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25 January 2024
Denver Man Indicted for Aiming Laser Pointer at Police HelicopterRead the Press Release
DENVER—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Josefat Alejandro Marmolejo-Lucio, age 27, of Denver, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a single count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. According to the indictment, on October 5, 2023, the Defendant knowingly aimed the beam of a laser pointer at a helicopter, “Air 1,” operated by the Denver Police Department.
The Defendant had his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak on January 24, 2024.
This case is being investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus Chung is handling the prosecution.
The charge in the indictment is an allegation and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Case Number: 24-cr-00010-RMR
Concord Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Concord man was sentenced today in federal court for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Scott Wilkinson, age 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 240 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. Wilkinson was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution.
“The pain and trauma that Wilkinson caused the survivor and the survivor’s family is inconceivable,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “Not only did Wilkinson sexually exploit a child, but he produced child sexual abuse material from his crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize cases that involve harming children, and we will work tirelessly to obtain justice for survivors of heinous crimes like those committed by the defendant.”
“Scott Wilkinson admitted to unimaginably abhorrent behavior. He sought out sex with a child and perpetuated that trauma by recording and reliving it. The harm he has done is vast, and today’s sentence is richly deserved,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Locking up predators like Wilkinson is one of the most important actions that the FBI and our partners can take to help protect kids, the most vulnerable members of our community.”
In April 2022, Wilkinson traveled from New Hampshire to New Jersey, where he engaged in sexual acts with a 12-year-old child. Wilkinson had been corresponding with the child online for approximately one year prior to traveling to New Jersey to meet the child. A video that Wilkinson created of himself engaged in sexual acts with the child was found on his cell phone, as were other images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
The Egg Harbor Township Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Concord Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland from the District of New Hampshire and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Harteis from the District of New Jersey 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Concert Venue Operator and Bar Owner Each Sentenced to Prison for Bribery of D.C. Tax Official and FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Andre De Moya, 51, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison, and Davoud Jafari, 72, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison, for their respective roles in separate but concurrent multiyear conspiracies focused on evading their business tax obligations through bribes to a former employee of the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR).
The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, D.C. Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas, and the D.C. Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee.
In both schemes, the bribe payments and communications were facilitated by middleman Anthony Merritt. Merritt, a former employee of the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs who held himself out as a permit and licensing expediter, was also primarily responsible for introducing the business owners to the scheme.
In June 2023, a federal jury found De Moya and Merritt guilty of bribery, conspiracy, and wire-fraud offenses arising from the multiyear schemes. According to the government’s evidence, the businesses that benefited from De Moya’s participation in the scheme included concert venue Echostage as well as downtown bars and nightclubs such as Eyebar (later renamed Eden), Ultrabar, L8 Lounge, and Barcode. Evidence at trial showed that De Moya also introduced additional business owners to Merritt, leading to parallel schemes by Merritt and Slater involving restaurants Café Asia and Umaya and nightclub Muse Lounge.
In September 2023, Merritt pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy, and wire-fraud for his role in passing bribes to OTR's Vincent Slater on behalf of Jafari, who owned and operated Zeba Bar in Columbia Heights through a company called Gevani, Inc. Jafari was found guilty at trial of bribery, conspiracy, and wire-fraud offenses.
Prior to both trials, Slater pleaded guilty to erasing or helping a number of D.C. business owners, including but not limited to De Moya and Jafari, evade over $3 million of dollars of tax obligations, in exchange for the bribe payments he split with Merritt. Slater is currently scheduled for sentencing on February 22, 2024.
According to court documents, De Moya and Jafari were responsible for combined losses to the District of over $925,000. The majority of the taxes they evaded through the schemes comprised a 10% sales and use tax on food and beverages that was charged to customers and held in trust by the business owners pending transfer to the District.
In addition to prison terms, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered De Moya to serve three years of supervised release and provide 200 hours of community service. Judge Walton ordered Jafari to serve 3 years of supervised release and pay fines of $1,000.
In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of the agencies who investigated the case, including the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General, with substantial assistance by the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Integrity and Oversight. U.S. Attorney Graves also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Liliana Villamizar, Amanda Rhode, and Mariela Andrade, and former paralegal specialists Aisha Keys and Michon Tart.
Finally, Graves acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Macey, Emily Miller, and Timothy Visser, who prosecuted these cases through trial, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston and former AUSA Amanda Vaughn, who participated in the underlying investigations and earlier court proceedings.
Cherokee Woman to Federal Prison for Meth ConvictionRead the Press Release
A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced on January 25, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.
Christina Gianopoulos-Rohrer, 50, from Cherokee, Iowa, pled guilty on March 15, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that on December 6, 2021, in Woodbury County, Iowa, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which Gianopoulos-Rohrer was a passenger and seized approximately one pound of methamphetamine which Gianopoulos-Rohrer intended to distribute to other persons. Gianopoulos-Rohrer also admitted her involvement in a conspiracy that distributed at least 6 kilograms of methamphetamine from December 2019 through May 2022. Gianopoulos-Rohrer further admitted her involvement with others in obtaining four pounds of methamphetamine from sources in California and Nevada, along with others, and transporting it back to the Cherokee, Iowa area for further distribution.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Gianopoulos-Rohrer was sentenced to 47 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Gianopoulos-Rohrer remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transferred to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, United States Postal Inspectors, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-4002 and 22-4066. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Chenango County Man Indicted for Facebook Threats and Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Kenyon, age 52, of Smithville Flats, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with transmitting a threat to injure another person and unlawfully possessing three firearms while subject to a domestic violence order of protection.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
The charges filed against Kenyon carry a combined maximum term of 20 years in prison and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. 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.
Kenyon was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and released pending a detention hearing.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting this case.
California Woman Admits to Trafficking Methamphetamine in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A California woman today admitted to a federal judge in Providence, RI, that she participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Rhode Island and that in June of 2022, she distributed over three pounds of crystal methamphetamine and was in possession of over two- and one-half pounds of crystal methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Nora Cecilia Carranza Reyes, 52, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to information presented to the court, in June 2022, while under law enforcement surveillance, Carranza Reyes and another individual delivered a brown paper bag, later determined by law enforcement to contained over three pounds of crystal methamphetamine, to an individual who traveled to Rhode Island from Maine to retrieve the package. The delivery and pick-up of the meth was allegedly arranged by an individual who, at the time, was incarcerated at a correctional facility in Maine. The drugs were seized in Maine during a traffic stop for a routine traffic violation.
Court-authorized search warrants were executed for Carranza Reyes, a motor vehicle, and the Cranston residence where Carranza Reyes was staying. Upon executing the warrants, law enforcement officers also searched Carranza Reyes’ own motor vehicle where they discovered over two- and one-half pounds of methamphetamine stashed inside a duffel bag. The vehicle also contained a sophisticated hide within the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Carranza Reyes, a Mexican national, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2, 2024. The defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey A. Erickson.
The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
United States Attorney Cunha thanks the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine for their assistance in this matter.
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California Businessman Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud Involving Penny Stock CompanyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California businessman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to engaging in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and profit from the sale of penny-stock shares that were later sold for millions of dollars during a sophisticated market manipulation scheme.
Kevin C. Dills, 67, of Carlsbad, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud. Sentencing will be scheduled for a later date before U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns. Dills was charged in March 2023 along with co-defendant Joseph A. Padilla, who previously pleaded guilty to securities fraud and other charges and has been sentenced.
Between October 2020 and July 2021, Dills engaged in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and profit from the sale of unrestricted free-trading shares in the company Oncology Pharma, Inc., a thinly traded company that traded on the over-the-counter securities market under the ticker symbol ONPH. Specifically, Dills fraudulently induced Oncology Pharma’s transfer agent to issue three million unrestricted free-trading ONPH shares to two entities under Dills’ control by, among other means, secretly controlling one of the entities through his girlfriend and not disclosing that control to Oncology Pharma’s transfer agent. Dills then sold the three million shares to two individuals who deposited the shares with the Cayman Islands broker Valor Capital, with which Padilla had a close, unofficial association. Padilla then engaged in manipulative trading in ONPH designed, at least in part, to artificially drive up the company’s stock price, after which Padilla began dumping the ONPH shares—which were under common control—to unsuspecting investors in Massachusetts and throughout the United States during a promotional campaign, generating tens of millions of dollars in illicit profits. Over $6 million from those illicit profits was then transferred to Dills via his two entities between March and June 2021.
The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorneys James R. Drabick and Ian J. Stearns of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.Burlington Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man was sentenced on January 23, 2024, to 60 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Donald Dale Ping, 53, was found to be in possession of child sexual assault material. Law enforcement received a cybertip that Ping had uploaded child sexual assault material to a social media platform. Due to the cybertip, a search warrant was executed on Ping’s social media account and cellular phone. The search warrant uncovered child sexual assault material including images of prepubescent children.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Ping will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the McHenry, Illinois Police Department.
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 Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.
Buffalo man going to prison on gun conspiracy charge involving machine gunsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Angel Flores, 36, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to deal in the business of dealing firearms without a license, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison by Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that on October 27, 2022, Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted a parcel, sent from China, at the FedEx facility at the Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee. The parcel contained parts for several Machine Gun Conversion Devices (MCDs), which were concealed in a bag comingled among black plastic drawstring clips. The parcel, addressed to a residence on Sweet Avenue in Buffalo, was seized and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. Subsequent investigation determined Flores resides at the Sweet Street address. On November 9, 2022, an investigator delivered the parcel, without the MCDs, to the front steps of the Sweet Avenue residence. A short time later, Flores took the parcel inside before exiting the residence, at which time he was taken into custody.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division.
