Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
15 November 2023
Fugitive Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – Apprehended after a four-year man hunt by federal law enforcement officials, a U.S. District judge sentenced a fentanyl and heroin trafficker to 13 years in federal prison.
Mario L. Delgado-Lopez, 42, originally from Puerto Rico, appeared in court for his sentencing hearing on Nov. 9 after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute in 2018.
“The defendant was responsible for trafficking large amounts of illicit narcotics into southern Illinois and then fled the country,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle A. Crowe. “As a fugitive of justice for several years, this federal prison sentence is appropriate for his conduct.”
According to court documents, Delgado-Lopez admitted to federal charges for conspiring with co-defendants to distribute more than 850 grams of fentanyl and more than 550 grams of heroin in Madison and St. Clair counties. Collinsville police arrested Delgado-Lopez following a traffic stop in August 2015 when officers discovered drugs in the vehicle.
“The Drug Enforcement Administration and its law enforcement partners, to include the U.S. Marshals and the Collinsville Police Department, will stop at nothing to hold those who peddle poison in our communities accountable for their crimes,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dixon, head of DEA investigations in southern Illinois. “We will ensure these criminals spend time behind bars and no longer endanger the lives of our family, friends and community.”
Delgado-Lopez’s sentencing hearing was previously scheduled for May 8, 2019, but he failed to appear in court. Mexican authorities arrested him in June on a federal warrant and transferred him to U.S. border officials.
The judge upheld a sentencing enhancement for his obstructing justice due to absconding and being a fugitive. Following imprisonment, Delgado-Lopez will serve five years of supervised release.
DEA led the investigation with support from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Collinsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi prosecuted the case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Fourteen Gang Members and Associates Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
A superseding indictment was unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 14 additional members and associates of the Minneapolis Highs gang with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy and fentanyl trafficking. Additional charges include firearms violations, kidnapping, assault, and carjacking.
In addition to the previously charged conduct involving a years-long pattern of violence, the superseding indictment alleges an extensive fentanyl trafficking operation involving Arizona-based suppliers. Between the summer of 2020 and the spring of 2023, Highs members are alleged to have made numerous round-trip flights from Minneapolis to Phoenix, at times carrying large sums of U.S. currency, to obtain fentanyl pills for re-sale in Minneapolis. During the same time period, Highs members shipped numerous U.S. Postal Service parcels containing fentanyl pills to Minneapolis from Arizona. The superseding indictment alleges numerous instances of fentanyl possession and distribution in and around Highs territory in Minneapolis.
Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement has seized approximately 11.6 kilograms of fentanyl, at least 36 firearms, and over $218,000 in U.S. currency.
If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota, Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley Engelbert of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, Chief Brian O’Hara of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Kuszynski of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chicago, Inspector in Charge Bryan S. Musgrove of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Denver Division, Chief Deputy Tracey Martin of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and Assistant Commissioner Eddie Miles of the Minnesota Department of Corrections made the announcement.
The ATF, FBI, MPD, IRS-CI, USPIS, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota BCA, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies also contributed to the investigation.
Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley, Albania Concepcion, and Jordan L. Sing for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Superseding IndictmentFourteen Gang Members and Associates Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A superseding indictment was unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 14 additional members and associates of the Minneapolis Highs gang with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy and fentanyl trafficking. Additional charges include firearms violations, kidnapping, assault, and carjacking.
“Today’s charges against the Highs gang are focused on the criminal organization’s extensive fentanyl trafficking operations,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “Selling fentanyl in our communities is as dangerous and lethal as the brazen gun violence we’ve seen in our cities. Addressing the nexus between narcotics trafficking and violent crime is a critical piece of our Violent Crime Strategy, and I am grateful to my law enforcement partners who are equally focused on protecting the lives of Minnesotans, regardless of the threat.”
In addition to the previously charged conduct involving a years-long pattern of violence, the superseding indictment alleges an extensive fentanyl trafficking operation involving Arizona-based suppliers. Between the summer of 2020 and the spring of 2023, Highs members are alleged to have made numerous round-trip flights from Minneapolis to Phoenix, at times carrying large sums of U.S. currency, to obtain fentanyl pills for re-sale in Minneapolis. During the same time period, Highs members shipped numerous U.S. Postal Service parcels containing fentanyl pills to Minneapolis from Arizona. The superseding indictment alleges numerous instances of fentanyl possession and distribution in and around Highs territory in Minneapolis.
Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement has seized approximately 11.6 kilos of fentanyl, at least 36 firearms, and over $218,000 in U.S. currency.
The following defendants are charged in the Highs superseding indictment, with all defendants being from Minneapolis, unless otherwise noted below.
- Gregory Brown, aka Lil’ G, aka Knowledge, 33, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Marques Walker, aka Q, aka Quez, 41, is charged with RICO Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
- Deandre Poe, aka Squizzy, aka Fat Squad, 34, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Clinton Brown, aka CJ, 29, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Amarjah Lester, aka M-Thang, 21, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, and Possession of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
- Christopher Lee Washington, aka Flock, aka David Hendricks, 29, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Ernest Ketter, aka Shakedown, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Robert Lesure, aka Bibby Folks, 21, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Avante Nix, aka Fat Folks, 21, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Arron Davis, aka A-Boogie, 31, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Dashawn Jackson, aka D-Nice, 31, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Jadarius Wright, 29, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
- Carlos Serrano, 31, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
- Leneal Frazier, aka Baby Chop, aka Lil’ Chop, 22, who was previously indicted on September 6, 2023, is charged with Kidnapping in Aid of Racketeering, Assault in Aid of Racketeering, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence.
If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy.
The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley, Albania Concepcion, and Jordan L. Sing for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Four People Sentenced in Multimillion-Dollar PPP SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Lori Hammond, a/k/a Lori McCracken, a/k/a Lori Blakely, 54, of Summerville, Christopher Conrad, 41, of Holly Hill, Catherine “Cassie” Needham, 38, of Manning, and Jontrell Wright, 37, of Orangeburg, were sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud for submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications and misusing the funds. The Honorable David C. Norton presided over the sentencing hearings in Charleston.
Evidence presented during the sentencing hearings established that Lori Hammond submitted more than $11 million is fraudulent loan applications for PPP and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans for her personal enrichment and the personal enrichment of her co-conspirators Conrad, Needham, and Wright. The loan applications contained inflated employee and payroll funds, were often submitted on behalf of companies that did not exist or were inactive and included fake business addresses and fraudulent tax documents. More than $5.8 million in PPP and EIDL loans were paid to Hammond and her co-conspirators.
Hammond personally received $3,162,038.50 in PPP and EIDL loan funds. Hammond thereafter spent the money on personal expenses, including purchasing a home, luxury vehicles, a golf cart, and plastic surgery. On Oct. 17, the Court sentenced Hammond to 80 months imprisonment, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The Court also ordered Hammond to pay $2,722,932.50 in restitution, representing the remaining outstanding unpaid loans funds.
Conrad fraudulently received $898,300 in loan funds and spent the funds largely on unapproved personal expenses. On Nov. 14, the Court sentenced Conrad to 12 months and one day incarceration, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The Court ordered Conrad to pay $898,300 in restitution.
Needham fraudulently received $1,244,200 and thereafter used the funds for improper personal expenses, including purchasing property, a golf cart, a pool, home improvements, and plastic surgery. On Sept. 13, the Court sentenced Needham to 21-months incarceration, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The Court ordered Needham to pay $1,244,200 in restitution.
Wright fraudulently received $561,700.00 in loan funds and thereafter spent the funds on unapproved personal expenses. On Dec. 19, 2022, the Court sentenced Wright to 15 months incarceration, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The Court ordered Wright to pay $561,700.00 in restitution.
“While millions of South Carolinians were struggling during the pandemic, these defendants defrauded the systems meant to provide relief,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Adair F. Boroughs. “We will continue to pursue bad actors such as these and hold them accountable for exploiting these resources for their own gain.”
“These sentences reflect the severity of PPP loan fraud,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “Such crimes challenge the integrity of relief programs designed for those who need assistance most. The FBI is committed to holding offenders accountable and safeguarding loan programs to ensure the public’s trust in our financial systems.”This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse prosecuted this case.
###
Former USP McCreary Inmate Sentenced to Life in Prison for First Degree MurderRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— A man originally from New Orleans, but who was confined at United States Penitentiary McCreary, Kenneth Shaver, 45, was sentenced to life in federal prison on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, following his conviction for first-degree murder.
According to evidence presented at Shaver’s trial, Shaver, his co-defendant Justin Boe, and the victim, Lance Cameron Smith, were federal inmates in custody at USP McCreary. Shaver and Boe assaulted Smith due to suspicion that Smith had cooperated with law enforcement. On February 4, 2015, Boe lured Smith into Boe’s cell, where Shaver was waiting for him. Per trial testimony, Smith was stabbed dozens of times and subsequently died from those wounds.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the United States Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Rosenberg prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
– END –
Former Stamford Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Stealing More Than $700K from ClientsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM McCULLOUGH, 63, of Westerly, Rhode Island, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing more than $700,000 from clients of his law practice.
According to court documents and statements made in court today, prior to his resignation from the Connecticut bar in March 2019, McCullough operated a law practice in Stamford for several years. As part of his practice, McCullough worked on real estate transactions for clients. In that capacity, McCullough received funds from clients and knew he was required to deposit those funds in an Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (“IOLTA Account”) and use them in accordance with his duties to each client. In March 2018, the Connecticut Statewide Grievance Committee audited McCullough’s IOLTA Account and found that he had failed to maintain required documents for several years. The audit revealed that more than $1.27 million was due to clients, but the IOLTA Account held less than $600,000. A subsequent criminal investigation revealed that McCullough defrauded clients by using funds in his IOLTA Account to cover funds owed to others, and for his own use. McCullough made false representations to clients, including providing a false and inaccurate closing statement to at least one individual, to prevent the scheme from being uncovered.
McCullough’s clients lost approximately $720,851.05 through this scheme. Judge Bolden ordered him to pay full restitution.
On November 22, 2022, McCullough pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
McCullough, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on January 8.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Wallingford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Weingarten.
Former St. Louis Postal Worker Admits Depositing Checks Stolen from MailRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former employee of the U.S. Postal Service on Wednesday admitted stealing checks from the mail and depositing them in her own account.
Porcia Denise Rhodes, 27, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of bank fraud and one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.
