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29 September 2023
Justice Department Awards More Than $1.4 Million to Public Safety Operations in Southern IllinoisRead the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced five Metro East entities as recipients for a combined $1.4 million in federal funding to support local public safety and community justice efforts.
“In addition to prosecuting violators of federal law, the Justice Department and the funding awarded by OJP will help law enforcement officials in southern Illinois to have more resources to curb violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I commend this investment in public safety.”
Awards granted in the Southern District of Illinois totaled $1,417,432.
The City of Alton was awarded $800,000 from the Smart Policing Initiative Grant Program to expand License Plate Readers (LPRs) and other camera technology to help reduce violent crime and vehicle thefts.
The City of Collinsville received a $299,719 grant from the Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction Program to help police develop stronger investigative capacities. The project aims to add surveillance and forensic technology with LPRs.
Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Fairview Heights received a total of $226,153 from the Project Safe Neighborhoods Formula Grant Program. Hoyleton officials will serve as the lead social service provider and fiscal agent over the funds to assist law enforcement operations through the Illinois State Police’s Public Safety Enforcement Group in East St. Louis.
Officials awarded a combined $91,560 to the City of Alton, Madison County and St. Clair County through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program to offer funds for police equipment purchases and help support community safety.
In total, the Justice Department awarded more than $4.4 billion nationwide to support community safety efforts. Visit the OJP website for the complete list of grantees as well as more information on the programs.
Jefferson Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that FLOYD ROBERTSON, age 27, from Jefferson Parish, pled guilty on September 28, 2023 to three counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of distribution of a substance containing both heroin and fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(C). His sentencing is set for January 4, 2024.
According to court documents, on three separate occasions between February and June 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration agents conducted controlled purchases of narcotics from ROBERTSON. During the transactions, ROBERTSON distributed more than fifty (50) grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and fentanyl.
At sentencing for Counts One, Two, and Three, ROBERTSON faces a minimum of ten (10) years up to a maximum term of life imprisonment, a maximum fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count, pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). As to Count Four, ROBERTSON faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nolan D. Paige, Chief of the Narcotics Unit.
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 and pleading not guilty on Sept. 28 was:
Garrell Robert Snell, 33, of Hardin, on charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Snell faces a maximum of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Snell was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-113.
Brian Allen Kruger, 61, of Lodge Grass, on charges of assault of a dating or intimate partner resulting in substantial bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kruger faces a maximum of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Kruger was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 22-148.
Appearing on Sept. 26 was:
Marilee Dawn Hoffman, 36, a transient, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hoffman faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Hoffman was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-93.
Appearing on a criminal complaint on Sept. 25 was:
Luke Dovel, 28, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dovel faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Dovel was detained pending further proceedings. PACER case reference. 23-143.
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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Indiana Woman Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Killing Her Love InterestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Nijinsky Dix, 40, of South Bend, Indiana., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for fatally shooting a man she was casually dating. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo ordered five years of supervised release. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Dix pleaded guilty, on February 13, 2023, to second degree murder while armed. According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 5:26 p.m. on November 14, 2020, officers with the MPD responded to the report of a woman with a gun and the sound of gunshots in a residential building in the 1000 block of 4th Street, S.W. Dix, a PhD student and an employee of the University of Notre Dame, was found holding a .9 mm handgun and kneeling at the feet of 44-year old Terry Hickman, who was lying face down on the floor. Hickman had been shot multiple times in the head and body and died.
An MPD Investigation determined that in late February 2020, Dix met Mr. Hickman in a bar near South Bend and the two began a casual pandemic relationship that lasted for several months. Mr. Hickman, who was recently divorced, did not want a long-term relationship with Dix. The defendant could not accept the boundaries. She insinuated herself into Mr. Hickman’s life, reaching out to members of his family for support and advice, offering money, trips, and jewelry to the victim and the victim’s daughter. Mr. Hickman tried to end the relationship in August of 2020, blocking Dix’s number on his phone and asking her not to contact him. Dix ‘s obsession with Mr. Hickman continued into the fall of 2020 and she became jealous of other women she believed had his interest. At one point, Dix told a family member that she had purchased a gun in Florida. On September 6, 2020, Dix flew to D.C. from Indiana and arrived unannounced at Mr. Hickman’s apartment. In the days leading up to Mr. Hickman’s death in November of 2020, there were text messages between the victim and a woman with whom he was trying to establish a business relationship. On November 12, 2020, Ms. Dix texted a friend and expressed anger that Mr. Hickman might be using her to have a relationship with the other woman, writing: “I will f**k him up if he tries to connect me with a broad he’s trying to f**k or has f**ked. I will kill him. Literally.” Two days later, on November 14, 2020, Dix departed South Bend, Indiana, carrying a passport. She checked an unloaded firearm and a box of .9 mm ammunition in her luggage. She landed in Washington, D.C., rented a car, drove to Mr. Hickman’s apartment, confronted him, and fatally shot him.
This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistance was provided by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Illinois Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
A felon who possessed firearms was sentenced on September 28, 2023, to three years in federal prison.
Jamie Swanson, age 32, of Colona, Illinois, received the sentence after an April 11, 2023, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. At the plea hearing, Swanson admitted that, in March 2022, he possessed a pistol after having been convicted of a felony. The record at the sentencing hearing established that Swanson possessed eight firearms.
Swanson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Swanson was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Anamosa Police Department, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR 22-100.
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IRS Consultant Charged with Disclosing Tax Return Information to News OrganizationsRead the Press Release
An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) consultant was charged today with disclosing tax return information without authorization.
According to court documents, Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., while working at the IRS as a government contractor, stole tax return information associated with a high-ranking government official (Public Official A) and disclosed it to a news organization (News Organization 1). Littlejohn also stole tax return information for thousands of the nation’s wealthiest individuals, and disclosed this tax return information to another news organization (News Organization 2).
Littlejohn is charged with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Trevor Nelson of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement.
TIGTA is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Lauren Castaldi and Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney for the Northern District of West Virginia.
A criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Greenbrier County Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Child Pornography CrimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jason Shortridge, 40, of Ronceverte, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for possession and attempted distribution of child pornography. Shortridge must also register as a sex offender and pay restitution.
A federal jury found Shortridge guilty of both counts on June 10, 2022, following a four-day trial. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on May 1, 2019, Shortridge downloaded child pornography and made it available for sharing online using a peer-to-peer file sharing program. Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant at Shortridge’s residence and seized a computer belonging to Shortridge.
A forensic examination of the computer located hundreds of images of child pornography, primarily from the deleted space of the computer. Two computer forensic experts testified that during their examination of Shortridge’s computer, they recovered child pornography as well as search terms used to actively search for child pornography. Evidence showed that Shortridge possessed over 600 computer graphic image files containing images and videos of child pornography involving prepubescent minors.
“This defendant caused substantial harm, as possessing child pornography encourages and records the sexual exploitation and rape of children,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “Today’s sentence reflects the severity of that harm.”
Thompson commended the investigative work of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Blackwell, Monica D. Coleman and Francesca C. Rollo prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-223.
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Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to 17 years in Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced on September 29, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City.
Jose Acosta Abadia, Jr., 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty on April 28, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Abadia was previously convicted of Third Degree Burglary; Possession of a Controlled Substance; and three convictions for Assault While Using or Displaying a Dangerous Weapon. The assault convictions involved a machete and knife. These convictions prohibit a person in Iowa from possessing a firearm.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from February 2022 through June 2022, Abadia and others conspired to distribute more than seven pounds of methamphetamine. During that time, on three occasions, Abadia sold methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. The sales totaled over 400 grams of methamphetamine and occurred in Fort Dodge, Iowa. During a search of Abadia at arrest, law enforcement found a 1/2 pound of methamphetamine and a stolen semi-automatic handgun he had possessed.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Abadia was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment and must serve a 5-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Abadia remains in custody of the United States Marshals Service until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-3030.
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Former Senior Executive in College Admissions Case Sentenced for Tax Fraud in Connection with Payments to Secure Son’s Admission to USCRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A private-equity investor and former senior Staples executive was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for falsely claiming payments he made to secure the admission of his son to the University of Southern California (USC) were deductible from his taxes as a business expense and a charitable contribution.
John Wilson, 64, of Lynnfield, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to one year of probation, with the first six months to be served in home detention, and 250 hours of community service. Wilson was also ordered to pay a fine of $75,000 and restitution in the amount of $88,546.
In October 2021, Wilson was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery; three counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud; two counts of federal programs bribery; and one count of filing a false tax return. He was subsequently sentenced in February 2022 to 15 months in prison, two years of supervised release, 400 hours of community service and ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 and restitution in the amount of $88,546.
In May 2023, the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction for filing a false tax return and vacated and remanded the remaining counts of conviction.
According to evidence presented at trial, in 2013, Wilson agreed to pay William “Rick” Singer $220,000 to facilitate his son’s admission to USC as a purported water polo recruit in exchange for payments to the water polo team account. Wilson requested that Singer provide him with a fake invoice for business consulting fees so that he could make the payments using his private investment firm’s corporate account. Wilson asked, “Can we make it for consulting or whatever from The Key so that I can pay it from the corporate account?” After Wilson’s son was accepted to USC, Wilson used his firm’s corporate account to wire $100,000 to Singer’s sham charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation, $100,000 to Singer’s for-profit company, The Key, and $20,000 directly to Singer. Wilson falsely deducted part of the payments as a business expense and the remainder as a charitable contribution. In 2018, Wilson approached Singer again about securing the admission of his two daughters to college as purported athletic recruits in sports they did not play at the collegiate level. Wilson once again asked Singer whether there was “any way” to make the payments “tax deductible as like donations to the school.”
On Jan. 4, 2023, Singer was sentenced to 42 months in prison after previously pleading guilty.
Further information on the College Admissions Case is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Terry Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Eastern Regional Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former New York City Police Officer Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Two Minors and Possession and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Timothy Martinez was sentenced by United States District Judge Frederic Block to 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of attempted receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Martinez was employed as a police officer by the New York City Police Department and immediately prior to his arrest, was a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves. Martinez was convicted by a federal jury in May 2023 following a one-week trial.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York, and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.
“The defendant, a former New York City police officer and an Army reservist, was a predator hiding in plain sight, who preyed on vulnerable victims he believed had been sexually abused,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “For these unconscionable, disgraceful crimes, today’s substantial jail sentence is not only well-deserved, but necessary to protect the community.”
