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2 August 2023
Federal Jury Convicts Man of Armed Robbery in Pensacola Shooting CaseRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – After a three-day trial, a federal jury in Pensacola, found Quinton L. Pete, 34, of Ocala, Florida, guilty of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The guilty verdict was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
On March 9, 2022, a few minutes before 4:00 a.m., two employees at Coyote’s Sports Bar, which is next to Cordova Mall in Pensacola, were shot at point blank range by Pete during an attempted robbery of the business. The victims were not able to identify the shooter at the time because of their wounds, but they provided a general description to law enforcement. Law enforcement obtained surveillance videos from surrounding businesses and identified a white Jeep Grand Cherokee in the area at the time of the crime. Pete was apprehended the next day in Dallas, Texas driving a matching white Jeep Grand Cherokee that was registered to him. Pete was in possession of the firearm that was used in the commission of the robbery, as later identified by ballistics comparison. Pete’s phone location also placed him in the area at the time he committed the crime.
Pete has prior felony convictions for Burglary of a Dwelling with a Firearm, Grand Theft, and Shooting at within or into a Dwelling, and was released from prison only seven months prior to these offenses.
Sentencing in the case is set for October 26, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T.K. Wetherell. Pete faces a maximum of 30 years imprisonment.
This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pensacola Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, Grand Prairie Police Department in Dallas, Texas, the United States Marshals, and the Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Federal Jury Convicts Charles City Man Falsely Applying for a PassportRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Charles City man yesterday of attempting to obtain a passport using false identifying information.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, O’Ryan Jones, 54, after having been denied a passport in his own name, applied for a passport in the name and using the identifying information of his brother. In preparation for the passport fraud, the defendant also obtained his brother’s birth certificate and a driver’s license in his brother’s name featuring the defendant’s own photograph.
Jones was convicted of false statement in application for a passport and aggravated identity theft, and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison with a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison when sentenced on December 4, 2023. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and Karen Brown Cleveland, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Washington Field Office for the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), made the announcement after U.S District Judge Roderick C. Young accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Podlesni and Brian Samuels are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:22-cr-09.
Enid Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Government OfficialsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, TYLER JAY MARSHALL, 36, of Enid, pleaded guilty to the interstate transmission of threatening communications against various government officials, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On June 6, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Marshall. Count 1 charged him with threatening to murder a United States official. Count 2 charged him with interstate transmission of threatening communications. According to court records, on or about May 15, 2023, the FBI learned that Marshall had been using Twitter to post threats to shoot or bomb several government officials and their families, including Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and United States Senator Ted Cruz.
On Wednesday, Marshall pleaded guilty to Count 2. As part of his plea, Marshall admitted that he knew his posts would be viewed as real threats.
At sentencing, Marshall faces up to 5 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.00. He has been in federal custody since May 19, 2023.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, with assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Enid Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Stoneman is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
El Dorado Springs Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years for Coercing a Child for Illegal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An El Dorado Springs, Mo., man with a history of child sex crimes was sentenced in federal court today for making plans to coerce the fictional child of an undercover federal agent to engage in illegal sexual activity.
Jarrett Lee Vann, 49, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 35 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Vann to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.
On Oct. 11, 2022, Vann pleaded guilty to one count of coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and one count that charges additional penalties for registered sex offenders. At the time of the offense, Vann was required to register as a sex offender due to a federal conviction for receiving or distributing child pornography in the District of Idaho.
Vann admitted that he engaged in an online conversation with an undercover federal agent, whom he met in a chat room on the dark web on Nov. 1, 2021. The conversation continued through a mobile instant messaging application through February 2022. Vann expressed interest in engaging in sexual acts with the purported four-year-old daughter of the undercover agent and engaged in graphic discussions about what he wanted to do to her. Vann discussed having a long-term sexual relationship with the child, which included graphic details about specific sex acts, dressing her up like a bride, keeping souvenirs of his rape of the purported child, and having the undercover agent show her “daughter” pornography so that she would be prepared for the sexual encounters.
During those conversations, Vann claimed he had many relationships with “young girls,” from three years old to 15 years old. He clarified his favorite ages were four to five years old. He admitted that he was emailing with an individual he believed to be a minor, had sent nude images to individuals he believed to be minors, and was chatting with others about exploiting children.
They made plans for the undercover agent to travel to Missouri with her purported daughter for the purpose of Vann having sexual contact with her. Vann met the undercover agent at a restaurant in El Dorado Springs. When they left the restaurant, Vann was arrested. His electronic devices were seized and searched, and files of child sexual abuse material were located.
In addition to his federal conviction in the District of Idaho, which followed his attempt to meet a fictional nine-year-old victim for sex, Vann was caught in an undercover Air Force police operation trying to meet another child for sex. This conduct was also underlying conduct for his District of Idaho conviction, for which he was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. While Vann was on supervised release following incarceration, his probation officer found child sexual abuse material on his electronic devices. Vann received an additional prison term when his supervised release was revoked. In 2008, he was convicted of possessing sexually exploitative material and sentenced to 10 years in Idaho state prison.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con un fabricante radicado en Miami que resuelve acusaciones de discriminación relacionada con la inmigraciónRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con tres entes corporativos, Mr. Glass Doors and Windows Inc., Mr. Glass Doors and Windows Manufacturing LLC, y Powder Coating Technologies LLC (en su conjunto Mr. Glass Group). El acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento que Mr. Glass Group vulneró la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés) cuando discriminó a no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. al comprobar su permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos.
«Requerir que los trabajadores proporcionen documentos específicos o innecesarios para probar su permiso para trabajar crea una barrera ilegal al empleo para esos individuos que están tan ansiosos por comenzar a trabajar y mantener a sí mismos y sus familias», afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El Departamento de Justicia no tolerará la discriminación ilícita y seguirá garantizando que los empleados tengan la igualdad de oportunidades en el proceso de contratación y en el lugar de trabajo».
La investigación del Departamento determinó que, al menos desde el 1 de marzo del 2018 hasta el 16 de septiembre del 2020, Mr. Glass Group requería, de forma rutinaria, que residentes permanentes legales presentaran un documento migratorio específico en el momento de la verificación de su permiso para trabajar, con base en la ciudadanía o el estatus migratorio del empleado.
Conforme los términos del acuerdo, Mr. Glass Group pagará $120,000 por concepto de sanciones civiles a los Estados Unidos. El acuerdo también requiere que Mr. Glass Group capacite a su personal en cuanto a los requisitos de la INA, que revise sus políticas de empleo y que se someta a los requisitos de supervisión y declaración del Departamento.
Las leyes federales permiten a todo trabajador elegir la documentación válida y legalmente aceptable que desea presentar para demostrar su identidad y permiso para trabajar, independientemente de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen. La disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA prohíbe que los empleadores soliciten documentos específicos o innecesarios por motivos de la ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen de un trabajador. De hecho, muchos no ciudadanos de los EE. UU., entre ellos los residentes permanentes legales, son elegibles para varios de los mismos tipos de documentos para demostrar su permiso para trabajar como lo son los ciudadanos de los EE. UU. (como, por ejemplo, una licencia de conducir y una tarjeta de Seguro Social sin restricciones). Los empleadores deben permitir que los trabajadores presenten cualquier documentación aceptable que tales trabajadores deseen y no pueden rechazar documentos válidos que parecen ser genuinos.
La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados («IER», por sus siglas en inglés) de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. Entre otras cosas, la ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión; prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación.
Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto. Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1‑800‑237‑2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); inscribirse a un seminario en línea en vivo o ver una presentación a pedido; enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected]; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés y español. Inscríbase para recibir actualizaciones por correo electrónico de la IER.
El Departamento de Justicia Anuncia la Resolución Definitiva sobre el Asunto de Derecho Civil en torno al Acceso Lingüístico en el Condado de Fort Bend, TexasRead the Press Release
Nota: Este comunicado de prensa ha sido traducido a varios idiomas. Consulte los archivos adjuntos.
El Departamento de Justicia anunció que ha alcanzado una resolución definitiva sobre el asunto de derecho civil que involucra a los tribunales del condado de Fort Bend (Fort Bend County, FBC). El FBC ha cumplido con todos los términos de un memorando de entendimiento (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) de junio de 2021 y, como resultado, el departamento da fin al asunto.
Inicialmente, el departamento abrió el asunto tras denuncias de que los tribunales del FBC discriminaban a personas con dominio limitado del inglés (limited English proficiency, LEP) por su país de origen y habían tomado represalias por un reclamo, lo cual infringe el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 (el Titulo VI), que prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color o país de origen por parte de cualquier beneficiario de ayuda financiera federal. Una denuncia sostenía que el Tribunal de Distrito del FBC le negó a un acusado por un delito penal con LEP un intérprete de vietnamita que necesitaba para una audiencia de declaración y afirmó que el acusado o su abogado debían buscar y pagar un intérprete de vietnamita. El 29 de junio de 2021, el departamento y el FBC resolvieron la investigación con un MOA que requirió cambios significativos en las políticas de acceso lingüístico del FBC para los usuarios de los tribunales con LEP.
Desde entonces, el FBC ha hecho importantes cambios para mejorar el acceso de usuarios de los tribunales con LEP y para cumplir con las disposiciones del Título VI. Por ejemplo, el FBC:
- ofrece servicios de interpretación sin costo a cualquier persona con LEP, independientemente de sus ingresos, en todos los casos civiles y penales, como se describe en la política de asistencia lingüística del tribunal;
- modificó su plan de acceso lingüístico;
- creó una capacitación sobre acceso lingüístico para el personal del tribunal y una Guía para Jueces sobre el Acceso Lingüístico;
- mantiene una página web pública en la que se explica cómo solicitar servicios de interpretación o traducción;
- proporciona un formulario de reclamo de acceso lingüístico en diversos idiomas en su sitio web; y
- para garantizar el cumplimiento con el Título VI, el personal del FBC también debe recibir capacitación sobre represalias basada en el Título VI.
“Las nuevas políticas y prácticas adoptadas por los tribunales del condado de Fort Bend contribuyen a proporcionar un acceso lingüístico significativo a las personas con dominio limitado del inglés”, explicó Kristen Clarke, Fiscal General Adjunta de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Espero que otros sistemas judiciales sigan el ejemplo del condado de Fort Bend y tomen medidas para proporcionar servicios de interpretación sin costo a los usuarios de tribunales. El acceso a la justicia en nuestro país no debería verse limitado o denegado simplemente por su dominio del inglés”.
