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27 September 2023
Grand jury adds new robberies, gun crimes to charges against 2 central Ohio men in July I-70 shootoutRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment that adds new charges against the two central Ohio men allegedly involved in the July 6 shooting of a Columbus police officer.
The 10-count superseding indictment now charges Faisal M. Darod, 23, of Columbus, with aiding and abetting four other robberies in addition to the originally charged robbery of Fifth Third bank in Hilliard on July 6. Darod is also charged with four counts of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during the robberies.
Aden Abdullahi Jama, 20, of Reynoldsburg, is charged with being an accessory after the fact to bank robbery, two counts of aiding and abetting robberies and two counts of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during the robberies.
The robberies to which the defendants allegedly aided and abetted include:
Date
Location
Defendant Charged
June 21, 2023
GameStop on Hilliard-Rome Road in Hilliard
Darod
July 3, 2023
Auto Gallery on Westerville Road in Minerva Park
Darod
July 5, 2023
Fifth Third Bank on Fishinger Road in Upper Arlington
Darod & *Jama
*accessory after the fact
July 6, 2023
Byers Imports on North Hamilton Road in Whitehall
Darod & Jama
July 6, 2023
Fifth Third Bank on Hilliard-Rome Road in Hilliard
Darod & Jama
The superseding indictment alleges Darod helped steal a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray from Auto Gallery, more than $75,000 from the Fifth Third in Upper Arlington, and multiple PlayStation gaming consoles.
Both men allegedly aided and abetted the theft of a 2020 Porsche Cayenne SUV from Byers Imports and more than $85,000 from the Fifth Third in Hilliard.
Columbus Police and other law enforcement officers encountered Darod and Jama on I-70 near downtown Columbus after the July 6 Fifth Third Bank robbery in Hilliard. A shootout followed during which a Columbus Police officer was severely injured and a third person in the car with Darod and Jama was killed.
The United States Marshals’ Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested Darod in the early morning hours of July 7 outside his Columbus residence. U.S. Marshals and Homeland Security Investigation agents arrested Jama at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on July 8. The two remain in custody.
Aiding and abetting a bank robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a potential penalty of at least five years and up to life in prison. Being an accessory after the fact of bank robbery is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant; the United States Marshals in Columbus and Chicago; ICE and HSI Chicago; the Whitehall, Minerva Parka and Upper Arlington police departments; and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the superseding indictment returned today. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case.
A superseding indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Georgia man sentenced for key role in drug trafficking ring that engaged in COVID fraudRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Laurens County, Ga., man identified as a drug supplier in a Southeastern drug trafficking organization has been sentenced to federal prison, and his four co-defendants are serving prison terms after all pled guilty to charges related to the conspiracy.
Dennis Rodriguez Kinchen, 46, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 150 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, 500 Grams or More of Cocaine, and an Amount of Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Marijuana; and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also fined Kinchen $40,000 and ordered him to serve four years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“The defendants in this case not only distributed massive amounts of addictive, illegal drugs throughout middle and coastal Georgia, but also defrauded taxpayers through blatant abuse of COVID-19 relief programs,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “All of them deservedly have been sentenced to long prison terms for their crimes thanks to outstanding investigative work from our law enforcement partners.”
As part of his guilty plea, Kinchen agreed to forfeit an Atlanta condominium purchased with COVID-19 relief funds, and a certificate of deposit of $297,336 purchased with pandemic relief funds.
Kinchen and his co-defendants were identified during “Operation All Eyes On Me,” an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation of drug traffickers distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana in middle and south Georgia and in Florida. The five co-conspirators were identified through a series of controlled purchases, phone surveillance and searches of multiple properties conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and agents from the Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team.
The investigation identified Angel Amaral, 57, of Hollywood, Fla., as the supplier of illegal drugs to Kinchen, who delivered the drugs to distributors in Georgia. Amaral is serving a 70-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Cocaine.
Kinchen used the Savannah residence of his girlfriend, former Savannah-area strip club owner Jaqueline Somesso, 54, as a stash house for drugs and firearms. Somesso is serving an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to Misprision of a Felony for knowingly allowing her home to be used in illegal activity and to Bank Fraud for submitting a fake pandemic relief application resulting in losses of $570,236.54. She was ordered to pay restitution in that amount. The court also entered a consent order forfeiting her interest in a certificate of deposit of $350,236 and a bank account of $3,520, both containing fraud money seized from her during the investigation.
Two other defendants are serving prison terms after pleading guilty in the conspiracy: Sherman Levon Scott, 54, of Pooler, Ga., who was identified as a drug distributor; and Tony Heldore, 52, of Richmond Hill, Ga., a marijuana supplier who worked at two of Somesso’s clubs – Karma Entertainment and Lux Gentlemen’s Club, in Hardeeville, S.C. Scott is serving 145 months in federal prison, and Heldore is serving a 35-month term.
“Poisonous drugs continue to flow into our communities at the expense of too many lives,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “These traffickers must now face the consequences of their actions.”
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Operation All Eyes On Me was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Savannah District Office and the Savannah-Chatham County Counter Narcotics Team, with assistance from the DEA Miami Field Division, the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted for the United States of America by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Bishop Ravenel and Lindsay Berman-Hansell.
Gainesville Business Owner Settles PPP Fraud AllegationsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Joe Slaiby, of Gainesville, agreed to pay $350,000 to settle a civil fraud case that alleged he falsified payroll and income documents to obtain loans through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for four businesses where he is the owner and President.
The PPP offered loans to eligible small businesses for economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP borrowers were required to provide their income and supporting documents to qualify for the loan amount.
Slaiby obtained seven PPP loans for his four businesses, Black Hat Transportation LLC, Green Team Limousine d.b.a. Choice Limousine & Sedan Services LLC, Health N Wealth World LLC, and Slaiby7 Investments LLC, by submitting loan applications with inflated income and fabricated payroll documents to SBA-authorized lenders. Based on these fraudulent applications, Slaiby and his corporations, with the help of co-conspirator Bennie E. Magee, obtained PPP funds.
The settlement arises in connection with a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the FCA, United States ex rel. Salman v. Bull Run Capital Investments, Inc., et al. 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 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 relator here will receive a share of this settlement.
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, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Fraud Task Force, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Starr. The civil claims settled by this False Claims Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information from the civil lawsuit can be accessed on PACER by searching for No. 1:21-cv-852. The criminal case against Bennie E. Magee can be accessed on PACER by searching for No. 1:23-cr-91.
Fulton County, Georgia, Jail Officer Indicted for Strangling InmateRead the Press Release
A former Fulton County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office detention officer was indicted on federal charges of depriving a pretrial detainee of her civil rights under color of law.
The indictment charges former Detention Officer Monique Clark, 32, with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for willfully using unreasonable force against a pretrial detainee, who is identified in the indictment as C.B. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Clark, without legal justification, strangled C.B. while C.B. was handcuffed, resulting in bodily injury to C.B.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia and Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Atlanta Field Office investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Gray for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
clark_indictment_september_27.pdfFrench cybercriminal pleads guilty to fraud and aggravated identity theft for hacking private informationRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 22-year-old French citizen from Epinal, France, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sebastien Raoult, aka Sezyo Kaizen, was arrested last year in Morocco and was extradited to the U.S. in January 2023. Raoult and two co-conspirators were indicted by a grand jury sitting in the Western District of Washington in June 2021.
“People often think their actions from behind a screen won’t have consequences for them. Raoult and his co-conspirators used deceptive tactics to trick people into sharing personal login information and breached confidential data from numerous companies,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “The FBI Seattle Cyber Task Force and our office’s cyber unit work tirelessly to ensure victims of fraud and hacking like this get justice.”
According to the plea agreement, Raoult and his co-conspirators hacked into protected computers of corporate entities for the theft of confidential information and customer records, including personally identifiable information and financial information. They hacked numerous companies, including companies in Washington State, elsewhere in the United States, and around the world. After Raoult and his co-conspirators hacked companies, a user going by the name ShinyHunters posted hacked data from many of those companies for sale on dark web forums, including RaidForums, EmpireMarket, and Exploit. Between April 2020 and July 2021, ShinyHunters posted sales of hacked data from more than 60 companies. Sometimes ShinyHunters threatened to leak or sell stolen sensitive files if the victim did not pay a ransom.
According to the records filed in the case, Raoult helped create websites that pretended to be login pages belonging to legitimate businesses. The conspirators sent phishing emails to company employees that were designed to look like they came from legitimate businesses and contained links to those login pages. Victims provided their account sign-on credentials on those fake login pages, and the conspirators obtained the victims’ credentials. Raoult and his co-conspirators used the login information to breach victims’ accounts, steal the data stored there, and search the stolen data for credentials to access additional data on companies’ networks and third-party service providers, such as cloud storage services. In total, the conspirators stole hundreds of millions of customer records and caused loss to victim companies that is estimated to exceed $6 million.
The conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by a maximum of 27 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory minimum two-year prison term to follow any other prison sentence imposed in the case.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Seattle Cyber Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Miriam R. Hinman. DOJ’s Office of International Affairs is providing substantial assistance. The Department of Justice also appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by Moroccan and French authorities.
Fraudster sent to prison for back-to-back fraud schemeRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 39-year-old Orange Grove woman has been ordered to federal prison following her convictions of fraud and identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Katrina Theiss Freitag pleaded guilty to Fraudulent use of a Social Security number on April 5, 2022. Prior to sentencing Freitag committed additional fraudulent conduct and plead guilty to aggravated identity theft April 17.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Freitag to serve 80 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release for fraudulent use of a Social Security number. She will also receive two years for aggravated identity theft which must be served consecutively for a total 104-month sentence. At the hearing, the court heard that Freitag was involved in an additional fraud scheme while working for another employer and statements from victims of Freitag’s schemes.
