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14 July 2023
Activity in the U.S. Attorney's OfficeRead the Press Release
Drug and Firearm Offenses
Ryan Jase Harkins, age 42, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, to 71 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence, which included three years of supervised release, $500 community restitution, and a $200 special assessment.
According to court documents, on October 21, 2022, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) executed a search warrant for a camera system at Harkins’ residence in Casper, Wyoming, where he lived with his minor children. During the search, agents saw illegal drugs in plain view and applied for and received a second search warrant for drugs. Agents then found fentanyl, methamphetamine, Harkins’ state ID, and a firearm in a safe in Harkins’ bedroom.
This crime was investigated by DCI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom.
Drug Trafficking
Co-conspirators George Daniel Nitchman, age 50, of Worland, Wyoming, Jeffrey Johnson, age 33, Michael Shae Kelli, age 23, both of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Joseph Raymond Stone, age 44 of Porterville, California, were recently sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking ring. A fifth co-conspirator, Anthony Rodriguez, age 51, of Porterville, California, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2023.
According to court documents, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents were briefed on an influx of methamphetamine being distributed in the Lovell, Wyoming area in October of 2021. After conducting interviews with known and unknown drug distributors in the area, and executing search warrants obtained from Wyoming state courts, agents were able to identify key players distributing methamphetamine in and around Lovell. The methamphetamine was transported from California to Wyoming via rental cars, a Greyhound bus, and through the U.S. Postal Service.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the following sentences:
- George Nitchman received 110 months’ imprisonment with four years of supervised release, $500 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jeffrey Johnson received 110 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release, $500 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Michael Kelli received 70 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release, $500 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Joseph Stone received 95 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release, $400 for community restitution, and a $100 special assessment for distribution of methamphetamine.
This crime was investigated by DCI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys T.J. Forwood and Michael Elmore.
Fugitive/Failure to Register Crimes
Leonard Dale Van Dam, age 73, of Green River, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 12, 2023, to 30 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release and a $200 special assessment for escape from custody and for possession with intent to distribute heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold.
Randolph Paul Duran, Jr. age 34, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 13, 2023, to 24 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment for failure to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence which will run consecutive to the sentence she imposed in case number 20-CR-184-F. In that case, the court imposed 6 months’ imprisonment for violation of supervised release terms. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Gist.
Delray Quiver, age 45, of Lander, Wyoming, was sentenced on July 13, 2023, to 12 months and 1 day in prison for failure to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence which includes five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Gist.
About the United States Attorney’s Office
The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include:
Environmental Justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.
Victim Witness Assistance
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime#trafficking
14 Defendants, Including Leaders of the Colombo Organized Crime Family, Plead Guilty to Various Felony ChargesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Vincent Ricciardo, also known as “Vinny Unions,” a captain in the Colombo crime family of La Cosa Nostra, pleaded guilty to racketeering related to his extortion of a high-ranking official of a Queens-based labor union (the “Labor Union”), loansharking, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Ricciardo is the last of the defendants indicted in 2021 and 2022 in connection with various offenses committed by members and associates of the Colombo crime family involving extortion, money laundering conspiracy, drug-trafficking, fraud and loansharking offenses. Previously, Benjamin Castellazzo, the Colombo family underboss, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and Ralph DiMatteo, the Colombo consigliere, pleaded guilty to racketeering involving extortion and money laundering conspiracy. Colombo family captains Theodore Persico, Jr., who was slated to become the crime family’s next boss, and Richard Ferrara also pleaded guilty to racketeering. Other defendants convicted of racketeering included Colombo family soldier Michael Uvino and associates Thomas Costa and Dominick Ricciardo.
In addition, various employee welfare benefit plan brokers and providers, including Albert Alimena, Joseph Bellantoni, and Erin Thompkins, pleaded guilty to health care fraud conspiracy stemming from their agreement with Colombo family members to divert benefit funds to the Mafia family. The guilty pleas took place before United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the guilty pleas.
“Today, there can be no doubt that the Colombo crime family has been decapitated as a result of the guilty pleas by its leadership and other facilitators of lucrative schemes,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office, and the outstanding prosecutors, Special Agents, and detectives responsible for this significant blow are nevertheless mindful of the resilience of organized crime and we will not relent in our efforts to dismantle, disrupt, and disable this destructive menace in our communities.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and Office of the Inspector General, the Nassau County Police Department, the New York City Department of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section for their invaluable assistance in the investigation.
According to earlier court filings and facts presented during the guilty plea proceedings, the defendants and their co-conspirators committed a variety of crimes – including extortion, loansharking, fraud, and drug-trafficking – to enrich themselves and to promote the continued operation of the Colombo organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra. The Colombo family’s administration, including boss Andrew Russo (who passed away during the pendency of the case), underboss Castellazzo and consigliere DiMatteo, as well captains Persico, Ferrara, and Vincent Ricciardo, agreed to use extortionate means, including threats of bodily harm, to force the official to give over a portion of his salary and, eventually, to take decisions at the Labor Union and with its affiliated healthcare benefit fund (the “Health Fund”) that would enrich the Colombo crime family’s administration, including attempts to force the trustees of the Health Fund to select vendors who were associated with the Colombo crime family and handpicked by some of the defendants. The crime family’s administration sought to divert more than $10,000 per month from the Health Fund’s assets to the Mafia.
In addition, Castellazzo, DiMatteo, Persico, Ferrara, Ricciardo, and Uvino joined with defendants Alimena, Thompkins, and Bellantoni to devise a scheme to launder money from Health Fund contracts and vendor payments. These defendants attempted to re-bid Health Fund vendor contracts for claims administration, pharmaceuticals, and other health services to persons and companies affiliated with Bellantoni, and to select a company run by Alimena as the Health Fund’s third-party administrator.
Bonanno crime family soldier John Ragano, who was also known as “Bazoo” and the “Maniac,” also led a scheme to issue fraudulent workplace safety training certifications from two occupational safety schools he purported to operate in Long Island. Rather than provide workplace safety trainings required to obtain Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, Ragano along with John Glover and Domenick Ricciardo, falsified paperwork submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor and other government agencies which represented that hundreds of workers had completed construction safety training courses when they had not. Instead, various defendants used Ragano’s schools to conduct meetings involving members of La Cosa Nostra and to store illegal drugs and fireworks. In November 2022, Ragano pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with a means of identification. He was sentenced in April 2023 to 57 months’ imprisonment. In December 2022, Domenick Ricciardo pleaded guilty to racketeering and was sentenced in June 2023 to 28 months’ imprisonment.