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Browning man sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting two persons with a knife on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to holding a knife to a person’s throat and stabbing another person who attempted to intervene was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jaylin John Ridesatthedoor, 21, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to assault with a dangerous weapon and to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on June 28, 2022 near Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Ridesatthedoor pursued a vehicle that was occupied by his ex-girlfriend, identified as Jane Doe, and others. Ridesatthedoor slashed two of the tires, broke out a window and tried to pull Jane Doe from the vehicle. Once Jane Doe left the vehicle, Ridesatthedoor attempted to persuade Jane Doe to go with him. When she refused, Ridesatthedoor started swinging a knife he was holding at Jane Doe and then held it against her throat. Another occupant of the vehicle, John Doe, tried to pull Ridesatthedoor off Jane Doe, and Ridesatthedoor stabbed him in the chest. John Doe was flown to an area hospital for life-saving surgery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 48 Months for International Bank HeistsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Garri Smith was sentenced to 48 months in prison by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, for money laundering conspiracy in connection with his role in a multi-year scheme in which he and his co-conspirators stole millions of dollars from bank safety deposit boxes in seven foreign countries. Smith pled guilty to the charge in June 2022.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Erin Keegan, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), New York and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence.
“Smith used deception and high-tech medical equipment to break into safety deposit boxes and steal millions of dollars, jewelry and even gold bars from customers around the world,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “This prosecution represents our continued commitment to combat theft and fraud, and put a stop to individuals who seek to use U.S. banks to launder their ill-gotten gains.”
Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation for the assistance of the New York City Police Department, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the governments of Azerbaijan, Latvia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan in the investigation.
“Garri Smith stole a fortune from banks around the world in a scheme more suited for a Hollywood production. He sought wealth and the finer things, but instead landed himself on the wrong side of the law,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. “I want to thank FBI New York and our law enforcement partners here and abroad, who together have shown that even the craftiest of criminals will ultimately get caught.”
According to court filings and facts presented during the sentencing proceeding, Smith and other members of the conspiracy would pose as customers at the target banks in countries including Ukraine, Russia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Latvia, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, where they would rent safety deposit boxes, sometimes using fake identification documents. After they gained access to rooms at the banks where these safety deposit boxes were located, they used specialized medical equipment to take photographs of the inside of the locks on other customers’ safety deposit boxes. Using these photographs, the conspirators created duplicate keys to access the safety deposit boxes and used those keys to steal money and other valuables, including jewelry and gold bars, from the banks’ customers. For his role in the thefts, Smith is accountable for a loss of $5.1 million. They then laundered their ill-gotten gains into their United States-based bank accounts.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Devon Lash, Joy Lurinsky, Megan Larkin, and Brian Morris.
The Defendant:
GARRI SMITH
Age: 52
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-208 (LDH)
Brevard County Felon Charged with Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Shawndell Johnson (31, Melbourne) with distribution of controlled substances, possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Johnson that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition which are alleged to have facilitated some of the offenses.
According to the indictment, on September 1 and September 8, 2022, Johnson distributed a mixture containing fentanyl. Then, on March 16, 2023, Johnson possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing cocaine. Johnson is also charged with possessing multiple firearms and ammunition despite his previous felony convictions for third-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and with possessing a firearm in furtherance of his March 16, 2023, drug offenses.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
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.
Bremerton, Washington man pleads guilty to four federal felonies connected to his extensive “swatting” schemeRead the Press Release
Tacoma –A 21-year-old Bremerton, Washington, man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today to four federal felonies stemming from his extensive illegal harassing activity known as “swatting,” announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion, and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle scheduled sentencing for April 15, 2024.
According to the plea agreement and records in the case, from early June 2022 through March 2023, Garcia used voice over internet technology and social media platforms to make false emergency calls to dispatch services while urging others watch his illegal activity via social media. In his plea agreement, Garcia admits he intended his calls to cause a large-scale deployment of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, bomb squads, and other police units to the targeted locations. He made these calls with malicious intent to harass, intimidate, and retaliate against certain individuals and organizations, and to obtain items of value through extortion.
The plea agreement details 20 different false emergency reports targeting victims in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Garcia gathered personal information about his victims, and then threatened some of his victims with harm, including placing swatting calls to send an armed police presence to their home. Garcia demanded money, virtual currency, credit card information, or sexually explicit photos from some of the people he threatened.
Garcia made fake reports to non-emergency police numbers claiming things such as that he and others had planted explosive devices in particular locations. He falsely accused other individuals of committing crimes, such as murder, rape, and kidnapping, and he falsely claimed that these individuals possessed dangerous weapons, such as knives, firearms, and explosive devices. Frequently, he used the same scripts claiming that his father was holding him hostage, false claims that he shot his parents, false claims that his father stabbed his mother, and false claims that his father had raped female members of the family.
The false reports tied up law enforcement resources that could have been used for actual emergencies. In some instances, law enforcement entered the victim residence with weapons drawn and detained people at the residence.
Garcia treated the swatting calls like entertainment. He broadcast his swatting calls via the internet platform Discord. Garcia told other Discord users that he considered himself a “cyber terrorist.”
Threats and hoaxes involving explosives are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Extortion is punishable by up to two years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend no more than 4 years in prison. Judge Settle is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.
Garcia remains detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Washington.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from numerous local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and in Canada.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Manca.
garcia_plea_agreement_-_swatting.pdfBoy Scout Volunteer Admits Hiding Cameras in Missouri Camp BathroomsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former Boy Scout volunteer on Thursday admitted hiding cameras in bathrooms at a St. Francois County, Missouri scout camp.
David Lee Nelson, 41, of Redmond, Washington, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of production of child pornography and two counts of attempted production of child pornography.
Nelson admitted hiding two cameras in bathrooms at the S Bar F Scout Ranch in St. Francois County in July of 2021 while there as a volunteer. Nelson hid the cameras in paper towel dispensers and positioned them so they would capture the interior of the bathroom, including a shower stall.
One camera was discovered when a scout leader and scouts were cleaning out one of the restroom stalls. A search uncovered another camera, and leaders then called the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department. Later in the day, a scout leader spotted Nelson near the bathrooms holding his cell phone. Nelson then walked into the restroom stalls where the cameras were hidden.
When questioned later by a sheriff’s deputy, Nelson lied and said he was looking for a cell phone charger that he’d left in the stall after a shower. But Nelson’s own image was captured in the videos he’d recorded with the hidden cameras.
As part of his plea agreement, Nelson has agreed to forfeit computers, tablets, hard drives, other storage devices and two digital cameras that were seized during the investigation.
He is scheduled to be sentenced April 25. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release of up to life. Both sides have agreed to recommend a sentence of between 15 and 22 years in prison.
The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Boston-Area Man and Woman Charged with Orchestrating Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Boston-area residents have been charged with allegedly conspiring to defraud an area credit union by obtaining loans in the names of other individuals, including inmates at a Massachusetts prison.
Nadaje Hendrix, 26, of Brighton, and Glenroy Miller, 27, of Dorchester, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Hendrix was arrested today and will appear in federal court in Boston at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. Miller was arrested in October 2023 on unrelated charges and remains in custody. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the indictment, Hendrix worked as a loan officer and assistant branch manager for a credit union. Between December 2019 and August 2021, it is alleged that Hendrix and Miller agreed to defraud the credit union by obtaining loans in the names of other individuals, including inmates at a Massachusetts prison where Miller was incarcerated. While in prison, Miller allegedly gave Hendrix information about his fellow inmates, which Hendrix allegedly used to create fraudulent loan applications. It is further alleged that the defendants then arranged for co-conspirators to go to the credit union pretending to be the inmates and sign loan forms in exchange for money. The defendants allegedly obtained loans using stolen identities. In total, Hendrix, Miller, and their co-conspirators allegedly stole about $134,000 from the credit union in about two months in 2021.
The charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Murder-For-Hire Targeting His Wife and Her BoyfriendRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to trying to hire a contract killer to murder his wife and the wife’s boyfriend.
Mohammed Chowdhury, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2024. Chowdhury was arrested and charged in January 2023 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2023. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
“Mr. Chowdhury’s callousness and disregard for human life is shocking. Not only did he ignore the restraining order filed against him by his wife, he sought to have her and her boyfriend killed,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This case is a stark reminder of the heinous nature of domestic violence and its potential to escalate into unthinkable acts. Violence, especially within the confines of domestic relationships, has no place here in Massachusetts, and we will use every available resource to ensure the safety of those at risk.”
“Mohammed Chowdhury not only wanted to kill his wife; he was willing to kill her new boyfriend too. Given his complete lack of respect for human life, there’s no question he belongs behind bars, and today’s conviction ensures that will happen,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “FBI Boston’s Violent Crimes Task Force worked quickly to disrupt this deadly plot and is committed to doing everything it can to take violent criminals like Chowdhury off the street for the safety of all Bostonians.”
In November 2022, an individual notified law enforcement that Chowdhury was soliciting assistance in having his wife murdered. The individual said that Chowdhury had paid someone to conduct the murder for hire, but that they took the money and did not follow through with Chowdhury’s request. Chowdhury subsequently told the individual that he needed the murder done as soon as possible and that he would get the money to do so, even robbing a store if necessary to obtain the funds. The individual provided Chowdhury’s phone number to law enforcement, who thereafter used an undercover agent posing as a contract killer to communicate with Chowdhury about his murder for hire plot.
On numerous occasions in December 2022 and January 2023, Chowdhury met with undercover agents posing as the contract killer and their associates, to seek help with killing his wife and her new boyfriend, whom she left him for. During these meetings and communications, Chowdhury explained that his wife wouldn’t let him see his children and that he wanted the undercover agents to rob and beat his wife and her boyfriend so that he would not be a suspect. Chowdhury asked, “So how we gonna disappear his, uh, body?” and stated, “No evidence. No evidence. No evidence from like, you know, that, uh, I did something, you know?” Chowdhury provided the undercover agents with photographs of his wife and her new boyfriend, where they lived, where they worked and their work schedules. Chowdhury ultimately agreed to pay $4,000 per murder, with a deposit of $500.
Chowdhury met with the undercover agents on Jan. 17, 2023, provided the $500 deposit and confirmed that he wanted the murders committed. Chowdhury was then immediately taken into federal custody.