From 2012 to 2017, Freitag worked for a commercial insulation company as a bookkeeper who handled day-to-day business activities including finances. She obtained unauthorized cash advances using the companies’ receivables as collateral. Freitag used the owner’s Social Security number and signed the owner’s name to the cash advance documents without authorization. She executed five unauthorized secure merchant agreements over seven months. The company incurred a loss of $580,000 because of Freitag’s scheme.
Freitag pleaded guilty April 5, 2022, to two counts of fraudulent use of Social Security number in a loan scheme. After this plea, she was permitted to remain on bond.
Freitag then began working for a Corpus Christi pawn shop as a bookkeeper. The manager discovered several suspicious credit card transactions on the owner’s credit card account. The investigation revealed Freitag made unauthorized online charges for groceries, payments to a tax preparation company and her personal cell phone bill. There was an also a forged company check electronically deposited into Freitag’s bank account. Freitag was remanded into custody after this scheme and pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft related to use of the pawn shop owner’s credit card account without authorization.
Freitag will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Orange Grove Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert D. Thorpe Jr. and John Marck prosecuted the case.
Four-Time Congressional Candidate Charged in Long-Running Misuse of Campaign FundsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Federal prosecutors today unsealed a grand jury indictment that accuses a Torrance man who was a candidate for a Los Angeles County congressional seat in four federal elections with misusing campaign funds, including funneling tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations back to himself through his friends and family.
Omar Navarro, 34, is charged in a 43-count grand jury indictment. He is currently in state custody on unrelated charges, but he is expected to be turned over soon to federal authorities.
As part of the case against Navarro, FBI agents today arrested Dora Asghari, 59, of Torrance, who is Navarro’s mother, and Zacharias Diamantides-Abel, 34, of Long Beach, who is a friend of Navarro, both of whom are accused of conspiring with Navarro to convert campaign donations to personal use.
Navarro unsuccessfully campaigned in the four most recent election cycles to represent south Los Angeles County residents in California’s 43rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.
The indictment returned on September 14 and unsealed today alleges that Navarro, from September 2017 through July 2020, illegally funneled campaign cash to himself. The indictment outlines a scheme in which Navarro allegedly made payments from his campaign to various individuals – including Asghari and Abel – and then directed the transfer of cash back to himself for personal use.
Navarro also allegedly used campaign funds to pay for personal expenses, including trips to Las Vegas and wine country, as well as two criminal defense attorneys. According to the indictment, Navarro later falsely reported these expenditures as campaign expenses to the Federal Election Commission.
Asghari and Abel concealed Navarro’s misdirection of campaign funds by frequently cashing the checks rather than depositing them into their personal bank accounts. If they deposited the check, they often withdrew the funds shortly thereafter to share with Navarro.
In total, from December 2017 to June 2020, Abel and Asghari allegedly received $49,260 and $58,625, respectively, from Navarro’s campaign, according to checks he wrote or caused to be written to them. According to the indictment, Asghari also created a shell company to facilitate her receipt of these campaign payments and transfers back to Navarro and his own shell company.
According to the indictment, from January 2018 through July 1, 2020, Navarro deposited over $100,000 in cash into his personal accounts, even though he had no other source of income aside from the campaign funds, and he frequently made deposits after Abel or Asghari cashed campaign checks. Navarro also formed a sham charity called the United Latino Foundation as another way to embezzle funds from his campaign for his personal use.
All three defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy. Navarro is charged with 13 counts of wire fraud, 26 counts of falsification of records, and three counts of prohibited use of campaign funds. Asghari is charged with six counts of wire fraud. Abel is charged with two counts of wire fraud.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted in this case, Navarro, Asghari and Abel would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy count and up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count in which they were charged. Navarro also would face up to 20 years in federal prison for each falsification of records count and up to five years in prison for each count of prohibited use of campaign contributions.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter. The California Fair Political Practices Commission provided assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Frances S. Lewis and Thomas F. Rybarczyk of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.
Four Men Sentenced for Armed Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced four individuals in connection with their robbery spree of businesses in Florida. The four men were responsible for the armed robberies of seven convenience stores and one towing business. Each pleaded guilty to several counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and brandishing a firearm and received the following sentences:
Name
Date of Plea
Sentencing Date
Sentence Imposed
DaMarris Jean Saint-Juste
(20, Orlando)
06/26/2023
09/14/2023
17 years, 10 months
Marcus Terrell Ellington, Jr.
(22, Orlando)
06/26/2023
09/14/2023
16 years
Nelson Ross Henderson
(21, Orlando)
07/10/2023
09/26/2023
15 years, 6 months
Rodreakas Deshay Smith, Jr.
(19, Orlando)
02/14/2023
09/27/2023
10 years, 6 months
According to court records, Saint-Juste and Ellington were involved in all eight robberies, Henderson was involved in three robberies, and Smith was involved in two robberies.
The first robbery occurred on August 26, 2022, at approximately 3:21 a.m., at TL Towing located at 605 Ferguson Drive in Orlando. Saint-Juste, Ellington, and Henderson were involved in robbing an employee of the business at gunpoint and stealing $3,000 cash from inside the office. The fourth male involved in this robbery was not identified. The defendants can be seen on surveillance video (pictured above) as they approached the business. Moments later, the men confront the victim with guns and chase after him before breaking into the office of the business.
The second robbery occurred less than an hour later, on August 26, 2022, at approximately 4:05 a.m. at a 7-Eleven located at 1439 West Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka. The clerk was robbed at gunpoint by Saint-Juste, Ellington, and Henderson. Approximately $200, an iPhone, and tobacco products were stolen during the robbery.
The third robbery occurred on August 30, 2022, at 4:06 a.m. at the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 1117 East Semoran Boulevard in Orlando. Saint-Juste (left), Smith (middle), and Ellington (right) stole approximately $270 from two registers and are depicted in the video still images below:
The fourth robbery occurred on August 30, 2022, at approximately 5:28 a.m., at the Circle K convenience store located at 2202 West McCormick Road in Apopka. Sain-Juste, Ellington, and Smith entered the store wearing similar clothing as the third robbery described above, which occurred 82 minutes earlier. They stole $70-$90 in cash from the cash register, several tobacco products, and a roll of $50 Florida lottery tickets. The defendants were unsuccessful in their attempt to enter the store’s safe.
The fifth robbery was committed by Saint-Juste, Ellington, Henderson, and a juvenile who was prosecuted in state court. It occurred on August 31, 2022, at 4:46 a.m., at the 7-Eleven located at 5492 International Drive in Orlando. The clerk complied with the armed men as they stole cash from the registers and scratch-off lottery tickets. Surveillance shows Saint-Juste (left) and Ellington (right) below:
Henderson was also captured on video after he stole the cash and lottery tickets from behind the counter:
The last three robberies were committed by Saint-Juste and Ellington. In each robbery, the men used firearms to steal cash, tobacco, and lottery tickets. The sixth robbery occurred on September 11, 2022, at 2:31 a.m., at the Rebel Gas station located at 2294 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee. The seventh robbery occurred on September 11, 2022, at 2:45 a.m., at the 7-Eleven located at 901 E. Vine Street in Kissimmee. The eighth robbery occurred on September 14, 2022, at 3:15 a.m., at the Speedway convenience store located at 27345 US Hwy 27 in Leesburg.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from many local law enforcement agencies, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Police Department, the Apopka Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Kissimmee Police Department, and the Leesburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranganath Manthripragada and Michael P. Felicetta.
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.
Former state trooper gets 43 years for sexually assaulting womenRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old former state trooper will now see the other side of a prison cell after coercing two women into providing him with oral sex while on duty, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The jury deliberated for three hours before returning a guilty verdict against Lee Ray Boykin Jr. following a four-day trial Jan. 13.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks has now ordered Boykin to serve 516 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In imposing the sentence, the court called Boykin a “predator” who had not shown remorse for his crimes. “Your crocodile tears do not impress me,” said Hanks. Boykin attempted to blame the victims, but the court said it was “repugnant,” saying that he had destroyed their lives.
“Lee Ray Boykin turned traffic stops into sexual assaults,” said U.S. Attorney Hamdani. “He used his badge and all the power it afforded to force himself onto two vulnerable women. Boykin targeted victims he believed would not report him and even thought he got away with it. He was wrong. This sentence sends a message that we will pursue anyone that poses a threat to our citizens, no matter what position they hold. And thanks to the hard work of law enforcement, the position Boykin now holds is inmate.”
At trial, the jury determined Boykin had deprived two separate victims of their right to bodily integrity while acting in his capacity as a state trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in that he committed aggravated sexual abuse as to one victim and kidnapping as to the other victim. He was also found guilty of two counts of destruction, alteration or falsification of records in a federal investigation.
One of the victims explained how Boykin had taken her to a secluded parking lot after being ordered out of her friend’s car following a traffic stop. Once there, Boykin falsely accused her of being a prostitute, threatened to take her to jail and forced her to perform oral sex on him. Afterwards, he told her to run while placing his hand on his gun.
The jury heard evidence that showed Boykin’s DNA in the parking lot. The victim’s DNA was also found on Boykin’s underwear.
