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17 August 2023
Highs Gang Member Charged in Federal Complaint After Livestreaming a Violent Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A member of the Highs gang has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with armed carjacking and illegal possession of a firearm after livestreaming the incident on social media, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on August 15, 2023, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Minneapolis Police Department received a message from an unidentified individual who stated that a video had been posted to Facebook that showed a man, later identified as Leneal Frazier, Jr., 22, holding a gun to the driver of a vehicle as the driver bled from his head. The video showed the victim in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with a wound on his head and blood dripping down his forehead and the right side of his face. Frazier, a known member of the Minneapolis-based Highs gang, was behind the victim in the backseat of the vehicle and was wearing a sweatshirt and a scarf that covered most of his face except his forehead and eyes.
According to court documents, during the six-minute video, Frazier ordered the victim to call out certain known gang members in an insulting manner. While pointing the gun at the victim’s head, Frazier ordered the victim to say, “[expletive] all my dead homies.” Officers were able to identify the victim as an associate of the Lows gang. Frazier slapped the victim, mocked, and berated him, and stated, “You a Clown... you ain't even worth killin.” Frazier questioned the victim about how much money he had and told the victim he would use the victim’s money to buy the victim a gun in a mocking manner.
According to court documents, law enforcement later obtained a search warrant for Frazier’s residence. Inside the apartment, officers recovered a loaded Glock 19 pistol with an obliterated serial number and an extended magazine. Officers also recovered the scarf Frazier was wearing in the video as well as the victim’s identification and car keys. Frazier was inside the apartment and was placed under arrest.
Because Frazier has a prior felony conviction, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
The complaint charges Frazier with one count of carjacking, one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. Frazier will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, IRS Criminal Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates and Justin A. Wesley for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
frazier_complaint_affidavit.pdfHenryetta Resident Convicted of Child AbuseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Zion Alexander Canard, age 24, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, was found guilty of one count of Child Abuse in Indian Country following a federal bench trial.
The non-jury trial consisted of the presentation of evidence on August 14, 2023, and concluded with the guilty verdict.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on September 12, 2022, Canard abused an infant, resulting in cuts, bruises, and a brain hemorrhage. The crime occurred in Hughes County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The guilty verdict was the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police, the Tulsa Police Department, and the Glenpool Police Department.
The Honorable Keith Starrett, Senior U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, sitting by appointment, presided over the trial in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Canard was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Caila M. Cleary represented the United States.
Hazelwood Man Sentenced to 111 Months in Prison for Schemes Seeking $404,000Read the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Thursday sentenced a man from Hazelwood, Missouri who committed a series of scams trying to steal a total of $404,415 to 111 months in prison and ordered him to repay the money.
Naquan Powers, 27, pleaded guilty in March to four felony counts of bank fraud and three felony counts of aggravated ID theft. He admitted involvement in the fraudulent purchase of vehicles, a credit card scam and fraud involving two pandemic relief programs.In 2018 and 2019, Powers accessed multiple Discover Bank accounts belonging to other people and changed information in these accounts so he could receive debit cards and bank checks for the accounts. Powers’ intended loss for this scheme was $11,754.
Powers used fraudulent Social Security cards and driver’s licenses to apply for loans to purchase three vehicles from a Florissant dealership between June 24, 2019 and August 23, 2019. Powers bought a Chevrolet Impala with a $18,098 loan, a $42,086 Chevrolet Tahoe and a BMW 428 XI for $29,079. He was arrested trying to buy a Dodge Challenger with a $38,191 loan.
After his arrest, Powers helped others to do the same thing at dealers throughout the St. Louis and southern Illinois areas, causing a total loss of $244,374.
In 2020 and 2021, Powers applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan and four Economic Injury and Disaster Loans, claiming he was a sole proprietor in the general freight trucking industry. Powers submitted a fraudulent tax form and a bank statement and received $20,832 in PPP funds.
“Mr. Powers not only stole individuals’ identities for his personal gain but led multiple fraud schemes including stealing money intended for legitimate businesses that were impacted by COVID-19,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “This sentence demonstrates our diligent commitment to hold those accountable for misusing Social Security numbers.”
Five others involved with Powers’ schemes have also been charged. Four have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to between 24 and 51 months in prison. They were also ordered to pay restitution.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke is prosecuting the case.
Habitual Drug Dealer in Alton Gets 262-Month Federal Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A long-time, convicted methamphetamine dealer in Alton was sentenced to spend more than 21 years in federal prison after he admitted guilt to multiple drug and firearm charges.
Dane Tannler, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Following his prison sentence, he will serve four years of supervised release. In addition, Tannler was ordered to pay a $400 fine and $400 in special assessments.
“Career offenders like Tannler who repeatedly distribute large quantities of drugs tear at the fabric of the community and endanger the families who live there,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Thanks to the courageous efforts by the Alton Police Department, a well-known criminal will serve more time in prison and give his neighbors a much-needed break from his string of crimes.”
According to court documents, a confidential source working with the Alton Police Department purchased methamphetamine from Tannler at his residence in February 2021.
On Feb. 25, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Tannler’s house in Alton and seized a pound of crystal methamphetamine, $10,000 in cash, a luxury SUV, a loaded, stolen firearm and drug distribution paraphernalia.
Tannler was on parole for methamphetamine dealing charges at the time of his arrest in this case and has several other convictions for drug dealing crimes. Under federal sentencing guidelines, he qualified as a “career offender.” Career offenders are eligible for longer terms of federal imprisonment, which applied in this case.
The Alton Police Department led the investigation, and the ILEAS Regional Special Response Team (SRT) executed the search warrant. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi prosecuted the case.
Gulfport Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. -- A Gulfport man was sentenced to serve 360 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Derrick Patrick Flanagan, 38, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Flanagan was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 and a $10,000 assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.
According to court documents, Flanagan was identified in February of 2022 in an investigation brought to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office Cyber Crime Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office had received two CyberTip Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. These CyberTips were ultimately found to be related to Hancock County Deputy Derrick Flanagan, who was assigned to work at the Diamondhead Police Department and resided in Gulfport.
Forensic examinations of a laptop and cellular telephones recovered during the investigation found multiple visual depictions of child sexual abuse material. In addition, the investigation recovered over 40,000 lines of chats sent via a SnapChat App that corresponded to multiple visual depictions.
Flanagan pled guilty on April 20, 2023, to production of child pornography.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Cyber Crime Division, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones 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 the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Greenwood Man to Serve 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
GREENWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA — Jeremy John Smith, 35, of Greenwood, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on August 11, 2022, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and officers from the Greenwood Police Department and Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Smith’s home on Sumpter Street in Greenwood. Law enforcement seized fentanyl, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and cocaine as well as digital scales and a large amount of cash. Additionally, officers recovered a shotgun and two pistols in the same room where they found narcotics.
Federal law prohibits Smith from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his prior convictions for assault and battery first degree, burglary second degree, and common law robbery.
United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted Smith’s guilty plea, which contained a stipulation by the parties that Smith should be sentenced to 15 years in prison on both the drug charge and gun charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. Smith will be sentenced in a separate hearing after the preparation of a presentence report by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Greenwood Police Department, and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Major, Max Cauthen, and Everett McMillian are prosecuting the case.
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Great Falls woman admits possessing stolen mail, wire fraud crimesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who transported mail admitted today to possessing stolen mail and wire fraud charges after depositing checks she had overwritten with her name, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jacqueline Rose Hydock, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and wire fraud. Hydock faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Dec. 13. Hydock was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that Hydock was a driver for a Great Falls postal service contract route, and her job was to transport mail between the post office annex in Black Eagle and the main post office in downtown Great Falls. In May 2022, Hydock opened a new account at Montana Federal Credit Union and then made a series of check deposits using an ATM and drive-up window. The checks, issued by various individuals and placed in the mail, had been overwritten in a black felt pen, with the payee’s name changed to Hydock’s. In addition, a woman mailed a birthday card to her grandson and enclosed a Walmart gift card. When the card arrived, there was no gift card in the envelope, which had been opened and taped shut. An investigation determined that the gift card was used on May 22, 2022 in Great Falls, and photos showed Hydock and another individual at the register for the transaction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Service, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Great Falls Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Grandview Man Sentenced for $4.1 Million Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Grandview, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a $4.1 million drug-trafficking conspiracy, which is linked to two murders, and which distributed approximately 400 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas.
Markus Michael A. Patterson, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 560 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Patterson to pay a money judgment of $15,000, which represents the proceeds he received from the drug-trafficking conspiracy. That forfeiture amount is based on the unlawful distribution of approximately 400 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average price of $8,000 per kilogram.
On Oct. 24, 2022, Patterson pleaded guilty to participating in conspiracies to distribute methamphetamine and launder drug proceeds from Jan. 1, 2017, Sept. 1, 2018, to possessing a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Patterson was arrested on Aug. 30, 2018, at a hotel in Phelps County, Mo. Officers found approximately one pound of methamphetamine (what remained from two pounds of methamphetamine Patterson brought to Phelps County from Kansas City, Mo.), $8,742 in cash, and drug paraphernalia in Patterson’s hotel room and car. The cash seized by officers was the proceeds of drug sales, which Patterson was supposed to return to his source in Kansas City.
The drug-trafficking organization with which Patterson was associated was responsible for two murders. In August 2018, James Hampton was seized by members of the same drug-trafficking conspiracy that supplied Patterson with the Phelps County methamphetamine. Patterson was in St. Louis, Mo., with this group when Hampton was seized. Hampton was seized because conspirators thought he could help find the drugs and money stolen by co-conspirator David Richards. When they realized Hampton could not or would not help, he was restrained and beaten. Hampton was then transported from St. Louis to Kansas City, in the trunk of his car. Brittanie Broyles, who was with Hampton and witnessed him being beaten and restrained, was also taken to Kansas City.
