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31 October 2023
Defiance man Sentenced to 30 years for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Coercion and Enticement and Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TOLEDO – Martin Lee Wilcoxon, age 31, of Defiance, Ohio was sentenced to thirty years imprisonment by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp III after earlier pleading guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor and receipt and distribution of child pornography. Judge Knepp also ordered Wilcoxon to pay a $45,000 restitution, a $300 special assessment and to serve 10 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, beginning February 2022, Defendant used the social media application, KiK to chat with an Online Covert Employee portraying the persona of a 13-year-old girl. During the chats, Wilcoxon, requested the purported 13-year-old send him naked photos and videos of herself. Wilcoxon tried to arrange various meetings with the purported 13-year-old girl to have sex with her.
On June 16, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Wilcoxon’s residence. Several electronic devices were seized from his home. A forensic examination of his devices revealed more than 11,000 images of child pornography, most of which involved prepubescent females, including toddlers. Wilcoxon was also found to be the moderator of several child pornography chat groups on KiK.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Tracey Tangeman.
Dallas Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography from Butte CountyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cameron Andrew Garcia, 29, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty today to two counts of receipt of visual depictions of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Garcia formed an online relationship with a minor victim from Butte County and instructed the minor victim to send him sexually explicit photos and videos, which the victim did. Garcia later sent Instagram messages to the same victim, threatening to post sexually explicit images and videos of the victim to public websites unless the victim produced new sexually explicit images and videos for him and sent him money. Garcia also used the Instagram app and the internet to communicate with a second minor victim who he knew was under the age of sixteen, and solicited and received multiple videos of that victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. When this second minor victim was not forthcoming with an additional picture, Garcia again resorted to extortion by threatening to post explicit content of the victim publicly.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall is prosecuting the case.
U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez is scheduled to sentence Garcia on Feb. 13, 2024. On each count of conviction, Garcia faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison (with a minimum sentence of five years in prison), mandatory restitution, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Cryptocurrency Founder “Bruno Block” Sentenced to Four Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that AMIR BRUNO ELMAANI, a/k/a “Bruno Block,” the founder of the cryptocurrency “Oyster Pearl,” was sentenced to four years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by statute, for tax offenses ELMAANI committed in connection with the Pearl token. ELMAANI had previously pled guilty on April 5, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon, who imposed today’s sentence. In connection with his guilty plea, ELMAANI admitted that he had secretly minted and sold for his own gain Pearl cryptocurrency tokens, which caused the price of Pearl tokens to plummet, and that he did not pay income tax on certain cryptocurrency profits. ELMAANI agreed that he caused a tax loss of over $5.5 million.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Amir Elmaani violated the duty he owed to pay taxes on millions of dollars of cryptocurrency profits, and he also violated the trust of investors in the cryptocurrency he founded. Participants in the cryptocurrency markets must play by the rules, and this Office will be tireless in prosecuting those who do not.”
Based on the allegations in the Indictment, in the Superseding Information to which ELMAANI pled guilty, the plea agreement, and other statements made and documents filed in court:
In September and October 2017, ELMAANI began promoting online a new cryptocurrency known as Pearl tokens. Using a variation of his online pseudonym “Bruno Block,” ELMAANI stated that he planned to develop an online data-storage platform, known as Oyster Protocol, which would allow users to purchase online data storage with Pearl tokens. Instead of using his real name, ELMAANI operated almost exclusively online under the pseudonym “Bruno Block.” ELMAANI concealed his true identity from his prospective employees and business associates and never met them in person.
In the fall of 2017 and thereafter, ELMAANI sold Pearl tokens to the investing public through an “initial coin offering” and on cryptocurrency market platforms. ELMAANI announced that he intended to take a “founder’s share” of Pearl tokens for his own personal use. ELMAANI owned and controlled the subsequently established company Oyster Protocol Inc. through a shell company not associated with his true name.
In a statement issued under ELMAANI’s online pseudonym on June 7, 2018, ELMAANI stated that he was retaining millions of Pearl tokens as his “ownership stake” in Oyster Protocol, but that he had to move the tokens to a different cryptocurrency wallet “in order to avoid being double-taxed.” In truth, ELMAANI did not report or pay tax on any of his cryptocurrency proceeds. At various points, ELMAANI used friends and family as nominees to receive cryptocurrency proceeds and transfer them or U.S. currency to his own accounts.
ELMAANI dealt substantially in precious metals, kept gold bars in a safe on a yacht he owned, and used large amounts of cash to pay personal expenses.
In late October 2018, although the number of Pearl tokens was purportedly fixed, ELMAANI used his access to the blockchain technology used to create Pearl tokens to mint new tokens, which he took for his own personal use (the “Exit Scheme”). ELMAANI thereby increased the total volume of Pearl tokens. Shortly after creating the new tokens, ELMAANI converted the Pearl tokens he had obtained to other types of cryptocurrency on an online marketplace or exchange. As a result of ELMAANI’s conduct, trading in Pearl tokens halted on that exchange and the price of Pearl tokens held by investors dropped substantially. Pearl tokens were subsequently de-listed from the primary exchange where they were traded. Subsequent to the Exit Scheme, ELMAANI used his friends and family to receive cryptocurrency and to transfer funds to a bank account in his name.
While ELMAANI initially attempted to hide even “Bruno Block’s” involvement in the Exit Scheme, he later effectively admitted to the conduct online under his “Bruno Block” pseudonym. In a recorded call with the then-chief executive officer (“CEO”) of Oyster Protocol Inc. after the Exit Scheme, the CEO asked ELMAANI why he had to take the additional new Pearl tokens if he had already cashed out millions of dollars’ worth of Pearl tokens in the past. ELMAANI responded, in part, that “taxes are pretty nasty.” ELMAANI carried out the Exit Scheme only days before the exchange he had used to cash out his Pearl tokens was set to require “know your customer” personal identifying information from its users.
In connection with his plea, ELMAANI admitted in the plea agreement that:
In or about 2017, using the alias “Bruno Block,” I began an online project called the “Oyster Protocol.” In support of this project, an initial coin offering (“ICO”) was held in or about October 2017, in which a token named “Pearl” (“PRL”) was issued. I stated in public forums that after the ICO, the supply of PRL would not increase, and that the smart contract that created PRL would be “locked.” Contrary to these statements, on or about October 29, 2018, I used the smart contract to mint new PRL, without telling anyone, including others who worked on the Oyster Protocol project. I then sold these newly minted PRL on a digital trading platform. I was aware that the counterparties who were buying these newly-minted PRL likely were not aware of my reopening of the smart contract and did not know that I had just substantially increased the total supply of PRL. After Oyster management learned of my reopening of the smart contract and alerted the public, the price of PRL plummeted.
ELMAANI filed a false 2017 tax return stating that he had only approximately $15,000 of income from a “patent design” business, and he filed no return and reported no income to the IRS in 2018. Nevertheless, ELMAANI spent, in 2018, over $10 million for the purchase of multiple yachts, $1.6 million at a carbon-fiber composite company, hundreds of thousands of dollars at a home improvement store, and over $700,000 for the purchase of two homes, one of which was titled in the name of a shell company and the other in the name of two of his associates. The tax loss to the United States from ELMAANI’s conduct was approximately $5,523,794.
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In addition to the prison term, ELMAANI, 31, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,523,794.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Graham and Adam Hobson are in charge of the prosecution.
Court Sentences Mobile County Woman for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – On October 24, 2023, United States District Court Judge, Terry F. Moorer, sentenced Brittany Theresa Pugh, of Wilmer, Alabama, to 35 months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Documents filed with the Court established that on December 26, 2020, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office on-call detective for narcotics was called to an area of Eight Mile, Alabama where he learned that other deputies from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Department had been engaged in an extended pursuit of a black Chevrolet pick-up, occupied by the two persons. Pugh was a passenger in the vehicle, and she fled on foot during the pursuit from law enforcement. Pugh was caught by law enforcement and found to be in possession of twenty-six grams of ICE methamphetamine, $7,878.00 in U.S. Currency, a small baggie of marijuana, multiple packages of suboxone stripes, a glass pipe with tubing, and digital scales commonly used to weigh drugs.
On March 4, 2021, the defendant was again stopped in a vehicle by deputies of the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. This time Pugh was driving the vehicle and she had two passengers. Found in the vehicle were approximately thirty grams of ICE methamphetamine, a small baggie of marijuana, and a glass pipe with tubing. One of the passengers in the vehicle admitted that she had been purchasing methamphetamine from Pugh.
Court documents also revealed that Pugh was a passenger in another vehicle stopped in June of 2020 in Mobile County where law enforcement found methamphetamine in the vehicle.
The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.
Cornell Student Arrested for Making Online Threats to Jewish Students on CampusRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Patrick Dai, age 21, a junior at Cornell University who is originally from Pittsford, New York, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Alfred Watson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); New York State Police Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento; and Cornell University Police Chief Anthony Bellamy.
The complaint alleges that Dai posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion site, including posts calling for the deaths of Jewish people and a post that said “gonna shoot up 104 west.” According to information provided by Cornell University Police and other public information, 104 West is a Cornell University dining hall that caters predominantly to Kosher diets and is located next to the Cornell Jewish Center, which provides residences for Cornell students. In another post, Dai allegedly threatened to “stab” and “slit the throat” of any Jewish males he sees on campus, to rape and throw off a cliff any Jewish females, and to behead any Jewish babies. In that same post, Dai threatened to “bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig jews.” The charges and the allegations in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Dai carries a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Dai is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow in federal court in Syracuse, New York, before a United States Magistrate Judge.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes the New York State Police, is investigating this case along with the Cornell University Police Department and the Ithaca Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York is prosecuting the case, in conjunction with the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice.
Clewiston Felon Charged with Multiple Firearm and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Javier Velasquez, Jr. (37, Clewiston) with two counts of distribution cocaine, three counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, illegal possession of a machinegun, and carrying of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. If convicted on all counts, Velasquez, Jr. faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Velasquez, Jr. that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms which are alleged to have facilitated some of the offenses.
According to the indictment, Velasquez, Jr. committed the offenses between July 13 and September 19, 2023.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Cheshire Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Tax Offenses Stemming from Nearly $1 Million Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that ERIN SULLIVAN, 53, of Cheshire, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to fraud and tax offenses stemming from an embezzlement scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sullivan was employed as the office manager for a family-owned construction business, identified in court documents in “Company A,” based in Orange. Beginning at least as early as 2016, Sullivan made false entries into Company A’s payroll and accounting system that caused the system to generate hundreds of fraudulent checks payable to her or to “Petty Cash.” Almost immediately after she generated a fraudulent check, Sullivan changed the reference in the payroll and accounting system to show that it had been issued to a different payee. Sullivan sometimes generated checks in the name of Company A’s owner, forged the signature of Company A’s owner on the checks, and either cashed the checks or deposited them into her bank account. She also altered the payroll and accounting system in other ways, which resulted in her receiving additional pay to which she was not entitled. Through this scheme, Sullivan embezzled $955,960.71 from Company A.