The second victim testified that Boykin ordered her out of her friend’s car and placed her into Boykin’s vehicle. Boykin falsely told her she had outstanding traffic warrants. He then took this victim to the same secluded parking lot, where she performed oral sex on him. Three days later, Boykin attempted to get her into his trooper car again, but she was able to escape.
The jury also heard about statements Boykin had made to authorities. Regarding the sexual assault of the first victim, he said he thought he “got away with it” and knew he should not have done it. He said he “just wanted to try.”
The jury did not believe defense claims and ultimately found him guilty.
Boykin has been and will remain in custody.
The Houston Police Department and Texas Rangers conducted the investigation with the assistance of FBI and DPS. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Kate A. Suh are prosecuting the case.
Former Union President Sentenced in Connection with $36,000 EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 27, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Felix Luciano, former President of Local 2805 chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees and former Department of Homeland Security officer, was sentenced in federal court today to four months in custody for filing a false report to conceal his embezzlement of thousands of dollars in union dues.
U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta also ordered Luciano to repay $36,000 to Local 2805 as money that he embezzled and pay a $10,000 fine. In imposing the sentence, Judge Ohta found that Luciano abused the trust of union members.
Local 2805 is a labor union which represents Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
According to court records, from January of 2016 to December of 2018, Luciano used some of Local 2805’s money for a variety of personal expenses, including shopping, travel reimbursements, groceries, dining, dry cleaning, and paying for non-union accounts. He did this by writing checks from Local 2805’s checking account and using Local 2805’s debit and credit cards to directly pay personal expenses. As a result of Luciano’s actions, he caused a total loss of $36,000 to Local 2805.
As Local 2805’s president, Luciano was required to file an annual Form LM-3 financial report with the United States Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. A Form LM-3 is a report containing information about the organization over the prior year, including assets, liabilities, and disbursements to officers. A Form LM-3 is sworn under penalty of perjury. In the LM-3 report he filed in 2018, Luciano underreported the amount of money that he received from Local 2805 and Local 2805’s cash balance. In doing so, Luciano attempted to hide his embezzlement from the Department of Labor, his fellow union officers, as well as the union membership whose dues were the source of the embezzled funds.
“When workers devote their hard-earned money to labor unions, they rightly expect the officers to be honest stewards of their dues,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Haden. “Felix Luciano abused the trust of the government employees represented by Local 2805 for his own personal benefit. We hope this criminal prosecution helps to hold Luciano accountable for his crimes and serves as a deterrent for others who might consider abusing the trust of union members.”
“While the vast majority of union officials do their work diligently and without incident, unfortunately criminal violations do occur. When they do, it is the union and its members that are the victims. Felix Luciano embezzled over $36,000 from AFGE Local 2805 that should have been used for its members’ benefit,” said Ed Oquendo, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. “OLMS is committed to hold accountable anyone who unlawfully exploits their position for financial gain at the expense of their fellow union members.”
Carroll Harris, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division, stated, “This investigation was an excellent example of a partnership between federal law enforcement agencies, working together in the pursuit of justice. I fully commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all the law enforcement agencies involved.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Alexander.
DEFENDANT Case Number 22cr2201-JO
Felix Luciano Age: 61 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
False Statement, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
AGENCIES
Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards
Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General
United States Postal Inspection Service
Former Paterson Resident Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former Paterson, New Jersey, resident was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for his role in a bank fraud conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Brando Mancebo, 24, formerly of Paterson, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. district Judge Kevin McNulty to an information charging him with possession of stolen mail and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Mancebo and others conspired to break into U.S. Postal Service collection boxes in Bergen, Hudson, and Morris counties and steal mail. They agreed to fraudulently deposit stolen checks into bank accounts associated with members of the conspiracy, even though they were not payees on the checks. Members of the conspiracy then withdrew funds from those accounts.
In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty sentenced Mancebo to five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $106,374 and forfeiture of $2,025.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Calle of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
Former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Online Enticement to Engage in Sexual Activity with A MinorRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Chief United States District Court Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Alejandro Carmona-Fonseca (49, Green Cove Springs) to 11 years and 8 months in federal prison, followed by15 years of supervised release, for attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Carmona-Fonseca had pleaded guilty on December 14, 2022. He has been detained since his arrest on June 6, 2022. Carmona-Fonseca had been employed as an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).
According to court documents, this case began when the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received a report from a local gym about a gym member, Carmona-Fonseca, sending a nude photo to another gym member, who was a minor child - Minor Victim 1 (MV1). During an interview with CCSO, MV1 explained that Carmona-Fonseca had requested MV1’s Snapchat account, and MV1 provided it to him. MV1 told Carmona-Fonseca he was in high school. Carmona-Fonseca sent images and videos with his genitals exposed to MV1. At one point, Carmona-Fonseca sent MV1 a picture of himself in his police uniform and wrote “you can call me your police daddy.” At times, Carmona-Fonseca would ask for shirtless pictures of MV1.
With the consent of MV1 and his parents, CCSO assumed MV1’s identity over Snapchat and, on March 3, 2022, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Task Force Officer (TFO)/CCSO detective began communicating with Carmona-Fonseca using MV1’s Snapchat account. The TFO confirmed Carmona-Fonseca was friends with MV1 and that location services were turned on in Snapchat. The TFO observed Carmona-Fonseca’s location numerous times during the chat. Carmona-Fonseca’s location showed him next to a JSO substation on numerous occasions, the areas where he worked as a patrol officer, near his residence, and near the gym he frequented. The TFO communicated with Carmona-Fonseca on March 3 and March 4, 2022. During those conversations, Carmona-Fonseca sent a video in his police uniform. He also sent one in which he was nude with his genitals exposed. Carmona-Fonseca also made several requests for nude videos of MV1 flexing. Carmona-Fonseca said that everything stayed between them and because it was Snapchat, it would disappear.
Further investigation by law enforcement also resulted in the identification of additional victims that had been exploited by Carmona-Fonseca over Snapchat.
“Instead of honoring his oath to serve and protect, this former law enforcement officer chose to use his position of trust to exploit the innocence of the very children he was charged with protecting,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Alongside our law enforcement partners, HSI and the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force will continue to aggressively target those who prey upon our children."
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former IT Contractor Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Stolen Property from the U.S. Small Business AdministrationRead the Press Release
Defendant Brazenly Used Victim’s WiFi to Post Stolen Equipment
WASHINGTON – Ashley Robinson, 31, of Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today, in Superior Court, to one count of trafficking in stolen property in connection with stealing and reselling at least at least $110,233 worth of laptop computers from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), and Acting Investigations Branch Chief Brendt Johnson, of the Federal Protective Service (FPS).
Superior Court Judge Erik Christian accepted Robinson’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for November 28, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, Robinson agrees to pay restitution to the victim.
Robinson was employed as a contractor who was assigned to work at the SBA Information Technology Service Center service desk at SBA headquarters in Washington, D.C. According to the government’s evidence, between November 20, 2017, and August 22, 2018, Robinson stole and then resold at least 57 laptop computers from the SBA. In September and October 2017, the SBA received 100 Microsoft Surface Pro laptop computers, each of which was purchased for at least $1,933.92. Robinson had direct access to these computers as part of her job responsibilities, which included issuing computers to SBA headquarters staff. A few months later, the SBA's Office of the Chief Information Officer determined that 72 of the laptop computers were unaccounted for and had never issued to SBA headquarters staff.
The SBA's Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) launched an investigation which revealed that Robinson had taken possession of, posted, and sold, multiple SBA laptop computers on OfferUp, an online customer-to-customer marketplace used to buy and sell products and services and did so while was using the SBA headquarters' guest wireless network. In total, the Defendant had sold 57 Microsoft Surface Pro computers on OfferUp to seven different individuals during the relevant period, for an approximate loss to the SBA of at least $110,233.44.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge McCall-Brathwaite, and Acting Investigations Branch Chief Johnson commended the work of those who investigated the case from SBA OIG. They also acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin D. Bleiberg, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston.
Former Braddock Resident Indicted on Bank Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Braddock, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of bank robbery, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Dwayne Harvey, 55, formerly of Braddock, PA, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about July 28, 2023, Harvey robbed a branch of Huntington Bank in North Versailles, PA of over $4,000; and on or about August 8, 2023, Harvey robbed a branch of Citizens Bank in Pittsburgh, PA of over $3,000.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin C. Dobkin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the North Versailles Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Accounting Manager of Pasadena Storage Business Agrees to Plead Guilty to Insider Trading that Led to Nearly $500,000 in ProfitsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former employee at a publicly traded Pasadena-based company has agreed to plead guilty to buying more than 66,000 company shares based on non-public information that the company was about to be acquired at a higher per-share price, and then selling the shares after news of the acquisition became public, resulting in nearly $500,000 in ill-gotten gains, the Justice Department announced today.
Marco Antonio Perez, 59, a.k.a. “Marc Perez,” of Glendora, is charged with one count of insider trading, a felony that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Both the information charging Perez and his plea agreement were filed this morning in United States District Court. Perez has been ordered to make his initial appearance in this case on October 5.
According to the plea agreement, General Finance Corp., a Pasadena-based storage and modular space company, employed Perez as an accounting manager who reported to the company’s chief financial officer. He also performed assignments for the company’s chairman, including printing out the chairman’s emails. As a result, Perez had access to material information belonging to General Finance, including offers to buy the company, before the information was released to the investing public.
In violation of his fiduciary duties to General Finance and its shareholders, and in violation of the company’s policy against insider trading, in March and April of 2021, Perez purchased a total of 66,585 shares of General Finance stock which he was later able to sell for a total of $1,262,815. Perez purchased the General Finance stock after reading confidential emails sent to the company’s chairman in early 2021 that concerned the pending sale of General Finance for a price in the range of $19-$20 per share. Perez paid prices between $10 and $12 for the 66,585 shares he bought.
