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Wednesday 22 November 2023
Cassville Man Charged with Attempted Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Prostitution and Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Mansberger, age 58, of Cassville, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 21, 2023, by a federal grand jury on an attempted enticement of a minor charge.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on November 10, 2023, in Centre County, Mansberger attempted to persuade, entice, and coerce a minor child to engage in prostitution and sexual activity.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Patton Township Police, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, Williamsport Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Campbell County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in DeathRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – An Alexandria, Ky., man, Charles Jason Case, 40, was sentenced on Wednesday, to 240 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
According to Case’s plea agreement, law enforcement responded to an address in Campbell County on April 28, 2022, and found a deceased victim and evidence consistent with death from an opiate overdose. Text messages on the victim’s phone revealed communication with Case the previous night regarding purchasing fentanyl, and the phone also contained communications consistent with the victim buying fentanyl from Case on prior occasions. Case admitted to distributing a substance containing fentanyl to the victim on April 27, 2022, and that the victim died as the result of ingesting that substance. Case was arrested on April 29, 2022 while in possession of additional amounts of fentanyl on his person and at his residence.
Under federal law, Case must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. He also must forfeit $7,803.00 in United States currency seized at the time of his arrest and make restitution to the victim’s family in the amount of $4,716.19.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Director Scott Hardcorn, Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by DEA and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Calabasas Man Arraigned on Indictment Alleging He Ran Same-Day Drug Delivery Service by Car that Resulted in Fatal Fentanyl OverdoseRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Calabasas man who allegedly ran a drug trafficking operation that provided by car same-day delivery of cocaine and fentanyl-laced oxycodone, including to one victim who died last year from a fentanyl overdose, was arraigned today on narcotics charges in federal court.
Erick Oved Estrada, 35, a.k.a. “Franco Sanchez” and “Eric Freddy Hook,” who allegedly ran the narcotics delivery driver business out of his home, was arrested Tuesday along with three other defendants, including his wife – all of whom were arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
Also arrested Tuesday were:
- Arian Alani, 34, of Burbank, who, along with Estrada, allegedly distributed the fentanyl that led to the victim’s fatal overdose in June 2022;
- Gilberto Marquez, 34, of Woodland Hills, an alleged lieutenant in the drug trafficking operation; and
- Zoila Michelle Estrada, 36, of Calabasas, Erick Estrada’s wife.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and a January 16, 2024 trial date was scheduled. A federal magistrate judge ordered all four defendants detained.
Law enforcement continues to search for defendants Tomas Marquez-Ruiz, 37, a.k.a. “El Cafecito,” of Chatsworth, another alleged lieutenant in the drug trafficking operation, and Caseya Chanel Brown, 39, a.k.a. “Mom,” of Woodland Hills, an alleged delivery driver in the drug trafficking operation.
According to the 18-count indictment returned November 15 and unsealed today, from May 2019 to June 2022, Erick Estrada obtained narcotics, including cocaine and purported oxycodone pills that actually contained fentanyl. Erick Estrada, Marquez-Ruiz, and Marquez then allegedly provided these drugs to a network of drug delivery drivers, including Brown and other co-conspirators, for further distribution to customers or other drug distributors. Brown and others directly provided the drugs to customers or distributors and collected payment.
On June 8, 2022, Erick Estrada allegedly sold 25 oxycodone pills to Alani and a delivery driver then provided to Alani the purported oxycodone pills, which in fact contained fentanyl. The following day, Alani allegedly sold some of the fentanyl-laced pills to the victim, identified in the indictment as “C.N.,” who ingested them and died of a drug overdose.
On June 10, 2022, Alani confronted Erick Estrada via text message and wrote, “my boy just died yesterday” – a reference to C.N. – and that Estrada “[s]houldn’t be selling [expletive] with fentanyl.”
Erick and Zoila Estrada laundered the drug proceeds through his sham businesses’ bank accounts, where they used the money for various personal expenses, including luxury vehicles such as a Lamborghini and a Land Rover, the indictment alleges.
Erick Estrada, Marquez-Ruiz, Marquez, and Brown are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death and one count of distribution of cocaine. Erick Estrada also is charged with two additional counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and 11 counts of money laundering. Alani is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Zoila Estrada is charged with one count of money laundering.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all charges, Erick Estrada, Marquez-Ruiz, Marquez, Brown, and Alani would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. If convicted, Zoila Estrada would face up to 10 years in federal prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter. The DEA Overdose Justice Task Force, the Simi Valley Police Department, the Burbank Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provided assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney MiRi Song of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section is prosecuting this case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Burnsville Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of MachinegunsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Burnsville man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of machinegun conversion devices, or switches, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in March 2023, federal agents received information that Benjamin Jehle Zwack, 29, an employee at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) business, was selling 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches” or “auto sears.” These devices enable firearms to be fired as a fully automatic weapon by a single function of the trigger and qualify as machineguns under federal law.
According to court documents, on March 7, 2023, an undercover agent went to the FFL business and purchased from Zwack eleven 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices designed to convert a semiautomatic AR-Type weapon to shoot automatically. During the purchase, the undercover agent observed a firearm in Zwack’s waistband.
According to court documents, on March 30, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Zwack’s residence and vehicle. Officers recovered a Girsan-Regard, 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the center console of Zwack’s vehicle and a shotgun and ammunition from his residence. A search of Zwack’s storage locker revealed additional firearms, suspected homemade silencers, ammunition, and a suspected destructive device.
Zwack pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to one count of possession of a machinegun. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dakota County Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the case.
Bulgarian Citizen Pleads Guilty to International Money Laundering and Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Stefan Chernev, age 49, and a citizen of Bulgaria, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Chernev admitted that he worked with his brother, Ivan Chernev, and a third coconspirator to form shell companies, most of which had a variation of “Yellow Pages” in their name.
From about 2011 to 2015, Stefan Chernev, Ivan Chernev, and the third coconspirator used the shell companies to steal money from medical providers, churches and small businesses throughout the United States, including some in the Northern District of New York, by sending false invoices to the victims indicating they had ordered online advertising services when no such services had ever been ordered or provided. When the victims failed to pay the false bills, Stefan Chernev and his coconspirators sent them false collections notices. They instructed the victims to mail checks to various Post Office Boxes throughout the United States that Stefan Chernev and his coconspirators rented. They then instructed the mail forwarding companies where they rented the Post Office Boxes to forward the checks to Post Office Boxes in Canada or mail forwarding businesses near the Canadian border in the Northern District of New York.
Once Stefan Chernev, Ivan Chernev and the third coconspirator received the checks, they deposited the checks in bank accounts they controlled in Canada. In total, they stole at least $1.24 million from victims throughout the United States.
Chernev faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years, when he is sentenced on March 25, 2024 by Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. Chernev will also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims.
Ivan Chernev pled guilty to the same charge and was sentenced, on December 3, 2020, to 68 months in prison.
USPIS, HSI, and the Federal Trade Commission investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Kopita and Alexander Wentworth-Ping are prosecuting the case. Stefan Chernev was extradited from Germany to the United States in May 2022 with assistance from the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.
Buffalo man sentenced for making, passing counterfeit moneyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Eric M. Butson, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to falsely make and pass counterfeit federal reserve notes, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who handled the case, stated that between December 2022, and March 2023, Butson and co-defendant Catalina Hernandez possessed various tools and equipment necessary to make and manufacture counterfeit bills including computers, ink-jet printers, ink, and bleach. Utilizing those tools and equipment, they made and manufactured numerous counterfeit $100 bills. Butson and Hernandez passed, or attempted to pass, the bills approximately 67 times at various businesses, including in the City of Buffalo, the Town of Amherst, the Town of Clarence, and the Village of Orchard Park. The total loss amount, including actual loss and intended loss, is approximately $6,700.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey Burr, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.
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Boston Man Sentenced for Distributing 7,000 Pills Containing Fentanyl and Fentanyl AnalogueRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday for a drug distribution offense involving fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue known as para-fluorofentanyl.
Melvin Cordero, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On May 10, 2023, Cordero pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl.
On March 15, 2022, Cordero delivered 7,000 pills containing fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement. The buy was part of a broader investigation into a drug-trafficking organization based in the Dominican Republic. Cordero delivered the pills to the cooperator in Boston’s South End and was arrested and charged in November 2022. Following Cordero’s arrest, law enforcement seized from him a machine used for manufacturing counterfeit pills that he had attempted to sell to an undercover officer.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA New York Field Office, the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Border Enforcement Surge Yields Increased ConsequencesRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced its ongoing cooperative efforts with the United States Border Patrol to enhance consequences for unlawful border crossers in the Tucson Sector. Last week, the agencies surged their efforts along the Southern Arizona border. As a result, the United States Attorney’s Office filed charges against and delivered consequences in the United States District Court, Tucson Division, to 133 unlawful entrants into the United States, up from 91 prosecutions the week before.
“Prosecution – and the deterrence it provides – is a key tool in securing the border,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “We appreciate our partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, including its commitment in detailing three DHS lawyers to the United States Attorney’s Office as Special Assistant United States Attorneys to help staff the surge. While prosecution alone won’t comprehensively solve border issues, a surge in resources amplifies the diligence and hard work of our Border Patrol colleagues who are out there protecting our Nation.”
“Over the last few weeks, Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector have increased prosecution efforts by charging 133 individuals for illegal entry into the U.S. – a 240% increase from prior weeks. These prosecutions provide consequences for illegal entry and re-entry after removal along the border in Southern Arizona,” said John Modlin, Chief Patrol Agent for Tucson Sector. “Our strong working relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is outstanding; they are fully engaged with our efforts to prosecute cross-border crime in Southern Arizona.”
