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Thursday 16 November 2023
Bộ Tư Pháp Ra Mắt Nhóm Công Tác Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Liên Ngành MớiRead the Press Release
Bộ Tư Pháp hôm nay đã công bố sự ra mắt của Nhóm Công tác Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ Liên bang, một nỗ lực liên ngành mới, và sẽ điều phối việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ trên toàn chính phủ liên bang. Cùng với việc thành lập nhóm làm việc này, bộ cũng công bố việc phát hành cập nhật ngôn ngữ cùa cơ quan liên bang trên trang web của mình, www.LEP.gov, vào dịp kỷ niệm một năm của bản ghi nhớ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của Tổng Chưởng Lý Merrick B. Garland cho các cơ quan liên bang.
Vào tháng 11/2022, Tổng Chưởng Lý Merrick B. Garland đã chỉ đạo các cơ quan liên bang sửa đổi kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của họ, chia sẻ các phương pháp hay nhất, trao đổi thông tin về các sáng kiến truy cập ngôn ngữ, và nỗ lực tiếp cận ngôn ngữ tuân theo Sắc lệnh điều hành 13166, “Cải thiện khả năng tiếp cận những Dịch vụ cho những Người với trình độ Anh văn Hạn chế.” Hôm nay đánh dấu viếc phát hành đợt đầu tiên của các kế hoạch cập nhật đó với các cơ quan liên bang đề đăng các kế hoạch cập nhật trong những tháng tới.
“Chính phủ chúng tôi có thể phục vụ tất cả người Mỹ tốt hơn khi chúng tôi đảm bảo được sự trở ngại ngôn ngữ sẽ không còn là một hàng rào để cản trở việc tham gia vào đời sống công dân,” Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland nói. “Hôm nay chúng tôi hân hoan chia sẻ là đã có một chục cơ quan liên bang đáp ứng lời kêu gọi của tôi để xem xét lại cách họ đang giải quyết những cản trở này thông qua việc phát hành các kế hoạch và chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ nhằm đảm bảo là tất cả mọi người vẫn có thể truy cập được các chương trình của chính phủ. Bộ Tư pháp sẽ tiếp tục hổ trợ các cơ quan trong việc thực hiện các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của họ và những nỗ lực rộng lớn của họ để thu hẹp khoảng cách ngôn ngữ giữa các chương trình và dịch vụ liên bang.”
“Mọi người trong nước đều có thể thực hiện các quyền của mình, có được những thông tin quan trọng và tiếp cận được các lợi ích và dịch vụ mà họ đủ điều kiện, bất kể ngôn ngữ họ nói, đọc hay viết,” Trợ lý Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Kristen Clark thuộc Bộ phận Dân quyền của Bộ Tư pháp nói. “Các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cập nhật được phát hành hôm nay đưa ra những bước mà nhân viên liên bang đang thực hiện, để đảm bảo rằng những cá nhân với trình độ Anh văn hạn chế được cung cấp quyền truy cập thực sự và có ý nghĩa của các chương trình và hoạt động của liên bang. Những kế hoạch này cũng trang bị cho nhân viên liên bang với những thông tin họ cần để họ giao tiếp chính xác và có hiệu quả với tất cả các cộng đồng.”
Vai trò của Nhóm Công tác Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ Liên bang sẽ là trung tâm nguồn lực thông tin để hỗ trợ và trợ giúp kỹ thuật cho các cơ quan liên bang trong quá trình họ thực hiện các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cập nhật. Nhóm Công tác sẽ trực tiếp tham gia với các nhóm trong cộng đổng, các cá nhân với trình độ Anh văn hạn chế và các bên liên quan khác để đảm bảo việc tuân thủ Lệnh Hành pháp 1366 và các nghĩa vụ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ liên bang khác. Nhóm công tác cũng sẽ chú tâm vào việc đảm bảo là những người nhận tiền của liên bang phải tuân theo các nghĩa vụ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ theo luật liên bang. Bản ghi nhớ cùa Tổng Chưởng lý kêu gọi các cơ quan xem xét các cách bổ xung để các cơ quan có thể đảm bảo rằng người nhận hỗ trợ tài chính của liên bang phải ý thức và tuân thủ nghĩa vụ của họ khi được cung cấp quyền truy cập ngôn ngữ cho có ý nghĩa theo các yêu cầu của Tiêu đề VI của Đạo luật Dân quyền năm 1964 và các quy định thực hiện.
Thông báo hôm nay dựa vào sự cam kết lâu dài của Bộ Tư pháp trong việc thúc đẩy việc truy cập ngôn ngữ. Bộ phận Dân quyền gần đây đã ban hành một văn bản thông tin về việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của toà án và phối hợp với hội thảo trên web cho các toà án tiểu bang. Bộ phận này cũng đưa ra Sáng kiến Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ cho Giới Thực thi Pháp luật, là một nỗ lực trên toàn quốc nhằm hỗ trợ các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật để đáp ứng nghĩa vụ của họ trong việc cung cấp quyền truy cập ngôn ngữ cho có ý nghiã.
Căn cứ vào bản ghi nhớ tháng 11/2022 của Tổng Chưởng lý, Bộ Tư pháp đã ban hành một bản kế hoạch Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ sửa đổi vào tháng 8 năm 2023. Quý vị có thể xem ở đây. Bộ đã có sẵn bản dịch cho các tiếng Tây ban Nha, Trung Hoa giản thể và Trung Hoa truyền thống, Việt Nam, Đại Hàn, Phi Luật Tân, Ả Rập và Pháp. Văn phòng Tiếp cận cho Chương trình Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ điều phối việc thực hiện kế hoạch sửa đổi, đào tạo và hỗ trợ kỹ thuật cho các thành phần trong bộ, bành trướng các nguồn lực tiếp cận ngôn ngữ, và thúc đẩy việc cải thiện chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ và thực hành để phù hợp với đường lối của bộ. Điều phối viên của chương trình chủ trì cho Nhóm Công tác Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ; văn phòng này chủ yếu lo việc thực hiện kế hoạch của bộ.
Thông tin bổ sung về Văn phòng Dân quyền có sẵn trên trang web www.justice.gov/crt, và thông tin về trình độ Anh văn hạn chế và Lệnh Điều hành 13166 có sẵn tại www.LEP.gov.
Browning man sentenced to more than five years for shooting, wounding another man during argumentRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to shooting and wounding another man during an argument in Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Johnathan Charles Gifford Oldchief, 24, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on April 7, Oldchief spent the evening drinking with others at a residence in Browning. Shortly after midnight, five persons left the house in a vehicle driven by Oldchief. After driving less than two blocks, Oldchief and the victim, identified as John Doe, got into a verbal argument. Oldchief stopped driving and another person intervened. Oldchief ordered Doe out of the vehicle and Doe complied. After driving a short distance, Oldchief stopped the car, grabbed his 9mm pistol from the center console and got out. Oldchief approached Doe and shot him point blank in the abdomen. Oldchief returned to his car and left the scene. Emergency services responded and Doe was flown to a hospital in Great Falls where he underwent lifesaving surgery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Browning man sentenced to 15 months in prison for assaulting corrections officer at Bureau of Indian Affairs jailRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to trying to put a federal corrections officer in a chokehold while incarcerated at the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ jail on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 15 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Joseph Ernest Potts, 33, pleaded guilty in June to assault on a federal officer.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 15, 2021, Potts was an inmate at the Browning jail, which is a federal correctional facility operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A corrections officer, identified as John Doe, was supervising male inmates as they returned to their cells from the dayroom. Doe saw Potts pacing back and forth between his cell and a cell across the hallway. As Doe began closing Potts’ cell, Potts grabbed Doe around the neck and began struggling with him, attempting to put the officer in a chokehold. Other inmates pulled Potts off the officer. The officer reported pain and discomfort for more than a week after the assault.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Brooklyn Gang Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder in Aid of Racketeering and Causing Death Through the Use of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Christopher Acevedo, a founder and leader of the Wood City street gang based in the Woodhull neighborhood of Queens, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Diane Gujarati in federal court in Brooklyn to two terms of life imprisonment to run concurrently, for murder in aid of racketeering and causing death through the use of a firearm. Acevedo was convicted by a federal jury in May 2023 following a two-week trial.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.
“Christopher Acevedo showed his indifference for human life when he murdered David Hutchinson in broad daylight over a petty gang dispute, in order to maintain and burnish his status as the leader of a violent street gang whose members felt insulted by the taking of a piece of jewelry,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Yesterday’s sentence of life imprisonment demonstrates the heinousness of Acevedo’s crime and sends a message that gun violence has no place in our society.”
Mr. Peace thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force for their exemplary work on the case.
Since at least 2010, the Wood City gang has been engaged in racketeering activity, including murder, drug trafficking, and various forms of fraud and identity theft. Acevedo was the founder and leader of the gang which was so named because many of its members lived around Woodhull Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. Since at least 2011, Wood City has been involved in a war with rival “Snow Gang,” another violent gang based in Queens. During this period, members of Wood City and Snow Gang would regularly taunt and insult each other using social media platforms and phone calls.
On August 26, 2019, members of Snow Gang, including one of its leaders, robbed a gold “YTB” chain from a high-ranking member of Wood City while he was at a recording studio in Queens. Shortly after the robbery, the Snow Gang leader posted a photo himself wearing the YTB chain on social media. As a leader of Wood City, Acevedo was expected to retaliate for the chain-snatching to protect his gang’s reputation. Acevedo and other Wood City members drove to Snow Gang territory and spotted a vehicle with the Snow Gang leader who had robbed the chain and other members and associates of Snow Gang. After following that vehicle to the front of a deli in the vicinity of 140th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard, Acevedo pulled alongside the vehicle and fired a dozen shots, killing the driver, David Hutchinson. The murder occurred in broad daylight outside a bodega filled with civilians.
The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kayla C. Bensing and Benjamin Weintraub, and former Assistant United States Attorney James P. McDonald.
The Defendant:
CHRISTOPHER ACEVEDO
Age: 28
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-162 (DG)
Boston Man Sentenced for Securities FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man has been sentenced in federal court for exerting secret control over a Massachusetts-based company, Cannabiz Mobile, Inc., as part of a pump-and-dump securities fraud scheme.
Christopher R. Esposito, 57, formerly of Everett, was sentenced on Nov. 14, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to five years of probation, with three months to be served at a halfway house. He was also ordered to pay forfeiture and restitution. Esposito pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud in April 2023.
Between 2012 and 2015, Esposito and co-conspirator, Anthony Jay Pignatello, worked together to conceal their control over Cannabiz Mobile, Inc. and to use backdated promissory notes to fraudulently obtain free-trading shares in the company. Among other steps taken to conceal their control, Esposito caused another individual to be installed as the company’s chairman, president and CEO. In reality, the executive reported to Esposito. Esposito and Pignatello then arranged for a promotional campaign in October 2014 to artificially inflate the value and trading volume of Cannabiz Mobile, Inc’s stock so that they could secretly sell their shares. In total, between September 2014 and February 2015, Esposito personally sold over 1.3 million shares fraudulently obtained as part of the scheme.
Esposito was ordered to pay $20,294 in forfeiture in connection with the pump-and-dump of Cannabiz Mobile. He was also ordered to pay $61,693.50 in restitution to investors who lost money in a separate purported business venture that Esposito pitched involving the company Code2Action, Inc. Between August 2019 and February 2020, Esposito represented to investors that he would take Code2Action, Inc. public via a reverse merger and he solicited investments in the company for that purpose. The reverse merger, however, never took place.
Pignatello separately pleaded guilty in March 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud for his role in the Cannabiz Mobile scheme. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12, 2023 before U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Boston Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking a MinorRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly sex trafficking and transporting a minor to Rhode Island to engage in prostitution.
Tramonte Jamier Queen, 23, was indicted on one count of sex trafficking of a child and one count of transportation of minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Queen was previously charged by criminal complaint on Oct. 17, 2023 and has been in state custody on related charges since February 2022. He will be arraigned in federal court in Boston on Nov. 30, 2023.
