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17 November 2023
Citrus County Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Multiple FirearmsRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida –Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Timothy Roberts (28, Hernando) to six years and five months in federal prison for possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapon (a short-barreled shotgun) and two counts of possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon. Roberts pleaded guilty to the offenses on July 28, 2023.
According to court documents, on August 7, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office stopped Roberts while he was driving a stolen vehicle. When deputies discovered a sawed-off shotgun on the back seat, Roberts admitted that he had tried to cover it with a backpack as he was being pulled over. This illegally modified shotgun was not registered to Roberts in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.
Approximately three weeks later, Roberts was again stopped by Citrus County deputies for multiple traffic infractions. A subsequent search of his backpack revealed methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and two handguns. When questioned, Roberts claimed he had planned to sell the firearms. Roberts, who has four prior felony grand theft convictions in state court, is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Centreville Man Sentenced for $300,000 Crypto-Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Centreville man was sentenced today to 2 years in prison for defrauding three cryptocurrency trading platforms out of more than $300,000.
According to court documents, between 2021 and 2022, Rayan Sharaf, 55, ran a novel cryptocurrency fraud scheme. As part of the scheme, Sharaf moved funds from his individual bank accounts to accounts at cryptocurrency trading platforms. After purchasing cryptocurrencies within the trading accounts, Sharaf then transferred the funds to different wallets and bank accounts nominally owned by third parties but which Sharaf actually controlled. These third parties included adult and minor family members whose identifying information was fraudulently obtained by Sharaf. He then contacted the original banks and falsely claimed that the initial transfers to the trading platforms had not been authorized, thereby fraudulently inducing the banks to issue refunds. In total, Sharaf defrauded three cryptocurrency platforms out of a total of over $300,000 which he used to purchase luxury goods international flights, and jewelry and to pay off debts.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Morgan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Mulbry prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-114.
Burlington County Man Admits Conspiring to Commit Bank Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man admitted participating in schemes to negotiate fraudulent checks with forged signatures and to launder money from another fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Eugene Koranteng, 30, of Medford, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Koranteng conspired with Misty Sarfo-Adu, Emmanuel Yirenkyi, and others to commit bank fraud by obtaining blank checks containing the names and account information of unsuspecting customers of a credit card company. They made the checks payable to members of the conspiracy, forged the customers’ signatures on the checks, and negotiated the checks at financial institutions. Koranteng admitted that the bank fraud conspiracy caused an actual loss of at least $95,000.
Koranteng also conspired to launder the proceeds of a separate fraud scheme. Koranteng used his personal bank account to negotiate checks that constituted the proceeds of unlawful activity. Koranteng then converted the fraud proceeds to cash to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds. Koranteng admitted that he laundered at least $47,000.
The count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The count of conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2024.
Sarfo-Adu and Yirenkyi previously pleaded guilty before Judge Kugler to their participation in the same bank fraud conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also thanked the Moorestown Police Department for its assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
koranteng.information.pdfBurke County man sentenced to federal prison for possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Burke County man has been sentenced to federal prison after investigators discovered a massive cache of images of sexually exploited children on devices in his possession.
Jason Bonds Connelly, 61, of Waynesboro, Ga., was sentenced to 110 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Connelly to pay a fine and assessment of $2,000, and to register as a sex offender and serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
As described in court documents and testimony, investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office in early 2022 were conducting an online investigation into network sharing of images of child pornography. They discovered an account with nearly 60,000 files believed to contain images of child sexual abuse, and the investigation led them to Connelly’s residence.
During a search of that home, investigators found images of child sexual exploitation, including images depicting sadistic and masochistic sexual contact between adults and children. As noted in court, the GBI identified Connelly’s internet address as one of the top offenders in the state of Georgia for sharing child sexual abuse material.
The case was investigated by the GBI, with assistance from the Coweta County Sheriff’s office, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Jason W. Blanchard.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Brooklyn Men Indicted for Crimes Relating to the Theft of Postal Keys and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
A four-count indictment was unsealed today in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging Kevin Grant with being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of five or more false identification documents, possessing stolen United States Postal Service (USPS) arrow keys, and possessing stolen mail. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Brooklyn, New York on November 17, 2023, and relates to Grant’s alleged activities on October 3, 2023.
On October 31, 2023, Tyrone Santos was indicted by a grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of New York for the assault and robbery of two USPS letter carriers, on September 30, 2023, and October 14, 2023, respectively, who were on their delivery routes within the East New York area of Brooklyn. The indictment charges Santos with two counts for each robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee and two counts for the theft of the postal keys from those employees.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Daniel Brubaker, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the charges.
“As these cases demonstrate, whether it is breaking into a Postal relay box, and possessing a ghost gun or assaulting postal workers, our Office will use all tools available to prosecute those who harm our public servants or public services,” stated U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “I encourage all to educate themselves and take steps to protect their mail, and for bad actors to recognize the consequences involved in these crimes.”
“Today’s indictment is an example of the commitment of Postal Inspectors to spare no resource in their pursuit to bring those to justice who violate the sanctity of the U.S. Mail, commit criminal acts against USPS letter carriers, and steal from the public. Their reign of terror has ended against our letter carriers, and now they will face the justice they so rightly deserve. I would also like to acknowledge the role of our USPIS NYPD Task Force Officers in this fight. Together, and in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, eight additional defendants have been charged federally with mail theft related crimes in the past year,” said Inspector in Charge of the New York Division, Daniel B. Brubaker.
“The crimes outlined in these indictments bear witness to what has unfortunately become a national trend, and such acts will never be tolerated in New York City,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “Together with our federal partners, the NYPD remains committed to using every resource at our disposal to protect the integrity of our mail service and eradicate violent crime in all its forms.”
To combat the rise in mail fraud crimes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District is highlighting how to protect your mail through flyers translated into English, Spanish and Mandarin. Postal Inspectors and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York encourage all mail theft victims to report it directly to the Postal Inspection Service. Each report is helpful in building impactful cases against those responsible. You can report mail theft, identity theft, fraud or other crimes involving the U.S. mail by calling the Postal Inspection Service’s national toll-free number at 1-877-876-2455 or by going to http://uspis.gov/report and filing an electronic report.
U.S. v. Grant
According to the criminal complaint previously filed against the defendant, on September 5, 2023, the defendant was observed in a black BMW 535 series sedan with Florida license plate #DEP3 that was involved in the unauthorized accessing of a USPS relay box in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn (the “Subject BMW”). Similarly, on September 11, 2023, video surveillance appeared to capture a vehicle consistent with the Subject BMW but with Pennsylvania license plate #MCR5107 that was also involved in the theft of mail from a relay box in the Parkville area of Brooklyn.
On October 3, 2023, NYPD officers initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle consistent with the Subject BMW. As the officers approached the vehicle, the defendant, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, rolled down his window, observed the officers, and then fled in the vehicle. After a chase, the defendant abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
NYPD officers seized the vehicle and conducted an inventory search, during which they discovered a personally manufactured firearm without a serial number (also known as a “ghost gun”) loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition and an additional 39 rounds of ammunition.
The officers also found evidence related to the mail thefts, including the same Florida license plate #DEP3 that had been observed on the Subject BMW during the defendant’s unauthorized access to the relay box on or about September 5, 2023. In addition, within a duffle bag in the vehicle, they found genuine postal arrow keys for the Flatbush area and the Parkville area, a postal uniform, mail addressed to individuals in the Flatbush Area and approximately 100 checks not belonging to the defendant (several of which appeared to have been made out by residents of the Flatbush area).
Within the same duffle bag, NYPD officers also uncovered approximately five fraudulent social security cards with names of other individuals on them, blank credit cards, credit cards with the names of other individuals on them, several identification documents with the defendant’s picture but bearing different names and additional identification documents bearing other pictures and names.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Sherman is in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Heyward.
U.S. v. Santos
As alleged in the criminal complaint previously filed against the defendant, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) was investigating two robberies of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers while they were on their routes. Both robberies took place two weeks apart, on September 30, 2023 and October 14, 2023, and bore similar characteristics. In both robberies, surveillance footage reveals a perpetrator with similar physical characteristics, wearing similar attire: a gray hooded sweatshirt, black jeans, and tan shoes. Additionally, in both robberies, this perpetrator surveilled young, slight-in-stature female postal carriers on their mail routes, accosted them with a weapon—in the first robbery using what appears to be a pipe and in the second robbery using a firearm—demanded their arrow keys, and then fled the scene. Both robberies took place in a very limited geographic area, within four blocks of each other, and the perpetrator fled to the same residential building after both robberies.
The investigation led authorities to Santos, who was arrested on October 20, 2023, and charged by a federal criminal complaint with the theft of a postal key from a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier. Santos was arrested in his Brooklyn residence without incident by the U.S. Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspectors, and the USPIS NYPD Task Force Officers. Separately, the USPIS NYPD Task Force Officers arrested Santos on state first-degree robbery charges.
Santos was arraigned on the criminal complaint on October 20, 2023, before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn and ordered detained. He was arraigned on the indictment on November 6, 2023. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Shami is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
KEVIN GRANT
Age: 29
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-477 (OEM)
TYRONE SANTOS
Age: 49
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-436 (OEM)
Braintree Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Braintree man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for child pornography charges.
Michael Martin, 44, was sentenced on Nov. 15, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to five years in prison and five years of supervised release. Martin was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to one of the victims, a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and a $10,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act. On Aug. 14, 2023, Martin pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.
On March 9, 2021, the social media platform Tumblr reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that one of its users – later identified as Martin – had suspected child pornography on their account. A subsequent search of Martin’s Braintree residence resulted in the seizure of various electronic devices storing child pornography. Additionally, a search of Martin’s Tumblr account determined that Martin has posted and received child pornography over the social media site. The child pornography included images of children believed to be between four and eight years old.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Braintree Police Chief Tim Cohoon made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin 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.
Backpage Principals Convicted of $500M Prostitution Promotion SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Phoenix convicted three former owners of Backpage.com yesterday of multiple counts of promoting prostitution business enterprises and multiple counts of money laundering, including conspiracy offenses.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Michael Lacey, 75, of Paradise Valley, Arizona; Scott Spear, 72, of Phoenix; and John “Jed” Brunst, 71, of Phoenix, owned Backpage.com, which was the internet’s leading forum for prostitution ads from September 2010, when Craigslist shut down its prostitution ad section, until April 2018, when the United States seized Backpage.com. Evidence at trial showed that the conspirators knowingly promoted prostitution via various marketing strategies. For example, the conspirators engaged in a reciprocal link program with an independent web forum that permitted “johns” to post reviews of prostitution acts with specific women. Additionally, the conspirators used an automated filter and human moderators to remove terms known to indicate sex-for-money, while still allowing the ads to be posted. Through this attempt to sanitize the ads, the conspirators sought “plausible deniability” for what the conspirators knew to be ads promoting prostitution. Over the life of the conspiracy, the conspirators earned more than $500 million. In an effort to preserve the money earned, Lacey, Spear, and Brunst laundered the money through numerous shell companies they created in multiple foreign countries.
In March 2018, a grand jury in Phoenix charged the conspirators in an indictment with conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce, facilitating prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce, conspiracy to commit money laundering, concealment money laundering, international promotional money laundering, and transactional money laundering.
In April 2018, Carl Ferrer, 57, of Frisco, Texas, who was Backpage’s co-founder and CEO, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce and to engage in money laundering. In August 2018, Dan Hyer, 54, of Dallas, who was Backpage’s Sales & Marketing Director, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce. Additionally, several Backpage-related corporate entities, including Backpage.com LLC, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
Co-conspirator James Larkin, 73, died on July 31 before trial began.
Lacey, Spear, and Brunst each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each money laundering count. 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 Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona, Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Phoenix Division, and Inspector in Charge Carroll Harris of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Los Angeles Division made the announcement.
IRS-CI, the FBI Phoenix Field Office, and USPIS investigated the case. The Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center provided substantial assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Rapp, Margaret Perlmeter, Andy Stone, and Peter Kozinets for the District of Arizona and Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the Office of the California Attorney General, and the Office of the Texas Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Boyle for the Central District of California is handling the asset forfeiture aspects of the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bozdech for the District of Arizona.