“Fort Bend es uno de los condados con mayor diversidad en Texas: casi la mitad de la población es de origen hispano, de Asia del este o de Asia del sur. Como fiscal, inmigrante e hijo de padres indios y de clase trabajadora, he visto con mis ojos la lucha de los residentes más recientes de los Estados Unidos, cuya lengua madre no es el inglés, y la necesidad de intérpretes, en especial durante los procesos judiciales”, afirmó el Fiscal Federal por el Distrito Sur de Texas Alamdar S. Hamdani. “Debido al trabajo duro de los fiscales en la Oficina de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas y en la División de Derechos Civiles, todos los residentes, independientemente de su país de origen, tendrán acceso pleno al sistema judicial, para asuntos de toda clase, incluidos los de derecho familiar, penal y civil. Anhelo trabajar con otros condados y con la Oficina de Administración Judicial para replicar estas medidas en todo el Distrito Sur de Texas.
Este asunto fue resuelto conjuntamente por abogados de la División de Derechos Civiles y la Oficina de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas.
Hay información adicional disponible sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt, y puede encontrar información disponible sobre el dominio limitado del idioma inglés y el Título VI en www.lep.gov. Los ciudadanos pueden denunciar posibles violaciones de derechos civiles en civilrights.justice.gov/report/ o en la Oficina de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas en www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.
ENRD Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kate Konschnik Readout on Combating Illegal Logging and Associated Trade During Meeting at APEC 2023Read the Press Release
On July 30, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kate Konschnik of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division made the plenary opening remarks for the 24th meeting of the Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT). EGILAT focuses on promoting trade in legally harvested forest products and combatting illegal logging and associated trade.
In her remarks, Konschnik emphasized the promotion of legal trade and sustainable use of forests to combat climate change and protect biodiversity, and to prevent the illegal trade of forest products from contributing to other issues.
“As the Asia-Pacific region and the world continue to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is ever more important to ensure that the illegal trade of forest products does not undermine this recovery, nor threaten the livelihoods of those participating in the legal supply chain,” Konschnik said. “We must recommit to ensuring the global forest products market does not become a financial playground to criminal elements who use illegally harvested forest products to drive other transnational crimes, perpetuate civil unrest, threaten global security, and fund terrorist organizations.”
Konschnik discussed U.S. initiatives consistent with the EGILAT mandate, including efforts to conserve critical rainforests around the world, the creation of the Timber Interdiction Membership Board and Enforcement Resources (TIMBER) Working Group and expanding efforts to tackle timber trafficking. She closed by emphasizing the importance of bilateral and regional collaborations in achieving EGILAT’s goal and highlighting the unique place EGILAT has in the global effort to promote the trade of legally harvested forest products and combat illegal logging and associated trade.
As part of the broader EGILAT meeting, the economies discussed activities in support of the policy theme “Advancing the Trade and Distribution of Legally Harvested Forest Products: Navigating to Legal Timber.” Members had opportunities to participate in field trips, including one to view the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Mobile Lab, which can identify illegally traded timber from endangered species. EGILAT also planned to host a technology workshop with members joining six other work groups in a half-day meeting on Policy Partnership on Food Security.
EGILAT was created in 2011 by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which is a regional economic forum of 21 members, including the U.S. APEC was established in 1989 with the aim to promote prosperity in the region through sustainable, innovative, and secure growth. The United States is the 2023 host of APEC.
Dudley Man Sentenced to Prison for Theft and Misuse of COVID-19 Pandemic AssistanceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dudley man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and misuse COVID-19-related unemployment assistance.
Norman Higgs, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to one year in prison and one year of supervised release. Higgs was also ordered to pay $353,551 in forfeiture. In September 2021, Higgs pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) created a temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). PUA, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, provides unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits (e.g., the self-employed, independent contractors or gig economy workers).
From April to June 2020, Higgs conspired with Dquintz Alexander to submit fraudulent PUA claims using stolen identifying information of other individuals. The PUA payments were directed into bank accounts controlled by Higgs and Alexander. In total, accounts controlled by Higgs received over $353,551 in fraudulent PUA payments. While the majority of the funds were frozen by Higgs’ banks or recovered through the efforts of law enforcement, Higgs and Alexander were able to use a portion of the funds for their personal benefit, including to pay off credit card debt and to fund digital currency and online retail brokerage accounts.
On April 28, 2023, Alexander pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 10, 2023.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
D.C. Man Charged in a Six Count Federal Indictment for String of Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mark Thomas Moore, 32, of the District of Columbia, is charged by indictment in a series of armed robberies he is alleged to have committed in the Fall of 2022.
The indictment, filed yesterday in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Damon Wood, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division, and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to the government’s evidence, Moore robbed three commercial establishments and a U.S. Post Office, all in Southeast Washington, D.C., at gunpoint, between October 21, 2022, and November 22, 2022. In addition, Moore held a store employee at gunpoint during one of the commercial robberies and robbed her of her cell phone.
Moore was arrested on November 28, 2022, following the robbery of a commercial establishment in Arlington, Virginia, and has been in custody ever since.
Moore fled the scene of the November 28 robbery on a distinct bicycle that was identical in appearance to the bicycle he used to flee the D.C. postal robbery. After this link was established, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was able to determine that Moore left a fingerprint inside the cash register drawer during the postal robbery. In addition, a large BB gun and clothing recovered from Moore at the time of his arrest—and additional, unique clothing recovered during the search of a residence associated with Moore—further connects Moore to the string of armed robberies.
The indictment charges Moore with three counts of interference with commerce by robbery (also known as “Hobbs Act” robbery), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of armed postal robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Under the D.C. Code, Moore is charged with one count of robbery while armed, and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, each of which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington County Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A convicted felon has pleaded guilty in connection with firearm and drug offenses that occurred in 2019 and later possessing a variety of firearms and narcotics while on pre-trial release for the charged offenses.
Christian Soares, a/k/a “Eazy,” 30, of Brockton, pleaded guilty on July 27, 2023 to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl and buprenorphine (suboxone); and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine) and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Nov. 15, 2023.
In 2019, Soares fled on foot from law enforcement during a traffic stop. Soares threw a backpack during the chase before he was ultimately apprehended, arrested and searched. A firearm with rounds of assorted ammunition, as well as a digital scale, firecrackers, a hooked knife and buprenorphine (Suboxone) strips were recovered from Soares’ backpack. Additionally, cocaine and fentanyl intended for distribution were recovered from Soares’ person. As a result, Soares was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug and firearm offenses.
In December 2020, following a period of detention, the Court ordered Soares released on pre-trial conditions that included 24-hour confinement to a residence. Those conditions also prohibited Soares from possessing firearms, dangerous weapons, narcotic drugs, or other controlled substances.
In March 2021, while still on pre-trial release, a search of Soares’ residence resulted in the recovery of over 100 grams of fentanyl, over 30 grams of MDA, over 40 grams of methamphetamine and over 70 grams of cocaine, as well as multiple firearms and numerous rounds of assorted ammunition.
Soares is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a 2013 state conviction of possession of a firearm, for which he served more than one year in prison.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and buprenorphine, provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, MDA and 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office; and the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This effort is also 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.
Connecticut Resident Pleads Guilty in Federal Court in Rhode Island to a Charge of Bank FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Bridgeport, Connecticut man admitted to a federal court judge in Rhode Island that he fraudulently created an online bank account in the name of a Rhode Island resident without that person’s knowledge, and then accessed and transferred $65,500 to that account from a separate bank account controlled by the Rhode Islander, again without that person’s knowledge, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Michael Joshua Saint-Victor, 26, also admitted that he submitted an application for an ATM/debit card tied to the bank account that he opened in the Rhode Island resident’s name, and that he also used this individual’s name to apply for a credit card with a second bank.
According to information presented to the court, when the banks discovered the fraudulent activities, the bank returned the $65,500 that Saint-Victor had transferred to his Rhode Island victim, and both the ATM/debit card and the credit card applications were denied.
Saint-Victor pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge of bank fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, 2023. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service.
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Connecticut Resident Indicted, Arraigned in Federal Court in Rhode Island in Multi-State Scheme to Defraud Home DepotRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A West Hartford, CT, resident has been arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud, as reflected in an indictment that alleges that he participated in a scheme to defraud Home Depot stores in eight states, including Rhode Island, of approximately $297,332, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
It is alleged in charging documents that, from at least June 2021 to February 2022, Alexandre Henrique Costa-Mota, 26, executed non-receipted return fraud schemes at more than two dozen Home Depot stores located primarily in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, but also in Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
It is alleged that Costa-Mota entered stores empty handed, dressed to appear like a contractor. He then collected Anderson doors, which he brought to each store’s Service Department where he made non-receipted returns of the doors. With each successful return, Costa-Mota was provided with a store credit that he later redeemed at other stores, mainly located in Connecticut. At times, when the stores refused to accept the receiptless returns, Costa-Mota simply exited the stores with the Anderson doors without paying for them and then returned the doors at other stores for store credit.
It is alleged that Costa-Mota received approximately 370 fraudulent store credits, valued at $297,332.
A federal grand jury in Providence returned an indictment on July 26, 2023, charging Costa-Mota with wire fraud and conspiracy. He was arraigned before a United States Magistrate Judge on August 1, 2023, and ordered detained.
A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service.
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Columbus man sentenced to 10 years in prison for armed robberyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local man was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 120 months in prison for a January 2019 armed robbery.
Michael John Smith, 29, of Columbus, pointed a pistol at two store clerks at the Circle K on Hall Road in Columbus on Jan. 27, 2019. Smith demanded money from the register and threatened to kill both women if they moved. Smith fled the store on foot with $280 in cash.
According to court documents, Smith was also involved in another armed robbery in March 2019 at a Dollar General. The same gun used in both robberies was recovered in a car that was involved in a shooting on the highway near Circleville that same month. Smith and several individuals – including a 1-year-old child – had been in the vehicle on the highway.