According to the charging documents, beginning in January 2022, Queen recruited a 16-year-old girl to engage in prostitution. First, it is alleged that Queen directed the victim to take photos of herself – including photos depicting the victim nude and posing provocatively. Shortly thereafter, Queen allegedly directed the victim to earn money for him by engaging in commercial sex. It is alleged that Queen communicated with sex buyers and arranged for the victim to engage in commercial sex in the basement of his mother’s residence in Dorchester as well as at hotels and took all of the proceeds for himself. Queen allegedly used threats and violence to maintain control over the victim.
It is further alleged that Queen drove the victim to a hotel in Warwick, R.I., where he caused her to perform sex acts for his financial benefit. Hours after this trip to Rhode Island, police stopped Queen as he was returning to Boston with victim.
The charge of sex trafficking of a child provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity count provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Bergen County Investment Advisor Indicted for Stealing Millions from ClientsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former broker and investment advisor was indicted for stealing more than $3 million from five clients, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Kenneth A. Welsh, 42, of River Edge, New Jersey was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 15, 2023, on four counts of wire fraud and one count of investment advisor fraud. He will be arraigned at a date to be determined.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“As alleged in the indictment, this defendant used his position as an investment advisor to gain the trust of his victims and then exploited that trust. Investors need to know that the advice they are getting from their financial advisors is sound, and that they can trust them to do the right thing with their hard-earned money. My office is committed to prosecuting those that abuse that trust to enrich themselves.”
“We put our faith in several occupations during the course of our lives because we don't necessarily have the expertise they do, such as doctors, lawyers and investment advisors,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Some of those professionals violate that trust, and we allege that's what Welsh did when he stole millions from his clients. Our laws protect the general public from fraudsters, and the FBI Newark is responsible for bringing these criminals to justice.”
According to documents filed in this case:
From July 2017 through March 2021, Welsh, while serving in his capacity as an investment advisor employed by a large brokerage firm, misappropriated at least $3 million from five clients. Welsh, who had been entrusted to manage client funds responsibly, instead perpetrated a scheme to defraud the five clients by diverting money from their brokerage accounts to accounts under his control.
Each of the wire fraud counts carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The investment advisor fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, with the investigation leading to the indictment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
welsh.indictment.pdfBeckley Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Eric I. Day, 52, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 21, 2021, law enforcement officers responding to reports of an altercation on South Huber Street in Beckley encountered Day and his girlfriend. The officers recovered a Lorcin model .380-caliber handgun from the waistband of Day’s shorts.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Day knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for first-degree robbery in Raleigh County Circuit Court on May 16, 2017.
Day is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess 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.
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. 5:22-cr-86.
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Bakersfield Man Indicted for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against James Escandon, 39, of Bakersfield, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Oct. 18, 2023, Escandon was found in possession of a stolen semi-automatic handgun. Escandon has prior convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of a controlled substance and is prohibited from possessing guns and ammunition.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin C. Heinz is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Escandon faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
Armed Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to More Than 8 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody has sentenced Johnathan Anton Williams (39, Ruskin) to eight years and eight months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The court also ordered Williams to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense. Williams was convicted following a bench trial on April 20, 2023.
According to court documents, law enforcement observed Williams at a Tampa gas station engaged in a possible drug transaction from his vehicle. When deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s approached and observed drug paraphernalia in Williams’s vehicle, he unsuccessfully tried to flee. The deputies then searched the vehicle and recovered a Taurus 9mm pistol and various ammunition, methamphetamine, and two digital scales. Williams had previously been convicted of felonies, including robbery, possession of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Williams illegally possessed the firearm to protect his drug trafficking activities. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth.
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.
Ang Departamento ng Hustisya ay Naglulunsad ng Bagong Nagtatrabahong Grupo sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Pangkaloobang AhensiyaRead the Press Release
Inihayag ngayon ng Departamento ng Hustisya ang paglunsad ng Pederal na Nagtatrabahong Grupo sa Kaparaanan sa Wika, isang bagong pagsisikap ng pangkaloobang ahensiya na magtutugma ng kaparaanan sa wika sa buong pederal na pamahalaan. Kasama ng paglikha sa nagtatrabahong grupo na ito, inihayag din ng Departmento ang pagpapalabas ng pinakabagong mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika ng pederal na ahensiya sa website nito, www.LEP.gov, sa unang anibersaryo ng panandaan [memorandum] sa kaparaanan sa wika ni Pangunahing Abogado Merrick B. Garland sa pederal na mga ahensiya.
Noong Nobyembre 2022, nangasiwa si Pangunahing Abogado Garland sa pederal na mga ahensiya na baguhin ang kanilang mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika, magbahagi ng pinakamahusay na mga kagawian, at makipagpalitan ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga pagsisimula at mga pagsisikap sa kaparaanan sa wika bilang pagsunod sa Nakatataas ng Utos 13166 [Executive Order 13166], “Pagpapabuti ng Kaparaanan sa mga Serbisyo para sa mga Tao na may Limitadong Kasanayan sa Ingles.” Minarkahan ngayon ang pagpapalabas ng unang grupo ng pinakabagong mga planong iyon kasama na ang pagpo-post ng mga karagdagang pederal na mga ahensiya ng pinakabagong mga plano sa darating na mga buwan.
“Mas mahusay na masisilbihan ng ating pamahalaan ang lahat ng mga Amerikano kapag sinigurado namin na ang mga hadlang sa wika ay hindi hahadlang sa pakikilahok sa buhay sibiko,” sabi ni Pangunahing Abogado Garland. “Ngayon, ikinalulugod kong ibahagi na sinagot ng mahigit ng isang dosenang pederal na mga ahensiya ang aking tawag upang muling suriin ang mga paraan kung paano nilang tinutugunan ang mga hadlang na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalabas ng pinakabagong mga plano at mga patakaran na naglalayong tiyakin na ang mga programa ng pamahalaan ay manatiling makukuha ng lahat. Ipagpapatuloy ng Departamento ng Hustisya ang pagsusuporta sa mga ahensiya sa pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika at ang kanilang mas malawak na pagsisikap na isara ang agwat ng wika sa buong pederal na mga programa at mga serbisyo.”
“Lahat ng tao sa bayan ay dapat magawang gamitin ang kanilang mga karapatan, makakuha ng kritikal na impormasyon at kaparaanan sa mga benepisyo at mga serbisyo kung saan sila ay karapat-dapat, hindi alintana sa wika na kanilang sinasalita, binabasa, o sinusulat,” sabi ni Pangalawang Pangunahing Abogado Kristen Clarke para sa Dibisyon sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng Departamento ng Hustisya. “Ang pinakabagong mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika na ipinalabas ngayon ay inilalatag ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng mga kawani ng pederal upang matiyak na ang mga taong may limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles ay nabibigyan ng tunay at makabuluhang kaparaanan sa pederal na mga programa at mga aktibidad. Ang mga planong ito ay nagbibigay din ng kasangkapan sa mga kawani ng pederal ng impormasyon na kanilang kailangan para sa pakikipag-usap ng wasto at mabisa sa lahat ng mga komunidad.”
Ang Pederal na Nagtatrabahong Grupo sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ay magsisilbing isang sentral na mapagkukunan sa pagkakaloob ng taguyod at teknikal na tulong sa mga pederal na mga ahensiya habang tinatrabaho nila ang pagpapatupad ng kanilang pinakabagong mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika. Ang nagtatrabahong grupo ay direktang makikibahagi rin sa mga grupo ng komunidad, sa mga indibidwal na may limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles at iba pang mga nagsasapalaran upang matiyak ang pagsunod sa Nakatataas na Utos 13166 at iba pang pederal ng mga obligasyon sa kaparaanan sa wika. Pagtutuunan din ng nagtatrabahong grupo na tiyakin na ang mga tatanggap ng pederal na mga pondo ay susunod sa kanilang mga obligasyon sa kaparaanan sa wika sa ilalim ng pederal na batas. Nanawagan ang panandaan ni Pangunahing Abogado sa mga ahensiya na isaalang-alang ang mga karagdagang paraan kung saan na makakatiyak ang mga ahensiya na ang mga tatanggap ng pederal na tulong pinansiyal ay nauunawaan at sumusunod sa kanilang mga obligasyon upang magkaloob ng makahulugang kaparaanan sa wika sa ilalim ng mga kinakailangan ng Titulo VI ng Batas sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng 1964 at ang mga regulasyon nito sa pagpapatupad.
Ang pahayag ngayon ay bumubuo sa Departamento ng Hustisyang katagalang pangako sa pagsulong sa kaparaanan sa wika. Kamakailan lamang ang Dibisyon sa mga Karapatang Sibil ay naglathala ng isang katotohanang pilyego [fact sheet] tungkol sa kaparaanan sa wika sa mga hukuman sa pakikipagtuwangan sa isang webinar para sa mga hukumang pang-estado. Inilunsad din ng dibisyon ng Pagkukusa sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Tagapagpatupad ng Batas [Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative], isang buong bansang pagsisikap upang tulungan ang mga ahensya sa pagpapatupad ng batas upang matugunan nila ang kanilang mga obligasyon sa pagkakaloob ng makabuluhang kaparaanan sa wika.
Alinsunod sa Panandaan ni Pangunahing Abogado noong Nobyembre 2022, nagpahayag ang Departamento ng Hustisya ng binagong Plano sa Kaparaanan sa Wika nito noong Agosto, kung saan ay makikita dito [here]. Espanyol, Pinasimpleng Intsik, Tradisyonal na Intsik, Vietnamese, Koreano, Tagalog, Arabe, at Pranses na mga pagsasalin ay magagamit din. Ang Tanggapan ng Kaparaanan sa Programa sa Kaparaanan sa Wika [Language Access Program] ng Hustisya ay nakikipag-tugma sa pagpapatupad ng binagong plano ng Departamento, nagkakaloob ng pagsasanay at teknikal na tulong sa mga bahagi ng Departamento, pinapalawak ang mga mapagkukunan sa kaparaanan sa wika, at nagtataguyod sa pagpapabuti sa mga patakaran at kasanayan sa kaparaanan sa wika bilang pagsunod sa plano ng Departamento. Niluluklok ng Tagapag-ugma sa Programa ng Kaparaanan sa Wika ang Nagtatrabahong Grupo sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Departamento, isang pagsisikap sa buong Departamento upang ipatupad ang plano ng Departamento.
Mayroong mga karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa Dibisyon sa mga Karapatang Sibil sa website nito sa www.justice.gov/crt at impormasyon tungkol sa limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles at ang Nakatataas na Utos 13166 ay magagamit sa www.LEP.gov.
Amesbury Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Amesbury man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for child pornography charges.
Thomas Cross, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to five years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Aug. 18, 2023, Cross pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Cross’ charges stem from the November 2018 search of his home that resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices which contained files depicting child pornography and chats between Cross and a person subsequently identified as Desiree Daigle, in which they exchanged various child pornography files. Some of the images depicted an infant known to Daigle, taken in Daigle’s home. In the chat, the two discussed plans for Cross to meet the child in person so that he and Daigle could sexually abuse the child together. Both Cross and Daigle admitted to exchanging child pornography with each other.
Daigle was arrested and charged separately with the sexual exploitation of children. In October 2022, she was sentenced to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
Cross was detained following his arrest in November 2018. He subsequently appealed the order of pretrial detention to the District Court, who released Cross in July 2019 on conditions which, among other things, prohibited him from accessing the internet, possessing pornographic material and possessing internet-accessible devices. However, in June 2020, Cross was re-arrested after he was found using social media to exchange child pornography and he was found to be in possession of multiple cell phones and an internet-connected gaming console – in violation of his conditions of release. Cross has remained in federal custody since.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Amesbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Chief of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
4 Corners Pharmacy Agrees to Pay $800,000 to Resolve Claims of False BillingRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces today that 4 Corners Pharmacy, located in Spring Hill, Florida, has agreed to pay $800,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly billing the U.S. Department of Labor for a compound supplement that was either not ordered by a licensed healthcare provider or was never delivered to beneficiaries. The Department of Labor provides benefits authorized by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act including compensation and payment of medical expenses to eligible claimants who were injured or became ill on the job, or to their families.