Rhodes, who was a mail processing clerk at the time, admitted stealing about 21 checks. Rhodes then scratched out the payee’s name and wrote in her own before depositing the checks into her personal bank account. The checks were valued at $5,035. In one example listed in Rhodes’ plea agreement, she intercepted a birthday card containing a $500 check that a Troy, Illinois woman was trying to mail to her grandson in Florida.
Rhodes is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 12, 2024, by U.S. District Court Sarah E. Pitlyk. The bank fraud charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both. The theft charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane is prosecuting the case.
Former Sewerage and Water Board Official Sentenced for TheftRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JAMES ARNOLD was sentenced today for Theft from an Agency Receiving Federal Funds. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced ARNOLD to four years of probation, 90 days of which are to be served under home confinement, and restitution in the amount of $108,290.
ARNOLD engaged in a theft scheme while employed as a Utility Services Administrator for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB). Beginning in approximately 2012, and continuing until in or about November 2021, ARNOLD stole S&WB funds by causing the S&WB to issue plumbing permits when it had not received the fees required for the issuance of those permits. ARNOLD did this by instructing plumbers to provide him directly with payments for the fees. ARNOLD would then keep the payments for his personal use and cause the S&WB to issue the permits without the S&WB having received the required fees.
“The Arnold case is a prime example of the FBI's commitment to drag public corruption into the daylight, no matter how long it takes,” said Douglas A. Williams, Jr., Special Agent in Charge for FBI New Orleans. “Stealing from the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board is by extension taking advantage of the very people who rely on its services every day.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit was in charge of the prosecution.
Former Nurse Sentenced for Drug Diversion from Boston-Area HospitalRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former nurse was sentenced yesterday in federal court today in Boston for diverting opioids from a Boston-area hospital.
Andrea Falzano, 39, of Winchester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to three months in prison and one year of supervised release. In August 2023, Falzano pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawfully obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deception, and subterfuge.
“Our office is committed to fighting the opioid epidemic on all fronts, including the diversion of medical opioids by unethical health care providers like Ms. Falzano. This defendant took advantage of her position of trust to steal drugs from her employer,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“The DEA is committed to ensuring the Controlled Substances Act is followed,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office. “Stealing drugs like opioids from hospitals’ controlled environments jeopardizes public health and public safety. DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement partners in Massachusetts to ensure these rules and regulations are followed by all.”
Beginning in May 2019, Falzano used her capacity as a nurse in the emergency department at a Massachusetts based hospital to withdraw controlled substances from a locked drug cabinet. These substances included morphine, fentanyl and hydromorphone, all of which are opioids and Schedule II controlled substances. In total, Falzano withdrew these substances 412 times for 299 already discharged patients over an approximately five-month period. Negative drug tests uncovered during the investigation indicated that Falzano did not self-administer the drugs that she stole from the hospital at which she was employed, despite stating otherwise to her employer and the Board of Registration in Nursing. In statements to the Board, Falzano attempted to minimize her conduct by calling her theft of controlled substances an “isolated incident,” which it was not.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; DEA SAC Boyle; and Robert H. Goldstein, MD, PhD, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Judge, Defense Attorney, Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A man who has served as a county judge, prosecutor, and criminal defense attorney was sentenced to federal prison for possession of child pornography. On Wednesday, United States District Court Judge Billy Roy Wilson sentenced Daniel Arthur Stewart, 54, of Fort Smith, to 84 months in prison with 10 years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
Stewart was originally indicted on January 8, 2019, on charges of attempting to entice a child to engage in sexual activity following an investigation into conduct that occurred between February 1, 2016, and March 19, 2016. On June 8, 2023, Stewart pleaded guilty to a superseding information that charged him with possession of child pornography related to the conduct.
The investigation revealed that on February 1, 2016, a Faulkner County police officer with an undercover profile answered an ad posted on Craigslist. The ad was searching for contact with a “young guy” or “son.” The undercover profile was that of a 42-year-old male with a 13-year-old son. The undercover officer responded to the ad by inquiring if the poster was interested in “family play,” a term commonly used to describe sexual contact between family combinations such as father/son or mother/daughter. When the poster responded positively, the communication then continued on Kik, which is an online messaging platform. The poster’s contact photo was identified as Stewart. A sexually explicit conversation followed that led Stewart indicating he would reserve a hotel room in Fort Smith for the purpose of Stewart having sex with the 13-year-old on March 19, 2016.
When Stewart entered the lobby of the Hampton Inn, he was taken into custody. Following Stewart’s arrest, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence and seized numerous electronic devices. On those devices, law enforcement found videos containing visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct involving minors, including oral sex and anal penetration between minors and between minors and adults.
Stewart previously worked in the Sebastian County prosecutor’s office before serving as Sebastian County District Court Judge in Fort Smith. Following his time on the bench Stewart also worked as a public defender for Crawford County and more recently for Sebastian County.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Crews.
# # #
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
Former JCPS Teacher Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Violating Federal Child Sexual Exploitation LawRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A former Jefferson County Public Schools teacher was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for attempted online enticement.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Robert Holman of the United States Secret Service, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron made the announcement.
According to court documents, Kevin O’Donnell, 26, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, for attempted online enticement of a minor. There is no parole in the federal system. O’Donnell used the internet to communicate with an undercover law enforcement officer who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl for the purposes of engaging in sexual contact. O’Donnell then traveled to meet the undercover agent to engage in sexual conduct.
This case was the result of a joint federal, state, and local operation called Operation Angel, aimed at making federal arrests of individuals who preyed upon children. The United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
###
Former Gary, Indiana, Police Officer Sentenced for Using Excessive Force in Violation of Federal Civil Rights LawsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former officer with the Gary, Indiana, Police Department (GPD), was sentenced today to one year and a day in prison, and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to violating the civil rights of an arrestee. Terry Peck, 48, previously admitted to having used unreasonable force during the arrest of the victim, a man the defendant had stopped for an alleged traffic infraction.
“All people in our country have a right to be free from excessive force by police officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The sentencing of this defendant makes clear that officers cannot violate people’s civil rights with impunity. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute any law enforcement officer who willfully violates the civil rights of the people they are sworn to serve and protect.”
“When interacting with members of the public, even when those public members may have engaged in criminal activity, law enforcement officers are under an obligation to conduct themselves within the limits of the Constitution,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “This successful prosecution demonstrates how justice can prevail when victims and witnesses bravely report criminal misconduct by those who took an oath to serve and protect.”
“This sentence should send a clear message the FBI won’t tolerate the abuse of power of those who took an oath to serve and protect,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “The action of this officer not only violated the victim’s civil rights but damaged the community’s trust in law enforcement. When there is excessive use of force that rises to a federal crime, the FBI will investigate, and those individuals will be held accountable.”
According to the plea agreement, Peck admitted that, on March 19, 2019, while on duty and acting as an officer for GPD, he conducted a traffic stop and placed the driver under arrest. While the driver was handcuffed and not posing a threat to Peck or anyone around him, Peck slammed the driver’s face and head against a police vehicle, breaking the man’s tooth and causing him bodily injury.
The Merrillville Resident Agency of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas McGrath and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office encourages anyone who may have been a victim of a civil rights or hate crime violation to contact the FBI at (219) 769-3719 or submit a tip to [email protected].
Former Gary, Indiana, Police Officer Sentenced for Using Excessive Force in Violation of Federal Civil Rights LawsRead the Press Release
A former officer with the Gary, Indiana, Police Department (GPD) was sentenced today to one year and a day in prison and one year of supervised release for violating the civil rights of an arrestee.
Terry Peck, 48, previously pleaded guilty to having used unreasonable force during the arrest of the victim, a man the defendant had stopped for an alleged traffic infraction.
“All people in our country have a right to be free from excessive force by police officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The sentencing of this defendant makes clear that officers cannot violate people’s civil rights with impunity. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute any law enforcement officer who willfully violates the civil rights of the people they are sworn to serve and protect.”
“When interacting with members of the public, even when those public members may have engaged in criminal activity, law enforcement officers are under an obligation to conduct themselves within the limits of the Constitution,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “This successful prosecution demonstrates how justice can prevail when victims and witnesses bravely report criminal misconduct by those who took an oath to serve and protect.”
“When a police officer uses excessive force, it erodes the trust between law enforcement and the community they are sworn to protect,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will work to ensure law enforcement officers who use unreasonable force are held accountable under the law.”
According to the plea agreement, Peck admitted that, on March 19, 2019, while on duty and acting as an officer for GPD, he conducted a traffic stop and placed the driver under arrest. While the driver was handcuffed and not posing a threat to Peck or anyone around him, Peck slammed the driver’s face and head against a police vehicle, breaking the man’s tooth and causing him bodily injury.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office, Merrillville Resident Agency investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas McGrath and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.
Anyone who may have been a victim of a civil rights or hate crime violation should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip to [email protected].
Federal Prosecutors Work up the Chain and Convict California Man Trafficking Fentanyl into Southwest VirginiaRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Buena Park, California man, who supplied as many as 30,000 pressed fentanyl pills a week to individuals who shipped the pills to Southwest Virginia, pled guilty today to a pair of federal drug charges.
Robert Contreras, 23, a.k.a. “Quill,” pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh made the following statement today following the guilty plea:
“Fentanyl, especially in the form of pressed pills, is taking its toll on America, and Virginia is no exception. This case shows one way how we are combatting the pressed pill epidemic.
After a tragic overdose event in Southwest Virginia, the federal prosecutors in my Office worked with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify, prosecute, and convict the wholesale supplier of the overdose, who was here in Virginia. We then identified his direct supplier (Ortiz) in California, who we also charged and convicted here in Virginia. We identified Ortiz’s supplier in California (Orozco) and charged and convicted him here as well. In this matter, we identified Orozco’s supplier – Mr. Contreras – who was selling between 10,000 and 30,000 pills a week for distribution into communities across America, to include the Western District of Virginia.
Our bottom line is this: We will not sit by and allow individuals to profit by distributing this poison into our communities, and we will follow the trail as far as we can. We will investigate and prosecute individuals like Mr. Contreras and hold them accountable here in the Western District of Virginia.”
According to court documents, between 2020 and 2023, Contreras sold between 10,000 and 30,000 pressed fentanyl pills from his home in California to co-conspirator Marco Orozco at least once a week for further distribution. At the height of the conspiracy in late 2021 and early 2022, Contreras sold Orozco 10,000 pressed fentanyl pills multiple times per week.
Contreras knew Orozco, and others, were distributing the pressed pills he provided to customers throughout southwest Virginia and other locations across the country. Specifically, Orozco’s sub-distributors used various social media platforms to facilitate their drug trade.
