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Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
2 August 2023
જસ્ટિસ ડિપાર્ટમેન્ટે ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટી, ટેક્સાસમાં ભાષા ઍક્સેસ નાગરિક અધિકાર બાબતના અંતિમ ઠરાવની જાહેરાત કરીRead the Press Release
નોંધ: આ પ્રેસ રિલીઝનો વિવિધ ભાષાઓમાં અનુવાદ કરવામાં આવ્યો છે. નીચે જોડાણો જુઓ.
વોશિંગ્ટન – ન્યાય વિભાગે જાહેરાત કરી કે તેણે ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટી (Fort Bend County, FBC) કોર્ટને સંડોવતા તેના નાગરિક અધિકારોના મામલે અંતિમ ઠરાવ મેળવ્યો છે. FBC એ જૂન 2021ના કરાર મેમોરેન્ડમ (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) ના તમામ શરતોનું પાલન કર્યું છે અને પરિણામે, વિભાગ આ બાબતને બંધ કરી રહ્યું છે.
ડિપાર્ટમેન્ટે શરૂઆતમાં આ મામલો એવા આરોપોના આધારે ખોલ્યો હતો કે FBC કોર્ટ મર્યાદિત અંગ્રેજી પ્રાવીણ્ય (limited English proficiency, LEP) ધરાવતા લોકો સાથે તેમના રાષ્ટ્રીય મૂળના આધારે ભેદભાવ કરે છે અને 1964 ના નાગરિક અધિકાર અધિનિયમ (શીર્ષક VI) ના શીર્ષક VI ના ઉલ્લંઘનમાં ફરિયાદી સામે બદલો લીધો જે ફેડરલ નાણાકીય સહાયના કોઈપણ પ્રાપ્તકર્તા દ્વારા જાતિ, રંગ અને રાષ્ટ્રીય મૂળના ભેદભાવને પ્રતિબંધિત કરે છે. એક ફરિયાદમાં આરોપ છે કે FBC ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ કોર્ટે વિયેતનામીસના દુભાષિયાના LEP સાથેના ફોજદારી પ્રતિવાદીને અરજીની સુનાવણી માટે જરૂરી હોવાનો ઇનકાર કર્યો હતો અને કહ્યું હતું કે પ્રતિવાદી અથવા તેના વકીલે વિયેતનામીસ દુભાષિયાને શોધીને તેના માટે ચૂકવણી કરવી પડશે. 29 જૂન, 2021ના રોજ, વિભાગ અને FBC એ MOA સાથે તપાસનું નિરાકરણ કર્યું જેમાં LEP સાથે કોર્ટના વપરાશકર્તાઓ માટે FBC ની ભાષા ઍક્સેસ નીતિઓમાં નોંધપાત્ર ફેરફારોની જરૂર હતી.
ત્યારથી, FBC એ LEP સાથે કોર્ટના વપરાશકર્તાઓ માટે ઍક્સેસ સુધારવા અને શીર્ષક VI ની આવશ્યકતાઓનુંપાલન કરવા માટે નોંધપાત્ર ફેરફારો કર્યા છે. ઉદાહરણ તરીકે, FBC:
- કોર્ટની ભાષા સહાયતા નીતિમાં વર્ણવ્યા મુજબ તમામ સિવિલ અને ફોજદારી કેસોમાં, આવકને ધ્યાનમાં લીધા વિના, LEP ધરાવતા કોઈપણને કોઈ પણ કિંમતે દુભાષિયાની સેવાઓ પૂરી પાડે છે;
- તેની ભાષા એક્સેસ પ્લાનને સુધાર્યો;
- કોર્ટના કર્મચારીઓ માટે ભાષા ઍક્સેસ તાલીમ અને ભાષા ઍક્સેસ માટે ન્યાયાધીશની માર્ગદર્શિકા બનાવી;
- સાર્વજનિક વેબપેજ જાળવી રાખે છે જે સમજાવે છે કે અર્થઘટન અથવા અનુવાદ સેવાઓની વિનંતી કેવી રીતે કરવી;
- તેની વેબસાઇટ પર ઘણી ભાષાઓમાં ભાષા ઍક્સેસ ફરિયાદ ફોર્મ પ્રદાન કરે છે; અને
- શીર્ષક VI નું પાલન સુનિશ્ચિત કરવા માટે, FBC સ્ટાફે પણ શીર્ષક VI પ્રતિશોધની તાલીમ પ્રાપ્ત કરી છે.
ન્યાય વિભાગના નાગરિક અધિકાર વિભાગના આસિસ્ટન્ટ એટર્ની જનરલ ક્રિસ્ટન ક્લાર્કે જણાવ્યું હતું કે “ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટી કોર્ટ દ્વારા અપનાવવામાં આવેલી નવી નીતિઓ અને પ્રથાઓ મર્યાદિત અંગ્રેજી પ્રાવીણ્ય ધરાવતા લોકો માટે અર્થપૂર્ણ ભાષા ઍક્સેસ પ્રદાન કરવામાં મદદ કરી રહી છે. હું આશા રાખું છું કે અન્ય કોર્ટ સિસ્ટમ ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટીના ઉદાહરણને અનુસરે અને કોર્ટના વપરાશકર્તાઓને કોઈ પણ ખર્ચ વિના દુભાષિયા સેવાઓ પ્રદાન કરવા પગલાં લે. આપણા દેશમાં ન્યાયની પહોંચ ફક્ત તમારી અંગ્રેજીમાં પ્રાવીણ્યને કારણે મર્યાદિત અથવા નકારી ન હોવી જોઈએ.”
ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુએસ એટર્ની અલમદાર એસ. હમદાનીએ જણાવ્યું હતું કે “ફોર્ટ બેન્ડ કાઉન્ટી ટેક્સાસમાં સૌથી વધુ વૈવિધ્યસભર કાઉન્ટીઓમાંની એક છે જ્યાં લગભગ અડધી વસ્તી સ્પેનિશ, પૂર્વ એશિયન અને દક્ષિણ એશિયન મૂળની છે. વકીલ, ઇમિગ્રન્ટ અને ભારતીય મૂળના, શ્રમિક વર્ગના માતાપિતાના પુત્ર તરીકે, મેં, પ્રથમ હાથે, અમેરિકાના નવા નિવાસીઓ કે જેઓ બીજી ભાષા તરીકે અંગ્રેજી બોલે છે, અને ખાસ કરીને કોર્ટની કાર્યવાહી દરમિયાન દુભાષિયાઓની જરૂરિયાત માટેના સંઘર્ષ જોયા છે. ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુનાઇટેડ સ્ટેટ્સ એટર્ની ઑફિસમાં અને સિવિલ રાઇટ ડિવિઝનમાં વકીલઓની સખત મહેનતને કારણે, તમામ રહેવાસીઓ, રાષ્ટ્રીય મૂળને ધ્યાનમાં લીધા વિના, ફેમિલી કોર્ટની બાબતો, ફોજદારી અને સામાન્ય સિવિલ બાબતોથી માંડીને બધું જ હેન્ડલ કરવા માટે કોર્ટ સિસ્ટમની સંપૂર્ણ ઍક્સેસ હશે. હું અન્ય કાઉન્ટીઓ અને ઑફિસ ઑફ કોર્ટ એડમિનિસ્ટ્રેશન સાથે કામ કરવા આતુર છું જેથી ટેક્સાસના સમગ્ર દક્ષિણ ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટમાં આ પ્રયાસોની નકલ કરવામાં આવે."
આ બાબત સિવિલ રાઇટ્સ ડિવિઝનના એટર્ની અને ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુએસ એટર્ની ઑફિસ દ્વારા સંયુક્ત રીતે હાથ ધરવામાં આવી હતી.
નાગરિક અધિકાર વિભાગ વિશે વધારાની માહિતી તેની વેબસાઇટ www.justice.gov/crt પર ઉપલબ્ધ છે, અને મર્યાદિત અંગ્રેજી પ્રાવીણ્ય અને શીર્ષક VI વિશેની માહિતી www.lep.gov પર ઉપલબ્ધ છે. જનતાના સભ્યો નાગરિક અધિકારોના સંભવિત ઉલ્લંઘનની જાણ civilrights.justice.gov/report/ પર કરી શકે છે અથવા ટેક્સાસના સધર્ન ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ માટે યુએસ એટર્ની ઑફિસને www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section પર જાણ કરી શકે છે.
न्याय विभाग द्वारा फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी, टेक्सास में भाषा पहुँच नागरिक अधिकार मामले के अंतिम समाधान की घोषणाRead the Press Release
नोट: इस प्रेस विज्ञप्ति का विभिन्न भाषाओं में अनुवाद किया गया है। नीचे अनुलग्नक देखें।
वॉशिंगटन – न्याय विभाग ने घोषणा की है कि उन्होंने फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी (Fort Bend County, FBC) की अदालतों से जुड़े अपने नागरिक अधिकार मामले का अंतिम समाधान हासिल कर लिया है। FBC ने जून 2021 के समझौते का ज्ञापन )Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) की सभी शर्तों का अनुपालन किया है और इसके परिणामस्वरूप, विभाग इस मामले को बंद कर रहा है।
शुरुआत में विभाग ने इन आरोपों के आधार पर मामला शुरू किया था कि FBC की अदालतों ने अंग्रेज़ी में सीमित दक्षता (limited English proficiency, LEP) वाले लोगों के राष्ट्रीय मूल के आधार पर उनके साथ भेदभाव किया तथा संघीय वित्तीय सहायता के किसी भी प्राप्तकर्ता द्वारा नस्ल, रंग और राष्ट्रीय मूल के भेदभाव पर रोक लगाने वाले, 1964 के नागरिक अधिकार अधिनियम (शीर्षक VI) के शीर्षक VI के उल्लंघन में एक शिकायतकर्ता के खिलाफ़ जवाबी कार्रवाई की। एक शिकायतकर्ता ने यह आरोप लगाया था कि FBC ज़िला अदालत ने LEP वाले एक आपराधिक प्रतिवादी को एक याचिका की सुनवाई के लिए ज़रूरी वियतनामी दुभाषिया प्रदान करने से इनकार कर दिया था और यह कहा था कि प्रतिवादी या उसके वकील को एक वियतनामी दुभाषिया ढूँढना होगा और उसके लिए भुगतान करना होगा। 29 जून, 2021 को, विभाग और FBC ने एक ऐसे MOA के साथ जाँच का समाधान किया जिसके लिए LEP वाले अदालत के उपयोगकर्ताओं के लिए FBC की भाषा पहुँच नीतियों में महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तनों की आवश्यकता थी।
तब से, FBC ने LEP वाले अदालत के उपयोगकर्ताओं के लिए पहुँच में सुधार और शीर्षक VI की शर्तों का अनुपालन करने के लिए महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन किए हैं। उदाहरण के लिए, FBC:
- LEP वाले किसी भी व्यक्ति को उन सभी दीवानी और फौजदारी मामलों में, आय की परवाह किए बिना, मुफ़्त दुभाषिया सेवाएं प्रदान करती है जो अदालत की भाषा सहायता नीति में वर्णित हैं;
- ने अपनी भाषा पहुँच योजना को संशोधित किया है;
- ने अदालत के कर्मचारियों के लिए भाषा पहुँच प्रशिक्षण और भाषा पहुँच के लिए न्यायाधीशों की मार्गदर्शिका तैयार की है;
- एक सार्वजनिक वेबपेज को कायम रखती है जो यह बताता है कि दुभाषिया या अनुवाद सेवाओं के लिए अनुरोध कैसे करें;
- अपनी वेबसाइट पर कई भाषाओं में एक भाषा पहुँच शिकायत फ़ॉर्म प्रदान करती है; और
- शीर्षक VI का अनुपालन सुनिश्चित करने के लिए, FBC के कर्मचारियों को शीर्षक VI प्रतिशोध प्रशिक्षण भी प्राप्त हुआ है।
न्याय विभाग के नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग के सहायक अटॉर्नी जनरल क्रिस्टन क्लार्क ने कहा, “फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी की अदालतों द्वारा अपनाई गई नई नीतियाँ और कार्यप्रणालियाँ अंग्रेज़ी में सीमित दक्षता वाले लोगों के लिए सार्थक भाषा पहुँच प्रदान करने में सहायता कर रही हैं।” “मुझे उम्मीद है कि अन्य अदालत प्रणालियाँ फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी के उदाहरण का अनुसरण करेंगी और अदालत के उपयोगकर्ताओं को मुफ़्त दुभाषिया सेवाएं प्रदान करने के लिए कदम उठाएंगी। हमारे देश में न्याय तक पहुँच केवल अंग्रेज़ी में आपकी दक्षता के कारण सीमित नहीं होनी चाहिए या उससे इनकार नहीं किया जाना चाहिए।”
टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी आलमदार एस. हमदानी ने कहा, “फोर्ट बेन्ड काउंटी टेक्सास में सबसे विविध काउंटियों में से एक है जहाँ लगभग आधी आबादी स्पेनिश, पूर्वी एशियाई और दक्षिण एशियाई मूल की है। एक अभियोक्ता, एक आप्रवासी और भारतीय मूल के, कामकाजी वर्ग के, माता-पिता के बेटे के रूप में, मैंने दूसरी भाषा के रूप में अंग्रेजी बोलने वाले अमेरिका के नवीनतम निवासियों के संघर्षों, और, विशेष रूप से अदालत की कार्रवाई के दौरान, दुभाषियों की आवश्यकता को प्रत्यक्ष रूप से देखा है। टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी कार्यालय और नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग में अभियोक्ताओं के परिश्रम के कारण, सभी निवासियों को, चाहे वे किसी भी राष्ट्रीय मूल के हों, पारिवारिक अदालतों के मामलों से लेकर फौजदारी और सामान्य दीवानी मामलों तक हर पहलू का प्रबंधन करने के लिए अदालत प्रणाली तक पूरी पहुँच होगी। मैं टेक्सास के पूरे दक्षिणी ज़िले में इन प्रयासों को दोहराने के लिए अन्य काउंटियों और न्यायालय प्रशासन कार्यालय के साथ काम करने की आशा करता हूँ।”