In October 2019, Chowdhury was charged in Boston Municipal Court – Roxbury Division with violating an Abuse Prevention Order prohibiting him from abusing, contacting, or coming within a certain distance of his wife. Chowdhury pleaded to sufficient facts and received a continuance without a finding.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and John T. Dawley of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Berklee College of Music Student Convicted of Stalking, Threatening Individual Promoting Democracy in ChinaRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a People’s Republic of China (PRC) national and Berklee College of Music student for stalking and threatening an individual who posted fliers in support of democracy in China around the Berklee campus area.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Xiaolei Wu, 26, was convicted following a four-day jury trial of one count of cyberstalking, one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication and one count of stalking. Wu was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in December 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023.
“Today’s verdict by a jury in the District of Massachusetts underscores the Department’s commitment to ensuring all U.S. residents are able to freely exercise their fundamental rights,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
“No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views. Mr. Wu now stands as a convicted felon for his illegal efforts to suppress speech by a fellow Berklee School of Music student who was critical of the government of China. This type of conduct will never be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts. “The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to free speech for all. Our office will hold accountable individuals whose actions threaten or violate this fundamental tenet of our democratic society.”
“What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party of China is not only criminal, but completely against our country’s democratic values,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s conviction upholds one of our most fundamental rights – freedom of speech – and the FBI will ensure that anyone who tries to infringe on this right using threats or harassment will face the same fate as Mr. Wu.”
Beginning on or about Oct. 22, 2022, and continuing until Oct. 24, 2022, Wu made a series of communications via WeChat, email and Instagram directed towards the victim who posted the flier. Among other things, Wu said, “Post more, I will chop your bastard hands off.” He also told the victim that he had informed the public security agency in China about the victim’s actions and that the public security agency in China would “greet” the victim’s family. Additionally, Wu solicited others to find out where the victim was living and publicly posted the victim’s email address in the hopes that others would abuse the victim online, and he reported the victim’s information back to a member of the Chinese government.
Wu was convicted of cyberstalking, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000; and interstate transmissions of threatening communication, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy H. Kistner and Alathea E. Porter for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Berklee College of Music Student Convicted of Stalking, Threatening Individual Promoting Democracy in ChinaRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Berklee College of Music student, who is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was convicted by a federal jury in Boston today of stalking and threatening an individual who posted fliers in support of democracy in China around the Berklee campus area.
Xiaolei Wu, 26, was convicted following a four-day jury trial of one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2024. Wu was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in December 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023.
“No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views. Mr. Wu now stands as a convicted felon for his illegal efforts to suppress speech by a fellow Berklee School of Music student who was critical of the government of China. This type of conduct will never be tolerated,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to free speech for all. Our office will hold accountable individuals whose actions threaten or violate this fundamental tenet of our democratic society.”
“Today’s verdict by a jury in the District of Massachusetts underscores the Department’s commitment to ensuring all U.S. residents are able to freely exercise their fundamental rights,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
“What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party of China is not only criminal, but completely against our country’s democratic values,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s conviction upholds one of our most fundamental rights –freedom of speech –and the FBI will ensure that anyone who tries to infringe on this right using threats or harassment will face the same fate as Mr. Wu.”
On Oct. 22, 2022, while Wu was attending the Berklee College of Music, an individual posted a flier on or near the Berklee College of Music campus which said, “Stand with Chinese People,” as well as, “We Want Freedom,” and “We Want Democracy.” Beginning on or about Oct. 22, 2022, and continuing until Oct. 24, 2022, Wu made a series of communications via WeChat, email and Instagram directed towards the victim who posted the flier. Among other things, Wu said, “Post more, I will chop your bastard hands off.” He also told the victim that he had informed the public security agency in China about the victim’s actions and that the public security agency in China would “greet” the victim’s family. Additionally, Wu solicited others to find out where the victim was living, publicly posted the victim’s email address in the hopes that others would abuse the victim online, and he reported the victim’s information back to a member of the Chinese government.
The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of interstate transmissions of threatening communication provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, AAG Olsen and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy H. Kistner and Alathea E. Porter of the National Security Unit are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Counterintelligence and Export Control Section Trial Attorney Menno Goedman.
Beaumont man guilty of violent crime spree targeting Southeast Texas businessesRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Daniel James Leatherwood, 21, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on Jan. 25, 2024.
According to court documents, in April and May of 2023, Leatherwood and another individual robbed several businesses in and around Beaumont at gunpoint. The robberies included two Game X Change stores, a Shell gas station, an Express Mart convenience store, and a Cindie’s lingerie store.
Leatherwood was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 1, 2023. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the armed robbery charge and an additional seven years for brandishing a firearm during the commission of that crime. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Beaumont Police Department, Nederland Police Department, Liberty Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy L. Coleman with the cooperation of the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
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Baltimore Man Sentenced for Possessing Fentanyl for Distribution in ChesapeakeRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Baltimore, Maryland man was sentenced today to ten years in prison for possessing fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, a synthetic fentanyl analog, which he intended to deliver to a co-conspirator in Chesapeake, Virginia.
According to court documents, on November 30, 2022, the Chesapeake Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence of Dorman Winston Mewborn, 36, of Chesapeake, and recovered various substances containing fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Through further investigation, law enforcement determined that Clyde Desmond Ringgold, Jr., 37, of Baltimore, had been supplying Mewborn with narcotics since early 2022.
On December 21, 2022, law enforcement agents conducted surveillance on Ringgold after he arrived on a flight from Baltimore to Norfolk International Airport. Ringgold later drove to Mewborn’s residence, intending to collect on a prior drug debt owed by Mewborn to Ringgold, as well as to deliver two ounces of heroin to Mewborn for $4,000. Once Ringgold arrived outside Mewborn’s residence, officers arrested and searched Ringgold, who was found to possess approximately 40 grams of fentanyl and para-flurofentanyl, along with $2,000 and a cell phone containing multiple pictures of kilograms of controlled substances.
Ringgold previously was convicted in federal court in Baltimore for distribution of heroin, and he was sentenced to serve five years in prison in January 2014. As a result of Ringgold’s criminal record, he qualifies as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock 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-58.
Assistant Convicted at Trial of Amniotic Fluid ScamRead the Press Release
Following a five-day trial, a physician’s assistant who injected amniotic fluid into patients’ joints in a dubious attempt at pain management has been convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 12 counts of healthcare fraud, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
On Monday, after less than one hour of deliberation, a jury convicted Ray Anthony Shoulders, a 36-year-old physician’s assistant at a Fort Worth pain management clinic, on all counts. He will be sentenced at a later date.
“Not only did this defendant attempt to scam Medicare out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, he did something far worse by potentially endangering his patients’ health in recommending that they be injected with a drug that had not been approved for that purpose,” said U.S. Attorney Simonton. “In a very real way, he sought to profit off of his patients’ pain for his financial benefit, and I am proud of our federal law enforcement partners and our experienced prosecutors for bringing him to justice.”
“Medicare providers who are motivated by greed and financial gain place our most vulnerable citizens at risk,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Richards of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will tirelessly pursue practitioners whose primary purpose is to amass profit instead of provide Medicare-approved services and procedures.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Shoulders and his conspirators submitted $788,000 in fraudulent claims and received more than $614,000 in reimbursements from Medicare for injecting amniotic fluid – the liquid that surrounds a growing fetus during gestation – into patients’ connective tissue in an off-label attempt to relieve joint pain.Certain amniotic products have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for wound care, but not for pain management. (In fact, the FDA has issued repeated consumer alerts warning that biologics like amniotic fluid “have not been approved for the treatment of any orthopedic condition, such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, disc disease, tennis elbow, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain, or shoulder pain,” nor for “chronic pain or fatigue.”) Because amniotic products have not been approved to treat pain, Medicare considers amniotic injections administered to treat pain medically unnecessary and does not reimburse for them. They do reimburse for some – but not all – amniotic injections administered to reduce inflammation of damaged tissue, as in a wound.
Mr. Shoulders primarily used “Cell Genuity,” an amniotic product for which Medicare would not reimburse, neither for wound care nor for pain. Initially, because the product was not covered by insurance, Mr. Shoulders asked patients to pay out of pocket more than $800 per injection. Due to the high cost and questionable efficacy, however, many patients refused.
In August 2020, Mr. Shoulders identified an amniotic product, known as “Fluid Flow,” that he believed he could convince Medicare to reimburse for in certain circumstances. He spoke with a sales rep about Fluid Flow reimbursement rates and billing requirements but did not purchase any Fluid Flow, which was significantly more expensive than Cell Genuity.
Instead, he continued to inject Cell Genuity into patients but billed the shots to Medicare under Fluid Flow’s unique code, Q4206. Because they were told insurance would cover the cost of the injections by Shoulders and other conspirators, patients readily consented to the procedure.
The pain clinic profited approximately $1,200 per cc of Cell Genuity they injected. (Had the clinic used Fluid Flow, they would have made only around $400 per cc.) From August to October 2020, the clinic submitted more than 100 bills for Fluid Flow to Medicare and received around $400,000 in reimbursements. Mr. Shoulders then received a cut of those reimbursements totaling over $200,000.
In November 2020, in an attempt to avoid detection, Mr. Shoulders suddenly halted the scheme after he became concerned that a sudden increase in the volume of billings might attract the attention of investigators. With no repercussions over the ensuing 10 months, Mr. Shoulders re-engaged in the scheme in October 2021 and continued through December 2021.
Mr. Shoulders now faces up to 240 years in federal prison – 20 years per count.
The Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (HHS - OIG) conducted the investigation with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys P.J. Meitl and Nancy Larson prosecuted the case.
Armed Felon Who Fled Police at High Speed Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who fled a traffic stop after arming himself with a firearm as the officer approached was sentenced January 17, 2024, to more than 4 years in federal prison.