These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and the numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials who were subjected solely to administrative proceedings.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-185_Immigration Enforcement Surge
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Authorities seek potential child exploitation victims in Southeast TexasRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A former martial arts and gymnastics instructor from Alvin has been charged with multiple child pornography crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Franklin Joseph Perkins, 40, previously worked at the Kuk Sool Won Dojo and Gulf Coast Gymnastics, both located in Alvin. He is charged with transportation, receipt and possession of child pornography.
Perkins appeared today for a detention hearing, at which time U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison found him to be a danger to the community and ordered him into custody pending further criminal proceedings.
Law enforcement has identified at least two alleged victims but believe there are more. If you are a victim or have any information about potential others, please contact Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Galveston at 409-443-0103.
A federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment Nov. 15.
According to information presented at the detention hearing, the investigation began when they learned of suspected child sexual abuse materials uploaded using an online account Perkins controlled. They executed a federal search warrant at his residence which revealed child sexual abuse content stored in a Google Drive account associated with Perkins, according to the testimony and evidence at the hearing today. Law enforcement also allegedly discovered non-pornographic images of what appears to be underage minors in gymnastics clothing and screenshots that depict young girls’ social media accounts.
During the investigation, two women, now adults, have come forward to report allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate contact involving Perkins when they were still minors living in Alvin.
“Every day we entrust our children, often budding athletes, to the care of coaches and authority figures. We cannot and will not take these kinds of allegations lightly,” said Hamdani. “But, we also need your help. Our goal is not only to secure justice but to also make sure any and all possible victims have their voices heard. If you or anyone you know has been in contact with Franklin Perkins and have knowledge any potential crime, please come forward.”
“Identifying victims of child sexual exploitation not only helps law enforcement investigate and convict the individuals responsible for the abuse, it also helps to connect the victims and their families with the services they need to recover,” said Mark Dawson, special agent in charge for HSI Houston. “HSI has dedicated full-time victim assistant specialists who work closely with child sexual exploitation victims to connect them with the medical treatment, counseling and other services that they might need following sexual abuse. We know this process can be extremely difficult for victims and our specialists make every effort to sensitively respond to the unique needs of child victims and provide a trauma-informed environment conducive to recovery.”
If convicted, Perkins faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison, for the transportation and receipt charges and up to 10 for possessing child pornography. All counts also carry a potential fine of $250,000 as well as a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Trafficking Act, a maximum of a $35,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act and mandatory restitution in an amount of no less than $3,000 per victim.
Suspected victims of child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children by calling its toll-free 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colton Turner is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood - a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Atlanta man sentenced for stealing identities to file false unemployment claimsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Jeremy Graves has been sentenced for theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft for stealing identities to file fraudulent Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Congress enacted the CARES Act to provide federal funds to assist unemployed workers during a national emergency,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Graves defrauded this critical program and stole the identities of others to perpetrate the crime. Our office will continue to partner closely with federal, state, and local investigators to prosecute individuals who commit benefits fraud at the expense of citizens for whom this support is essential.”
“Jeremy Graves defrauded multiple state unemployment insurance (UI) systems by using the personally identifying information (PII) of identity theft victims, including the PII of deceased individuals, to submit fraudulent UI claims. DOL-OIG will continue to work with our federal and state partners to protect the integrity of UI benefit programs,” said Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent-in-Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: During the period from about July 2020 until October 2020, Graves filed approximately 39 UI applications, using 37 different stolen identities, in the states of Georgia, Arizona, California, Maryland, and Nevada. He directed payment of the benefits to designated debit cards. To conceal his identity, he directed the debit cards to be sent to various addresses around the Atlanta area, all near or close by his residence. He then fraudulently received more than $200,000 in UI benefits from the states of Georgia and California.
Graves’s scheme unraveled when the Department of Labor, the agency who oversees the UI program, determined that multiple applications in multiple states had been filed from Graves’s residence. Graves had contacted a bank about multiple UI debit cards issued to multiple individuals. A search of Graves’s cell phone revealed a search history for “unemployment fraud,” “California unemployment,” and several of the addresses where he directed the debit cards be sent.
Jeremy Graves, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty to three years, eleven months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $209,214 in restitution; $193,179 to Georgia Department of Labor and $16,035 to California EDD. Graves was convicted on the charges on August 23, 2023, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Tuesday 21 November 2023
Woman Convicted for Voter Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Sioux City, Iowa, convicted an Iowa woman today for a voter fraud scheme during the Iowa 2020 primary and general elections.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kim Phuong Taylor, age 49, of Sioux City, perpetrated a scheme to fraudulently generate votes for her husband in the primary election for Iowa’s 4th U.S. Congressional District in June 2020. After Taylor’s husband lost in the primary, he ran for Woodbury County Supervisor in the 2020 general election and Taylor again engaged in ballot fraud, causing absentee ballots to be fraudulently requested and cast. Taylor submitted or caused others to submit dozens of voter registrations, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots containing false information. Taylor completed and signed voter forms without voters’ permission and told others that they could sign on behalf of relatives who were not present.
“The right to vote is one of our most important constitutional rights,” said United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax. “Ms. Taylor deprived citizens of their right to vote in order to benefit her husband’s campaign. Today, another group of citizens, fulfilling their civic duty as jurors, held her accountable for her actions. The guilty verdict is an example of how the justice system works to protect the voting rights of citizens and ensure fair and honest elections.”
The jury convicted Taylor of 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration, and 23 counts of fraudulent voting. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing date will be set after a presentence report is prepared. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Timothy T. Duax for the Northern District of Iowa, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office, and Acting Inspector in Charge Brad Mahs of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Denver Division made the announcement.
The FBI Omaha Field Office and USPIS Denver Division investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Timmons for the Northern District of Iowa and Trial Attorneys Richard B. Evans and Lauren M. Castaldi of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.
Woman Convicted for Voter Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Sioux City, Iowa, convicted an Iowa woman today for a voter fraud scheme during the Iowa 2020 primary and general elections.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, of Sioux City, perpetrated a scheme to fraudulently generate votes for her husband in the primary election for Iowa’s 4th U.S. Congressional District in June 2020. After Taylor’s husband lost in the primary, he ran for Woodbury County Supervisor in the 2020 general election and Taylor again engaged in ballot fraud, causing absentee ballots to be fraudulently requested and cast. Taylor submitted or caused others to submit dozens of voter registrations, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots containing false information. Taylor completed and signed voter forms without voters’ permission and told others that they could sign on behalf of relatives who were not present.
The jury convicted Taylor of 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration, and 23 counts of fraudulent voting. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing date will be set after a presentence report is prepared. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Timothy T. Duax for the Northern District of Iowa, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office, and Acting Inspector in Charge Brad Mahs of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Denver Division made the announcement.
The FBI Omaha Field Office and USPIS Denver Division investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Richard B. Evans and Lauren M. Castaldi of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Timmons for the Northern District of Iowa are prosecuting the case.
White Swan Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Jeremiah Bobb, age 27, of White Swan, Washington, to 180 months in federal prison for one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and 40 years in prison for one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child. The sentences will run concurrently. Bobb was convicted of those crimes on July 31, 2023, following a multi-day jury trial. United States District Judge Dimke also ordered Bobb to a lifetime of federal supervision after he is released from prison.
According to court documents, between 2016 and 2017, Bobb sexually assaulted two minors in a home on the Yakima Nation, where Bobb and the victims lived.
Bobb’s trial began on July 24, 2023. After testimony from numerous witnesses, the jury convicted Bobb of both charges on July 31, 2023. During the trial it was revealed by witnesses that for years Bobb had engaged in a pattern of sexually assaulting or attempting to sexually assault vulnerable females in the households where he had been staying.
“My heart breaks for the victims in this case. I am grateful for their courage to come forward and engage with law enforcement to seek justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “Children deserve to live in a world where they feel safe -- free from abuse and the fear of abuse. Mr. Bobb was held accountable today due to the joint efforts of the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department, the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office and the community. By working together, we can continue to build trust and keep our communities safe and strong.”
“Two children’s lives were forever impacted by Mr. Bobb’s grievous actions.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Our hope is they find the support they need going forward and some comfort knowing he is in prison. Protecting children in Washington state from predators like Mr. Bobb is one of the top priorities for the FBI and our partners.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yakama Nation Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.
Washington drug “Kingpin” sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for meth, fentanyl trafficking on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Washington man known by sources as the “Kingpin” for the quantity of drugs he distributed throughout the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced on Monday to 10 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conviction on trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Anthony Penalosa Infante, 36, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Infante worked as a large-scale meth and fentanyl distributor from Washington who distributed drugs throughout the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Between October 2022 and February 2023, Infante was collectively in possession of more than 10 pounds of meth, nearly 4,000 fentanyl pills and approximately 37 grams of cocaine. Infante was identified by sources as the “Kingpin,” and he carried firearms while dealing drugs.
During a traffic stop in December 2022, officers recovered 100 fentanyl pills, two pistols, cocaine and methamphetamine from the vehicle in which Infante was a passenger. Infante later said the drugs were his and intended only for personal use. In a second traffic stop of Infante on the reservation 10 days later, officers located a half pound of meth, approximately 100 fentanyl pills, cocaine and a loaded 9mm magazine. Additionally, in January, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of 100 fentanyl pills from Infante. In a third traffic stop of Infante on the reservation, officers located meth and 76 fentanyl pills. In February, the FBI executed a search warrant of the residence where Infante had been staying and recovered 10.27 pounds of meth, 3,568 fentanyl pills and $1,973 in cash. Ten pounds of meth is the equivalent of approximately 35,240 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ethan R. Plaut, Amanda L. Myers and Stephanie D. Robles prosecuted the case. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Washington County Man Sentenced for Possessing a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Southern Utah man was sentenced today to 33 months’ imprisonment followed by a term of three years supervised release for possession of a stolen firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah.