In its sentencing memorandum, the United States noted Smith’s extensive criminal history with multiple convictions beginning in 2014. In prior crimes, Smith shot two individuals in the head.
“While all threats of violence should be taken seriously, there is an elevated sense of danger inherent in someone who brandishes a gun and threatens to kill people, and whose past actions demonstrate no reluctance in pulling the trigger,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “A significant term of imprisonment is warranted in this case.”
Smith was charged by criminal complaint and arrested in January 2019. He pleaded guilty in March 2023 to committing robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Fairfield County Sheriff Alex Lape; and Col. Charles A. Jones, Superintendent, Ohio State Highway Patrol announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Pakiz is representing the United States in this case.
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Chalmette Man Pleads Guilty to Cares Act FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -- U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JULIO A. GONZALEZ, JR. of Chalmette, LA, has plead guilty on July 26, 2023 to one-count of making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.
On March 27, 2020, The CARES Act established several new temporary programs and provided for the expansion of others to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these programs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorized forgivable loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to small businesses to retain workers and maintain payroll, make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments.
GONZALEZ made false statements to an approved lender for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining a PPP loan, which he later received in the amount of approximately $20,832.00. GONZALEZ stated in his PPP application that he was an independent contractor impacted by the pandemic when, in truth, he had no such business in 2020. GONZALEZ faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release for the false statements. There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment fee due after conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for November 8, 2023.
For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Irene González of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Carlsbad Woman Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Rachel Michelle Crutcher was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Crutcher, 38, of Carlsbad, pled guilty on Feb. 21 to production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
According to court documents, on Nov. 8, 2022, a Task Force Officer (TFO) working for the Child Exploitation and Human trafficking Task Force was monitoring a fetish website that is known to be used to meet, discuss and trade child sexual abuse material (CSAM) when they were contacted by a private user. The user offered and provided the TFO with several images of a minor performing sexually explicit conduct.
On Nov. 9, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation identified the user of the account as Rachel Crutcher and obtained a search warrant for Crutcher’s residence in Carlsbad. During the execution of the search warrant, agents spoke to Crutcher and her husband, Joseph Crutcher, 59, of Carlsbad. Joseph admitted he was the one who had taken the pictures and claimed Rachel was unaware of his conduct. Rachel initially denied knowledge or involvement, but during a later interview she admitted she had been involved.
Through diligent investigation, agents determined that both Rachel and Joseph had sexually abused the minor child with the intent of producing CSAM and that Joseph was the individual who sent the images to the TFO.
Upon her release from prison, Rachel will be required to register as a sex offender and will be on supervised release for life.
On Feb. 27, 2023, Joseph Crutcher pled guilty to one count each production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Joseph remains in custody pending sentencing, which is currently not scheduled. At sentencing, Joseph faces 70 years in prison and must register as a sex offender.
Roswell Resident Agency and Albuquerque Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong and Matilda M. Villalobos are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
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California man pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking crimeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Andres Dominguez, age 25, of San Diego, California, pled guilty today to a drug conspiracy charge.
According to court documents, Dominguez was a money courier for a drug supply chain that stretched from the Southwest border to Ohio and West Virginia. Dominguez flew into the Pittsburgh International Airport on several occasions to collect cash payments for drugs. He would then fly to California to deliver the cash to the supplier. Dominguez helped to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
Dominguez faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Nogay and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, which includes officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Belmont County (OH) Sheriff’s Office and the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office provided important assistance. The investigation was supported by the ATF, the Marshall County Drug Task Force, and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, the Allegheny County (PA) Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Read more about the initial indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/federal-indictment-cuts-major-source-west-virginia-drug-supply
Bộ Tư Pháp Công Bố Nghị Quyết Cuối Cùng Về Vấn Đề Quyền Công Dân Trong Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Tại Quận Fort Bend, TexasRead the Press Release
Lưu ý: Thông cáo báo chí này đã được dịch sang nhiều ngôn ngữ khác nhau. Vui lòng xem tập tài liệu đính kèm bên dưới.
WASHINGTON – Bộ Tư pháp thông báo Bộ đã đạt được giải pháp cuối cùng trong vấn đề dân quyền liên quan đến các tòa án tại Quận Fort Bend (Fort Bend County, FBC). FBC đã tuân thủ tất cả các điều khoản của Bản Ghi Nhớ Thỏa Thuận (Memorandum of Agreement, hoặc MOA) vào tháng 6 năm 2021, và do đó, Bộ sẽ kết thúc vấn đề này.
Ban đầu, Bộ đặt vấn đề dựa trên các cáo buộc rằng tòa án FBC phân biệt đối xử với những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế (limited English proficiency, hoặc LEP) dựa trên nguồn gốc quốc gia của họ và thực hiện trả đũa người khiếu nại vi phạm Tiêu đề VI của Đạo luật Dân quyền năm 1964 (Tiêu đề VI) nghiêm cấm phân biệt đối xử về chủng tộc, màu da và nguồn gốc quốc gia bởi bất kỳ người nhận hỗ trợ tài chính liên bang nào. Một khiếu nại cáo buộc rằng Tòa án quận FBC đã từ chối cấp cho bị cáo hình sự với trình độ tiếng LEP một thông dịch viên tiếng Việt mà anh ta cần cho phiên điều trần nhận tội và nói rằng bị cáo hoặc luật sư của anh ta phải tìm và tự trả tiền cho một thông dịch viên người Việt. Vào ngày 29 tháng 6 năm 2021, Bộ và FBC đã giải quyết cuộc điều tra này bằng một MOA yêu cầu những thay đổi đáng kể đối với chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của FBC dành cho người tham dự phiên tòa có trình độ tiếng LEP.
Kể từ đó, FBC đã thực hiện những thay đổi quan trọng để cải thiện khả năng tiếp cận của những người tham dự tòa án có trình độ tiếng LEP và để tuân thủ các yêu cầu của Tiêu đề VI. Ví dụ, FBC:
- Cung cấp dịch vụ thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bất kỳ ai có trình độ tiếng LEP, bất kể thu nhập, trong tất cả các vụ án dân sự và hình sự như được mô tả trong chính sách hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ của tòa án;
- Sửa đổi kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của mình;
- Đã tạo một khóa đào tạo tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho nhân viên tòa án và một Hướng dẫn của Thẩm phán về Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ;
- Duy trì trang mạng công cộng giải thích cách yêu cầu dịch vụ phiên dịch hoặc dịch thuật;
- Cung cấp mẫu đơn khiếu nại về quyền truy cập ngôn ngữ bằng một số ngôn ngữ trên trang mạng của mình; và
- Nhằm để đảm bảo tuân thủ Tiêu đề VI, nhân viên FBC cũng đã được đào tạo về trả đũa theo Tiêu đề VI.
Trợ lý Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Kristen Clarke thuộc Bộ phận Dân quyền của Bộ Tư pháp cho biết: “Các chính sách và thông lệ mới được tòa án Quận Fort Bend áp dụng đang giúp cung cấp khả năng tiếp cận ngôn ngữ có ý nghĩa cho những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế. “Tôi hy vọng các hệ thống tòa án khác sẽ noi gương Quận Fort Bend và hành động để cung cấp dịch vụ thông dịch viên miễn phí cho những người sử dụng tòa án. Quyền tiếp cận công lý ở đất nước chúng ta không nên bị hạn chế hoặc từ chối chỉ vì trình độ tiếng Anh của quý vị.”
“Quận Fort Bend là một trong những quận đa dạng nhất ở Texas, nơi gần một nửa dân số là người gốc Tây Ban Nha, Đông Á và Nam Á. Là một công tố viên, một người nhập cư và là con trai của các bậc cha mẹ thuộc tầng lớp lao động, sinh ra ở Ấn Độ, tôi đã tận mắt chứng kiến cuộc tranh đấu của những cư dân mới nhất của Hoa Kỳ nói tiếng Anh như ngôn ngữ thứ hai và nhu cầu về phiên dịch viên, đặc biệt là trong phiên tòa, thủ tục tố tụng,” Luật sư Hoa Kỳ Alamdar S. Hamdani đại diện cho Quận phía Nam Texas cho biết. “Nhờ sự làm việc chăm chỉ của các công tố viên tại Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ cho Quận phía Nam Texas và tại Bộ phận Dân quyền, tất cả cư dân, bất kể nguồn gốc quốc gia, sẽ có toàn quyền tiếp cận hệ thống tòa án để xử lý mọi việc từ tòa án gia đình. các vấn đề, hình sự và các vấn đề dân sự nói chung. Tôi mong muốn được làm việc với các chính quyền quận khác và Văn phòng Hành chính Tòa án để nhân rộng những nỗ lực này trên khắp Quận phía Nam của Texas.”
Civil Rights Division (Ban Dân Quyền) thuộc Sở Tư Pháp đã phối hợp với Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ thuộc Quận Phía Đông của Louisiana để giải quyết vấn đề này.
Thông tin bổ sung về Ban Dân Quyền có sẵn trên trang web của họ tại www.justice.gov/crt, và thông tin về trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế và Title VI có tại www.lep.gov. Công chúng có thể báo cáo các vi phạm dân quyền có thể xảy ra tại trang mạng civilrights.justice.gov/report/ hoặc với Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ cho Quận phía Nam của Texas tại www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.
Border Crosser Sentenced to 47 Months for Assaulting a Federal Officer After Illegally Attempting to Reenter the United StatesRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Leudi Jesus Garcia-Jauregui, 25, of Mexico, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 47 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Garcia-Jauregui pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023, to Assault on a Federal Officer with Physical Contact and Attempted Reentry of a Removed Alien. Garcia-Jauregui also admitted that he had violated the terms and conditions of his supervised release after previously serving a 24-month sentence for Attempted Reentry of a Removed Alien and Importing a Stolen Vehicle.
On November 12, 2022, just two days after Garcia-Jauregui had been released from federal prison and deported from the United States, Garcia-Jauregui attempted to reenter the United States. He was seen running northbound in the southbound vehicle lanes at the DeConcini Port of Entry, in Nogales, Arizona. Garcia-Jauregui disregarded U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers’ commands to stop before being tackled to the ground. He attempted to break free multiple times, attempted to bite two officers, but was finally arrested. While in custody, Garcia-Jauregui became combative again, punching an officer twice in the shoulder and chest.