In addition, Sullivan failed to pay $233,738 in federal income taxes on her embezzled income for the 2016 through 2021 tax years.
Sullivan pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of tax evasion, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Sullivan is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the Orange Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.
California Man Sentenced for Making Threatening CallsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California man has been sentenced for making threatening communications to the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) in May 2021.
Sammy Sultan, 50, of Hayward, Calif., was sentenced on Oct. 26, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In November 2022, Sultan pleaded guilty to one count of making threats in interstate commerce.
On or about May 28, 2021, Sultan made eight phone calls to TUPD, six of which included specific threats. During the calls, which collectively lasted about an hour, Sultan claimed to be hiding beneath a bed in a dorm room with a taser and pistol somewhere on campus. Sultan stated that he intended to use the taser if a woman returned to the dorm room and discovered him hiding. During the calls, Sultan played the sounds of a taser activating and a pistol racking – a pistol’s chamber being emptied and reloaded.
TUPD and local police carried out a room-by-room search of numerous buildings on Tufts University’s Medford campus but failed to locate the caller. A subsequent investigation of electronic evidence determined that Sultan had made the calls from California. A law enforcement officer familiar with Sultan’s voice from a prior investigation recognized Sultan’s voice on the TUPD call recordings.
Sultan previously pleaded guilty in December 2017 in the Northern District of California to making hundreds of obscene and harassing phone calls to law enforcement agencies and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Tufts University Police Department; Massachusetts State Police; Illinois State Police; and the Medford, Somerville, North Andover, Malden and Peabody Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Kistner of the National Security Unit prosecuted the case.
Brooklyn Resident and Two Russian-Canadian Nationals Charged with Massive Sanctions Evasion and Export Control SchemeRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was unsealed yesterday in Brooklyn charging Nikolay Goltsev, Salimdzhon Nasriddinov and Kristina Puzyreva, with conspiracy and other charges related to a global procurement scheme on behalf of sanctioned Russian entities, including companies affiliated with the Russian military. Some of the electronic components and integrated circuits shipped by the defendants have been found in seized Russian weapons platforms and signals intelligence equipment in Ukraine. Nasriddinov, a Brooklyn resident and dual citizen of Russia and Tajikistan, was arrested this morning in Brooklyn. Goltsev and Puzyreva were arrested at a hotel in Manhattan this morning during a trip to New York to visit Nasriddinov.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations New York (HSI), James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement (BIS) announced the charges.
“As alleged, the defendants evaded sanctions, shipping equipment to Russia vital for their precision-guided weapons systems, some of which has been used on the battlefield in Ukraine,” stated U.S. Attorney Peace. “Individuals and companies in the Eastern District should know that our Office will use all tools available to prosecute those who evade sanctions to aid hostile nation states.”
U.S. Attorney Peace thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their valuable assistance to the investigation.
“With these defendants in U.S. custody, we have disrupted a sophisticated procurement network allegedly used to procure critical technologies for the Russian military’s advanced weapons systems,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department is committed to imposing accountability and exposing tactics used by hostile nation-states to illicitly acquire items they need to perpetuate their brutal campaigns.”
“These defendants are alleged to have illegally exported millions of dollars in electronics to support the Kremlin in its ongoing attacks of Ukraine. Over the course of a year, this criminal organization evaded U.S. sanctions and laws, managing to dispatch over 300 shipments of restricted items, valued at approximately $7 million USD, to the Russian battlefield. This unlawful activity would have persisted if not for the law enforcement collaborative efforts that led to today's charges," said Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New York. "HSI New York remains committed to utilizing its unique authorities to relentlessly pursue individuals who seek to exploit U.S. export control laws for financial gain.”
“The arrests announced today demonstrate our sustained focus on targeting illicit Russian procurement networks, especially those attempting to acquire sensitive U.S. technologies that BIS has identified as critical high priority items for Russia’s military,” said Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement. “To be clear: it doesn’t matter if those networks use a front company or transship these items using intermediaries in places like Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China and the United Arab Emirates, with final destination in Russia. We will use all of our tools to hold such actors to account.”
"The defendants allegedly were part of a global procurement scheme designed to evade United States’ sanctions and export controls. This case, once again, shows the willingness of Russia to ignore the laws of the United States, using illegal procurement networks to provide for their military. FBI New York and our partners will hold anyone attempting to procure sanctioned equipment accountable in the criminal justice system in order to protect our national security,” said James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, FBI.
As alleged, the defendants used two corporate entities registered in Brooklyn, SH Brothers Inc. and SN Electronics Inc., to facilitate the scheme. These entities unlawfully sourced, purchased and shipped millions of dollars in dual-use electronics from U.S. manufacturers to sanctioned end users in Russia. Many of the electronic components and integrated circuits shipped by the defendants through SH Brothers were, according to the Department of Commerce, “of the highest concern due to their critical role in the production of advanced Russian precision-guided weapons systems, Russia’s lack of domestic production, and limited global manufacturers.” As described in the complaint and other court filings, some of the electronic components and integrated circuits with the same make, model and part number shipped by the defendants through SH Brothers have been found in seized Russian weapons platforms and signals intelligence equipment in Ukraine, including the Torn-MDM radio reconnaissance complex, the RB-301B “Borisoglebsk-2” electronic warfare complex, the Izdeliye 305E light multi-purpose guided missile, the Vitebsk L370 airborne counter missile system, Ka-52 helicopters, Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and T-72B3 battle tanks. During the period charged in the complaint, SH Brothers made hundreds of shipments valued at over $7 million to Russia.
Goltsev received orders from Russian end users in the defense and technology sectors who sought to acquire a particular item or part from the United States. Goltsev then communicated directly with U.S. manufacturers and distributors, typically using aliases such as “Nick Stevens” or “Gio Ross.” Nasriddinov and Goltsev purchased electronic components from U.S. manufacturers and distributors under the auspices of SH Brothers and SN Electronics, and arranged for the items to be sent to various locations in Brooklyn. Nasriddinov and Goltsev then unlawfully shipped the items to a variety of intermediary corporations located in other countries, including Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China and the United Arab Emirates, where they were rerouted to Russia. Puzyreva operated numerous bank accounts and conducted financial transactions in furtherance of the scheme.
As described in the complaint, the defendants were aware that the electronics being exported had potential military applications. For example, in a message exchange on or about and between November 8, 2022 and November 15, 2022 between Nasriddinov and Goltsev, Goltsev commented how shipping to Russia had become “dangerous” and discussed a shipment of electronic components that had been detained by U.S. officials at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York. Nassridinov responded that “Ukrainians alleged that they’re being bombed from parts from there [the U.S. manufacturer], maybe that’s why they started investigating everything?” Goltsev responded that, “we need to figure out why they keep holding the package ... I don’t really understand how they figured [it] out.” In a subsequent message, on or about November 9, 2022, Goltsev commented that, “in the future we will need to load from several companies, not to attract attention ... for now large packages will be dangerous until we understand what they figured out ... we will need to think of diversifying the load ... so that not everything is not moving from the same deck.” In a February 23, 2023 message, Nasriddinov wrote to Goltsev, “Happy Defender of the Fatherland,” referring to the holiday in Russia and parts of the former Soviet Union celebrating those who served in the armed forces. Goltsev responded, “happy holiday to you too my friend, we are defending it in the way that we can [smile emoji].”
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Artie McConnell and Ellen H. Sise are in charge of the prosecution, along with Trial Attorney Christopher M. Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Mary Clare McMahon. Assistant United States Attorney Laura Mantell of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters.
Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.
The Defendants:
NIKOLAY GOLTSEV
AGE: 37
MONTREAL, CANADASALIMDZHON NASRIDDINOV
AGE: 52
BROOKLYN, NYKRISTINA PUZYREVA
AGE: 32
MONTREAL, CANADAE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-M-956
Berks County Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Plus 5 Years for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death and Serious Bodily Injury and Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 27, 2023, Miguel Eduardo Rosario, age 37, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to life imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury, followed by a consecutive term of five years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Rosario was found guilty of multiple federal crimes on February 2, 2023, following a seven-day jury trial before Judge Mariani. The evidence showed that Rosario was a large-scale drug dealer operating out of Reading. While on state parole for a prior drug conviction, Rosario continued to sell fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and Xanax in the Berks and Schuylkill County areas between January 2017 and November 2019. Rosario was found guilty on all counts of the indictment, including counts relating to an individual who first overdosed from heroin and fentanyl distributed to him by Rosario, and then suffered death approximately six months later from heroin and fentanyl again distributed to him by Rosario. Rosario was also convicted of firearm charges related to his distribution of methamphetamine in exchange for firearms.
During the seven-day trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony from approximately 35 witnesses, including expert witness testimony from a forensic pathologist, multiple forensic toxicologists, a medical toxicologist, and a forensic cell phone examiner.
The life sentence imposed by Judge Mariani was mandated pursuant to federal law for defendants found guilty of distributing a controlled substance resulting in death, after having previously been convicted of a felony drug offense. Rosario’s criminal history involved multiple felony drug offenses, which also rendered him a career offender under federal law. However, Judge Mariani stated that even without the mandatory sentence, he would have sentenced Rosario to a term of life imprisonment. The five-year term of imprisonment was also mandated pursuant to federal law to run consecutive to the drug trafficking sentence.
Rosario was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,801.00 representing the funeral costs associated with the decedent.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Brian Gallagher prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Baltimore Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Federal Prison for Scheme to Obtain More Than $550,000 in Fraudulent Covid-19 CARES Act LoansRead the Press Release
Used CARES Act Loan Proceeds to Purchase a Mercedes-Benz and to Lease and Fully Furnish a Luxury Apartment in Downtown Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Lawrence A. Walker, age 64, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 6 months of home confinement, and 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and fraudulently obtaining more than $262,000 through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), intended to provide financial assistance to small businesses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. Judge Bennett also ordered that Walker must forfeit the cash seized during the search, a Mercedes-Benz, and pay a money judgment and restitution of $232,152.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Robert McCullough of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to the plea agreement, from March 2021 through December 2021, Walker and a co-conspirator engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain a PPP loan for Walker’s business, Nutscola Street Promotions, LLC (“Nutscola”). Walker was the owner and resident agent, but Nutscola had no employees at the time and was not in operation.