Michael McCullum, age 33, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Evidence in the case revealed McCullum was stopped for speeding in the predawn hours of April 30, 2023. As the Officer approached the vehicle, he observed McCullum grasping a handgun with his right hand, looking over his left shoulder for the approaching officer, as if preparing to engage the officer. The officer took control of the situation, drew his sidearm, and ordered McCullum and his passenger to keep their hands up. McCullum initially complied, but then dropped his hands and fled the traffic stop in his car at a high rate of speed. McCullum’s vehicle was later discovered thanks to a report of a reckless driver. Officers found McCullum and his car, freed the passenger, who had been trapped when McCullum sped away from the traffic stop, and later found the firearm McCullum had hidden nearby.
McCullum has a history of interactions with law enforcement that started as early as 15 years old. He has a felony conviction for armed robbery/armed with dangerous weapon.
McCullum was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 51 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Judge Strand commented the situation the defendant created was “chilling” and but for the well-trained officers disciplined actions and approach the situation could have been tragic.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
McCullum is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-4030.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Arizona Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOANNA MANZANO, age 34, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced on January 24, 2024 by United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to three years’ probation and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841 (b)(1)(C), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on March 16, 2020, a drug supplier contacted a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) undercover agent to arrange the delivery of methamphetamine to the New Orleans area. On March 19, 2020, the supplier informed the agent that a driver, later identified as MANZANO, was travelling from Phoenix, Arizona to New Orleans with the methamphetamine and needed money for expenses. The supplier also informed the agent that the methamphetamine was in liquid form and that another individual would arrive in New Orleans later to convert the liquid methamphetamine into a solid .
After MANZANO and her accomplice arrived in Louisiana, law enforcement officers identified MANZANO’S vehicle and maintained surveillance on them until they arrived in Metairie. On March 20, 2020, Louisiana State Troopers stopped MANZANO. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, troopers discovered approximately 4, 576 grams of liquid methamphetamine in the gas tank of the vehicle.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.
Arizona Man Charged with Assault in Indian CountryRead 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Olan Jumbo appeared in federal court on an indictment charging him with involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Jumbo, 30, of Fort Defiance, Arizona, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain on conditions of release in the third-party custody of a halfway house pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled.
According to the indictment, on Nov. 26, 2022, Jumbo killed Jane Doe by unlawfully operating a motor vehicle with wanton and reckless disregard for life and assaulted John Doe with a motor vehicle, causing serious bodily injury.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Jumbo faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meg Tomlinson is prosecuting the case.
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24-35
Antrim Man Pleads Guilty to Faking a Disability to Fraudulently Obtain $660,000 in Veterans BenefitsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – An Antrim man pleaded guilty today in federal court to faking a disability to get $662,871.77 in veteran’s benefits of which he was not entitled, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Christopher Stultz, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2024. Stultz was charged on September 13, 2023.
Beginning in January 2003, Stultz falsely represented to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that he was no longer able to use his feet. This caused the VA to rate him as 100% disabled, increasing his monthly VA benefits. In addition, because the VA believed Stultz was unable to use his feet, he was also awarded funding through the VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment program to purchase special cars and vehicle adaptations designed to help mobility-impaired veterans.
However, Stultz did not need a wheelchair or other ambulatory device to move around. He was surveilled on multiple occasions and recorded walking normally. For example, on October 28, 2021, Stultz went to the VA Medical Center in Jamaica Plain in Boston. He used a wheelchair while inside the VA facility. After leaving the VA, he stood up, lifted the wheelchair into his car, and drove off to a shopping mall. There, Stultz walked normally through multiple stores. Similarly, on October 3, 2022, Stultz went to the VA Medical Center in Manchester. Again, he used a wheelchair while inside the VA facility. After leaving the VA facility, Stultz drove to the Mall of New Hampshire and was recorded walking normally through multiple stores. In addition, multiple witnesses reported that they had never known Stultz to use a wheelchair or other ambulatory devices as far back as the early 2000s.
In total, from January 2003 through December 2022, Stultz received $662,871.77 in VA benefits he was not entitled to.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 5 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
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Aloha Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Sexually Explicit Images and Videos of ChildrenRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An Aloha, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for possessing and distributing thousands of photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
Jason Reuben, 42, was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison and 10 years’ supervised release. Reuben must also pay $8,000 in special assessments and $14,000 in restitution, and, upon his release from prison, will be required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, in June 2022, law enforcement officers in New Albany, Ohio gained access to a private chat group used to share sexually explicit images and videos of children on Kik Messenger, an instant messaging mobile application. Investigators observed one member of the group, later determined to be Reuben, post several illicit media files. Investigators soon discovered that six separate Cyber Tipline reports from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children tracked back to an internet protocol (IP) address associated with Reuben’s Aloha residence.
On July 26, 2022, investigators executed a federal search warrant on Reuben’s residence and seized multiple digital devices containing more than 48,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse, including many depicting the abuse of young children and toddlers. Reuben admitted to possessing the illicit material and accessing the Kik messaging service.
On September 21, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five-count indictment charging Reuben with distributing and possessing child pornography. On October 19, 2023, he pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the New Albany Police Department. It was prosecuted by Charlotte Kelley and Gary Sussman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, they re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 991 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, MS – A Grand Bay, Alabama man pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 991 grams of methamphetamine.
Charles Oliver Trahan, III, 51, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.
According to court documents, in early 2023, law enforcement officers received intelligence that an individual named Linda Mizell was selling methamphetamine in Jackson County, Mississippi. Further investigation revealed that Mizell was working with another individual to sell methamphetamine. Law enforcement identified and corroborated trips where Charles Trahan traveled from Alabama to Mizell’s residence. On August 22, 2023, officers observed Trahan leaving Mizell’s residence and initiated a traffic stop which led to the recovery of 991 grams of methamphetamine. Trahan was placed under arrest and analysis of his cell phone revealed that he had frequent contact with Mizell since July 2023 and multiple digital cash payments were sent from Trahan to Mizell.
Trahan is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2024. He faces up to twenty years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Linda Mizell pled guilty on January 17, 2024, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2, 2024. She also faces up to twenty years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi 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 the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose is prosecuting the case.
Agreement with Greater Providence YMCA Resolves Allegations of Disability DiscriminationRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI –The United States has reached an agreement with the Greater Providence YMCA (“YMCA”) to resolve allegations that the organization violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) by denying a child the opportunity to participate in its Camp Fuller summer program because of his disability, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
The settlement resolves a complaint filed by the parent of a child with cystic fibrosis, alleging that the YMCA refused to make a reasonable modification of its medication administration policy so that her child could attend Camp Fuller.
The United States’ investigation determined that the parent had enrolled her child at Camp Fuller, administered by YMCA, in the summer of 2022. At that time, the parent informed YMCA that her son needed to take pancreatic enzyme supplements before every meal, as treatment for his cystic fibrosis, and requested that he be permitted to self-administer the enzyme supplements. The staff at YMCA allowed the accommodation and the child attended Camp Fuller.
In the summer of 2023, the parent re-enrolled her child at Camp Fuller, and made the same accommodation request. However, unlike the summer of 2022, the YMCA did not allow the child to self-administer his medication, purportedly on the basis of a medication administration policy that it refused to modify. As a result, the child, as well as his brother, were unable to attend Camp Fuller.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, YMCA will take certain remedial measures, including:
- Training its staff on the requirements ADA;
- Evaluating accommodation requests for children applying to attend the camp on a case-by-case basis, and making reasonable modifications to permit children with disabilities to attend;
- Adopting a non-discrimination policy;
- Paying $10,000 in compensation to the complainant and allowing her son to attend Camp Fuller for all summers in which he is eligible; and,
- Report to the United States Attorney’s Office on its compliance annually for two years.
This is the third settlement agreement that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has entered into with a camp regarding violations of the ADA. Under the ADA, summer camps, whether private or run by municipalities, must afford reasonable modifications to ensure that children with disabilities can participate fully in camp programs and activities. Camps must evaluate each child on an individual basis and train their staff in the requirements of the ADA. When a parent and a child’s physician determine that it is appropriate for a child to self-administer medication or for a trained layperson to assist a child with care, a camp or childcare program must provide this as a reasonable modification under the ADA, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the program.
The United States’ case was handled by AUSA Amy Romero.
For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD). Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a place of public accommodation or public entity in Rhode Island is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (401) 709-5010.
Attachment:
doj_ymca_ada_settlement_agreement.pdf###
24 January 2024
Zohannon Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident and member of the Zohannon criminal street gang pleaded guilty to forcibly assaulting a federal agent as law enforcement attempted to take him into custody.
Christopher Upshaw aka “Trouble,” 25, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon before U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Jan. 23. Upshaw faces a maximum of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Upshaw is not eligible for parole.
“Chris Upshaw violently assaulted and injured an FBI Special Agent and an FBI Task Force Officer who were simply doing their duty,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “We will not tolerate such attacks against members of law enforcement, and Upshaw will now face justice.”
“This case shows the risk law enforcement officers face on a daily basis” said FBI Atlanta’s Columbus Resident Agency Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Rich Bilson. “Upshaw violently assaulted both our Task Force Officer and a Special Agent. The FBI stands ready to investigate any crimes against officers. More than anything, we are thankful that the injuries were not more severe, and that this incident did not result in a loss of life.”
“This was another bad choice made by Christopher Upshaw while engaged in criminal wrongdoing. His intent to do harm towards law enforcement officers will be met with serious consequences,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. “I hope others will understand the penalties that come from this type of behavior.”
According to court documents and the plea agreement, authorities identified a suspicious package from Northern California that was addressed to Upshaw’s residence on Buxton Drive in Columbus; it was set for delivery on Aug. 4, 2023. Upshaw was wanted on outstanding warrants at the time. FBI, DEA, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and Coweta County Sheriff’s Office members conducted physical surveillance at Buxton Drive on Aug. 4. The suspicious parcel was delivered at 3:30 p.m. and left on the front porch. The defendant drove up in his Dodge Charger approximately 30 minutes later to retrieve the package, which he put inside his vehicle and then entered the driver’s side.
