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13 October 2023
Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A registered sex offender pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) via multiple groups on a messaging app.
Angel Figueroa, 51, of Fall River, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 26, 2024. In December 2021, Figueroa was arrested and has been in federal custody since that time.
Figueroa was identified as an active member of at least four messaging applications where CSAM was being disseminated. A forensic examination of Figueroa’s cell phone revealed approximately 523 images and 72 videos of CSAM depicting children as young as infants. At least one image depicted bondage of a child under two years old. During an interview with law enforcement, Figueroa admitted that he downloaded, saved and viewed CSAM using apps on his cell phone and had been doing so for one or two years. Figueroa is a registered sex offender based upon a 2013 Massachusetts state court conviction for indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old.
The charge of receipt of child pornography after a prior conviction provides a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography after a prior conviction provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. 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; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, in New England; and Fall River Chief of Police Paul Gauvin made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Soto, Meghan C. Cleary, and J. Mackenzie Duane of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 87 Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
ST. THOMAS, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Yefri Martinez Herrera, 30, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to conspiracy to possess cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, in January 2022, Martinez Herrera brokered 200-kilogram cocaine deal with individuals later revealed to be a confidential source and an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent. On February 2, 2022, Martinez Herrera agreed to sell the undercover agent 86 kilograms of cocaine, as part of that 200-kilogram deal. Federal agents later executed a search warrant on Martinez Herrera’s home in Frenchtown where 87 kilograms of cocaine and a Glock pistol were seized. Martinez Herrera was taken into custody after agent found him hiding inside a bedroom closet.
This case is being investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigation Air Marine Operations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, Puerto Rico Police Department and Virgin Islands Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith Edwards.
Repeat Federal Fraudster Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for a wire fraud and identity theft scheme.
According to court documents, in March 2021, Dominique M. Avery, 29, assumed the identity of another person and secured incorporation documents for a business that claimed to provide technology services, Home Technology Innovations, LLC (HTI). Avery used those fraudulently obtained documents, as well as a forged check and the personal identifying information (PII) of several other individuals, to cause an out-of-state payroll services company to make more than $150,000 in direct deposits into various bank accounts. These fraudulently obtained funds were purportedly for the salaries of HTI’s employees. In reality, HTI had no employees, and Avery was able to access and spend a substantial portion of the funds deposited into each account before the scheme was discovered.
Avery was previously convicted of similar federal fraud offenses. Avery’s recent offense occurred only months after he completed his prior federal sentence. Avery used the PII of several of the victims in the prior case to commit these new crimes.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mozzi prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-017.
Rapid City Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 11, 2023.
Jessica Grant, a/k/a Jessi Grant, age 46, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Grant was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2021. She pleaded guilty on July 11, 2023.
The conviction stemmed from a drug conspiracy beginning in June 2019 and continuing until December 2021. Grant was involved in a conspiracy with numerous other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in multiple communities in South Dakota, including Eagle Butte, Pierre, Rapid City, and Rosebud. Grant received large amounts of methamphetamine and re-distributed it to various individuals. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Grant was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
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Progreso official charged for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 40-year-old assistant city manager and school board president is now in custody on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute control substances, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities arrested Francisco aka Frank Javier Alanis today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya Oct. 16 at 9 a.m.
A federal grand jury returned the three-count superseding indictment Oct. 3.
From January 2020 to March 20, 2022, Alanis allegedly conspired with Jose Rosbel Salas and others to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, mainly cocaine.
If convicted, Alanis faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million maximum fine. The indictment also includes a notice of forfeiture related to the charges.
Salas, 42, Weslaco, has pleaded guilty for his role and is awaiting sentencing. Also charged are David Gomez Ramos, 34, and Gregorio Salinas, 52, both of Mercedes, and Juan Pablo Serrata, 48, Santa Rosa. They are currently in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force, Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Andrade is prosecuting the case.
The investigation is part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces which 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 on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Port Townsend, Washington, man arrested for creating images of child sexual abuseRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 32-year-old Port Townsend, Washington man was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with production of images of child sexual abuse, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Matan Liyor Goodman is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma at 2:00 PM today.
According to records filed in the case, the investigation began with a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a user of Kik Messenger had uploaded suspected images of child sexual abuse. Review of the computer records indicated the person uploading the images resided in Western Washington and the information was forwarded to the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force at the Seattle Police Department.
An agent with Homeland Security Investigations connected the computer information with Goodman at an address in Port Townsend. Further investigation revealed that Goodman is a registered sex offender due to convictions in California.
Law enforcement obtained a judicially approved search warrant to search Goodman’s home and person, including any electronic devices belonging to him.
Following the search, Goodman was taken into federal custody on probable cause.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Due to his prior convictions, Goodman faces a mandatory minimum 25 years in prison if convicted of Production of child pornography.
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 United States Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in partnership with the Seattle Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), with assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Victoria Cantore and Matthew Hampton.
Pine Ridge Man Convicted of Three Counts of First-Degree MurderRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Elijah West, 26, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, of three counts of First Degree Murder, three counts of Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and one count of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person following a five-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on September 22, 2023.
The convictions carry a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine and a $700 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
West was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2022. That same month, West killed three people by shooting them at a residence near Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State Court.
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 FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah B. Collins and Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date will be scheduled. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. ###
Puerto RICO Couple Charged with Smuggling Cocaine Through Cyril King AirportRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Pedro Negron-Rodriguez, 21, and Emma Mueses-Dilone, 19, both of Puerto Rico, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. United States Magistrate released both Negron-Rodgriguez and Mueses-Dilone on $25,000.00 unsecured bonds pending trial in this matter. If convicted, both face a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.00.
According to court records, on September 29, 2023, Negron-Rodgriguez and Mueses-Dilone were ticketed passengers on Spirit Airlines departing St. Thomas to Orlando, FL, with a final destination of Philadelphia, PA. During inspection by Customs and Border Protection, officers recovered eight kilograms of cocaine from Mueses-Dilone’s suitcase. Prior to the search, Dilone confirmed that she personally packed the suitcase and that the suitcase belonged to her. Negron-Rodriguez and Mueses-Dilone also confirmed that they were traveling together.
This case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security Investigation and Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reminds the public that a complaint is merely an allegation, and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Orlando Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice A 15-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Victor Aguilar (31, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Aguilar faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, in May 2023, Aguilar responded to a social media posting from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old child. Aguilar engaged in sexually oriented conversation, detailing for the undercover officer what he planned to do with the minor. The two discussed meeting locations, including a mall in the Ocala area. A few hours later, Aguilar told the undercover officer he had arrived at the mall in Ocala to meet with the minor. As Aguilar was waiting, deputies arrived and arrested him.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Secret Service, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Belkis H. Crockett and Tyrie K. Boyer.
This is another case 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.justice.gov/psc.
Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to Serve Seven Years in Federal Prison for Three Separate Incidents of Illegal Firearm Possession in Six MonthsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, EFRAIN URIAS, 37, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve 84 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a different firearm on three separate occasions after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On September 29, 2022, Urias was charged by a Superseding Information with three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Specifically, the Superseding Information alleged Urias possessed a different firearm on three separate dates—October 24, 2021, March 19, 2022, and April 8, 2022. On October 18, 2022, Urias pleaded guilty to the three-count Superseding Information.
At the sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced Urias to serve 84 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, the court noted the fact that the dates of his firearm possession were within a six-month time frame. The court also noted Urias’ significant criminal history. Public records reflect that Urias holds multiple felony convictions, including burglary in the second degree in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2005-6838, and possession of methamphetamine and assault and battery on a police officer in Kingfisher County District Court case number CF-2015-31.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters prosecuted the case.
This case is part of the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Northern Neck Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possession of an AR-Style Firearm After Police ChaseRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Lancaster County man was sentenced yesterday to 9 years in prison for possessing a firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony.
According to court documents, on August 8, 2022, Kendrick Lamar Diggs, 32, was in possession of a high-capacity firearm and thirty rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement responded to a call for assistance after Diggs was reportedly brandishing a firearm. When Diggs was located, he was in a vehicle and initially pulled over. However, as law enforcement officers approached, Diggs put the car in drive and fled, driving at speeds in excess of 80 mph for approximately two miles on Beanes Road, a two-lane roadway in the Browns Store area. As Diggs rounded a bend in the road, he nearly collided with a law enforcement vehicle. His car then spun out of control, and he hit a culvert, flipping the car several times.
An Anderson Manufacturing high-capacity AR-style firearm, as well as 30 rounds of ammunition, were ejected from the car and scattered throughout the debris field. Diggs fled from the car, running on foot into a wooded area. He was apprehended by law enforcement shortly thereafter. Diggs had previously been convicted of attempted murder in the second degree and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason Miyares, Virginia Attorney General; and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.
Significant assistance was provided by the Chesapeake Bay Narcotics and Gang Task Force, the Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea-Miller and Special Assistant United States Attorney Devon Schulz prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-180.