“Pharmacies are not allowed to bill federal programs for medications that are not delivered to beneficiaries or that were never ordered by their healthcare provider,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “This settlement reflects our determination to hold accountable those who seek to exploit our federal healthcare programs.”
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) programs. We will continue to work with OWCP to protect the integrity of DOL’s workers’ compensation programs,” said Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent-in-Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought by private individuals, on behalf of the United States, under the qui tam (commonly known as “whistleblower”) provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery if the government takes over the case and obtains judgment against or reaches a monetary agreement with the defendant.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General. It was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Keefe.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Wednesday 15 November 2023
Worcester Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was arrested today for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Yoelfi Feliz, 27, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and being a felon in possession of a firearms and ammunition. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today, Feliz was detained pending a hearing scheduled for Nov. 30, 2023.
According to the criminal complaint, between June 2023 and October 2023, Feliz sold over 700 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Lawrence. Feliz also allegedly sold the cooperating witness two pistols, an AR-15 rifle, an AK-47 rifle and two privately made firearms, also known as “ghost guns,” along with ammunition.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition is punishable by up to 15 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 other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Lawrence, Methuen and Worcester Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit 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.
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 details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Woman Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine Through NebraskaRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Teresa Martinez, 47, a Mexican citizen recently living in the Fresno, California area, was sentenced on November 15, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Martinez to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martinez’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On February 6, 2022, an Otoe County sheriff’s deputy pulled over a Ford Expedition near the Nebraska-Iowa border for a traffic violation. Martinez was the driver of the Expedition and Martinez’s daughter and co-defendant, Daisy Flores, was the passenger. A search of the vehicle uncovered approximately eight pounds of meth and approximately four pounds of marijuana. Crime laboratory testing of the meth confirmed purity of approximately 89 percent.
Flores has pleaded guilty to the same charge and is scheduled for sentencing on January 3, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Otoe County Sherriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department assisted with testing of the methamphetamine.
Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty to Hacking Fantasy Sports and Betting WebsiteRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSEPH GARRISON pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit computer intrusion in connection with a scheme to hack user accounts at a fantasy sports and betting website (the “Betting Website”) and sell access to those accounts in order to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from them. GARRISON pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan on January 16, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Joseph Garrison and his co-conspirators launched an online cyberattack, stealing approximately $600,000 from innocent victims’ accounts. Garrison now stands convicted of a federal crime for targeting the accounts of victims making legitimate online wagers.”
According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court:
On or about November 18, 2022, GARRISON launched a “credential stuffing attack” on the Betting Website. During a credential stuffing attack, a cyber threat actor collects stolen credentials or username and password pairs obtained from large-scale data breaches of companies that can be purchased on the dark web. The threat actor then systematically attempts to use those stolen credentials to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the same user with other companies and providers in order to compromise accounts where the user has maintained the same password. Here, in connection with the attack on the Betting Website, there was a series of attempts to log into the Betting Website accounts using a large list of stolen credentials.
GARRISON and others successfully accessed approximately 60,000 accounts at the Betting Website (the “Victim Accounts”) through the credential stuffing attack. In some instances, the individuals who unlawfully accessed the Victim Accounts were able to add a new payment method on the account, deposit $5 into that account through the new payment method to verify that method, and then withdraw all the existing funds in the Victim Account through the new payment method (i.e., to a newly added financial account belonging to the hacker), thus stealing the funds in the Victim Account. Using this method, GARRISON and others stole approximately $600,000 from approximately 1,600 Victim Accounts.
Law enforcement executed a search on GARRISON’s home in February 2023. In that search, they located programs typically used for credential stuffing attacks. Those programs require individualized “config” files for a target website to launch credential stuffing attacks, and law enforcement located approximately 700 such config files for dozens of different corporate websites on GARRISON’s computer. Law enforcement also located files containing nearly 40 million username and password pairs on GARRISON’s computer, which are also used in credential stuffing attacks.
On GARRISON’s cellphone, law enforcement also located conversations between GARRISON and his co-conspirators, which included discussions about how to hack the Betting Website and how to profit from the hack of the Betting Website by extracting funds from the Victim Accounts directly or by selling access to the Victim Accounts. In one particular conversation, GARRISON discussed, in substance and in part, how successful he was at credential stuffing attacks, how much he enjoyed credential stuffing attacks, and how GARRISON believed that law enforcement would not catch or prosecute him. Specifically, GARRISON messaged the following, in substance and in part: “fraud is fun . . . im addicted to see money in my account . . . im like obsessed with bypassing shit.”
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GARRISON, 19, of Madison, Wisconsin, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to commit computer intrusion, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Micah Fergenson are in charge of the prosecution.
Venezuelan Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Distributing Thousands of Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Venezuelan man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl.
Frank Bienvenido Perez Diaz, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to five years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. In July 2023, Perez Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Over the course of a year, Perez Diaz had multiple discussions with a cooperating witness regarding selling the cooperating witness controlled substances, including kilograms of fentanyl. Subsequently, on April 16, 2021, Perez Diaz sold over 2,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills to a cooperating witness.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the 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.
U.S.-EU Joint Statement Following the U.S.-EU Ministerial on Justice and Home AffairsRead the Press Release
On Nov. 13 and 14, the U.S.-EU Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs took place in Washington, D.C. The United States was represented by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary for Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. The European Union (EU) was represented by the Commissioner for Justice and Consumers Didier Reynders and the Spanish Minister for Justice Pilar Llop. The incoming Presidency of the EU Council was represented by the Belgian Minister for Justice, Paul Van Tigchelt, and Minister for the Interior, Annelies Verlinden.
The meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong transatlantic partnership and joint commitment to a regular dialogue and close cooperation on Justice and Home Affairs, at a time of major geopolitical challenges. Both sides remain committed to uphold democratic values and strengthen respect for the rule of law.
The United States and the European Union are unwavering in their long-term support to Ukraine and its people as they defend themselves against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression. Both sides remain committed to providing protection to those who were forced to flee Ukraine, and they expressed concern for those currently living under Russian occupation or who have otherwise been displaced as a result of the Russian aggression.
Russia and its leadership must be held accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine. The United States and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing full accountability for atrocities that have been perpetrated in Ukraine. The United States and the European Union called for work to continue, including in the Core Group, on efforts to establish a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine that would enjoy the broadest cross-regional support and legitimacy. Both sides saluted the important role of the International Criminal Court, Ukrainian courts, and other courts in accountability efforts, and condemned Russian attempts to undermine their work. They also praised the vital work being conducted at Eurojust, including the investigatory work carried out by participants in the Joint Investigation Team for Ukraine and the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and the development and contributions to the Core International Crimes Evidence Database, all of which are strongly supported by the United States.
The United States and the European Union reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Russia pays for all the damage it has and continues to cause in Ukraine. Both sides also stressed the importance of the Register of Damage established by the Council of Europe. They reaffirmed their readiness to work towards the establishment of a future compensation mechanism.
The United States and the European Union confirmed that they are exploring all possible avenues to aid Ukraine, consistent with their respective legal systems and international law, including with regard to Russian sovereign assets. They reiterated that in the short term, they will explore how any extraordinary revenues held by private entities stemming directly from immobilized Russian sovereign assets could be used to support Ukraine and its recovery and reconstruction consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in compliance with applicable laws.
Close cooperation on the full enforcement of sanctions, including trade related sanctions, remains paramount, as does cooperation with other international partners, including G7 countries, to avoid any enforcement gap. This cooperation will be enhanced following the adoption of EU legislation on harmonizing criminal offenses and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures, as well as on asset recovery and confiscation.
The United States and the European Union emphasized their commitment to addressing security threats created by the Russian invasion, in particular working with Ukraine to bolster efforts to prevent, detect and fight against diversion and trafficking of firearms, other small arms and light weapons, and trafficking in human beings, as well as law enforcement cooperation on information exchange and joint operational actions.
The United States and the European Union discussed their joint intent to deepen cooperation in assisting Ukraine on justice reform, the rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts as it continues on its European path.
The importance of continuing to provide necessary support to the Republic of Moldova was discussed, and the sides concurred on the need for exploring more operational cooperation from the United States and the European Union in that respect, and to support the necessary rule of law and justice reforms, also in view of its European path.
The United States and the European Union stand united and firm in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
With regard to the situation in the Middle East, the United States and the European Union recalled the U.S.-EU Summit Joint Statement of Oct. 20 in which the United States and the European Union stated:
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms Hamas and its brutal terrorist attacks across Israel. There is no justification for terrorism. The United States and the European Union affirm Israel’s right to defend itself against these heinous attacks, in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. The United States and the European Union will work closely with partners in the region to stress the importance of protecting civilians, supporting those who are trying to get to safety or provide assistance, and facilitating access to food, water, medical care, and shelter. The United States and the European Union are concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation. The United States and the European Union call for the immediate release of all hostages and emphasize their shared view that a two-state solution remains the viable path to lasting peace.”
In this context, both sides reject all forms of incitement to violence, deplore hatred in all forms, and express concern about the rise of criminal acts inspired by hate, religious intolerance, racism and xenophobia, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, both in Europe and the United States including with respect to radicalization to violence of young people. They share the sense of urgency in strengthening the ability to detect and counter new methods used by terrorists and violent extremist groups, including online recruitment. They also discussed the role and negative effects of algorithmic amplification, and the overall misuse of platform services, as they continue to expand their respective prevention efforts internally. Both sides remain committed to further cooperation between law enforcement in the European Union and the United States to counter these threats.
Countering terrorism and violent extremism threats requires concerted efforts and appropriate tools. Exchange and effective use of terrorism-related information including battlefield information, financial intelligence and Passenger Name Records, are key in achieving this objective. Both sides praised the continued cooperation on exchange of information between the FBI and Europol on known or suspected terrorists identified in conflict zones and intend to further step up information sharing regarding, in particular, the Sahel region while continuing notably the cooperation on Afghanistan.
Both sides praised, and intend to continue, ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-Europol pilot projects aimed at exchanging information related to terrorism and removals in a more systematic way. These pilot projects are a good blueprint for a more structured cooperation between DHS and Europol on topics of mutual interest.
The United States and the European Union remain committed to reinforcing cooperation against cross border organized criminal networks, in particular those involved in illicit manufacture and trafficking of cocaine and synthetic drugs, including fentanyl. The United States and European Union also decided to further their exchanges through the U.S.-EU Dialogue on Drugs, and at appropriate multilateral fora, in relation to supply and demand reduction. The United States and the European Union underlined the need for joint efforts to address synthetic drugs in the context of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats and encouraged its members to work on tangible, forward-looking deliverables.
The United States and the European Union welcomed the progress of the negotiations for an U.S.-EU. agreement facilitating access to electronic evidence in criminal proceedings and expressed their commitment to advance those negotiations rapidly.
The United States and the European Union will continue to closely coordinate towards a new United Nations Convention on cybercrime, especially as its negotiations reach their final and most crucial stage. The United States and the European Union support a convention that advances international cooperation to fight cybercrime, while respecting human rights and rule of law safeguards, and reaffirm that the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and its Second Additional Protocol remain the primary instruments for international cooperation on cybercrime.
The United States and the European Union exchanged views on the benefits and risks associated with new and emerging artificial intelligence technology and tools relevant for law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Both sides also confirmed their intent to discuss this topic further and collaborate where possible for the broader good and safety of the public.
The United States and the European Union exchanged views on their external borders’ situation, where they have identified common risks and challenges. The discussion was focused on addressing irregular migration. The sides committed to meet regularly on the topic at a technical level, namely by exchanging information about trends, methods, and responses to irregular migration and developing potential solutions together.
The United States and the European Union praised the successful first Ministerial Meeting of the Resettlement Diplomacy Network (RDN) in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. Both sides reiterated their commitment to work more closely together to strengthen and expand their respective resettlement programs and offer more durable solutions, provided for, in particular, by lawful pathways.
