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16 August 2023
Four Sentenced for Multi-Kilogram Crack Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The last four men in a six-man crack cocaine conspiracy were sentenced on August 8, 2023, before Chief District Court Judge Sara L. Darrow. The conspiracy covered a period of time from 2017 until mid-2020, and occurred in and around Rock Island County, Illinois. In addition to the conspiracy, some men were charged with individual counts of distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine. All six defendants involved in the conspiracy pleaded guilty and were sentenced as follows.
- Rasheem Damonte Bogan, a/k/a “Sheem”, 31, of the 1800 block of West 8th Street, Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
- Raheem Jacques Houston, a/k/a “Heem”, 30, of the 800 block of 21st Street, Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
- Devell Carl Lewis, 35, of Brown Court Street, Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 126 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release;
- Christopher William Pullman, a/k/a “Dime”, 35, of the 2700 block of 6th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment and ten years of supervised release. Based on Pullman’s prior criminal history, his statutory penalties were enhanced to a mandatory minimum term of fifteen years up to a maximum of life in prison, followed by at least ten years of supervised release.
- Two other co-defendants had previously been sentenced in March of 2022 for their involvement in the conspiracy.
- Brandon Jerome Pullman, a/k/a “Tall B.” a/k/a “B”, 32, of the 2700 block of 6th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months’ of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
- Cortez Deangelo Cooper, Jr., a/k/a “Tez”, 29, of the 900 block of West 14th Street, Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 125 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
The statutory penalty for conspiracy to distribute at least 280 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, “crack” is a mandatory minimum term of ten years, and up to a maximum of life in prison, followed by at least five years of supervised release. The statutory penalty for distribution of at least 28 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, “crack” is five years to 40 years in prison, followed by at least five years of supervised release. The statutory penalty for distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine or cocaine base, “crack” is up to 20 years in prison, followed by at least three years of supervised release. Each charge also carries a $100 special assessment.
At the sentencing hearing, the government presented commentary about the multi-year nature of the conspiracy and the impact that the drug distribution had on the Quad Cities community.
Additionally, three of the men, Rasheem Bogan, Devell Lewis, and Raheem Houston, were also charged in May of 2023, by federal indictment in the Southern District of Iowa, Davenport Division, for a Racketeering Conspiracy. It is alleged that the three men and others, were members of a criminal organization known as the “Arsenal Courts Posse, a/k/a Zone Fifth, a/k/a, Fifth Street Mafia, a/k/a Rock Town Money Getters, a/k/a Money Team. According to that indictment, the organization’s purpose was to distribute controlled substances, obtain money and things of value, and earn and maintain respect in the Quad Cities. It is alleged that Bogan, Lewis and Houston, as well as the other members of the organization, conspired to engage in a years-long pattern of violence, including murder, attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. Additional information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/defendants-charged-joint-federal-state-and-local-investigation-firearms-trafficking
The Rock Island Police Department, and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Mathew and former Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Raya represented the government in the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF
Former Pittsburgh Resident Pleaded Guilty and Was Sentenced for Conviction of Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA- A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release on his conviction of possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Christopher Pelzer, 33, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to information presented to the court, Pelzer knowingly possessed 11 images and 13 videos containing child sexual abuse material, some of which depicted sadistic and masochistic conduct involving minors as young as 5 to 7 years old.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Colville noted the seriousness of the offense and its impact on minor victims. Judge Colville further ordered Pelzer to pay a $5000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, and a $1000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.
Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.United States Attorney Olshan commended the Department of Homeland Security for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Pelzer.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former NYPD Officer Charged with Accessory After the Fact to Murder, Obstructing A Federal Gang Investigation, and Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging GINA MESTRE, a former NYPD Officer, for her participation in a racketeering conspiracy with members of the Shooting Boys gang, including her involvement in obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the Shooting Boys gang. MESTRE was arrested last night and will be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, to whom the case is assigned, later this afternoon in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Gina Mestre shamelessly exploited her position of public trust to assist gang members in her own NYPD precinct that were terrorizing the Bronx by committing robberies, murders, drug trafficking, and other acts of violence. The Indictment unsealed today alleges that the defendant abused her position as an NYPD police officer by, among other things, obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the gang and assisting the gang’s leader in evading capture for a cold-blooded murder committed in broad daylight. The defendant’s alleged conduct violates the oath she swore to protect the public – as well as her fellow NYPD officers – from the type of criminal activity she helped the gang commit. This Indictment makes clear that my Office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in fighting all forms of police corruption.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “There is no place for corruption of any kind in the NYPD. The arrest today of a former police officer is built upon the steadfast work of our Internal Affairs Bureau, a team driven to root out such betrayals of public trust. I thank IAB, all of our partners, and everyone from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their sustained collaboration in this important case.”
As alleged in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings:[1]
The Shooting Boys gang is a criminal organization based in the University Heights section of the Bronx. Since at least 2017, gang members sold drugs, used guns, and committed numerous acts of violence against members of rival gangs. The gang’s territory and base of operations fell within the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct. The recognized leader of the Shooting Boys was Andrew Done, a/k/a “Caballo.”
MESTRE was an NYPD police officer from July 2013 to May 2022 assigned to the 52nd Precinct’s Public Safety Unit. In the summer of 2020, a major focus of the precinct and the Public Safety Unit was the reduction of gun violence, much of which was attributed to members of the Shooting Boys.
In or about June 2020, MESTRE began communicating with Done through secret social media accounts and phone numbers. MESTRE and Done began an intimate relationship, during which MESTRE provided Done and other gang members with confidential non-public law enforcement information about the federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys. For example, MESTRE warned Done, and other gang members, that federal investigators were preparing to bring a federal indictment against the Shooting Boys. MESTRE also warned Done about impending law enforcement operations, enabling Done and other gang members to conceal their criminal activity. In addition, MESTRE disclosed the identity of a witness cooperating with law enforcement and providing information about the gang, which allowed Done and other Shooting Boys to assault and intimidate the witness in an effort to prevent the witness from further cooperation.
On or about November 5, 2020, Done shot and killed a rival gang member (“Victim-1”) as Victim-1 sat in his car on Cromwell Avenue in the Bronx. NYPD Detectives investigating the murder recovered security camera video (the “Video”) capturing Done’s commission of the murder. Several members of the 52nd Precinct were called upon to assist in the identification of the person captured on the Video. MESTRE was one of several officers who identified Done as the perpetrator.
During the manhunt to apprehend Done, of which MESTRE was a part, MESTRE sent Done a copy of the Video to his phone and secretly communicated with Done the day of the murder and in the weeks afterwards. MESTRE warned Done about law enforcement’s efforts to capture him, allowing Done to eventually flee from the United States.
In March 2022, 10 members of the Shooting Boys were charged in a 15-count indictment with various federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy and murder. Done was charged with the murder of Victim-1 and was apprehended in the Dominican Republic several months later.
On November 17, 2022, Done pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Victim-1. On February 22, 2023, Done was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
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MESTRE, 33, of Mohegan Lake, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of accessory after the fact to murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, Group 25; HSI; and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic A. Gentile and James Ligtenberg are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
U.S. v. Mestre IndictmentFormer Mayor of Anaheim Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Stemming from Attempted Sale of Angel StadiumRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The former mayor of Anaheim has agreed to plead guilty to federal felony charges for obstructing an FBI public corruption investigation by destroying evidence and for making false statements to FBI agents, the Justice Department announced today.
In court documents filed today in United States District Court, Harish “Harry” Singh Sidhu, 66, of Anaheim, also admits cheating California tax authorities and making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration in relation to his purchase of a helicopter.
Federal prosecutors today filed a criminal information charging Sidhu with one count of obstruction of justice, one count of wire fraud, and two counts of making false statements to the FBI and the FAA. In a plea agreement also filed today, Sidhu agreed to plead guilty to the four offenses.
According to his plea agreement, Sidhu – a longtime member of the Anaheim City Council who was elected mayor in 2018 – admitted that while the City of Anaheim was negotiating the sale of Angel Stadium to the Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball club, he sought out and became a member of the city’s negotiating team for the stadium sale. While on the negotiating team, Sidhu provided confidential information belonging to the city to people working for the Angels, so that the Angels could buy Angel Stadium on favorable terms for the baseball club. After secretly providing the information he had received in his position as mayor, Sidhu later was recorded saying he expected a $1 million campaign contribution from the Angels after the baseball club purchased Angel Stadium, the plea agreement states.
“While serving as Anaheim’s mayor, Mr. Sidhu took a series of actions that compromised the city’s negotiating position by providing confidential information and secretly working to influence the city’s decision-making process – all of which had a detrimental effect on the city and its residents,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “Public confidence in the integrity of public officials is critical to our society. This office will continue to root out public officials who compromise their integrity.”
“Mr. Sidhu was elected by and pledged to work for the residents of Anaheim, but he violated that pledge and their trust on numerous occasions to look out for special interests,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Sidhu deceived his colleagues and weakened the city’s official strategy by divulging intellectual property, then lied to the government when his corruption was discovered. I’m proud of the hard work put in by agents and prosecutors which resulted in today’s plea agreement.”
“The public places a lot of trust and confidence in elected officials, which Mr. Sidhu violated,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we were able to prevent Mr. Sidhu from causing greater harm to the Anaheim community.”
Sidhu admitted that he knowingly destroyed evidence by deleting multiple email messages and documents with the intent to impede and obstruct the FBI’s investigation of public corruption related to the city’s attempted sale of Angel Stadium. In the plea agreement, Sidhu specifically admitted he deleted an email message he had sent on July 21, 2020, with an attachment drafted by lawyers for the city, which contained confidential negotiation information related to the potential sale of Angel Stadium, including a discussion of issues related to price.
Sidhu also admitted in his plea agreement that he deleted a September 2020 email message about secret mock Anaheim City Council meetings involving Sidhu, two other City Council members and representatives of the Angels – including the team president and a team lawyer. Those mock City Council meetings would precede the scheduled public City Council meeting about the city’s proposed sale of Angel Stadium. The deleted email message had an attachment titled “Angels Council Debate Prep,” which detailed the topics on which each participant of the mock City Council meetings should focus, and it added “[Angels] team available to help develop ‘zingers’, responses, and other points to improve performance.”
Sidhu also admitted he had provided a confidential appraisal range to the Angels in 2019, months before the appraisal was made public.
During the investigation, FBI agents secretly recorded multiple statements by Sidhu about the $1 million campaign contribution that he expected to receive after the City of Anaheim sold Angel Stadium to the Angels, the plea agreement states.
Sidhu also admitted that he lied about the Angel Stadium sale negotiations and related matters when FBI agents interviewed him on May 12, 2022. For example, during that interview, Sidhu falsely stated that he was expecting “nothing” from the Angels after the Angel Stadium sale, when in truth, he was expecting to receive a $1 million campaign contribution for his election after the sale. Sidhu also admitted to lying about using his personal email for city business. “Not only did [Sidhu] conduct City business using his personal email, but he also communicated with some City staff using that staff’s personal email, purposely avoiding using the staff member’s official City email address,” the plea agreement states.