United States Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Serra M. Tsethlikai, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-02612-JAS and CR-21-01247-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-116_Garcia-Jauregui# # #
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.Boone, N.C. Man Is Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Stephen Allen Hill, 75, of Boone, N.C. was sentenced late yesterday to 48 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the prison term imposed, Hill was ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release, to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison, and to pay a $100 special assessment, a $5,000 Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JTVA) assessment, a $17,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA), and a $30,000 fine.
Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and Chief Andy LeBeau of the Boone Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, in October 2020, law enforcement became aware that an individual, later identified as Hill, was using a peer-to-peer network to share child pornography with other users. According to court records, on January 15, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hill’s residence in Boone. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement seized several electronic devices, including a computer, hard drives, and Hill’s cellphone. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that they contained images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers and infants engaging in sadistic and masochistic conduct. In total, Hill possessed in excess of 29,000 images and 340 videos depicting child pornography.
On December 16, 2022, Hill pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography that involved a prepubescent minor who had not attained 12 years of age.
In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the SBI and the Boone Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Nick J. Miller, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Armed Career Criminal Who Shot Fayetteville Pawn Shop Owner Sentenced to 45 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. –Mario Whitted, 28, of Fayetteville was sentenced today to 540 months in prison for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. He was convicted by a federal jury in April of this year and deemed an armed career criminal. Whitted has three prior state convictions for common law robbery.
“Today’s sentence puts a career criminal behind bars and sends a stronger message to the Fayetteville community. Our prosecutors are working shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement relentlessly pursuing those responsible for gun violence in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Mario Whitted, 28, a felon and armed career criminal shot the owner of a Fayetteville pawn shop as he closed his shop on November 30, 2019. The owner, who survived the attack, was struck twice in the leg and returned fire with his own handgun. Whitted fled the scene and flagged down a Good Samaritan who offered to take him to a local emergency room. Whitted instead insisted that he be taken home. He was later apprehended in South Carolina after having a bullet extracted from his foot which ballistics examiners matched to the victim’s gun. DNA evidence also linked Whitted to the scene after he bled in the Good Samaritan’s car.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced the defendant. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Fayetteville Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Rhoades and Phil Aubart prosecuted the case.
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. 7:21-CR-87-BO.
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Ang Kagawaran ng Katarungan ay Nag-anunsyo ng Pinal na Resolusyon ng Usapin sa Mga Karapatan sa Pag-access sa Wika sa Fort Bend County, TexasRead the Press Release
Tandaan: Ang press release na ito ay isinalin sa iba't ibang wika. Tingnan ang mga kalakip sa ibaba.
Inihayag ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan na nakakuha na ito ng pinal na resolusyon sa usapin ng mga karapatang sibil nito na kinasasangkutan ng mga korte ng County ng Fort Bend (Fort Bend County, FBC). Sinunod ng FBC ang lahat ng tuntunin ng isang Hunyo 2021 na Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at bilang resulta, isinasara ng kagawaran ang usapin.
Una nang binuksan ng kagawaran ang usapin batay sa mga alegasyon na ang mga korte ng FBC ay may diskriminasyon laban sa mga taong may limitadong kahusayan sa Ingles (limited English proficiency, LEP) batay sa kanilang bansang pinagmulan at gumanti laban sa isang nagrereklamo na lumalabag sa Titulo VI ng Batas sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng 1964 (Titulo VI) na nagbabawal ng diskriminasyon sa lahi, kulay at bansang pinagmulan ng sinumang tumatanggap ng pederal na tulong pinansyal. Isang reklamo ang nagparatang na ang Korteng Pandistrito ng FBC ay ipinagkait sa isang kriminal na nasasakdal na may LEP ang isang Vietnamese na interpreter na kailangan niya para sa isang plea hearing at sinabi na ang nasasakdal o ang kanyang abogado ay dapat maghanap at magbayad para sa isang Vietnamese interpreter. Noong Hunyo 29, 2021, niresolba ang pagsisiyasat ng kagawaran at FBC gamit ang isang MOA na nangangailangan ng malalaking pagbabago sa mga patakaran sa pag-access sa wika ng FBC para sa mga gumagamit ng korte na may LEP.
Simula noon, gumawa ang FBC ng mga makabuluhang pagbabago upang mapabuti ang pag-access para sa mga gumagamit ng korte na may LEP at upang sumunod sa mga kinakailangan sa Titulo VI. Halimbawa, ang FBC:
- ay nagbibigay ng mga serbisyo ng interpreter nang walang bayad sa sinumang may LEP, anuman ang kita, sa lahat ng sibil at kriminal na kaso gaya ng inilarawan sa patakaran sa tulong sa wika ng korte;
- ay binago ang plano sa pag-access sa wikanito;
- ay lumikha ng ng isang pagsasanay sa pag-access sa wika para sa mga kawani ng korte at isang Gabay ng Hukom sa Pag-access sa Wika;
- ay nagpapanatili ng pampublikong webpage na nagpapaliwanag kung paano humiling ng mga serbisyo ng interpretasyon o pagsasalin;
- ay nagbibigay ng form ng reklamo sa pag-access sa wika sa ilang wika sa website nito; at
- upang matiyak ang pagsunod sa Titulo VI, nakatanggap din ang mga kawani ng FBC ng Titulo VI na pagsasanay sa paghihiganti.
“Ang mga bagong patakaran at kasanayan na pinagtibay ng mga korte ng Fort Bend County ay nakakatulong na magbigay ng makabuluhang akses sa wika para sa mga taong may limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles,” sabi ni Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke ng Sangay ng mga Karapatang Sibil ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan. “Umaasa ako na sundin ng ibang mga sistema ng korte ang halimbawa ng Fort Bend County at kumilos upang magbigay ng mga serbisyo ng interpreter sa mga gumagamit ng korte nang walang bayad. Ang pagkakaroon ng katarungan sa ating bansa ay hindi dapat limitahan o ipagkait dahil lamang sa iyong kahusayan sa Ingles.”
“Ang Fort Bend County ay isa sa mga pinaka-diverse na county sa Texas kung saan halos kalahati ng populasyon ay nagmula sa Espanya, Silangang Asya at Timog Asya. Bilang isang tagausig, isang imigrante at anak ng mga ipinanganak sa India, uring manggagawang magulang, nakita ko, mismo, ang mga pakikibaka ng mga pinakabagong residente ng Amerika na nagsasalita ng Ingles bilang pangalawang wika, at ang pangangailangan para sa mga interpreter, lalo na sa panahon ng paglilitis ng korte,” sabi ni US Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas. “Dahil sa pagsusumikap ng mga tagausig sa Opisina ng Abogado ng Estados Unidos para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas at sa Sangay ng Karapatang Sibil, lahat ng residente, anuman ang bansang pinagmulan, ay magkakaroon ng ganap na access sa sistema ng korte upang pangasiwaan ang lahat mula sa mga usapin ng korteng pampamilya, mga usaping kriminal at pangkalahatang sibil. Inaasahan ko ang pakikipagtulungan sa ibang mga county at ng Opisina ng Pangasiwaan ng Korte upang gayahin ang mga pagsisikap na ito sa buong Katimugang Distrito ng Texas.”
Ang usaping ito ay magkasamang pinangasiwaan ng mga abogado sa Sangay ng mga Karapatang Sibil at ng Opisina ng Abogado ng US para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas.
Ang karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa Sangay ng mga Karapatang Sibil ay makukuha sa website nito sa www.justice.gov/crt, at ang impormasyon tungkol sa limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles at Titulo VI ay makukuha sa www.lep.gov. Ang mga miyembro ng publiko ay maaaring mag-ulat ng mga posibleng paglabag sa karapatang sibil sa civilrights.justice.gov/report/ o sa Opisina ng Abogado ng US para sa Katimugang Distrito ng Texas sa www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/civil-division/civil-rights-section.
Allegan County Woman Charged for Posing as A NurseRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that an Allegan County woman was charged with identity theft for fraudulently posing as a licensed nurse.
“The allegations in this case involving a woman faking as a professionally licensed nurse are dangerous and put unsuspecting patients in harm’s way,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “My office takes these accusations very seriously.”
According to allegations made in court documents, Leticia Gallarzo, 48, used the Michigan licensing number and the name of a person licensed as a nurse to obtain employment as a nurse at an area hospice facility. Gallarzo did not possess a valid nursing license and represented that she earned a master’s degree in nursing from The George Washington University despite having no formal degree of any kind in nursing. The hospice facility learned that Gallarzo was a nurse impostor when her fingerprints matched the fingerprints on record due to her previous state and federal convictions for practicing nursing without a license in Texas in 2015 and 2016.
Gallarzo is charged with identity theft related to the transfer of the means of identification of another person in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(7). If convicted, Gallarzo faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
“Any unqualified person who poses as a medical professional puts the lives of innocent patients at risk, as alleged in this case,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “I would like to thank the Michigan State Police for their outstanding investigative work during this case. The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to ensure identity theft cases like this one are thoroughly investigated.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Grand Rapids Field Office and U.S. Health & Human Service Office of Inspector General are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Stella is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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“General” of Violent Lansing Street Gang “MBM” Sentenced to over 7 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Damonte Latrell Johnson (“Gudda”), 27, of Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief U.S. District Hala Y. Jarbou also ordered Johnson to spend three years on supervised release after his confinement. Johnson previously pled guilty to this charge in April.
“Group-involved violence and illegal firearm possession have no place in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to disrupting the cycle of violence by getting violent offenders off the streets and holding them accountable for breaking the law and spreading fear in our neighborhoods.”
Johnson was the self-proclaimed “General” and high-level leader of the Lansing area gang known as “Money Bound Mafia,” commonly referred to as “MBM.” Information received by the U.S. Attorney’s Office indicates that MBM is a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates have been involved in numerous criminal activities in the Lansing area, including gun violence, illegal weapons possession and purchase, fraud, non-fatal shootings, and homicides.
Screenshot of Johnson from a YouTube Video with an “MBM” shirt and firearm.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, working closely with investigative teams at the Lansing Police Department’s Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), the Michigan State Police (MSP), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) have identified and recently prosecuted several members and individuals associated with violent crimes in Lansing to disrupt the cycle of violence.