On March 6, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Contreras’ residence in California. At that time, officers recovered 1,639 pressed fentanyl pills, $31,294 in cash, and five firearms without serial numbers, in addition to approximately 7,000 alprazolam pills, 3,000 Adderall pills, 242 grams of cocaine, and other hallucinogenic narcotics.
Contreras is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22, 2024 and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force (consisting of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, and the Virginia State Police), the Orange County (CA) Sheriff’s Department, the Santa Ana (CA) Police Department, the Anaheim Police Department (CA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher is prosecuting the case.
Federal Correctional Officer Sentenced to 96 Months for Sexually Abusing Multiple Female InmatesRead the Press Release
A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) correctional officer was sentenced today to 96 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for sexually abusing multiple female inmates and making false statements while he was a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin, California.
Andrew Jones, 36, of Clovis, California, pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 17. Today’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
“The egregious sexual abuse that took place at FCI Dublin was disgraceful and tragic, and the Justice Department will not rest until we have eliminated such misconduct from the Federal Bureau of Prisons,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “As the defendant’s guilty plea and today’s sentencing demonstrate, FBOP employees who abuse their positions of authority and assault those in their custody will be held to account.”
“Jones participated in a culture of sexual abuse of female inmates at FCI Dublin that included the Warden, the Chaplain, and other employees, and he like them has now been held to account for his heinous acts,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz of the Justice Department Office of Inspector General (DOJ-OIG). “The DOJ Office of the Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate this type of egregious criminal conduct, and we will do everything within our authority to pursue justice for victims of sexual abuse.”
“The defendant's conduct, sexually abusing inmates and threatening violence to keep them silent, is sick and reprehensible,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “Today’s sentencing comes amid relentless efforts to prevent abuse and misconduct by corrections personnel entrusted with the care and protection of others. The FBI will continue to work with partners to ensure the physical safety and civil rights of all individuals and hold accountable any public servant who abuses a position of trust.”
“This ongoing investigation has unearthed evidence regarding the criminal activities of numerous employees at the Federal Correctional Institution at Dublin,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “So far, seven correctional officers have been convicted of felony conduct involving sexual abuse of female inmates and an eighth employee has been charged with similar conduct. To be clear, this investigation is not over – correctional officers at FCI Dublin are trusted to secure the safety of inmates at the institution; the Department of Justice will continue to hold accountable any correctional officer who violates that solemn responsibility.”
According to his plea agreement, Jones was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners who worked in the Food Services Department. Jones admitted that, between July 2020 and June 2021, while he had supervisory and disciplinary authority over all the female prisoners, he received oral sex from, and/or had sexual intercourse with, three female prisoners who worked for him in the FCI Dublin kitchen. Jones admitted that he sexually abused these prisoners in multiple places near the FCI Dublin kitchen, including a staff bathroom, a warehouse, and a room where kitchen utensils were kept.
In a memorandum filed in connection with Jones’ sentencing, the government argued that Jones “enforced silence and obedience” from the prisoners by using “violence and threats of violence.” The memorandum stated that “intimidation and insults on the one hand, and the flattery on the other, was aimed at cultivating pliant prisoners who Jones could abuse for his own sexual pleasure, while he remained safe in the belief that his misconduct would go unreported.”
In sum, Jones pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual abuse of a ward involving three inmates and one count of false statements to the DOJ-OIG.
Jones is one of eight correctional officers to have been charged with federal crimes involving sexual misconduct at FCI Dublin in the past three years and the fourth to have been sentenced. To date, all the recent sentences for FCI Dublin guards convicted of sexual abuse of a ward and/or abusive sexual contact of a prisoner have resulted in sentences that are above the U.S Sentencing Guidelines.
DOJ-OIG and thr FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Priedeman and Andrew Paulson for the Northern District of California prosecuted the cases, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Sara Slattery, Christine Tian, Claudia Hyslop, Leeya Kekona, and Kay Konopaske.
FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the Department’s reform efforts.
El Paso Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Causing Fentanyl Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso to one count of distribution of fentanyl, causing death or serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Christian Torres, 24, was the supplier of counterfeit M-30 pills containing fentanyl at his residence on March 4, 2022. Torres and another user consumed the pills, which led to the overdose and death of the other person. The death was determined to be the result of fentanyl toxicity.
Torres faces 20 years to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Countryman is prosecuting the case.
###
El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo de más de $900,000 con una agencia nacional de contratación para resolver acusaciones de discriminación en la contrataciónRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con Kforce, Inc. (Kforce), una agencia de contratación con 36 oficinas por todo Estados Unidos. El acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento que Kforce vulneró la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés) al discriminar a no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. con permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos cuando los excluyó de oportunidades laborales con base en sus estatus de ciudadanía.
«Las compañías no pueden, de manera, ilícita, excluir a personas que tienen permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos de oportunidades laborales debido a estatus de ciudadanía», dijo Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El Departamento de Justicia seguirá haciendo responsables a aquellos que incurran en conductas que vulneran las leyes de derechos civiles de nuestro país».
La investigación del Departamento determinó que, desde al menos el 1 de marzo del 2019 hasta el 28 de febrero del 2022, Kforce distribuyó anuncios de empleo que contenían restricciones de contratación ilícitas basadas en el estatus de ciudadanía o de otro modo eliminó a candidatos en función de su estatus de ciudadanía. Estas acciones perjudicaron a los trabajadores a los que se les ha otorgado el asilo o el estatus de refugiado, así como a los residentes permanentes legales, al disuadirles, de manera ilícita, de presentar una solicitud para los anuncios de trabajo y no considerar, de forma significativa, a aquellos que sí solicitaron un trabajo.
En virtud de los términos del acuerdo, Kforce pagará $690,000 en sanciones civiles a los Estados Unidos y destinará otros $230,000 para compensar a los trabajadores afectados. El acuerdo también requiere que Kforce capacite a su personal en cuanto a los requisitos de la INA, que revise sus políticas de empleo y que se someta a los requisitos de supervisión y declaración departamentales.
La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados (IER, por sus siglas en inglés) de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. Entre otras cosas, por lo general, la ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión, prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación.
Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto. Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito o visualizar una presentación a la carta; enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected]; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés y español. Inscríbase para recibir actualizaciones por correo electrónico desde IER.
2023.11.14_kforce_settlement_agreement_signed.pdfDulce Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Steven Williams pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Williams, 29, of Dulce, and an enrolled member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.
According to court records, between February 11 and February 14, 2023, Williams repeatedly assaulted Jane Doe, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, with a knife, injuring her hands, throat, and arms.
At sentencing, Williams faces up to ten years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.
# # #
23-266
Drug Dealer Who Traveled to Chicago to Get Drugs for Dealers in Iowa Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who was on federal supervised release from a prior drug conspiracy conviction was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for participating in another drug conspiracy.
Toney Edward Henderson, age 50, from Camden, Arkansas, received the prison term after a May 3, 2023 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after having previously been convicted of a serious drug felony and possession of a firearm by a felon.
From August 2021 until September 2022, Henderson traveled to Chicago, Illinois, to obtain large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine and then re-distributed the drugs in Iowa. Henderson was on federal supervised release for a previous cocaine related and firearm conviction during this time.
Henderson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Henderson was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term. He was also sentenced to a consecutive term of 60 months’ imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release for his prior federal conviction. There is no parole in the federal system. Henderson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin, and it was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Marion Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 22-CR- 94.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Domestic Violence Offender Is Sentenced to Prison for Possession of A Firearm by A FelonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A convicted domestic violence offender was sentenced to prison today for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. ordered Gregory Dashawn Fondren, 26, of Charlotte, to serve 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Alicia Jones, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
“Armed domestic abusers are far more likely to inflict serious bodily harm on their intimate partners, and potentially create dangerous situations for innocent bystanders and responding law enforcement officers. My Office will continue to utilize federal gun laws to prevent and prosecute prohibited persons from illegally possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney King.
“Too often, we’ve seen domestic violence turn deadly when a firearm is involved,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jones. “ATF works daily to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous and prohibited individuals, including those with a history of domestic violence.”
According to information contained in court documents and court proceedings, on September 17, 2021, a witness called 911 to report that a male, later identified as Fondren, was physically assaulting and strangling a female at the parking lot of a grocery store. CMPD officers arrived at the scene and saw that the victim, who was Fondren’s girlfriend, was injured and was bleeding as a result of the assault. A witness told CMPD officers that he saw Fondren put the victim in a headlock, then punch and kick her while she was on the ground. Fondren ran away when law enforcement arrived.
According to court records, CMPD officers located Fondren and he was apprehended soon after. Officers also recovered Fondren’s backpack that he had discarded as he was fleeing the scene and removed from the backpack Fondren’s ID card and a .38 caliber revolver. Court records show that Fondren is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior domestic violence conviction of Assault by Strangulation and a conviction for Common Law Robbery.
Fondren is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF in coordination with CMPD.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimlani Ford of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
* * *
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon. The presence of a gun in a domestic situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
To understand more about domestic violence, visit: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence#dv. If you require immediate help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or Strong Hearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483.
Denver Men Sentenced on Charges of Distributing NarcoticsRead the Press Release
DENVER—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Robert Adam Ross, a/k/a “Chicago,” age 42, and Jeremy Ford Moore, age 39, both of Denver, Colorado, were sentenced to 103 months and 96 months (respectively) in federal prison following their convictions on federal narcotics charges.
According to the plea agreements and the facts as determined by the Judge at sentencing, the defendants possessed and distributed significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Denver area. Ross and Moore traveled to Arizona where they sourced the drugs. The drugs were then transported into Colorado through various means, including U.S. mail and via a commercial bus line. Following a proactive investigation which included the seizure of drugs contained in U.S. Mail parcels sent from Arizona to Colorado, as well as numerous undercover buys of narcotics, agents conducted a takedown operation in November of 2022 which resulted in the seizure of several firearms, approximately 15,000 additional fentanyl pills, and $4,990 in U.S. currency.
“Illegally-trafficked fentanyl has destroyed countless lives and caused thousands of deaths in Colorado alone,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “Thankfully, the drugs seized by our law enforcement partners will never make it to the street.”
USPIS Denver Division Inspector-in-Charge Bryan Musgrove said, “United States Postal Inspectors are dedicated to maintaining the sanctity of trust placed in the US Mail. We will aggressively pursue anyone who uses the US Mail to transport and distribute deadly drugs, including those who illegally use firearms to further their criminal enterprise which impacts the safety of our postal employees and postal customers. We thank our law enforcement partners for working with us to combat these crimes in hopes of making our communities a safer place to live and work.”