As detailed in the plea agreement, on March 21, 2021, Walker and his co-conspirator submitted a PPP loan application that contained multiple misrepresentations, including that Nutscola had 13 employees and an average monthly payroll of $104,900.87. Walker and his co-conspirator fabricated a tax form and a February 2020 bank statement purportedly from Nutscola’s business account which were submitted in support of the loan application. Walker opened the Nutscola bank account on March 6, 2021, as part of the fraud scheme.
Based on the false representations and fraudulent documentation, the PPP loan was funded and approximately $262,252 in loan proceeds was distributed to the Nutscola bank account. After receiving the loan proceeds, Walker provided his co-conspirator with a kickback for his work in obtaining the loan—two checks totaling $78,000, which was approximately 30 percent of the loan amount.
Walker and his co-conspirator knew that, under the PPP rules, interest and principal on a PPP loan were eligible for forgiveness, if the business spent the loan proceeds on permissible items within a designated period of time and used a certain portion of the loan toward payroll expenses. To make it appear that the PPP loan funds were being used for legitimate purposes, on March 30, 2021, Walker signed an agreement with a payroll processor to provide payments using the PPP funds to purported employees of Nutscola, including Walker, his brother, and various other friends and associates. Use of the payroll services also created documentation that could be used to substantiate a request for the PPP loan to be forgiven.
According to the plea agreement, a total of $159,000 in sham payroll payments were made using funds traceable to the PPP loan obtained by Walker and Nutscola. None of the purported employees were actually employed by Nutscola and several of the purported employees provided the funds directly back to Walker. Walker used the loan proceeds to purchase a Mercedes-Benz automobile valued at more than $76,000 and to lease and fully furnish a luxury apartment in downtown Baltimore that overlooked Camden Yards baseball stadium. Neither use of the funds was permissible under PPP rules.
On December 31, 2021, Walker’s co-conspirator also fraudulently applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) under the CARES Act on behalf of Walker and Nutscola. The fraudulent EIDL loan did not close.
On April 26, 2022, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Walker’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices, including Walker’s phone, as well as over $30,000 in cash hidden in a garbage bag inside a heater in Walker’s bedroom. The $30,000 in cash constituted fraudulently obtained PPP funds. Walker has made no payments in connection with the PPP loan obtained for Nutscola, and the entire PPP loan amount of $262,252 remains outstanding.
The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of three strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the CARES Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General for its assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who prosecuted the case. He also recognized the assistance of the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber.
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.
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Alameda Resident Pleads Guilty to Four Counts of Wire Fraud, Admits Operating A Ponzi Scheme to Dupe Victims Out of Millions of DollarsRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO - Long Nguyen, a resident of Alameda, California, has pleaded guilty to charges related to his scheme to defraud at least 20 individuals out of approximately $2 million, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. Nguyen’s guilty plea was accepted by the Hon. Trina L. Thompson, United States District Judge.
In his plea agreement, Nguyen, 35, admitted that, between September 2015 and July 2021, he operated a scheme to defraud his victims by making false statements about himself, his investment opportunities, how he would invest his victims’ money, and what he in fact did with their money.
For example, pursuant to the plea agreement, Nguyen admitted making the following false statements, among others, to induce victims to give him money: that (i) he was a billionaire; (ii) other people who invested with him had received large payouts at a high rate of return; (iii) he was starting his own hedge fund; (iv) he had access to pre-IPO investment opportunities that he would and did invest victims’ money into; and (v) he managed a real estate investment trust that he would and did invest victims’ money into and that would provide victims with monthly income. Nguyen also admitted creating fake screenshots that purported to show victims’ growing investment account balances, and falsely telling victims not only that they were making money, but also that he would buy—and, in some cases, had bought—them Teslas and homes.
According to the plea agreement, Nguyen also admitted that he did not, in fact, invest the majority of the money he received from his victims. Rather, Nguyen admitted spending victims’ money for his own personal use and operating a Ponzi scheme by using money he had received from some victims to pay other victims back. And Nguyen admitted he devised and executed his fraudulent scheme with the intent to defraud his victims.
Nguyen was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 18, 2022, on four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Nguyen pleaded guilty to all four counts on October 27, 2023. As part of his guilty plea, Nguyen has agreed to pay at least $1 million in restitution to his victims.
Judge Thompson has scheduled Nguyen’s sentencing for February 2, 2024. Nguyen faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the wire fraud counts. As part of any sentence, Judge Thompson may also order the defendant to serve an additional term of supervised release, to pay a fine of up to $250,000 per count, and to pay restitution to his victims. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey Davidson is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Lance Libatique and Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
30 October 2023
Yosemite National Park Squatter Sentenced to over Five Years in Prison for Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Devin Michael Cuellar, 29, of Oakhurst, was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition while squatting on private property in Yosemite National Park, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, during the summer of 2021, Cuellar broke into a private residence on Koon Hollar Road in Wawona within Yosemite National Park and resided there for several months without permission of the owner. During that time, the residence was trashed and stolen items were found. Cuellar possessed a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition that were found in the residence. Cuellar was previously convicted of carjacking and possessing controlled substances for sale and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
This case was the product of an investigation by the National Park Service with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Forensic Services, and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar 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 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.
Warwick Man Detained in Federal Custody on Enticement and Obscenity ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A U.S. District Court magistrate judge in Providence has ordered a Rhode Island man detained in federal custody following his arrest on charges that he allegedly attempted to entice an 11-year-old New Jersey girl to engage in sexual activity and that he allegedly transmitted obscene material to the girl, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
According to charging documents, it is alleged that Jeffrey Locke Slinn, 42, used multiple online accounts and logins to communicate with numerous underage girls. It is alleged that beginning in July 2023, Slinn engaged in a series of sexually explicit online communications with an 11-year-old girl in New Jersey, attempting to entice her to engage in sexual conduct, and that he exchanged sexually explicit images and videos with her.
Slinn was arrested on October 26, 2023, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with attempted enticement of a minor and transfer of obscene material to a minor. He made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on Friday and was ordered detained in federal custody.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by the FBI, the Ocean Township, New Jersey, Police Department, and the Warwick, Rhode Island, Police Department.
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Veteran Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Money and Providing False StatementsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Kevin Paul McMains, 43, of Pace, Florida, plead guilty to theft of government money and providing false statements. The plea was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“By falsely claiming he suffered catastrophic service-related injuries, McMains selfishly defrauded the federal government, but more significantly stole resources that were intended for the brave men and women who have valiantly served our country,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in such despicable conduct.”
Court documents introduced at the plea hearing established that McMains served approximately eight years in the United States Army before separating from service on April 27, 2009. On April 28, 2009, McMains received a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) for post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). From May 2009 to February 2023, McMains received money from the United States, namely benefits payments and services from the VA, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), and the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”).
An investigation revealed that McMains provided false information to medical personnel during his examination at the VA clinic in Pensacola, Florida. McMains falsely stated he had been severely injured in an explosion while serving in Iraq, which he claimed resulted in paralysis and his confinement to a wheelchair since 2007. In addition, McMains altered a VA form that was submitted to a mental health counselor which gave the impression that McMains medical condition relating to PTSD was much more severe than it was. McMains also provided false information to the VA in documents and forms in support of his PTSD disability rating. The VA relied on the statements, documents, and forms provided by McMains in determining his disability rating. As a result, McMains received a 100% disability rating from the VA for PTSD. Based on his false statements and submission of fraudulent documents, McMains received $683,068.30 in benefit payments and services from the VA, SSA, and HHS, to which he was not entitled.
“The VA Office of Inspector General remains committed to ensuring that VA benefits are administered to deserving veterans based on legitimate military service,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Root with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this joint investigation.”
“With fabricated documents that falsely reported his medical condition, Mr. McMains defrauded the government of more than $680,000, of which $357,847 was from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This admission of guilt results from an in-depth joint investigation by several Federal agencies; my office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who commit fraud against SSA,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for SSA. “I thank the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General their invaluable work in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for holding this individual accountable for his criminal actions.”
“Individuals who take advantage of federal healthcare benefits to which they are not entitled divert valuable resources away from their intended recipients,” said Steven Ryan, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those alleged to be defrauding federal health care programs are thoroughly investigated.”
Sentencing in this case is set for January 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. McMains faces a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment for the theft of government money charge and a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment for each of the false statement charges.
This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General, and Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
United States Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Personnel for Exceptional ServiceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy has announced the recipients of the 2023 Law Enforcement Awards. Over 100 federal, state and local law enforcement personnel and community leaders who have contributed to the success of federal cases during the 2022 calendar year are being recognized for their commitment to pursuing justice and public safety. Each year the U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts holds a formal ceremony to honor award recipients, which took place earlier today.
These awards recognize federal agents, state police, local police, investigators, analysts and community leaders for their leadership, collaboration, investigative achievement and excellence, victim assistance and distinction in community engagement. Honorees were nominated by the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who prosecuted the cases.
“Every successful investigation and prosecution in this office is a direct result of the outstanding work of these law enforcement professionals. Great police work rarely makes for flashy headlines, but my colleagues and I see the commitment and compassion of federal, state and local law enforcement officers every day. Their sole mission is to keep our communities safe, even when it means putting their own lives at risk. Today, we take this moment to thank them, and their families, for their sacrifices and commitment to public service,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “These awards reflect and honor only a small portion of the countless law enforcement professionals across the Commonwealth who serve and protect us every day.”