"The Lansing Police Department values the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal resources regarding criminal investigations,” said LPD Chief Ellery Sosebee. “Prosecutions and sentences such as this are an excellent example of the quality of work and the impact these efforts can produce."
“Individuals who choose a life of fear and violence to enhance their criminal enterprises will be identified and removed from our communities,” said ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarrod Marsh. “The collaborative effort with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, our federal, State of Michigan, and local partners resulted in holding this violent gang member accountable.”
Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
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Yonkers Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ORLANDO JIMENEZ, 48, of Yonkers, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2021, in meetings in Norwalk that were arranged and monitored by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Jimenez provided samples of narcotics to an individual working with law enforcement. During the meetings, Jimenez discussed selling the individual two kilograms of fentanyl for $38,000 per kilogram.
On August 10, 2021, Jimenez again met the individual in Norwalk and sold him approximately 100 grams of suspected fentanyl for $3,800. Subsequent laboratory testing of the substance Jimenez provided determined it to be a mixture of fentanyl and ADB-Butinaca, a synthetic cannabinoid similar to “K2” or “Spice.”
On August 26, 2021, Jimenez was arrested at meeting location after he traveled to Norwalk to sell two kilograms of suspected fentanyl to the individual. After his arrest, Jimenez stated to investigators that he had two kilograms of heroin in the back seat of his vehicle. Investigators located and seized two rectangle-shaped bricks from the vehicle. Laboratory testing of the bricks of suspected narcotics determined them to contain mostly ADB-Butinaca, and less than one percent of fentanyl.
On February 1, 2023, Jimenez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Jimenez, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 5.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.
West Sacramento Resident and Former Postal Service Employee Sentenced for Theft of Mail and Possession with Intent to Distribute MarijuanaRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Shabina Debbie, 54, of West Sacramento, was sentenced today to five months in prison for theft of mail by a Postal Service employee and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between October 2018 and February 2019, Debbie stole 18 mail parcels that had been entrusted to her in the course of her duties as a postal employee at the Sacramento Main Post Office. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Debbie’s residence, where they found several parcels, one of which contained over 3 pounds of marijuana. At the time of the search, Debbie confessed to stealing parcels containing marijuana from the post office and selling the contents. Per a plea agreement, Debbie agreed to forfeit over $125,000 in cash found in her home.
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG), Western Pacific Area Field Office, Executive Special Agent-in-Charge Kenneth Bulle said, “Today’s sentencing underscores the value of the public’s trust in the USPS and the consequences that result when a USPS employee breaches that trust through theft. USPS OIG special agents remain resolute in maintaining the integrity of the Postal Service. USPS OIG values our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in holding USPS personnel accountable when they abuse their position of trust.”
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow prosecuted the case.
Vero Beach Man Charged and Detained Pending Trial for Distributing a Fatal Dose of FentanylRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Yesterday, Keyon Lewis, 26, of Vero Beach, Florida, was ordered detained pending trial by U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek Mills Maynard, after a federal grand jury in Fort Pierce, Fla., returned an indictment on July 13 charging Lewis with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. 841(a).
According to court documents, on November 5, 2021, Lewis allegedly distributed fentanyl to a man in the parking lot of an Applebee’s Restaurant, in Vero Beach. The man was later found dead on the kitchen floor of his residence by his wife. The United States alleges in the indictment that the fentanyl, Lewis distributed to the man, killed him.
After law enforcement arrived and confirmed the man was dead, they used his cellphone to order more fentanyl from Lewis. It is alleged that on November 7, 2021, Lewis, unaware that he was communicating directly with law enforcement, arrived at the decedent’s residence, allegedly bringing additional fentanyl to distribute. Indian River County Sheriff’s Office immediately arrested Lewis.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even in small doses, fentanyl can be deadly. As little as two milligrams, about the size of 5 grains of salt, can be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The State of Florida has also seen an exponential increase in overdoses associated with fentanyl. In 2020, more than 6,150 people died from overdoses involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in Florida.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Sheriff Eric Flowers of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO), made the announcement.
DEA Miami and IRCSO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter is prosecuting it.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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 23-cr-14030.
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Venezuelan National Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison for Trafficking $21 Million of Cocaine on the High SeasRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Hector Caballero (70, Venezuela) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine on the high seas. A federal jury had found Caballero guilty on May 11, 2023.
According to testimony presented at trial, Caballero was the captain of a maritime drug trafficking venture that attempted to smuggle 708 kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to Central America for eventual importation into the United States. On November 6, 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) interdicted Caballero’s vessel in the Caribbean Sea about 100 nautical miles north of La Guajira, Colombia. Before being interdicted, the vessel’s crew tried to outrun law enforcement on the high seas, but a USCG helicopter disabled Caballero’s vessel by firing rounds into the vessel’s two outboard engines.
The USCG boarding team found Caballero and three others onboard. A search of the vessel revealed 708 kilograms of cocaine, valued at about $21 million, hidden under the fuel barrels and tarp. A photo of the cocaine is below:
Caballero had previously been convicted in Spain for trafficking nearly 2,000 kilograms of cocaine via fishing vessel in April of 2017.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force comprised of agents and analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Pardo and Special Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Krebs.
USAO-VT to Participate in Community Events During National Night OutRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events on August 1, 2023. During this year’s National Night Out, U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest will attend National Night Out events at Essex High School and Law Enforcement Coordinator Tony Facos will attend events in Swanton on the Village Green and in St. Albans at Taylor Park.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Supports National Night OutRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld and his staff will celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1.
National Night Out is an annual initiative coordinated by law enforcement agencies across the country, bringing community members and law enforcement together to build positive relationships and create safer communities.
“National Night Out showcases first responders and strengthens the bonds between police and the communities they serve,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.
Law enforcement agencies throughout West Virginia have planned events filled with food and fun to include swimming, games, face painting, bounce houses, giveaways, educational materials and personal interaction with safety vehicles and the heroes that operate them.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will participate in events at the following locations:
- Wheeling: Wheeling Park Ice Rink from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Clarksburg: Veteran’s Memorial Park from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Bridgeport: The Bridge Sports Complex beginning at 6:00 p.m.
- Martinsburg: War Memorial Park main pavilion from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Ranson: The Home Depot at Potomac Marketplace from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For more information on National Night Out, visit https://natw.org/.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Joins Ogden City Police Department for National Night Out EventRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out, which kicks off celebrations August 1, 2023. During this year’s National Night Out, U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins will attend Ogden Police Department’s “Ogden Night Out Against Crime,” on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
The annual event will take place at Lorin Farr Park in Ogden from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free to the public. Ogden’s Night Out is an opportunity to bring law enforcement agencies, resources, and other organizations together to aid in the fight against crime and strengthen neighborhood spirit. There will be booths, food, beverages, prizes, and great local entertainment.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to strengthening the bonds of partnerships between law enforcement and the communities we serve. Annual events like Ogden’s Night Out Against Crime provide the opportunity for us to build on those efforts and to engage with the community as well,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah.
“The Ogden Police Department is looking forward to the upcoming Night Out Against Crime event. We are grateful for the support of the United States Attorney's Office and are once again excited to interact with our community. As always, we appreciate the community support, and we anticipate this will be another outstanding annual event,” said Lt. William Farr, Ogden City Police Department.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
U.S. Attorney’s Community Outreach Team Brings Re-Entry Training to Both Youth and Adults in Liberty CityRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Within three years of being released from prison, more than 50 percent of those trying to re-integrate into society are incarcerated again. That’s why U.S. Attorney’s Office staff use Re-Entry Simulations to put the shoe on the other foot and show community stakeholders what returning citizens must endure.
Training recently was held at Dr. Dorothy Bendross Mindingall Social-Economic Institute, 5120 NW 24th Ave. in Miami. More than 100 individuals participated in the Re-Entry Simulation to include Broward County State Attorney’s Office, Broward County Public Defender’s Office, Neighbors and Neighbors Association, and Opportunities Industrialization Centers of South Florida. These trainings normally are given only to adults. This time, however, it was a combination of adults and teens.
“It’s special for me to be here to welcome you all to this very important training,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “We’re here in Liberty City and I am one of you. I grew up and played basketball right around the corner.”
Re-Entry Simulations are conducted regularly by the Law Enforcement Coordination/Community Outreach Section (LEC/COS) of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These trainings allow participants to experience what it’s like for someone returning from prison and how difficult that transition can be.
Services such as quick loan, pawn shop, social services, counseling, banking, drug testing, church, career center, and others lined the walls of the multi-purpose room and participants had to visit them for tasks or assistance. The simulation was broken into four 20-minute segments, which equaled four weeks in the life of a returning citizen. All tasks—like getting a job and finding affordable housing—had to be completed each week or the participant wound up in jail.
“It’s a catch-22,” said LEC/COS Chief J.D. Smith. “People returning from prison who are trying to make it in society have so many barriers placed in front of them that it’s no wonder so many struggle. I want to bring this to as many peoples’ attention as I can. They do better, we do better.”
Something as simple, or seemingly so, as an ID can be a real ordeal for a returning citizen. Many leave prison with no identification. No ID, no job, no apartment. The struggle just perpetuates, often leading to frustration, and perhaps a why even bother mentality.
“When people get out of prison they have to live somewhere and it may be in your community,” said Smith. “You should want them to succeed because when they do better, their families do better, and our communities do better. And that helps everyone.”
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida gives the opening remarks to a group of both teens and adults prior to a Re-Entry Simulation Training. This exercise is designed to show participants what it’s like for former inmates trying to re-enter society.
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U.S. Attorney's Office for Western District of Kentucky to Participate in Community Events During National Night OutRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – U. S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events on August 1, 2023. During this year’s National Night Out, community events will be held across the Commonwealth, including five neighborhood events hosted by the Louisville Metro Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will attend LMPD’s Eighth Division festivities at Walker Warren Park in the Douglas Hills neighborhood, along with LMPD, ATF, FBI, DEA, and other local partners.
“We are excited to participate in National Night Out this year, as this is a great opportunity for fellowship with our local law enforcement partners and the communities we serve,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
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U.S. Attorney Graves Joins Local Law Enforcement and the Community for National Night OutRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves joined law enforcement partners at Rosedale Recreation Center in Northeast, Fifth District, along with community organizers, and neighbors for National Night Out today.