When sentenced, Castellazzo, DiMatteo, Ferrara, Martino, Persico, Vincent Ricciardo, and Uvino each face up to 20 years in prison. Costa faces up to 30 years in prison. Glover faces up to 15 years in prison. Alimena, Bellantoni, and Thompkins face up to 10 years in prison.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys James P. McDonald, Devon Lash, Michael W. Gibaldi, and Andrew Reich are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
ALBERT ALIMENA
Age: 69
Pompano Beach, FloridaJOSEPH BELLANTONI
Age: 41
Massapequa, New YorkBENJAMIN CASTELLAZZO (also known as “Benji”)
Age: 85
Manahawkin, New JerseyTHOMAS COSTA
Age: 54
West Islip, New YorkRALPH DIMATTEO
Age: 68
Merrick, New YorkRICHARD FERRARA
Age: 61
Brooklyn, New YorkJOHN GLOVER
Age: 64
Queens, New YorkVINCENT MARTINO
Age: 45
Medford, New YorkTHEODORE PERSICO, JR. (also known as “Teddy”)
Age: 59
Brooklyn, New YorkJOHN RAGANO (also known as “Bazoo” and the “Maniac”)
Age: 61
Franklin Square, New YorkDOMENICK RICCIARDO
Age: 57
Franklin Square, New YorkVINCENT RICCIARDO (also known as “Vinny Unions”)
Age: 77
Franklin Square, New YorkERIN THOMPKINS
Age: 55
Franklin Square, New YorkMICHAEL UVINO
Age: 57
Garden City, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-466 (S-1) (HG)
13 July 2023
Wheeling man admits to sale of fentanyl pillsRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia, man has admitted to the distribution of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.
Rashun Rafael Suncar, also known as “Blackie,” 36, pled guilty today to the distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents, Suncar sold pills stamped as the prescription medication Percocet that contained fentanyl near the Elks Playground in East Wheeling. Agents obtained a search warrant for Suncar’s residence where they recovered additional drugs along with a 9mm Taurus pistol.
Suncar faces a up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking a sentencing enhancement against Suncar because of the firearm found in his home.
The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Nogay is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
West Roxbury Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Physical Therapy Clinic Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A West Roxbury man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud multiple insurance providers for physical therapy services that were not provided to patients.
Slava Pride, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years in prison and two years of supervised release. Pride was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,301,645. In November 2022, Pride pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Pride was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendants Anna Barenboym, Gyulnara Bayryshova and Raya Bagardi. Pride pleaded guilty in November 2022.
Pride was a physical therapy assistant at Brighton Physical Therapy (BPT), a Brighton-based physical therapy clinic owned by Bayryshova. Barenboym and Bagardi were also employed at BPT as a licensed physical therapist and a licensed physical therapist assistant, respectively. According to the charging documents, from October 2018 through June 2020, Pride and his co-defendants conspired to cause multiple insurance companies to reimburse them for physical therapy services that were not actually provided and/or were not medically necessary and, in some cases, were provided by individuals not licensed to provide the services. Specifically, Pride and, allegedly, his co-defendants falsely billed for services purportedly rendered to patients injured in automobile accidents when the services were not actually provided. It is further alleged that BPT paid patients for referrals, referred patients to attorneys to assist with patients’ insurance settlements and accepted kickbacks from those attorneys in return.
Pride was one of three defendants to plead guilty in the case. Barenboym and Bagardi previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are scheduled to be sentenced on August 3, 2023 and July 19, 2023, respectively.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Vancouver Man Extradited to the United States for Role in Penny Stock FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Vancouver man has been extradited from Canada to the United States for his alleged role in a market manipulation scheme intended to defraud investors in the Boston-based company Endeavor Power Corp.
Marco G. Babini, 62, was arrested in April 2020 and was extradited to the United States on July 7, 2023. Babini made his initial appearance in federal court on July 10, 2023 and was arraigned on July 12, 2023, at which time a federal magistrate judge took his pretrial detention under advisement. Babini was indicted in September 2015 on one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud; one count of securities fraud; and two counts of wire fraud.
According to the charging documents, between approximately July 2012 and March 2013, Babini allegedly conspired to manipulate the securities of Endeavor. Specifically, it is alleged that Babini and others executed a scheme in which Babini secretly controlled and accumulated a significant portion of the purportedly unrestricted shares of Endeavor without making the legally mandated disclosures to the public. While doing so, Babini and others allegedly engaged in manipulative stock trading transactions and then orchestrated a promotional campaign for the purpose of facilitating the fraudulent dump of their shares into the market, a course of conduct commonly known as a “pump-and-dump.”
Babini’s alleged co-conspirators Edward Withrow III and Samuel Brown were previously charged with and convicted of federal offenses. In May 2018, Withrow pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Brown separately pleaded guilty in July 2015 to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud and one count of making false statements to the SEC. Withrow and Brown were sentenced in December 2018 and January 2019, respectively.
The charges or conspiracy and securities fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. 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 Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The U.S. Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Department of Justice Canada provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Law Enforcement, Community Partners to Host National Night Out Event in East St. LouisRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – To encourage stronger relationships between residents and law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, event organizers and officials are inviting the East St. Louis community to a free event with activities for attendees of all ages to celebrate National Night Out.
The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Lincoln Park in East St. Louis, located at 606 S. 15th St.
Community partners will give out school supplies to students and will offer an array of activities like competitive games and more.
Ameren Illinois, the City of East St. Louis, Community Development Sustainable Solutions (CDSS), Community Life Line, the East St. Louis Police & Fire Departments, Illinois State Police, Family & Community Engagement Center, Fathers & Families Support Center, Indivisible Metro East, Kaskaskia Group of the Illinois Sierra Club, Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are partnering to host the event.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Arrest and Indictment of a Canadian Man for Destruction of an Energy Facility and Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
BISMARCK –United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Cameron Monte Smith, a citizen of Canada, with 1) Destruction of an Energy Facility; 2) Possession of Firearm by an Illegal Alien; and 3) Possession of Ammunition by an Illegal Alien.