“The distribution of guns and drugs by the hands of violent previously convicted felons is exactly what leads to violent crime in our communities, and precisely what ATF targets with our federal partners,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. “We are grateful for the seamless partnership with the USPIS that led to a swift dismantling of their criminal operation reducing violent crime in Colorado and beyond.”
United States District Court Judge Charlotte S. Sweeney sentenced the defendants on November 9, 2023.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United State Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Giles handled the prosecution of the case.
Case Number: 22-cr-344-CNS
Decherd Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Perjury, Pays Nearly $1.5 Million in Restitution to IRSRead the Press Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On October 11, 2023, Ross A. Rinkes, 66, of Decherd, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to making and subscribing a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Sentencing has been set for March 7, 2024, before the Honorable Charles E. Atchley, Jr., in the United States District Court at Chattanooga.
Rinkes faces a term of up to three years in federal prison, a fine of up to $100,000, and supervised release for up to one year. As required by his plea agreement with the government, he has paid restitution to the IRS in the amount of $1,485,120.38, which includes unpaid taxes plus penalties and interest required by law.
As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Rinkes waived an indictment by a Federal Grand Jury and agreed to plead guilty to the aforementioned charge. Rinkes, the owner of Rinkes Angus Ranch, a farm near Decherd, Tennessee, was in the business of purchasing and reselling chicken litter, which is used as fertilizer, and selling crops to grain aggregators. For 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, he provided his tax return preparer with false information that led to material underreporting of his income for each year. Rinkes signed those tax returns under penalty of perjury. On his tax return for 2017, Rinkes willfully and falsely underreported his income by at least $523,796, which resulted in him underreporting his income tax due for that year by at least $181,659. His false individual income tax returns for 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 resulted in a total tax loss of $679,515 to the United States.
United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division made the announcement.
The investigation was led by IRS Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent Michael T. Whitesell.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph G. DeGaetano represents the United States.
###
Davenport Man Sentenced to 27 years in Prison for Conspiracy and Distribution of Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on November 9, 2023, to 27 years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine, and Distribution of a Mixture and Substance Containing Methamphetamine and Cocaine.
According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, law enforcement began an extensive investigation which revealed that Art Eugene Thomas, 35, sold methamphetamine and cocaine. The investigation began in November 2020 when a concerned citizen reported that many individuals came and went from Thomas’s residence and provided law enforcement with security footage. Several witnesses interviewed said that Thomas carried a firearm. At sentencing, the Court found Thomas was a manager or supervisor within the drug trafficking organization based in part on Thomas’s direct connection to an Arizona drug source of supply. In total, Thomas was found to be responsible for approximately 37 pounds of ice methamphetamine.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Thomas will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Court Enjoins Arizona Company and Its CEO from Manufacturing and Distributing Unapproved Contraceptive DrugsRead the Press Release
A federal court on Nov. 14 enjoined an Arizona CEO and its company, which distributed a product marketed as a contraceptive from selling and distributing unapproved new drugs in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).
In a civil complaint for permanent injunction filed on Oct. 12 in the District of Arizona, the United States alleges that Smart Women’s Choice and its CEO, Jennifer A. Richard, sold and distributed “Smart Women’s Choice,” a cream marketed as a contraceptive, to consumers across the country. The complaint alleges that the defendants sold the product through a website that claimed the product was “hormone-free,” “formulated to be used as a stand-alone contraceptive” and “99.8% effective.” According to the complaint, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found no published, adequate and well-controlled clinical investigations or any other scientific literature demonstrating that the product was safe and effective for its intended use as a contraceptive.
In May 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Smart Women’s Choice, explaining that the sale and distribution of the product was prohibited under the FDCA. According to the complaint, the company continued to make the same unproven claims about the product after receiving the warning letter and took no corrective action. The product never received FDA approval.
“Drug distributors are obligated to comply with the FDCA, which is designed to protect consumers and to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drugs they take,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work closely with the FDA to stop the distribution of unapproved new drugs.”
“Americans expect and deserve drugs that have been scientifically proven to be safe, effective and of high quality,” said Director Jill Furman of the Office of Compliance for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The FDA remains fully committed to taking enforcement action against companies and executives responsible for marketing unapproved drugs in violation of federal law.”
The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The order entered by the federal court permanently enjoins the defendants from violating the FDCA and requires them to comply with federal drug safety regulations before selling any drugs.
Trial Attorney Carolyn Rice of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch is handling the case with the assistance of Associate Chief Counsel Aravind Sreenath of the FDA’s Office of the General Counsel.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
The claims resolved by the resolution announced today are only allegations. There has been no determination of liability.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing and Selling Ghost GunsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A previously convicted felon pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester today to manufacturing and selling firearms – including ghost guns – and unlawfully possessing ammunition.
Mickie Simmons, 32, of Brookfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, one count of dealing firearms without a license and two counts of being a felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 30, 2024. Simmons was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in May 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022.
On two separate occasions between March and May 2022, Simmons sold a confidential source ammunition and ghost guns – firearms that have been manufactured by an individual and not by a firearms manufacturing company. During a later search of Simmons’ residence, at least five ghost guns, including an AR-15 short-barrel rifle, 15 ghost gun kits, numerous rounds of ammunition, components of assault-style rifles, several other firearms and more than $25,000 in cash was seized.
Due to a 2014 state conviction for breaking and entering, larceny and conspiracy for which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, Simmons is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danial E. Bennett and Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm After Ramming a Vehicle While Fleeing from PoliceRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on December 15, 2022, Derek Isenburg, 33, tried to flee from law enforcement officers who were attempting to take him into custody in Portsmouth on several outstanding arrest warrants. Upon seeing officers, he got into a truck, backed it into one police vehicle and rammed another as he tried to escape. After hitting one of the vehicles, Isenburg continued to accelerate in an attempt to move the car out of his way. Isenburg ultimately broke the drivetrain of the truck, rendering it inoperable, and officers were able to take him into custody.
A search of the truck resulted in the recovery of approximately 13 grams of pure methamphetamine and a firearm. Law enforcement learned that both the truck and firearm had been reported stolen. Isenburg has multiple prior felony convictions. Isenburg knew that as a previously convicted felon, it was illegal for him to possess a firearm.
Isenburg is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 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; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Cheney and Kristin Bird are prosecuting the case.
Assistance was provided by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force.
This case was part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Operation Overdrive, an initiative aimed at combatting the rising rates of drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths plaguing American communities.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-4.
Colorado Home Health Care Owner Charged with Employment Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Denver returned an indictment yesterday charging a Colorado woman with willfully failing to account for and pay over employment taxes for several years.
According to the indictment, Shandel Arkadie, of Agate, operated a home health care business, Alternative Choice Home Care Nursing LLC (ACHCN). From at least 2015 through 2020, ACHCN allegedly withheld income, Social Security and Medicare taxes from its employees’ wages. Arkadie allegedly did not timely file ACHCN’s quarterly employment tax returns or pay the withholdings to the IRS, despite being legally required to do so. Arkadie is alleged to have caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $500,000.
If convicted, Arkadie faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each employment tax count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Julia Rugg and Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Collinsville Woman Charged for Dealing Fatal Dose of FentanylRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a Collinsville woman for dealing a lethal dose of fentanyl, leading a man to overdose and die.
Tessa R. Webber, 25, is charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance: fentanyl resulting in death.
“Too many lives are lost due to drug-induced homicides,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Law enforcement agencies are working to secure justice for families of overdose victims.”
According to court documents, the Fairview Heights Police Department began investigating a suspected fatal drug overdose on June 11. Discovered by a roommate, a man was found deceased near drug paraphernalia, and the victim’s family confirmed he had a history of substance abuse.
“Collaboration between the Fairview Heights Police Department, DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office enabled law enforcement to bring just a little bit of justice to the victim’s family,” said Fairview Heights Police Chief Steve Johnson.
Law enforcement searched the victim’s phone and discovered messages between the victim and Webber from May and June. Messages between the victim and Webber indicated a buyer and seller relationship for dealing drugs.
“Fentanyl is killing Americans at an unprecedented rate,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dixon, head of Drug Enforcement Administration investigations in southern Illinois. “Drug traffickers are driving addiction and increasing their profits by mixing fentanyl with other illicit drugs. By arresting and prosecuting the individuals behind the deaths, we send a clear message: if your drug dealing kills someone, you will pay.”
The victim’s toxicology report listed his cause of death as drug/poisoning overdose and traces of amphetamine, meth and fentanyl were present in his body. Court documents allege Webber sold the victim two fentanyl pills on June 9.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
If convicted, Webber could face up to life imprisonment. Distribution of a controlled substance: fentanyl resulting in death is punishable by no less than 20 years in federal prison.
DEA and the Fairview Heights Police Department are contributing to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. Carraway is prosecuting the case.
Cockeysville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Scheme to Steal Cell Phones Worth More Than $500,000Read the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Reginald McElrath, age 40, of Cockeysville, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a scheme to steal cell phones worth more than $500,000. Judge Hollander ordered that McElrath must pay restitution in the full among of the victims’ losses, which the parties agree is not more than $366,015.50.
The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.
According to his plea agreement and other court documents, from July 2019 to January 2020, McElrath and his co-defendants, Chantelle Harris, Robert Patterson, and Danisha Thomas used the identifying information of at least 17 individuals to obtain new cell phones. McElrath, Harris, and Patterson worked in Maryland for a vendor contracted by a multinational retail corporation to handle all contractual wireless phone transactions in their stores. As cell service associates, McElrath, Harris, and Patterson were required to obtain the personal identifying information (PII) of customers in order to initiate a new account or upgrade an existing account. McElrath, Harris, and Patterson admitted that they used their positions to apply for new cell phone accounts with various carriers and to apply for upgraded cell phones on existing cell phone accounts in the victims’ names using the PII of the victims without their knowledge or permission. McElrath, Harris, and Patterson also charged purchases of new cell phones to fraudulent cell phone service accounts they opened in the victims’ names and none of the costs were borne by members of the conspiracy.
Co-defendant Danisha Thomas and other conspirators received the fraudulently obtained cell phones directly from McElrath, Harris, Patterson and others from inside the retail store. McElrath received cash and payments through CashApp as compensation for his role in the scheme.
McElrath and his co-defendants used the stolen PII of approximately 51 individual victims to fraudulently obtain at least $537,000 worth of cell phones. Fraudulent transactions personally conducted or attempted by McElrath in furtherance of the fraud conspiracy and scheme totaled approximately $366,015.50.