"We have no greater partner in our fight against crime than our fellow community members,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “From reporting crime, bearing witness, and providing evidence – including, in this day and age, providing video from private security cameras at their residences. The community has been and will continue to be one of our greatest crime fighting partners. And that’s why National Night Out is so important.”
This year, hundreds of residents across the District participated in various National Night Out events in their communities. This annual community-building campaign promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer. Established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice, the initiative is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
With coordination by local law enforcement and community partners, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together in a positive way, by hosting neighborhood block parties, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, and more fun activities. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
Two Maryland MS-13 Gang Members Sentenced to 22 Years and 16 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including MurderRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” age 22, of Adelphi, Maryland, on July 28, 2023, to 22 years in federal prison, and sentenced Agustino Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” age 26, of Silver Spring, Maryland, today to 16 years in federal prison, each followed by three years of supervised release, for their participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to their activities as part of the MS-13 gang. On July 25, 2023, Judge Xinis sentenced co-defendant Brian Samir Zelaya Mejia, a/k/a “Chispa,” age 25, of Hyattsville, Maryland, to six years in federal prison for his role in the MS-13 enterprise. Judge Xinis ordered that Rivas Rodriguez must also pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 1 and Victim 4’s estates.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to court documents, the La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States. In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized into “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Rivas Rodriguez, Yanes-Rivera and Zelaya Mejia were members and associates of Weedams Locos Salvatrucha, (WLS), an MS-13 clique operating primarily in Adelphi, Maryland. Rivas Rodriguez was the clique’s second in command.
On February 23, 2020, at the direction of MS-13 leaders Brayan Alexander Torres and Rivas Rodriguez, Yanes-Rivera and co-defendant MS-13 member Franklyn Sanchez shot and killed Victim 1, a former WLS member, in retaliation for the victim’s suspected cooperation with law enforcement. In the weeks prior to the murder, Victim 1 had been in touch with WLS members over social media, text messages and voice calls. Records show that WLS members told Victim 1 that if he met with gang members to make amends, his cooperation would be forgiven. Victim 1 was instructed to wait on the side of a road at a location in or near Adelphi, Maryland, on February 23, 2020. A junior WLS member drove Yanes-Rivera and Sanchez to the location, where they picked up Victim 1. They drove to a location in or near Hyattsville, Maryland. Yanes-Rivera, Sanchez and Victim 1 got out of the car and walked into a wooded area, where Yanes-Rivera and Sanchez shot Victim 1. Victim 1 died from his gunshot wounds. As a result of his participation in the murder, Yanes-Rivera was promoted within the hierarchy of MS-13.
On August 8, 2020, WLS members, including Franklyn Sanchez, were gathered at a park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Sanchez and several of the WLS members agreed to the murder of Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt. Sanchez and another MS-13 member murdered Victim 4, then WLS members dragged Victim 4’s body to a stream and left it there. As he was leaving the woods, Sanchez was concerned that his DNA may have been left on the body. To prevent the discovery of DNA or other evidence and to hinder the investigation and prosecution of Victim 4’s murder, Rivas Rodriguez, Zelaya Mejia and other WLS members were called and ordered to bring shovels to the wooded area, where they dug a hole and buried Victim 4’s body. Victim 4’s body was later recovered with a bullet wound to the head.
Rivas Rodriguez also conspired with other MS-13 members to kill a female member of the rival 18th Street gang. Rivas Rodriguez and the WLS leader ordered subordinate members of the gang to track the female to a house and kill her. The group of MS-13 subordinates gathered with guns and were preparing to follow their orders, when police arrived on scene and stopped the plan from coming to fruition.
Yanes-Rivera, Rivas Rodriguez and Zelaya Mejia were also responsible for collecting extortion payments, or “rents,” from at least two extortion victims on behalf of WLS, knowing that the victims making extortion payments did so under the threat of death or bodily injury by members of WLS. For example, gang members used baseball bats to impose rents and sometimes collected rent while flashing firearms or otherwise making it known that they were carrying weapons.
Finally, Yanes-Rivera also participated in money laundering by transferring gang funds obtained through its extortion activities to MS-13 members and associates in El Salvador.
Torres, a/k/a “Spooky,” age 29, of Adelphi, Maryland, is expected to be sentenced to 28 years in federal prison at his sentencing on September 13, 2023. Torres will also be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 4’s estate. On May 19, 2023, Judge Xinis sentenced Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, a/k/a “Freddy,” “Magic,” “Miclo,” and “Delinquente,” age 26, of Adelphi, Maryland, to 28 years in federal prison and ordered that Sanchez must pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 1 and Victim 4’s estates.
Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Barron and Assistant Attorney General Polite commended the FBI, HSI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Montgomery County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo, and Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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The U.S. Attorney's Office to Participate in Community Events During National Night OutRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King along with federal prosecutors and office personnel with the Western District of North Carolina will join community organizers,
National Night Outneighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
During this year’s National Night Out, U.S. Attorney King and members of her Office will attend community events organized by the Hidden Valley and the Historic Camp Greene neighborhoods, and the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition.
“The first and most important job of law enforcement is to protect the rights and safety of our communities and address crime problems. To do that, we must understand the unique challenges communities face, and that begins with community engagement. Participation in events like National Night Out provides an opportunity to increase public trust, strengthen ties between law enforcement and the communities we serve, and demonstrates our commitment to sustaining strong and safe neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney King.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
Tampa Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Fentanyl Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Randell Love (48, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Love faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the fentanyl charge, and minimum mandatory term of 5 years, up to life, imprisonment consecutive to any other term of imprisonment for the firearm offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, on October 5, 2021, deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a car driven by Love, a 14-time convicted felon, as it bore the license plate of a different vehicle and because Love’s driver license was suspended. After stopping the vehicle, Love hid a loaded 9mm handgun with his male passenger, and approximately 26 grams of fentanyl with his female passenger. Deputies subsequently recovered the drugs and the firearm and located a drug ledger in Love’s possession. Further investigation revealed that Love had received approximately five ounces of fentanyl at a time from his suppliers and sold the drugs to approximately 25 customers per day.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
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.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to Nearly 21 Years for Armed Robberies of Corner StoresRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Akiem Howard, age 24, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 250 months (20 years and 10 months) in federal prison for robbing two Syracuse corner stores, and for related firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Chief Joseph Cecile, City of Syracuse Police Department (SPD), John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), United States Marshal David McNulty, and William Fitzpatrick, Onondaga County District Attorney.
As part of his previous guilty plea to robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce (the Hobbs Act) and using firearms in furtherance of federal crimes of violence, Howard admitted robbing two Syracuse corner stores at gunpoint. The first robbery occurred on December 13, 2020, and the second was on December 21, 2020.
The December 13 robbery occurred at about 11:14 pm and Howard robbed it along with a second robber. Both Howard and the second robber pointed handguns at the store clerk. The December 21, 2020 robbery occurred at about 10:45 am approximately one-fifth of a mile from an elementary school. Howard robbed the store with a third robber, Chantal Jaquez. Howard used a revolver and Jaquez carried a rifle. While fleeing the store, Howard fired several rounds from his revolver at the store clerk. One of the bullets struck Jaquez in the leg. Jaquez previously pleaded guilty to participating in the December 21, 2020, robbery and, on August 18, 2022, was sentenced to serve 111 months in federal prison.
As part of his guilty plea, Howard also admitted committing three other armed robberies on December 19, 2020.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Howard to a three-year term of supervised release to begin after he serves his term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Syracuse Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (SPD-CID), the SPD Intelligence Section (SPD-Intel), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.
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 of Justice 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.
St. Francis Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on July 27, 2023.
Tanner Kills Enemy, age 25, was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Kills Enemy was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 24, 2023.
Kills Enemy was convicted of Sexual Abuse in 2010. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment. In October of 2022, Kills Enemy was released from prison and began a period of supervised release residing in St. Francis, but did not thereafter register or update his registration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Kills Enemy was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Shooting at DeputyRead the Press Release
SPRNGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for shooting at a Greene County Sheriff’s Department deputy when officers arrested him for escaping from a local halfway house.
Richard Dale Friederich, 41, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 13 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
On Oct. 20, 2022, Friederich pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Friederich admitted that he fired a Kel-Tec 9mm semi-automatic pistol at a Greene County sheriff’s deputy who was assisting the U.S. Marshals Service to arrest him after he absconded from Alpha House, a halfway house in Springfield.
On Aug. 20, 2022, law enforcement officers arrived at a Springfield residence searching for Friederich, who had an active federal warrant out for his arrest. Friederich had been convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and was released to Alpha House following his incarceration in April 2020. Less than four months later, he escaped from Alpha House.
When a woman opened the door and informed officers that Friederich was in the house, an officer yelled to Friederich to come out of the bedroom. Instead, Friederich kicked the bedroom door closed and yelled for the officers to get away from the door. Officers attempted to persuade Friederich to come out of the bedroom. Friederich used his cell phone to call the woman who had opened the door to the officers; he told her that once she and her children were out of the house, he intended to “shoot it out” with law enforcement.
About an hour later, the Greene County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team arrived and shot gas into the bedroom. When that was unsuccessful, a noise flash diversionary device was deployed and officers kicked open the bedroom door. A deputy sheriff stepped into the room to deploy his police dog but saw Friederich crouched down on the bed, pointing the handgun directly at him. Friederich fired two shots at the deputy sheriff.
SWAT shot additional gas into the room, but Friederich still refused to leave. Officers deployed a robot into the room and could see that Friederich had retreated to a closet in the corner of the bedroom. An hour later, Friederich came out of the closet and was arrested. Officers recovered the loaded Kel-Tec pistol as well as a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the bedroom closet.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Social Security employee charged with theft of government property and aggravated identity theftRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 38-year-old Harlingen resident is now in custody on allegations he created false profiles to steal government money, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities arrested Lee Marvin Nichols today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 4.
According to the three-count indictment, returned June 27, Nichols was a claims specialist at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in Harlingen.
Nichols allegedly created fictitious profiles for two children that did not exist. The indictment alleges Nichols linked the profiles of the fictitious children to a recently deceased man and a disabled woman living in Mexico in an attempt to create survivor benefits application.