“As a police officer, Timothy Martinez pledged to keep the people of New York City safe from predators, but instead became one himself. Today, justice is served as he finds himself behind bars," stated HSI New York Special Agent-in-Charge Arvelo. “HSI New York is proud to have had a hand in taking this dangerous man off the streets.”
“Today’s sentence sends the unequivocal message that no one is above the law,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “Mr. Martinez’ reprehensible behavior violated his sworn oath as a police officer, breached the public trust, and tarnished the shield he once wore. The NYPD and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to identify and hold accountable all such criminal predators. I thank HSI and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York for their important work on this case.”
Between October 2016 to March 2017, Martinez engaged in live video sex chats with Jane Doe-1, who was then 16-years old. Additionally, between September 3, 2012, and November 2016, Martinez engaged in live video sex chats with Jane Doe-2, starting when she was 13-years old. During some of those video chats, he convinced both Jane Doe-1 and Jane Doe-2 to show him their nude bodies and perform sexual acts. Martinez also attempted to purchase child pornography from an individual who he believed was a 14-year-old girl. Finally, Martinez possessed hundreds of still images and several videos of child pornography, including images and videos of known victims of child abuse.
This prosecution is 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice 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.projectsafechildhood.gov
Assistant United States Attorneys William P. Campos and Chand W. Edwards-Balfour are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Allison Henry and the Victim Witness Team including Coordinator Lisa Foster, Lillian Tejada and Gladian Rivera.
The Defendant:
TIMOTHY MARTINEZ
Age: 43
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-98 (S-2) (FB)
Former Journalist Sentenced for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington man was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, while visiting South Carolina in February 2020, James Gordon Meek, 53, used an online messaging platform on his iPhone to send and receive images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and to discuss his sexual interest in children. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12, including an infant being raped. Meek brought the iPhone containing the child sexual abuse material back with him when he returned to Virginia. Additionally, Meek possessed multiple electronic devices containing images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell and Trial Attorney Whitney Kramer for the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington County Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-65.
Former District of Columbia Fire/EMS Employee Sentenced in Bribery Scheme Involving Undelivered GoodsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON—Charity Keys, 45, of Bowie, Maryland, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison for engaging in a scheme – with a co-worker - to defraud the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS). Keys accepted more than $42,500 in kickbacks from a contractor in exchange for directing purchase agreements and orders to the contractor and then falsely certifying that goods that FEMS had paid for had been delivered when, in fact, they had not.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.
Keys, who was a supply management specialist for FEMS, pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge on July 18, 2022, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered 36 months of supervised release with the first six months on home confinement, restitution in the amount of $257,680, a $42,500 forfeiture money judgment, and 100 hours of community service. Her co-defendant, Louis “Joey” Mitchell, III, was sentenced on September 16, 2022, to 34 months in prison.
Keys’ responsibilities included procuring office supplies and other goods for the department. According to the court documents, between 2016 and 2020, Keys and Mitchell, 51, who was an FEMS warehouse supply technician, engaged in a bribery scheme with a contractor whose company was an approved vendor for various supplies. Keys and Mitchell solicited and received bribes from the contractor on at least seven occasions. In exchange, Keys and Mitchell directed purchase orders to the contractor’s company and confirmed delivery and payment for goods that the company did not provide. As a result of the bribery scheme, FEMS paid the company approximately $250,000 for goods that never were delivered. Keys personally collected at least $42,500 in bribes from the contractor.
Law enforcement opened an investigation after FEMS officials discovered procurement anomalies and referred the matter to the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General and the FBI. Mitchell and Keys were arrested on February 10, 2022.
This case was investigated by FBI’s Washington Field Office and D.C. Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Christopher R. Howland in the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights section.
Former Chief Operating Officer of Area Pain Clinics IndictedRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTESVLLE, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment this week charging the former chief operating officer of area pain clinics with three conspiracy counts for her alleged involvement in health care fraud and illegal drug distribution.
Jennifer Ann “Jen” Adams, 50, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is charged with one count of conspiring to commit health care fraud, one count of conspiring to distribute medically illegitimate Schedule II controlled substances, and one count of conspiring to use the DEA registration number of another.
“We face a moment in our country where more than 100,000 of our fellow Americans die each year from drug overdoses,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “We must do all we can to support those battling addiction disorders and prosecute those who prey on this disease.”
“My office's commitment to holding bad actors accountable for their role in exacerbating the opioid epidemic remains unyielding. With the support of our federal partners, Virginia will continue to prosecute those who take advantage of their fellow citizens for their own selfish benefit, decimating lives in the process,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares.
“Our top priority is combatting the current fentanyl-fueled poisoning crisis and related violence in our communities, especially because many of the people who died from fentanyl had no idea they have even taken it. Healthcare providers are responsible for prescribing and dispensing medications to meet the health needs of our citizens, while being vigilant for any signs of controlled substance diversion or misuse. Our team is committed to protecting all Americans' safety and health, including ensuring that all licensed professionals comply with the law and report dangerous behaviors,” mentioned Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division.
“Health care professionals who exploit opioid addiction for their own financial gain do so at the risk of endangering their patients as well as undermining federal health care programs and public health efforts to address the opioid epidemic,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that bad actors are held accountable for such egregious disregard for patient safety and well-being.”
According to court documents, Adams served as the chief operating officer (COO) and practice manager for several pain clinics throughout Central and Southwest Virginia. These clinics were located in Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Woodlawn, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg.
The clinics represented themselves as largely focused on pain management, which involved the prescribing of Schedule II opioids, as well as opioid addiction treatment, which involved prescribing Suboxone and other drugs.
The indictment alleges that Adams permitted medical providers who lacked DEA registration numbers to use the registration numbers of others. She did so by instructing employees to continue to use the registration numbers of doctors who were not present and by assisting in making payments to doctors who were not present for the use of their registration numbers.
Adams was aware when clinic employees knowingly wrote prescriptions for Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances to patients who exhibited warning signs of drug abuse, drug addiction, and drug diversion.
In addition, Adams allowed employees who lacked medical training, experience, and licensing to provide medical treatment and to make and influence medical decisions.
Adams was initially arrested in South Carolina in early September on a criminal complaint.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Attorney General’s Office - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Cagle Juhan and Jason M. Scheff, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Janine M. Myatt, Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are 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.
Former Boston Bank Branch Manager Sentenced for Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former branch manager for a Boston bank was sentenced today for stealing over $100,000 in funds from customer bank accounts.
Nathan Wadsworth, 32, of Syracuse, N.Y., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 25 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Wadsworth was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $121,000. In June 2023, Wadsworth pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
From June 2020 through November 2021, Wadsworth was employed as a branch manager for PNC Bank in Boston. Beginning in or around March 2021, Wadsworth used his position to identify dormant accounts of foreign account holders, transferred the funds in those dormant accounts to a new account he opened in the customers’ names and then moved the funds to his own accounts for personal use. In total, Wadsworth stole approximately $121,000 in customer funds. All the funds have since been repaid by PNC to the affected customers.Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. PNC Bank cooperated with the government’s investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Florida Men Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Tax Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Orlando returned an indictment, unsealed yesterday, charging three Florida men with crimes related to their respective roles in a tax refund fraud scheme.
According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2018, Christopher Johnson, of Orlando, and Jasen Harvey, of Tampa, allegedly conspired to promote a scheme in which Harvey and others prepared returns for clients falsely reporting large amounts of income tax withholdings to the IRS, resulting in tax refunds to which the clients were not otherwise entitled. Johnson and Harvey allegedly charged each client a fee per return – Johnson allegedly did not report his portion of those fees on his personal tax returns.
The indictment also charged that in January 2020, a federal judge issued an order enjoining Harvey from preparing tax returns for others but, despite the court’s injunction, Harvey allegedly continued to prepare and file returns from 2020 to 2021.
In addition, the indictment alleges that Arthur Grimes, of Orlando and Ocoee, Florida, participated in the scheme and caused to be filed four false income tax returns prepared by Harvey. When the IRS attempted to recover a refund allegedly issued to Grimes based on a false income tax return, Grimes allegedly (1) made false statements to an IRS revenue officer, (2) submitted false documents to the IRS, (3) transferred funds to a nominee bank account and (4) otherwise obstructed IRS collection efforts.
Johnson, Harvey and Grimes are each charged with aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison; Johnson and Harvey are charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison; Johnson is charged with filing false personal tax returns, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison; Harvey is charged with criminal contempt, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison; and Grimes is charged with corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the due administration of the internal revenue laws, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years. 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 Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind, Jeffrey McLellan and Caroline Pearson of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida are 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.
Florida Men Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Tax Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Orlando returned an indictment, unsealed yesterday, charging three Florida men with crimes related to their respective roles in a tax refund fraud scheme.
According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2018, Christopher Johnson, of Orlando, and Jasen Harvey, of Tampa, allegedly conspired to promote a scheme in which Harvey and others prepared returns for clients falsely reporting large amounts of income tax withholdings to the IRS, resulting in tax refunds to which the clients were not otherwise entitled. Johnson and Harvey allegedly charged each client a fee per return – Johnson allegedly did not report his portion of those fees on his personal tax returns.
The indictment also charged that in January 2020, a federal judge issued an order enjoining Harvey from preparing tax returns for others but, despite the court’s injunction, Harvey allegedly continued to prepare and file returns from 2020 to 2021.
In addition, the indictment alleges that Arthur Grimes, of Orlando and Ocoee, Florida, participated in the scheme and caused to be filed four false income tax returns prepared by Harvey. When the IRS attempted to recover a refund allegedly issued to Grimes based on a false income tax return, Grimes allegedly (1) made false statements to an IRS revenue officer, (2) submitted false documents to the IRS, (3) transferred funds to a nominee bank account and (4) otherwise obstructed IRS collection efforts.
Johnson, Harvey and Grimes are each charged with aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison; Johnson and Harvey are charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison; Johnson is charged with filing false personal tax returns, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison; Harvey is charged with criminal contempt, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison; and Grimes is charged with corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the due administration of the internal revenue laws, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years. 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 Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind, Jeffrey McLellan and Caroline Pearson of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida are 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.
Ferry County Hospital District Agrees to Pay $15,000 Penalty and Implement Corrective Actions to Address Improper Opioid Dispensing Practices at Republic PharmacyRead the Press Release
Spokane, WA – The Ferry County Hospital District agreed to pay a $15,000 Controlled Substances Act penalty and to institute corrective actions in regards to opioid prescribing practices at Republic Drug Store, a pharmacy in Republic, Washington, that Ferry County Hospital District purchased in January 2021 and has continued to operate since that time, announced Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
To protect the public, the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations place legal responsibilities on medical professionals to ensure that opioid medications and other controlled substances are prescribed, dispensed, and used for medically-appropriate purposes and in a safe manner. The responsibility for the proper prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances is upon the prescribing practitioner, but a corresponding responsibility rests with the pharmacist who fills the prescription to ensure that prescriptions are legitimate, safe, and medically appropriate. This responsibility includes addressing and resolving “red flags”, that is, indications that a particular prescription may be unsafe or medically inappropriate, by obtaining additional information before filling the prescription.