North Dakota Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Washington, D.C. Man Sentenced for Misprision of a FelonyRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Mandan, North Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2023. Chief Judge Lange also sentenced a Washington, D.C., man conviction of Misprision of a Felony. The sentencing took place on August 11, 2023.
Abdul Vann, age 48, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, seven years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Samuel Vann, age 22, was sentenced to time served of seven months of custody, one year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Abdul, his son Samuel, and two other co-defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. Abdul pleaded guilty on June 22, 2023. Samuel pleaded guilty on June 30, 2023.
The convictions stemmed from a drug conspiracy in December 2022 wherein Abdul Vann knowingly and intentionally agreed with others to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Abdul, and his three co-defendants were arrested while at a gas station in Oacoma. Their vehicles were searched and approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine was found in vacuum sealed bags wrapped as Christmas presents. Abdul and the co-defendants were transporting the methamphetamine from a source in Law Vegas, Nevada, to North Dakota for further distribution. Samuel Vann had actual knowledge of the conspiracy; however, he did not do anything to stop it. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Northern Plains Safe Trains Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case. The two remaining co-defendants will be sentenced later this month.
Samuel Vann was released following his sentencing. Abdul Vann was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
North Carolina Man and Woman Plead Guilty to Roles in Counterfeit Currency ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Crystal Wilks, 23, and Jamarcus Harris, 32, both of Lenoir, North Carolina, each pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States. Wilks and Harris admitted to their roles in a conspiracy to create and pass counterfeit United States currency in the Southern District of West Virginia.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 12, 2022, Wilks and Harris traveled with two of their co-conspirators from North Carolina to West Virginia. Wilks and Harris admitted that they passed counterfeit $100 bills at businesses in Beckley, Fayetteville and Summersville.
Wilks, Harris and their co-conspirators rented a room that evening at a Summersville hotel, where they attempted to create new counterfeit United States currency. Wilks and Harris admitted that their counterfeiting process involved bleaching $1 bills, scanning a genuine $100 bill, and printing the resulting image on the bleached bills.
Wilks and Harris are scheduled to be sentenced on January 26, 2024. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Wilks and Harris also owe restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Secret Service.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander A. Redmon and Ryan Blackwell are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-54.
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Newcomb Man Charged with Assaulting Two Federal Officers, Seriously Injuring OneRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Kenneth Lee Begay appeared in federal court on an indictment charging him with two counts of assault upon a federal officer inflicting bodily injury and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Begay, 59, of Newcomb, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending a detention hearing set for Monday, October 16, 2023.
According to the indictment, on June 4, 2023, Begay assaulted John Doe and Jane Doe, both officers with the Navajo Nation Police Department who were also specially commissioned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, while the officers were attempting to arrest Begay following threats he made to tribal officials during a chapter-house meeting. The assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Jane Doe.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the most serious allegation, Begay faces up to 20 years imprisonment and up to three years of supervised release thereafter.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
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23-247
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Hobbs Act RobberyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on October 12, 2023, KADEEM ROMAIN, age 23, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to Count 1 of a superseding indictment for attempted Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C § 1951(a).
The maximum penalty is up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, as well as a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
According to public records, ROMAIN, who was inside a vehicle with at least one other individual, struck an armored car carrier as he exited a Popeyes restaurant after delivering/picking up money. The carrier dropped a bag of money when he was struck, however before anyone in ROMAIN’s vehicle could exit to retrieve the bag, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, who witnessed the attack, responded to the scene. The two assailants fled in their vehicle, but it became disabled only a short distance away. ROMAIN was finally apprehended by an NOPD detective approximately a mile from the Popeyes.
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 track violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit handled the prosecution.
Mt. Pleasant Man Sentenced for Aggravated Sexual Abuse on Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BAY CITY - A 39-year-old resident of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in federal prison on charges of aggravated sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Jason Morris Pego was sentenced by United States District Judge Thomas L. Ludington. He pleaded guilty to the charges on June 28, 2023.
According to court records, in 2016 or 2017 Pego, engaged in sexual acts with a 7-year-old child that was in his care. Pego took photographs of the victim during his sexual assaults and kept them on his cell phone. Pego also threatened the victim and the victim’s sibling that he would hurt them and their family if they told anyone about the assaults. The crimes occurred on the Isabella Reservation in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
“The deplorable acts committed by this defendant justify the 30-year sentence imposed in this case,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office is dedicated to protecting our tribal communities from sexual violence, especially our children, and ensuring that the perpetrators of these horrific crimes are held accountable.”
“Protecting children from dangerous predators is a top priority for our office," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “While the harm Mr. Pego is alleged to have inflicted cannot be undone, our hope is that the sentencing brings a sense of justice to the victim and their family. “
The case was investigated by the Saginaw Chippewa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roy Kranz.
The FBI investigates the most serious crimes in Indian Country, including child sexual and physical abuse, and requests the help of the public by reporting these violations to 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting tips online to http://tips.fbi.gov.
Minnesota Man Pleaded Guilty to the Theft of the “Ruby Slippers” from the Classic 1939 Film “the Wizard of Oz”Read the Press Release
Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that Terry Jon Martin, age 76, of Grand Rapids, MN, pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, to one count of theft of major artwork, an object of cultural heritage from the care, custody, or control of a museum.
Investigation revealed that in 2005, Martin stole an authentic pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz,” from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. At the time of theft, the slippers were ensured for $1 million but current fair market appraisal value the slippers at $3.5 million. The ruby slippers, which were recovered by the FBI and Grand Rapids Police Department in July 2018, are one of the four remaining pairs and are widely viewed as among the most recognizable memorabilia in American film history.
Sentencing date for Terry Martin has not been scheduled, as a result, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota will have no additional comment or statements until sentencing has been completed. A press release announcing the sentencing is forthcoming.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Grand Rapids, MN, Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Greenley, District of North Dakota.
This matter was assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 515(a).
Previous News Release for this investigation can be seen at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nd/pr/fbi-recovers-stolen-ruby-slippers-wizard-oz
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Milbank Man Sentenced to 12 1/2 Years in Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Milbank, South Dakota man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 2, 2023.
Travis Thiele, 41, was sentenced to twelve years and six months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Thiele was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on June 20, 2023.
Beginning on an unknown data and continuing until April of 2022, Thiele regularly obtained methamphetamine from a co-conspirator and distributed it to others in Northeastern South Dakota. He is believed to have been involved in the distribution of approximately 17 pounds of methamphetamine during his involvement in the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
Thiele was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Meridian Women Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $1.7 Million from Black Canyon Irrigation DistrictRead the Press Release
BOISE – Catherine Skidmore, 56, of Meridian, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for a wire fraud and money laundering scheme in which she embezzled from the Black Canyon Irrigation District (BCID), announced U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. In imposing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Skidmore to pay restitution in the amount of $1,792,207.59 and to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence.
According to court records, Skidmore was employed as the Secretary-Treasurer of the BCID from approximately January 2014 through July 2022. As the Secretary-Treasurer of the BCID, Skidmore, among other things, handled fee collecting, bill payments, management of the investment accounts, and maintained the BCID’s QuickBooks database and ledgers. As the BCID Secretary-Treasurer, Skidmore had access to, and signature authority over, BCID’s bank accounts, including the ability to write and deposit checks and transfer funds to and from the accounts. Skidmore’s authority over and access to the BCID’s financial accounts, including the BCID’s savings account at a bank, and a Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) account administered by the Idaho State Treasurer.
Beginning in May 2019 and continuing to July 2022, Skidmore knowingly devised a scheme and artifice to defraud the BCID by embezzling more than $1.7 million through the use of an elaborate series of transfers between the BCID’s various financial accounts. To implement the scheme, in May 2019, using a falsified form containing the forged signature of a member of the board of directors, Skidmore opened a second LGIP account with the Idaho State Treasurer without the knowledge or authorization of the BCID or its Board of Directors. From June 2019 through July 2022, Skidmore authorized and directed the authorization of transfers from the original LGIP account to the unauthorized second LGIP account without disclosing the nature of those transfers to the BCID or its Board of Directors. Skidmore then caused approximately $1,792,000 to be transferred from the unauthorized LGIP account to the ICCU savings account through a series of 25 separate interstate wire transfers, all without the knowledge of the BCID.
