙使用工作。在成立該工作組的同時，司法部還宣佈在總檢察長梅瑞克·賈蘭德 (Merrick B Gland) 向聯邦機構發表語言無障礙備忘錄一周年之際，在其網站 www.LEP.gov公佈了更新的聯邦機構語言無障礙計畫。民權司最近還與各州法院的線上研討會協調，合作發表了法院語言使用的實情表。如果您需要獲取給執法部門的相關信函副本或瞭解更多有關《執法語言無障礙倡議》的資訊，請登陸www.lep.gov。
在美国司法部《执法语言无障碍倡议》网上会议上的发言Read the Press Release
今天，作为美国司法部《执法语言无障碍倡议》的一部分，民权司主持了一个由执法界相关人士参加的网上会议，探讨他们在处理警务中出现的语言障碍以及建立有效的语言无障碍项目上做出的努力。
《执法语言无障碍倡议》于2022年12月提出，旨在全国范围内帮助执法部门履行为英语能力有限者 (LEP) 提供有意义的语言协助的职责，更好地服务和保护社区。此倡议还在本司长期工作的基础上，确保接受联邦财政资助的执法部门遵守其根据1964年《民权法》第六条和《综合打击犯罪和安全街道法》中相关的规定应承担的联邦反歧视职责。在助理检察长克里斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 的开场发言中，她介绍了民权司在改善执法部门与英语能力有限者之间的沟通所做出的坚持不懈的努力。例如，她宣布，民权司和华盛顿州金郡警长办公室 (KCSO) 达成了原则性协议。一旦最终确定，该协议将会化解针对该办公室歧视英语能力有限者的指控。根据该协议，金郡警长办公室承诺保证为英语能力有限者提供语言服务，包括设立语言服务政策和实施程序，建立与社区参与和推广的策略，创建强有力的培训项目，等等。金郡警长办公室为辖区内两百多万民众服务，并为郡里面其他十几个城市提供执法服务。
助理检察长克拉克还宣布，民权司今天向各执法部门发出了一封信，重申了执法部门担负的联邦民权职责，即他们必须为英语能力有限者提供语言协助服务，以及为聋哑人和听力障碍者提供有效的沟通方式。最后，她特别指出了几项能帮助警员减少语言障碍、增进社区信任感和保障警员安全的资源，包括一个培训视频和被翻译成40多个语言的《联邦调查局权利通知书》。这些资源位于面向社区警务服务办公室的培训门户网站上。该门户网站由社区警务服务办公室提供经费，由全国警务创新中心运作，是一个执法从业者和社区合作伙伴们的免费平台，其特色是提供关于新兴公共安全专题及社区警务方面的互动式培训和资源。
助理检察长克拉克发言后，司法部的官员和执法界的领导参加了一个制定语言服务有效策略的专题小组讨论会。讨论会议题包括制定专门面对社区和警察局的语言服务政策，避免使用不合格或可能带有偏见的口译员，指派语言服务协调员来落实政策和流程，翻译关键的信息，对警员进行语言服务流程的培训，和设立有意义的投诉机制等。专题小组成员还强调了与英语能力有限者相关的各方和社区积极接触的重要性。
专题小组讨论会的与会者包括美国纽约东区检察长布里昂·皮斯 (Breon Peace)、科罗拉多区首席助理检察长马修·柯什 (Matthew Kirch)、面向社区警务服务办公室中负责社区警务发展工作的副主任罗伯特·查普曼 (Robert Chapman)、联邦调查局语言服务处科长川特·格朗森 (Trent Glosson)、丹佛警察局局长朗·托马斯 (Ron Thomas) 和威斯康辛州布朗郡警长托德·德莱恩 (Todd Delain)。
今天的集会和声明是对司法部改善语言服务的长期承诺做出的继续改进。11月时，该部宣布成立了“联邦语言无障碍工作组”。 这是一个新的跨机构组织它将在整个联邦政府里协调语言的使用工作。在成立该工作组的同时，司法部还在在总检察长梅里克·B·加兰德 (Merrick B. Garland) 向联邦机构发表语言无障碍备忘录一周年之际,在其网站www.LEP.gov公布了更新的联邦机构语言无障碍计划。民权司最近还与各州法院的在线研讨会协调，合作发表了法院语言使用的实情表。如果您需要获取给执法部门的相关信件副本或了解更多有关《执法语言无障碍倡议》的信息，请登陆www.lep.gov。
Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Manitowoc, Wisconsin man has been sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for producing images depicting his sexual abuse of a minor in Minnesota, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on or about June 7, 2019, Jason Lee, 28, used and coerced a prepubescent minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.
Lee pleaded guilty to one count of attempted production and production of child pornography on July 17, 2023. He was sentenced yesterday by Judge Donovan W. Frank in U.S. District Court.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Saint Paul Police Department, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin Police Department. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor prosecuted the case.
Waterville Man Sentenced to 9 Months Time Served, $38,000 Restitution for Downloading Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville man was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for possessing child sexual abuse material.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Terrence Talbot, 57, to time served followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $38,000. Talbot was in custody for nine months.
According to court records, Talbot used a government computer to search for and obtain child sexual abuse material. He admitted to investigators that had used a government computer to seek out and download child pornography and provided the digital storage device to investigators from his car. Another device was found inside Talbot’s home during the execution of a search warrant.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General and the Waterville Police Department investigated this case.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Washington woman admits meth trafficking role in large-scale investigation centered on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Washington woman on Dec. 8 admitted her role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking investigation that was centered on the Crow Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Mariana Tyler Wallace, 23, of Okanogan, Washington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Wallace faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Wallace was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, engaged in a large-scale, multiple-state, narcotics trafficking investigation centered on properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. Wallace is one of the individuals affiliated with the investigation.
The government alleged that individuals were living and storing meth at two residences on the Crow reservation. Co-conspirators from Washington were tasked with protecting the residence and distributing drugs. Wallace was one of those individuals who facilitated several drug transactions with another co-defendant.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Virginia Man Sentenced for Securities Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Virginia man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for participating in a pump-and-dump securities fraud scheme involving the Massachusetts-based company Cannabiz Mobile, Inc.