In the settlement announced today, Ferry County Hospital District admitted that, between October 2017 and November 2021, Republic Drug Store and its pharmacists and employees did not always appropriately exercise their corresponding responsibility in filling prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. Ferry County Hospital District admitted that Republic Drug Store filled prescriptions that contained “red flags”, i.e., indications of possible fraud, drug-seeking, lack of medical necessity, potential for abuse or health risk, or potential for drug diversion into the community, without appropriately resolving those red flags prior to dispensing. Ferry County Hospital District further admitted that these red flags included: (1) numerous patients for whom Republic Drug Store filled prescriptions for a dangerous and medically-inappropriate combination of drugs known as the “holy trinity” (an opioid, a benzodiazepine, and a muscle relaxant taken in tandem), as well as other dangerous combinations; (2) high doses of opioids, including patients prescribed opioid doses far in excess of guidelines promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); (3) fraudulent prescriptions purportedly issued by physicians who were no longer practicing medicine or who had their licenses suspended or revoked; (4) early refill prescriptions that Republic Drug Store filled with no explanation of why the patient had exhausted the prior month’s supply more than a week early; and (5) prescriptions written by naturopathic doctors who did not have the medical authority to prescribe controlled substances.
“Pharmacies, such as Republic Drug, play a critical role in keeping our communities safe and strong,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Pharmacies serve a vital gatekeeper function in keeping our residents safe and healthy, preventing the diversion of dangerous drugs, and combatting addiction. I’m grateful that Ferry County Hospital District accepted responsibility and has entered into a robust agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to ensure that it complies with its gatekeeper function and obligations going forward.”
In addition to the $15,000 civil penalty, Ferry County Hospital District has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DEA concerning Republic Drug Store. Under the MOA, Republic Drug Store agreed to resolve all “red flag” prescriptions prior to dispensing any controlled substances. Republic Drug Store is also required to conduct quarterly physical inventory audits and provide those to the DEA. These audits must be performed by a team that includes a licensed pharmacist. Additionally, Republic Drug Store is required to provide training for its employees on how to detect and prevent filling of fraudulent or medically inappropriate prescriptions. Finally, Republic Drug Store further agreed to review and update its controlled substance policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Controlled Substances Act going forward.
“This resolution would not have been possible without the exceptional investigative work by DEA Seattle Field Division’s Diversion Group, and I am grateful for our longstanding and continuing partnership,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “We are committed to working hand-in-glove with DEA Diversion Group and our law enforcement partners to protect our communities and public health and safety.”
“DEA’s core mission is to protect Americans and we need our partners in the healthcare community to help us by following the rules. When they do not, we hold them accountable, not to punish, but to encourage their cooperation and ensure that they are doing their part to keep people safe,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “We deeply appreciate our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Washington, without whom this success would not have been possible.”
The settlement was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and DEA’s Seattle Field Division, Diversion Group. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene handled this matter on behalf of the United States.
republic_drug_final_fully_signed_sa.pdfFederal Jury convicts Helena woman of lying about income to receive government assistance benefitsRead the Press Release
HELENA — A federal jury today convicted a Helena woman, who was accused of lying about her income and employment to illegally receive government benefits intended to help low-income individuals and families, of multiple crimes, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
After a four-day trial that began on Sept. 26, the jury found Nena Helene Siemens, aka Nena Suzanne Kruger, 59, guilty of two counts of false statement or representation made to a department or agency of the United States and one count of theft of government money. Siemens faces a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for March 6, 2024 and continued Siemens’ release pending further proceedings.
“Despite receiving significant income and running her own business, Siemens lied on numerous applications so she could receive federal assistance benefits for which she was not eligible. Siemens’ brazen and prolonged conduct took taxpayer-funded aid from families that truly need help. The jury held her accountable. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Kakuk and Jeffrey K. Starnes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for their work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
In December 2018, Siemens applied for program assistance benefits through the State of Montana, reporting that she had $1,500 in her bank accounts, no employment and no income. Based on the information, Siemens was approved to receive benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which is a program that provides cash assistance for families to meet basic needs.
The government alleged that the information Siemens provided for benefits was false. From March 2014 through August 2017, she lived with Dale Kruger, and they shared multiple bank accounts that had significant deposits of money. Siemens spent an average of roughly $20,000 per month. Siemens also owned and operated a business called Evergreen Dive Service in Washington. In addition, Siemens collected $750 in monthly rent from a couple living on property she owned with Kruger. Siemens never disclosed her living arrangements, accounts or income sources to the State of Montana, even though she routinely received notices from the state regarding reporting requirements for changes in income and other circumstances.
The government further alleged that starting in August 2017, Siemens began transferring and depositing large amounts of money into her personal accounts. Between January 2018 and February 2020, Siemens routinely had income of more than $10,000 per month, which includes bank account transfers, miscellaneous deposits and personal expenses charged to her dive service business accounts. These income sources were never disclosed to the state.
During a 2019 interview with an investigator, Siemens reiterated multiple times that she was not employed, had no income and no assets to liquidate. Contrary to these assertions, Siemens had substantial income in 2019. She purchased a Kubota tractor for $70,000 in June 2018 and a Desert Fox travel trailer for $31,000 in March 2019. In agreements to purchase these items, Siemens typically stated she was employed as the managing member of her business and that her income was between $6,000 and $10,000 per month.
The state of Montana ultimately suspended Siemens’ benefits in February 2020. By then, Siemens had received $2,552 in TANF benefits for which she and her family were not legally eligible. After the state of Montana suspended her benefits, Siemens continued her fraudulent conduct by filing a claim two months later for unemployment with the state of Washington, claiming she was “laid off” by her “employer,” the Evergreen Diver Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Kakuk and Jeffrey K. Starnes are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services conducted the investigation.
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Fayette County Man Sentenced to 15 Months for False Statements to U.S. Probation Office and Failure to AppearRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Lexington, Ky., man, Charles E. Johnson, Jr., 62, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, for making materially false statements to the United States Probation Office and for failing to appear for a hearing while released on bond pending trial.
Johnson was serving a term of supervised release following convictions in the Eastern District of Virginia for securities fraud and witness tampering. Public records demonstrate that as part of his sentence for securities fraud, Johnson was ordered to pay more than $9 million in restitution to the victims of his crime. According to his plea agreement, as a condition of that supervised release, Johnson was required to make sworn financial disclosures to the United States Probation Office fully disclosing assets he controlled, so that the Probation Office could determine resources available to repay victims of his earlier securities fraud. On two separate sworn financial disclosures in 2021, Johnson intentionally concealed his control of a company bank account, which he used to pay more than $140,000 in personal expenses that year, instead reporting only that he earned $3,500 per month from the company. Johnson was released on bond pending trial for these false statements offenses. When the United States moved to revoke his bond due to unauthorized travel outside the Eastern District of Kentucky, Johnson fled to Las Vegas and failed to appear at a scheduled bond revocation hearing in April 2023. He was apprehended in Minnesota the following month.
In addition to his sentence for these crimes, Johnson was sentenced to another 6 months in prison for further violations of the conditions of his supervised release.
Under federal law, Johnson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years.
Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey.
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El Paso, Texas, Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An El Paso, Texas, man, Raul Morales, 42, was sentenced on September 25, 2023, to 120 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing over 29 kilograms of fentanyl and xylazine.
At the sentencing hearing in front of Senior United States District Judge Sue Myerscough, the government presented evidence that the Illinois State Police stopped Morales while he was traveling northbound on Interstate 55 in Sangamon County, Illinois. Morales was driving a pick-up truck and pulling a trailer holding two vehicles. Documents showed Morales started the trip in Texas and was heading to Joliet, Illinois. During the stop, Illinois State Police troopers located over 29 kilograms of a substance containing fentanyl and xylazine; it was packaged in 30 separate bundles, each of which was wrapped in black tape, and located in a suitcase in one of the vehicles being hauled on the trailer.
Morales was indicted in November 2022 and pleaded guilty in May 2023. He has been detained by the United States Marshals Service since November 2022.
The statutory penalties for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl are not less than 10 years up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release.
The Illinois State Police and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.
The case against Morales 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.
El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo en una denuncia por acoso sexual contra un administrador de fincas y un propietario de apartamentos de KoreatownRead the Press Release
LOS ÁNGELES – El Departamento de Justicia ha anunciado hoy un acuerdo para resolver una denuncia federal por acoso sexual en un edificio de apartamentos de Koreatown, donde un administrador de la propiedad fue acusado de violar la Ley de Vivienda Justa por acosar sexualmente a múltiples residentes femeninas durante varios años.
En virtud de la orden de consentimiento presentada hoy ante el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos, M&F Development, LLC, propietaria del edificio de apartamentos de South Western Avenue, ha acordado pagar 120.000 dólares para indemnizar a las personas perjudicadas por el acoso del administrador de la propiedad, Abraham Kesary. Además del pago de la indemnización, M&F Development acordó pagar una multa civil de 10.000 dólares a Estados Unidos. La orden de consentimiento inhabilita permanentemente a Kesary para la gestión de propiedades y exige la contratación de un gestor de propiedades independiente aprobado por el Departamento de Justicia para la propiedad de alquiler de Koreatown. La orden de consentimiento también prohíbe la discriminación y las represalias en el futuro, impone la formación sobre la Ley de Vivienda Justa y exige una amplia supervisión y presentación de informes sobre las actividades de gestión de la propiedad y el cumplimiento de los términos de la orden de consentimiento.
La denuncia, que forma parte de la Iniciativa sobre Acoso Sexual en la Vivienda del Departamento de Justicia a nivel nacional, alegaba que desde al menos 2012 hasta al menos 2020, Kesary sometió a las residentes femeninas del complejo de apartamentos a acoso no deseado. En la denuncia se alegaba que Kesary ofrecía prestaciones relacionadas con la vivienda a cambio de actos sexuales, hacía comentarios e insinuaciones sexuales no deseados, entraba en los domicilios de las residentes sin su permiso y sometía a estas inquilinas a actos sexuales no deseados.