Once the funds were transferred to the BCID’s savings account, Skidmore withdrew the funds, mostly in the form of cashier’s checks. Skidmore then used the funds for her personal benefit. For example, Skidmore obtained the following cashier’s checks in excess of $10,000:
Date Cashier’s Check Issued
Amount
6/21/2019
$70,657.50
6/28/2019
$27,768.25
12/20/2019
$150,000
1/22/2020
$140,000
1/22/2020
$13,500
2/11/2020
$144,400
12/3/2020
$25,000
12/23/2020
$15,000
12/23/2020
$15,000
2/11/2021
$11,231
4/19/2021
$56,000
7/8/2021
$25,000
8/13/2021
$90,000
9/16/2021
$270,000
11/3/2021
$26,300
11/3/2021
$30,000
11/3/2021
$75,000
12/15/2021
$25,000
To conceal the embezzlement, Skidmore made false entries in the BCID internal accounting records that represented certain funds were used to pay the BCID expenses when, in fact, Skidmore used the funds for her personal use and benefit. She also created and caused to be created fictitious invoices to make it appear that the funds she had stolen were used to pay for legitimate BCID business expenses when, in reality, she used the funds for her personal use and benefit.
Skidmore used the proceeds for her personal benefit including, but not limited to, paying credit card bills for herself and others, real property taxes, home improvements, and making mortgage payments. She also used the funds to purchase real property, solar panels, and vehicles, and to fund an investment account.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the FBI for its investigation, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Mazorol and Brittney Campbell prosecuted the case.
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Meriden Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GERARDO NUNEZ-IRIZARRY, also known as “Indio,” 45, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between June and August 2021, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Nunez-Irizarry. In November 2021, Nunez-Irizarry agreed to sell a 50-gram quantity of fentanyl. On November 18, 2021, investigators stopped Nunez-Irizarry’s car in Meriden as he drove to an arranged location to complete the transaction and seized approximately 50 grams of fentanyl. He was arrested on related state charges at that time.
On January 5, 2023, Nunez-Irizarry pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Nunez-Irizarry, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 17.
This matter was investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force, which includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments. The investigation has been supported by the Meriden Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Member of Catalytic Converter Theft Crew Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a regional organized theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 470 vehicles, robbed jewelry stores and stole ATMs.
Nicolas Davila, 25, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The drug charge arises from cocaine found during the search of Nicolas Davila’s residence as part of the catalytic converter theft investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Jan. 9, 2024.
Davila and six other men were arrested on April 12, 2023, and charged with offenses related to the theft, transportation and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from over 470 vehicles during 2022 and 2023.
Catalytic converter theft has become a nationwide problem across a multitude of state, local, and federal jurisdictions due to the high-valued precious metals they contain – some of which are more valuable than gold, with black-market prices being more than $1,000 each in recent years. The theft of a vehicle’s catalytic converter results in damage that renders the vehicle inoperable – both mechanically and legally under EPA regulations.
Nicholas Davila was a member of an organized crew that allegedly stole catalytic converters from at least 471 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. It is believed that a significant number of additional thefts have not been identified or were not ever reported to law enforcement.. According to court documents, the crew was skilled and able to locate and cut away the catalytic converter from a vehicle within a minute in most instances – often utilizing battery operated power-tools, car jacks. It is alleged that, on numerous occasions, the defendants targeted more than 10 vehicles in a single night, with one night reporting thefts from 26 vehicles.
Once in possession of the stolen catalytic converters, the crew would then sell them to Jose Torres, who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from multiple theft crews and then in turn sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast – transacting approximately $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week. In particular, Torres sold stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers who have since been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering in the District of Connecticut, the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma.
On May 17, 2023, Torres pleaded guilty to his role in the catalytic converter theft conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 14, 2023. On May 24, 2023, Oyola pleaded guilty to the ATM and jewelry store burglaries and will be sentenced at a later date.
In addition to the federal charges, Nicolas Davila faces a pending murder indictment in Hampden County Superior Court. The case in Hampden County Superior Court is being prosecuted by the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office.
The charge of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of interstate transportation of stolen property each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to twenty years, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Kevin Gallagher, Director of Operations for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Eastern District of California; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN). Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Over 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to this investigation through the submission of their investigations of catalytic converter thefts in their jurisdiction. The Massachusetts police departments contributing to the investigation were Abington, Acton, Andover, Auburn, Bedford, Bellingham, Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Bridgewater, Canton, Carver, Chelmsford, Concord, Cranston, East Hampton, Easton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Franklin, Gardner, Hampton, Hanover, Haverhill, Hingham, Holliston, Holyoke, Hudson, Ipswich, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, Malden, Mansfield, Medford, Marlborough, Methuen, Middleton, Milford, Millbury, Needham, Newton, Northborough, Norwell, Norwood, Peabody, Pembroke, Plymouth, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Tyngsborough, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, West Bridgewater, Weymouth, Wilmington, Woburn and Worcester. The New Hampshire police departments contributing to the investigation were Bow, Concord, Derry, Hooksett, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Salem and Windham. The South Windsor and Windsor Connecticut Police Departments also contributed to the investigation.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 67 ½ Years for First Degree Murder and Assault in Deadly D.C. ShootingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jalen Browne, 22, of Upper Marlboro, MD, was sentenced today to 810 months (67.5 years) in prison for the murders of Jovan Hill and Tariq Riley, in July of 2021, in Northwest D.C. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Browne was convicted on July 21, 2023, following a jury trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was found guilty of and sentenced for two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and six counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
According to the government’s evidence, shortly after 3:38pm on July 25, 2021, the defendant disguised himself and walked around the 100 block of Q Street, NW, eventually lying in wait to shoot young men enjoying the hot summer day. The defendant, using a backpack to catch his shell casings, fired 12 shots in succession at six young men. Narrowly missing three of his targets, the defendant hit 22-year old Jovan Hill, 19-year old Tariq Riley, and another man in the back. First responders found Jovan Hill and Tariq Riley on the ground. Both men were transported to nearby hospitals, but all life-saving efforts failed; both men died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the back. No witnesses provided information regarding the identity of the shooter. The government presented forensic, video surveillance, circumstantial, and motive evidence in securing a conviction on all counts.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of the members and detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department who investigated the case. They also recognized the members of the prosecution team, including: Charlie Bruce, Zachary McMenamin, Victim Advocates Christie Bloodworth and Deidria Ellis, and Paralegal Specialists Meridith McGarity, Lauren Douglas, and Tasha Harris. Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Wojcik and Lauren Galloway who prosecuted the case.
Maryland Man Sentenced on Charges Connected to Fentanyl Distribution RingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Garnell Lucas, 33, of Upper Marlboro, MD, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for his role in a fentanyl distribution ring, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered 60 months of supervised release. Lucas pleaded guilty on May 15, 2023, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. He admitted he is accountable for more than 1.2 kilograms of a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
According to court documents, in August 2021, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking group running a fentanyl pill pressing operation in and around Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Law enforcement learned that the group was in possession of at least three pill presses, used to press fentanyl into counterfeit prescription pills which the group then distributed throughout Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Lucas and others were identified as participants in the drug trafficking operation. Between May 2020 and late-September 2022, the conspiracy utilized at least three pill presses, including one industrial pill press, to press mixed fentanyl.
As part of the conspiracy, the defendant distributed the counterfeit pills in a coordinated manner with co-conspirators, including to other co-conspirators and to other distributors and/or users. The co-conspirators would coordinate their distribution, including resupplying or helping each other fill orders, if necessary, to further the object of selling narcotics, and referring customers to each other. On March 29, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at an apartment in Southeast Washington, DC, a stash house used by the conspiracy to run the pill press operation. During the search, law enforcement seized baggies of pills and loose powder, together amounting to more than 516 pills and more than 76 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah J. Rasalam, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section, prosecuted the case. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Wasserman and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marnee Rand.
Man Sentenced for over $500,000 COVID-19 Relief Fraud and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Nevada man was sentenced yesterday to two years and four months in prison for fraudulently obtaining over $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program loans that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and then laundering the money through family, friends, and others.
According to court documents, Brandon Casutt, 52, of Henderson, submitted multiple false and fraudulent applications to the SBA and four SBA lenders on behalf of two entities he controlled, seeking to fraudulently obtain more than $5.7 million. Two of Casutt’s fraudulent applications ultimately received funding: a PPP loan for approximately $350,000 in the name of a purported business called Sky DeSign, and an EIDL program loan for approximately $150,000 in the name of a purported charity called Skyler’s CF Foundation. While the loan applications affirmed falsely that each entity had numerous employees, significant payroll expenses, and substantial revenue, neither entity had employees nor paid any wages.
After receiving the PPP money, Casutt laundered it by writing dozens of fake payroll checks – each in the amount of approximately $8,330 – to himself, family members, and friends. On many of the checks, Casutt falsely wrote “pandemic pay” or “back pay” in the check memo. Casutt cashed or deposited these fake paychecks. Then, within days and at Casutt’s direction, the money was diverted back to a bank account under Casutt’s control. Casutt then used the money to buy a house in Henderson.
On Aug. 26, 2020, Casutt pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of concealment money laundering.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Al Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
IRS-CI and the FBI Las Vegas Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Sara Hallmark and Assistant Chief Cory E. Jacobs of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric C. Schmale for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Oliva and Daniel Hollingsworth for the District of Nevada.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit 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 via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
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Man Pleads Guilty in District of New Hampshire to Child Exploitation Offenses Occurring in New JerseyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Concord, New Hampshire, man pleaded guilty today in federal court in connection with the exploitation of a minor in New Jersey and possession of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger and U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announced.