Backpage Principals Convicted of $500M Prostitution Enterprises Promotion SchemeRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - A federal jury in Phoenix convicted three former owners of Backpage.com yesterday of multiple counts of promoting prostitution business enterprises and multiple counts of money laundering, including conspiracy offenses. Michael Lacey, 75, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, was convicted of one count of international concealment money laundering, and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on most of the other counts charged against him. Scott Spear, 72, of Phoenix, was convicted of a conspiracy to violate the Travel Act by facilitating prostitution, and multiple separate violations of the Travel Act, along with a conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple separate money laundering violations. John “Jed” Brunst, 71, of Phoenix, was convicted of a conspiracy to violate the Travel Act by facilitating prostitution, along with a conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple separate money laundering violations. Lacey, Spear, and Brunst each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the money laundering charges. Spear and Brunst also face up to 5 years in prison for the Travel Act violations. Federal District Court Judge Diane J. Humetewa will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants owned Backpage.com, which was the internet’s leading forum for prostitution ads from September 2010, when Craigslist shut down its prostitution ad section, until April 2018, when the United States seized Backpage.com. Evidence at trial showed that the defendants knowingly promoted prostitution via various marketing strategies. For example, the defendants engaged in a reciprocal link program with an independent web forum that permitted “johns” to post reviews of prostitution acts with specific women. Additionally, the defendants utilized an automated filter and human moderators to remove known sex-for-money terms, while still allowing the ads to be posted. Through this attempt at sanitizing the ads, the defendants sought “plausible deniability” for what the defendants knew to be ads promoting prostitution. Over the life of the conspiracy, the defendants earned more than $500 million. In an effort to preserve the money earned, Lacey, Spear, and Brunst engaged in extensive money laundering by creating numerous shell companies in multiple foreign countries.
On March 28, 2018, a grand jury in Phoenix charged the defendants in an indictment with the crimes of conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce, facilitating prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce, conspiracy to commit money laundering, concealment money laundering, international promotional money laundering, and transactional money laundering.
In April 2018, Carl Ferrer, 57, of Frisco, Texas, Backpage’s co-founder and CEO, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce and to engage in money laundering. Additionally, several Backpage-related corporate entities, including Backpage.com LLC, have entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
In August 2018, Dan Hyer, 54, of Dallas, Texas, Backpage’s Sales & Marketing Director, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce.
Co-defendants Andre Padilla, 50, of Plano, Texas, and Joye Vaught, 42, of Dallas, Texas, were acquitted on all charges. The remaining defendant, James Larkin, 73, died on July 31 before trial was scheduled to begin in August.
United States Attorney for the District of Arizona Gary M. Restaino, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis of the Phoenix Division, and Inspector in Charge Carroll Harris of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Los Angeles Division made the announcement.
IRS-CI, the FBI Phoenix Field Office, and USPIS conducted the investigation in this case. The Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Rapp, Andy Stone, Margaret Perlmeter, and Peter Kozinets of the District of Arizona and Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the office of the California Attorney General, and the office of the Texas Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Boyle of the Central District of California is handling the asset forfeiture aspects of the case, with assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Bozdech of the District of Arizona.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-00422-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-181_Backpage###
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.Atlantic County Man Sentenced to One Year and One Day in Prison for Health Care Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for defrauding New Jersey state health benefits programs out of millions of dollars by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced today.
Corey Sutor, 42, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, formerly a Ventnor City firefighter, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Judge Kugler imposed the sentence on Nov. 13, 2023, in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Compounded medications are supposed to be specialty medications mixed by a pharmacist to meet the specific medical needs of an individual patient. Although compounded drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are properly prescribed when a physician determines that an FDA-approved medication does not meet the health needs of a particular patient, such as if a patient is allergic to a dye or other ingredient.
Sutor was one of the owners of a company formed to market prescription compounded medications. From May 2015 through February 2016, Sutor and others associated with the company persuaded individuals in New Jersey to obtain very expensive and medically unnecessary compounded medications.
The conspirators learned that certain compound medication prescriptions – including pain, scar, and antifungal creams, as well as vitamin combinations – were reimbursed for thousands of dollars for a one-month supply. The conspirators also learned that the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program, which covers qualified state and local government employees, retirees, and eligible dependents, and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program, which covers qualified local education employees, retirees, and eligible dependents, would cover compound medication prescriptions.
Sutor and his conspirators entered into an agreement in which Sutor’s company would receive a percentage of the amounts paid to compounding pharmacies for prescriptions secured by Sutor and his conspirators. Sutor and his conspirators then recruited public employees, offered them hundreds of dollars per month, and persuaded them to agree to obtain prescription compounded medications they did not need without any physical examination by a medical professional. Sutor would obtain insurance and personal information from the public employees and give that information to conspirators. Sutor’s company then would receive a percentage of the amounts paid on these fraudulent prescriptions, which Sutor and others would divide.
Sutor and his conspirators caused New Jersey to pay more than $2 million in fraudulent claims for compounded medications for public employees.
Sutor received $150,398 in gross proceeds for his role in the scheme.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced Sutor to two years of supervised release. As part of his plea agreement, Sutor must forfeit his criminal proceeds and pay restitution of at least $2.09 million.
Attorney for the United States Khanna credited special agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.
The government is represented by R. David Walk Jr., Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
Atlantic City Woman Admits Defrauding Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic City woman today admitted engaging in a fraudulent scheme through which she defrauded elderly victims of over $100,000, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Victoria Crosby, 46, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court to an information charging her with wire fraud.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Crosby used a prepaid cellular phone to contact victims whose spouses or family members recently died. Many of the victims were over the age of 70 and their spouses had recently passed away. Crosby used fictitious names and purported to be employees of either a retirement benefit office and/or a life insurance company. Victims were told that life insurance policies, obtained by their deceased family member and for which they were the beneficiary, were in arrears and that in order to correct the underpayment, victims needed to pay thousands of dollars in arrearages. Victims were instructed to purchase prepaid cards at various retailers and provide the caller with the 10-digit codes on the back. The money was loaded on the prepaid cards at the time of purchase, which are linked to an online account so the owner of the cards can manage their account. Once Crosby had the 10-digit number, she took over the account and transferred the money from the prepaid card account to her own accounts. Crosby withdrew victim funds from various ATMs in Atlantic City, Brigantine and Absecon, New Jersey.
Crosby also admitted that at the time that Crosby was involved in the fraud scheme, she was receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits from the Social Security Administration and Medicaid Benefits. Crosby was also living in public housing in Atlantic City and receiving housing assistance through HUD’s Public and Indian Housing Program.
Between January 2020 and December 2020, Crosby received $110,380 into her bank account. Had SSA or HUD been aware of her income, Crosby would have been ineligible for SSI, Medicaid or HUD benefits.
The wire fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for March 28, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited criminal investigators of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; special agents of the FBI Newark Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon MacDermott; special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Christina D. Scaringi in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Maryland Office of the Attorney General for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Richardson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
crosby.information.pdfAmes Man Charged with Sex Trafficking Fourteen Victims and Sexually Exploiting One MinorRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an Indictment today charging an Ames man with fifteen counts of sex trafficking by fraud and coercion, one count of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the Indictment, Carl Dale Markley used and attempted to use fraud and coercion to cause 14 victims to engage in commercial sex acts. The sex-trafficking charges allege that Markley began trafficking one victim as early as 2004, and between 2004 to April 2023, Markley trafficked or attempted to traffic each of the fourteen victims. In addition, the Indictment states that from August 2020 to October 2020, Markley sexually exploited (or attempted to sexually exploit) one 15‑year-old minor by using the minor to create child pornography, and that Markley knowingly possessed child pornography.
Markley made his initial court appearance today before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
Markley is charged with seventeen offenses in total. Each of the sex trafficking charges carries a 15-year mandatory minimum prison term, and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Sexual exploitation of a child carries a 15‑year mandatory term of imprisonment and a maximum term of 30 years in prison. The charge for possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Richard Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.
The Ames Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If anyone has information about this case, they are urged to call the Ames Police Department, FBI, or Iowa’s Division of Criminal Investigation, or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Admitted Member of Peckerwoods White Supremacist Gang Sentenced to 200 Months in Federal Prison for Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
A meth trafficker was sentenced Thursday to 200 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Levi Chamberlin Hardcastle, a 35-year-old Rockwall, Texas man, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle.
Mr. Hardcastle and eight other individuals, all tied to methamphetamine trafficking, were charged in an indictment with an array of federal crimes, primarily distribution of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms, and conspiracy, in April 2022.
In plea papers, Mr. Hardcastle admitted that he delivered a total of 1,494.6 grams methamphetamine to an undercover officer on three separate occasions, the methamphetamine had a wholesale value of $10,500.00.
In a court hearing, Mr. Hardcastle admitted to being a member of the Peckerwoods, a white supremacist gang.
Additional defendants include:
• Stephen Scribner plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a schedule II controlled substance and was sentenced to 180 months
• Alexis Nicole Pacheco plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a schedule II controlled substance and was sentenced to 200 months
• Ruby Pauline Anderton plead guilty to illegal receipt of a firearm and was sentenced to 48 months
• Sandra Marie Hernandez-Pacheco plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 168 months
• Robert James McKnight plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 14 months
• David Michael Ford plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 57 months
• Mayo Mena plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 7 months
One defendant, Martin Talaver-Sanchez is pending sentencing.
The Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal prosecuted the Northern District of Texas case.
16 November 2023
미 법무부, 다기관 간 언어 접근성 실무 그룹 출범Read the Press Release
법무부는 오늘 연방 정부 전반에 걸쳐 언어 접근성을 조정할 새로운 다기관 간 연방 언어 접근성 실무 그룹(Federal Language Access Working Group)의 출범을 발표했습니다. 이 실무 그룹의 생성과 함께, 법무부는 메릭 B. 갈랜드(Merrick B. Garland) 법무부장관의 연방 기관에 대한 언어 접근성 각서 1주년 기념일에 웹사이트, www.LEP.gov, 를 통해 개의 업데이트된 연방 기관 언어 접근성 계획 출시를 발표했습니다.
2022년 11월 갈랜드 법무부장관은 행정명령 13166, “영어 능력이 제한적인 사람들을 위한 서비스 접근성 개선”에 따라 연방 기관에 언어 접근성 계획을 수정하고 모범 사례를 공유하며, 언어 접근성 계획 및 노력에 대한 정보를 교환하도록 지시했습니다. 오늘은 그 업데이트 된 계획의 일 회분을 게시하며 향후 몇 달 안에 추가 연방 기관들이 업데이트 된 계획들을 포스팅하게 됩니다.
“언어의 장벽이 시민 생활의 참여에 방해가 되지 않도록 할 때에 우리 정부는 비로소 모든 국민들에게 더 나은 서비스를 제공합니다”라고 갈랜드 법무부장관은 말했습니다. “저는 정부 프로그램들이 지속적으로 모든 사람들에게 접근 가능하도록 보장하기 위해 업데이트된 언어 접근성 계획 및 정책을 발표하여 이러한 장벽을 해결하는 방법들을 재검토하라고 요청하였고, 12개 이상의 연방 기관들이 그에 응하였음을 오늘 발표하게 되어 기쁩니다. 법무부는 이 기관들이 언어 접근성 계획을 시행하는 것과 연방 프로그램 및 서비스 전반에 걸쳐 언어 격차를 줄이기 위한 그들의 광범위한 노력을 계속해서 지원할 것입니다.”
법무부 민권국의 크리스틴 클라크(Kristen Clarke) 법무 차관보는 “이 나라의 모든 사람들은 말하고, 읽고, 쓰는 언어와 상관없이 자신의 권리를 행사하고, 중요한 정보를 얻고, 자격이 있는 혜택과 서비스를 이용할 수 있어야 합니다”라고 말했습니다. 또한 “오늘 발표된 업데이트된 언어 접근성 계획들은 영어 능력이 제한된 사람들이 참되고 의미 있는 연방 프로그램 및 활동의 특권을 누리도록 연방 직원들이 취해야 하는 조치를 제시합니다. 또한, 연방 직원들이 모든 지역사회와 정확하고 효과적으로 소통하는 데 필요한 정보를 갖추도록 합니다”라고 말했습니다.