“Nuestra oficina no tolerará ningún tipo de discriminación ilegal”, declaró el Fiscal General Martin Estrada. “El prolongado acoso sexual contra las mujeres residentes que se denuncia en este caso es inquietante e inaceptable. Seguiremos vigilando para que los propietarios y los administradores de propiedades rindan cuentas por la discriminación y el acoso, y la Ley de Vivienda Justa nos da una poderosa herramienta para buscar justicia para las víctimas”.
“Los inquilinos tienen derecho a vivir en sus casas libres de acoso sexual por parte de sus caseros”, declaró la Fiscal General Adjunta Kristen Clarke, de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “El Departamento de Justicia seguirá aplicando enérgicamente las leyes de vivienda justa contra los propietarios que se aprovechan de los residentes vulnerables”.
Las personas que crean que pueden haber sido víctimas de acoso sexual u otros tipos de discriminación en materia de vivienda pueden ponerse en contacto con la Línea de información sobre discriminación en materia de vivienda llamando al 1-833-591-0291. Los particulares también pueden enviar un correo electrónico al Departamento de Justicia a [email protected] o presentar una denuncia en línea. También se pueden presentar denuncias llamando al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los EE. UU., al 1-800-669-9777, o presentando una denuncia en línea.
Los residentes en los siete condados del Distrito Central de California pueden presentar una denuncia por discriminación en materia de vivienda u otras violaciones de los derechos civiles ante la Sección de Derechos Civiles de la División Civil de la Fiscalía General de los Estados Unidos rellenando y enviando este formulario (Inglés) (Español) por correo electrónico a [email protected].
La fiscal adjunta Margaret Chen, de la Sección de Derechos Civiles de la División Civil, y los abogados de la Sección de Vivienda y Ejecución Civil de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos litigaron este asunto.
District Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Kidnapping and Attempted Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Larry Richardson, 71, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to seven years in prison for the March 2022 kidnapping and sexual abuse of an acquaintance in Northwest Washington, DC. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
On February 7, 2023, Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of attempted first degree sexual abuse and one count of kidnapping in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In addition to the seven-year prison term, the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan ordered five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
According to court documents, on March 30, 2022, the victim and Richardson were walking together in the 1800 block of Columbia Road NW, when the defendant became violent. Video surveillance captured the defendant dragging the victim into an alley, striking her multiple times in the face, and pulling her pants and underwear down to her thighs. As the victim struggled, the defendant alternatively climbed on top of her, struck her in the face with his fist repeatedly, and dragged her deeper into the alley by her arm and legs. When the victim tried to escape, the defendant again struck her in the side of the face.
When the defendant had pulled the victim to the end of the alley, he pinned her to the ground with his body and repeatedly attempted to penetrate the victim’s vulva with his fingers as the victim tried to resist. Passersby heard the victim screaming and flagged down nearby police officers, who arrested the defendant on scene.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Sourbeer.
District Man Sentenced to 36 Years for 2017 Murder Stemming from Criminal Street Gang ActivityRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Quincy Garvin, 23, Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 36 years in prison for his role in a brazen shooting into a courtyard that took place in September 2017 in the Potomac Gardens area of Southeast Washington. Garvin was found guilty, in July 2022, of conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, participation in a criminal street gang, and other charges. The sentence was announced today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
“Violence between crews fuels a number of the homicides we see in the District,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Those thinking of turning petty disputes into deadly shootings need to know that we will hold them accountable for their conduct and face sentences like this one.”
According to the government’s evidence, between May 2017 and October 2017, the defendant and others were members of a criminal street gang operating in the area of Wellington Park, within Washington, D.C. Garvin, and others, were involved in a number of “beefs” with individuals from other areas of the city, many of which started as the result of petty feuds among local rival rap groups.
At approximately 6 p.m. 0n September 10, 2017, the victim, Carl Hardy, was standing outside in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood as Garvin and three others circled the neighborhood three times looking for individuals to target. On the fourth trip around the block, the vehicle stopped and the driver paused to allow Garvin and two other men to exit the vehicle armed with multiple weapons, including an assault rifle. Garvin and the two other shooters opened fire on the crowded courtyard, firing over 30 rounds and striking Mr. Hardy. The group then fled the scene.
Mr. Hardy, 24, was transported to the hospital where doctors operated multiple times in their efforts to save him. Ultimately, on Oct. 1, 2017, Mr. Hardy succumbed to his injuries. Shortly after Mr. Hardy’s death, an arrest warrant was obtained for Garvin charging him with the murder. A second shooter, Saquan Williams, was also charged and convicted at trial and was sentenced, on September 14, 2023, to 35 years in prison.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Chrisellen Kolb, Chief of the Appellate Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Sellinger, Daniel Lenerz, and Sharon Donovan; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; Lead Paralegal Specialists Sharon Newman and Meridith McGarrity; Former Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Siegerist; Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Witness Security Specialist Ashli Tolbert; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Litigation Technology Specialist Claudia Gutierrez; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Victim/Witness Services Coordinators LaJune Thames and Maenylie Watson; and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Jackson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Timmer, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Lindsey Merikas who prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Stranger Rape of a Child at Gunpoint in 2005Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marquette E. Johnson, 42, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 27 years in prison and five years of supervised release for first degree sexual abuse while armed and first degree child sexual abuse while armed. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Johnson pleaded guilty on July 11, 2023. According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 8:30 a.m. on November 28, 2005, Johnson approached a 12-year-old female child as she was walking to school, drove up to the victim, pointed a semiautomatic pistol or imitation pistol at her, and told her to get in his minivan or he would kill her. The child followed Johnson’s orders and the defendant drove her to an alley behind the 1300 block of Morris Road, SE, where he forced her to get in the back seat and he sexually assaulted her. When the defendant finished raping her, he drove the victim back to the location where he had picked her up and told her something to the effect of, “See, I told you, you wouldn’t miss school.” The child promptly reported what had occurred to a teacher and an MPD officer stationed at the school.
DNA obtained from the physical evidence in the investigation matched the DNA profile of the defendant, who is a convicted offender. Additional DNA testing determined it was at least 87 quadrillion times more likely if the evidence originated from the defendant and the victim, than if from the victim and an unknown, unrelated individual. The defendant was a stranger to the victim and her family.
Following his release from prison, Johnson will be mandated to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
This case was investigated by detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit and Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit, Youth Investigations Division, and detectives and officers from the Seventh District. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Zubrensky and Robert Platt.
It is another case brought as part of the Cold Case Initiative, an initiative launched in February 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to reinvestigate previously unsolved cases of sexual assault as well as sexual assault-related homicides. The U.S. Attorney’s Office works in partnership with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, and local law enforcement partners in the DMV area to achieve its mission.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in Shooting of Ex-Girlfriend in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Carson Posey, 24, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty today to one count of second degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Shantal Hill, 28, on April 15, 2020, near the Tyler House Apartments on the south side of 1200 North Capitol Street, Northwest, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police (MPD).
The plea was entered before Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe who scheduled sentencing for January 19, 2024.
According to court documents, around 10:48 p.m. on April 15, 2020, Posey shot Hill, his ex-girlfriend, nine times in the legs, buttocks, and chest. Hill identified her assailant to responding police officers while aid was being provided on the scene. Hill also stated, “I [am] a single mother and I can’t die.” She died shortly after midnight on April 16, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante.
Couple Sent to Prison for Conspiring to Distribute DrugsRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids, Iowa, man and a Palo, Iowa, woman who conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine were sentenced this week to federal prison.
Zachary James Kruse, age 38, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 4, 2023 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Cheyenne Nicole Mason, age 34, from Palo, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 15, 2023 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Evidence at the sentencing hearings showed that on April 29, 2022, law enforcement officers searched a motel room in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where Kruse and Mason had been staying. Officers recovered 120.84 grams of methamphetamine. Some of the methamphetamine was hidden in deodorant containers.
Kruse and Mason were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Kruse was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Mason was sentenced to 59 months and 393 days’ imprisonment and must serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Kruse and Mason are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and Assistant United States Attorney Jason Norwood and investigated by the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-CR-99.
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Corn Milling Company Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements in Safety and Environmental Records Following Mill ExplosionRead the Press Release
Didion Milling Inc. pleaded guilty to criminal charges today in federal court in Madison, Wisconsin. As part of a plea agreement, the company has agreed to pay a total of $1 million in criminal fines and $10.25 million in restitution to victims of a May 31, 2017 catastrophic explosion at its Cambria, Wisconsin, corn mill facility. Five Didion Milling employees were killed in that explosion and others were injured.
Didion Milling was previously indicted in May 2022 with multiple federal crimes related to compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Act, Clean Air Act and food safety obligations at the Cambria corn mill and representations made to its customers and authorities. Didion Milling pleaded guilty today to counts six and seven of the indictment, charging it with falsifying records related to its Occupational Safety and Health Act and Clean Air Act obligations to conceal violations from government agencies.
“Today’s guilty plea should send a message to all employers that we will not tolerate lying to OSHA, EPA and EPA’s state partners as they seek to fulfill their mandates to ensure the safety of workers and protect public health and the environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Our thoughts continue to be with the victims of the May 2017 explosion. As demonstrated by today’s action, we will vigorously pursue restitution for victims of workplace incidents.”
“After an explosion killed five of its workers, Didion Milling lied and falsified records to conceal violations of the environmental and worker safety laws,” said Assistant Administrator David Uhlmann of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “There is no excuse for false and misleading conduct, particularly in the aftermath of a tragedy, and this prosecution holds Didion Milling accountable.”
According to court documents, Didion Milling was required to operate “baghouses,” equipment designed to prevent particulate matter, such as corn dust, from being released into the environment from the corn mill. From at least 2015 to May 2017, Didion Milling employees, including shift workers and shift superintendents, made false entries in the mill’s “baghouse logs,” disguising data meant to monitor and document whether the mill’s baghouse equipment was working properly to filter particulates from the air. Didion Milling’s environmental manager provided baghouse logs for 2015, 2016 and 2017 to environmental inspectors, knowing that they contained false entries.
Didion Milling was also required under Occupational Safety and Health Act safety standards to develop and implement a housekeeping program to reduce the accumulation of fugitive grain dust within its corn mill. Didion Milling maintained a “master sanitation schedule” logbook listing each of the required dust cleanings and the specific dates by which the cleanings were supposed to be completed. The sanitation logbook contained spaces for Didion Milling employees to record that the dust cleanings had been performed and that documentations procedures had been followed. On or about May 19, 2017, Didion Milling employees falsely initialed, signed and dated entries in the sanitation logbook for the week of May 1 through May 7, 2017, giving the appearance that the required dust cleanings were performed when they had not been. Didion Milling provided the sanitation logbook containing the false May 2017 dust cleaning entries to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during its investigation of the May 31, 2017 explosion at the Didion Milling corn mill.