As stated in the indictment, Smith is alleged to have damaged the Wheelock Substation in an amount exceeding $100,000.00 in May of 2023. The substation, located near Ray, North Dakota, is operated by Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative.
Smith is also alleged to have illegally possessed a .450 Bushmaster rifle and 9mm Sig Sauer pistol knowing that he was an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States.
The charge of destruction of an energy facility is punishable by a maximum imprisonment term of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The firearm offenses are each punishable by a maximum imprisonment term of 15 years and a $250,000 fine.
On July 12, 2023, Smith appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter for an initial appearance and arraignment where he entered a not guilty plea to these charges. Judge Hochhalter ordered that Smith be detained in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 17, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. A trial has been scheduled for September 12, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in Bismarck, ND.
An indictment is an accusation and notice of charges. The defendant is presumed innocent under the law unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Williams County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David D. Hagler and Jonathan J. O’Konek with the assistance of Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Summer Law Camp Introduces High School Students to A Career in the LawRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – This week, 22 high school students attended the U.S. Attorney’s Office Summer Law Camp, for an introduction to the American Criminal Justice System and to learn more about what it takes to pursue a career in the law. The three-day program wrapped up on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, with the students participating in mock trials at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. presided over the mock trials.
“Our Summer Law Camp is a great way to introduce young people to our criminal justice system and the diverse career paths available to them within the legal field,” said U.S. Attorney King. “The mock trials also give students an opportunity to better understand legal proceedings and trial advocacy, and experience first-hand what it’s like to be a lawyer in an interesting, fun, and interactive format.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office Summer Law Camp is free of charge, and it is available to students in 9th through 12th grades who are interested in learning more about the legal profession. The program is taught by career federal prosecutors and it is designed to help students explore the justice system, learn about the Federal Rules of Evidence, gain basic advocacy skills, and encourage students to think as lawyers. In addition, participating students receive instruction on evidence collection, and have an opportunity to hear from guest speakers representing law enforcement agencies and the defense bar. During the mock trials, students actively participate in the court proceedings, with assigned roles as prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses, tasked with delivering opening and closing statements, providing testimony, and conducting cross examinations.
“Our law camp provides students of all socio-economic backgrounds with an opportunity to be exposed to the legal profession, understand the legal process, and learn more about career options in the legal field,” said U.S. Attorney King. “But ultimately, the law camp is more than a lesson in civics or career preparation. The goal is to help young people gain a greater understanding of the power and responsibility they hold as citizens and the important role they play in ensuring that the criminal justice system is a place where they can make a difference for themselves, for their community, and, ultimately, for justice,” King added.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Summer Law Camp can be found here.
Two Queens Men Sentenced for Armed Robbery at Aqueduct RacetrackRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Lamel Miller was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to 108 months’ imprisonment following his conviction at trial in connection with the March 7, 2020 armed robbery of over $280,000 in cash from the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. Last month, on June 14, 2023, Miller’s co-defendant, Lafayette Morrison, who was a racetrack security guard acting as an “inside man” during the robbery, was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), and Edward A. Caban, Acting Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentences.
“These sentences are the finale to the armed robbery that played out like a Hollywood movie heist,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Miller and Morrison made the wrong bet in robbing the Aqueduct Racetrack and have been justly punished for their violent crimes.”
“This sentencing clearly demonstrates that serious violent crime such as the armed robbery committed by the defendants; will be met with a corresponding response from law enforcement.” said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John DeVito. “The men and women of ATF SPARTA investigate and arrest those who believe they can prey on New Yorkers without fear of consequences. They can’t! Thanks to the NYPD’s Queens Robbery Squad and U.S. Attorney's office for the outcome of this case.”
“The criminals involved in this ill-conceived robbery plot have earned meaningful prison sentences for their roles in its planning and execution,” stated NYPD Acting Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “I commend and thank the NYPD detectives and ATF agents on our Joint Robbery Task Force, and the prosecutors in the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, for their critical work on this important case.”
On October 21, 2022, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Morrison of Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in connection with the March 7, 2020 armed robbery of more than $280,000 in cash from Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens. Morrison and Miller were also convicted of brandishing a firearm in connection with the robbery. Additionally, Morrison was convicted of obstruction of justice. Miller previously pled guilty to the robbery in September 2022.
As proven at trial, at approximately 10 p.m. following the Gotham Day stakes races at Aqueduct, Miller and a co-conspirator, the third charged defendant, held up at gunpoint several racetrack employees – including Morrison, who was employed as a racetrack security guard – as they were transporting more than $284,000 in cash earnings to a vault. Miller and the co-conspirator emerged from their hiding spot in a stairwell and confronted the employees at gunpoint, taking the cash and employees’ cell phones, and forcing the employees into a closet. Miller and the co-conspirator then went to a hotel where they divided up the robbery proceeds; they each took $100,000 and gave the remaining $84,000 to Morrison, who had falsely posed as a victim during the robbery. In reality, Morrison had served as the robbery crew’s “inside man,” providing information in advance about where and when the money would be transported to the Aqueduct Racetrack’s vault. When interviewed by federal law enforcement officers after the robbery, Morrison repeatedly lied to officers, including by claiming to be a victim of the crime and misidentifying a photograph of his childhood friend, Miller.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew R. Galeotti and Rachel A. Bennek, with the assistance of paralegal specialist Anna November. Assistant United States Attorney Claire Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is in charge of asset forfeiture.
The Defendants:
LAMEL MILLER
Age: 41
Queens, New YorkLAFAYETTE MORRISON
Age: 41
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-216 (AMD)
Two People Convicted of Conspiring to Sell Methamphetamine in East AlabamaRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – On July 11, 2023, a federal jury in Opelika, Alabama convicted Andre Tremayne Franklin, 38, from Columbus, Georgia, and Kahlia Nichelle Washington, 27, from Phenix City, Alabama, for their roles in an east Alabama drug trafficking operation, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the DEA began an investigation of a suspected drug trafficking operation in 2020. The investigation eventually revealed that a Columbus, Georgia man, Justin Garrett, 30, was supplying methamphetamine and cocaine to Franklin and others to be resold. The jury heard evidence that Franklin would commonly store and sell the illegal drugs in a “stash house” in Phenix City. Washington helped Franklin run the stash house and would contact Franklin when customers would arrive. Garrett pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute on June 22, 2023, and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 5, 2023. A sentencing date for Franklin and Washington will be set in the coming months. At sentencing, Franklin and Garrett each face a sentence of up to life in prison. Washington could receive a sentence of anywhere from 5 to 40 years. The following provides more detail on the statuses of five additional defendants involved in the operation:
- On June 22, 2023, Xavier Toombs, 35, a resident of Phenix City, Alabama, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
- Also on June 22, 2023, Ryan Brown, 33, another resident of Phenix City, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
- On June 23, 2023, Torrez Jenkins, 28, a resident of Jonesboro, Georgia, was sentenced to 64 months in prison for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He pleaded guilty to the charge on March 6, 2023.