In his plea agreement, Sidhu also admitted that in late 2020, he tried to defraud the State of California of approximately $16,000 in sales tax revenue by using an Arizona address to register a helicopter he had just purchased, even though he lived in Anaheim. Sidhu admitted that he fraudulently used a mailing address in Scottsdale, Arizona that actually belonged to an Anaheim businessperson.
Sidhu also admitted that he provided false information for the helicopter to the Federal Aviation Administration when he submitted an “Aircraft Registration Application” that he signed and certified as true, but which falsely claimed his permanent mailing address was in Arizona.
Sidhu is expected to make his initial appearance in United States District Court in Santa Ana later this month.
Once Sidhu enters his guilty pleas, he will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice count, up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud count, and up to five years in federal prison for each false statements count.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are conducting the ongoing investigation in this matter. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations – Riverside Air Unit, provided substantial assistance in the investigation of Sidhu’s helicopter tax fraud.
Assistant United States Attorneys Charles E. Pell and Melissa S. Rabbani of the Santa Ana Branch Office are prosecuting this case.
Former D.C. Government Employee Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Stealing from Project Empowerment ProgramRead the Press Release
Defendant Previously Served Prison Sentence for Different Theft Scheme
WASHINGTON – Rhayda Barnes Thomas, 52, of Washington, D.C., a former employee of the D.C. Department of Employment Services’ Project Empowerment Program, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for stealing more than $350,000 from the Project Empowerment Program between May 2015 and April 2018.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, District of Columbia Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas, and Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
On May 17, 2023, Barnes Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon ordered restitution in the amount of $356,110.64, three years of supervised release, 360 hours of community service, and ordered Thomas be liable for a forfeiture money judgment totaling $318,415.
The D.C. government’s Project Empowerment Program provides employment services to D.C. residents who have multiple barriers to employment, such as a history of substance abuse, a history of job cycling (not maintaining steady employment), and either a felony conviction or previous incarceration. One phase of the program consists of subsidized employment, which involves the D.C. government paying the wages of participants while they work at worksites. During this phase, worksites were responsible for entering participants’ work hours into an electronic system used by Project Empowerment. In turn, the D.C. government would then have payments corresponding with those hours issued to accounts associated with participants, usually in the form of pre-paid bank debit cards.
In 2011, Barnes Thomas pleaded guilty, in federal court in the District of Maryland, to theft involving a federal government program in connection with a scheme to use federal funds received by her school employer to buy technology for herself, her family, and friends. She was sentenced to 27 months in prison for that offense.
In August 2013, following her release from prison, Barnes Thomas participated in the Project Empowerment Program. She ultimately was hired by the program as a Program Support Assistant in February 2014. From May 2015 through April 2018, she stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the program by reviving 16 former Project Empowerment participants’ profiles and modifying entries in a database to falsely show them as working for a non-profit organization, which was not true. She also used the name of a former employee from the non‑profit organization to enter and approve time in the database showing individuals as working when they were not. In addition, she ordered or caused to be ordered replacement and new prepaid debit cards on behalf of the former Project Empowerment participants whose profiles she fraudulently revived. As a result of her conduct, she caused the D.C. government to request that Wells Fargo Bank load funds onto those prepaid debit cards, which she controlled.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Inspector General Lucas, and Inspector in Charge Wood commended the work of those who investigated the case from the D.C. Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Criminal Investigations Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They also acknowledged the efforts of individuals from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kondi Kleinman and David Gorman, Financial Analyst Bryan Snitselaar, Paralegal Specialists Michon Tart, Mariela Andrade, and Amanda Rohde, and former Paralegal Specialists Brittany Phillips and Aisha Keys.
Florida Real Estate Broker Agrees to Pay over $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Fraudulent Cares Act LoansRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Real Estate Broker Chad Wade, 41, of Panama City, Florida, along with his companies Ideal Property Holdings, LLC; Grand Panama Resort Properties, LLC; Beach Life Properties PCB, LLC; First Texas Mortgage, LLC; PCB Limousine, LLC; South Houston Vending Company, LLC; and Emerald Oak Stables, LLC, have agreed to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by knowingly providing false information in support of multiple Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”) loans. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“The theft of any amount of taxpayer funds is inexcusable,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “However, the defendant’s deceptive acts of diverting millions of dollars in emergency financial assistance from small businesses during the pandemic is beyond the pale. This civil resolution and the forthcoming criminal sentence will punish the defendant’s criminal conduct and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would steal from hardworking taxpayers to unlawfully enrich themselves. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in acts of COVID-related fraud.”
The United States alleged that from in or about April 2020, through June 2021, Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent applications and documents to obtain four EIDL loans and fourteen PPP loans totaling $1,506,803. Wade submitted numerous false documents, including false federal tax documents, false state tax documents, and false employee wage reports. The United States further alleged that Wade used the EIDL and PPP funds to grow his real estate businesses by purchasing and paying off properties; purchasing a vacation villa in Mexico; buying a red 1981 Ferrari (among other luxury items); paying personal expenses; and otherwise funding a lavish lifestyle, in direct violation of the terms of the EIDL and PPP programs. The United States also alleged that Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent forgiveness applications wherein he falsely certified that the entire loan amounts were used to pay eligible business costs.
“Falsifying information to gain access to vital federal funds intended to support American small businesses is deplorable,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “Today’s settlement sends a strong message that those responsible will be held accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
On July 7, 2023, Wade plead guilty to three criminal counts in connection with the fraudulent EIDL and PPP loans: (1) Wire Fraud; (2) Money Laundering; and (3) Bankruptcy Fraud. His sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2023.
Wade agreed to pay $4,027,804.69 in damages and penalties under the FCA, of which $1,579,531.25 is restitution.
The civil matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle and the criminal matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey J. Smith from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, with assistance from the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of General Counsel and the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of Inspector General.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Florida Man Convicted of Illegally Possessing a Gun in Valdosta PSN CaseRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – An armed Orlando, Florida, convicted felon who was wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and terroristic threats when he led Georgia deputies on a high-speed chase to evade arrest was convicted by a federal jury late yesterday afternoon of illegally possessing a firearm resulting from a Project Safe Neighborhoods case.
Joshua Granger, 34, of Orlando, Florida, was found guilty of one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at the conclusion of a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson on Aug. 15. Granger faces a maximum of ten years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2024.
“Our office will hold repeat offenders accountable at the federal level when they illegally possess guns, especially when they lead law enforcement on a high-speed chase that endangers innocent civilians,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our trial team was supported by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office to help bring this defendant to justice.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, a Lowndes County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Granger for a traffic violation while he was traveling on Highway 401 on May 26, 2021. Granger attempted to evade arrest, leading law enforcement on a chase at speeds up to 130 miles per hour, crossing into Florida. Officers performed a PIT maneuver, and Granger was apprehended following a foot chase. Officers found a 9mm handgun with a 33-round magazine containing 25 rounds of ammunition inside Granger’s car. At the time of his arrest, Granger was wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault, burglary, terroristic threats and extortion. Granger has prior felony convictions, to include delivery of cocaine and burglary of a dwelling.
This case is being 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.
The case was investigated by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch is prosecuting the case for the Government, with support from Criminal Chief Leah McEwen.
Florida Business Owner Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Defrauding Medicare of More Than $11 MillionRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANTHONY CRACCHIOLO was sentenced today to five years in prison for conspiring to defraud the Medicare Program and for illegally possessing an automatic weapon as a convicted felon. CRACCCHIOLO’s fraud conviction related to his involvement in a scheme to pay and receive kickbacks in connection with illegally buying and selling signed orders for durable medical equipment (“DME”), such as leg, arm, and back braces, and then using those orders to file fraudulent Medicare claims for more than $11 million, as well as selling such orders to other DME supply companies so that those companies in turn could also file fraudulent Medicare claims. CRACCHIOLO previously pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Anthony Cracchiolo faced justice today for illegally trafficking in signed orders for durable medical equipment and thus seeking to defraud Medicare of more than $11 million. Such fraud schemes do real harm to the Medicare program — a vital, taxpayer-funded program that provides affordable health care to people over 65 or with disabilities.”
According to statements made in court and publicly filed documents in this case:
From at least July 2019 through October 2020, CRACCHIOLO and a partner (“Partner-1”) engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare in at least three ways. First, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 illegally paid kickbacks of more than $565,000 to purchase fraudulent DME orders, including orders purportedly “signed” by doctors who never, in fact, signed or authorized those orders and were unaware that their names and identities were being so used. These DME orders were for such equipment as braces for ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and backs. Second, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 resold some of the fraudulent orders to other DME suppliers — receiving more than $425,000 in criminal proceeds — so that those suppliers, in turn, could fraudulently bill Medicare for the DME. Finally, in May and June 2020, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 acquired five of their own fraudulent DME supply companies and themselves used fraudulent DME orders to file more than $11 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, seeking payment to the DME suppliers that CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 controlled. Ultimately, Medicare paid out more than $5.5 million to CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1, along with a substantial sum to the DME suppliers to whom CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 sold fraudulent DME orders.
When arrested at his residence in Parkland, Florida, on March 1, 2022, CRACCHIOLO was found to be illegally in possession of a semiautomatic firearm, a Palmetto State Armory PA-15, as well as an extended ammunition clip and approximately 130 rounds of ammunition, despite being a previously convicted felon who was not allowed to possess such a firearm.
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In addition to the prison term, CRACCHIOLO, 43, of Parkland, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $5,595,968 to the Medicare program. He was also ordered, on March 15, 2023, to pay forfeiture of $2,399,817, including forfeiting his Florida residence and the seized automatic weapon.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Raymond Lewis is in charge of the prosecution.
Federal Jury Convicts Oklahoma Man for Role in Nationwide Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Defendant is Last of Seven Defendants Convicted in this Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
OKLAHOMA CITY – Last week, a federal jury convicted KE’ANDRE DEWAYNE WILSON, 25, of Oklahoma City, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On May 18, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a 12-count Indictment against seven defendants, including Wilson, for their roles in a drug-trafficking organization (DTO). Wilson was charged with two counts: Count 1 alleged conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and Count 2 alleged possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The trial began on August 8, 2023, and the jury returned its guilty verdict on August 10, 2023, after a few hours of deliberation.
According to evidence presented at trial, in June 2020, law enforcement began investigating Wilson and several other defendants for their role in a DTO which distributed methamphetamine throughout the United States. The DTO stored methamphetamine in various locations across Oklahoma City, including approximately 133 kilograms of methamphetamine at Low Life Body Shop located in southwest Oklahoma City. On April 28, 2021, Wilson and his co-defendants planned to transport approximately 100 kilograms of methamphetamine to Chicago. As Wilson and his co-defendants were preparing for the trip, law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered the methamphetamine.
The jury convicted Wilson with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to distribute methamphetamine, as alleged in Count 1 of the Indictment. The jury acquitted Wilson on Count 2. At sentencing, Wilson faces up to life in federal prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
The other six defendants in the case have been previously sentenced to serve collectively more than 600 months of imprisonment:
- Arnulfo Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison.
- Juan Benigno Vazquez Gonzalez pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to serve 168 months in prison.
- Liliana Padron-Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison.