A sentencing hearing before U.S. District Court Judge James D. Peterson for the Western District of Wisconsin will be scheduled at a later date.
EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources investigated the case.
Three additional charged defendants are scheduled to begin trial on Oct. 2.
Trial Attorneys Samuel Lord and Joel La Bissonniere and Senior Trial Attorney Richard J. Powers of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.
Clayton Resident Sentenced for Sexually Abusing A ChildRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kevin Stuart Pollard III, age 23, of Clayton, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. Pollard was also sentenced to 24 months in prison each for two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pushmataha County Sheriff’s Office.
On August 10, 2022, Pollard pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian County and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. At the hearing, Pollard pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor under the age of 16 years old. Pollard also pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual contact through the clothing of the minor in 2019. The crimes occurred within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Scott D. Palk, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearings in Oklahoma City. Pollard will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Genevieve Ozark represented the United States.
Chanhassen Psychologist Sentenced to Prison for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Chanhassen psychologist has been sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for fraudulently billing for counseling services never actually rendered, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Charles Howard Jorenby, 57, was a licensed psychologist and owner of Life Dynamics, Inc., a counseling center located in Prior Lake. From at least January 2013 through February 2020, Jorenby orchestrated a scheme to defraud the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), which is responsible for funding its own tribal members’ health care costs. In order to administer its own self-funded costs, SMSC contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota (BCBS) as its health care administrator and processor for provider billing. Jorenby realized that, within the relationship between SMSC and BCBS, billed services were fully covered, and no individuals received any mailings or “explanation of benefits” paperwork, and that he could therefore submit fraudulent bills for counseling services he claimed to have provided to dozens of SMSC members without any notice to the individuals. In reality, Jorenby never provided counseling services to those individuals, and he used their names and dates of birth without their knowledge or permission. As a result of his false billing practices, SMSC suffered a loss of at least $819,020.83.
According to court documents, in 2017, Jorenby also submitted an additional fraudulent insurance claim to State Farm Insurance following a fire at his business office. In that claim, Jorenby knowingly provided false information regarding lost income, inflating his claimed income to include earnings associated with his fraudulent billings. Jorenby received a settlement of $104,930 as a result of his misrepresentation. In sentencing Mr. Jorenby, the District Court ordered him to pay SMSC $819,020.83, and State Farm Insurance $104,930, as restitution.
“When criminals commit health care fraud it can negatively affect the health care system in the form of increased fees and lower wages,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Secretary Investigations (HSI) Saint Paul Jamie Holt. “These crimes are further exacerbated when they are committed by individuals, like Jorenby, who hold positions of trust throughout a community, particularly for those who relied upon him for their, or their family members’ mental well-being.”
On November 29, 2022, Jorenby pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. He was sentenced on September 22, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted the case.
California Man Arrested and Indicted for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Materials over the InternetRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jason Charles Nicholas (53, Ramona, California) has been arrested and indicted for distributing child sexual abuse materials over the internet. If convicted, Nicholas faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Nicholas was arrested on September 21, 2023 in San Diego County, California. He has been detained and will be transported to Jacksonville by the U.S. Marshals Service for prosecution in this case.
According to court documents, on August 3, 2023, an FBI agent in the Jacksonville area, using the persona of the parent of an 11-year-old “child,” began working in an undercover (UC) capacity on a particular social media application (app) to identify individuals who were attempting to sexually exploit children. The UC began a private conversation on the app with a user named “cldad,” who was subsequently identified as Nicholas. Nicholas falsely claimed that he lived in Florida and indicated his desire to meet the UC at the UC’s residence in northeast Florida to have sex with the 11-year-old “child.” However, Nicholas subsequently abandoned this plan and began threatening the UC that he would expose the UC’s purported criminal sexual conduct unless the UC streamed live video of the “child” to Nicholas. The UC refused to do so. Nicholas later apologized for threatening the UC and the two continued online conversations for several weeks. Nicholas told the UC about his longtime practice of brushing up against and taking surreptitious photos (“creep shots”) of young girls in public places, and also that he had abused a young child after overdosing the child with medication.
During an online conversation on August 17, 2023, Nicholas sent the UC six videos and two photos that depicted young children being sexually abused. Further investigation by the FBI led to the identification of Nicholas. On September 21, 2023, FBI agents, with assistance from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Nicholas as he was on his way to work. On that same day, a federal search warrant was executed at Nicholas’ residence resulting the seizure of several electronic devices.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville and San Diego. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI . United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Guangsong Chen of China pleaded guilty to Illegal Entry into the United States in District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. Chen faced up to six months of incarceration and was sentenced to time served.
According to court documents, on August 3, 2023, Chen presented himself for inspection to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Cyril E. King airport in St. Thomas prior to boarding a flight to the mainland. During their inspection, CBP officers determined that Chen traveled China to Suriname and on July 26, 2023, Chen illegally entered St. Thomas by boat after paying smugglers $7,500.00 for his transport. No legal document exists that allowed Chen to enter the United States, and there is no evidence that Chen sought or received prior permission to enter or reside in the United States.
This case was investigated by the United States Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.
Tyreek Hall, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 18, 2024. Hall was charged in September 2022.
On June 9, 2022, Hall was found in possession of a 9x19mm caliber privately made Glock-style semi-automatic pistol, bearing no manufacturer serial number (commonly known as a “ghost gun”), and eight rounds of ammunition. Hall is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
The felon in possession charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Bomb Maker Sentenced to 52 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Terrance Wayne VanOchten, 57, of Mancelona, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison. VanOchten pled guilty in June to possessing three pipe bombs, which were found as part of a large cache of military-style firearms and equipment. Other evidence in the case demonstrated that VanOchten made threatening statements about elected public officials at the same time he possessed the bombs. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney imposed the sentence.
“In urban centers and rural spaces, Michiganders deserve to live in peace and safety without the menace of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Mr. VanOchten possessed unlawful pipe bombs, posed a threat to others, and is now being held to account.”
Kalkaska County Sheriff’s deputies responded to VanOchten’s home in August 2022, after neighbors reported he was shooting what sounded like a machine gun. He answered the door with a loaded pistol, and later admitted he had been shooting a modified AR-15 style assault rifle into his backyard. Deputies executed a search warrant and found three assembled metal pipe bombs in VanOchten’s house. They also found highlighted explosives guides, a “Militia Battle Manual,” and more than a dozen weapons, including semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and a 40mm projectile launcher. VanOchten received an enhanced sentence because he was using drugs at the time of the shooting incident. The Court also considered that his bond was revoked for keeping undisclosed weapons and ammunition.
“VanOchten’s illegal possession of explosives have found him a pathway to prison,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Illegal explosives and weapons are a threat to public safety and have no place in our community. Those who threaten public safety will be held accountable by ATF.”
The case was investigated by ATF’s Grand Rapids Resident Agency and the Kalkaska County Sheriff’s Office.
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Boise Man Sentenced to 15 years for Three Attempted Sex Crimes Against ChildrenRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Mohammad Ali Alizadah Nawai, 45, of Boise was sentenced to federal prison for three attempted sex crimes, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Nawai to 180 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. The crimes reflect Nawai’s attempted transfer of obscene matters to a child under 16 years of age, the attempted production of child pornography, and the attempted persuasion of a child to meet for sexual intercourse. Nawai was convicted during a trial presided over by Judge Winmill, which began on June 20, and concluded with guilty verdicts on June 23.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Nawai communicated with an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old child on an online dating program. The detective was posing as a child to detect and investigate online offenders seeking children. Nawai, after being told the apparent child’s age, requested that the child produce sexually explicit content. Nawai further sent the apparent child obscene materials, which included bestiality and images he represented as child pornography. Nawai also made arrangements to meet the child for sexual intercourse. He travelled from Boise to Rupert on June 23, 2021, where members of the Rupert Police Department promptly arrested him.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the Rupert Police Department for its efforts, which led to the charges. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Robins and John Shirts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.
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Behavioral Services Healthcare Provider and its Owner Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Connex Family Services, LLC (Connex), located in Warrenton, and Bianca Riddle, 33, a resident of Gloucester, have agreed to pay $918,000 to settle a civil fraud case that claimed Connex and Riddle submitted or caused false claims to be submitted to Medicaid and TRICARE.
The government alleged that Connex and Riddle submitted claims to TRICARE and Medicaid for applied behavioral analysis services that were not provided during the period from March 1, 2019, through November 13, 2021. Connex’s behavioral analysis services are provided to children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other related disorders.
Connex and Riddle will pay additional amounts, up to $2,053,387, if the company is sold within five years.
As part of the settlement, Connex entered into a three-year Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). This Integrity Agreement is designed to promote compliance with the statutes, regulations, program requirements, and written directives of Medicaid and all other federal health care programs.
The settlement arises in connection with two lawsuits filed by former employees under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act. United States ex rel. Schwartz v. Connex Family Services, LLC, et al., and United States ex rel. Liguori v. Connex Family Services, LLC, et al. The matters were consolidated in the Newport News Division.
A whistleblower suit, or qui tam action under the False Claims Act, is commenced by an individual, known as a “relator,” filing a complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court, and providing a copy of the complaint and other evidence to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States then has an opportunity to investigate the claims. The False Claims Act provides whistleblowers with a share of the government’s recovery.
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare P. Wuerker and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilene Albala. Assistant Attorneys General Ray F. Bowman and Jordan E. Sturgis of the Office of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit handled the matter for Virginia Medicaid claims.
A copy of this press release may be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information from the civil lawsuit can be accessed on PACER by searching for No. 4:21-cv-52.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Baker County Repeat Offender Sentenced to More than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Methamphetamine and FirearmsRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—On September 28, 2023, a Baker County, Oregon man with a lengthy criminal history, who fled from a traffic stop at more than 100 mph and threatened a shootout with police, was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing methamphetamine and firearms.
Zachary Charles Persicke, 38, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in late September 2021, as part of an investigation of Persicke for dealing drugs and illegally possessing firearms, Baker County law enforcement obtained a state search warrant for Persicke’s person and an associated residence. Law enforcement observed Persicke in a vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. While fleeing from police and reaching speeds of more than 100 mph, Persicke called 911, told the dispatcher he had a weapon, and threatened to engage in a shootout. After driving over a spike strip placed by law enforcement, Persicke pulled over and surrendered without incident. In a search of Persicke’s vehicle, officers located and seized more than 300 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded .45 caliber pistol, and an assault-style rifle.