General Finance was ultimately sold to the Stamford, Connecticut-based United Rentals Inc. On April 15, 2021, United Rentals issued a press release announcing that it was acquiring General Finance for $19 per share. Prior to this announcement, General Finance’s share price closed that day at $12.17. The day after United Rentals’ announcement, the price of General Finance shares surged from $12.17 – the closing price before the announcement – to $19 per share.
Within two weeks of the announcement, Perez sold all 66,585 shares he had purchased on inside information, netting a profit of approximately $488,533.
In his plea agreement, Perez also admitted to tipping off two people about the impending sale of General Finance, which also violated General Finance’s policy against insider trading. Both individuals acted on Perez’s inside information and made profits of $127,140 and $34,867, respectively.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission today announced civil charges against Perez stemming from his illegal activity in this case.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ranee A. Katzenstein and Steven M. Arkow of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.
Florida Man Sentenced for $2.5 Million COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Massachusetts resident was sentenced today in connection with filing fraudulent applications to obtain $2.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Vinicius Santana, 35, of Boca Raton, Fla. and formerly of Revere, Mass. was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 29 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Santana was also ordered to pay restitution of $2.5 million and forfeiture. In September 2022, Santana pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions.
Santana owned Complete Home Care, LLC (CHC), a painting company in Massachusetts. In April 2020, Santana submitted several different PPP loan applications on behalf of CHC. In the initial applications, Santana listed five employees and an average monthly payroll of between $10,000 and $18,000. These applications were denied. In the fourth application for CHC, Santana falsely claimed to have 154 employees and an average monthly payroll of $1 million. On May 11, 2020, a bank issued Santana’s company a $2.5 million loan based on the false representations in the fourth application.
After receiving the funds, Santana misused the loan proceeds to buy real estate and cars and to invest in cryptocurrency.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses, through the PPP.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Brian Tucker, Special Agent in Charge, Eastern Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (FRB-OIG); Patricia Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, New York Region; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mackenzie A. Queenin and Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and Carol E. Head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Flathead County fentanyl, meth trafficker sentenced to more than 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Marion man who admitted to distributing fentanyl pills and methamphetamine in Flathead County was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Roger Ossie Nickerson, 40, pleaded guilty in May to distribution of controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that during an investigation by the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force in June 2022, an undercover agent purchased fentanyl from Nickerson. In addition, law enforcement received information from a source that Nickerson was distributing drugs and that the source had purchased pills and meth from him multiple times.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Great Falls Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Fairport man pleads guilty to attacking a federal officer during a campaign eventRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that David G. Jakubonis, 44, of Fairport, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson to assaulting a federal officer, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that on July 21, 2022, during a campaign event in Perinton, NY, Congressman Lee Zeldin gave a speech from the bed of a flatbed trailer. During the speech, Jakubonis walked onto the trailer, approached the Congressman, extended a keychain with two sharp points toward him and grabbed his arm. A struggle then ensued between Congressman Zeldin and Jakubonis and, as bystanders intervened, Jakubonis pulled Congressman Zeldin down onto the bed of the trailer, stating several times during the assault, “you're done.” Jakubonis was subdued and arrested.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the U.S. Capitol Police, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Chad Beckett, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Brighton Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Catholdi.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Payson.
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Everett, Washington, man sentenced to 6 years in prison for cyberstalking and interstate threatsRead the Press Release
Seattle –A 42-year-old Everett, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 6 years in prison and three years of supervised release for cyberstalking and making interstate threats, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Christopher Scott Crawford was found guilty of an unrelenting campaign of online cyberstalking, threats, and harassment against a former romantic partner after a trial in U.S. District Court in Seattle in June of 2023. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said, “The conduct that was the subject of trial was extraordinary…Concerning your respect for the law, you left behind a series of no contact and protection orders which you had no difficulty ignoring.”
“No one should have to experience cyberstalking and harassment ever. Crawford created an environment of constant fear and anxiety for the victim for three years,” said Acting U.S. Attorney, Tessa M. Gorman. “The abuse was unrelenting, and I am glad that our office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service were able to work together to put a stop to it.”
According to records filed in the case, Crawford repeatedly violated court ordered restraining orders by sending threats by text, email, social media messages, and phone calls. Crawford sent threatening communications to various people associated with the victim in this case, such as parents, coworkers, siblings, and court-mandated professionals. The harassment included posting intimate pictures of the victim on a website and circulating private information about the victim to others. Crawford repeatedly stated to the victim and others that he wanted to make her life so miserable that she would take her own life.
In arguing for a sentence of five years before the court, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Cecelia Gregson said, “For three long years, the Defendant doggedly harassed, intimidated, psychologically harmed, socially harmed, professionally harmed, and financially harmed the victim. The intentions driving his maniacal persistence were to cause the victim to commit suicide or to create an atmosphere through cyber warfare that drew in other malevolent souls to do his bidding whether that be rape, torture, or murder.”
The matter was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson and Elyne Vaught.
El Paso Man Sentenced 10 Years in Prison for Attempted Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced on Monday to 120 months in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to court documents, between March 2, 2022, and January 25, 2023, Chriss Alexander, 24, had sexually explicit conversations, to include sending lewd photos of male genitalia, with someone he believed to be a minor. On January 25, Alexander arranged to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity. Agents from the FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking task force arrested Alexander as he approached the minor’s residence.
“I applaud the FBI for seeking out and apprehending this predator before he could do harm to an actual child in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “We will continue to work earnestly with our law enforcement partners to take pedophiles off the streets.”
“The FBI El Paso's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking task force is committed to protecting the children of our communities,” said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales. “This defendant traveled to attempt to have sex with someone he believed to be a child. Our community can rest easy knowing this man will be behind bars in a federal prison.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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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El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo que asciende a $9 millones con Washington Trust Company para resolver alegaciones de exclusión financiera en Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que Washington Trust Company (Washington Trust), el banco comunitario más antiguo del país, ha acordado pagar $9 millones para resolver las alegaciones que incurrió en un patrón o una práctica de discriminación crediticia al practicar la exclusión financiera en barrios de mayoría negra e hispana en Rhode Island.
La exclusión financiera es una práctica ilícita en la que los prestamistas evitan la provisión de servicios crediticios a individuos que viven en comunidades de color por motivos de la raza, el color de piel o el origen nacional de las personas que viven en esas comunidades.
“Este acuerdo debería enviar un mensaje sólido a los bancos con respecto al firme compromiso del Departamento de Justicia de combatir la exclusión financiera que existe hoy y garantizar que todos los prestamistas proporcionen la igualdad de oportunidades de préstamos hipotecarios a las comunidades de color”, dijo Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Esta resolución proporcionará una compensación crítica a las comunidades negras e hispanas afectadas, así permitiéndoles comprar una casa, conservar su casa o acceder al valor neto de su casa. Poner fin a la exclusión financiera y proporcionar una compensación a las comunidades de color afectadas por esta práctica ilegal es un paso necesario en los esfuerzos continuos para reducir las brechas en la riqueza racial y las posibilidades de ser propietario de una vivienda por todo nuestro país”.
“Todo aquel que persiga el sueño americano tiene derecho a recibir un trato igualitario y digno, independientemente de sus antecedentes, raza o código postal. Cuando a las comunidades se les niega el acceso a préstamos justos, se les niega a las familias la oportunidad de construir estabilidad y éxito financiero”, afirmó el Fiscal Federal Zachary A. Cunha. “Me complace que, como resultado del arduo trabajo de los abogados en mi oficina y en la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia, Washington Trust haya acordado tomar medidas específicas y extensas para poner servicios crediticios a la disposición de todos los de Rhode Island, independientemente de su raza o antecedentes”.
La queja alega que, desde 2016 hasta al menos 2021, Washington Trust no proporcionó servicios de préstamos hipotecarios a barrios de mayoría negra e hispana en Rhode Island. La queja alega que, a pesar de su expansión en todo el estado de Rhode Island, Washington Trust nunca ha abierto una sucursal en un barrio de mayoría negra e hispana. La queja alega que Washington Trust confió en los agentes de préstamos hipotecarios que trabajaban solo en áreas de mayoría blanca como la fuente principal para generar solicitudes de préstamos, y Washington Trust no entrenó ni incentivó a su personal de préstamos ni llevó a cabo la difusión, comercialización y publicidad de sus servicios hipotecarios para compensar su falta de sucursales y presencia en áreas de mayoría negra e hispana. Más aún, la demanda alega que, en comparación con Washington Trust, durante el mismo período de seis años, otros bancos recibieron casi cuatro veces más solicitudes de préstamos cada año en barrios de mayoría negra e hispana en Rhode Island. La queja también alega que, incluso cuando Washington Trust generó solicitudes de préstamos de áreas de mayoría negra e hispana, los propios solicitantes eran desproporcionadamente blancos.
En virtud de la orden de consentimiento propuesta, que está sujeta a la aprobación del tribunal, Washington Trust ha acordado hacer lo siguiente:
- Invertir al menos $7 millones en un fondo de subsidios para préstamos para aumentar el acceso a préstamos hipotecarios, mejoras en la vivienda, refinanciamiento y préstamos y líneas de crédito sobre el valor neto de la vivienda para residentes de barrios de mayoría negra e hispana en Rhode Island;
- Invertir $1 millón en asociaciones comunitarias para proporcionar servicios que aumenten el acceso al crédito hipotecario residencial para residentes de esos barrios;
- Invertir $1 millón en publicidad, proyección comunitaria, educación financiera al consumidor y asesoramiento de crédito centrado en barrios de mayoría negra e hispana;
- Abrir dos sucursales nuevas en barrios de mayoría negra e hispana en Rhode Island; garantizar que al menos dos agentes de préstamos hipotecarios estén dedicados a servir a estos barrios; y
- Emplear a un Director de Préstamos Comunitarios que supervisará el desarrollo continuo de préstamos en comunidades de color.