- Ramon Guadalupe Sanchez III pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison.
- Cesar Maximino Franco Morales pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison.
- Emily Rios pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, and was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison.
Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 139 kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 firearms, and $6,000.00 in cash.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. It is also a part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Anderson and Nick Coffey prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Federal Court Sentences Key Players in Large-Scale Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – One of the main sources of supply in Southwest Virginia for a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy, and one of the conspiracy’s dealers, were each sentenced to long federal prison terms this week.
Payton Lee Farris, 26, of Castlewood, Virginia, the supplier of approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine that was sold throughout Wise County and surrounding areas, was sentenced today to 13 years in prison. Farris pled guilty in March 2023 to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine as well as distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Jamie Lynn Johnson, 46, of Coeburn, Virginia, a repeat offender with multiple felony convictions who was widely known to trade methamphetamine in exchange for firearms, regularly purchased methamphetamine from Farris. Over a period of six months, Farris purchased one pound of methamphetamine for $4,000 every two days and then sold Johnson, his primary customer, one pound of methamphetamine every three days for $5,000.
Johnson was sentenced today to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty in January 2023 to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 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 Holston River Drug Task Force, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Larry Chavez, age 26, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Chavez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023.
Beginning in January of 2021, Chavez and co-defendant Regina Maynard conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in and around Central South Dakota and on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. Maynard was previously sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Chavez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.
District Man Charged with Murdering a 57-year-old Tree TrimmerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jamari Payne, 21, of Washington, D.C., was presented in Superior Court today on the charge of second-degree murder while armed, stemming from the homicide of 57-year-old Bacilio Villatoro, on September 22, 2022, in the Gateway neighborhood, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves announced.
Mr. Payne was arraigned before Judge Shelly Mulkey in D.C. Superior Court, today, where he entered a plea of not guilty. The defendant is accused of firing multiple shots striking the victim in the back. The court heard arguments and found probable cause to believe that the defendant committed second degree murder while armed. The court held the defendant without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 31, 2023, before Judge Maribeth Raffinan.
An arrest on a complaint is merely a formally charged allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
In announcing the charge, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
District Man Arrested for Multiple Stranger Sexual AssaultsRead the Press Release
Defendant Accused of Sexually Assaulting Multiple Victims in Golden Triangle
WASHINGTON – Christopher Sharp, 31, of Washington, D.C., has been arrested on sexual assault charges against three different victims. Sharp is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia with assault with intent to commit first degree sexual abuse; kidnapping; and misdemeanor sexual abuse. He made an initial appearance in the District of Columbia on August 16, 2023. The Honorable Shelly A. Mulkey has ordered that Sharp be detained pending a preliminary hearing on August 22, 2023. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
According to court documents, on August 15, 2023, at approximately 9:40am, Sharp left the George Washington University Hospital. Upon the leaving the building, he encountered an individual standing near the exit. Sharp is accused of smacking the individual’s buttock. Sharp then walked away in the direction of Washington Circle. Around five minutes later, at approximately 9:50am, Sharp encountered an individual walking in the 2100 block of K Street, Northwest. As Sharp and the individual passed each other, Sharp is accused of grabbing the individual’s buttock.
Around five minutes later, at approximately 9:55am, Sharp encountered an individual near the intersection of 19th Street, Northwest and Eye Street, Northwest. Sharp is accused of approaching the individual from behind, touching the individual’s vagina, and lifting the individual into the air. Sharp then walked several feet forward before sitting down on the pavement, still carrying the individual. Once on the ground, Sharp is accused of pinning the individual to the ground, pulling up her dress, and attempting to sexually assault the individual. The assault ended when bystanders intervened, causing the defendant to release the individual.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Sharp was on release in a pending case in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in which he was charged with misdemeanor sexual abuse against three additional victims.
A complaint is merely a 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 Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Denver Woman Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for CARES Act FraudRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that DeJane Reaniece Lattany was sentenced to four years in federal prison for receiving more than $3.3 million of fraudulent COVID-19 loans.
On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, which provided emergency assistance to small business owners suffering adverse economic effects caused by the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. Two sources of funding for small businesses were the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”) program. The CARES Act mandated that only businesses in operation on February 15, 2020, for PPP, or before February 1, 2020, for EIDL, were eligible under the programs. In addition, the CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration to issue advances of up to $10,000 to small businesses, known as Economic Injury Disaster Grants (“EIDG”). The amount of the EIDG was determined by the number of employees the applicant certified having. The EIDGs did not need to be repaid.
According to court documents, beginning in June 2020, and continuing through January 2022, the defendant prepared and submitted fraudulent EIDL applications to the Small Business Administration on behalf of business entities that she purportedly owned. In these fraudulent EIDL applications, Lattany made false statements regarding the entities’ number of employees, gross revenues, and cost of goods sold; she further falsely certified that the information provided in the EIDL applications was true and accurate and that the funds would be used to pay payroll and other permissible expenses when, in fact, she used the bulk of the proceeds for her personal benefit. The Small Business Administration approved and funded five EIDL applications and three EIDGs for a total of $430,000 in EIDLs and $20,000 in EIDGs. From June 2020 through December 2021, Lattany submitted fraudulent PPP applications to participating lenders on behalf of business entities that she purportedly controlled and obtained $2,887,976.94 in PPP loans as a result of the scheme. These PPP applications contained a number of false and fraudulent certifications and representations regarding Lattany’s ownership of other businesses, as well as the businesses’ average monthly payroll and number of employees. Lattany falsely represented that all PPP funds would be used to pay eligible business expenses, when, in fact, the bulk of the proceeds were used for her personal benefit. She also submitted false and fraudulent documentation in support of the PPP applications to the participating lenders. Lattany also sought loan forgiveness for PPP loans by submitting loan forgiveness applications. In total, $3,337,976.94 of PPP, EIDL, and EIDG proceeds were paid out as a result of the scheme.
“Taxpayers were generous during the pandemic, saving struggling businesses with loans and grants provided by the Small Business Administration,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “This defendant stole from the taxpayers, cheating them out of millions. For these crimes she’ll now pay with years of her life in federal prison, and she’s been ordered to pay every penny back with interest.”
“Federal CARES Act dollars were meant to keep families, businesses, and the economy afloat during the pandemic. Instead, this fraudster lied in her applications and used more than $3.3 million to live the high life,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “The FBI continues to investigate those who so eagerly defrauded the government and we’re committed to holding each and every one accountable.”
United States District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang sentenced the defendant on August 15, 2023. In addition to the period of incarceration, the defendant was ordered to pay $3,437,072.81, plus interest, in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole C. Cassidy and Rebecca S. Weber.
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.
Case Number: 23-cr-00074-NYW
Dade City Man Arrested for Unlicensed Possession of A Machine GunRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Stewart Walter Bachmann (55, Dade City) with one count of unlicensed possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). If convicted, Bachmann faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, on August 5, 2023, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office received a telephone call from Bachman who told the dispatcher that he was being held hostage and was going to be “put under” by people who were able to walk through the “5th dimension.” As the call progressed, Bachmann also stated there was “going to be something like 9/11,” and there was currently an invisible person in the backseat of his vehicle. Deputies from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office made contact with Bachmann near the Tampa Premium Outlet Mall. Bachmann told the deputies that the CIA was planning a politically motivated mass shooting at the mall. When deputies asked Bachmann if he was going to be the one committing the shooting, he indicated he didn’t know or hadn’t been told that yet.
The Pasco Sherriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a search warrant of Bachmann’s home and located several firearms that had been registered in the NFRTR. However, another firearm, an RAK15 AR-15 type rifle, was also located. This rifle had been modified to be able to house an automatic sear, making the firearm capable of being fired as a fully automatic weapon. ATF found no records for this weapon in the NFRTR, indicating Bachmann was unlawfully in possession of the device.
This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case 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.
Corvallis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Orchestrating Fraud Scheme Claiming to Support Christian Missionaries and OrganizationsRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Corvallis, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for orchestrating an investment fraud scheme that falsely claimed to support various Christian missionaries and organizations.
Erik J. Hass, 53, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay more than $1.75 million in restitution to his victims.
According to court documents, in January 2013, Hass founded Simply Gains, Inc., an organization he claimed supported Christian missionaries and organizations while offering significant returns for investors. Hass solicited members of his church, coworkers, and other acquaintances to invest in the organization via self-directed retirement and cash accounts. In exchange, he gave investors unsecured promissory notes and promised compounded annual returns of up to 30%.
Hass also claimed he would only profit from the investment scheme if monthly returns were higher than 2%. Yet, from the start, Hass began taking a salary drawn from investors’ funds and used the proceeds to pay for personal expenses. Throughout the scheme, Hass sent investors account statements showing fictitious gains and account balances and false IRS 1099-INT forms.
Hass continued accepting investments well into 2018, knowing he could not honor his investment claims. Instead, these new investments were used to fund Ponzi payments to older investors who had requested withdrawals from their accounts. In total, at least 20 investors lost more than $1.75 million combined investing in Hass’ scheme.
On June 9, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an 8-count indictment charging Hass with wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. On February 21, 2023, he pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. It was prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images and VideosRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Patrick James Sperber (45, Apopka), a registered sex offender, to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse images and videos. Sperber had pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023.
In 1999, Sperber was convicted of lewd and lascivious assault on a child. As a result, he is registered and designated as a sexual offender.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2021, an Electronic Service Provider (ESP) submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This NCMEC referral indicated that an individual with the username “P.J. Sperber” had uploaded several videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors while using a messenger application of the ESP. Further investigation traced the Internet Protocol (IP) address used to upload the videos to Sperber’s residence.
On April 15, 2022, FBI agents executed a search warrant for Sperber’s residence and seized his cellphone. A forensic review of Sperber’s cellphone revealed child sex abuse imagery and videos. Sperber admitted to viewing child sex abuse imagery and videos using a chat app account on his cellphone. Several of the child sex abuse videos found on Sperber’s cellphone depicted children under the age of 12 being sexually abused.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Cecil County Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for His Repeated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Lawrence Aquilla Colby, IV, a/k/a “Buddy,” age 35, of Elkton, Maryland, yesterday to 50 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for his participation in a conspiracy to sexually abuse a child from the age of approximately four months to two years old, for producing and receiving images documenting the sexual abuse of the child, and for possession of child pornography.
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; Cecil County State’s Attorney James Dellmyer; and Cecil County Sheriff Scott Adams.
At his plea hearing, Colby admitted that he and his co-conspirator, Summer McCroskey, sexually abused a child, starting at the time the victim was approximately four months of age through at least October 2021, when the victim was two years old, and produced videos and images of the abuse. Both Colby and McCroskey participated in the abuse. Additionally, Colby received files documenting the sexual abuse of the child, which were sent to him by McCroskey.
On May 18, 2023, Judge Bennett sentenced co-defendant Summer McCroskey, age 25, also of Elkton, to 80 years in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Colleen E. McGuinn 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 www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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California Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Guns in Eastern IdahoRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Ramon Morales Jr., 41, of Compton, California, was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison for importing and distributing methamphetamine in Eastern Idaho in exchange for firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit today.