- On June 27, 2023, Lorenzo Miles, 34, a resident of Columbus, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
- On June 28, 2023, Khourtney Jakeith Brown, 34, another resident of Phenix City, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
United States Attorney Stewart thanks all of the agencies involved in this investigation, including the DEA; the FBI; the United States Marshals Service; the Auburn Police Division; the Eufaula Police Department; the Phenix City Police Department; the Henry County Sheriff’s Office; the Russell County Sheriff’s Office; the Columbus, Georgia Police Department; and the Muscogee County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin P. Davidson and Brett J. Talley are prosecuting the case.
Two More Dublin Federal Correctional Officers Plead Guilty to Sexually Abusing Multiple Female InmatesRead the Press Release
As part of its ongoing investigation into Bureau of Prisons (BOP) officials at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, two more federal prison correctional officers were charged for sexually abusing multiple female inmates.
Nakie Nunley, 48, of Fairfield, California, and Andrew Jones, 35, of Pleasanton, California, were each charged by information with multiple counts of sexually abusing female inmates and then lying about the abuse to federal investigators. Both Nunley and Jones were employed as federal correctional officers at the time of the abuse. Both have agreed to plead guilty in written plea agreements, which were filed concurrently with the charging documents.
“The sexual abuse charges and guilty pleas announced today are the result of the Department of Justice’s sustained commitment to rooting out sexual misconduct at the Bureau of Prisons,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “As these guilty pleas reflect, we will continue to hold accountable correctional officers who abuse their positions of trust and fail to humanely care for those in their custody.”
“The FBI is unrelenting in its protection of the civil rights of all individuals, including those who are incarcerated,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “No matter where these crimes occur, violence of any type destroys the safety and protection that every person deserves. We will continue to pursue investigations into any Bureau of Prisons official who abuses their position and assaults those in their care.”
“This office’s ongoing investigation into the conditions at FCI Dublin has revealed significant wrongdoing by multiple correctional officers at that facility,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate misconduct in the care of incarcerated persons. Correctional officers have an obligation to ensure the safety of incarcerated persons, and all Bureau of Prisons employees should view these latest two prosecutions as confirmation that the Department of Justice will do its part to ensure that those who stray from these obligations are held accountable.”
“Nunley and Jones are the seventh and eighth individuals charged with sexually abusing inmates at FCI Dublin. Five individuals, including the Warden and Chaplain, have been convicted of sexual abuse of inmates,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) is continuing to investigate these heinous allegations at FCI Dublin and is aggressively pursuing justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of rogue BOP employees.”
“Incarcerated individuals should be able to serve their sentences without fear of being sexually assaulted by correctional institution staff,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp of FBI San Francisco Field Office. “Nakie Nunley and Andrew Jones abused their positions and will be held accountable. Protecting civil rights stands among the FBI’s highest priorities, and we will continue to investigate such claims as they come to light.”
Nunley was charged with engaging in sexual acts and sexual contacts with five women who were serving prison sentences at FCI Dublin at the time of the abuse. He was also charged with lying to federal investigators about the sexual abuse and writing sexually explicit notes with one of his victims. Jones was charged with engaging in sexual acts with three women who were serving prison sentences at FCI Dublin, as well as lying to federal investigators about sexually abusing one of these victims.
Nakie Nunley
Nunley was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners who worked in UNICOR, a trade name for the federal prison industries. All of Nunley’s victims worked at the UNICOR call center at the time of his abuse. According to his plea agreement, Nunley admits that between March 2020 and November 2021, he engaged in sexual acts with two prisoners, including having oral and vaginal sex with one victim and digitally penetrating another victim on multiple occasions. He also admitted that he engaged in illegal sexual contacts with three other prisoners and that he lied to federal investigators about sexually abusing his victims and about sending one of his victims sexually explicit notes.
In addition to the five victims, Nunley also admitted in his plea agreement that he sexually abused two other prisoners who worked at UNICOR. Nunley admitted that he digitally penetrated one victim’s vagina and caused her to touch his penis under his pants, resulting in him ejaculating in her hand. Nunley admitted that he caused another victim to perform oral sex on him.
Nunley also admitted that he engaged in other inappropriate behavior. For example, Nunley agreed that he wrote sexual notes to one of his victims and made sexual comments to multiple victims. Moreover, when one of his victims approached him about his conduct towards another victim, Nunley threatened her by raising with her the potential that she could be transferred to another facility and that she could lose her job. Similarly, Nunley admitted that he told another victim that if she wanted to keep her job at UNICOR, she needed to pull down her underwear and bend over. When she complied, Nunley slapped her buttocks several times.
Andrew Jones
Jones was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners who worked in the Food Services Department. According to his plea agreement, between July 2020 and June 2021, Jones admitted that he received oral sex from, or had sexual intercourse with, three female prisoners who worked for him in the FCI Dublin kitchen. Jones admitted that he sexually abused these prisoners in multiple places near the FCI Dublin kitchen, including a staff bathroom, a warehouse, and a room where kitchen utensils were kept. In addition, like Nunley, Jones admitted in his plea agreement that he engaged in improper conduct in addition to the conduct for which he was charged in the Information. Specifically, Jones admitted that he also had sexual intercourse and received oral sex from an additional victim on multiple other occasions between July and December 2020, and that he had sexual intercourse with yet another victim multiple times between March and June 2021.