At this time, multiple unmarked law enforcement vehicles with at least one flashing its emergency lights approached Upshaw. Law enforcement officers and federal agents—all of whom were wearing agency issued body armor equipped with law enforcement insignia—exited their vehicles and advanced towards Upshaw’s car in an attempt to arrest him. Upshaw began forcibly operating his vehicle in an effort to evade arrest. FBI Special Agent (SA) M.M. attempted to open the passenger side door. Rather than complying with law enforcement’s demands to stop, Upshaw accelerated instead. Simultaneously, as a result of the vehicle’s acceleration, FBI SA M.M. was unable to release the passenger door handle and was forcibly pulled into a nearby stationary vehicle. Upshaw also struck and damaged three occupied law enforcement vehicles. In addition, an FBI Task Force Officer (TFO) on scene was struck by Upshaw’s vehicle.
Upshaw sped away at a high rate of speed through the residential area and escaped but was captured several days later. During his flight from law enforcement, he discarded the suspicious package which was recovered by agents and contained approximately 17 pounds of marijuana divided into 14 bags. Upshaw has prior felony convictions for drug possession in Muscogee County, Georgia, Superior Court. Upshaw is a confirmed member of Zohannon, a hybrid criminal street gang based in Columbus with active conflicts among other gangs in the community. Upshaw is charged with attempted murder in Phenix City, Alabama, and is wanted for resisting arrest in Miami, Florida. These charges in Alabama and Florida are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by FBI, DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams is prosecuting the case.
Westchester County Jail Correction Officer and Co-Conspirator Charged with Robbery and Witness IntimidationRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); Joseph Spano, the Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Correction (“WCDOC”); and Jose A Gomerez, Police Commissioner of the City of Newburgh, announced that RECALDO FRAY, a correction officer at Westchester County Jail in Vahala, New York, was charged on Monday, January 15 with committing an armed robbery in Newburgh, New York, and later returning to Newburgh to intimidate the robbery victim. FRAY was arrested and presented on Tuesday, January 16 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. During his presentment, FRAY made an application for bail, which the court denied, and he has been detained. Additionally, a Mount Vernon man, KAHEEM PALMER, was charged on Monday, January 22 with committing the armed robbery along with FRAY. PALMER was arrested and presented yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. PALMER made an application for bail, which the court denied, and he was detained.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Recaldo Fray, a correction officer at Westchester County Jail, and Kaheem Palmer are alleged to have committed a gunpoint robbery of two individuals, restraining them and stealing their cash and marijuana. Fray allegedly betrayed his sworn duty to uphold the law, and he will now experience the justice system not as a partner, but as an accused violent offender. Both men will be held accountable for their alleged violent and brazen behavior.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “As a correction officer, Recaldo Fray swore an oath to uphold the law, not break it. Fray violated this oath when along with Kaheem Palmer, they allegedly committed an armed robbery. Frey compounded his problems by later attempting to intimidate his victim. Frey and Palmer now face significant time inside a jail cell. The FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force will continue to put violent offenders – no matter their profession – behind bars.”
WCDOC Commissioner Joseph Spano said: “It’s both disgraceful and upsetting when one of our correction officers betrays their oath to serve and protect as sworn peace officers. Moreover, the alleged actions of this individual tarnishes the reputation of all honest and dedicated correction officers. I commend all of the involved law enforcement agencies for their dedication to uncovering this unlawful behavior and our Major Case Squad for providing assistance. Mr. Fray’s employment with the Westchester Department of Correction has been terminated.”
As alleged in the Complaints against FRAY and PALMER:[1]
On or about December 4, 2023, FRAY and PALMER forced entry into a residence in Newburgh, New York, restrained the two victims inside, and stole, at gunpoint, various items of value, including a large quantity of marijuana and approximately $4,500 in cash. FRAY then returned to the same residence on or about December 16, 2023, and attempted to threaten and intimidate a victim.
* * *
FRAY, 31, of Mount Vernon, New York, is charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of use, carrying, and possession of a firearm, which was brandished, in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a minimum sentence of seven years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed and a maximum sentence of life in prison; and one count of tampering with a witness or victim, and attempting to do the same, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
PALMER, 31, of Mount Vernon, New York, is charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of use, carrying, and possession of a firearm, which was brandished, in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a minimum sentence of seven years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and the City of Newburgh Police Department. Mr. Williams also thanked the Westchester County Department of Correction and its major case squad for their assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret N. Vasu and Jennifer N. Ong are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaints and the description of the Complaints set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Department of Energy Prime Contractor Alleging Millions of Dollars in Fraudulent OverchargingRead the Press Release
Richland, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that the United States filed a Complaint in federal district court against Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, LLC (HMIS), alleging fraudulent labor overcharging at the Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Nuclear Site.
DOE’s Hanford Nuclear Site, a 580-square-mile in southeast Washington, was established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, and was used to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons, including those used in the Trinity Test and the “Fat Man” bomb detonated over Nagasaki during the final days of World War II. Since the late 1980s, DOE has been engaged in an extensive environmental cleanup and decommissioning operation, involving remediation and treatment of large quantities of radioactive and hazardous waste.
HMIS is owned by three large government contracting companies: Leidos Integrated Technology, headquartered in Reston, Virginia; Centerra Group, LLC, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Parsons Government Services, headquartered in Centreville, Virginia. Since January 2021, HMIS has held the multi-billion-dollar Hanford Mission Essential Services Contract. Part of the HMIS contract requires it to provide fire protection and fire systems management services for the Hanford Site, in order to protect the public, the environment, and Hanford Site workers from fire hazards as well as from potential radiological or other hazards that could arise from natural or human-created fire activity.
The HMIS contract is a cost-type contract, meaning that HMIS is reimbursed for its reasonable, allowable, and allocable costs of performing work on the contract, and can earn profit, or fee, based on achieving various performance incentives. Costs include labor costs, such as the cost associated with labor hours performed by fire protection and fire systems management personnel employed by HMIS at the Hanford Site, who perform critical tasks such as testing and maintaining sprinklers, pipes, and electronic fire systems.
The Complaint alleges that, between January 2021 and October 2023, HMIS engaged in a systemic and fraudulent overcharging of DOE for fire protection work at Hanford. Specifically, the Complaint alleges that HMIS fire protection personnel regularly experienced extensive and unreasonable idle time on a daily or near-daily basis, due to HMIS’ failure to schedule and carry out work for them to perform. The Complaint further alleges that, during this extensive idle time, HMIS fire protection personnel took naps, watched movies and television, and engaged in other personal activity not related to performing work. The Complaint alleges that HMIS supervisors and management were fully aware of this extensive and unreasonable idle time for its personnel, but, rather than take steps to address it, they encouraged and directed HMIS fire protection personnel to falsely and fraudulently charge this idle time to work codes associated with HMIS’ contract, passing on the costs associated with this extensive and unreasonable idle time to DOE by fraudulently and falsely representing that work had been performed.
For example, the Complaint alleges that when a fire systems manager was asked via email how to charge a day in which a worker had no work to perform for the entire 10-hour day, the manager responded, via email: “[i]f they DID NOT have a job assignment for the day – that means you are on standby and would use the 600318.” According to the Complaint, 600318 was the cost code associated with training. The Complaint alleges, as an example, that a fire protection worker who did not have any work to perform for an entire 10-hour day, and spent a portion of that day watching the film “There’s Something About Mary” at his desk, then charged the entire 10-hour day to the 600318 training code, which HMIS management approved and submitted to DOE for reimbursement.
The Complaint also alleges that notwithstanding the extensive and unreasonable idle time during the regular, 10-hour Monday through Thursday Hanford workday, HMIS nonetheless scheduled substantial overtime for fire protection workers on Friday and weekends, and that these unnecessary overtime shifts themselves involved extensive and unreasonable idle time, causing DOE to be fraudulently billed for such shifts at premium pay rates.
The Complaint alleges that this systemic and pervasive practice of falsely and fraudulently billing DOE for extensive and unreasonable downtime was not only known to HMIS management, but encouraged by them. For example, the Complaint alleges that in July 2022, Michael Winkel, HMIS’s Director of Fire Systems Maintenance, instructed a pipefitter via email to use CACN 600320, a cost code associated with performing “preventative maintenance” on the fire system, for “downtime the remainder of the day.”
According to the Complaint, HMIS’s systemic and pervasive overcharging and fraudulent billing resulted in millions of dollars in overcharges to DOE, and jeopardized the critical fire protection systems at Hanford because this extensive and unreasonable idle time occurred when there was, in fact, important fire protection work that could and should have been performed to safeguard the public, workers, and the environment from fire dangers, including during dangerous wildfire seasons.
“Fire safety at Hanford is critical to the health of the public, workers, and the environment,” said United States Attorney Waldref. “It is inexcusable to think that a well-paid contractor entrusted with this critical task to protect our community would fraudulently bill DOE for idle time spent watching movies and literally sleeping on the job, all while putting the public at risk when critical work went uncompleted. We will continue to work hand-in-glove with our law enforcement partners to end fraud and corruption at Hanford and support environmental remediation.”
This case was originally brought by Bradley Keever, a sprinkler fitter in the fire protection group at HMIS. Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers may file an action under seal in federal court. The United States investigates the allegations and determines whether to intervene in the action. Under the False Claims Act, the United States may recover up to three times the damages caused by the Defendant, plus additional penalties for each false claim or statement. If the United States obtains a recovery, the whistleblower is generally able to share in a portion of the recovery. Over the past decade, False Claims Act recoveries in the Eastern District of Washington have exceeded $400 million.
The complaint can be found here.
Assistant United States Attorneys Frieda Zimmerman, Molly Smith, and Dan Fruchter are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General.
The claims articulated in the Complaint are allegations only; at this time there has been no determination of liability.
Case No. 4:21-cv-05156-SAB
U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Missouri Collects More than $21 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that the Eastern District of Missouri collected $21,046,154 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $18,383,768 was collected in criminal actions and $2,662,385 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Eastern District of Missouri worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $10,675 in criminal cases pursued jointly by these offices.