According to court records, Morales was initially arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol when he was caught attempting to smuggle two pounds of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on April 7, 2021.
While Morales was pending those charges, he supplied large amounts of methamphetamine, along with other drugs, to local drug distributors Lynne Marie Boswell, 52, of Pocatello, and Jenny June Manzanares, 40, of Rexburg.
In exchange for methamphetamine, Boswell and Manzanares obtained firearms on Morales’s behalf by using a network of straw purchasers. A straw purchaser is an individual who knowingly purchases firearms intending to provide them to someone else in violation of federal law. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) estimates at least 250 firearms were trafficked through this illegal drug trafficking organization. Firearms purchased by these straw purchasers have been recovered at crime scenes in Idaho and states across the region.
On July 27, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ATF, and local agency task force officers learned that Morales arranged to purchase 12 firearms from a gun store in Idaho Falls using a straw purchaser. Investigators were able to intercept the firearms during the transaction. After further investigation, law enforcement seized 15 pounds of methamphetamine and arrested Jonathan Ramirez-Gutierrez, 29, of Los Angeles, for drug trafficking. There was evidence Morales directed Ramirez-Gutierrez to transport the methamphetamine to Idaho and to return to California with firearms.
On August 14, 2023, Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Morales to over 26 years in federal prison. In January 2023, Judge Winmill sentenced Boswell to over 15 years in federal prison for her role in the drug and gun trafficking conspiracy. In March 2023, Manzanares was sentenced to 10 years for her role in the offense. In August 2022, Ramirez-Gutierrez was sentenced to over 8 years in federal prison.
“This series of cases, and the resulting sentences, reflect success in our ongoing battle to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs and illegally-obtained firearms into and out of Idaho,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “I am grateful for the work of our many law enforcement partners in this investigation, which led to dismantling a very dangerous criminal operation.”
Specifically, U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the following law enforcement agencies for their collaboration on this investigation: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Idaho State Police, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Pocatello Police Department, Fort Hall Police Department, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Falls Police Department. Many of these agencies are members of the BADGES Task Force.
The BADGES Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. The BADGES Task Force is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is composed of members from the Idaho State Police, Pocatello Police Department, Bannock County Sheriff’s Department, Chubbuck Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane prosecuted these cases, including during her prior role as the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially-deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho.
The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction. The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 200 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 146 have been indicted on drug trafficking charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 10,525 months (approximately 877 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 57.6 months (4.8 years). Defendants indicted for drug trafficking offenses serve, on average, approximately 64 months (5.33 years) in federal prison.
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Burlington County Man Admits $4 Million Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man admitted today that he illegally laundered the proceeds of a mail fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Pablo Estrada, 26, of Florence, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of money laundering.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From August 2020 through January 2023, Estrada received money from victims of various scams, including a lottery scam – an advance fee fraud which begins with victims receiving an unexpected notification that they have won large sums of money in a lottery, but are required to pay various fees and expenses before their winnings can be released to them. Estrada deposited the money into various bank accounts that he maintained for purposes of receiving criminal proceeds. He transferred the funds to other bank accounts, keeping a percentage for himself. Estrada laundered more than $4 million in this manner.
The money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profits or gross loss, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Burlington County Prosecutors Office under the direction of LaChia L. Bradshaw and the Florence Township Police Department under the direction of Brian Boldizar for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
estrada.information_.pdfBrowning man sentenced to more than eight years in prison for raping girl on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who was convicted by a jury of raping a girl in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, was sentenced on Aug. 15 to eight years and four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
After a two-day trial in March, the jury found William Ronald Blackman, 31, guilty of attempted sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that Blackman sexually abused the victim, identified as Jane Doe, on three occasions when she was physically incapable of declining participating in a sexual act. Jane Doe, who was approximately 15 years old at the time, had passed out from alcohol intoxication and woke up to Blackman sexually abusing or having intercourse with her. The assaults occurred in 2019 and 2020. The victim ultimately reported the sexual abuse to a counselor.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Bradenton Man Arrested for Robbing Tampa Business with FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Devon Floyd (31, Bradenton) with one count of Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted, Floyd faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, on August 10, 2023, Floyd robbed a business in Tampa. He asked the clerk for a free water, which she did not have, before walking behind the counter and lifting his jacket to show the clerk a firearm. Floyd then ordered the clerk to empty the register, took the cash, and fled the scene in a dark colored Mazda. The complaint further alleges that Floyd is suspected of committing additional robberies in the area and that those robberies are still being investigated.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Temple Terrace Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, and the North Port Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case 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.
Bloomfield Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Narcotics Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENSTON HARRY, 42, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for drug trafficking offenses.
This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Tajh Wiley, also known as Yung, of Norwalk. The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired with Harry and others to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana throughout Connecticut.
Harry was arrested on June 9, 2021. In association with his arrest, investigators searched his Bloomfield residence and his Hartford business, Action Audio. The search of his residence revealed more than one kilogram of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of cocaine, and kilogram presses and other items used to process and package narcotics for distribution. The search of Harry’s business resulted in the seizure of marijuana and other items.
On October 18, 2022, a jury found Harry guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and marijuana; one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams of fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Harry, Wiley and six others were charged as a result of this investigation.
On July 26, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of multiple offenses. On December 28, 2022, he was sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000.
Harry, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 25.
This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bridgeport Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Stratford Police Department, Yonkers (New York) Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty, Robert S. Dearington, Margaret M. Donovan and Elena L. Coronado through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Austin Pharmacy to Pay $200,000 in Civil Penalties for Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – People’s Pharmacy Inc. has agreed to pay $200,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated provisions of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
People’s Pharmacy Inc., doing business as Peoples Rx, operates five retail pharmacies and one compounding laboratory in the Austin area. During a routine inspection of a Peoples Rx location in June 2022, DEA diversion investigators determined that the pharmacy had violated certain regulatory recordkeeping provisions, improperly dispensed controlled substances to practitioners for office use, and issued prescriptions without authorization.
During their inspection, DEA diversion investigators also learned that Peoples Rx had sold pseudoephedrine products without self-certifying as required by the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA). The CMEA regulates over-the-counter sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine products, which are common ingredients in cough, cold, and allergy products that serve as precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine or amphetamine. Retail provisions of the CMEA include daily sales limits and 30-day purchase limits, placement of product out of direct customer access, sales logbooks, customer ID verification, employee training, and self-certification of regulated sellers.
The Diversion Control Unit in DEA’s San Antonio District Office led the investigation of this matter. The primary goal of the DEA’s diversion control program is to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of controlled substances from their lawful purpose into illicit drug traffic. In furtherance of this goal, DEA conducts inspections of pharmacies and other DEA registrants to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements relating to drug security and recordkeeping.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Arsonist Pleads Guilty to Fire Bombing Donut HoleRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. - A Tulsa man who firebombed a popular donut shop with a Molotov Cocktail pleaded guilty today in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Coby Dale Green, 24, pleaded guilty to malicious use of explosive materials.
In his plea agreement, Green admitted that in the early morning hours of Halloween, 2022, he broke the glass front door, lit the wick of the Molotov Cocktail, and then threw the Molotov Cocktail through the broken front door, into the Donut Hole.
“The Molotov Cocktail that Green threw into the Donut Hole was fueled by bias and had the power to burn down several businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the prosecution team for holding the defendant accountable for his actions.”
Green faces between 5 and 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. A federal district court judge will determine sentencing after considering sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A date for sentencing has not been set.
Green has been and will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency with assistance from Tulsa Police and Fire Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan E. Michel and Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case.
After a Six-Day Trial, Federal Jury Convicts Holy Health Care Services, LLC Program Administrator for a Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury yesterday convicted Lambert Mbom, age 50, of Riverdale, Maryland, for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and for conspiracy to make false statements relating to health care matters in connection with a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicaid. The defendant’s conviction stems from a scheme involving services purportedly provided by Holy Health Care Services, LLC (“Holy Health”), a mental health services provider with locations in Washington, D.C. The jury acquitted Mbom of conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute.
The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS OIG”); and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.
According to evidence presented at Mbom’s six-day trial, he was a program administrator at Holy Health. Holy Health entered into Medicaid Provider Agreements with the District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance (“DHCF”), to provide healthcare services to D.C. Medicaid recipients and was certified by the District of Columbia’s Department of Behavioral Health (“DBH”) to provide mental health services as a freestanding clinic and as a Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services (“MHRS”) provider. As a certified MHRS provider, Holy Health had authority to provide and bill for a variety of mental health services including “community support” – a service for which community support workers (“CSWs”) provide rehabilitative and educational support to mental health patients both in clinical settings and in the community.
According to evidence presented at trial, Mbom and his co-conspirators paid to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce the beneficiaries to visit Holy Health for mental health services. As detailed in trial testimony, Mbom and his co-conspirators caused claims to be submitted by Holy Health to Medicaid for services, including community support services, purportedly provided to Medicaid beneficiaries.
As detailed in trial testimony, Mbom and his co-conspirators paid individuals to come into the office and then used their personally identifiable information (“PII”) to bill Medicaid for services that were not rendered or were not rendered as billed. The evidence proved that Mbom made up fake Holy Health employees who were purportedly Community Support Workers so that he could bill Medicaid for services provided by these fake employees. Witnesses testified that during the investigation, sources posing as mental health patients were sent to Holy Health to obtain community support services. Not only did the sources not receive the services as billed, but Holy Health billed for CSW services for those patients for visits that never happened.
Mbom faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud; and a maximum of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to make a false statement regarding health care matters. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has not yet scheduled sentencing.
The owners of Holy Health, Julius Bakari, age 45, and Mboutchock Kabiwa a/k/a “Eugenie Bakari” or “Eugenie Kabiwa,” age 45, both of Silver Spring, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to pay bribes and kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce the beneficiaries to visit their company. Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Bakari on November 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. and for Kabiwa on November 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the HHS OIG, and the District of Columbia Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Sarma, Jessica C. Collins, and Megan S. McKoy, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao/md.
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Aberdeen Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced an Aberdeen, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.
Tujuane Leno Lowry, age 46, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Lowry was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 24, 2023.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on June 18, 2022, in Aberdeen, when Lowry was observed on video holding a handgun he had pulled from a white tube sock. He was also observed on the video using methamphetamine. Lowry is a felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The firearm was later recovered by law enforcement and determined to have been a stolen firearm.
This case was investigated by the Aberdeen Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Carl Thunem 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.
Lowry was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
22-Year-Old Man Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Sleeping VictimRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kason Cline, 22, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 15, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska, by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for one count of sexual abuse of an incapable victim. Cline was sentenced to 54 months in prison and will serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was initiated in July of 2022 by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services after receiving a call from Twelve Clans Unity Hospital in Winnebago, Nebraska regarding a patient who wished to report a sexual assault. The Omaha Nation Tribal Police responded and spoke with the victim who relayed she had been drinking with Cline on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, when she passed out and fell asleep in Cline’s bed. When she woke up, Cline was sexually assaulting her. Because the victim was asleep at the time the sexual act occurred, she was unable to consent or decline participation in the conduct. A search warrant was executed at Cline’s residence to recover evidentiary items related to the assault. Cline was interviewed and ultimately admitted to the sexual assault.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
14 Minneapolis Gang Members Charged with Possession of Machine Guns, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Fourteen members of Minneapolis-based street gangs have been charged in federal court for various crimes including illegal possession of firearms, possession of machine guns, and fentanyl trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“These charges present a chilling picture of the violence inflicted by the Highs, the Lows, the Bloods and other gangs on our city’s streets,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “Violent crime levels in Minneapolis have begun to come down and I believe our strategy is playing a role in the reduction, but we still have more work to do, and we will continue to charge violent offenders.”