Scott Wilkinson, 38, pleaded guilty to one count each of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante in federal court in New Hampshire.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Wilkinson traveled from New Hampshire to New Jersey in April 2022, where he engaged in sexual acts with a 12-year-old child. Wilkinson had been corresponding with the child online for approximately one year prior to traveling to New Jersey to meet the child. A video that Wilkinson created of himself engaged in sexual acts with the child was found on his cell phone, as were other images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
The count of production of child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison. The count of possession of child pornography is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison, or a maximum of 20 years in prison if the court finds the defendant possessed child pornography of a child under the age of 12.
Wilkinson faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, up to lifetime supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and mandatory restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger and U.S. Attorney Young credited special agents of the FBI the Newark Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy; and the Egg Harbor Township Police Department with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. Valuable assistance was provided by the Concord Police Department.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Harteis of the District of New Jersey and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland of the District of New Hampshire.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Man Convicted of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Wisconsin man today for possessing images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Joseph M. Thomas, 43, of Kenosha, saved and viewed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on hard drives he stored in his residence from 2017 to 2021. Law enforcement uncovered Thomas’s stash of CSAM after observing that someone accessing the internet from his residence in 2021 appeared to be downloading CSAM over an online file-sharing network. The FBI then obtained a warrant to search Thomas’s residence and seized multiple hard drives and other digital devices. A forensic examination of those devices revealed that Thomas had used them to save and view CSAM and to search for similar material online.
The jury convicted Thomas of one count of possessing child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 1, 2024, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
In 2011, Thomas was convicted of the repeated sexual assault of a young child.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan J. Paulson for the Eastern District of Wisconsin are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Louisville Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A local man was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in prison for federal drug and firearm offenses.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to court documents, Matthew Lewis, 39, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 1 kilogram or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Lewis was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On July 21, 2015, in Jefferson Circuit Court, he was convicted of attempted kidnapping, assault in the second degree, wanton endangerment in the first degree, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. On January 19, 2006, in Bullitt Circuit Court, he was convicted of 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree. On September 23, 2005, in Jefferson Circuit Court, he was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree.
This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, and Louisville Metro Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia P. Gomez prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Kenel Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Kenel, South Dakota man convicted of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2023.
Rodd Rough Surface, age 46, was sentenced to two years and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Rough Surface was indicted for assault by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on July 10, 2023.
On May 29, 2021, Rough Surface was at his home in Kenel, in Corson County, within the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. He was drinking alcohol with the victim, his dating partner, when they got into an argument and he assaulted her. He used his hands to strangle her and gave her a black eye, bruising, and rendered her unconscious.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Rough Surface was ordered to self-surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons by October 31, 2023.
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Kansas woman indicted for bank robberyRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman with robbing a Topeka bank.
According to court documents, Rodshell Nicole Mays, 51, is charged with one count of bank robbery. Mays is accused of using force or intimidation on September 25, 2023, to take money from an employee at Capital Federal Bank on Southwest Topeka Boulevard.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Topeka Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Hunting is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Justice Department Releases First-Ever Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy ReportRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) released its first-ever Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy Annual Report today, highlighting the department’s recent accomplishments in cases with environmental justice concerns and outlining the department’s strategy for engaging with and delivering results to communities long overburdened by pollution.
Last year, the department created OEJ within the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) with a mandate to engage all Justice Department bureaus, components and offices in the collective pursuit of environmental justice. The department also created a Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy to guide its work in this area. Today’s OEJ report includes highlights of important environmental justice cases from the last year as well as key collaboration efforts with federal, Tribal, state and local stakeholders.
“Advancing environmental justice is a key part of the Justice Department’s mission,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Justice Department. “OEJ’s report highlights our recent successes in protecting and restoring healthy environments and communities, including efforts concerning clean air and water, worker safety and quality of life. We will continue to work to defend and bring relief to overburdened and underserved communities.”
“Communities of color, indigenous communities and low-income communities too often feel the greatest effects of pollution and climate change,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of ENRD. “We recognize that, and we’re committed to addressing the outsized impacts felt by such communities throughout the United States.”
“It is imperative that we use all the legal authorities available to address longstanding inequities that deny people healthy and safe communities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “We will continue to coordinate with our federal partners in using our civil rights laws to advance environmental justice for historically underserved, overburdened and marginalized communities.”
“I’m honored to serve the American people at OEJ and engage with communities throughout the country and coordinate with Justice Department and other federal entities to find solutions to environmental and health hazards,” said Director Cynthia M. Ferguson of OEJ. “Whether it’s securing the abatement of lead-based paint in lower income properties in Chicago, working to restore functioning water and wastewater systems in Jackson, Mississippi, or providing civil rights and trauma-based interview training – our efforts benefit all Americans by promoting a more equitable society.”
An example of the department’s work under its Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy includes the Civil Rights Division’s first ever Title VI environmental justice resolution agreement in Lowndes County, Alabama. The division’s investigation evaluated actions by the state’s health department in operating a wastewater disposal program and whether those actions discriminated against Black residents. Ultimately, the Justice Department reached an agreement with the Alabama Department of Public Health to put it on a path to developing safe wastewater disposal and management systems.
ENRD also reached agreements in a different water management case in Jackson, Mississippi, where it negotiated interim orders with city and state officials to name a court-appointed manager and begin to stabilize Jackson’s drinking water and wastewater systems. OEJ has worked with a coalition of federal, state and local government entities to build an outreach strategy for Jackson in support of the enforcement action and to ensure that residents and workers have an opportunity to engage in the enforcement process.
The Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy includes provisions for the Justice Department to partner with other federal enforcement agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. The Justice Department is also working to strengthen coordination with Tribes and identify and prioritize affirmative litigation involving Tribal environmental justice issues.
Pursuant to the Strategy, ENRD and the Civil Rights Division have held listening sessions, and ENRD has and is scheduled to host regional Tribal summits, to increase community engagement and coordination in pursuing actionable solutions. And OEJ’s report highlights new performance measures to promote transparency regarding environmental justice enforcement efforts.
The report is available on OEJ’s website, and you can read by clicking here.
Justice Department Awards $75 Million for Active Shooter Training, to Combat Trafficking of Illegal Drugs, and Law Enforcement Mental Health and WellnessRead the Press Release
The Justice Department Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced today that it has awarded nearly $75 million in critical grant funding to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders across the country. This funding is designed to not only assist with the Department’s crime reduction efforts, but also to provide much needed assistance to agencies looking to expand their law enforcement mental health and wellness services, combat the distribution and trafficking of illicit drugs, and receive active shooter training.
“Today’s announcement underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to supporting our state and local law enforcement partners as we work together to keep our communities safe,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These grants build on our efforts to disrupt the trafficking of deadly drugs, expand access to the mental health and wellness services that police officers deserve, and fund other critical programs. The Justice Department will continue to do everything in our power to get law enforcement officers the resources and assistance needed to help keep them and their communities safe.”
“Every day, across the country, our state and local law enforcement partners are working tirelessly on the ground to protect our communities and preserve public safety,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Through the grants announced today, the Justice Department honors and supports our state and local partners with much-needed resources for community policing and critical training while increasing officer access to mental health and wellness services.”
“The COPS Office grants announced today will help ensure law enforcement agencies across the country have the resources and training they need to promote public safety and further develop police-community trust,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Our investment in the Collaborative Reform Initiative, in particular, will allow the Justice Department and our law enforcement partners to continue providing critical, voluntary technical assistance and support to agencies that request it.”
“COPS Office grants work to not only reduce crime and increase public safety,” said Director Hugh T. Clements of the COPS Office. “But they also make sure that the work is done through the lens of community policing. I know that both officers and community residents will be well-served by these grants.”
Funding highlights include:
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Nearly $48 million to combat the distribution and trafficking of opioids and methamphetamine through the COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) program and the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP).
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Through the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) program, over $9 million to law enforcement agencies and stakeholder organizations to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through training and technical assistance, demonstration projects, and implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring mental health and wellness programs.
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Almost $11 million in active shooter training funding through the Preparing for Active Shooter Situations (PASS) program.
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Nearly $7.6 million in funding for the continuation of the Collaborative Reform Initiative, through which technical assistance providers offer expert services to state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies to support effective community policing.
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An award for $130,000 to support the efforts of the National Blue Alert Network, a voluntary nationwide system to give authorities an early warning of threats against law enforcement and to aid in the apprehension of suspects who have killed or seriously injured an officer or deputy.
Complete lists of award recipients under these programs, including funding amounts, can be found here.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Justice Department responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Justice Department agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has been appropriated more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to over 13,000 state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 136,000 officers.
