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31 January 2024
Barre City Man Charged with Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun and Possession of a Firearm as an Unlawful Drug UserRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Gage Garr, 33, of Barre City, Vermont, has been indicted for possession of a short-barreled shotgun and possession of a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. A federal grand jury in Burlington issued the indictment, and Garr was arraigned yesterday in Burlington.
At his arraignment, Garr pleaded not guilty to the charges. U. S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Garr to remain in the custody of the United States Marshals pending trial.
According to court records, Garr was discovered asleep in his vehicle on November 26, 2023. He was found to be in possession of suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia, as well as a short-barreled shotgun for which he did not have proper registration. Garr had pending state charges against him at the time.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are accusations only and that Garr is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Garr faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the possession of the short-barreled shotgun and 15 years in prison for possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Any ultimate sentence will be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the United States Code.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory and collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); the Barre City Police Department; the Randolph Police Department; and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement and Safety.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Smith. Garr is represented by Devin McLaughlin, Esq.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Bank fraud scheme that stole thousands of dollars from multiple Montana banks sends Texas man to prison for four yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Texas man who admitted stealing more than $100,000 from Montana banks as part of an organized group that used forged checks and stolen identities to defraud banks was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $103,149 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Shanetwann Clayton Waldon, 46, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that Waldon, working with several co-defendants, traveled from Texas to Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to pass fraudulent checks at smaller financial institutions. Waldon targeted rural areas because they were a “little ‘country’ and the bank process was slower than in Texas.” In 2022 and 2023, Waldon made at least four trips to Montana, and on 10 occasions, entered a new bank and stole thousands of dollars. Waldon presented a fake identity to evade detection by law enforcement and used forged instruments to create debts in the name of others. In Montana, Waldon targeted banks in Hamilton, Bozeman, Billings and Missoula. He persisted in the scheme months after his initial co-defendants had been arrested. In total, Waldon and his codefendants stole $141,822 from 30 bank branches in three states. Waldon’s total amount owed of $103,149 is payable to six Montana banks, including First Interstate Bank, TrailWest Bank, First Security Bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, Farmers State Bank and Western Security Bank.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, police departments in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston, and Laurel, Montana, the Yellowstone County (Montana) Sheriff’s Office; police departments in Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, the Bannock County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police; and police departments in Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, and the Teton County (Wyoming) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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Baldwin County Man Sentenced to 17 Months’ Imprisonment for Threatening to Kill Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Baldwin County man was sentenced on January 29, 2024, to 17 months in prison for making threatening communications to a federal law enforcement officer.
According to court documents, David Clarence Shaw placed multiple calls to the Operations Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation threatening to kill a federal task force officer and referring to himself as the “Angel of Death.” After serving his 17-month sentence, Shaw will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way daily to protect the public,” said United States Attorney Sean P. Costello. “Threats to their safety – or to any member of our community – will not be tolerated.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasee S. Heisterhagen prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Automobile accessory company Yakima Products Inc. settles allegations failed to pay duties on extruded aluminum from ChinaRead the Press Release
Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Yakima Products Inc. headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has resolved allegations that Yakima Products knowingly failed to pay required antidumping and countervailing duties on extruded aluminum components imported from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Yakima will pay the U.S. $3 million, of which $1,325,000 is restitution. Yakima will pay the settlement over a one-year period.
“Yakima Products Inc. has successfully manufactured and sold automobile accessories for years, but failed to take action when it was informed that it was not paying appropriate duties on material imported from China,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Knowingly avoiding those costs gives Yakima an unfair advantage over other manufacturers who pay those required fees. Now the company is not only paying those costs, but also penalties as well as the attorney fees of the relator who reported the improper conduct.”
According to the settlement agreement, from January 1, 2012, through July 5, 2021, Yakima Products Inc failed to pay the duties it owed. Yakima had been informed of the need to pay the duties but chose not to do so.
Ultimately, a former employee brought the matter to the attention of the government in a qui tam lawsuit filed in April 2021. As the person who reports the fraud on a government program or policy, the former employee, known as the relator, will receive 17% of the funds paid to the government. In addition, Yakima Products Inc. will pay $75,000 in legal fees for the relator.
As part of the settlement agreement, Yakima Products Inc does not admit wrongdoing, but seeks to resolve the matter to avoid the delay, uncertainty, and expense of protracted litigation.
“This settlement agreement with Yakima marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of fair-trade practices,” said Christopher Perry, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “I commend the dedication and hard work of CBP’s trade specialists, along with our invaluable federal partners, in upholding the integrity of our nation’s trade policies. Together, we remain steadfast in ensuring a level playing field for American businesses and ensuring everyone plays by the rules.”
The settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Nickolas Bohl and Senior Attorney Kenneth Misbin with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Attorney General Recognizes Portland Federal Prosecutor for Contributions to January 6 Capitol Breach CasesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON— Today, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland presented federal prosecutor Geoffrey Barrow, an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Oregon, with the prestigious John Marshall Award for his exceptional contributions to criminal cases stemming from the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
John Marshall awards, presented annually by the Attorney General, are the Justice Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys and other litigation support staff for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
“We are incredibly proud of the contributions Geoffrey Barrow has made to these important cases. The department’s January 6 prosecution effort is unprecedented in both its scope and complexity, and has required many dedicated public servants, like Geoff, to temporarily put aside their normal duties to represent the interests of all Americans,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Barrow was recognized, together with 14 other department attorneys and litigation support staff, for his innovation and leadership in meeting the extraordinary discovery demands posed by the simultaneous prosecution of more than 1,200 capitol breach defendants. Together, these cases have produced more than 5 million electronic files and an unprecedented amount of surveillance video, police camera footage, and other digital evidence collected on or after January 6. Barrow and his team worked with a contracted partner to create a secure, online repository for all January 6 evidence to expeditiously meet the government’s discovery production requirements across all January 6 cases.
In the 36 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.
Department of Justice staff from across the country, including multiple Assistant United States Attorneys from the District of Oregon, have been detailed to the department’s January 6 investigation, which is ongoing. Anyone with information or tips should call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Justice Department Employees and Partners for the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
The 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards and recipients are as follows.
70th Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2022
The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award given by the Justice Department to recognize employee achievement. The Attorney General commends Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell Manda Sertich, and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter; Paralegals Henry Fronk of the Civil Rights Division and Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; and Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the Department’s second highest award for employee performance; there are 13 Distinguished Service Awards for 2022.
The first Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Deputy Chief Barbara “Bobbi” Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Special Agents Jeffrey Roberts, Marcus Griffin, and Skylar Barnes; Investigator Steven Harrell of the Civil Rights Division; Paralegals Taylore Thomas of the Civil Rights Division and Tracy Long for the Southern District of Georgia; Victim Witness Coordinators Kellie Wiggins and Iverna Campbell for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Maria Pagan; Special Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Perras of the Civil Rights Division; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Amy Vaughan.
The second Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Supervisory Special Agents Michael D. Muller and Kerry M. Whitmore of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA Diversion Investigator Jessica A. Stransky-Chrisman; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos, Alexandra Rothman, Louis Pellegrino, Stephanie Lake, and Thomas Burnett for the Southern District of New York; DEA Special Agent George J. Burdzy; DEA Diversion Investigators Kathleen M. Whitmore, Brittany G. Korines, and Christine L. Barnes; and DEA Staff Coordinator William J. Kivelehan.
The third Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Zachary Stendig, and Anatoly Smolkin for the District of Maryland; FBI Special Agent Alicia C. Zimmerman, FBI Task Force Officer Detective Tara Baione Augustin, FBI Task Force Officer Kyrie Yackovich, FBI Staff Operations Specialist John Coward II; Special Agent Kimmesia Sampson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The fourth Distinguished Award is presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia and Jessica Lieber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp, and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
The fifth Distinguished Award is presented to Acting Director Katherine Harman-Stokes of the Office of Privacy & Civil Liberties; Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Richard Downing and Bruce Swartz of the Criminal Division; Associate Director Sheri Shepherd-Pratt of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs; Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Senior Counsels Benjamin Fitzpatrick and Kenneth Harris of the Criminal Division; and Attorney Advisor Hannah Mayer of the Criminal Division.
The sixth Distinguished Award is presented to Supervisor Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Viera; Deputy U.S. Marshals Teddy Josh Moff, Brady M. Flannigan, Troy W. Oberly, and Kyle L. Perry; and Task Force Officers Brandon J. Bansemer and Truman S. Wiles of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
The seventh Distinguished Award is presented to Director John Patrick Glynn of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Section.
The eighth Distinguished Award is presented to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aidan Taft Grano-Mickelsen, Dennis M. Fitzpatrick, and John T. Gibbs for the Eastern District of Virginia; Trial Attorney Alicia H. Cook of the National Security Division; Paralegal Specialist Nicole M. Lopez for the Eastern District of Virginia; Victim-Witness Coordinator Jennifer A. Donnarumma for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI Supervisory Special Agent John M. Chiappone; FBI Special Agents Brian D. Czekala, Daniel P. O’Toole, William H. Heaney, and Julius F. Nutter; FBI Intelligence Analyst Edward R. Laney; Command Judge Advocate Elisabeth L. Gilman of the Department of Defense; and Associate Deputy General Counsel Michael D. Vozzo of the Department of Defense.
The ninth Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss R. Basil, Alexia R. DeVincentis, Stephen E. Frank, Kristen A. Kearney, Justin D. O’Connell, Ian J. Stearns, Leslie A. Wright, and Carol E. Head for the District of Massachusetts, Financial Investigator Lauren M. George for the District of Massachusetts, FBI Special Agents Laura C. Smith, Kaitlyn A. Cedrone, Keith T. Brown, and Chris Giankura; IRS Special Agent Elizabeth A. Keating; and Special Agent Mark G. Deckett of the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.
The 10th Distinguished Award is presented to FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Andrew P. Patchman; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edward A. Panetta; FBI Special Agents Raymond Esposito and Keri A. Shannon; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Amanda Rossi and Samir Taslaman; FBI Language Specialist Dragan Minic; FBI Assistant Legal Attaches Veh Bezdikian and Justin Hefner; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Hafetz, J. Matthew Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York; Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer for the Eastern District of New York; and DHS Special Agent/Task Force Officer Charles M. Reich.
The 11th Distinguished Award is presented to Attorney-Advisors Christopher Clements, Megan Fluckiger, Alice Jou, Tyler Wood, and Stephen Buckingham of the National Security Division; Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Mike Granzini.
The 12th Distinguished Award is presented to Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Nutt of the Office of the Inspector (OIG); OIG Program Manager Mark E. Gray; OIG Special Agent Rolando Ortiz-Rodriguez; Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Karen Rich, Office of the Inspector General.
The 13th Distinguished Award is presented to Chief of the Criminal Appeals Division David C. James for the Eastern District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes a remarkable act of bravery and risk of life while performing official duties. Two Exception Herrorism Awards are presented this year.
The first Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented posthumously to DEA Group Supervisor Michael G. Garbo; DEA Special Agent Steven J. Fox; DEA Detective/Task Force Officer Gabe A. Lopez of the Tucson Police Department; Sergeant/Task Force Officer Jesse Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department; and Officer/Task Force Officer Phillip M. Hengsteler Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department.
The second Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented to USMS Senior Inspector Michael Cundiff.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity pays tribute former Attorney General Edward H. Levi by honoring an individual whose service to the Department exemplifies these qualities. The 2022 recipient of this award is Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2022.
The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Acting Deputy Chief Gerald A. Toner of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented posthumously to Deputy Chief Nathaniel Douglas of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environment Enforcement Section.
The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement recognizes state and local law enforcement officials who have made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. The 2022 recipients of this award are Assistant Special Agents in Charge Richard Dial and Jason Seacrist of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country recognizes extraordinary efforts by Justice Department employees that demonstrate the Department’s commitment to fight crime in Indian Country. The award is presented to DEA Supervisory Special Agent Mihajlo D. Zivkovic; DEA Special Agents Daryl A. Iannillo, Christopher H. Salyer, and Virginia W. Foster; DEA Task Force Officer Preston H. Brogdon; Officer Tyler Bond of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Rex Van Ausdall of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Sergeant Steve Gunis of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; and Chief Nathan Huibregtse of the Yavapai Apache Police Department.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers within the Justice Department. Two Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards are presented for 2022.
The first Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to DEA Special Agents Adam J. Cirillo, Adrian M. Owens, Kelly Y. Chang, Kelly D. Webster, Kevin D. Novick, Silvana M. Restrepo, Trenton L. Shaffer, and Tiffany Hsieh; and DEA Intelligence Analyst Diana D. Wu.
The second Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Margaret Mande; FBU Special Agent Jose M. De La Sierra; FBI Special Agent William Lewis Donaldson III; and Supervisory Officer/Task Force Officer Daniel Jose Gonzalez of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significant improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs. The award is presented to Director for Strategic Planning and Performance Staff Robin S. Funston of the Justice Management Division; Senior Performance Advisor Tennille R. Nance of the Justice Management Division; Senior Evaluation Advisor Russell C. Burnett of the Justice Management Division; Senior Advisor for Enterprise Risk Management Debra R. Williams of the Justice Management Division; Program Analyst Marita J. La Palm of the Justice Management Division; Senior Counsel Sonja M. Ralston of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; and Special Advisor Apiyo Oloya of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes exceptional achievement in applying information technology to enhance Department operations, maintain efficiency, and solve problems. This award is presented to FBI Information Technology Specialists Angela S. Epperly, Chad E. Elliott, Dennis G. Klingensmith, Donald Carpenter Jr., Dustin Tawney, Gregory A. Wood, James D. Marple, James M. Murray, Matthew L. Groves, Nicholas Daniel Fleming, Richard L. Whitescarver, Tonya Nicole Church, and Warren A. Morgan Jr.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. national security. This award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve for the Southern District of California; Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley for the Southern District of California; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the Department’s highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Special Assistant Erika Pugh of the Office of the FBI Deputy Director; FBI Supervisory Management and Program Analysts Janelle Anite Jones and Joshua Lyn Curry; FBI Management and Program Analysts Kathleen Ann Oltman, Kourtney Pearson, and Amanda L. Carroll; and FBI Special Advisor/Management and Program Analyst Apiyo Oloya.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys by paralegal specialists and other legal assistants.