On November 18, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a three-count indictment charging Persicke with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On April 5, 2023, Persicke pleaded guilty to a two-count superseding criminal information charging him with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
This case was investigated by the Baker City Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Oregon State Police and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Albemarle to Pay over $218M to Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act InvestigationRead the Press Release
Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle), a publicly-traded specialty chemicals manufacturing company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, has agreed to pay more than $218 million to resolve investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) stemming from Albemarle’s participation in corrupt schemes to pay bribes to government officials in multiple foreign countries.
According to the company’s admissions in connection with the Department’s resolution, between 2009 and 2017, Albemarle, through its third-party sales agents and subsidiary employees, conspired to pay bribes to government officials to obtain and retain chemical catalyst business with state-owned oil refineries in Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Albemarle obtained profits of approximately $98.5 million as a result of the scheme.
“Albemarle earned nearly $100 million by participating in schemes to pay bribes to government officials in multiple countries,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As today’s announcement makes clear, the Justice Department will work tirelessly with our partners in the ongoing fight against international corruption. Today’s resolution also demonstrates the real benefits that companies can receive if they self-disclose misconduct, substantially cooperate, and extensively remediate.”
In Vietnam, Albemarle corruptly obtained contracts at two state-owned oil refineries through an intermediary sales agent who requested increased commissions to pay bribes to Vietnam officials and to structure tender requirements to favor Albemarle. In Indonesia, Albemarle used a third-party intermediary to corruptly obtain catalyst business with Indonesia’s state-owned oil company, even after that third-party intermediary had informed Albemarle that it was necessary to pay bribes to Indonesian officials to obtain business. In India, Albemarle used a third-party intermediary to corruptly retain catalyst business with India’s state-owned oil company by avoiding Albemarle being blacklisted.
“Corruption has no borders, but neither does justice,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina. “Companies are expected to adhere to the same ethical and legal standards whether they are doing business on U.S. soil or overseas. Albemarle’s eventual voluntary disclosure of fraud and subsequent efforts to remedy its business practices abroad are a step in the right direction for the company. Above all, today’s announcement underscores our commitment to fight corruption affecting the United States no matter where it occurs.”
Albemarle entered into a three-year non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the Department and agreed to pay a penalty of approximately $98.2 million and administrative forfeiture of approximately $98.5 million. The penalty reflects a reduction of $763,453 under Part II of the Criminal Division’s March 2023 Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks Pilot Program for bonuses that the company withheld from qualifying employees. In addition, Albemarle will pay approximately $103.6 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest as part of the resolution of the SEC’s parallel investigation. The Department has agreed to credit approximately $81.9 million of the forfeiture to be paid to the Department against disgorgement Albemarle has agreed to pay to the SEC.
“The $218 million resolution announced today reflects IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) special agents’ commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively expose and disrupt organizations engaged in unscrupulous business practices,” said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. “Thanks to our domestic and international law enforcement partners, we’ve ensured Albemarle will be held accountable for their misdeeds.”
Pursuant to the NPA, Albemarle has agreed to continue to cooperate with the Department in any ongoing or future criminal investigations relating to this conduct. In addition, Albemarle agreed to continue to enhance its compliance program and provide reports to the Department regarding remediation and the implementation of compliance measures for the three-year term of the NPA.
The Department reached this resolution with Albemarle based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense. Albemarle voluntarily disclosed to the Department conduct that forms the basis for the resolution; however, the disclosure was not “reasonably prompt” as defined in the Criminal Division Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP) and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines § 8C2.5(g)(1). Albemarle received credit under the CEP for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included (i) voluntarily disclosing the conduct that forms the basis for this agreement before it came to the Department’s attention; (ii) promptly providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the government to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own extensive independent investigation; (iii) making regular and detailed presentations to the Department; (iv) proactively identifying information previously unknown to the Department; (v) meeting the Department’s requests promptly; (vi) voluntarily making foreign-based employees available for interviews in the United States; (vii) collecting and producing voluminous relevant documents and translations to the Department, including documents located outside the United States; and (viii) producing documents to the Department from foreign countries in ways that did not implicate foreign data privacy laws. The company promptly engaged in extensive remedial measures including, among other things (i) commencing remedial measures based on its internal investigation of the misconduct prior to the commencement of the Department’s investigation; (ii) disciplining employees involved in the misconduct, including terminating 11 employees and withholding bonuses from 16 employees; (iii) strengthening its anti-corruption compliance program by investing in compliance resources, expanding its compliance function with experienced and qualified personnel, and taking steps to embed compliance and ethical values at all levels of its business organization; (iv) transforming its business model and risk management process to reduce corruption risk in its operation and to embed compliance in the business, including implementing a go-to-market strategy that resulted in eliminating the use of sales agents throughout the company, terminating hundreds of other third-party sales representatives, such as distributors and resellers, and shifting to a direct sales business model; (v) providing extensive training to its sales team and restructuring compensation and incentives so that compensation is no longer tied to sales amounts; (vi) using data analytics to monitor and measure its compliance program’s effectiveness; and (vii) engaging in continuous testing, monitoring, and improvement of all aspects of its compliance program beginning almost immediately following the identification of misconduct. In light of these considerations, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 45% reduction off the bottom of the applicable guidelines fine range.
IRS-CI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Katherine Raut of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Indonesia and India provided substantial assistance in the matter.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
NPAAlbemarle to Pay over $218M to Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act InvestigationRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle), a publicly-traded specialty chemicals manufacturing company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, has agreed to pay more than $218 million to resolve investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) stemming from Albemarle’s participation in corrupt schemes to pay bribes to government officials in multiple foreign countries.
According to the company’s admissions in connection with the Department’s resolution, between 2009 and 2017, Albemarle, through its third-party sales agents and subsidiary employees, conspired to pay bribes to government officials to obtain and retain chemical catalyst business with state-owned oil refineries in Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Albemarle obtained profits of approximately $98.5 million as a result of the scheme.
“Albemarle earned nearly $100 million by participating in schemes to pay bribes to government officials in multiple countries,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As today’s announcement makes clear, the Justice Department will work tirelessly with our partners in the ongoing fight against international corruption. Today’s resolution also demonstrates the real benefits that companies can receive if they self-disclose misconduct, substantially cooperate, and extensively remediate.”
From, Dena J. King, United States Attorney“Corruption has no borders, but neither does justice. Companies are expected to adhere to the same ethical and legal standards whether they are doing business on U.S. soil or overseas. Albemarle’s eventual voluntary disclosure of fraud and subsequent efforts to remedy its business practices abroad are a step in the right direction for the company. Above all, today’s announcement underscores our commitment to fight corruption affecting the United States no matter where it occurs.”
In Vietnam, Albemarle corruptly obtained contracts at two state-owned oil refineries through an intermediary sales agent who requested increased commissions to pay bribes to Vietnam officials and to structure tender requirements to favor Albemarle. In Indonesia, Albemarle used a third-party intermediary to corruptly obtain catalyst business with Indonesia’s state-owned oil company, even after that third-party intermediary had informed Albemarle that it was necessary to pay bribes to Indonesian officials to obtain business. In India, Albemarle used a third-party intermediary to corruptly retain catalyst business with India’s state-owned oil company by avoiding Albemarle being blacklisted.
Albemarle entered into a three-year non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the Department and agreed to pay a penalty of approximately $98.2 million and administrative forfeiture of approximately $98.5 million. The penalty reflects a reduction of $763,453 under Part II of the Criminal Division’s March 2023 Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks Pilot Program for bonuses that the company withheld from qualifying employees. In addition, Albemarle will pay approximately $103.6 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest as part of the resolution of the SEC’s parallel investigation. The Department has agreed to credit approximately $81.9 million of the forfeiture to be paid to the Department against disgorgement Albemarle has agreed to pay to the SEC.
“The $218 million resolution announced today reflects IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) special agents’ commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively expose and disrupt organizations engaged in unscrupulous business practices,” said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. “Thanks to our domestic and international law enforcement partners, we’ve ensured Albemarle will be held accountable for their misdeeds.”
Pursuant to the NPA, Albemarle has agreed to continue to cooperate with the Department in any ongoing or future criminal investigations relating to this conduct. In addition, Albemarle agreed to continue to enhance its compliance program and provide reports to the Department regarding remediation and the implementation of compliance measures for the three-year term of the NPA.
The Department reached this resolution with Albemarle based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense. Albemarle voluntarily disclosed to the Department conduct that forms the basis for the resolution; however, the disclosure was not “reasonably prompt” as defined in the Criminal Division Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP) and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines § 8C2.5(g)(1). Albemarle received credit under the CEP for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included (i) voluntarily disclosing the conduct that forms the basis for this agreement before it came to the Department’s attention; (ii) promptly providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the government to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own extensive independent investigation; (iii) making regular and detailed presentations to the Department; (iv) proactively identifying information previously unknown to the Department; (v) meeting the Department’s requests promptly; (vi) voluntarily making foreign-based employees available for interviews in the United States; (vii) collecting and producing voluminous relevant documents and translations to the Department, including documents located outside the United States; and (viii) producing documents to the Department from foreign countries in ways that did not implicate foreign data privacy laws. The company promptly engaged in extensive remedial measures including, among other things (i) commencing remedial measures based on its internal investigation of the misconduct prior to the commencement of the Department’s investigation; (ii) disciplining employees involved in the misconduct, including terminating 11 employees and withholding bonuses from 16 employees; (iii) strengthening its anti-corruption compliance program by investing in compliance resources, expanding its compliance function with experienced and qualified personnel, and taking steps to embed compliance and ethical values at all levels of its business organization; (iv) transforming its business model and risk management process to reduce corruption risk in its operation and to embed compliance in the business, including implementing a go-to-market strategy that resulted in eliminating the use of sales agents throughout the company, terminating hundreds of other third-party sales representatives, such as distributors and resellers, and shifting to a direct sales business model; (v) providing extensive training to its sales team and restructuring compensation and incentives so that compensation is no longer tied to sales amounts; (vi) using data analytics to monitor and measure its compliance program’s effectiveness; and (vii) engaging in continuous testing, monitoring, and improvement of all aspects of its compliance program beginning almost immediately following the identification of misconduct. In light of these considerations, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 45% reduction off the bottom of the applicable guidelines fine range.
