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Wednesday 21 June 2023
FCI Schuylkill Inmate Charged with Possessing ContrabandRead the Press Release
Scranton – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton charged Turkory Hargrove, age 23, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institute Schuylkill, with possessing contraband.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hargrove was found in possession of an inmate made weapon; specifically, a 7-inch piece of plastic sharpened to a point with a cloth handle, commonly referred to as a “shank.” This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Brian J. Gallagher is prosecuting the case.
Hargrove faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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FCI Schuylkill Inmate Charged with Possessing ContrabandRead the Press Release
Scranton – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton charged Brian Foster, age 40, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institute Schuylkill, with possessing contraband.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Foster was found in possession of an inmate made weapon; specifically, a 5-inch piece of plastic sharpened to a point with a taped handle, commonly referred to as a “shank.” This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Brian J. Gallagher is prosecuting the case.
Foster faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Eufaula Resident Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Wendy Dawn Johnson, age 38, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On January 13, 2022, Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge. On March 18, 2021, Johnson was driving on State Highway 9 in Eufaula with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit. She crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car, killing the driver. The crime occurred in McIntosh County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Jodi W. Dishman, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Johnson will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Essex County Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography in New Jersey and AbroadRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 360 months in prison for producing multiple videos depicting the sexual assault of children, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Antonio Del Prado, 62, of Millburn, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count each of production of child pornography and production of child pornography abroad with intent to transport into the United States. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In October 2020, law enforcement officials learned that Del Prado had uploaded multiple items of suspected child pornography to an internet-based cloud storage system. The investigation also revealed that Del Prado had a woman livestream a video of a child being sexually assaulted for Del Prado. Del Prado was arrested at his home in November 2020, at which time agents seized multiple electronic devices that were found to contain child pornography. Further investigation revealed that on multiple occasions, Del Prado sexually assaulted children in the Philippines and transmitted video recordings of those assaults into the United States.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Del Prado to 10 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
EU-U.S. Joint Statement Following the EU-U.S. Ministerial on Justice and Home AffairsRead the Press Release
On June 21, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) hosted the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs in Stockholm. The European Union was represented by Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, as well as Swedish Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer. The incoming Presidency of the Council was represented by Spanish Minister of Justice Maria Pilar Llop Cuenca and Spanish Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The United States was represented by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary for Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
The meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the European Union and the United States to a strong transatlantic partnership, at a time of major geopolitical challenges.
The United States and the European Union once again condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine. They discussed their intent to deepen their cooperation in assisting Ukraine in the area of justice reform and the rule of law. The United States and the European Union remain committed to provide protection to those who had to flee Ukraine as a result of the Russian aggression.
Specifically, the United States and the European Union reaffirmed their unequivocal commitment to ensure full accountability for the international crimes committed in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, respecting the important role of the International Criminal Court, Ukrainian courts, and other courts. They welcomed the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Justice and the prosecuting authorities of the national members of the Joint Investigation Team on Ukraine, set up with the support of Eurojust, and the upcoming establishment of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which will benefit from the United States' support. The United States and the European Union saluted the start of operations of the Core International Crimes Evidence Database at Eurojust and look forward to the database becoming fully operational and to contributing thereto.
The United States and the European Union also intend to continue to take the discussions on international accountability mechanisms forward to ensure effective accountability for the crime of aggression.
The United States and the European Union reiterated their commitment to ensure that Russia pays for all the damages it causes in Ukraine. Relatedly, they welcomed the establishment, within the Council of Europe, of a register of damage for Ukraine.
The United States and the European Union reconfirmed their intent to continue their close cooperation on the full enforcement of sanctions, including by taking action consistent with their respective legal frameworks to freeze and seize, and where appropriate confiscate, assets linked to criminal activities such as sanctions evasion, money laundering, or corruption. They reiterated the importance of cooperating with other international partners, including G7 countries, to avoid any enforcement gap and welcomed the first United States' transfer of funds seized from Russian oligarchs to aid Ukraine.
The United States and the European Union remain steadfast in their efforts to fully account for holdings of immobilized assets of the Central Bank of Russia in the respective jurisdictions.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to address security threats stemming from the war, including cooperation with Ukraine to reinforce the collective capacities to prevent trafficking of firearms, trafficking in human beings, and critical infrastructure protection, as well as law enforcement cooperation on information exchange and joint operational actions. They highlighted the importance of the support to help strengthen the Republic of Moldova’s security sector in the face of destabilizing activities by external actors and advance the necessary rule of law and justice reforms.
The United States and the European Union expressed strong concern with the rise of violent extremism, based on the rejection of democratic values and motivated by hate, racism, xenophobia and/or related intolerance. They stressed their willingness to work jointly to identify and take effective action in situations in which violent extremist groups cooperate transnationally for the purpose of committing criminal offenses, as well as to address the challenges arising from lone actors acting at their own initiative.
Both sides stressed the need to further address the significant challenges arising from the spread of terrorist and violent extremist content online, including the role of algorithmic amplification. They encouraged companies to take action to prevent misuse of their platforms to promote violence and exploit children.
The United States and the European Union reaffirmed the importance of effective information sharing to combat terrorism. To that end, they plan to continue and build upon the existing pilot project between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Europol addressing security risks associated with terrorist travel. The United States and European Union welcomed the continued sharing by the U.S. Department of Justice of terrorist information, including battlefield evidence, with Europol.
The United States and the European Union discussed the U.S. Enhanced Border Security Partnership and the value of bilateral information sharing under this program. They also expressed their intent to discuss future cooperation at the EU level.
The United States and the European Union welcomed the relaunch of the negotiations for an EU-U.S. agreement facilitating access to electronic evidence in criminal proceedings at the beginning of 2023. This agreement will complement a robust network of existing instruments that have built trust and cumulatively provide a framework for transatlantic cooperation in criminal matters and protection of public safety subject to strong safeguards. In this context they recognized the value of the recently adopted OECD Declaration on Government Access to Personal Data held by Private Sector Entities. They also welcomed the strides taken by the United States and the European Union with respect to transatlantic transfers of data between commercial operators in a manner that satisfies the requirements of their respective legal systems.
The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and its Second Additional Protocol remain the primary instruments for international cooperation on cybercrime. At the same time, in the context of their close coordination towards a new UN convention on cybercrime, the United States and the European Union support a convention that advances international cooperation to fight cybercrime and respects human rights and the rule of law.
The United States and the European Union recognized the benefits and risks associated with new and emerging online technologies. They discussed the importance of maintaining the ability of judicial and law enforcement agencies to lawfully access data in order to effectively prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute crime, while safeguarding cybersecurity and confidentiality of communications.
The United States and the European Union concurred on the need to enhance joint efforts to prevent and combat child sexual abuse in all its forms, online and offline.
The United States and the European Union remain committed to reinforcing cooperation against cross border organized criminal networks, in particular, those involved in the illicit manufacture and trafficking of cocaine and synthetic drugs, including fentanyl. Both parties resolved to further their exchanges in relation to supply and demand reduction at the EU-U.S. Dialogue on Drugs, and at appropriate multilateral bodies. They jointly endorsed work on a project between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Europol to develop additional intelligence on entities known or suspected of participating in the transnational trade in synthetic drugs. They also welcomed ongoing cooperation between the agencies of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security and of the EU. The United States and the European Union underlined the need for joint efforts to address synthetic drugs in the context of the Global Coalition. Both expressed hope that the launch event on July 7 would provide avenues for concrete action to address this shared health and security problem.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to intensify their cooperation against environmental crime, including working together on cross-border criminal investigations and prosecutions, as well as developing best practices.
The United States and the European Union welcomed the progress made by the three EU Member States not yet in the Visa Waiver Program and reiterated their willingness to pursue efforts in the context of the tripartite process and bilateral discussions. The two sides concurred on the importance of reciprocal visa-free travel under their respective legal frameworks.
Reaffirming their joint commitment to advance together towards common solutions in all these areas, the United States and the European Union decided to meet again in the second half of 2023 in Washington, D.C.
District Man Sentenced to More Than 20 years in Prison for Deadly Shooting That Left One Dead and Two InjuredRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Glenn Dolford, 29, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday to 270 months in prison for 2nd degree murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed, and assault with a deadly weapon, for killing one man and shooting two others in February of 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. In addition to the prison term, the Honorable Judge Maribeth Raffinan ordered five years of supervised release.
On February 2, 2020, Dolford fatally shot Raheem Murray and wounded two other people in the 4000 block of 3rd Street, SE. Dolford pleaded guilty on February 17, 2023.
On February 2, 2020, at approximately 4:00 PM, a dark colored sedan pulled into the 4000 block of 3rd Street, SE, where the three victims were standing on the sidewalk discussing where they were going to watch the Super Bowl. The dark colored sedan slowed to a stop in the middle of the street at which time the defendant and another individual got out of the passenger side of the car and began shooting rifle styled firearms at the three victims. Police found 57 rifle cartridge casings at the scene. Victim Marco Harper ran from the scene after sustaining two gunshot wounds; victim Corvell Hayden was able to get himself to the end of the block where he collapsed having suffered 10 gunshot wounds. Raheem Murray fell to the ground. The defendant ran to Mr. Murray and, from inches away, shot Mr. Murray in the head with his rifle style weapon.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of the officers and detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief Ashan Benedict, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda, who prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced for Perpetrating Multiple Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Suzgo Phiri, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday to 41 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered restitution of $108,000. Phiri pleaded guilty February 21, 2023.
According to court documents, between 2018 and his arrest in March of 2022, Phiri - who used multiple false identities including: “Malcolm Tucker,” “David Campbell,” “Eric Brooks,” “Aaron Brooks,” “John Sanders,” “Jaamal Brooks,” “Brady Jones,” and “Payton Deel” – committed multiple fraud schemes. In one fraud, he generated approximately $10,000 per week through a scheme that exploited weaknesses in the payment processing systems used by Square and American Express. The defendant moved fraudulent “tip” amounts that were instantly credited by Square to bank accounts that he had opened using one of many false identities and then quickly withdrew those funds before the fraud could be detected. The government has identified at least $300,000 in gross proceeds from that scheme.