Co-defendants Danisha Lee Thomas, age 40, of Bladensburg, Maryland; Robert Earl Patterson, Jr., age 22, of Odenton, Maryland; and Chantelle Harris, age 34, of Hyattsville, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn, who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao/md.
# # #
Clearfield Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Morrisdale, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Davin Gower, age 30, of Morrisdale, PA, pleaded guilty to Count Two of the Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson on November 14, 2023. In connection with the guilty plea, from July 2019 to June 2020, Gower did conspire to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2024. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life, a fine of up to $10,000,00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gower. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.
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.
Chicago-Area Tax Return Preparer Pleads Guilty to False Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
An Illinois woman pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Vervia Watts, of Lansing, operated a tax preparation business for clients in Illinois and elsewhere. From January 2017 through June 2023, Watts prepared and filed individual income tax returns for her clients, intentionally reporting false education expenses and business income to obtain refunds from the IRS in amounts greater than they were entitled to receive. Watts received at least $300 for each return she prepared, which, in total, claimed more than $1.5 million in fraudulent refunds.
Watts is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 14, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Watts also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Meredith Havekost and Regina Jeon of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Charleston Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Timothy Duncan, 43, of Charleston, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution for possession of prepubescent child pornography. Duncan must also register as a sex offender.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 24, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Duncan’s residence and seized electronic devices including a cell phone. A forensic analysis of the cell phone revealed 18 videos and 13 images of child pornography. One image depicts an adult male sexually assaulting a prepubescent female.
A search warrant executed for Duncan’s email account revealed 10 videos of child pornography, including one video that contained 69 individual videos. One of the 69 videos in the collection depicts an adult male sexually assaulting a prepubescent female. The child pornography seized from Duncan includes digital media files that depict 14 known child victims.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the West Virginia State Police-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Francesca C. Rollo and Julie M. White prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-46.
###
California Skilled Nursing Facilities, Owner and Management Company Agree to $45.6 Million Consent Judgment to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks to Referring PhysiciansRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Prema Thekkek, her Vacaville-based management company, Paksn Inc., and six skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) owned by Thekkek and/or operated by Paksn have agreed to enter into a $45.6 million consent judgment to resolve allegations that they submitted or caused the submission of false claims to Medicare by paying kickbacks to physicians to induce patient referrals.
The six settling SNFs are Kayal Inc. (doing business as Bay Point Healthcare Center), Nadhi Inc. (doing business as Gateway Care & Rehabilitation Center), Oakrheem Inc. (doing business as Hayward Convalescent Hospital), Bayview Care Inc. (doing business as Hilltop Care and Rehabilitation Center), Aakash Inc. (doing business as Park Central Care & Rehabilitation Center) and Nasaky Inc. (doing business as Yuba Skilled Nursing Center) (collectively the SNF Defendants).
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying remuneration to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs. It is intended to ensure that medical decision-making is based on the best interests of patients and not compromised by improper financial incentives to providers.
From 2009 to 2021, the SNF Defendants, under the direction and control of Thekkek and Paksn, systematically entered into medical directorship agreements with physicians that purported to provide compensation for administrative services, but in reality were vehicles for the payment of kickbacks to induce the physicians to refer patients to the six SNFs. Specifically, the defendants hired physicians who promised in advance to refer a large number of patients to the SNFs, paid physicians in proportion to the number of their expected referrals and terminated physicians who did not refer enough patients.
On one occasion, a Paksn employee told Thekkek that two physicians were being hired because “they are promising at least 10 patients for $2000 per month,” to which Thekkek responded, “good job. Make sure they give you patients everyday. [W]e can also expand to other buildings with them, if possible.” On another occasion, an employee informed Thekkek that the defendants previously had paid a certain doctor “$1500 each month and he only send [sic] us 2 patients[,] so we didn’t pay him anything from Jan[uary] onwards.” On a third occasion, Thekkek rejected a proposed stipend for a new medical director, explaining that the defendants had paid the previous medical director that amount because “we were getting admission[s] from him,” whereas she did not expect the new medical director to refer many patients. More generally, Thekkek complained that if her employees did not pay medical directors promptly every month, “[t]hese doctors will not give us patients.”
“The administrators and beneficiaries of the Medicare Program expect that providers will make decisions based on sound medical judgment, not their personal self-interest” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “As this case demonstrates, our office will take decisive action to address allegations that medical providers are paying or receiving improper financial benefits that could impact care provided to patients.”
“Kickbacks can impair the independence of physician decision-making and waste taxpayer dollars,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public health care programs.”
“Kickbacks impose hidden costs on the health care system and compromise medical decision-making,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy B. DeFrancesca of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “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.”
Under the settlement announced today, in addition to entering into a $45,645,327.25 consent judgment, the defendants will make scheduled payments to the United States of at least $385,000 over the next five years. That payment schedule was negotiated based on the defendants’ lack of ability to pay.
The settlement stems from a whistleblower complaint filed in 2015 by Paksn’s former Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Trilochan Singh, pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private persons to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the government and to share in the proceeds of the suit. The Act also permits the government to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it did in this case as to some of Singh’s allegations.
In addition to resolving their False Claims Act liability, the defendants have entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the HHS-OIG which requires, among other compliance obligations, an Independent Review Organization’s review of their physician relationships.
The United States’ intervention and settlement in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS, at 800 HHS TIPS (800-447-8477).
HHS-OIG investigated the case.
The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Karen Y. Paik of the Civil Division’s Civil Fraud Section, investigator Eileen Sofre, and auditor John Powers, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and by attorneys Matthew Oster, Lindsey Roberts, Jessica Sarkis and Rohith Srinivas, and senior financial analyst Karen Sharp, of the Justice Department Civil Division’s Fraud Section.
The case is captioned United States of America ex rel. Trilochan Singh v. Paksn Inc. et al., No. 15 cv-09064 (C.D. Cal.).
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
California Skilled Nursing Facilities, Owner and Management Company Agree to $45.6 Million Consent Judgement to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks to Referring PhysiciansRead the Press Release
Prema Thekkek, her management company, Paksn Inc., and six skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) owned by Thekkek and/or operated by Paksn have agreed to enter into a $45.6 million consent judgment to resolve allegations that they submitted or caused the submission of false claims to Medicare by paying kickbacks to physicians to induce patient referrals. The six settling SNFs are Kayal Inc. (doing business as Bay Point Healthcare Center), Nadhi Inc. (doing business as Gateway Care & Rehabilitation Center), Oakrheem Inc. (doing business as Hayward Convalescent Hospital), Bayview Care Inc. (doing business as Hilltop Care and Rehabilitation Center), Aakash Inc. (doing business as Park Central Care & Rehabilitation Center) and Nasaky Inc. (doing business as Yuba Skilled Nursing Center) (collectively the SNF Defendants).
The Anti‑Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying remuneration to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs. It is intended to ensure that medical decision-making is based on the best interests of patients and not compromised by improper financial incentives to providers.
From 2009 to 2021, the SNF Defendants, under the direction and control of Thekkek and Paksn, systematically entered into medical directorship agreements with physicians that purported to provide compensation for administrative services, but in reality were vehicles for the payment of kickbacks to induce the physicians to refer patients to the six SNFs. Specifically, the defendants hired physicians who promised in advance to refer a large number of patients to the SNFs, paid physicians in proportion to the number of their expected referrals and terminated physicians who did not refer enough patients.
On one occasion, a Paksn employee told Thekkek that two physicians were being hired because “they are promising at least 10 patients for $2000 per month,” to which Thekkek responded, “good job. Make sure they give you patients everyday. [W]e can also expand to other buildings with them, if possible.” On another occasion, an employee informed Thekkek that the defendants previously had paid a certain doctor “$1500 each month and he only send [sic] us 2 patients[,] so we didn’t pay him anything from Jan[uary] onwards.” On a third occasion, Thekkek rejected a proposed stipend for a new medical director, explaining that the defendants had paid the previous medical director that amount because “we were getting admission[s] from him,” whereas she did not expect the new medical director to refer many patients. More generally, Thekkek complained that if her employees did not pay medical directors promptly every month, “[t]hese doctors will not give us patients.”
“Kickbacks can impair the independence of physician decision-making and waste taxpayer dollars,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public health care programs.”
“The administrators and beneficiaries of the Medicare Program expect that providers will make decisions based on sound medical judgment, not their personal self-interest” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “As this case demonstrates, our office will take decisive action to address allegations that medical providers are paying or receiving improper financial benefits that could impact care provided to patients.”
“Kickbacks impose hidden costs on the health care system and compromise medical decision-making,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy B. DeFrancesca of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “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.”
Under the settlement announced today, in addition to entering into a $45,645,327.25 consent judgment, the defendants will make scheduled payments to the United States of at least $385,000 over the next five years. That payment schedule was negotiated based on the defendants’ lack of ability to pay.
The settlement stems from a whistleblower complaint filed in 2015 by Paksn’s former Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Trilochan Singh, pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private persons to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the government and to share in the proceeds of the suit. The Act also permits the government to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it did in this case as to some of Singh’s allegations.
In addition to resolving their False Claims Act liability, the defendants have entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the HHS-OIG which requires, among other compliance obligations, an Independent Review Organization’s review of their physician relationships.
The United States’ intervention and settlement in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS, at 800‑HHS‑TIPS (800-447-8477).
HHS-OIG investigated the case.
The matter was handled by attorneys Matthew Oster, Lindsey Roberts, Jessica Sarkis and Rohith Srinivas, and senior financial analyst Karen Sharp, of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kent Kawakami and Karen Paik, and auditor John Powers, for the Central District of California.
The case is captioned United States of America ex rel. Trilochan Singh v. Paksn, Inc. et al., No. 15‑cv-09064 (C.D. Cal.).
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
SettlementBuffalo man arrested on cocaine chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Nicholas Piraino, 30, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution of cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that on November 1, 2023, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of approximately two ounces of cocaine from Piraino for $2,300. During the exchange, Piraino discussed selling two or three kilograms of cocaine the following week.
Piraino made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Brothers sent to prison for operating $13M multi-state stolen goods enterpriseRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Two naturalized U.S. citizens from Lebanon residing in Houston have been sentenced for their roles in large scale organized retail crime schemes, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Yasser Saleh Ouwad, 52, and his brother - Bilal Saleh Awad, 50, entered their guilty pleas Oct. 12, 2021 and Oct. 30, 2019, respectively, to conspiracy to transport stolen merchandise.
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Ouwad to serve 41 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to forfeit over $260,000 from bank accounts representing the proceeds of the sale of the stolen merchandise. He must also pay a money judgment entered against him in the amount of $4,665,860 and restitution of $109,742 due to CVS Health and Walgreens.