The European Union and the United States welcomed the progress made by the three EU Member States not yet in the Visa Waiver Program and reiterated their willingness to pursue efforts in the context of the Tripartite process and bilateral discussions to reach a positive result. The two sides concurred on the importance of reciprocal visa-free travel under their respective legal frameworks.
Reaffirming their joint commitment to advance together towards common solutions in all these areas, the United States and the European Union decided to meet again in the first half of 2024 in Brussels.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson to Help Mark National Adoption MonthRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson will join Mission West Virginia and other officials to help celebrate National Adoption Month on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Bible Center Church.
Thompson will speak along with a youth who has experienced adoption firsthand, parents in the foster care system and Dr. Cynthia Persily, Incoming Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services. The press conference will also feature a proclamation from Gov. Jim Justice declaring November 2023 as Adoption Awareness Month.
Thompson will also present stuffed toys and books collected by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for distribution by child case workers, child advocacy centers, law enforcement, partners with West Virginia’s Handle With Care program and others on the front lines who interact with children exposed to trauma, violence and abuse.
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.
WHAT: National Adoption Month Press Conference and Toy-Book Drive Event
WHEN: Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Bible Center Church, 1100 Bible Center Drive, Charleston
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U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and Law Enforcement Officials to Announce Major Drug Trafficking IndictmentRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson will be joined by federal, state and local law enforcement officials today at 2:45 p.m. at the Sidney L. Christie Federal Building in Huntington to announce a major drug trafficking indictment.
WHO: United States Attorney Will Thompson and law enforcement officials
WHAT: Announcement of Major Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) Prosecution
WHEN: Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 2:45 p.m.
WHERE: Sidney L. Christie Federal Building, Huntington
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.
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U.S. Attorney Thompson and Law Enforcement Officials Announce Major Drug Trafficking IndictmentRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson joined with law enforcement officials today to announce an indictment charging 27 individuals for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Huntington area.
The indictment unsealed today is the result of an eight-month multi-state investigation and charges individuals from Michigan, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. The 53-count indictment charges the co-conspirators with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Law enforcement officers obtained numerous search warrants in support of the investigation, including several executed this morning along with accompanying arrest warrants. Officers have so far seized approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of fentanyl, 26 firearms and $10,500.
“This case reflects the continuing commitment of this office to target the individuals who threaten our communities with these drugs and the violence that accompanies drug trafficking,” Thompson said. “This case also provides the latest example of the exemplary investigative effort and determined teamwork of our many law enforcement partners.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
“The arrests demonstrate the continuing impact federal, state and local partnerships have on illegal drug trafficking,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “Huntington has been plagued by illegal drugs and fears of violence for too long, and it must be addressed. The FBI will aggressively investigate criminal organizations that target our communities with their drugs and violence and ensure they are held accountable.”
“The Huntington community is safer today with these individuals off of our streets,” said J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Louisville Field Division. “I am proud of the work done by the dedicated men and women of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to dismantle this violent drug trafficking organization. We will always make it our mission to deliver the full weight of the justice system against anyone seeking to sow misery and suffering in our communities.”
“Today’s arrests are an example of a combined effort of federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies working together to indict these 27 individuals, who were bringing large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl to the Huntington area for an extended period of time, and taking these individuals off the street,” said Cabell County Sheriff Chuck Zerkle.
Charged in the 53-count federal indictment are: Derrell Cashawn Massey, also known as "Rell" and "Fat Rell," 33, of Detroit, Michigan; Talon Aaron McIntosh, also known as "Trey" and "T," 27, of Detroit, Michigan; Georgia Alice Jackson, 31, of Huntington; Nehmiah Allen-Griggs, also known as "Newski," 22, of Dallas, Georgia; Donald James Duty, 51, of Huntington; Tyrone John Thurmond, also known as "T.Y.," 23, of Detroit, Michigan; Jashawn William Lawson, also known as "Nitty," 22, of Detroit, Michigan; Mario Alonzo Pettway III, also known as "Mike," 23, of Detroit, Michigan; Hakeem Rashad Mack, also known as "Paper," 30, of Detroit, Michigan; Paul Anthony Rucker, 46, of Nitro; Kayla Dawn Powell, 37, of Hurricane; Vernard Antonio Brown, also known as "Bam," 32, of Detroit, Michigan; Tylar Harrison Harless, 25, of Tomahawk, Kentucky; Trevon Eaarle Godfrey, also known as "Trey," 27, of Detroit, Michigan; Christopher Anthony O'Dell, 38, of Hurricane; Gary Diaz, also known as "Poppy," 66, of Nitro; Sharon Teston, aka Angie Marie Cogar, 47, of Nitro; Mark Lawrence Lowe, also known as "Cell," 22, of Detroit, Michigan; Shakur Raekwan Joyce, also known as "Cheeta," 23, of Huntington; Denzil Roger Grant II, 49, of Hurricane; Ladonna Rae Abner, 49, of Nitro; Kyla Smith, also known as "Flaca," 28, of Huntington; Jerry D. Pemberton, 47, of Ironton, Ohio; Thomas Shane Holland, 53, of Salt Rock; Charles Clinton Cordle, 65, of Ashland, Kentucky; Josie Irene Copley, 58, of Flatwoods, Kentucky; and Walter Alvin Cremeans, 56, of Culloden.
Note: An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams and Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor are prosecuting the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
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. 3:23-cr-180.
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Two defendants charged in narcotics ring facing additional chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a second superseding indictment charging Joseph Zaso a/k/a Joey Cracks a/k/a Sosa, 39, of Buffalo, NY, and Kyle N. Lewis, 31, of Jamestown. NY, who were previously charged with multiple drug charges, with additional charges:
• Defendant Zaso is charged with brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and document concealment of material fact, for allegedly lying on his monthly probation reports while under the supervision of U.S. Probation. Zaso faces a mandatory life sentence.
• Defendant Lewis is charged with narcotics conspiracy and minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the second superseding indictment and previously filed indictments, between September 2018, and May 26, 2022, defendant Zaso organized and managed an illegal narcotics ring in the Jamestown and Buffalo areas. Zaso conspired with Lewis and others to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, utilizing residences at 12 Locust Street and 110 Fairview Avenue in Jamestown and 48 Laurel Street in Buffalo for their drug trafficking activities. Zaso is accused of selling heroin to an individual identified as B.K., causing serious bodily injury.
Zaso and Lewis are currently detained.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The second superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Two Puerto Rican Men Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime Against a Latina Transgender Woman and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
Two Puerto Rican men were sentenced today to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release each for federal charges of conspiracy to commit a hate crime and obstruction of justice, arising out of an assault with a dangerous weapon against a transgender woman because of her gender identity.
“The defendants have been held accountable for assaulting a Latina transgender woman because of her gender identity and then trying to obstruct an investigation into that assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should live in fear of hate-fueled violence because of who they are. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting people who target LGBTQI+ people with acts of violence or who try to obstruct investigations into these heinous crimes. We hope that this prosecution makes clear to LGBTQI+ victims and survivors that we see them, and we hear them, and we will stand up for them when they are targeted by hate-fueled violence.”
“The defendants’ attack endangered and terrified their victim, and such actions have no place in our community,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “Bias-motivated violence not only runs contrary to our values but violates federal civil rights laws. We recognize the very real threats and acts of violence faced by the LGBTQI+ community and are determined to use every tool available to preserve the life, safety, and dignity of this community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to seek justice for all victims of hate crimes and will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits unlawful acts of hate-fueled violence.”
“Every human being should be treated with respect and dignity,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “There are no minor offenses when it comes to hate crimes. We at the FBI reiterate our position of zero tolerance for hate and ask anyone who has been a victim or a witness to a hate crime, to report it either by calling your local FBI field office or by leaving a tip online through tips.fbi.gov.”
According to court documents, on Feb. 24, 2020, at around 12:29 a.m. ET, Jordany Rafael Laboy-Garcia and Christian Yamaurie Rivera-Otero, along with their former co-defendant Anthony Steven Lobos-Ruiz, were out driving together in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, when they saw the victim, identified as A.N.L., standing under a tent near the side of the road. The defendants recognized A.N.L. from social media posts concerning an incident that had occurred the day prior at a McDonald’s in Toa Baja. During that incident, A.N.L. had used a stall in the McDonald’s women’s restroom.
Upon recognizing A.N.L., Lobos-Ruiz used his iPhone to record a video of himself yelling, “la loca, la loca,” as well as other disparaging and threatening comments to A.N.L. from inside the car. The defendants then decided to get a paintball gun to shoot A.N.L. and record another iPhone video. Within 30 minutes, they retrieved a paintball gun and returned to the location where they had last seen A.N.L., who was still at that location. Lobos-Ruiz then used his iPhone to record Laboy-Garcia shooting at A.N.L. multiple times with the paintball gun. After the assault ended, Lobos Ruiz shared the iPhone video recordings with others.
Several hours later, Rivera-Otero and Lobos-Ruiz exchanged text messages, in which they told each other to delete the evidence of their harassment and paintball gun assault of A.N.L., in order to conceal their involvement. Following this message exchange, Lobos-Ruiz deleted the videos on his iPhone of himself yelling at A.N.L. and of Laboy-Garcia firing paintballs at A.N.L.
As part of the plea agreement, Laboy-Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a hate crime and admitted that he shot paintballs at A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender. Rivera-Otero pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and admitted to directing his co-defendant to delete video recordings of the biased motivated assault and harassment of A.N.L.
Lobos-Ruiz previously pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime, admitting that he participated in assaulting A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
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Two Puerto Rican Men Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime Against a Latina Transgender Woman and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
Two Puerto Rican men were sentenced today to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release each for federal charges of conspiracy to commit a hate crime and obstruction of justice, arising out of an assault with a dangerous weapon against a transgender woman because of her gender identity.
“The defendants have been held accountable for assaulting a Latina transgender woman because of her gender identity and then trying to obstruct an investigation into that assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should live in fear of hate-fueled violence because of who they are. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting people who target LGBTQI+ people with acts of violence or who try to obstruct investigations into these heinous crimes. We hope that this prosecution makes clear to LGBTQI+ victims and survivors that we see them, and we hear them, and we will stand up for them when they are targeted by hate-fueled violence.”
“The defendants’ attack endangered and terrified their victim, and such actions have no place in our community,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “Bias-motivated violence not only runs contrary to our values but violates federal civil rights laws. We recognize the very real threats and acts of violence faced by the LGBTQI+ community and are determined to use every tool available to preserve the life, safety, and dignity of this community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to seek justice for all victims of hate crimes and will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits unlawful acts of hate-fueled violence.”
“Every human being should be treated with respect and dignity,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “There are no minor offenses when it comes to hate crimes. We at the FBI reiterate our position of zero tolerance for hate and ask anyone who has been a victim or a witness to a hate crime, to report it either by calling your local FBI field office or by leaving a tip online through tips.fbi.gov.”
According to court documents, on Feb. 24, 2020, at around 12:29 a.m. ET, Jordany Rafael Laboy-Garcia and Christian Yamaurie Rivera-Otero, along with their former co-defendant Anthony Steven Lobos-Ruiz, were out driving together in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, when they saw the victim, identified as A.N.L., standing under a tent near the side of the road. The defendants recognized A.N.L. from social media posts concerning an incident that had occurred the day prior at a McDonald’s in Toa Baja. During that incident, A.N.L. had used a stall in the McDonald’s women’s restroom.
Upon recognizing A.N.L., Lobos-Ruiz used his iPhone to record a video of himself yelling, “la loca, la loca,” as well as other disparaging and threatening comments to A.N.L. from inside the car. The defendants then decided to get a paintball gun to shoot A.N.L. and record another iPhone video. Within 30 minutes, they retrieved a paintball gun and returned to the location where they had last seen A.N.L., who was still at that location. Lobos-Ruiz then used his iPhone to record Laboy-Garcia shooting at A.N.L. multiple times with the paintball gun. After the assault ended, Lobos Ruiz shared the iPhone video recordings with others.