Por otra parte, Washington Trust acordó completar una evaluación de necesidades de crédito comunitario, para evaluar e informar sobre su programa de préstamos justos; y capacitar al personal sobre las obligaciones del banco en virtud de la orden de consentimiento. Washington Trust colaboró con el Departamento para resolver y corregir las preocupaciones de exclusión financiera que se identificaron y acordó resolver este asunto sin litigios impugnados.
En octubre del 2021, el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland y la Fiscal General Auxiliar Kristen Clarke lanzaron la Iniciativa contra la Exclusión Financiera del Departamento de Justicia, un esfuerzo coordinado de aplicación de la ley para abordar esta forma persistente de discriminación contra las comunidades de color. Desde el año 2021, el Departamento ha anunciado nueve casos de exclusión financiera y ha obtenido $98 millones por concepto de compensación para comunidades de color que han sido víctimas de discriminación crediticia por todo el país.
Puede encontrar una copia de la queja e información sobre la aplicación de las leyes de préstamos justos del Departamento en www.justice.gov/fairhousing. Para informarnos de incidentes de discriminación en el ámbito crediticio, llame a la línea informativa del Departamento de Justicia para discriminación en la vivienda al 1-833-591-0291 o entregue un informe en línea.
Dubois Resident Sentenced for Violating Federal Narcotics LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Dubois, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 23 months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release on her conviction for violating federal narcotics laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Megan Pyne, age 29.
According to information presented to the court, Pyne was a narcotics distributor who purchased a quarter pound of methamphetamine from Derek Hillebrand, the leader of the drug trafficking organization, on multiple occasions, which Pyne then redistributed.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Pyne.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Downriver Man Sentenced to 20 years for Distributing Deadly NarcoticsRead the Press Release
DETROIT – After a joint investigation between local and federal law enforcement, Scott Sams, 54, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today. United States District Court Judge Laurie J. Michelson sentenced the defendant after he pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine that killed two victims.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.
Scott Sams, of Southgate, Michigan, was identified by law enforcement as a methamphetamine distributor in the Downriver area. Investigators discovered that Sams often convinced his customers to “party” with him, concocting “hot shots” of methamphetamine and Alka-Seltzer tablets to purposely increase their high.
In May 2021, Sams met one of the victims at a hotel room in Allen Park. There, he gave her a fatal amount of methamphetamine and fled the hotel room as she overdosed and died.
Despite this victim’s death, Sams continued to distribute methamphetamine. Just weeks later, Sams delivered a second fatal dose of methamphetamine to a male victim in Farmington Hills.
U.S. Attorney Ison said. “My office will use every resource available to combat drug dealers who push controlled substances into our communities with indifference to the tragedy it inflicts. We will not hesitate to seek stiff penalties to keep this community safe.”
“We are hopeful this sentencing brings a sense of justice to the victims’ families, whose loved ones were recklessly endangered by the defendant,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their support throughout this investigation, particularly the Southeast Michigan Region Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force.”
The case was investigated by federal agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret Smith and Caitlin Casey prosecuted the case for the United States. The FBI Detroit Field Office asks that anyone who believes they may have been victim of the type of crime as committed by this defendant contact 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit tips online to http://tips.fbi.gov
Dorchester Man Arrested for Sexually Exploiting 14-Year-OldRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man has been charged with the sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old minor.
Miguel Hernandez, a/k/a Miguel Gomez-Lopez, 29, was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child. Hernandez was arrested on Sept. 25, 2023 and held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Oct. 2, 2023 in federal court in Boston.
According to the charging documents, in April 2023, Hernandez messaged the 14-year-old victim on WhatsApp and asked if she wanted to meet in person. It is alleged that, on May 5, 2023, Hernandez messaged the victim, “I like you little girl,” and subsequently coerced the victim to engage in a sexual relationship with him. A forensic review of Hernandez’s devices allegedly revealed numerous sexually explicit photos and videos of the victim that Hernandez had taken – including a video of Hernandez having sex with the victim.
The charge child exploitation provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, up to five 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.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley, Chief of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dorchester Man Arrested for Attempted Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to sex traffic a 14-year-old child.
Carlos Lopez, a/k/a Rene Carlos Arias-Lopez, 27, was charged with the attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Lopez was arrested on Sept. 25, 2023 and held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Oct. 5, 2023 in federal court in Boston.
According to the charging documents, on June 1, 2023, police responded to a 911 call reporting that a 14-year-old was in danger at an apartment in Dorchester where she was drinking alcohol with an older man. At the apartment, it is alleged that the minor victim was found in Lopez’s bed, wearing a red sweatshirt and no pants or underwear and heavily intoxicated. Lopez was allegedly seated next to the victim, fully clothed with a beer in his hand. When the minor victim exited the bedroom, Lopez allegedly closed and locked the door on uniformed officers – barricading himself in the room for approximately 20 minutes. Upon gaining entry to the room, law enforcement allegedly located multiple empty beer bottles as well as female shorts and underwear near Lopez’s bed. It is alleged that, during a brief on-scene interview, the victim indicated that she did not know who took her pants off or when they came off, just that when she woke up her pants were no longer on.
Lopez allegedly indicated that he had been introduced to the victim by another person so that he could engage in sexual intercourse with her. Specifically, it is alleged that Lopez agreed to pay this person $100 in exchange for sex with the victim. Lopez allegedly indicated that he did not actually complete any sex act on the victim before law enforcement arrived. A subsequent investigation allegedly revealed that Lopez had provided the victim with multiple alcoholic beverages before bringing her up to his bedroom and offering to pay her for sex.
The charge attempted sex trafficking of a minor provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, up to five 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.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley, Chief of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Distribution of child pornography sends Billings man to prison for 14 yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to distributing child pornography using social media was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Stetson Lee Hubbard, 33, pleaded guilty in June to distribution of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in January 2020, law enforcement began an undercover investigation using a social media application and posed as woman. Law enforcement entered multiple public groups that appeared to be focused on child pornography. While in one such group, a member of the group distributed child pornography. An investigation determined the distribution originated in Billings and ultimately led to Hubbard. When interviewed, Hubbard acknowledged using the social media application and that he may have distributed child pornography on that application. Law enforcement subsequently found more than 1,160 images of child pornography on Hubbard’s cellular phone.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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.
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Depew man pleads guilty to selling fentanyl that led to the deaths of two individualsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jonathan DiPirro, 33, of Depew, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra to distribution of acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl causing death, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on Nov. 1, 2019, DiPirro sold controlled substances to an individual identified as J.L. During the morning hours of Nov. 2, 2019, emergency personnel arrived at J.L.’s residence and determined J.L. was deceased. An autopsy by the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be acute mixed drug intoxication, to include acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and cocaine. On March 4, 2020, at approximately 3:00 p.m., DiPirro sold controlled substances to an individual identified as S.L. At approximately 4:53 p.m., emergency personnel arrived at S.L.’s residence and determined S.L. to be deceased. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be acute mixed drug intoxication, to include acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl.
In addition, between approximately Oct. 2019, and March 24, 2020, DiPirro conspired with his co-defendant, Sarah Szymanski, and others, to sell acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl. In February 2020, investigators conducted four controlled purchases of controlled substances from DiPirro. Sarah Szymanski was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Gummo; the Depew Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jerome Miller; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould; the New York State Police Violent Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino, III, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Denton County man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for child pornography violationsRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Denton County man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
James Buck Briggs, 49, of The Colony, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing child pornography and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant.
According to public information, in December 2021, an undercover law enforcement officer encountered Briggs in an online chat room dedicated to the sexual abuse of children. Briggs and the undercover officer began a chat which resulted in Briggs sending the officer a video depicting child pornography involving a very young female victim. The undercover officer was able to trace the IP address to Briggs’ residence in The Colony and a search warrant was executed. A search of Briggs’ cellular phone revealed hundreds of images which contained child pornography. Briggs was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 20, 2022.
This case 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 U.S. Attorneys’ 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.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Frisco Field Office and the Plano Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Smith, Lesley Brooks and Marisa Miller.
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Deltona Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images and Videos over the InternetRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Troy Mitchell McGowan (25, Deltona) has pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse images and videos over the internet and possession of child sexual abuse images and videos. McGowan faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is set for December 6, 2023.
According to the plea agreement, McGowan used a particular chat application to download images and videos depicting children being sexually abused and distributed them over the internet. McGowan also distributed some of these materials to an undercover FBI agent.
On March 29, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at McGowan’s residence and located a phone that belong to McGowan. A subsequent forensic review of McGowan’s phone revealed at least 769 videos containing child sexual abuse material and at least 66 images containing child sexual abuse material of young children under the age of 12 which included, infants, toddlers, bondage and bestiality.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Defendant in Fatal Tractor Trailer Smuggling Incident Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Christian Martinez, 29, of Palestine, TX, entered a plea of guilty today to multiple counts arising from a fatal tractor trailer smuggling incident.
Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death; one count of Conspiracy to Transport Aliens Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Placing Lives in Jeopardy; one count of Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death; and one count of Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Placing Lives in Jeopardy.