Fourteen members of the Minneapolis-based street gangs are charged in federal criminal complaints with firearms violations, possession of machine guns, and fentanyl trafficking.
The following defendants are alleged members of the Lows gang:
- Michael Marshawn Dalton, 29, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
- Marquez Demar Hill-Turnipseed, 21, is charged with possession a firearm as a felon and possession of a machine gun.
- Shannon Aaron Kapriece Jackson, 31, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Cartrell Ismail Smith, 27, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Kaprice Richards, 22, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Ohagi Charles Walker, 27, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Clenest Demon Wells, Jr., 26, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
The following defendants are alleged members of the Highs gang:
- Jermaine William Jackson, Jr., 26, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Adrion Kelley, 19, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Joe Lee Rudolph-Meeks, 28, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- James Edward Hollman, Jr., 32, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
The following defendants are alleged members of the 10z/20z gang:
- Devon Lamont Holt, 33, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Marvin Miller, Jr., 35, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a machine gun.
The following defendant is an alleged member of the Bloods gang:
- Dante Joseph Tyus, 29, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
These cases are the result of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar, Tom Calhoun-Lopez, David Green, Harry Jacobs, Rachel Kraker, Will Mattessich, Esther Mignanelli, Mary Riverso, Jordan Sing, Ruth Shnider, Joseph Teirab, and Melinda Williams.
These charges are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
15 August 2023
법무부 자원 및 프로그램 접근 확대에 관한 언어 접근 계획 발표Read the Press Release
워싱턴 – 법무부는 오늘 모든 사람이 그들이 사용하는 언어와 관계없이 부서의 프로그램, 활동 및 서비스에 접근하고 완전히 참여할 수 있도록 하기 위해 부서 차원의 업데이트된 언어 접근 계획을 발표했습니다. 언어 접근 계획은 영어 능력이 제한적인 지역 사회의 요구 사항을 이해하고, 번역 및 통역 서비스를 개선하며 또한 그러한 서비스의 질적 보증을 촉진하고 대중이 사용 가능한 도구의 범위 확대 등을 포함하는 언어 접근 계획을 모든 부서들이 강화할 수 있는 지침을 제공합니다.
“언어 장벽이 정부 서비스 이용에 방해가 되어서는 안 됩니다. 이 업데이트된 언어 접근 계획은 모든 사람들이 범죄를 신고하고, 중요한 자원에 접근하며, 필요할 때 법무부의 도움을 요청할 수 있도록 하는 중요한 단계입니다,” 라고 메릭 비. 갈랜드 법무장관은 말했습니다.
“확대된 언어 접근은 법치주의를 수호하며, 국가의 안전을 유지하고, 또한 민권을 보호하려는 법무부의 사명을 더욱 강화합니다. 법무부가 언어 장벽을 격고있는 개인을 포함한 모든 미국인에게 더 나은 서비스를 제공하기 위해 우리의 언어 자원 및 정책을 현대화하고, 간소화 하고,개선하기 위해 진행하고 있는 작업이 자랑스럽습니다,”라고 리사 오. 모나코 법무차관을 말했습니다.
“미국에 있는 모든 사람은 정부가 제공하는 서비스 및 프로그램에 유의미한 접근을 할 권리가 있습니다. 이 업데이트된 정책은 많은 지역 사회가 그들 자신의 권리를 이해하고, 범죄를 신고하며 또한 법무부 자원에 완전하고 동등한 접근을 할 수 없도록 하는 언어 장벽을 제거하려는 법무부의 의지를 반영합니다,”라고 바니타 굽타 법무 부차관은 말했습니다.
업데이트된 언어 접근 계획은 법무부 민권부가 다른 연방 기관과 협력하여 유의미한 언어 접근을 보장하고 그에 따른 언어 접근 계획 및 정책을 수정 및 업데이트하는 노력을 개선하도록 지시한 갈랜드 법무장관의 2022년 11월자 연방 기관장, 민권부장, 법률 고문을 위한 언어 접근에 관한 연방 정부의 의지 강화에 관한 통지문에 따라 발표되었습니다. 그것은 또한 연방 기관이 제한된 영어 구사 능력을 가진 사람들이 그들의 서비스에 유의미한 접근을 할 수 있도록 하는 시스템을 개발하고 시행할 것을 요구하는 행정명령 13166, 영어 능력이 제한된 사람을 위한 서비스 접근 개선에 관한 명령 (2000년 8월 16일)의 23주년 기념이기도 합니다.
사법제도 접근 관리국이 부서의 언어 접근 실무 그룹 및 민권부과 협력하여 부서의 업데이트된 계획의 개발을 주도했습니다. 이 작업은 사법제도 접근 관리국 (ATJ)과 실무 그룹의 폭넓은 지도력의 일환으로, 언어 접근 자원을 확대하고, 언어 접근 문제에 대한 인식을 개선하며 DOJ 내 및 연방 정부 전반에 걸친 다른 부서에 해당 교육 및 기술 지원을 제공합니다.
“사법제도 접근이란 곧 언어 접근을 뜻합니다. 언어 접근 계획의 업데이트된 정책을 통해, 부서의 모든 프로그램 및 활동의 중심 구성 요소로서 언어 접근을 확대할 것을 재확인합니다,”라고 레이첼 로시 ATJ 국장은 말했습니다.
민권부는 또한 갈랜드 법무장관의 통지문 및 행정명령 13166 그리고 1964년 민권법 타이틀 VI에 대한 정부 차원에서의 일관되고 조율된 준수를 보증하는 책임에 따라 외부 이해관계자와 협력하여 법무부 및 기타 연방 기관이 그들의 언어 접근 계획을 업데이트하고 수정할 수 있도록 심도 있는 기술적 지원을 제공했습니다. 민권부는 자격을 갖춘 이중언어 직원의 효과적인 사용, 다국어 언어 디지털 콘덴츠 구축 방법, 토착어를 사용하거나 장애가 있는 사람의 고유한 언어 접속 요구 사항 등을 파악하기 위해 전문가와 연방 직원이 참여한 모임에 35개 이상의 연방 기관의 참가를 유도했습니다. 현재, 이 부서는 또한 언어 데이터를 수집하고 다국어 콘텐츠를 www.LEP.gov의 언어 접근 자원 카탈로그에 게시하려는 기관의 노력을 지원하기 위한 새로운 가이드를 추가했습니다.
“이 수정된 언어 접속 계획은 우리 자체 프로그램 및 활동에 있어서의 언어 접속에 대한 법무부의 지속적인 의지를 강조합니다. 모든 이해 관계자가 연방 정부와 업무를 할 때 유의미한 언어 접근 방법을 확실히 알 수 있도록 수정된 기관 언어 접속 계획을 www.LEP.gov에 게시하기를 기대합니다,”라고 크리스틴 클라크 법무부 민사부 차관보는 말했습니다.
이 업데이트된 계획은 여러 언어로 번역되며 법무부의 최근 출시된 언어 선택 도구를 사용하여 법무부 웹사이트에서 보실 수 있습니다.
司法部發布語言無障礙計劃，擴大司法部資源和項目的使用範圍。Read the Press Release
華盛頓特區—司法部今天發布了更新的全部門語言無障礙計劃 (Language Access Plan)，以幫助確保所有個人，無論使用何種語言，都可以使用並充分參與司法部的各種項目、活動和服務。語言無障礙計劃將為司法部各個部門提供專業指導，以增強司法部對英語能力有限社區的理解和需求，改善筆譯和口譯服務，促進這些服務的質量保證，並擴大為公眾服務的工具範圍。
司法部長梅里克·加蘭(Merrick B. Garland) 表示,“語言障礙不應成為人們無法獲得政府服務的原因。 這項更新後的語言無障礙計劃旨在確保每個人都可以舉報犯罪、獲取重要資源以及在需要時向司法部尋求幫助的重要一步。“
“加強我們的語言服務有助於進一步履行司法部維護法治、維護國家安全和保護公民權利的使命。“司法部副部長麗莎.摩納哥(Lisa O. Monaco) 表示，“司法部正在努力實現語言資源和政策的現代化、簡化和改進，以更好地服務於所有美國人，包括面臨語言障礙的個人，對此我深感自豪。”
副司法部長瓦尼塔·古普塔(Vanita Gupta) 表示, “在這個國家，每個人都有權享受有意義的政府服務和計劃。這些更新的政策反映了司法部消除語言障礙的承諾。這些語言障礙可能阻擋了許多社區了解自己的權利或報告犯罪行為，如果這些語言障礙減少，這些社區可以充分且平等地獲取司法部的資源“。
本次更新的語言無障礙計劃和政策呼應了司法部長梅里克·加蘭於2022年11月題為《致聯邦機構負責人、民權辦公室負責人和總法律顧問的關於加強聯邦政府對語言獲取承諾的備忘錄》，並因此指示司法部的民權分部與其他聯邦機構合作，共同改善和確保語言資源的有效擴展。今年也是行政令第13166號《改善英語能力有限人士獲得服務的機會(2000年8月6日)》成立的23週年，該行政令要求聯邦機構開發和實施各種系統，使英語能力有限者也能夠有意義地獲得服務。
此次更新由司法救助辦公室牽頭（Office for Access to Justice），與語言無障部門和民權司合作，制定了該部的最新計劃。這項工作是司法救助辦公室（ATJ）和工作組更廣泛地領導司法部努力擴大語言無障礙資源、提高對語言無障礙問題的認識，以及向司法部內其他辦公室和整個聯邦政府提供培訓和技術援助的一部分。這項工作是司法救助(ATJ) 的一部分，該工作組更廣泛地領導司法部擴大語言獲取資源、提高對語言使用問題的認識以及向司法部內其他辦公室和整個聯邦政府提供培訓和技術援助的一部分。
“訴諸司法意味著語言無障礙，“ 司法救助辦公室主任雷切爾-羅西（Rachel Rossi）表示。 “通過本《語言無障礙計劃》中的最新政策，我們再次承諾將擴大語言無障礙作為司法部所有計劃和活動的核心組成部分”。
為響應司法部長梅里克·加蘭備忘錄中提出的計劃，民權司除了負責確保各機構能否就行政命令13166號和1964年《民權法》第六章及其實施條例規定下有關提供實質性語言協助的職責，還提供了深入的技術援助，並與外部利益相關者合作，以協助司法部和其他聯邦機構更新和修訂其語言資源訪問計劃。民權司召集了35多個聯邦機構，並邀請專家和聯邦工作人員參與，以確定如何有效利用合格的雙語工作人員、如何構建多語種數字內容，以及講土著語言或有殘疾的個人對語言資源獲取的獨特需求。如今，民權司還增加了一份新指南，以支持各機構收集語言數據並在其網站www.LEP.gov 的語言資源訪問資源目錄中上發布多語種內容。
司法部民權司助理司法部長克里斯汀-克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示， “更新後的《語言無障礙計劃》強調了司法部在自身計劃和活動中對語言使用的持續承諾。我們非常期待在www.LEP.gov 上發布修訂後的機構語言無障礙計劃，以幫助確保所有利益相關者了解如何在與聯邦政府合作時獲得有意義的語言無障礙服務。“
更新後的計劃將被翻譯成多種語言，並將使用該部門最近推出的語言選擇工具在該部門的網站上提供。
司法部发布语言无障碍计划，扩大司法部资源和项目的使用范围。Read the Press Release
华盛顿特区——司法部今天发布了更新的全部门语言无障碍计划 (Language Access Plan)，以帮助确保所有个人，无论使用何种语言，都可以使用并充分参与司法部的各种项目、活动和服务。 语言无障碍计划将为司法部各个部门提供专业指导，以增强司法部对英语能力有限社区的理解和需求，改善笔译和口译服务，促进这些服务的质量保证，并扩大为公众服务的工具范围。
司法部长梅里克·加兰 (Merrick B. Garland) 表示,“语言障碍不应成为人们无法获得政府服务的原因。 这项更新后的语言无障碍计划旨在确保每个人都可以举报犯罪、获取重要资源以及在需要时向司法部寻求帮助的重要一步。”
“加强我们的语言服务有助于进一步履行司法部维护法治、维护国家安全和保护公民权利的使命。”司法部副部长丽莎.摩纳哥 (Lisa O. Monaco) 表示，“司法部正在努力实现语言资源和政策的现代化、简化和改进，以更好地服务于所有美国人，包括面临语言障碍的个人，对此我深感自豪。”
副司法部长瓦尼塔·古普塔 (Vanita Gupta) 表示, “在这个国家，每个人都有权享受有意义的政府服务和计划。这些更新的政策反映了司法部消除语言障碍的承诺。这些语言障碍可能阻挡了许多社区了解自己的权利或报告犯罪行为，如果这些语言障碍减少，这些社区可以充分且平等地获取司法部的资源”。