In addition to the fraudulent identity scheme, the government has identified numerous other instances in which the defendant has possessed false identification documents, bank records, and bank cards for individuals other than himself.
This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the U.S. Capitol Police.
DeMotte Man Sentenced to 210 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Thomas Spangle, age 42, of DeMotte, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Spangle was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release.
According to the documents in this case, on or about July 19, 2019, Spangle began his 15-year term of supervised release following his conviction for distribution of child pornography. In March 2021, information was received that Spangle was viewing child pornography on his cellphone while on supervised release. While being monitored, several potential images of child pornography were identified. In April 2021, a search warrant was conducted on his electronic devices and a forensic exam revealed his cell phone contained 48 videos files, 31 of which depicted child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (GRIT) with assistance of the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emily A. Morgan and Philip C. Benson.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Council Bluffs Woman Sentenced for a Drug Distribution OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Council Bluffs woman was sentenced June 15, 2023 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Amanda Marie Sprinkel, 33, was sentenced to 60 months in prison following her plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Sprinkel must serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on September 20, 2022, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant on a home in Council Bluffs. Amanda Sprinkel was located sitting in a vehicle in the driveway of the Council Bluffs residence. Officers witnessed Sprinkel throw an object on the driver side floorboard. A backpack was found containing 62 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A search of Sprinkel’s phone would later show messages negotiating narcotic transactions and other messages arranging and discussing narcotic sales.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force investigated the case.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 27 Years for Violating Federal Firearms LawRead the Press Release
Oxford, MS – A Marshal County man was sentenced on Tuesday to more than 27 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm.
According to evidence presented at the jury trial and sentencing hearing, Charles Derryberry was the 46-year-old leader of a Mississippi-based street gang, the Nines. In February 2022, Derryberry committed a string of robberies, and fired shots at one of his victims. On February 27, 2022, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies received information that Derryberry possessed a large quantity of narcotics. Deputies stopped the truck Derryberry was riding in and found a gun under Derryberry’s seat. At the time he illegally possessed a firearm, Derryberry had three or more felony convictions for crimes of violence or drug offenses and was subject to increased penalties under the Federal Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA). Under the ACCA, Derryberry faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. Evidence revealed that Derryberry actually had seventeen prior felony convictions on the day he possessed the firearm.
On June 20, 2023, United States District Court Judge Sharion Aycock sentenced Derryberry to 327 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The defendant’s entire adult life has been spent committing an unending series of crimes, many of them violent,” remarked U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “The prosecutors and investigators in this case have made the public safer by ensuring that Derryberry is where he belongs – behind bars.”
“Sending a career criminal like this to prison is another example of our commitment to work tirelessly to protect our communities and hold accountable those who threaten our safety,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood. “The sentence imposed in this case sends a message to individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms that we will continue to work to keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF.”
The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Stringfellow and Julie Addison 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.
Connecticut Man Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Ismael Ortiz-Vargas, 37 years old, of Bristol, Connecticut, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Ortiz-Vargas was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in November 2022, the car Ortiz-Vargas was driving was stopped on the Indiana Toll Road and police discovered that he was transporting a kilogram of cocaine from Connecticut to Wisconsin to sell in Milwaukee. At the time of the stop, an arrest warrant had been issued for a violation of his federal supervised release based on his previous federal conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Indiana State Police as part of a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.
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Connecticut Man Sentenced to 235-Month Prison Term for Inducing a Minor to Engage in Unlawful Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that John Griffin, 45, formerly of Norwalk, Connecticut, was sentenced yesterday afternoon following his guilty plea to using a facility of interstate commerce to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. According to court records, since 2019, Griffin communicated over the internet with parents of minor daughters in an effort to allow him to train their girls in sexual submission. In furtherance of this plan, in the summer of 2020, Griffin paid for a mother, who he had met online, and her 9-year-old daughter to fly to Logan Airport in Boston, where he picked them up and drove them to his house in Ludlow, Vermont. While in Vermont, Griffin engaged in what he considered to be sexual training of the child. This “training” included Griffin forcing the child to perform a sex act with him and using the child to engage in bondage and sado-masochistic activity.
United States District Judge William K. Sessions III sentenced Griffin to a prison term of 235 months, to be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release. In imposing the sentence, Judge Sessions described Griffin’s conduct as “outrageous,” and explained that such conduct warranted a severe penalty. Griffin was also ordered to pay approximately $1.1 million dollars in restitution to the child victim, and to forfeit the Tesla he used to transport the girl and her mother from Boston to Vermont, among other items.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest said, “Leveraging his personal wealth, John Griffin targeted and sought to abuse vulnerable young girls. The sentence he received reflects the seriousness of Griffin’s horrific crime. We are grateful for the tremendous investigatory work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the invaluable assistance of both the Ludlow, Vermont and Henderson, Nevada Police Departments. This office along with its partners will continue to prioritize protecting the vulnerable and prosecuting dangerous offenders such as Griffin.”
“Mr. Griffin preyed on a vulnerable woman and her child, using his wealth to lure them to his home to manipulate and sexually exploit them,” said Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “This sentence reinforces the message that the victimization of children will not be tolerated by law enforcement, and the FBI will continue to work with our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is served to those who cause irreparable harm and trauma to these innocent young victims.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with support from the police departments of Ludlow, Vermont and Henderson, Nevada. The case is docket number 2:21-cr-00109-wks and the plea agreement is linked here: US v. John Griffin Plea Agreement
Griffin was represented by David Kirby, Esq., of Pound Ridge, New York. The prosecutor was Assistant United States Attorney Michael Drescher.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Child Exploitation Obscenity Section, Criminal Division (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Chicago Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Darryl McDonald, 39, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to ten years in prison for conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. McDonald pleaded guilty to this charge on March 15, 2023.
The government’s investigation revealed that McDonald, who resided in Chicago, began providing cocaine to various people for redistribution around the Madison, Wisconsin area. One source of information (SOI) stated that she began transporting cocaine to the Madison area from Chicago for McDonald in 2016. She made numerous trips where she transported cocaine for McDonald and received approximately $1,500 per trip. The arrangement between the SOI and the defendant went on for several years until the SOI was arrested in May 2018 in Illinois with approximately a half-kilogram of cocaine.
The SOI reported that she had picked up a kilogram of cocaine from McDonald in Chicago and delivered half of it to a customer in Illinois per McDonald’s instructions. She was driving to Madison to distribute the second half when she was pulled over and arrested. The SOI communicated with McDonald before and during this trip via text message and the messages corroborated that she was delivering the cocaine for McDonald. Upon getting pulled over with the cocaine in her car, the SOI immediately texted McDonald for help and provided a pin with her location.
Between 2016 and 2021, financial records show that McDonald had very little verifiable income, though he made several large purchases and conducted most transactions using cash. Financial records also show that McDonald deposited over $250,000 in cash into his checking account during the same timeframe.
A total of eight individuals have pleaded guilty to participating in this cocaine distribution scheme and have all now been sentenced by Judge Peterson.
The charge against McDonald is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Madison Police Department, and the Dane County Narcotics Task Force. The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.
Cheyenne Woman Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Failure to File a Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
Carissa Joy Dunn-Pollard, age 45, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for wire fraud and failure to file a tax return. U.S. District Court Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on June 21, 2023. Pollard also will be required to serve three years on supervised release following her prison term and must pay $220,481.57 in restitution to the Cheyenne Little Theatre, $113,451.58 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and a $125 special assessment.
According to court documents, Pollard worked as the part-time bookkeeper Cheyenne Little Theater Players Inc., a non-profit organization based in Cheyenne. From September 20, 2020 to May 30, 2022, Pollard devised and engaged in a scheme to obtain money by means of material false and fraudulent pretenses and representations. As a result of this scheme, Pollard admitted to embezzling at least $220,481.57 from the Theatre by causing ACH “payroll deposits” to be made into her bank account from the Theatre’s bank account.
In addition to the wire fraud, as of November 30, 2022, when the complaint in this case was filed, Pollard was aware of her obligation to file tax returns with the IRS but failed to do so for tax years 2018-2021 as required by law. The amount of taxes she owed for the four-year period totaled $113,451.58.
In a statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said that the sentence brings a measure of justice to the Cheyenne Little Theater and members of the community affected by Pollard’s fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also thanked the U.S. Secret Service, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office, and the Cheyenne Police Department for their roles in the investigation which led to the successful prosecution of Pollard.
“Ms. Dunn-Pollard used her position to defraud not only her employer, but the honest hardworking Americans who pay their tax obligations every year,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office. “This is a great example of IRS-CI’s expertise in conducting federal tax investigations that also holds accountable those that commit crimes against community institutions like the Cheyenne Little Theater.”
Cheshire Medical Center to Pay $2 Million to Settle Allegations of Controlled Substances Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces today that Cheshire Medical Center (CMC) in Keene will pay $2 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by failing to keep accurate records of controlled substances, including opioids.
“Cheshire Medical Center’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the Controlled Substance Act enabled the theft of prescription narcotics – including powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which led to a shockingly high percentage of drugs missing from CMS’s inventory. The failures uncovered warranted a multi-million-dollar penalty and a stringent corrective action plan,” said U.S. Attorney Jane Young. “This is one of the largest settlements of drug diversion claims against a hospital in the country.”
“The DEA is committed to ensuring that all registrants are in compliance with the required regulations, which are enforceable through the Controlled Substances Act,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes public health and public safety. DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed.”
The CSA deters the illegal distribution, possession, dispensing, and improper use of controlled substances, all of which have contributed to the opioid epidemic. The CSA requires the accurate inventorying, tracking and recordkeeping of each controlled substances to prevent misuse.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation of CMC after a nurse had stolen twenty-three intravenous bags of fentanyl solution from an automatic medication dispensing machine. CMC initially disclosed this theft to the DEA in February 2022. CMC later reported that an additional six hundred thirty-four bags of fentanyl were unaccounted for. The nurse that allegedly stole these drugs died on March 3, 2022. In April 2022, DEA investigators conducted audits of eight controlled substances at CMC’s inpatient pharmacy, which included audits of fentanyl 2ml vial; fentanyl 50 ml vial; fentanyl 50 ml IV bag; midazolam 2ml vial; lorazepam 1ml vial; hydromorphone 4mg tablet; hydromorphone 1 ml vial; and morphine sulfate 1ml vial.