FCI Dublin Investigation
As part of the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into FCI Dublin, eight FCI Dublin correctional officers, including the former Warden, have been charged with crimes related to the sexual abuse of the female prisoners at the facility. In December 2022, former Warden Ray J. Garcia was convicted by a jury of sexually abusive conduct against three female victims and was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his crimes. To date, the tally of correctional officers charged with misconduct as part of the Justice Department’s investigation are as follows:
NAME
CASE NUMBER
STATUS
Warden Ray J. Garcia
4:21-cr-00429-YGR
Convicted on all counts by jury on Dec. 8, 2022; sentenced to 70 months in prison
CO John Bellhouse
4:22-cr-00066-YGR
Convicted on all counts by jury on June 5; sentencing scheduled for Oct. 27
Chaplain James Highhouse
4:22-cr-00016-HSG
Pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2022; sentenced to 84 months in prison
CO Enrique Chavez
4:22-cr-00104-YGR
Pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2022; sentenced to 20 months in prison
CO Ross Klinger
4:22-cr-00031-YGR
Pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2022; sentencing scheduled for Dec. 13
CO Darrel Smith (aka “Dirty Dick Smith”)
4:22-cr-00110-YGR
Indicted on April 13; status conference scheduled for Aug. 3
CO Nakie Nunley
4:23-cr-00213-HSG
Information and Plea Agreement filed on July 13
CO Andrew Jones
4:23-cr-00212-HSG
Information and Plea Agreement filed on July 13
DOJ-OIG and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Priedeman and Andrew Paulson for the Northern District of California, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Sara Slattery, Christine Tian, Claudia Hyslop, Leeya Kekona, and Kay Konopaske, are prosecuting the case.
Two Bronx Men Charged in Connection with Shooting of Five-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Edward Caban, the First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and John DeVito, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), announced charges against AUSTIN MORRISHOW and CURTIS WHITE for possessing ammunition after conviction of a felony. MORRISHOW and WHITE were congregated outside on a busy sidewalk in the Bronx the Friday before the July Fourth holiday weekend when they fired multiple shots at three cars in the Bronx, New York, hitting and seriously injuring a five-year-old child sitting in the backseat of one of the cars. WHITE was arrested this morning in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, pursuant to a criminal Complaint and was presented earlier today in the Southern District of New York before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. MORRISHOW remains at large.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants fired two guns — with ammunition that they were not allowed to possess — multiple times at three fleeing cars with innocent passengers inside, including a five-year-old girl, who was shot in the back. These senseless acts of violence occurred in front of a memorial of someone shot and killed in the area just the day before. Let this be a message to those who plague our streets with gun violence: We will work tirelessly, swiftly, and unceasingly in coordination with our law enforcement partners to find you, wherever you are and whenever it may be, and we will bring you to justice.”
NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban said: “We promised this little girl and her family that we would not rest until the criminals involved in her shooting were identified, located, and held accountable. True to our word, we vow that the actions of any repeat violent offender who uses an illegal gun on our streets will never be tolerated – there will always be consequences.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge John DeVito said: “Today’s arrest sends a clear message that violent criminals will be met with swift justice for their blatant criminal acts. Any shootings carried out on the streets of NYC are reprehensible let alone one that caused harm to innocent bystanders and a child. This callous disregard for life has no place in our communities, and ATF will work hand in hand with all our partners to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[[1]]
On June 30, 2023, the victim — a five-year-old girl — was sitting in the backseat of her father’s tan sedan, which was double-parked in front of a residential building in the Bronx near a group of individuals who were gathered outside at a makeshift memorial for an individual who had been shot and killed just the day prior. The victim’s father, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the car, was waiting for two friends to arrive to attend a car show in Queens. The two friends arrived at approximately 7:00 p.m. — one driving a silver sedan and the other driving a red minivan. A still image from surveillance footage is below with the three cars circled in red and the gathering circled in yellow:
As the driver of the silver sedan pulled next to the victim’s father, the driver of the silver sedan revved his engine. The victim’s father cautioned his friend not to accelerate the car to avoid the vehicle backfiring and the sound being mistaken for gunshots. But it was too late. The silver sedan backfired, causing the group of individuals — including MORRISHOW and WHITE — to scatter.
MORRISHOW took cover behind a parked vehicle and fired a .40 caliber pistol multiple times at the three cars, which began fleeing from the gunfire. A still image from surveillance video footage is below with MORRISHOW circled in red:
WHITE ran down the street after the fleeing cars, firing a .380 caliber pistol. A still image from surveillance video footage is below with WHITE circled in red:
After the victim’s father drove his daughter to safety a couple blocks away, he got out of his car to check on his daughter. Realizing that she had been shot in his back, he held her in his arms and yelled for somebody to call an ambulance. The driver of the silver car called 911. Minutes later, NYPD officers arrived and transported the victim to the hospital.
In the wake of the shooting, the NYPD recovered a .380 caliber firearm from an apartment unit that WHITE entered immediately after the shooting before exiting shortly thereafter. A photograph of the .380 caliber firearm recovered by the NYPD is below:
The NYPD also recovered seven .40 caliber shell casings from the vicinity of the parked car near where MORRISHOW fired his gun, as well as two .380 caliber shell casings from the street near where WHITE fired his gun. MORRISHOW was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior federal conviction for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, and WHITE was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior state conviction for attempted first-degree assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon.
* * *
MORRISHOW, 25, and WHITE, 26, both of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and the ATF and thanked the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry J. Fang is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
U.S. v. Morrishow and White ComplaintThree Indicted for Publisher’s Clearing House Imposter Scam Targeting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Jowayne C. Godfrey, 24 years old, of Margate, Florida, Vinmar Y.A. Mitchell, 25 years old, of Roosevelt, New York, and Ariel S. Bagalue, 31 years old, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, were arrested and charged by indictment with conspiracy to money launder for a group of schemers that was targeting elderly victims throughout the United States in a Publisher’s Clearing House scam. The indictment alleges that the participants in this scheme duped their victims into believing they had won a large prize, preyed on their elderly victims’ trust and false hopes of collecting millions of dollars, and persuaded their victims to deplete their life savings and go into debt to pay supposed sweepstakes taxes and fees, which the schemers, including defendants Godfrey, Mitchell, and Bagalue, stole for themselves.