इस मामले को नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग और टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी कार्यालय के वकीलों द्वारा संयुक्त रूप से प्रबंधित किया गया था।
नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग के बारे में अतिरिक्त जानकारी www.justice.gov/crt पर उनकी वेबसाइट पर उपलब्ध है, तथा अंग्रेज़ी में सीमित दक्षता और शीर्षक VI के बारे में जानकारी www.lep.gov पर उपलब्ध है। आम लोग civilrights.justice.gov/report/ या www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section पर टेक्सास के दक्षिणी ज़िले के लिए अमेरिकी अटॉर्नी कार्यालय में नागरिक अधिकारों के संभावित उल्लंघनों की रिपोर्ट कर सकते हैं।
محکمہ انصاف نے فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی، ٹیکساس میں زبان کے حوالے سے رسائی سے متعلق شہری حقوق کے معاملے کے حتمی تصفیہ کا اعلان کر دیاRead the Press Release
نوٹ: اس پریس ریلیز کا مختلف زبانوں میں ترجمہ کیا گیا ہے۔ ذیل میں منسلکات دیکھیں۔
واشنگٹن - محکمہ انصاف نے اعلان کیا کہ اس نے فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی (Fort Bend County, FBC) کی عدالتوں سے متعلق اپنے شہری حقوق کے معاملے میں ایک حتمی تصفیہ حاصل کر لیا ہے۔ FBC نے جون 2021 کے یادداشت کے معاہدے (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) کی تمام شرائط کی تعمیل کی ہے اور اس کے نتیجے میں محکمہ اس معاملے کو بند کر رہا ہے۔
محکمے نے ابتدائی طور پر ان الزامات کی بنیاد پر معاملہ دیکھنا شروع کیا کہ FBC عدالتوں نے انگریزی زبان کی محدود صلاحیت (limited English proficiency, LEP) رکھنے والے لوگوں کے ساتھ ان کی آبائی قومیت کی بنیاد پر امتیازی سلوک کیا اور 1964 کے سِول رائٹس ایکٹ (ٹائٹل VI) کے ٹائٹل VI کی خلاف ورزی کرتے ہوئے شکایت کنندہ کے خلاف جوابی کارروائی کی جو وفاقی مالی معاونت کے کسی وصول کنندہ کی جانب سے نسل، رنگ یا آبائی قومیت کی بُنیاد پرتفریق کیے جانے کی مُمانعت کرتا ہے۔ ایک شکایت میں الزام لگایا گیا کہ FBC ڈسٹرکٹ عدالت نے LEP کے حامل ایک فوجداری مدعا علیہ کو ویتنامی مترجم کی فراہمی سے انکار کر دیا جس کی اسے درخواست کی سماعت کے لیے ضرورت تھی اور کہا کہ مدعا علیہ یا اس کے وکیل کو ایک ویتنامی مترجم کو تلاش کرنا اور اس کے لیے ادائیگی کرنا چاہیے۔ 29 جون 2021 کو، محکمہ اور FBC نے ایک MOA کے ذریعے تحقیقات کو حل کیا جس میں LEP کے حامل عدالتی صارفین کے لیے FBC کی زبان تک رسائی کی پالیسیوں میں اہم تبدیلیاں درکار کی گئیں۔
اس کے بعد سے، FBC نے LEP کے حامل عدالتی صارفین کی رسائی کو بہتر بنانے اور ٹائٹل VI کے تقاضوں کی تعمیل کرنے کے لیے اہم تبدیلیاں کی ہیں۔ مثال کے طور پر، FBC:
- تمام دیوانی اور فوجداری مقدمات میں، جیسا کہ عدالت کی زبان کی مدد کی پالیسی میں بیان کیا گیا ہے، آمدنی سے قطع نظر، LEP کے حامل فرد کو بھی بغیر کسی قیمت کے مترجم کی خدمات فراہم کرتی ہے؛
- نے اپنے زبان تک رسائی کے منصوبے پر نظر ثانی کی ہے؛
- نے عدالتی عملے کے لیے زبان تک رسائی کی تربیت اور زبان تک رسائی کے لیے جج کی رہنمائی تشکیل دی ہے؛
- نے ایک عوامی ویب پیج بنایا ہے جو وضاحت کرتا ہے کہ تشریح یا ترجمے کی خدمات کی درخواست کیسے کی جائے؛
- اپنی ویب سائٹ پر کئی زبانوں میں زبان تک رسائی کا شکایتی فارم فراہم کرتی ہے؛ اور
- ٹائٹل VI کی تعمیل کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے، FBC کے عملے نے ٹائٹل VI کی جوابی کارروائی کی تربیت بھی حاصل کی ہے۔
محکمہ انصاف کے سِول رائٹس ڈویژن کے اسسٹنٹ اٹارنی جنرل Kristen Clarke نے کہا، "فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی کی عدالتوں کی طرف سے اختیار کی گئی نئی پالیسیاں اور طرز عمل انگریزی کی محدود صلاحیت رکھنے والے لوگوں کے لیے زبان تک بامعنی رسائی فراہم کرنے میں مدد کر رہے ہیں۔" "مجھے امید ہے کہ دیگر عدالتی نظام فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی کی مثال کی پیروی کریں گے اور عدالتی صارفین کو بغیر کسی قیمت کے مترجم کی خدمات فراہم کرنے کے لیے اقدام اٹھائیں گے۔ ہمارے ملک میں انصاف تک رسائی کو صرف انگریزی میں آپ کی مہارت کی وجہ سے محدود یا انکار نہیں کیا جانا چاہیے۔"
"فورٹ بینڈ کاؤنٹی ٹیکساس کی متنوع ترین کاؤنٹیوں میں سے ایک ہے جہاں تقریباً نصف آبادی ہسپانوی، مشرقی ایشیائی اور جنوبی ایشیائی نژاد ہے۔ ایک پراسیکیوٹر، ایک تارک وطن اور ہندوستانی نژاد، محنت کش طبقے کے والدین کے بیٹے کے طور پر، میں نے امریکہ کے نئے باشندوں کی جدوجہد کو خود دیکھا ہے جو انگریزی کو دوسری زبان کے طور پر بولتے ہیں، اور انہیں مترجم کی ضرورت، خاص طور پر عدالت کی کارروائی کے دوران، ہوتی ہے،" ٹیکساس کے جنوبی ضلع کے لیے امریکی اٹارنی Alamdar S. Hamdani نے کہا۔ "امریکہ کے اٹارنی دفتر برائے جنوبی ضلع ٹیکساس اور سِول رائٹس ڈویژن میں پراسیکیوٹرز کی انتھک محنت کی وجہ سے تمام رہائشیوں کو، قطع نظر آبائی قومیت کے، فیملی کورٹ کے معاملات، فوجداری اور عمومی سول معاملات ہینڈل کرنے کے لیے عدالتی نظام تک مکمل رسائی حاصل ہو گی۔ میں ٹیکساس کے جنوبی ضلع بھر میں ان کاوشوں کے لیے دیگر کاؤنٹیز اور آفس آف کورٹ ایڈمنسٹریشن کے ساتھ کام کرنے کا منتظر ہوں۔"
یہ معاملہ سِول رائٹس ڈویژن اور ٹیکساس کے جنوبی ضلع کے لیے امریکی اٹارنی کے دفتر کے وکلاء کے ذریعے مشترکہ طور پر ہینڈل کیا گیا۔
سِول رائٹس ڈویژن کے بارے میں اضافی معلومات اس کی ویب سائٹ www.justice.gov/crt پر دستیاب ہیں، اور انگریزی کی محدود صلاحیت اور ٹائٹل VI کے بارے میں معلومات www.lep.gov پر دستیاب ہیں۔ عوام کے اراکین شہری حقوق کی ممکنہ خلاف ورزیوں کی اطلاع civilrights.justice.gov/report پر یا امریکی اٹارنی کے دفتر برائے جنوبی ضلع ٹیکساس
إعلان وزارة العدل عن التوصل إلى قرار نهائي مع مقاطعة "فورت بيند" بولاية تكساس بشأن توفير الخدمات اللغوية في ضوء قانون الحقوق المدنيةRead the Press Release
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واشنطن - أعلنت وزارة العدل عن التوصل إلى قرار نهائي مع محاكم مقاطعة فورت بيند (Fort Bend County, FBC) في ضوء قانون الحقوق المدنية. التزمت محاكم FBC بجميع شروط مذكرة الاتفاق (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) الموقَّعة في يونيو 2021، وعليه تؤكد وزارة العدل أنه تم حسم هذا الأمر.
فتحت وزارة العدل هذا الأمر في الأصل بناءً على الادعاءات التي تفيد بممارسة محاكم FBC التمييز ضد محدودي إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية (limited English proficiency, LEP) على أساس أصلهم القومي، وممارسة أنشطة انتقامية ضد المشتكين بما يخالف أحكام الباب السادس من قانون الحقوق المدنية لعام 1964 الذي يمنع التمييز بين متلقي المساعدة المالية الفيدرالية على أساس العرق أو اللون أو الأصل القومي. نصت إحدى الشكاوى على أن محكمة مقاطعة FBC رفضت توفير مترجم فوري فيتنامي لجلسة استماع أحد المتهمين الجنائيين ممن ينتمون إلى LEP، وذكرت أنه يجب على المتهم أو محاميه البحث عن مترجم فوري فيتنامي ودفع أتعابه. في 29 يونيو 2021، أجرت الوزارة بالتعاون مع محاكم FBC تحقيقًا وتم التوصل إلى مذكرة الاتفاق التي ألزمت هذه المحاكم بإجراء تغييرات جوهرية في سياساتها الخاصة بتوفير خدمات لغوية لمن ينتمون إلى LEP.
منذ ذلك الحين، قامت محاكم FBC بإجراء تغييرات جوهرية لتحسين توفير الخدمات اللغوية لعملائها الذين ينتمون إلى LEP والامتثال لمتطلبات الباب السادس. فعلى سبيل المثال، قامت محاكم FBC بما يأتي:
- توفير خدمات الترجمة الفورية مجانًا لأي شخص ينتمي إلى LEP، بغض النظر عن دخله، في جميع القضايا المدنية والجنائية كما هو موضح في سياسة المساعدة اللغوية للمحكمة؛
- مراجعة خطتها الخاصة بتوفير الخدمات اللغوية؛
- توفير تدريب على الخدمات اللغوية لموظفي المحكمة وإعداد دليل للقاضي خاص بتوفير الخدمات اللغوية؛
- إنشاء صفحة عامة على الويب تشرح كيفية طلب خدمات الترجمة الفورية أو التحريرية؛
- توفير استمارة شكاوى خاصة بتوفير الخدمات اللغوية بعدة لغات على موقعها الإلكتروني؛ و
- تلقى موظفو محاكم FBC أيضًا تدريبًا لمعرفة الأنشطة الانتقامية التي يحرمها الباب السادس من القانون وضمان الامتثال لأحكام هذا الباب.
وصرَّحت كريستين كلارك، مساعدة النائب العام لدائرة الحقوق المدنية في وزارة العدل قائلةً: "تساعد السياسات والممارسات الجديدة التي اعتمدتها محاكم مقاطعة "فورت بيند" على توفير الخدمات اللغوية بشكل موثوق لمحدودي إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية". واستكملت حديثها "آمل أن تحذو أنظمة المحاكم الأخرى حذو مقاطعة "فورت بيند" وأن تتخذ إجراءات لتوفير خدمات الترجمة الفورية لعملائها مجانًا. يجب ألا تمثل إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية حاجزًا يعرقل أو يحول دون الوصول إلى عدالة حقيقية في بلدنا".
من جانبه صرح ألامدار إس حمداني، المدعي العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس قائلاً: "إن مقاطعة فورت بيند إحدى أكثر المقاطعات تنوعًا في تكساس؛ إذ ينحدر نصف سكانها تقريبًا من أصل إسباني وشرق آسيوي وجنوب آسيوي. وبصفتي مدعيًا عامًّا ومهاجرًا وابنًا لأبوين من أصول هندية وينتميان إلى الطبقة العاملة، فقد لمست بنفسي معاناة المهاجرين مؤخرًا إلى أمريكا الذين يتحدثون الإنجليزية لغةً ثانيةً، وحاجتهم إلى مترجمين فوريين، خاصةً في أثناء جلسات المحاكمة". وأردف قائلاً: "بفضل العمل الشاق الذي يبذله المدعون العامون في مكتب النائب العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس وفي دائرة الحقوق المدنية، سيتمتع جميع السكان، بغض النظر عن أصلهم القومي، بجميع مزايا نظام المحاكم من أجل تسوية جميع قضايا محكمة الأسرة والمسائل الجنائية والمدنية العامة. أتطلع إلى العمل مع المقاطعات الأخرى ومكتب إدارة المحاكم ليسيروا على نهج جميع محاكم المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس".