On Aug. 6, 2018, Hampton’s car and body were discovered burning in Bates City, Mo. On Aug. 8, 2018, Broyles’s body was recovered near Super Flea in the Northeast area of Kansas City. She had been murdered by two gunshots to her head. Witnesses and video identified Patterson following co-defendant Gerald Ginnings, 43, of Kansas City, Mo., in a co-conspirator’s car as Ginnings drove Hampton’s car to Bates City. Ginnings pleaded guilty on Friday, Oct. 21, to the same charges as Patterson and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 25, 2023.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Patterson has prior felony convictions for involuntary manslaughter, distributing a controlled substance, and tampering with physical evidence.
Patterson is among 32 co-defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case and its companion case.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades and Robert M. Smith. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Sni Valley Fire Department, the Jackson, Lafayette, Buchanan, and Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Departments, the FBI, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the St. James, Mo., Police Department.
Glen Allen Man Pleads Guilty to $870,000 Sneaker FraudRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Glen Allen man pleaded guilty today to a wire fraud charge arising from his operation of an online retail business.
According to court documents, from approximately August 2020 through July 2021, Justin Lee Godsey, 26, ran "Sneak Foot," an online retailer that primarily sold athletic shoes through a website. When customers purchased shoes from Sneak Foot, the sales were managed by two credit card processing companies who had entered into agreements with Sneak Foot. The processors were obligated to refund the money sent to Sneak Foot through them if Godsey failed to deliver shoes ordered. Godsey consistently pocketed funds paid to him by customers without sending them the shoes, and used the funds for various personal expenditures, including the purchase of a Lamborghini. The losses incurred by the two credit card processors exceed $870,000.
Godsey is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Robert C. Young accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Moore is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-58.
Gang Leaders Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy and MurderRead the Press Release
Five leaders of the Gangster Disciples, a gang with a long history of lawlessness and violence, were sentenced in the Southern District of Illinois for their participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, witness tampering, and multiple murders.
The following are the defendants and their sentences:
- Frank Smith, aka Little Frank, aka Red Beard, 50, of Naperville, Illinois, was sentenced today to life in prison.
- Warren Griffin, aka GG, aka Big Head, 54, of Glenwood, Illinois, was sentenced on July 18 to life in prison.
- Sean Clemon, aka Pops, 53, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was sentenced on July 19 to life in prison.
- Dominique Maxwell, aka D-Mac, aka Monster, 31, also of Cape Girardeau, was sentenced on July 20 to life in prison.
- Anthony Dobbins, aka Crazy, aka Tony Rome, 55, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on July 21 to 32 years in prison.
Smith, Griffin, Clemon, and Maxwell were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms offenses after a six-week jury trial. Dobbins pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms offenses.
“With life sentences imposed on four defendants and a 32-year sentence for a fifth defendant, law enforcement has delivered a devastating blow to the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Dismantling violent, criminal organizations is a priority for the Justice Department, and a goal we share with our law enforcement and prosecution partners across the country.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling criminal organizations, holding gang members accountable, and pursuing justice for victims,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe for the Southern District of Illinois. “By prosecuting the leaders of criminal enterprises, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners are working to uphold the rule of law and punish violent offenders who terrorize our communities.”
According to court documents, the five defendants were national and regional leaders of the Gangster Disciples, a criminal organization with a presence throughout the United States, including in federal and state prisons. The gang employs a structured hierarchy, with leadership positions such as national “Board Members” and state “Governors.” As part of their efforts to maintain control of the gang, the defendants murdered two other Gangster Disciple leaders who opposed their regime.
“The FBI and our partners are firmly committed to ensuring that our communities are protected from the extreme violence and lawlessness displayed by those sentenced today,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Through close collaboration and coordination, five leaders of the Gangster Disciples faced justice, and we will not rest as we continue to put a stop to interstate racketeering."
“The sentences in this case send a clear message to the members of violent criminal organizations across this country; you will be investigated and you will be held accountable for your crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kansas City Field Division. “As this investigation shows, ATF has no higher priority than leveraging crime gun intelligence and working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to disrupt the violence perpetrated by these groups.”
On April 28, 2018, Clemon and Maxwell, on orders from Smith, fatally shot a Gangster Disciples leader and injured two other men in a public park in Bridgeton, Missouri. The shooting was part of a leadership dispute in which Board Members Smith and Griffin sought to remove another Gangster Disciple member from his position as Governor of Missouri. Smith texted “Mike Tyson Punch Out” to Maxwell prior to the shooting, which was an order to commit “extreme violence,” including murder. The gang members fired more than 70 shots during the attack. Both Clemon and Maxwell were promoted to leadership positions within the gang after committing this murder.
Then, on May 18, 2018, Board Members Griffin and Dobbins drove to the south side of Chicago to murder a former powerful Board Member because he opposed their status as leaders in the gang. Griffin lured the victim into the street, and Dobbins came up behind the victim and shot him three times in the back and once in the face.
The defendants’ other acts of violence included a nightclub stabbing in East St. Louis and another shooting in Cape Girardeau. Gangster Disciples members also engaged in various acts of drug trafficking, including a scheme to smuggle the synthetic drug “K2” into Missouri state prisons.
“Drug trafficking organizations like this one employ violence and intimidation to further their criminal enterprise,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Davis, head of the division that leads Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations in Missouri, Kansas, and southern Illinois. “Unfortunately, we are well aware that violence is too often an element of drug trafficking. These men are an extreme example of that terrible combination. Our communities are well-served with this group off our streets.”
The ATF, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), FBI, DEA, Missouri Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police, Chicago Police Department, Bridgeton Police Department, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, and O’Fallon (Illinois) Police Department investigated the case. BOP employees from the National Gang Unit worked in conjunction with outside law enforcement to provide relevant documentation and testimony in support of the investigation and trial leading to the convictions.
Trial Attorneys Jeremy Franker, Alexander Gottfried, Christopher Usher, and Conor Mulroe of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Summers for the Southern District of Illinois provided substantial assistance.
Fulton County Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery Conspiracy and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Luke Kenna, a/k/a. “Lt,” age 44, of Gloversville, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to commit bank robbery and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
Kenna admitted that between November 14 and November 27, 2022, he agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown, New York, with two co-conspirators, Michael Brown, Jr. a.k.a. “Russ,” and Brian Tierney a.k.a. “Wodanaz.” Kenna, as part of that conspiracy, conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, to commit the robbery, and Brown drove to New York to conduct surveillance of the bank with Kenna. Kenna also admitted that he possessed a rifle on November 6, 2022, after previously being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
The charges remain pending against Tierney, who has been arrested and detained pending a trial currently scheduled for October 30, 2023. The charges in his indictment are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Brown pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery on June 23, 2023. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on November 3, 2023.
Sentencing for Kenna is scheduled for December 15, 2023, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Kenna faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state, and local investigators, including from the New York State Police. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Four Defendants Sentenced for their Roles in Advance Fee Fraud and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that the following defendants were sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam for their involvement in an advance fee and money laundering scheme. Defendants and members of the conspiracy fraudulently obtained approximately $2,600,000 by inducing Guam-based victim-investors to first pay bogus fees and other expenses purportedly associated with a multimillion-dollar inheritance before they could collect any promised funds.
U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour sentenced the following defendants for their respective roles in this criminal scheme:
Sally Cruz Roberto, age 56, from Santa Rita, Guam, was sentenced to 33 months imprisonment; three years supervised release; ordered to pay $1,030,990 in restitution, a $3,900 mandatory assessment fee, and a $1,030,990 forfeiture money judgment. She was sentenced on August 15, 2023, after a jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 38 counts of wire fraud. As part of the conspiracy, Roberto obtained $1,030,990 of victim funds and used her bank account to wire those funds to stateside bank accounts of other co-conspirators.
Monique Jones, age 49, from Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment; three years supervised release; ordered to pay $578,130 in restitution, a $2,700 mandatory assessment fee, and a $1,111,280 forfeiture money judgment. She was sentenced on August 15, 2023, after a jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 25 counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Mekayda D. Jones, age 24, from Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment; three years supervised release; ordered to pay $387,160 in restitution, a $1,600.00 mandatory assessment fee, and a $801,210 forfeiture money judgment. She was sentenced on August 15, 2023, after a jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
As part of the conspiracies, Monique and Mekayda Jones perpetuated the fraud by maintaining bank accounts in the names of shell corporations to receive, withdraw, and transfer victim funds to other co-conspirators in the United States and Nigeria. In exchange, they kept at least 10 percent of victim funds that flowed into bank accounts they controlled.
Okechukwu F. Iwuji, age 38, a Nigerian citizen, who previously resided in Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 45 months imprisonment; three years supervised release; ordered to pay $475,710 in restitution, a $100 mandatory assessment fee, and a $475,710 forfeiture money judgment. He was sentenced on August 17, 2023, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of the conspiracy, Iwuji obtained at least $475,710 of victim funds from Roberto and other co-conspirators and transferred some funds to third party-Nigerian bank accounts.
“This far-ranging conspiracy preyed on 60 victims, nearly all of whom live in Guam,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “These scams are difficult to investigate and prosecute due to the interstate and transnational nature of the criminal activity. Our success in this matter is the result of a team effort across multiple jurisdictions, with outstanding leadership by prosecutor David. We will continue to pursue the collection of restitution for those harmed by the defendants’ conduct. The public must remain vigilant against this type of fraud.”
“This sentence should make the public aware that these types of advanced fee, associated with inheritance scams, will be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill. “If it is too good to be true, it probably is. If you feel you have been scammed, please contact the FBI at (800) 225-5324 (CALL-FBI) or report it to tips.fbi.gov.”