According to the indictment, from approximately February 2020 through February 2023, imposters posing as Publisher’s Clearing House representatives called elderly Americans and informed them they had won millions of dollars and new cars in the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes. The imposters convinced the victims that in order to collect their significant winnings, they had to pay up-front taxes and fees. The imposters directed the victims about how to make the payments, including making direct deposits to bank accounts belonging to schemers, buying gift cards and mailing them to the schemers or providing the card numbers and PIN codes over the phone to the schemers, and mailing checks and cash to the schemers. If a victim made one bogus tax or fee payment, the schemers called back and requested more tax and fee payments, falsely claiming that the additional payments were needed in order for the victim to claim the sweepstakes prize. According to the indictment, defendants Godfrey, Mitchell, and Bagalue laundered and attempted to launder approximately $400,000 of victim funds from the scheme. The indictment sets forth how the defendants received the victim funds and then moved the money around in smaller transactions designed to conceal the source, location, and control of the funds, kept some for themselves and passed the remainder on to other schemers.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years of imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Philadelphia, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Cuban Nationals Sentenced for Sex Trafficking and Related Crimes in Texas Strip ClubsRead the Press Release
Three Cuban nationals were sentenced for sex trafficking and related crimes in strip clubs in the Houston area.
Rasiel Gutierrez Moreno, 38, Hendry Jimenez Milanes, 39, and Rafael Mendoza Labrada, 29, were each sentenced to 210 months in prison and to pay $451,298 in restitution, 120 months and $359,108 in restitution, and time served of 34 months, respectively.
Gutierrez Moreno pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and interstate travel in aid of racketeering Oct. 28, 2021. As part of his plea agreement, Gutierrez Moreno admitted to bringing women from Cuba to the United States and imposing on them inflated smuggling debts as high as $30,000. Gutierrez Moreno forced the women to work in Houston-area strip clubs, such as Michaels’ International, where they danced and engaged in commercial sex acts with club patrons, providing all the proceeds to Gutierrez Moreno to pay down their debt. The defendant further acknowledged smuggling and imposing debts to coerce approximately 20 other women in this manner.
Gutierrez Moreno admitted that, to keep Victim 1 under his control while she worked for him, he bragged about his acts of violence against other women and their families. On one occasion, Gutierrez Moreno beat another woman shortly before Victim 1 arrived at his home and ensured that Victim 1 observed that woman’s injuries. When Victim 1 escaped Gutierrez Moreno, the defendant contacted her family in both Miami and Cuba to demand that she return to work and finish paying her debt to him.
Jimenez Milanes pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2022, to coercion and enticement, and Mendoza Labrada pleaded guilty on April 30, 2021, to interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
“These defendants cruelly used violence, threats of violence, and false debts to force vulnerable victims to engage in commercial sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This kind of sex trafficking scheme is unlawful, dehumanizing and terrorizing to the women unable to break free. The Justice Department is committed to the vigorous prosecution of those who prey upon, abuse and exploit others for their own financial benefit.”
“These human smugglers terrorized female migrants, using Houston’s strip clubs combined with psychological threats and sexual violence for their personal financial gain,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “The victims came to the United States in search of a new life, were especially vulnerable, and the defendants took advantage of that. The sentences imposed today send a strong message that the Southern District of Texas will not tolerate those who smuggle, threaten and abuse the vulnerable.”
“The court’s sentence today sends a strong message: The Diplomatic Security Service is committed to making sure that those who commit sex trafficking face consequences for their criminal actions,” said Special Agent in Charge John Keith of the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Houston Field Office. “DSS’ strong relationship with the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies around the world continues to be essential in the pursuit of justice.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will always remain dedicated and focused on the identification and recovery of the victims of human trafficking. We prioritize not only the safe rescue of these victims, but work with our partners to provide them with resources necessary to help them deal and cope with their experience,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of HSI Miami. “We are committed to working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to put any human trafficker who soullessly preys on victims of this crime to put them behind bars.”
The DSS investigated the case as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA), with the assistance of HSI Miami and the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.
Established in 2004, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those survivors who the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack for the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Kate Hill of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
If you believe you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, call local law enforcement or the 24/7 confidential National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Advertising Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to advertising child pornography on the dark web.
Neal Grubert, 35, of Bertram, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of advertising child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Nathanial M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2023. Grubert was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2021.
In May 2020, Swedish law enforcement authorities determined that a Swedish citizen was producing images and videos of himself sexually abusing his three-year-old niece and distributing them on various dark websites. The investigation identified Grubert as an administrator of one of the websites. Following the Swedish individual’s arrest, a forensic examination of their phone revealed several images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including images and videos in which Grubert’s face could be seen watching the exploitation as it happened via webcam while logged onto this dark website. Specifically, Grubert was masturbating while directing the Swedish individual how to molest his niece. A subsequent undercover investigation by federal law enforcement located images and a video uploaded and published by Grubert in his role as an administrator on the dark website.
The other individual pleaded guilty to charges in Sweden and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The charge of advertising child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Swedish Police Authority; Swedish National Operations Department; Swedish National IT Crime Centre; Swedish Prosecution Authority; Swedish National Public Prosecution Department; and Swedish National Unit against Organized Crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and Benjamin Tolkoff of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.Tampa Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Attempting to Provide Material Support to IsisRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari (26, Tampa) to 18 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The court also ordered Al-Azhari to forfeit certain assets that are traceable to proceeds of the offense, as well as various items of property, including gear, that were involved in, or intended to be used to commit, the offense. Al-Azhari had pleaded guilty on February 23, 2023.
According to court documents, Al-Azhari pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2023. Al-Azhari is a United States citizen who spent most of his life abroad and came to embrace dogmatic, Islamist/Salafist beliefs. In 2018, Al-Azhari was released from prison in Saudi Arabia following a conviction and sentence for supporting terrorism in Syria, after which he was removed to the United States.
Upon Al-Azhari’s arrival to the United States in or around December 2018, the FBI began investigating him for potentially providing material support to ISIS, which, at all relevant times, was designated as a foreign terrorist organization under federal law. In or around April 2020, Al-Azhari began to plan to carry out an attack in support of ISIS. Around the same time, Al-Azhari began to acquire multiple firearms. Al-Azhari also researched and scouted potential locations for an attack in the Tampa Bay area. Since at least May 2019, Al-Azhari also consumed ISIS propaganda and spoke favorably about ISIS, to whom he eventually pledged his allegiance through a bay’ah (an Islamic oath of allegiance). Furthermore, Al-Azhari spoke about avenging the United States’ imprisonment of Muslims, including ISIS fighters, and the United States’ military actions in the Middle East. In addition, Al-Azhari rehearsed parts of the plan described above, including practicing statements that he would make during, or in connection with, the plans described above in support of ISIS.