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Jury convicts Kansas man of vehicle fraud schemeRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal jury convicted a Kansas man of defrauding car dealerships, financial institutions, and title loan companies.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Montressa “Monty” Cunningham, 42, of Junction City was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and five counts of money laundering.
Beginning about December 2018, Cunningham applied for loans to purchase vehicles from Kansas dealerships. He submitted applications to financial institutions using other people’s social security numbers, false residential addresses, and counterfeit pay stubs showing fabricated monthly incomes, places of employment, and lengths of employment. As a result, Cunningham received seven vehicle loans totaling approximately $264,000.
As part of the scheme, once Cunningham received the titles, he altered the documents to remove the lien holder’s name and address. He used the altered titles to register the vehicles in either Kansas or Georgia to receive clear titles. Cunningham then either sold the vehicles for cash or used the clear titles as collateral for cash loans. Title loan companies and individuals who purchased the vehicles paid Cunningham approximately $85,010 in cash.
The U.S. Secret Service and the Kansas Department of Revenue, Office of Special Investigations are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Walton and Lindsey Debenham are prosecuting the case.
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Investment Banker Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Defendant Concealed over $5.1 Million in Offshore Accounts
WASHINGTON – A U.S. citizen residing in the Principality of Monaco pleaded guilty today to tax evasion for concealing from the IRS over $5,130,000 in income derived from a real estate transaction and securities investments in offshore bank accounts.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Stephen L. Schechter was a licensed U.S. investment banker, U.K. corporate finance advisor and owner and operator of a U.S.-based financial investment advisory firm.
In 2002, Schechter formed an entity called Charles Penn Longview (CPL) in the British Virgin Islands. In June 2004, Schechter opened a Swiss bank account in the name of CPL at what ultimately became known as Piguet Galland & Cie SA. In doing so, he and his bank relationship manager concealed Schechter's U.S.-citizenship status in bank documents. Until it was closed around January 2013, the account generated interest and dividends that Schechter never reported to the IRS as income.
In June 2011, Schechter sold a Monaco apartment for approximately €14,000,000, which he deposited into his CPL account at Piguet. He subsequently used the sale proceeds to purchase $8,856,691 in various securities, on which he earned interest, dividends, and capital gains. Schechter never disclosed the income from the sale of the Monaco apartment or the securities bought from sale proceeds to his tax return preparer. Schechter knew that, as a U.S. citizen, he was obligated to report and pay taxes on his income, even if he earned it abroad and lived outside the United States.
Schechter later opened another CPL bank account at UBS Monaco SA, closed his account at Piguet, and transferred the balance of approximately $10.2 million into the new UBS Monaco account, further earning undisclosed interest and dividends until 2017.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are required annually to file a FinCEN Form 114 – Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) – if the combined balance of all foreign accounts they own, have a financial interest in or signature authority over is more than $10,000 at any point during that calendar year. However, Schechter did not file FBARs reporting his Piguet or UBS Monaco accounts.
Schechter is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis and Trial Attorney George Meggali of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Goemaat for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
Investment Banker Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A U.S. citizen residing in the Principality of Monaco pleaded guilty today to tax evasion for concealing from the IRS over $5,130,000 in income derived from a real estate transaction and securities investments in offshore bank accounts.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Stephen L. Schechter was a licensed U.S. investment banker, U.K. corporate finance advisor and owner and operator of a U.S.-based financial investment advisory firm.
In 2002, Schechter formed an entity called Charles Penn Longview (CPL) in the British Virgin Islands. In June 2004, Schechter opened a Swiss bank account in the name of CPL at what ultimately became known as Piguet Galland & Cie SA. In doing so, he and his bank relationship manager concealed Schechter's U.S.-citizenship status in bank documents. Until it was closed around January 2013, the account generated interest and dividends that Schechter never reported to the IRS as income.
In June 2011, Schechter sold a Monaco apartment for approximately €14,000,000, which he deposited into his CPL account at Piguet. He subsequently used the sale proceeds to purchase $8,856,691 in various securities, on which he earned interest, dividends and capital gains. Schechter never disclosed the income from the sale of the Monaco apartment or the securities bought from sale proceeds to his tax return preparer. Schechter knew that, as a U.S. citizen, he was obligated to report and pay taxes on his income, even if he earned it abroad and lived outside the United States.
Schechter later opened another CPL bank account at UBS Monaco SA, closed his account at Piguet, and transferred the balance of approximately $10.2 million into the new UBS Monaco account, further earning undisclosed interest and dividends until 2017.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are required annually to file a FinCEN Form 114 – Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) – if the combined balance of all foreign accounts they own, have a financial interest in or signature authority over is more than $10,000 at any point during that calendar year. However, Schechter did not file FBARs reporting his Piguet or UBS Monaco accounts.
Schechter is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis and Trial Attorney George Meggali of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Goemaat for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan on a criminal complaint on Oct. 12 was:
Robert Stuart Quam, 42, of Belgrade, on charges of possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Quam faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the crime of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Quam was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Missouri River Drug Task Force and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-144.
Appearing on an indictment and pleading not guilty on Oct. 10 was:
Glenn Gale Ware, 45, of Hardin, on charges of threats to injure or murder a federal law enforcement officer and harassing phone calls. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ware faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ware was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-117.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston on a criminal complaint on Oct. 11 was:
Cesar Alberto Montiel-Gonzalez, 52, of Mexico, on charges of illegal entry into the United States. If convicted of the most serious charge, Montiel-Gonzalez faces a maximum of six months in prison, a $5,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Montiel-Gonzalez was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Border Patrol conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-94.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Indictment Charges Maryland Man in a 2022 Pre-Meditated Double Murder and Assault in SE WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Amarii Fontanelle, 20, of Bowie, Md, was charged by indictment yesterday in the October 2022 killings of Reginald Cooper, Jr. and Davonte Berkley, and the non-fatal shooting of Christian Murray that occurred in Southeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The indictment charges Fontanelle with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, one count of assault with the intent to kill while armed, one count of aggravated assault while armed, and other firearms-related charges.
On Oct. 17, 2022, Cooper and Berkley, both 19 and residents of Maryland, drove to 1307 Congress St., SE. Fontanelle greeted them with handshakes, then led them into the house where Fontanelle’s associates were waiting in a stairwell. About two minutes after entering the building, video surveillance footage captured images of muzzle fire coming from Fontanelle.
Seconds after the shooting, Fontanelle ran from the building followed by his associates.
Cooper—who sustained eight gunshot wounds to his head, back and torso—was pronounced dead at the scene. Berkley suffered four gunshot wounds to his back, torso, arm, and buttocks and was taken to Medstar Washington Medical Center where he was pronounced dead three hours later. Murray, a resident of the District who was also at the scene of the slayings, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg that shattered the bone. Murray underwent surgery at Medstar and was hospitalized for a week.
Fontanelle was identified using still photos from video surveillance footage. He was arrested on Jan. 12, 2023.
Trial is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2024, before the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Fontanelle is being held without bond pending trial.
This case is being investigated by members of the Major Case Squad of the Homicide Division of the MPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Hotel Owner Sentenced for Conspiring with Bank President to Defraud First NBC BankRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ARVIND “MIKE” VIRA (“VIRA”), age 77, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on October 12, 2023 by Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to a year and a day in prison for conspiring with First NBC Bank president Ashton J. Ryan to defraud the New Orleans-based bank that failed in April 2017.
According to court documents, in 2006, Ryan lobbied VIRA to move his business accounts to First NBC Bank. VIRA agreed and became a customer of First NBC Bank. Thereafter, Ryan provided VIRA with preferential treatment. Although VIRA was assigned another loan officer, Ryan acted as his de facto loan officer at the bank. Ryan provided VIRA with low interest rates for VIRA’s loans. He also ensured that VIRA received high interest rates on his savings and checking accounts. Ryan personally approved 3% interest rates for savings and checking accounts held by VIRA, his businesses, and his family members. Ryan instructed VIRA to inflate his assets on bank loan documents, and VIRA complied by claiming to have substantial real estate and outside bank accounts that did not exist.
VIRA, in turn, provided personal loans to Ryan at Ryan’s request. Ryan, knowing that such a loan relationship was prohibited by banking regulations, instructed VIRA to conceal this personal loan relationship from First NBC Bank employees. During an FDIC regulatory exam in December 2012, FDIC examiners discovered that Ryan had borrowed money from First NBC Bank using VIRA’s loan proceeds. When examiners questioned him, Ryan admitted to their relationship, but claimed that he had not been aware that the source of the funds were First NBC Bank loan proceeds. In order to further conceal the loans that he made to Ryan, VIRA misrepresented or omitted the interest payments he received from Ryan on his personal tax returns from 2011 through 2015. From 2011 through 2017, VIRA received approximately $1,220,271.07 in profits from Ryan’s interest payments and from Ryan’s preferential treatment of him at First NBC Bank. In addition to prison, Judge Brown sentenced VIRA to three years of supervised release, the payment of $800,000 in restitution to the FDIC and the forfeiture of $420,271.07 to the United States. Further, VIRA was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the agencies that conducted this years-long investigation: the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Field Office; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Dallas Regional Office; and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Inspector General, Miami Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew R. Payne of the Financial Crimes Unit, Nicholas D. Moses, Health Care Coordinator J. Ryan McLaren of the Appellate Unit, and Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit are in charge of the prosecution.