The first award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Litigation Technology Case Manager Amanda J. Reinken of the Tax Division.
The second award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Data Analyst Patrick Gifford of the Criminal Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. This award is presented to Administrative Services Specialist Rae N. Ross of the Justice Management Division.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility recognizes a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in the area of professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. The award is presented to Senior Associate Counsel William J. Birney of the Office of Professional Responsibility.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C. Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida and Dina McLeod for the Southern District of New York; Special Agents David Brant of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Special Agent Tyreek Brown of the U.S. Secret Service; Special Agents Sara Oliver, Sandip Singh, and Simon Dinitis of the Small Business Administration; Special Agent Ramon De Leon of the Social Security Administration; FBI Special Agents Adam Dixon and Zac Effting; and General Analyst Larry Alfonso of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes excellent achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes the significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of these programs. This award is presented to Deputy U.S. Marshal Albert Maresca Jr.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service. The 2022 award is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Daniel L. Winik of the Civil Division.
The John Marshall Awards are the Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance. Ten awards in eight categories are presented this year.
The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Deputy Chiefs Alixandra E. Smith and Jennifer E. Ambuehl of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Co-Principal Deputy Chief Brent Wible of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew G. Rolle and Dylan Stern for the Eastern District of New York.
The second John Marshall Award is presented to Acting Chief Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander F. Mindlin and Artie McConnell for the Eastern District of New York.
The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Deputy Chief Rachael Tamar Hagler of the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section; Trial Attorneys Erin Meehan Richmond, Kathryn Legomsky, and Natasha Babazedeh of the Civil Rights Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Campion and Susan Millenky for the District of New Jersey.
The fourth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Counsel Jared S. Hosid of the Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Miller for the District of Columbia, Geoffrey Barrow for the District of Oregon, and Marcus Busch for the Northern District of Texas; National Criminal Discovery Coordinator Andrew Goldsmith of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Legal Administrative Officer Caitlin Grzymala of the Antitrust Division; FBI Associate Division Counsel Vicki Wilson; Litigation Technology Coordinator Susan Cooke of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Program Manager Mustafa Edrisy of the Justice Management Division; Information Technology Program Manager John Brandon Platt of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell of the National Security Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joshua Taylor; FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan; Information Technology Specialist Joshua Ellen for the Western District of North Carolina; Paralegal Specialist Cassi Wiseman of the Antitrust Division; and Litigation Chief Karen McColman of the National Security Division’s Technology Support Services.
The fifth John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Lindsey Powell of the Civil Division.
The sixth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Rosemary A. Hart of the Office of Legal Counsel; Senior Counsels Laura E. Heim and Nathan Forrester of the Office of Legal Counsel; Counsel Nicholas Nasrallah of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Attorney-Advisors James A. Durling, Amin Aminafar, Janine S. Balekdijan, Kevin J. Barber, Conor J. Clarke, Conor J. Craft, Adam Grogg, Kelley Brooke Hostetler, Anjali Motgi, and Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel.
The seventh John Marshall Award for Preparation or Handling of Legislation is presented to Chief Sarah Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; and Attorney-Advisors Molly Cusson and Susan Schneider of the Criminal Division.
The eighth John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Section Chief Seth M. Barsky of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Assistant Section Chief Meredith L. Flax of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Senior Attorney Mary E. Hollingsworth of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Briena L. Strippoli and Devon L. Flanagan of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Chief Susan S. Brandon for the Eastern District of Oklahoma’s Civil Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. O’Malley for the Eastern District of Oklahoma; Senior Policy Advisor Darrin L. McCullough of the Criminal Division; Assistant Section Chief Jennifer L. Crane of the USMS’ Asset Forfeiture Division; USMS Property Management Specialist Cynthia L. Bridges; and USMS Assistant Chief Inspector Sean M. Xuereb.
The ninth John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Soler, David Z. Moskowitz, Katherine A. Ross, Jacob Licht, and Nicholas A. Deuschle for the District of Colorado.
71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2023
The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award granted by the Attorney General within the Justice Department. The 2023 award is presented to Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price; IRS Special Agent John Tschida; and Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the second highest Justice Department award granted by the Attorney General. There are 16 Distinguished Service Awards presented in 2023.
The first Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Director Andrew R. Lange of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)’s Enforcement Programs and Services; Chief Vivian S. Chu of the ATF’s Office of Regulatory Affairs; ATF Senior Economist Jeana L. Davalos; ATF Regulations Writers Helen L. Koppe and Denise R. Brown; ATF Senior Policy Counsel Eric M. Epstein; ATF Associate Chief Counsel James P. Vann; ATF Deputy Associate Chief Counsel Jonathan S. Jacobs; ATF Senior Counsel Melissa A. Anderson; ATF Firearms & Ammunition Chief William J. Ryan; ATF Chief Counsel Pamela J. Hicks.
The second Distinguished Service award is presented to Economists Malika Krishna and Jessica C. Stahl of the Antitrust Division; Trial Attorneys Ihan Kim, Jessica Leal, Brittney A. Dimond, Sarah Licht, Jon Goldsmith, Bennett Matelson, Collier Kelley, John P. Read, Kevin Krautscheid, Lauren Riker, Ethan Stevenson, and Robert Vance of the Antitrust Division; and Senior Litigation Counsel Jeffrey Vernon of the Antitrust Division.
The third Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sarah E. Harrington of the Civil Division; Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division; Senior Appellate Counsel Alisa B. Klein of the Civil Division; Assistant Branch Directors Eric B. Beckenhauer and Julie Straus Harris of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch; Assistant Director Hilary K. Perkins of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch; Appellate Attorney Cynthia A. Barmore of the Civil Division; Trial Attorneys Christopher A. Eiswerth, Kate Talmor, Emily B. Nestler, Noah T. Katzen, Scott P. Kennedy, Oliver J. McDonald, and Isaac C. Belfer of the Civil Division; Assistants to the Solicitor General Luke McCloud and Erica Ross; Special Counsel Daniel S. Schwei of the Civil Division; Counsel Kathleen A. Choi of the Civil Division; Attorney-Advisor Naomi Gilens of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Senior Trial Counsel Amy D. Kossak of the Civil Division.
The fourth Distinguished Service award is presented to Trial Attorneys Christen Gallagher and Alison Zitron of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Bryan Hamaker, Delaney Jester, Paul Rey, Justin Crenshaw, and Timothy Callinan; Assistant Deputy Chief William Hall and Deputy Chief James Silver of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chauncey Bratt for the Middle District of Florida and Jonathan Keim and Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI IT Specialist Angel V. Nanov; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Ryan J. Leszczynski; and Cyber Operations International Liaison Louisa Becker of the Criminal Division.
The fifth Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Chief Elizabeth E. McDonald of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section; Trial Attorneys Lindsey M. Weinstock, Hans Justin Park, James V. Fletcher, Lauren M. Latterell Powell, Jillian R. Lenson, Amanda B. Pearlstein, Janelle J. Geddes, Nonny Onyekweli, Beth Esposito, and Nicole Kovite Zeitler of the Civil Rights Division; Program Specialist Sara Olsen of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida; Litigation Support Specialist Justin Fields-Gray of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Specialist Krysten Diaz-Silveira of the Civil Rights Division.
The sixth Distinguished Service award is presented to Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McDonald and Ian Hanna for the Western District of Texas; Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Acosta for the Western District of Texas; Trial Attorneys Timothy Visser and Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Michael Warbel of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Victim Witness Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez for the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agents Eddie Dominguez, Christina Papp, and America Guevara; FBI Victim Specialists Jennifer Romero, and Kelly Murphy; ATF Special Agent Nate Anderson; and FBI Task Force Officer Brandon Speed.
The seventh Distinguished Service award is presented to DEA Group Supervisors Eric Jolley and Elvis Hugee and DEA Special Agents Brent Ramos, Peter Kinyoun, Rochelle Cup-Choy, Alexander Pearlstone, Audrey Alaniz, Michael Sier, and Eric Kischer.
The eighth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Senior Attorney Gabriel M. Allen of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Katherine A. Abend of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Assistant Section Chief Lori B. Jonas of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Enforcement Section; Community Outreach Specialist Brenda J. Horner of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Cynthia M. Ferguson Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Office of Environmental Justice; Chief Angela Givens Williams for the Southern District of Mississippi’s Civil Division; Paralegal Specialist Minnie V. Becton of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Senior Counsels Karl J. Fingerhood and Angela Mo of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Dease Paige for the Southern District of Mississippi; and Lead Conciliation Specialist for Region IV Walter L. Atkinson of the Community Relations Services.
The ninth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy, Philip Pilmar, and Adam Amir for the Eastern District of New York; Deputy Chief Erin Reid for the Eastern District of New York’s Civil Rights Section; Chief Ryan Harris of the Eastern District of New York’s Public Integrity Section; Paralegal Specialists Huda T. Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett for the Eastern District of New York; Special Agent George Dietz for the Eastern District of New York; FBI Special Agent Paul West; DEA Special Agents Jason Franks, James Cain, and John Muglia; and HSI Special Agents Damian Mazzaferro, Jimmy Cepeda, and Scott Vogel.
The 10th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Rakoczy, Jeffrey Nestler, Alexandra “Alex” Hughes, Jocelyn Ballentine, and Troy A Edwards Jr. for the District of Columbia; FBI Special Agents Michael Palian, Sylvia Hilgeman, Joanna Abrams, Byron Cody, Kelsey Harris, John D. “Jack” Moore, Adam K. Pope, and Justin T. Eller; FBI Intelligence Analyst Katherine Riley Prendergast; Paralegal Specialist Amanda Rohde for the District of Columbia; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant for the District of Columbia; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Banks.
The 11th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason B.A. McCullough and Erik M. Kenerson for the District of Columbia and Nadia Moore for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Conor Mulroe of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Nicholas Hanak, Kathryn Camiliere, Anthony J. “A.J.” Needler, Peter R. Dubrowski, Nicole Miller, and Brandon Camiliere; FBI Tactical Specialist Rebecca Corazzi; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brian M. Lizana; and FBI Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Jennifer Kathryn Cain.
The 12th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents David B. Bannan, Steven M. Dixon, Melissa M. Fair, Deana M. Jones, Ashley T. Kakareka, Brian Sharrow, and Jason R. Maslow; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Tawnya Delarosa; FBI Intelligence Analysts Kris Hemme and Stacy Hamilton; FBI Legal Assistant Thomas Donnelly; FBI Task Force Officer Andrew Maurer; Chief Cherie Krigsman for Middle District of Florida’s National Security Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida.
The 13th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents Ryan Boron, Nicholas Milan, and Thomas H. Lipp; Special Agent Christopher O’Neill of the Department of Commerce; FBI Supervisory Special Agents Calvin R. Davis and Steven Jefferson; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Alexander J. Kornberger and Kathryn McCool; FBI Forensics Accountant Jordanna A. Lubelli; FBI Assistant Legal Attache Jonathan R. Schmidt, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division; Justice Department Attache Josh Cavinato of the Office of International Affairs.
The 14th Distinguished Service Award is presented to OIG Special Agent Lyeson T. Daniel; OIG Assistant Special Agents in Charge Dennis E. Matulewicz Jr., Ryan T. Geach and H. Jeremy Horne; OIG Deputy Assistant Inspector General Sandra D. Barnes; and Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Erin Aslan.
The 15th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler; Appellate Trial Attorneys Amber B. Blaha and Mary Gabrielle Sprague of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant to the Solicitor General Frederick Liu; Chief S. Craig Alexander of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Indian Resources Section; Assistant Appellate Section Chiefs William B. Lazarus and Rachel E. Heron of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Christine W. Ennis of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gina L. Allery of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Tracy Toulou of the Office of Tribal Justice; and Deputy Director JoAnn L. Kintz of the Office of Tribal Justice.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism is designed to recognize an extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty. One Exceptional Heroism Award is presented to ATF Special Agent Adam R. Daniels.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity is established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor, and dean and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department. In 2023, one Edward H. Levi Award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General George Z. Toscas of the National Security Division.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2023.
The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to ATF Senior Counsel to the Director Joseph J. Allen.
The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Section Chief Steven H. Rosenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section.
The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law Enforcement was established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General William French Smith for his establishment of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees (LECCs), and his outstanding efforts in promoting law enforcement cooperation and coordination throughout the nation. It is designed to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who, through their participation in cooperative interagency efforts, have made significant contributions to law enforcement endeavors and objectives. This award is presented to DEA Task force Officer Jason Pearce-Best.
The Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service is the top public service award granted by the Department and is designed to recognize the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of its missions and objectives. This award is presented to District Attorney Summer Stephan for the County of San Diego California.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is designed to recognize extraordinary efforts to demonstrate the Department's commitment to fight crime in Indian Country.