According to court documents, Kenneth N. Webb, 67, of Washington County, Utah, possessed a stolen Ruger .380 firearm in June 2022. Webb pleaded guilty on Aug. 10, 2023. At his change of plea hearing, Webb admitted that at the time he possessed the firearm, he knew or had reason to believe it was stolen. Webb also admitted that the Ruger .380 traveled in and affected interstate commerce.
The case was investigated by the Utah State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen P. Dent and Brady Wilson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.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.
U.S. Attorney Charges Head of Hair Testing Company in $5.9 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Daniel B. Brubaker, the Inspector in Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging KYLE TSUI with wire fraud and mail fraud in connection with a scheme that resulted in sales of approximately $5.9 million worth of fabricated allergy and sensitivity tests to customers. TSUI was extradited from Spain to the U. S. based on the Indictment and will be presented today before U. S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Kyle Tsui defrauded customers of millions of dollars by claiming he would perform allergy and sensitivity testing on customers’ hair samples. However, Tsui performed no such testing and provided fabricated test results. Tsui now stands charged with defrauding thousands of innocent victims whose health was put at risk with false results.”
USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said: “It’s unconscionable to think anyone would put the health of their clients at risk for money, but allegedly in this case, greed won out over the lives of innocent, trusting victims. Mr. Tsui’s alleged fabricated test results and lies were relied upon by many to make health-altering decisions, which we now know were worthless. Postal Inspectors remind consumers to thoroughly read the fine print of any offer providing medical breakthroughs to avoid falling victim to a scam, especially one that could cause physical harm.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment:[1]
From September 2018 through April 2019, TSUI orchestrated a scheme to defraud customers of his company, the “Allergy Testing Company,” by purporting to sell food and environmental sensitivity testing services that TSUI knew were not, in fact, being performed. In total, customers paid approximately $5.9 million through an online marketplace for tests that TSUI claimed would be done on their hair samples.
TSUI’s company promoted its “[h]ighly-rated, top selling sensitivity and intolerance test” that “determines how your body responds to 800 different food and environmental items” with just “a small hair sample.” But rather than test the hair samples as customers were promised, TSUI directed that the hair samples be discarded in the trash without any laboratory analysis. Customers then received fabricated test results purporting to identify certain foods and environmental factors that were “safe” for them and others that the customers were supposedly “sensitive” to and should avoid.
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KYLE TSUI, 41, of Ontario, Canada is charged with wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case 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 outstanding investigative work of the USPIS. Mr. Williams also thanked the Hyde Park Police Department, the New York State Troopers, the Toronto Police Service, the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and the Government of Spain for their assistance in the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Qais Ghafary and Benjamin Levander are in charge of the prosecution, which was previously handled by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Loss.
The charges contained in the Indictment 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 Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.
Two People Sentenced for Assaulting Court Security Officer at Federal CourthouseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – Two individuals have been sentenced for assaulting a court security officer at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse on October 3, 2022. The defendants approached the officer as he was guarding a private entrance to the Courthouse and instigated an altercation in which both individuals attempted to grab the officer’s firearm before being taken into custody.
Stephen Don Rhymes (22) was sentenced to 46 months in prison on November 8, 2023, for his role in the offense. Shi Kozulyn Bass (42) was sentenced to 20 months in prison on October 18, 2023. Rhymes and Bass each pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer or employee. United States District Judge James C. Mahan presided over both sentencing hearings.
According to court documents, on October 3, 2022, a court security officer ordered both Rhymes and Bass to leave the entrance area of the courthouse. They refused to obey the orders and continued to approach the officer in a threatening manner. Rhymes punched the officer in the face. When the officer attempted to place Rhymes under arrest, both Rhymes and Bass attempted to grab and remove the firearm from the officer’s holster.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Marshal Gary Schofield for the United States Marshals Service made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
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Two Men Charged in Theft of Firearms from Dunham’s Sports Store in Benton HarborRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that two Benton Harbor men were charged with several crimes related to the theft of firearms from Dunham’s Sports in Benton Harbor.
“It is no secret that we are experiencing an epidemic of gun violence across the nation, across the State of Michigan, and right here in Benton Harbor,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Fueling this epidemic is a massive influx of illegal guns into our communities. What happened at Dunham Sport’s on the evening of November 16th is a striking example of what is driving this crisis and we fully intend to satisfy our burden and prove this case.”
The charging documents allege that late on November 16, 2023, Darnell Bishop and Dontrell Nance approached the Dunham’s store manager outside his home and held him at gunpoint. Bishop and Nance then handcuffed and blindfolded the manager and took him to another location; there, they forced him to provide security access information for the Dunham’s store. Bishop took the manager’s keys, entered the Dunham’s store, and left with more than 120 handguns packed into two large coolers. Police later recovered all but one gun. If convicted, both men face up to life in prison.
Investigators searched residences and vehicles associated with Bishop and Nance on November 17, 2023, and found firearms stolen from Dunham’s as well as an additional pistol. Both men were taken into custody that same day.
“Dontrelle Nance and Darnell Bishop are getting coal in their stockings this year rather than the 120 plus firearms they tried to steal during an armed robbery attempt of the Dunham’s Sporting Goods store in Benton Harbor,” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. Robberies and burglaries of gun dealers represent one of the biggest threats to our community’s public safety. As such, ATF partnered with our state and local law enforcement agencies to swiftly investigate this incident and thus, prevented over 120 firearms from making it into the hands of violent criminals on the streets and keeping our communities safer.”
“The use of stolen guns in violent crimes is a common occurrence in our communities, causing immense harm to families,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan. “Arresting and charging individuals allegedly involved in such crimes can save countless Michiganders from being victimized by these weapons. I want to thank the FBI's Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force for quickly resolving this case. The FBI and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are committed to working together to ensure the safety of Michigan's residents.”
“The Michigan State Police is proud to be a part of law enforcement in Southwest Michigan, and work alongside all of these dedicated, hard-working professionals,” said MSP Inspector Ryan Schoonveld. “Officers from local, state, and federal agencies came together last Thursday, working through the night, to bring a very dangerous situation to a safe and successful conclusion.”
This case was investigated by the Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI.
The charges in a complaint are merely accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. A copy of the criminal complaint, with further details and photos, is attached to this release.
Complaint###
Two Men Arrested in Gulfport Transporting 12 Kilograms of FentanylRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Two men were arrested today in Harrison County on criminal charges related to their alleged transportation of 12 kilograms of fentanyl while driving on Interstate 10 in Gulfport.
According to court documents, John Lee Price, III, and Ahmed Karim Barrie were pulled over in a pick-up truck, pulling a horse trailer, on I-10 when the driver of the vehicle was observed to commit a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the two men were found to be in possession of roughly 50,000 fake pills that were weighed, and field tested as roughly 12 kilograms of fentanyl.
Price and Barrie are both charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (fentanyl). If convicted, they each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Defendants Sentenced for Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl That Caused a Fatal Overdose in QueensRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal court in Brooklyn, Vladimir Esguerra and Jonathan Betancur were sentenced by United States District Judge Eric Komitee to 128 months’ imprisonment and 110 months’ imprisonment, respectively, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distributing the heroin and fentanyl that caused the death of Michael J. Marino.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentences.
“As the defendants admitted in their guilty pleas, they conspired over a period of years to distribute narcotics in our community, and tragically those narcotics had deadly consequences,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “We are facing a national crisis of opioid addiction, which cuts lives short every day in this district and across the country. Today’s sentences send a message that those who prey on people suffering from this disease will be punished. It is our hope that these sentences will deter others from peddling dangerous drugs and provide some measure of comfort to the victim’s family.”
“The opioid crisis has cut a wide swath across our country, affecting people from all walks of life and causing immense harm in every community,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “To combat this scourge locally, the NYPD and our law enforcement partners work relentlessly to disrupt drug trafficking operations and hold those involved fully accountable. The sentences handed down today send a message of support to the families of loved ones lost, promising that we will not rest until justice is delivered.”
As set forth in the government’s sentencing letters and other public documents, Esguerra and Betancur were drug dealers who distributed narcotics together in Queens since at least 2015. Sometimes Esguerra would meet the buyer and handle the transaction himself and sometimes he would send them to Betancur instead. In July 2019, they sold heroin cut with fentanyl to Marino, who suffered a fatal overdose as a result in a pizzeria in Ozone Park, Queens. In September 2019, Betancur was arrested by the NYPD in an unrelated case, and two cellphones that he was carrying were seized. One of them was the same phone he had used to communicate with Marino on the day of the overdose—and the number to which Marino had saved as “Vlad.” Earlier this year, both defendants pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and admitted responsibility for Marino’s death.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Pollack is prosecuting the case.
The Defendants:
JONATHAN BETANCUR
Age: 34
Queens, New YorkVLADIMIR ESGUERRA
Age: 41
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-525 (EK)
Twenty-Time Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Craig Antwon ONeal (54, Ocala) has pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon. ONeal faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, up to life, if federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to the superseding indictment, on July 20, 2020, ONeal was in possession of a firearm. As a multi-convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law. ONeal has 20 prior state felony convictions, including strong-arm robbery, resisting arrest with violence, sale of cocaine, and burglary of a conveyance. His extensive prior record also qualifies him for a sentencing enhancement as an Armed Career Criminal.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Crockett.
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.