The category of Excellence in Community Outreach & Prevention recognizes individuals, or a team of individuals, who have shown outstanding commitment and/or innovation in the area of law enforcement and community outreach to include training, relationship building, prevention programs and other similar activities. The following programs and agencies were honored today:
Project Safe Neighborhoods “You Can Be Anything You Want to Be” Speaker Series
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Hampden County District Attorney’s Office; Holyoke Medical Center; Holyoke Police Department; University of Massachusetts Department of Communication DisordersProject Safe Childhood Training: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Homeland Security InvestigationsThe category of Investigative Achievement is reserved for those who substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice. The following cases and agencies will be honored:
U.S. v. Seth Bourget
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector GeneralU.S. v. Junior Melendez, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Worcester Police DepartmentU.S. v. Dana Pullman, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal InvestigationsU.S. v. Binh Thanh Le, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; Massachusetts State PoliceThe category of Investigative Excellence recognizes an individual whose actions led directly to the arrest of a dangerous subject or to the exposure of a significant criminal conspiracy. The following case and agency will be honored:
U.S. v. Michael Cecchetelli, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of InvestigationU.S. v. Ronald Hall
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Homeland Security Investigations; Massachusetts State Police; Cranston (R.I.) Police DepartmentThe category of Outstanding Collaborative Investigation recognizes investigators from a multi-agency collaboration whose exceptional efforts to overcome significant challenges led to a successful conclusion. The following cases and agencies will be honored:
U.S. v. Jammy Alphonse
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Boston Police Department; Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Secret ServiceU.S. v. Baystate Health
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Civil RightsU.S. v. Louis Coleman III
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Boston Police Department; Delaware State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Wilmington (Del.) Police Department
U.S. v. Cristina Lopez, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts, Financial Analyst; U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax AdministrationU.S. v. Brian Orlandella
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Homeland Security Investigations; Port Neches (Texas) Police DepartmentThe category of Exceptional Contribution to a Federal Investigation/Prosecution will honor the following agencies:
Braintree Police K-9 Lucky
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Braintree Police Working Dog FoundationU.S. v. Cedric Cromwell, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal InvestigationsU.S. v. John Michael Rathbun
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): East Longmeadow Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Longmeadow Fire Department; Longmeadow Police Department; Massachusetts State PoliceU.S. v. Antonio Santonastaso
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector GeneralThe category of Victim Service will honor the following agencies:
U.S. v. Hassan Abbas
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of InvestigationU.S. v. Bernadito Carvajal
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Andover Police Department; Drug Enforcement AdministrationU.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama Observes Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
Birmingham, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona joins the U.S. Department of Justice in commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). DVAM provides an opportunity to honor victims and survivors, and recognize the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers, and first responders who tirelessly work in support of survivors.
The prevalence of domestic violence, dating violence, and intimate partner violence is alarming. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes. Nearly 20 percent of all violent crime is categorized as domestic violence, as revealed by the 2021 National Crime Victimization Survey data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
“Domestic violence tears at the fabric of our communities and affects every demographic of society,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “People who commit violence within their homes are often also the same people who commit violent crimes in our communities. My office along with our federal, state, and local partners remain committed to protecting victims of violence.”
An abuser’s access to firearms is the single greatest risk factor for intimate partner homicide. The presence of a firearm during a domestic violence incident increases the risk of homicide 500%.
Federal firearm laws prohibit gun possession for domestic abusers. These firearm laws can be used to prosecute abusers – often without the testimony of victims, who may be hesitant to testify in a court proceeding against their abuser. The pertinent federal laws that may relate to domestic violence crimes fall into two broad categories:
- Crimes under the Gun Control Act, which prevents prohibited persons – including convicted felons, individuals previously convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, and individuals subject to certain protective orders—from possessing firearms, or from lying to firearms dealers about their status
- Crimes under the Violence Against Women Act, which prohibits interstate stalking, cyber stalking, and using interstate commerce to commit domestic violence or violate protective orders
The Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women has awarded One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center (One Place) $800,000 to support its mission as the comprehensive service provider for victims of domestic and sexual violence in Jefferson County. The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!) and the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) partnered with One Place in its application to enhance services to survivors of domestic violence in Jefferson County. The award comes to One Place through OVW’s Improving Criminal Justice Responses grant program. Since 2022, the Department of Justice has committed more than $1.6 million of funding for new projects to address domestic violence within the Northern District of Alabama.
In October 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama launched Operation Safe Families to bring federal law enforcement alongside local victim service providers, state and local law enforcement, and local prosecutors to better respond to the needs of victims of domestic violence and the threats presented to the community by domestic violence offenders. Not only do domestic violence offenders often terrorize former intimate partners, national and local crime data confirms that domestic violence offenders present extreme risks to law enforcement officers and are often responsible for significant amounts of violent crimes in Alabama communities.
If you would like more information about Operation Safe Families visit
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/operation-safe-families-protecting-families-gun-violence or to receive training or resources related to domestic violence, please contact the U.S Attorney’s Office at 205.244.2015.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or need resources, please visit:
https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources.
U.S. Attorney announces more than $5.1 million in funding to Southern District of Ohio during Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – As part of its monthlong observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is proud to announce that the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded more than $5.1 million in the district to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
“This is a time to center the experiences of survivors, honor those who lost their lives to domestic violence; express gratitude to the countless individuals in the movement to end violence; and raise awareness on the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker.
Data from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate about 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Domestic violence rates are even higher for Black individuals, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
The announced grants will reach historically marginalized communities, underserved communities, college and university campuses, rural towns, culturally specific communities, and more. The funding prioritizes increasing access to justice, improving survivor safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering training and technical support to professionals addressing these crimes.
Specifically, the Southern District of Ohio received the following approximate funds for the 2023 fiscal year:
- State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program
Ohio Domestic Violence Network: $108,000
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence: $232,500
This program enhances the coordination between courts, child protective services agencies, advocates, law enforcement, and community programs to encourage trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program
City of Columbus: $800,000
Ohio Supreme Court: $1 million
Funding from this grant is used to promote coordinated community responses among law enforcement agencies, courts, victim service providers, and other system partners.
- Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program (Culturally Specific Program)
Ohio Hispanic Coalition: $400,000
These dollars are designated to help community-based organizations develop culturally relevant programs specific to American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Tribal communities to support survivors.
- Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Assistance Program (Rural Program)
Ohio Hispanic Coalition: $500,000
Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program: $750,000
This funding supports programs by local government, community-based organizations, and medical providers in rural areas to improve the safety of survivors.
- Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program (Campus Program)
Otterbein $400,000
Central State University $494,600
This funds colleges and universities to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies for such crimes and to develop prevention education and awareness programs. In addition, OVW awarded to Central State University under the new Strengthening Culturally Specific Campus’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative to support new programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
- Research and Evaluation Initiative
University of Cincinnati: $499,900
This money supports researcher-practitioner partnerships and a broad range of research and evaluation methods to generate more knowledge about effective strategies to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and hold offenders accountable.
“Every day, a vast network of dedicated individuals helps domestic violence survivors access multiple pathways to safety, justice, and healing,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “OVW understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence. These funds will enable communities to increase capacity and strengthen a coordinated community approach to prevent and address violence in more comprehensive ways tailored to their communities. Together, with our grantees, we are building a future where individuals and families can live and thrive without the threat of intimate partner violence.”
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
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U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young Announces the Appointment of a Domestic Terrorism and Violent Crime Assistant U.S. AttorneyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces the appointment of Tiffany Scanlon as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. AUSA Scanlon will handle domestic terrorism and other violent crimes in the District of New Hampshire.
Since 2012, AUSA Tiffany Scanlon served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office in the Major Felony Unit, the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit, Gang Unit, and the District Court and Juvenile Court Units. Over the last decade, AUSA Scanlon prosecuted numerous criminal cases, including homicides, armed robberies, non-fatal shootings, firearm offenses, and aggravated assaults.
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Scanlon is a veteran violent crime prosecutor,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The District of New Hampshire is fortunate to have gained an attorney with the breadth of Tiffany’s experience in prosecuting violent crimes coupled with her outlook and tenacious approach to investigating and prosecuting complex cases.”
In May 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Hampshire was allocated two new attorney positions to address civil rights, domestic terrorism, and violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is still in the hiring process for an Assistant U.S. Attorney that will focus on Civil Rights.
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Two Russian Nationals Charged for Conspiring to Hack the Taxi Dispatch System at JFK AirportRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and John Gay, the Inspector General of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (the “Port Authority”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging ALEKSANDR DEREBENETC, a/k/a “Sasha Novgorod,” and KIRILL SHIPULIN, a/k/a “Kirill Russia,” with two counts of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions. The Indictment charges that DEREBENETC and SHIPULIN hacked the electronic taxi dispatch system (the “Dispatch System”) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (“JFK”). Taxi drivers are required to wait in a holding lot at JFK before they are dispatched to pick up a fare. A computer system ensures that taxis are dispatched in the order in which they arrived. DEREBENETC and SHIPULIN conspired with DANIEL ABAYEV and PETER LEYMAN to hack the Dispatch System and move certain taxis to the front of the line in exchange for payment. ABAYEV pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, and LEYMAN pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions on October 4, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the indictment, these four defendants conspired to hack into the taxi dispatch system at JFK airport. Cyber hacking can pose grave threats to infrastructure systems that we rely on every day, and our Office is dedicated to pursuing criminal hackers, whether they be in Russia or here in New York.”
Port Authority Inspector General John Gay said: “The significant charges in this alleged hacking conspiracy show that the Port Authority takes seriously our obligation to safe and equitable operations across our facilities. As alleged, this brazen scheme corrupted a system that hard-working taxi drivers rely on to earn a living, all so the defendants could make some extra cash. We are grateful for our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.”
As alleged in the Indictment:[1]
From at least September 2019 through September 2021, DEREBENETC and SHIPULIN, who are Russian nationals residing in Russia, and ABAYEV and LEYMAN, who are U.S. citizens residing in Queens, New York, engaged in a scheme (the “Hacking Scheme”) to hack the Dispatch System at JFK.
At all relevant times, taxi drivers who sought to pick up a fare at JFK were required to wait in a holding lot at JFK before being dispatched to a specific terminal by the Dispatch System. Taxi drivers were frequently required to wait several hours in the lot before being dispatched to a terminal and were dispatched in approximately the order in which they arrived at the holding lot.
Beginning in 2019, DEREBENETC, SHIPULIN, ABAYEV, and LEYMAN explored and attempted various mechanisms to access the Dispatch System, including bribing someone to insert a flash drive containing malware into computers connected to the Dispatch System, obtaining unauthorized access to the Dispatch System via a Wi-Fi connection, and stealing computer tablets connected to the Dispatch System. The members of the Hacking Scheme also sent messages to each other in which they explicitly discussed their intention to hack the Dispatch System. For example, on or about November 10, 2019, ABAYEV messaged the following to DEREBENETC in Russian: “I know that the Pentagon is being hacked[.]. So, can’t we hack the taxi industry[?]”
At various times between November 2019 and November 2020, DEREBENETC, SHIPULIN, ABAYEV, and LEYMAN successfully hacked the Dispatch System. They used their unauthorized access to alter the Dispatch System and move specific taxis to the front of the line, thereby allowing drivers of those taxis to skip other taxi drivers waiting in the line. ABAYEV and LEYMAN charged taxi drivers $10 each time they were advanced to the front of the line and transferred part of their profits to SHIPULIN and DEREBENETC.
ABAYEV and LEYMAN’s scheme resulted in large numbers of taxi drivers skipping the taxi line. Over the course of the scheme, they enabled as many as 1,000 fraudulently expedited taxi trips a day.
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DEREBENETC, 30, of Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia, and SHIPULIN, 30, of Moscow, Russia, are each charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
ABAYEV, 47, and LEYMAN, 49, both of Queens, New York, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. LEYMAN is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Crotty on January 11, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., and ABAYEV is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Crotty on February 12, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. DEREBENETC and SHIPULIN remain at large.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Port Authority Office of the Inspector General. Mr. Williams also thanked Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance in the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Steven J. Kochevar are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.