This audit revealed an additional 17,961 missing controlled substance units and various related recordkeeping deficiencies on the part of CMC, such as failing to maintain accurate purchase and dispensation records. The audit also revealed that, among other things, CMC failed to regularly review reports to look for possible diversion, to have sufficient structures in place to alert it to the greatly increased purchasing of controlled substances from one month to the other, and to enforce various controlled substance security policies.
The settlement resolved the allegations that CMC violated the recordkeeping requirements of the CSA and its regulations. As part of the settlement, in addition to the improvements voluntarily undertaken by CMC before and after the DEA investigation, CMC has agreed to additional security and recordkeeping measures.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation leading to the settlement agreement. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz.
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Charlotte Woman Faces Federal Charges for Producing and Selling Fake DocumentsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury has returned a criminal indictment charging a Charlotte woman for operating a fraudulent document scheme which she advertised on Facebook, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The indictment charges Chaiya Maley-Jackson, 23, with eight counts of unlawful production of false identification documents, eight counts of unlawful transfer of false identification documents, one count of wire fraud, and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, as early as January 2020, Maley-Jackson was the owner and operator of Diva Documents/CPN Services (Diva Documents). The indictment alleges that Diva Documents advertised the sale of false and fraudulent documents on Facebook as well as two websites, divadocuments.com and divadocuments.onuniverse.com. As alleged in the indictment, Maley-Jackson used her personal Facebook page under the name Yaya Flowers to advertise a pricelist for the fake documents she produced, which included paystubs, lease agreements, COVID-19 hardship letters, bank statements, W2 forms, Social Security Cards, and driver’s licenses, both digital and hard copies, among others. The indictment alleges that the price for the fake documents ranged from $15 to edit a paystub to $150 for a hard copy of a driver’s license, and that Maley-Jackson required customers to pay half of the payment upfront and the balance upon completion of the fabricated documents.
According to allegations in the indictment, Maley-Jackson communicated with clients via emails and text messages and provided the fraudulent documents to customers via email and mail. As alleged in the indictment, Maley-Jackson was aware that she was producing and transferring fake documents and knew that customers would use the fake documents for PPP loan applications, car loan applications, and apartment rentals, among other things. According to the indictment, between January 2020 and August 2022, Maley-Jackson created at least 400 Social Security Cards, eight driver’s licenses, and six COVID-19 vaccine cards, and earned more than $320,000 in fees from producing, selling and transferring false documents.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The charge of unlawful production of false identification documents carries a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison per count. The charge of unlawful transfer of false identification documents carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison per count. The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years in prison, and the maximum penalty for making a false statement to a financial institution is 30 years in prison.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King credited the FBI in Charlotte for the investigation which led to the charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution.
California Skilled Nursing Facility and Management Company Agree to Pay $3.825 Million to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks to Referring PhysiciansRead the Press Release
Alta Vista Healthcare & Wellness Centre, LLC (Alta Vista), a skilled nursing facility in Riverside, California, and its management company, Rockport Healthcare Services (Rockport), have agreed to pay the United States and California a total of $3.825 million to resolve allegations that they submitted and caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and Medicaid by paying kickbacks to physicians to induce patient referrals. The settlement amount was negotiated based on Alta Vista’s and Rockport’s lack of ability to pay.
The Anti‑Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying remuneration to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded programs. It is intended to ensure that medical decision-making is not compromised by improper financial incentives and is instead based on the best interests of the patient.
From 2009 through 2019, Alta Vista, under the direction and control of Rockport, gave certain physicians extravagant gifts, including expensive dinners for the physicians and their spouses, golf trips, limousine rides, massages, e-reader tablets, and gift cards worth up to $1,000. Separately, Alta Vista paid these physicians monthly stipends of $2,500 to $4,000, purportedly for their services as medical directors. At least one purpose of these gifts and payments was to induce these physicians to refer patients to Alta Vista.
“Kickbacks can impair the independence of physician decision-making and waste taxpayer dollars,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public healthcare programs.”
“Decisions that affect patient health should be made solely on the basis of a patient’s best interest,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “When a healthcare company cheats and offers kickbacks to gain an unfair advantage, it jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of those who rely on its services. These illegal schemes also make public services and programs costlier, and ultimately waste valuable taxpayer dollars. Today, I thank the U.S. Department of Justice for teaming up with the California Department of Justice on this case. This settlement demonstrates our commitment to protecting the integrity of Medi-Cal, and the taxpayer dollars that support the program."
“The administrators and beneficiaries of the Medicare and Medicaid programs expect that providers will make decisions based on sound medical judgment, not their personal self-interest,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “As this case demonstrates, our office will take decisive action to address allegations that medical providers are paying or receiving improper financial benefits that could impact care provided to patients.”
“Kickbacks impose hidden costs on the health care system, compromise medical decision making, and taint the doctor-patient relationship,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy B. DeFrancesca of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to prevent the waste of valuable taxpayer dollars and protect the integrity of federal health care programs.”
The defendants’ conduct allegedly resulted in false claims to Medicare and California’s Medicaid programs, the latter of which is jointly funded by the federal government and California. Under the settlement, they will pay $3,228,300 to the United States and $596,700 to California.
The settlement announced today stems from a whistleblower complaint filed in 2015 by a former Alta Vista accounting employee, Neyirys Orozco, pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private persons to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the government and to share in the proceeds of the suit. Orozco will receive $581,094 as her share of the federal government’s recovery in this case.
In addition to resolving their False Claims Act liability, Alta Vista and Rockport have entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the HHS-OIG which requires, among other compliance obligations, an Independent Review Organization’s review of Alta Vista’s and Rockport’s physician relationships.
The United States’ settlement in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the HHS-OIG, at 800‑HHS‑TIPS (800-447-8477).
This matter was handled by the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the California Department of Justice, with investigative support from the HHS-OIG.
The case is captioned United States of America ex rel. Neyiris Orozco v. Shlomo Rechnitz et al., No. 15-cv-6177 (C.D. Cal.).
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
CEO of Clean Energy Company Convicted by Jury of Fraud, Identity Theft, Money Laundering, and Obstruction OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Abrams, age 40, of Easley, South Carolina, was convicted following a jury trial of all 48 counts in an indictment charging wire and mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, unlawful monetary transactions, obstruction of justice, and false statement offenses. The trial, held before United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, spanned nine days, and the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Abrams was the Chief Executive Officer of EthosGen LLC, a company operating in the clean energy industry. The evidence at trial showed that in 2017 and 2018, Abrams provided extensive forged documents and false information to induce several investors to invest $1,100,000 in his company. The false documentation included forged teaming agreements and intellectual property licenses, where Abrams substituted his and EthosGen LLC’s name for other companies and individuals, claiming that EthosGen LLC owned technology it did not own. During a pre-investment due diligence process, Abrams also provided forged tax returns and false financial statements that fabricated an existing customer base, and inflated EthosGen LLC’s historical revenues, business activity, and profitability, thereby making it a more attractive investment. Abrams further provided forged contracts and purchase orders to potential investors, in which he claimed to have a revenue stream that, in reality, belonged to other companies. Following an initial investment of $900,000, Abrams provided additional forged contracts and false customer sales documentation to induce an investor to advance another $200,000 to EthosGen LLC.
As a result of those activities, the jury convicted Abrams of 18 counts of wire fraud, and one count of mail fraud. The jury also convicted Abrams of five counts of aggravated identity theft based on his forging multiple individuals’ signatures and using their personal information on falsified documentation, without their authorization.
The evidence at trial also showed that Abrams used approximately $800,000 of the investors’ money to purchase a personal residence in Easley, South Carolina. To conceal his financial activities, Abrams transferred $700,000 of the funds through a series of five bank accounts under his control, and opened in the names of shell companies, before purchasing the residence. He then lied to investors and to his own financial professionals, claiming that he used the funds to purchase company inventory for EthosGen LLC. Abrams provided investors with falsified company reports, certifications, and accounting records to corroborate his misrepresentations about the use of the investment funds. He also provided forged bank account statements and false information to both of EthosGen LLC’s sequential Chief Financial Officers, and to its accounting professionals. In reliance on those forgeries and lies, the accounting professionals unknowingly included false entries in EthosGen LLC’s books and records. As a result of those actions, the jury convicted Abrams of one count of money laundering, and 12 counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.
The evidence at trial further showed that, upon becoming aware of the Internal Revenue Service’s criminal investigation, Abrams took several steps to obstruct investigators. Namely, he used misrepresentations and forged bank statements to induce EthosGen LLC financial professionals to create false documents and accounting records that purported to classify his embezzlement of investor funds as a shareholder loan. Abrams also met with investigators on two occasions and provided materially false statements in response to their questions. Those false statements included lies about purchasing inventory for EthosGen LLC, that EthosGen LLC owed him $800,000, that he provided his investors with truthful information when they evaluated his company during a due diligence process, and that he was ignorant about the origin of multiple forged contracts that he sent to investors. As a result of those activities, the jury convicted Abrams of four counts of obstruction of justice, and seven counts of providing false statements to federal investigators.
At the conclusion of trial, the jury also found that the residence Abrams purchased in Easley, South Carolina, was subject to forfeiture, as the illegitimate proceeds of his crime.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffery St John are prosecuting the case.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses are 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The aggravated identity theft charges carry mandatory, consecutive two-year minimum sentences of imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Burkina Faso Man Sentenced to Prison for Fraud, Interstate Vehicle Theft and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A citizen of Burkina Faso has been sentenced in federal court to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay $131,338.45 in restitution on his conviction of wire fraud, interstate vehicle theft, and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Serge Ahmed Zeba, age 32.
According to information presented to the court, from November 2020 to January 2022, Zeba executed a scheme to steal high-end vehicles from car dealerships located throughout the United States. During the course of the scheme, Zeba stole seven vehicles and attempted to steal 19 more from numerous car dealerships using fake or altered money orders and the stolen personal identifiable information of at least 16 individuals.
Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Department of State and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Zeba.
Brookings Man Sentenced for Making Counterfeit U.S. CurrencyRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Brookings, South Dakota, man convicted of Making Counterfeit U.S. Currency. The sentencing took place on June 20, 2023.
Julian Huffman, age 28, was sentenced to 21 months 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. Restitution and forfeiture were ordered.
Huffman was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 31, 2023.
The conviction stemmed from incidents between September 9, 2022, and November 21, 2022, when Huffman made dozens of counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes and passed them at various businesses in and near Brookings.
This case was investigated by the Brookings Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Huffman was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Brockton Man Indicted for Passport FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly lying that his United States passport had been lost in order to secure a replacement to enter the country, when in fact, the passport had been confiscated by prosecuting courts in Cabo Verde following his arrest for murder.
Johnny Barros Brandao, 40, was indicted on one count of passport fraud. Brandao was previously charged by criminal complaint on May 7, 2023 and arrested on May 9, 2023. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging documents, on March 27, 2014, in Cabo Verde, Brandao shot an individual in the head using a .45 caliber revolver, took one million and five hundred thousand Cape Verdean Escudo and then dumped the victim’s body on the side of a road. It is further alleged that on July 26, 2021, Brandao shot and killed another individual using a 9mm caliber firearm and threw the victim’s body over a cliff.
Brandao was arrested in Cabo Verde on these charges. On Dec. 12, 2022, after a period of pretrial detention, Brandao was released subject to supervision. The Cabo Verde court also ordered that Brandao not depart Cabo Verde – confiscating his Cabo Verdean national ID card as well as his United States and Cabo Verde passports.
According to the charging documents, on Dec. 28, 2022, Brandao applied for a replacement United States passport at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. In the section of the form that directs the applicant to explain how his prior passport was lost or stolen, it is alleged that Brandao reported he had lost his passport while out to dinner on Dec. 25, 2022.
The charge of passport fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan C. Cleary of Levy’s Major Crimes 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.
Blood Gang Leader Armed with Machine Gun Pleads Guilty with Co-Conspirator to Distributing Fentanyl from ChinaRead the Press Release
ATHENS, Ga. – The leader of the 1831 Piru Blood criminal street gang in Athens and a co-conspirator pleaded guilty to federal fentanyl distribution charges this week resulting from “Operation Tourniquet,” a lengthy FBI-led investigation.
Gregory O’Neal Wade, Jr. aka “Woop” aka “Big Homie” aka “OOG,” 31, of Athens, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl and one count of possession of an illegal machine gun. Wade, Jr. faces a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum sentence of life in prison to be followed by a maximum of five years of supervised release and a maximum $10,000,000 fine. Co-defendant Johnathan Edward Brown aka “Zeus,” 31, formerly of Riverdale, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Brown faces a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum sentence of life in prison to be followed by a maximum of five years of supervised release and a maximum $1,000,000 fine. The hearings occurred before U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III on June 20. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2023.
“Fentanyl, Glock switches and gangs is a particularly deadly combination and one which has no place on the streets of Athens,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Operation Tourniquet’s success is the result of the excellent partnership between many law enforcement agencies focused on reducing violent crime and the spread of fentanyl.”
“The gangs pushing deadly fentanyl in our communities have a role in fueling the deadliest drug epidemic our country has ever seen,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI is determined to continue working with our partners to cut the head off the snake by targeting the leaders of these operations and removing them from our streets.”
“Criminal street gangs continue to wreak havoc in Georgia communities,” said GBI Director Mike Register. “The results from Operation Tourniquet underscore the importance of law enforcement partnerships to tackle violent crimes and these serious drug offenses. The GBI remains committed to working with our local and federal partners.”
“This successful outcome of Operation Tourniquet is a testament to the invaluable partnerships we have with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The collaborative efforts have allowed us to disrupt a significant threat to our community,” said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters. “I want to emphasize that we will not tolerate the presence of gangs, or the distribution of deadly substances like fentanyl within our community and will continue to prioritize our efforts against such networks.”
According to court documents, Wade and his 1831 Piru associates were the subjects of a lengthy joint investigation into violent crime and fentanyl distribution in the Athens-Clarke County region named “Operation Tourniquet.” The 1831 Piru Bloods are a set of the nationally affiliated Piru street gang, which originated in the 1960s in Compton, California. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the 1831 Piru Bloods engaged in numerous illegal acts involving drugs and firearms in the Athens-area, when Wade was its leader. The criminal street gang claimed two Athens apartment complexes as their territory—The Flats and Regency Park Apartments, referred to as “The Trenches” by gang members—and frequently sold guns and drugs from those locations.
As a result of “Operation Tourniquet,” agents ultimately executed a search warrant at Wade’s Jennings Mill Parkway apartment in July 2021. Wade attempted to evade arrest by leaping out of a third story window but was quickly apprehended by a police K-9 and his handler. Inside the apartment, officers found Brown and D’Angelo Caleb Perkins aka “Yak,” 26, of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, who had been staying with Wade. The apartment contained almost a kilogram of fentanyl, approximately 90 grams of cocaine and over eight pounds of marijuana. In Wade’s bedroom dresser drawer, officers found a Glock 19 with an auto sear switch, a mechanism that converts a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic machine gun. In the same drawer, a 30-round extended magazine and a 50-round drum (high capacity) magazine was recovered. Wade admitted that he kept the machine gun as protection from those who might do him harm. Officers found additional firearms, a “kilo press” used to compress illegal drugs purchased by Brown and a money counter in Wade’s apartment.
On June 6, 2021, Brown communicated with a drug supplier in China who was using the name "Convert.” Brown requested to purchase one kilogram of fentanyl to which Convert sent a reply message: "Sorry, the product you interested are controlled product in China." Brown then began to communicate over WhatsApp with a new source named "Marcus" and negotiated a one-kilogram fentanyl transaction. Wade, along with Brown, admitted to buying and selling large quantities of fentanyl and other drugs for distribution in the Athens community.
Co-conspirator Perkins is wanted on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Perkins remains at-large. Anyone with information regarding Perkins’ whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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.
This case was investigated by the FBI Athens Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the GBI Gang Unit, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department Gang Unit, the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Battlefield Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Leading Conspiracy to Distribute Nearly 38 Kilos of FentanylRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Battlefield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy that distributed nearly 38 kilograms of fentanyl in southwest Missouri and resulted in several overdose deaths. Two Springfield, Mo., residents were also sentenced as co-conspirators in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
James D. Collins, also known as “Red,” 49, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
Co-defendant Rufus H. Jones, also known as “Shorty,” 73, of Springfield, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Heather R. Kinnison, 31, of Springfield, was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison without parole.
On Aug. 17, 2022, Collins pleaded guilty to leading the conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Greene County from Jan. 31, 2019, to May 18, 2020, and to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Jones and Kinnison also pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents, Collins is responsible for the distribution of 37.8 kilograms of fentanyl. Collins transported at least 300 grams of fentanyl by vehicle from either St. Louis, Mo., or Chicago, Illinois, to Springfield twice a week. Collins then distributed fentanyl to co-conspirators, including Jones. Collins admitted to investigators that he had been dealing with his source of supply for the past 10 years.
On April 17, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Collins’s residence. They found a large plastic bag that contained 331.1 grams of fentanyl. Law enforcement seized more than 700 grams of fentanyl during the course of the conspiracy.
According to court documents, multiple overdose deaths occurred related to Collins’s distribution of fentanyl. After he was incarcerated in the Greene County Jail, Collins bragged to his cellmate about multiple overdoses caused by the drugs he was distributing.
For example, in March 2020, co-defendant Elmer E. Freeman Jr., also known as “Duck,” 56, sold fentanyl (supplied by Collins) to Randi Highfill, who in turn, distributed the fentanyl to an individual identified in court documents as “J.G.” J.G. died, and Highfill pleaded guilty in state court to involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance in connection with this incident. On Oct. 22, 2019, another individual identified in court documents as “J.W.” overdosed and died.
According to court documents, Collins led a conspiracy that was distributing significant amounts of fentanyl laced with an assortment of other dangerous substances, including xylazine. The DEA recently issued a Public Safety Alert warning about the newly widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use. Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. As a result, xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning. Moreover, people who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine also can develop severe wounds, including necrosis—the rotting of human tissue—that may lead to amputation.
Lab results indicate that the fentanyl seized from Collins’s residence contained fentanyl, tramadol, cocaine, and xylazine. Fentanyl seized from one of his co-conspirators contained fentanyl, tramadol, and xylazine.
In his plea agreement, Collins admitted that he purchased a 2015 GMIC Yukon XL with a $7,000 cash down payment and two additional cash payments totaling $13,500. The vehicle was purchased in a co-conspirator’s name with the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.
Collins also possessed a Smith & Wesson .45-caliber pistol in connection with his drug trafficking activities and maintained a stash house to avoid detection by law enforcement.
Collins, Jones and Kinnison are among five defendants who have been sentenced in this case. Freeman is among seven defendants who have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica R. Eatmon and Cameron A. Beaver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
OCDETF
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
Augusta man sentenced to prison for COVID-19 scheme that netted more than $4.5 million in loans and grantsRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: A Richmond County man has been sentenced to federal prison for conducting a scheme to submit fraudulent applications for COVID-19 small business relief funding that netted more than $4.5 million in payments.
Kamario Thomas, 42, of Augusta, was sentenced to 38 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Thomas to pay $4,546,945 in restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we continue to pursue those who illegally profited from a COVID-19 program designed to help struggling small businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Kamario Thomas defrauded the government and aided other individuals in stealing money from the taxpayers, and this sentence holds him accountable.”
The 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided more than $650 billion in funding for qualifying small businesses facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with grants and forgivable loans available through the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
As described in court documents and testimony, Thomas completed false and fraudulent EIDL applications for himself, and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks in return for completing and submitting fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications on behalf of others. To create those applications, Thomas fabricated IRS forms and tax records.
In total, the scheme caused the disbursement of more than $4.5 million in fraudulent CARES Act loans and grants.