Superseding Indictment Charges Four with Conspiracy to Sell Firearms Without A License and to Transport Firearms from North Carolina to New YorkRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal superseding indictment was unsealed in court today, charging four men with conspiracy to sell firearms without a license and to transport to New York firearms unlawfully obtained in North Carolina, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Three of the defendants also face additional firearms offenses.
Alicia Jones, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
The superseding indictment charges Keyuon Divine Cannie, 24, Trashawn Tavaris Edward Coleman, 23, Daquan Collins, 29, and Lamar Moore, 25, all of Charlotte, with conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, and to illegally sell, transfer, trade and transport firearms out-of-state. Coleman is also charged with two counts of straw purchasing a firearm and two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Moore is also charged with one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and one count of transferring a firearm to a prohibited person. Cannie is charged with two additional counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to allegations contained in the charging document, between July 1 and July 23, 2022, the defendants conspired with each other to purchase firearms in North Carolina, for the purpose of transporting and selling the firearms for profit to individuals in New York.
According to allegations in the indictment, on July 8, and on July 12, 2022, Coleman engaged in the straw purchasing of a firearm, by falsely purchasing two firearms on behalf of Cannie, knowing that Cannie intended to illegally sell the firearms. The indictment further alleges that, when he purchased the firearms from a federal firearms licensee, Coleman made false statements on the federal form required to obtain a firearm, falsely attesting that he was the actual buyer/transferee of the firearms, knowing that he was not.
The indictment also alleges that on February 8, 2022, Moore purchased a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer. In purchasing the firearm, the indictment alleges that Moore made a false statement on the required federal form, falsely attesting that Moore was the transferee/buyer of the firearm, when in fact Moore knew he was not. The indictment also alleges that, on the same day, Moore transferred the firearm to another person, knowing the that the person had been previously convicted of a crime and was therefore not permitted to own or possess a firearm.
The indictment alleges that between February 8 and March 10, 2022, and on July 12, 2022, Cannie illegally possessed one or more firearms, knowing he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding a year.
The charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The charge of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Each straw purchasing of a firearm charge carries a statutory penalty of 25 years in prison, and the maximum penalty for the charge of possession of a firearm by a felon is 15 years in prison.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Regina Pack of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
This case is prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms. For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
This case is also 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.
Siblings Sentenced to Combined 48 Years in Prison for Smuggling NarcoticsRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Midland woman and her brother, a Mexican national, were sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 262 months and 324 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO).
According to court documents, Blanca Estela Maldonado, 54, of Midland, and her brother Federico Jose Maldonado-Aleman, 59, of Mexico, were part of a DTO responsible for trafficking approximately 79 kilograms of methamphetamine within the Western District of Texas between December 2016 and September 2018. The conspirators transported narcotics themselves and hired individuals to smuggle narcotics across the border, using Blanca Maldonado’s Midland residence as a primary pick-up/drop off point. Federico Maldonado-Aleman served as a supplier and facilitator of smuggling operations.
“For two years, these defendants conspired as part of a Mexican DTO using one of the individual’s homes as a distribution hub,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the collaborative investigation efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, we were able to secure incredibly substantial prison sentences for six drug traffickers responsible for pushing dangerous drugs into our communities.”
“These significant sentences send a clear message to criminal organizations that there are serious consequences for trafficking-controlled substances,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “HSI will continue to pursue transnational criminal investigations to target dangerous individuals who threaten the security of the United States.”
“The collective number of years members of this organization will spend in prison shows our collective commitment to bringing those who bring devastating drugs to our communities to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Field Office. “These sentences will now serve as a clear reminder of the consequences of choosing to poison our communities.”
Four additional codefendants involved were sentenced earlier in the case, all for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Juan Francisco Guajardo, 34, of Eagle Pass, was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment on Feb. 4, 2020. April Sotelo, 42, of Seagraves, was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment on Dec. 7, 2020. Kenneth Ray Cabrera, 40, of Seminole, was sentenced to 300 months imprisonment on March 1, 2022. Agatha Marie Barrientez, 37, of Midland, was sentenced to 292 months on June 30, 2022. In total, the six co-conspirators received a combined penalty of more than 141 years in prison.
HSI, DEA and USBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Fleming, Joshua Garland and Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
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Seven Des Moines Gang Member and Associates Indicted on Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a 51-count indictment on November 16, 2023, charging seven individuals with offenses related to a racketeering conspiracy, which involved a conspiracy to engage in a years-long pattern of violence, including attempted murders, robberies, drug trafficking, the straw purchasing of firearms, and the trafficking of firearms.
As alleged in the Indictment, those charged were members and associates of a criminal organization or Enterprise known as “Only My Brother” or “OMB.” OMB originated in early- to mid-2021. Prior to that, some members and associates of OMB referred to themselves as various other names, including C-Block, 600, East Side Crips, Crips, and Gangster. The principal purposes and objectives of the Enterprise were to distribute controlled substances, obtain money and things of value, and earn and maintain respect in the neighborhood. To achieve those purposes and objectives, members and associates of the Enterprise committed acts involving attempted murder, robbery, and assault; threatened to commit acts of violence; trafficking in controlled substances and firearms; and straw purchased firearms.
The following members and associates of OMB, all of Des Moines, are charged in the Indictment:
- Majok Majok, 19, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to traffic firearms, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machinegun, and four counts of distribution of fentanyl. Majok is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years of imprisonment and up to life.
- Santiz Cortez Langford, Jr., 20, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, two counts of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, conspiracy to traffic firearms, two counts of firearms trafficking, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a machinegun and firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, three counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a machinegun. Langford is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years of imprisonment and up to life.
- Semaj Johnson, 19, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic firearms, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. As part of this investigation, Johnson was previously charged with, and pled guilty to, illegal possession of a machinegun and is awaiting sentencing (Southern District of Iowa, 4:22-cr-106). Johnson is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment and up to life.
- Avontae Lamar Tucker, 20, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition, interference with commerce through robbery, possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Tucker is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 22 years of imprisonment, and up to life. As part of this investigation, Tucker was previously convicted of interference with commerce through robbery, possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. (Southern District of Iowa, 4:22-cr-164). On July 20, 2023, he was sentenced to 192 months of imprisonment.
- Dahaba Bahari Lula, 18, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, and five counts of distribution of fentanyl. Lula is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and up to life.
- Dawn Ellease Robinson, 44, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, four counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm, straw purchasing of a firearm, and two counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. Robinson is facing up to a combined total of 105 years of imprisonment.
- Deon Ellease Cooper, 27, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, six counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, and straw purchasing a firearm. Cooper is facing up to a combined total of 95 years of imprisonment.
The Indictment may be viewed at the link below.
Lula made her initial court appearance today before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The remaining defendants will make their initial court appearances on later dates.
As part of this investigation, several other members and associates of the Enterprise were charged with various drug- and firearms-related crimes, as stated in a July 2023 press release. The following defendants charged in those cases have now entered guilty pleas:
- Armani Eugene Gates, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, unlawful user in possession of a firearm, two counts of conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. At sentencing, which is set for March 8, 2024, Gates faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment, and up to life.
- Deadrian Maurice Nelson, 19, pled guilty to two counts of felon and unlawful drug user in possession of firearms. He faces up to a combined total of 30 years of imprisonment. Nelson’s sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2024.
- Bakier Mohamd Esmaeil, 18, pled guilty to one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm. At his sentencing on March 6, 2024, Esmaeil faces up to 15 years of imprisonment.
- Johnetta Marie Strode, 36, is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on November 28, 2023.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Richard Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Herrera and Mallory Weiser are prosecuting the case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Des Moines Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating the case, with assistance from the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
OMB Indictment
San Francisco Resident Charged with Murder of A Person Whose Body Was Found in the PresidioRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – The Office of the United States Attorney has filed a federal criminal complaint charging Leion Butler with aiding and abetting murder after surveillance videos led investigators to conclude Butler was involved in the murder of a victim whose lifeless body was found on November 12, 2023, in the Presidio, in San Francisco, Calif. The complaint was filed November 20, 2023, and was unsealed earlier today.
According to the complaint, Butler, 20, of San Francisco, is responsible for the murder of the victim found in the Presidio on November 12, 2023. Early that morning, witnesses discovered a deceased body in the parking lot of Crissy Field East Beach in the Presidio. The complaint describes how the victim was found to have suffered from a single gunshot wound to his head.
The criminal complaint describes how investigators reviewed video from surveillance cameras near where the body was found, including those capturing cars leaving the area near the time of the murder. One of the cars observed leaving the area was linked to the deceased victim. Three days later, the victim’s vehicle was located, unoccupied, with its license plates still attached. The car reportedly was double parked for days in a street in the Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. The criminal complaint describes how investigators obtained additional surveillance footage from cameras near where the victim’s car was found. The additional surveillance video captured the arrival of the victim’s car and showed someone—later identified as the defendant—parking the car, exiting, and speaking into a cellphone. Further, the video captured the eventual arrival of a second car. The criminal complaint further describes how the surveillance camera captured images of the defendant speaking with the driver of the second car, the defendant making several trips between the victim’s car and the second car, and the defendant wiping down the driver’s side door and interior of the victim’s car with “a clothing item or towel.” In addition, the video showed additional images of the defendant retrieving items from the victim’s car and eventually getting into the second vehicle and leaving the scene.
The complaint describes how further investigation led investigators to discover the name of the person who owned the second vehicle and, eventually, to the defendant. According to investigators, the defendant both fit the description of the person who parked the victim’s car in Hunter’s Point and was related to the owner of the second vehicle. Further, investigators developed evidence establishing that on the day of the murder, the defendant’s cell phone was both in the general area where the victim was found and where the victim’s car was wiped down.
In sum, Butler is charged with murder, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1111 and 2.