Two District Men Plead Guilty to 2021 Murder of Kerry Odoms in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Andre Smith, 27, and Malachi McFarland, 25, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to second degree murder while armed in the April 2021 shooting death of Kerry Odoms, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2024, before the Honorable Robert Okun.
According to the government’s evidence, just prior to the homicide, Kerry Odoms, 29, of Washington, D.C., was socializing on Apr. 15, 2021 with a group of people that included McFarland, in the parking lot of 3319 10th Place SE, in the Congress Heights neighborhood.
Smith approached the group and moments later, at 9:54 p.m., lunged toward Odoms while firing multiple gunshots. As Smith began shooting at Odoms, McFarland ran a short distance away, returned, and fired a second round of gunshots directly at Odoms. The gunfire from both defendants killed Odoms, who suffered eight gunshot wounds.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Antonelli, Jin Park, and former AUSA Steven Rickard, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Tucson Man Arrested for Making Multiple Violent Threats Including a Threat to Place Pipe Bombs on School Buses in IndianaRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Amir Safavi Farokhi, 28, of Tucson, was arrested last week on a federal complaint and arrest warrant by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force for using his telephone in Tucson to make a threat to place pipe bombs on school buses in the Castleton area of Indianapolis, Indiana. Farokhi was also charged with making an interstate threat to rape and murder a female employee of the Bloomington, Indiana Police Department.
The complaint alleges that Farokhi used his telephone in Arizona to call the Indianapolis Police Department, and told police officers they should send officers to a specific location in the Castleton area of Indianapolis because Farokhi planned to place pipe bombs on school buses and shoot any responding police officers. Farokhi also used his telephone in Arizona to transmit a threat to rape and murder an employee of the Bloomington, Indiana Police Department, telling the victim he would wait outside for her at the end of her shift.
The complaint further alleges that Farokhi’s course of threatening behavior extended to two Tucson-area hospitals as well. On October 21, Farokhi is alleged to have called Tucson ER Hospital and threatened to shoot hospital staff and patients. On October 22 and 23, he is alleged to have made similar threats to Northwest Hospital in Tucson.
A complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The United States will have up to 30 days from arrest to seek an indictment of Farokhi.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, as part of the FBI’s Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force, conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 23-07725MJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-166_Farohki# # #
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.Tennessee Men Sentenced for Illegal Harvest of Crappie in MississippiRead the Press Release
Oxford, MS – Two Tennessee men were sentenced today to a total of $10,550 in fines and restitution for the illegal harvest of crappie from the Enid Lake Spillway.
According to court documents, Jian Wu Huang, 50, and Qiu M Huang, 44, both of Lakeland, Tennessee, pled guilty to one count of taking more than the daily bag limit of crappie from the Enid Lake Spillway on January 1, 2023. While fishing together, the two men caught a total of 171 crappie, which is 141 more fish than the allowed creel limit of 15 crappie each. The men were also using over-sized hooks and in excess of the maximum number of hooks allowed per line.
U.S. Magistrate Judge David A. Sanders ordered each defendant to pay a fine of $1,000 as well as restitution to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks in the amount of $4,275. In addition to the fine and restitution, each defendant was placed on probation for a period of one year, during which time each defendant will be prohibited from fishing anywhere in the world and banned from all Corps of Engineers property in the Northern District of Mississippi as a condition of their probation.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark stated, “We are committed to working collaboratively with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The illegal take and interstate transport of a state trust species is a violation of federal law and will be investigated and prosecuted. We will continue to work closely with our state partners to conduct these criminal investigations.”
MDWFP Colonel Jerry Carter remarked, “We appreciate the collaborative investigative efforts of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and prosecution of this case by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We will continue to work with our federal partners to conserve and protect Mississippi’s natural resources by utilizing all investigative tools available to ensure that those who choose to violate the laws of this state are investigated and prosecuted accordingly.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The case was prosecuted by AUSA Robert Mims.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages members of the public to report allegations of wildlife crimes to the Service’s Office of Law Enforcement via the Wildlife Crime Tips page at https://www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips or via phone at 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477).
St. Louis County Man Admits Financially Exploiting Two Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County, Missouri man on Monday admitted stealing a home from one elderly woman and fraudulently accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from another.
Gino Rives, 36, of Edmundson, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of access device fraud and one count of fraudulently effecting transactions. Rives admitted exploiting two elderly victims, M.P. and A.B., from Jan. 1, 2017 through Oct. 17, 2023.
Rives admitted during his guilty plea that he approached M.P., an 87-year-old widow, sometime in 2017, and offered to clean her gutters. He then began to perform various repairs for her and shop for her. M.P. gave Rives her husband’s car in gratitude for his help but denied otherwise compensating him. In July of 2017, a quit claim deed was executed, transferring M.P.’s home to Rives for $1. He moved her into his mother’s home. Rives put M.P. in a nursing home in January of 2023, then began renting her home to his mother. He falsely claimed to nursing home staff that he had power of attorney for M.P. to manage her financial affairs, Rives’ plea says.
Rives’ other victim, 80-year-old A.B., hired Rives sometime before Jan. 17, 2021 to repair her roof for $7,500. After Rives falsely claimed to be a licensed contractor, A.B. hired him to renovate the interior of her house. The one-bedroom, one-bath, 1,100 square-foot home was worth no more than $135,000 in 2021. From March 2018 through 2022, however, Rives received checks totaling $387,600 that were purportedly for home repair. He received another $112,300 through 2023 via checks that were designated for purposes other than home repair or did not list a purpose. Another roughly $151,500 went to four people who were also purportedly doing home repairs. One of those people told investigators that he’d performed some kitchen repairs and then cashed eight of A.B.’s checks, giving the proceeds to Rives who then gave a portion back to the worker.
A St. Louis building inspector estimated the value of repairs at no more than $50,000. There was no indication that promised structural work had been done.
Rives also obtained four vehicles that had been purchased by his elderly victim: a 2020 Dodge Challenger, a 2016 Ford Mustang, a 2017 GMC Sierra and a 2016 Mercedes 350, the plea says.
Rives obtained and used the victim’s debit card to make purchases for himself and relatives, including $2,147.85 in airline tickets for a trip to Phoenix between April 2, 2023 and April 4, 2023. A.B. died in April.
In the plea agreement, Rives has agreed to the forfeiture of the four vehicles that once belonged to A.B., as well as M.P.’s house, a 1978 Ford Fairmont and a 2006 Corvette.
Each charge is punishable up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Rives will also be ordered to repay the money.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with concerns about suspected abuse or neglect of the elderly or disabled should contact Missouri’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-0210.
Shrewsbury Man Arrested for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A mentor for the Shrewsbury High School Robotics Team was arrested today for allegedly possessing and transporting child pornography.
Brian Lingard, 60, of Shrewsbury was charged with transportation of and possession of child pornography. He was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Worcester at 3:45 p.m. today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy.
According to the complaint affidavit, on Oct. 19, 2023, Lingard flew from Paris to Boston. During a customs screening, it is alleged that Lingard was found to possess images depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his phone. A subsequent search of devices stored at Lingard’s residence revealed an additional collection of alleged CSAM.Data extracted from the SD card of Lingard’s phone allegedly revealed approximately 23 images of CSAM depicting minors who appear to be under 10 years old. At least two of the images depict minors who have previously been identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as child sexual abuse victims.
It is further alleged that the SD card also contained multiple images of fully clothed minor females who appear to be in a school setting. The images appear to have been taken surreptitiously and are focused on the buttocks of the minor females. A review of the metadata associated with these photos allegedly revealed that some were taken at Shrewsbury High School.
The charge of transportation of child pornography provides for a sentence of not less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Michael McCarthy, Acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Real Estate Company Executive Arrested on Charges Alleging He Bribed San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Then Concealed CrimesRead the Press Release
INDICTMENTLOS ANGELES – An executive at a San Luis Obispo-based real estate development company was arrested today on a federal grand jury indictment alleging he paid a local politician more than $95,000 in bribes and gifts in exchange for official acts benefiting the company’s development projects and then covered up the bribery scheme by forging documents.
Ryan Wright, 37, a.k.a. “Ryan Petetit,” of Grover Beach, was arrested this morning on a three-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, falsification of records, and obstruction of justice. The indictment was returned on October 4 and was unsealed today.
Wright is expected to make his initial appearance and be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
According to the indictment, from at least June 2014 to May 2017, Wright conspired with his business partner, identified in court documents as “Co-Conspirator 1,” to bribe an elected official identified as “County Supervisor 1” with financial benefits, including money and gifts totaling more than $95,000. In exchange, County Supervisor 1 advocated for Wright’s real estate development company’s projects and prospective projects with City of San Luis Obispo officials and voted for Wright’s company’s projects on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.
Wright, Co-Conspirator 1, and County Supervisor 1 then covered up the bribes by using County Supervisor 1’s consulting company to funnel and conceal bribe payments to County Supervisor 1. County Supervisor 1 then provided false information on his 2015 and 2016 annual state conflict of interest disclosure forms requiring him to report income he had received. Through the consulting company, Wright allegedly paid bribes to County Supervisor 1 and flew him on a jet to watch a Major League Baseball playoff game hosted by the San Francisco Giants, the supervisor’s favorite team.
To conceal the scheme, in response to a federal grand jury subpoena served on his development company, Wright allegedly caused the company to produce falsified records to the FBI.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted of all charges, Wright would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy count, a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice count, and up to 20 years in federal prison for the falsification of records count.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas F. Rybarczyk and Daniel J. O’Brien of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.
Raceland Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JAMYREN RICHARD, age 23, of Raceland, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 26, 2023, before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe to two counts of possession of firearms by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), and 924(a)(2), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court records, on March 26, 2021, RICHARD was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by the Harahan Police Department. During the stop, officers located two loaded firearms inside the vehicle and RICHARD admitted to possessing both firearms. On June 15, 2021, RICHARD fled from a car that was being pursued by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. RICHARD carried a semiautomatic rifle while fleeing. He then entered a female’s home, and hid the rifle under the master bed mattress. RICHARD later admitted possessing all three firearms knowing he had a prior felony conviction that prohibited him from possessing any firearm.
RICHARD is scheduled to be sentenced on February 29, 2024. As to each count, RICHARD faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Harahan Police Department, and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.
Project Manager Admits to Submitting Fake Permit for Fill of WetlandsRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 30, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Fiona Skye McKenna, a project manager for a firm developing properties in the Otay Mesa area, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that she falsified permits that led to the illegal discharge of pollutants in connection with a project known as the International Industrial Park.