تعاون محامون من دائرة الحقوق المدنية ومكتب النائب العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية بتكساس لبحث هذه المسألة.
تتوفر معلومات إضافية عن "دائرة الحقوق المدنية" على موقعها الإلكتروني على هذا الرابط www.justice.gov/crt، كما تتوفر معلومات عن محدودي إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية والباب السادس من القانون علىwww.lep.gov . يمكن للعامة الإبلاغ عن الانتهاكات المحتملة للحقوق المدنية علىcivilrights.justice.gov/report/ أو التواصل مع مكتب النائب العام للولايات المتحدة في المقاطعة الجنوبية
Von Ormy Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Kidnap and Transport Non-U.S. CitizenRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Von Ormy man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio on Tuesday to 220 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to kidnap and one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Andrew Carrillo, 30, was an accomplice to Rosalio Cano Jr. in the smuggling and kidnapping of an undocumented noncitizen in September 2021. After meeting at Cano’s residence, where the kidnapped migrant had been held, Carrillo and Cano drove separately to an Econo Lodge in San Antonio. Carrillo had designated the motel’s parking lot as the location where he and Cano would hand the kidnapped migrant over to the migrant’s family in exchange for cash. Unbeknownst to Carrillo, he and another codefendant, Veronica Ortega, had been communicating and negotiating the migrant’s release with an undercover officer who had accompanied the migrant’s family member to the exchange. After the undercover officer handed Carrillo and Ortega the $9,000 in U.S. currency, Homeland Security Investigations agents moved in to arrest the three defendants. Carrillo and Ortega were taken into custody, while Cano fled and was arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Service on Oct. 14, 2021.
Carrillo pleaded guilty to both counts on Feb. 7, 2023. In addition to the prison sentence, Carrillo was ordered to pay $7,025.78 in restitution.
“The penalties in this case reflect the grave dangers of human smuggling,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “While restitution cannot erase the trauma kidnapping victims endure, we hope it will provide some measure of relief. We will not stop working to protect the vulnerable people who are targeted for human smuggling and will continue to aggressively prosecute offenders.”
“Not only did these human smugglers conspire to undermine our nation’s immigration laws, but they also used intimidation and violence for their own profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “If you enter into an agreement with a human smuggler, your loved one will not be treated with respect, they will simply be seen as a commodity, and will be placed in extreme danger.”
Cano was sentenced on Dec. 29, 2022 to 190 months in prison and ordered to pay $7,025.78 in restitution. On Jan. 3, 2023, Ortega was sentenced to 60 months of probation and was also ordered to pay $7,025.78 in restitution.
HSI investigated the case with valuable assistance from the San Antonio Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Hail prosecuted the case.
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United States Attorney's Office Releases 2023 Second Quarter Immigration Enforcement StatisticsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office announced its immigration enforcement statistics for April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the Tucson and Yuma Sectors of the Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies. In the three-month period ending June 30, 2023, the United States brought criminal charges in Arizona against 1,552 individuals who illegally entered or re-entered the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States also filed 275 cases against individuals responsible for smuggling undocumented noncitizens to and within the District of Arizona. In this time period, the United States also prosecuted 90 reactive drug cases arising out of immigration ports of entry and checkpoints.
Reducing migrant smuggling and mitigating the risk to communities impacted by these offenses continues to be a priority for the Office and its law enforcement partners. Some of these prosecutions are directed against leaders and coordinators of alien smuggling organizations. Other prosecutions are aimed at deterring young adult drivers, often recruited over social media platforms, from engaging in this dangerous activity. Prosecutions against young drivers include three cases brought against juvenile smugglers during this time period.
These statistics represent United States Attorney’s Office prosecutions only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-117_2023 Second Quarter Immigration Enforcement Statistics
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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.United States Attorney Kavanaugh Announces Creation of Civil Rights Enforcement Online PortalRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia has a new tool to help protect the civil rights of those living in the western portion of the Commonwealth.
Earlier this year, United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh launched a Civil Rights Enforcement landing page as part of the Western District’s main website. The civil rights webpage is intended to serve as a one-stop shop where people may learn about their federal civil rights and report if they believe their rights have been violated.
“So often, when someone feels they have been the victim of discrimination or their civil rights have otherwise been violated, they are unsure of what to do. Who do they turn to? Do they contact the local police? The FBI? And if so, what number do they call?” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said. “Our hope is that this online portal will educate the public about their individual civil rights, how to safeguard them, and who to contact if they believe their rights have been violated in the 52 counties and 17 cities that comprise the Western District of Virginia.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office enforces federal civil rights through civil litigation and criminal prosecution and, in all cases, represents the interests of the United States.
U.S. Attorney Kavanaugh has appointed two, full-time Assistant United States Attorneys to his civil rights team, and he is hiring a third to lead the district’s civil enforcement unit through civil litigation. These individuals vigorously enforce federal civil rights laws throughout the Western District of Virginia. These laws prohibit discrimination, protect the constitutional rights of residents, and affirm equal opportunity for all.
The public can reach the USAO Civil Rights Team and report potential violations of civil rights at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/civil-rights-enforcement.
U.S. Attorney urges religious leaders to remain vigilant against attacks on places of worship & their congregantsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, is urging religious leaders to watch for signs of extremism and learn how to report violent threats or incidents against places of worship and their members.
In recent months, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted a man who set fire to a church in Baltimore, Ohio, and a man who made antisemitic and violent statements online while employed to provide security services at Columbus synagogues and Jewish schools.
Parker and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies recently met with church, mosque, temple and synagogue leaders in Columbus and Cincinnati to discuss best practices for protecting places of worship and their congregants, and how federal and state laws are used to prosecute people who threaten or damage those institutions and engage in other acts of religious violence.
“We want to assist the communities we serve by providing information about best practices for preventing targeted violence and guidance for how houses of worship can protect themselves against acts of vandalism and arson,” Parker told the assembled religious leaders.
Parker was joined at the outreach events by J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cincinnati Division, Darryck Dean with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, and investigators with the U.S. Secret Service at both meetings. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers and Anthony Pierson with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as intelligence officers with the police departments in Cincinnati and Columbus participated.
If you have information about a possible threat to a place of worship or believe you are a victim of or a witness to a hate crime, you can contact your local law enforcement agency, call the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI- or submit a tip to [email protected]. You can also report these or any other potential civil rights violations directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office using a referral form available at the office’s main website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh, or by leaving a voicemail on our Civil Rights Tip Line at 513-684-2055.
“I will continue to meet with groups concerned about hate-motivated attacks and am dedicated to providing faith-based leaders and congregations with resources like threat assessments and safety plans to help protect our places of sanctuary and blessedness from unjust and unprovoked attacks,” said Parker.
Additional resources:
- Safety for faith-based events and houses of worship resource guide
- DHS security self-assessment
- FBI active shooter resources
- Protecting Places of Worship Forum Facilitator Guide for Community Leaders
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Two New York Men Sentenced for Operating Mass Mailing Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly and Vulnerable VictimsRead the Press Release
Two New York men were sentenced today for participating in a 12-year scheme to mail fraudulent prize notices that tricked elderly and vulnerable consumers into paying fees for falsely promised cash prizes.
Sean Novis, 53, and Gary Denkberg, 59, both of Long Island, were sentenced to 90 and 66 months in prison, respectively. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge Joan M. Azrack, who also ordered Novis to forfeit $60 million and Denkberg to forfeit $19 million.
In August 2020, Novis and Denkberg were charged with operating mass mailing fraud schemes that tricked thousands of victims, many of whom were elderly, into providing the defendants with money by falsely promising prizes. Evidence presented at trial showed that, from January 2003 to September 2016, Novis and Denkberg mailed millions of prize notices that falsely represented that the victims had been specifically chosen to receive a large cash prize and would receive the prize if they paid a fee. Victims who paid the requested fee, however, did not receive the promised cash prize. Although the notices appeared to be personalized correspondence, they were merely mass-produced, boilerplate documents that were bulk mailed to recipients whose names and addresses were on mailing lists. During 12 years of perpetrating these mail fraud schemes, Novis and Denkberg stole more than $90 million from thousands of victims.
In May 2022, a federal jury in Central Islip, New York, convicted both men of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, fraudulent use of fictitious names, and aiding and abetting other mail fraud schemes.
“Today’s sentencing is an important step in delivering justice for the thousands of victims who had more than $90 million stolen from them by the defendants in this case,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department is accelerating our efforts to investigate and prevent scams that target seniors, to return stolen funds to the victims, and to hold accountable the criminals who prey on vulnerable Americans.”
“Those who commit fraud that targets America’s seniors face serious penalties,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department is committed to pursuing these prosecutions and is thankful for the Postal Inspection Service’s assistance with this matter.”
“Today’s sentence clearly demonstrates that defrauding Americans has serious consequences,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. “Postal Inspectors are committed to investigating fraud targeting our customers and bringing those responsible to justice.”
The trial resulted from a multi-year investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Consumer Protection Branch Trial Attorneys Charles Dunn and Carolyn Rice and Assistant Director J. Matt Williams are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanisha Payne for the Eastern District of New York’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
Twelve Defendants Charged in Federal Drug Trafficking Probe Targeting Fentanyl-Laced Heroin and Cocaine Sales in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal drug trafficking investigation has resulted in charges against a dozen individuals for allegedly trafficking fentanyl-laced heroin, cocaine, or other drugs on the South Side of Chicago.
The multi-year investigation, led by the FBI Chicago Field Office, utilized numerous controlled narcotics purchases, covert surveillance operations, and wiretapped communications to shut down two separate drug trafficking operations. Some of the defendants allegedly supplied or sought to supply drugs to customers in other states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio. One of the defendants allegedly possessed a loaded semiautomatic handgun while engaged in his drug trafficking activities.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized nearly $400,000 in suspected illicit cash proceeds, distribution quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and a custom-built motorcycle.
Most of the defendants were arrested Friday or early this week and have begun making initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Law enforcement also recently executed court-authorized searches of multiple locations in Chicago.
The charges and arrests were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Fred Waller, Interim Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Rock County (Wisc.) Sheriff's Office, and the Indiana State Police. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saurish Appleby-Bhattacharjee and Thomas P. Peabody of the Northern District of Illinois, and Trial Attorney Gerald A.A. Collins of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug trafficking organizations and other criminal networks that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies.
Criminal complaints unsealed in federal court in Chicago charge two separate drug trafficking organizations, as well as an individual who allegedly distributed cocaine.
U.S. v. Johnson, et al, 23 CR 412
Charged in this federal drug conspiracy are RONALD JOHNSON, 57, of Darien, Ill., SULSTINE BROWN ROBINSON, 69, of Chicago, CHARLES LAWRENCE, 48, of Chicago, and DARRELL JONES, 58, of Chicago. Lawrence is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activities.
TROY BONAPARTE, 58, of Chicago, is charged with possessing cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute.
The charges allege that Johnson is a large-scale supplier of multiple narcotics, including cocaine and marijuana. Law enforcement observed Johnson making several cocaine sales in the summer and fall of 2022, the complaint states. The conspirators allegedly utilized an apartment in Chicago’s Oakland neighborhood as a “stash house” to store narcotics and cash. During a meeting outside the stash house in December 2022, Johnson allegedly provided a woman with approximately $300,500 in suspected drug proceeds. The cash was stuffed into a duffel bag that law enforcement later seized from the woman, the complaint states.
In January 2023, law enforcement in Rock County, Wisc., stopped a vehicle Robinson was driving and discovered that she had transported approximately seven kilograms of suspected cocaine from Chicago. Law enforcement seized the drugs, which were packaged in six individual bricks and wrapped in green cellophane, the complaint states.
U.S. v. Donley, et al, 23 CR 413
Charged in this federal drug conspiracy are DEREK DONLEY, 29, KENDALL BANKS, 31, NIGER GRAY, 25, JAMARI MC NEAL, 29, and APRIL THOMAS, 60, all of Chicago.
BYRON MURPHY, 39, of Chicago, is charged with distributing fentanyl-laced heroin.
According to the charges, the conspirators distributed and intended to distribute fentanyl-laced heroin, cocaine, and marijuana on the South Side of Chicago. Donley allegedly conducted several drug deals in the 7700 block of South Yates Boulevard in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. One of the alleged deals occurred in April 2022 and involved the distribution by Donley to Mc Neal of approximately 100 grams of substances that later tested positive for fentanyl, the complaint states.
U.S. v. Toney, 23 CR 424
Charged with distributing cocaine is CHANTELL TONEY, 37, of Chicago. Toney allegedly sold crack cocaine on the South Side of Chicago on several occasions in 2022 and 2023. One of the deals occurred last month in an apartment in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, the complaint states.