연방 언어 접근성 실무 그룹(Federal Language Access Working Group)은 업데이트된 언어 접근성 계획을 구현하기 위해 연방 기관들에 지원 및 기술 지원을 제공하는 중앙 자원 역할을 합니다. 이 실무 그룹은 또한 지역사회 단체, 영어 능력이 제한된 개인 및 기타 이해 관계자들과 직접 협력하여 행정명령 13166 및 기타 연방 언어 접근성의 의무를 준수합니다. 또한 연방 재정 지원 수령자들이 연방법에 따른 언어 접근성의 의무를 준수하도록 하는 데에도 집중할 예정입니다. 법무장관의 각서는 기관들에게1964년 민권법 제6장 및 그 시행 규정에 따라 연방 재정 지원 수령자가 효과적인 언어 접근성을 제공해야 하는 의무를 이해하고 준수하도록 보장하는 추가 방법을 고려할 것을 촉구했습니다.
오늘 발표는 언어 접근성 향상에 대한 법무부의 오랜 노력을 기반으로 합니다. 민권국은 최근 주 법원을 위한 웨비나와 함께 법원 언어 접근성에 관한 팩트시트를 발행했습니다. 또한 법 집행 기관들이 효과적인 언어 지원을 제공해야 하는 의무의 이행을 전국적으로 돕는 법 집행 언어 접근성 계획(Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative)을 시작했습니다.
2022년 11월 법무장관 각서에 따라 법무부는 2023년 8월에 개정된 언어 접근성 계획을 발행했으며, 여기에서 확인하실 수 있습니다. 스페인어, 중국어 간체, 중국어 번체, 베트남어, 한국어, 타갈로그어, 아랍어 및 프랑스어 번역본도 제공됩니다. 사법접근실의 언어 접근성 프로그램(Language Access Program)은 법무부의 개정된 계획의 실행을 조정하고, 법무부의 구성원들에 대한 교육 및 기술 지원을 제공하며, 언어 접근성 자원을 확장하고, 법무부의 계획에 따라 개선된 언어 접근성 정책 및 관행을 촉진합니다. 이 프로그램의 언어 접근성 코디네이터는 법무부의 계획을 구현하기 위한 법무부 차원의 노력의 일환인 언어 접근성 실무 그룹을 주관합니다.
민권국에 대한 추가 정보는 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt에서 확인할 수 있으며 영어 능력 제한 및 행정 명령 13166에 대한 정보는 www.LEP.gov에서 확인할 수 있습니다.
司法部成立新的跨部门语言服务工作组Read the Press Release
司法部今天宣布成立联邦语言服务工作组, 此项新的跨部门工作将协调整个联邦政府的语言服务。随着该工作组的成立, 该部门还宣布, 在司法部长梅里克∙B·加兰德向联邦机构发布语言服务备忘录一周年之际, 在其网站www.LEP.gov 上发布更新的联邦机构语言服务计划。
司法部长加兰德在2022年11月指令联邦机构根据第13166号行政命令,《改善英语水平有限者获得服务之机会》修订其语言服务计划, 分享最佳实践并交流有关语言服务倡议与努力之信息。今天标志着第一批更新后的计划的发布, 其他联邦机构将在未来数月发布其更新后的计划。
“当政府能确保语言障碍不会阻碍人民参与公民生活时，我们的政府就能更佳提供服务与所有美国人。”司法部长加兰德表示。“今天，很高兴与大家分享，十几个联邦机构响应了我的呼吁，重新审视了如何应对这些障碍的方法，透过发布更新后的语言服务计划与政策，以确保所有人都能使用政府的服务。司法部将继续支持各机构执行其语言服务计划，以及缩短联邦方案与服务间语言鸿沟之更广泛的努力。”
“无论使用何种语言讲话，阅读或书写，在本国的每一个人皆应能行使其权利, 取得重要信息, 以及获得与他们的资格相符的福利和服务。” 司法部民权司助理总检察长克里斯汀·克拉克说，“今天发布的最新语言服务计划规定了联邦工作人员必须采取的步骤，以确保限英语水平有限的个人能够名副其实地参与联邦计划和活动。这些计划将使联邦工作人员掌握所需的信息以准确有效地与所有小区沟通。”
联邦语言服务工作组将作为提供支持和技术援助的中心资源，协助联邦机构实施更新后的语言服务计划工作。工作组亦将直接与小区团体，英语水平有限的人和其他利益相关者互动，确保第13166号行政命令和其他联邦语言服务义务得以遵循。工作组还将着重确保获得联邦资助者按照联邦法律规定行使语言服务义务。司法部长的备忘录呼吁各机构考虑其他办法，确保联邦财政援助接受者了解并遵守根据1964年《民权法》第六章及其实施条例的要求提供有意义的语言服务之义务。
今天的公告是基于司法部对促进语言服务的长期承诺之上。民权司最近与州法院的网络研讨会协调，发布了一份关于法院语文服务情况的概况介绍。该司还发起了"执法语言服务倡议"，这是一项全国性的工作，旨在协助执法机构履行其义务，提供有意义的语言服务。
根据司法部长2022年11月的备忘录，司法部在8月发布了更新的语言服务计划， 该计划可在此处查阅。西班牙文、简体中文、繁体中文、越南文、韩文、他加禄语、阿拉伯文和法文翻译也可供查阅。司法部语言服务计划办公室协调执行该部的修订计划，贵司法部各下属部门提供培训和技术援助，扩大语言服务资源，并根据司法部的计划推动改进后的语言服务政策和实践。该计划的语言服务协调员担任本部之语言服务工作组主席，为全部门性责成努力执行本部之计划。
有关民权司的其他信息可上其网站 www.justice.gov/crt 查询，有关有限英语水平及第13166号行政命令的信息，可浏览 www.LEP.gov.
司法部成立新的跨部門語言服務工作組Read the Press Release
司法部今天宣佈成立聯邦語言服務工作組, 此項新的跨部門工作將協調整個聯邦政府的語言服務。隨著該工作組的成立, 該部門還宣佈, 在司法部長梅里克∙B·加蘭德向聯邦機構發佈語言服務備忘錄一週年之際, 在其網站www.LEP.gov 上發佈更新的聯邦機構語言服務方案。
司法部長加蘭德在2022年11月指令聯邦機構依照第13166號行政命令,《改善英語水準有限者獲得服務之機會》修訂其語言服務方案, 分享最佳實踐並交流有關語言服務倡議與努力之資訊。今天標志著第一批更新後的方案的發佈, 其他聯邦機構將在未來數月發佈其更新後的方案。
“當政府能確保語言障礙不會阻礙人民參與公民生活時，我們的政府就能更佳提供服務與所有美國人。”司法部長加蘭德表示。“今天，很高興與大家分享，十幾個聯邦機構響應了我的呼籲，重新審視了如何應對這些障礙的方法，透過發佈更新後的語言服務方案與政策，以確保所有人都能使用政府的服務。司法部將繼續支持各機構執行其語言服務方案，以及縮短聯邦方案與服務間語言鴻溝之更廣汎的努力。”
“無論使用何種語言講話，閲讀，或是書寫，在本國的每一個人皆應能行使其權利, 取得重要資訊, 以及獲得與他們的資格相符的福利和服務。” 司法部民權司助理總檢察長克里斯汀·克拉克說，“今天發佈的最新語言服務方案規定了聯邦工作人員必須採取的步驟，以確保英語水準有限的個人能夠名副其實地參與聯邦計劃和活動。這些方案將使聯邦工作人員掌握所需的資訊以準確有效地與所有社區溝通。”
聯邦語言服務工作組將作爲支援和技術援助的中心資源，協助聯邦機構實施更新後的語言服務方案工作。工作組亦將直接與社區團體，英語水準有限的人和其他利益相關者互動，確保第13166號行政命令和其他聯邦語言服務義務得以遵循。工作組還將着重確保獲得聯邦資助者按照聯邦法律規定行使語言服務義務。司法部長的備忘錄呼籲各機構考慮更多辦法，以便各機構確保聯邦財政援助接受者瞭解並遵守其根據1964年《民權法》第六章及其實施條例的要求提供名副其實的語言服務之義務。
今天的公告是基於司法部對促進語言服務的長期承諾之上。民權司最近與州法院的網路研討會協調，發佈了一份關於法院語文服務情況的概況介紹。該司還發起了"執法語言服務倡議"，這是一項全國性的工作，旨在協助執法機構履行其義務，提供有意義的語言服務。
根據司法部長2022年11月的備忘錄，司法部在8月發佈了更新的語言服務方案， 該方案可在此處查閲。西班牙文、簡體中文、繁體中文、越南文、韓文、他加祿語、阿拉伯文和法文翻譯本也可供查閱。司法部語言服務計劃辦公室協調執行該部的修訂方案，對司法部各下屬部門提供培訓和技術援助，擴大語言服務資源，並根據司法部的方案推動改進後的語言服務政策和實踐。該計劃的語言服務協調員擔任本部之語言服務工作組主席，為全部門性責成努力執行本部之方案。
有關民權司的其他資訊可上其網站 www.justice.gov/crt 查詢，有關有限英語水準及第13166號行政命令的資訊，可瀏覽 www.LEP.gov.
وزارة العدل تطلق مجموعة عمل جديدة بين الوكالات معنية بتيسيير التواصل اللغويRead the Press Release
أعلنت وزارة العدل الأمريكية اليوم عن إطلاق مجموعة العمل الفيدرالية لتيسيير التواصل اللغوي، وهي جهد جديد مشترك بين الوكالات من شأنه تنسيق تيسيير التواصل اللغوي عبر الحكومة الفيدرالية. أعلنت الوزارة أيضاً إلى جانب إنشاء مجموعة العمل هذه عن إصدار خطة للوكالات الفيدرالية لتيسسير التواصل اللغوي على موقعها www.LEP.gov وذلك في الذكرى الأولى لمذكرة (memorandum) وزير العدل ميريك بي. جارلاند للوكالات الفيدرالية الخاصة بتيسيير التواصل اللغوي.
في شهر تشرين الثاني / نوفمبر 2022، وجه وزير العدل جارلاند الوكالات الفيدرالية بمراجعة خططها الخاصة بتيسيير التواصل اللغوي ومشاركة أفضل الممارسات وتبادل المعلومات المتعلقة بمبادرات تيسيير التواصل اللغوي امتثالاً للأمر التنفيذي رقم 13166، "تحسين إتاحة الخدمات للأشخاص الذين لا يتقنون اللغة الإنجليزية". ويصادف اليوم إصدار الدفعة الأولى من تلك الخطط المستحدثة مع قيام وكالات فيدرالية أخرى بنشر خطط مستحدثة في الأشهر المقبلة.
وقال وزير العدل جارلاند: "إن حكومتنا تقدم خدمات لكل الأمريكيين بشكل أفضل عندما نتأكد أن الحواجز اللغوية لا تقف عقبة في طريق المشاركة في الحياة المدنية." وأضاف وزير العدل "اليوم، يسعدني أن أقول لكم بأن أكثر من إثنى عشر وكالة فيدرالية قد إستجابت لدعوتي لإعادة النظر في السبل التي تتعامل بها مع هذه الحواجز من خلال إطلاق خطط وسياسات مستحدثة لتيسير التواصل اللغوي والتي تهدف للتأكد من بقاء البرامج الحكومية في متناول الجميع. وسوف تستمر وزارة العدل في دعم الوكالات في تنفيذ خططها لتيسير التواصل اللغوي، وجهودها الأوسع نطاقاً لإغلاق الفجوة اللغوية عبر البرامج والخدمات الفيدرالية".
وقالت كريستين كلارك مساعدة وزير العدل في دائرة الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل: "يجب أن يكون كل شخص في هذا البلد قادراً على ممارسة حقوقه والحصول على المعلومات المهمة، والفوائد والخدمات التي يحق له الحصول عليها بغض النظر عن اللغة التي يتحدث بها أو يقرأها أو يكتبها. إن الخطط المُستحدثة لتيسير التواصل اللغوي التي صدرت هذا اليوم تُبين الخطوات التي يتخذها الموظفون الفيدراليون للتأكد من أن الوصول الفعلي والمفيد إلى البرامج والأنشطة الفيدرالية مُتاح للأشخاص الذين لديهم كفاءة محدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية، كما أن هذه الخطط تزود الموظفين الفيدراليين بالمعلومات التي يحتاجون إليها للتواصل الصحيح والفعال مع كل المجموعات."