Nichols used debit cards issued to the children to withdraw funds, according to the charges. When he would obtain the funds, he allegedly attempted to disguise himself by using hats pulled down over his face, sunglasses, balaclavas and other clothing to conceal his appearance.
In addition to Social Security benefits, the IRS issued economic stimulus payments of $1,400 to each fictitious child, according to the indictment.
Nichols is charged with one count of theft of government property which carries a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, he must also serve a mandatory two years which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
The SSA-Office of Inspection General conducted the investigation with the assistance of IRS-Criminal Investigation and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad Gray, Ben Sandel, Andrew Swartz and Jose Esquivel are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Smuggling organizer sentenced for recruiting and directing drivers to transport up to 185 peopleRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 55-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Charles Lee Smith pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Gray Miller ordered Smith to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
From Feb. 26, 2021, through Sept. 14, 2021, Smith recruited others to transport undocumented aliens from Laredo to San Antonio, Houston and other destinations. Smith acquired and paid for the load vehicles as well as drivers’ travel expenses and lodging. He also recruited drivers, oversaw the events and supervised the transport of 182 undocumented aliens, including six unaccompanied minors. On Dec. 8, 2020, Smith personally transported three non-U.S. citizens, but law enforcement caught him. It was after this that he began recruiting others to drive.
On Sept. 9, 2021, Brandon Joseph Bartholomew and Smith met in the Houston area. Smith hired and contracted Bartholomew for $10,000 per load to transport a tractor trailer pre-loaded with non-U.S. citizens from Laredo to Houston. Smith told Bartholomew he would be able to take multiple loads that week.
On Sep. 14, 2021, Bartholomew drove a tractor-trailer to the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Freer. He told authorities he was hauling rice and beans and presented a fraudulent bill of lading. Upon inspection, law enforcement discovered the logos and Department of Transportation number printed on the tractor and trailer were fraudulent. Authorities cut the trailer door seal and discovered 49 undocumented aliens from Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. The temperature inside the enclosed trailer was 91 degrees.
On April 19, 2022, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña imposed a 33-month sentence for Bartholomew, 40, Magnolia.
Smith 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 with the assistance of Border Patrol. Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigations on the other transporters with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Matthew Isaac prosecuted this case. AUSA Colton Turner handled the sentencing.
Seventeen Charged and Twelve Arrested in Joint Enforcement Operation in Carlsbad, New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today, Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Eric Castañeda, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, and Francisco B. Burrola, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and Jeffrey C. Boshek II, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, announced seven indictments returned by a federal grand jury on April 19 and July 19, 2023, one criminal complaint issued on August 1, 2023, and the arrest of 12 alleged drug and firearms traffickers on August 1, 2023, in a coordinated, multiagency enforcement operation in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
According to the indictments and other court records, in February of 2022, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force (PVDTF) received information regarding individuals who were trafficking drugs in southeastern New Mexico. Through diligent and painstaking investigation, agents identified a drug trafficking organization operating out of Eddy County, New Mexico that was distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl in Carlsbad. As a result of the year-long investigation, a federal grand jury issued indictments against 16 defendants for drug and firearms trafficking charges.
Jesus Daniel Sonora-Gonzalez, 29, of Carlsbad, Guerrero Muro, 33, of Midland, Texas, and Marco Antonio Torres-Vivas, 40, of Carlsbad were charged on April 19 with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances including 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and 500 grams and more of fentanyl, nine counts of distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, and one count of attempt to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl. If convicted, both men face up to life in prison.
Damon Michael Johnsey, 28, and Kelly Lamar Burke, 31, both of Carlsbad, were charged under separate indictments on July 19 with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of fentanyl, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession a firearm and ammunition. Johnsey was previously convicted of possession a controlled substance. Burke was previously convicted of abuse of child and possession of a controlled substance. If convicted, both men face up to life in prison.
Kinny Gonzalez, 29, his sister Kassandra Lee Perales, 32, her boyfriend Carlos Michael Venegas, Jr., 24, Amber Kathleen Owen, 50, Brian Kain Purdy aka “Guero,” 41, Sabino Alfonso Maldonado aka “Flaco,” 31, Jared Michael Moore aka “Ghost,” 42, all of Carlsbad, and Jesus Alonso Cerezo-Espidio aka “Pitufo,” 50, of Mexico, were charged on July 19 with conspiracy to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 400 grams and more of fentanyl, 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and 5 grams and more of methamphetamine; distribution of 400 grams and more of fentanyl and 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, smuggling goods from the United States and conspiracy thereto; attempt to smuggle a firearm and ammunition out of the United States to promote a drug trafficking crimes; attempt to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and 500 grams and more of cocaine; and using and carrying a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Gonzalez, Perales, Venegas, Owen, and Cerezo-Espidio face up to life in prison. If convicted, Moore faces up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, Purdy and Maldonado each face up to 10 years in prison.
Manuel Pineda Montoya, 43, of Carlsbad, was charged on July 19 with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and 40 grams and more of fentanyl; using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, Montoya faces up to life in prison.
Silvester Cruz Rueda II, 44, and Jaycelyn Amberly Marrujo, 22, both of Carlsbad, were charged on July 19 with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl as well as possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Rueda II also was charged with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In convicted, Rueda II faces up to life in prison, and Marrujo faces up to 20 years in prison.
David Kirk Haynes, 55, was charged on July 19 with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl. If convicted, Haynes faces up to life in prison. Haynes is a fugitive and has not yet been arrested.
Gonzalez, Owen, Purdy, Maldonado, Moore, Rueda II, Marrujo, Johnsey, and Burke were arrested in Carlsbad on August 1, 2023. Perales and Venegas, Jr. were arrested on August 1, 2023, in North Dakota.
Freddie Trevino, 48, was arrested in Carlsbad on August 1, 2023, and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Trevino faces up to life in prison.
During the arrests on August 1, 2023, agents executed four search warrants in Carlsbad and seized methamphetamine, cocaine, firearms, and money. To date, agents have seized approximately 56 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, four kilograms of fentanyl, 31 firearms, and $75,000 from the drug trafficking organization.
“No corner of New Mexico is beyond the reach of federal criminal investigators. Through strong partnerships with local law enforcement, we struck at the heart of this drug trafficking network, disrupting its operations from the source to the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “But our mission does not end here. We remain vigilant throughout New Mexico to investigate and prosecute drug distribution networks flooding our streets with poison.”
“This is a violent organization with links to cartel activity,” said Eric Castañeda, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “Make no mistake. DEA will continue to aggressively pursue this and other organizations responsible for bringing these dangerous drugs into the communities of southern New Mexico.”
“Organized crime has no place in our country or our communities, especially organizations that poison our citizens with their dangerous drugs and illicit activities,” said Francisco B. Burrola, special agent in charge for HSI El Paso. “These arrests exemplify HSI’s commitment to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to dismantle international criminal organizations one by one.”
“ATF remains committed to protecting the citizens of New Mexico from the scourge of violent firearm offenders. Armed drug trafficking organizations are at the heart of many of the violent acts occurring around us every day. We are proud of the hard work shown here by our partners to put some of the worst of the worst behind bars” stated ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.
“These types of operations have a powerful and lasting impact on our communities. Strong partnerships between federal and local law enforcement make our towns safer and a better place to live. The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office will always stand ready to do our part!”
This investigation was conducted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force led the investigation, with enforcement assistance from the United States Marshal Service, Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Sheriff’ Department, Roswell Police Department, Chaves County Drug Task Force, DEA Airwing and Customs and Border Patrol. The New Mexico Air National Guard’s Air Unit, Artesia Police Department and Customs and Border Patrol’s Air Unit also provided support in this matter.
The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Renee L. Camacho and Devon Aragon-Martinez.
The charges contained in an indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Retired Air Force Officer Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, RICKIE LEE GRESS, 54, a retired Air Force officer from Midwest City, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On March 21, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Gress, charging him with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. According to the Indictment, between August 2016 and May of 2022, Gress knowingly possessed images of child pornography on his computer.
On August 1, 2023, Gress pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. As part of his plea, Gress, admitted to possessing a laptop computer that contained child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Gress was remanded to federal custody following his hearing.
At sentencing, Gress faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
This case is a result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Choctaw Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Registered Sex Offender from Shawnee Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, BRUCE JACKSON MOORE, 47, of Shawnee, was sentenced to serve 40 years in federal prison for producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
“The evil cruelty exhibited by this defendant against innocent three-year-old children is shocking,” said U.S. Attorney Troester. “While we are pleased with the 40-year sentence imposed by the Court to hold Moore accountable, there is nothing that can undo the irrevocable damage he has done to the vulnerable child victims. I commend Homeland Security Investigations, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, and the prosecutors in my office for their detailed and aggressive work on this important case.”
“This defendant repeatedly preyed on innocent children without regard for the life-long pain his actions would cause.“ said Robert Melton, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the HSI Dallas - Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle Division. "HSI will never relent in our commitment to protecting our society's most vulnerable citizens."
According to court records, Moore produced images of himself engaging in sexual acts with a three-year-old child around 2021 to 2022 and distributed them via social media direct messaging. On May 4, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Moore. Count 1 charged him with sexual exploitation of a child, and Count 2 charged him with commission of a felony offense involving a minor as a registered sex offender.
On January 10, 2023, Moore pleaded guilty to Count 1 before United States District Judge Joe Heaton. According to that count, between February 2021, and February 2022, Moore used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
As part of his plea agreement, Moore admitted to taking part in sexually explicit conduct with a child, in order to get a photograph to send through social media.
In announcing the sentence today, Judge Heaton took into consideration Moore’s prior conviction for sexually abusing a different two-to-three-year-old child, his failure to register as a sex offender, the vulnerable age of his current victim, and his distribution of the child pornography images he produced. In sentencing Moore, Judge Heaton noted that Moore’s conduct was “the most serious type of criminal activity that our system has to address.” After serving 40 years in prison, Moore will be supervised by the United States Probation Office for the rest of his life.
This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Hale and Corbin Houston.
This case is also part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is the Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Rapid City Woman Sentenced for Theft from Indian Tribal OrganizationRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft from Indian Tribal Organization. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2023.