The investigation was led by the FBI Guam Resident Agency with the assistance of FBI field offices in Dallas and Atlanta; Homeland Security Investigations in Orlando, Florida; the U.S. Secret Service in Dallas; and the Guam Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Marivic P. David, First Assistant United States Attorney and Criminal Chief in the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Former Vandergrift Resident Sentenced to 57 Months’ Imprisonment for Conviction of Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to a total term of 57 months’ imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release on his conviction of bank robbery, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Bradley Mondi, age 36.
According to information presented to the court, on July 12, 2021, Mondi robbed the tellers working at the Apollo Trust Company Bank located in North Apollo, Pennsylvania of $6,666.00.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Apollo Borough Police Department, and the Kiskiminetas Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mondi.
Former Southeastern Connecticut Counselor Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud and Kickback ChargesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JEFFREY SLOCUM, 55, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of health care fraud and one count of violating the federal anti-kickback statute.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2017 to 2022, Slocum, a former resident of East Lyme, was a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with an office located at 300 State Street in New London. In 2020, the Connecticut Medicaid program (“Medicaid”) notified Slocum that Medicaid was going to audit certain claims for psychotherapy services Slocum had billed to Medicaid between March 2018 and February 2020. As part of its audit, Medicaid requested patient records for approximately 100 individual psychotherapy services Slocum had billed to Medicaid.
In March 2021, Medicaid notified Slocum that the audit had determined that he had received over $225,000 in payments from Medicaid for services that he had not documented. Medicaid told Slocum it would begin to collect the overpayment by deducting the overpayment in installments from future payments Medicaid would make to Slocum. Once Slocum learned the results of the audit and that he would have to pay the money back to Medicaid, he began submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid for psychotherapy services that he never provided. All of the fraudulent claims Slocum submitted to Medicaid represented that he had personally provided the nonexistent services.
As part of his plea, Slocum admitted that from March 1, 2020 to February 24, 2022, he submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid totaling $695,048.
In pleading guilty, Slocum also admitted that he engaged in a scheme to pay kickbacks to his Medicaid patients in order to induce them to receive psychotherapy services from him. Slocum paid these kickbacks to patients in the form of cash payments, money orders, and Wal-Mart and VISA gift cards.
Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for November 8, at which time Slocum faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Slocum also has agreed to pay full restitution to Medicaid.
This investigation is being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Social Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon and Auditor Susan Spiegel.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and Attorney General’s Office meet regularly as part of The Medicaid Fraud Working Group. The Working Group also includes representatives from the Connecticut Department of Social Services; the Connecticut Department of Public Health; the Drug Control Division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection; the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI. The Working Group reviews pending issues and cases, identifies trends that might indicate fraudulent activity, and coordinates efforts for maximum results.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Employee and 14 Others Charged in $3.2 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services social worker and 14 others have been indicted on federal charges for allegedly participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $3.2 million in state funds intended for childcare services.
A 41-count indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago alleges that SHAUNTELE Y. PRIDGEON orchestrated the fraud scheme from 2016 to 2022 while serving as a Community Social Service Planner for DCFS in Chicago. Pridgeon fraudulently entered the information of several of her co-defendants into the DCFS computer system and approved them to be paid as providers caring for foster children, the indictment states. Pridgeon directed at least $3.2 million in State of Illinois funds to the co-defendants and others, each of whom agreed to receive the money even though they knew that no foster children were actually in their care, the indictment states. The co-defendants and others then paid bribes and kickbacks to Pridgeon totaling approximately $1.6 million, the indictment states. Pridgeon allegedly used the bribe money to pay personal expenses, including gambling losses at a casino in Hammond, Ind.
The indictment accuses each of Pridgeon’s co-defendants of accepting various amounts of state money for the nonexistent childcare services. For example, LATASHA THOMAS received more than $1.6 million and TRACEY JERVIER received more than $695,000, the indictment states. RONNIE WEBB received more than $228,000, which was paid via checks made payable to “Webb Feet Child Care Inc.,” a bogus company that listed its address as Webb’s residence, the indictment states.
Charged with honest services wire fraud are Pridgeon, 54, of Chicago; Thomas, 48, of Chicago; Jervier, 60, of Chicago; Webb, 57, of South Holland, Ill.; TAHNDREA N. HARPER, 50, of Chicago; JOI SANDERSON, 49, of Frankfort, Ill.; KELLI PAYNE, 49, of Hammond, Ind.; NIKKI GIOVANNI HOUSTON, 53, of Chicago; SHENITA MCGARY, 37, of Chicago; SHERRI BAINES, 45, of Chicago; KEICHA L. LACEY, 50, of Country Club Hills, Ill.; CHRISTINA A. DAVIS, 54, of Chicago; MARISSA TERRY, 36, of Frankfort, Ill.; ARAMIS COLLIER, 39, of Chicago; and AUNSHEREE NELSON, 44, of Chicago.
Most of the defendants were arrested Wednesday and have begun making initial appearances in federal court in Chicago.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; Brendan F. Kelly, Director of the Illinois State Police; and Ann McIntyre, Inspector General of DCFS. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John D. Mitchell, Bradley A. Tucker, and Christine M. O’Neill.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Pridgeon et al indictmentFormer D.C. Government Employee Indicted on Charges of Fraudulently Claiming District Residency to Obtain BenefitsRead the Press Release
Defendant Collected District Medicaid, Food Stamp, and Public Charter School Tuition, While Living in Virginia
WASHINGTON – Michia Pardlow, 30, now residing in Washington, D.C., was indicted yesterday on 39 counts of fraud and other charges stemming from her false claims of District of Columbia residency, from 2016 to 2020, to obtain D.C. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid benefits, and free tuition for her two children to attend a D.C. Public Charter School.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia, and Brian Schwalb, Attorney General for the District of Columbia. This matter was initially discovered by the D.C. Department of Human Services and promptly referred to the D.C. Office of the Inspector General for investigation.
Pardlow was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on charges of first degree fraud, first degree theft, false statements, and forgery. Ms. Pardlow is to be arraigned on August 23, 2023, at a hearing before the Honorable Andrea Hertzfeld. The majority of the indicted charges are felony offenses, carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
According to court documents in the case, Pardlow was a resident of Arlington, Virginia, from 2016 into 2020. The charging documents allege that she submitted signed applications, residency verification forms, and other documents to the District of Columbia’s Department of Human Services and Public Charter School Board claiming and verifying District residency. The charging documents also allege that in November 2017, she forged a residency verification letter.
As a result, the documents allege, Pardlow was able to obtain District benefits to which she was not entitled. Non-District residents are ineligible to receive District SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid benefits. Non-District residents who enroll their dependents in D.C. schools must apply as a non-resident and pay non-resident tuition. Court documents allege that she received more than $149,000 in fraudulent benefits.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General and is being jointly prosecuted by the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Public Corruption Section of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General.
In announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney Graves, Inspector General Lucas, and Attorney General Schwalb commended the work of those investigating the case from the Office of Inspector General, including Special Agent Robert Partington. They acknowledged the efforts of those who are working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy. Finally, they commended the work of the late Bayly Leighton, former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney detailed from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, who initially investigated the case, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah Simmons, who is investigating and prosecuting the case.
Former Alabama Correctional Sergeant Convicted of Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the Middle District of Alabama convicted a former Alabama correctional sergeant of deprivation of rights under color of law, falsification of records and obstruction.
The evidence at trial established that on March 8, 2018, at the Alabama Department of Corrections’ Staton Correctional Facility, Correctional Sergeant Devlon Williams assaulted an inmate, D.H., in the main hallway of the healthcare unit. Witnesses at trial testified that Williams repeatedly punched and kicked D.H., who was on the ground and not resisting or posing a threat to any person or corrections officer. Williams continued the beating by hitting D.H. multiple times with a collapsible baton. The government presented evidence at trial that after the beating, Williams and another corrections officer, Larry Managan, who previously pleaded guilty to obstruction, attempted to cover up the beating. Williams made false statements about the assault to an Alabama Department of Corrections investigator and prepared a false report about the incident.
“This defendant is being held accountable for using excessive force against an inmate and preparing a false report to cover-up his unlawful behavior,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Prisoners, like everyone else, have the right to be free from such needless and extreme violence at the hands of law enforcement officers. The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable law enforcement officers who violate the constitutional and civil rights of any American, including people who are incarcerated.”
“While most corrections officers try each day to do the right thing, unfortunately, some abuse the authority they are granted,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. “Everyone deserves protection under the law and my office will hold any officer criminally responsible for violating the civil rights of a person in his or her custody.”
“There is no place for this type of behavior in law enforcement. The mission of the FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown of the FBI Mobile Field Office. “Today’s conviction demonstrates our commitment to this mission. I would also like to highlight the exceptional work by our partners at the Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division without whom this case could not have been successful.”
Williams’ co-defendant, Larry Managan Jr., previously pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with this incident on Dec. 8, 2021. Williams and Managan are awaiting sentencing.
The FBI Mobile Field Office and Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Counts for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Foreign National Sentenced to over 21 Years for Mailing Ricin to President of the United States in 2020Read the Press Release
Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier, 55, a dual citizen of Canada and France, was sentenced today to 262 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for sending threatening letters, containing homemade ricin (a toxin), in September 2020, to then-President Donald J. Trump at the White House, and to eight Texas State law enforcement officials.
Ferrier pleaded guilty on Jan. 25 to prohibitions with respect to biological weapons in two separate criminal cases. One case was brought in the District of Columbia, and the other was brought in the Southern District of Texas and transferred to the District of Columbia for purposes of plea and sentencing.
According to court documents, Ferrier admitted that she made ricin at her residence in Quebec, Canada, in September 2020. Ricin is a deadly poison made from castor beans. Ferrier placed the ricin toxin in envelopes containing letters she wrote to then-President Trump at the White House and to eight Texas State law enforcement officials.