قالت كريستين كلارك مساعدة المدعي العام بدائرة الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل الأمريكية: "يجب أن يكون كل شخص في البلاد قادراً على ممارسة حقوقه والحصول على المعلومات الهامة والحصول على المزايا والخدمات التي يحق له الحصول عليها بغض النظرعن اللغة التي يتحدث بها أو يقرأها أو يكتبها." إن الخطط المستحدثة لتيسيير التواصل اللغوي التي تم إصدارها اليوم تضع الخطوات التي يجب أن يتخذها الموظفون الفيدراليون لضمان توفير استفادة مجدية للأفراد الذين لا يتقنون اللغة الإنجليزية فيما يتعلق بالبرامج والأنشطة الفيدرالية، وتزويد الموظفين الفيدراليين بالمعلومات التي يحتاجون إليها للتواصل بدقة وفعالية مع كل المجتمعات."
وستكون مجموعة العمل الفيدرالية لتيسيير التواصل اللغوي بمثابة المورد المركزي لتوفير الدعم والمساعدة التقنية للوكالات الفيدرالية وهي تعمل على تنفيذ خططها المستحدثة لتيسيير التواصل اللغوي، وسوف تنخرط مجموعة العمل أيضاً بشكل مباشر مع الجماعات المجتمعية والأفراد الذين لا يتقنون اللغة الإنجليزية وغيرهم من أصحاب المصلحة لضمان الالتزام بالأمر التنفيذي 13166 وغيره من الالتزامات الفيدرالية المتعلقة بتيسيير التواصل اللغوي، وستقوم مجموعة العمل أيضاً بالتركيز على ضمان امتثال مُتلقي الأموال الفيدرالية بالتزاماتهم المتعلقة بتيسيير التواصل اللغوي بموجب القانون الفيدرالي. ودعت مذكرة وزير العدل الوكالات إلى النظر في سبل إضافية تضمن بها الوكالات فهم متلقو المساعدات المالية الفيدرالية لألتزاماتهم والامتثال لهذه الالتزامات لتوفير سبل التواصل اللغوي المجدية بموجب متطلبات المادة السادسة من قانون الحقوق المدنية لعام 1964 ولوائحها التنفيذية.
يستند إعلان اليوم إلى التزام وزارة العدل منذ فترة طويلة في المضي قدماً في تيسيير التواصل اللغوي. ولقد أصدرت شعبة الحقوق المدنية مؤخراً صحيفة وقائع (fact sheet) حول تيسيير التواصل اللغوي للمحاكم بالتنسيق مع حلقة دراسية على الانترنت لمحاكم الولايات. وأطلقت الشعبة أيضاً مبادرة تيسيير التواصل اللغوي في مجال إنفاذ القانون (Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative)، وهي مبادرة على الصعيد الوطني لمساعدة وكالات إنفاذ القانون على الوفاء بالتزاماتهم بتيسيير التواصل اللغوي على نحو مجد.
وعملاً بمذكرة وزير العدل الصادرة في تشرين الثاني / نوفمبر 2022، أصدرت وزارة العدل خطتها المُنقحة الخاصة بتيسيير التواصل اللغوي في آب / أغسطس 2023، التي يمكن الإطلاع عليها هنا (here). كما تتوفر أيضاً ترجمات إلى الاسبانية والصينية المُبسطة والصينية التقليدية والفيتنامية والكورية والتغالوغية والعربية والفرنسية. ويقوم مكتب تيسيير التواصل اللغوي (Language Access Program) التابع لوزارة العدل بتنسيق تنفيذ الخطة المنقحة التي أعدتها وزارة العدل وتوفير التدريب والمساعدة الفنية لمكونات وزارة العدل وتوسيع موارد تيسيير التواصل اللغوي وتعزيز سياسات وممارسات تيسيير التواصل اللغوي بشكل أفضل بما يتماشى مع خطة الوزارة. ويرأس منسق برنامج تيسيير التواصل اللغوي الفريق العامل المعني بتيسيير التواصل اللغوي التابع للوزارة وهو جهد يُبذل على مستوى الوزارة لتنفيذ خطة الوزارة.
تتوفر معلومات إضافية حول قسم الحقوق المدنية على موقعه على الإنترنت على: www.justice.gov/crt كما يمكن الإطلاع على معلومات حول الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية والأمر التنفيذي 13166 على موقع www.LEP.gov.
Women who led troubled Tacoma bakery pleads guilty to wire fraud in connection with COVID-19 loan fundsRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A woman who was part owner and CEO of Tacoma Baking Co. pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to wire fraud in connection with nearly $350,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jessica Heinlein, aka Jessica DeVisser, obtained three loans using fraudulent information. The largest, some $309,972, was obtained on behalf of Tacoma Baking Company. But much of the information in the applications was fraudulent, and the money was not used exclusively for payroll as required. Heinlein will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on February 12, 2024.
According to the plea agreement, Heinlein made the first loan application on behalf of Tacoma Baking Company in April 2020. In the application she claimed two of the company’s eight owners were “sole owners” of the company. Heinlein created email accounts in the names of the two people she designated as “sole owners” so that she could respond to any questions from financial institutions. Heinlein forged the signatures of the two people and provided copies of their drivers licenses without their permission. The loan funds were deposited in Heinlein’s personal account, and she used some of the money for her personal expenses. In addition to the loan funds, the Small Business Administration (SBA) also paid nearly $25,000 in interest and processing fees on the loan.
Heinlein sought PPP loans twice more. In January 2021 she applied for a PPP loan under “Jessica DeVisser Consulting,” claiming she was an independent contractor and had a monthly payroll obligation of $7,189. In fact, she was not an independent contractor and had no payroll obligation. She submitted altered financial records to support the application. The $17,900 loan was approved, but before Heinlein could access the money her bank froze the funds and returned them to the lender.
In April 2021, Heinlein tried a second time for a loan for “Jessica DeVisser Consulting.” In this case, she claimed the monthly payroll was $20,833. She received $20,833 in loan funds even though she was not an independent contractor and had no payroll. The funds were used for improper purposes.
Heinlein has agreed to pay restitution to the Small Business Administration of $360,881. The amount includes the loan amounts as well as fees and interest paid by the SBA.
At sentencing, prosecutors will recommend a sentence at the low end of the guidelines range. Judge Settle is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence up to the maximum of twenty years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Dion.
Women Who Bought Firearm for Mexican Cartel Member SentencedRead the Press Release
Two women who purchased firearms for a member of a Mexican drug cartel have been sentenced to a combined 18 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Cassandra Gonzalez, 51, and Imajah Tierra Cervantes, her 29-year-old daughter, were indicted in March. Ms. Gonzales pleaded guilty in June to false statements during the purchase of a firearm and was sentenced in October to 6 months in federal prison. Ms. Cervantes pleaded guilty in July to straw purchasing of a firearm and was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison.
Ms. Cervantes is among the first defendants in the Northern District of Texas to plead guilty to an offense outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law by President Biden in June 2022.
According to plea papers, Ms. Gonzalez attempted to purchase a rifle from a federally firearm license (FFL) dealer in Lubbock, Texas on Dec. 30, 2022. On ATF Form 4473, Ms. Gonzalez certified that she was purchasing the firearm for herself and stated that she resided in Garland, Texas – an address that did not match her actual current address in Lubbock.
ATF agents contacted the FFL and notified them of the address issue. They learned that Ms. Gonzalez planned to return to the store on Jan. 4, 2023, to complete the transaction.
On that date, agents observed Ms. Gonzalez and Ms. Cervantes enter the FFL. Ms. Gonzalez paid for the firearm and Ms. Cervantes carried it out of the store. Agents intercepted the women, took custody of the rifle, and separated them for questioning.
Ms. Gonzalez admitted that the address she used on Form 4473 was not correct, but initially maintained that she purchased the rifle for herself.
Ms. Cervantes, however, told agents that a Mexican man living in Dallas provided her with the money to purchase the rifle, and said that she and her mother were going to receive $2,000 for purchasing the firearm and delivering it to the man, who she knew was affiliated with a Mexican drug cartel. She admitted that she’d delivered a gun to him before and that she knew the man intended to use the firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Confronted with Ms. Cervantes’ statements, Ms. Gonzalez admitted that she lied on the form, knowing full well that she intended to purchase the firearm not for herself, but on behalf of another person.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division – Lubbock Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McLeod prosecuted the case.
Winnebago Man Sentenced for Striking Man in Head with Baseball BatRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that David Snow, 39, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 16, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. United States District Court Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Snow to 37 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Snow’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On January 19, 2021, Snow was at a residence on the Winnebago Indian Reservation with the victim and another witness. Snow and the victim got into a verbal altercation, which escalated to a physical assault when Snow picked up an aluminum bat and struck the victim in the head with the bat. Snow fled the residence. The victim suffered an external headwound as well as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and was hospitalized as a result of the assault.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Wilton Contractor Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that DAVID ANSPACH, 67, of Wilton, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to a tax offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Anspach operated a construction and remodeling business. During the course of a civil audit of Anspach’s tax return for the 2013 tax year, the IRS discovered that Anspach’s business receipts were underreported. Some of the underreported business receipts were subsequently accounted for as payments to workers, but in an effort to offset further receipts, Anspach provided false documents to a representative who had prepared Anspach’s tax return and was assisting him during the audit. The documents included fabricated letters and invoices intended to establish that Anspach had made payments to vendors beyond those reported on his tax return. Anspach’s representative provided the documents to the IRS.
Anspach pleaded guilty to one count of willfully delivering or disclosing to the IRS a false document, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on February 12, 2024.
Anspach is released on a $10,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Weston Man Charged with Fraud Offenses Related to $890K Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging CHARLES M. AMEER, 64, of Weston, with three counts of wire fraud stemming from an alleged embezzlement scheme.
The indictment was returned on November 8, 2023. Ameer appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He has been released on a $500,000 bond since his arrest on a federal criminal complaint on August 31, 2023.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, from 2017 through 2022, Ameer was the Chief Financial Officer at Indeco North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Indeco Ind. S.P.A, headquartered in Milford. In October 2017, Ameer created a $40,000 check, which was drafted on Indeco’s bank account and made payable to the order of “WSC.” Ameer then used the check to reimburse the Weston Soccer Club, located in Weston, for funds he had previously taken from the club without its permission or authority. Ameer subsequently created additional checks, in the total amount of $850,000, which were drafted on Indeco’s bank account and made payable to him. He deposited the checks into his personal bank account and used the funds for his own benefit.
If convicted, Ameer faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count of wire fraud.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.
Warwick Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking HeroinRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A convicted felon who was found to be in possession of a kilogram of heroin, a loaded firearm, more than $337,000 in cash, three kilo presses and other assorted items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs, and who was found to have two sophisticated hidden compartments in his vehicle commonly used to conceal contraband, including one embedded inside a child’s car seat, was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Jose Manuel Rosario Mella, 55, of Warwick, who had previously been arrested in New York and used multiple names to conceal his true identity, was arrested in August 2020 by members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force after an investigation determined that he was conducting a large-scale heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation from his Warwick residence; a home that he shared with his partner and her two young children, age five and fifteen.
Rosario Mella pleaded guilty on January 10, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“This defendant carried out a large-scale drug trafficking organization with zero concern for either the communities poisoned by his toxic shipments of fentanyl and heroin, or for the safety of his own children- one of whose car seats he used to hide his drug shipments,” remarked U.S. Attorney Cunha. “With today’s sentence, a large-scale drug trafficker is out of business and off of Rhode Island streets, and I commend the DEA and our state and local law enforcement partners for their diligent work to make that happen.”