In pleading guilty, McKenna admitted that she forged permits purportedly issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to place fill dirt, rock and sand into Johnson Canyon Creek at the International Industrial Park site. McKenna falsified the permits by cutting and pasting from permits the firm had obtained for work at another site.
On October 26, 2022, McKenna submitted the forged permits to the San Diego County Land Development Office to obtain a grading permit. After receiving the grading permit, the firm discharged fill dirt, rock and sand into portions of Johnson Canyon Creek, utilizing dump trucks and heavy duty powered shovels. The wetlands area of Johnson Creek flows into the Otay River, which flows into San Diego Bay.
According to the EPA, wetlands are important because, in addition to providing food and habitat for a diverse array of plants and animals, they act as buffers to flooding and erosion and serve as key links in the global water cycle. Because of their sponge-like ability to absorb water, wetlands can slow the momentum of flood waters or a coastal storm surge. Wetlands’ highly developed root systems also hold soil in place and filter pollutants, naturally improving water quality.
Sentencing is set for January 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Ruth B. Montenegro.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson.
DEFENDANT Case Number 23cr2249-RBM
Fiona Skye McKenna Age: 37 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Illegal Discharge of Pollutants – Title 33, U.S.C., Sections 1311(a) and 1319(c)(2)(A)
Maximum penalty: Three years in prison and fine of not less than $5,000 or more than $50,000 per day of violation
AGENCY
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigations Division; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; California State Water Board Office of Enforcement
Poplar woman sentenced to more than five years in prison for trafficking meth on Fort Peck Indian Reservation; customer died after taking the drugRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Poplar woman was sentenced today to five years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after she admitted to a methamphetamine trafficking crime in which a customer died shortly after taking the drug, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Danyell Rose Black Dog, 23, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 27, 2021, Fort Peck Tribes law enforcement officers responded to a 911 medical call regarding a woman identified as Jane Doe. Doe was unresponsive and officers began CPR. Family members told officers at the scene that Doe had used meth prior to the 911 call. Emergency medical responders arrived and transported Doe to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The government further alleged the investigation determined that Doe would buy $5 or $10 worth of meth from Black Dog on a regular basis, and that Black Dog had sold to Doe two to three times a week. Black Dog sent text information to another individual in which she said she was on her way to sell Doe meth approximately 30 minutes before the incident and how she sold and delivered it to Doe. An autopsy of Doe conducted by the Montana state medical examiner listed the cause of death as methamphetamine toxicity.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice conducted the investigation.
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Perry County Woman Sentenced for Armed Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky.— A Hazard, Ky., woman, Sherry L. Spencer, 46, was sentenced to 190 months in federal prison on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to Spencer’s plea agreement, on July 26, 2022, law enforcement conducted a search of her residence and located over 1,344 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun in proximity to the methamphetamine. Additionally, law enforcement found another loaded handgun and an AR-15 style rifle. Spencer admitted that she possessed these firearms for protection in furtherance of her drug trafficking.
Under federal law, Spencer must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Phillip J. Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Trimble prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to Running Investment Scams That Raised More Than $17 Million via False Promises of House Flipping ProfitsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Costa Mesa man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for running fraudulent investment schemes that raised more than $17 million by promising investors – several of them elderly – returns of up to 10% that would be generated through real estate deals that turned out to be bogus, and for disobeying a court order to go to jail for violating the terms of his pretrial release.
Brett Barber, 44, a former co-owner of the Newport Beach-based BNZ Capital One LLC and National American Capital, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of criminal contempt.
According to his plea agreement, from May 2019 to October 2021, Barber participated in two schemes to defraud victim investors out of their money and property.
In the first scheme, BNZ Capital, its principals and several marketers raised money by falsely representing that the firm bought and sold real estate projects and “flipped” real estate. Barber, co-conspirator Louis Zimmerle, 64, of Sacramento, and the marketers falsely promised investors a “guaranteed” return of between 8% and 10%, as well as potential bonuses based on successful deals. According to court documents, Barber told investors that their funds were “safe” and “FDIC insured.”
In fact, while BNZ Capital did purchase some real estate, it did not take any substantial steps to develop parcels, nor did BNZ flip real estate for a profit. Rather, BNZ primarily used investor funds to pay Barber, Zimmerle and others associated with the scheme, including purchasing residences where Barber and Zimmerle lived. Some of the investors’ money was used to repay earlier investors.
During this scheme, Barber, Zimmerle, and the marketers solicited or caused to be transferred to BNZ Capital approximately $13.8 million from victim investors. Investigators estimate that actual losses resulting from this scheme are at least $7 million.
Barber admitted in his plea agreement that he received and kept approximately $2,933,970 of investor money for his personal gain. At least five BNZ Capital investors were elderly, vulnerable victims who suffered substantial hardship because of the fraud committed against them.
After Barber learned that federal officials were investigating BNZ Capital, he began a second fraudulent scheme, this time involving a company he formed in January 2021 called National American Capital (NAC). The NAC scheme operated, in substance, the same way as the BNZ Capital fraud. That is, Barber and marketers working at his direction lied to investors by saying their money would be used to fund real estate development projects. In fact, there were no such projects, and the only way NAC could repay earlier investors was by soliciting money from new investors.
Specifically, in October 2021, Barber met with a person he believed was a prospective investor, but who in fact was an undercover law enforcement official. During this meeting, Barber told several lies: that NAC had been in business for 20 years, that it owned 10 parcels of land in Laguna Beach, and that it had purchased property in Newport Beach and turned in into a four-plex. None of these statements was true.
Barber admitted in his plea agreement that this scheme caused a loss of at least $3.5 million. He further admitted to receiving and keeping at least $388,669 of investor money for his personal gain.
During the BNZ Capital and NAC schemes, Barber failed to disclose to investors that he previously was barred from acting as or associating with a broker-dealer by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Finally, after a federal grand jury indicted Barber in October 2021, he was released on bond. In January 2023, a court found that Barber violated the terms of his pretrial release and ordered him to surrender to the United States Marshals Service by January 13. Barber willfully disobeyed the court’s order and failed to surrender. In March 2023, Barber was arrested in Santa Cruz County, California. He eventually was transferred to federal custody in Los Angeles, where he remains.
United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II scheduled a March 4, 2024 sentencing hearing, at which time Barber will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count, and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the criminal contempt count.
Zimmerle pleaded guilty in January 2022 to one count of wire fraud. In his plea agreement, Zimmerle admitted to participating in the BNZ Capital scam and that he received and kept approximately $582,815 of victim investor money. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
In October 2021, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil lawsuit against Barber, Zimmerle and BNZ Capital for fraudulently raising more than $13 million from over 100 retail investors.
The FBI is investigating this matter. The SEC provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Bradley E. Marrett of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
Orange County Businessman Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Scamming Investors Out of Nearly $6.2 MillionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The owner of an Orange County real estate finance business was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining nearly $6.2 million, most of which he took by making false promises to an investor that shares of his private company were about to be publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Jacques Poujade, 63, of Irvine, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who also ordered him to pay $6,170,600 in restitution.
Poujade pleaded guilty on July 24 to one count of securities fraud.
Poujade is the owner and chief financial officer of Tri-Emerald Financial Group, a Lake Forest-based realty services company that operated as a residential mortgage lender. Tri-Emerald funded loans as a mortgage banker, with the intent to hold the funded loans for immediate resale to financial institutions that purchased the loans for investments. Neither Tri-Emerald nor its securities were ever registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
From February 2015 to May 2020, Poujade sold unregistered securities to a victim investor by telling the victim a series of lies, including about the timing and likelihood of Tri-Emerald’s initial public offering (IPO) and the resulting share price. The victim purchased shares in Tri-Emerald at $10 per share, after Poujade represented they were “securities” under federal law and would exceed the price of $100 per share once the company went public.
Poujade falsely promised the victim that Tri-Emerald was a pre-IPO opportunity that would provide high returns when the company soon went public on Nasdaq. In fact, Tri-Emerald had not completed the necessary steps to undertake an IPO, including filling out the required SEC paperwork or formally engaging the investment banks Poujade falsely told the victim he had engaged as underwriters.
He further lied to the victim by saying one investment bank “was super excited about moving forward” and estimated that Tri-Emerald would “be a billion dollar company in under 16 months,” according to his plea agreement.
He also said Tri-Emerald was using the victim’s investment to cover IPO costs when, in fact, Poujade used a substantial portion of the funds for general Tri-Emerald operating expenses and to make lulling payments and litigation settlement payments to previous Tri-Emerald investors. Poujade also used a portion of the funds for personal expenditures in lieu of taking a salary.
“Particularly troubling is that in executing his scheme to defraud, [Poujade] ruthlessly preyed upon [the victim] to drain her of her entire life savings,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Poujade] not only conned [the victim] out of her money but he did so by betraying her trust after forging an intimate and faith-based relationship with her.”
In total, Poujade fraudulently obtained approximately $5,255,600 from the victim.
Poujade also defrauded another victim and that victim’s investment group in July 2016 by convincing them to purchase 30-day promissory notes issued by LendPlus Holdings, another one of Poujade’s companies. These notes purportedly were to be used to increase Tri-Emerald’s warehouse line of credit, which would allow Tri-Emerald to fund a larger volume of mortgages.
At the end of the term of the 30-day promissory notes, instead of repaying victim investors, Poujade continuously rolled victim investors’ funds over into the next month. On numerous occasions, Poujade lulled the victims by falsely claiming their money was safe in a reserve account and LendPlus was using their funds to improve Tri-Emerald’s loan production and line of credit.
In fact, Poujade used a substantial portion of these funds to make lulling payments to previous Tri-Emerald investors, to pay Tri-Emerald’s operating expenses, and for his own personal use, including paying rent on his residence.
Poujade defrauded these investors out of approximately $915,000.
The FBI and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigated this matter.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Ryan G. Adams of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force prosecuted this case.
Operation Smoke and Mirrors Update: Charleston Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charles Norman Pannell, 44, of Charleston, was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Pannell admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in the Charleston area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from about December 2022 to around March 2023, Pannell conspired with other individuals to distribute approximately 35 pounds of cocaine in the Charleston area. Pannell regularly obtained cocaine from a co-conspirator, sometimes multiple times per day, and would typically obtain one-half to one ounce of cocaine at a time. Pannell often had a third-party customer waiting to purchase the cocaine before he obtained it.
On March 20, 2023, law enforcement officers watched Pannell meet with his co-conspirator to obtain cocaine. Shortly after the meeting, officers conducted a traffic stop of Pannell’s vehicle and found approximately 1 ounce of cocaine in his possession.