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The public is reminded that complaints contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Johnson et al complaint Donley et al complaint Toney complaintTwelve Defendants Charged for Trafficking Fentanyl-Laced Heroin, Cocaine, and Other DrugsRead the Press Release
Twelve defendants were arrested on complaints in a multi-year, multi-state investigation for trafficking fentanyl-laced heroin, cocaine, and other drugs in Chicago, Illinois, and surrounding states.
Most of the defendants were arrested on July 28 and have begun making initial appearances in Chicago.
The FBI Chicago Field Office led the investigation, which utilized numerous controlled narcotics purchases, covert surveillance operations, and wiretapped communications to shut down two separate drug trafficking operations. Some of the defendants allegedly supplied or sought to supply drugs to customers in other states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio. One of the defendants allegedly possessed a loaded semiautomatic handgun while engaged in his drug trafficking activities. During the investigation, law enforcement seized nearly $400,000 in suspected illicit cash proceeds, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and a custom-built motorcycle.
The criminal complaints charge two separate drug trafficking organizations, as well as an individual who allegedly distributed cocaine:
United States v. Johnson, et al.
The first complaint charges Ronald Johnson, 57, of Darien, Illinois; Sulstine Brown Robinson, 69, of Chicago; Charles Lawrence, 48, of Chicago; and Darrell Jones, 58, of Chicago, with federal drug conspiracy. Lawrence is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. Troy Bonaparte, 58, of Chicago, is charged with possessing cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute.
According to court documents, Johnson is allegedly a large-scale supplier of multiple narcotics, including cocaine and marijuana. His co-conspirators allegedly utilized an apartment in Chicago’s Oakland neighborhood as a “stash house” to store narcotics and cash. In December 2022, during a meeting outside the stash house, Johnson allegedly supplied a woman with a duffel bag that contained approximately $300,500 in suspected drug proceeds. Law enforcement later seized the cash and duffel bag from the woman.
In January 2023, law enforcement in Rock County, Wisconsin, stopped a vehicle Robinson was driving and discovered that she had transported approximately seven kilograms of cocaine from Chicago. Law enforcement seized the drugs, which were packaged in six individual bricks and wrapped in green cellophane.
United States v. Donley, et al.
The second complaint charges Derek Donley, 29; Kendall Banks, 31; Niger Gray, 25; Jamari Mc Neal, 29; and April Thomas, 60, all of Chicago, with federal drug conspiracy. The complaint also charges Byron Murphy, 39, also of Chicago, with distributing fentanyl-laced heroin.
According to court documents, the defendants distributed and intended to distribute fentanyl-laced heroin, cocaine, and marijuana in the South Side of Chicago. Donley allegedly conducted several drug deals in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. One of the alleged deals occurred in April 2022 and involved Donley’s distribution of approximately 100 grams of substances containing fentanyl to Mc Neal.
United States v. Toney
A third complaint charges Chantell Toney, 37, of Chicago, with distribution of cocaine on April 6. According to court documents, Toney allegedly sold crack cocaine on the South Side of Chicago on several occasions in 2022 and 2023. One of the deals allegedly occurred as recently as July in an apartment in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler Jr. of the FBI Chicago Field Office, and Interim Superintendent Fred Waller of the Chicago Police Department made the announcement.
The FBI Chicago Field Office and Chicago Police Department are investigating the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Rock County (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State Police.
Trial Attorney Gerald A.A. Collins of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saurish Appleby-Bhattacharjee and Thomas P. Peabody for the Northern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug trafficking organizations and other criminal networks that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to 18 Years for MurderRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. - A homeless man from Tulsa was sentenced Tuesday, Aug. 1 to 18 years in federal prison for second degree murder in Indian Country, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Terry Danell Limose, 38, to 18 years in the United States Bureau of Prisons for second degree murder in Indian Country, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“The victim in this case was stalked, brutally assaulted and strangled to death,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Crimes occurring within the homeless community often have additional investigative challenges. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their diligent work on this case.”
According to court documents, on Nov. 13, 2021, Limose, stalked and chased the victim, a Muscogee Nation citizen, who was also homeless. While following the victim, Limose threw rocks and chunks of pavement striking the victim. Later Limose started a physical altercation, forced the victim to the ground, and then beat and strangled him to death.
Limose has been and will remain in custody of the United States Marshal pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jolly prosecuted the case.
Stolen Check Scheme Leads to Bank Fraud Sentence for Georgia ManRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: An Atlanta, Georgia man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Portland today for conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Mantavious Jones, 35, to 16 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Jones pleaded guilty on March 23, 2023.
According to court records, in March 2022, Jones and coconspirators stole checks out of the mailboxes of local businesses then used the stolen checks to create counterfeit checks. The counterfeit checks were made payable to unhoused individuals Jones and others recruited to cash them. Jones and his coconspirators netted just under $70,000 from the cashed counterfeit checks.
The New England Cyber Fraud Task Force and Kennebunk Police Department investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Saco and Scarborough police departments.
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St. Louis County Man Admits $149,900 Pandemic Loan FraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis County, Missouri on Wednesday admitted fraudulently applying for and receiving a $149,900 pandemic loan.
Cecil Jones, 41, pleaded guilty to unlawful transfer of an identification document and admitted submitting a fraudulent application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration. The July 25, 2020 online application contained Jones’ name but a Social Security number that was not assigned to him. The application also included a photograph of Jones holding a counterfeit Missouri driver’s license that showed Jones’ picture and name, spelled as “Cecill.” Based upon this fraudulent application, the SBA deposited $149,900 into a Regions Bank account owned and controlled by Jones.
At his November 6 sentencing, Jones could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. He will also be ordered to repay the money.
The case was investigated by Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke is prosecuting the case.
St. Lawrence County Man Sentenced for Failing to Update Sex Offender RegistrationRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - John Arthur Nolan, III, age 48, of Norfolk, New York, was sentenced today to serve 15 months in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for failing to update his sex offender registration.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York.
As part of his previously entered plea, Nolan admitted that he was previously convicted of Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors in Florida, which required him to register as a sex offender for 25 years. Nolan further admitted that he moved from Pennsylvania to New York in July of 2022 and failed to notify either Pennsylvania or New York of his change in residence from that time until his arrest in October of 2022.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender Investigation Branch and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Springfield, Illinois, Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield, Illinois, man, Parrionte H. Wallace, 22, of the 2000 block of South 12th Street, was sentenced on August 1, 2023, to 41 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by two years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon.
According to court documents and representations in open court, on June 23, 2022, law enforcement officers from the Menard County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office stopped Wallace while he was traveling in a car in Menard County and discovered a loaded, semi-automatic firearm with an extended magazine. The defendant told officers he had illegally purchased the firearm in Chicago. The Athens, Illinois, Police Department assisted with the stop.
At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless found that Wallace had possessed a stolen, loaded weapon with one round in the chamber and an extended magazine while out at 12:30am in a car with a young child. Judge Lawless further found that the defendant’s prior criminal conviction was a crime of violence.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Wallace in July 2022. Wallace pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Karen L. McNaught in March 2023.
The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person at the time of Wallace’s offense were up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a possible $250,000 fine, and up to a three-year term of supervised release. Congress raised the penalty for the offense of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person to 15 years’ imprisonment as part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act just a few days after this offense occurred.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Illinois State Police; Menard County Sheriff’s Office; and the Athens Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.
The case against Wallace 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.
Security Subcontractor Sentenced to Prison for Threatening to Bomb Local Democratic Campaign OfficeRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A former security subcontractor working at the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Party coordinated campaign office was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for sending a threatening message to bomb their local headquarters the day before the U.S. Senators from Georgia were in town for campaign events.
Jessica Diane Higginbotham aka Jessica Harriod aka Jessica Jones, 35, of Elberton, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III on July 31. Higginbotham pleaded guilty to one count of communicating a bomb threat on May 16. There is no parole in federal prison.
“Threats of violence intended to disturb the peace and disrupt the democratic process are taken seriously in the Middle District of Georgia and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “I commend the many local and federal law enforcement agents whose collaboration in this case ensured a safe outcome for our community.”
“The FBI and our partners take each threat seriously and will always fully investigate and analyze each threat to determine its credibility,” said Robert Gibbs, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. “Higginbotham’s threat, although a hoax, diverted precious law enforcement resources and wasted taxpayer dollars, and for that she will be held accountable by spending time behind bars.”
“The ACCPD takes threats of violence seriously. Once we learned of these threats our officers and detectives worked alongside state and federal partners to identify and arrest the offender,” said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters. “I appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work, and we will continue to work together to keep our community safe.”
According to court documents, on Dec. 3, 2022, at 6:01 p.m., an employee of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in Athens received a text message: “Hello, I am writing this message to you to let you know that I am coming by either tonight or in the morning to set a bomb up. So I can blow all the Democrats up. I have other people going to other offices also. If I can’t stop you by breaking in and destroying the property then I will blow every one up. So be ready to be blown up. This is going to either happen tonight or in the morning. Hope you like being on the wrong team.”
The FBI began investigating the threat immediately, and officers with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) responded to the area of the threat. The U.S. Senate runoff election was scheduled to take place on Dec. 6, and elected officials were in Athens participating in campaign events, including both U.S. Senators from Georgia on Dec. 4. Using a series of emergency disclosure requests (EDRs), FBI agents discovered the cell phone belonged to the defendant, who was also working as a contract security officer for a firm employed by the local Democratic coordinated campaign. The U.S. Capitol Police were also investigating the bomb threat, and independently determined that the bomb threat was sent from Higginbotham’s cell phone.
On Dec. 4, FBI task force officers located Higginbotham at a coffee shop in Athens with the cell phone in her hands. When she saw the agents approach her, she vomited. At first, she denied sending the bomb threat. A federal search warrant was executed on her cell phone, which linked the email account used in the bomb threat to her. While investigating the bomb threat, agents learned that there had been a break-in at the local Democratic campaign building in Athens on Nov. 27, and a laptop belonging to the campaign was stolen. At the time of the burglary, investigators noted that it appeared to be staged as tables were turned over, but the building was locked with no evidence of a forced entry. Investigators later recovered the stolen laptop with Higginbotham’s personal items. Higginbotham now admits that she used a cell phone to willfully threaten to kill or injure people and unlawfully destroy a building with an explosive.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Criminal Chief Will R. Keyes prosecuted the case.
Russell Laffitte Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, and Misapplying Bank FundsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Russell Lucius Laffitte, 53, of Estill, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; wire fraud; bank fraud; and three counts of misapplication of bank funds.
“Russell Laffitte used his position of power and trust to steal from unusually vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “His crimes undermine the public’s trust in the judicial and banking systems, and we are grateful to the FBI, South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for their partnership in ensuring he is held accountable.”
“This sentencing is the culmination of an exhaustive investigation by South Carolina law enforcement, the diligent efforts of the prosecutors, and the unwavering resolve of the victims,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “This outcome sends a clear message that the FBI and its partners will continue to pursue justice and protect the rights of innocent victims of complex financial crimes.”
Laffitte was convicted following a nearly three-week jury trial in November 2022. Evidence introduced at trial showed that Laffitte conspired with Hampton personal injury attorney Alex Murdaugh to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. During the conspiracy, Laffitte was an officer of Palmetto State Bank (“PSB”), and Murdaugh was a customer of the bank.
Laffitte—while serving as conservator for Murdaugh’s personal injury clients—extended $355,000 in personal loans to himself and $990,000 in personal loans to Murdaugh from funds held at PSB and belonging to the personal injury clients. Laffitte knew that the funds loaned to Murdaugh were used to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in overdraft on Murdaugh’s personal account. Laffitte also knew that Murdaugh used funds stolen from other personal injury clients to pay back the loans. Laffitte misapplied PSB funds by extending over $284,000 from a line of credit that was supposed to be used for farming to repay Murdaugh’s remaining loans from the conservatorship.
Laffitte, as conservator or personal representative for Murdaugh’s personal injury clients, received disbursement checks from Murdaugh’s law firm, then negotiated and distributed the funds according to and at Murdaugh’s direction. Laffitte transferred the disbursed settlement funds into bank money orders, cash, and other wire transfers for Murdaugh’s benefit. He collected nearly $400,000 in fees for serving as conservator and personal representative for Murdaugh’s clients.
On two other occasions, Laffitte, as an officer and director of PSB, willfully misapplied bank funds. Specifically, on July 15, 2021, Laffitte willfully misapplied $750,000 of PSB funds by extending a commercial loan to Murdaugh knowing that the loan was essentially unsecured and that the loan proceeds would be and were used to pay an attorney and to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in Murdaugh’s overdraft. And October 28, 2021, when Murdaugh’s law firm discovered that Laffitte had negotiated checks Murdaugh stole from a client, Laffitte paid the law firm $680,000 of PSB funds without notice to or consent from PSB in an attempt to settle the matter with the firm.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel presided over the trial and imposed an 84-month sentence, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Judge Gergel imposed a restitution judgment totaling $3,555,884.80 and ordered Laffitte to forfeit $85,854.73 in illegal proceeds.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse, Kathleen Stoughton, and Winston Holliday are prosecuting this case.