The first Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Victim Assistant Specialists Brandi Duvall, Taelyn Langford, and Karriem Harris for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The second Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Supervisory Grants Management Specialists Anne Hamilton and LeBretia White of the Office of Justice Programs; Principal Deputy Director Katherine Darke Schmitt of the Office of Justice Programs; and Grant Management Specialists Jessica Andrew, Mary Atlas-Terry, Yolanda Curtis Gibson, Dawn Hill, Tanya Miller, Ramesa Pitts, Alexis Polen, Barbara L. Robertson, Carmen Santiago Roberts, Lori Gardner, Jenny Semanta Stancell, and Kimberly R. Woodard of the Office of Justice Programs.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly improved the operations or productivity of the Department or have reduced costs. This award is presented to Director Christian C. Alvarez of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Deputy Director Matthew J. Roper of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Associate Directors Jeffrey D. Pullen and Nathaniel H. Wheeler of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Assistant Directors Marc Berlove and Vu C. Truong of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Finance Management Specialists Dara L. Sabanosh and Catherine Green-Lee of the Justice Management Division; Systems Accountant Jocelyn M. Harris of the Justice Management Division; Supervisory IT Specialist Leon Braddell of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialists Giles T. Welles, Vincent B. Anderson, and Reena J. Shah of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialist Jerome K. Milligan of the Justice Management Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve the operations or productivity of the Department, reduce or avoid costs, or solve problems. Two Awards for Excellence in Information Technology are presented this year.
The first Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director Edward Stely in the ATF’s Office of Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Special Agent Cassandra Mullins; ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard; ATF Intelligence Research Specialist Stacie Alvey of the Louisville Field Division; ATF Acting Branch Chief Carl A. O’Day of the Application Development Branch; and Colonel Philip Burnette Jr. and Lieutenant Colonel Larry Newton of the Kentucky State Police.
The second Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to DEA Chief Information Officer Nick Ward; Senior Counsel Leonard Bailey of the Criminal Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Michael Bettine; Attorney Advisor Gabriel Slater of the National Security Division; Deputy Cyber Chief Sean Newell of the National Security Division; and Chief Information Security Officer Vu Nguyen of the Justice Management Division; Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Yasuda of the Justice Management Division; and Acting Assistant Director Larry Tun of the Justice Management Division’s Office of the Chief Information Officer.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security is designed to recognize a special act or service by a Department employee who has greatly contributed to protecting U.S. national security. The 2023 award is presented to FBI Computer Scientist Michael R. Berger; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Katherine Miles; FBI Intelligence Analyst Laci Falk; FBI Special Agents Chad R. Loewenstine, Jason Moore, Jonathan R. Perlstein, Martin A. Quintana, Justin H. Rowland and Taylor M. Forry; FBI Intelligence Analysts Adam E. Foster and Alec T. Hass Cyber Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Richardson for the District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is designed to recognize significant contributions to the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Director Richard Toscano of the Justice Management Division’s Equal Employment Opportunity Staff; Special Assistant to the Executive Officer Elizabeth D. Preston of the Tax Division’s Office of Management and Administration; and Assistant Section Chief Michelle O. Rindone of the Antitrust Division’s International Section.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys. The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Paralegal Specialist Anna Rogers of the Criminal.
The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Legal Assistant Debra L. Nash for the Northern District of Iowa.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. There are two Excellence in Administrative Support Awards this year.
The first Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented to Lead Management Analyst Catherine M. Murray of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.
The second Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented posthumously to IT Specialist Hector Radhames Gonzalez for the District of Massachusetts.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support – Non-Legal Secretarial is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements. This award is presented to Psychology Secretary Christa A. Butler of Federal Correctional Institution – Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is designed to recognize a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct.
The first Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Peter Ko for the Southern District of California.
The second Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant Chief Jeremy Sanders of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Victim-Witness Attorney Coordinator Brian Strang of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorney Gwendolyn Stamper of the Criminal Division; Senior Counsels Lauren Britsch Slater, Alissa Kempler, and Daniel Richenthal of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorneys Sonja Lauren Kupersmith and Anne Pings of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Alexandra Gelber of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section; Child Victim Witness Program Administrator Nicole Borello of Criminal Division; Attorney Advisor Molly Cusson of the Criminal Division; Appellate Attorney Sonja Ralston of the Criminal Division; and Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Administration is designated to recognize exceptional dedication to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. A Recipient’s actions through participation in the processes of FOIA administration should foster a spirit of openness in government and dedicated service to FOIA requesters. This award presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah S. Normand for the Southern District of New York.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention is designed to recognize those who have been involved with the prevention, investigation and prosecution of fraud and other white-collar crimes. This award is presented to Trial Attorneys James F. Bresnahan II, Lauren A. Darwit, Richard G. Rose, Harris J. Phillips, and Gregory E. Van Hoey of the Tax Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to building collaborations that draw upon the skills and resources of a range of stakeholders within a community – including state and local community leaders, law enforcement, service providers, as well as local residents and representatives of the business community – in addressing public safety, crime prevention and control, community justice and other community-building and revitalization issues. This award is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kalon P. Fancher; FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Ryan C. Summers; FBI Intelligence Analyst Donald L. Metzmeier; FBI Operational Support Technician Amelia M. Herrera; FBI Liaison Specialist John Bush; FBI Management and Program Analyst Russell J. Myers II; FBI Intelligence Analyst Nicolette G. Rose; FBI Native American Affairs Coordinator Dawn Begay of the City of Albuquerque; Task Force Chair Lynn Trujillo of the Department of Interior; Public Safety Answering Point Supervisor Reycita Billie of the Albuquerque Division of Public Safety; Special Agent in Charge Clarence Gibson of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Assistant General Counsel Stephanie Salazar of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Acting Commander Gerald Bartlett of the Albuquerque Police Department; Staff Lead Melody Delmar of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department; Task Force Officer Darlene Gomez of the Albuquerque Law Offices of Darlene Gomez LLC.
The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Federal Wage Grade System Employee is designed to recognize extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics and skilled craft workers. The award is presented to Electrical Worker Foreman Charles D. Treadway II of the Federal Detention Center SeaTac.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee is designed to recognize exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of service with the Department and federal government. This award is presented to Trial Attorney Nathan J. Bu of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Litigation Section.
The John Marshall Award, named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, recognizes outstanding professional achievement by attorneys of the Justice Department.
The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Leach, Kelly I. Volkar, John C. Bostic, and Jeffrey D. Nedrow for the Northern District of California.
The second John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M. Yusi John, F. Butler, and E. Rebecca Gantt for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Senior Trial Counsel John Adam Bain of the Civil Division.
The fourth John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Co-Chiefs David J. Kennedy and Ellen Blain for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; Deputy Chief Christine S. Poscablo for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Lillywhite for the Southern District of New York.
The fifth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Attorneys Paul Cirino and Leslie M. Hill of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Lucy E. Brown and David M. Mitchell of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; and Assistant Section Chief Martha C. Mann of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Defense Section.
The sixth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Trial Attorney Leigh P. Rendé of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The seventh John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida.
The eighth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Laura Eddleman Heim of the Office of Legal Counsel; Attorney-Adviser Ryan N. Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; Director Mark R. Freeman of the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff; and Assistant Director Joshua M. Salzman Civil Division’s Appellate Staff.
The ninth John Marshall Award for Handling Legislation is presented to Special Master Mary Patrice Brown of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recover Section; Attorney Advisors Barbara Gilmore, Regan Kruse, Jane Lee, Anish Mather, and Jacqueline Feil of the Criminal Division; Senior Legal Counsel James Curt Bohling of the Criminal Division; Chief Sarah B. Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; Chief Jennifer Bickford of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit; and Deputy Chief Matthew Colon of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit.
The 10th John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Chief Brent S. Wible of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Principal Deputy Chief Margaret A. Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Deputy Director Michael Khoo of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Attorney Advisor Janice Nsor of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Christina Calce of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Director Andrew C. Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture; Associate Deputy Attorney General L. Rush Atkinson of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thane Rehn, Jessica Greenwood, and Vladislav Vainberg for the Southern District of New York; and Deputy Director David Lim National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The 11th John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant Branch Director Carlotta P. Wells of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch and Senior Trial Counsel Lisa A. Olson Civil Division.
The 12th John Marshall Award for Interagency Cooperation is presented to Senior Litigation Counsel John J. W. Inkeles of the Civil Division; Trial Attorney Mack J. Swan of the Civil Division; Senior Attorney Kim Kucik of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office (ICE); ICE Deputy Chief Counsel Kimberlee Krawchuk; ICE Assistant Chief Counsel Katerina Alexopolous; ICE Associate Legal Advisor Michael McVicker; ICE Special Agent Thomas Connors; and ICE Historian William Tomljanovich.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees, Including Western District of Pennsylvania Assistant United States Attorney, with Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
Jessica Lieber Smolar, Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, was part of a group that received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for the group’s outstanding work in U.S. v. Toebbe et al. Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, of Annapolis, Maryland, were sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to communicate restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships to a foreign government. Read more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/maryland-nuclear-engineer-and-his-wife-sentenced-espionage-related-offenses.
Along with Assistant United States Attorney Smolar, the Distinguished Award was presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
Employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida were among those recognized during the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards ceremony.
“We are incredibly proud of our Southern District of Florida staff members who were recognized today with an Attorney General’s Award,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “The honorees have carried forth the Department of Justice’s mission with extraordinary skill and dedication. These distinguished employees have protected our safety and security, as well as our civil rights. They have given a voice to the victimized, prevented crime, prosecuted fraud schemes, and litigated important appellate issues. As a community, we are incredibly grateful for their tireless efforts and commend their well-deserved accolades.”
70th Attorney General’s Awards – 2022
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C. Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida, alongside a Southern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorney and other honorees, to include Special Agents and employees of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), U.S. Secret Service, Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), FBI, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
71st Attorney General’s Awards – 2023
A Distinguished Service award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida, alongside a Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section, trial attorneys, and other personnel of the Civil Rights Division.
A John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida.
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees. Two prosecution teams from the District of Minnesota were awarded the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
“The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award is the Justice Department’s highest award for employee performance,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “The prosecutors, agents, paralegals, victim/witness and litigation support specialists on these teams showed exceptional skill and professionalism in their work on two monumental civil rights cases, cases that will have a lasting impact for years to come. I am so proud of these individuals and their outstanding work and commitment in service of justice.”
The 2022 Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is presented to the investigation and prosecution team in United States v. Chauvin, et al., a prosecution involving four former police officers who violated George Floyd’s civil rights, resulting in his death.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell, Manda Sertich, and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota, FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter; Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Henry Fronk for the Civil Rights Division.
The 2023 Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is presented to the investigation and prosecution team in United States v. Sumalee Intarathong, et al. and United States v. Michael Morris, et al., a prosecution involving an international sex trafficking organization that was responsible for coercing hundreds of Thai women to engage in commercial sex acts across the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price; IRS Special Agent John Tschida; Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce; Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; and Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
For details on all of today’s award recipients, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners with Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
Jarod Douglas, Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for Outstanding Work in Investigation Threats to Critical U.S. Navy Technology for his exemplary work in U.S. v. Toebbe et al. Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, of Annapolis, Maryland, were sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to communicate restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships. Read more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/maryland-nuclear-engineer-and-his-wife-sentenced-espionage-related-offenses. This is Mr. Douglas’s second Distinguished Service Award.
Along with Mr. Douglas, the Distinguished Award was presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Leiber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners for the 2022 and 2023 Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.
“It is indeed an honor to join Attorney General Garland in recognizing three members of my office for their distinguished service to our district and country,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “AUSAs Bratt, Krigsman, and Asokan continue to perform at the highest level as they work with our law enforcement partners to keep our citizens safe.”
In the Middle District of Florida, for 2023, Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt for his contributions to an international investigation involving the Hive ransomware group that targeted more than 1,500 victims in over 80 countries around the world, including hospitals, school districts, financial firms, and critical infrastructure. In addition, the Middle District of Florida’s National Security Chief Cherie Krigsman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan were recognized for their valuable contributions to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
For details on all of today’s award recipients, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and
Attorney General Garland Honors U.S. Department of Justice Employees and Others for their Service at Annual Awards CeremonyRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the annual Attorney General’s Awards recognizing extraordinary work of Justice Department employees and others. Recipients included several San Diego-based federal prosecutors and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”
San Diego recipients include:
- Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. They received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions toward protecting U.S. national security. They were singled out for their work on an espionage case. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer.
"This extraordinary team identified and exposed a worldwide computer-hacking campaign,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Their perseverance and dedication disrupted China’s efforts to steal trade secrets and sensitive data from universities, companies, and governmental organizations around the globe.”
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko, second-in-command of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was recognized for exemplary leadership over the course of his DOJ career. “Mr. Ko has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and commitment to justice for more than two decades,” McGrath said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”
- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan received the Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service. Each year the DOJ gives out just one award for meritorious public service nationwide. The award is designed to recognize significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in accomplishing its mission and objectives.
“During Summer Stephan’s tenure as DA, San Diego has remained one of the safest large cities in America,” McGrath said. “Collaborative law enforcement relationships have been a hallmark of DA Stephan’s leadership. Her work with Department of Justice partners has resulted in dozens of high-impact cases, from fentanyl trafficking and elder fraud to illegal firearms and violent crime.”
For a comprehensive list of all award winners, please see https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-justice-department-employees-and-partners-70th-and.
- Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. They received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions toward protecting U.S. national security. They were singled out for their work on an espionage case. Please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer.
Arizona Woman Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Second Alien Smuggling ConvictionRead the Press Release
Tucson, Ariz. – Nicole Shermaine Martinez, 40, of Sells, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. A jury found Martinez guilty of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and Transportation of Illegal Aliens on November 8, 2023. Martinez also was sentenced to six months in prison for violating conditions of her federal probation from a prior alien smuggling conviction.
On January 18, 2023, Martinez picked up two undocumented non-citizens, including a 17-year-old unaccompanied minor, near the village of Menagers Dam on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. She was apprehended by United States Border Patrol agents as she was driving the individuals further into the United States. Martinez had previously been convicted of alien smuggling after she transported four undocumented non-citizens, including two in the trunk of her car, also through the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. Martinez was placed on five years of probation but violated her conditions of probation by committing the new offense five months after she was sentenced.
Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-01459-TUC-CKJ-MAA
CR-23-00081-TUC-CKJ-MAARELEASE NUMBER: 2024-011_Martinez
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Pleads Guilty to Willful Failure to Implement Anti-Money Laundering ControlsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison.Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Erin Keegan, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) announced the guilty plea.
“Asre was an experienced anti-money laundering specialist well-versed in the Bank Secrecy Act’s provisions and deliberately ignored these protections, exposing financial institutions to the risk of illicit criminal activity,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will vigorously enforce these laws to ensure the integrity of the U.S. financial system and to hold responsible those who would deliberately disregard them for financial gain.”
“Gyanendra Asre was specifically trained in proper banking protocols and procedures. Yet, instead of following the necessary steps, the defendant took advantage of a small New York financial institution, which primarily served state employees, to the tune of $1 billion," said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. "I commend HSI New York and our law enforcement partners for their dedication to ensuring vitally integral regulations — the foundation of our banking system — are upheld.”
According to court filings, from 2014 to 2016, Asre devised a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business lines such as international currency trading to small, unsophisticated financial institutions. Asre was trained in anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, and represented to the financial institutions that, because of his experience and training, he understood the risks associated with the high-risk business lines and would conduct appropriate anti-money laundering oversight as required by the Bank Secrecy Act.
Based on Asre’s representations, the New York State Employees Federal Credit Union (NYSEFCU), a small financial institution with a volunteer board that primarily served New York state public employees, allowed Asre to conduct high-risk transactions through the NYSEFCU. Asre then caused the transfer of more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions, including hundreds of millions of dollars originating from high-risk foreign jurisdictions, through the NYSEFCU and other entities. Asre, who was a certified anti-money laundering specialist with experience in international banking and anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, was a member of the NYSEFCU’s supervisory board during this time period. However, contrary to his representations, Asre willfully failed to implement and maintain the requisite anti-money laundering programs or conduct oversight required to detect, identify and report suspicious transactions. This caused, among other things, the NYSEFCU to process more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions during Asre’s tenure, without ever filing a single Suspicious Activity Report as required by law.
In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and identity theft.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, in coordination with the Office’s Bank Integrity Task Force, which is charged with investigating and charging corporate and individual actors who launder criminal proceeds using the U.S. banking system and enforcing anti-money laundering controls under the Bank Secrecy Act. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan C. Harris and Francisco J. Navarro of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with Acting Chief Margaret Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. The investigation is being conducted by HSI’s El Dorado Task Force in New York.
The Defendant:
GYANENDRA ASRE
Age: 56
Greenwich, ConnecticutE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-174 (DG)
Active-Duty Airman Sentenced for Production of Images of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Goldsboro, North Carolina man was sentenced today to 27 years in prison after he used social media accounts to target underage girls in the Hampton Roads area and caused at least 29 victims to produce sexually explicit videos and images.
According to court documents, Brandon Tyler Lindsey, 27, an active-duty servicemember attached to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, routinely traveled to his hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia and met minor females to engage in sexual acts with them. His youngest victim was 12 years old. Lindsey used multiple social media accounts to target minor females in the Hampton Roads area. For example, using Instagram, he direct messaged multiple minor girls with the same boilerplate message and “liked” their photos. After gaining their trust, he would then request child pornography from the minors and attempt to meet in person for sexual acts. Lindsey sometimes met with the same minors on multiple occasions over a period of years. Lindsey caused at least 29 victims to produce child pornography for his sexual gratification.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Douglas Edens, Special Agent in Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-95.
17 Eastern District of New York Employees and Two Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Receive 2022 and 2023 Attorney General AwardsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Fourteen Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), two paralegal specialists, a Special Agent and two former AUSAs from the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) were recognized by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland for their extraordinary public service at the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.
“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” stated Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country.”“The outstanding work of EDNY attorneys, professional staff and our law enforcement partners in service to our district and our country, has been breathtaking, prosecuting complex economic crime, high-level drug trafficking, foreign terrorism, insurrection, cybercriminals and litigating the expert defense of our cases appealed to the Second Circuit,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Their excellence and dedication are boundless, and as a result, they have made the world, a safer place.”
This year’s program honors individuals across the department and our federal, state, local, and tribal partners for their selfless efforts, protecting our national security and our civil rights, addressing rising violent crime in our communities, and prosecuting gangs and those trafficking in dangerous narcotics and human beings. The awards also honor the work of civil and environmental litigation, which enforces the rule of law and upholds our Constitution. They also recognize employees whose ideas and efforts save taxpayer dollars and help our government operate more effectively and efficiently, among other contributions to public safety and good governance.
70th Annual Attorney General AwardsThe Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Work in the Investigation, Extradition and Prosecution of ISIS Senior Leader
United States v. Kandic
AUSAs Matt Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy, former AUSA Josh Hafetz and Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer, together with law enforcement partners from the FBI and HSI, are being recognized for their outstanding work obtaining a trial conviction of Mirsad Kandic of Brooklyn, on charges of conspiring to provide, and providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. He had multiple responsibilities within ISIS, including recruiting foreign fighters, trafficking foreign fighters from the West through Turkey and into Syria, and obtaining weapons, military equipment, maps, money and false identifications for ISIS fighters. In carrying out these responsibilities, Kandic worked directly with ISIS emirs and battlefield commanders.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for 35 Years of Outstanding Work in Litigating Criminal Cases Before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
AUSA David James
Throughout AUSA David James’s 35-year career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, he has represented the government in the Second Circuit in hundreds of cases with skill and dedication. He has worked on some of the most significant and important appeals of the last few decades, from John Gotti in 1993 to Joaquin Guzman-Loera, aka “El Chapo,” in 2022.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional and Successful Work in the Trial Against Roger Ng
United States v. Roger Ng
AUSAs Alixandra Smith, Drew Rolle and Dylan Stern, in partnership with colleagues from DOJ’s Fraud Section and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, are recognized for securing the trial conviction of Roger Ng, a former managing director of the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs) for his role in a multibillion-dollar bribery and money laundering scheme involving Malaysia’s state-owned investment and development fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad. As part of the scheme, Ng and his co-conspirators, including Tim Leissner, the former Southeast Asia Chairman and participating managing director of Goldman Sachs, paid more than $1 billion in bribes to 12 government officials in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to obtain and retain lucrative business for Goldman Sachs. They also conspired to, and did, launder the proceeds of their criminal conduct through the U.S. financial system, including funding major Hollywood films such as “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurism and Dedication in the Criminal Prosecution in the Digital Advertising Industry Inflicted by Foreign Cybercriminals
United States v. Zhukov
AUSAs Saritha Komatireddy, Alex Mindlin and Artie McConnell brought a first-of-its-kind prosecution, exposing rampant fraud in the digital advertising industry inflicted by foreign cybercriminals seeking to steal from American companies and weaken American economic power. This case exposed a fraud that affected nearly every American business and consumer and converted America’s own internet infrastructure and innovations into weapons for cybercrime. The prosecution led to significant reforms and increased security controls among digital advertising platforms, cybersecurity companies and the entities that run the global registration system for IP addresses. The team secured the indictment of 10 cybercriminals from two separate international cybercrime rings and the conviction of five of those cybercriminals, including the leader of each ring.
71st Annual Attorney General AwardsAttorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service
U.S. v. Garcia Luna Trial Team
AUSAs Saritha Komatireddy, Phil Pilmar, Adam Amir, Erin Reid and Ryan Harris, EDNY Special Agent George Dietz, Paralegal Specialists Huda Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett, together with law enforcement partners from DEA and HSI, successfully investigated and obtained a trial conviction against the former Mexican cabinet official Genaro Garcia Luna for his corrupt assistance to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the largest and most violent criminal organizations in the world. Garcia Luna is the highest-ranking Mexican government official to have been prosecuted in a U.S. court. The six-week trial included testimony from high-level Sinaloa Cartel leaders, Mexican public officials who had themselves engaged in corruption, former Mexican law enforcement officers who worked under Garcia Luna, and a former U.S. Ambassador.
Operation Disruptive Capture
United States v. Orekhov et al. and United States v. Grinin et al.
AUSAs Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor and SAUSA Scott Claffee teamed with law enforcement partners from FBI and DOJ task forces to disrupt Russia’s ability to illegally acquire sensitive U.S. technology and enforce sanctions imposed on Russia for their invasion of Ukraine. The initiative resulted in two indictments involving charging 15 defendants and arrests in Germany, Italy, Estonia, and France. The investigation also led to administrative enforcement actions, civil forfeiture involving millions of dollars in multiple foreign jurisdictions, and additional sanctions against individuals and companies.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security Operation Medusa
Former AUSA Ian Richardson
Through Operation MEDUSA, former EDNY AUSA Ian Richardson, together with the FBI, completed a court-authorized operation to disrupt a global peer-to-peer network of computers compromised by sophisticated malware, called “Snake,” that the United States Government attributes to a unit within Center 16 of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. For nearly 20 years, this unit, referred to in court documents as “Turla,” used versions of the Snake malware to steal sensitive documents from hundreds of computer systems in at least 50 countries, which have belonged to North Atlantic Treaty Organization member governments, journalists, and other targets of interest to the Russian Federation. After stealing these documents, Turla exfiltrated them through a covert network of unwitting Snake-compromised computers in the United States and around the world. Operation MEDUSA disabled Turla’s Snake malware on compromised computers through the use of an FBI-created tool named PERSEUS, which issued commands that caused the Snake malware to overwrite its own vital components.
January 6th Proud Boys Prosecution Team
AUSA Nadia Moore
EDNY AUSA Nadia Moore was a vital member of the trial team, which included prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. and the Organized Crime and Gang Section, and agents from the FBI, that secured convictions against five members of the Proud Boys for their actions before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. According to the trial evidence, in the months leading up to Jan. 6, the defendants plotted to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, and to prevent the Members of Congress, and the federal law enforcement officers who protect them, from discharging their duties.
30 January 2024
Woman Sentenced for Leadership Role in Visa Fraud, Identity Theft, and Human Smuggling SchemeRead the Press Release
A New York woman was sentenced today to two years and one month in prison for her role in a multi-year visa fraud, identity theft, and immigrant smuggling conspiracy that brought Armenian citizens into the United States for profit.
According to court documents, Stella Boyadjian, 53, of Rego Park, led a transnational network of co-conspirators who engaged in a widespread visa fraud scheme to bring Armenian citizens into the United States by fraudulently claiming to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the Armenians were members of performance groups, and thus qualified for P-3 “Culturally Unique Artist” visas. The P-3 nonimmigrant visa classification allows foreign nationals to temporarily travel to the United States to perform, teach, or coach as artists or entertainers, under a program that is culturally unique. A U.S. employer or sponsoring organization is required to submit a USCIS Form I-129 Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker, along with supporting documentation, attesting that the performances in the United States are culturally unique.
Boyadjian ran a non-profit organization called Big Apple Music Awards (BAMA) Foundation based in Rego Park. She used the BAMA Foundation as well as formal and informal music industry contacts in the United States and Armenia to perpetuate the scheme. Boyadjian and others solicited Armenian citizens who wanted to come to the United States and charged them between $3,000 and $15,000 for P-3 visas facilitated by Boyadjian and others submitting fraudulent Form I-129 Petitions to the USCIS. To accomplish this, Boyadjian and other associates in Armenia acquired fraudulent performer certificates and organized staged photo sessions where the aliens wore traditional Armenian folk outfits to appear to be traditional Armenian performers. After being trained by Boyadjian and her conspirators on how to answer questions from USCIS visa adjudicators, the individual aliens presented these certificates and photos to U.S. consular officers during their visa interviews. Once the Armenians entered the United States, some would pay Boyadjian and her associates additional money to be included in another fraudulent petition asking for P-3 visa extensions. Some aliens overstayed their visas and remain unlawfully in the United States.
Boyadjian previously pleaded guilty in March 2019 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit visa fraud, and unlawfully bring aliens to the United States, one count of visa fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York, and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Carlos F. Matus made the announcement.
The DSS’ Criminal Fraud Investigations and Overseas Criminal Investigations Divisions investigated the case, with assistance from the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security, Center Fraud Detection Operations in Vermont.
Deputy Chief Rami S. Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John O. Enright for the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case.
United States Reaches Agreement with Guam Waterworks Authority Requiring Investment in Sewer System InfrastructureRead the Press Release
Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) agreed to a consent decree with the United States today to improve the quality of its sewer system, estimated to cost approximately $400 million, to address unauthorized overflows of untreated sewage and other violations of the Clean Water Act. The Government of Guam is also a party to the agreement.
The United States filed a complaint alleging that GWA was in violation of provisions of the Clean Water Act and applicable permits by repeatedly discharging untreated sewage from its wastewater collection system and discharging excess pollutants from its wastewater treatment plants. At least 237 sanitary sewer overflows have occurred from GWA’s collection system since 2018. GWA has also been implementing Safe Drinking Water Act work and other Clean Water Act work under a 2011 federal court order.
“Today’s action shows our continuing commitment to prioritize enforcement and encourage environmental improvement in the communities most burdened by environmental harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “By improving Guam’s sewer system infrastructure, GWA can encourage and support better health for people and the environment and improve their ability to meet the challenges presented by a changing climate.”
“Sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities, which is why today’s settlement with Guam Water Authority is so essential,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “By improving sewer system operations and updating infrastructure, Guam will meet its legal obligations and be better prepared for the major storms that are likely to happen more frequently due to climate change.”