Several hours later, Rivera-Otero and Lobos-Ruiz exchanged text messages, in which they told each other to delete the evidence of their harassment and paintball gun assault of A.N.L., in order to conceal their involvement. Following this message exchange, Lobos-Ruiz deleted the videos on his iPhone of himself yelling at A.N.L. and of Laboy-Garcia firing paintballs at A.N.L.
As part of the plea agreement, Laboy-Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a hate crime and admitted that he shot paintballs at A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender. Rivera-Otero pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and admitted to directing his co-defendant to delete video recordings of the biased motivated assault and harassment of A.N.L.
Lobos-Ruiz previously pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime, admitting that he participated in assaulting A.N.L. because she was, and was perceived to be, transgender and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Two Orlando Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for 17 Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Joe Braiam Pinol Garcia (30, Orlando) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Previously, on June 6, 2023, U.S. District Judge Berger sentenced Hugo Morones Munoz (49, Orlando) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and attempted possession of cocaine. Pinol Garcia and Murones Munoz previously pleaded guilty to the offenses.
According to court documents, on August 17, 2022, Pinol Garcia and Morones Munoz traveled to Mexico so that Morones Munoz could introduce Pinol Garcia to others he knew from Mexico in order to broker a large drug trafficking transaction. Pinol Garcia, Morones Munoz, and others in Mexico came to an agreement to traffic 17 kilograms of cocaine into the United States. Morones Munoz and Pinol Garcia agreed to sell the cocaine in the Central Florida area.
On October 3, 2022, 17 bundles of cocaine were sent through the border into Texas to be transported to Florida for Pinol Garcia and Morones Munoz. The cocaine was intercepted in Texas as part of an undercover operation conducted by special agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The agents then set up a controlled undercover operation in which they provided fake bundles of cocaine to the drug buyers in Florida so that they could be identified and arrested. On October 6, 2022, Morones Munoz and Pinol Garcia arrived at the prearranged parking lot, provided the undercover agents with the money for the transportation fee for the drugs, and accepted the duffle bag with the 17 kilograms of fake cocaine inside. Morones Munoz and Pinol Garcia were arrested as they attempted to leave the parking lot.
“These sentences are testament to the law enforcement partnerships we have across the nation to stop criminals from attempting to peddle their poison in our communities," said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. "Our agents, alongside our partners, work tirelessly to stop the importation of illicit narcotics into our communities.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Gardella.
Twenty-Two-Year-Old Woman Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Role as Social Media Recruiter for Alien SmugglersRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Destiney Rae Montoya, 22, of Phoenix, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Raner C. Collins to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Montoya pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit on August 16, 2023. The offense includes a sentencing enhancement for being a coordinator.
Between 2021 and 2022, Montoya used social media to solicit and advertise for drivers to assist with smuggling undocumented noncitizens further into the United States after their arrival. Federal agents executed multiple warrants enabling them to trace Montoya’s illegal conduct and communications to establish her as a coordinator.
Homeland Security Investigations – Douglas office conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 23-CR-0277-TUC-RCC (JR)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-179_Montoya# # #
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.Twenty-Eight Gang Members and Associates from Newburgh and Poughkeepsie Charged with Racketeering, Narcotics, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a 34-Count Superseding Indictment charging 28 members and associates of the Young Gunnaz Gang (“YG”), including the gang’s high-ranking street leaders, with committing various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas.
The Superseding Indictment adds 15 additional defendants and 26 new charges. The Superseding Indictment charges 23 YG members and associates with acts of violence. This includes KASHAD SAMPSON, a/k/a “Shoca,” a YG leader who is charged with participating in multiple assaults with a dangerous weapon in Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, New York. In addition to serious acts of violence, the gang was also responsible for trafficking large amounts of narcotics across the City of Newburgh and New York State and perpetrated fraud schemes to enrich members of the gang.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Kashad Sampson, along with 27 other members of the YG Gang, not only used dangerous weapons to assault members of rival gangs, drug dealers, and others for the purpose of maintaining their position in the gang, but also distributed narcotics and other drugs and conspired to commit fraud. My Office will work tirelessly to protect New Yorkers from assault, racketeering, and other dangerous crimes associated with gang activity.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: "The 28 members and associates of the Young Gunnaz Gang are alleged to have engaged in a gang-related conspiracy, acting with a sense of impunity that resulted in numerous senseless acts of violence and significant narcotics distribution. The FBI will not tolerate rampant gang violence terrorizing our communities. FBI New York's Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to removing these violent criminals from the streets and bringing them to justice."
As alleged in public court filings and the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court:[1]
KASHAD SAMPSON, a/k/a “Shoca,” GEORGE DELGADO, a/k/a “Groc,” GABRIEL ROMAN, a/k/a “Gabe,” DALLAS ARCHER, a/k/a “Muggas,” BRUCE ALLEN, a/k/a “Bam,” SYNCERE TATUM, a/k/a “Syn,” JOHN LALANNE, a/k/a “JJ,” RAEKWON JACKSON, a/k/a Tree,” BASHIR MALLORY, a/k/a “BG,” a/k/a “Bear,” MEKHI McDONALD, a/k/a “Khi,” CHRISTOPHER TATE, a/k/a “Bag,” KRISTOPHER BURGESS CUNNINGHAM, a/k/a “KG,” DEJON SCOTT, a/k/a “Red Dot,” DAVON WADDELL, a/k/a “Spotem,” a/k/a “Light Skin Day Day,” ZYRELL WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Zabb,” DEMETRIUS WARE, a/k/a “Doom Doom,” ANTONIO PITTMAN, a/k/a “Ant,” DAQUAN CUETO, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, a/k/a “Brisko,” HARRY PIMENTEL, ERIC STEADMAN, a/k/a “Little Man,” DONALD LEID, a/k/a “Big Lip Day Day,” TEVIN GEORGE, a/k/a “Tev Roc,” DEVIN WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Twin,” a/k/a “Dev,” DANTE JOHNSON, a/k/a “D Rose,” GEORGE TATUM, a/k/a “Buddy,” COLERIDGE LEWTER, a/k/a “Korrupt,” and RODNEY GEORGE, a/k/a “Taco,” are members and associates of a racketeering conspiracy known as YG.
On April 28, 2020, ANTONIO PITTMAN, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing his position in the YG enterprise, shot at rival gang members in Poughkeepsie, New York.
On May 16, 2020, ANTONIO PITTMAN, ERIC STEADMAN, and HENRY PIMENTEL, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot at individuals associated with and members of a rival gang in Yonkers, New York.
On September 9, 2020, ERIC STEADMAN and HENRY PIMENTEL, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot at rival gang members in Poughkeepsie, New York.
On August 15, 2020, KASHAD SAMPSON, DALLAS ARCHER, JOHN LALANNE, and RAEKWON JACKSON, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, participated in and facilitated the attempted murder of rival gang members in Poughkeepsie, New York.
On April 27, 2021, SYNCERE TATUM, GABRIEL ROMAN, and CHRISTOPHER TATE, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, attempted to rob and shot at a rival drug dealer in the City of Newburgh.
On November 17, 2021, KASHAD SAMPSON, GEORGE DELGADO, and BRUCE ALLEN, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot four rival gang members in the City of Newburgh.
On November 28, 2021, BASHIR MALLORY and GABRIEL ROMAN, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot at rival gang members in the City of Newburgh.
On January 7, 2022, BASHIR MALLORY and MEKHI McDONALD, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot at rival gang members and shot one rival gang member in the City of Newburgh.
On March 8, 2022, DAVON WADDELL and CHRISTOPHER TATE, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot a rival drug dealer in the City of Newburgh.
On June 11, 2022, DAQUAN CUETO, SYNCERE TATUM, RAEKWON JACKSON, and BASHIR MALLORY, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, assaulted and stabbed a rival gang member in the City of Newburgh.
On July 20, 2022, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON and DONALD LEID, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot at rival gang members in the City of Newburgh.
On September 27, 2022, DAVON WADDELL and SYNCERE TATUM, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot at suspected rival gang members in the City of Newburgh.
On September 6, 2019, TEVIN GEORGE, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing his position in the YG enterprise, shot a rival gang member in the City of Newburgh.
On November 10, 2020, JOHN LALANNE robbed a narcotics dealer at gunpoint and discharged his firearm in the City of Newburgh.
On January 20, 2022, DAVON WADDELL and BRUCE ALLEN robbed a narcotics dealer at gunpoint and discharged a firearm in the City of Newburgh.
On July 20, 2022, DAVON WADDELL, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, RAEKWON JACKSON, DONALD LEID, and DANTE JOHNSON robbed a narcotics dealer at gunpoint in the City of Newburgh.
From at least 2019 to the present, KASHAD SAMPSON, GEORGE DELGADO, GABRIEL ROMAN, DALLAS ARCHER, BRUCE ALLEN, SYNCERE TATUM, JOHN LALANNE, RAEKWON JACKSON, BASHIR MALLORY, MEKHI McDONALD, CHRISTOPHER TATE, KRISTOPHER BURGESS CUNNINGHAM, DEJON SCOTT, DAVON WADDELL, ZYRELL WILLIAMS, DEMETRIUS WARE, ANTONIO PITTMAN, DAQUAN CUETO, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, ERIC STEADMAN, DONALD LEID, TEVIN GEORGE, DEVIN WILLIAMS, DANTE JOHNSON, GEORGE TATUM, COLERIDGE LEWTER, and RODNEY GEORGE participated in a conspiracy to distribute a substantial amount of narcotics, including fentanyl, crack cocaine, heroin, Oxycodone, marijuana, and Promethazine HCL mixed with Codeine, commonly known as “lean.” These individuals also possessed numerous firearms in connection with this narcotics conspiracy.
From at least March 2020 through at least December 2022, KASHAD SAMPSON, GEORGE DELGADO, GABRIEL ROMAN, BRUCE ALLEN, SYNCERE TATUM, JOHN LALANNE, BASHIR MALLORY, MEKHI McDONALD, and CHRISTOPHER TATE conspired to commit wire fraud, and it was the object of that conspiracy to obtain unemployment benefits from New York State.
* * *
WADDELL, 26, ZYRELL WILLIAMS, 18, WARE, 18, PITTMAN, 22, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, 29, TEVIN GEORGE, 30, LEWTER, 43, and RODNEY GEORGE, 47, were all arrested yesterday and today and will be presented today before U. S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. CUETO, 22, PIMENTEL, 21, STEADMAN, 23, LEID, 29, DEVIN WILLIAMS, 27, DANTE JOHNSON, 26, and GEORGE TATUM, 45, are all currently in state custody and will be transferred to federal custody at a later date.
SAMPSON, 24, DELGADO, 24, ROMAN, 24, ARCHER, 26, ALLEN, 25, SYNCERE TATUM, 23, LALANNE, 24, JACKSON, 23, MALLORY, 20, McDONALD, 20, TATE, 20, CUNNINGHAM, 29, and SCOTT, 27, were all arrested following the November 29, 2022, indictment.