IRS-CI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Katherine Raut of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Indonesia and India provided substantial assistance in the matter.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
35-Year-Old Omaha Man and Registered Sex Offender Sentenced in Armed Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Cordell R. Bridgeman, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 28, 2023, in federal court in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 238 months' imprisonment. On June 23, 2023, Bridgeman pled guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two weapons charges for brandishing firearms during and in relation to the two-armed robberies. After his release from prison, Bridgeman will begin a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department determined that on September 18, 2020, Bridgeman, wearing a blue hoodie with the hood up, a light blue surgical mask, and dark pants, entered the Speedee Mart located at 100 West Centennial Road, Papillion, Nebraska. Bridgeman walked to the cooler and selected a beverage. Bridgeman proceeded to the register and requested a pack of "Diamond Swisher" cigars. When the employee requested identification to purchase the cigarettes, Bridgeman pulled out a gun and set it on the counter and demanded money from the register. The employee removed the drawer from the register. Bridgeman told the employee that she had five seconds to place the contents of the drawer in a plastic bag.
That same day, Bridgeman robbed the Walgreens located at 3001 Dodge Street, in Omaha, Nebraska. Bridgeman approached a Walgreens employee working the counter and asked where hand sanitizer was located. When the employee went to scan the hand sanitizer, she saw that Bridgeman had a gun pointed at her at waist level in his right hand. Bridgeman told the employee to give him "Everything in the drawer" and "No funny business." The employee was having a hard time opening the register, and Bridgeman started counting backwards from three to one. The employee placed all the money that was in the register on the counter. Bridgeman grabbed the money, stuffed it in his pocket, and left the store.
At sentencing, the government argued Bridgeman used excessive violence during the commission of these robberies. The government further informed the court that Bridgeman was a registered sex offender at the time he committed the armed robberies. He updated his sex offender registry with Sarpy Country on the same day he committed the robberies, in the same clothing. That evidence, along with the cooperation of several brave eyewitnesses, helped to secure the convictions in this case.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department.
28 September 2023
Woman sentenced for arson of Wellspring Health Access Clinic in CasperRead the Press Release
Lorna Roxanne Green, age 22, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced to 60 months in prison with three years of supervised release, to follow her prison term, for arson of the Wellspring Health Access Clinic located in Casper. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on September 28, 2023.
According to court documents, on May 25, 2022, Casper Police Department officers responded to the Wellspring Health Access Clinic based on a report of suspicious activity. Officers observed smoke coming from the east side of the building and dispatched the Casper Fire Department who responded and extinguished the fire. Through witness accounts and video surveillance, investigators identified a suspect who had gained entry by breaking a window, pouring gas in the facility, then leaving just prior to the report of suspicious activity.
Green was arrested on March 21, 2023, in Casper by the Casper Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Green admitted that she set fire to the clinic, which was under construction at the time and planned to offer OB/GYN services, gender-affirming care, and abortion procedures.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Vassallo said, “No matter what an individual’s opinions or objectives may be, the use of violence and property destruction to advance them is never acceptable. This was a reckless and serious crime which endangered the community and caused significant financial harm to the clinic’s owner. The sentence imposed today, five years of federal incarceration, appropriately reflects the gravity of Ms. Green’s offense.”
“This sentence reflects the FBI’s commitment to vigorously pursue investigations into crimes against pregnancy resource centers, faith-based organizations and reproductive health clinics,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners such as ATF and Casper Police to hold responsible anyone who commits criminal actions, no matter the perpetrator’s justification.”
“Arson is the business of ATF, and is not only dangerous, but often deadly,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. “We are grateful for our longstanding partnerships with the FBI, Casper Police Department and Casper Fire Department. This allowed for the swift deployment and use of ATF resources such as Special Agents, Certified Fire Investigators, and our Forensic Science Lab all of which collectively contributed to our origin and cause determination.”
This crime was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Casper Police Department.
Case No. 23-CR-00066
Wilkes-Barre Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ernesto Richards, age 37, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 180 months of imprisonment. Richards previously pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on September 22, 2022, Richards received a package shipped from Panama at his Wilkes-Barre residence, containing over a kilogram of cocaine. A subsequent search of the residence recovered an additional 150 grams of cocaine, over $11,000, and three firearms, one of which was stolen. Richards has remained in custody since his arrest that day.
The case was investigated by agents from Homeland Security Investigations and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo 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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Westfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Making Hoax Bomb Threat Against Boston Children's HospitalRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Westfield woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to calling in a hoax bomb threat against Boston Children’s Hospital.
Catherine Leavy, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false bomb threat and one count of intentionally conveying false or misleading information that a bomb was on the way to Boston Children’s Hospital. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2024. Leavy was initially arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2022.
In August 2022, law enforcement began monitoring threats made against Boston Children’s Hospital and its employees. Among the wide range of healthcare services it provides, Boston Children’s Hospital is home to the Gender Multispecialty Service (GeMS) program – a healthcare program focused on gender-diverse and transgender adolescents.
On Aug. 30, 2022, Boston Children’s Hospital received a telephonic bomb threat in which the caller said, “There is a bomb on the way to the hospital, you better evacuate everybody you sickos.” As a result of the call, the hospital and surrounding area was placed on lockdown status and a bomb squad was dispatched. An investigation determined no explosive devices were located at the hospital. Subscriber and call detail records and location information for the phone number that called in the threat determined that the phone number was subscribed in Leavy’s name. In addition, cell tower data indicated the phone was nearby Leavy’s residence at the time the bomb threat was made.
During a search of Leavy’s residence on Sept. 15, 2022, the phone used to make the threat was recovered. In an on-scene interview with law enforcement, Leavy expressed disapproval of Boston Children’s Hospital on multiple occasions. Leavy also admitted that she called in the threat to Boston Children’s Hospital on Aug. 30, 2022, but stated that she had no plan or intention to actually bomb the hospital.
The charge of making a false bomb threat provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of intentionally conveying false or misleading information provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Westfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Dolan, Deputy Chief of the National Security Unit, is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Sixteen Individuals for Outstanding Contributions to Public SafetyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON –United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam honors sixteen individuals for their outstanding contributions to public safety. These awards are made each year to a select group of individuals who perform in an exceptional manner and who make significant contributions to our Office’s efforts to promote public safety.
Exemplary Lifetime Service as a Law Enforcement Officer
- DEA Special Agent James Matsko
This award recognizes Special Agent Matsko’s remarkable ability to work on large scale drug trafficking cases over the span of his 25-year career. Special Agent Matsko worked cases relentlessly to gather evidence which led to numerous drug and money seizures throughout the Northeastern United States and resulted in successful prosecutions of national and international drug trafficking organizations with ties to the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
- FBI Special Agent April Phillips
This award recognizes Special Agent Phillips’s tenacious work in multiple fraud and public corruption cases over the course of several years. Those cases involved local public official bribery schemes, COVID-19 pandemic fraud, corporate kickback schemes, and embezzlements by corporate executives. Her efforts have resulted in significant sentences for white collar defendants, and the recovery of hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent proceeds.
Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement
- FBI Special Agent A. Porter Wilson
This award recognizes Special Agent Wilson’s successful efforts to create strong working relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute criminals who pose a danger to our community. In particular, Special Agent Wilson assisted the Bloomsburg and Berwick Police Departments with a missing persons case. Through his efforts with local law enforcement, they were able to solve a local homicide while also identifying serial killer Harold David Haulman who was sentenced to life in prison for two Pennsylvania murders.
Distinguished Service as a Law Enforcement Officer
Eleven individuals received the United States Attorney’s Award for Distinguished Service as a Law Enforcement Officer for their exceptional work in multiple significant criminal prosecutions:
- FBI Special Agent Gary Leone
- FBI Special Agent Dan Wright
- FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joe Nelson
- DOT-OIG Special Agent Christopher Prout (formerly with DOJ-OIG)
- DOJ-OIG Special Agent Frank Adamo
This award recognizes the recipients’ significant and tireless efforts in U.S. v. Christopher Collare. Collare, a state and federal law enforcement official, had inappropriate relationships with multiple female informants over many years, extorted sex from two women in exchange for agreeing to take official actions, provided heroin to informants, and falsified official paperwork.
- DEA Group Supervisor James Hischar
- DEA Diversion Investigator Lou Callavini
- DEA Investigative Assistant Denise Williamson
This award recognizes the recipients’ exceptional work in U.S. v. Raymond Kraynak, a case that involved a Northeastern Pennsylvania doctor who maintained two drug-involved premises and unlawfully prescribed high doses of opioids to multiple patients outside of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medial purpose, causing the death of five patients.
- Kingston Police Department Chief Richard Kotchik
- ATF Task Force Officer Ned Palka
- Kingston Police Department Detective Robert Miller
This award recognizes the recipients’ keen investigatory skills and their unique ability to utilize the appropriate investigatory techniques to gather compelling evidence against drug law violators, including U.S. v. Jose Raymer Tejeda and Edwin Tejeda, and U.S. v. Charles Gibson. Those cases involved drug trafficking organizations in the Wilkes-Barre region and elsewhere that distributed significant quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. A drug dealer in the Tejeda brothers’ drug trafficking organization, distributed fentanyl to an individual who overdosed and died. The investigations resulted in the successful federal prosecutions of over two dozen defendants.
Exemplary Service in Support of Criminal Investigations
- FBI Tactical Specialist Shawn Skovronsky
- FBI Operational Support Technician Mary Hromek
The award recognizes the recipients’ outstanding contributions to the successes of the FBI Scranton Resident Agency’s investigations and this office’s prosecutions for more than 20 years. Mary Hromek handled a wide variety of essential administrative tasks at the Scranton FBI office and was the center of all communications in the FBI office and with its partner agencies. Shawn Skovronsky has provided tactical analysis and other investigative support to all special agents in the Scranton office. Their work has been instrumental in the investigative accomplishments of the Scranton FBI office and consequently in the successful prosecutions of FBI cases in this office.
“We are pleased to recognize the achievements of our colleagues who have made outstanding contributions to promoting public safety, said United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam. “The exemplary work of these sixteen individuals deserves this special recognition, and I thank them for their service.”