Ferrier had been detained in the State of Texas for approximately 10 weeks in the spring of 2019, and she believed that the law enforcement officials were connected to her period of detention. In early September 2020, Ferrier used the Twitter social media service to propose that someone should “please shoot [T]rump in the face.” The letters in the envelopes contained threatening language, and the letter addressed to then-President Trump instructed him to “[g]ive up and remove [his] application for this election.” Ferrier mailed each of the threatening ricin letters from Canada to the United States. Ferrier then drove a car from Canada to the Peace Bridge Border Crossing in Buffalo, New York, on Sept. 20, 2020, where border patrol officials found her in possession of a loaded firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other weapons, and arrested her. Ferrier has remained in custody.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia and Assistant Director Susan Ferensic of the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate made the announcement.
The FBI Washington and San Antonio Field Offices investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman for the District of Columbia; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rob Jones, David Coronado and David Lindenmuth for the Southern District of Texas; and Trial Attorney David Smith of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.
Foreign National Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years in Prison for Mailing Ricin to President of the United States in 2020Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier, 56, a dual citizen of Canada and France, was sentenced today to 262 months in prison for sending threatening letters containing homemade ricin (a toxin), in September 2020, to the White House and then-President Donald J. Trump, as well as to eight Texas State law enforcement officials.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General of the National Security Division Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office David Sundberg, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich, Jr., of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office.
Ferrier pleaded guilty on January 25, 2023, to prohibitions with respect to biological weapons in two separate criminal cases before the Honorable Dabney L. Friedrich of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. One case was brought in the District of Columbia, and the other was brought in the Southern District of Texas and transferred to the District of Columbia for purposes of plea and sentencing.
According to court documents, Ferrier admitted that she made ricin at her residence in Quebec, Canada, in September 2020. Ricin toxin is a deadly poison made from the waste material left over from processing castor beans. Ferrier placed the ricin in envelopes containing letters she wrote to then-President Trump at the White House. She also added it to envelopes she sent to eight Texas State law enforcement officials.
Ferrier had been detained in the State of Texas for around ten weeks in the spring of 2019, and she believed that the law enforcement officials were connected to her period of detention. In early September 2020, Ferrier used the Twitter social media service to propose that someone should “please shoot [T]rump in the face.” The letters in the envelopes contained threatening language, and the letter addressed to then-President Trump instructed him to “[g]ive up and remove [his] application for this election.” Ferrier mailed each of the threatening ricin letters from Canada to the United States. Ferrier then drove a car from Canada to the Peace Bridge Border Crossing in Buffalo, New York, on Sept. 20, 2020, where border patrol officials found her in possession of a loaded firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and other weapons, and arrested her. Ferrier has remained in custody.
In addition to the nearly 22-year term of imprisonment, Ferrier was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release. The Court will also issue an order of judicial removal requiring that Ferrier be removed from the United States at the end of her term of imprisonment.
The investigation was handled by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and San Antonio Field Office. Assistance was provided by the United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Friedman, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Assistant United States Attorneys Rob Jones, David Coronado, and David Lindenmuth, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and Trial Attorneys David Smith and Joseph Kaster, of the DOJ’s National Security Division Counterterrorism Section.
Florida Man Under Indictment for Timeshare Fraud Ordered to Shutter All Telemarketing BusinessesRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Florida man who was out on bail on wire fraud and other charges stemming from his operation of a telemarketing business was ordered to shut down his new telemarketing businesses for allegedly committing new fraud through them, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
William O’Hanlon, aka “Patrick Burns,” aka “William Burns,” 59, of Loxahatchee, Florida, was arrested on April 4, 2023, pursuant to an indictment charging wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy arising out of his operation of Williams Andrews Burns LLC (WAB). WAB was a telemarketing business which offered services to timeshare owners in return for upfront fees.
O’Hanlon was released on bail subject to the following conditions, among others: (1) that he not have access to the personal identifying information (PII) of others; and (2) that he not commit another federal, state or local crime. At the time of his release, O’Hanlon operated Ryan James & Daniels Corp. (RJD) and related entities, which were also telemarketing businesses which offered services to timeshare owners in return for upfront fees.
While on bail, O’Hanlon allegedly continued to defraud timeshare owners through his operation of RJD. O’Hanlon allegedly caused the mass mailing of letters to timeshare owners telling them that they had been identified as potential victims of timeshare fraud and offering to collect restitution monies for them. The letters cited to a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and allegedly claimed that the FTC had collected $500 million to be refunded to victims of timeshare fraud. In actuality, however, the lawsuit referenced in the letters was more than 20 years old, and the FTC had not collected any funds for timeshare victims.as a result of that suit.
At the conclusion of a bail review hearing on Aug. 7, 2023, U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal found probable cause to believe that O’Hanlon had committed mail and wire fraud through RJD while he was on pretrial release on the previously filed indictment. Judge Pascal stated that based upon the allegedly false claims in the letters, “[t]here can be no other inference drawn, at this point, than [that] the letter[s were] intended to defraud people of money.” Judge Pascal ordered O’Hanlon to cause the following entities to cease operations as of Aug. 7, 2023: Ryan James & Daniels Corp.; RJD Collect Inc.; RJD Investments Inc.; RJD Recovery Group Inc.; RJD Corp. Fraud Collectors Timeshare Exit; Williams & Burns Inc.; Harold O’Hanlon Inc.; Resort BNB Inc.; and Next Step Sober House Inc. (collectively RJD). Judge Pascal also found that O’Hanlon had access to the personal identifying information (PII) of others, in violation of his bail conditions.
If you believe you or a family member may be a victim of the alleged fraud by RJD, or have additional information about this matter, please contact your local FBI Office or 1-800-Call-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited agents of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diana Vondra Carrig and Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment and stated during the bail proceedings are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
ohanlon.order_.pdfFinal Defendant Sentenced in South Carolina’s Largest RICO ConspiracyRead the Press Release
The 40th and final defendant prosecuted as part of the District of South Carolina’s case against the Insane Gangster Disciples (IGD), a branch of the nationwide Folk Nation gang, was sentenced today.
“The incarcerated leadership of the IGD maintained the gang’s lucrative drug enterprise by ordering murders and terrorizing neighborhoods throughout South Carolina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This vertical prosecution of 40 gang leaders, members, and associates has disrupted the criminal enterprise both inside and outside of prison. The case demonstrates the Department’s resolve to pursue and dismantle these organizations wherever they operate.”
According to court documents, the IGD was a sprawling criminal enterprise that included inmates within the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) who were gang leaders and used contraband cell phones to orchestrate murders, kidnappings, gun trafficking, and an international drug operation. James Robert Peterson, 35, of Gaffney; Edward Gary Akridge, 31, of Greenville; Matthew J. Ward, 39, of Lexington; and Juan Rodriguez, 43, of Woodruff, orchestrated the crimes from inside SCDC where they were inmates. IGD also included non-incarcerated members who committed crimes outside the prison system. In South Carolina, IGD was divided into three primary “sets,” each with its own leader.
“Contraband cellphones allowed gang leaders to perpetuate violence, traffic guns, and run an international drug operation from behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Through a years-long, multi-agency partnership with state, local, and federal law enforcement, we have dismantled this criminal enterprise and held accountable both the incarcerated defendants and those who enabled them. We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute inmates who use contraband phones to continue their criminal conduct from prison.”
Since the initial indictment in this case, all charged defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) statute, or to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics (including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl). Ten defendants were charged with either VICAR murder or kidnapping resulting in death – all of whom pleaded guilty as charged.
Nineteen of the 40 defendants in the case were sentenced on racketeering charges to the following prison terms:
- Peterson, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and kidnapping resulting in death.
- Ward, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Akridge, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder.
- Aaron Michael Carrion, 31, of Lexington, a member of and enforcer for IGD, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder.
- Aaron Corey Sprouse, 31, of Gaffney, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR kidnapping.
- Arian Grace Jeane, 29, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
- Cynthia Rooks, 55, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Lisa Marie Bolton, 35, of Dallas, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Jonathan Eugene Merchant, 30 of Laurens, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
- Joshua Lee Scott Brown, 25, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
- Alex Blake Payne, 31, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Virginia Ruth Ryall, 46, of Gastonia, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Sally Williams Burgess, 40, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Jennifer Sorgee, 39, of Easley, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Heather Henderson Orrick, 36, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Crystal Nicole Bright, 43, of Lexington, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Lisa Marie Costello, 46, of Gaffney, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over four years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Amber Hoffman, 39, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
- Clifford Kyzer, 38, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
Twenty-one other defendants in this case have also been sentenced to charges stemming from the IGD’s far-reaching narcotics organization after pleading guilty to narcotics distribution conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, and/or firearms offenses and related charges. The following are those defendants and their prison terms:
- Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Samuel Dexter Judy, 31, of Lexington, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Kelly Jordan, 37, of Williamston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Richard Ford, 65, of Lexington, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and related charges.
- Brian Bruce, 51, of West Columbia, was sentenced to four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Montana Barefoot, 28, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- John Johnson, 39, of Gaston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Kelly Still, 46, of Windsor, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Benjamin Singleton, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Kyla Mattoni, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, and related charges.
- Alexia Youngblood, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Rebecca Martinez, 36, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Mark Edward Slusher, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Robert Figueroa, 46, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Britney Shae Stephens, 35, of Anderson, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Matthew Edward Clark, 44, of York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Catherine Amanda Ross, 31, of Gaffney, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting kidnapping.
- Brandon Lee Phillips, 39, of Gaffney, was sentenced to time served after serving approximately four years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Billy Wayne Ruppe, 58, of Gaffney, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Windy Brooke George, 24, of Gaffney, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Tiffanie Brooks, 39, of Columbia, was sentenced to over three years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
In connection with the investigation and prosecution of this case, law enforcement seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 130 firearms, and various quantities of heroin and fentanyl.