Anthony Jay Pignatello, 53, of Winchester, Va., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. OToole, Jr. to five months probation, with the first six weeks to be served on home detention. He was also ordered to pay $41,547 in forfeiture. In March 2021, Pignatello pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Between 2012 and 2015, Pignatello and co-conspirator Christopher R. Esposito worked together to conceal their control over Cannabiz Mobile and to use backdated promissory notes and other false and misleading documents to fraudulently obtain free-trading shares in the company. Among other steps taken in furtherance of the scheme, Esposito caused another individual to be installed as the company’s chairman, president and CEO, and Pignatello then drafted numerous backdated and false documents for the executive to sign. In reality, the executive reported to Esposito. Pignatello and Esposito then arranged for a promotional campaign in October 2014 to artificially inflate the value and trading volume of Cannabiz Mobile, Inc’s stock so that they could secretly sell their shares. In total, Pignatello personally sold over 800,000 shares fraudulently obtained as part of the scheme.
On Nov. 14, 2023, Esposito was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to five years of probation, with three months to be served at a halfway house. Esposito was also ordered to pay $20,294 in forfeiture in connection with the pump-and-dump of Cannabiz Mobile. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $61,693.50 in restitution to investors who lost money in a separate purported business venture that Esposito pitched involving the company Code2Action, Inc. Between August 2019 and February 2020, Esposito represented to investors that he would take Code2Action, Inc. public via a reverse merger and he solicited investments in the company for that purpose. The reverse merger, however, never took place.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Enters Settlement with City of Fresno Regarding ADA Compliance at Amtrak StationRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — The City of Fresno has agreed to resolve findings of violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the Fresno Amtrak intercity rail station, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today.
The rail station, located at 2650 Tulare Street, is owned by the City of Fresno, and serves passengers using trains to reach destinations up and down the San Joaquin Valley.
Under the agreement announced today, the city made accessibility modifications to exterior and interior portions of the station, including repairs to curb ramps, the waiting room, and the station’s restrooms. This agreement is part of a nationwide effort by the Department of Justice to improve accessibility at the nation’s rail stations. In 2020, the Department of Justice also entered into a nationwide settlement with Amtrak regarding ADA compliance at its stations.
“This agreement is a part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to bring entities that own or operate intercity rail stations into compliance with the ADA,” U.S. Attorney Talbert said. “Our office is pleased these changes have been made and will continue seeking to ensure that conditions at the station afford equal access to transportation, including as future remodeling takes place.”
This investigation was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emilia P. E. Morris. The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of California is committed to investigating alleged violations of the ADA. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint in writing with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, online at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY).
amtrak_executed_settlement_agreement.pdfU.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell Presents at White House Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C.Read the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS – Alison J. Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota and Chair of the Attorney General’s Native American Issues Subcommittee, participated in a panel discussion at the White House Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C., on December 6, 2023. The panel, moderated by Deb Haaland, Secretary of the United States Department of Interior, focused on the Department of Justice’s engagement with tribes throughout the nation, as well as the Department’s response to recently published recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC).Speaking at the Tribal Nations Summit, U.S. Attorney Ramsdell noted it has long been a priority of the Department of Justice to address the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives, and relatedly, the high rates of Indigenous persons reported missing. The Department does so through the work of U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAOs), which assign Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) to prosecute federal crimes occurring in Indian country. Working with federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement, AUSAs prosecute a range of violent crime, including murder, assault, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, as well as drug trafficking. USAOs further serve Indian country by convening monthly Multidisciplinary Team meetings to address cases involving child abuse with various community stakeholders, including law enforcement, social services providers, and medical personnel. At the invitation of tribal leadership, local law enforcement, and school administrators, USAOs also conduct extensive outreach with tribal partners, from addressing tribal councils and assisting in training efforts to making presentations at school assemblies.
As it relates to the topic at the center of the NIAC’s Report—Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP)—U.S. Attorney Ramsdell discussed the newly created MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places Assistant U.S. Attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the nation. USAOs will support the MMIP Regional Outreach Program and leverage the MMIP AUSAs and Coordinators to assist in resolving cases where federal jurisdiction exists and bridging gaps in communication that sometimes develop between federal, tribal, state, and local partners when an Indigenous person is reported missing.
U.S. Attorney Ramsdell also discussed the fact that all USAOs in federal judicial districts with Tribal lands, including Public Law 280 states, implemented Savanna’s Act guidelines in the Spring of 2022. These are law enforcement guidelines regarding interjurisdictional cooperation among law enforcement in cases related to missing persons. They set forth best practices in conducting missing persons searches; establish standards for the collection, reporting, and analysis of MMIP data and human remains; and ensure access to culturally appropriate victim services. Finally, U.S. Attorney Ramsdell discussed the Department’s work with individual tribes to develop Tribal Community Response Plans, which are cross-jurisdictional protocols that govern law enforcement responses to reports of missing persons within a Tribal community. Importantly, the process, which involves local and federal partners, is led by Tribes. This leadership role allows Tribes to incorporate culturally appropriate protocols in every aspect of their plans. USAOs and the MMIP Regional Outreach Program will support and assist Tribal communities who choose to develop their own TCRPs.
Two Men Charged for Operating $25M Cryptocurrency Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
A superseding indictment was unsealed yesterday charging an Australian national and a California man with operating a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded victims of more than $25 million.
According to court documents, David Gilbert Saffron, 51, of Australia, and Vincent Anthony Mazzotta Jr., 52, of Los Angeles, allegedly conspired to operate a fraudulent scheme to induce victims to invest in various trading programs that falsely promised to employ an artificial intelligence automated trading bot to trade victims’ investments in cryptocurrency markets and earn high-yield profits. Saffron and Mazzotta promoted the investment programs under various names including Circle Society, Bitcoin Wealth Management, Omicron Trust, Mind Capital, and Cloud9Capital. Rather than investing victims’ funds in cryptocurrency, Saffron and Mazzotta allegedly misappropriated victims’ funds to pay for personal expenses including private chartered jet flights, luxury hotel accommodations, private mansion rentals, a personal chef, and private security guards.
To execute the scheme, Saffron and Mazzotta allegedly created a fictious entity called the Federal Crypto Reserve. The indictment alleges that, after inducing victims to invest in one of the cryptocurrency investment programs, Saffron and Mazzotta fraudulently solicited victims to pay the Federal Crypto Reserve to investigate and recover the victims’ losses. To conceal his identity, Saffron often allegedly solicited victims under various aliases, including David Gilbert and Dave Gabe, and under various online personas, including the Blue Wizard and Bitcoin Yoda.