Charts containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, City of Newburgh Police Department, New York State Police, Town of New Windsor Police Department, Town of Newburgh Police Department, New York City Police Department, and Nassau County Police Department. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the New York City Department of Correction, Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Jennifer N. Ong, Ryan W. Allison, and Margaret N. Vasu are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COUNT[2]
DEFENDANT(S)[3]
MIN. AND MAX. PENALTIES
Count One: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
KASHAD SAMPSON
GEORGE DELGADO
GABRIEL ROMAN
DALLAS ARCHER
BRUCE ALLEN
SYNCERE TATUM
JOHN LALANNE
RAEKWON JACKSON
BASHIR MALLORY
MEKHI McDONALD
CHRISTOPHER TATE
KRISTOPHER BURGESS CUNNINGHAM
DEJON SCOTT
DAVON WADDELL
ZYRELL WILLIAMS
DEMETRIUS WARE
ANTONIO PITTMAN
DAQUAN CUETO
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
HARRY PIMENTEL
ERIC STEADMAN
DONALD LEID
TEVIN GEORGE
DEVIN WILLIAMS
DANTE JOHNSON
20 years in prison
Count Two: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
ANTONIO PITTMAN
20 years in prison
Count Three: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
ANTONIO PITTMAN
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count Four: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
ANTONIO PITTMAN
ERIC STEADMAN
HARRY PIMENTEL
20 years in prison
Count Five: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
ANTONIO PITTMAN
ERIC STEADMAN
HARRY PIMENTEL
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count Six: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
ERIC STEADMAN
HARRY PIMENTEL
20 years in prison
Count Seven: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
ERIC STEADMAN
HARRY PIMENTEL
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count Eight: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
KASHAD SAMPSON
DALLAS ARCHER
JOHN LALANNE
RAEKWON JACKSON
20 years in prison
Count Nine: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
KASHAD SAMPSON
DALLAS ARCHER
JOHN LALANNE
RAEKWON JACKSON
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 10: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
SYNCERE TATUM
GABRIEL ROMAN
CHRISTOPHER TATE
20 years in prison
Count 11: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
SYNCERE TATUM
GABRIEL ROMAN
CHRISTOPHER TATE
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 12: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
KASHAD SAMPSON
GEORGE DELGADO
BRUCE ALLEN
20 years in prison
Count 13: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
BASHIR MALLORY
GABRIEL ROMAN
20 years in prison
Count 14: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
BASHIR MALLORY
GABRIEL ROMAN
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 15: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
BASHIR MALLORY
MEKHI McDONALD
20 years in prison
Count 16: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
BASHIR MALLORY
MEKHI McDONALD
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 17: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
DAVON WADDELL
CHRISTPHER TATE
20 years in prison
Count 18: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
DAVON WADDELL
CHRISTPHER TATE
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 19: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
DAQUAN CUETO
SYNCERE TATUM
MEKHI McDONALD
RAEKWON JACKSON
BASHIR MALLORY
20 years in prison
Count 20: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
DONALD LEID
20 years in prison
Count 21: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
DONALD LEID
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 22: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
DAVON WADDELL
SYNCERE TATUM
20 years in prison
Count 23: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence and Drug Trafficking
DAVON WADDELL
SYNCERE TATUM
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 24: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
TEVIN GEORGE
20 years in prison
Count 25: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
TEVIN GEORGE
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 26: Hobbs Act Robbery
JOHN LALANNE
20 years in prison
Count 27: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
JOHN LALANNE
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 28: Hobbs Act Robbery
DAVON WADDELL
BRUCE ALLEN
20 years in prison
Count 29: Discharge of a Firearm in Connection with a Crime of Violence
DAVON WADDELL
BRUCE ALLEN
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 30: Hobbs Act Robbery
DAVON WADDELL
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
RAEKWON JACKSON
DONALD LEID
DONTE JOHNSON
20 years in prison
Count 31: Narcotics trafficking
KASHAD SAMPSON
GEORGE DELGADO
GABRIEL ROMAN
DALLAS ARCHER
BRUCE ALLEN
SYNCERE TATUM
JOHN LALANNE
RAEKWON JACKSON
BASHIR MALLORY
MEKHI McDONALD
CHRISTOPHER TATE
KRISTOPHER BURGESS CUNNINGHAM
DEJON SCOTT
DAVON WADDELL
ZYRELL WILLIAMS
DEMETRIUS WARE
ANTONIO PITTMAN
DAQUAN CUETO
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
ERIC STEADMAN
DONALD LEID
TEVIN GEORGE
DEVIN WILLIAMS
DANTE JOHNSON
GEORGE TATUM
COLERIDGE LEWTER
RODNEY GEORGE
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
Count 32: Possession of a Firearm in Connection with a Drug Trafficking Crime
KASHAD SAMPSON
GEORGE DELGADO
GABRIEL ROMAN
DALLAS ARCHER
BRUCE ALLEN
SYNCERE TATUM
JOHN LALANNE
RAEKWON JACKSON
BASHIR MALLORY
MEKHI McDONALD
CHRISTOPHER TATE
KRISTOPHER BURGESS CUNNINGHAM
DEJON SCOTT
DAVON WADDELL
ZYRELL WILLIAMS
DEMETRIUS WARE
ANTONIO PITTMAN
DAQUAN CUETO
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
ERIC STEADMAN
DONALD LEID
TEVIN GEORGE
DEVIN WILLIAMS
DANTE JOHNSON
GEORGE TATUM
COLERIDGE LEWTER
RODNEY GEORGE
Life in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
Count 33: Wire Fraud Conspiracy
KASHAD SAMPSON
GEORGE DELGADO
GABRIEL ROMAN
BRUCE ALLEN
SYNCERE TATUM
JOHN LALANNE
BASHIR MALLORY
MEKHI McDONALD
CHRISTOPHER TATE
20 years in prison
Count 34: Aggravated Identity Theft
GABRIEL ROMAN
BASHIR MALLORY
20 years in prison; Mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictments and the description of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
[2] Additional charges, which did not appear in the November 29, 2022, indictment, appear in bold.
[3] Additional defendants, who were not named in the November 29, 2022, indictment, appear in bold.
Tishomingo Woman Sentenced to Serve 18 Months in Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $1.4 Million from Oklahoma City BusinessRead the Press Release
Defendant Used Software to Alter Business Bank Statements
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, STEPHANIE FANNIN, 45, of Tishomingo, was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On April 12, 2023, Fannin was charged by Information with wire fraud. According to the Information, beginning in March 2014, and ending in April 2021, Fannin served as office manager for General Lighting and Sign Services, Incorporated (GLSS), a business located in Oklahoma City. The Information further alleged that between August 2018 and April 2021, Fannin issued at least 294 unauthorized checks from the GLSS bank account and defrauded GLSS out of approximately $1,432,260.03.
On May 3, 2023, Fannin pleaded guilty. As part of her guilty plea, Fannin admitted that she issued at least 294 unauthorized checks from GLSS. She further admitted that she used special computer software to alter bank statements to make it appear the unauthorized checks had been made payable to GLSS vendors, when in fact the checks were deposited into her personal bank account.
At the sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Fannin to serve 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Heaton also ordered Fannin to pay restitution in the amount of $1,432,260.03. In announcing the sentence, the court noted the extensive nature of Fannin’s scheme and ordered her to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her federal prison sentence by December 14, 2023.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Brown prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Three Indian River County residents sentenced to prison for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Three Indian River County, Florida residents were sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking crimes, following a long-term drug trafficking investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO).
Beginning in July of 2022, the IRCSO began an undercover operation to purchase cocaine, methamphetamine (meth), fentanyl, and other illegal substances from individuals in Indian River County. The investigation was initiated due to historical complaints of narcotic transactions and narcotics overdoses at an Arcade in Vero Beach. During this operation, the IRCSO and DEA joined forces and used an undercover detective to purchase the controlled substances. In addition, from July 2022 until March 2023, the DEA and IRCSO investigated a loosely organized drug trafficking organization that was distributing meth in Indian River County. During the investigation, the IRCSO and DEA utilized an undercover detective to purchase illegal narcotics from members of the drug trafficking organization. The investigation led to the seizure of approximately 859 grams of meth.
Montravius Deon Stuckey, 23, Karen Dayana Bermudez-Torres, 42, and Lakesia Denise Blackshell, 41, all of Indian River County, pleaded guilty for their involvement in the drug trafficking organization, as set forth in their respective agreed upon factual proffers and plea agreements. U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez sentenced each of the three defendants to federal prison.
On Nov. 8, Stuckey was sentenced to 97 months in prison, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of meth, and three substantive counts of distribution of a of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of meth.
On Nov. 8, Bermudez-Torres was sentenced to 100 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of meth, and three substantive counts of distribution of a of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of meth.
On Oct. 2, Blackshell was sentenced to 70 months in prison after having pleaded guilty to two substantive counts of distribution of a of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of meth.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of DEA, Miami Field Division, and Sheriff Eric Flowers of IRCSO announced the sentences imposed.
DEA Miami Field Division, Port St. Lucie Resident Office and IRCSO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Acosta prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Zloch is handling asset forfeiture.
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-14015.
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Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining more than $400,000 in COVID-19 Economic Assistance LoansRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Texas man pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining more than $400,000 in COVID-19 economic assistance loans.
According to court documents, Ganiyu Abayomi Jimoh, 30, of Houston, Texas, conspired with others to commit wire fraud by opening numerous bank accounts in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties using other individuals’ personal identifying information, then fraudulently applying for multiple Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the Small Business Administration (SBA). In August and September 2020, Jimoh received four direct deposits from the SBA totaling $439,500.
At the time of the instant offense, Jimoh was on federal bond out of the Southern District of Texas. Although Jimoh was from Houston, Texas, he traveled to Mississippi on multiple occasions to visit different banks. Jimoh could be seen on video surveillance of many of the bank transactions.
Jimoh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 27, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis made the announcement.
The United States Secret Service is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization that expands states’ ability to provide unemployment insurance for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including for workers who are not ordinarily eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
Anyone with information about 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.
Susquehanna County Man Sentenced to 36 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Justin Passetti, age 31, of Kingsley, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 14, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to 36 months’ imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Passetti previously pleaded guilty and admitted to conspiring with other individuals to distribute high-quality crystal methamphetamine in the Susquehanna County area in March 2020. The charge stems from an incident on March 11, 2020, in which the Pennsylvania State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Passetti was an occupant. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of five pounds of crystal methamphetamine.
The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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.
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Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on the Convictions of Ronald Glen Davis and William BynumRead the Press Release
“Moments ago, a Manhattan jury convicted former NBA players Ronald Glen Davis and William Bynum of a criminal scheme to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. While many of the more than 20 defendants convicted in this case were well-known NBA stars, their conduct was otherwise a typical fraudulent scheme designed to defraud the NBA’s health care plan and net the defendants over $5 million in illicit profits. Today’s conviction exemplifies that despite notoriety or success in sports or any other field, no one is exempt from criminal charges if they engage in fraud.”
St. Louis County Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Fentanyl, Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County, Missouri man who admitted selling fentanyl and methamphetamine, fleeing from police and possessing machine guns was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk also ordered Marvel Sherell, 23, to be placed on supervised release for four years after his eventual release from prison.
Sherell was the final defendant to be sentenced of five charged in the drug conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in July to three felony counts: conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a machine gun.
The investigation began after the Drug Enforcement Administration learned that Sherrell was selling meth and fentanyl and used a confidential source to make drugs buys from him.
“Like many business owners, drug trafficking organizations want to protect their business and assets,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey, lead of DEA investigations in eastern Missouri. “However, there is no similarity to legitimate businesses when dealing in illicit drugs and protecting the business includes illegal weapons. DEA is pleased this criminal enterprise is permanently closed for business."
In his plea agreement, Sherrell admitted engaging in a drug conspiracy with others including Nicholas L. Nixon, 24; Jacquez T. Love, 25; Turhan Robinson Jr., 23; and Arion D. Strickland, 29.
Sherrell admitted selling methamphetamine and fentanyl to the DEA. He also admitted fleeing from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers on May 5, 2022. After officers spotted Sherrell driving recklessly, they tried to stop his car. Sherrell sped off, even after police spike strips deflated the tires on the driver’s side of the vehicle. He ran a red light, hit another vehicle and continued to flee from police, who again used spike strips. Sherrell kept going, violating more traffic signals. During the chase, Strickland tossed a KelTec rifle out of the vehicle and Nixon discarded a Micro Draco AK-47-style pistol and 1,181 pills containing fentanyl. A fully automatic AR-15-style weapon was found after the case where Robinson had been sitting.
When deputy U.S. Marshals arrested Love at the apartment Sherrell, Nixon and Love shared in St. Louis County on May 12, 2022, they found methamphetamine and a fully automatic .40-caliber Glock handgun in Sherrell’s bedroom, along with two “switches” that convert a Glock into a machine gun. They found a pistol in both Nixon’s and Love’s bedroom and in the kitchen. They also found fentanyl and meth in the kitchen.