Grant County Man Sentenced to More Than 22 Years for Production and Attempted Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane, WA – On October 11, 2023, U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Michael Gene Rice, 49, of Soap Lake, Washington, to 264 months and 27 days in federal prison for Production and Attempted Production of Child Pornography. Defendant Rice pleaded guilty on July 13, 2023. Judge Rice also ordered Defendant Rice to pay $48,000 in restitution to his victim and be federally supervised for the rest of his life after being released from custody.
According to court documents and proceedings, Rice was apprehended after an 11-year-old girl disclosed that Rice directed her to record herself on a phone engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The recorded footage was later found in Rice’s iCloud account. The Grant County Prosecutor’s Office successfully prosecuted Rice on charges of First Degree Dealing in and Possession of Child Pornography, resulting in guilty verdicts after a jury trial. Sentencing is pending in that case.
Rice previously was convicted of Rape of a Child in the First Degree in 2002, for which he received a suspended sentence. The victim in that case was also 11 years old.
Combined with the time Rice spent in state custody prior to appearing in federal court – 338 days, the federal sentence results in confinement of Rice for a total 23 years. “Protecting our children is a top priority of my office,” U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref said. “Mr. Rice repeatedly engaged in harmful conduct taking advantage of our youth in the Eastern District of Washington. With our strong partnership with state and local law enforcement and prosecutors, we were able to successfully remove Mr. Rice from the streets and prevent him from further victimizing the most vulnerable among us.”
“Grant County is a safer place after this significant sentencing,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations operations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are relentless in protecting the children of our communities and this result should serve as a warning to others that seek to target our children.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Ann T. Wick, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. The Grant County case is being handled by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Carlee Bittle, who is also a Special Assistant United States Attorney.
2:23-CR-23-TORGary Man Sentenced to 70 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Dwight Culver, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Culver was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on April 6, 2022, during a traffic stop, Culver admitted to possessing a pistol that was located on the passenger floorboard. A trace of the firearm revealed that it was reported stolen from Indianapolis. Culver’s criminal history revealed that he had prior felony convictions for possession of marijuana in 2012 and criminal recklessness in 2015, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.
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.
Gary Man Sentenced to 70 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Dwight Culver, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Culver was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on April 6, 2022, during a traffic stop, Culver admitted to possessing a pistol that was located on the passenger floorboard. A trace of the firearm revealed that it was reported stolen from Indianapolis. Culver’s criminal history revealed that he had prior felony convictions for possession of marijuana in 2012 and criminal recklessness in 2015, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.
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.
Four Co-Conspirators Serving Prison Time for Involvement in Fentanyl Conspiracy in Northeast South DakotaRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced Daren Lee Basche, a South Dakota man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. This was the last sentencing of the four defendants involved in this indictment, and it took place on October 10, 2023. Basche, 58, of Brandon, South Dakota, was sentenced to 9 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release. Previously, Jevon McLeod, 33, of Sisseton, South Dakota, was sentenced on March 14, 2023, to 40 years in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release. Tiarah Bissonette, 26, of Sisseton, South Dakota, was sentenced on March 14, 2023, to 4 years and 9 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release. Trey Petrich, 24, of Watertown, South Dakota, was sentenced on August 28, 2023 to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release. Additionally, they were each ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
All four defendants were indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. Basche pleaded guilty on June 12, 2023, McLeod pleaded guilty on December 5, 2022, Bissonette pleaded guilty on November 16, 2023, and Petrich pleaded guilty on May 3, 2023.
During this conspiracy, McLeod would pick up pills containing fentanyl from co-conspirators in other states and transport it back to South Dakota to be distributed. Basche, Bissonette and Petrich were sub-distributors for McLeod. The group was responsible for distributing thousands of pills containing fentanyl in Northeast South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigations, the Roberts County Sheriff’s Office, the Codington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
All defendants were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after their sentencings.
Founder of Swiss Asset Management Firm Sentenced for Global Securities Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The founder and operator of a Swiss asset management firm was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a massive global securities fraud scheme that generated over $150 million in illicit proceeds.
Roger Knox, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 36 months in prison. Knox was also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $10,909,709 and restitution in an amount that will be determined at a later date. In January 2020, Knox pleaded guilty to securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
“Illegal pump-and-dump schemes cause financial hardship on countless innocent investors and erode the integrity of our capital markets. For at least six years, Mr. Knox helped implement a staggering securities fraud scheme that generated over $150 million in illicit profits, $5 million of which ended up in Mr. Knox’s own pocket,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “With our federal partners, including the FBI and the SEC, our office is committed to identifying fraudsters like Mr. Knox and holding them accountable.”
“Roger Knox was a critical participant in a massive global securities fraud scheme that generated more than $150 million in illegal proceeds. While today’s sentence cannot make up for the significant financial and emotional harm he and others inflicted upon their unwitting victims, it does send a message to those who may be looking to profit from similar schemes—think twice because the penalties you’ll face are steep,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Market manipulators should know that the FBI has a proven track record of rooting out fraudsters who illegally tilt the playing field against honest investors and undermine confidence in our markets.”
Knox, with others, operated an asset management firm based in Switzerland called Silverton, and later renamed Wintercap. Through this business, Knox helped facilitate pump-and-dump schemes by selling massive quantities of microcap securities on behalf of undisclosed control groups who secretly owned the stock through nominee entities formally owned by third parties. The shares were generally held by the nominees in blocks of less than 5% of the issuer’s total outstanding shares in order to evade the disclosure obligations and sale limitations in the federal securities laws. To generate investor demand for the shares, the undisclosed control groups simultaneously orchestrated promotional campaigns to artificially inflate the price and trading volume of the shares. Knox then funneled the proceeds of the pump-and-dumps—totaling over $137 million between just 2016 and 2018—to co-conspirators in the United States and around the world through a complex money transfer system that disguised the source and nature of the funds.
Examples of the securities that traded through Knox’s firm as part of pump-and-dumps included: Environmental Packaging Technologies, Inc. (EPTI), which Knox traded for a control group involving Morrie Tobin, Milan Patel and Matthew Ledvina and resulted in approximately $1.5 million in illicit proceeds; Garmatex Holdings, Ltd. (GRMX) and OneLife Technologies Corp. (OLMM), which Knox traded for a control group allegedly involving Luis Carrillo and resulted in approximately $5 million in illicit proceeds each; and Vitality Biopharma, Inc. (VBIO) (formerly known as Stevia First Corp.), which Knox traded for a control group allegedly involving Mike Veldhuis and generated over $17 million in illicit proceeds.
The United States has already collected and is forfeiting approximately $9 million of the forfeiture amount due from Knox, as well as numerous securities, from bank and brokerage accounts located in United States, Canada, Malta, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Today, the District Court also ordered forfeiture of several bank accounts located in Switzerland.
Tobin, Patel and Ledvina each previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the EPTI pump-and-dump. In June 2020, Ledvina was sentenced to 30 months of probation. In December 2020, Patel was sentenced to 15 months in prison and Tobin was sentenced to one year and one day in prison. Patel was later granted compassionate release after six months of incarceration and ordered to serve six months of home incarceration. Tobin’s sentence was later reduced to four months in prison followed by eight months home incarceration. Tobin was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine and forfeited $4 million, and Ledvina and Patel were ordered to a pay $50,000 fine each. They were also ordered to pay restitution, jointly and severally, in the amount of $1,908,583.
A criminal complaint is pending against Carrillo and Veldhuis for the GRMX, OLMM and VBIO pump-and-dumps, as well as against alleged additional co-conspirators Frederick Sharp and Courtney Kelln, all of whom are located outside the United States. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. The Boston regional office of the SEC provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit, prosecuted the case.
Former plant manager at Seattle barrel cleaning company sentenced to prison and home confinementRead the Press Release
Seattle – The former plant manager of a barrel cleaning and reconditioning company, Seattle Barrel and Cooperage Company, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 30 days in prison and four months of home detention for conspiracy and making a false statement to the Environmental Protection Agency, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. John Sanft, 58, pleaded guilty in January 2022. He was the company’s plant manager during a conspiracy to illegally dump caustic waste into the King County sewer system, which ultimately empties into Puget Sound. The company used a hidden drain, and, over ten years, lied to regulators to carry out their illegal dumping.
At today’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Richard A Jones told Sanft, “You were aware of the hidden drain at Seattle Barrel. You were willfully making false statements to regulators…. You chose to lie and lie and continue to lie.”
Last month, company owner Louie Sanft was sentenced to 18 months in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The company was sentenced to be on five years of probation.