Pannell is among 32 individuals indicted as a result of Operation Smoke and Mirrors, a major drug trafficking investigation that has yielded the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history. Law enforcement seized well over 400 pounds of methamphetamine as well as 40 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of fentanyl, 19 firearms and $935,000 in cash.
Pannell and 20 other defendants have pleaded guilty. Indictments against the remaining defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-31.
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Omaha Man Sentenced to more than 12 Years’ Imprisonment for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Baldemar Rodriguez Baldwin, 47, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in Omaha on October 27, 2023, in federal court for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine (actual). Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Baldwin to 147 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Baldwin’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On August 25, 2021, law enforcement utilized a cooperating witness who purchased 104 grams of actual methamphetamine from Baldwin inside of his Omaha apartment.
On September 2, 2021, law enforcement along with Baldemar’s Probation Officer contacted Baldemar at his Omaha apartment to conduct a probation search. Baldemar was advised of his rights and the reason for the search. Baldemar admitted to purchasing a ½ pound of methamphetamine approximately one month prior and selling it to make some quick money. When told that no meth was found during the search, Baldemar said he must have gotten rid of it. The search did reveal a drug scale with residue that Baldemar said would be dirty as he had used it. At the time he sold the meth to the cooperating witness, Baldemar was on supervised release for a 2012 drug conviction in which he was sentenced to more than 10 years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Oldsmar Man Indicted for Producing, Distributing, and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Justin Ryan Culmo, (39, Oldsmar) with three counts of production of child sex abuse material, one count of distribution, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Culmo faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison for each production count, a minimum mandatory 5 years, up to 20 years, for the distribution count, and up to 20 years in federal prison for the possession offense. The indictment also notifies Culmo that the United States intends to forfeit personal property that was used to facilitate the offenses.
According to a previously filed complaint affidavit and the indictment, Culmo has been linked to an online community of individuals who regularly produce, distribute, and receive child sexual abuse material via hidden service websites also known as dark web sites. The websites Culmo accessed are exclusively dedicated to the sexual abuse of children. Culmo allegedly produced and distributed child sexual abuse material on these sites.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacie B. Harris.
Any person who was, or knows of someone who may have been, a possible victim of Culmo is urged to contact HSI at 1-866-347-2423 or http://www.ice.gov/webform/hsi-tip-form.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
If you see something, say something. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may also be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678).
Download IndictmentNew Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances ActsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -- U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that BURNEAL CARNEY, age 28, of New Orleans, plead guilty to three counts of violating the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts. Specifically, he is charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).
According to court documents, on January 31, 2023, in response to complaints of gun violence and drug trafficking, NOPD officers were monitoring the 1500 block of South Liberty Street when they observed CARNEY engaging in drug trafficking while possessing a firearm. The officers stopped CARNEY and, after obtaining a search warrant for his vehicle, found a loaded Glock Model 17, 9milli-meter handgun, and additional ammunition. Officers also recovered 102.92 grams of marijuana in a jar and in plastic baggies, 3.08 grams of cocaine, 0.09 grams of methamphetamine, and 2 digital scales.
Sentencing in this case is scheduled for February 15, 2024. CARNEY faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine and at least three (3) years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; a maximum of five (5) years to life to run consecutively, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five (5) years of supervised release for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and a maximum statutory sentence of fifteen (15) years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Each charge also carries a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Irene González of the General Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.
New Jersey Couple Resentenced for Child AbuseRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former U.S. Army major and his wife were sentenced today for a fourth time for their respective roles in abusing their adopted children – who all were less than 4 years old and developmentally delayed – through neglectful and cruel acts, including breaking their bones, denying them medical attention, withholding water and force-feeding them hot sauce, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Carolyn Jackson, 46, was sentenced to 140 months in prison and her husband, John E. Jackson, 48, formerly a major in the Army at the Picatinny Arsenal Installation in Morris County, New Jersey, was sentenced to 108 months in prison.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“Carolyn Jackson and John Jackson inflicted cruel and devastating abuse on three child victims over five years. The defendants’ systematic abuse was horrifying, and included physical assaults, withholding of food, water, and medical care, and forcing them to ingest hot sauce, among other inhumane treatment. Their victims were innocent and vulnerable children placed in their care, but who were treated with unimaginable cruelty. For over a decade, this Office has pursued justice for these victims whose childhoods and lives were irretrievably damaged by the defendants’ abuse. The prison sentences imposed today hold Carolyn Jackson and John Jackson accountable for their horrific crimes, and bring a measure of justice for their victims.”
“We work tirelessly to seek justice for victims of the cases we investigate,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Many times, the punishments do not fit the crime. This couple abused developmentally challenged toddlers in ways that seem unimaginable and unbelievably inhumane. They are now facing the justice they deserve – and their victims deserve.”
The Jacksons were each found guilty in July 2015 following a four-month trial in Newark federal court of one count of conspiracy to endanger the welfare of a child; Carolyn Jackson was found guilty of 11 substantive counts of endangering the welfare of a child and John Jackson was found guilty of nine substantive counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
At the first sentencing in December 2015, Carolyn Jackson received 24 months in prison and John Jackson received probation and 400 hours of community service. The government appealed their sentences to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which in July 2017 found several errors in the sentencing process. The defendants were resentenced on April 11, 2018, at which time Carolyn Jackson received a sentence of 40 months in prison, with credit for time served, and John Jackson received the same probationary sentence. The government appealed for a second time and the U.S. Court of Appeals vacated and remanded for another resentencing after finding errors again.
At the third sentencing hearing, Carolyn Jackson received a time-served sentence with an additional year of supervised release. John Jackson received an 18-month term of home confinement. The government appealed for a third time and the U.S. Court of Appeals vacated and remanded for a third resentencing after finding additional errors. The Court of Appeals also ordered that the case be reassigned. In April 2023, it was reassigned to U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton, who imposed the sentences today.
The case falls under federal jurisdiction because the crimes were committed on a military base. John Jackson was discharged from the Army in May 2015.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
From August 2005 until April 23, 2010, Carolyn and John Jackson conspired to engage in a constant course of neglect and cruelty towards three children they fostered and then adopted. The Jacksons told their biological children not to report the physical assaults to others, saying that the punishments and disciplinary techniques were justified, as they were “training” the adopted children how to behave.
After John Jackson was informed by a family friend that the oldest biological child had revealed the abuse in the Jackson household, John Jackson reported the breach to Carolyn Jackson, who retaliated against that biological child by beating the child 30 times with a belt.
As part of the conspiracy, the Jacksons physically assaulted their adopted children with various objects, causing two children to sustain fractured bones (including a fractured spine, fractured skull and fractured upper arms); failed to seek prompt medical attention for their injuries, leading to the partial amputation of one child’s finger and the near-death of another; withheld sufficient nourishment and food from their adopted children; withheld adequate water from two of their children and, at times, prohibited them from drinking water altogether; forced two of the children to consume foods intended to cause them pain and suffering, such as red pepper flakes and hot sauce, and caused one child to ingest excessive sodium or sodium-laden substances while being deprived of water, leading to a life-threatening condition on two separate occasions in two states. The Jacksons even punished one adopted child, who had to resort to sneaking food and drinking from the toilet, by hitting the child, making the child ingest hot sauce, and forcing the child to eat a raw onion like an apple.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Wigenton sentenced each of the defendants to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings. He also thanked the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joel Kirch; and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Desiree L. Grace and John F. Romano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
Nevada Man Arrested and Charged for Making Threats to United States SenatorRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial appearance in federal court on October 27, 2023, for making threatening communications to a United States Senator from Nevada.
According to allegations contained in a criminal complaint, between October 11, 2023 and October 19, 2023, John Anthony Miller, 43, left numerous threatening voicemails at the office of a United States Senator. On October 17, 2023, Miller threatened to assault, kidnap, or murder the United States Senator with intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with the United States Senator while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against the United States Senator on account of the performance of official duties.
Additionally, on October 18, 2023, at the Lloyd D. George Courthouse in Las Vegas, Miller stated that he was going to see the United States Senator. He refused to fully cooperate with a Court Security Officer and was denied entry into the courthouse. After being refused entry, he became agitated and started yelling and shouting profanities.
Miller was arrested on October 26, 2023. He is charged with one count of threatening a Federal official. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for November 13, 2023, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI Las Vegas Division with valuable assistance provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Operskalski is prosecuting the case.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Carthage, Missouri man pleaded guilty today to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
According to the plea agreement, Koby Caiden Stark, 22, admitted to discharging a firearm at vehicle that contained 3 other people. Stark admits that he was not acting in self-defense. The incident occurred within the boundaries of the Ottawa reservation. All 3 victims are tribal members. One victim is a member of the Cherokee Nation, the second is a member of the Choctaw Nation, and the third is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.
Stark has been in custody and will remain until he is sentenced at a later date. He faces a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence or fine after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Miami Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie N. Ihler is prosecuting the case.
Minnesota Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Minnesota man who intended to distribute pills containing fentanyl was sentenced on October 27, 2023, to more than four years in federal prison.
Khalil Petroske, age 22, from St. Paul, Minnesota, received the prison term after a June 13, 2023 guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Information disclosed at sentencing showed that, on July 23, 2022, law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle Petroske was driving. During the traffic stop, officers seized a baggie of blue pills containing fentanyl from an air vent. Petroske was arrested and, while in the back of a patrol car, Petroske removed a baggie of marijuana and a baggie containing more blue pills containing fentanyl from his pants and dropped them in the back of the patrol car. In total, Petroske possessed 30.73 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.
Petroske was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Petroske was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a three‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Petroske is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Urbana Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-00028-CJW. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Mexican national sentenced to two years in prison for trafficking meth, fentanyl on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Mexican national was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Evirso Real Ampude, aka Poncho, 48, pleaded guilty in May, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the fall of 2021, law enforcement learned that a Mexican national, known as Poncho and later identified as Ampude, was distributing meth and fentanyl on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Several witnesses reported receiving meth, fentanyl or both from Ampude, and multiple witnesses reported working with Ampude to distribute drugs. In August 2022, Ampude was arrested during a traffic stop and was found in possession of a fentanyl pill and a half a gram of meth. In the vehicle was approximately $8,000 in cash and three cell phones.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ethan R. Plaut and Wendy A. Johnson prosecuted the case. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Border Patrol, Tri-Agency Task Force and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Martinsville Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine and Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A Martinsville, Virginia man pled guilty last week in United States District Court to one count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Donald Edward Ponder, III, 36, will be sentenced on February 29, 2024.
According to court documents, on May 4, 2022, officers with the Martinsville Police Department encountered Ponder walking towards Fidelity Bank in Martinsville, Virginia. Ponder had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and was known to local police.