“Individuals who provided fraudulent information to gain access to SBA funds intended to support eligible small businesses will face justice,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
“IRS-CI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who fraudulently received funds from programs under the CARES Act,” said Lisa Fontanette, acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Kamario Thomas’ sentencing sends a clear message that individuals who defraud the government will be held accountable.”
“Greed has no place in the relief programs intended to aid the nation’s hardworking small business owners who struggled during the pandemic,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence should serve as an example to others that the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to stop people like Thomas who illegally profit from these programs and hurt law abiding business owners.”
The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer A. Stanley.
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.
Activity in the U.S. Attorney's OfficeRead the Press Release
Child Pornography
Jesse James Hunt, age 55, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced on June 5, 2023, to 120 months in prison for two counts of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence, which included 10 years of supervised release following imprisonment, restitution in the amount of $57,000, and a $200 special assessment. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation received over 100 cybertips on Hunt who was using several aliases to set up different social media accounts. A search warrant was conducted and over 1,000 images and videos were recovered from Hunt’s phone and an online account. When interviewed, Hunt admitted possessing child pornography. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne M. Martens.
Drug Trafficking
Breanna Elizabeth Oliver, age 31, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced on June 5, 2023, to 72 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin as well as distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence, which included four years of supervised release and a $200 special assessment. According to the evidence presented, in 2021, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation identified Oliver as a distributor of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. Oliver would travel to Colorado and Arizona to obtain the controlled substances. She then distributed these drugs in Natrona, Laramie, Albany, Campbell, and Fremont counties.
Rondell Yokenya Baker, age 31, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced on June 14, to 44 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence, which included three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. According to court documents, on March 2, 2022, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped Baker for speeding twice. During the second stop, a drug-detection canine alerted to Baker’s vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found a duffle bag containing two packages of methamphetamine, weighing about 7.95 pounds. This crime was investigated by the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom.
Marcus Morris, age 43, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on June 15, 2023 to 180 months’ imprisonment for distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence, which included five years of supervised release, $1,000 in community restitution, and a $300 special assessment. According to court documents, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) made several controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Morris between March and May 2022. On June 30, 2022, DCI executed a search warrant at Morris’ residence where they located plastic baggies containing methamphetamine and cocaine inside a briefcase belonging to Morris. This case was investigated by DCI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Firearms Offenses
Matthew Pruitt, age 20, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced on May 26, 2023, to 27 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence, which included three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The crime was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Forwood prosecuted the case.
Firearms and Drug Trafficking
Isaiah Williams, age 21, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on June 14, 2023, for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, to 12 months and one day in prison with three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence. On April 14, 2022, Casper Police Department stopped Williams for a traffic violation. Smelling marijuana, the officer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle where he found marijuana and a handgun. When asked about the firearm, Williams admitted it was his. The crime was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom.
About the United States Attorney’s Office
The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include:
Environmental Justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.
Victim Witness Assistance
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime#trafficking
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Arrests Made in Joint Federal/local Investigation Targeting Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, and Gadsden CountiesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – In excess of 50 individuals have been arrested on warrants related to drug-trafficking as part of a long-term investigation conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration, local, and state law enforcement. The arrests were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“I am proud of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts to keep us safe and serve a critical role in our efforts to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We will continue to support the efforts our law enforcement partners as we work together to investigate and prosecute criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.”
The multi-agency operation netted seizures of over 35 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, multiple kilograms of cocaine, multiple ounces of fentanyl, over 60 firearms, and over $100,000 in United States currency.
Federal defendants arrested today were:
• Joshua Leo Carr, 40, of Marianna, Florida
• Michael Christopher “City Boy” Garner, 38, of Chattahoochee, Florida
• Joncy Torrianne Hall, 31, of Marianna, Florida
• Robert Blake Howell, 45, of Marianna, Florida
• Helen Christine Jones, a/k/a Christine Howell, 41, of Marianna, Florida
• Amos E. “Pops” Rogers, 58, of Chipley, Florida
• Matthew Ottovio Aliffi, 45, of Marianna, FloridaAlready in custody elsewhere and scheduled for federal arraignment are:
• Ashley Marie Albert, 29, of Mariana, Florida
• Royce Allen “R.J.” Alday, 30, of Marianna, Florida
• Ryan Wade “Bobo” Massey, 32, of Chipley, Florida
• Holly Gay Newton a/k/a Holly Nichols, 43, of Altha, Florida
• Dewayne Deshun “Max” Thornton, 23, of Dothan, AlabamaPrevious federal arrests from this same investigation include:
• Brian Beauchamp, 37, of Grand Ridge, Florida
• Anthony Lamar “Kool Aid” Brown, 46, of Quincy, Florida
• Eric Shane Daniels, 27, of Blountstown, Florida
• Daniel B. Foster, 40, of Blountstown, Florida
• Cornelius Montez Garner, 33, of Chattahoochee, Florida
• Gary Lamar “G” Murphy III, 37, of Tallahassee, Florida
• Savannah Price, 23, of Marianna, Florida
• Jessica Nicole Pynes, 35, of Bristol, Florida
• Shelby Roney, 49, of Malone, Florida
• Curtis Vickers, 38, of Dothan, Alabama
• Latoya Latasha White, 34, of Lake Wales, FloridaThe defendants charged federally face penalties of up to life imprisonment and fines of up to $20,000,000.
State defendants' arrested:
• Tara Baxley
• Cheryl Bernhard
• Destiny Bryan
• Paul Childress
• Jeffrey Davis
• Arthur Goodwin
• Dawn Herndon
• Richard Outlaw
• Darryl Owens
• Abdullah Muhammad
• Nikolaus Rabon
• Forrest Reed, Jr.
• James Shelmon
• Ashley Smith
• Giselle Sukanec
• Keith Edward Summerlin
• Paul WrightThese arrests resulted from an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). This joint federal, state, and local cooperative targeted drug trafficking west of Tallahassee, particularly in Jackson County.
Investigative agencies included the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Chattahoochee Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s office, the Holmes County Sheriff’s office, the Dothan, Alabama Police Department, the North Star Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The federal Northern District of Florida cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain, Jessica S. Etherton, Joseph A. Ravelo, and Eric K. Mountin.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force 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. More information about OCDETF may be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States 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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit
http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.63,000 Fentanyl Pills Removed from Utah Streets and Alleged Drug Dealers Indicted and in CustodyRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging two foreign nationals living in Utah with multiple federal crimes including possession and distribution of narcotics.
According to court documents, Lenin Rafael Rodriguez-Villafranca, a/k/a “Jose Santiago Funez Villafranca,” 23, of Magna, Utah, and Onesy Basilo Avilez-Flores, a/k/a Rafael Flores Onesy Basilo,” 22, of Magna, Utah, are in federal custody. According to a criminal complaint, in May 2023, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF), initiated a criminal investigation into Rodriguez-Villafranca and other members of a drug trafficking organization suspected of distributing large amounts of narcotics in Utah. During the execution of a search warrant for Villafranca’s residence on June 6, 2023, agents saw Avilez-Flores with narcotics, which were consistent with blue fentanyl pills. Avilez-Flores attempted to retreat further into the residence and dispose of the narcotics. Agents recovered counterfeit blue M-30 pills on the floor of the residence and in the toilet. Agents also recovered approximately 6,288 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl (totaling approximately 63,000 pills), approximately 2,737 grams of field-tested positive heroin, and approximately 1,096 grams of field-tested positive cocaine.
Rodriguez-Villafranca and Avilez-Flores are charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. The defendants are scheduled for their initial court appearance on the indictment June 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Tuesday 20 June 2023
U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announces departure from U.S. Attorney’s OfficeRead the Press Release
Seattle – U.S. Attorney Nick Brown today announced he is resigning as United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington effective June 21, 2023.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, and humbled to have been selected by President Biden to serve in this important role. Building safe and healthy communities is one of the most important challenges we face as a state. Leading the federal partners who work to keep our communities safe and learning from our community partners has reinforced for me the need to tackle these difficult challenges head on,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “I hope to return to public service in the future, but I know that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue its excellent work under the career attorneys and professional staff who assisted me during my time in office. I would like to thank each of them for entrusting me to lead this incredible team.”
During his years in office, U.S. Attorney Brown put an emphasis on protecting civil rights, addressing the fentanyl crisis, combatting gun crime, and empowering community voices in our public safety efforts.
Brown was selected in 2021 to chair the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights. The U.S. Attorney’s Office under Brown put a priority on preventing and prosecuting hate crimes, protecting the most vulnerable and members of marginalized communities.
U.S. Attorney Brown partnered with state and local officials to lead multiple prosecutions of the groups that bring drugs to our communities and use firearms as part of their criminal conduct. Under U.S. Attorney Brown, the office brought multiple cases regarding illegal trafficking in firearms and “ghost guns” – firearms that were manufactured without serial numbers.
Understanding that law enforcement is just one of the factors in fostering community safety, U.S. Attorney Brown testified before congress about the community partnerships supported by his office that work to interdict gun violence and enhance reentry to the community by those who have been incarcerated. The office also engaged in new ways with a diverse group of community stakeholders.
Under Brown’s leadership the office pursued several initiatives, creating a new unit to combat cybercrime, pursuing a variety of fraud cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and prosecuting those involved in human trafficking.
U.S. Attorney Brown took the oath of office on October 8, 2021. His full biography is available here.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman will serve as the Acting U.S. Attorney.
Two Louisville Nursing Homes Agree to Shut Down and Pay over $1 Million in Civil Monetary Penalties Resulting from Noncompliance with Medicare Rules and RegulationsRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett announced today that two nursing homes that filed federal lawsuits seeking injunctive relief against the United States in an effort to remain open, have dismissed their cases, agreed to shut down, and will pay a total of $1,026,409 in civil money penalties to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Hillcreek Rehab and Care (Hillcreek), is located at 3116 Breckenridge Lane in Louisville, Kentucky, and St. Matthews Care and Rehab Center (St. Matthews), is located at 227 Browns Lane in Louisville, Kentucky. Both facilities are owned and operated by Medical Rehabilitation Centers, LLC, d/b/a Exceptional Living Centers, which is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky.