A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The maximum statutory penalty for murder is death or life imprisonment. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Butler was arrested on November 20, 2023, and remains in federal custody. Butler appeared this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim to face the charges. Butler pleaded not guilty. Butler’s next appearance is scheduled for November 22, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Kim, for further status on detention.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Davidson is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Recidivist Felon Sentenced for Fentanyl, Heroin and Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Midlothian man was sentenced today to 5 years in prison for possessing a fentanyl and heroin mixture in addition to unlawfully possessing a firearm.
According to court documents, on July 20, 2023, Allen C. Clack, 43, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of a mixture containing both fentanyl and heroin and to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. In the summer of 2022, law enforcement agents conducted an investigation of Clack’s drug trafficking activities in and around the City of Richmond. As a result of that investigation, agents executed search warrants on Clack’s vehicle and his residence. On September 21, 2022, agents located Clack in his vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing Psilocyn, approximately 36 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture, and 3.66 grams of cocaine, along with a loaded 9mm pistol and items used for the packaging and distribution of illegal controlled substances. From Clack’s residence, agents recovered over 73 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture and over 71 grams of fentanyl, along with a second handgun. Prior to September 21, 2022, Clack had been convicted of felony possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and felony possession with intent to distribute cocaine. As a result, he was prohibited from possessing or transporting firearms.
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 Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. 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-35.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Launder MoneyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Carlos Martinez Desmoineaux, 47, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to launder money. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Desmoineaux to time served, approximately 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Desmoineaux will also serve a 2-year term of supervised release.
In 2009, Desmoineaux agreed with a confederate to use Desmoineaux’s bank account in Trinidad and Tobago to launder proceeds from marijuana sales. Wire transfers totaling $77,700 were sent to Desmoineaux’s bank account from locations in the United States, and an additional $10,800 cash was transported by the confederate to Trinidad and Tobago and deposited into the account. All the funds were generated from the sale of marijuana. Desmoineaux sent $88,500 by wire transfer to an airplane seller in Oklahoma to help finance the purchase of an airplane that the confederate planned to use and later did use to transport marijuana. Desmoineaux surrendered to authorities in Colombia in 2022 and was extradited to the United States in 2023.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS Criminal Investigations.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Wesley T. Vavra, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Vavra was convicted of the charge by a jury on August 23, 2023. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Vavra to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Vavra’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
Between May 2022 and July 16, 2022, Vavra communicated on the Whisper application and through text messages with someone Vavra thought was interested in “open family play dates.” The other Whisper user was a law enforcement officer working in an undercover (“UC”) capacity pretending to be a father with an 8-year-old child. Vavra arranged to meet the UC on July 18, 2022, to engage in sexual acts with the supposed father’s 8-year-old child. Vavra was arrested upon arrival at the meetup location in Omaha. Vavra’s cell phone was seized. Analysis of Vavra’s phone showed that in addition to communicating with the UC, Vavra was also communicating with someone he thought was a 13-year-old female during this same timeframe. The 13-year-old female was also a law enforcement officer working in an undercover capacity.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Douglas County’s Sheriff’s Office.
Omaha Man Convicted for Escape from CustodyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that William Lamb, 55, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for escape from custody. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lamb to 2 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lamb’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.
On August 2, 2004, Lamb was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On August 27, 2022, Lamb was transferred to Dismas Charities in Omaha, Nebraska, a Residential Reentry Center, to complete his sentence. On June 16, 2023, RRC staff conducted a routine vehicle search of Lamb’s vehicle and discovered what appeared to be a white, crystalline substance consistent with meth. Upon questioning of the substance by RRC staff, Lamb exited the facility, entered his vehicle, and drove off the property without authorization. He did not return to the RRC and was later arrested in Oklahoma.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
Middlesex County Construction Company Admits Causing Death of Employee Who Fell Off Roof During Residential Roof ProjectRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A construction company based in Old Bridge, New Jersey, admitted violating Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, leading to the death of an employee, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Zona Roofing LLC (Zona Roofing), via its owner Yilbert Segura, pleaded guilty on Nov. 20, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court to an information charging it with one count of willfully violating OSHA standards by failing to provide fall protection and fall protection training to employees engaged in the replacement of a residential roof, which caused the death of an employee.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Aug. 6, 2019, Segura and four employees began a roof replacement project on a residential home located in Haledon, New Jersey. Despite working more than 20 feet from the ground, employees for Zona Roofing were not equipped with any personal fall protection equipment, such as safety harnesses, lanyards, tie-off ropes, guard rails, safety nets, or other feasible means of fall protection. None of the employees had received fall protection training to recognize the hazards of falling or the procedures to be followed to minimize those hazards.
On Aug. 8, 2019, while working on the roof, one of Zona Roofing’s employees lost his balance and fell approximately 22 feet to the ground, sustaining blunt force injuries to his head that resulted in his death. The employee was not equipped with any fall protection gear, and he had not received any fall protection training. Zona Roofing was previously cited by Maryland OSHA in February 2019 for failing to provide fall protection to its employees.
If the court accepts the terms of the plea agreement, Zona Roofing will be sentenced to five years of probation and will pay restitution of $75,000 to the employee’s family members. Zona Roofing must also follow specified conditions, including providing training procedures to all its employees and a requirement to follow enhanced safety provisions for future construction jobs. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone; Daniel Hennefeld, Counsel for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of the Solicitor of Labor, Region 2, and OSHA Compliance Officers with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett Schuman of the Criminal Division in Newark.
zonaroofing.information.pdfMember of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston-area man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a violent Boston street gang as well as gun and drug trafficking charges.
Kenny Romero, a/k/a “KG,” 29, of Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy), three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Feb. 29, 2024.
According to court documents, Cameron Street is a violent gang based largely in Dorchester whose members use violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation. Members allegedly post videos or use social media applications to promote Cameron Street, celebrate murders and other violent crimes committed by the gang and denigrate rivals – in particular the NOB gang – an abbreviation for the Norton/Olney/Barry Streets in Dorchester. Cameron Street members allegedly possess, carry and use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds. Cameron Street members also allegedly distribute controlled substances and firearms, commit armed robberies and engage in human trafficking in part to generate income for the Cameron Street enterprise.
During a two-year investigation, Romero was recorded selling eight firearms, as well as ammunition, cocaine base and cocaine to a cooperating witness, who Romero believed was a member of Cameron Street. The drug and gun sales Romero made were discussed and negotiated over cell phones and Snapchat. Additionally, Romero’s phone was found to contain messages showing he had received funds from human trafficking activities.The charge of RICO conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for up to 20 years in prison, supervised release of at least three years and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Married Couple Sentenced for Laundering $1.4 Million in Proceeds from Jewelry Thefts and Unemployment Fraud During PandemicRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 20, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Eduard Ghiocel and his wife, Floarea Ghiocel, were sentenced in federal court today to 36 months and 30 months, respectively, for laundering $1.4 million in proceeds from dozens of grand thefts, robberies and swindles targeting mostly elderly victims in San Diego County.
According to their plea agreements, the Ghiocels, along with co-conspirators Gabriel Ghiocel, Marius Ghiocel, Larisa Ghiocel, and Argentina Alexandru, conducted a series of 17 grand thefts and robberies of jewelry in elderly communities in San Diego. They then pawned the stolen jewelry and watches for cash in jewelry stores in Los Angeles.
In addition, Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel admitted submitting fraudulent unemployment claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to obtain approximately $32,250 in California unemployment insurance benefits intended to help workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel admitted wiring proceeds from the jewelry thefts and the unemployment insurance fraud to Romania, as well as using the proceeds to purchase gold bars, gold coins, and high-end luxury vehicles from locations in Southern California and shipping these items to Romania. In total the Ghiocels sent almost $1.4 million to Romania, knowing the money was proceeds of theft, robbery, and fraud, the plea agreement said.
Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel agreed to forfeit proceeds of the crime including two Lamborghini Urus, a 2020 Ferrari Portofino, and a BMW X4 all seized by authorities in Romania. The forfeitures will be used pay restitution to victims of the crimes.
The co-conspirators remain at large.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Adeline Schulberg with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, FBI's Legal Attaché in Bucharest, and Romanian authorities including the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (DCCO) Service for Countering of Organized Criminal Groups, Brigade for Combating Organized Crime (BCCO) – Pitești, County Service for Countering Organized Crime – Teleorman, Romanian Gendarmerie Battalion, Romanian Ministry of Justice, and Romanian Criminal Investigative Directorate - Fugitive Unit.
DEFENDANT Case Number 23CR0386-LAB
Eduard Ghiocel (1) Age: 48 Romania
aka Eduard Alexandru, aka “Filica”
Floarea Ghiocel (2) Age: 49 Romania
aka Floarea Alexandru
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) and Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A) — Conspiracy to Transport Funds to Promote Unlawful Activity
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, transmission, or transfer, whichever is greater
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit
IRS Criminal Investigation
California Employment Development Department Investigative Division
Department of Labor Office of Inspector General
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Santiago Montes-Osorio, 30, a Mexican citizen most recently living in Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States Chief District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Montes-Osorio to 114 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Montes-Osorio’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On July 21, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Montes-Osorio’s vehicle in Omaha and found approximately 872 grams of meth. A search of Montes-Osorio’s residence in Omaha uncovered approximately 2,437 grams of meth and $19,451 cash. A search of a storage unit in Council Bluffs, Iowa, that Montes-Osorio had access to uncovered another 21.9 kilograms of meth.
The $19,451 cash was forfeited as proceeds of illegal narcotics sales.
This case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Omaha Police Department, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force.