According to records in the case and testimony at trial, Seattle Barrel’s business involves collecting used industrial and commercial drums and reconditioning and reselling them. Part of the reconditioning process involved washing the barrels in a highly corrosive chemical solution. The caustic solution has a very high pH level. Since at least 2009, Seattle Barrel has operated under a discharge permit that prohibits it from discharging wastewater over a certain level of corrosivity (a pH exceeding 12) to the sewer system. Wastewater above pH 12 will corrode the sewer system and treatment plant, and potentially cause pass-through pollution to Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.
In 2013, King County conducted covert monitoring of Seattle Barrel, and discovered the company was illegally dumping effluent with a pH above 12 in violation of its permit. King County fined the company, but the pollution did not stop. Beginning in 2016, Louie Sanft represented to King County in written monthly certifications that the company had become a “zero discharge” facility and was not discharging any industrial wastewater to the sewer.
In fact, in 2018 and 2019, additional covert monitoring by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division revealed that Seattle Barrel was continuing to routinely dump wastewater with a pH above 12 into the sewer system despite telling local regulators that no industrial wastewater was being discharged. Agents then installed real-time monitoring equipment that allowed them to determine when the dumping was taking place.
Early on the morning of March 8, 2019, the covert monitors indicated Seattle Barrel was dumping high-pH material into the sewer. Agents immediately executed a search warrant and entered the building. Inside, they discovered a portable pump on the floor near the tank of caustic solution. They then discovered that the pump was being used to pump solution to a nearby hidden drain that had never been disclosed to King County. The drain led directly to the sewer system.
Seattle Public Utilities says the sewer lines downstream from Seattle Barrel are prematurely damaged and will need early repair. These discharges put utility workers at risk, as such caustic chemicals can cause blindness, skin necrosis, bone damage, and even death.
Louie Sanft, the owner and operator of Seattle Barrel, was convicted after a three-week trial of conspiracy, 29 violations of the Clean Water Act for discharging pollutants to the sewer, four counts of submission of False Clean Water Act Certifications and making a false statement to special agents of the EPA. In sentencing John Sanft, Judge Jones noted that unlike Louie Sanft, John Sanft did not lie to the jury from the witness stand.
According to Seattle Barrel, the company stopped using caustic solution after EPA executed the search warrant in 2019.
This case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the King County Industrial Waste Program and the Seattle Public Utilities, Drainage and Wastewater Source Control Division.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson and Thomas Woods, and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Karla Perrin and Gwendolyn Russell, Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Former Wethersfield Resident Sentenced to Prison for Distributing NarcoticsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHANE J. SAWICKI, 29, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing legitimate and counterfeit prescription pills, and other drugs.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sawicki first came to the attention of law enforcement as a result of an investigation into a drug overdose that occurred outside of his Wethersfield apartment on September 18, 2021. Subsequent investigation revealed that Sawicki was connected to a drug trafficking organization in Illinois that was coordinating the sale and shipment of Xanax and crystal methamphetamine from California, and that he was receiving mailed packages containing Farmapram, which is a Mexican brand of alprazolam (Xanax). In April 2022, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a package that was mailed from California to Sawicki’s Wethersfield address. The package contained two bottles containing a total of 180 Farmapram pills. Investigators also identified four similar parcels that had been mailed to Sawicki’s address prior to April 2022.
On April 29, 2022, investigators conducted a court authorized search of Sawicki’s apartment and seized thousands of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, a small quantity of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, a distribution quantity of cocaine, numerous other bags and containers of assorted pills of different colors and shapes, a container of MDMA, and three bottles of Farmapram pills. A subsequent search of Sawicki’s cell phone revealed photographs of large quantities of pills, a large amount of U.S. currency, and numerous text message conversations regarding the sale of illicit substances.
Sawicki was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 7, 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 16, 2023.
Sawicki, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 15.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Wethersfield Police Department. The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham.
Former U.S. Congressional Candidate Convicted of Federal Election Campaign Act Violations and False StatementsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of charges of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and false statements.
Abhijit Das, a/k/a “Beej,” 50, of North Andover, Mass., was convicted of one count of accepting excessive campaign contributions, one count of conduit contributions, one count of conversion of campaign funds, and two counts of making a false statement. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Jan. 17, 2024. In June 2021, Das was indicted by a federal grand jury.
“Protecting our elections through campaign finance laws is crucial in defending transparency and accountability in our government and a well-functioning democracy,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Das illegally solicited and accepted donations, used the money for a different purpose and hid his actions. He lied to the government and to the voters. He abused the campaign finance process and thought he could get away with it. Today’s speedy verdict by the jury after two-weeks of evidence should send a resounding message that the light of justice will always find its way to political candidates who break the law.”
“Today, Abhijit Das was convicted of orchestrating a calculated scheme to blatantly violate federal campaign finance laws to further his candidacy for Congress and his business ventures at the expense of voters and the electoral process,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Mr. Das solicited his friends and family for at least $125,000 in illegal campaign contributions, used that money for his own business expenses, debts, and a 100-foot super yacht, and then lied about it. The FBI will continue pursuing investigations like this one in order to ensure the continued integrity of our electoral process.”
Das was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts in the 2017-2018 election. To inflate his fundraising numbers, Das devised a scheme in or about December 2017 to solicit personal loans from friends and close associates in excess of the $2,700 legal limit. On or about Dec. 17, 2017, Das emailed a contributor asking for a friend to support his campaign to reach a specific fundraising goal of over $450,000 by the end of the year and indicated that reaching that goal might need “some engineering.” Das advised a member of his campaign that he would “aggregate” the loans into “one batch” and execute a main transfer into the campaign account.
Further, Das caused three different individuals to contribute approximately $125,000 to his campaign and structured the contributions as personal loans to a family member to circumvent Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting requirement and contribution limits. Das falsely claimed that the funds from the excessive contributions were his own personal funds and engaged in illegal conduit contributions to his campaign.
In addition, between January and May 2018, Das withdrew approximately $314,500 in funds from his campaign account and used at least $267,000 of these funds to pay outstanding debts for his hotel business relating to vendors, the hotel’s yacht and real estate taxes unrelated to his congressional campaign. In making these withdrawals, Das sought to conceal his conversion of campaign funds by instructing bank tellers to report the withdrawals as separate withdrawal and deposit transactions, rather than direct transfers.
Das aided and abetted in the submission of false information in quarterly reports to the FEC by overstating the amount of cash-on-hand the Das-for-Congress Campaign had in its campaign bank account. For example, in June 2018, Das reported that his campaign’s total amount of cash-on-hand was approximately $440,000, when in fact the amount of cash-on-hand in the campaign bank account was less than $5,000.
In June 2023, Das was separately indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on 10 counts of wire fraud, alleging he diverted more than $5 million in escrow funds from his clients’ accounts for personal expenses. Das has pleaded not guilty and has been on release pending trial in that case.
Each of the charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI Boston SAC Cohen and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil J. Gallagher Jr. and Elysa Wan of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.
Former Spokane Resident Indicted by Grand Jury for Cryptocurrency Investment ScamRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Today, Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that a grand jury returned an Indictment charging Michael Joseph McElhiney, age 37, formerly of Spokane, Washington, with thirty-three counts of fraud in connection with running a cryptocurrency investment scam theft that defrauded investors of more than $350,000 between March 2021 and September 2022.
The Indictment alleges that McElhiney defrauded investors by pretending to operate a cryptocurrency investment fund known as MAC Blockchain Solutions. The Indictment alleges that McElhiney promised prospective investors that he and his purported business partners ran a successful cryptocurrency investment fund that invested in emerging cryptocurrencies and other blockchain-based projects, such as Ethereum staking and cryptocurrency liquidity pools. According to the Indictment, McElhiney promised that he would invest funds provided by investors, and manage those investments for the benefit of his clients. McElhiney promised guaranteed or variable returns depending on the supposed investment vehicle, and always promised investors that they could liquidate their investments and get their money back at any time. McElhiney then sent investors information using a platform called Coin.FYI that purported to track the progress of their investments. In actuality, the Indictment alleges, McElhiney never invested the funds provided by investors, but instead kept the funds for his own personal use, and the purported Coin.FYI accounts that McElhiney showed investors did not correspond to any actual investment funds but instead were fabricated figures intended to convince investors that McElhiney had invested their funds and that the investments were appreciating in value. The Indictment alleges that McElhiney defrauded investors of more than $350,000 in this manner, including defrauding investors not only of cash but rare art and precious metals.
“Cryptocurrency fraud is a new variation on the same old song and dance of investment fraud,” said United States Attorney Waldref. “Whether it’s cryptocurrency fraud, multilevel pyramid scams, real estate scams, old-fashioned Ponzi schemes, or other investment fraud vehicles, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable when they prey on innocent members of the community in order to line their own pockets.”