“ATF joined our local, state, and federal partners in a very dedicated and focused effort to make a long-lasting impact on the level of gun violence and gang activity in South Carolina,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Mein of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “We brought some extremely dangerous individuals to justice and recovered over a hundred firearms from a criminal organization intent on harming our communities. Disrupting these major criminal networks will have a significant impact on public safety across the state.”
“This sentence marks the end of an era for a violent organization responsible for a multitude of criminal activities across South Carolina that negatively impacted the way of life for many communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to dismantling complex criminal enterprises and ensuring that our communities are safe and secure.”
The case is the result of a multi-agency effort to dismantle the IGD by the ATF, FBI, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team SCDC, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office provided valuable assistance.
Trial Attorney Rebecca Dunnan and Principal Deputy Kim S. Dammers of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Holloway for the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case. Attorneys Brandon B. Hinton, formerly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Lisa K. Man, formerly of the Organized Crime and Gang Section, also assisted with the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Justice Department’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Anchorage Man on Child Pornography, Attempted Enticement ChargesRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment today charging an Anchorage man with allegedly attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to court documents, Peter Joseph Hickel Jr., 33, was arrested on July 25 near Sunset Park in Anchorage after communicating with and attempting to meet an individual that he believed to be a 12-year-old girl.
Hickel is charged with attempted production of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. §2251(a), attempted coercion and enticement of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. §2422(b), and possession of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. §2251A(a)(5). If convicted, Hickel faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska; and Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s Anchorage Field Office is investigating the case. If anyone has any information concerning Hickel’s alleged actions or may have encountered him in person, via text message or on an online messaging app, please contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441 or anonymously online at tips.fbi.gov.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Ivers is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Franklin Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Bank Fraud, and Money-LaunderingRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – John Paul Dillon, 40, of Franklin, Tennessee pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to fraud in connection with COVID-19 relief programs, mortgage fraud, and money laundering, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Dillon pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money-laundering related to fraudulent loan applications submitted in connection with the Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. In support of federal loan applications, Dillon falsely claimed he and others earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in income from a “ride-share business” and also falsely claimed Dillon operated a company which paid over $500,000 in wages to employees.
In addition to the pandemic-related charges, Dillon pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud stemming from a fraudulent loan application he submitted to finance a $470,000 mortgage. Among other things, Dillon submitted a falsified bank statement in support of this loan application.
Dillon obtained almost $1,000,000 through his fraud. In addition to agreeing to the entry of money judgments against him, Dillon has agreed to forfeit his residence, two late-model automobiles, and a pontoon boat.
Dillon’s sentencing has been set for March 4, 2024. He faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000 on each of the bank fraud counts; up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 on the wire fraud count; and up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 on the money-laundering count.
This case was investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General; and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor J. Phillips is prosecuting 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.
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Eastern Oregon Man Caught with Methamphetamine and a Stolen Firearm While on Supervised Release Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—An Eastern Oregon man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to federal prison today after he was arrested with more than two pounds of methamphetamine and a stolen firearm while on supervision following his release from state prison.
Tom Raymond Carroll, 39, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in February 2021, special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) identified Carroll as a drug dealer operating in Baker and Malheur Counties in Eastern Oregon. Carroll had recently been released from Oregon state prison following convictions for drug trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm. On February 20, 2021, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine and heroin from Carroll. During the transaction, Carroll warned the purchasers to be careful because someone had recently died from the drugs he was distributing.
In early May 2021, law enforcement obtained and executed state search warrants for Carroll’s vehicle and person and a hotel room he was renting in Baker City, Oregon. A backpack found in his hotel room contained more than two pounds of methamphetamine, a stolen firearm, drug ledgers and paraphernalia, and more than $20,000 in cash.
On May 20, 2021, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Carroll with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On March 20, 2023, Carroll pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by ATF with assistance from the Baker City Police Department, Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Ontario Police Department, and Oregon State Police. It was prosecuted by Marco A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
EDVA Provides Updates on Grant Awards for Project Safe Neighborhood InitiativesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), today announced the awarding of over $250,000 in grant funding for Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) initiatives.
“Violence in our community has many causes,” said Aber. “Criminal prosecution of violent offenders is only one solution. As a result, we emphasize violence prevention and intervention programs and support them with federal resources. The grants awarded through our PSN program will go directly to fostering local efforts that tackle those root causes.”
In May, EDVA announced the continued availability of grant funding for PSN initiatives. On June 22 the PSN Grant Committee selected three applicants to receive funds: the RVA League for Safer Streets; Project Safe, Alive, and Free (SAF); and Parents Against Bullying Virginia (PABVA).
RVA League for Safer Streets will receive $54,340 for their Midnight Basketball League program in Richmond where youth will be engaged in workshops on topics such as conflict resolution before playing basketball together.
Project SAF will receive $56,500 to support a Group Violence Intervention effort in Hopewell and the surrounding Tri-Cities area that pairs community violence intervention methods and intense life coaching with a trauma-based violence intervention program. This program also works collaboratively with Assistant United States Attorneys from EDVA’s Richmond Division.
PABVA will receive $160,333 to support anti-bullying programs in the Newport News public school system including “Girl & Gent Talk” group sessions with at-risk youth and the STAR Bright Kidz Puppet program.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
In addition to PSN efforts, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working in support of the Richmond Police Department’s Safe Summer initiative by collaborating on investigations and aggressively pursuing charges against defendants identified as meeting these criteria and pushing for appropriately accountable sentences.
These efforts are in line with the Department of Justice’s summer anti-violent crime strategy, which includes reinforcing the importance of identifying, investigating, and prioritizing the prosecution of those who are responsible for the greatest violence in our communities.
In the fall, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia anticipates that it will announce the availability of approximately $500,000 in PSN grant funding. The PSN Grant Committee is currently prioritizing three regions impacted most by violent crime—Richmond, Newport News, and Norfolk—but will evaluate grant applications from across the Eastern District.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Drywall Contractor Sentenced to 18 Months for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Gustavo Reyes, 52, Verona, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 18 months in prison for tax evasion. Reyes pleaded guilty to this charge on May 24, 2023.
Between 2013 and 2020, Reyes owned and operated a drywall business in Dane County. In 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced a civil audit of Reyes’s income tax returns for 2013 and 2014 and determined that he had significantly underreported his income for those years. Between 2015 and 2019, the IRS sent multiple notices to Reyes regarding tax deficiency assessments for the 2013 and 2014 tax years but he did not respond.
On December 22, 2014, the IRS filed a tax lien for tax year 2013 against Reyes in an attempt to collect tax due and owing. On February 9, 2017, the IRS filed a tax lien for tax year 2014 against Reyes. The IRS continued its collection efforts in 2018 by sending a letter to Reyes and filing levies against several of his business bank accounts. Despite the IRS’s collection efforts, Reyes failed to pay any of his tax debt.
Beginning with tax year 2018 and continuing to 2020, Reyes worked with others to create five nominee entities in Dane County through which he operated his drywall business, including Royal LLC, American Drywall, and Morales Construction. By operating his drywall business through the nominee entities, Reyes attempted to defeat IRS collection efforts for tax years 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. In addition, Reyes avoided IRS liens and levies by operating in large amounts of cash that he received from cashing checks at different establishments around the Madison area. In total, Reyes owes $557,907.19 in unpaid taxes.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Conley stated that the IRS had made “remarkable efforts” to handle Reyes’s failure to pay taxes as a civil matter, but Reyes inexplicably chose to ignore the IRS’s communications. Judge Conley also stated that Reyes made a bad situation with the IRS worse when he “doubled down” and used other people to create fictitious companies in an attempt to avoid the IRS’s liens and levies.
The charge against Reyes was a result of an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.
Drunk Driver Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Derwin Davis Tsosie, Jr., 26, of Tuba City, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes on Monday to 12 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Tsosie pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder.
On November 14, 2022, Tsosie was driving at approximately 135 miles per hour when he hit the victims’ car from behind, killing the driver and seriously injuring the passenger. Tsosie’s blood alcohol concentration was .323, more than four times the legal limit. At the time of the crash, Tsosie’s license was suspended for a previous DUI arrest. The crime occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, where Tsosie is an enrolled member.
The Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR 23-8019-PCT-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-124_Tsosie# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Destrehan Man Pleads Guilty to $11.4 Million Medicare and Medicaid Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CRAIG L. LOVELACE, age 53, a resident of Destrehan, pled guilty to defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of approximately $11.4 million in medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (“DME”), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
The government filed a bill of information charging LOVELACE with healthcare fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1347. According to court documents, from approximately January 2016 through June 2022, LOVELACE, through his company Advanced Medical Equipment Inc., billed Medicare and Medicaid for durable medical equipment (“DME”) that was medically unnecessary. That included equipment for respiratory support and nutritional support, including ventilators, tracheostomy supplies, and feeding tubes. In reality, those items were medically unnecessary, not ordered, or not provided as represented. In some instances, the patients had already died. LOVELACE billed Medicare and Medicaid approximately $11.4 million in connection with this scheme, and his company was reimbursed over $7.9 million. To cover up his scheme, LOVELACE directed the falsification of documents, including medical records, order forms, and supporting documentation, in response to Medicare audits and record requests. The falsification of documents included forging provider signatures, medical notes, and dates, as well as using tape, white-out, and scissors, to make it falsely appear that the audited DME was ordered and delivered.
LOVELACE faces up to ten years in prison. LOVELACE also faces up to three years of supervised release after release from prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to LOVELACE or the gross loss to any victims, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set the sentencing hearing for November 29, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Louisiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorneys Kelly Walters and Samantha Stagias of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses, Health Care Coordinator for the Eastern District of Louisiana, are prosecuting the case.