“Clean water is fundamental to public health,” said U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. “Guam deserves an enhanced, modern infrastructure to ensure the continuing preservation of its natural resources and the health of our communities. The benefits of this agreement will be enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors on this beautiful island.”
The consent decree requires GWA to minimize overflows, which will have immediate benefits to the island’s environment. Untreated sewage from overflows can pose serious threats to human health and damage the environment.
GWA will improve sewer system operation and maintenance programs and implement new requirements for pretreatment of wastewater and to control fats, oils and grease (FOG). Sewer system upgrades will include practices to improve climate change resiliency of pump stations and to consider EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities initiative, including the Resilient Strategies Guide for Water Utilities. The settlement also requires enhanced public outreach and engagement to increase transparency around GWA’s plans to comply with the agreement and educate the public on its environmental improvements.
GWA will also develop a feasibility study for secondary treatment upgrades to the Hagåtña wastewater treatment plant, which will include analyses of climate change and sea level rise and be submitted for EPA’s approval. This secondary treatment upgrade will be embodied in a subsequent judicial settlement. GWA receives some grant funding from EPA for wastewater and drinking water projects, including $50 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding over the past two years.
Reducing overflows will also protect coral reef ecosystems from adverse nutrient imbalances and coral diseases that can result from sewage discharges. The environmental impacts of sewage spills to waters include hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, habitat degradation, floating debris and impacts to sensitive species.
For more information about today's settlement, please visit the Guam Waterworks Authority settlement sheet here.
The proposed partial consent decree is lodged in the U.S. District Court of Guam. The settlement is subject to a public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
US World Gang Member Who Shot at FBI Agent Sentenced to 26+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident and member of a criminal street gang who fired multiple rounds at an FBI agent in the course of armed drug trafficking was sentenced to serve more than 26 years in prison for his crimes this week.
Joshuia Johnathon Luke Brown aka “Black,” 26, was sentenced to serve a total of 319 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Jan. 29, after Brown was found guilty of one count of forcible assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on Sept. 18, 2023.
Co-defendant Jarvis Smith, 29, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on Aug. 9, 2023. Smith is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison. Smith’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20. The defendants are not eligible for parole.
“Joshuia Brown used a machine gun to spray a hail of bullets at law enforcement in the middle of the day in a residential neighborhood, striking an FBI agent’s car as well as a nearby private residence,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Brown will now have more than 26 years in federal prison to consider his utter disregard for human life.”
“Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer is dangerous and an extreme threat to public safety. Stopping violent criminals, like Brown, is one of the most important things we can do to protect our communities,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "Thankfully, no one—including our Special Agent—was injured during Brown's act of terror. Columbus is a safer community with him off the streets."
“The federal system leveraged justice for both cowards involved,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. “This wild west behavior is unacceptable. I am grateful for the work and courage our FBI agents displayed. I see the fruits of their labor in our community. It's making a huge impact with gang and criminal activity.”
According to facts presented in court, federal agents were surveilling Brown and Smith in July 2022 as part of a larger and ongoing investigation into armed drug trafficking in the Columbus community. Through surveillance, agents observed a drug transaction involving Smith and Brown on July 28, 2022, in the vicinity of 1049 Winston Road in Columbus. At 4:35 p.m., Smith departed the scene in his car with Brown. FBI Agent S.A. conducted mobile surveillance as Smith traveled down Wade Street, turning south on Sheridan Avenue. Smith, who was driving, stopped his car in the middle of the road and he and Brown, who was a passenger, stepped outside of the car with weapons pointed in the agent’s direction and fired multiple rounds at the agent’s car, hitting the passenger door, the roof and the rear bumper of the FBI vehicle. One round traveled through the back of the FBI agent’s passenger seat, hitting a small bag on the front passenger side. Another round entered a private residence’s living room window, shattering a painting on the wall. The FBI agent was not injured during the shooting.
FBI and Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office units attempted to stop Smith’s car; Smith and Brown were able to elude law enforcement in a lengthy pursuit by car and on foot. Smith was taken into custody on July 28. After a manhunt that last several days, Brown turned himself in on Aug. 10. A bag dropped by Brown during the pursuit contained a fully loaded Glock 19X handgun with an extended magazine. Two bullets recovered from the FBI agent’s vehicle matched the Glock 19X found inside Brown’s discarded bag. Law enforcement recovered a camo backpack dropped by Smith during the pursuit that held a fully loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine, a fully loaded .380 semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Also, several baggies containing methamphetamine, pills and other illegal drugs were found inside Smith’s backpack. Both the Glock 19X and the Glock pistol were modified to operate as machine guns.
Brown is a member of US World, a hybrid criminal street gang based out of Columbus that is affiliated with other national criminal gangs. Smith is a confirmed member of the Bloods criminal street gang and has a prior conviction of aggravated assault, burglary and robbery in Muscogee County, Georgia, Superior Court, Case No. SU-13-Cr-1336. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.
These cases were prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies including the DEA, the Columbus Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Phenix City Police Department and the Russell County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Williams and Crawford Seals are prosecuting the case for the Government.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Settles Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against Roosevelt Care CentersRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a proposed consent decree today to resolve its lawsuit against Roosevelt Care Centers (RCC) for violating Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
According to the complaint, which was filed in federal court on March 20, 2023, Roosevelt Care Centers unlawfully terminated a dietary worker whose disability inhibited her ability to lift objects heavier than 20 pounds. Prior to her termination, the employee had been successfully working at RCC for approximately 18 years and remained able to perform the essential functions of her position. Nonetheless, Roosevelt Care Centers terminated the dietary worker’s employment due to her disability without engaging in an interactive process to provide her with a reasonable accommodation.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“Qualified individuals with disabilities must be given an equal opportunity to be part of the workforce. This settlement reflects the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to ending discriminatory employment practices and protecting the civil rights of all employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Under the terms of the consent decree, which must be approved by the court, RCC has agreed to pay $50,000 in compensation to the complainant. The settlement also requires RCC to train its staff on the ADA and to periodically submit reports about its compliance with the consent decree.
Title I of the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against a qualified individual on the basis of disability. An employer may not demote, terminate, or deny employment opportunities to an employee who is otherwise qualified if the demotion or termination is based on the need to make reasonable accommodations for the employee.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger created a Civil Rights Division with the sole focus on enforcing federal civil rights laws, including the ADA, with the goal of protecting and upholding the civil rights of those in our community. This matter was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s newly formed Civil Rights Division based on a referral from the Newark Area Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office at http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint or call the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thandiwe Boylan of the Civil Rights Division in Newark.
roosevelt.complaint.pdf roosevelt.decree.pdfU.S. Attorney’s Office Observes National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
CHICAGO – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois today commemorated National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and renewed its commitment to prosecuting human traffickers, protecting victims, and empowering survivors.
Every year since 2010, the President of the United States has proclaimed January as “National Human Trafficking Prevention Month,” reaffirming our nation’s commitment to combatting human trafficking in all its forms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office joins in this commitment and continues to prioritize combatting forced labor, domestic servitude, and sex trafficking of children and adults throughout northern Illinois. As part of these efforts, the office works in partnership with the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force, taking a multidisciplinary approach to prevention and prosecution.
“Human trafficking is a brutal crime and its impact on victims is immeasurable. Our office will continue to work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as the remarkable men and women who work with victims, to bring traffickers to justice. Those who exploit other human beings for personal gain must be held accountable.”
-Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
“The Department of Justice launched our National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking to bring the full force of the Department to the fight against human trafficking,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Since then, we’ve taken sustained steps forward to make our anti-trafficking efforts stronger than ever. We have brought human traffickers to justice, dismantled trafficking enterprises, and empowered survivors to rebuild their lives. I am proud of the progress the Department has made, but there is still much more work left to do.”
Human trafficking includes sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and indentured servitude. As with many crimes of exploitation and abuse, human traffickers often prey upon members of marginalized communities and other vulnerable individuals. Traffickers often manipulate the vulnerabilities of victims on multiple levels, first offering protection and opportunity, and then coercing victims to provide labor, services, or commercial sex through a combination of physical and sexual violence, threats of physical or psychological harm, financial or debt-related threats, threats of deportation or arrest, manipulation of substance use disorder, or withdrawal of housing security or other support.
Anyone with information about a potential human trafficking situation or a person who may be experiencing human trafficking should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733. More information about the Justice Department’s work to combat human trafficking can be found here.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $9,881,859.25 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
Greensboro, NC -- U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC) collected $9,881,859.25 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $7,799,811.20 was collected in criminal actions and $2,082,048.05 was collected in civil actions.
“Recovering criminal and civil debts, including restitution owed to crime victims, is a vital part of our mission,” said U.S. Attorney Hairston. “We appreciate the work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and we will continue to prioritize collections in order to hold criminals accountable, collect debts to the government, and compensate victims of crime.”
Criminal collections in MDNC in FY23 included more than $6.6 million recovered from sales of properties belonging to Thomas Earl Tilley. In 2015, Tilley pled guilty to an elaborate scheme of sham trusts, fake corporations, and other nominee entities in order to hide his income and assets, including real property, from the IRS, thereby preventing the IRS from assessing and collecting Tilley’s federal tax debts. He was sentenced to 32 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $7,676,757.00. Following his conviction, Tilley continued to obstruct efforts to collect his restitution debt including the filing of fraudulent UCC financing statements, transferring properties to a trust controlled by his son, and selling, or attempting to sell, several properties without paying the proceeds toward his restitution debt. In 2019, the United States filed a civil action to void the property transfers as fraudulent and to enforce the United States’ lien. The court-ordered property sales in 2023 marked the end of years of litigation and produced funds sufficient to satisfy the remaining restitution balance of $6,650,223.25.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Middle District of North Carolina, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected approximately $2.0 million in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice and Department of Treasury Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
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Two San Bernardino Brothers Involved in Marijuana Armed Robbery that Resulted in Victim’s Death Sentenced to Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – Two brothers have been sentenced to terms in federal prison for their roles in a July 2021 armed robbery of a marijuana dealer in San Bernardino, which resulted in the victim’s death from gunshot wounds, the Justice Department announced today.
Martrell Patrick Shaw, 20, of San Bernardino, one of two people who robbed the victim, was sentenced late Monday by United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal to 20 years in federal prison.
At a separate hearing on Monday, Judge Bernal sentenced Rontrell Brainell Shaw, 22, of San Bernardino, the robbery crew’s getaway driver, to 14 years in federal prison. Both defendants were ordered to pay $14,342 in restitution to the victim’s father for funeral expenses.
Martrell Shaw pleaded guilty in May 2023 to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death. Rontrell Shaw pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
According to court documents, on July 31, 2021, co-defendant Dillion Jones, 20, of San Bernardino, the Shaw brothers’ cousin, placed an order with the victim – identified in court documents as “D.M.” – for one pound of marijuana. Jones placed the order knowing that neither he, Martrell Shaw nor Rontrell Shaw had enough money to pay for it. Instead, the trio planned to rob the victim at gunpoint. Jones and Martrell Shaw brought a loaded firearm with them while Rontrell Shaw acted as their driver.
Once the victim arrived at what he thought was the drug deal location in San Bernardino, Martrell Shaw and Jones robbed him at gunpoint. During the robbery, one of the robbers discharged the firearm twice, striking the victim in the neck and torso. Martrell Shaw and Jones then stole the marijuana and a firearm belonging to the victim, who later died from the gunshot wounds he suffered.
Rontrell Shaw then picked up Martrell Shaw and Jones and drove away to avoid detection by law enforcement. Shortly after picking them up, Rontrell Shaw learned the victim was shot during the robbery, and he eventually learned that the victim died from his wounds.
“These defendants’ greed and violence led to the death of the victim,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Their disregard for human life has left the victim’s family and friends devastated. My office’s priority is public safety and today’s sentences show our continued determination to punish and deter violent criminals.”
“These violent individuals clearly have no regard for life,” said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bombardiere. “In this instance, greed outweighed humanity. Today is a win for justice and a heavy message to the community. Law enforcement will combine their resources and all our areas of expertise to find these trigger pullers. We will build the cases and win, they will lose.”
Jones pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of discharging a firearm in during a crime of violence resulting in death, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 1, at which time he will face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Bernardino Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter H. Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
Terlingua Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A Terlingua man was sentenced in a federal court in Alpine to 87 months in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, Harold Lee McMullen, 74, possessed more than 400 images depicting the sexual abuse of children. He was subjected to a search warrant after a Texas Department of Public Safety agent identified his computer’s IP address as exchanging CSAM over BitTorrent. McMullen was arrested Aug. 15, 2023 and pleaded guilty Sept. 14, 2023.
“The sexual abuse of children is horrific and individuals like Mr. McMullen who further traffic such despicable material continue the harmful exploitation of these innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Along with our partners, we will continue to hold offenders accountable for their actions.”
HSI and Texas DPS investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum 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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Tennessee Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over 27 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Memphis man was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 27 grams of methamphetamine.
Bryant Williams, 40, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.
According to court records, in 2015, an investigation began into a large-scale drug trafficking organization located largely in Picayune, MS (Pearl River County). In 2018, Bryant Williams and two others were identified as being part of the conspiracy. On October 24, 2018, Williams and two of his co-conspirators sold 27.9g of actual methamphetamine at 99% purity to an individual in Picayune.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Hofer of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor- led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Teen Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Selling Drugs, Guns in St. Louis and FentonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a teen from Jefferson County, Missouri to 70 months in prison for selling guns and drugs in St. Louis and Fenton.
Donye “El Baggo” Peace, 19, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in November to four counts of distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of dealing firearms without a license.
Peace admitted selling cocaine to undercover agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Aug. 19, 2022, Aug. 26, 2022, Sept. 7, 2022, and Sept. 15, 2022. He also sold a Glock pistol to the agent on September 7 and two more pistols on September 15.