Saffron and Mazzotta also allegedly conspired to obstruct official proceedings by concealing assets, concealing or destroying evidence, and falsifying records. The defendants also allegedly conspired to conceal the source and location of victims’ cryptocurrency investments through various means, including using methods known as “blockchain hopping” and through services known as “mixers” or “tumblers” that are designed to prevent cryptocurrency tracing.
Saffron and Mazzotta are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. Saffron is also alleged to have committed felonies while on pre-trial release. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, 10 years for each money laundering count, and five years for conspiracy to obstruct justice. Saffron also faces up to 10 years in prison consecutive to any other sentence for committing felonies while on pre-trial release.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California, and Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.
IRS:CI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Theodore Kneller and Siji Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Hughes for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission previously charged Saffron by complaint.
If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-vns/victim-rights-derechos-de-las-v-ctimas.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Indicted in Scheme that Allegedly Laundered over $2 Million Generated by ‘Grandparent Scams’ Targeting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – FBI agents this morning arrested a West Los Angeles man who is one of two defendants charged in a federal grand jury indictment alleging a scheme that laundered at least $2 million in proceeds obtained from victims of grandparent scams who were defrauded with bogus claims that their relatives were in distress and urgently needed funds.
James Wesley Jackson III, aka “Imperial,” 42, pleaded not guilty this afternoon to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
The two-count indictment unsealed this afternoon also charges Christopher Fagon (who had several aliases, mostly variations of “Christopher Broker”), 45, who at the time of the alleged scheme lived in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles, and who is now believed to reside in or near Toronto, Canada.
The indictment outlines how perpetrators of grandparent scams convince victims to send money – purportedly to help relatives, often their grandchildren, who are typically described as being in legal trouble – “to bank accounts, business entities, and physical addresses specified by the scammers, using interstate wires and cashier’s checks…, for the supposed purpose of assisting the relatives in distress.” The victims’ money often is initially handled by “money mules,” who allow their addresses or bank accounts to be used or agree to receive or negotiate cashier’s checks.
Fagon allegedly was a manager of money mules, including Jackson, who also recruited his own money mules. The indictment further alleges that Fagon created business entities and opened bank accounts using information stolen from identity theft victims.
Once money was in the accounts associated with the money mules or identity theft victims, Fagon and Jackson allegedly engaged in transactions designed to conceal the true nature of the funds, which had been obtained via wire fraud.
The indictment specifically alleges that the scheme laundered funds obtained from victims of grandparent scams who reside in California and as far away as Pennsylvania.
The bank fraud scheme alleged in the indictment involves fraudulently obtained funds that were held in suspense in an account that had been set up in the name of an identity theft victim. Fagon, Jackson and a co-conspirator allegedly worked together to contact the bank and impersonate the identity theft victim to secure the issuance of a check for nearly $83,000 that was remaining in the account.
At his arraignment this afternoon, Jackson was ordered released on bond, and a trial was scheduled for February 6, 2024.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and the charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a sentence of up to 30 years.
The FBI is conducting the investigation in this case. The Toronto Police Service in Canada provided assistance in the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Monica E. Tait of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Vulnerable Communities Task Force, which is focused on investigating and prosecuting individuals and entities that prey on communities that typically are less likely to report crimes to law enforcement and historically have had less legal recourse to address the offenders targeting them. These groups may include immigrants and migrant workers defrauded in immigration schemes, indigent individuals reliant on public benefits, the elderly, and those who have been reluctant to seek assistance from government authorities.
Tioga County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – David P. VanHousen, age 54, formerly of Newark Valley, New York, pled guilty today to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
VanHousen admitted that, while civilly committed at the Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy, New York, following several sex offense and child pornography-related convictions, he possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on a contraband phone.
VanHousen was previously convicted in 2001 of sexual misconduct and rape in the third degree in New York State and transportation of child pornography in federal court.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2024 before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. VanHousen faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. VanHousen will also be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Jessica N. Carbone are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Thông Tin về Cuộc Họp Qua Mạng về Chương Trình Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ của Cơ Quan Thực Thi Pháp Luật thuộc Bộ Tư PhápRead the Press Release
Hôm nay, nhằm thực hiện một phần trong Chương Trình Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ của Cơ Quan Thực Thi Pháp Luật thuộc Bộ Tư Pháp, Ban Dân Quyền đã tổ chức một cuộc họp qua mạng với các đơn vị thi hành pháp luật để thảo luận về những nỗ lực của họ trong việc khắc phục các trở ngại về ngôn ngữ trong công tác kiểm soát và tạo dựng những chương trình tiếp cận ngôn ngữ hữu hiệu.
Chương trình này được phát động vào Tháng Mười Hai năm 2022, là một nỗ lực trên toàn quốc nhằm hỗ trợ các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật làm tròn bổn phận của họ trong việc đáp ứng nghiã vụ cung cấp ngôn ngữ có ý mghiã cho những cá nhân với trình độ Anh ngữ hạn chế (TĐANHC/ Limited English Proficiency/LEP) nhằm phục vụ và bảo vệ cộng đồng tốt hơn. Chương trình này cũng được lập ra trên nền tảng của những công việc lâu dài của Ban Dân Quyền để đảm bảo rằng các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật được liên bang hỗ trợ tài chính phãi tuân theo các nghĩa vụ liên bang chống kỳ thị của họ, theo Tiêu Đề VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền 1964 và Đạo Luật Kiểm Soát Tội Ác và An Ninh Đường Phố Omnibus.
Trong bài phát biểu khai mạc, Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp Kristen Clarke đã đưa ra cái nhìn tổng quát về những nỗ lực không ngừng của Ban Dân Quyền để cải thiện các cách giao tiếp giữa các cơ quan thi hành pháp luật và những người với TĐANHC/LEP. Ví dụ, bà công bố rằng Ban Dân Quyền đã đạt được một Thỏa Thuận về Nguyên Tắc với Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Quận King (Washington) (KCSO) và khi đã hoàn tất, thỏa thuận này sẽ giải quyết những cáo buộc cho rằng KCSO đã có kỳ thị đối với những người có TĐANHC/ LEP. Theo thỏa thuận này, KCSO cam kết đảm bảo sự tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho những người với TĐANHC/LEP, bao gồm việc đưa ra một chính sách về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ và thực hiện các thủ tục; phát triển chiến lược tiếp cận và tham gia với cộng đồng; lập ra một chương trình huấn luyện cho có ý nghiã; và nhiều hơn nữa. KCSO phục vụ hơn hai triệu người và cung cấp các dịch vụ thực thi pháp luật cho hàng chục thành phố khác trong quận hạt.