本次更新的语言无障碍计划和政策呼应了司法部长梅里克·加兰于2022 年 11 月题为《致联邦机构负责人、民权办公室负责人和总法律顾问的关于加强联邦政府对语言获取承诺的备忘录》，并因此指示司法部的民权分部与其他联邦机构合作，共同改善和确保语言资源的有效扩展。今年也是行政令第13166号《改善英语能力有限人士获得服务的机会 (2000年8月6日)》成立的23周年，该行政令要求联邦机构开发和实施各种系统，使英语能力有限者也能够有意义地获得服务。
此次更新由司法救助办公室牵头（Office for Access to Justice），与语言无障部门和民权司合作，制定了该部的最新计划。这项工作是司法救助办公室（ATJ）和工作组更广泛地领导司法部努力扩大语言无障碍资源、提高对语言无障碍问题的认识，以及向司法部内其他办公室和整个联邦政府提供培训和技术援助的一部分。这项工作是司法救助 (ATJ) 的一部分，该工作组更广泛地领导司法部扩大语言获取资源、提高对语言使用问题的认识以及向司法部内其他办公室和整个联邦政府提供培训和技术援助的一部分。
“诉诸司法意味着语言无障碍，” 司法救助办公室主任雷切尔-罗西（Rachel Rossi）表示。“通过本《语言无障碍计划》中的最新政策，我们再次承诺将扩大语言无障碍作为司法部所有计划和活动的核心组成部分"。
为响应司法部长梅里克·加兰备忘录中提出的计划，民权司除了负责确保各机构能否就行政命令13166号和1964年《民权法》第六章及其实施条例规定下有关提供实质性语言协助的职责，还提供了深入的技术援助，并与外部利益相关者合作，以协助司法部和其他联邦机构更新和修订其语言资源访问计划。民权司召集了35多个联邦机构，并邀请专家和联邦工作人员参与，以确定如何有效利用合格的双语工作人员、如何构建多语种数字内容，以及讲土著语言或有残疾的个人对语言资源获取的独特需求。如今，民权司还增加了一份新指南，以支持各机构收集语言数据并在其网站 www.LEP.gov的语言资源访问资源目录中上发布多语种内容。
司法部民权司助理司法部长克里斯汀-克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示， “更新后的《语言无障碍计划》强调了司法部在自身计划和活动中对语言使用的持续承诺。我们非常期待在 www.LEP.gov 上发布修订后的机构语言无障碍计划，以帮助确保所有利益相关者了解如何在与联邦政府合作时获得有意义的语言无障碍服务。”
更新后的计划将被翻译成多种语言，并将使用该部门最近推出的语言选择工具在该部门的网站上提供。
“Wrecking Ball” lands LPR in federal prisonRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas - A 44-year-old legal permanent resident from the Dominican Republic has been sentenced in a cocaine and heroin conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
A federal jury convicted Emilio Ramon Torres following an 11-day trial in August 2022. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and one or more kilograms of heroin as well as possession with intent to distribute 16 kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown has now ordered him to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison. He could also lost his status to reside in the United States.
The investigation focused upon a group of distributors and their associates, primarily citizens of the Dominican Republic, who used common sources of drugs in Mexico to supply their customers in numerous states other than Texas. This group of distributors sold cocaine and heroin throughout the United States but operated out of the Houston area.
Torres worked within the drug trafficking organization by stashing cocaine at his apartment in Houston. He received shipments of cocaine and held them at his residence until instructed about how much to make available for delivery to customers.
The defense attempted to convince the jury Torres was an honest person who would not engage in drug distribution. The jury did not believe those claims and found Torres guilty as charged.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation dubbed “Wrecking Ball” with the assistance of the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case.
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 on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
تصدر وزارة العدل خطة الوصول إلى اللغة لتوسيع نطاق الوصول إلى موارد وبرامج الوزارةRead the Press Release
أصدرت وزارة العدل اليوم خطة محدثة للوصول إلى اللغة على صعيد الوزارة للمساعدة في ضمان وصول جميع الأفراد، بغض النظر عن اللغة المستخدمة، إلى برامج وأنشطة وخدمات الوزارة وأن يكونوا قادرين على المشاركة فيها بشكل كامل. توفر خطة الوصول إلى اللغة إرشادات لمكاتب الوزارة لمساعدتهم على تعزيز تخطيط الوصول إلى اللغة، والذي يتضمن فهم احتياجات المجتمعات ذات الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية وتحسين خدمات الترجمة والترجمة الشفوية الفورية وتعزيز ضمان جودة تلك الخدمات وتوسيع نطاق الأدوات المتاحة لخدمة الجمهور.
قال وزير العدل ميريك بي. جارلاند: "يجب ألا تقف حواجز اللغة في طريق الوصول إلى الخدمات الحكومية". "تعد خطة الوصول إلى اللغة المحدثة هذه خطوة مهمة نحو ضمان تمكّن الجميع من الإبلاغ عن الجرائم والوصول إلى الموارد المهمة وطلب المساعدة من وزارة العدل عندما يحتاجون إليها."
قالت نائبة وزير العدل ليزا أو موناكو: "يعزز الوصول الواسع للغة مهمة وزارة العدل في المزيد من دعم سيادة القانون والحفاظ على أمن بلدنا وحماية الحقوق المدنية. أنا فخورة بالعمل الذي تقوم به الوزارة لتحديث وتبسيط وتحسين مواردنا وسياساتنا اللغوية لخدمة جميع الأمريكيين بشكل أفضل، بما في ذلك الأفراد الذين يواجهون حواجز لغوية."
قالت المساعدة المشاركة لوزير العدل فانيتا جوبتا: "يستحق كل شخص في هذا البلد وصولا فعالا إلى الخدمات والبرامج الحكومية. تعكس هذه السياسات المحدثة التزام وزارة العدل بإزالة الحواجز اللغوية التي تمنع العديد من المجتمعات من فهم حقوقها أو الإبلاغ عن الجرائم أو الوصول الكامل والمتساوي إلى موارد الوزارة."
تم إصدار خطة الوصول إلى اللغة المحدثة وفقا لإصدار وزير العدل جارلاند في نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني 2022 لمذكرة لرؤساء الوكالات الفيدرالية ورؤساء مكاتب الحقوق المدنية والمستشارين العامين فيما يتعلق بتعزيز التزام الحكومة الفيدرالية للوصول إلى اللغة، والتي وجهت قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل للعمل مع الوكالات الفيدرالية لتحسين الجهود لضمان وصول هادف للّغة ومراجعة وتحديث خطط وسياسات الوصول إلى اللغة وفقا لذلك. كما أنه يصادف الذكرى السنوية الثالثة والعشرين للأمر التنفيذي رقم 13166، تحسين الوصول إلى الخدمات للأشخاص ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية (16 أغسطس/آب 2000)، الأمر الذي يلزم الوكالات الفيدرالية تطوير وتنفيذ أنظمة تمكن الأشخاص ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية من الوصول إلى خدماتهم بشكل هادف.
قاد مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة عملية تطوير الخطة المحدثة للإدارة بالعمل مع الفريق العامل المعني بإتاحة اللغات ومع شعبة الحقوق المدنية التابعين للوزارة. هذا العمل هو جزء من مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة ويمثل القيادة الأوسع لمجموعة العمل لجهود الوزارة لتوسيع موارد الوصول إلى اللغة وتحسين الوعي بقضايا الوصول إلى اللغة وتوفير التدريب والمساعدة الفنية للمكاتب الأخرى داخل وزارة العدل وعبر الحكومة الفيدرالية.
قالت راشيل روسي، مديرة مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة: "الوصول إلى العدالة يعني الوصول إلى اللغة. من خلال السياسات المحدثة في خطة الوصول إلى اللغة هذه، نجدد الالتزام بتوسيع نطاق الوصول إلى اللغة كمكون مركزي لجميع برامج وأنشطة الوزارة."
كذلك، قدم قسم الحقوق المدنية، وفقا لمذكرة وزير العدل جارلاند ومسؤولية القسم بضمان الامتثال المنتظم والمنسق على مستوى الحكومة التزاما للأمر التنفيذي 13166 والباب السادس من قانون الحقوق المدنية لعام 1964، مساعدة فنية متعمقة، كما شارك قسم الحدود المدنية مع جهات خارجية من أصحاب المصلحة لمساعدة الوزارة والوكالات الفيدرالية الأخرى في تحديث ومراجعة خطط الوصول إلى اللغة الخاصة بهم. جمع القسم أكثر من 35 وكالة فيدرالية معا لجلسات شارك فيها الخبراء والموظفون الفيدراليون لتحديد الاستخدام الفعال للموظفين المؤهلين ثنائيي اللغة وكيفية بناء محتوى رقمي متعدد اللغات والاحتياجات المميزة للوصول إلى اللغة للأشخاص الذين يتحدثون لغات بلادهم الأصلية أو الذين لديهم إعاقة. اليوم، يضيف القسم أيضا دليلا جديدا لدعم جهود الوكالة لجمع بيانات اللغة ونشر محتوى متعدد اللغات إلى كتالوج موارد الوصول إلى اللغة على www.LEP.gov.