Nicholas L. Nixon, now 24, pleaded guilty in April to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Judge Pitlyk sentenced him in August to five years in prison.
Strickland and Love pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Strickland was sentenced to six years in prison and Love to 37 months.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Spokane Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane Washington - Today, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Jody Lee Wallette, 36, of Spokane, Washington, to 20 years in federal prison for Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Rice also ordered Wallette to serve 5 years of supervised release following his release from prison. In pronouncing sentence Judge Rice told Wallette, “Your distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine kills people. The amount of drugs you had was atrocious.”
According to court documents, in January of 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) developed information that Wallette was selling fentanyl-laced pills and methamphetamine and was in possession of a gallon-size bag of fentanyl pills. A confidential informant was subsequently utilized to conduct two audio and video recorded controlled buys of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills from Wallette in January and February 2023. During the January 2023 controlled buy, Wallette was captured on video holding a very large bag of crystal methamphetamine (below) in addition to the pound of methamphetamine he sold that day.
In March of 2023, Wallette was federally indicted by a Grand Jury and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A short time later, Wallette was contacted during a traffic stop and arrested. During a search of Wallette’s vehicle, agents located several hundred more fentanyl-laced pills, methamphetamine, cocaine, a loaded firearm, multiple rounds of miscellaneous ammunition, body armor, several cellphones and more than $4,500 in cash. Also located in Wallette’s vehicle was information pertaining to Randy Coy James Holmes regarding the investigation into the shooting of an ATF agent in Spokane and discussing the identity of a suspected confidential informant in that case.
The ATF and DEA also executed a search warrant at Wallette’s storage unit where they seized additional methamphetamine as well as numerous rounds of ammunition.
According to court documents, Wallette is a multiple-time convicted felon, and in fact, qualifies as a federal “Career Offender” based on several prior significant drug trafficking convictions.
“Mr. Wallette brought dangerous drugs into our community that put our neighborhoods at risk, stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “I am grateful for the efforts of our law enforcement partners to identify Mr. Wallette’s repeated drug trafficking activities, to prevent him from further distributing this poison, and to protect our families from drug-related violence.”
At sentencing, Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard stated, “Mr. Wallette’s conduct was egregious. This was not a one-time instance. Mr. Wallette’s drug trafficking and violent conduct occurred over the past 20 years.”
“Mr. Wallette knew his actions endangered our community and this sentence reflects that danger,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “Firearms, fentanyl and methamphetamine are a losing combination that only harms society as a whole.”
“Drug crime and gun violence too often go together, so I am gratified by our partnership with ATF and other law enforcement agencies as we confront this threat together,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This case is another example of our unified resolve to keep our community safe from drug poison and gun violence.”
The case was investigated by the ATF and DEA Spokane Task Force consisting of DEA, HSI, USCBP and BIA. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin Baunsgard and Stephanie Van Marter.
Slidell Man Sentenced to 33 Months Imprisonment for Manufacturing Machine Gun Conversion Devices and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on November 9, 2023, RENE LADMIRAULT, age 21, of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier to 33-months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty.
LADMIRAULT was a manufacturer of machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as “Glock switches.” These devices, when attached to Glock firearms, convert semi-automatic firearms to fully automatic firearms, or machine guns. LADMIRAULT manufactured the devices at his residence using a 3D-printer and a milling machine and used Instagram to sell them. After learning that LADMIRAULT was illegally manufacturing the devices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at his residence. As the agents attempted to enter the residence, LADMIRAULT flushed a machine gun conversion device down his toilet to destroy the device and to avoid its seizure by the FBI.
After serving his term of imprisonment, LADMIRAULT will be supervised by U.S. Probation for two (2) years. LADMIRAULT must also pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $200.00.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit.
Six Arrested for Conspiracy and Operation of an Illegal Cockfighting Gambling BusinessRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Edward Caspino, 46, of Waianae, William Caspino, 48, of Waianae, Lavern Joseph, 71, of Waianae, and Kerilyn Keliinoi, 31, of Waianae were arraigned today on a four-count Indictment returned by a federal grand jury on October 26, 2023. All four pled not guilty, and trial was set for January 17, 2024. Two other defendants, Fauston Aragon, Jr., 65, of Pearl City, and Howard Unebasami, 80, of Waianae, are expected to appear later this week.
Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment charge all six defendants with conspiracy and the operation of an illegal gambling business. According to the Indictment, the defendants conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed or owned an illegal gambling business at a property in Waianae. The group allegedly hosted multiple, large-scale chicken fights, called “derbies,” at the property between June 2020 and March 2023, that involved gambling on the fights, as well as other unlawful games of chance. Count 3 charges Edward Caspino with the operation of illegal game rooms.
If convicted, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release of up to three years on each of Counts 1, 2, and 3.
Edward Caspino also made an initial appearance today on a separate Criminal Complaint in which he is charged with three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to the Criminal Complaint, on three occasions in July 2021, Edward Caspino distributed approximately one pound of methamphetamine to an individual working with federal law enforcement. Each of these counts carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years incarceration, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000.
The charges in the Indictment and Criminal Complaint are merely accusations, and each of the charged individuals is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In the case of conviction, any sentence would be imposed by a United States District Judge based on the statutory sentencing factors and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese.Shreveport Man Receives Lengthy Federal Prison Sentence for Illegally Possessing an AR-Style PistolRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Broxstonie Demichael Mitchell, 37, of Shreveport, has pleaded guilty to and was sentenced yesterday on a firearm charge. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Mitchell to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to evidence presented to the court, on the afternoon of May 5, 2021, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were conducting surveillance and video recorded Mitchell carrying an AR-style pistol at a local Shreveport motel. Agents observed Mitchell get into the rear passenger seat of a vehicle parked nearby and leave with three other individuals. Soon after, Louisiana State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop and ordered all occupants from the vehicle. As Mitchell exited the backseat, a digital scale fell from his lap onto the pavement. Law enforcement placed Mitchell in custody and advised him of his Miranda rights. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and agents found a loaded AR-style pistol with a high-capacity magazine lying on the floorboard where Mitchell had been sitting. This pistol was determined to be stolen. Also on that floorboard was a single yellow pill, and between the driver’s seat and center console was a clear plastic baggie containing amounts of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and yellow pills.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearm was a functioning Anderson Arms model AM-15 pistol which had affected commerce. At the time of his arrest, Mitchell was on supervised probation for another felony offense and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. In 2010, Mitchell was previously convicted in federal court in the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.
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San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to one count of sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, Adrian Scott Warren, 46, disclosed to another user in a private messaging app, that he had been engaging in sexual contact with a prepubescent minor for several years. Warren also told the app user that he was interested in meeting up to engage in sexual activity and watch child pornography that Warren would provide. Additionally, Warren used the app to send two photos of an adult male sexually assaulting a child.
On Aug. 4, 2022, Warren traveled to meet the messaging app user at a hotel, where he expected to engage in sexual acts with the user’s nine year old nephew. Instead, Warren was met by FBI agents who arrested him and seized his phone.
Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 21, 2024 and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Rochester man going to prison for 19 years for four home invasions targeting drug dealersRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Robert Forbes, Jr. a/k/a Ra Ra a/k/a Henny, 37, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and two counts of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, was sentenced to serve 228 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between February 18, and March 26, 2020, Forbes participated, with others, in four separate home invasions in Rochester and Greece, NY. Forbes took part in planning, recruiting participants, obtaining, and providing information about the suspected presence of controlled substances and/or money derived from the sale of controlled substances in the residences, driving individuals to and from the residences, and providing a firearm to use. During some of the home invasions, individuals were restrained, pistol-whipped, and/or suffered injuries. Forbes was arrested April 1, 2020, on W. Ridge Road after a 13-minute car chase in the City of Rochester.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.
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Repeat Sex Trafficker Arrested for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Stoughton man previously convicted of multiple counts of sex trafficking has been arrested on sex trafficking charges.
Marvin Pompilus, 39, was charged with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Pompilus was arrested yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was detained pending a hearing scheduled for Nov. 28, 2023.
“For years, this man allegedly victimized numerous women. Upon his release after a six-year prison sentence on sex trafficking charges, it is alleged that Mr. Pompilus almost immediately returned to targeting and exploiting vulnerable victims to line his own pocket – regularly using violence and drugs to maintain control,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Sex trafficking is a heinous crime that inflicts unimaginable, long-lasting trauma – and it’s happening every day in our communities. Today’s arrest underscores our office’s unwavering commitment to remove sex traffickers from our communities.”
“Marvin Pompilus is accused of exploiting his victims in the worst way. By coercing them with drugs, forcing them to engage in commercial sex, and subjecting them to violence if they refused, he took away the freedom and dignity to which these women are entitled,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force will not stop working to find and help trafficked victims, to protect them from further abuse, and keep their traffickers from hurting anyone else.”
According to the charging documents, from on or about 2021 through 2022, Pompilus used force, fraud, or coercion to cause one victim to engage in commercial sex and victimized at least four others.
In February 2018, Pompilus was convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of multiple counts of trafficking a person for sexual servitude and deriving support for prostitution. He was sentenced to six years in state prison and was released in October 2021.
Almost immediately following his release from state custody, it is alleged that Pompilus posed as a sex buyer and responded to the victim’s online advertisement for commercial sex. When Pompilus arrived at the victim’s location, instead of engaging in commercial sex, he allegedly recruited her to engage in commercial sex on his behalf. Over the course of the next several months, Pompilus allegedly used physical violence, threats of violence and drug-based coercion to cause the victim to engage in commercial sex on a daily basis – for which he collected all of the proceeds. It is alleged that Pompilus physically beat the victim regularly and never allowed her to seek medical treatment. At times, Pompilus manually strangled the victim and on one occasion, pointed a gun in the victim’s face. If the victim disobeyed any of the rules that Pompilus set for her, Pompilus would allegedly become physically violent or withhold drugs from the victim until she started to experience the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
It is further alleged that Pompilus used a driver to drive him to deliver drugs or pick up money from other vulnerable women who he was coercing to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit. Pompilus allegedly used force, physical violence, threats of violence and drug-based coercion to victimize at least four other women and cause them to engage in commercial sex.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston and Randolph Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley-Cunniffe, Chief of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Tokash of the Justice Department’s Human Trafficking Protection Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Repeat Offender: Deported Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Federal Charges AgainRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Jamaican man was sentenced today to 204 months in prison for trafficking kilogram quantities of cocaine. On August 17, 2023, Michael Kenroy Bell aka “Jamaica Mike,” age 47, pled guilty to the charges. Bell had been deported to Jamaica on June 25, 2020, after serving a federal sentence for a previous drug trafficking offense and is in the country illegally.
“This career drug trafficker was previously charged, convicted, and deported. This time he was caught trying to dodge accountability with a false identity,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Drug traffickers operating in Raleigh should take note of this seventeen-year sentence. We are actively partnering with Raleigh Police and the FBI to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks like this one.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Raleigh Police Department were involved in an investigation of a drug trafficking organization operating in Raleigh in the Fall of 2021. Through physical and electronic surveillance, including a federal wiretap, Bell was observed interacting frequently with known drug dealers that were subjects of the investigation.
Though he was not charged in the 2021 investigation, Bell remained under surveillance by law enforcement, and, between February and May 2022, was observed making numerous trips between Raleigh and Huntersville, as well as 11 trips to Miami, Florida specifically to purchase cocaine. He was often observed in the 700-block of Quarry Street, which is frequented by members of the Eight Trey Gangster Crips and is known by law enforcement to be a high drug trafficking area.
In June 2022, Bell was pulled over in Florida, and, after detecting an odor of marijuana, officers searched his vehicle and found both cocaine and marijuana. Bell provided law enforcement a fake identification card, but his identity was discovered when he was booked at the local jail. Despite being in custody Bell orchestrated the continuation of his cocaine distribution in the Raleigh area. Bell has a lengthy criminal record including multiple felonies, including a 2009 federal conviction for two drug trafficking charges.
This is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-00052-D.