“Heroin is causing great damage to our communities and in this case, it’s putting children’s lives in danger. DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison.” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Illegal drug distribution ravages the foundations of our families so every time we take heroin off the streets, lives will be saved. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state, and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
According to charging documents and information presented to the court, in the summer of 2020, members of the DEA Drug Task Force surveilled Rosario Mella’s drug trafficking activities, including controlled purchases of heroin from the defendant by a person assisting law enforcement. On August 12, 2020, shortly after Rosario Mella drove away from his residence, his vehicle was stopped by law enforcement. A Warwick Police Department certified narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of narcotics odors at the vehicle. The vehicle was found to contain after-market hides commonly used to conceal contraband behind the front passenger seat and in a child safety seat.
Simultaneously to the defendant’s car being stopped, a court-authorized search of Rosario Mella’s residence resulted in the seizure of a kilogram of heroin found stored among food and other kitchen items in a pantry closet; several containers of cutting agents often mixed with heroin and fentanyl to increase bulk quantities of the drugs stored in a kitchen cabinet; three kilo presses used to package kilograms of drugs; a loaded semi-automatic pistol located inside a storage bin in a bathroom; and $337,660 in cash located in various locations throughout the residence including inside drawers and stashed inside a woman’s sweater.
According to information presented to the court, the $337,660 in cash seized represents the sale of approximately thirteen kilograms of heroin.
Jose Manuel Rosario Mella was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 108 months in federal prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Additionally, the court ordered the firearm, cash seized by law enforcement, and two vehicles owned by Rosario Mella be forfeited to the government.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA; Rhode Island State Police; the Cranston, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick, Woonsocket, and Amtrak Police Departments.
United States Attorney Cunha acknowledges and thanks the Warwick, South Kingstown, and North Kingstown Police Departments for their added assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Utah Residents Facing Federal Charges for Alleged Baggage Thefts at AirportRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City, Utah, returned two indictments charging three Salt Lake County residents with stealing baggage from baggage carousels at the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
According to court documents, Leticia Marie Torres, 42, of Salt Lake City; and Brianna Marie Taylor, 42, of Midvale, Utah, are charged in one indictment and Charles Masters, 31, of West Valley City, Utah, is charged in a separate indictment.
As alleged in the indictment for Torres and Taylor, in January 2022, Torres and Taylor stole multiple pieces of baggage on various days from multiple victims with the intent to keep them for their personal use. As part of their scheme to defraud, Torres and Taylor used multiple stolen credit cards belonging to one of the victims and received payment and other items of value during a one-year period.
According to court documents, from January 2022 to February 2022, Masters stole thousands of dollars worth of baggage with the intent to keep them for his personal use.
Torres and Taylor are both charged with theft of baggage from interstate shipment, illegal transactions with an access device, and aggravated identity theft. Masters is charged with five counts of theft of baggage from interstate shipment. Torres, Taylor and Masters had their initial appearances on the indictment Nov. 16, 2023, before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah, Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) and the Salt Lake City International Airport made the announcement.
The investigation is being worked jointly by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department and the Salt Lake City Police Department Airport Division.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jawayria Z. Auchter and Michael Kennedy of the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
As part of ongoing efforts to decrease baggage thefts at airports, Salt Lake City Police Department and the Salt Lake City International Airport say the best way to prevent theft is to ensure your bag is never left unattended. Recognizing that flying with carry-on bags is not always feasible, SLCPD recommends the following tips as travelers enter the holiday and ski season in the beehive state:
- Place irreplaceable or high value items in your carry-on baggage (Note: Passengers must know which items are required to be checked or prohibited from being checked or brought onto an aircraft).
- Reconsider purchasing luxury-branded luggage as this could be an allure to potential thieves.
- Make your checked luggage distinctive using stickers, tape, ribbon or consider purchasing a brightly colored suitcase.
- Keep a record of what you pack and take a photo of your belongings and your luggage. Photos can be helpful during a police investigation and for insurance purposes.
- After landing, avoid unnecessary delays and head to the baggage pick-up area immediately so your bag is not left unattended when on the baggage carousel.
- Ensure your bag is clearly labeled with your contact information. For privacy reasons, an address is not necessary, but a name and phone number should be included.
- If you believe someone has stolen your luggage, be sure to file a police report and file reports with the airline and TSA.
- Report anything suspicious to an airport/airline official or airport police.
The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Airport Division continues to conduct proactive operations to curb baggage theft from Salt Lake City International Airport. Officers and detectives work closely with airline and airport staff to ensure the security of passenger luggage.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Texas Men Sentenced to Prison for Firearms Trafficking to MexicoRead the Press Release
Two Texas men were sentenced to prison for their roles in firearms trafficking to Mexico.
“Traffickers in fully automatic firearms from the United States to Mexico aid in the cartels’ efforts to manufacture dangerous drugs and smuggle them into our country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will do everything in its power to find and hold accountable the gun traffickers who are arming the cartels. I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and ATF for their outstanding work in both of these cases.”
“ATF cannot and will not stand by while Ghost Guns flow to Mexican Cartels to support their violent and deadly crimes,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). “With our partners, ATF is working every day to catch the firearms traffickers, drug dealers, and straw purchasers who arm those criminals with increasingly lethal weaponry, which includes machine guns. We will use every tool provided, including the new laws in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, to try to stop those arming the cartels.”
Jaime Jesus Esquivel, 37, of Laredo, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a machine gun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and conspiracy to possess intent to distribute cocaine. Esquivel pleaded guilty on June 6, admitting, in part, to producing and illegally exporting fully automatic firearms to Mexico for the use of drug cartels.
Jose Abraham Nicanor, 34, of Houston, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for the illegal purchase and trafficking of firearms. A federal jury convicted Nicanor on May 11 on all 13 counts as charged following a three-day trial. He was also convicted for possessing a firearm after a previous felony for armed robbery.
United States v. Esquivel
As part of the undercover investigation, authorities conducted four controlled purchases of cocaine and AR-type fully automatic rifles. The weapons were ghost guns, a common term for privately made firearms absent any manufacture marks of identification. Esquivel assembled these weapons for distribution.
Esquivel also made the firearms from various components of combat weapons including Colt M4 parts and a 3D-printed polymer AR-type drop in auto sear or machine gun conversion device (MGCD). An MGCD is any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun.
Law enforcement executed two search warrants and seized privately-made manufactured AR-type lower receivers, firearm parts, firearm manufacturing tools, 950 rounds of assorted ammunition, a 7.62mm rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and a privately-made short-barrel fully automatic rifle without serial numbers or industry markings. They also found methamphetamines, cocaine, and a 3D printer.
As a convicted felon, he is now prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Esquivel will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) facility.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ATF, and Laredo Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
United States v. Nicanor
At the hearing, the court heard evidence that showed Nicanor aggregated the firearms shipment to Mexico. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Nicanor’s conduct amounted to more than mistakes, but to a pattern of choices to violate the law.
At trial, the jury heard that Nicanor recruited two straw purchasers to buy high-caliber rifles that drug trafficking organizations regularly seek.
Testimony and evidence presented at court showed that a total of 94 firearms were attributable to Nicanor’s straw purchasing group. Mexican authorities later recovered many of the firearms in the possession of drug trafficking organizations.
The jury also heard that Nicanor rented a machine gun at a local gun range and posted a video of himself with the firearm to his social media. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.
Nicanor was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to an FBOP facility to be determined in the near future.
The straw purchasers, James Paxton Jefferson, 34, and Alejandro Garcia, 33, both of Houston, previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
ATF investigated the case. Mexican authorities also provided assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Collins and Stuart Tallichet for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
Two St. Louis Area Men Sentenced to Prison for Methamphetamine, Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Two men caught with 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, four guns and more than $7,500 in cash were each sentenced in U.S. District Court this week to more than 10 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White on Thursday sentenced Deandre Q. Brett, 26, of St. Louis, to 138 months in prison.
Judge White sentenced Robert K. Kinney, 24, of Berkeley, in St. Louis County, on Wednesday to 130 months.
Kinney originally attracted the attention of St. Louis County Police officers when he sped away from a police vehicle on July 28, 2021, passing other vehicles in the center turn lane, according to plea agreements by Kinney and Brett and court documents. After officers used a spike strip on the white Kia Forte Kinney was driving, he kept driving until the car began to slide off the road on four flat tires.
Kinney got out holding a Glock pistol with an extended capacity magazine and ran away from officers. He was arrested and police found $3,792 in cash, drugs and ammunition in a bag he carried. Brett was arrested at the Kia. Officers found a stolen Glock pistol in the car, as well as a SKS Interarms Hellpup semi-automatic rifle, an Arsenal SAM7K semi-automatic rifle and three packages containing a total of 1.3 kilograms of meth. Brett’s bag held two Glock magazines, $3,796 in cash and marijuana.
Kinney and Brett both pleaded guilty in August to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen is prosecuting the case.
Two Highest-Ranking Leaders of Gorilla Stone Bloods Gang Convicted at Trial of Racketeering and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DWIGHT REID, a/k/a “Dick Wolf,” and CHRISTOPHER ERSKINE, a/k/a “Beagle,” were found guilty yesterday of racketeering and narcotics conspiracy in connection with their leadership of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang (“Gorilla Stone”), a brutally violent street and prison gang that operates across the country. REID, the gang’s highest-ranking member, is the gang’s founder and prison leader. ERSKINE, the gang’s street leader, also known as the “Sun,” is the gang’s second highest-ranking member. The convictions followed a nearly three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. REID will be sentenced on May 21, 2024, and ERSKINE will be sentenced on May 23, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Dwight Reid and Christopher Erskine are the two highest-ranking members of Gorilla Stone, a ruthless gang, and are responsible for terrible violent acts and trafficking dangerous narcotics across the country and state, including throughout the New York State prison system. They now stand convicted of their crimes and will no longer be able to inflict harm on the people of our District.”
According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:
REID founded Gorilla Stone over 20 years ago. Gorilla Stone has many members across New York State, including throughout New York City, Westchester, Upstate New York, and the New York State Prison System, and all over the country, such as in Florida. Gorilla Stone is comprised of various sets (or “Caves,” as they are called by gang members). Gorilla Stone is a highly organized and efficient street gang with an organizational commitment to violence that strictly enforces its internal laws.
Among Gorilla Stone’s acts of violence are:
- A September 2020 broad daylight murder of a minor on a busy Poughkeepsie street;
- An October 24, 2020, gang-related shooting outside of a Miami, Florida, strip club, in which two rival gang members were shot and seriously wounded, requiring one to be airlifted from the scene;
- Multiple shootings and attempted murders, including an August 8, 2018, shooting in Brooklyn, New York; July 5, 2020, gang shootings at a house party in Miami, Florida; and a July 20, 2020, drive-by shooting in New Rochelle, New York;
- A June 12, 2020, gunpoint drug-related robbery in Peekskill, New York; and
- A vicious January 12, 2018, face slashing of a rival gang member on 125th Street in Manhattan.
As for the gang’s sources of revenue, in addition to some more traditional sources such as the proceeds of nationwide narcotics trafficking both inside and outside of prisons, Gorilla Stone is deeply involved in several fraud schemes that are well organized and sophisticated and net a significant amount of money for the gang, including a fraudulent unemployment benefits scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* * *
REID, 51, of New York, New York, and ERSKINE, 40, of Brooklyn, New York, were convicted of one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of narcotics conspiracy, which also carries a maximum sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison for REID and 10 years in prison for ERSKINE. ERSKINE was also convicted of one count of narcotics distribution, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The defendants were acquitted of a gun possession offense.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
With REID and ERSKINE’s trial convictions, all 21 defendants in the Gorilla Stone case before Judge Halpern have been convicted. 13 defendants have been sentenced and eight defendants, including REID and ERSKINE, have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing. The 13 defendants who have been sentenced by Judge Halpern to date are:
- Godfather DONAVAN GILLARD, a/k/a “Donnie Love,” who was sentenced to 248 months in prison;
- Godmother NAYA AUSTIN, a/k/a “Baby,” who was sentenced to 234 months in prison;
- Godmother BRINAE THORNTON, a/k/a “Luxury,” who was sentenced to 210 months in prison;
- JARRETT CRISLER, Jr., a/k/a “Jayecee,” who was sentenced to 207 months in prison;
- CASWELL SENIOR, a/k/a “Casanova,” who was sentenced to 188 months in prison;
- Godfather BRANDON NIEVES, a/k/a “Untouchable Dot,” who was sentenced to 110 months in prison;
- JAMAL TRENT, a/k/a “Trap Smoke,” who was sentenced to nine years in prison;
- DEZON WASHINGTON, a/k/a “Blakk,” who was sentenced to 97 months in prison;
- ROBERTA SLIGH, a/k/a “Trouble,” who was sentenced to eight years in prison;
- JORDAN INGRAM, a/k/a “Flow,” who was sentenced to eight years in prison;
- STEPHEN HUGH, a/k/a “Chino,” who was sentenced to seven years in prison;
- ISAIAH SANTOS, a/k/a “Zay,” who was sentenced to seven years in prison; and
- SHANAY OUTLAW, a/k/a “Easy,” who was sentenced to three years in prison.