Al-Azhari had multiple, recorded interactions with an FBI undercover employee (UCE) and a confidential human source (CHS) in April and May 2020. Al-Azhari was in the process of trying to buy guns from the undercover employee, including a fully automatic rifle, when he was arrested on state charges for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. After his release from state custody, Al-Azhari continued to try to buy firearms from the UCE. Al-Azhari also met with the CHS, attempted to “convert” the CHS to Islam, and Al-Azhari confided in the CHS about Al-Azhari’s affiliation with ISIS and the plans described above to provide material support to ISIS, as well as to send money to ISIS. Al-Azhari also recruited the CHS to help him in connection with the plans described above in support of ISIS, as well as robberies, and he asked the CHS to obtain a Glock pistol and an unregistered silencer. Agents arrested Al-Azhari when he took possession of the gun and silencer on May 24, 2020.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI Counterterrorism Division made the announcement.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Tampa Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Clearwater Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Risha Asokan and Cherie Krigsman for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case, with assistance from Joshua Champagne and Paul Casey of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Starke Man Pleads Guilty to Mail TheftRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Connor Lee Austin (28, Starke) has pleaded guilty to theft of mail. Austin faces up to five years in federal prison and payment of restitution to the victims in the case. No sentencing date has been set.
According to court documents and public records, in late April 2022, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received multiple reports of mail being stolen from mail boxes in the Keystone Heights area. Surveillance footage from homes in that area captured a truck driving down roads with the passenger, later identified as Austin, and his co-defendant, Maranda Ann Stewart (26, Starke), stealing mail from mailboxes. On May 6, 2022, the Baker County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) arrested Austin and Stewart for their involvement with a fraudulent check. During the arrest, the BCSO conducted an inventory search of the truck used by them and located over 100 pieces of mail that had been stolen from various addresses in Clay County.
Further investigation determined that after stealing mail, Austin and Stewart used Austin’s phone in an effort to deposit stolen checks into their bank accounts through mobile deposit. Law enforcement recovered mail that had been stolen by Austin and Stewart from Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, and Putnam counties.
Austin appeared in federal court on April 19, 2023, pursuant to a writ bringing him to Jacksonville from Florida State Prison where he is serving a prison sentence of 36 months for grand theft, grand theft from a dwelling, and burglary. He was ordered detained.
On June 27, 2023, Stewart pled guilty to one count of theft of mail. She faces up to five years’ imprisonment and payment of restitution to the victims in the case. No sentencing date has been set.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with valuable assistance from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
St. Bernard Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Violating the Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On July 12, 2023, United States District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced DAWAYNE BOUTAIN, age 29, a resident of Violet, to a statutory maximum of 120 months in prison for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court records, BOUTAIN arrived at an apartment in Violet as St. Bernard Parish officers were about to execute a search warrant. BOUTAIN was found in possession of a Ruger magazine with 10 live rounds. He had previously been convicted of four separate felonies and was federally prohibited from possessing guns or ammunition.
Judge Africk also ordered that BOUTAIN serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison and pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Bernard Parish Sherriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller of the Violent Crime Unit.
Sexual abuse of boy on Crow Indian Reservation sends Crow Agency man to prison for 30 monthsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Crow Agency man who admitted to sexually abusing a boy in Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Nathaniel Bartell Plainbull, 34, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with sexual abuse of a minor.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in June 2021, Plainbull and others were drinking and socializing on the Crow Indian Reservation and eventually went to a Lodge Grass residence where some continued to drink. Later, a woman opened a bedroom door and saw Plainbull, naked, on the bed with the victim, identified as John Doe, who was under the age of 16 at the time. The woman reported to law enforcement in March 2022 what she had seen in June 2021 while being interviewed on another matter. FBI agents interviewed John Doe, who described sexual abuse by Plainbull.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Sex Offender Sentenced to 151 Months for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama announced that United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced defendant Frederick Moore, Jr., 74, to 151 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Moore entered a guilty plea to that offense on March 21, 2023.
According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, on December 15, 2021, officers with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) received a tip that child pornography was being distributed from Moore’s address. On May 4, 2022, a state search warrant was executed and Moore’s cell phone was seized and examined. Agents were able to identify approximately 540 suspected child pornography images, with the majority being toddler age. Moore was previously convicted Sex Abuse 1st on December 6, 1994.
Judge Moorer imposed a 151-month sentence of incarceration and a lifetime term of supervised release upon Moore’s discharge from prison. Judge Moorer ordered that Moore pay $100 in special assessments. Moore will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison and is to have no contact with minors.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources.
Seven More Individuals Charged in Connection with Illegal Gambling Businesses in OhioRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Cleveland, Ohio, returned five indictments, unsealed today, charging a total of ten individuals, three of whom were previously charged, with illegal gambling, tax and/or other related offenses.
According to the indictments, nine defendants owned or operated illegal gambling businesses (“IGBs”) in Canton, Ohio, including Skilled Shamrock, Redemption, Plaza 777, Gametastic, Gametastik, Belden Connection 777, Café 62, Got Skillz, and Skillz 777.
Stephanie Condric
One indictment charges that Stephanie Condric of Canton, Ohio, allegedly co-owned and operated Gametastic. Condric and others allegedly concealed their ownership of Gametastic by putting the business in the name of a nominee and reported some of its payroll under the name of a nominee business. According to the indictment, Condric and her co-conspirators failed to report all of Gametastic’s payroll on employment tax returns filed with the IRS. Condric also allegedly failed to report her share of Gametastic’s profits on her individual income tax returns for 2016 and 2017.
Christos Karasarides, Christopher Karasarides, Ronald DiPietro, Thomas Helmick
In May 2021, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Ronald DiPietro (a Certified Public Accountant), Thomas Helmick, and Jason and Rebecca Kachner with tax and gambling offenses. In 2022, a second superseding indictment charged DiPietro with tax evasion and added Christos Karasarides who worked with DiPietro to provide false information to the IRS. Jason and Rebecca Kachner, who are married, pleaded guilty in July 2022.