Registered Sex Offender Convicted of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A federal jury convicted a Pittsburgh man today for possessing modified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of child celebrities. United.States Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on two separate occasions, James Smelko, 56, of Pittsburgh, possessed pictures that digitally superimposed the faces of child actors onto nude bodies and bodies engaged in sex acts. Smelko possessed the pictures at his home in Pittsburgh, and law enforcement discovered the pictures during a search of Smelko’s computer. Smelko was then charged for possessing CSAM. While pending trial, Smelko was found to have violated his conditions of release by again possessing such images, after concerning searches and images were detected by court-mandated monitoring software on his cell phone.
The jury convicted Smelko of two counts of possessing child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Mitchell and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Registered Sex Offender Convicted of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Pittsburgh convicted a Pennsylvania man today for possessing modified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of child celebrities.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on two separate occasions, James Smelko, 56, of Pittsburgh, possessed pictures that digitally superimposed the faces of child actors onto nude bodies and bodies engaged in sex acts. Smelko possessed the pictures at his home in Pittsburgh, and law enforcement discovered the pictures during a search of Smelko’s computer. Smelko was then charged for possessing CSAM. While pending trial, Smelko was found to have violated his conditions of release by again possessing such images, after concerning searches and images were detected by court-mandated monitoring software on his cell phone.
The jury convicted Smelko of two counts of possessing child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. 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 Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell for the Western District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Readout of Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer’s Visit to Federal Correctional Institution PetersburgRead the Press Release
On Nov. 13, Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer and members of her team visited Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg, which has a medium-security and low-security Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) facility for men with an adjacent minimum security camp, located in Petersburg, Virginia. The Pardon Attorney and her team provided a series of educational sessions about the federal clemency process and answered questions from inmates and staff. The Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 300 inmates and staff during their visit.
The visit to FCI Petersburg was the fourth in a series of quarterly educational events that the Pardon Attorney is conducting for inmates and staff at different FBOP locations.
The first took place at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security institution in New Jersey in January. During that visit, the Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 700 inmates and staff in a day-long series of trainings throughout the facility. The second took place at United States Penitentiary Lewisburg, a medium-security institution in Pennsylvania in April. During that visit, the Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 300 inmates and staff in a day-long series of trainings throughout the facility. The third took place at FCI Aliceville, a low-security institution for women in Alabama in July. During that visit, the Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 500 inmates and staff in a day-long series of trainings throughout the facility.
These educational sessions within the FBOP are part of a year-round initiative by the Office of the Pardon Attorney to increase the accessibility and transparency of the clemency process through education and community engagement.
Pennsylvania Owners of a Landscape and Excavation Firm Plead Guilty to Employment Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Pennsylvania man and woman pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the United States related to their efforts to evade paying employment taxes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Theodore Shearba and Jennifer Cemini, of Perkiomenville, owned a landscaping and excavation business. They did not report income received from the business, nor did they pay employment taxes the business owed to the IRS. Shearba and Cemini attempted to thwart IRS efforts to collect the unpaid employment taxes by depositing business gross receipt checks in nominee bank accounts. Shearba also did not file personal income tax returns for 2019, 2020 or 2021. Together, the defendants caused a tax loss to the IRS of $682,446.80.
Shearba and Cemini are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 27, 2024, and face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The defendants also face periods of supervised release, restitution 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 made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Thomas F. Koelbl and Trial Attorney Alexandra K. Fleszar of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Pennsylvania Man Admits $4.8 Million Cares Act Loan Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Pennsylvania man admitted to his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $4.8 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for himself and others, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Darryl Duanne Young, aka “Darryl Duanne Isom Young,” 60, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court on Nov. 14, 2023, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“This defendant admitted taking advantage of government programs that were specifically designed to provide needed financial assistance to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combatting pandemic fraud in all of its forms is a top priority for this office and our law enforcement partners. Together, we will continue to root out those who have exploited the suffering of others to line their own pockets, and bring them to justice.”
“IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are specially equipped to follow the complex financial trail left by criminals,” Tammy Tomlins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation Newark Field Office. “Let today’s plea serve as a proof of the commitment of IRS-CI and our law enforcement partners dedication to vigorously pursue those who took advantage of government programs intended to provide financial assistance to Americans in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The CARES Act was created to assist to American citizens and businesses that were impacted financially by the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Christopher A. Nielsen, Inspector in Charge, Philadelphia Division, said. “However, as alleged, Darryl Young, and his co-conspirators, manipulated this critical lifeline through a sophisticated scheme that fraudulently obtained millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Postal Inspectors will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners, to identify and hold accountable, those individuals who steal pandemic relief to fulfill their own greed.”
“Mr. Young admittedly obtained money from the Paycheck Protection Programs intended to assist those with critical needs during the pandemic,” Gail S. Ennis, Social Security Administration Inspector General, said. “His criminal actions allowed him and his fellow conspirators to selfishly profit. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to hold those accountable who misuse Social Security numbers, falsify documents, and fraudulently obtain access to federal benefit programs. I appreciate the collective efforts of the investigating agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
“Today’s guilty plea sends a clear message that those who fraudulently obtained funds from COVID-19 relief programs will be held accountable,” Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) said. “The FDIC OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice those who participate in fraudulent schemes and threaten to undermine the integrity of our Nation’s banking system.”
“Today, Darryl Duanne Young admitted his role in stealing nearly $5 million in relief funds intended to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic,” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso said. “This is an egregious case of an individual taking advantage of an unprecedented public health crisis for personal gain. HSI Newark and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue those who perpetrate these illicit schemes and see that they are brought to justice.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Young engaged in a scheme to illegally obtain for himself and his conspirators over $4.8 million in loans authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Young submitted and directed others to submit fraudulent PPP and EIDL loan applications, which fabricated numbers of employees and misrepresented company information, to induce lenders to approve the loan applications that they otherwise would not have approved. Among other things, Young submitted falsified tax documents and bank statements to a victim lender in support of PPP loan applications. Young personally received over $230,000 in PPP loans for businesses he controlled and received a percentage of loan proceeds for assisting in submitting fraudulent applications on behalf of others.
The applications Young submitted each allegedly contained fraudulent representations to the lender – including a victim lender that was a member bank of the Federal Home Loan Bank system – including bogus federal tax documents. According to IRS records, none of the purported tax documents that Young submitted in support of the loan applications were ever in fact filed with the IRS. Based on Young’s misrepresentations, loan applications for his purported businesses and the purported businesses of other applicants were approved for approximately $4.8 million in federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds meant for distressed small businesses.
The charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine 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 potential penalty of 10 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. As part of his guilty plea, Young agreed to make restitution to the victim lenders for the full amount of the fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans. Sentencing is scheduled for March 18, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tomlins; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; 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 Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak; 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 Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Alfonso, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine M. Romano and David E. Dauenheimer 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.
Pawtucket Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Cocaine Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – Jomar Cruz-Aponte, 28, of Pawtucket, is scheduled to be sentenced by a federal judge in February after admitting today that in December 2021, he retrieved and took possession of a package he believed contained a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Cruz-Aponte admitted that he agreed to retrieve the package from the front porch of a Pawtucket residence and deliver it to another individual in exchange for $500.
According to information presented to the court, the package retrieved by Cruz-Aponte was shipped from Colombia and was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection. An inspection determined that it contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine stashed inside the tube of an old TV. Law enforcement officers set up surveillance at the location that the package was addressed to and, after the package was delivered, minus the cocaine, they observed Cruz-Aponte walking around the area, returning a short time later as a passenger in a vehicle, and then retrieve the package. He left the left the area in the same vehicle in which he arrived.
Surveillance officers observed the vehicle leave the area and a Pawtucket Police cruiser effected a car stop a short time later. During the traffic stop, Cruz-Aponte briefly attempted to flee by lunging from the car, with the package in hand, and throwing the package to the ground. He quickly surrendered to law enforcement.
Cruz-Aponte pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2023. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney G. Michael Seaman.
The matter was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pawtucket Police Department.
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Pawtucket Man Admits to Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A convicted sex offender living in Pawtucket who was previously convicted in Pennsylvania of indecent assault on a person under the age of thirteen pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
According to charging documents and information presented to the court, following his release from prison and a halfway house in Pennsylvania, Antonio Medina-Santiago, 34, failed to register as a sex offender, as required by law. Arrest warrants for Santiago-Medina were issued by the Philadelphia Police Department in December 2022 and by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in January 2023.
Further investigation by the United States Marshals Service determined that Santiago-Medina has relatives in Rhode Island and that in May 2022 he began utilizing federal benefits in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Further investigation determined that Medina-Santiago resided at his mother’s Pawtucket residence before moving to a different apartment in Pawtucket.
On June 1, 2022, as members of law enforcement approached Medina-Santiago as he was walking near his residence, he fled on foot back to his residence and barracked himself inside an apartment behind a locked steel door. On the advice of a relative, Medina-Santiago surrendered about thirty minutes later to members law enforcement who had surrounded his residence.
Santiago-Medina is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22, 2024. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
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Owner of New Jersey Businesses Charged with $3.2 Million Paycheck Protection Program Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An owner of several New Jersey businesses was charged with fraudulently obtaining over $3.2 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Daniel Dadoun, 47, formerly of South Plainfield, New Jersey, and who holds French, Canadian and Israeli passports, was charged by complaint with four counts of bank fraud and two counts of transacting in criminal proceeds. Dadoun made his initial appearance on Nov. 13, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court and was detained.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“The allegations in this complaint describe the falsifying of documents in order to secure loans and then submitting fraudulent documents to have those loans forgiven. These programs were designed to help Americans struggling through the pandemic. Our office will combat this type of fraud whenever we encounter it.”
“Daniel Dadoun is alleged to have engaged in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud for personal gain without any regard for the United States taxpayer and undermined the public trust in government programs,” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso said. “HSI takes allegations of fraud seriously and will continue to pursue these crimes vigorously.”
“It is not only alleged that Dadoun defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program by submitting false loan applications, but he anted up the game by submitting fraudulent loan forgiveness applications,” Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York, said. “Dadoun may have known how to work the benefit system for his own financial gain, but now it’s law enforcement and the judicial system that will work to hold him accountable for his crimes.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From April 2020 through August 2022, Dadoun engaged in a scheme to illegally obtain over $3.2 million in PPP loans on behalf of businesses located in New Jersey by submitting false and fraudulent loan applications. After receiving the PPP loan proceeds, Dadoun sought to keep the money by submitting false and fraudulent PPP loan forgiveness applications. The loan applications misrepresented information about the companies, including the number of employees and payroll expenses. In support of the loan applications and subsequent applications for loan forgiveness, Dadoun submitted falsified tax documents, altered and falsified bank statements, an altered and falsified lease agreement, and a false letter purportedly signed by a New Jersey accountant.
The charges of bank fraud each carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. The charges of transacting in criminal proceeds each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, or twice the amount of criminally derived property involved in the transaction, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Alfonso; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office, under direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso Jr.; special agents of the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon Mac Dermott; 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; and the Canada Revenue Agency with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
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.
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.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
dadoun.complaint.pdfOperation Smoke and Mirrors Update: Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Alexandria Jasmine Estep, 22, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Estep admitted to her role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in the Charleston area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Estep participated in the drug trafficking conspiracy between October 2022 and January 2023. Initially, Estep regularly obtained multiple pounds of methamphetamine from a Charleston supplier. She would then re-distribute the methamphetamine to others in the Charleston area.
In November 2022, Estep stopped dealing with the Charleston supplier and arranged to buy multiple pounds of methamphetamine from a co-conspirator. On November 29, 2022, the co-conspirator delivered the methamphetamine by vehicle to Estep’s Charleston residence. Estep conducted the transaction with an additional co-conspirator who was in the vehicle during the delivery.
Estep is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
Estep is among 32 individuals indicted as a result of Operation Smoke and Mirrors, a major drug trafficking investigation that has yielded the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history. Law enforcement seized well over 400 pounds of methamphetamine as well as 40 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of fentanyl, 19 firearms and $935,000 in cash.
Estep and 22 other defendants have pleaded guilty. Indictments against the other defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
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-33.
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