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Robbery Crew Charged with Perpetrating $1.1 Million Jewelry HeistRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – The Office of the United States Attorney has charged five defendants—Sunia Mafileo Faavesi, Ryan Kentrell Montgomery, Paul Christopher Tonga, John Ioane Tupou, and Kyle Vehikite—with conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce for their roles in the March 17, 2023, robbery of Heller Jewelers in San Ramon, Calif., announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani. All the defendants except Tupou made their initial federal court appearance on July 27 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse to face the charges. Tupou remains at large.
According to a federal criminal complaint, filed July 21, 2023, and unsealed at the initial appearance, Faavesi, 30, Montgomery, 35, Tonga, 33, Tupou, 30, and Vehikite, 34, planned and executed the armed heist, which involved at least eleven individuals, some armed, taking approximately $1.1 million in stolen watches and jewelry from the family-owned San Ramon jewelry store. The complaint alleges that while some of the participants were inside the store or immediately outside it during the armed robbery, others acted as lookouts and get-away drivers of at least four waiting vehicles. The robbery took place at a bustling mall in San Ramon in the middle of the afternoon and resulted in multiple bystanders, including children, fleeing the masked and armed robbers.
The complaint affidavit provides details regarding how the defendants originally cased the location a week prior to the robbery and then returned on March 17, 2023, with co-conspirators to execute the robbery. The complaint alleges investigators were able to identify one of the defendants by evaluating GPS information emitted from a stolen Rolex watch. Law enforcement investigators thereafter conducted a covert investigation that ultimately enabled them to identify each of the five defendants and to piece together the movements of the defendants on the day of the robbery.
Faavesi, Montgomery, Tonga, and Vehikite all were arrested on July 26, 2023. The government has filed a motion asking that they be detained pretrial. Defendants’ next scheduled appearances are on August 1, 2023, and August 4, 2023, for their respective detention hearings.
A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000. As part of any sentence, the court also may order defendants to pay restitution, if appropriate, and to serve an additional period of supervised release to begin after a prison term. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alethea M. Sargent is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kay Konopaske. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the San Ramon Police Department and the ATF, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the IRS, and Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Traffic “Ghost Guns” and to Laundering MoneyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ROBERT ALCANTARA pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to conspiracy to traffic firearms and conspiracy to launder money from his firearms trafficking. ALCANTARA conspired to sell more than 100 “ghost guns” to individuals in the Dominican Republic.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Robert Alcantara built untraceable ghost guns and conspired to sell more than 100 of them to individuals in the Dominican Republic. Thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners, his brazen gun trafficking scheme has been stopped.”
According to the Indictment and statements made in court proceedings and filings:
On November 20, 2021, ALCANTARA was stopped in his vehicle in possession of kits to build approximately 45 ghost guns. ALCANTARA was interviewed by law enforcement agents and stated that he was planning to turn the 45 kits into working firearms and that he had 50 additional similar ghost guns at his home. A photograph of the 45 seized ghost gun kits is below:
ALCANTARA used his Rhode Island home as a factory to machine ghost gun kits into working firearms. Below is a photograph of his home factory:
After ALCANTARA purchased ghost gun kits and machined them into working firearms, he sold those working firearms in the Dominican Republic. Below are photographs of firearms ALCANTARA sent to buyers in the Dominican Republic to advertise the firearms he had available for sale:
ALCANTARA received payments for the guns he sold in the Dominican Republic and laundered those funds.
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ALCANTARA, 36, of Providence, Rhode Island, pled guilty today to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of conspiring to launder money, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. ALCANTARA is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Broderick on November 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Department of Commerce. Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police Department, the Providence Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island for their assistance in the case.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mead is in charge of the prosecution.
Resident of Tacoma hotel indicted for drug and gun crimesRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 43-year-old Tacoma man, who was taken into custody in February 2023, was indicted today by a grand jury for three federal felonies: Unlawful Possession of Firearms; Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute; and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Cesar Leonel Contreras-Arias will be arraigned on the indictment next week.
“This defendant was being sought on a Washington Department of Corrections warrant for escape, when he was found to have multi-pound quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Equally concerning was his possession of firearms – many of them reported stolen from across the Puget Sound region. Prosecuting armed drug traffickers remains a top priority for federal law enforcement.”
According to records filed in the case, Contreras-Arias was arrested February 2, 2023, outside Tacoma’s Clarion Inn on Tacoma Mall Blvd.. Contreras-Arias had been living at the hotel for about a year, and law enforcement had received information that he was dealing drugs from that location. When approached by law enforcement, Contreras-Arias tried to flee, smashing his truck into a police vehicle that had parked behind him. When law enforcement searched Contreras-Arias, they found two cell phones, $7,000 in cash and keys to three rooms at the Clarion Inn. Inside Contreras-Arias’ truck, officers found a .22 caliber Ruger handgun which had been reported stolen in Grays Harbor County.
Law enforcement searched the three rooms at the hotel and found 90 pounds of methamphetamine and five pounds of fentanyl powder. They also found eleven passports – some of them reported stolen. There were four firearms in one of the hotel rooms: a 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun that had been reported stolen in Tukwila; a tactical shotgun; a 9mm semi-automatic Glock; and a Springfield Hellcat 9mm handgun.
Law enforcement also searched a storage unit that Contreras-Arias and his companion had rented. Inside was another stolen handgun – a Colt Model Anaconda 44 magnum revolver. The Colt had been reported as lost and suspected stolen in Kitsap County. Two firearm magazines were in the storage unit, an extended 9mm magazine, and a polymer rifle magazine containing 30 rounds of 7.62x39 ammunition.
Contreras-Arias is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 conviction in Benton County for violating a protection order.
Illegal possession of firearms is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Due to the drug quantities involved, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years in prison and up to life in prison. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a mandatory five years in prison to run consecutive to any sentence imposed on the other counts of conviction.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the South Sound Gang Task Force, composed of agents and officers from the FBI, Washington Department of Corrections, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tacoma Police Department, among others. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) assisted with the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marci Ellsworth.
contreras-arias_indictment.pdfProperty Manager for Senior Residential Buildings Pleads Guilty to Financial Exploitation of Two Elderly District ResidentsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Nicole Freeman Smith, 51, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in Superior Court to one felony count and one misdemeanor count of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult or elderly person (FEVA) for stealing more than $133,000 from two elderly District residents suffering from cognitive impairment. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, and Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice, of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.
According to court documents, Smith, who worked as a property manager at several residential buildings for seniors in Washington, D.C., targeted vulnerable building residents to steal thousands of dollars from their accounts and other sources of income after befriending them and gaining their trust. After unduly influencing one victim to provide Smith with access to her financial account information, Smith stole over $94,000 from the victim’s accounts, and attempted to steal $25,000 more. Smith used the stolen funds to pay for personal expenses, including paying off credit card and utility bills, back taxes, and multiple auto loans. Smith further stole more than $38,000 from a second victim, depositing two of the victim’s personal injury settlement checks in Smith’s bank account and keeping the money for herself.
The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz accepted Smith’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for September 29, 2023. As part of her plea, Smith agreed to pay restitution to the victims and will be prohibited from working or volunteering with elderly or vulnerable adults.
This prosecution is part of the Office’s wider efforts to combat crimes against seniors and vulnerable adults. In 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia simultaneously launched initiatives to address the abuse and exploitation of older adults. The Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Initiative at the U.S. Attorney’s Office expanded its response to criminal and civil violations targeting older adults. The initiative has enabled the U.S. Attorney’s Office to develop and coordinate further its prosecution of these cases and enhance its overall support of older or vulnerable victims. The team consists of experienced prosecutors and victim advocates from across the Office, to include the Superior Court, Criminal, and Civil Divisions, as well as the Victim Witness Assistance Unit. This prosecution is indicative of the continued collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General to prosecute cases of this kind.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, D.C. Attorney General Schwalb, and Special Agent in Charge Rice commended the work of those who investigated the case from HUD-OIG. They also cited the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Bleiberg, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nina Torabzadeh, on detail from the Office of the Attorney General to prosecute financial crimes cases involving elderly victims, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
Prince George’s County Felon Convicted After Two-Day Federal Trial for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – After a two-day trial, a federal jury convicted Antjoun Riddick, age 45, of Accokeek, Maryland, late on August 1, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and U.S. Marshal Robert Anthony Dixon for the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on January 21, 2022, U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Deputies were conducting surveillance on Riddick’s residence in Accokeek, Maryland to serve an outstanding arrest warrant for him issued by the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. When they saw Riddick exit the residence and walk toward his vehicle, they activated the emergency equipment on their vehicles and approached Riddick, telling him to step away from the car and show his hands. As detailed in trial testimony, Deputies saw Riddick quickly raise his left hand, but his right hand hesitated near his waist area before he was handcuffed. After his arrest, Riddick admitted that he had a gun in his waistband and Deputies recovered a 9mm pistol loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition, including one in the chamber.
Riddick knew he had been previously convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. As detailed in court documents, at the time of his arrest Riddick was on supervised probation for a 2015 conviction in the Prince George’s County Circuit Court for second degree murder.
Riddick faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for November 3, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF and the USMS for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy F. Hagan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Rosenthal, who are prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorney Barron also thanked Paralegal Specialists Andrew Branigan, Derek Harwerth and Mark Phares 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/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Nicholas County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Shawn K. Bever, 45, of Craigsville, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 17, 2021, law enforcement officers investigating the illegal shooting of a bear encountered Bever outside his Craigsville residence. Officers saw an ATI .22-caliber pistol in Bever’s side-by-side all-terrain vehicle, parked on the property. Winchester .22-caliber ammunition was recovered from Bever’s pants pocket. Bever admitted to possessing the firearm and ammunition.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Bever was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition because of his prior felony conviction for delivery of a controlled substance in Nicholas County Circuit Court on November 14, 2011.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police and the assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Nowles Heinrich and Lesley C. Shamblin 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. 2:22-cr-164.
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Missouri Man Sentenced for Setting Fire to Islamic CenterRead the Press Release
A Missouri man was sentenced today for the arson of the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Nicholas John Proffitt, 44, was sentenced to 191 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $551,217.91 in restitution. He previously pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2022, to using fire to damage religious property and to using fire in the commission of a federal felony.
According to court documents and statements made during the plea and sentencing hearings, Proffitt intentionally set fire to the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center on April 24, 2020, which was the first morning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, because of the building’s religious character. The fire resulted in significant damage to the Islamic Center.
“This defendant has now been held accountable for setting fire to an Islamic center that served as a meeting place for Muslim community members in Cape Girardeau, Missouri,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Attacks on mosques in our country are attacks on people of faith that undermine the fundamental right to practice one’s religion free from fear or violence. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce federal laws that protect all houses of worship, regardless of denomination.”
“This is the third time Nicholas Proffitt has attacked Islamic institutions, in Missouri and elsewhere,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming for the Eastern District of Missouri. “He has now been sentenced to a significant prison term that will protect the community from further persecution for a long time.”
“The right to pray as you wish is at the core of our nation’s ideals,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “When someone attacks a house of worship, they attack that American right, and they need to be help accountable. I commend the work of the ATF and all our federal partners in bringing this defendant to Justice.”
“Nicholas Proffitt destroyed a religious building, but he couldn’t take away the constitutional right to religious freedom,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St. Louis Field Office. “The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the U.S. Constitution.”
The FBI St. Louis Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Perryville Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn for the Eastern District of Missouri prosecuted the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
For more information and resources on the department’s efforts to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Michoacan trafficker captured in Panama sent to U.S. prisonRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 48-year-old Mexican national has been sent to prison following his conviction for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute meth for Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Homero Guerra-Moreno pleaded guilty Dec. 6, 2022.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Guerra-Moreno to serve 324 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Guerra-Moreno is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described how, from 2013 to 2018, Guerra-Moreno was responsible for monthly transportation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of crystal meth into the United States from Mexico.
“Today we dealt a blow to the Mexican cartels. Guerra-Moreno trafficked drugs into local communities like Laredo, Texas, for years, trafficking about 15,000 kilograms of meth for the CJNG, a ruthless Mexican cartel,” said Hamdani. “He tried to run and hide abroad, but the prosecutors and investigators of the Southern district of Texas are relentless; law enforcement located and detained him before he could escape. Guerra-Moreno’s capture and sentence sends a message to those who work with the cartels, you can run, but you cannot hide.”
“Reaching the source of supply is crucial in stopping the flow of devastating drugs into our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Houston Division. “The exemplary collective and persistent efforts between DEA and its federal partners brought down one of CJNG’s most significant meth source of suppliers in South Texas."
The investigation revealed a complex conspiracy which began in 2014. Authorities identified Guerra-Moreno as the source of supply for several drug trafficking organizations importing “ice” from Mexico through the United States. Guerra-Moreno worked in association with the CJNG and personally recruited traffickers to transport meth into Laredo.
Guerra-Moreno resided in Mexico and evaded capture for years. On May 26, 2022, law enforcement detained Guerra-Moreno at Tocuman International Airport as he was attempting to depart for Mexico. He was subsequently deported to Texas to face conspiracy charges.
Guerra-Moreno will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The DEA conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshals Service, Laredo Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol, U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama Immigration, Panama National Police Interpol Unit and the Panamanian government.