“This office will vigorously defend the actions of CMS when it seeks to hold accountable nursing facilities that fail to comply with Medicare rules and regulations,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. “Nursing homes must meet all federal program requirements and provide their residents, which include some of our most vulnerable citizens, with the quality care and services they deserve. When facilities fail to meet these requirements, CMS is authorized to hold the facilities accountable.”
“CMS takes seriously our role in promoting the health and safety of nursing home residents. As was shown during onsite inspections, the residents of these two nursing homes did not receive the care they were entitled to,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “We appreciate the efforts of the State of Kentucky to assess the quality of care through the survey process and support the relocation of residents to safer settings.”
The Kentucky Division of Health Care performed numerous site visits, called “surveys,” of Hillcreek and St. Matthews beginning in September 2022 and continuing through May 2023. These surveys found substantial noncompliance with Medicare rules and regulations. As noted in filings with the Court, in the case of Hillcreek, those surveys included the following findings, among others:
- Hillcreek repeatedly used blood glucometers on multiple patients without disinfecting the glucometers.
- Hillcreek left a resident in an unheated room, on the floor with skin tears, covered in urine and feces, who ultimately died of hypothermia.
- Hillcreek was infested with rodents, with rats and their droppings in plain view in various parts of the facility including resident rooms, and a resident was bitten by a rodent.
- Hillcreek left residents in soiled clothing and linens without appropriate checks from staff.
- Hillcreek left garbage cans in resident rooms and elsewhere overflowing with soiled adult briefs.
- Hillcreek failed to implement care plans for multiple residents, each of whom later suffered serious harm.
- A March 2023 survey found that Hillcreek improperly kept medications past expiration and improperly left medications unlocked.
- Hillcreek hired personnel despite disqualifying criminal convictions.
- Even though Hillcreek corrected some deficiencies cited by Kentucky, Hillcreek failed to be in substantial compliance even after a fourth revisit. Many Hillcreek resident rooms still had malfunctioning and nonfunctioning heating and cooling units, including one left pulled out of an exterior wall, allowing rodents to enter.
In the case of St. Matthews, filings with the Court showed that CMS surveys included the following findings, among others:
- St. Matthews failed to protect residents from abuse.
- St. Matthews used blood glucometers on multiple patients without disinfecting them properly between uses.
- St. Matthews’ personnel files failed to show that complete and proper background checks had been performed on its employees, with some employees having disqualifying events that proper background checks should have revealed.
- St. Matthews failed to ensure that alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment, including injuries of unknown source and misappropriation of resident property, were reported immediately.
- St. Matthews failed to develop and implement care plan interventions for residents with physician’s orders for oxygen.
The federal lawsuits were filed by Hillcreek and St. Matthews in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on May 24, 2023. The cases were styled St. Matthews Care and Rehab Center, LLC v. Becerra, et al. (3:23-cv-261) and Hillcreek Rehab and Care, LLC v. Becerra, et al. (3:23-cv-265). The United States filed motions to dismiss the lawsuits and sought to dissolve the temporary restraining orders initially entered by the Court. Following a brief hearing with the Court on June 1, 2023, Hillcreek and St. Matthews agreed to terminate their provider agreements with Medicare, dissolve the temporary restraining orders, dismiss their cases, with prejudice, and close their facilities within 30 days. As part of the closure process, Hillcreek and St. Matthews will be required to safely transfer Medicare and Medicaid residents in their respective facilities to other facilities and submit a comprehensive closure and relocation plan for each facility that is acceptable to CMS.
As a result of their noncompliance with federal rules and regulations, Hillcreek and Exceptional Living Centers will pay to CMS a Civil Monetary Penalty of $636,752.75 and St. Matthews and Exceptional Living Centers will pay to CMS a Civil Monetary Penalty of $389,656.25, for a combined total of $1,026,409.
Defense of these cases was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Snyder, William F. Campbell, and Benjamin S. Schecter. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the General Counsel and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provided substantial support in response to these cases.
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Tucson Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Smuggle Firearms from the United StatesRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Luis Eduardo Terminel Jr., 27, of Tucson, was sentenced on June 14, 2023, by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Terminel also was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Terminel pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Smuggle Goods from the United States.
Terminel and his co-conspirators concocted a scheme to smuggle firearms and firearm magazines from the United States into Mexico from November 2019 leading up to June 27, 2020. As part of the conspiracy, Terminel and his co-conspirators purchased and transported firearms and magazines in Arizona and elsewhere, made false statements to firearms dealers, and provided funds to others for the purchase of firearms and magazines.
The firearms and magazines that Terminel and his co-conspirators intended to bring across the border are prohibited from being exported from the United States into Mexico without a valid license. None of the conspirators had a valid license or any other lawful authority to export the items to Mexico.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Bolling and Sandra Hansen, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-00880-JAS-LCK
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-095_Terminel, Jr.# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.The United States and the Netherlands Reaffirm Their Commitment to Pursuing Justice and Accountability for Russia’s Unlawful Invasion of UkraineRead the Press Release
On June 19, Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra met with U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in The Hague, where they discussed support to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression that is causing death and destruction across Ukraine, and sowing instability around the world. Those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine must not go unpunished. The Ukrainian people deserve justice. The United States and the Netherlands are both deeply committed to domestic, regional, and international efforts to promote accountability and combat impunity in Ukraine. The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) will play a critical role in the ecosystem for prosecuting atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine.
Ministerie van Justitie en VeiligheidDutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and AG Garland.
Ministerie van Justitie en VeiligheidDutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra and AG Garland.
“Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting with Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra, in The Hague, Netherlands,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The U.S. partnership with the Netherlands is one of our oldest and closest, and our strong bilateral relationship is critically important as we confront common challenges. Ensuring accountability for Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine was at the top of our agenda. We are grateful that the Netherlands has agreed to host the ICPA, which will be based at Eurojust. I am pleased to announce that I have appointed an experienced federal prosecutor, Jessica Kim, to serve as the United States’ Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression and our representative in this important effort. We will continue to seek justice alongside, and stand with, our Ukrainian partners, for as long as it takes.”
“The Netherlands is the host nation to the ICPA against Ukraine and is honored to do so,” said Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius. “We view the ICPA as the first step towards justice for the crime of aggression committed by the Russian Federation and its leadership. We see the commitment by the United States to appoint a Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression as very valuable and call on other states to support this endeavor to ensure justice and exclude impunity.”
“The Netherlands greatly appreciates the close cooperation with the United States in supporting Ukraine, and in the fight against impunity for atrocities committed by Russia’s unjustified war of aggression,” said Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra. “We will continue to work together to bring those responsible to justice, including through the work of the ICPA, as well as the Register of Damages Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which will also have its seat in The Hague. The Register will serve as a record of evidence and claims information on damage, loss or injury caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”
Tax and Firearm Charges Filed Against Robert Hunter BidenRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – The United States Attorney for the District of Delaware filed charges today against Robert Hunter Biden (“Hunter Biden”) of Los Angeles. Hunter Biden has been charged with two misdemeanor tax offenses and a felony firearm offense and has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to the tax offenses and enter into a pre-trial diversion agreement with regard to the firearm charge at a proceeding to be scheduled by the assigned United States District Court judge.
According to the tax Information, Hunter Biden received taxable income in excess of $1,500,000 annually in calendar years 2017 and 2018. Despite owing in excess of $100,000 in federal income taxes each year, he did not pay the income tax due for either year.
According to the firearm Information, from on or about October 12, 2018 through October 23, 2018, Hunter Biden possessed a firearm despite knowing he was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance.
Hunter Biden is charged with two violations of failure to pay income tax and one violation of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison on each of the tax charges and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the firearm charge. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, made the announcement. The investigation is ongoing.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
An information contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Attachments:
rhb_information1.pdf rhb_information_2.pdfSt. Charles County Man Accused of Online Coercion of MinorsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Charles County, Missouri accused of coercing minors into sending him nude pictures has been ordered held in jail until trial.
Tristin M. Davis, 26, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis May 24 on three counts of coercion and enticement of a minor and three counts of receiving child pornography. The indictment accuses him of coercing three minors, in New York, Tennessee and Connecticut, into engaging in sexually explicit conduct to produce images. Davis pleaded not guilty to the charges June 8.
On Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Shirley Padmore Mensah ordered Davis detained until trial. In addition to the federal charges, Judge Mensah cited pending statutory sodomy charges in Lincoln County Circuit Court and St. Charles County Circuit Court and accusations that Davis has sexually abused four minors.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The St. Charles County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Southern California Woman Sentenced to 33 months in Prison for Knife Assault on a Camper in Sequoia National ParkRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Sarah E. Meenahan, 28, of Manhattan Beach, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for assault with intent to commit a felony, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on May 16, 2022, Meenahan entered a camper van in Sequoia National Park with the intent to steal the camper van from the occupant, who was sleeping. Meenahan exited the camper van, but moments later reentered the camper and attempted to stab the occupant with a 4-inch serrated knife. The occupant was able to subdue Meenahan and eject her from the camper before she could stab him. Then Meenahan fled in a stolen car. When National Park Service rangers encountered her and tried to arrest her, she refused to comply with commands, and was only taken into custody after rangers deployed a taser.
On Feb. 21, 2023, Meenahan pleaded guilty to the assault.
This case was the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez and Michael G. Tierney prosecuted the case.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Roniel Allembert, 22, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty before U. S. Magistrate Judge Emile A, Henderson, III, to Possession of a Firearm in School Zone. Allembert’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2023, where he faces a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to court documents, on September 28, 2021, Virgin Islands Police Department officers discovered a fully loaded Taurus 9mm handgun in a ditch located at #21 Anna’s Hope, approximately 290 feet from the Church of God Holiness Academy. Allembert was observed at the same location but drove off at a high rate of speed when VIPD police units approach the area. Allembert later returned to the location driving slowly while looking on the side of the road where the handgun was discovered. Allembert’s DNA was later discovered on the firearm. He did not have a license to possess the firearm.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston. The investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. For more information on the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, please see: https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Romanian Citizens Plead Guilty to Laundering $1.4 Million in Proceeds from Jewelry Thefts and Covid FraudRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – June 20, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Eduard Ghiocel and Floarea Ghiocel, married Romanian nationals and leaders of a Romania-based transnational organized crime group, pleaded guilty today to laundering $1.4 million in proceeds from dozens of grand thefts, robberies and swindles targeting mostly elderly victims in San Diego County.