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Twelve People Indicted for Federal Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a 26-count indictment against 12 people for drug trafficking and firearm offenses. The indictment alleges that beginning in May 2020, John Holliday, Charlton Holliday, Curtis Clark, England Adams, Kendrick Jackson, Tommy Stuckey, Marvin MCrae, James Gamble, Marilyn Rodriguez, Steve Bates, and Larry Jones engaged in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Curtis Clark, England Adams, and Marvin MCrae engaged in firearm offenses. The defendants were arraigned on September 27, 2023; one defendant remains at large.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Sumter Police Department, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Tucson Felon Sentenced to over 11 Years for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On September 5, Sean Lee Arnold, 51, of Tucson, was sentenced by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 135 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Arnold previously pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
On August 31, 2021, law enforcement agents served a search warrant on Arnold’s home in central Tucson where they found approximately 1.35 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and a rifle. Arnold admitted to agents that he bought and sold multiple pounds of methamphetamine a month and that he knew he was prohibited from possessing weapons.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Ashley Culver and David Petermann, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR 21-2521-TUC-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-140_Arnold# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Titusville Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Distributing Opioids and Benzodiazepines Without A PrescriptionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Basil Samir Itani (46, Titusville) has pleaded guilty to distributing and dispensing controlled substances. Itani faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on nine occasions beginning on January 5, 2023, and continuing through May 24, 2023, a confidential source purchased controlled substances from Itani for cash and without a prescription after hours at Itani’s pharmacy. These controlled substances included oxycodone, methadone, alprazolam, methylphenidate, and morphine. Itani distributed and dispensed these controlled substances in an unauthorized manner by acting outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Titusville Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
Three-Time Federal Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
A convicted felon who received his third federal conviction earlier this year was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison.
Robert Hopkins, age 39, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence in the case showed that on December 1, 2022, Hopkins was driving a car at 1:19 a.m. when he ran a stop sign in Cedar Rapids. Officers with the Cedar Rapids Police Department attempted to stop him. Hopkins pulled over briefly, but then sped away. Hopkins reached speeds of over 50 mph in 25 mph zones as he led officers on a chase through residential areas. Officers pursued him and saw Hopkins throw an object out his window. Hopkins eventually lost control of his car, spun out, and rolled into a squad car. He told officers that he was “severely intoxicated.”
After taking Hopkins into custody, officers looked for the object he had thrown out of the car. They eventually located a loaded .40 caliber handgun laying on the driveway of a residence. The gun had previously been reported stolen from a Cedar Rapids resident in 2022.
This conviction was Hopkins’ third federal conviction in the Northern District of Iowa. In 2007, he was convicted of distributing crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of ammunition. In 2015, he was convicted for distributing heroin. He also has state convictions for assault and drug related crimes.
Hopkins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Hopkins was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
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.
Hopkins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Norwood and Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-30.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Three Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug-Fueled Shooting at Greenville-Spartanburg International AirportRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA --- Three men were sentenced to federal prison after an attempted drug robbery led to a gunfight in a parking garage at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.
Dequadry Kendrick Razor, 21, of Columbia, was sentenced to twenty years in prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and possessing and discharging firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Jaondre Zidarius Collier, 23, and Tyree Laquan Smith, 21, both of Spartanburg, were sentenced to 68 months and 24 months, respectively, after also pleading guilty to drug and gun offenses.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on January 25, 2022, Smith and another man flew into GSP from Los Angeles carrying approximately fifty pounds of marijuana in two suitcases. These two men, along with Collier, had previously traveled from Charlotte to Miami to shoot music videos and then flown to California to purchase marijuana. Collier and his girlfriend flew into Charlotte and then drove to GSP to pick up Smith and the other trafficker. Unbeknownst to them, Razor and a coconspirator were sitting in a car outside the terminal, waiting to rob them. Information presented to the court showed that Razor and others had successfully robbed marijuana traffickers flying into GSP on multiple prior occasions.
After loading their suitcases into the trunk of Collier’s car, Smith and his companion climbed into the backseat. Collier pulled into a parking garage adjacent to the terminal, where the traffickers planned to transfer some of the marijuana into another vehicle. As they began to get out of the car, Razor and his coconspirator rushed in with pistols drawn, and a gunfight broke out. Smith was shot attempting to get out of the vehicle, and the would-be robbers fled without the suitcases, as the traffickers returned fire. Multiple vehicles parked in the garage were struck in the crossfire.
Smith, who had suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound, was loaded into another vehicle and rushed to a Spartanburg hospital. Collier can be seen on footage from the garage climbing back into his bullet-riddled car to chase the robbers. As Razor and his companion attempted to feed a ticket into the kiosk to exit the garage, Collier pulled up behind them and began shooting at them. An innocent bystander was trapped in her vehicle behind the fleeing robbers as Collier fired over her car, striking the kiosk. Razor and his companion were able to exit the garage and fled back to Columbia.
Collier remained at the scene, and responding law enforcement found the suitcases of marijuana in his trunk and two pistols in his glovebox. They also recovered shell casings from at least four different handguns. Investigators quickly identified the car used by the robbers, which they found at a Columbia home where Razor was living. A search of the bedroom Razor was staying in revealed a large bag of marijuana and two handguns. One of these guns was forensically matched to shell casings recovered from the parking garage and from the well of the windshield of the robbers’ car.
“Armed drug trafficking and the violence it spawns pose a threat to even our most secure and critical infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “No one should have to fear getting caught in crossfire at an airport. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from this type of brazen violence.”
“The reckless disregard of the public’s safety by these defendants is unconscionable,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office Steve Jensen. “The diligent efforts of all the law enforcement partners have ensured that these individuals are paying the price for their violent acts and drug trafficking into the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.”
Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong sentenced the defendants in this case. Several additional defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing in connection with this shooting and related drug trafficking. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) and the GSP Airport District Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Schoen is prosecuting the case.
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Three Individuals Convicted for Laundering Money Stolen from Scam Victims Through Gift CardsRead the Press Release
A jury in Los Angeles convicted three individuals for their roles in laundering proceeds of large-scale consumer fraud schemes through gift card transactions. Blade Bai, Bowen Hu and Tairan Shi were convicted of conspiracy to launder proceeds of wire fraud. Bai was also convicted of a separate money laundering conspiracy count.
As part of the scheme, fraudsters engaged in government-imposter scams and tech support scams. In a government-imposter scam, fraudsters contact consumers and impersonate government officials, such as officials with the Social Security Administration or local police officers. The fraudsters falsely claim that victims need to purchase gift cards to resolve an issue, often claiming that the victims are subject to a pending arrest warrant or that the victims have a problem with their Social Security number. In a tech support scam, fraudsters deceive victims into believing that there is a serious problem with the victim’s computer or with an online or mobile app account access and that the problem can only be resolved by paying substantial amounts through gift cards.
In this case, telephone scammers instructed victims to purchase gift cards from the retail store Target and provide the scammers with the account numbers and access codes listed on the gift cards. The defendants then distributed the numbers assigned to the gift cards to “runners,” who used the funds on the cards at Target stores (primarily in Los Angeles and Orange counties) to purchase consumer electronics, other gift cards and other items. In one instance presented as evidence at trial, runners acting on behalf of the defendants redeemed gift cards that originated from a victim in Illinois approximately 13 minutes after the victim purchased the cards. Through the purchases and other transactions at multiple Target stores, the defendants and their co-conspirators sought to conceal the fact that the gift cards had been originally funded with fraudulent proceeds.
“Defendants played a key role in victimizing American consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This case is a testament to the commitment of the department and our partners to ensuring that all those who knowingly facilitate fraud face justice.”
“This investigation is a good example of law enforcement collaboration coming together to protect communities from fraudulent activities,” said Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles “HSI and its partners on the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force will continue to track down criminal organizations preying on innocent victims and ensure they are held accountable.”
“These defendants knowingly laundered the proceeds of a fraudulent scheme that targeted vulnerable citizens, including older Americans,” said Assistant Director in Charge Donald Always of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “This significant conviction should educate potential victims about the scam and send a message to anyone conducting similar schemes that the bureau and our partners are serious about combating this fraud. Anyone being asked to purchase a gift card in order to resolve a technical issue or to avoid an arrest should not spend money but instead, make a report to the FBI at IC3.gov.”
A fourth defendant, Yan Fu, had previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Bai, Hu and Shi are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 26, 2024.
HSI and the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, West Covina Resident Agency investigated the case. The investigation was conducted under the auspice of HSI Los Angeles' El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force comprised of federal and state investigators focused on financial crimes in Southern California.
The Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General also provided assistance during the investigation, as did the following: the Brea (California) Police Department, Glynn County (Georgia) Police Department, Fontana (California) Police Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Police Department, Streamwood (Illinois) Police Department, Cleveland (Ohio) Police Department, Madera County (California) Sheriff’s Office, New York Police Department, Norwood (New Jersey) Police Department, Loudoun County (Virginia) Sheriff's Office, Waukesha County (Wisconsin) Sheriff's Department, Fremont (California) Police Department, Marin County (California) Sheriff’s Office, County of Hawaii Police Department, Henderson (Nevada) Police Department, Wilmington (Massachusetts) Police Department, Las Vegas (Nevada) Metropolitan Police Department, Lewisville (Texas) Police Department, Gardena (California) Police Department, Des Moines (Iowa) Police Department, Cobb County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Department, Millburn (New Jersey) Police, Wauwatosa (Wisconsin) Police Department, San Angelo (Texas) Police Department, Fairfax City (Virginia) Police Department and Virginia Beach (Virginia) Police Department.
Trial Attorneys Wei Xiang and Meredith Healy of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Tait of the Major Frauds Section for the Central District of California prosecuted the case.
The Consumer Protection Branch and United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California are part of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, which investigates and prosecutes scams run by transnational criminal organizations, including mass mailing and telemarketing fraud scams.
If you purchased a gift card at the direction of a scammer, immediately call the gift card issuer and ask them to freeze the gift card numbers involved – and save your receipt and the gift card. Then, report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/ or 877-382-4357, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, and to your local police department.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California may be found at www.justice.gov/usao-cdca.
Third Defendant in Amazon Fraud Scheme Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENOY STEWART, 27, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to nine months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”).
According to court documents and statements made in court, Stewart created multiple vendor accounts with Amazon allowing him to sell merchandise through the website on a third-party basis. He often opened the accounts using false names, email addresses and other identifying information. After setting up the accounts, Stewart represented to Amazon that he was shipping it valuable merchandise to be held for sale by the company. In reality, he would not ship the merchandise, and would later falsely claim that it had been lost, supporting his false claims with fabricated documents. Amazon sent Stewart a series of refunds for the purportedly lost merchandise.
Through this scheme, Stewart defrauded Amazon of $1,063.762.82. Judge Thompson ordered him to pay full restitution.
On February 10, 2022, Stewart, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Stewart, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 30.
Two other individuals involved in this scheme pleaded guilty to the same charge. On September 5, 2023, Stewart’s brother, Oshane Stewart, who defrauded Amazon of approximately $742,000, was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment. On September 27, 2023, Rajhni Yankana, who defrauded Amazon of approximately $210,000, was sentenced to five months of imprisonment and five months of home detention.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from Amazon. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor M. Reardon and Christopher W. Schmeisser.