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, mutlti-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Found Guilty of Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that a federal jury has convicted Jonathan Craig Otuel, 36, of Stallings, N.C., of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Otuel previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, on November 19, 2019, officers with the Pineville Police Department responded to a call for service at a hotel room, where they located Otuel and three other individuals. Officers also located methamphetamine. Trial evidence established that a search warrant for the hotel room was issued. During the search, law enforcement recovered multiple bags of methamphetamine, and a firearm. Law enforcement also recovered from the hotel parking lot an additional firearm, which the defendant had thrown over the balcony. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement determined that Otuel was responsible for trafficking significant amounts of methamphetamine in Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties.
Otuel remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set. The charges of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime each carry a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison. The charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pineville Police Department and the Gaston County Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Regina Pack and Timothy Sielaff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.
Marion County Man to be Sentenced in Federal Court for Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Murder of 80-Year-Old VictimRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Dominique Brand, 31, of Marion, is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Thursday, August 3, for kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death, and using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in a manner constituting murder.
Brand was convicted following a multi-day bench trial in September 2022. Evidence presented at trial established that on Sunday, March 28, 2021, Brand entered Mary Ann Elvington’s home in Nichols, South Carolina. At about 6:11 p.m. that Sunday, Brand forced Ms. Elvington to drive him from her house to Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, and back into South Carolina. During this trip, Mr. Brand sat behind Ms. Elvington with the shotgun.
Later that evening, Brand drove Ms. Elvington to a remote crossroads in Marion County and walked her behind the abandoned Zion Grocery store. He held the shotgun to the back of her head and pulled the trigger, executing her. Brand then drove Ms. Elvington’s car to Marion, where he hid it behind an abandoned club. Ms. Elvington’s body was located the following evening, March 29, 2021. After learning he was a suspect, Brand turned himself in to authorities on March 31, 2021.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon presided over the trial and will impose the sentence. Brand faces a penalty of life imprisonment on each count.
WHEN: Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 1:00 pm
WHERE: McMillan Federal Building
Courtroom 1
401 West Evans Street
Florence, South Carolina
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Louisville Couple Sentenced to 8 Months in Federal Prison for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Louisville couple was sentenced yesterday to 8 months in federal prison for preparing false tax returns.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Bryant Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office made the announcement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Krlos Hidalgo, 40, and Esther Baldeon, 41, added false dependents to their clients’ tax returns, which enabled the clients to receive additional child tax credits to which they were not entitled. Hidalgo and Baldeon were each sentenced to 8 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release for preparing false tax returns. There is no parole in the federal system.
Hidalgo and Baldeon also agreed to surrender, to the IRS, $127,015 in currency seized during the investigation.
The IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda E. Gregory prosecuted the case.
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Local woman handed 40-year-sentence for sexually exploiting toddlerRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 29-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced to federal prison following her conviction on four different child pornography convictions, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Elexis Kiera Sidney pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child as well as distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography May 24, 2022.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Sidney to serve a total of 480 months in federal prison - 360, 120, 120 and 120 months for the sexual exploitation of a child, distribution, receipt and possession convictions, respectively. The distribution, receipt and possession convictions will run concurrently for a total of 120 months which will run consecutive to the 360 months imposed in the sexual exploitation of a child conviction for a total of 480 months. At the hearing, the court heard from the mother of a three-year-old relative that Sidney had recorded herself sexually abusing. This woman detailed how she felt betrayed by what Sidney did to her daughter when she was supposed to be babysitting her.
During the hearing, the court noted a psychological evaluation Sidney underwent in which the doctor concluded she was at an average to high risk to reoffend. The court also heard how Sidney has a strong interest in children and has had since she was 10-years-old.
Sidney was further ordered to pay $18,ooo in restitution to the victims and will serve the rest of her life on supervised release for the sexual exploitation conviction following completion of his prison term. During that time, she will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict her access to children. Sidney will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
“The depravity of what this woman did to her own relatives – two and three-year-old children - is abhorrent,” said Hamdani. “Instead of protecting the toddlers, she used them to feed her sick sexual deviancy, one she displayed on social media. Thankfully, we can now protect these young lives and mitigate future dangers by helping put Sidney where she belongs for the next few decades – behind federal prison bars.”
Sidney came to the attention of law enforcement in December 2018 when authorities had observed her posting sexually-explicit material involving children in a private Kik chat group.
After posting an image of herself naked in the bathroom, she then posted a video of herself again in the same situation. However, this time, a nude, pre-pubescent male child approximately two years of age was with her while she was touching herself. Other videos included the minor and Sydney touching each other in a sexual manner.
On Dec. 10, 2018, authorities went to her residence, at which time she admitted to creating the videos and utilizing the Kik account. At the residence at the time was the minor victim who was identified as her relative.
A forensic examination of her electronic devices and online storage account revealed Sidney had been distributing and receiving child pornography in the Kik chat group since November 2018. Authorities also found additional images and videos of Sidney sexually abusing the same minor victim as well as two images of a three-year-old minor relative.
Law enforcement also found approximately 100 images and 120 videos of child pornography.
Sidney will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Leader of St. Louis Fentanyl Ring Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Wednesday sentenced the leader of a large-scale, long-term St. Louis fentanyl trafficking ring to 15 years in prison.
Jamore Clark, 40, of unincorporated St. Louis County, admitted in a guilty plea in January that he had been caught with over 800 grams of fentanyl on March 6, 2020 after fleeing law enforcement. He also admitted possessing firearms while involved in fentanyl dealing.
"The fentanyl Drug Enforcement Administration investigators seized the day Jamore Clark was arrested would have been the equivalent of nearly 45,000 lethal doses," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey, lead of DEA investigations in Eastern Missouri. "DEA investigators know the seriousness of fentanyl’s impact on the safety and health of St. Louis citizens, which is driving drug-induced deaths to new highs. That makes this sentence particularly satisfying.”
Clark pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl. All nine others indicted in the case have also pleaded guilty and received sentences of up to 10 years in prison. They include Jason Stanley Jones, 38, of Ballwin; Arie T. Graham, 34; Clarence Lee Totten, 33; Justin Lee Hughes, 36, of Florissant; Martez Lamar Murphy, 29, of Florissant; Keven Treyvon Huddlen, 30, of Florissant; Kevin Cunningham, 37, of St. Louis; Alaena C. Patrick, 37, of Flordell Hills; and Natalie J. Westerman, 46, of St. Peters.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
Lead Defendant in Federal Case Charging White Supremacist Group with Violence at Political Rallies Extradited from RomaniaRead the Press Release
INDICTMENT
LOS ANGELES – The lead defendant in an indictment that charges three Southern California men linked to a white supremacy extremist group with planning and engaging in riots at political rallies across California has been extradited to the United States from Romania, the Justice Department announced today.Robert Paul Rundo, 33, of Huntington Beach, allegedly a founding member of the Rise Above Movement (RAM), was transported by special agents with the FBI from Romania to Hollywood Burbank Airport, where he arrived Tuesday evening. Rundo is in federal custody and is expected to make his initial appearance and be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
Rundo, along with two other defendants, is charged with conspiracy to violate the Anti-Riot Act for his activities in connection with RAM, a white supremacist organization that represented itself “publicly…as a combat-ready, militant group of a new nationalist white supremacy and identity movement,” according to a federal grand jury indictment.
In addition to the conspiracy charge, Rundo also is charged with one count of rioting.
The other defendants charged in this case are:
- Robert Boman, 30, of Torrance; and
- Tyler Laube, 27, of Redondo Beach.
Boman and Laube are charged with conspiracy to violate the Anti-Riot Act. Boman also is charged with one count of rioting.
The trial date in this matter is scheduled for December 12.
According to the indictment, the defendants participated in the conspiracy in varying ways, including by engaging in recruitment of RAM members, coordinating and participating in hand-to-hand and other combat training, traveling to political rallies to attack protesters and other persons, and publishing photographs and videos of violent acts to recruit other members for future events.
The indictment alleges that various members of the conspiracy directly participated in attacks at political rallies in Huntington Beach on March 25, 2017; in Berkeley on April 15, 2017; and in San Bernardino on June 10, 2017. In the months following these events, the defendants allegedly trained for future events and celebrated their assaults, which included online posts with photos of RAM members assaulting people.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
In June 2019, a federal district court dismissed the indictment against Rundo and the other defendants, finding that the federal Anti-Riot Act violated the First Amendment. In March 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the district court’s dismissal and the criminal charges were reinstated.
Both the conspiracy and rioting charges carry statutory maximum sentences of five years in federal prison.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating this case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Bucharest provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Rundo.
The Romanian National Police, Directorate of Combatting Organized Crime and Terrorism (DCCO), Fugitive Unit; the Romanian General Prosecutor's Office and Border Police; the U.S. Embassy Bucharest Regional Security Office and Consular Section/American Citizen Services, in coordination with Interpol Romania, provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Rundo. The Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, Division of International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, also provided significant assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Solomon Kim and Kathrynne N. Seiden, both of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, are prosecuting this case.
Klamath Falls Man Indicted for Kidnapping and Sexually Assaulting Seattle Woman, Additional Victims SoughtRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment today charging a Klamath Falls, Oregon, man with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Seattle woman and forcing her into a makeshift cell he constructed in his garage.
Negasi Zuberi, 29, also known as Sakima, Justin Hyche, and Justin Kouassi, has been charged with interstate kidnapping and transporting an individual across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to court documents, on July 15, 2023, Zuberi was in Seattle when he is alleged to have posed as a police officer, pointed a taser at an adult woman, placed her in handcuffs, and forced her into the backseat of his vehicle. Zuberi then transported the woman approximately 450 miles back to his home in Klamath Falls, stopping along the way to sexually assault her and cover her face with a sweatshirt.
When Zuberi arrived at his residence, he moved the woman from his vehicle into a makeshift cell he had constructed in his garage. The woman repeatedly banged on the cell door until it broke open and she escaped. She retrieved a handgun from Zuberi’s vehicle, fled his garage, and flagged down a passing motorist who called 911.
The next day, on July 16, 2023, two Nevada State Patrol officers located Zuberi in a retail parking lot in Reno, Nevada. After a short standoff, Zuberi surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody.
On July 26, 2023, Zuberi made his first appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the District of Nevada. He was ordered detained pending his transfer to the District of Oregon.
Interstate kidnapping is punishable by up to life in federal prison and transporting an individual across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Portland Field Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, and Oregon State Police with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada; Klamath County District Attorney’s Office; Reno, Nevada Police Department; Washoe County, Nevada District Attorney’s Office; and Nevada State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Brassell is prosecuting the case for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Zuberi has lived in ten different states over the last ten years including California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, and Nevada, and federal law enforcement has reason to believe he may have victimized additional women.
If you or someone you know have information about possible crimes committed by Zuberi, please visit fbi.gov/sakimavictims or call 1-800-Call-FBI.
Kenner Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Stealing Mail in Elmwood Area Using Stolen Postal KeyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On August 2, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the sentencing of ADOLPH KENDRICK, age 27, of Kenner, who previously pleaded guilty on April 18, 2023, to Unlawful Possession and Use of a United States Postal Service (USPS) “arrow” key used by USPS employees to access authorized mail receptacles.
According to the indictment, on November 14 and 15, 2022, KENDRICK stole mail from the Citrus Post Office in New Orleans, Louisiana. On November 15, 2022, KENDRICK was observed stealing mail and was caught after a brief police chase near Williams Boulevard. KENDRICK was also found in possession of a United States Postal Service “arrow” key.
U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter sentenced KENDRICK to 30 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons and a $300 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Justice Officials Participate in 2023 National Night OutRead the Press Release
Yesterday, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta joined police departments and local communities across the country yesterday for the 40th annual National Night Out.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. It began in 1984, when the Justice Department awarded a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant to establish National Night Out with the goal of helping foster relationships between communities and law enforcement. Over the past 40 years, National Night Out has partnered with over 17,000 communities and has positively impacted the lives of over 38 million Americans. Most neighborhoods participate in the annual celebration on the first Tuesday of August.
“Everyone in our country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “National Night Out is an important opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the close partnership between law enforcement and the communities we serve.”
Attorney General Garland participated in National Night Out events in the Philadelphia area – a current BJA Public Safety Partnership (PSP) site. Since its selection in 2021, Philadelphia has worked with local law enforcement agencies, including the Philadelphia Police Department, to reduce violent crime around the city. The Attorney General attended National Night Out events hosted by the Philadelphia Police Department’s 22nd District and Bensalem Township, where he spoke with community residents and law enforcement officials about the importance of community partnership and celebrated the city’s crime reduction efforts. Attorney General Garland was also joined by U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Deputy Attorney General Monaco was in Nashville to highlight how the Justice Department is combatting violent crime through strong partnerships with both law enforcement and community leaders. She attended National Night Out events with U.S. Attorney Henry Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee and Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Chief John Drake in the Edgehill and East Park neighborhoods. While in Nashville, the Deputy AG attended roll-call at the MNPD precinct that responded to the March 2023 shooting at the Covenant School, to thank the officers for their commitment to public safety. The Deputy AG also visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, where she met with state, local, and federal law enforcement leaders and thanked the men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their hard work.
Associate Attorney General Gupta was joined by Director Hugh T. Clements of the Department’s Office for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia at Washington, D.C.’s National Night Out kickoff event at the Rosedale Recreation Center in Northeast D.C. Alongside Pamela A. Smith, the newly appointed Acting Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Police Department, and other local leaders, Associate Attorney General Gupta delivered opening remarks and met with local law enforcement and community members. Washington, D.C. is a current PSP member and has partnered with the Metropolitan Police Department to reduce crime through interagency coordination and community policing techniques.