Man Sentenced to 6 ½ Years for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Rajiiv Isree, 32, a Jamaican citizen who was living in Baraboo, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 78 months in prison for distributing child pornography. Isree is likely to be deported following his release from prison, but if he is not, the prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Isree pleaded guilty to this charge on August 7, 2023.
On July 2, 2022, a 15-year-old girl reported that she had been sexually assaulted by Isree. Further investigation showed that the defendant filmed the assault and sent her a video of it. Law enforcement found additional videos of the defendant engaged in sexual activity with the minor sexually the girl on the defendant’s phone.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson said that the defendant took advantage of a vulnerable girl when he engaged in sexual conduct with her and that videoing the conduct amplified the harm to the victim.
The charge against Isree was the result of an investigation conducted by the Lake Delton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case.
Man Charged for 2019 Double Murder in Taos PuebloRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Joshua Gonzales made an initial appearance in federal court on an indictment charging him with two counts of first-degree murder. Gonzales, 37, will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, November 24, 2023.
According to court records, Gonzales and his girlfriend had been staying at the home of John Doe 1. On May 30, 2019, Gonzales assaulted his girlfriend while they were near the home. Gonzales’ girlfriend told John Doe 1 about the assault and left the home, leaving Gonzales and John Doe 1 alone. When John Doe 1 questioned Gonzales about the assault, Gonzales attacked John Doe 1. During that assault, Gonzales bludgeoned John Doe 1’s body and head, brutally killing him.
Moments later, John Doe 2 arrived at John Doe 1’s house. John Doe 1 had previously called John Doe 2, likely seeking help, which is what prompted John Doe 2 to go over to the residence. Gonzales exited John Doe 1’s house and proceeded to beat John Doe 2, who was only days into recovery from a hip surgery, in the driveway, also brutally killing him. Defendant then took John Doe 2’s body inside and stacked both men’s bodies in John Doe 1’s house, then placed a roll of metal fence on top of the bodies. Gonzales then left the home and locked the door behind him with a padlock on the exterior of the doors.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Gonzales faces life in prison.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander F. Flores and Matthew J. McGinley are prosecuting the case.
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Louisiana Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Two Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Louisiana man was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute two pounds of methamphetamine.
According to court records, in January 2022, a confidential source informed Homeland Security Investigators that Deandrea Keion Malbrough, 30, was sending methamphetamine to the Southern District of Mississippi. This source then connected undercover agents with Malbrough who went on to mail two pounds of methamphetamine to agents at an address in Gulfport.
A federal grand jury indicted Malbrough on February 22, 2023, and he pled guilty on July 17, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
Lawrence Woman Pleads Guilty in Conspiracy to Use Stolen Identities to Fraudulently Purchase VehiclesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence woman pleaded guilty yesterday to her role in a scheme to use the stolen identities of United States citizens from Puerto Rico to fraudulently purchase vehicles.
Wanda Sanchez, 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and false representation of a Social Security number. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2024. The defendant and multiple co-defendants were charged by criminal complaint in September 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2020. All six defendants charged in the indictment have now pleaded guilty.
According to charging documents, in January 2019, Sanchez visited a Massachusetts car dealership to purchase a late-model vehicle and applied for 100% financing. In support of the application, Sanchez provided stolen biographical information of a real United States citizen, a fraudulent Puerto Rico driver’s license and a Social Security card in that identity as proof of identification.
The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lowell, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, Woburn and Dartmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Adam W. Deitch of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity and benefit fraud schemes.
Kansas Woman Sentenced for Witness Retaliation PlotRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Juanita Gibson, age 38, originally of Hillsboro, Kansas, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter sentenced Gibson to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Gibson’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In the fall of 2021, Johnny Dolph (hereinafter “Dolph”) was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang that originated in Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband was arrested in Nebraska for forgery counts. Victim 1’s husband was coming to Nebraska to assist Dolph in his forgery activities. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph (hereinafter “Norwood”) began contacting Victim 1 in attempts to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband.
In October 2021, a search warrant was obtained through the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for Dolph’s apartment in Omaha. This search warrant was signed by Magistrate Judge Susan Bazis and the affiant for the warrant was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.
Following the execution of the search warrant, Dolph and Norwood began researching the affiant agent and magistrate judge listed on the search warrant. Dolph and Norwood also reached out to individuals outside of Nebraska providing information about Victim 1, where Victim 1 resides, and where family members of Victim 1 lived.
On November 19, 2021, Dolph contacted Kate Ruth A/K/A Kate Winter A/K/A Kate Hill (hereinafter “Ruth”) and requested that she travel from Kansas to Omaha, Nebraska to attempt to carry out his “green light” on Victim 1. Dolph instructed Ruth to go to Greyhound and attempt to pick up a ticket that had been purchased in a third party’s name. Ruth was instead driven to Nebraska from Kansas by Gibson. Gibson obtained a red pickup truck to drive she and Ruth to Omaha. During the drive to Nebraska, Dolph sent Gibson and Ruth money for gas over CashApp, inquired to the status of their travel, and provided directions on where to park once they arrived at his apartment.
Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1.
On September 2, 2022, Gibson was interviewed by the United States Secret Service and admitted to coming to Nebraska with Ruth at Dolph’s request. Gibson admitted that the purpose of the trip was to find a female that Dolph was looking for.
The individual from Kansas was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On August 17, 2023, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness. On November 14, 2023, Norwood pleaded guilty to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, conspiracy to destroy evidence, and conspiracy to assault a witness. Ruth is currently pending trial and are presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Sean Patrick Boyd Jr., 26, of Dunbar, pleaded guilty today to receipt of stolen money. Boyd admitted to a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of $20,832 in COVID-19 relief loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 18, 2021, Boyd applied for a PPP loan on behalf of his purported business, “Sean Boyd.” Boyd falsely stated in his application that “Sean Boyd” was in operation on February 15, 2020, which was a requirement to qualify for a PPP loan. Boyd admitted that “Sean Boyd” was fictitious and was not a registered business entity in West Virginia at the time he applied for the loan. Businesses applying for PPP loans were also required to provide documentation showing their prior gross income from either 2019 or 2020. Boyd admitted that he submitted a false IRS Form 1040, Schedule C, stating that “Sean Boyd” had earned $99,996 in gross income during 2019.
Boyd submitted the loan application electronically from West Virginia and it was uploaded to servers in Nebraska for processing. Boyd’s loan application was approved and $20,832 was electronically transferred to his personal bank account in West Virginia. Boyd admitted that before he received the fraudulent loan, his bank account balance was $12.47. On May 24, 2021, Boyd withdrew $10,000 of the fraudulent loan proceeds from his bank’s branch in Nitro.
The CARES Act, enacted in March 2020, offered emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance included forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP.
Boyd is scheduled to be sentenced on February 7, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Boyd also owes $23,817.79 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Secret Service, the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU).
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-123.
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Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Religious Land Use Case Involving Oregon Church That Feeds People Who are Homeless or HungryRead the Press Release
The Justice Department filed a statement of interest today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon explaining that a city’s decision to restrict a church’s distribution of meals to people who are homeless or hungry may have substantially burdened religious exercise under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
The statement of interest was filed in St. Timothy’s Church v. City of Brookings, Or., a lawsuit alleging that the City of Brookings imposed a substantial burden on the religious exercise of St. Timothy’s, an Episcopalian church, with a recently enacted ordinance that prohibits the church from serving free meals to persons in need more than two days per week, subject to a discretionary permit.
“Many churches and faith-based organizations across the country are on the front lines serving the critical needs of people experiencing hunger and homelessness,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Discriminatory zoning restrictions that burden and limit religious organizations’ use of their land violate federal antidiscrimination laws. The Justice Department is committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws to ensure that all religious groups can freely exercise their religious beliefs.”
For over a decade before this ordinance was enacted, St. Timothy’s had been providing meal service up to four days per week, and as many as six days per week, including during the Covid-19 pandemic, based on community need. The church has even testified that it feels a religious duty to provide food to those in need.
The city argued in part that RLUIPA did not apply to the city’s actions against St. Timothy’s and that the ordinance did not substantially burden St. Timothy’s religious exercise. The department is refuting the city’s claims. Specifically, it asserts that RLUIPA’s protections apply in this context, that St. Timothy’s provision of meals to people in need is protected religious exercise and that the city’s attempt to restrict St. Timothy’s meal service may have substantially burdened the church’s religious exercise by forcing it to violate its beliefs in order to comply with local land use laws.
RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. In June 2018, the Justice Department announced its Place to Worship Initiative, which focuses on RLUIPA’s provisions that protect the rights of houses of worship and other religious institutions to worship on their land. More information is available at www.justice.gov/crt/placetoworship.
As part of this initiative, the department has filed statements of interest in other RLUIPA cases involving faith-based services to persons in need, including in Micah’s Way v. City of Santa Ana (Civil Rights Division | Statement of Interest in Micah’s Way v. City of Santa Ana (C.D. Cal.) | United States Department of Justice). Additionally, the department recently hosted an outreach forum with religious leaders at Seton Hall Law School in Newark, New Jersey, on combating religious discrimination under RLUIPA, and plans to hold additional outreach events in California and Michigan.
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section at (213) 894-2879 or the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (833) 591-0291 or may submit a complaint through the complaint portal on the Place to Worship Initiative website. More information about RLUIPA, including questions and answers about the law and other documents, can be found at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php.
st._timothy_soi_file_stamped.pdfIngredion to Spend $8 Million in Settlement over Violations Involving Emissions of Particulate Matter at Indianapolis Corn Wet MillRead the Press Release
Plant-based ingredient maker Ingredion Incorporated today agreed to a settlement with the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, to settle claims that it violated the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its corn wet milling facility in Indianapolis. Ingredion will pay a civil penalty of $1,139,600 and implement measures at a cost of nearly $7 million to reduce and offset unpermitted emissions of particulate matter (PM) and to comply with lower future PM limits.