Martinez and co-defendant Homero Zamorano Jr., 47, of Elkhart, TX, the driver of the tractor trailer, were initially charged by indictment on July 20, 2022. Four other co-defendants were identified and charged in a superseding indictment on June 7, 2023: Riley Covarrubias-Ponce aka Rrili aka Rilay, 30; Felipe Orduna-Torres aka Cholo aka Chuequito/Chuekito aka Negro, 29; Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal aka Cowboy, 38; and Armando Gonzales-Ortega aka El Don aka Don Gon, 54,
The indictment alleges that in the days leading up to June 27, 2022, Covarrubias-Ponce, Orduna-Torres, and others exchanged the names of undocumented noncitizens who would be smuggled in an upcoming tractor-trailer load. The four additional defendants charged in the superseding indictment allegedly orchestrated the retrieval of an empty tractor-trailer and its corresponding hand-off to the driver on June 27. According to the superseding indictment, Martinez drove Zamorano from Palestine to San Antonio where Zamorano picked up the empty tractor-trailer. Orduna-Torres allegedly provided the Laredo address at which Zamorano loaded the migrants into the tractor trailer. The indictment also alleges that Gonzalez-Ortega traveled to Laredo to meet the tractor-trailer, where at least 66 undocumented individuals, including eight children and one pregnant woman, were loaded for smuggling. Martinez, Covarrubias-Ponce, Orduna-Torres, Rivera-Leal, and Gonzales-Ortega then coordinated, facilitated, passed messages, and made each other aware of the tractor-trailer’s progress.
Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and HSI Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, San Antonio Division, made the announcement.
HSI is investigating the case with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and has received tremendous support from Customs and Border Protection; Border Patrol; Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; the San Antonio Police Department; the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; the San Antonio Fire Department; the Marshall Police Department; and the Palestine Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears and Amanda Brown are prosecuting the case.
These charges resulted in coordination with Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of the JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime. JTFA consists of federal prosecutors and attorneys from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the Southwest Border (District of Arizona, Southern District of California, Southern District of Texas, and Western District of Texas), from the Criminal Division and the Civil Rights Division, along with law enforcement agents and analysts from DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Dearborn, Michigan man indicted for conspiracy, wire, and mail fraud for nearly $4 million refund fraud on U.S. retailersRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 25-year-old Dearborn, Michigan, man was arrested today on an indictment returned in the Western District of Washington for a fraud scheme damaging retailers across the country, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tess M. Gorman. Sajed Al-Maarej allegedly operated “Simple Refunds” through the messaging service Telegram, where coconspirators were encouraged to purchase items from retailers Al-Maarej claimed he could defraud. Al-Maarej and his staff of “professional refunders” impersonated the purchaser and lied to the retailer about the status of the item to secure a refund for the purchaser, while permitting the purchaser to keep the ordered item. In Western Washington alone, one company lost $1.4 million to the fake refund scheme.
Al-Maarej appeared in U.S. District Court in Michigan today, but ultimately will need to appear in Western Washington on the indictment.
According to the indictment, between September 2020 and December 2022, Al-Maarej represented to prospective purchasers that they could buy high value goods and keep them, while falsely claiming to the merchant company that a refund was due. Purchasers provided Al-Maarej information about their purchase (order number, name, address, value) and for a cut of the refund, Al-Maarej and his coconspirators would seek a refund by making false representations. For example, Simple Refunds would claim the item had not been delivered; was irretrievably damaged; or would have the purchaser mail a box of garbage or junk back to the company – once the package was scanned at the shipping point the refund was issued before the box arrived back and the fraud was discovered. Al-Maarej recruited “insiders” at UPS and the US Postal Service who would input false scans into the order tracking history to make it appear items had been lost in shipping, stolen from the mail, or returned to the company.
The end goal was for the purchaser to keep the product and get their money back. The purchaser then paid Al-Maarej 15-25% of the purchase price as his fee.
Al-Maarej engaged in fraudulent refunding activity as well, requesting more than $1 million in refunds from retailers throughout the country. In one instance, Al-Maarej obtained a refund for bulky tools, but he returned to the retailer an envelope filled with plastic toy frogs. He claimed that he personally obtained more than $70,000 in refunds from a Western Washington-based retailer. Al-Maarej boasted about his personal refunding achievements on Simple Refunds to lend credibility to his scheme and attract customers.
The total value of the fraudulent refunds through Simple Refunds and Al-Maarej’s own conduct is approximately $3.9 million.
The Simple Refunds channel on Telegram amassed a following of more than 1,000 subscribers. Al-Maarej used a second channel to post information on successful refunds.
The indictment details how two Snohomish County residents ordered thousands of dollars of merchandise and conspired with Al-Maarej to get the payments refunded. Al-Maarej or others at his direction, allegedly impersonated the buyers, claimed the items had been “delivered not received” and got the purchase price refunded. The customers kept the items.
In May 2022, Al-Maarej deepened his fraud by allegedly offering a “mentorship” program where he would teach others to create their own refunding scams – he charged $6,000 for admission to the program. He boasted that students would “learn from the best in the game, from everything fraud related, to legit businesses and cleaning your money.”
As alleged in the indictment, Al-Maarej used interstate wires to communicate about the frauds with coconspirators. He is charged with four counts of wire fraud for his communications with Snohomish County coconspirators. He is charged with three counts of mail fraud for three instances of packages sent to Snohomish County addresses.
Conspiracy is punishable by up to five years in prison. Mail fraud and wire fraud are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation is open and ongoing with the possibility of additional charges against other defendants.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Watts Staniar.
Clay County Drug Dealer Sentenced to over 6 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Maria M. Howard has sentenced David Lee Rucker (35, Clay County) to six years and eight months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The court also ordered Rucker to forfeit a firearm and ammunition. Rucker had pleaded guilty on May 19, 2022.
According to court documents, on July 1, 2021, Rucker went to a hotel in Clay County and obtained a large quantity of methamphetamine. Later that day, before he could sell the narcotics, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) pulled over a car Rucker was driving. During a subsequent search of the car and pat down of Rucker, the CCSO located multiple baggies of methamphetamine and a loaded Taurus .40 caliber pistol.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Jacksonville Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
Child pornography production sends Dillon man to prison for more than 18 yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Dillon man who admitted to recording himself having sex with a minor girl on multiple occasions was sentenced today to 18 years and four months in prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Blaine Anthony Thomas Burger, 20, pleaded guilty in March to production of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In a plea agreement filed in the case, the parties agreed that the evidence established the commission of two additional counts of production of child pornography involving two additional Jane Does, and that the agreement would be treated as if Burger had been convicted of the additional counts for purposes of calculating his recommended sentencing guideline range.
“Burger’s violent, perverse and destructive conduct caused a lifetime of damage to these girls. He built trust and developed relationships with them, and then abused and sexually exploited them for his own gratification. Protecting children from predatory conduct, like Burger’s, and holding offenders accountable remains a top priority for our office,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged in court documents that Burger preyed on three underage girls, torturing two of the girls, convincing both that he cared for them, and blackmailing a third girl until she sent him nude images of herself. Between October 2021 and May 1, 2022 in Dillon, Burger was in a dating relationship with Jane Doe 1, who was under the age of 18. On April 30, 2022, Jane Doe 1 told law enforcement that she had been in an abusive sexual relationship with Burger for the last several months. Jane Doe 1 further disclosed that Burger had sex with her on multiple occasions, recorded them having sex on his phone and kept the videos. When interviewed, Burger admitted to having sex with Jane Doe 1 more than 10 times after he learned that she was underage. Burger further admitted he had naked pictures of Jane Doe 1 on his phone. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Burger’s phone and recovered three videos that were recorded by Burger and depict him having sexual intercourse with Jane Doe 1.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, Dillon Police Department, Helena Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation.
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.
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Chicago Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Significant Drug Trafficking in MadisonRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dery McDuffy, 34, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 13 years in federal prison for possessing more than a kilogram of heroin with the intent to distribute it and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. This prison term will be followed by a 6-year term of supervised release. McDuffy pleaded guilty to these charges on June 7, 2023.
In September and October 2022, McDuffy sold large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine in transactions recorded by local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration. On October 12, after he delivered a pound of methamphetamine and five ounces of heroin, officers trailed McDuffy to a storage unit he had rented on Madison’s westside. Officers arrested McDuffy and searched the unit, finding approximately 2 kilograms of heroin, 725 grams of cocaine, and five guns along with ammunition. McDuffy had previously been convicted of felony drug offenses in the State of Illinois, so was prohibited from possessing firearms.
During sentencing, Judge Peterson explained that a primary priority in sentencing McDuffy was the protection of the public from the dangerous drugs he was selling, which degrade the community and exploit the illness of drug users. Labeling McDuffy a moderately-high level dealer who possessed firearms and an unrelenting criminal history, Peterson concluded that McDuffy was a danger to the community, necessitating a significant but fair sentence.
The charges against McDuffy were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
Chatham County man sentenced to federal prison for distributing sexually exploitive images of childrenRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sharing images depicting sexual exploitation of children.
Jason Arthur Holloway, 43, of Savannah, was sentenced to 135 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Holloway to pay restitution of $23,000, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The digital vigilance of agencies engaged in protecting vulnerable children helps ensure that online predators are discovered and held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Removing such predators improves the safety of our communities.”
As described in court documents and testimony, a CyberTip to the Savannah Police Department’s Special Victims Unit alerted investigators to the online transfer of sexually explicit images of children. With assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, agents identified the source of those uploaded images and searched Holloway’s Savannah residence.