In addition to REID and ERSKINE, who are awaiting sentencing, six additional defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing: Godfather DESHAWN THOMAS, a/k/a “Don,” Godfather WALTER LUSTER, a/k/a “Shells,” AHMED WALKER, a/k/a “Ammo,” BRANDON SOTO, a/k/a “Stacks,” NEIKO CRUDUP, a/k/a “JhitRilla,” and ROBERT WOODS, a/k/a “Blakk Rob.”
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of special agents and task force officers from the FBI, U.S. Probation, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland District Attorney’s Office, and the New York City, Westchester County, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Greenburgh, White Plains, Peekskill, Ramapo, and Clarkstown Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shiva H. Logarajah, David R. Felton, Kathryn P. Wheelock, and Courtney L. Heavey, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Shannon Becker and Liam Ronan, are in charge of the prosecution.
Two Arizona Scammers Charged in Cryptocurrency Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On September 19, 2023, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a 55-count indictment against Luis Ortega, 42, of Litchfield Park, and Jeremie Sowerby, 45, of Fountain Hills, for Wire Fraud and Transactional Money Laundering.
The indictment alleges that Ortega and Sowerby scammed hundreds of victims out of millions of dollars in a cryptocurrency investment scheme. Under the guise of three entities, Ortega and Sowerby marketed a “risk-free” investment opportunity in “leases” of purported Bitcoin mining machines located abroad (Now Mining); a direct investment in Bitcoin mining machines in Arizona (VIP Mining); and a real estate and technology company through which investors could purchase custom-built container houses using the defendants’ proprietary “Millennium” cryptocurrency. Each entity involved the promise of lavish giveaways and profits that could be accessed and liquidated immediately. In reality, the entire scheme was based on lies. Ortega and Sowerby siphoned the victim funds to bank accounts they controlled and used the money for themselves, including for the purchase of properties and a new vehicle, and extensive cash withdrawals.
A conviction for wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or both. A conviction for transactional money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.
A number of victims have been identified by the FBI and IRS CI. However, there is evidence that victims remain unidentified. Anyone who believes they were defrauded by the defendants in this case should contact the Victim Witness Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona at [email protected] or fill out the questionnaire at this link: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-potential-victims-of-jeremie-sowerby-luis-ortega-fraud-schemes. Victims can access information regarding the case status here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/us-v-luis-ortega-jeremie-sowerby.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01321-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-180_Ortega/Sowerby# # #
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.Tulsa Native Sentenced and Ordered to Repay $800,000 for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
A Tulsa native, now residing in Texas, was sentenced today for bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Shane Michael Hannaford, 41, of Prosper, Texas, to 33 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Frizzell further ordered Hannaford to pay more than $800,000 in total restitution to eleven victims.
According to court documents, Hannaford was indicted for ten separate counts of bank fraud covering various fraudulent conduct. On Apr. 15, 2022, Hannaford plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and agreed to pay restitution for the entirety of his criminal conduct. As to the one count conviction, Hannaford admitted that he owned and controlled Hannaford Development Group (HDG). Operating under HDG, Hannaford entered into a verbal and written agreement with a lending company to finance construction costs for a church located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Hannaford admitted to fraudulently representing to the lender that he intended to repay the monies borrowed, which was false.
Hannaford was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David D. Whipple prosecuted the case.
Travel Manager Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Employer Using Hotel Booking SchemeRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Beaverdam woman pleaded guilty today to conducting financial transactions involving the criminal proceeds of her scheme to defraud her employer.
According to court documents, Roxanne Sullivan, 61, was the Travel Manager for a Midwest-based venue preparation company. Sullivan was a full-time, salaried employee, responsible for booking travel and lodging accommodations for the company's workers as they moved from job to job. Sullivan was also a registered travel agent and subscribed to a travel agent commission-processing system. As a travel agent working for clients, Sullivan could earn commissions on the bookings she completed. Commission is a payment remitted to the travel agent by the hotel that consists of a pre-determined portion of the lodging or travel accommodations purchased by the travel agent's client. Because a hotel is required to remit a portion of a booking customer's payment to the travel agent—in effect, reducing the hotel's proceeds for that transaction—a hotel's “commissionable rates" for hotel rooms are often more expensive than “non-commissionable rates," which instead allow the hotel to keep the entirety of the transaction proceeds.
Between 2016 and 2022, Sullivan defrauded her employer by booking "commissionable" rates at hotels, rather than the lower, corporate, but non-commissionable, rates that were otherwise available to her company. She then directed these higher commission payments from the commission-processing system to her bank account. Sullivan deliberately concealed her commissionable rate scheme from her employer, instructing hotel representatives to remove language referencing commissions from her contracts, and doctoring emails to delete references to her commissions. When confronted by federal agents about her scheme, Sullivan lied to the agents about aspects of her scheme.
The total loss attributable to Sullivan's scheme is estimated at $525,000.
Sullivan is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, 2024. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck accepted the plea.
Hanover County Sheriff’s Office provided significant assistance in this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-138.
Three Men Arrested for Complex Bank Fraud and Cryptocurrency Laundering SchemeRead 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 today the arrests of ZHONG SHI GAO, a/k/a “George,” NAIFENG XU, a/k/a “Andy,” and FEI JIANG, a/k/a “Jeffrey,” a/k/a “Brother Fei,” for charges in connection with a scheme to steal and launder millions of dollars from financial institutions, which resulted in the theft of over $10 million. GAO and JIANG were arrested this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. XU was arrested in Oklahoma and will be presented in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “For years, Zhong Shi Gao, Naifeng Xu, and Fei Jiang allegedly participated in a complex scheme to steal over $10 million from nearly a dozen U.S. banks and financial institutions, which they converted into cryptocurrency and moved to foreign cryptocurrency exchanges. These charges should serve as a warning to fraudsters and cybercriminals who think they can turn to cryptocurrency to hide their identities – together with our partner agencies, we will find you and hold you accountable for your crimes.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Gao, Jiang, and Xu were arrested for allegedly stealing and laundering more than $10 million dollars by scamming multiple financial institutions and using foreign cryptocurrency exchanges. Schemes like this harm institutions and make it tougher to report suspicious transfers. The arrests today serve as a warning to anyone thinking of attempting to engage in bank fraud. The FBI will hold you accountable in the criminal justice system.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
Between at least in or about 2018 and in or about 2022, ZHONG SHI GAO, a/k/a “George,” NAIFENG XU, a/k/a “Andy,” and FEI JIANG, a/k/a “Jeffrey,” a/k/a “Brother Fei,” participated in a scheme with others to steal millions of dollars from financial institutions by causing transfers of funds between accounts they controlled, then falsely and fraudulently reporting that the transfers were unauthorized, which induced the financial institutions to credit them the amount of the transfers. The scheme proceeded in the following manner:
First, GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme would recruit other people — frequently foreign nationals from China and Taiwan temporarily residing in the United States — to open bank accounts at various bank branches in the New York City metropolitan area and elsewhere. Control over these bank accounts would then be given to GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme.
Second, GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme would arrange for funds to be deposited and transferred between bank accounts controlled by members of the scheme. Next, GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme would cause fraudulent reports to be filed with the banks claiming that these wire transfers were unauthorized. This prompted the banks — both the bank issuing the wire transfer and the bank receiving the wire transfer — to temporarily credit the accounts in the amount of the transferred funds, effectively doubling the amount of money initially deposited into these accounts, even though GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme had in fact authorized the transfers and maintained control over the transferred funds all along.
Finally, GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme would arrange for the credited funds to be quickly withdrawn as cash or converted into cryptocurrency and moved to foreign cryptocurrency exchanges before the banks realized that the unauthorized-transfer reports were fraudulent. This resulted in GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme withdrawing nearly double the money initially deposited while leaving the bank accounts with negative balances.
In total, GAO, XU, JIANG, and other members of the scheme are responsible for over $10 million in actual losses to nearly a dozen banks and financial institutions.
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ZHONG SHI GAO, 31, of Flushing, New York; NAIFENG XU, 37, of Guthrie, Oklahoma; and FEI JIANG, 41, of Brooklyn, New York, are each charged with one count of bank fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The maximum potential sentences 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 investigative work of the FBI’s Asian and African Organized Crime Squad. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI Field Office in Oklahoma City for their assistance in the investigation of this case.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Chan, James Ligtenberg, and Ni Qian are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
The Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and National Institute of Corrections Launch First of its Kind Resource to Assist Nation’s Jails in Providing Wrap-Around ServicesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a program office of its Office of Justice Programs, and the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), today announced the launch of the Jails and Justice Support Center, a first of its kind initiative to bring together innovative policies, strategies, promising practices and resources to help in the management of the more than 3,000 jails nationwide.
The center is an online resource that will serve as a national hub for information, training and resources supporting the state and local agencies that operate America’s jails. It will cover the core topics and key areas of policy, practice and culture that support a constitutionally sound foundation for administering a jail, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for all who live, work in and visit our nation’s jails.
“Jail administrators and the Justice Department share a common goal: safe jails that honor the dignity, humanity and constitutional rights of everyone — incarcerated people, staff and visitors alike,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “We are excited to make this new resource available to jail administrators and staff across the country as they work to create safe and humane conditions in their facilities.”
At today’s announcement, sheriffs, jail administrators, stakeholders and Justice Department officials described the subject areas the center is focusing on in its initial stages, including screening and assessment, medical and behavioral health and use of force.
BJA and NIC selected CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation to lead the development and delivery of the center. Partners in this effort include the American Jail Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Association of Counties and Rulo Strategies.
“The Jails and Justice Support Center is a key component of BJA’s efforts to provide direct, impactful assistance to the criminal justice field,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “Sheriffs, jail administrators, county leaders and other stakeholders across the nation will benefit from the information, resources and technical assistance designed to address the specific needs and challenges faced by jails today.”
“The collaboration between the National Institute of Corrections and its federal partners in launching the Jails and Justice Support Center is a significant step towards better serving the nation's sheriffs and jail administrators,” said NIC Director Holly Busby. “It highlights NIC's long-standing dedication to supporting them and their vital role in the criminal justice system. Through this collaborative effort, they can access the resources and assistance needed to manage their jails effectively and promote community safety.”
About the Office of Justice Programs
OJP provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice, assist victims and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA helps America’s state, local and Tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, lower recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA provides a wide range of resources — including grants, funding and training and technical assistance — to law enforcement, courts and corrections agencies, treatment providers, reentry practitioners, justice information sharing professionals and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. To learn more about BJA, visit www.bja.ojp.gov or follow their Facebook (www.facebook.com/DOJBJA) and Twitter (@DOJBJA). BJA is a component of the Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs.
About the National Institute of Corrections
NIC is the only federal agency with a legislative mandate (Public Law 93-41 5) to provide specialized services to corrections from a national perspective. NIC is recognized by other federal agencies for its unique role and quality services. Its leadership is evidenced by the numerous partnerships and interagency agreements targeted to provide correctional services and training. NIC provides practical assistance in planning and implementing improvements at the federal, state and local levels. These efforts contribute to cost efficiency and effectiveness in such areas as planning, design, and operation of new jails, prisons, and community corrections programs, offender workforce development programs, and offender classification and risk assessment. Learn more at www.nicic.gov.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 151 Months for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Michael Griswold, age 37, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to serve 151 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
As part of his plea, Griswold admitted that, on November 9, 2022, he possessed over 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside a bag in his bedroom closet. Griswold also admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered that Griswold serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Syracuse Police Department, and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case.