As Ponder approached the entrance of the bank, officers placed him under arrest for the outstanding warrant and escorted him away from bank customers and into the parking lot. During a subsequent search of Ponder, officers discovered a Jennings .22 caliber pistol in his right hip pocket and observed a black zip container hanging from his front belt loop. A search of that container revealed 17 individually packaged jewelry baggies containing approximately 11 grams of methamphetamine. Ponder told officers there was another firearm in his backpack. A search of the backpack revealed a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol, an additional G2C magazine, a baggie of jewelry bags, and a working electronic digital scale. Both pistols were fully loaded with one bullet in each chamber. Further investigation revealed the defendant had been previously convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
At sentencing, Ponder faces a minimum sentence of five years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Martinsville Police Department investigated the case.
Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Parker Gochenour, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section is prosecuting the case.
Martinsburg woman sentenced to 40 years for trafficking a teenagerRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Destiny Rebecca Somersall, age 41, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 40 years in federal prison for sex trafficking of a child.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Somersall befriended a Florida man, 76-year-old John Balch, who requested photos and videos of a minor in exchange for money and gifts. Somersall sent sexual photographs and videos of the minor. One of the videos included a second victim. Somersall later agreed to drive the teen to a hotel in Maryland for sexual contact with Balch for money on multiple occasions. Investigators found at least 60 cash transactions between Balch and Somersall over a period of two years totaling $13,725.
Balch was indicted in the District of Maryland and pled guilty to related charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations investigated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland assisted.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
For more information on human trafficking, go to www.stophumantraffickingwv.org. To report a potential human trafficking crime, email [email protected] or call 304-234-0100.
Malcolm Torres Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for the Death of His StepdaughterRead 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, per the terms of his plea agreement, Malcom Torres was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Torres, 30, of Española, New Mexico, pled guilty to second degree murder on April 10, 2023.
According to court records, on Sept. 7, 2019, Torres was home with his five-year-old stepdaughter, Renezmae Calzada, and eighteen-month-old son. Torres had been drinking excessive amounts of alcohol that day and during the preceding week and was not fit to supervise the children. On the afternoon of Sept. 8, 2019, Renezmae’s grandparents returned home and were informed by Torres that Renezmae had been missing since that morning. Renezmae’s grandmother immediately alerted Renezmaes mother, who contacted law enforcement. Over the next three days, Torres refused to assist in and impeded first-responding officers’ efforts to locate his stepdaughter by providing false and misleading information to police and campaigning against the truthful efforts others made to assist police. Torres’ deceitful efforts lengthen the wide-spread and vigorous efforts of law enforcement and the Santa Clara Pueblo community to locate Renezmae
On Sept. 11, 2019, law enforcement located Renezmae’s body in the Rio Grande River on the Santa Clara Pueblo. It was determined that Renezmae died from blunt-force trauma to her head, torso, and extremities on Sept. 7 and that Torres had driven to the area 5.5 miles from his home and left Renezmae’s body there on Sept. 8. After he was arrested, Torres insisted that Renezmae had sustained the injuries when she fell out of her bed or that a house guest killed Renezmae and that person was still at large. Torres refused to take responsibility for what happened to Renezmae for almost four years.
“Renezmae’s legacy is bringing together community, fighting for life, and protecting our children,” said United States Attorney Alexander Uballez. “Today we received a first apology, a final justice, and an opportunity to more forward together. All children are all of our children. When someone brings harm to one, we will respond together to deliver certain justice.”
“Four years ago, a precious young life was taken in an act of senseless violence by the person who was supposed to protect five-year-old Renezmae, leaving a community in anguish,” said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda. “Although the defendant tried to cover his tracks and lead investigators astray, the unified efforts of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials resulted in justice being served. Today’s sentencing reaffirms the commitment of the FBI and partner agencies to seek justice for victims of violent crime on Native American tribal lands.”
Torres’ sentencing guidelines were calculated at 360-365 months, however Torres agreed to the sentence of 420 months in exchange for the United States agreeing to forgo a charge of first-degree felony murder, which carried a potential penalty of life imprisonment or death. Upon his release from prison, Torres will be subject to five years of supervised release.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Pueblo of Santa Clara, Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, Espanola Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department, Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh Police Department, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico Game & Fish, and the Bureau of Land Management. Assistant United States Attorneys Jack Burkhead, Brittany DuChaussee and Zachary Jones are prosecuting the case.
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Long Island Man Charged in Bronx ShootingRead 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”), Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging TERRENCE ALLEN with illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a shooting by ALLEN in the courtyard of the Melrose housing complex in the Bronx on the evening of September 21, 2023. ALLEN was arrested today and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Terrence Allen brazenly fired 13 shots from a handgun as he casually strolled down a walkway in the courtyard of a residential building in the Bronx. New Yorkers deserve to be safe from gun violence. Thanks to our partners at the NYPD and the FBI, the defendant has now been apprehended.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “As we allege, in the shadow of a housing complex’s playground, Allen senselessly fired a gun, threatening the community’s right to live in safety. Along with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will hold anyone who endangers innocent lives accountable in the criminal justice system.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward A Caban said: “Today’s arrest is the result of a thorough, intelligence-led investigation by the NYPD and our law enforcement partners that is just one layer of our continuing work to eradicate gun violence in New York City. We are relentless in these efforts because the lives and quality of life of all New Yorkers depend on it.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint:[1]
On or about September 21, 2023, at approximately 8:28 p.m., TERRENCE ALLEN walked through the courtyard of the Melrose housing complex. As he walked, ALLEN discharged a firearm multiple times by shooting to his right. This still image from surveillance camera footage shows ALLEN firing one of those shots, as well as an individual seated on a park bench just a few yards to ALLEN’s left.
Upon canvassing the scene of the shooting, NYPD officers recovered 13 9mm shell casings.
ALLEN was not permitted to possess ammunition because of prior felony convictions.
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TERRENCE ALLEN, 41, of Freeport, 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. Mr. Williams also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in this matter.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Rosenberg 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 in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Sarah N. Baldwin, 31, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on October 27, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual (pure). Senior United States District Court Judge M. John Gerrard sentenced Baldwin to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Baldwin’s release from prison, she will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On February 10, 2022, Baldwin was a passenger in an SUV which was stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 80 in Lancaster County due to a mechanical issue. A Lancaster County Sheriff’s deputy stopped to assist and during the contact learned the SUV had been reported stolen by Baldwin and that Baldwin had an active warrant for her arrest. Baldwin was arrested on the warrant and taken to the Lancaster County Jail.
After Baldwin was lodged in the Lancaster County Jail, investigators listened to phone calls she made from the jail in which she asked her mother to get the SUV and to get her son’s bookbag and another bag out of the SUV. Investigators obtained consent to search the SUV from the registered owner and found a Nike fanny pack containing methamphetamine. Baldwin made additional calls from the jail in which she asked a friend to get the fanny pack out of the SUV. Testing of the contents of the fanny pack at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime lab showed it contained at least 100 grams, (approximately 3 ½ ounces), of actual (pure) methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2023 to his role in a trafficking fentanyl conspiracy.
Francis Manuel Santos Arias, 24, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 31, 2024.
Arias was indicted by a federal grand jury along with Eddy Reyes Tejada in December 2022.
In January 2022, law enforcement received information that Arias and Tejada were looking for customers to whom they could distribute cocaine and fentanyl in the greater Boston and Lawrence areas. Over the course of the investigation, Arias sold fentanyl to cooperating witnesses on three separate occasions: 55 grams of fentanyl on Jan. 28, 2022; nearly 100 grams of fentanyl on March 7, 2022; and 460 grams of fentanyl on March 28, 2022.
On July 20, 2023, Tejada pleaded guilty to his role in the fentanyl trafficking conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 21, 2023.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and of distribution of fentanyl each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and John E. Mawn, Jr. Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The Fitchburg and Lunenburg Police Departments, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Massachusetts State Police provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Las Vegas Resident Sentenced to Prison for Possession and Distribution of Thousands of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who committed an additional felony offense while on release was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 111 months in prison followed by a 20 year term of supervised release for collecting and sharing thousands of child sexual abuse materials depicting children as young as infants to other people — including people who did not want to view the images.
Colby Matthew Olen (36) pleaded guilty in July 2023 to distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Olen must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.
According to court documents, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about Olen’s involvement with child sexual abuse materials. In September 2020, a search warrant was executed at Olen’s residence. A forensic examination of electronic devices belonging to Olen found images and videos of child sexual abuse materials.
On November 25, 2020, a criminal complaint charged Olen with distribution of child pornography. Although the government moved for detention, Olen was released on a personal recognizance bond with conditions and was advised of potential enhanced penalties for committing another felony offense while on release. In June 2021, a second search warrant was executed at Olen’s residence after a report to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. A forensic examination of Olen’s electronic devices revealed child sexual abuse materials to include videos of children as young as infants. Olen was arrested and a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Olen with an additional felony offense committed while on release.
Olen admitted he distributed child sexual abuse materials depicting children as young as infants being sexually abused to others through an online cloud storage and file hosting service. In total, he distributed 2,716 videos and 5,203 images of child sexual abuse materials.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.
The 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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Kern County Man Trafficking Fentanyl Sentenced to over 17 YearsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jose Santana, 47, of Shafter, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Nov. 16, 2021, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant on Santana’s motel room in Bakersfield, and also searched Santana’s vehicle with his consent. As a result, law enforcement seized about 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 2.5 kilograms of heroin, two firearms, and approximately $5,000 in cash.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.
Kansas Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Soliciting Child Pornography from Two Boone County VictimsRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Lawrence, Kansas, man has been sentenced in federal court for soliciting pornographic images from two Boone County, Mo., child victims.
Kyle G. Gibler, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Friday, Oct. 27, to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Gibler to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration. Gibler will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
On Aug. 25, 2022, Gibler pleaded guilty to attempting to produce child pornography. Gibler admitted that he received pornographic photos of an 11-year-old victim and a 2-year-old victim. Gibler solicited the photos while communicating with the 11-year-old victim on a dating website. The victim told investigators she lied about her age in order to get on the site, but told Gibler she was 11 years old. According to court documents, Gibler used a fake name and persona online, portraying himself as an 18-year-old male in Florida.
According to court documents, evidence from this case shows Gibler has been engaged in online activity involving the sexual exploitation of minors since at least January 2015 through April 2017. FBI agents identified six female victims under the age of 18 who produced child pornography at Gibler’s direction. Gibler distributed images of at least three of these child victims. Officers also located thousands of files depicting child pornography on Gibler’s electronic devices.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
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."