Bà cũng công bố rằng Ban Dân Quyền hôm nay đã gửi một bức thư đến các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật để nhắc lại những nghĩa vụ dân quyền thuộc cấp liên bang của họ trong việc cung cấp những dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ cho các cá nhân với TĐANHC/LEP, và cung cấp một sự giao tiếp hữu hiệu cho các cá nhân điếc và lãng tai. Cuối cùng, bà nhấn mạnh một số nguồn tài nguyên, bao gồm video huấn luyện và Tư Vấn về Quyền của FBI được dịch ra hơn 40 ngôn ngữ, để giúp các viên chức giảm bớt những trở ngại về ngôn ngữ, tạo tin tưởng trong cộng đồng và giữ an toàn cho các viên chức. Những nguồn tài nguyên này được đăng tại Cổng Thông Tin Điện Tử về Huấn Luyện của COPS. Được Văn Phòng Dịch Vụ Kiểm Soát Trật Tự Cộng Đồng (Văn Phòng COPS) tài trợ và Trung Tâm Đổi Mới về Kiểm Soát Trật Tự Quốc Gia cung cấp, Cổng Điện Tử này là một nền tảng miễn phí dành cho những nhân viên thực thi pháp luật và các đối tác trong cộng đồng để họ thực hiện việc huấn luyện tương tác và những nguồn tài nguyên về các đề tài về an toàn công cộng mới nổi lên cũng như những vấn đề về kiểm soát trật tự cộng đồng.
Sau bài phát biểu của Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp Clarke, các viên chức của Bộ Tư Pháp và lãnh đạo của các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật đã tham gia một nhóm để thảo luận về các chiến lược hữu hiệu xung quanh vấn đề tiếp cận ngôn ngữ, bao gồm việc phát triển các chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ thích hợp cho cộng đồng và cơ quan cảnh sát; tránh sử dụng những thông dịch viên không đạt tiêu chuẩn và có thể thiên vị; bổ nhiệm một nhân viên điều phối tiếp cận ngôn ngữ để thực hiện các chính sách và thủ tục; phiên dịch những thông tin trọng yếu; huấn luyện các viên chức về thủ tục tiếp cận ngôn ngữ; và thiết lập những thủ tục khiếu nại cho có ý nghiã. Những người tham gia hội thảo cũng nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của sự tích cực tham gia của các bên liên quan và cộng đồng với TĐANHC/LEP.
Những người tham gia buổi thảo luận nhóm này gồm có Luật Sư Hoa Kỳ Breon Peace của Quận Đông New York; Trợ Lý Thứ Nhất Luật Sư Hoa Kỳ Matthew Kirsch thuộc Quận Colorado; Phó Giám Đốc Văn Phòng COPS Robert Chapman phụ trách việc Thúc Đẩy Kiểm Soát Trật Tự Cộng Đồng; Đơn Vị Trưởng Trent Glosson thuộc Bộ Phận Dịch Vụ Ngôn Ngữ của FBI; Cảnh Sát Trưởng Ron Thomas của Sở Cảnh Sát Denver; và Todd Delain, Cảnh Sát Trưởng Quận Brown, Wisconsin.
Buổi họp và những công bố của ngày hôm nay sẽ tiếp tục dựa trên sự cam kết lâu dài của Bộ Tư Pháp trong việc thúc đẩy sự tiếp cận ngôn ngữ. Vào Tháng Mười Một, Bộ đã công bố việc triển khai Nhóm Làm Việc về Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Liên Bang, một nỗ lực liên ngành mới nhằm phối hợp việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ giữa các cơ quan chính phủ liên bang. Cùng với việc thành lập nhóm làm việc này, Bộ cũng công bố những kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của cơ quan liên bang được đăng tải trên trang mạng www.LEP.gov, nhân dịp kỷ niệm một năm kể từ ngày thực hiện bản ghi nhớ của Bộ Trưởng tư Pháp Merrick B. Garland về việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ dành cho các cơ quan liên bang. Ban Dân Quyền cũng vừa phát hành tờ thông tin về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho tòa án phối hợp với hội thảo trực tuyến dành cho các tòa án tiểu bang. Để có được bản sao của thư gửi cho cơ quan thực thi pháp luật hoặc để tìm thêm thông tin về Chương Trình Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ của Cơ Quan Thực Thi Pháp Luật, hãy vào trang www.lep.gov.
Three Gang Members Convicted of Murder PlotRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Norfolk, Virginia, convicted three men yesterday of conspiracy to commit murder and other crimes.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ronald Jenkins, 42, of Franklin, Virginia; Japree Brooks, 40, of Murfreesboro, North Carolina; and Malik Newsome, 30, of Ivor, Virginia, participated in three shootings in 2017 and 2019 in Franklin, Virginia. All three men were members or associates of a Blood-affiliated gang that operated in Franklin. The gang engaged primarily in narcotics trafficking, as well as some robberies and beatings to protect their territory. When a high-ranking member of their gang was murdered by a rival Crip-affiliated gang, the gang hunted down and shot several members of the Crip-affiliated gang.
All three defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; Brooks and Jenkins were convicted of attempted murder in aid of racketeering; Brooks was convicted of discharge, carry, and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; Jenkins was convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition; and Brooks and Newsome were each convicted of witness tampering. Jenkins faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024. Brooks faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2024. Newsome faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations, Chief Steve Patterson of the Franklin Police Department, and Southampton County Sheriff Josh Wyche Sr. made the announcement.
The ATF, HSI, the Franklin Police Department, and the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Taylor for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office legal intern Madison Albrecht.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
St. Petersburg Man Found Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Kavon Jackasal (34, St. Petersburg) guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. Jackasal faces a minimum mandatory 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 19, 2024. Jackasal had been indicted on June 28, 2022.