A complaint filed with the consent decree states that Ingredion violated CAA permit limits on PM emissions, including inhalable PMs with a diameter of 10 microns or less, and volatile organic compounds. The complaint also states that Ingredion did not operate and monitor certain equipment as required to minimize air emissions.
“Today’s settlement will not just bring Ingredion back into compliance with the Clean Air Act, it will hold it to more stringent air pollution standards going forward,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This settlement will result in cleaner air for the residents of Indianapolis, particularly those who live in the overburdened community near the Ingredion facility.”
“This settlement requires Ingredion to both lower its future emissions of particulate matter and take additional steps to offset the excess emissions it has released in prior years,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “To help ensure the Company’s future compliance, the settlement also requires Ingredion to implement a compliance management system that is subject to an independent audit program.”
“IDEM is happy to be a part of this resolution that ensures responsible operations in compliance with the Clean Air Act,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “Good air quality is a shared resource that requires partnership between government entities, the public and industry. This settlement will benefit residents in Marion County and Hoosiers across Indiana.”
PM is composed of microscopic solids or liquid droplets. It can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems including coughing, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.
The settlement requires Ingredion to install and operate new equipment to meet PM limits that are lower than the plant’s current permitted limits. The company completed installation and testing of the new system in advance of today’s filing. The settlement also requires Ingredion to implement a modernized compliance management system to address repeated operation and monitoring failures at the facility, and hire an independent auditor to verify the effectiveness of the system.
Under today’s settlement, Ingredion committed to mitigating the harm associated with past excess PM emissions by paving onsite unpaved and partially paved roads and parking areas to reduce PM emissions generated by vehicle traffic, which Ingredion completed in advance of today’s filing. The company will also replace aging railway locomotives at the facility with two modern locomotives that meet emissions standards.
As a state supplemental environmental project, the settlement requires Ingredion to contribute $560,400 to the State of Indiana to support Brownfields redevelopment in and around Marion County, Indiana.
The EPA and IDEM are investigating the case.
Attorneys from ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office are handling the case.
The consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Former major of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office convicted of abusive sexual contact with a minorRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On Nov. 17, a federal jury convicted the former major of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, of abusive sexual contact with a minor under 12 years old.
The conviction comes after a five-day jury trial before U.S. Senior District Judge Donald L. Graham in Miami.
In May 2023, Justin Dale Sigmon, 47, while on a cruise that departed from the Port of Miami, repeatedly put his hands up the skirt of a nine-year-old, rubbing her inner thighs and private area, despite her repeatedly pushing his hands away on multiple occasions. Two good Samaritans, who were seated next to Sigmon in the cruise ship dining room, noticed his behavior, recorded it, and reported it to cruise ship security. The cruise ship’s surveillance cameras also captured Sigmon’s actions. When cruise security officials confronted him about his conduct, Sigmon identified himself as a law enforcement officer.
Sentencing is set for Jan. 12, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in Miami. Sigmon faces up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Filed Office, announced the guilty verdict.
FBI Miami investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Carnival Cruise Line security. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Kahn Obenauf and Lacee Elizabeth Monk prosecuted it.
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. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate better, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-20294.
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Former Virginia Ambulance Service Owner Found Guilty of Tax Evasion, Filing False Returns and Obstructing the IRSRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Virginia man today of evading the payment of employment taxes, filing false tax returns and obstructing the IRS.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from January 2008 through December 2009, James C. Jones Jr., of Christiansburg, owned and operated Lifeline Ambulance Service Inc. and was responsible for paying to the IRS approximately $200,000 in federal income and Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from Lifeline’s employees’ wages. However, he did not pay those withholdings to the IRS. As a result, in December 2009, the IRS assessed the unpaid employment taxes against Jones personally. To obstruct IRS efforts to collect those taxes, Jones misrepresented that he did not have sufficient funds and assets to pay when, in fact, Jones owned multiple apartments and bank accounts in the Caribbean and a classic “muscle car” collection. Jones continued to obstruct IRS collection efforts by filing false tax returns for 2013 through 2018 that did not report the rental income from his Caribbean properties and claimed false deductions. Jones also falsely represented to the Justice Department that he did not have records responsive to a subpoena ordering him to produce foreign bank records, when in fact, he possessed these records as the director and owner of multiple foreign holding companies.
Jones faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion, three years in prison for each false return count and three years in prison for obstructing the IRS. He also faces a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia and Special Agent-in-Charge Kareem Carter of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI) Washington D.C. Field Office made the announcement.
IRS-CI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Francesca Bartolomey, Todd Ellinwood and Brian Flanagan of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlene Day for the Western District of Virginia are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly McGann for the Western District of Virginia.
Former New York City Correction Officer Sentenced to 29 Months in Prison for Smuggling Contraband into Rikers Island in Exchange for Nearly $10,000 in Bribe PaymentsRead the Press Release
Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, former New York City correction officer Krystle Burrell was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 29 months’ imprisonment for accepting nearly $10,000 in bribe payments in exchange for smuggling contraband into Rikers Island. Burrell was employed by the New York City Department of Corrections (DOC) and worked as a correction officer at Rikers Island.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.
“Krystle Burrell put her own interests above the safety of incarcerated individuals and other correction officers at Rikers Island by accepting payments for drugs and smuggling cell phones into the jail she was supposed to protect,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Public corruption is especially harmful when it affects the safety and security of our city’s jails and today’s sentence demonstrates that correction officers face serious consequences for smuggling contraband into Rikers Island.”
DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “New York City Correction Officers’ most significant responsibility is to maintain order and safety in our City’s jails. By accepting bribes and smuggling contraband onto Rikers Island, this defendant endangered both the persons in custody, and fellow officers, that she was entrusted to protect. Her prison sentence sends a strong message that officers who misuse their positions of trust will be held accountable. I thank the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their partnership in our joint efforts to eradicate contraband smuggling in the City jail system.”
“Bringing contraband into a correctional facility undermines the security of the institution and threatens the residents and the officers tasked with keeping them safe,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “Above all else, correction officers are public servants – the majority of whom honor their oaths and serve as stellar examples to the community and those under their care. Ms. Burrell, who blatantly abused her position of authority, was the exact opposite.”
According to court documents and facts presented at today’s sentencing proceeding, Burrell accepted nearly $10,000 in bribes from co-conspirators on behalf of co-defendant Terrae Hinds in exchange for Burrell smuggling contraband into the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island for Hinds. Burrell also accepted payments on behalf of Hinds for narcotics and other contraband so that Hinds could resell the contraband on Rikers Island. After she pleaded guilty in federal court in September 2022 to bribery charges and while on bail pending sentencing, Burrell conspired with Hinds and others to smuggle contraband into the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where Hinds had been transferred and was being held on federal charges. In March 2023, Burrell was charged with the additional crime of smuggling contraband into a federal prison. Burrell pleaded guilty to smuggling contraband into a federal detention facility and she was also sentenced today for this additional crime.
Hinds previously pleaded guilty to bribing Burrell and is currently awaiting sentencing.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorney Philip Pilmar is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
KRYSTLE BURRELL
Age: 36
Lawrence, NYE.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 22-CR-196 (KAM); 23-CR-207 (KAM)
Former Enfield Resident Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison for Cocaine Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN SANCHEZ-RAZON, also known as “Juanito,” 29, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Enfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 25 months of imprisonment for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking organization, with ties to a Mexican drug cartel, operating in the area of Enfield, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics, revealed that Sergio Horta-Molina, of Suffield, arranged the shipment of cocaine and other narcotics to Connecticut, and then distributed the drugs to other members of the organization who, in turn, sold the drugs to street-level traffickers and drug customers.
During the investigation, Horta-Molina arranged the shipment of a package from California to Sanchez-Razon’s residence in Enfield. On April 27, 2022, Sanchez-Razon delivered the package to another individual. Law enforcement subsequently stopped that individual as he was attempting to deliver the package to Horta-Molina. A search of the package revealed a kilogram of cocaine.
On May 5, 2022, a search of Sanchez-Razon’s residence revealed approximately 100 grams of cocaine and approximately $7,000 in cash.
Sanchez-Razon has been detained since his arrest on June 21, 2022. On March 3, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Sanchez-Razon faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
Horta-Molina pleaded guilty and, on June 6, 2023, he was sentenced to 94 months of imprisonment for both the offense and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal narcotics trafficking conviction.
This investigation has been conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and the Enfield Police Department. The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Former College Track and Field Coach Pleads Guilty to Cyber Fraud Scheme to Obtain Explicit Photos of Innocent Women from Across the CountryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former college track and field coach pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to trick women across the country into sending him nude or semi-nude photos using more than a dozen sham social media and email accounts. The defendant cyberstalked one female student-athlete and orchestrated a scheme to gain unauthorized access to a victim’s Snapchat account.
Steve Waithe, 30, of Chicago, Ill., pleaded guilty 12 counts of wire fraud; one count of cyberstalking; one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud; and one count of computer fraud, aiding and abetting. U.S District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2024. Waithe was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in April 2021 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2021.
“Mr. Waithe’s conduct is despicable. For almost a year, he manipulated, exploited and in one case stalked young women across the county hiding behind a web of anonymized social media accounts and fabricated personas he engineered. Mr. Waithe maliciously invaded the lives of dozens of innocent victims and inflicted real trauma. He now knows no one can hide from justice – even anonymously behind a keyboard. Protecting our communities is one of the highest priorities for this office and we will use every tool at our disposable to ensure predators like Mr. Waithe face the full consequences of their actions,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“Today, this former coach finally admitted to using his position of trust to betray his students when he extorted them for his own sexual gratification. He even went as far as cyberstalking one of them. Make no mistake, predators come in many different forms, and Steve Waithe is no exception,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Cyberstalking is a serious crime that can inflict lasting harm, and thankfully, the victims in this case did not let fear silence them. Many don’t report these types of crimes because they don’t think anything will be done to the perpetrator. We hope this case demonstrates otherwise.”