Peace’s publicly accessible Instagram account had a hyperlink to a Telegram group chat page called “Local Pharmacy,” which offered drugs for sale and provided a phone number. He later created a Telegram group chat called “LocalAmmunitions,” which offered firearms for sale.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen prosecuted the case.
Summer Camp Operator Who Defrauded over 300 Families Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for stealing tuition and deposits from families who planned to send their children to sports camps in the Boston area in July and August 2019.
Mehdi Belhassan, 53, of Tampa, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Belhassan was also ordered to pay restitution of $575,427 and forfeiture of $443,346. In October 2023, Belhassan was convicted of two counts of wire fraud following a six-day jury trial.
Beginning in the fall of 2018, Belhassan falsely claimed that he would operate his annual MB Sports Camps at a Boston-area college. Later, Belhassan falsely announced that the camps would occur at a Boston-area university. The City of Boston told Belhassan that he could not have his camp anywhere in Boston because he lacked the appropriate permits; however, Belhassan continued to promote the camp and collect funds.
Belhassan also defrauded a financing company to obtain operating funds for his non-existent camp using a fraudulent contract with a college that contained the forged signature of a college administrator. Belhassan used the operating funds for his camp to fly to Las Vegas where he gambled and spent the money on entertainment and hotels.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss Basil and Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
St. Michael, ND, Woman Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Accessory After the Fact, False Statements and Retaliation Against a WitnessRead the Press Release
FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced that on January 29, 2024, Skyla Kay Cavanaugh, age 23 of St. Michael, ND, appeared before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, U.S. District Court, Fargo, ND, and was sentenced to three years in federal prison, three years supervised release and $300.00 in special assessments for one count of Accessory After the Fact, one count of False Statements, and one count of Retaliation Against a Witness. The federal prison term will run consecutive to an unrelated state sentence she has yet to complete. Cavanaugh pleaded guilty to the offenses on October 12, 2023.
As charged by the United States Attorney’s Office, Cavanaugh pleaded guilty to being an Accessory After the Fact in relation to the May 22, 2022, non-fatal shooting of a man in St. Michael, and for giving False Statements in the ensuing investigation. Cavanaugh also pleaded guilty to Retaliation Against a Witness for confronting and striking a witness to the May 22 shooting several months later.
For committing the May 22, 2022, shooting, 21-year-old Nathaniel Azure was convicted in December 2023, after a 7-day jury trial of two crimes for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Azure was also convicted at trial for his role in a non-fatal shooting in Fort Totten, ND, on January 6, 2021, and for assaulting another person while brandishing a firearm in St. Michael, ND, on May 21, 2022. Sentencing of Azure is scheduled for April 16, 2024.
Michael Al-Jerome Denne, the 25-year-old brother of Azure, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the January 6, 2021, shooting and has been sentenced. Dantae Jerome Whitetail, aged 23, Minnewaukan, ND, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the May 21, 2022, brandishing assault, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2024.
“This result is reflective of the office’s commitment to public safety in Indian country,” Schneider said. “Retaliation against people who witness crimes and tell the truth to law enforcement will not be tolerated. This sentence will serve as a strong deterrent to anyone who thinks they can use violence to evade justice.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Benson County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Rodenbiker and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemestrud Puhl, District of North Dakota.
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St. Louis County Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Buying Stolen Catalytic ConvertersRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Court Ronnie L. White on Tuesday sentenced a St. Louis County, Missouri man who bought thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen catalytic converters to 15 months in prison.
In a Facebook post in 2021, Asmir Jasarevic, now 33, of Lakeshire, falsely claimed to be a licensed dealer who wanted to buy catalytic converters. Jasarevic admitted in his guilty plea in September that he made a “significant” number of purchases when he had direct knowledge that the catalytic converters were stolen. Jasarevic offered no receipts and paid only in cash, offering well below market value. He bought converters at his apartment or public places, kept no records and conducted business at night, his plea says.
Jasarevic admitted selling nearly $50,000 worth of converters to a recycling company in Illinois, $20,000 of which came from stolen property. Catalytic converters contain trace amounts of precious metals and have been cut off vehicles around the country by thieves.
Jasarevic pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Maryland Heights Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware prosecuted the case.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Antowan L. Wade, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Wade was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.
On Aug. 3, 2023, Wade pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On May 9, 2022, members of the U.S. Probation Office conducted a search of Wade’s apartment. Wade was on supervised release after serving a federal prison sentence for bank robbery. Officers found a Canik55 9mm semi-automatic pistol with 16 rounds of ammunition under a pillow on the bed in his bedroom.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Wade has two prior felony convictions for bank robbery, a prior felony conviction for the robbery of a Best Buy store in Joplin, Mo., and prior felony convictions for making and passing counterfeit currency and for burglary.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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.
Six Defendants Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Offenses for Obstructing Access to a Reproductive Health Services Facility in Mount Juliet, TennesseeRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A federal jury convicted six defendants today of federal civil rights offenses arising out of their blockade of a reproductive health care clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, on March 5, 2021. The defendants were each convicted of a felony conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) offense.
According to evidence presented at trial, Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Calvin Zastrow, Coleman Boyd, Paul Vaughn and Dennis Green engaged in a conspiracy to prevent the clinic employees from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services, a civil right secured by the FACE Act. As part of the conspiracy, Idoni, Zastrow, Boyd and Green traveled to Tennessee from other states to participate in the clinic blockade, and Gallagher and Vaughn stalled the Mount Juliet Police Department through negotiations that Gallagher referred to as a delay tactic. Evidence at trial further proved that the defendants violated the FACE Act by using physical obstruction to interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient because the clinic was providing, and the patient sought, reproductive health services.
“These defendants are being held accountable for unlawfully obstructing access to reproductive health services,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce the FACE Act to protect the rights of those who provide and those who seek access to such services.”
“These defendants knowingly chose to violate laws they disagreed with,” said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. “The jury’s verdict today is a victory for the rule of law in this country and a reminder that we cannot pick and choose which laws we follow. It is also a testament to the outstanding work done in this case by the trial team and our law enforcement partners.”
A sentencing hearing has been set for July 2. The defendants each face up to a maximum of 10 and a half years in prison, three years of supervised release and fines of up to $260,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Memphis Field Office, Nashville Resident Agency investigated the case.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted the case.
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Six Defendants Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Offenses for Obstructing Access to Reproductive Health Services in TennesseeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted six defendants today of federal civil rights offenses arising out of their blockade of a reproductive health care clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, on March 5, 2021. The defendants were each convicted of a felony conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) offense.
According to evidence presented at trial, Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Calvin Zastrow, Coleman Boyd, Paul Vaughn and Dennis Green engaged in a conspiracy to prevent the clinic employees from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services, a civil right secured by the FACE Act. As part of the conspiracy, Idoni, Zastrow, Boyd and Green traveled to Tennessee from other states to participate in the clinic blockade, and Gallagher and Vaughn stalled the Mount Juliet Police Department through negotiations that Gallagher referred to as a delay tactic. Evidence at trial further proved that the defendants violated the FACE Act by using physical obstruction to interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient because the clinic was providing, and the patient sought, reproductive health services.
“These defendants are being held accountable for unlawfully obstructing access to reproductive health services,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce the FACE Act to protect the rights of those who provide and those who seek access to such services.”
“These defendants knowingly chose to violate laws they disagreed with,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “The jury’s verdict today is a victory for the rule of law in this country and a reminder that we cannot pick and choose which laws we follow. It is also a testament to the outstanding work done in this case by the trial team and our law enforcement partners.”
A sentencing hearing has been set for July 2. The defendants each face up to a maximum of 10 and a half years in prison, three years of supervised release and fines of up to $260,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Memphis Field Office, Nashville Resident Agency investigated the case.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted the case.
Serial Health Care Fraudster Sentenced for $234M Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A California man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for conspiring to conceal his involvement in operating a laboratory and billing Medicare approximately $234 million for various lab tests, including COVID-19 and respiratory pathogen panel tests, despite his decades-long exclusion from the Medicare program.
“Criminals who cheat federal health programs and profit at the expense of American taxpayers will be met with the full force of the Justice Department,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As our country was battling the COVID-19 pandemic, this individual was fraudulently billing Medicare for hundreds of millions of dollars. Today, thanks to the work of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, he will now spend 10 years in federal prison for his crimes. We will continue to disrupt schemes that defraud the federal health programs the American people rely on, and we will hold accountable those who perpetrate those schemes.”
According to court documents, Imran Shams, 65, of Glendale, was convicted of Medicare and Medicaid fraud in separate 1990 and 2001 cases in New York and California, respectively. After each conviction, he was excluded from participation in Medicare and all federal health care programs, and advised by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) that he had to submit a written application to be considered for reinstatement in federal health care programs. Shams never sought reinstatement, yet he continued to operate health care clinics in New York that billed federal health care programs. In November 2017, Shams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks and other charges in the Eastern District of New York related to his operation of these clinics.
By 2018, Shams was an owner, operator, and manager of Matias Clinical Laboratory, doing business as Health Care Providers Laboratory (HCPL), a Baldwin Park, California-based clinical testing laboratory that billed Medicare and other federal health care programs. In order to maintain HCPL’s status as a Medicare provider and enable it to receive payments from Medicare for its testing services, Shams and a co-conspirator fraudulently concealed Shams’ role in HCPL from Medicare, including failing to submit required enrollment documentation identifying Shams’ ownership, management position, and prior convictions; causing the submission of false documentation to Medicare identifying another person as HCPL’s sole owner and managing officer; submitting false documentation concerning HCPL’s ownership and management to the California Department of Public Health; and making false statements to the U.S. Probation Office and Pretrial Services Agency while Shams was on federal court supervision following his 2017 conviction. Between August 2018 and April 2022, when the grand jury returned the indictment in this case and Shams was arrested and ordered detained without bond, HCPL fraudulently billed Medicare approximately $234 million. Medicare paid HCPL approximately $31.7 million based on these fraudulent claims.
Shams pleaded guilty in the Central District of California on Jan. 24, 2023, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and concealment of his exclusion from Medicare.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Shams was ordered to forfeit $31,761,286.21, including $4,513,106.30 in funds that the government previously seized from two bank accounts, as well as his interest in two residential properties and one business property in the Los Angeles area. Shams was also ordered to pay $31,761,286.21 in restitution.
“Shams engaged in a years-long scheme in which he billed American taxpayers nearly $234 million and lined his pockets with millions of dollars of funds intended for the health and welfare of patients,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This case demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to rooting out fraud to help ensure critical healthcare funds go where they are needed most.”
“The integrity of the federal health care system rests, in part, on providers’ proper, lawful billing of Medicare and other HHS programs,” said Inspector General Christi A. Grimm of HHS-OIG. “Providers who violate federal health care law and defy measures intended to protect programs and patients from fraud will be held accountable. We remain steadfast and persistent in our efforts to investigate schemes targeting federal health care programs.”
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Gary A. Winters and Raymond E. Beckering III of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxwell Coll for the Central District of California handled the financial penalties.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Schenectady Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Matthew Shaver, age 23, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a loaded shotgun as a felon.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Shaver admitted that on December 15, 2022, he knowingly possessed a loaded shotgun at his residence in Schenectady. On that date, federal investigators recovered the shotgun while executing a search warrant on the residence. A prior felony conviction for assault in the first degree prevented Shaver from legally possessing the firearm in New York. Shaver was arrested following the search and has remained in custody since then.
Shaver faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on May 29, 2024, by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. 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.
ATF and HIS investigated this case with assistance provided by the Rotterdam Police Department, the Schenectady Police Department, and the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Savage Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun and Attempted Possession of GrenadesRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Savage man has been sentenced to 80 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a machine gun and attempted possession of hand grenades, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in September of 2022, the FBI received tips from concerned citizens reporting disturbing behavior of a man at a firearm range, later identified as River William Smith, 21. In November and December 2022, Smith began communicating via a social media platform with an FBI confidential human source (the “CHS”). The FBI’s investigation revealed evidence that Smith was preparing for a violent exchange with police. Smith stated he is “pro mass shooting,” sympathized with the Parkland school shooter, and expressed admiration for the individual charged with the recent shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub. The FBI also discovered Smith had access to an AR-style rifle, handguns, body armor, and a Kevlar helmet. In online messages, Smith discussed learning about his “enemy” by watching police bodycam shootings online.
According to court documents, on November 17, 2022, Smith asked a second CHS for auto sears to convert his AR-15 style rifle and his Glock handgun into fully automatic machine guns. The CHS told Smith that he could obtain the auto sears for him, and Smith provided the CHS with a down payment of $60. On November 28, 2022, Smith asked whether the CHS knew about M67 fragmentary grenades, which are hand grenades used by the U.S. military in close combat. Smith told the CHS that he wanted three hand grenades to outfit his tactical vest and discussed a plan to purchase the grenades. On December 5, 2022, Smith provided the CHS with a $200 down payment for three hand grenades, priced at $250 per hand grenade.
According to court documents, on December 14, 2022, under supervision of law enforcement, a meeting between Smith and the second CHS was arranged. At the meeting, Smith took possession of three auto sears and three inert hand grenades in exchange for $690 in cash. Smith was then placed under arrest by law enforcement.
Smith pleaded guilty on May 16, 2023, to one count of possession of a machine gun. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge David S. Doty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Savage Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Justin Sher prosecuted the case.
Sanostee Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Nathan Mescale appeared in federal court on an indictment charging him with aggravated sexual abuse. Mescale, 34, of Sanostee, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending trial.
According to the indictment, between Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, 2023, Mescale caused Jane doe to engage in a sexual act by using force.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Mescale faces up to life in prison.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mia Ulibarri-Rubin is prosecuting the case.