Tiffany LaClaire, age 36, was sentenced to seven months in federal custody, three months of home confinement, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. She was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
LaClaire was indicted for Theft from Indian Tribal Organization by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. She pleaded guilty on May 1, 2023.
The defendant had three children, but her parental rights were terminated in 2011 and the children lived with a new family. On July 19, 2021, the defendant fraudulently applied to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and requested $2,000 for each of her former children under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). In the application, she falsely indicated all three children were living with her and in her custody, and thus she was eligible to receive economic assistance for each of the children under the ARP. She was issued checks and used the money. The money never went to the benefit of the three children. Later, the family that was actually caring for the children learned the fraudulent application had been made by the defendant and the matter was reported and investigated.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
LaClaire was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Oxford Man Sentenced in Drug Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
Oxford, MS – An Oxford man was sentenced today to 80 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, Jeremy Fondren, 41, of Oxford, Mississippi, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi to one count of conspiracy to possess in excess of five kilograms of cocaine. Fondren was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Sharion Aycock to 80 months in prison. He was further sentenced to five years of supervised release following his release from prison.
U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner announced the sentence following Fondren’s sentencing hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated the case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program in partnership with state and local law enforcement. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Multiple agencies assisted with the investigation including the Tupelo Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.
Orange County Woman and Man Charged with Running $2.2 Million Scheme that Tricked Banks into Cashing Out Victims’ MortgagesRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – Two Orange County residents have been charged by a federal grand jury with fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million by stealing the identities of homeowners – primarily elderly Vietnamese Americans – and duping banks into “cashing out” mortgages on those properties, the Justice Department announced today.
Thao Thi Kim Nguyen, 47, of Garden Grove, and Nghiep Chinh Nguyen, 55, of Westminster, were arraigned Monday afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana.
Both defendants, who have been granted bond, are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. Thao Nguyen additionally is charged with seven counts of bank fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Nghiep Nguyen is charged further with two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
At their arraignments, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. A September 26 trial date was scheduled in this matter.
The schemers allegedly obtained a type of mortgage that allows homeowners to convert home equity into cash by borrowing against the value of the property.
According to an indictment returned on July 26, during a roughly four-month period in 2018, Thao Nguyen opened accounts in her name at two banks. The alleged purpose of these bank accounts was to collect the scheme’s ill-gotten gains.
Thao Nguyen then would visit the bank, accompanied Nghiep Nguyen and other co-schemers. Nghiep Nguyen and other co-schemers posed as the victim homeowners – whose identities they allegedly had stolen – and forged the victims’ signatures to fraudulently obtain cash-out mortgages on the victim-owned properties, which otherwise were unencumbered.
To pursue the fraud, Nghiep Nguyen allegedly used counterfeit California driver’s licenses and Social Security cards containing the victims’ names, and forged the victims’ signatures on documents, including bank and mortgage forms as well as grant deeds for the victims’ real estate properties. The victims’ names also were added to the Thao Nguyen-controlled bank accounts.
Thao Nguyen allegedly used her accounts to receive wire transfers totaling more than $2 million in fraudulently obtained cash-out mortgage proceeds. She allegedly would transfer the fraudulently obtained mortgage proceeds to other bank accounts she controlled and would make cash withdrawals totaling approximately $1 million. The remaining funds were distributed to the co-schemers.
In total, the defendants fraudulently obtained approximately $2,182,753 through the scheme, the indictment alleges.
For example, in July 2018, Thao Nguyen opened a bank account in her name. Later that month, Nghiep Nguyen and another co-schemer, accompanied by Thao Nguyen allegedly posed as two homeowners at the bank branch in Orange.
Two days later, Nghiep Nguyen allegedly forged the two victim homeowners’ signatures on a grant deed for properties in Garden Grove and Long Beach. Nghiep Nguyen and another co-schemer allegedly then used fake IDs in the victims’ names to add those names to Thao Nguyen’s bank account. While doing so Thao Nguyen told bank personnel that the victims were her parents, according to the indictment.
In August 2018, Thao Nguyen allegedly received a wire transfer of approximately $623,196 in fraudulent mortgage proceeds. She then transferred most of the ill-gotten funds to accounts she and another co-schemer controlled, according to the indictment.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all charges, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each conspiracy and fraud charge, and a mandatory sentence of two years in federal prison for each aggravated identity theft charge.
The FBI, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter. The Long Beach Police Department, the California Attorney General’s Office, and investigators with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office provided assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Charles E. Pell of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Special Assistant United States Attorney Gregory B. Wagner are prosecuting this case.
Operation Cross Country XIII Leads to Identification/Location of Adolescent VictimsRead the Press Release
Note: B-roll from Operation Cross Country XIII operations can be found/downloaded here: Operation Cross Country 2023 B-Roll
The FBI, working with its state and local partners, identified and located 200 victims of sex trafficking during a nationwide enforcement campaign called Operation Cross Country. The operation also led to identification or arrest of 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking offenses and 68 suspects of trafficking were identified or arrested.
Through targeted operations and collaborative efforts, Operation Cross Country achieved significant milestones in recovering victims, apprehending offenders, and raising public awareness about these heinous crimes. The FBI and its partners located 59 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses and located 59 actively missing children during its 2-week operation in July.
“Sex traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This operation, which located 59 actively missing children, builds on the tremendous work the FBI has undertaken over many years to rescue minor victims and arrest those responsible for these unspeakable crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to prevent human trafficking; increase detection, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking crimes; and expand support and services to protect and empower survivors.”
The FBI-led nationwide initiative, in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), focused on identifying and locating victims of sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex and human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies conducted targeted operations to identify and apprehend offenders, dismantling criminal networks, and preventing further harm to victims. Those suspects identified will be subject to additional investigation for potential charges.
“Human traffickers’ prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes scar victims – many of them children – for life. The FBI's commitment to combatting this threat will never waver, and we will continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This operation would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration from our state and local law enforcement partners, and it demonstrates our continued focus on actively pursuing the criminals responsible for these heinous violations and connecting those impacted with dedicated victim services and resources.”
A multidisciplinary team (MDT), to include victim specialists, child/adolescent forensic interviewers, and other victim service personnel, in addition to special agents, ensures a victim-centered, culturally responsive, trauma-informed investigative response. The FBI MDT works with state and local partners to make resources available to meet the unique needs of trafficking victims.
Victim specialists provide services based on the individual needs of human trafficking victims, to include crisis intervention, emergency food and clothing, transportation to receive emergency services, and locating shelter or housing. The victim specialists also serve as conduit between the victims and the investigative team to help ensure they are receiving case updates, as appropriate.
“Behind every statistic, there is a person with dreams, aspirations, and the right to live a life free from child sex trafficking and exploitation. As a society we must work together to ensure the protection, support, and empowerment of those impacted by this heinous crime.” said NCMEC President & CEO Michelle DeLaune. “We applaud the FBI and their partner law enforcement agencies for their unwavering dedication to protecting children. Their tireless efforts in combatting crimes against children sends a powerful message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated.”
The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to combatting child exploitation and human trafficking. Operation Cross Country is just one facet of the Bureau's ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of society and hold offenders accountable. The FBI encourages continued vigilance, cooperation, and reporting from the public to help identify and recover victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Resources:
- Victim Services Division
- Crimes Against Children
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- NCMEC’s 24/7 call center number: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678)
Northern District of Indiana US Attorney’s Office to Participate in Community Events During National Night OutRead the Press Release
HAMMOND - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events on August 1, 2023. During this year’s National Night Out, United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson has directed staff to attend community events throughout the Northern District, which includes areas within Northwest Indiana, South Bend and Fort Wayne. Staff will be meeting law enforcement and first responders during this yearly event.
United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said, “National Night Out activities are important steps in building bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I encourage all District residents to participate in National Night Out activities in order to create law enforcement and community partnerships, which will, in turn, build safer neighborhoods and stronger communities.”
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the United States Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
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Northeast Philadelphia Pharmacies and Their Owners Agree to Pay over $3.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act LiabilityRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Future Pharmacy, Inc. (“Future”) and JJ Pharmacy, Inc. (“JJ”), and their respective owners, Arthur Kilimnik, Alexander Ferman, Mikhail Ferman, Leonard Kilimnik, and Aleksey (Alex) Orlov, have agreed to pay over $3,500,000 to the federal government to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare for prescription medications that were not actually dispensed. During the period January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016, these medications included but were not limited to Lidocaine, Lidoderm, Advair Diskus, Nexium, Creon, and Abilify. Future Pharmacy and JJ Pharmacy have also agreed to a five-year federal healthcare exclusion, which will prohibit them from receiving payments from any federally funded health care insurer such as Medicare during the that time. The pharmacies have also surrendered their DEA Certificates of Registration and ceased operations.
As a majority owner of Future Pharmacy and minority owner of JJ Pharmacy, and a pharmacist, the government also contends that Arthur Kilimnik violated the Controlled Substances Act by: (a) failing to maintain complete and accurate records; (b) failing to separate Future Pharmacy’s Schedule II biennial inventory from its Schedule III-V biennial inventory; (c) failing to take appropriate inventory within a two-year period following Future Pharmacy’s last inventory; (d) receiving Schedule II supply from another company, Future Medical, and filling prescriptions generated by Future Medical without proper documentation; and (e) improperly allowing another individual to use Kilimnik’s Controlled Substance Ordering System username and password to order Schedule II controlled substances.
“Pharmacies and pharmacists have a responsibility to serve as gatekeepers of a closed system of prescription drug distribution. That responsibility was allegedly abused for profit here,” said U.S. Attorney Romero.
“Pharmacies are integral partners in patient care, and they are expected to act with integrity,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Regional Office of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. “We take allegations of pharmacy fraud seriously, and today’s settlement reflects our commitment to working with our partners to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent in an appropriate manner – on needed medications, not wasted on fraud and abuse.”
“Pharmacies are entrusted with the proper dispensing and safeguarding of controlled substances in their possession,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “The Controlled Substances Act mandates that pharmacists maintain accurate records and inventories to account for these drugs.”
The settled civil claims are allegations only. There has been no determination of civil liability.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Agency. It was handled by Civil Chief Gregory B. David, Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah W. Frey, and Auditor George Niedzwicki.