Darknet Vendor Sentenced for Distribution of Fentanyl-Laced Pills and Crystal MethRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Glendale, Arizona, man was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for distributing fentanyl-laced pills and crystal meth on the darknet.
According to court documents, Justin Udvardi, 30, operated several darknet vendor pages using the moniker “TrapGod.” For a period of at least two years, he used the darknet to make hundreds of narcotics sales to people around the country, including crystal methamphetamine, MDMA, and counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. He also trafficked in stolen credit card information, and materials that assist fraudsters in creating fraudulent identification documents. Between September 2021 and September 2022, undercover law enforcement agents located in the Eastern District of Virginia conducted several controlled purchases of either crystal meth or fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills from Udvardi. Together, these orders contained more than 120 grams of pure methamphetamine and more than 250 pills containing fentanyl. Udvardi used USPS Priority Mail envelopes to ship the narcotics from Arizona to locations in the Eastern District of Virginia.
The darknet, also called the darkweb, is a portion of the Internet that hosts darknet markets or hidden commercial websites. A darknet market operates as a black market, selling or brokering transactions involving legal products as well as drugs, weapons, counterfeit currency, stolen credit card details, forged documents, unlicensed pharmaceuticals, steroids, and other illicit goods.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-225.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Possessing Four FirearmsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A former Dover man was indicted in connection with illegally possessing four firearms, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Christopher T. Brown, 37, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brown was arrested in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on Saturday, August 12, 2023, and was ordered detained by a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Alexandria, Virginia. Law enforcement will transport Brown to appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.
According to the charging documents, Brown is a convicted felon and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms. However, on January 9, 2023 in Dover, Brown possessed four firearms, including two 9 mm pistols, a .40 caliber rifle, and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun with no serial number.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is 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.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to More Than a Decade in Federal Prison After Pleading Guilty to Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Darrell Akeem Sanders, 32, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Evidence presented to the court showed that, on September 12, 2019, a Deputy with Richland County Sheriff’s Department made a traffic stop on a car in which Sanders was the front seat passenger. In a search of the car, law enforcement found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun under the seat where Sanders had been sitting and a pill bottle containing approximately 4 grams of crack cocaine in the center console. Sanders admitted both the crack and the gun were his.
Additional investigation revealed Sanders was a distributor in a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in and around Columbia. Over the course of two years, Sanders helped distribute more than 3 kilograms of crack cocaine as well as quantities of both cocaine and fentanyl.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Sanders to 157 months in prison followed by a 4-year term of court-ordered supervision]. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Jeffrey Wilson Walker, 35, of Columbia was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on July 16, 2021, an officer with the City of Columbia Police Department responded to a call involving Walker. When the initial officer arrived, he found Walker asleep in the driver’s seat of a stationary car that had crashed into a mailbox. The driver’s side window was down, and the officer saw a firearm in Walker’s lap. The officer removed the loaded gun from Walker’s lap, and when other officers arrived, they attempted to wake Walker up.
Once Walker was awake, he appeared to be intoxicated and refused to get out of the car after multiple commands from officers. The officers used OC spray and physically removed Walker from the car. After Walker was removed from the vehicle, the officers called EMS to treat Walker for the OC spray. During an inventory search of Walker’s car, law enforcement found another handgun in a bag.
Federal law prohibits Walker from possessing firearms and ammunition based on a prior conviction for Armed Robbery.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Walker to 37 months in prison, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Gang Member Sentenced to over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Erick Stewart, 28, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with the intent to distribute fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and tramadol.
Evidence presented to the court showed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) began investigating Stewart for drug- and gun-related activity in the beginning of 2021. During their investigation, they documented social media posts of Stewart posting guns and advertising drugs.
After months of surveillance, on May 5, 2021, RCSD obtained and executed a search warrant at Stewart’s home. They seized counterfeit prescription pills, over 900 grams of marijuana, and a pistol. One group of counterfeit pills contained fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, meth, and tramadol, and another contained methamphetamine and cocaine. The counterfeit pills were similar to the pills posted by Stewart on social media.
On June 20, 2021, a City of Columbia Police Department officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car driven by Stewart. Stewart ran from the car and fled between nearby houses. While Stewart ran, he was holding his waistband. The officer pursued Stewart, who gave himself up once he ran past the houses. Officers retraced the path that Stewart ran and found that he had discarded a gun between the houses.
Before these incidents, Stewart was a known gang member with convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as multiple convictions for burglary. All of those convictions prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Stewart to 212 months in prison, to be followed by a six-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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Colombian National Sentenced to Federal Prison for East Texas Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas - A Colombian national has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for trafficking drugs through the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Luis Fernando Toro Londono, also known as Don Alonso, La Vaca, and Don Hector, 56, of Medellin, Colombia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine knowing it would be distributed in the United States and was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant.
According to information presented in court, in August 2017, federal drug agents were investigating a drug trafficking organization moving drugs from Colombia to Mexico via Costa Rica and Panama for eventual distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine in the United States. The organization used Go-Fast vessels and aircraft to transport most of their cocaine shipments to Central America and Mexico.
Londono was identified as a Colombian based cocaine investor, smuggler, and money launderer that coordinated the dispatch of large cocaine shipments and coordinated the movement of drug proceeds throughout multiple countries and several cities in the United States.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Dallas and Colombia and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ernest Gonzalez.
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Collin County Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Crimes Related to Carrollton MurderRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – An Allen man, convicted of multiple federal violations related to a fraud scheme that included the murder of a Carrollton man, has been sentenced to life in federal prison, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Keith Todd Ashley, 51, was found guilty by a jury of wire fraud, mail fraud, carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and bank fraud in October 2022. Ashley was sentenced to life in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant.
According to information presented at trial, beginning in 2016, Ashley, a registered nurse who also began working as a financial advisor and life insurance agent, started stealing money from his clients. Ashley promised his clients he would invest their money in financial products but instead used the funds to pay other clients, to keep his struggling brewery in business, to pay his personal bills and to fund a lavish lifestyle. In May 2016, Ashley began stealing investment funds from a Carrollton man. This scheme included transferring the client’s money into his personal accounts and changing the beneficiary of the man’s life insurance to a trust controlled by Ashley. The scheme eventually resulted in the Feb. 19, 2020, murder of the client, which Ashley attempted to stage as a suicide. Even after the client was killed, Ashley went through elaborate steps to collect on the life insurance policy, transfer funds from the victim’s bank account to himself, and attempt to obtain a copy of the victim’s autopsy report. Ashley was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 12, 2020, and has been charged with various federal violations, including wire fraud, mail fraud and firearms violations.
“Today’s sentence brings a sense of relief and justice to the victim’s family and friends, who have endured pain and grief as a result of the defendant’s horrific actions,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Mr. Ashley’s actions of defrauding and ultimately taking the victim’s life is reprehensible and indefensible. I’m grateful to our local and federal law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case. Their dedication was essential in bringing this defendant to justice.”
“Keith Ashley funded his lavish lifestyle and attempted to rescue his failing business by robbing his clients of financial security, and when that wasn’t enough, he robbed one of his life,” said Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough. “Many local and federal resources came together to seek justice for the victims, and our hope is that today’s sentence can bring continued healing to the families and friends who will be forever impacted by the greed and deceit caused by the defendant.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Frisco Resident Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, and the Carrollton Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Rattan and Jay Combs and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Fine.
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Cincinnati woman charged with crimes related to making false racial discrimination claims against landlordRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati tenant is charged with federal crimes related to making false statements accusing her landlord of violating the Fair Housing Act.
Dermisha Pickett, 33, allegedly fabricated messages from her landlord stating the landlord did not want Black tenants. Pickett appeared in federal court in Cincinnati yesterday after self-surrendering. Her case was unsealed today.
“False reports to law enforcement, as alleged in this case, undermine legitimate reports of racial discrimination and could discourage victims from coming forward for fear that they will not be believed,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “This office will continue to do its due diligence when presented with any potential civil rights violations.”
“Making false reports of racial discrimination is unacceptable and can have tangible effects on other tenants who rely on HUD-assisted housing,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the HUD Office of Inspector General. “In this case, if the landlord had violated the Fair Housing Act, his participation in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program may have been revoked, causing the displacement of approximately 50 families who rely on the Housing Choice Voucher program. These families would have been forced to uproot their families to find new homes, incurring non-reimbursable expenses.”
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on Feb. 27, the U.S. Attorney’s Office was forwarded several text messages purportedly from the Cincinnati-area landlord as part of a civil rights report. The U.S. Attorney’s Office referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) to investigate the claims.
The investigation revealed that the landlord owns over 100 properties, including 56 properties rented through HUD’s housing choice voucher program. Many of his tenants appear to be African American.
On March 14, Pickett met with HUD agents and provided the agents with numerous discriminatory messages purportedly made by Pickett’s landlord. Pickett allegedly claimed to receive a call from the landlord as she arrived at the meeting with HUD OIG and placed the call on speaker phone.
Pickett allegedly told agents that she had attempted to pay her portion of the rent but that her landlord returned it, stating he did not want to rent to Black individuals.
According to court documents, in a later interview with the landlord, the landlord told agents he did not want to continue to rent to Pickett because she was causing extensive damage to the property.
Phone records and forensic analysis indicate that no text messages were exchanged during the time periods Pickett claimed. It is alleged that Pickett used mobile applications to fabricate text messages and phone numbers.