“The shifting predominance to online retailers drives the market for stolen goods at the expense of consumer safety and legitimate merchants,” said Hamdani. “Stolen over the counter medications and health products are often sold for a fraction of the retail price online but can be expired or subject to tampering. These schemes cause millions of dollars in losses to U.S. retailers by hiking up prices and creating an unsafe e-commerce market for consumers.”
“The transnational criminal organization these two brothers led was responsible for the theft of more than $30 million in retail goods,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Organized retail crime on this scale results in consumers having to pay higher prices and can force businesses to close that provide essential goods and services to the community. HSI Houston will continue to work tirelessly alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle these organized theft groups and restore order to our communities.”
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protects consumers and patients by ensuring the medical products they use, whether they are by prescription or over-the-counter, are safe and effective. Selling stolen medical products puts all consumers’ health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA - Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to work to protect the health of U.S. consumers and patients.”
From June 2015 to March 2018, Ouwad and Awad engaged in high-level fencing operations involving multi-million-dollar, multi-state level criminal organizations. The brothers purchased stolen over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, diabetic test strips and health and beauty supplies for re-packaging and shipping.
This criminal enterprise also employed “boosters,” primarily undocumented aliens from Central America, to steal OTC medication from large retailers around the United States. Boosters would then ship the stolen products back to Ouwad and Awad, who resold the stolen merchandise to third parties for a profit.
Ouwad owned and operated GPS Wholesale Inc. which he ran from his warehouse in Houston where he would receive the stolen products. Ouwad and his associates would then remove anti-theft stickers and security labels, re-package them into pallets and ship the merchandise to wholesale companies in the New Jersey area.
Awad ran a similar operation but would receive stolen merchandise at a CubeSmart Self Storage location in Houston. Awad also removed anti-theft labels and re-packaged the stolen OTC merchandise at his residence before shipping the product to a wholesale company in New York.
Ouwad and Awads’ criminal enterprises resulted in over $13 million in losses to retailers between both charged schemes.
Awad was previously sentenced on Sept. 5 by U.S. District Judge David Hittner to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $322,550 to CVS Health and Walgreens. Awad also had a money judgment of $4,426,942 entered against him representing the illegal proceeds he received during the conspiracy. Awad must also forfeit a bank account with a balance of more than $460,000 and over $6,000 in stolen products law enforcement seized. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hittner noted that Awad managed a sophisticated scheme causing the loss of millions to retailers.
Several co-defendants had also pleaded guilty and have received sentences ranging from 18-40 months.
Ouwad and Awad were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI and FDA – OCI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Winter and Richard Hanes prosecuted the case.
Bronx Man Charged in Shooting Outside Apartment BuildingRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging DANTE PETTEWAY with illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a shooting by PETTEWAY in front of a residential building in the Bronx on June 21, 2023. PETTEWAY was arrested last night and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, earlier this summer, Dante Petteway opened fire in a residential neighborhood in the Bronx, endangering not only the life of his intended victim, but also the lives of others in the community. Thanks to our partners at the FBI and the NYPD as well as the career prosecutors of this Office, who have a longstanding history of combatting violent crime in the city, the defendant has now been apprehended.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “This arrest is another example of methodical policing in action. The NYPD and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to identifying and charging anyone responsible for driving crime and violence in New York City. The diligence of our NYPD detectives and our colleagues at the FBI and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District has resulted in one less criminal on our streets today.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint:[1]
On June 21, 2023, at approximately 8:20 p.m., PETTEWAY, accompanied by another individual, walked down the sidewalk of East 167th Street in the Bronx, drew a firearm, and shot multiple rounds across the street. Below is a still image of PETTEWAY showing PETTEWAY as he fired the gun.
After shooting the firearm, PETTEWAY ran into a nearby apartment building while holding the firearm in his right hand. A still image from the surveillance footage with PETTEWAY holding the firearm in his right hand is below.
Upon canvassing the scene, NYPD officers recovered five shell casings and also located a vehicle that had been damaged by several bullet holes. Photographs of several of the recovered shell casings are provided below.
PETTEWAY was not permitted to possess ammunition because of a prior felony conviction for robbery.
* * *
PETTEWAY, 27, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgia V. Kostopoulos is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Bristol Man Charged with Additional Sex Trafficking and Obstruction of Justice OffensesRead 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 a superseding indictment charging DAVID MARSHALL, also known as “Saint,” 38, of Bristol, with additional sex trafficking and obstruction of justice offenses.
On November 15, 2022, the grand jury returned an indictment charging Marshall with the forceful sex trafficking of one adult female and offenses related to his alleged actions following his arrest. As alleged in court documents, between January and April 2022, Marshall sold the victim for commercial sex and repeatedly raped and beat the victim if she did not follow his orders. He also controlled the victim by plying her with fentanyl and threatening to harm her family. In March 2022, the victim attempted to escape from Marshall and obtained an order of protection against him after he was arrested by Cromwell Police for threatening to kill her.
It is further alleged that, on April 27, 2022, Marshall was arrested by police in Freeport, Maine, after he severely beat the victim. While in jail, Marshall contacted the victim in violation of the protection order, and attempted to convince her not to cooperate with the police and to continue to prostitute herself to earn money to bail him out of jail. Marshall also contacted another person from jail in an attempt to remotely erase the evidence on his cell phone, but he was unable to do so because the FBI had already secured the phone.
The superseding indictment, which was returned on October 24, 2023, alleges that Marshall forcibly sex trafficked three additional adult females between 2016 and 2022. In addition, on May 10, 2023, while he was detained in federal custody, Marshall again attempted to obstruct the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
The superseding indictment charges Marshall with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life on each count; two counts of attempted obstruction of sex trafficking enforcement, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years on each count; and one count of interstate violation of a protection order, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, but the maximum penalty may be increased to 10 years if the conduct resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim, or to life imprisonment if the conduct constituted sexual abuse or aggravated sexual abuse.
Marshall has been detained since April 27, 2022. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Newington Police Department, Cromwell Police Department, Freeport (Maine) Police Department, and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel M. Krull and Amanda S. Oakes.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine for its assistance in this case.
Boone County Man Pleads Guilty to Mail TheftRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Cody Allen Dalton, 31, of Madison, pleaded guilty today to mail theft.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 1, 2020, Dalton stole a black and white striped sports referee jersey from a post office parcel locker at the Madison Post Office.
Dalton is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Dalton also owes $1,972 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Madison Police Department.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-140.
###
Billings felon sentenced to more than five years in prison for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man with two prior federal felony convictions was sentenced today to five years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised released, for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Robert John Bigback, 28, pleaded guilty in July to prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 9, Bigback’s mother found him sleeping in her house with a gun next to his head. His father brought the firearm, a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, to the United States Federal Probation Office. When Bigback woke up, his mother saw him frantically looking for something where the gun had been. Bigback told his mother he had been using methamphetamine, was paranoid and thought people were after him. Bigback had prior federal felony convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for distribution of meth, and he was prohibited from possessing firearms. Bigback possessed the gun while he was on federal supervised release for the federal convictions. The gun he possessed was stolen, although there was no indication he was involved in the theft.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Probation Office and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
XXX
Bellevue Man Sentenced to 9 Years’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Terrell C. Bass, 40, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced November 15, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bass to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bass’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. Bass also gave up any right or claim he may have had in over $61,000 in currency seized during the investigation.
On February 18, 2022, Douglas County deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of 18th and Vinton Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on a vehicle driven by Bass who deputies knew had a suspended driver’s license. Bass’s identity was confirmed, and a front seat passenger was identified as codefendant, Holly Fleming. A drug detecting canine was deployed and indicated to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed approximately 10.5 pounds of meth in two bags, one found on the passenger floor containing items indicating the bag belonged to Fleming, the other found on the back seat.
That same day a search warrant was authorized for Bass and Fleming's North Omaha residence and served by FBI and OPD. The search of the residence revealed 16 pounds of meth, two firearms, and over $61,000 in cash. During a post arrest interview Fleming admitted to her involvement in drug dealing and claimed all the evidentiary items were hers.
Cell phone search warrants were obtained for phones found during the search and revealed a video showing Bass assisting Fleming in removing a gas tank from a vehicle and removing packages of methamphetamine from within. Texts messages found in the phones revealed Bass was assisting Fleming with drug trafficking. A jail phone call between Bass and Fleming was discovered where Bass acknowledged that he assisted Fleming with drug dealing.
Holly Fleming has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in connection with drug distribution and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 16, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Omaha Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Anderson Man and Phoenix Woman Sentenced to 235 Months and 48 Months Respectively for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ANDERSON, S.C. — Darrecos Lamon Taylor, 42, of Anderson, was sentenced to 235 months for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine and 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine. Jessica Miranda, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced to 48 months for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that since 2022, Darrecos Taylor conspired with other members of the drug trafficking organization (DTO) to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine in the Upstate of South Carolina. In the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized multiple kilograms of cocaine and half a kilogram of methamphetamine Taylor intended to distribute and $124,000 in drug proceeds. Taylor had previously been convicted of a serious federal drug felony in the District of South Carolina. Miranda was a courier for the DTO and was arrested after she was surveilled delivering approximately two kilograms of cocaine to Taylor. Upon her arrest, Miranda was found with more cocaine that she was transporting on behalf of the DTO.
United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Darrecos Taylor to 235 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of court-ordered supervision. Jessica Miranda was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment, to be followed by a four-year term of court ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.
###
Alto rango de la MS-13 fugitivo es arrestado por cargos de terrorismoRead the Press Release
Al final de una audiencia de traslación, un tribunal federal en Houston, Texas ordenó que Elmer Canales-Rivera, alias Crook de Hollywood, un líder de alto rango de La Mara Salvatrucha, alias MS-13, fuera trasladado bajo custodia al Distrito Este de Nueva York, donde él y otros 13 líderes de alto rango de la MS-13 fueron acusados formalmente en diciembre de 2020 por delitos de terrorismo relacionados con su conducción de las actividades delictivas de la organización de criminalidad transnacional en Estados Unidos, El Salvador, México, México y en otros lugares durante las últimas dos décadas.
El 9 de noviembre, Canales-Rivera fue arrestado por miembros del FBI, Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI) y el Servicio de Alguaciles de los Estados Unidos (USMS) al llegar al Aeropuerto Intercontinental George Bush en Houston, Texas. Concretamente, Canales-Rivera ha sido acusado de conspiración para prestar y ocultar apoyo material a terroristas, conspiración para cometer actos de terrorismo que trascienden las fronteras nacionales, conspiración para financiar el terrorismo y conspiración narcoterrorista.