ATF Director Steven Dettelbach attended National Night Out events in Pleasanton, California, during his visit to the ATF San Francisco Field Division. He joined Pleasanton Police Department Chief David Swing in celebrating the events.
Many U.S. Attorneys’ Offices also participated in National Night Out festivities around the country to celebrate crime reduction efforts and partnership between local law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Justice Department closes language access and retaliation civil rights matter in Fort Bend CountyRead the Press Release
Note: This press release has been translated in various languages. See attachments below.
HOUSTON – The Justice Department announced it has secured a final resolution in its civil rights matter involving the Fort Bend County (FBC) courts. FBC has complied with all the terms of a June 2021 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and as a result, the department is closing the matter.
The department initially opened the matter based on allegations that FBC courts discriminated against people with limited English proficiency (LEP) based on their national origin and retaliated against a complainant in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) which prohibits race, color and national origin discrimination by any recipient of federal financial assistance. One complaint alleged that the FBC District Court denied a criminal defendant with LEP a Vietnamese interpreter he needed for a plea hearing and said that the defendant or his attorney must find and pay for a Vietnamese interpreter. On June 29, 2021, the department and FBC resolved the investigation with an MOA that required significant changes to FBC’s language access policies for court users with LEP.
Since then, FBC has made significant changes to improve access for court users with LEP and to comply with Title VI requirements. For example, FBC:
- Provides interpreter services at no cost to anyone with LEP, regardless of income, in all civil and criminal cases as described in the court’s language assistance policy;
- Revised its language access plan;
- Created a language access training for court staff and a Judge’s Guide to Language Access;
- Maintains a public webpage that explains how to request interpretation or translation services;
- Provides a language access complaint form in several languages on its website; and
- To ensure Title VI compliance, FBC staff have also received Title VI retaliation training.
“The new policies and practices adopted by the Fort Bend County courts are helping to provide meaningful language access for people with limited English proficiency,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I hope other court systems follow Fort Bend County’s example and take action to provide interpreter services to court users at no cost. Access to justice in our country should not be limited or denied simply because of your proficiency in English.”
“Fort Bend County is one of the most diverse counties in Texas where almost half the population is of Spanish, East Asian and South Asian origin. As a prosecutor, an immigrant and the son of Indian-born, working-class parents, I have seen, first-hand, the struggles of America’s newest residents who speak English as a second language, and the need for interpreters, especially during court proceedings,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Because of the hard work of the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and at the Civil Right Division, all residents, irrespective of national origin, will have full access to the court system to handle everything from family court matters, criminal and general civil matters. I look forward to working with other counties and the Office of Court Administration to replicate these efforts throughout the Southern District of Texas.”
This matter was handled jointly by attorneys in the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website, and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available here.
Translations:
- العربية
- 简体字
- 簡體字
- Gujarati
- हिन्दी
- Malayalam
- Español
- Tagalog
- اُردُو
- Tiếng Việt
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Miami-Based Manufacturer to Resolve Immigration-Related Discrimination ClaimsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with three corporate entities, Mr. Glass Doors and Windows Inc., Mr. Glass Doors and Windows Manufacturing LLC, and Powder Coating Technologies LLC (collectively Mr. Glass Group). The settlement resolves the department’s determination that Mr. Glass Group violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by discriminating against non-U.S. citizens when checking their permission to work in the United States.
“Requiring workers to provide specific or unnecessary documents to prove their permission to work creates an unlawful barrier to employment for people who are eager to begin working and providing for themselves and their families,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will not stand for unlawful discrimination and will continue to ensure that employees have equal opportunity in the hiring process and in the workplace.”
The department’s investigation determined that from at least March 1, 2018, to Sept. 16, 2020, Mr. Glass Group routinely required lawful permanent residents to present a specific immigration document when checking their permission to work, based on the employees’ citizenship or immigration status.
Under the terms of the settlement, Mr. Glass Group will pay $120,000 in civil penalties to the United States. The agreement also requires Mr. Glass Group to train its personnel on the INA’s requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.
Federal law allows all workers to choose which valid, legally acceptable documentation to present to demonstrate their identity and permission to work, regardless of citizenship, immigration status or national origin. The INA’s anti-discrimination provision prohibits employers from asking for specific or unnecessary documents because of a worker’s citizenship, immigration status or national origin. Indeed, many non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents, are eligible for several of the same types of documents to prove their permission to work as U.S. citizens (such as a driver’s license and an unrestricted Social Security card). Employers must allow workers to present whatever acceptable documentation the workers choose and cannot reject valid documentation that reasonably appears to be genuine.
The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute generally prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation; and intimidation.
Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; email [email protected]; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Sign up for email updates from IER.
Justice Department Announces Final Resolution of Language Access Civil Rights Matter in Fort Bend County, TexasRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced it has secured a final resolution in its civil rights matter involving the Fort Bend County (FBC) courts. FBC has complied with all the terms of a June 2021 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and as a result, the department is closing the matter.
The department initially opened the matter based on allegations that FBC courts discriminated against people with limited English proficiency (LEP) based on their national origin and retaliated against a complainant in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) which prohibits race, color and national origin discrimination by any recipient of federal financial assistance. One complaint alleged that the FBC District Court denied a criminal defendant with LEP a Vietnamese interpreter he needed for a plea hearing and said that the defendant or his attorney must find and pay for a Vietnamese interpreter. On June 29, 2021, the department and FBC resolved the investigation with an MOA that required significant changes to FBC’s language access policies for court users with LEP.
Since then, FBC has made significant changes to improve access for court users with LEP and to comply with Title VI requirements. For example, FBC:
- Provides interpreter services at no cost to anyone with LEP, regardless of income, in all civil and criminal cases as described in the court’s language assistance policy;
- Revised its language access plan;
- Created a language access training for court staff and a Judge’s Guide to Language Access;
- Maintains a public webpage that explains how to request interpretation or translation services;
- Provides a language access complaint form in several languages on its website; and
- To ensure Title VI compliance, FBC staff have also received Title VI retaliation training.
“The new policies and practices adopted by the Fort Bend County courts are helping to provide meaningful language access for people with limited English proficiency,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I hope other court systems follow Fort Bend County’s example and take action to provide interpreter services to court users at no cost. Access to justice in our country should not be limited or denied simply because of your proficiency in English.”
“Fort Bend County is one of the most diverse counties in Texas where almost half the population is of Spanish, East Asian and South Asian origin. As a prosecutor, an immigrant and the son of Indian-born, working-class parents, I have seen, first-hand, the struggles of America’s newest residents who speak English as a second language, and the need for interpreters, especially during court proceedings,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Because of the hard work of the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and at the Civil Right Division, all residents, irrespective of national origin, will have full access to the court system to handle everything from family court matters, criminal and general civil matters. I look forward to working with other counties and the Office of Court Administration to replicate these efforts throughout the Southern District of Texas.”
This matter was handled jointly by attorneys in the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the for the Southern District of Texas at www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.
Jury Recommends Sentence of Death for Pennsylvania Man Convicted for Tree of Life Synagogue ShootingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – After two months of trial, a federal jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, unanimously recommended today that a Pennsylvania man be sentenced to death for killing 11 congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, critically wounding two others, and injuring five responding police officers in October 2018.
On June 16, after three weeks of hearing evidence, the jury found Bowers guilty on 63 counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death, that were potentially punishable by a death sentence.
After hearing additional evidence, the jury found on July 13 that Robert Bowers, 50, was eligible to receive a death sentence. During the Sentence Selection phase of the trial, which lasted from July 17 through July 31, 2023, the jury then heard testimony on aggravating and mitigating factors before arriving at its unanimous recommendation of a death sentence.
“The horrific attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018, stole the lives of 11 innocent victims, shattered their families, gutted their congregation and the Pittsburgh community, and struck fear in the lives of Jewish people across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Hate crimes like this one inflict irreparable pain on individual victims and their loved ones and lead entire communities to question their very belonging. All Americans deserve to live free from the fear of hate-fueled violence and the Justice Department will hold accountable those who perpetrate such acts.”
“The evidence in this trial proved that the defendant acted because of white supremacist, anti-Semitic and bigoted views that unfortunately are not original or unique to him,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “Our Constitution protects a person’s right to hold repugnant beliefs. But our Constitution also protects every person’s right to practice his or her faith. When people who espouse white supremacist, anti-Semitic, and bigoted views pick up weapons and use them to kill or try to kill people because of their faith, our Office and our partners in law enforcement will hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Each and every time.”
“The men and women of the FBI hold the Tree of Life Synagogue victims and the Pittsburgh community in our hearts as we continue to protect communities of faith from violent acts of hate,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The damage caused by antisemitism cannot be understated, just as the tragic loss of the eleven victims cannot be measured. Healing will be a life-long journey for the survivors, families, and communities affected by this vile attack, and the FBI will be there to support them throughout that journey.”
“The massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue imposed grievous and far-reaching harms and is a reminder about the ongoing threat that we face as a result of antisemitic violence and hatred in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The victims of these senseless murders were community and religious leaders and loving family members and friends. A jury of his peers held the defendant accountable for his hateful actions and provided justice for those killed and injured. The verdict, though, cannot bring back the 11 people killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Nor can it heal the physical and psychological wounds of the survivors or dispel the hurt and fear of community members. We hope that this civil rights prosecution brings a measure of closure and highlights the determination of the Justice Department to protect people from antisemitic violence and other hate crimes in our country.”
“I hope today’s decision brings some comfort to those impacted by this terrible crime and to our community,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “As we all work to heal together, I want to remind the community that none of us can do this alone. I want to commend the work by my FBI personnel, the Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and our partner agencies who put in countless hours at the scene that day and every day since preparing for this trial. I want to assure everyone that the FBI will keep doing everything we can for the people who need it most in every community across the country.”
The evidence showed that, on Oct. 27, 2018, Bowers drove to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor Hadash and New Light Jewish congregations gathered to engage in religious worship. Bowers entered the building armed with multiple firearms, including three Glock .357 handguns and a Colt AR-15 rifle. While inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, Bowers opened fire, killing and injuring members of the three congregations, as well as injuring multiple responding police officers as they attempted to rescue surviving victims.
The victims include 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue who were killed: Joyce Fienberg, 75; Richard Gottfried, 65; Rose Mallinger, 97; Jerry Rabinowitz, 66; Cecil Rosenthal, 59; David Rosenthal, 54; Bernice Simon, 84; Sylvan Simon, 86; Daniel Stein, 71; Melvin Wax, 87; and Irving Younger, 69. In addition, the defendant critically injured two congregants. Another 12 congregants escaped physical injury. Additionally, the victims include five responding police officers who were injured while attempting to rescue surviving victims and apprehend the defendant.
The evidence showed that the defendant meticulously planned his attack based on his violently antisemitic beliefs, reflected in dozens of online posts admitted into evidence.
The court will impose the sentence on Aug. 3.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Allegheny County Police conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case, with assistance from many other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy Rivetti, Soo C. Song, and Nicole Vasquez Schmitt of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; Trial Attorney Mary J. Hahn of the Civil Rights Division; and Barry K. Disney of the Capital Case Unit of the United States Department of Justice. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer of the Civil Rights Division and Trial Attorney Sonia Jimenez of the Criminal Division also made significant contributions to the prosecution of this case.
Jury Recommends Sentence of Death for Pennsylvania Man Convicted for Tree of Life Synagogue ShootingRead the Press Release
After two months of trial, a federal jury in Pittsburgh unanimously recommended today that a Pennsylvania man be sentenced to death for killing 11 congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, critically wounding two others, and injuring five responding police officers in October 2018.
On June 16, after three weeks of hearing evidence, the jury found Bowers guilty on 63 counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death, that were potentially punishable by a death sentence.
After hearing additional evidence, the jury found on July 13, that Robert Bowers, 50, was eligible to receive a death sentence. During the Sentence Selection phase of the trial, which lasted from July 17 through July 31, the jury then heard testimony on aggravating and mitigating factors before arriving at its unanimous recommendation of a death sentence.
“The horrific attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018, stole the lives of 11 innocent victims, shattered their families, gutted their congregation and the Pittsburgh community, and struck fear in the lives of Jewish people across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Hate crimes like this one inflict irreparable pain on individual victims and their loved ones and lead entire communities to question their very belonging. All Americans deserve to live free from the fear of hate-fueled violence and the Justice Department will hold accountable those who perpetrate such acts.”
“The men and women of the FBI hold the Tree of Life Synagogue victims and the Pittsburgh community in our hearts as we continue to protect communities of faith from violent acts of hate,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The damage caused by antisemitism cannot be understated, just as the tragic loss of the eleven victims cannot be measured. Healing will be a life-long journey for the survivors, families, and communities affected by this vile attack, and the FBI will be there to support them throughout that journey.”
“The massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue imposed grievous and far-reaching harms and is a reminder about the ongoing threat that we face as a result of antisemitic violence and hatred in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The victims of these senseless murders were community and religious leaders and loving family members and friends. A jury of his peers held the defendant accountable for his hateful actions and provided justice for those killed and injured. The verdict, though, cannot bring back the 11 people killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Nor can it heal the physical and psychological wounds of the survivors or dispel the hurt and fear of community members. We hope that this civil rights prosecution brings a measure of closure and highlights the determination of the Justice Department to protect people from antisemitic violence and other hate crimes in our country.”