قالت مساعدة وزير العدل كريستين كلارك التي تترأس قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل: "تؤكد خطة الوصول إلى اللغة المنقحة هذه التزام الوزارة المستمر بالوصول إلى اللغة في برامجنا وأنشطتنا. نتطلع إلى نشر جميع خطط الوصول إلى اللغة المنقحة للوكالات على الموقع www.LEP.gov للمساعدة في ضمان مقدرة جميع أصحاب المصلحة على كيفية الحصول على وصول فعّال للغة عند التعامل مع الحكومة الفيدرالية."
ستتم ترجمة الخطة المحدثة إلى عدد من اللغات وستكون متاحة على الموقع الإلكتروني للوزارة باستخدام أداة اختيار اللغة التي أطلقتها
Worcester Dental Office Manager Sentenced for Role in Medicaid Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester woman was sentenced today for her participation in a scheme to defraud the Massachusetts Medicaid program, commonly known as MassHealth.
Robin Cronin, 61, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to two years’ probation. In September 2020, Cronin pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of health care fraud.
Cronin was indicted by a grand jury and arrested in January 2020 along with co-conspirators Dr. Anthony DiStefano III and Dr. Scott Cale, dentists practicing in Worcester. DiStefano was barred from participating in the MassHealth insurance program because of concerns regarding the substandard and dangerous dental care DiStefano delivered to patients. In order to circumvent his exclusion from the MassHealth provider network, DiStefano recruited another co-defendant, Cale, to join his practice.
From 2014 to 2018, dental services that DiStefano personally delivered were billed to MassHealth using Cale’s provider identification credentials. Cronin, DiStefano’s office manager, was aware of the arrangement and personally billed MassHealth for services that were not reimbursable, knowing that the claims were false. The purpose of this arrangement was to deceive MassHealth into paying for dental services that were not reimbursable as DiStefano had previously been terminated from the MassHealth provider program over concerns regarding the quality of care he provided to patients. As a result of this scheme, multiple MassHealth patients were harmed and received dangerously poor care from DiStefano.
Cale also pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and, on Aug. 10, 2023, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Charges against DiStefano were dismissed.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Panich and Chris Looney of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Lownds, detailed from Campbell’s office, prosecuted the case.
Wilkinsburg Resident Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Violating Federal Firearm LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Gregory Brown, age 38, as the sole defendant.
According to the information presented to the Court, on September 27, 2021, Brown was found to be in possession of an Astra .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Due to a prior felony conviction, Brown is not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten (10) years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan sentenced Brown to a term of imprisonment of time served, or approximately four months.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation in this case along with the Wilkinsburg Police Department.
Union County Man Sentenced to 50 Months in Prison for Role in Conspiracy to Target Asian Homeowners in Residential BurglariesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy that targeted Asian and Asian-American homeowners for residential burglaries, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Randi Barr, 42, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. Judge Padin imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From Dec. 2, 2016, to March 20, 2019, Barr and others participated in a conspiracy to burglarize the residences of certain Asian small business owners living in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware of large sums of money, valuable jewelry, and other items, and then transport the stolen goods in interstate commerce, including to Barr’s residences in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Padin ordered restitution and forfeiture of $127,661.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited FBI Newark’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, South Plainfield, Hazlet Police Department, and Edison police departments, the New Jersey State Police, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of State, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bernards Township, Bethlehem Township, Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson, Clark, Colonial Regional, Cranford, Delran, East Brunswick, East Hanover, Eatontown, Elizabeth, Evesham Township, Exeter Township, Fair Lawn, Forks Township, Fort Lee, Franklin Township, Glassboro, Gloucester Township, Hackensack, Haverstraw, Highland Park, Hillside, Hillsborough Township, Howell Township, Jackson, Kenilworth, Lawrence Township, Linden, Lyndhurst, Mahwah, Marlboro Township, Maywood, Middletown, Montgomery County, Montville, Morris Township, Mount Laurel, Mountainside, New Castle County, New Providence, North Brunswick, North Plainfield, Old Bridge, Paramus, Parsippany, Phillipsburg, Piscataway, Pocono Mountain Regional, Pocono Township, Raritan, Roselle Park, Sayreville, Somerville, South Brunswick, South River, South Whitehall Township, Spotswood, Town of Tuxedo, Tinton Falls, Toms River, Township of Ocean, Union, Upper Macungie Township, Wall Township, Warren, Washington Township, Watchung, Westfield, Whitehall Township, and Woodbridge Township police departments.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dong Joo Lee and Barry O’Connell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
Two sentenced for fatal smuggling event in MissionRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas - Two Mexican men have been ordered to prison for their roles in an alien smuggling conspiracy which resulted in death, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Francisco Javier Quintanilla-Alcocer, 39, and Brandon Cibriano-Gonzalez, 22, pleaded guilty March 3 and Feb. 3, respectively.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now imposed a sentence of 74 months for Cibriano-Gonzalez. Quintanilla-Alcocer received 87 months for the alien smuggling conspiracy in addition to 24 months for illegally re-entering the United States. Judge Alvarez ordered the sentences in part consecutive for a cumulative 100-month term of imprisonment.
Both are expected to face removal proceedings following their imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court considered additional evidence including details of the life-altering and permanent injuries the survivors sustained in the accident. Judge Alvarez also considered Cibriano-Gonzalez’s prior apprehensions as a brush guide and that he attempted to lead another group of migrants into the county less than a month after the accident. In handing down the sentences, Judge Alvarez noted Quintanilla-Alcocer’s disregard for the well-being of the migrants, emphasizing the effects and harm their conduct has had on the victims and their families.
Orlando Andres Garcia, previously admitted his guilt in relation to the scheme and is set for sentencing before Judge Alvarez Nov. 14. He faces up to life in federal prison and will remain in custody pending the hearing.
“Two migrants died on the side of a dirt road in Mission, Texas, because of a smuggler’s reckless attempt to avoid arrest,” said Hamdani, “Human smugglers - they don’t care about anyone’s life but their own, and after leading authorities on a car chase, crashing and rolling a vehicle full of migrants, Quintanilla-Alcocer fled the scene, leaving those he transported for dead. Remember this: human smugglers - you are not welcome in the Southern District of Texas, and this office will continue its efforts to hold these criminals accountable with convictions and long sentences."
On Oct. 22, 2021, Cibriano-Gonzalez acted as a brush guide to smuggle a group of 10 non-U.S. citizens from Mexico into the United States. He guided them to a pick-up location in Palmview. There, Quintanilla-Alcocer and Garcia arrived and were driving a Chevrolet Impala and Chevrolet Malibu, respectively. The aliens and Cibriano-Gonzalez loaded into the vehicles and left the scene. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but both vehicles failed to yield and a high-speed chase ensued, reaching a speed of 130 miles per hour.
Quintanilla-Alcocer eventually turned onto a dirt road in Mission where the Chevrolet Impala rolled and crashed into a homeowner’s fence. Authorities located a total of seven individuals on scene. Three had been ejected, two of whom died at the scene.
Quintanilla-Alcocer was not located at that time. However, evidence in the vehicle led law enforcement to him. Phone records also indicated that Quintanilla-Alcocer and Garcia had been consistently communicating throughout the high-speed pursuit. During these conversations, Garcia instructed Quintanilla-Alcocer to go faster.
Three months following the crash, a third migrant succumbed to his injuries.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Palmview Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee Fry and Devin Walker prosecuted the case.
Two Winner Residents Charged with Sex Trafficking of Children and Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a man and woman from Winner, South Dakota, with two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child. The man was also indicted for two counts of Production of Child Pornography.
Richard Alan Kucera, age 65, and Ivy Rose Heron, age 36, were indicted in August of 2023. Kucera appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 10, 2023, and Heron appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 4, 2023. Both pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that in 2020 and 2021, Kucera and Heron intentionally recruited and enticed two juvenile females to engage in commercial sex acts. Both Kucera and Heron financially benefited from their participation in the illegal venture.
The Indictment also alleges that Kucera persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced the same two minor females to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
The charges are merely accusations and Kucera and Heron are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Kucera was released on bond pending trial. Heron was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for October 3, 2023.
Tulsa County Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Brayden Zane Graham, age 18, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Using, Carrying, Brandishing and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Henryetta Police Department.
The Indictment alleged that on December 29, 2022, Graham fired on a vehicle and its three passengers. An investigation revealed that Graham attempted to overtake three passengers in a truck. As the truck fled, Graham fired several rounds into the back of the vehicle.
The crime occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Magistrate Judge Gerald L. Jackson, 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. Graham was remanded to custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Trucker hauling people and drugs headed to federal prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 50-year-old commercial truck driver has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions of alien smuggling and possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Fabian Alvarado pleaded guilty Feb. 27.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered him to serve a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing Alvarado’s extensive criminal history including prior federal convictions for drug trafficking and alien smuggling.
On Dec. 9, 2022, Alvarado drove a tractor-trailer into the inspection lane of the U.S. Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located near Falfurrias. There, authorities observed Alvarado acting suspiciously during routine inspection. A K-9 also alerted to the vehicle.
Law enforcement then referred him to the secondary inspection area where they discovered five aliens concealed in the sleeper portion of the tractor. They also found a bag in the passenger seat which contained 45 grams of meth and a firearm along with Alvarado’s wallet. In the glove compartment were cellular phones and identification documents taken from the aliens as they were loaded into the sleeper berth.
“Today’s prison sentence sends a resounding message to human smugglers and drug traffickers everywhere who believe they can circumvent our nation’s laws without detection or penalty,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Corpus Christi Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Hein. “Working in conjunction with our partners at Border Patrol, this individual was quickly identified at the southern border as a suspected drug trafficker and human smuggler, convicted of his crimes and will spend the next 10 years in federal prison.”
Alvarado will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. prosecuted the case.
Temecula Man Charged with Multiple Narcotics Crimes, Including Distributing Fentanyl to Teenager Who Suffered Fatal OverdoseRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A Riverside County man has been charged in a federal grand jury indictment alleging he sold a 17-year-old boy fentanyl in May, which resulted in the boy’s fatal overdose the following day, the Justice Department announced today.
Kyler Thomas Overby, 22, of Temecula, was arrested on Friday and was arraigned that day on the nine-count indictment, which a grand jury returned on August 9. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and a bond of $750,000 was set.
Overby is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl to a person under the age of 21 resulting in death, seven counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of knowingly possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
According to the indictment, on May 4, Overby knowingly an intentionally distributed fentanyl to the victim – identified in court documents as “L.B.” The following day, L.B., who was 17 years old, died after ingesting the fentanyl.
Overby allegedly also possessed with the intent to distribute multiple controlled substances, including 201 grams of fentanyl, nearly one kilogram of cocaine, MDMA and alprazolam (also known by its brand name, Xanax).
On June 5, Overby allegedly possessed multiple firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Specifically, he is charged with possessing three firearms lacking serial numbers, commonly referred to as “ghost guns” – a 9mm pistol and two .40-caliber pistols.