“Sostenemos que a Elmer Canales-Rivera, miembro fundador de los ‘Doce Apóstoles del Diablo’ de la MS-13, le cabe responsabilidad por las acciones de la pandilla a lo largo de varias décadas para aterrorizar a las comunidades, atacar a las fuerzas del orden y sembrar la violencia aquí en Estados Unidos y en el extranjero”, expresó el fiscal general Merrick B. Garland. “La detención de esta persona, que es un alto líder desde hace tiempo en la MS-13, debería servir de advertencia a otros líderes de la MS-13 para entender que el Departamento de Justicia los hará responder por sus crímenes”.
“Este arresto deja claro que no hay ningún escondite seguro para los cabecillas de consorcios delictivos que amenazan a nuestras comunidades”, apuntó el secretario de Seguridad Nacional Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Con la dedicación y las aptitudes de investigación de los agentes de HSI y nuestros socios en el ámbito federal, estamos enfrentando a organizaciones delictivas como la MS-13 y contribuyendo a llevar ante la justicia a todos aquellos que cometen delitos transnacionales”.
“Con determinación y actuación coordinada, el FBI y nuestras fuerzas de seguridad y socios extranjeros lograron capturar a un criminal violento que amenazaba de manera directa la seguridad de nuestras comunidades”, señaló el director del FBI, Christopher A. Wray. “Este esfuerzo ejemplifica el compromiso del FBI de salvaguardar al público estadounidense y la promesa continua de desarticular a las redes criminales como la MS-13”.
“La comparecencia del acusado en el día de hoy ante un tribunal federal en Estados Unidos es un paso inmenso en el proceso para que rinda cuentas por su papel clave como presunto miembro del órgano de liderazgo de la pandilla MS-13, conocido como los ‘Doce Apóstoles del Diablo’, y posteriormente renombrado Ranfla Nacional”, expresó el fiscal estadounidense Breon Peace para el Distrito Este de Nueva York. “Conforme se sostuvo, Canales-Rivera y sus coacusados actuaron como un directorio, disponiendo que se cometieran actos de violencia e intimidación y se prestara apoyo material a terroristas en El Salvador y en todo Estados Unidos, incluido el Distrito Este de Nueva York, donde en breve comparecerá ante un juzgado federal en Central Islip para responder por estos cargos”.
Según se establece en la acusación formal, que se pronunció el 16 de diciembre de 2020 y se reveló el 14 de enero de 2021, Canales-Rivera y sus coacusados forman parte de la estructura de mando y control de la MS-13, que está conformada por la Ranfla Nacional, Ranfla en Las Calles y Ranfla en Los Penales. Desempeñan papeles importantes de liderazgo en las operaciones de la organización en El Salvador, México, Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo. En total, 27 de los máximos líderes de la MS-13 han sido acusados en el Distrito Este de Nueva York en esta acusación formal y en la acusación conexa en la causa Estados Unidos v. Arevalo-Chávez et al.
Se sostiene asimismo que, aproximadamente en 2002, Canales-Rivera, sus coacusados y otros líderes de la MS-13 empezaron a establecer una estructura jerárquica de mando y control sumamente organizada como medio para ejecutar sus decisiones y hacer cumplir sus órdenes, incluso mientras se encontraban en prisión. Ordenaron que se cometieran hechos de violencia y homicidios en El Salvador, Estados Unidos y otros lugares, establecieron campamentos de entrenamiento de estilo militar para sus miembros y obtuvieron armas militares como fusiles, pistolas, granadas, artefactos explosivos improvisados y lanzacohetes. Además, a partir de aproximadamente 2012, Canales-Rivera y otros miembros de la Ranfla Nacional mantuvieron negociaciones con funcionarios gubernamentales de El Salvador y obtuvieron beneficios y concesiones del Gobierno de El Salvador. Con el fin de obtener esos beneficios y concesiones del Gobierno de El Salvador, la MS-13 llevó a cabo manifestaciones públicas de violencia para amenazar e intimidar a la población civil, atacó a agentes de la fuerza pública y militares del Gobierno de El Salvador y manipuló el proceso electoral en El Salvador. Canales-Rivera tuvo uno de los papeles más prevalentes en las negociaciones y acuerdos de la MS-13 con el Gobierno de El Salvador.
A su vez, como se alega, la Ranfla Nacional dirigió la expansión de las actividades de la MS-13 en todo el mundo, incluidos Estados Unidos y México, adonde se envió a varios altos líderes a organizar operaciones, entablar contactos para obtener narcóticos y armas de fuego de carteles mexicanos de narcotráfico como los Zetas, el Cártel del Golfo, el Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) y el Cártel de Sinaloa, y participar en trata y contrabando de personas. La Ranfla Nacional también ordenó a los numerosos miembros de la MS-13 en Estados Unidos que se involucren en actividades delictivas, como tráfico de drogas y extorsión, con el fin de recaudar dinero para apoyar las actividades terroristas de la MS-13 en El Salvador y en otros lugares.
Por último, la Ranfla Nacional y la estructura de liderazgo transnacional de la MS-13 habrían ordenado a miembros en Estados Unidos que cometieran actos de violencia, incluidos homicidios, para conseguir sus objetivos e implementar reglas que posibilitaron que la MS-13 se afianzara en partes de Estados Unidos, incluso dentro del Distrito Este de Nueva York, donde, bajo el liderazgo y las reglas de los acusados, la MS-13 ha perpetrado numerosos actos de violencia, como homicidios, tentativas de homicidio, agresiones, secuestros, tráfico de drogas y extorsión de personas y empresas, ha obstruido la justicia y ha enviado contribuciones y el producto de actividades delictivas mediante transferencias electrónicas a líderes de la MS-13 en El Salvador. Por ejemplo, la Fiscalía Federal para la División Criminal de Long Island del Distrito Este de Nueva York ha procesado a cientos de líderes, miembros y asociados de la MS-13 por cometer más de 65 homicidios en el Distrito Este de Nueva York entre 2009 y hasta el momento.
Cuando se dio a conocer la acusación en enero de 2021, Canales-Rivera se encontraba detenido en El Salvador cumpliendo una pena de prisión, y Estados Unidos presentó una circular roja de INTERPOL y una solicitud de extradición de Canales-Rivera al Gobierno de El Salvador. Sin embargo, aproximadamente en noviembre de 2021, Canales-Rivera fue liberado de la custodia del Gobierno de El Salvador y más tarde ingresó ilegalmente en Guatemala. Canales-Rivera permaneció prófugo hasta el 7 de noviembre, cuando fue detenido por las autoridades mexicanas.
Además de solicitar la extradición de Canales-Rivera, en 2021 y 2022, Estados Unidos solicitó la extradición de 11 de sus coacusados, incluido Borromeo Enrique Henríquez, también conocido como “Diablito de Hollywood”, quien es ampliamente reconocido como el integrante más poderoso de la Ranfla Nacional. Hasta la fecha, el Gobierno de El Salvador no ha extraditado a ninguno de esos acusados.
Dos de las otras personas acusadas junto con Canales-Rivera —Fredy Ivan Jandres-Parada, alias Lucky de Park View y Lacky de Park View, y César Humberto López-Larios, alias El Grenas de Stoners y Oso de Stoners— y tres acusados que figuran en la acusación de Arevalo-Chávez —Jorge Alexander De La Cruz, alias Cruger de Peatonales; Juan Antonio Martínez-Abrego, alias Mary Jane de Hollywood, y Francisco Javier Román-Bardales, alias Veterano de Tribus— siguen prófugos. Se recomienda enfáticamente al público que tenga información sobre su paradero que se comunique con la línea gratuita del FBI para denuncias sobre la MS-13, 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), o la línea de denuncias de HSI llamando al 866-347-2423 o a través de www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form
Juntos, el FBI y HSI han ofrecido una recompensa de USD 20.000 a cambio de información que posibilite el arresto y la condena de los fugitivos.
Este caso fue presentado por la Fuerza Operativa Conjunta Vulcan (Joint Task Force Vulcan, JTFV), creada para combatir a la MS-13, dirigida por el fiscal federal adjunto John J. Durham del Distrito Este de Nueva York, e integrada por Fiscalías Federales en todo el país, incluido el Distrito de Nueva Jersey; el Distrito Norte de Ohio; el Distrito de Utah; el Distrito de Massachusetts; el Distrito Este de Texas; el Distrito Sur de Nueva York; el Distrito Sur de Florida; el Distrito Este de Virginia; el Distrito Sur de California; el Distrito de Nevada; el Distrito de Alaska; y el Distrito de Columbia, así como otras agencias y oficinas gubernamentales que han sido socios clave en la JTFV, incluida la División de Seguridad Nacional del Departamento de Justicia y la División Criminal del FBI; Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI); la Administración para el Control de Drogas de Estados Unidos (DEA); la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF); el USMS; la Oficina Federal de Prisiones (FBOP); y la Oficina del Inspector General de la Agencia de Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional.
La Oficina de Campo del FBI en Los Ángeles encabezó las investigaciones de la JTFV sobre los cabecillas de la MS-13, con el apoyo crítico prestado por la Unidad de Pandillas Safe Streets de la División de Investigaciones Penales, junto con la Unidad Nacional de Pandillas y Delitos Violentos de HSI y las Oficinas de Campo de HSI en Nueva York y Houston. A su vez, los agregados legales del FBI en Ciudad de México y San Salvador, la Oficina de Campo del FBI en Houston, el Agregado de HSI en Ciudad de México, el Agregado Legal del USMS en la Ciudad de México y los agentes del Servicio de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos en el Aeropuerto Intercontinental George Bush en Houston prestaron apoyo crítico para el arresto, así como la Fiscalía Federal y el USMS para el Distrito Sur de Texas para coordinar la audiencia inicial en Houston.
Fueron varios los componentes del Departamento de Justicia que contribuyeron a esta acusación, incluidas la Sección Antiterrorista de la División de Seguridad Nacional; la Oficina Ejecutiva de las Fuerzas Operativas sobre la delincuencia organizada y la represión en materia de drogas (OCDETF); la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia; y la Oficina de Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación del Ministerio Público en el Extranjero de la División Penal. Además, la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales de Narcóticos y Aplicación de la Ley del Departamento de Estado de EE. UU. y la Oficina de Control de Activos Extranjeros (Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC) del Departamento del Tesoro de EE. UU. han proporcionado asistencia valiosa para la misión de la JTFV.