The fraud charges carry maximum sentences of up to 30 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Spokane Resident Agency, and by the Spokane Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler Tornabene are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States v. McElhiney, Case No: 2-23-CR-00082-TORFormer San Diego Police Officer and Three Others Sentenced for Crimes Stemming from Years-long Operation of Illicit Massage BusinessesRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 13, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Peter Griffin, a retired San Diego police vice detective, attorney, and private investigator, was sentenced in federal court today to 33 months in custody for his central role in a conspiracy to operate five California- and Arizona-based illicit massage businesses that profited for years by selling commercial sex under the guise of offering therapeutic massage services.
Griffin’s three co-defendants - Kyung Sook Hernandez, Yu Hong Tan, and Yoo Jin Ott - who managed the illicit massage businesses in Griffin’s network and actively concealed the scheme from law enforcement, were each sentenced to six months in custody.
According to court documents and admissions in plea agreements, the defendants owned and operated “Genie Oriental Spa,” “Felicita Spa,” “Blue Green Spa,” “Maple Spa,” and “Massage W Spa,” located in the greater San Diego area and in Tempe, Arizona, between 2013 and August 2022. The criminal scheme included incorporating their businesses with state agencies, managing the businesses’ illicit proceeds, advertising commercial sexual services online, recruiting and employing women to perform commercial sex services in the businesses, and benefiting financially from the illegal enterprises.
The defendants leased multiple commercial properties as storefronts, leased and bought residential properties to use as housing for employees, and secured credit card processing equipment to facilitate the illegal businesses. Griffin oversaw nearly every aspect of the illicit businesses, making himself indispensable to their operation, and assumed the role of “boss.”
Through the course of the scheme, the defendants exploited the victims, mostly vulnerable, non-English speaking immigrants from Korea and China with limited employment opportunities and financial resources; pressured and expected the employees to perform commercial sex services inside the businesses; and made substantial financial profits from the illegal commercial sexual activity. When one employee initially refused to perform commercial sexual services, one of the defendants instructed her to “leave [her] morals in China” in order to “make the customers happy.”
Griffin, who left the department in 2002, previously worked as a detective with the Vice Operations Unit of the San Diego Police Department, a unit tasked with dismantling the very businesses he operated and promoted for personal profit. Throughout the nine-year criminal scheme, Griffin used the experience and skills he acquired through his work as a vice detective – skills honed by his education as an attorney and work as a private investigator – and his reputation as a former police officer to help the businesses evade law enforcement; conceal evidence; pressure employees to engage in commercial sex; maintain a façade of legitimacy; and thwart regulatory inspections, investigations, and any official action against the businesses.
According to his plea agreement, on several occasions, Griffin used his status as a former law enforcement officer to falsely assure local authorities that his businesses would be operated legitimately. On another occasion, Griffin flashed his badge to a local officer responding to a citizen complaint regarding one of his illicit businesses. Additionally, Griffin told an employee that he was a former police officer and instructed her not to “open [her] mouth” about working at the illicit massage business. Griffin’s co-defendants similarly informed employees of Griffin’s law enforcement background and his resulting “connections” and promised he would protect the illegal businesses from law enforcement detection. Griffin also abused resources he had access to by virtue of his private investigator license to obtain information on customers and employees on behalf of the illicit massage businesses.
“Illicit massage businesses hide in plain sight in many communities in America, including our district,” said U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath. “Operators of these businesses often profit through exploitation. For years, Peter Griffin used his connections as a former police officer for his own criminal profiteering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting these kinds of offenses, protecting our communities, and ensuring that legitimate local businesses are not tarnished by criminal activity.”
“No one is above the law. I’m appalled that someone who once took an oath to protect our community could prey on the vulnerable,” said San Diego Chief of Police David Nisleit. “I’m proud of our own SDPD officers who helped make this investigation possible and I commend our partner agencies for their diligence in holding Peter Griffin and his accomplices accountable. This is an important step toward justice for the survivors of these crimes.”
“Law enforcement professionals swear an oath to protect and defend our communities, and the spirit of that oath should live on even when we stop carrying a badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Griffin preyed on people who should have felt safer because of his presence. He and his co-conspirators failed in their attempts to conceal their illicit activities because of our special agents’ unique ability to follow the money and a strong cross-agency effort to find the evidence to bring these predators to justice.”
“Peter Griffin abused and exploited vulnerable women by pressuring them into providing commercial sex for profit while taking advantage of his status in the community,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “This sentence sends a clear message to those who mistakenly believe they can get away with such repugnant crimes. HSI, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work vigorously to bring to justice those who exploit and victimize vulnerable members of our community.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill S. Streja, Trial Attorney Caylee Campbell of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, and Trial Attorney Leah Branch of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22cr1824-JO
Peter Griffin 79
Kyung Sook Hernandez 59
Yu Hong Tan 57
Yoo Jin Ott 46
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy, Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering (ITAR),
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine
Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Maximum Penalty: Thirty years in prison, $1 million fine
Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity
Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine or twice amount of criminally derived property
Misprision of a Felony
Maximum Penalty: Three years in prison, $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, a regional, multi-agency effort led by the California Department of Justice dedicated to supporting survivors and holding traffickers accountable. The task force is comprised of numerous federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program.
U.S. Department of Justice, Money Laundering Asset Recovery Section, Special Financial Investigations Unit
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department
San Diego Sheriff’s Department
Escondido Police Department
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Tempe, Arizona Police Department.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.
Former Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force, Obstructing JusticeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A former correctional officer at Pinckneyville Correctional Center pled guilty to federal charges for beating a restrained inmate.
Christian L. Pyles, 25, of Christopher, Illinois, pled guilty in a U.S. District courtroom to violating the inmate’s civil rights by using excessive force under color of law and conspiracy to obstruct justice by falsifying incident reports.
Former officer Cord A. Williams, 35, of Vergennes, Illinois, was also charged in the indictment and pled guilty on July 18. The charges arose from an incident in which an inmate was beaten while fully restrained in handcuffs and leg irons on April 24, 2022.
According to court documents, the beating occurred to punish the inmate, because the inmate had previously punched a different correctional officer. The act of retaliation caused the inmate to suffer severe injuries including facial fractures, multiple lacerations requiring 25 stitches, a chipped tooth and lung damage.
As part of their official duties, correctional officers are required to write incident reports to accurately document any unusual incidents they observe or are reported to them, including disturbances or the use of force. The conspiracy count states Williams, Pyles and others colluded to file false reports about the incident and undermine the amount of force used.
Pyles is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2024, and the sentence hearing for Williams is set for Nov. 6, 2023. The deprivation of civil rights charge is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison while the conspiracy to obstruct justice charge can result in up to five years imprisonment.
The Illinois State Police are leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case.
Former Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Delaying and Stealing the Contents of U.S. MailRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DAZMON DYER, age 30, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on October 12, 2023 to a two-count indictment charging him with delay of U.S. mail and theft of U.S. mail matter by a postal employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1703 and 1709.
DYER faces a maximum sentence of up to five years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee as to both counts.
According to court records, DYER stole U.S. currency and gift cards from First-Class mail which had come into his possession and intended to be delivered by him as a U.S. Postal Service employee.
United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon will sentence DYER on January 18, 2024.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Former Nursing Home Worker Charged with Wire Fraud in “Ghost” Employee Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Washington – A federal grand jury in Chicago returned an indictment charging a former nursing home employee with seven counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Alisha Richardson, 44, of Chicago, devised a scheme to defraud her employer, a Chicago-area nursing home, of funds by falsifying records to generate payments to individuals who never worked at the facility (so-called “ghost” employees). The indictment alleges that, as part of the scheme, Richardson created false records to make it appear as though the individuals were employed as Certified Nursing Assistants, when in fact they were not working at the nursing home. The indictment further alleges that Richardson logged false hours for these “ghost” employees, which caused the nursing home to issue paychecks. According to the indictment, some “ghost” employees cashed the checks and shared the proceeds with Richardson. The indictment further alleges that on other occasions Richardson forged endorsement signatures for the individuals and deposited the paychecks into her own bank accounts. As a result of the scheme, the nursing home paid out over $100,000 for work that was never performed.
“These charges reflect the department’s commitment to hold criminals accountable for their wrongdoing,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We thank the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for their tireless efforts in investigating this case.”
“The FBI and its partners work tirelessly to ensure that those who engage in illegal activity do not go unpunished,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “This indictment shows our commitment to that sentiment and should deter others from engaging in fraudulent activities.”
“Individuals who fraudulently obtain funds that were otherwise intended to support the delivery of health care services unlawfully redirect valuable resources away from people in need of medical care,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chicago Region. “HHS-OIG remains committed to working together with our law enforcement partners to identify and investigate those who allegedly engage in fraud targeting our federal health care programs.”
The FBI and the HHS-OIG investigated the case.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorneys Raquel Toledo and James T. Nelson of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Julien for the Northern District of Illinois.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Indictment