According to evidence presented at trial, a series of text messages showed that Jackasal had sold fentanyl to the victim multiple times between July and October 2020, when the victim resided in Pinellas County. In October 2020, the victim informed Jackasal that she had violated her probation and would be going to jail. She was released from jail on May 9, 2021, and moved to a residence in Tampa. Beginning on May 25, 2021, the victim began texting several people looking for drugs. In one of the texts to another individual, the victim requested fentanyl. After her attempts to get fentanyl from other sources were unsuccessful, she texted Jackasal. The victim told Jackasal she was out of jail and sent him an address. She sent him a text (“$$”) and indicated that she had cash, but she did not specify that she wanted fentanyl. Based on their previous text history, however, it was apparent that Jackasal knew she wanted fentanyl.
The text messages exchanged between Jackasal and the victim indicated that Jackasal had delivered a substance to the victim shortly after 1:00 a.m. on May 26, 2021. The victim’s cellphone call log and testimony from a roommate showed that the victim was talking on the phone at 10:00 a.m. that morning. Her roommates left the residence to run errands, and when they returned, they found her dead in her bedroom at approximately 1:25 p.m. The evidence showed that she died of an overdose caused by the use of fentanyl.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded and investigated the death. Investigators reviewed the victim’s message history and were able to determine, by process of elimination, that someone identified in her contacts as “Neq York” was likely the person that had delivered the fentanyl to her. Her text history with Jackasal showed that she referred to him as “New York.” Investigators lured the seller back to the residence by texting Neq York and asking for the “same from yesterday.” After responding and agreeing to another delivery, Jackasal arrived at the residence and was arrested. Inside his vehicle, investigators found a plastic bag containing fentanyl inside a cigarette box. DNA evidence was consistent with Jackasal’s touch DNA being present on the cigarette box.
Laboratory analysis confirmed that the substance in the cigarette box was fentanyl. A small amount of fentanyl was also found in a small baggie inside the victim’s bedroom. Despite differences in the color and compounds between the mixtures containing fentanyl from the cigarette box and from the victim’s bedroom, and differences in the packaging, the evidence from the victim’s cellphone made it clear that Jackasal was the only person who had agreed to bring her fentanyl the night before her overdose, and she did not attempt to acquire more fentanyl after the delivery from Jackasal.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Sinacore and Samantha Newman.
Springfield Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography, which was discovered on his cell phone during an investigation into threats he made to a sheriff’s department employee.
Joshua Emanuel Wood, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. Wood is required to register as a sex offender due to his 2018 conviction of possessing child pornography.
The investigation began when Wood left 41 threatening voice mail messages on May 29 and 30, 2022, for the employee of the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department who was in charge of registering sex offenders. The sex offender registrar reported those threats and law enforcement officers arrested Wood on May 31, 2022.
Wood had a Google Pixel cell phone in his possession when he was arrested. Investigators found child sexual abuse material on the phone, including 107 images of child pornography, web searches for child pornography, and visits to suspected child pornography websites.
Under federal statutes, Wood is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to 40 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Spokane Man sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Armed Robbery at Spokane Valley MotelRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Christopher Bruce Gooch, 46, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Robbery Affecting Commerce. U.S. Senior District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson imposed a sentence of 48 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. When imposing the sentence, U.S. Senior Judge Peterson noted Gooch’s lifelong criminal history beginning at age 11.
According to court documents, on the night of August 2, 2022, Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) were conducting surveillance of suspected drug traffickers at the Oxford Suites in Spokane Valley. During that surveillance, just before midnight, agents observed one of the suspected drug traffickers arrive at the motel carrying multiple duffle bags.
A short time later, surveilling agents observed a unique van arrive in the motel parking lot. A man, later identified as Dominic Shears, was observed getting out of the van and entering the front door of the motel. Shears then opened a side door to the motel. At this point, two other men, later identified as Christopher Gooch and Christopher Jones, got out of the parked van and went into the motel through the now open side entrance.
A few minutes later, agents observed the same three men carrying what appeared to be the same duffle bags leave through a side door of the motel. All three men got into the van, and quickly left the area.
Around the same time, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) received a 911 call from the motel reporting that a motel guest had been robbed at gunpoint. The caller also told Sheriff’s Deputies that three suspects with masks left the motel in a van.
Believing the suspected drug trafficker may have been the victim of the robbery, The surveilling agents followed the van and advised SCSO and the Spokane Police Department (SPD) that law enforcement was following those believed to be involved in the robbery. SPD joined in the pursuit, and when the van reached downtown Spokane, the driver of the van briefly stopped and both Gooch and Jones got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Jones was carrying a duffle bag as he attempted to flee the scene. Ultimately, both men were apprehended. Inside the duffle bag, SPD officers recovered approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 400 grams of fentanyl-laced pills, and 150 grams of heroin.
Around the time SPD officers apprehended and detained Gooch and Jones, SPD also attempted a to conduct a traffic stop on the van, which Shears was driving. Instead of stopping, however, Shears eluded police and ultimately fired shots at police, after crashing his van into a building in downtown Spokane. Shears then engaged in a multiple-hour stand-off with law enforcement. The standoff ended when Shears came out of the front windshield area of the vehicle and fired at the police. Police returned fire, and Shears died of his injuries.
During interviews after the robbery, investigators learned Shears was a customer of the suspected drug trafficking law enforcement was surveilling. In fact, Shears placed a large order with the supplier, intending to rob the supplier. Shears then recruited Jones, who in turn recruited Gooch, to help with the robbery. When they arrived at the motel, all three men donned ski masks. Gooch remained in the hall, while Jones and Shears entered the supplier’s motel room and demanded the drugs. During the robbery, Shears had a black, semi-automatic firearm, which he put to the supplier’s head. Jones and Shears then grabbed two duffle bags from the room and left. A woman in the room was able to escape, run down the hall, and alert hotel staff.
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of Robbery Affecting Commerce on May 2, 2023, and was sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
“I am thankful for the dedicated members of law enforcement who put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our streets secure and our communities safe. This case is a stark reminder of the dangerous nexus of drug trafficking and violent crime,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to partnering with our federal, state and local partners to prosecute violent offenders and build safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.”
Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard, who prosecuted the case, stated, “Drug trafficking is most often characterized as a non-violent offense. However, based on my 15 years investigating and prosecuting drug trafficking crime, this not accurate. This case is a stark reminder of the violence that frequently occurs with the illegal distribution of controlled substances. The US Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting all our law enforcement partners and the important work they do for our community. Despite many obstacles, they put their lives on the line in pursuit of community safety. I applaud their dedication.”
“This case is a chilling reminder of the violence that accompanies drug trafficking and resolve of the agencies to protect our communities from these violent offenders,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division.
“This is a well-deserved sentence,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “Mr. Gooch’s actions, along with those of his co-criminals, put the lives of area residents in great danger. We appreciate the support the Spokane Police Department and Sheriff’s Office’s support.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Spokane Police Department, and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard.
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Seattle man convicted at trial of abusive sexual contact on Air France flight from Paris to SeattleRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 35-year 0ld Seattle man was convicted late Friday December 8, 2023, of abusive sexual contact on a flight from Paris to Seattle, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Milan Edward Jurkovic was convicted following a three-day jury trial. The jury deliberated about three hours before reaching its verdict. Jurkovic faces up to two years in federal prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik on March 21, 2024.
“Last summer, I joined with our law enforcement partners to call attention to a spike in sexual misconduct on aircraft – crimes such as this one that are traumatizing for victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This case should be a warning to anyone who thinks that in the confines of an aircraft cabin they can get away with unwanted sexual touching. We will prosecute and the penalties are significant.”
According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, on July 3, 2022, Jurkovic was a passenger on an Air France flight from Paris to Seattle. Also on the flight was a school group from Western Washington. The students were returning from a class trip abroad. The 16-year-0ld victim was seated next to Mr. Jurkovic.
About three hours into the flight, Jurkovic reached under the Air France blanket covering the victim and began groping the victim’s thigh. The victim was shocked and frozen with fear. Jurkovic proceeded to rub her thigh for an extended period of time, touching her inner thigh, before the victim was able to pull away and seek assistance from a classmate and then her chaperone. The chaperone traded places with the victim for the duration of the flight.
The incident was reported to the flight crew, and Port of Seattle Police met the flight as it arrived at SEA Airport. The victim was interviewed by law enforcement. Jurkovic provided contradictory statements to different audiences. Initially, he told the chaperone he had been rubbing his leg due to bad circulation, suggesting that he inadvertently touched the victim. Later, after being told by a Port of Seattle officer that he was under investigation for allegedly assaulting the passenger seated next to him, Jurkovic said he did not hurt anyone. He later volunteered that he had an itch on his leg. He was indicted by a grand jury on January 4, 2023, and arrested January 30, 2023.
In closing arguments, prosecutors told the jury, Jurkovic assaulted the girl “for his own sexual gratification . . . The defendant was counting on (the victim) not being strong enough and brave enough to stop him.”
Abusive sexual contact is punishable by up to two years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Port of Seattle Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Yemini and Brian Wynne.
San Pedro Man Sentenced to Nearly 15 Years in Federal Prison for Committing Armed Robbery Where a Victim Was Shot and WoundedRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A San Pedro man has been sentenced to 177 months in federal prison for – while on parole from a life sentence in state prison for armed robbery – robbing an armored truck in Harbor City last year in which the truck’s driver was shot and suffered serious injuries, the Justice Department announced today.
Gregory James, 48, was sentenced Monday afternoon by United States District Judge David O. Carter.
James pleaded guilty on June 12 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. He has been in federal custody since October 2022.
On October 17, 2022, James and co-defendant Lamond Akins, 31, of Compton, robbed a Loomis armored truck after the truck driver had finished servicing an ATM at a Bank of America branch in Harbor City. James and Akins waited for the driver to finish his ATM work, and then – both brandishing firearms – approached the driver and robbed him.
During the robbery, the victim was shot and wounded. James and Akins stole a bag filled with approximately $145,000 in cash that belonged to the Loomis company – which operates in 40 states and three nations – before driving away from the scene.
The victim truck driver experienced significant bodily injury because of the shooting and required surgery.
Akins also pleaded guilty on June 12 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. On October 27, Judge Carter sentenced Akins to 177 months in federal prison.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI investigated this matter. The Gardena Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeremiah M. Levine of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.
Resumen de la Junta Virtual de la Iniciativa de las Fuerzas del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico del Departamento de JusticiaRead the Press Release
Hoy, como parte de la Iniciativa de las Fuerzas del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico del Departamento de Justicia, la División de Derechos Civiles organizó una junta virtual con las partes interesadas de las fuerzas de orden público para hablar sobre sus esfuerzos encaminados a abordar las barreras lingüísticas en sus prácticas policiales y para crear programas eficaces de acceso lingüístico.
La iniciativa, que se lanzó en diciembre de 2022, es una labor nacional que tiene el objeto de ayudar a los organismos del orden público a cumplir con su obligación de brindar asistencia lingüística significativa a las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés), a fin de servir y proteger mejor a las comunidades. La iniciativa también se basa en el trabajo a largo plazo de la división para garantizar que los organismos de las fuerzas orden público que reciben asistencia financiera federal cumplan sus obligaciones federales contra la discriminación conforme al Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y la Ley Ómnibus de Control del Crimen y Calles Seguras.
En sus comentarios de apertura, la fiscal general adjunta Kristen Clarke presentó una sinopsis de los esfuerzos invariables que ha hecho la división para mejorar la manera en que los organismos de las fuerzas del orden público se comunican con las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado. Por ejemplo, anunció que la división ha llegado a un acuerdo en principio con la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de King (KCSO, por sus siglas en inglés) en el estado de Washington que, una vez finalizado, resolverá las acusaciones relativas a la discriminación por parte de la KCSO de las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado. En virtud del acuerdo, la KCSO se compromete a garantizar el acceso lingüístico para las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado, incluso a crear una política de acceso lingüístico e implementar procedimientos, formular una estrategia de participación y extensión comunitarias, y, entre otras cosas más, crear un programa sólido de capacitación. La KCSO atiende a más de dos millones de personas y presta servicios de aplicación de la ley a más de una decena de ciudades adicionales en el condado.