“The evidence in this trial proved that the defendant acted because of white supremacist, anti-Semitic and bigoted views that unfortunately are not original or unique to him,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “Our Constitution protects a person’s right to hold repugnant beliefs. But our Constitution also protects every person’s right to practice his or her faith. When people who espouse white supremacist, anti-Semitic, and bigoted views pick up weapons and use them to kill or try to kill people because of their faith, our Office and our partners in law enforcement will hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Each and every time.”
The evidence showed that on Oct. 27, 2018, Bowers drove to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light Jewish congregations gathered to engage in religious worship. Bowers entered the building armed with multiple firearms, including three Glock .357 handguns and a Colt AR-15 rifle. While inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, Bowers opened fire, killing and injuring members of the three congregations, as well as injuring multiple responding police officers as they attempted to rescue surviving victims.
The victims include 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue who were killed: Joyce Fienberg, 75; Richard Gottfried, 65; Rose Mallinger, 97; Jerry Rabinowitz, 66; Cecil Rosenthal, 59; David Rosenthal, 54; Bernice Simon, 84; Sylvan Simon, 86; Daniel Stein, 71; Melvin Wax, 87; and Irving Younger, 69. In addition, the defendant critically injured two congregants. Another 12 congregants escaped physical injury. Additionally, the victims include five responding police officers who were injured while attempting to rescue surviving victims and apprehend the defendant.
The evidence showed that the defendant meticulously planned his attack based on his violently antisemitic beliefs, reflected in dozens of online posts admitted into evidence.
The court will impose the sentence on Aug. 3.
U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy Rivetti, Soo C. Song and Nicole Vasquez Schmitt for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Trial Attorney Mary J. Hahn of the Civil Rights Division, and Trial Attorneys Barry K. Disney and Aaron J. Stewart of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Unit prosecuted the case. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer of the Civil Rights Division and Trial Attorney Sonia Jiminez of the Criminal Division also made significant contributions to the prosecution of this case.
Johnstown Resident Indicted on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA. A resident of Johnstown, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for federal child pornography charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The three-count Superseding Indictment named Mikhail Martin, 25, of Johnstown, PA, as the sole defendant.
According to the Superseding Indictment, Martin is alleged to have produced and attempted to produce material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor on or about February 20, 2023, and April 22, 2023. Martin is also alleged to have possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor on or about May 13, 2023.
The law provides for a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 70 years, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney DeMarr W. Moulton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Northern Regional Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Iowa Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Failure to Pay Employment Taxes and File Federal ReturnRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On Monday, July 31, 2023, an Iowa man pled guilty to Willful Failure to Pay Over Employment Taxes and Willful Failure to File an Income Tax Return.
As described in public court records, Thomas James Morford, 50, operated a concrete construction business within the Southern District of Iowa. During the fourth quarter of 2019, Morford collected and willfully failed to pay more than $9,000 in employee Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes to the United States. Additionally, for the year 2020, Morford willfully failed to file a federal tax return.
Morford is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the case.
Independence Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Meth Trafficking, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man who was arrested after he drove two victims of an accidental shooting to the hospital emergency room was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing firearms.
Jason Ruben Breedlove, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On March 28, 2022, Breedlove pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
After two people were shot at a residence in Butler, Mo., on Feb. 5, 2018, Breedlove drove the gunshot victims to the Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler and dropped them off at the emergency room. Deputies of the Bates County Sheriff’s Department apprehended Breedlove and took him into custody the same day.
When deputies searched the residence where the shooting occurred, they found 25 grams of methamphetamine, which Breedlove admitted belonged to him, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol. Breedlove told investigators this was the pistol that had discharged and wounded the two shooting victims. An additional round of ammunition was found in Breedlove’s pants.
When deputies searched Breedlove’s vehicle, they found a Savage 6.5 Creedmoor caliber rifle and ammunition. The firearm had been reported as stolen.
Breedlove admitted that he purchased methamphetamine for others to distribute. Breedlove told investigators he could obtain kilogram amounts of methamphetamine from several individuals, for which he took money off the top as the middleman.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bates County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Butler, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MILTON ROSARIO, also known as “Little,” 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and firearm possession by members of Los Solidos. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Luis Feliciano, also known as “Louminaty,” distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, including Jose Tirado, also known as “Joselito” and “Leet,” and also to individuals in New York and Maine. Tirado further distributed fentanyl to Rosario, who sold the drug to his own customer base.
On June 8, 2022, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Rosario, Feliciano, Tirado, and 13 others with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.
Rosario was arrested on June 9, 2022. On February 9, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. He has been detained since his arrest.
Feliciano and Tirado pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Harnett County Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Cameron, N.C. man was sentenced today to 324 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for the production of child pornography between August and July of 2019. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $122,000.00 in restitution to the minor, hands on production victim. On August 3, 2022, Ivan Velez, 26, pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in August of 2020 Velez posted a video of a female infant in a chat room on the messaging platform known as KIK. The following day, Velez sent an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Agent a private message containing another video, constituting child pornography, of the same infant. The IP address was traced to an address in Cameron, and Velez’s registered vehicle was parked in the driveway of the residence. Investigators with HSI, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), and the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) worked together quickly to obtain a search warrant for the residence which was executed on August 14, 2020.
Velez was present when the search warrant was executed and agreed to speak with investigators. During the conversation, Velez admitted to utilizing the username associated with the KIK account that sent the video and to distributing child pornography on KIK. Velez further admitted to creating child pornography videos depicting his sexual abuse of the minor child approximately a year earlier. Investigators determined that Velez recorded his sexual abuse of the minor child, who was less than two years old at the time of the abuse, on no less than three separate occasions.
The search of the residence yielded a cell phone and other media storage, containing a total of 5,150 image files and 383 video files depicting sexual exploitation of minors. The content discovered in the search included at least five different videos of depicting Velez’s sexual abuse of the minor child.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Department of Homeland Security, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan M. Stephany prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00214-D.
Guatemalan National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Rubio Ruben Sales aka Ruben Mendez-Sales, a Guatemalan national, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for illegally re-entering the United States after deportation or removal.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents became aware of Sales as a result of his March 1, 2018, arrest for five counts of sexual battery on a victim 12-17 years of age. ICE agents placed a detainer on Sales. After Sales was sentenced to 35.5 years in state prison for the sexual battery offenses, he was brought to federal court to face charges for illegally re-entering the United States after having been previously deported in October 2012. In addition to the sexual battery convictions, Sales has prior convictions for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and felony death by vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Field Office Director Liana J. Castano of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth A. Marra.
ICE ERO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rinku Tribuiani prosecuted it.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-80204.
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Groton Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN COLLAZO, 32, of Groton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a conspiracy to receive large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico through the U.S. Mail for distribution in Connecticut and elsewhere. Collazo must serve the first three months of his supervised release in home detention.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a cocaine trafficking operation headed by Carlos Antonio Crespo-Febus. The investigation revealed that Crespo-Febus was coordinating the shipment of parcels, typically containing two kilograms of cocaine, from U.S. Post Offices in Puerto Rico to various “drop addresses” in New London County. Collazo, who served as the primary “runner” for Crespo-Febus, picked up parcels from the drop addresses and delivered them to Crespo-Febus at Crespo-Febus’s New London residence.
Investigators intercepted and seized approximately 16 kilograms of cocaine that were mailed from Puerto Rico to Connecticut, and identified dozens of other suspicious parcels that likely contained kilogram quantities of cocaine.
Crespo-Febus and Collazo were arrested on September 20, 2021. On November 10, 2022, Collazo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Collazo, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 4.
Crespo-Febus, of New London, pleaded guilty on October 21, 2022. He is detained while awaiting sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the New London and Town of Groton Police Departments. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.
Four Extradited Defendants Plead Guilty to Participating in Deadly International Human Smuggling ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Four Guatemalan nationals pleaded guilty to their involvement in a deadly Guatemala-based human smuggling conspiracy.
Juan Gutierrez Castro, aka Andres, 46, pleaded guilty today, joining co-conspirators Felipe Diego Alonzo, aka Siete, 39; Nesly Norberto Martinez Gomez, aka Canche, 38; and Lopez Mateo Mateo, aka Bud Light, 43, who all pleaded guilty in July.
According to court documents, the defendants admitted to conspiring with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of large numbers of migrants from Guatemala through Mexico, and ultimately, into the United States. They charged the migrants and their families approximately $10,000 to $12,000 for the perilous journey. One of the journeys resulted in the death of a young indigenous Guatemalan woman, who died in Texas in May 2021. The woman’s family had paid the defendants approximately $10,000 for the journey to the United States. The defendants and their co-conspirators guided her for several days on foot through the desert to Odessa, Texas, where she ultimately died. The defendants and their co-conspirators dumped her body on the side of a road in Crane County, Texas. The defendants and their co-conspirators then arranged to pay the victim’s family in Guatemala.
Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States resulting in death. They are expected to be sentenced later this year and face a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
As announced last year, extensive coordination between U.S. and Guatemalan law enforcement authorities led to the indictment and arrest of these four defendants, as well as the apprehension of 15 additional co-conspirators in Guatemala. Pursuant to an extradition request, in March 2023, Guatemalan authorities extradited Diego Alonzo, Martinez Gomez, Mateo Mateo, and Gutierrez Castro to the United States – the first ever extraditions from Guatemala to the United States on charges of human smuggling resulting in death and the first Guatemalan human smuggling extraditions to the United States in nearly five years.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas, and Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
HSI Midland led the investigation, working in concert with HSI Guatemala and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI received substantial assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; ICE’s Parole and Law Enforcement Programs Unit; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center/Operation Sentinel; U.S. Border Patrol; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Odessa and Midland Police Departments; the Texas Department of Public Safety; and the Ector County, Midland County, and Crane County Sheriffs’ Offices. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) and Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT) provided significant assistance in this matter. The Justice Department is grateful to Guatemalan law enforcement, who were instrumental in furthering this investigation.
The indictments, extraditions, and convictions of Diego Alonzo, Martinez Gomez, Mateo Mateo, and Gutierrez Castro, as well as the assistance provided by U.S. authorities to Guatemalan law enforcement, were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA).
JTFA Co-Director James Hepburn of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Luis Acosta for the Western District of Texas, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian Gallegos for the Western District of Texas and HRSP Historian/Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland created JTFA in June 2021 in partnership with DHS to strengthen the Justice Department’s overall efforts to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle those human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse or exploit migrants, present national security risks, or engage in other types of transnational organized crime. Since its creation, JTFA has successfully increased coordination and collaboration between the Justice Department, DHS, and other interagency law enforcement participants, and with foreign law enforcement partners, including in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico; targeted those organizations who most significantly impact the United States; and coordinated significant smuggling indictments and extradition efforts in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 200 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; several dozen convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and substantial asset forfeiture.
JTFA is comprised of detailees from southwest border U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, including the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California. Dedicated support for the program is also provided by numerous components of the Criminal Division that are part of JTFA, led by HRSP, and supported by ODPAT, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, OIA, and the Organized Crime and Gang Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –Derriel L. Jones, 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Jones was sentenced to 120 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, from July through October 2021, Jones conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. These charges stemmed in part from a traffic stop in October 2021, during which officers seized cocaine, fentanyl, and cash.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, with the task force members being the FBI, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. Also assisting in this investigation were the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Brent Ecenbarger.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Former DEA Task Force Officer Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Assaulting Individual During ArrestRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ryan T. Geach, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ-OIG”), announced today that DUSTIN GENCO, a former Task Force Officer with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) employed by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, pled guilty to depriving an individual (the “Victim”) of his constitutional right to be free from excessive force. On October 20, 2022, GENCO assaulted the Victim while the Victim was restrained in handcuffs. GENCO pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted today, Dustin Genco, a former DEA Task Force Officer, violated the constitutional rights of an individual by using excessive force during that person’s arrest. This officer violated his oath and abused his power to deprive the victim of his rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. He now faces the serious consequences of his actions.”
DOJ-OIG Special Agent in Charge Ryan T. Geach said: “No law enforcement officer should ever use excessive force. These charges send a clear message that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General will aggressively pursue allegations of excessive force by DOJ law enforcement and its Task Force Officers.”
According to the Information that was filed today in Manhattan federal court as well as other public statements made in court:
On or about October 20, 2022, GENCO was employed as a Task Force Officer with the DEA. GENCO was assigned to assist with the arrest of the Victim. During the arrest, GENCO assaulted the Victim by forcefully kicking the Victim in the chest and stomach area while the Victim was restrained in handcuffs, resulting in injury to the Victim. After the assault, GENCO intentionally misled a federal law enforcement agent about the assault, claiming that the Victim had continued to resist arrest after he was handcuffed. GENCO also failed to truthfully disclose that he had kicked the Victim in the chest and stomach area while the Victim was restrained in handcuffs. As a condition of his guilty plea, GENCO agreed, among other things, to permanently cease and refrain from seeking or obtaining law enforcement employment on behalf of any federal, state, or local entity.
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GENCO, 51, of Seaford, New York, pled guilty to deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DOJ-OIG.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Steiner is in charge of the prosecution.