Investigators seized multiple electronic devices with dozens of images of child sexual abuse, and found evidence that those illegal images had been uploaded to the internet via multiple file-sharing applications.
Holloway also faces state charges of sexual exploitation of children and child molestation in a case unrelated to the federal child pornography prosecution.
“Jason Holloway shamefully exploited the most vulnerable members of our community, for his own perverse desires, and will now face the severe consequences for his actions,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI Atlanta and its law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting children from abuse and holding accountable those individuals who would victimize minors.”
The case was investigated by the Savannah Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer J. Kirkland.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Charlotte Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy for $720,000 COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Evan Agustin Perez, 35, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy for obtaining approximately $720,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Relief Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program loans, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to the information to which Perez pleaded guilty, other documents filed in this case and statements made in court, from April 2020 to September 2021, Perez conspired with Edward Whitaker and others in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SBA-backed lenders by obtaining fraudulent COVID-19 disaster relief funds for businesses he controlled or was affiliated with, including Augie’s Wish Foundation, EMP Haircare, LLC, E.M.P. Enterprises, LLC, T.O.P. Salon Suites Inc., Touch of Precision School of Barbering, Inc., Touch of Precision Barber Lounge, LLC, and Roads to Success Early Learning Center, LLC.
Court documents show that Perez, Whitaker, and others submitted PPP and EIDL loan applications and supporting documents that contained false and fraudulent information regarding Perez’s businesses’ income, number of employees, gross revenues, and expenses. As a result of the fraudulent loan applications, the co-conspirators received approximately $720,000 in disaster relief funds. In furtherance of the scheme, Perez, Whitaker, and other co-conspirators subsequently submitted forgiveness applications for certain PPP loans that also contained fabricated information.
In January 2023, Whitaker pleaded guilty in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina to money laundering conspiracy for his role in a multi-million fraud scheme assisting individuals with obtaining fraudulent coronavirus disaster relief funds.
Perez was released on bond after his plea hearing. The maximum statutory penalty for the wire fraud conspiracy offense is five years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
The SBA Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Frick and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan are in charge of the prosecution.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Carjacking at Suburban Chicago Gas Station Leads to Ten-Year Federal Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for carjacking a vehicle at gunpoint while a woman and her two children were inside.
The carjacking occurred on the afternoon of July 27, 2022, at Thorntons gas station in Posen, Ill. The woman was entering the driver’s seat of her Kia Optima when KEWAN TILLMAN approached, pointed a loaded handgun at her, and demanded the key. The victim was able to get the two children out of the vehicle before Tillman stole the car and drove off. Tillman quickly lost control of the vehicle, got out, and ran back toward the gas station, where he unsuccessfully attempted to force entry into an occupied semi-truck. Tillman then placed the handgun in a sewer and tried to force his way into another vehicle that was parked at a gas pump. After a physical altercation with the driver of that vehicle, Posen Police officers arrested Tillman.
The officers discovered the handgun in the sewer. The gun was equipped with a “Glock switch,” also known as an “auto sear,” and at the time was only capable of firing in fully automatic mode.
Tillman had arrived at the gas station in a Kia Soul that had been reported stolen in Chicago.
Tillman, 20, of Calumet City, Ill., pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal carjacking and firearm charges. U.S. District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo imposed the sentence Friday after a hearing in federal court in Chicago.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Substantial assistance was provided by the Posen Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin Walgamuth.
California man who led transnational drug trafficking organization sentenced to 15 years in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle –A 35-year-old man from Bellflower, California who was a leader of a multi-state methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution ring was sentenced to 15 years in prison in U.S. District Court in Seattle for drug trafficking crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jose Maldonado-Ramirez has been in custody since his arrest in October 2021. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour said, “I can’t remember a prior sentencing involving this quantity of methamphetamine.”
“Our office tries to combat the fentanyl crisis by identifying and prosecuting high-level operators of large-scale trafficking schemes. This case is a perfect example,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Maldonado-Ramirez was bringing deadly drugs to communities all over the country. Thanks to our collaboration with agents and local police, we have interrupted his entire operation.”
Jose Maldonado-Ramirez plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in March 2023. A total of eighteen people were arrested and charged in relation to this case. According to records filed in the case, Maldonado-Ramirez’s narcotics operation was moving drugs from California and distributing them in King, Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, and Kitsap counties. The drug trafficking organization was also distributing drugs to locations in the Southeastern United States, the Midwest, the Northeast, and all the way to Fiji.
Over the course of an eighteen-month investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized approximately 128 pounds of methamphetamine, 37,000 fentanyl pills, and dozens of handguns. Concerningly, agents also intercepted a call between Maldonado-Ramirez and his girlfriend after a drug shipment was seized. They were discussing the identity of a local officer and plotting to kill him, according to the Government’s sentencing memorandum.
In asking for a sentence of 15 years, Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Andrew Colasurdo said in a statement to the court, “This [drug trafficking organization] was well-organized, well-sourced, and well-connected, and they were prepared to take drastic measures to protect what they had built as they openly discussed killing an officer during an intercepted conversation after a large shipment of drugs was seized.”
This case was 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. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Seattle Field Division (SFD) Tacoma Resident Office (TRO) and Bremerton Police Department (BPD), with assistance from Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement (TNET); the Seattle, Puyallup, Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Bonney Lake, Tacoma, and Lakewood Police Departments; the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office; Washington State Department of Corrections; Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET): Centralia and Chehalis Police Departments; Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team (VNET); and Washington State Patrol; Thurston Narcotics Team (TNT), Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, and Mason County Sheriff’s Office; United States Postal Inspections Service (USPIS), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) with support from Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas ( HIDTA).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys C. Andrew Colasurdo and Michelle Jensen.
California Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting Child on AircraftRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Brian Patrick Durning (52, Altadena, CA) to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for assaulting a minor on an aircraft. A federal jury had found Durning guilty on June 22, 2023.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on June 23, 2022, Durning had boarded a redeye flight from Los Angeles to Orlando and was seated next to a 13-year-old girl. The child had been separated from the rest of her family, who were seated two rows away from her. After the cabin lights were dimmed and most of the passengers had fallen asleep, Durning assaulted the child. A nearby passenger awoke and observed one of Durning’s hands between the child’s legs and intervened.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta and Courtney Richardson-Jones.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
CEO of Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme “IcomTech” Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of MARCO RUIZ OCHOA for his role in promoting a large-scale cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme known as IcomTech. OCHOA pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Again and again, we see perpetrators taking advantage of the hype around cryptocurrency to con unsuspecting victims into investing in pyramid schemes. IcomTech was one of these large-scale copycat cryptocurrency scams and Ochoa, as the purported CEO, played an important role taking IcomTech to scale and ultimately harming more victims. Today’s guilty plea sends a clear message that we are coming after all of those who seek to exploit cryptocurrency to commit fraud.”
According to the Indictment and statements made in court:
DAVID CARMONA started IcomTech in 2018, and OCHOA was represented to be IcomTech’s CEO until 2019, when a new CEO replaced him. IcomTech was a purported cryptocurrency mining and trading company that promised to earn its victim-investors (“Victims”) profits in exchange for their purchase of purported cryptocurrency-related investment products. OCHOA and the other promoters of IcomTech, including his co-defendants CARMONA, JUAN ARELLANO, MOSES VALDEZ, and DAVID BREND, falsely promised their respective Victims, among other things, that profits from the companies’ cryptocurrency trading and mining would result in guaranteed daily returns on Victims’ investments. In reality, IcomTech did not engage in cryptocurrency trading or mining for its Investors, and OCHOA and IcomTech’s other promoters used Victim funds to pay other Victims to further promote the schemes and to enrich themselves.
IcomTech promoters, including OCHOA, traveled throughout the United States and internationally, where they hosted lavish expos and small community presentations aimed at luring Victims to invest in the schemes, including in the Southern District of New York. During larger-scale events, IcomTech promoters presented on purported investment products and the compensation plan, encouraged Victims to invest as a means of achieving financial freedom, and boasted about the amount of money they were earning. IcomTech promoters often showed up at larger-scale events in expensive cars and wearing luxury clothing as a way of exhibiting their purportedly legitimate success from IcomTech. The atmosphere of these events was festive and designed to generate excitement about the schemes.
Victims invested in IcomTech by purchasing investment products from promoters using cash, checks, wire transfers, and actual cryptocurrency. Following a Victim’s investment, a Victim would be provided with access to an online portal where the Victim could monitor the purported returns. While Victims saw “profits” accumulate on the online portal, most Victims were unable to withdraw any of these so-called profits and ultimately lost their entire investments. By contrast, IcomTech’s promoters, including OCHOA, siphoned off, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars in Victim funds, which they withdrew as cash, spent on IcomTech promotional expenses, and used for personal expenditures such as luxury goods and real estate.
At least as early as August 2018, Victims who attempted to withdraw money from their online portal accounts had difficulty doing so and, when they complained to promoters, they were met with excuses, delays, and hidden fees, if they were able to make any withdrawals at all. Despite these complaints, IcomTech promoters, including OCHOA, continued to promote IcomTech and accept Victims’ investments. As complaints mounted, IcomTech began offering proprietary crypto tokens for sale as a means of injecting liquidity into IcomTech. Promoters of the schemes claimed that these tokens, known as “Icoms,” would eventually be worth a significant amount of money when they were accepted by companies for payment for goods and services. This was false. In reality, “Icoms” were essentially worthless and resulted in further financial loss to Victims. By in or about the end of 2019, IcomTech stopped making payments to Victims and IcomTech collapsed.