Making a false statement to federal officers is punishable by up to five years in prison. Destroying, altering, or falsifying records in a federal investigation carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Shawn Rice, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Mid-Atlantic Region; announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo is representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Chiropractic Clinic Employees Sentenced for Disability FraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Two employees of Jefferson County, Missouri chiropractors involved in a disability fraud conspiracy have been sentenced for their roles in the case.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Thursday sentenced Clarissa Pogue, 40, of DeSoto, to five years of probation to include six months of home confinement. She was also ordered to repay $286,000. On August 3, Judge Autrey sentenced Christina Barrera, 64, of St. Louis, to 14 months in prison and ordered her to repay $543,315.
Pogue and Barrera were convicted by a jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in February of one felony count of conspiracy to defraud the Social Security Administration, along with chiropractor Vivian Carbone-Hobbs. Carbone-Hobbs, now 61, of Fenton, was also convicted of 10 counts of health care fraud and two counts of theft of money from the United States. Pogue was also convicted of one count of theft of money from the United States.
The three conspired with Thomas G. Hobbs, Carbone-Hobbs’ husband, and others to fraudulently obtain disability payments for patients who were not disabled or injured.
Carbone-Hobbs and Hobbs own Power-Med Inc., a chiropractic clinic in Arnold. Hobbs, now 66, pleaded guilty in January and admitted conspiring to commit the crimes of health care fraud, making false statements, theft of government funds and Social Security fraud.
Hobbs admitted that beginning in 2011, he fraudulently assisted patients in receiving more than $3.5 million in disability benefit payments through the Social Security Administration’s Disability Trust Fund and through private disability benefit insurance providers. Hobbs charged patients thousands of dollars in exchange for the preparation of disability forms. He also coached patients in how to lie to the Social Security Administration and private insurers about their ability to perform basic activities like lifting things, sitting, standing and walking. Patients also had to pay hundreds of dollars for annual appointments to keep qualifying for disability payments.
Hobbs also used a fictitious medical license number and submitted false and fraudulent medical reports to buttress patients’ disability claims. Hobbs submitted or caused to be submitted false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs for services that were not provided, medically unnecessary services or services provided by unqualified persons to make it appear that the disability patients had medical conditions.
The chiropractors, employees and patients all faced charges in the case. Hobbs and Carbone-Hobbs will be sentenced later this year.
The cases were investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Berry, Dorothy McMurtry, Diane Klocke and Gwendolyn Carroll are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who suspects fraud involving the Disability Insurance Benefit Program is asked to contact the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Hotline at: 1-800-269-0271 or https://oig.ssa.gov/report/.
Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Interstate Transportation of Stolen PropertyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Wu Feng Zhang, age 54, a citizen of China residing in the Town of Colonie, New York, pled guilty today to transporting stolen property across state lines. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Zheng admitted that between June and December 2022, he stole merchandise from home improvement stores in states including Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and New York, and transported those stolen items to his residence in Colonie. On January 11, 2023, HSI searched his residence and found about $100,000 in merchandise stolen from home improvement and other stores.
At sentencing on December 15, 2023, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, Zhang faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
HSI, with assistance from Colonie Police Department, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Ex-Girlfriend and Transporting Her to IdahoRead the Press Release
BOISE – Emiliano Jaime Ramos, 41, of Lompoc, California, pleaded guilty to kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and transporting her from California to Idaho where she was eventually rescued by Nampa police, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, on December 21, 2022, the victim left work at a clinic in California, where she was employed as a medical assistant. Upon walking to her vehicle, she was approached by Ramos who had been waiting for her in the parking lot. The victim and Ramos had previously dated, and following their breakup, the victim refused to meet with Ramos and blocked him from her social media accounts and had blocked his phone number. When the victim entered her vehicle to leave, Ramos opened the back passenger door and jumped into the seat behind her. He then reached around the driver’s seat and pressed a handgun into her right side, leading her to believe she was going to be shot. Ramos then ordered her to drive north, and she complied.
Ramos, who was in possession of a large knife in addition to the firearm, compelled the victim to drive from California to Nevada, Oregon, and eventually to Nampa, Idaho, where Ramos checked them into a hotel. Later, when Ramos was fully asleep, the victim grabbed her cell phone, which had been sitting on a nightstand, and turned it on. She quickly sent a text message to 911, before turning the phone off and placing it back on the nightstand. Once the 911 message was received, Nampa police officers were dispatched to the hotel, where they quickly worked to assemble a team of officers to conduct a rescue. During the morning of December 23, 2022, Ramos was arrested by police as he exited the hotel room. It was later learned that during the kidnapping, Ramos sexually assaulted the victim and told her that he intended to kill her in Idaho.
Ramos is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Chief U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“It is humbling for my office to be able to seek justice in this disturbing kidnapping and sexual assault case,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “The victim in this case showed remarkable bravery, and I am also grateful for the quick response of the Nampa Police Department. The public should rest assured that, along with our law enforcement partners, we will aggressively pursue, and hold accountable, those who use firearms to commit federal offenses in Idaho.”
“This is the result of great teamwork, starting with Nampa’s 911 Dispatchers and ending with the successful prosecution,” said Nampa Police Department Interim Police Chief Curt Shankel. “We commend the bravery of the victim in this case and we’re proud of the investigation completed by all agencies involved. For those who find themselves in an emergency, who aren’t able to speak freely, texting to 911 is an excellent option in our region of Idaho.”
In addition to the Nampa Police Department, U.S. Attorney Hurwit credited the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Idaho State Police Forensic Services, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Lab, Idaho Department of Correction, the Pismo Beach Police Department, and the Santa Maria Police Department, which led to the charges.
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Brooklyn Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms in Green IslandRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Burlington E. Nieuenkirk, age 46, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing three loaded firearms as a felon.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr. made the announcement.
Nieuenkirk admitted that on April 30, 2020, he knowingly possessed three loaded pistols, one of which had been reported stolen, at a residence in Green Island, New York. A prior felony conviction for robbery prevented Nieuenkirk from legally possessing the firearms in New York.
Nieuenkirk faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on December 11, 2023, by Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by ATF and the Albany County Sheriff’s Office with assistance provided by the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Bronx Man Sentenced to 98 Months in Prison for Committing Multiple ShootingsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that THOMAS DISLA was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman to 98 months in prison in connection with a shooting spree he committed on June 3 and 4, 2022. Over the course of 12 hours, DISLA shot an acquaintance in the groin, shot at a stranger who was driving a car, and brandished a firearm in the middle of crowded bar before striking a patron and shooting the firearm at the ceiling. DISLA previously pled guilty to one count of possessing ammunition after conviction for a felony.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Last summer, Thomas Disla committed multiple terrifying shootings in the Bronx. He severely injured two people, one of whom he had never even met. And he could have killed a third. As today’s sentence demonstrates, our Office is determined to keeping New York City safe by vigorously prosecuting perpetrators of gun violence.”
According to the Indictment and other filings and statements made in court:
At approximately 3:35 p.m. on June 3, 2022, DISLA approached an acquaintance (“Victim-1”) who was standing in front of a grocery store located on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. DISLA and Victim-1 exchanged words and DISLA walked away to the street. DISLA then returned, took deliberate aim at Victim-1, and fired, hitting Victim-1 in the groin. Victim-1 was rushed to the hospital and continues to experience discomfort and pain from his injuries.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on June 4, 2023, DISLA approached a construction worker (“Victim-2”) on Wheeler Avenue in the Bronx. Victim-2 was on his way to a construction site and had briefly exited his vehicle to remove a barricade that was blocking traffic. DISLA told Victim-2 he could not continue driving to the construction site. After Victim-2 returned to his car, he overhead DISLA yell that Victim-2 would “learn [his] lesson.” As can be seen in surveillance footage, DISLA then walked to the sidewalk, turned around, and shot at Victim-2’s car:
At approximately 2:20 a.m. on June 4, 2023, DISLA waived a firearm at patrons of a popular bar located on Manor Avenue in the Bronx. He then approached a stranger who was sitting on a chair, enjoying a drink, and struck him with the firearm in his face, inflicting a wound so deep it went to the bone. As surveillance video shows, DISLA then left the bar:
He returned moments later only to fire one round at the ceiling of the entrance.
DISLA was not permitted to possess ammunition because of his prior New York State conviction for criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree. DISLA has at least 18 prior criminal convictions.
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In addition to his prison term, DISLA, 44, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Sowlati is in charge of the prosecution.
Bowling Green Felon Sentenced to over 8 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green man was sentenced yesterday to 8 years and 4 months in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Director Tommy Loving of the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force made the announcement.
According to court documents, Joshua Moore¸ 39, possessed a Glock 19 nine-millimeter pistol on December 22, 2021. Moore was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On September 13, 2017, in the United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, Moore was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. On August 24, 2009, in Warren Circuit Court, Moore was convicted of first-degree fleeing or evading police and unlawful possession of a methamphetamine precursor. Moore was also sentenced for distributing 21.09 grams of methamphetamine on April 4, 2022, distributing 24.6 grams of methamphetamine on April 13, 2022, and possessing with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on May 31, 2022. All these crimes took place in Warren County, Kentucky.
Moore was on federal supervised release for his previous federal felony conviction at the time he committed the offenses on which he was sentenced yesterday. In addition to his 8-year and 4-month sentence, Moore was also sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently with each other, and his total sentence is 8 years and 4 months in prison. Following his release from prison, Moore was ordered to serve 4 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Bath Man with Prior Sex Offense Conviction Going to Prison on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joshua Wormley, 38, of Bath, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior sex offense conviction, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that in July 2017, Wormley was convicted of attempted possession of a sexual performance of a child. In February 2021, Wormley possessed a cell phone containing approximately 800 images and two videos of child pornography. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent minors.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the Yates County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Ronald Spike.