View the Indictment# # #
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Repeat Offender Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing More than 12,000 Images and 1,000 Videos of Children being Sexually AbusedRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possessing child sexual abuse material.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Mark A. Burns, 61, to 10 years in prison followed by eight years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $58,000 in restitution. Burns pleaded guilty on August 28, 2023.
According to court records, in April 2023, the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit learned that a computer at an IP address belonging to Burns had shared a sexually explicit image of a child under the age of six. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant at Burns’ residence, where he admitted that he had downloaded child sexual abuse material. A search of his tablet revealed that it contained 1,103 video files and more than 12,000 images of children ranging in age from infants to young teens. Burns has a 2016 state conviction for possessing sexually explicit material involving a child under the age of 12, which subjected him to a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.
At the sentencing hearing, Chief Judge Jon D. Levy noted that Burns’ collection of child pornography was “immense.” When imposing sentence, Judge Levy called the volume of Burns’ collection a “significant aggravating factor,” as well as the fact that Burns had previously been convicted of the same conduct.
HSI and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated the 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 re-victimization 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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Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for St. Louis Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A registered sex offender caught by St. Louis police with a gun during a domestic dispute was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White Tuesday to 10 years in prison.
Mario Long, 53, was arrested at a home in the 4600 block of Louisiana Avenue on Aug. 6, 2020 by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers. Long’s then-girlfriend had locked him out of the house during a dispute. He then shattered the glass on the home’s front door, assaulted his girlfriend, got a gun from a bedroom and pointed it his girlfriend and her daughter, according to evidence and testimony at Long’s trial in August. The jury found Long guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Long is a convicted felon and is barred from possessing a gun. His prior convictions include unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault, child molestation, statutory rape and statutory sodomy.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine Hoag and John Ware prosecuted the case.
Queens Woman Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison for Leadership Role in Visa Fraud, Identity Theft and Human Smuggling SchemeRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Stella Boyadjian was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Margo K. Brodie to 25 months in prison for her role in a multi-year visa fraud, identity theft, and immigrant smuggling conspiracy that brought Armenian citizens into the United States for profit. Boyadjian pleaded guilty in March 2019 to conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit visa fraud, and unlawfully bring aliens to the United States, visa fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Carlos F. Matus, Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), announced the sentence.
Boyadjian led a transnational network of co-conspirators who engaged in a widespread visa fraud scheme to bring Armenian citizens into the United States by fraudulently claiming to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the Armenians were members of performance groups and thus qualified for P-3 “Culturally Unique Artist” visas. The P-3 nonimmigrant visa classification allows foreign nationals to temporarily travel to the United States to perform, teach, or coach as artists or entertainers, under a program that is culturally unique. A U.S. employer or sponsoring organization is required to submit a USCIS Form I-129 Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker, along with supporting documentation, attesting that the performances in the United States are culturally unique.
Boyadjian ran a non-profit organization called Big Apple Music Awards (BAMA) Foundation based in Rego Park, Queens. She used the BAMA Foundation as well as formal and informal music industry contacts in the United States and Armenia to perpetuate the scheme. Boyadjian and others solicited Armenian citizens who wanted to come to the United States and charged them between $3,000 and $15,000 to be included on the Form I-129 Petitions. Boyadjian and other associates in Armenia acquired fraudulent performer certificates and organized staged photo sessions where the aliens wore traditional Armenian folk outfits to appear to be traditional Armenian performers. After being trained by Boyadjian and her conspirators on how to answer questions from USCIS visa adjudicators, the individual aliens presented these certificates and photos to U.S. consular officers during their visa interviews. Once the Armenians entered the United States, some would pay Boyadjian and her associates additional money to be included in another fraudulent petition asking for P-3 visa extensions. Some aliens overstayed their visas and remained unlawfully in the United States.
The DSS’ Criminal Fraud Investigations and Overseas Criminal Investigations Divisions investigated the case, with assistance from the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security, Center Fraud Detection Operations in Vermont.
Assistant United States Attorney John O. Enright of the Eastern District of New York and Rami S. Badawy, Chief of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
STELLA BOYADJIAN
Age: 53
Rego Park, Queens
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-57 (MKB)Project Manager Pleads Guilty to Kickback Scheme to Defraud a U.S. Army FacilityRead the Press Release
A former project manager for a government contractor pleaded guilty today for his role in a conspiracy to inflate project costs by over $200,000 and receive kickbacks related to contracts for commercial flooring services at a U.S. Army facility in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Kevin Mahler pleaded guilty to a six-count felony information filed on Jan. 29, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. According to the plea, from March 2016 to March 2021, Mahler conspired to receive kickbacks from Benjamin McCulloch, the owner of a commercial flooring services company, related to construction contracts administered by the U.S. Army at Fort Wainwright. Mahler pleaded guilty to conspiring with McCulloch to inflate the costs of flooring construction subcontracts and receiving half of the proceeds as kickback payments from McCulloch. During the five-year scheme, Mahler received over $100,000 in kickbacks. As a part of his plea, he has agreed to pay restitution. According to the information, Mahler also failed to report his income from the scheme to the IRS, in violation of federal tax laws. McCulloch previously pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy.
“Taking advantage of U.S. taxpayers by defrauding U.S. Army facilities is a crime and will not be tolerated,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Manish Kumar of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force will hold accountable individuals who conspire to illegally profit — through kickbacks or otherwise — at the expense of the public.”
“We are very pleased with today's announcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office. “This is a true testament to our continued commitment to work closely and seamlessly with our outstanding fellow law enforcement agencies to help bring those to justice who attempt to defraud the U.S. Government and U.S. Army.”
“The FBI and our partners are committed to protecting the integrity of the government’s competitive contracting practices,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This outcome demonstrates that those who engage in fraudulent kickback schemes, harming American taxpayers in the process, will be held accountable for their crimes.”
“This plea marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and uphold integrity within government contracting processes,” said Special Agent in Charge Bryan D. Denny of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “Mahler’s actions, which involved a calculated scheme to defraud the U.S. Army and exploit American taxpayers, were brought to light thanks to the diligent work and collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies.”
“‘Be all you can be’ is a resounding call by the U.S. Army for excellence, dedication and bravery. It is not a call for fraudsters to fill their coffers illegally at the Army’s expense,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) Seattle Field Office. “Mahler’s disregard and theft from those who serve our country is being brought to light today, and this guilty plea emphasizes IRS:CI’s commitment to fighting fraud no matter where it is found.”
Mahler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The fine for the anti-kickback conspiracy charge may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
The Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, FBI Anchorage Field Office, DCIS’s Western Field Office in Seattle and IRS:CI Seattle Office are investigating the case.
Anyone with information in connection with this investigation is urged to contact the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office at 415-934-5300, Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html or the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441.
In November 2019, the Justice Department created the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct related to federal government contracts, go to www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
Portland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in SIM Swapping Identity Theft and Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A local man was sentenced to federal prison today for participating in a conspiracy to steal millions of dollars of cryptocurrency using a SIM swap scam technique that takes over victims’ cellular phone accounts to access sensitive personal information.
Daniel James Junk, 22, of Portland, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay more than $3 million in restitution to his victims.
According to court documents, from at least December 2019 through March 2022, Junk engaged in an online fraud scheme known as SIM swapping to access and steal from his victims’ cryptocurrency exchange accounts. SIM swapping is a cellular phone account takeover scam technique where a victim’s incoming calls and text messages are routed to a different phone. Once a SIM is swapped, an individual may be able to gain access to a victim’s personal accounts including email accounts, cryptocurrency exchange accounts, and other accounts that use two-factor identification.
Junk actively participated in an online SIM-swapping community where various individuals would partner with one another to play different roles needed to successfully execute a SIM swap scam. Throughout his involvement in such schemes, Junk performed some aspects of all the required roles including finding victims to target through breached databases or other exploits, porting victim phone numbers to devices controlled by members of the fraud conspiracy, and physically possessing the phone used for the “swap.” Junk and members of his online community also coordinated with one another to plan and carry out various in-person crimes including attempting to steal a 90-year-old victim’s cell phone and committing fraud at cellular telephone stores.
On March 3, 2022, the FBI executed a federal search warrant on Junk’s apartment. Agents seized nearly all of Junk’s electronic equipment including a computer with an active browser showing that Junk was attempting to illegally access accounts in other people’s names when the agents arrived at his residence. The FBI seized more than 71 bitcoin worth approximately $3 million the day of the search. Two months later, Junk surrendered an additional 33 bitcoin worth approximately $1 million.
On March 15, 2023, Junk was charged by criminal information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and, on April 20, 2023, he waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the single charge.
In early January 2024, while awaiting sentencing, Junk was found by law enforcement to possess additional evidence of fraud including multiple victim target lists and approximately 25,000 compromised email addresses. On January 10, 2024, Junk’s release was revoked, and he was ordered into custody pending sentencing.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau. It was prosecuted by Quinn P. Harrington, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Computer Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of computer fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Kevin N. Ukaegbu, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on December 5, 2022, Ukaegbu, formerly a graduate nurse at Allegheny General Hospital, criminally used the hospital credentials of a Highmark resident physician and attempted to modify prescription medications for two patients, putting one of the patients at risk of serious bodily harm. In neither case was the medicine administered to the patients.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations of the United States Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of Highmark Health Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ukaegbu.
Philadelphia Woman Charged with Interfering with Flight Crew, Simple Assault, and Indecent Exposure on Frontier Airlines FlightRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Dulce Huertas, 60, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with interference with flight crew members and attendants, simple assault, and indecent exposure on a Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando, Florida, to Philadelphia.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 21 years and three months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $355,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Air Marshal Service, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration. The Philadelphia Police Department has also provided assistance.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 413 Months for Shooting Pharmacy EmployeeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Gregory Stevens, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 413 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg for shooting a pharmacy employee during a robbery.
On February 22, 2021, at 3:55 p.m., the defendant entered Universal Pharmacy at 3908 Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia while on parole for another robbery. The defendant brandished a gun and demanded narcotics. After an employee tried to defend himself by putting the defendant into a bear hug, the defendant broke free, intentionally shot the employee, and took $8,200 in narcotics from the pharmacy. The employee survived his injuries but spent three days in the Temple University Hospital ICU and sustained severe damage to his liver.
On March 9, 2021, before being arrested for the robbery and shooting, the defendant rode on South Broad Street in a group of dirt bikes in the middle of the day. The defendant suddenly slowed, and he was tapped by the car behind him near the intersection of Broad and Washington. When the car’s driver exited the vehicle to check on the defendant, the defendant assaulted the driver, grabbed a firearm, and nearly shot the driver. The defendant then threw cinder blocks at the driver’s vehicle while the driver hid inside, unable to drive away because of the vehicles in front of him. A viral video of the attack attracted national and international media attention.
“Gregory Stevens has proven himself to be a vicious and violent repeat offender with no regard for others,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He was so determined to steal drugs, he shot a pharmacy employee, inflicting life-changing injuries. Just two weeks later, his shocking assault on a driver horrified people around the world. The lengthy sentence imposed today ensures Mr. Stevens will be off the street for decades, making the city safer for all.”
“Predatory violent criminals like Gregory Stevens terrorize our communities,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, FBI Philadelphia's Special Agent in Charge. “Today’s sentencing resulted from the coordinated efforts of the FBI and our community partners. The FBI and its law enforcement partners will never stop working to make our communities safer and free from violent crime.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Miller.
Oraine Christie Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On January 29, following a three-day trial in United States District Court, Knoxville, Tennessee, a jury convicted Oraine Christie, 44, of Massachusetts, of drug trafficking and firearms charges relating to a traffic stop conducted by the Knoxville Police Department’s drug interdiction team, on December 1, 2021.
Christie will be sentenced by the Honorable Judge Katherine C. Crytzer at a later date. Christie faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life, fines, and a term of supervised release of at least five years.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Oraine Christie, the driver of a Chevy Trailblazer, and co-conspirator Shemar Newland, the passenger, were transporting 3.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and six firearms, including a stolen Smith & Wesson revolver and a PA-15 assault rifle when they were stopped after committing a traffic violation on Highway 640. An investigation revealed that the pair were heading back to Atlanta with the guns and drugs after failing to sell the drugs in West Virginia, as initially planned. Testimony at trial revealed that Newland obtained the drugs from an individual in Atlanta and Christie conspired with Newland to sell the drugs to Christie’s associate in West Virginia.
Newland pleaded guilty on July 14, 2022, and his sentencing is set for February 8, 2023, before Judge Crytzer, in the United States District Court in Knoxville, Tennessee.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent convictions included the Knoxville Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne-Marie Svolto and Brian Samuelson represented the United States at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community face.
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Oil Companies to Pay $7.4 Million in Civil Penalties to Resolve U.S. Claims for Pipeline Spill on Allotted Tribal LandRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Holly Energy Partners-Operating L.P. and Osage Pipe Line Company LLC have agreed to pay $7.4 million in Clean Water Act civil penalties and implement corrective measures to settle claims stemming from a pipeline rupture and crude oil spill from the Osage pipeline onto land owned by members of the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma. In addition to payment of the civil penalties, the settlement requires that the two companies complete the cleanup and remediation of the impacted area and take additional steps to prepare for and prevent future spills.
“Oil companies have a responsibility to prevent harmful oil spills, and today’s settlement demonstrates that those who violate this duty will be held accountable under the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We appreciate the Sac and Fox Nation’s steady involvement in monitoring the cleanup efforts for environmental, natural resource and cultural resource impacts and respect the Nation’s efforts to be caring stewards of lands owned by its members.”
“The pipeline spill in this case dumped nearly 300,000 gallons of crude oil, contaminating Skull Creek and severely hampering water quality and the aquatic environment in the creek,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA and its federal partners are requiring the oil companies who caused the spill to restore Skull Creek, operate safely, and take steps to prevent future spills.”