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OCHOA, 35, of Nashua, New Hampshire, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations’ El Dorado Task Force. Mr. Williams also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for their assistance.
If you believe you are a victim of the IcomTech fraud, updated information regarding the case and victims’ rights, as well as contact information for the victim witness coordinator is available here.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin A. Gianforti, Michael Maimin, and Cecilia E. Vogel are in charge of the prosecution.
Bristol, Va. Man Pleads to Meth Charges, Forfeits Approximately 100 Firearms, High-Capacity MagazinesRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia man, who possessed approximately 100 firearms while conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, pled guilty earlier this week in U.S. District Court.
Zachary Stout, 26, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
At sentencing, Stout faces a sentence of at least ten years.
According to court documents, on April 19, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence of Robert Hockett in Bristol, Virginia. During that search, law enforcement recovered more than 1,600 grams of nearly pure methamphetamine, 135 grams of heroin, 40 pills of fentanyl, $28,000 in cash, firearms, ammunition, and two cellphones.
In addition, investigators learned that Hockett was being supplied methamphetamine from Tyshawn Blackwell and Zachary Stout.
On July 27, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Stout’s residence in Bristol, Virginia. During that search, authorities recovered approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, four cell phones, and approximately 100 firearms - many of which were loaded. Numerous high-capacity magazines and ammunition were also seized.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.
The investigation of the case was handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Bristol, Virginia Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit D. Pierce is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding AmazonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAJHNI YANKANA, 28, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to five months of imprisonment, followed five months of home detention and three years of supervised release, for defrauding Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”).
According to court documents and statements made in court, Yankana 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, Yankana 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 Yankana a series of refunds for the purportedly lost merchandise.
Through this scheme, Yankana defrauded Amazon of $210,836.97. Judge Thompson ordered him to pay full restitution.
On August 26, 2022, Yankana pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Yankana, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 27.
Two other individuals involved in this scheme pleaded guilty to the same charge. On September 5, 2023, Oshane Stewart who defrauded Amazon of approximately $742,000, was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment. Stewart’s brother, Kenoy Stewart, who defrauded Amazon of more than $1 million, is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from Amazon. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor M. Reardon and Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Brazilian Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brazilian man pleaded guilty today in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Guilherme Pereira, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien before U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 9, 2024. Pereira was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2020.
Pereira was removed from the United States on Aug. 14, 2018, after he was convicted in Massachusetts state court of one count of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He unlawfully returned to the United States and was arrested on Jan. 30, 2020.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year 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 and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan C. Cleary of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Boston Man Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican man residing in Boston was sentenced yesterday for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Manuel Armando Peguero German, a/k/a Joshua Sanchez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley to 15 month in prison. On June 12, 2023, Peguero German pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
In August 2020, Peguero German was deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic after serving a 34-month federal sentence for conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Sometime after his removal, Peguero German returned to the United States without authorization. In September 2022, Peguero German was arrested in Boston on state drug charges that were later dismissed.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Four Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday to committing multiple bank robberies in Massachusetts.
Jacob Pimentel, 31, pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Dec. 20, 2023. Pimentel was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022.
Between April and May 2022, Pimentel robbed four separate banks in the greater Boston area, stealing a total of more than $6,000. Specifically, Pimentel robbed the TD Bank branch in Allston on April 25, 2022; the TD Bank branch in Brighton on May 4, 2022; the Santander Bank branch in Brookline on May 13, 2022; and the TD Bank branch in Cambridge on May 23, 2022.
The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 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 and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Boston and Cambridge Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Bookkeeper Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling $304,903 from Labor UnionRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Denise E. Kovacs (60, Clermont) to18 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for embezzling labor union funds. Kovacs was also ordered to pay $304,903.27 in restitution. Kovacs had pleaded guilty on February 23, 2023.
According to court documents and testimony presented at sentencing, Kovacs was the bookkeeper at Plumbers AFL-CIO Local 803, a labor union that represents plumbers and pipefitters in central Florida. During a nearly five-year period of employment, Kovacs stole $43,777 in cash from union dues and charged $261,126 in expenses on the union’s credit card. To conceal her theft, Kovacs altered internal business records which kept union officials in the dark about her ongoing embezzlement of funds.
This case was investigated by the Department of Labor, Office of Labor- Management Standards. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
Blaine Business Owner Pleads Guilty in $600,000 Scheme to Defraud Hundreds of JobseekersRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Blaine man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after devising an employment opportunity scheme to defraud hundreds of jobseekers out of approximately $600,000, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Charles Edward Fields, 44, was the owner and operator of a series of companies through which he pitched employment opportunities to prospective workers throughout the United States. The employment opportunities that Fields purported to provide were through his businesses, some of which included HOMESoft Systems Incorporated, WaterTek Marketing Corporation, Water Innovations Group, Inc., W I G Holdings Corporation, Mile High H20 Corporation, and the NEW H20. Fields, claimed that, after job applicants paid him an upfront deposit of approximately $3,000 to $5,000, he would hire them as sales contractors to sell products nationwide to the public, primarily home security or water filtration systems. As part of the scheme, Fields also misrepresented his affiliation with, and his authority to act on behalf of, Company A, a long-standing international company that designs and distributes various models of water machines and filtration systems.
According to court documents, Fields routinely posted nationwide online employment advertisements promising job seekers training, sales leads, and $6,000 in guaranteed monthly profit. Despite paying Fields the required upfront deposit, many of his victims never received the product or the training that they paid for as a condition of their employment. In reality, the employment opportunities never materialized as promised by Fields. In addition, Fields misrepresented to job applicants that their deposits would be securely held in escrow and subsequently refunded to them upon request. However, rather than provide victims with the promised equipment or employment opportunities, Fields instead used much of the victims’ funds for his own personal use and benefit or to refund some victims using other victims’ money. In order to conceal his fraud and stave off scrutiny, Fields lulled his victims with bogus excuses as to why he was unable to fulfill his promises or return their funds. In total, Fields defrauded at least 250 victims of at least $600,000.
Fields pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge David S. Doty. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert is prosecuting the case.
Billings man sentenced to more than three years in prison for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man convicted of sending two videos of minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct to an undercover officer was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Ethan Andrew Schilling, 25, pleaded guilty in January to a superseding information charging him with possession of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in March 2022, law enforcement was conducting an undercover investigation and began corresponding with Schilling on a social media application. The undercover officer posed as the relative of a 12-year-old girl. Schilling’s intentions regarding the fictitious girl became increasing sexual in nature. Schilling offered that he had “pics” and sent the undercover officer two videos of a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In May 2022, law enforcement served search warrant at Schilling’s residence. During an interview with law enforcement, Schilling stated that he sent the videos and acknowledged that it was illegal to send child pornography.
Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Billings man charged with making threats to kill U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, threats against President Joe BidenRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man accused of threatening to kill Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and threatening President Joe Biden appeared on an indictment on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Anthony James Cross, 29, pleaded not guilty to threats to injure and murder a United States Senator and to threats against the President. If convicted of the most serious charge, Cross faces a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Cross was detained pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that on April 17, 2023 in Billings, Cross threatened to assault and murder Sen. Jon Tester with intent to retaliate against Tester on account of the performance of his official duties. The indictment further alleges that on April 10, 2023 in Billings, Cross knowingly and willfully made a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States, in that he stated in part, “I will personally kill Joe Biden.”
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
PACER case reference. 23-101.
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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Anchorage Nonprofit Directors Indicted for Stealing $1.6 million in COVID Recovery FundsRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury for using their nonprofit, House of Transformations, and other corporate entities, as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in COVID-19 recovery funds.
According to court documents, Rosaline Natazha Mavaega, 41, and Esau Malele Fualema Jr., 44, submitted applications for over $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in April 2021. The ARPA funds were being administered by the Municipality of Anchorage to help businesses who were struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the application, Mavaega and Fualema falsely claimed the nonprofit would be providing housing, treatment and vocational training services, and strengthened their request with inaccurate information on the finances, organization and management of House of Transformations.
In August 2021, the Municipality of Anchorage issued a check for $1,623,165, which was deposited into the House of Transformations checking account. According to the indictment, instead of using these funds for the purposes identified in the grant, the defendants moved the money into their personal bank accounts and accounts associated with other corporations under their control. They allegedly used the money to finance their for-profit business operations, pay tax dept on another business, secure a personal cash loan and buy cryptocurrency.
In December 2021, the defendants submitted applications for various corporate entities under their control for over a million dollars in loans from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, a Small Business Administration fund that assists businesses impacted by major disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. According to court documents, the defendants falsified these applications by lying about the status of their businesses. They allegedly inflated the number of employees, made false claims about the corporations’ administration and structure, and used other people’s personal identifying information to make it appear that they were associated with the corporations’ management when they were not.
In summer 2022, Mavaega and Fualema fraudulently applied to the Municipality of Anchorage for approximately $2 million of additional ARPA grants.
Mavaega and Fualema are charged with five federal counts; one count major fraud against the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1031; one count wire fraud conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1343 and 1349; one count wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1343; one count money laundering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1956(h) and 1957; and one count aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1028A(a)(1). Both defendants were arrested today – Mavaega was arrested at Captain Cook Hotel, and Fualema was arrested at his residence. The defendants will make their initial U.S. District Court appearances on a later date. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum penalty of 24 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska; IRS Criminal Investigation, Seattle Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes; and Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King made the announcement.
The IRS Seattle Division and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Klugman and Karen Vandergaw, and former U.S. Attorney George Tran 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.
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