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Baltimore Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Federal Prison for Three Robberies Committed at GunpointRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher today sentenced Keith Poynter, Jr., age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 26 years federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a robbery conspiracy, three counts of commercial robbery, conspiracy to use a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, two counts of using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and for discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The charges are all related to a series of armed commercial robberies committed in one day, and for discharging his weapon during one of the robberies. A federal jury convicted Poynter of those crimes on April 24, 2023, after a four-day trial.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Acting Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief Robert McCullough of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to court documents and evidence presented during his trial, Poynter conspired with others, including Benjamin Bunn, Jr. and Tiffany Gardner, to rob businesses in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Specifically, on December 6, 2019, Poynter and another man robbed a jewelry store in the 200 block of N. Howard Street. The evidence showed that the other robber placed a machete in the door to prevent it from locking. Poynter brandished a weapon and struck a glass countertop, causing the gun to fire. Poynter then fired two more shots into another glass case and removed jewelry and other merchandise, all in the presence of store employees. Poynter and the other man then got into a silver Acura TL, which was occupied and operated by Bunn and Gardner and left the area.
A short time later, Poynter entered a jewelry store in the Security Square Mall in Baltimore County, approached a store employee, brandished a handgun, and demanded jewelry. After taking the jewelry, Poynter left the store and got back into the silver Acura TL, where Bunn and Gardner waited. The group then left the area. Approximately two hours later, Poynter entered a pawn shop in the 6600 block of Reisterstown Road, brandished a firearm, demanded jewelry, and threatened to shoot a customer. Poynter took jewelry and other merchandise and left the store, again entering the silver Acura TL where Bunn and Gardner waited.
Benjamin Bunn, Jr., age 37, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to his role in the robberies a few days before trial began and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2023. Tiffany Gardner, age 27, of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
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.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr., who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Anderson Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine Imported from MexicoRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Robert Solomon, 38, of Anderson, Indiana, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on August 16, 202l, Madison County Drug Task Force served a federal search warrant at Solomon’s home in Anderson, Indiana, following a years’ long investigation into his drug trafficking activities. Investigators located and seized 97 grams of methamphetamine inside a purple Crown Royal bag on the kitchen counter, 85 grams of “crack” cocaine, two digital scales, two vacuum sealers and bags, and two .22 caliber handguns.
Shortly thereafter, Solomon was stopped by an Anderson Police Department officer for a traffic violation. A K-9 was used to sniff the vehicle and alerted to the odor of controlled substances. Officers searched Solomon’s Lexus and seized approximately $41,369 in cash hidden inside a cereal box.
During a recorded interview with investigators, Solomon admitted that he had been trafficking drugs for at least a year, including methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. Solomon also stated that he worked with a man from Mexico, who supplied the drugs that Solomon then distributed in the Anderson area.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, Michael Gannon, Chief Michael Lee of the Anderson Police Department, and Madison County Sheriff, John Beeman made the announcement.
“We know that a majority of the meth plaguing our streets ultimately comes from international cartels operating across the southern border,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Cutting off suppliers who are responsible for selling and transporting drugs from transnational criminal organizations is a priority of federal law enforcement. We, alongside DEA and state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Anderson Police and Madison County Drug Task Force, are committed to weeding out these offenders and stopping their distribution of these poisons in our communities.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Anderson Police Department, and the Madison County Drug Task Force investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Solomon be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.
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Ada Resident Enters Plea to Federal Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Timothy Ray Brown, age 40, of Ada, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Department.
The Indictment alleged that on March 10, 2022, Brown knowingly and intentionally possessed a quantity of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and knowingly possessed a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Brown was remanded to custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Acton Man Sentenced to Nearly Three Years in Prison for Using Stolen Identities to Obtain COVID Relief FundsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Acton was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for conspiring to use stolen identities to fraudulently obtain disaster loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds.
Edwin Acevedo, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Acevedo was also ordered to pay restitution of $251,684. In January 2023, Acevedo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. Acevedo was arrested and charged along with co-conspirator Hector Garcia in August 2021.
According to charging documents, Acevedo’s co-conspirators allegedly used stolen identity information of United States citizens to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. It is alleged that Garcia used stolen identity information of a United States citizen to open a fraudulent bank account, which was then linked to other fraudulent bank accounts set up to receive the SBA funds. Acevedo coordinated co-conspirators’ receiving some of the debit cards associated with fraudulent bank accounts into which SBA funds were deposited. Acevedo and co-conspirators laundered the SBA funds by using the debit cards to purchase iPhones, which Acevedo and others then re-sold for cash. It is also alleged that Garcia and other co-conspirators wired a portion of the funds to co-conspirators in the Dominican Republic.
It is alleged that over $452,000 in SBA funds were fraudulently obtained in connection with the scheme. Approximately $250,000 of this money was used to purchase iPhones in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
On Dec. 8, 2022, Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; three counts of wire fraud – aiding and abetting; and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He has since pleaded not guilty is pending trial.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Orlando, Fla.; the Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General; the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General; the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General; the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General; the Department of State; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Massachusetts State Police; the New Hampshire State Police; and the Acton, Nashua (N.H.), Manchester (N.H.) and Ocala (Fla.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna Nuzum and Adam Deitch of the Criminal Division are prosecuting 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.The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
16 August 2023
Wood County Man Sentenced to 138 Months for Drug & Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that John W. Andereggen, 56, Vesper, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 138 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon. Andereggen pleaded guilty to these charges on May 11, 2023.
In September 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Andereggen at a camper that Andereggen kept in the rural woods of Wood County. Officers obtained a search warrant for the camper and discovered over 600 grams of methamphetamine and 100 grams of cocaine in and around the camper. They also discovered four firearms and ammunition. At the time of the search, Andereggen was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. Andereggen was interviewed and admitted to selling large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine in the months leading up to the search.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted the highly aggravating circumstances of the offenses, including the heavy drug amounts and the presence of dangerous weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun. The large amounts of drugs in this case had a significant negative impact on a small community. He also noted Andereggen’s long criminal history, which spanned 33 criminal offenses from age 21 to age 56. Ultimately, Judge Peterson ruled that a long sentence was needed to address the severe nature of the drug and gun offenses and to protect the public from Andereggen’s criminal nature.
The charges against Andereggen were the result of an investigation conducted by the Wood County Sheriff’s Department; the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department; Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Nekoosa, Stevens Point, and Plover Police Departments; the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Marie Boor prosecuted this case.
This case was prosecuted in part 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.
Wise County Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Trafficking Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – An Exeter, Virginia man, who conspired to sell pressed pills containing fentanyl purchased from various social media platforms, was sentenced this week to 60 months in federal prison.
Aaron Christopher Stidham, 22, pled guilty in August 2022 to one count of conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to court documents, between February 2021 and February 2022, Stidham ordered 1,000 pills every few weeks from his source in California through the social media platforms Snapchat and Instagram, had them mailed to Big Stone Gap, and then resold them to co-conspirators Paul Mason Perkins of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Austin Jeremiah Lane, of Norton, Virginia, and Cheyenne Cassie Carico, of Norton, Virginia.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Atlanta Division, made the announcement.
The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force (consisting of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, and the Virginia State Police), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announces $2M Grant to the Albuquerque Community Safety Department and its Violence Intervention ProgramRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded a $2,050,000.00 grant to the Albuquerque Community Safety Department and its Violence Intervention Program as part of the Byrne Discretionary Grant Program, which assists local communities in improving the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe our community,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “With this funding, the Violence Intervention Program will intervene to address root causes of the violence which has plagued our streets. By centering the safety of those who are most at risk of shooting and being shot, we make the community safer for us all. To those young men in our community who are spiraling out of control, trapped in a world of hatred and fear: We want you to be safe, alive, and free, but the shooting must stop. We will help you if you let us and stop you if you make us.”
"We know that by sending our responders out into the community and meeting people where they are, we can interrupt cycles of violence and ultimately change lives for the better," said Mayor Tim Keller. "This investment in ACS's Violence Intervention Program helps address violence at its root and is an important piece of our multifaceted approach to reducing violent crime."
“We thank the Department of Justice for investing in the next phase of Community Safety and Violence Intervention in the City of Albuquerque,” said ACS Director Mariela Ruiz-Angel. “By expanding that work, and exploring how we can grow our Division of Violence Prevention and Intervention, we will build upon our work to break cycles of violence in our community and schools."
Beginning as a community-led initiative, Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) is a cabinet-level public safety department, meaning they operate independently from and in collaboration with the Albuquerque Police Department and Albuquerque Fire Rescue. The department launched on September 8, 2021, and provides crisis aid, welfare checks, and referrals for people in need. ACS responders also offer transportation to providers of mental health, addiction, shelter, and case management services.
The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) is a gun violence reduction program that focuses on those at the highest risk of becoming part of the gun violence cycles in the City. VIP Program implementation began in late March 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. The first year was a pilot year where multiple components were implemented. Components encompass a public health approach to gun violence reduction and a focused deterrence law enforcement approach to gun violence. VIP currently falls under Albuquerque Community Safety’s Violence Prevention and Intervention Division.
ACS and VIP will use the discretionary earmark funding to expand the scope of these programs. This will enhance service in violence prevention, intervention, and support within Albuquerque. In addition to an expansion of the existing work, this funding can help with exploring the establishment of an Office of Violence Prevention for the City of Albuquerque.
In exploring the establishment of an Office of Violence Prevention, the goal would be to bring together numerous programs in a highly effective way. Included within a possible Office could be the Violence Intervention Program, a School-Based Violence Intervention Program, Trauma Recovery Center, Community Oriented Response Assistance, an Opioid Prevention Program, and a possible Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program. This would be modeled after successful Offices in other areas, such as Newark and Philadelphia, but made unique to Albuquerque.
The ultimate goal is to combine assertive outreach, advocacy, evidence-based mental health services, and comprehensive case management specific to the person or the community. Through a diverse staff, ACS and VIP will be able to better support individuals who have been victims of violence, physical assault, sexual assault, opioid abuse, domestic violence, and more.
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