“Our Financial Litigation Unit works tirelessly to identify and recover assets so we can attempt to make victims whole,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming.
Among the money collected in criminal cases last year was millions of dollars fraudulently obtained by two Jefferson County chiropractors and their co-defendants in a long-running Social Security disability fraud conspiracy. At the direction of the chiropractor, the co-defendants falsely claimed they were unable to work and underwent medically unnecessary tests to support fraudulent applications for disability benefits. After sentencing, the Financial Litigation Unit initiated various collection actions by issuing subpoenas, recording liens against the defendants’ property and garnishing the defendants’ wages, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement and pension accounts, Social Security checks, tax refunds, and other assets. More than $3.5 million has been recovered so far, including $95,684 from Hobbs, $205,214 from Hobbs’ wife and fellow chiropractor Vivian Carbone Hobbs and amounts ranging from $70,603 to $478,336 from individual patients.
Among the civil settlements was one finalized in February with Great Circle, a nonprofit behavioral health provider that admitted making false statements when billing for services that were not actually provided to foster youth. They agreed to pay $1,866,000.
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 Eastern District of Missouri, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $9,337,250 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $5,214,677 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
HAMMOND- U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced today that the Northern District of Indiana collected $5,214,677.59 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $2,898,640.06 was collected in criminal actions and $2,316,037.53 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, Northern District of Indiana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $43,741,638.66 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. As part of this figure, the Northern District of Indiana recovered $31,251,810.00 from its’ settlement with BP Products North America, Inc.
“When most people think about the work of a United States Attorney’s office, they mainly think about the number of criminals prosecuted and the sentences imposed. While prosecuting criminal conduct is important, that action alone does not completely advance public safety,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office promotes public safety by vigorously collecting monetary awards imposed by U.S. federal District Courts in civil and criminal judgments to compensate persons injured by criminals and civil violators. I am so very proud of my Office’s continued collection efforts.”
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 Northern District of Indiana working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,171,602.00 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $3.89 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced today that the Northern District of Oklahoma (NDOK) collected $3,891,104.49 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $2,516,899.27 was collected in criminal actions and $1,374,205.22 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the NDOK worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $14,977,950.60 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $1,266.60 was collected in criminal actions and $14,976,684.00 was collected in civil actions.
“The Financial Litigation Program/ The Asset Recovery Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office ensures that court ordered restitution is paid to victims, fines are collected, and civil financial obligations are met. In fiscal year 2023, this team of federal prosecutors, investigators, and professional legal staff diligently worked to collect almost $4 million on behalf of taxpayers and victims of crime,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
For example, in June 2023, the Asset Recovery Unit recovered over $225,000 in court ordered fines, restitution and a money judgment from Scott Wayne Jarman. Jarman plead guilty and was sentenced for two False Statements to the United States Small Business Administration for COVID fraud.
In July 2023, the Financial Litigation Program recovered $60,000 from Raymond Dudley. Dudley was sentenced for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 in Indian Country and Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. Dudley’s monetary penalties were court ordered and received for the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) Assessment. The funds also go towards victim services including the Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund administered by the Attorney General.
In October 2023, the Financial Litigation Program recovered almost $60,000 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) upon the conviction of Kelly Dawson for Theft of Government Property. Dawson plead guilty in Jun. 2023 for collecting SSA funds on behalf of his children whom he placed in a group home.
In November 2023, the Asset Recovery Unit recovered $134,325.69 on behalf of the victim in Matthew William Cook’s embezzlement; as well as $134,325.69 in payment of a forfeiture money judgment. Cook plead guilty in Aug. 2022 for wire fraud after creating a scheme to defraud his employer.
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 NDOK, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $407,741.00 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
U.S. Attorney Charges Bedford Hills Man with Sexual Exploitation of A Minor and Attempted EnticementRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging JAMES COLLINS, JR., with enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and with sexual exploitation of a minor. COLLINS was arrested this morning and will be presented later this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them. As today’s arrest shows, we will use every tool available to law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those alleged to have sexually exploited children.”
As alleged in the Complaint:[1]
On or about November 7, 2023, COLLINS attempted to persuade an individual acting in an undercover capacity and posing as a 15-year-old boy to meet the defendant in Westchester County, New York, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activities.
From at least on or about September 16, 2023, up to and including at least on or about November 7, 2023, COLLINS, who used the Snapchat username “jimc20237221,” persuaded a 17-year-old minor in Illinois to engage in sexually explicit activity and send COLLINS videos and photos of such activity.
COLLINS was previously arrested and charged in Westchester County with Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree in connection with his November 7, 2023, conduct. He was on bail at the time of today’s arrest.
Anyone who may have encountered COLLINS or whose child may have had any communications with COLLINS is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
* * *
COLLINS, 67, of Bedford Hills, New York, is charged with one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He is also charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Westchester District Attorney’s Office, the New Castle Police Department, and the Oswego Police Department in Oswego, Illinois in connection with this investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Two persons sentenced for intimidation after assault and attempted theft from Fort Belknap Indian Reservation storeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A man and a woman who admitted to intimidation charges after they attempted to steal from a store on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation were sentenced today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Dustin Alan Robbins, 38, and Nicole Lynn Hicks, 37, both transients, pleaded guilty to intimidation in August 2023.
Robbins was sentenced to one year in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
Hicks was sentenced to time served of 262 days, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Nov. 1, 2021, Hicks and Robbins, who are non-Indian, entered the Red Paint Creek Trading Post in Lodge Pole, on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. At the time, both had been excluded from the reservation by the Fort Belknap community for an incident that occurred near Hays in September 2021. Hicks took a 30-pack of beer without paying and left the store. A store employee, who is an Indian person, followed Hicks outside. Hicks put the beer on the ground as she was going through a fence. The store employee went to retrieve the beer and picked it up.
The government further alleged that Robbins assaulted the employee and threatened to burn down the store. After learning of the theft, the store manager, also an Indian person, went outside and saw Robbins assaulting the employee. The store manager yelled that she had called the police and picked up a large rock to defend the employee. Robbins stopped the assault and ran away with Hicks. As they were leaving, Hicks kept screaming and Robbins yelled threats, including that he was with the mafia and was going to burn down the store. Tribal police located Robbins and Hicks at a home on the reservation, despite their prior exclusion, and removed them from the reservation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
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Two Men Convicted in Federal Court of Kidnapping an FBI Employee at GunpointRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal jury has convicted Juan Francisco Alvarez-Sorto, age 25, of El Salvador, and Deyvin Morales, age 29, of Guatemala, of the following offenses: Kidnapping; Carjacking; Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person; and Unlawful Reentry after Deportation. The jury returned its verdict on each count following a 6-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on January 23, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, on May 5, 2022, Alvarez, Morales, and Lopez traveled from Greeley, Colorado, into southwestern South Dakota for the purpose of trafficking and distributing controlled substances, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. During their trip, the defendants encountered law enforcement and engaged in a high-speed chase. The defendants eluded law enforcement at that time and hid in a remote area near Red Shirt, South Dakota.
Alvarez, Morales, and Lopez then decided to carjack the next vehicle to come along the area at which the defendants stopped on BIA Highway 41. At approximately 2:00am on May 6, 2022, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Victim Specialist left an unrelated crime scene investigation near Oglala, South Dakota, and began traveling back towards his duty station in Rapid City. The FBI employee was driving his assigned FBI vehicle.
As the employee was heading North on BIA 41 near the Badlands overlook on Cuny Table, he passed a vehicle that was parked in the approach near the overlook. As he passed the parked vehicle, the parked vehicle’s lights turned on and the vehicle pulled out behind the employee. The employee, believing he was being pulled over by law enforcement, pulled his vehicle to the side of the road. After the employee pulled his vehicle over, he next realized there was a male at his window pointing a rifle at him and ordering him to get out of the vehicle. The employee realized that the male, identified as Alvarez, was not a law enforcement officer and also that the vehicle had blocked his own vehicle, preventing him from driving away.
Morales and Alvarez ordered the FBI employee out of the vehicle at gun point. The employee was ordered to get on the ground behind his vehicle while Alvarez was holding the rifle at the back of his head. The employee was ordered to keep his head down while on the ground. The group then robbed him of his wallet, money, credit cards, car keys, watch, and personal and work mobile phones.
The FBI employee was then ordered to get up and placed in the middle-rear seat of his government-issued vehicle, as the passenger side seat was blocked with items. While holding the rifle, Alvarez was seated in the front passenger seat of the employee’s vehicle and Morales, while armed with two handguns in his waistband, was seated in the rear driver’s side seat next to the employee. Lopez got into the driver’s seat of the employee’s vehicle. At this point, the defendants took control of the vehicle and took the employee hostage. As the group traveled North on BIA 41, they told the employee to cooperate and he would be safe, but if he did not, the group would come after his family and that they knew where he lived.
The group traveled to Hermosa, South Dakota, stopping at a gas station at the intersection of State Highway 40 and Highway 79. Once the group arrived at the gas station, Lopez went inside to purchase gas. As she got out of the vehicle to go inside the gas station, Alvarez locked the doors to the employee’s vehicle, and the doors remained locked while Lopez was out of the vehicle. Lopez then came back to the vehicle holding a gas can and zip ties. She entered the vehicle and conducted a U-turn and then went to a gas pump. The FBI employee noticed that after Lopez came back to the vehicle, Alvarez, who was brandishing the firearm, had the zip ties in his possession and was getting them out. As Lopez got out to pump gas, the doors to the vehicle were momentarily unlocked. Seizing the opportunity, the employee opened the rear driver’s side door, fought his way out of the vehicle, slipping out of his jacket to escape Morales' attempts to detain him, and sprinted inside the front doors of the gas station to escape.
The three defendants then fled from the gas station and drove to Rapid City, where they abandoned the FBI vehicle and switched to another vehicle. Alvarez and Morales were able to make it back to Greeley, Colorado, where they were ultimately arrested for their roles in the kidnapping and carjacking. During a search of the residence where Alvarez and Morales were arrested, law enforcement located firearms, including the rifle used during the kidnapping and carjacking, and controlled substances.