También anunció que la división emitió hoy una carta a los organismos de las fuerzas del orden público en la que reitera sus obligaciones federales con respecto a los derechos civiles de brindar servicios de asistencia lingüística a las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado y de proporcionar comunicación eficaz a las personas que tengan discapacidades y dificultades auditivas. Por último, destacó varios recursos como, entre otros, un video de capacitación y traducciones de la “Notificación de Derechos” del FBI en más de 40 idiomas para ayudar a los oficiales a reducir las barreras lingüísticas, generar confianza en la comunidad y mantener a los oficiales seguros. Estos recursos se encuentran en el Portal de Capacitación de los Servicios Policiales Orientados a la Comunidad (COPS, por sus siglas en inglés). El portal, que es financiado por la Oficina de Servicios Policiales Orientados a la Comunidad (Oficina de COPS) e impulsado por el Centro Nacional para la Innovación Policial, es una plataforma libre de costos que presenta sesiones de capacitación interactivas y recursos en temas emergentes en materia de seguridad pública y servicios policiales comunitarios para profesionales de las fuerzas del orden público y socios de la comunidad.
Tras los comentarios de la fiscal general adjunta Clarke, los funcionarios del Departamento de Justicia y los líderes de las fuerzas del orden público participaron en una mesa de debate a fin de tratar las estrategias para el acceso lingüístico, incluida las maneras de formular políticas de acceso al idioma adaptadas a la comunidad y a los departamentos de la policía, evitar el empleo de intérpretes que no reúnan los requisitos necesarios y que podrían tener prejuicios, nombrar a un coordinador de acceso lingüístico para implementar políticas y procedimientos, traducir información vital, capacitar a funcionarios en procedimientos de acceso lingüístico y establecer procedimientos valiosos para presentar quejas. Los miembros de la mesa también destacaron la importancia de comprometerse de manera positiva con las partes interesadas y las comunidades que tengan personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado.
Entre los participantes que asistieron estuvieron Breon Peace, fiscal federal del Distrito Este de Nueva York; Matthew Kirsch, primer fiscal federal adjunto del Distrito de Colorado; Robert Chapman, subdirector de la Oficina de COPS, en pro del avance de los servicios policiales comunitarios; Trent Glosson, jefe de unidad en la Sección de Servicios Lingüísticos del FBI; Ron Thomas, jefe del Departamento de Policía de Denver; y Todd Delain, alguacil del condado de Brown en Wisconsin.
La reunión y los anuncios de hoy continúan basándose en el compromiso a largo plazo del Departamento de Justicia de promover el acceso lingüístico. En noviembre, el departamento anunció el lanzamiento del Grupo de Trabajo Federal de Acceso Lingüístico, un nuevo esfuerzo interinstitucional que coordinará el acceso lingüístico en todo el gobierno federal. Junto con la creación de este grupo de trabajo, el departamento también anunció la publicación de planes actualizados de acceso lingüístico de organismos federales en su sitio web www.LEP.gov, en el primer aniversario del memorando de acceso lingüístico del fiscal general Merrick B. Garland a los organismos federales. La División de Derechos Civiles también publicó recientemente una hoja informativa sobre el acceso lingüístico en los tribunales en coordinación con un seminario web para los tribunales estatales. Para obtener copias de la carta a las fuerzas del orden u obtener información adicional sobre la Iniciativa de las Fuerzas del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico, visite www.lep.gov.
Readout of Justice Department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative Virtual ConveningRead the Press Release
Today, as part of the Justice Department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative, the Civil Rights Division hosted a virtual convening with law enforcement stakeholders to discuss their efforts to address language barriers in policing and build effective language access programs.
The initiative, launched in December 2022, is a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies in meeting their obligation to provide meaningful language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) to better serve and protect communities. The initiative also builds on the division’s longstanding work to ensure that law enforcement agencies receiving federal financial assistance comply with their federal antidiscrimination obligations, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.
In her opening remarks, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke provided an overview of the division’s consistent efforts to improve how law enforcement agencies communicate with people with LEP. For example, she announced that the division has reached an Agreement in Principle with the King County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) that, once finalized, will resolve allegations that KCSO discriminated against individuals with LEP. Under the agreement, KCSO commits to ensuring language access for individuals with LEP, including creating a language access policy and implementing procedures; developing a community engagement and outreach strategy; creating a robust training program; and more. KCSO serves over two million people and provides law enforcement services to a dozen other cities in the county.
She also announced the division issued a letter today to law enforcement agencies reiterating their federal civil rights obligations to provide language assistance services to individuals with LEP, and to provide effective communication to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Finally, she highlighted several resources, including a training video and translations of the FBI’s Advice of Rights in over 40 languages, to help officers reduce language barriers, build community trust and keep officers safe. These resources are housed on the COPS Training Portal. Funded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and powered by the National Center for Policing Innovation, the Portal is a no-cost platform for law enforcement practitioners and community partners that features interactive training and resources in emerging public safety topics and community policing.
Following Assistant Attorney General Clarke’s remarks, Justice Department officials and law enforcement leaders participated in a panel discussion regarding effective strategies around language access, including the development of language access policies tailored to the community and police department; avoiding the use of unqualified and potentially biased interpreters; appointing a language access coordinator to implement policies and procedures; translating vital information; training officers on language access procedures; and establishing meaningful complaint procedures. Panelists also highlighted the importance of affirmatively engaging with stakeholders and communities with LEP.
Participants for the panel discussion included U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York; First Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch for the District of Colorado; COPS Office Deputy Director Robert Chapman for Community Policing Advancement; FBI Unit Chief Trent Glosson for the Language Services Section; Denver Police Department Police Chief Ron Thomas; and Brown County, Wisconsin, Sheriff Todd Delain.
Today’s convening and announcements continue to build on the Justice Department’s longstanding commitment to advancing language access. In November, the department announced the launch of the Federal Language Access Working Group, a new interagency effort that will coordinate language access across the federal government. Along with the creation of this working group, the department also announced the release of updated federal agency language access plans on its website, www.LEP.gov, on the one-year anniversary of the Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s language access memorandum to federal agencies. The Civil Rights Division also recently issued a fact sheet on courts language access in coordination with a webinar for state courts. To obtain copies of the letter to law enforcement or find additional information about the Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative, visit www.lep.gov.