Waithe previously worked as a track and field coach at several academic institutions, including Northeastern University, Penn State University, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Tennessee and Concordia University Chicago.
While a track coach at Northeastern, Waithe requested the cell phones of female student-athletes under the pretense of filming them at practice and at meets and covertly sent himself explicit photos of the victims that had previously been saved on their phones.
Starting at least as early as February 2020, Waithe began perpetrating an evolving scheme to dupe women into sending him nude or semi-nude photos of themselves. Specifically, Waithe used anonymized social media accounts with usernames like “anon.4887” and variations of the phrase “Privacy Protector” to contact prospective victims, claiming that he had found compromising photos of them online and offering to “help” get the photos removed from the internet. Waithe also requested additional nude or semi-nude photos from victims that he could purportedly use for “reverse image searches.”
Further, Waithe fabricated at least two female personas, “Katie Janovich” and “Kathryn Svoboda,” in an effort to obtain nude and/or semi-nude photos of women. Under the purported premise of an “athlete research” or “body development” study, Waithe emailed prospective victims pretending to be “Katie” or “Kathryn” with email accounts in their names. The emails described a phony study for athletes and requested information relating to height, weight, body fat and diet habits. The emails also included a request for the victims to send photos of themselves in order to “track their progress” and recommended that the photos show the women in a “uniform or bathing suit to show as much skin as possible.” The emails often included attachments of sample nude and semi-nude images to illustrate the types of photos that victims should send.
Investigators identified over a dozen sham social media accounts used by Waithe and hundreds of photos sent dozens of victims who thought they were emailing someone conducting a legitimate research study.
Waithe also cyberstalked one victim, from at least June 2020 to October 2020, through text messages and direct messages sent via social media, as well as by hacking into her Snapchat account. He texted and sent nude photos of the victim to the victim’s boyfriend, stating, “I wanted to make you aware that someone hacked your girlfriend’s snapchat account and will leak it soon. I need your help to assure this does not happen.” Over the course of those five months, Waithe sent harassing and intimidating messages to the victim and her boyfriend. The messages included explicit photos that Waithe had stolen from the victim’s phone when she was on the Track and Field team at Northeastern.
In October 2020, Waithe conspired with another individual to hack into Snapchat accounts, ultimately gaining access to at least one account and its private “My Eyes Only” folder that contained nude and/or semi-nude photos. In addition, Waithe provided his co-conspirator with the usernames and phone numbers for the Snapchat accounts of at least 15 women. Waithe and his co-conspirator then used this information to craft and send text messages purporting to be from the “Snapchat Support Team” and requesting security information, through which they gained access to at least one account.
The investigation revealed that Waithe’s internet browsing history included visits to webpages with titles like, “Can anyone trace my fake Instagram account back to me?” and “How to Hack Someones Snapchat the Easy Way.” Waithe’s search history also included searches for, among other things, “how to hack snapchat with a username and phone number.”
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274. Case information, including links to charging documents and victim resources, can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/victim-and-witness-assistance-program/us-v-steven-waithe
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each count, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and computer fraud, aiding and abetting, each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. The Northeastern University Police Department provided substantial assistance with the investigation; the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Chicago Police Department also provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. Deitch of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.Former Cape Coral Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison for Mail Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington today sentenced Devin Ryan Maresca (33, New Castle, PA) to three years in federal prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $74,700, which were the proceeds of Maresca’s mail fraud scheme. Maresca was found guilty following a three-day trial on August 23, 2023.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, while living in Cape Coral, Florida, Maresca filed more than 2,200 fraudulent indemnity claims to the United States Postal Service (USPS) claiming that Priority Mail packages that he had mailed or received were damaged. Maresca fraudulently used his mother, father, and brother’s name to submit most of the claims. Further, Maresca forged his family members’ signatures on the backs of USPS claims checks to deposit them into a bank account he controlled. The checks were mailed to UPS Store private mailboxes and Pak-Mail Store mailboxes that Maresca had opened in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda.
Maresca’s fraud scheme caused the USPS to issue more than $100,000 in claims checks. Internet addresses, bank, and email records, along with USPS data, linked Maresca to the fraudulent claims. In December 2021, a United States Postal Inspector and USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Special Agent interviewed Maresca at his home in Newcastle. During the interview, Maresca admitted to submitting more than 2,200 fraudulent claims and forging his family members’ signatures on USPS indemnity checks.
This case was investigated by the U. S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service-OIG. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Trent Reichling and Patrick Darcey.
Foreign National Sentenced to 40 Months Custody for $5 Million Unemployment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 20, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Constantin Bobi Sandu, who admitted that he masterminded a scheme to steal more than $5 million in California unemployment benefits intended to help workers affected by the pandemic, was sentenced in federal court today to 40 months in prison.
According to his plea agreement, Sandu conspired with over 200 other individuals across California and in Romania to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars by fabricating documents, creating fictitious accounts and businesses, and filing bogus claims with California’s Economic Development Department, which administers the state’s unemployment benefits. Among other things, Sandu wired $16,000 in fraud proceeds to Romania to renovate his house.
Sandu also was ordered to forfeit $214,950 that he personally received from the offenses.
“This devious scheme diverted millions of dollars from those who truly needed it during the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The public health emergency may be over, but we are still tracking, charging, and convicting the people who exploited it.”
“The FBI remains fully committed to ensuring people who intentionally stole government funds during the COVID-19 pandemic are brought to justice,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “We continually collaborate with our law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate all those responsible for stealing from the United States Government and its people during such a critical time in our lives, taking away valuable resources and services from those truly in need.”
“Mr. Sandu and his criminal organization committed financial crimes that hurt people here in California and stole funds intended for those in need,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “IRS:CI is committed to partnerships with law enforcement organizations around the world, and we will follow the money to find the guilty and bring them to justice.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Adeline Schulberg.
DEFENDANT Case Number 23CR0386-LAB
Constantin Bobi Sandu, Age: 34 Romanian national
aka Constantin Sandu,
aka Bobi Sandu,
aka Ionut Mihai
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, U.S.C. § 1349 and 1343 - Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison, a fine of $1 million or both;
Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A) — Laundering Monetary Instruments
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, transmission, or transfer, whichever is greater;
Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1)(C) and 982(a)(1), and Title 28, U.S.C. § 2461(c) - Criminal Forfeitures
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit
IRS Criminal Investigation
California Employment Development Department Investigative Division
Department of Labor Office of Investigator General
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Florida Man Admits Fraudulently Obtaining $2.4 Million in CARES Act LoansRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Florida man admitted fraudulently obtaining over $2.4 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) payments, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, announced today.
Mohamed A. Awad, 61, of Ocala, Florida, pleaded guilty on Nov. 20, 2023, before Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with wire fraud and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“The defendant admitted falsifying documents to obtain millions of dollars from government programs that were intended to provide financial help to Americans who were struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. My office continues to work with all of our law enforcement partners to find and punish those who take advantage of these vital programs.”
“The defendant’s abuse of a program designed for those in need is appalling,” Tammy Tomlins, Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Field Office, said. “Today’s plea demonstrates the significant consequence for fraudulently accessing government programs to steal from taxpayers. IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the integrity of relief programs.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Awad engaged in a scheme to illegally obtain over $2.4 million in PPP and EIDL loans through numerous misrepresentations to lenders. He submitted fraudulent loan applications that fabricated numbers of employees and misrepresented company information, to induce PPP and EIDL lenders to approve the loan applications that they otherwise would not have approved. Awad submitted falsified tax documents in support of PPP applications. According to IRS records, none of the purported tax documents that Awad submitted in support of the loan applications were ever in fact filed with the IRS. Awad thereafter transferred the loan proceeds among various bank accounts he controlled, withdrawing significant amounts in cash and transferring loan proceeds out of the country via wire transfers to banks based in Egypt.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. The charge of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the laundering offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon MacDermott; special agents of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Tucker; special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca in New York; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
awad.information.pdfFederal Grand Jury Indicts Louisville Felon for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on November 21, 2023, charging a local man with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Jaron Bobbitt, 38, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On November 13, 2023, Bobbitt possessed an Anderson Manufacturing, AM-15, multi-caliber pistol, bearing serial number 19221737, and ammunition. Bobbitt was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.
On November 9, 2021, in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bobbitt was convicted of two counts of receiving stolen property, possession of controlled substance in the first degree, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
On January 16, 2019, in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bobbitt was convicted of escape in the second degree.
On August 31, 2018, in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bobbitt was convicted of receiving stolen property, theft of identity of another without consent, and criminal mischief in the second degree.
On April 29, 2011, in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bobbitt was convicted of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
On June 17, 2004, in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bobbitt was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, cocaine, tampering with physical evidence, and receiving stolen property.
On May 7, 2004, in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bobbitt was convicted of receiving stolen property, receiving a stolen vehicle, and tampering with physical evidence.
On December 3, 2001, in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bobbitt was convicted of wanton endangerment in the first degree and receiving a stolen vehicle.
The defendant remains in state custody on charges related to a November 13, 2023, incident in which he brandished a firearm at LMPD police officers. He will make made his initial court appearance on a later date before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, Bobbitt faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is being investigated by the ATF and the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Porter is prosecuting the case.
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.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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