“Every day, men and women in the Department of Justice respond to incidents of violent crime in South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell. “This dedication to improving community safety often comes with great personal sacrifice, and as this case unfortunately demonstrates, on occasion, an extreme risk to personal safety. We are grateful to our partners at the FBI for their dogged commitment to this difficult work, and we hope these convictions send a clear message about the lengths the U.S. Attorney’s Office is willing to go to vindicate the rights of victims, no matter who they are.”
“The FBI will not tolerate violence and threats to harm its personnel,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Thank you to our law enforcement partners and the USAO-SD for their hard work and unwavering dedication. This verdict stands as a testament to our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of every member of the FBI. Justice will be relentlessly pursued against those who seek to harm or intimidate any of our workforce.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the South Dakota DCI, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Greeley, Colorado, Police Department, and the Custer and Pennington County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy R. Jehangiri and Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.
Alvarez, Morales, and co-defendant Karla Alejandra Lopez-Gutierrez were indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022 and Alvarez and Morales were indicted again in December of 2023.
The charge of kidnapping carries any term of years up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine and 5 years of supervised release. The charge of carjacking carries 15 years of custody and/or a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release. The use, carry, and brandish a firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum of 7 years and up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine and 5 years of supervised release. The unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person charge carries 10 years of custody and/or a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release. The unlawful reentry after deportation charge carries 2 years of custody and/or a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. A $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund applies to each count, totaling $500.
A sentencing date has not yet been set. The defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
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Two Landover Hills Brothers Indicted for an Alleged Lottery Scheme that Defrauded Victims of More Than $3.5 MillionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging brothers Dwayne and Wayne Henry, age 32 and 34, respectively, both of Landover Hills, Maryland, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, in connection with a lottery scheme where victims believe that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes and are required to send payment in advance for taxes and other fees before they are entitled to receive their winnings.
The superseding indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Special Agent in Charge Colleen Lawlor of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division.
According to the superseding indictment, from October 2020 until December 2023, the defendants and their co-conspirators contacted the victims by mail and over the phone and convinced them that they had won millions of dollars in a lottery or sweepstakes but were required to send payment in advance for taxes and other fees before they could receive their winnings. The defendants and other conspirators caused the victims to send payments for the purported taxes and other fees through wire transfer, by gift card, by sending cash and by other payment methods.
As detailed in the superseding indictment, the defendants sent lottery solicitations, as well as packages and suitcases that purportedly contained the victims’ winnings to victims throughout the United States, using a false address and fictitious name when mailing the items. The defendants allegedly tracked the packages sent to and from the victims and Wayne received numerous packages that contained victim funds addressed to “Anthony Henry.” The superseding indictment further alleges that Wayne opened two bank accounts to receive money from the scheme, including in cash deposits and peer-to-peer transfers and that Dwayne and Wayne Henry sent numerous payments to each other using a digital payment network. The majority of the ATM cash withdrawals from one of the bank accounts also allegedly occurred outside the United States.
For example, the superseding indictment alleges that the conspirators sent packages and caused packages to be sent that contained checks made payable to victim J.S. in the amount of $150 million, cell phones, and typewritten notes, including a note requesting that J.S. contact the writer at a telephone number ending in 9391 “to get in touch . . . about paying you the 150 million dollars.”
The superseding indictment further alleges that in early 2023, Wayne, Dwayne, and other conspirators caused victim J.P. to believe that J.P. had won $5.5 million in the lottery. As detailed in the superseding indictment, J.P. received a metal briefcase purportedly containing partial payment of the lottery winnings and was told that he/she would receive a code to unlock the briefcase after J.P. sent the required taxes and fees. J.P. was also allegedly told that if J.P. opened the briefcase without receiving the code, the money would be destroyed by an exploding ink pack inside the briefcase.
According to the indictment, as a result of the scheme, the victims sent more than $3.5 million to the defendants and other conspirators based on false pretenses, representations, and promises involving false lottery or sweepstakes winnings.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the mail fraud conspiracy. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An initial appearance has not yet been scheduled.
A superseding indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by superseding indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcements efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov. Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, HSI, the Prince Georges County Police Department, and the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General for their work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland State Police, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Evelyn Lombardo Cusson and Christine Goo, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help seniors, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/elder-justice-initiative.
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Two Jal Police Department Officers and One Former Jal Police Department Officer Charged with Deprivation of RightsRead 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Corey Patrick Saffell, Ceasar Enrique Mendoza, and Robert Edward Embly, aka Eddie, made initial appearances in federal court on an indictment charging them with two counts each of the deprivation of rights. Saffell, 34, of Jal, Mendoza, 28, and Embly, 43, both of Hobbs, will remain in custody pending detention hearings, which have been scheduled for Jan. 29, 2024.
According to the indictment, between July 30 and July 31, 2021, Saffell, Mendoza, and Embly were employed as police officers with the Jal Police Department in Lea County when they allegedly violated John Doe’s constitutional rights to be free from unreasonable seizure by a law enforcement officer, including the right to be free from an unlawful arrest and the right to be free from unreasonable use of force by a law enforcement officer. The officers conduct resulted in bodily injury to John Doe and included the use of a dangerous weapon.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, all three men face up to 10 years in prison.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Hobbs Police Department, Carlsbad Police Department, Lea County Sheriff’s Office, Jal Police Department, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matilda McCarthy Villalobos is prosecuting the case.
View the Indictment# # #
24-27
Two Essex County Men Charged with Seven Gas Station Gunpoint RobberiesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two Essex County, New Jersey, men are charged with seven gunpoint robberies of gas stations located in different parts of New Jersey in September 2023, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Ahmad Singletary, 24, and Joseph Young, 26, both of Newark, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; seven counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Singletary is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Singletary and Young each made their initial appearance on Jan. 16, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and were detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On three occasions on Sept. 5, 2023, and four occasions on Sept. 12, 2023, Singletary and Young robbed gas stations in Middlesex, Union, and Essex counties. The defendants targeted gas stations on or near highways, used a firearm, committed the robberies in the early morning, and performed the robberies in approximately four minutes or less. During the course of four of the robberies, Singletary threatened, assaulted, and struck victims in the head with a firearm, causing physical injuries.
The Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greatest. Singletary is subject to a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison for the charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Union County Prosecutors Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Fritz G. Fragé; the Township of Union Police Department, under the direction of Director Chris Donnelly; the Woodbridge Police Department, under the direction of Director Robert Hubner; and the West Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Abbott, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
singletaryyoung.complaint.pdfTwo Defendants Arrested During 2023 Joint Enforcement Operation in Carlsbad Plead Guilty to Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, announced today that Brian Kain Purdy and Sabino Alfonso Maldonado, two of the 12 defendants arrested during a joint enforcement operation last year in Carlsbad, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States and conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States. Purdy, 42, of Carlsbad, will remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. Maldonado, 32, of Carlsbad, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
In their plea agreements, Purdy and Maldonado admitted that on March 8, 2023, they picked up six firearms in Carlsbad at the direction of a co-conspirator and, together with another individual, wrapped them in towels and loaded them into a Jeep, hiding them underneath other items in the Jeep. Purdy and Maldonado then turned the Jeep over to another individual, who had traveled to Carlsbad from Mexico in order to pick up the firearms and transport them back to Mexico. As the individual from Mexico began to drive back to Mexico with the firearms, he was stopped by law enforcement officer, and the firearms were seized. The seized firearms are all controlled on the Commerce Control List, and neither Purdy nor Maldonado had obtained a license and written authorization to export the firearms. Purdy and Maldonado admitted that they knew that the attempted exportation of the firearms was in violation of the law.
At sentencing, Purdy and Maldonado both face up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of mandatory supervised release.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force led the investigation, with enforcement assistance from the United States Marshal Service, Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Sheriff’ Department, Roswell Police Department, Chaves County Drug Task Force, DEA Airwing and Customs and Border Patrol. The New Mexico Air National Guard’s Air Unit, Artesia Police Department and Customs and Border Patrol’s Air Unit provided support during the operation on August 1, 2023.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Renee L. Camacho and Devon Aragon-Martinez are prosecuting the case. This investigation was conducted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
View Purdy's Plea Agreement View Maldonado's Plea Agreement###
24-31
Two California Residents Sentenced for Roles in Wide-Ranging Fraud and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Two residents of Santa Ana, California, have been sentenced in federal court on their convictions of money laundering conspiracy, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentences on Thien Phuc Tran, 34, and Ton Huynh Bui, 30. Tran received a sentence of 87 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $4,247,987 in restitution, while Bui was sentenced to four months’ incarceration followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $194,278 in restitution.
According to information presented to the court, Tran and Bui were part of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy which had two overall elements: a fraud scheme to deprive victims of money, and then a second scheme to launder the fraudulently obtained funds, with Tran and Bui involved in the latter scheme. Vulnerable victims across the United States, often elderly, were convinced through nefarious means, including computer pop-up messages followed by telephone calls from co-conspirators operating out of call centers in India, to send their money to bank accounts created with stolen Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Typically, a pop-up message would appear on their computer screen, falsely purporting to be from a reputable technology company, urging the user to call a number. When the victim called the number, the victim was told that his or her identity had been compromised and would be convinced to send their money to a particular bank account opened by Tran and Bui with stolen PII.
Conspirators also converted stolen victim funds to cryptocurrency, and moved money through multiple accounts, including accounts affiliated with the defendants, in an attempt to conceal their fraudulent activities. One victim in the Western District of Pennsylvania was caused to liquidate retirement accounts totaling $1,288,073. Tran was found to be responsible for the laundering of $4,247,973 in fraud proceeds, while Bui was responsible for a lesser amount of $194,278.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan stated that the crimes committed by the defendants went well beyond typical financial crimes and will seriously affect victims for a very long time.
Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Stephen R. Kaufman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Tran and Bui.
Tuscaloosa Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A Tuscaloosa man was sentenced on a drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.