Readout from Multi-Agency United Against Hate WebinarRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – On December 5, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, Albuquerque Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, New Mexico Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service, and City of Albuquerque’s Office of Equity and Inclusion convened a United Against Hate webinar on identifying, reporting, and preventing acts of hate. The online event aimed to provide nonprofits, community leaders, businesses, educators and religious leaders with information on how to prevent and respond to hate crimes and bias incidents, including the definitions of each and the process for investigation, as well as highlighting the resources available to the public to help protect against these crimes and incidents.
The Department of Justice’s United Against Hate program connects federal, state, and local law enforcement with local communities, including those that have been historically marginalized and may be especially vulnerable to hate crimes and bias motivated incidents. The program not only educates community members about hate crimes and hate incidents, but also helps to build trust between community and law enforcement and strengthens local networks to combat unlawful acts of hate.
In his opening statement, U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez said “…we are a single community that has to figure out how we live together in peace. The truth is that the answers are never simple, they are never one sided. The truth is punishment alone doesn’t work, but neither does leniency alone. There must be both consequences and forgiveness. Penance and reconciliation.” USA Uballez continued, saying, “We need to rise together as a community. We need to see no strangers. Never miss an opportunity to demonstrate who we can be. That’s why you’re here today. Be safe. Be brave. We do this together.”
Assistant United States Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito presented an overview of hate crime laws, explaining the federal statutes that protect against offenses that are motivated by “an individual’s bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.” AUSA Tapia-Brito cautioned that it can be hard to tell if a given set of facts will result in successful prosecution, but that it is critically important for community members to report all hate crimes or bias incidents because information about these incidents help law enforcement recognize trends and patterns. AUSA Tapia-Brito stressed that just because law enforcement cannot prosecute an incident as a hate crime does not mean nothing can be done, and that other remedies may be available to victims under civil statutes.
Next, APD Deputy Chief Cecily Barker and Commander Kyle Hartstock highlighted the steps the Department takes to combat hate crimes and community resources, like APD’s Ambassador Program, which assigns officers to different communities, including faith-based, LGBTQ2+, Hispanic, Native American, refugees, veterans, senior citizens, African American, Americans with disabilities and youth groups. Ambassadors focus on building points of contact within the community and provide them with resources to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. Commander Hartstock provided examples of two recent cases where contact with community members and organizations proved to be critical to solving the cases and explained how they used the Department’s Ambassador Program, Crime Prevention Specialists and Language Access Coordinators to connect with the community. Deputy Chief Barker highlighted how they were able to leverage federal law enforcement partnerships throughout the investigation.
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office Raul Bujanda talked about the FBI’s responsibilities as the lead federal investigative agency for civil rights matters and hate crimes. Special Agents stressed that it is more important to report a potential hate crime immediately than it is to report it to the correct agency, especially in the event of an imminent threat. They provided the two ways that people can report suspected hate crimes and/or bias incidents to the FBI: online via tips.FBI.gov or by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Marcella Benton from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management discussed the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides funding for physical and cyber security enhancements and other security-related actives to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of being the target of a hate crime. Eligible nonprofits include houses of worship, private education facilities, medical facilities and other 501(c)(3) organizations.
Lastly, Kim Milstead from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) explained CRS’ mission: to work with community groups to resolve community conflicts and prevent and respond to alleged hate crimes arising from differences of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or disability. CRS provides impartial, voluntary, confidential and free services like mediation, consultation and training in partnership with federal, state, local, nonprofit, educational and community organizations. CRS’ work aims to leave a community better equipped to address incidents.
Executive AUSA Aja Brooks concluded the webinar by thanking both the presenters and participants for attending, stating that those in attendance were already part of the solution.
The webinar can be viewed here.
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Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on His Revocation of Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 10 years of imprisonment on his revocation of federal supervised release in connection with his violent conduct occurring in July of 2022, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Damien Bradford, age 42.
According to information presented to the court, Bradford was previously convicted in the Northern District of Ohio of Interstate Stalking and Use and Carry of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. Those convictions related to Bradford’s killing of Dr. Gulam Moonda in May 2005. Bradford was initially sentenced to a 210-month term of imprisonment, followed by 5-years of federal supervised release. Upon his release from imprisonment, Bradford’s supervision was transferred from the Northern District of Ohio to the Western District of Pennsylvania. On July 29, 2022, the Pennsylvania State Police charged Bradford with numerous offenses, to include Attempted Homicide, Aggravated Assault – Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury Designated Individual, Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, Disarming Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of Firearms Prohibited. In November 2023, Bradford was convicted in the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 36 1/2 to 73 years.
Following that sentencing proceeding, a federal supervised release violation hearing was held. At the proceeding, the government introduced videos of Bradford’s conduct in July 2022. The videos depicted Bradford pointing a firearm at an individual, a bystander applying a torniquet to a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper who Bradford shot in the leg, and a bystander assisting another Pennsylvania State Police Trooper restrain Bradford as he grabbed the Trooper’s firearm and taser.
Bradford admitted to violating some conditions of his federal supervised release and requested that the Court impose a sentence to be served concurrently to his sentence in Beaver County. The government requested that the Court revoke Bradford’s supervised release, sentence him to the maximum term of imprisonment of 10-years, and to impose that sentence consecutively to the Beaver County sentence.
Judge Hardy imposed a total 10-year sentence, to be served consecutively to the Beaver County sentence. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hardy emphasized the seriousness of Bradford’s conduct, Bradford’s propensity for enduring violence, and the need to impose the maximum sentence authorized by law to protect the public from Bradford. Finally, Judge Hardy commended the bystanders who assisted the Pennsylvania State Police, as depicted in the videos introduced at the hearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bradford.
Oswego County Sex Offender Sentenced to 21 Months for Failing to Disclose his Email Address and Violating the Conditions of his Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Anthony Charles Howe, Sr., age 60, of Oswego County, New York, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for failing to disclose his email address to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), and for violating the terms of his supervised release imposed as part of his 2012 conviction for distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.
The imprisonment term, imposed by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby, consists of 15 months in prison on the new criminal offense of failing to register the email account as required under SORNA, and a consecutive imprisonment term of 6 months for the supervised release violation of committing new criminal conduct, failing to truthfully answer questions from his probation officer, and having an undisclosed internet-capable device.
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case and Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.