An October 2 trial date has been scheduled in United States District Court in Riverside.
If convicted of all charges, Overby would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Miles J. Robinson of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
Second Marion Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
A man from Marion, Iowa, was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison for his involvement in selling cocaine.
Cheyenne Gonzales, age 48, from Marion, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 14, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Gonzales and Kain Cortez worked together to sell cocaine in the Cedar Rapids area between April and June 2022. Law enforcement utilized a confidential source to conduct controlled buys of cocaine from Gonzales, and Cortez was present with Gonzales during some of the controlled buys. On June 1, 2022, investigators observed a meeting between Gonzales, Cortez, and two other individuals outside of Gonzales’s and Cortez’s shared residence. On that date, Gonzales and Cortez paid approximately $15,000 in cash for half a kilogram of cocaine and approximately 20 pounds of marijuana. Gonzales has a prior federal conviction from 2003 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Gonzales was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gonzales was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment. Gonzales must also serve an eight-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
On July 31, 2023, Cortez was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. Cortez must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.
Gonzales is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-CR-00054.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Readout from United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez’s Violent Crime Listening Session with Service Providers for the Unhoused CommunityRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, federal prosecutors, and other staff from the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) met with representatives from organizations that serve Albuquerque’s unhoused community on July 18 at the Barrett House to discuss violent crime. Cory Lee, Executive Director of the Barrett House, Hannah Albee, Deputy Director of the Barrett House, Arias Foster, Director of Programs for the Barrett House, Kennedy Haverland, a Clinician from the New Mexico Dream Center and Max Kauffman from Disability Rights New Mexico presented statements. This listening session focused on community-based solutions and the relationship between law enforcement and the unhoused community. This was the second of a series of listening sessions to be held throughout Albuquerque this summer.
United States Attorney Uballez opened the session by explaining that the Attorney General directed United States Attorney’s Offices to focus on addressing violent crime through intervention and outreach efforts. Participants described the link between trauma and violence and the need for more access to resources and truly affordable housing. Others described some victims and witnesses inherent distrust of law enforcement and how that handicaps the prosecution process. All participants agreed that the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) program recently implemented by the City of Albuquerque had improved the city’s approach to public safety.
Cory Lee described how the violence of taking away someone’s identification, existence and belongings can cause trauma and how it disproportionately effects someone living on the street, especially when they do not have a community to protect them.
Arias Foster agreed with Lee, adding “once they are housed… they are bringing a lot of the violence they were experiencing before when they were on the streets to their housing. They don’t know how to work through [it].” Foster described how law enforcement is often not supportive or engaging when they or their clients seek help and expressed that they would like to build a better relationship with law enforcement so that they could better support victims of and witnesses to violence.
Max Kauffman shared his observations about the link between violence and adverse childhood experiences, especially for children in the foster care system who do not receive services or special education, and how that contributes to violent behaviors. “Think about how we are going to long term help this community, not just now but looking forward. I do think it starts at the childhood level because those adverse experiences have a big influence on people.” Kauffman added, “I think if we can get them services through school, have behavior interventions is place, and provide them with the services they need to get a diploma and vocational training, that would have a huge impact in the long term.”
All participants stressed the importance of mandatory trauma-informed care training for both law enforcement and prosecutors to break down barriers in communication between them and victims and witnesses.
This was the second in a series of listening sessions USA Uballez will convene in the coming months as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. USA Uballez previously met with representatives from organizations that serve Albuquerque’s International District and plans to meet with community leaders from the Westgate community, social justice advocates, addiction and treatment service providers, and families impacted by violent crime. These sessions are an opportunity for the USA, federal prosecutors, and USAO staff to recognize the vital role that these leaders, providers and advocates play in our community.
PSN is an evidence-based program proven 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. In New Mexico, the United States Attorney’s Office pursues a community violence intervention approach. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally-based intervention, prevention, and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
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Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Midtown Manhattan ShootingRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that STEFAN MELVILLE pled guilty today in connection with firing multiple rounds with a handgun at two individuals outside of a party at a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. MELVILLE pled guilty before United States District Judge Richard M. Berman and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 28, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “On a summer night in Midtown Manhattan last July, Stefan Melville used a handgun to fire multiple rounds of ammunition at two individuals walking on the sidewalk near the corner of 42nd Street and Ninth Avenue. The shots sent innocent pedestrians frantically running for cover. Today’s plea sends an important message that we will continue to relentlessly investigate and prosecute gun violence in our city.”
According to court filings and statements made in court proceedings:
On or about July 3, 2022, MELVILLE fired multiple shots with a handgun in the direction of individuals walking on the sidewalk near the corner of 42nd Street and Ninth Avenue. The following images from surveillance footage show MELVILLE firing his handgun.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) recovered the upper assembly of a firearm, 3 shell casings and 1 unfired cartridge inside the barrel of the firearm assembly on the sidewalk where MELVILLE engaged in the shooting. The following images show the shell casings and firearm assembly recovered at the scene.
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MELVILLE, 30, of Queens, New York, pled guilty to one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Metro Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of agents and officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the NYPD.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey W. Coyle is in charge of the prosecution.
Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to 27 Months for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon.
Kenji Ingram, 45, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In May 2023, Ingram pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
In August 2020, Ingram was found in possession of a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug .44 special caliber revolver and five rounds of ammunition as he sat on a bench in the South Bay shopping mall area. At the time, Ingram was on probation in connection with a state felony assault conviction, as well as on pretrial release and electronic monitoring in connection with state drug and firearm charges. Due to his prior felony convictions, Ingram is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Hoefle and Kunal Pasricha of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Pojoaque Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Kyle Joseph Harney-Chee pled guilty in federal court to involuntary manslaughter. Chee, 30, of Pojoaque, and an enrolled member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, will remain in custody pending sentencing which has not been scheduled.
According to court records, on January 16, 2021, Chee was traveling down US Highway 84/285 after consuming marijuana and alcohol. While driving, Chee became distracted by his phone and looked away from the road. While he was looking down at his phone, Chee struck a motorcycle from the rear, killing the driver. Chee immediately stopped on the side of US Highway 84/285 and called 911. Chee informed responders that he had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana prior to operating the vehicle.
At sentencing, Chee faces up to 8 years in prison followed by a term of supervised release up to 3 years.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McGinley is prosecuting the case.
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Philadelphia Resident Sentenced to 84 Months’ Imprisonment for Conviction of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of HeroinRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 84 months’ imprisonment followed by 4 years of supervised release on his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Eric O. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV imposed the sentence on Carlos Regalado, 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, in 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation began investigating a heroin trafficking organization, of which Regalado was a member, that operated throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. Beginning in February of 2019 and continuing through September of 2019, the FBI received authorization to conduct a Title III wiretap investigation into the organization. Regalado supplied the organization with heroin that he personally transported from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for distribution by various members of the organization. In addition to the intercepted communications, agents seized heroin, firearms, and bulk United States Currency from members of the organization. Judge Stickman referenced the seriousness of the offense as well as Regalado’s criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, the North Versailles Police Department, the Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department, the Munhall Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Regalado.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Pharmacist, Physician, and Pharmacy Technician Charged in Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Three individuals, including a pharmacist, doctor, and pharmacy technician, were charged in an Indictment for their alleged roles in a more than $7 million health care fraud scheme involving the diversion of expensive “specialty” prescription drugs, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.
Joining in the announcement were Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Special Agent in Charge Orville Green, Drug Enforcement Administration.
Charged in the Indictment are:
• Samer N. Youssef, age 56, of Troy, Michigan and Indian Rocks Beach, Florida.
• Dr. Daoud Faraj, age 52, of Dearborn, Michigan; and
• Houda Bazzi, age 34, of Dearborn, Michigan and Indian Rocks Beach, Florida.
The charges against Youssef, Dr. Faraj, and Bazzi include one count of health care fraud conspiracy and 15 counts of health care fraud, aiding and abetting. Youssef is also charged with 12 counts of money laundering.
According to the Indictment, beginning in 2016, and continuing through 2021, Youssef, a licensed pharmacist, worked with other people to identify expensive “specialty” drugs that he could re-sell. “Specialty” drugs are prescription medications that treat less common conditions, or have other unique features, and prescriptions for the drugs are usually filled by specialty pharmacies, not regular retail pharmacies, via the mail or courier. Some of the specialty drugs identified in the indictment were meant to treat cystic fibrosis and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
Youssef worked with physicians in Southeast Michigan, including Dr. Faraj, to write medically unnecessary prescriptions for the specialty drugs Youssef wanted. Dr. Faraj wrote the medically unnecessary prescriptions in the names of “patients” who were individuals Youssef, Bazzi, or Dr. Faraj knew, including Medicare beneficiaries, and in the names of Youssef and Bazzi themselves, who were covered by Blue Care Network.
These defendants arranged for the medically unnecessary drugs to be shipped to addresses in southeast Michigan which were under their control. Youssef, Dr. Faraj, and Bazzi caused Medicare and Blue Care Network to be billed for the medically unnecessary specialty medications. Medicare and Blue Care Network then paid for the specialty medications, which Youssef, Bazzi, and others sold and shipped to domestic and foreign businesses at 100% profit.
“These licensed health care professionals are alleged to have defrauded Medicare and private insurers of millions of dollars and lined their own pockets with funds meant to provide essential services to seniors and disabled individuals ,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office is committed to prosecuting any medical professional who attempts to exploit taxpayer-funded programs or private insurers.”
“Medical professionals and others who submit fraudulent claims to Medicare, undermine the solvency of our valuable Federal health care programs,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is committed continuing to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those alleged of defrauding these programs are held accountable.”
“These defendants allegedly compromised the integrity of the healthcare systems by taking millions of dollars that should have gone to providing quality care to patients with true medical needs,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not relent in our efforts to investigate and bring to justice anyone who engages in this type of criminal behavior.”
“HSI is committed to working with our partners to identify and investigate criminal activity that defrauds the American taxpayer,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “This type of fraud hurts all members of our community but is especially dangerous to the elderly and those who rely on these programs for treatment of serious illnesses.”
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden is on the government to prove guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Lievense, and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Nathan is handling related forfeiture matters. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the FBI, HHS-OIG, HSI, and the DEA.
Owner of Home Health Care Company to Plead Guilty to Tax OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Certified Nurse Assistant who owns and operates a home health care company has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to underreporting his income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Patrick S. Kityo, 43, of Newtonville, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of aiding the preparation of a false tax return. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging documents, Kityo owned and operated a home health care company named Every Step Home Care Inc. (Every Step). It is alleged that, during the years 2016 and 2017, Every Step’s total gross receipts were at least $2 million. Kityo, however, allegedly failed to report all of Every Step’s gross receipts to his tax preparer. Instead, it is alleged that Kityo only reported those gross receipts that Kityo deposited into Every Step’s business bank account and did not report those he received via checks written to Kityo personally. As a result, Kityo allegedly caused his tax preparer to underreport nearly $2 million in gross receipts and Kityo allegedly failed to pay at least $306,603 in personal income taxes.
The charge of aiding the preparation of a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit 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.