According to their plea agreement, Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel, along with the assistance of co-conspirators Gabriel Ghiocel, Marius Ghiocel, Larisa Ghiocel, and Argentina Alexandru, conducted a series of 17 grand thefts and robberies of jewelry in elderly communities in San Diego. Defendants and co-conspirators then pawned the stolen, expensive jewelry and watches for cash in jewelry stores in Los Angeles. In addition, Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel admitted to submitting fraudulent unemployment claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), and together with their co-conspirators received a total of approximately $32,250 in California unemployment insurance benefits intended to help workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel admitted to sending cash from the jewelry thefts and the stolen unemployment insurance proceeds by wire transfers to Romania via Money Service Businesses, and using the stolen proceeds to purchase gold bars, gold coins, and high-end luxury vehicles from locations in Southern California and shipping these items to Romania. In total the Ghiocel Sub-Group sent $1,367,652.02 from illicit funds to Romania, knowing the money represented the proceeds of grand thefts and robberies of jewelry, and California EDD fraud, the plea agreement said.
In a forfeiture addendum, Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel also agreed to forfeit assets including a white 2019 Lamborghini Urus, a black 2020 Ferrari Portofino, two gold coins worth $4,000, and $1,896.37 worth of U.S. currency. These items were seized across Valcea County, Romania on March 14, 2023 pursuant to seven Romanian search warrants issued by the Bucharest Tribunal and executed by police officers from the Romanian National Police's Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime, Service for Combatting Organized Criminal Groups, and Service for Combatting Organized Crime Valcea, assisted by FBI and IRS officers. Eduard and Floarea Ghiocel also agreed to forfeit a blue 2021 Lamborghini Urus and a BMW X4, also seized in Romania pursuant to the aforementioned warrants. After the defendants are sentenced and the forfeiture finalized, it is the intent of the U.S. Attorney to seek restoration of the forfeited properties to pay restitution to victims.
The co-conspirators remain at large in Romania.
“These defendants led an international crime ring that stole beloved personal items from elderly victims,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “They thought that seniors would be easy marks, but the plan has backfired. Our prosecution team and agencies followed the organized crime group’s trail all the way to Romania to assist in the seizure of assets laundered from stolen jewelry and pandemic funds in California.”
Grossman thanked the prosecution team and agencies along with their international partners for their inexhaustible efforts to bring justice for these victims.
“This scheme is egregious because it specifically targeted our most vulnerable citizens,” said FBI San Diego’s Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “The FBI is allocating as many resources as possible to identify and bring to justice individuals who are preying on our older adult population.”
“Too many people suffer at the hands of this type of organized crime,” said San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold these criminals and their co-conspirators accountable.”
“While most people were worrying about how to stay healthy and protect their loved ones during the height of the pandemic, Eduard Ghiocel and Floarea Ghiocel were busy victimizing the elderly within our communities and targeting relief programs. They will now face the consequences of their crimes and their flagrant disregard for our communities,” said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office. “Investigating individuals and organizations that prey on vulnerable communities and exploited the CARES act is one of our top priorities. IRS-CI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners locally and internationally to locate and hold criminal organizations accountable for their crimes.”
Assistance was provided by the Romanian National Police (Service for Combatting Organized Criminal Groups and Service for Combatting Organized Crime Valcea) and the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (Agency for Prosecuting Organized Crime). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.
The couple is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21 at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Larry Burns.
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 23-cr-00650-LAB
Eduard Ghiocel (1) Age: 47 Transient, Romanian
aka Eduard Alexandru, aka “Filica”
Floarea Ghiocel (2) Age: 48 Transient, Romanian
aka Floarea Alexandru
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) and Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A) — Conspiracy to Transport Funds to Promote Unlawful Activity
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, transmission, or transfer, whichever is greater
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department
Internal Revenue Service
California Employment Development Department Investigative Division
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Department of Labor Office of Investigator General
Recently Released Felon Sentenced for Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to 5 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on July 12, 2022, a Richmond Police Department officer saw a car driving on the wrong side of the road. Octavius Bentley, 37, got out of the car, removed a firearm from his waistband and placed it on the driver’s seat, and hopped the fence. The officer recovered the loaded gun from the car and found part of Bentley’s ankle monitoring equipment in the passenger’s seat. Six months before, Bentley had been released from prison after serving 18 years for a violent rape. Bentley had been placed on location monitoring as a condition of his state probation. In the trunk of the car, officers found over 6 ounces of marijuana, baggies, a digital scale, a drug ledger, and a cell phone.
Officers could not locate Bentley on July 12. Within days, he fled to Vermont, and, in August, was arrested on a federal warrant for flight to avoid prosecution.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; Shannon Saylor, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Rick Edwards, Acting Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Hannah M. Lauck.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Wright and Kenneth Simon prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-157.
Readout of Justice Department Convening with National Public Defense Organizations Hosted by the Office for Access to JusticeRead the Press Release
Director Rachel Rossi of the Justice Department’s Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) and staff from ATJ and the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) met with national public defense organizations today at the Justice Department.
The organizations discussed an array of critical topics impacting adult and youth public defenders including challenges in securing federal funding and resources; research needs and data gaps; the need to promote policies that ensure early and continuous access to counsel and concerns about increasing caseloads and workloads that can lead to the constructive denial of counsel.
ATJ is charged with planning, developing and coordinating the implementation of access to justice policy initiatives of high priority to the Justice Department and the Executive Branch, including in areas of criminal indigent defense. Today’s convening was held in furtherance of the ATJ’s commitment and mandate to regularly engage with the public defense community and to support indigent defense. It is part of the department’s continuing engagement with and support for the public defense community.
In March, the Justice Department celebrated 60 years since the Supreme Court decision recognizing the right to counsel in criminal cases, Gideon v. Wainwright, by launching a country-wide tour to hear from those on the ground doing the work of making the right to counsel a reality. High-level Justice Department officials joined ATJ in visits with public defenders, impacted communities and advocates across the United States to hear about barriers and announce a number of actions in response. These actions include:
- Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco’s launch of a 100-day review of access to counsel in Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities;
- OJP and ATJ’s issuance of a “Dear Colleague” letter encouraging states to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funding to resource public defense
- An ATJ partnership with the National Institute of Justice on a research project detailing the landscape of state public defender systems; and
- The establishment of new attorney position in ATJ, filled by Senior Counsel Nikhil Ramnaney, dedicated to supporting, collaborating with, and engaging the state and local public defense community.
Portland Area Diesel Repair Shop and Shop Owner Plead Guilty to Clean Air Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland area diesel repair shop and its owner pleaded guilty today in federal court to knowingly and intentionally tampering with monitoring devices on more than 200 vehicles after removing their emissions controls in violation of the Clean Air Act.
Pure Addiction Diesel Performance, LLC, located in Hillsboro, Oregon, pleaded guilty to tampering with pollution monitoring devices and was ordered to pay a fine of $148,733 to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The company was also sentenced to three years’ probation.
Pure Addiction’s owner and operator, Travis Turner, 38, a resident of Forest Grove, Oregon, pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the tampering of monitoring devices and was sentenced to six months in federal prison.
“By disabling the emissions control systems of hundreds of diesel vehicles, Pure Addiction and its owner, Travis Turner, favored their own financial interests above the health and safety of our community, said Ethan Knight, Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We will continue working closely with our partners at the EPA to ensure all businesses and business owners play by the rules.”
“The defendants installed emissions defeat equipment on hundreds of diesel trucks, resulting in substantial increases in pollution from each individual vehicle,” said Scot Adair, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in Oregon. “EPA CID will continue to focus on stopping the usage of illegal defeat devices that contribute to serious health problems and put our communities at risk.”
According to court documents, beginning in at least 2018 and continuing through 2020, Pure Addiction tampered with and disabled the emissions control systems of approximately 245 diesel vehicles for paying customers in violation of the Clean Air Act. Pure Addiction charged its customers approximately $2,000 each for the emissions modification and collected more $400,000 in total for the unlawful services over an approximately two-year period.
As owner of Pure Addiction, Turner took action to assist the company in evading detection by federal environmental authorities by issuing, maintaining, and subsequently providing to investigators sales invoices that included inaccurate or incomplete information about the company’s illegal vehicle modifications. 46 of the service invoices Turner provided to investigators reflected “parts only” transactions when, in fact, those transactions included additional service work that violated the Clean Air Act.
On June 1, 2023, Pure Addiction was charged with one count of Clean Air Act tampering. In the same information, Turner was charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to Clean Air Act tampering.
This case was investigated by EPA CID. It was prosecuted by Ryan W. Bounds, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, and Karla Gebel Perrin, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
If you witness an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, please call 9-1-1. After alerting local emergency authorities, please also report incidents to the EPA’s National Response Center by calling 1-800-424-8802.
Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Lamont Bray pled guilty to fentanyl trafficking and gun crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Bray, age 23 of Pittsburgh, pled guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan. Bray pled guilty to conspiring to falsify a firearm purchase form and to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. Judge Horan ordered sentencing to occur on October 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
In support of the guilty plea, the Court was informed that, between October 2020 and February 2021, Bray and his co-defendant formed and carried out a scheme whereby the co-defendant would purchase firearms, from federally licensed firearms dealers, as if she was the actual purchaser, and as if she would be the actual possessor, of the firearms when Mr. Bray would, in fact, be the actual purchaser and actual possessor of the firearms. Bray also possessed fentanyl with intent to distribute on April 10, 2021.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.