“Safeguarding Oklahoma’s natural resources is of the utmost importance for future generations,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “My office remains committed to furthering environmental justice by ensuring those responsible for oil spills remediate and rectify the impacts to our communities and tribal partners.”
“The Sac and Fox Nation is a strong partner in conserving and protecting the environment and natural resources. EPA worked closely with the Nation to keep its environmental staff and leadership updated during the response and cleanup of the Osage Pipeline spill,” said Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance of EPA Region 6. “Today’s settlement is an important step in holding the company accountable for the impacts to Skull Creek and other potential effects.”
The United States filed its complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma along with the notice of lodging of a proposed consent decree to resolve the case. In the complaint, the United States alleges that the two related Dallas-based companies are liable under the Clean Water Act for the crude oil spill that occurred on July 8, 2022. Osage Pipe Line Company owns the 135-mile-long, 20-inch-diameter pipeline that transports crude oil from a tank farm in Cushing, Oklahoma, to the HollyFrontier refinery in El Dorado, Kansas. Holly Energy Partners-Operating is the operator of the pipeline.
The complaint alleges the spill occurred when a segment of the pipeline ruptured adjacent to Skull Creek about five miles north of Cushing. From the point of the discharge, Skull Creek flows about three more miles before entering the Cimarron River. The pipeline was operating at the time of the rupture and discharged about 300,000 gallons (7,110 barrels) of crude oil into the creek. The land where the rupture occurred, and the adjacent downstream parcel that the creek runs through, are both allotment lands owned by members of the Sac and Fox Nation.
The companies, the EPA, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Sac and Fox Nation responded to the rupture and spill. The companies are continuing cleanup work in Skull Creek under the oversight of the EPA, and the pipeline was returned to operation at reduced pressure under the oversight of PHMSA through its corrective action authority. The Sac and Fox Nation deployed tribal monitors to observe the companies’ work at the spill site and monitor for impacts to natural and cultural resources.
In addition to payment of the civil penalties in the proposed consent decree, the companies will be required to complete the cleanup and remediation of the impacted area, improve their pipeline integrity management program, provide additional training for all their control room operators and expand their spill notification efforts for Tribal governments with land interests within the footprint of the pipeline. The penalties and remedial measures required by the proposed consent decree are in addition to the costs the companies have incurred to clean up the oil spill.
Section 311(b) of the Clean Water Act makes it unlawful to discharge oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines, the contiguous zone, or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in quantities that may be harmful to the environment or public health. The penalties for this spill will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Funds Center. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is used to pay for federal response activities and to compensate victims for damages when there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous substances.
The Justice Department’s Environmental Enforcement Section lodged the consent decree with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the proposed consent decree is available on the Justice Department website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Oil Companies to Pay $7.4 Million in Civil Penalties to Resolve U.S. Claims for Pipeline Spill on Allotted Tribal LandRead the Press Release
Clean Water Act Settlement Addresses July 2022 Crude Oil Pipeline Rupture into Oklahoma’s Skull Creek
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Holly Energy Partners-Operating L.P. and Osage Pipe Line Company LLC have agreed to pay $7.4 million in Clean Water Act civil penalties and implement corrective measures to settle claims stemming from a pipeline rupture and crude oil spill from the Osage pipeline onto land owned by members of the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma. In addition to payment of the civil penalties, the settlement requires that the two companies complete the cleanup and remediation of the impacted area and take additional steps to prepare for and prevent future spills.
“Oil companies have a responsibility to prevent harmful oil spills, and today’s settlement demonstrates that those who violate this duty will be held accountable under the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We appreciate the Sac and Fox Nation’s steady involvement in monitoring the cleanup efforts for environmental, natural resource, and cultural resource impacts and respect the Nation’s efforts to be caring stewards of lands owned by its members.”
“The pipeline spill in this case dumped nearly 300,000 gallons of crude oil, contaminating Skull Creek and severely hampering water quality and the aquatic environment in the creek,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA and its federal partners are requiring the oil companies who caused the spill to restore Skull Creek, operate safely, and take steps to prevent future spills.”
“Safeguarding Oklahoma’s natural resources is of the utmost importance for future generations,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “My office remains committed to furthering environmental justice by ensuring those responsible for oil spills remediate and rectify the impacts to our communities and tribal partners.”
“The Sac and Fox Nation is a strong partner in conserving and protecting the environment and natural resources. EPA worked closely with the Nation to keep its environmental staff and leadership updated during the response and cleanup of the Osage Pipeline spill,” said EPA Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Today’s settlement is an important step in holding the company accountable for the impacts to Skull Creek and other potential effects.”
The United States filed its Complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma along with the notice of lodging of a proposed Consent Decree to resolve the case. In the Complaint, the United States alleges that the two related Dallas-based companies are liable under the Clean Water Act for the crude oil spill that occurred on July 8, 2022. Osage Pipe Line Company owns the 135-mile-long, 20-inch-diameter pipeline that transports crude oil from a tank farm in Cushing, Oklahoma, to the HollyFrontier refinery in El Dorado, Kansas. Holly Energy Partners-Operating is the operator of the pipeline.
The Complaint alleges the spill occurred when a segment of the pipeline ruptured adjacent to Skull Creek about five miles north of Cushing. From the point of the discharge, Skull Creek flows about three more miles before entering the Cimarron River. The pipeline was operating at the time of the rupture and discharged about 300,000 gallons (7,110 barrels) of crude oil into the creek. The land where the rupture occurred, and the adjacent downstream parcel that the creek runs through, are both allotment lands owned by members of the Sac and Fox Nation.
The companies, the EPA, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Sac and Fox Nation responded to the rupture and spill. The companies are continuing cleanup work in Skull Creek under the oversight of the EPA, and the pipeline was returned to operation at reduced pressure under the oversight of PHMSA through its corrective action authority. The Sac and Fox Nation deployed tribal monitors to observe the companies’ work at the spill site and monitor for impacts to natural and cultural resources.
In addition to payment of the civil penalties in the proposed Consent Decree, the companies will be required to complete the cleanup and remediation of the impacted area, improve their pipeline integrity management program, provide additional training for all their control room operators, and expand their spill notification efforts for tribal governments with land interests within the footprint of the pipeline. The penalties and remedial measures required by the proposed Consent Decree are in addition to the costs the companies have incurred to clean up the oil spill.
Section 311(b) of the Clean Water Act makes it unlawful to discharge oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines, the contiguous zone, or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in quantities that may be harmful to the environment or public health. The penalties for this spill will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Funds Center. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is used to pay for federal response activities and to compensate victims for damages when there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous substances.
The Justice Department’s Environmental Enforcement Section lodged the consent decree with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The proposed Consent Decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the proposed Consent Decree is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Firebombing a Church that Planned to Host Drag Show EventsRead the Press Release
An Ohio man was sentenced yesterday to 216 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for attempting to burn down a church because of its support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, Ohio, was arrested and charged last year with one count of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials, and one count of possessing a destructive device. On Oct. 23, 2023, Penny pleaded guilty to the church arson hate crime and using fire and explosives to commit a felony.
According to court documents, on March 25, 2023, Penny made Molotov cocktails and drove to the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC), in Chesterland, Ohio. Angered by the church’s plan to host two drag events the following weekend, Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church, hoping to burn it to the ground. Through Penny’s guilty plea, he admitted to using force through fire and explosives, intending to obstruct CCC congregants in their enjoyment and expression of their religious beliefs.
“This sentence holds Mr. Penny accountable for carrying out violence against an Ohio church because he disagreed with the way congregants chose to express their beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Such acts of extremist violence have no place in our communities and the Justice Department is committed to bringing to justice those who would use or threaten violence to prevent their fellow citizens from freely exercising their fundamental rights.”
“We hope this significant sentence sends a clear and resounding message that this type of hate-fueled attack against a church will not be tolerated in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant tried to burn down a church simply because its members created space for and provided support to the LGBTQ+ community. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute such senseless, bias-motivated violence against people exercising their constitutionally protected right to practice their religion and express their beliefs.”
“Aimenn Penny will spend the next 18 years in prison because he committed crimes fueled by hate, attempting to burn down a church because its members supported the LGBTQI+ community,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Hate crimes like Penny’s hurt not only the individual target, but the entire community, causing people to fear attack based on who they love and undermining the sense of safety within places of worship. Violent, bias-motivated extremism has no place in our country, and our office will aggressively prosecute those who commit such crimes.”
“Aimenn Penny is being held accountable for trying to burn down a house of worship because he disagreed with the church hosting certain events,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Individuals who commit acts of violence, destroy property, and interfere with the free exercise of religion will face justice for those crimes. As in this case, the FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will use our lawful authorities to protect our communities from such violence, and ensure those responsible pay the price.”
The FBI Cleveland Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Matthew W. Shepard for the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Firebombing a Church that Planned to Host Drag Show EventsRead the Press Release
An Ohio man was sentenced yesterday to 216 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for attempting to burn down a church because of its support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, Ohio, was arrested and charged last year with one count of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials, and one count of possessing a destructive device. On Oct. 23, 2023, Penny pleaded guilty to the church arson hate crime and using fire and explosives to commit a felony.
According to court documents, on March 25, 2023, Penny made Molotov cocktails and drove to the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC), in Chesterland, Ohio. Angered by the church’s plan to host two drag events the following weekend, Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church, hoping to burn it to the ground. Through Penny’s guilty plea, he admitted to using force through fire and explosives, intending to obstruct CCC congregants in their enjoyment and expression of their religious beliefs.
“This sentence holds Mr. Penny accountable for carrying out violence against an Ohio church because he disagreed with the way congregants chose to express their beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Such acts of extremist violence have no place in our communities and the Justice Department is committed to bringing to justice those who would use or threaten violence to prevent their fellow citizens from freely exercising their fundamental rights.”
“We hope this significant sentence sends a clear and resounding message that this type of hate-fueled attack against a church will not be tolerated in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant tried to burn down a church simply because its members created space for and provided support to the LGBTQ+ community. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute such senseless, bias-motivated violence against people exercising their constitutionally protected right to practice their religion and express their beliefs.”
“Aimenn Penny will spend the next 18 years in prison because he committed crimes fueled by hate, attempting to burn down a church because its members supported the LGBTQI+ community,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Hate crimes like Penny’s hurt not only the individual target, but the entire community, causing people to fear attack based on who they love and undermining the sense of safety within places of worship. Violent, bias-motivated extremism has no place in our country, and our office will aggressively prosecute those who commit such crimes.”
“Aimenn Penny is being held accountable for trying to burn down a house of worship because he disagreed with the church hosting certain events,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Individuals who commit acts of violence, destroy property, and interfere with the free exercise of religion will face justice for those crimes. As in this case, the FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will use our lawful authorities to protect our communities from such violence, and ensure those responsible pay the price.”
The FBI Cleveland Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Matthew W. Shepard for the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
New Yorker sentenced for possessing automatic rifle in basilica school zoneRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Brooklyn, NY man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Ahmed Abdalla Allam, 26, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in a school zone and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, the statutory maximum, by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on Jan. 30, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Allam, who is from New York, purchased an AR-15 style rifle in Pennsylvania, two days after a counterterrorism operation resulted in the death of Al Qaeda leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Allam then undertook a trek throughout the United States that ended in Beaumont, Texas, where he parked his car next to a Christian elementary school.
On January 29, local police searched Allam’s vehicle following a traffic stop and found him in possession of the AR-15, a 30-round magazine, and 150 rounds of ammunition. Chillingly, Allam penned writings that indicated he was planning to murder children and their parents in retaliation for the counter-terrorism work of the United States. The day he was arrested, Allam, told a parent that he was on a “mission” and that “no one would ever see him again.”
“The citizens of Beaumont and the Saint Anthony’s community should be proud that their collective vigilance in reporting Mr. Allam’s suspicious activities—parking his SUV outside of a Catholic school for hours at a time over the course of several days, while armed with an AR-15 rifle and multiple rounds of ammunition—prevented what would have been a mass shooting,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “The work of the Beaumont Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners should be commended, as they worked together to prevent what was sure to be a sad day in Beaumont and the nation.”
“Vigilant Beaumont citizens took the phrase ‘See Something, Say Something,’ to heart, potentially saving numerous lives and uncovering Mr. Allam’s sinister motivations,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “Days after a U.S. military operation killed a top al-Qaeda leader, Ahmed Allam drove to Beaumont, parked his car near a Catholic school, and observed children and their parents while possessing a rifle and hundreds of bullets. The quick reporting of Allam’s suspicious activities to law enforcement by community members allowed FBI Beaumont counterterrorism agents, Beaumont police officers, and ATF investigators to swiftly respond and disrupt what could have been a devastating retaliatory attack.”
“This incident serves as a prime example of the success of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ campaign,” said Acting ATF SAC Francisco Ortega. “ATF was able to work hand in hand with our law enforcement partners to prevent a potential violent crime. It is through the community’s collective efforts that we can maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone. We encourage all members of our community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.”
“The Beaumont Police Department is committed to the safety of all of our citizens, especially our children,” said Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary. “This case is a perfect example of the importance of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ campaign. It takes all of us working together to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. Protecting our children is a mission everyone should stand behind. BPD will continue to work with our Federal Law Enforcement partners to ensure swift justice for anyone who jeopardizes the safety of the most vulnerable in our community. I would like to commend the leadership of Saint Anthony for their diligence and steadfastness in protecting their students.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the FBI's Beaumont Resident Agency; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Beaumont Police Department; Jefferson County District Attorney's Office; Port Arthur Fire Department, and Montgomery County Fire Marshall. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ross and Joseph R. Batte.
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