Sussex County Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for $2 Million COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
NEWARK N.J. – A Sussex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to 36 months in prison for defrauding several financial institutions and illegally obtaining more than $2 million in COVID-19 funding meant to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
John Jhong, 54, of Sparta, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count each of bank fraud, money laundering, and misuse of a Social Security number. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence on Nov. 15, 2023, in Newark federal court.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“The defendant took money from government programs that were established to provide financial assistance to Americans who were struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The sentence handed down today is his reward for attempting to turn these vital relief programs into his personal ATM. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to find and punish those who have tried to take advantage of the federal government.”
“The theft of taxpayer funds is inexcusable,” Tammy Tomlins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, said. “IRS Criminal investigation will hold accountable anyone who steals from government programs intended to help those in need. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure fraudsters are brought to justice. Today’s sentence punishes the defendant’s criminal conduct and should serve as a significant deterrent to others who would selfishly steal from their fellow citizens to unlawfully enrich themselves.”
“Ensuring the Postal Service is not being used to perpetuate frauds against the U.S. Government, or its citizens, is one of our top priorities,” Christoper A. Nielsen, Inspector in Charge, Philadelphia Division, said. “The Postal Inspection Service will continue to investigate CAREs Act fraud schemes through our participation in the NJ COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force.”
“Today the defendant in this case was brought to justice for fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million in COVID-19 relief funding that was designed to assist struggling businesses during the pandemic,” Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) saod. “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who took advantage of pandemic relief programs and threatened to undermine the integrity of our Nation’s financial institutions.”
“As the nation was struggling with the damaging effects of the pandemic, Mr. Jhong callously attempted to deceive lenders and fraudulently secure Paycheck Protection Program loans by knowingly misusing several Social Security numbers,” Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, said. “I thank the investigating agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in holding Mr. Jhong accountable for these crimes.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Jhong submitted numerous fraudulent loan applications in which he sought over $15 million in federal pandemic aid and illegally obtained $2 million of that money. Jhong used false and fraudulent tax returns, government forms, and other people’s names and documents, including Social Security numbers of individuals who were deceased for over a decade. He spent his ill-gotten gains on personal expenses.
In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Wigenton ordered three years of supervised release and restitution of $2.13 million.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins; special agents of U.S. Postal Inspection Service, 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 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca in New York; and special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jose Riera. He also thanked the Sparta Township Police for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fatime Meka Cano of the U.S. Attorney’s Economic Crimes Unit in Newark and Trial Attorney Chad M. Davis of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
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.
Stroudsburg Woman Charged with Heroin and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Melissa Mangione, age 29, of Stroudsburg, PA, was indicted on November 14, 2023, by a federal grand jury for heroin and fentanyl trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that from approximately February 2018 until October 27, 2021, Mangione conspired with others to distribute and did distribute heroin and fentanyl at locations in Monroe County, PA.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Stilwell Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Josiah Byron White, age 24, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for discharging a firearm in a crime of violence.
The charge arose from investigations by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
On October 12, 2022, White pleaded guilty to an Information on one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to investigators, White and the victim were visiting a Tahlequah residence on June 6, 2022, when White shot the victim twice in the back with a small caliber firearm and fled the scene of the crime. The crime occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Josiah Byron White will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney James Seaman represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Sand Springs Resident Pleads Guilty to Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nicholas Lane Spearman, age 28, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information of one count of Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree, punishable by up to life in prison.
The Information alleged that on or about April 28, 2022, Spearman intentionally killed the victim with malice aforethought.
The charges arose from an investigation involving the City of Stigler Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The investigation revealed that Spearman shot and killed the victim with a .22 caliber magnum rifle at victim’s residence in Longtown, Oklahoma. The crime occurred in Pittsburg County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the plea hearing, and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending sentencing.
San Diego Businessman Pleads Guilty in Multi-Million Dollar Covid-Related FraudRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 16, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Thomas Zolezzi of San Diego pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he committed fraud to obtain almost $3 million intended to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his plea agreement, Zolezzi admitted he submitted five loan applications containing false statements to trick lenders into providing the relief funds. He used the borrowed funds to pay his personal expenses. As part of his guilty plea, Zolezzi agreed to pay restitution of $700,884.75 to the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and $2,238,910.24 to Capital Plus Financial.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020, to provide over $2 trillion of economic relief to workers, families, small businesses, industry sectors and other levels of government that were hit hard by the public health crisis created by COVID-19. The CARES Act authorized the SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under a new loan program titled the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).
Under the PPP, financial institutions made loans to qualified borrowers, and the SBA backed the loans. Borrowers agreed to use the PPP loans to cover payroll costs and certain eligible nonpayroll costs. In some cases, the borrower could apply for forgiveness of the loan. If approved for forgiveness, the SBA paid the loan for the borrower.
The CARES Act also authorized the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”). Borrowers agreed to use EIDL funds solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by the disaster. Working capital expenses included payroll expenses, sick leave, production costs, and ordinary business obligations, like debts, rent, and mortgage payments.
According to court records, Zolezzi applied for and received three PPP loans and two EIDLs. Zolezzi’s loan applications, which started in May 2020, falsely overstated the number of his employees, his payroll amount, and his annual revenue to fraudulently obtain $2,939,794.99 in loans.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 5, 2024, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Alexander.
DEFENDANT Case Number 23-cr-02352 -AJB
Thomas Zolezzi Age: 61 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Wire Fraud, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343
Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison and a fine of $250,000
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Romanian citizen indicted for illegally crossing into the U.S. from Canada with six other Romanian nationals in the carRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 48-year-old citizen of Romania, who has no legal status in the U.S., was indicted this week for thirteen federal crimes for his attempt to smuggle six other Romanian nationals into the U.S., announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Ionel Niculae, aka Adrian Dumitrescu, was taken into custody near Lynden, Washington, at an accident scene where the car he was driving flipped over, badly injuring three passengers.
“We are responding to an increase in dangerous smuggling events on our northern border,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “This case illustrates how these illegal smuggling efforts endanger not only those being smuggled into the U.S., but also others traveling near the border. The driver who was hit by the fleeing SUV was injured and is still recovering from the crash.”
“We have seen an uptick in the number of human smuggling events here in Washington State along our northern border with Canada,” said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI will continue to prioritize investigations into these organizations using dangerous tactics that jeopardize not only the lives of the individuals being smuggled, but also the lives of those in our communities who may be in danger by this reckless behavior.”
The indictment charges Niculae with one count of improper entry by an undocumented individual, three counts of bringing an undocumented individual into the United States at a place other than a designated Port of Entry and causing serious bodily injury, three counts of bringing an undocumented individual into the United States at a place other than a designated Port of Entry, and six counts of aiding and abetting the improper entry of an undocumented individual.
According to the criminal complaint, the Jeep Niculae was driving was seen crossing into Canada illegally three days before the September 17, 2023, accident. On the day of the crash, Canadian Border officers obtained images of the Jeep traveling near the Canada/U.S. Border and, moments later, a camera on the U.S. side picked up images of the Jeep crossing the border via some agricultural fields near Lynden.
Border Patrol agents set out to find the Jeep and were quickly alerted by the Sumas Police Department that the Jeep was involved in a crash with another SUV. The Jeep had flipped and three of the six passengers in the car had broken bones – two had broken pelvises and one had a broken leg. Niculae was not injured.
“Due to the exceptional vigilance and response of our Border Patrol Agents, Blaine Sector agents were able to assist with the accident scene and link the accident to a recent vehicle that illegally crossed the border smuggling several Romanian citizens. Events like this highlight the disregard smugglers have for human life,” said Chief Rosario Vasquez, Blaine Sector Chief Patrol Agent.
None of the people in the Jeep were legally present in the United States. Niculae possessed drivers licenses for both Washington and California and appears to have been residing in Southern California. He has been detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac since being charged by criminal complaint on September 20, 2023.
Bringing an undocumented individual into the U.S. at a place other than a designated Port of Entry resulting in serious bodily injury is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Bringing an undocumented individual into the U.S. at a place other than a designated Port of Entry is punishable by up to ten years in prison. Aiding and abetting improper entry by an undocumented individual is punishable by up to six months in prison.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Border Patrol with assistance from the Washington State Patrol and Sumas Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sanaa Nagi.
Ringleader sentenced for illegal purchases of firearms trafficked to MexicoRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old Houston resident and felon has been ordered to federal prison for illegal purchase and trafficking of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
A federal jury convicted Jose Abraham Nicanor May 11 on all 13 counts as charged following a three-day trial. He was also convicted for possessing a firearm after a previous felony for armed robbery.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt has now ordered Nicanor to serve 60 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard evidence that showed Nicanor aggregated the firearms shipment to Mexico. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Nicanor’s conduct amounted to more than mistakes, but to a pattern of choices to violate the law.
“Stemming the illegal river of firearms into Mexico, a river stained blood red, deprives Mexican cartels of their tools of violence,” said Hamdani. “Cartels and other transnational criminal organizations are a national security threat, and my office, with its fearless prosecutors, will always be committed to aggressively pursuing those who exploit American gun laws so that weapons of war don’t reach violent criminals in Mexico and beyond.”
“Firearms trafficking and straw purchasing are not victimless crimes,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Noel Rangel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “These acts are illegal and puts firearms in the hands of violent criminals. By focusing on firearms trafficking and straw purchasing, ATF keeps guns out of the hands of criminal trigger pullers, thereby reducing violent crime.”
At trial, the jury heard that Nicanor recruited two straw purchasers to buy high-caliber rifles that drug trafficking organizations regularly seek.
Testimony and evidence showed that a total of 94 firearms were attributable to Nicanor’s straw purchasing group. Mexican authorities later recovered some of the firearms in the possession of drug trafficking organizations.
The jury also heard that Nicanor rented a machine gun at a local gun range and posted a video of himself with the firearm to his social media. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.
Nicanor was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The straw purchasers – James Paxton Jefferson, 34, Alejandro Garcia, 33, both of Houston – previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
ATF conducted the investigation. Mexican authorities also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Collins and Stuart Tallichet prosecuted the case.
Richmond County man sentenced to federal prison for persuading child to produce sexually explicit imagesRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Richmond County man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to persuading a child to produce sexually explicit images.
Tibius Edwards, 26, of Augusta, was sentenced to 180 months in prison after pleading guilty to Production of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Edwards to register as a sex offender and to serve 20 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“There is an epidemic in this country of adult predators contacting and befriending children online and persuading them to produce sexually explicit images of themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “The vigilance of a caring adult rescued the victim from further harm, and this sentence ensures Tibius Edwards will no longer be a danger to the community.”
As described in court documents and testimony, FBI agents interviewed Edwards in 2019 after receiving a minor’s cell phone from the child’s mother. Images discovered on the phone led investigators to Edwards, who had persuaded the minor to produce and provide sexually explicit images and share them with Edwards via an online messaging application.
“The defendants’ heinous behavior is deserving of a lengthy prison sentence to ensure he cannot inflict further harm on other victims,” said Justin Garrick, Acting Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in FBI Atlanta’s Augusta office. “This case shows how important it is that we continue to target and prosecute sexual predators who victimize children.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Jason W. Blanchard.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Harold Lavern Benedict, 73, of Crestview, Florida, was sentenced to 19.5 years in federal prison for receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography. In imposing the sentence, the Court cited the need to protect the public when it sentenced the defendant above the required 15-year mandatory minimum. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work tirelessly to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they may never exploit a child again. Due to their collective efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”
On June 27, 2022, a father was at Yellow River Park with his children in Milligan, Florida, and purchased gasoline for an older man who was stranded. The older man requested the father’s address and phone number to send him money, and when the father declined, the older man, who claimed to refurbish computers for a living, offered the father a laptop for his children. Upon arriving home, the father vetted the computer prior to giving it to his children, only to discover it contained child pornography. The father immediately contacted the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OSCO) and provided the laptop. Through the investigation, law enforcement was able to link a phone number, provided by the older man, to Harold Lavern Benedict, a local registered sex offender due to prior convictions for Attempted Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12, and Lewd and Lascivious Act. OCSO Investigators interviewed Benedict on September 2, 2022, and he admitted to using foreign internet web browsers to obtain child pornography at least once per month. Law enforcement obtained search warrants for several of Benedict’s electronic devices and determined that Benedict possessed over 700 images of child pornography. Benedict was engaged in such conduct from at least 2019 through 2023.