Owner of Desert Star Motel in Bakersfield Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Participation in Sex Trafficking EnterpriseRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jatinbhai Naresh Bhakta, 31, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to 4 years in prison and ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of over $1 million for using a facility of interstate commerce in aid of a racketeering enterprise, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in 2015, Bhakta purchased and began operating the Desert Star Motel at 516 South Union Avenue in Bakersfield. Bhakta lived in a unit at the motel. Co‑defendant Roy Gene Drees, 45, also lived at the motel and was employed as a handyman and general manager. During Bhakta’s ownership from at least 2018 to 2020, the Desert Star primarily catered to prostitutes and their actual and potential clients. Bhakta communicated with pimps by telephone and messaging applications, and would check in on prostitutes when asked to do so by the pimps. Depending on the time of day, it was not unusual to see most, if not all, of the doors to motel rooms wide open with suspected prostitutes in lingerie standing outside, waving to drivers and approaching their vehicles. Prospective customers would park directly in front of the room of the prostitute they desired, and the prostitute would either direct them into the room immediately or meet the customer outside to arrange a deal. There were approximately 20 to 25 rooms available for rent, most of which were occupied by prostitutes, with very few, if any, used for legitimate overnight residency. Bhakta routinely charged rates of $120-140 per room per night in cash. From 2018 through January 2020, Bhakta deposited over $1 million in cash into his bank accounts, at a typical rate of approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per month.
In May 2019, two minor females were rescued from the property after having been trafficked by Darnell Edwards, 33, of Antioch at the Desert Star. On Jan. 22, 2021, a search warrant was executed at the Desert Star, and 15 prostitutes and three pimps were encountered. Drees and Bhakta were arrested at that time.
On Nov. 10, 2022, Bhakta pleaded guilty. On May 1, 2023, Edwards was sentenced to 19 years and seven months for sex trafficking of the two minors.
Charges are pending against Drees, who is scheduled for trial on March 23, 2024. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bakersfield Police Department, and the Parole Division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Owner of Car Parts Remanufacturing Company Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax CrimeRead the Press Release
A Minnesota man who owned an automobile transmission business pleaded guilty today to willfully failing to account for and pay over employment taxes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Timothy J. Lundquist owned and operated Dynotec Industries, Inc., an automobile transmission remanufacturing company based in Jordan, Minnesota. Lundquist was responsible for filing quarterly employment tax returns and collecting and paying over to the IRS payroll taxes withheld from employees’ wages. For at least the last quarter of 2013 through 2018, Lundquist did not, however, or pay withholdings to the IRS or file required employment tax returns. In total, he caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $1.2 million.
Lundquist faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the Justice Department’s Tax Division is prosecuting the case.
Ohio Man Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Quashane R. Varner Jr., 28, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced today to 11 years and four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 17, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a 12th Street apartment in Huntington where Varner was residing and found 362 grams of methamphetamine and a Glock, Model 29, 10mm pistol. Varner admitted to possessing the methamphetamine and the firearm and further admitted that he intended to sell the methamphetamine.
Varner also admitted that he told investigators on the day of the search that he had previously obtained a 1-pound quantity of methamphetamine, and the amount seized during the search represented what he had not yet sold. Varner admitted to investigators that he had been selling fentanyl in the Huntington area.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-72.
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Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Johnte Tyree Warren, 24, of Akron, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 1, 2022, Warren arranged by phone to sell a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant. Warren admitted to meeting the confidential informant in a vehicle on 20th Street in Huntington on that day as arranged and to selling approximately 12.95 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant. Warren further admitted to distributing additional quantities of fentanyl in the Huntington area at various times including February and March 2022, sometimes utilizing another individual to distribute fentanyl on his behalf.
Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on September 25, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Courtney L. Finney are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-79.
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Newport News Man Sentenced for Robbery and Brandishing a FirearmRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to 13 years in prison for brandishing a firearm while robbing a gas station convenience store in Henrico County.
According to court documents, on January 17, 2019, Chaikim Reynolds, 22, entered a gas station convenience store in Henrico County to rob it. His co-conspirator, Darrell Pittman, 24, of Hampton, was armed with a semi-automatic handgun and trained it on the clerk while Reynolds gave commands to the clerk and removed U.S. currency from the cash register.
Reynolds was identified by a member of the Hampton Police Department, who saw him in an area-wide request to identify. Less than a week after the robbery, officers attempted to stop the vehicle Reynolds was driving, with Pittman and two firearms inside, but he fled. After running two red lights, he crashed into another vehicle, killing that car’s passenger. One of the loaded firearms recovered from the vehicle was identified as the one used in the robbery.
On December 2, 2022, Reynolds was found guilty of interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence by a jury. At sentencing, the Court found that Reynolds lied and obstructed justice when he testified in his own defense, including about his knowledge of the 36th Street gang that was a rival to the 44–Newsome gang to which Pittman belonged and to which Reynolds was alleged to belong. In case 4:17-cr-52, defendant Eric Nixon was previously convicted of shooting Pittman in the head in connection with his 36th Street Bang Squad activity.
After pleading guilty to three armed robberies, on June 9, 2020, Pittman was sentenced to 21 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; Eric D. English, Chief of Henrico County Police Division; Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police; Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Orin Gallop, Interim Chief of Hampton Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes.
Significant assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie D. Podlesni and D. Mack Coleman are prosecuting the case. Former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Cross previously provided valuable assistance in the investigation of the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:22-cr-39.
New York Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis today sentenced Valfonso Dewitt, a/k/a “Valentino” and “Val,” age 72, of Bronx, New York, to 121 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and for two counts of using his cellular telephone to facilitate a felony drug offense.
The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.
According to the evidence presented at his four-day trial, from January 2019 through at least September 2019, Dewitt conspired with co-defendant James Isaac Gaston, Gaston’s wife Jacqueline Shelton Gaston, and others to distribute fentanyl. The evidence proved that in September 2019, Dewitt distributed nearly half a kilogram of pure fentanyl—enough to kill almost 250,000 people—to James Gaston just outside Memphis, Tennessee. Approximately 14 hours later, law enforcement seized the fentanyl during a traffic stop on Gaston’s car shortly after Gaston drove over the I-495 bridge from Virginia into Prince George’s County, Maryland. The jury acquitted Dewitt on three counts of using his cellular telephone to facilitate a felony drug offense.
James Isaac Gaston, age 74, of Lanham, Maryland, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for his role in the drug distribution conspiracy. Co-defendant Jacqueline Shelton Gaston, age 52, also of Lanham, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2023.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level 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.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA, the FBI, and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Prince George’s County Police Department and the Maryland State Police for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey J. Izant and Geonard F. Butler II, who prosecuted the case and recognized Intelligence Research Specialist Angelina Thompson and Paralegal Specialists Andrew Branigan, Mark Phares, and Derek Harwerth for their assistance.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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New York Man Admits Assault on AirplaneRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man today admitted assaulting a female passenger on a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Ryan Manuella, 30, of Cheektowaga, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to assault with intent to commit another felony, namely, stalking, while on an airplane. Manuella was ordered detained without bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On a flight from Denver, Colorado, to Newark, on April 16, 2021, Manuella moved to a vacant seat next to a female passenger and touched the passenger without her consent. Manuella admitted the victim then yelled at him and left the row of seats. He admitted that touching the victim caused her substantial emotional distress.
The charge carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 1, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and officers of the Port Authority Police Department with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys DeNae M. Thomas and Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
manuella.sinformation.pdfMichigan man admits to methamphetamine trafficking in MorgantownRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Warren, Michigan, man has admitted to transporting methamphetamine to the Morgantown area.
Myron Manning, 25, pled guilty today to a possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine charge. According to court documents, officers conducted a traffic stop in Morgantown, finding nearly three pounds of methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” 48 grams of heroin, and a loaded 9mm pistol in Manning’s possession. Officers also found digital scales, a small amount of marijuana, multiple cell phones and some cash.
Manning is facing up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Member of Southwest Baltimore “NFL” Gang Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Murder and a Drug Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin today sentenced James Henry Roberts, a/k/a “Bub,” age 33, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise related to his activities in the Normandy, Franklin, and Loudon (“NFL”) gang, which operated in the Edmondson Village area in Southwest Baltimore.
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; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Acting Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to Robert’s guilty plea, from 2016 to March 2020, Roberts was a member of the NFL gang, which was an enterprise, and participated in its illegal activities with other members, including the NFL drug trafficking organization (“DTO”). Members of the NFL gang have social and familial ties to the Edmondson Village neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore.
During the conspiracy, NFL gang members distributed large quantities of heroin and cocaine to drug customers and re-distributors from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Roberts admitted that he obtained narcotics from multiple sources of supply and stored the narcotics in stash houses that the NFL gang controlled. Over the course of the charged conspiracy, Roberts and his co-conspirators distributed over one kilogram of heroin and more than 280 grams of cocaine base.
As detailed in his plea agreement and court documents, Roberts paid members and associates of the NFL gang to commit multiple murders on behalf of the enterprise. For example, in 2018, Roberts and others offered a bounty in exchange for the murder of Victim 1, who Roberts believed was cooperating with law enforcement. On June 16, 2018, an NFL gang member (Co-conspirator 1) murdered Victim 1 as well as a bystander (Victim 2). Shortly after the murders, Roberts paid Co-conspirator 1 with money from another NFL related enterprise.
Additionally, in October 2018, Roberts learned of a bounty for the murder of Victim 3. To try to collect the bounty, Roberts recruited two NFL gang members to murder Victim 3 and share the proceeds. Ultimately, the two NFL gang members shot and killed Victim 3 on October 31, 2018, then notified Roberts of Victim 3’s murder.
More than 30 defendants in this and related cases have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to between 30 years and time served.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level 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.
This case is also 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, DEA, DPSCS, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr., James T. Wallner, and Robert I. Goldaris 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 and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Media Advisory – U.S. Attorney to Host “United Against Hate” Community Outreach EventRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorney Michael Easley is hosting a “United Against Hate” community outreach on Wednesday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m. event as part of the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat hate crimes. Through the United Against Hate initiative, U.S. Attorneys are convening local forums to build stronger relationships between community organizations and federal, state and local law enforcement and to educate communities on how to identify and report hate crimes. The United Against Hate outreach in the Eastern District of North Carolina is part of the broader Civil Rights Initiative announced last year.
WHERE: Chavis Community Center, Room 202; 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
WHEN: Tomorrow, June 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Media: please arrive at the courthouse by 9:30 a.m. for set up.
TO RSVP and for logistical information in advance of the media availability, please contact Don Connelly at [email protected].
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