U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Jimmy Lee Spencer, 37, to 48 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Spencer was convicted of this charge in August 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, Spencer had large amounts of cocaine and marijuana inside his home in Tuscaloosa. He also had multiple firearms, digital scales, a money counter, a vacuum sealer, and packaging material that he used to package and sell narcotics in the community.
The ATF investigated the case along with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and M. Blake Milner prosecuted the case.
Thirteen Indicted on Drug Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging thirteen individuals in a drug conspiracy and related charges. According to the indictment, the defendants conspired with one another to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine within the Middle District of Florida. See chart below for details.
Defendant
Charges
Maximum Penalty
Daniel Carrillo
(35, Weeki Wachee)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine
3 Counts -Distribution of cocaine
Life in prison
(Mandatory Minimum of 10 years)
Yoned Onil Santana Vazquez
(18, Hudson)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
1 Count - Distribution of cocaine
40 years
(Mandatory Minimum of
5 years)
Georgelys Natal Vazquez
(27, Hudson)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
1 Count - Distribution of cocaine
20 years
Lucy Carrillo Gonzalez
(60, Port Richey)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
1 Count - Distribution of cocaine
20 years
Jacqueline Navarro
(53, Port Richey)
1 County - Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine
5 Counts - Distribution of cocaine
1 Count - Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
Life in prison
(Mandatory Minimum of 10 years)
Betsy Luz Trinidad
(32, Weeki Wachee)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine
4 Counts - Distribution of cocaine
Life in Prison
(Mandatory Minimum of 10 years)
Rolando Alvarez Canete
(40, Holiday)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
1 Count - Distribution of cocaine
20 years in prison
Kevin Valdez
(33, Port Richey)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
20 years in prison
Victor Hernandez Jr
(24, Port Richey)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
20 years in prison
John Patrick Barrett, (57, Port Richey)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
1 Count - Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
Life in prison
(Mandatory Minimum of 10 years)
Jennifer Hanna
(51, Hudson)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
1 Count - Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
2 Counts - Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
Life in prison
(Mandatory Minimum of 10 years)
Johan Eloy Del Valle Carrillo
(41, Puerto Rico)
1 Count - Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
1 Count - Attempted distribution of cocaine
20 years in prison
James Perry Oneal
(29, Clearwater)
1 Count – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
1 Count – Possession with intent to distribute of cocaine
20 years in prison
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Samantha Beckman and Jeffrey Chang.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Third Co-Conspirator Sentenced in International Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – On January 23, 2024, a resident of Reseda, California, was sentenced in federal court to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $117,525 in restitution on his conviction of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Roberto Gutierrez, 51. Two co-defendants, Roderick Feurtado and Tarek Bouanane, both of Las Vegas, Nevada, were sentenced by Judge Ranjan on Friday, January 19, for their roles in the case, with Feurtado receiving a sentence of ten years and Bouanane a sentence of 46 months, each followed by three years of supervised release, along with restitution totaling $258,520 to 16 victims. Additional information regarding those sentencing hearings and the larger investigation and prosecution of the alleged masterminds of the fraud scheme can be found here.
According to information presented to the court, the three were participants in a scheme to defraud elderly victims. Posing as attorneys, members of the conspiracy called numerous victims and falsely represented that one of the victim’s relatives, typically a grandchild, had been incarcerated and needed money for bail and legal fees. Gutierrez and others would then visit the victims at their homes, posing as a courier or bail bondsman to collect the fraudulently obtained money. At least $250,000 was obtained in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere through the conspiracy.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the harm it caused the victims.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey R. Bengel and Michael R. Ball prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania State Police, and Bethel Park Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of the three individuals.
Anyone with information about allegations of elder fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 833–372–8311. More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/assistant?orgcode=USDOJEFH or at 877-FTC-HELP.
Tampa Man Sentenced on Drug Conspiracy Charges Involving Nearly Five Kilograms of Methamphetamine and over 8,000 Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Victor Yoel Perez Cremades (52, Tampa) to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The court also ordered Cremades to forfeit $4,820, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. A federal jury had found Cremades guilty on May 9, 2023.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on September 8, 2021, the FBI served a search warrant on Cremades’ residence in Tampa. In Cremades’s bedroom, agents located a bag containing more than 800 grams of pills pressed to look like oxycodone tablets and over 3,000 grams of methamphetamine. The bag was in the same closet as Cremades’s passport, ID card, and Social Security card. An additional 145 grams of methamphetamine was located in the dining area.
On the same day, agents intercepted a suspicious package in the mail that was destined to a fictitious person at Cremades’s address. The package contained more than 1,700 grams of methamphetamine and over 1,200 fentanyl pills pressed to look like oxycodone tablets. During the search, agents located financial receipts showing Cremades had sent money to the same city the suspicious package was mailed from.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Samantha Beckman and Brooke Padgett.
San Jose Resident Sentenced to Five Years’ Imprisonment for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Brian Risso was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Beth L. Freeman, U.S. District Judge.
Risso, 63, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to the charge on June 8, 2023. According to his plea agreement, Risso admitted that in February 2022, he knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). At sentencing, the Court found that these depictions included prepubescent minors and minors engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. According to a court filing, Risso possessed 542 files containing child pornography, including 513 images and 29 videos.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman ordered Risso to serve 60 months of supervised release, to begin after his prison term and to pay a fine of $25,000; and to pay a $5,100 special assessment. Judge Freeman scheduled a hearing to decide issues regarding restitution for April 9, 2024.
Assistant United States Attorney Neal C. Hong is prosecuting the case. This case is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Richmond Felon Sentenced for Possessing Machine Gun for SaleRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to two years in prison for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing a machine gun.
According to court documents, on February 1, 2023, detectives with the Richmond Police Department saw Dai’Quan Jarrvel Lane, 23, displaying a firearm in a live social media video feed. The detectives knew Lane was a convicted felon and, based on past encounters, believed him to be in the Whitcomb Court area. Officers arrived at Whitcomb Court within minutes of the live video ending and encountered Lane outside. When officers tried to stop Lane, he led them on a foot chase. During the chase, he tossed a firearm. That firearm turned out to be a privately made firearm with a machine-gun conversion device affixed to the back. It was loaded and outfitted with a 30-round extended magazine.
Lane admitted that not only did he possess the firearm, but that he had been on his way to sell it for $750 when officers located him.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Schulz and Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Norman 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. 3:23-cr-62.
Registered Sex Offender from Sandisfield Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography and Unregistered FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Sandisfield man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to possession of child pornography and possession of an unregistered firearm.
Brian Hohman, 60, pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of child pornography and one charge of receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for May 2, 2024. Hohman remains in federal custody.
During a search of Hohman’s residence in September 2023, a sawed-off shotgun not registered to Hohman and a laptop containing child pornography were found. Hohman was subsequently arrested and detained on an unrelated matter. A subsequent investigation revealed that Hohman also possessed two cell phones and a SIM card containing child pornography.
Due to Hohman’s prior conviction, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Litchfield Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office in Connecticut. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Raleigh Eight Trey Gangster Crip Sentenced to 24 Years for Racketeering-related Violence and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Raleigh man was sentenced to 288 months in prison for the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) for conspiring to kill a rival Eight Trey Gangster Crip (ETGC). On August 2, 2021, Dexter Maxwell pled guilty to charges related to this investigation. Maxwell was identified as the leader of ETGC throughout the North and South Carolina with direct ties to gang hierarchy in Los Angeles, California.
"We are dismantling violent gang and drug traffickers across North Carolina with our expansive network of law enforcement partners. Maxwell was a well-known gang leader in the Carolinas who directed violence around Raleigh, while trafficking narcotics that fueled addiction throughout the region,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This operation brings an end to Maxwell’s racketeering enterprise and dismantles his network, with over 20 co-conspirators convicted, and their leader spending the next 24 years in federal prison.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Deandre Earp was tased and assaulted by a rival gang member on Quarry Street in Raleigh in July 2019. Earp then coordinated with Maxwell, Clinton Basco, and Rayquan Wiggins to retaliate by planning a murder of the rival gang member. Maxwell directed his underlings to commit the murder and, as the group were driving to kill the rival gang member, Raleigh Police Department personnel initiated a vehicle stop. Earp and Basco both had loaded firearms with them in the car and were taken into custody, thereby preventing the potential murder of a rival Crip gang member.
“Drug trafficking networks bring serious threats to a community, including gun violence,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “To address that threat, ATF partners with local, state and other federal agencies to tackle this problem from every direction. When we remove the individuals leading gangs and drug trafficking networks from our communities, we can have a major impact on the level of gun violence and violent crime.”
Maxwell was well-connected in the ETGC criminal world where he conspired with Troy Davis, a high-ranking ETGC member from Los Angeles to acquire large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to distribute throughout the Raleigh area. Once the illegal drugs arrived, Maxwell was responsible for overseeing the distribution operation and collecting drug proceeds to funnel back to California.
For approximately two decades, ETGC has operated in North Carolina, including in the North Carolina prison system. The ETGC is recognized as a national criminal street gang originating out of Los Angeles and has a reputation for a propensity for violence that includes several homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies. Members and associates of ETGC have been involved in numerous violent crimes that have resulted in the loss of life, decrease in quality of life, and damage to societal norms in and around Raleigh. The ETGC members committed acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline, both within the gang and against non-gang members. Maxwell has a lengthy, violent criminal history which had resulted in his rise to leadership and connection with ETGC leadership in Los Angeles, California.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, 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. Notably, more than 20 individuals have been indicted because of this investigation, including Deandre Earp, who was sentenced in January 2022 to 40 years in prison; Troy Davis, who was sentenced in November 2022 to 35 years in prison; Chad Murray, who was sentenced in May 2023 to 17 years in prison, Clinton Basco, who was sentenced in April 2023 to 11 years in prison; and Rayquan Wiggins, who was sentenced in February 2023 to 8 years in prison.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Raleigh Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification and United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Sandling prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00395-D-1.
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