De ser condenado, Canales-Rivera se enfrenta una pena máxima de prisión perpetua.
La acción penal es impulsada por los fiscales federales adjuntos John J. Durham, Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, y Megan E. Farrell, de la División Penal de Long Island del Distrito Este de Nueva York, con la asistencia de los fiscales federales adjuntos James Donnelly del Distrito de Nueva Jersey, Matthew Shepherd del Distrito Norte de Ohio y Stewart Young del Distrito de Utah de la JTFV.
Una acusación implica solamente un señalamiento. Todos los acusados se presumen inocentes hasta tanto se demuestre su culpabilidad sin lugar a duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.
14 November 2023
Woman Ordered to Pay over $38,000 in Restitution for Interference with Flight Crew on Hawaii-Bound FlightRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Cayla Farris, 29, of Hawaii, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. During her term of supervised release, Farris will not be permitted to travel by commercial aircraft without prior approval. Farris was ordered to pay $38,952.00 in restitution to American Airlines for delay-related costs due to her actions. Farris pleaded guilty on September 12, 2023, to Interference with a Flight Crew Member.
On February 13, 2022, Farris boarded an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu, Hawaii. During the flight, Farris used profanity and threatened the flight crew and passengers onboard. As a result of her behavior, the flight crew was unable to continue their duties. The captain ultimately decided to turn the plane back to Phoenix. For passengers onboard, this disturbance caused several flights to be re-routed to Hawaii.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Phoenix Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-01393-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-176_Farris# # #
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.Valley man sent to prison for smuggling scheme resulting in deathRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 22-year-old Mission resident has been ordered to prison for conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens resulting in the death of one, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Julio Garza IV pleaded guilty Feb. 15.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Garza to serve 45 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court commented on how it was important to remember someone died. The individual may have fled, but Garza was still accountable for a death. Judge Alvarez noted that people in Garza’s position convince themselves that smuggling aliens is okay because the person took the risk. However, she pointed out that it’s a crime and that this type of crime often results in people being injured.
On April 15, 2021, law enforcement conducted a routine immigration traffic stop on US Hwy 281 near Falfurrias on a tan Ford Taurus. When the vehicle stopped along the highway, multiple people fled.
A passing box truck struck and killed one of those individuals. Authorities determined he was a citizen of Honduras illegally residing in the United States.
The investigation revealed Garza had hired the driver to transport the undocumented aliens from Edinburg to a designated location south of the Falfurrias Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. Garza sent audio and text messages as well as GPS coordinates in order to direct the smuggling operation.
Garza will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case.
Vallejo Parolee Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bruce Lamont Walker, 55, of Vallejo, was sentenced today to five years and four months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Walker was convicted in 2014 for a domestic violence offense and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Walker had only been on parole for three months when a parole search resulted in the discovery of an AR‑15 style “ghost gun” (privately made without a serial number) in his bedroom. Also found was an extended magazine with 27 rounds of ammunition. Walker is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition on account of seven prior felony convictions, including two felony crimes of violence and multiple firearms related felonies.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Division of Adult Parole Operations, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Enforcement Team, and the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella prosecuted the case.
This case was 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney's Office Joins Virtual Listening Session on Voting Barriers Encountered by Individuals with Disabilities in North CarolinaRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King joined the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Middle and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Disability Rights Section, to hold a statewide virtual listening session on voting barriers faced by individuals with disabilities.
The purpose of the virtual event was to encourage community members to share experiences related to obstacles and barriers encountered by persons with disabilities in the voting process, and to address questions and concerns on the topics of registering to vote, obtaining voting and election information, absentee ballot procedures and in-person voting, accessibility in the polling places, and assistance with voting.
Representatives from nonprofit agencies, private organizations, educational institutions, disability advocates and individuals affiliated with the disability community were among those invited to participate in the listening session.
In her remarks to participants, U.S. Attorney King said, “Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and every citizen who is eligible to vote must be able to do so without interference or discrimination. Our role as federal prosecutors is to protect the integrity of the election process. That includes ensuring that every American citizen has access to the ballot, and that Americans with disabilities can be full participants in civic life and exercise the franchise. With today’s event, we hope to understand where the needs exist in the community and what barriers may prohibit individuals with disabilities to exercise their fundamental right to vote.”
The U.S. Department of Justice’s “The Americans with Disabilities Act and Other Federal Laws Protecting the Rights of Voters with Disabilities” provides guidance to states, counties, cities, election officials, poll workers, and voters on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal laws help ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to vote. For more information, including how to file an ADA complaint please visit here.
U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Meeting of the Western District's Health Care Fraud Working GroupRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced a meeting of the Western District’s Health Care Fraud Working Group, which focuses on combating health care fraud in the Western District of North Carolina.
The working group is a multi-agency team of federal and state investigators, analysts, auditors, and attorneys with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the North Carolina Attorney General’s Medicaid Investigations Division, and the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
At today’s meeting of the working group, U.S. Attorney King welcomed partner agencies and thanked agency representatives for their participation.
“Today, we strengthen an important partnership to combat health care fraud in the Western District of North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney King. “As health care fraud schemes increase in scope and sophistication, we are vigorously responding to this escalating crime with innovative and well-coordinated investigative efforts to identify and prosecute fraud effectively and efficiently. I want to thank all the partner agencies for dedicating their resources and expertise to the working group. This is an important step in our fight to protect taxpayer dollars, shield government-funded health care programs from fraud and abuse, hold bad actors responsible for their misdeeds, and deter future misconduct.”
The mission of the working group is to identify and bring to justice those who defraud the health care system and reduce the potential for health care fraud and abuse in the future. The working group focuses on the coordination of cases, information sharing, identification of trends in health care fraud throughout the region, staffing of all whistle blower complaints, and the creation of investigative teams so that individual agencies may focus their unique areas of expertise on investigations.
Examples of joint investigations include false billings, COVID-19 fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and other schemes that victimize patients, health care providers, private insurers and government insurers, such as Medicare, TRICARE, and Medicaid. The working group also focuses on fraud committed by both corporate and individual defendants, including hospitals, telemedicine companies and providers, nursing home chains, pharmacies and pharmaceutical manufacturers, durable medical equipment suppliers, individual physicians, therapists, and affiliated health care professionals.
The working group builds upon existing partnerships between the agencies and its work reflects a heightened effort to reduce health care fraud and recover taxpayer dollars.
If you suspect Medicare or Medicaid fraud, please report it by phone at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477), or via email at [email protected]. To report Medicaid fraud in North Carolina, call the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division at 919-881-2320 or fill out an online complaint form. TRICARE fraud can be reported here. Fraud against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system can be reported at www.vaoig.gov/hotline.
U.S. Army Maintenance Worker Pleads Guilty to Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Tyrone Norman Dais, 54, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today in Superior Court to one count of First-Degree Theft for using a federal government fuel credit card to make more than $33,000 worth of unauthorized private gasoline purchases. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia and Acting Inspector General Robert C. Erickson Jr. for the General Services Administration made the announcement.
According to court documents, Dais, who was employed by the United States Army as a civilian maintenance worker at the Fort Lesley J. McNair Department of Public Works, repeatedly purchased gasoline for private vehicles using a General Services Administration fuel credit card meant solely for a designated maintenance van on the Fort McNair grounds. Investigators found that from April to October of 2023, Dais frequently arranged to meet private vehicles at area gas stations and used his General Services Administration credit card to purchase their gas. In total, Dais made more than 400 unauthorized purchases totaling at least $33,868.21. As part of the plea agreement, Dais agreed to pay full restitution.
The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz accepted Dais’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for January 10, 2024.
This case was investigated by the General Services Administration’s Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming.
Two Men Sentenced in Relation to Two Robberies of Businesses in Cabarrus County in 2021Read the Press Release
WINSTON SALEM - A judge in federal district court sentenced two Stanly County men, MALIQ RAEKWON PARKER and SEAN CHRISTIAN PARKER, today in relation to two armed robberies of businesses in Cabarrus County in 2021, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina.
MALIQ PARKER, 20, of Albemarle, was sentenced for his role in both the armed robbery of an AT&T Store in Harrisburg, and the attempted armed robbery of Mount Pleasant Sporting Goods and Pawn, Inc. in Mount Pleasant. MALIQ PARKER was sentenced to 210 months in prison. His codefendant, SEAN PARKER, 23, of Badin, was sentenced for his role in only the attempted armed robbery. SEAN PARKER was sentenced to 148 months in prison.
According to court documents, on October 28, 2021, MALIQ PARKER robbed an AT&T Store in Harrisburg of cell phones using a Glock 9mm pistol. During the robbery, store employees were forced into a rear office at gunpoint where the merchandise was then taken. MALIQ PARKER discharged his firearm once while in the rear office.
According to court documents, on November 4, 2021, an attempted robbery occurred at Mount Pleasant Sporting Goods and Pawn, Inc., in Mount Pleasant where two males attempted to steal a firearm at gunpoint, shooting a store owner six times in the process. After initially being shot, the victim crawled to a nearby counter and obtained a firearm that he used to fend off the robbers. The robbers were later determined to be MALIQ PARKER and SEAN PARKER. Both men were armed with handguns and discharged their firearms during the attempted robbery. MALIQ PARKER shot the victim at very close range with the same Glock 9mm pistol used in the AT&T Store robbery. SEAN PARKER discharged a .40 caliber pistol once, before both men ran out of the store. As the defendants fled, an off-duty Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw the armed men running to their vehicle and engaged them. When SEAN PARKER refused commands to drop the gun, the off-duty deputy shot him, but he still got in the car, and they drove away. The off-duty deputy assisted the victim until paramedics arrived, and the victim survived despite gunshot wounds to his arms, legs, and torso.
SEAN PARKER was dropped off at the hospital where he was treated for his own injuries and was apprehended by police. MALIQ PARKER was apprehended shortly after by officers looking for the grey Ford Focus that was used during the attempted robbery and was later seen on hospital security cameras when SEAN PARKER was dropped off at the hospital. After a search of the vehicle, officers located items previously stolen from the AT&T Store.
United States District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder sentenced MALIQ PARKER to a 210-month term of imprisonment, followed by a 3-year term of federal supervised release. He pled guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery on July 6, 2023, in case number 1:23CR62-1.
SEAN PARKER was also sentenced to a 148-month term of imprisonment, followed by a 3-year term of federal supervised release. He pled guilty to one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery on July 6, 2023, in case number 1:23CR62-2.
The case was investigated Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff's Department, the Albemarle Police Department, and the Stanly County Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig M. Principe.
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.
###