“This is a case where all the pieces fell into place to expose the ongoing disturbing and criminal conduct of this individual,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “Once again, due to the dedication and expertise of our investigators and federal partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, another child pornography consumer will be taken off our streets.”
“Sexual predators who repeatedly victimize children have no place in our society or in our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “Thanks to our outstanding partnership with Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to stop another pedophile from targeting our children.”
Benedict’s prison sentence will be followed by a Lifetime of supervised release. Benedict will continue to be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.
This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Providence Man Admits to Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Providence man who was found to be in possession of nearly three kilograms of fentanyl pills and fentanyl powder when members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force executed a court-authorized search of his residence in June 2021, pleaded guilty today in federal court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
According to information presented to the court, during an investigation into the trafficking of narcotics in Providence, members of the DEA Drug Task Force learned that Giovanny Toro Gallego, 47, was associated with a known drug trafficker. On June 24, 2023, members of the DEA Task Force executed a court-authorized search of Toro Gallego’s residence and seized approximately 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl in the form of pills and powder; two pill presses, designed to manufacture pills containing fentanyl; and punch die for marking pills.
Toro Gallego is scheduled to be sentenced on February 15, 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 G. Michael Seaman
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA; Rhode Island State Police; the Cranston, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick, Woonsocket, and Amtrak Police Departments.
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Pine Bush Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distribution and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that ZACHARY HUEBSCH was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas for distribution and receipt of child pornography. The sentencing today followed HUEBSCH’s guilty plea on May 24, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The defendant’s conduct was abhorrent and illustrates the danger that online predators pose to vulnerable members of our community, our children. As today’s sentencing demonstrates, we will use all of the law enforcement tools available to us to prosecute and punish those who exploit children.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in related court proceedings:
HUEBSCH communicated on Discord, a social media application, with a 12-year-old minor (“Victim-1”) in July and August of 2021. Using the Discord username “yourdarkmaster2,” HUEBSCH instructed Victim-1 to engage in various sexual acts and to perform those acts on live-streaming video. HUEBSCH preserved sexually explicit images of Victim-1 from those live-streaming sessions. HUEBSCH also discussed meeting with Victim-1 in person to engage in sexual activity, and he sent her a screenshot of a map of a park near Victim-1’s house with a suggested location at which to meet.
The investigation concerning HUEBSCH began following a report from Victim-1’s mother concerning the mother’s discovery of communications on Victim-1’s phone that concerned her.
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In addition to the prison term, HEUBSCH, 25, of Pine Bush, New York, was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release.
Mr. Williams praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Town of Crawford Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in connection with this investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
Philadelphia Resident Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison on Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 46 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Yusuf Adekunle, age 29.
According to information presented to the court, Adekunle and three other individuals chartered a private plane and transported six kilograms of cocaine from Houston to Pittsburgh International Airport. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the plane and seized the cocaine from two pieces of luggage. The court was further advised that the defendant obtained and distributed between 20 kilograms and 40 kilograms of marijuana between July of 2020 and August of 2021. Agents seized approximately 700 grams of marijuana and a firearm during a search of Adekunle’s residence.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Adekunle.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Pennsylvania Guardian Gloria Byars & Her Co-Conspirator Found Guilty of Stealing from Elderly WardsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA –United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Gloria Byars, 62, of Aldan, PA and Carlton Rembert, 69, of Hampton, VA were both found guilty for their roles in a scheme to defraud elderly, incapacitated people of over $1 million. Byars entered a guilty plea on the eve of trial, pleading guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud. Her co-conspirator and brother Carlton Rembert proceeded to trial and after a four-day trial, a jury found Rembert guilty of conspiracy, bank fraud, and wire fraud.
Between 2012 and 2018, Byars and her co-conspirators stole the life savings from dozens of incapacitated wards while Byars served as their court-appointed guardian. Prior to operating her own guardianship company, Byars was an office manager for a guardianship company in Delaware County that was appointed to care for wards in Pennsylvania. As office manager, and then as guardian herself through her own company, Byars had unfettered access to wards’ property including bank accounts, pensions, real estate, retirement accounts, and other assets. Byars stole money from the wards’ bank accounts by writing unauthorized checks to companies she controlled, or to shell companies controlled by her co-conspirators, Rembert and Alesha Mitchell. Rembert and Mitchell assisted Byars in the theft by opening bank accounts in their home state of Virginia in the names of shell companies purporting to be medical services companies. Rembert and Mitchell deposited dozens of checks containing stolen ward money into their shell business bank accounts, withdrew over $500,000 in cash, and sent most of the stolen proceeds back to Byars, after keeping a share of the stolen ward money for themselves. Byars spent the stolen ward money on vacations, clothing, vehicles, gifts, and parties.
As part of Byars’ plea agreement, she agreed to forfeit 36 gold Krugerrand coins, valuable gold coins first minted in South Africa in the 1960s to introduce the country’s gold supply onto the world market. Byars stole several Krugerrand coins from the bank safe deposit box of one of her wards. Byars also stole over $756,000 from a retired federal employee’s Thrift Savings Plan. In total, Byars and her co-conspirators stole well over $1 million from at least 120 incapacitated people in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Byars and Rembert face the following maximum possible sentences. For conspiracy to commit bank fraud and for bank fraud, the maximum sentence is 30 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. For wire fraud, the maximum sentence is 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Byars also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a $500,000 fine for money laundering and for filing a false tax return, the maximum sentence is 3 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
“Byars and Rembert’s actions caused significant financial and emotional harm to their victims,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Fraud, particularly at the expense of vulnerable people, will not be tolerated.”
“Gloria Byars was entrusted with managing the assets of elderly folks unable to do so themselves,” said Richard Langham, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Instead, she abused her role as a guardian, poaching the nest eggs of these vulnerable wards, figuring they’d never even know. The FBI takes great satisfaction in bringing Byars and her co-conspirators to justice and preventing them from doing more harm. Elder fraud and abuse are simply unconscionable. If you think you’re being victimized like this or know someone who is, please reach out to the FBI – anonymously, if you like.”
“IRS-Criminal Investigation is committed to aggressively investigating individuals who engage in money laundering, tax fraud, or other types of white-collar crimes,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “We, along with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice will continue to work to ensure that individuals who attempt to hide their criminal involvement will be held accountable.”
“The conviction of Gloria Byars and Carlton Rembert demonstrates the shared commitment of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and United States Attorney’s Office in pursuing justice for our most vulnerable residents. I want to thank the United States Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation for working with us on this important guardianship fraud prosecution. I would also like to thank Douglas Rhoads, Deputy District Attorney of Special Investigations, and Detective Edward Rosen of our Criminal Investigation Division for their work on this matter,” said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Investigation Division, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tiwana Wright and Samuel Dalke.
Pearl River Community Man Pleads Guilty to Habitual Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Pearl River Community man pled guilty to habitual domestic violence.
According to court documents and statements made in open court, on September 21, 2019, in the Pearl River Community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Eric Shane Dan 47, using his fist, struck his spouse causing a laceration to her face which required medical treatment. Dan was previously convicted of domestic assault on two separate occasions.
Dan is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of ten 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 and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Choctaw Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway is prosecuting the case.
Orlando Man Sentenced to More Than 24 Years for Receiving and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced William Ross King III (55, Orlando) to 24 years and 5 months in federal prison for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse materials. King had pleaded guilty on August 3, 2023.
According to court documents, on October 14, 2022, after receiving a CyberTip, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at an Orlando hotel room occupied by King and seized a laptop belonging to King. Subsequent forensic analyses of the laptop revealed 42 images and 80 videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). King admitted to downloading and viewing the CSAM. These images and videos included sadistic and masochistic conduct and other violent sexual acts against children, toddlers, and infants.
“This sentence is proof that this deviant’s perverse behavior of victimizing children will not be tolerated,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “Thanks to this CyberTip, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to remove this predator from continuing victimize these children over and over.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Richardson-Jones.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Orlando Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Wendel Algarin to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Algarin had pleaded guilty on August 15, 2023.
According to court documents, between 2012 and 2019, Algarin operated a scheme to assist various subcontractors in the evasion of payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Algarin conspired with the subcontractors to pay their undocumented construction workers “off the books.” He facilitated the offense by operating three shell companies that he allowed subcontractors to list as their employees’ employers. In return for his assistance with the scheme, Algarin was paid fees of nearly $2 million. He used the funds to live a lavish lifestyle such as by purchasing multiple luxury automobiles. By operating the scheme, Algarin defrauded the United States out of more than $3.5 million in tax revenues.
“Mr. Algarin devised a plan to defraud the American taxpayer by establishing shell companies in the construction sector and evading employment taxes. Additionally, he employed undocumented workers, which harmed the workers’ compensation insurance industry,” said Tara K. Reed, IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI) Acting Special Agent in Charge. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that IRS-CI is dedicated to investigating and building a just and impartial tax system in which all businesses can operate.”
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.
Operator of durable medical equipment companies admits role in $11 million dollar kickback schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – A Texas man and owner of two durable medical equipment companies has pleaded guilty to conspiracy for his role in a scheme to pay illegal kickbacks, resulting in more than $20 million submitted in claims to, and $11 million in payment from, Medicare.
“Medicare is a vital program that exists to assist our most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our office will continue to prosecute those who exploit this institutional safety net for personal profit at the expense of patients and taxpayers.”
“When health care companies try to boost their profits through kickbacks arrangements, they compromise the medical system and increase health care costs for everyone,” says Sean Burke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.” The FBI is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public healthcare programs.”
“Kickbacks impose hidden costs on the health care system and can compromise medical decision-making,” said Tamala Miles, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. “Working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to combat the waste of valuable taxpayer dollars and protect the integrity of federal health care programs.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Between at least in or about June 2016 and February 2019, Simon Orobor owned and operated Devotion Medical Supply, Inc (“Devotion”) and Durable Medical Supply, Inc. (“Durable”), which provided durable medical equipment such as knee, back, shoulder, and wrist braces. Orobor, through another entity called Digital Interventions, LLC, obtained access to thousands of Medicare beneficiaries by paying, on a weekly basis, kickbacks to Individual 1 and Company 1 in exchanged for signed doctors’ orders for braces. Orobor and Individual 1 disguised the nature and source of these kickbacks by designating the payments as marketing expenses, entering into sham contracts, and generating or causing the generation of fraudulent invoices.
In total, Orobor, through Devotion and Durable, used the doctors’ orders obtained through kickbacks to submit claims to Medicare in the approximate amount of $20,555,772 and received Medicare reimbursement in the approximate amount of $11,447,961.
Simon Orobor, 60, of Houston, Texas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks. Sentencing is scheduled for February 15, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. O'Neal is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Operator of Central California Bio-Lab Indicted for Distributing Adulterated and Misbranded COVID-19 Tests and Lying to AuthoritiesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Jia Bei Zhu, aka Jesse Zhu, Qiang He, and David He, 62, a citizen of China who formerly resided in Clovis, charging him with distributing adulterated and misbranded medical devices in violation of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and for making false statements to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between January 2020 and March 2023, through the companies Universal Meditech Incorporated (UMI) and Prestige Biotech Incorporated (PBI), Zhu sold hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 test kits to companies throughout the United States. UMI and PBI were based in Fresno and Reedley and did not obtain pre-market approval, pre-market clearance, emergency use authorization, or other applicable exemption from the FDA as was required. UMI and PBI received millions of dollars for the sales of the test kits.
When questioned by FDA officials, Zhu made several false statements to them, including that (1) his name was Qiang “David” He, (2) he was hired by UMI as a COVID-19 consultant in 2021, (3) he was hired by PBI just a couple of weeks prior to meeting with the FDA to communicate with government agencies on PBI’s behalf, and (4) he did not know anything about the manufacturing or distribution histories for UMI or PBI.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph D. Barton, Arelis M. Clemente, and Henry Z. Carbajal III are prosecuting this case.
If convicted, Zhu faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the adulterated and misbranding of medical devices charges, and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the false statements charge. 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.