A third superseding indictment now adds Christopher Karasarides. Christopher Karasarides and his father, Christos Karasarides, both of Canton, Ohio are charged with, among other violations, conspiring to defraud the United States. The indictment alleges that Christos Karasarides fraudulently attempted to compromise and settle his more than $3.1 million tax debt with the IRS by (1) submitting false information to the IRS about his interest in and income from IGBs, (2) filing false income tax returns, and (3) hiding his income and assets, including his ownership and income from Skilled Shamrock, Redemption, and Plaza 777. Christos Karasarides allegedly spent millions in cash between 2013 and 2019 for cars, golf and other expenses at a country club, credit card charges, and purported loans for businesses with which he was associated The indictment alleges that Christopher helped conceal his father’s assets from the IRS by serving as a nominee owner of some of his father’s businesses In addition, Christopher allegedly filed false individual tax returns for 2017 through 2020 reporting that he was the shareholder in a particular business when, in fact, Christos Karasarides was the true shareholder.
Melissa Bragg
Melissa Bragg of Canton, Ohio, is charged in a separate indictment with conducting Belden Connection 777, an illegal gambling business, from approximately 2013 to July 11, 2018.
Michael Moneypenny
Michael Moneypenny of Norton, Ohio, is charged in a separate indictment with four counts of conducting illegal gambling businesses, arising from his involvement in Skilled Shamrock, Redemption, Gametastic, and Gametastik. Moneypenny allegedly operated a business repairing and selling slot machines, and also leased slot machines to gambling businesses in Ohio and Florida.
Isaiah Worlow, Steven Fluharty, and Tiffany Kerekes
Isaiah Worlow, Steven Fluharty, and Tiffany Kerekes are charged in a fifth indictment with conducting illegal gambling businesses related to Got Skillz, Skillz 777, and Café 62.
Stephanie Condric made her initial court appearance today before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, Condric faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiring to impede and impair the functions of the IRS, five years for conspiring to own and operate an illegal gambling business, five years for conducting an illegal gambling business, and three years for subscribing a false return.
Christopher Karasarides made his initial court appearance today before U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, Christopher Karasarides faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and three years in prison for each false tax return count.
Melissa Bragg made her initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Judge John R. Adams of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for owning and operating an illegal gambling business.
Michael Moneypenny made his initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of owning and operating an illegal gambling business.
Christos Karasarides, Tiffany Kerekes, Isaiah Worlow, and Steven Fluharty will make their initial appearances at a later date.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Interim U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Stark County, Ohio, Prosecutor’s Office, the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission – Major Crimes Task Force are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Sam Bean and Richard M. Rolwing of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Howell of the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Seven More Individuals Charged in Connection with Illegal Gambling Businesses in OhioRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Cleveland, Ohio, returned five indictments, unsealed today, charging a total of ten individuals, three of whom were previously charged, with illegal gambling, tax and/or other related offenses.
According to the indictments, nine defendants owned or operated illegal gambling businesses (“IGBs”) in Canton, Ohio, including Skilled Shamrock, Redemption, Plaza 777, Gametastic, Gametastik, Belden Connection 777, Café 62, Got Skillz, and Skillz 777.
Stephanie Condric
One indictment charges that Stephanie Condric of Canton, Ohio, allegedly co-owned and operated Gametastic. Condric and others allegedly concealed their ownership of Gametastic by putting the business in the name of a nominee and reported some of its payroll under the name of a nominee business. According to the indictment, Condric and her co-conspirators failed to report all of Gametastic’s payroll on employment tax returns filed with the IRS. Condric also allegedly failed to report her share of Gametastic’s profits on her individual income tax returns for 2016 and 2017.
Christos Karasarides, Christopher Karasarides, Ronald DiPietro, Thomas Helmick
In May 2021, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Ronald DiPietro (a Certified Public Accountant), Thomas Helmick, and Jason and Rebecca Kachner with tax and gambling offenses. In 2022, a second superseding indictment charged DiPietro with tax evasion and added Christos Karasarides who worked with DiPietro to provide false information to the IRS. Jason and Rebecca Kachner, who are married, pleaded guilty in July 2022.
A third superseding indictment now adds Christopher Karasarides. Christopher Karasarides and his father, Christos Karasarides, both of Canton, Ohio are charged with, among other violations, conspiring to defraud the United States. The indictment alleges that Christos Karasarides fraudulently attempted to compromise and settle his more than $3.1 million tax debt with the IRS by (1) submitting false information to the IRS about his interest in and income from IGBs, (2) filing false income tax returns, and (3) hiding his income and assets, including his ownership and income from Skilled Shamrock, Redemption, and Plaza 777. Christos Karasarides allegedly spent millions in cash between 2013 and 2019 for cars, golf and other expenses at a country club, credit card charges, and purported loans for businesses with which he was associated The indictment alleges that Christopher helped conceal his father’s assets from the IRS by serving as a nominee owner of some of his father’s businesses In addition, Christopher allegedly filed false individual tax returns for 2017 through 2020 reporting that he was the shareholder in a particular business when, in fact, Christos Karasarides was the true shareholder.
Melissa Bragg
Melissa Bragg of Canton, Ohio, is charged in a separate indictment with conducting Belden Connection 777, an illegal gambling business, from approximately 2013 to July 11, 2018.
Michael Moneypenny
Michael Moneypenny of Norton, Ohio, is charged in a separate indictment with four counts of conducting illegal gambling businesses, arising from his involvement in Skilled Shamrock, Redemption, Gametastic, and Gametastik. Moneypenny allegedly operated a business repairing and selling slot machines, and also leased slot machines to gambling businesses in Ohio and Florida.
Isaiah Worlow, Steven Fluharty, and Tiffany Kerekes
Isaiah Worlow, Steven Fluharty, and Tiffany Kerekes are charged in a fifth indictment with conducting illegal gambling businesses related to Got Skillz, Skillz 777, and Café 62.
Stephanie Condric made her initial court appearance today before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, Condric faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiring to impede and impair the functions of the IRS, five years for conspiring to own and operate an illegal gambling business, five years for conducting an illegal gambling business, and three years for subscribing a false return.
Christopher Karasarides made his initial court appearance today before U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, Christopher Karasarides faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and three years in prison for each false tax return count.
Melissa Bragg made her initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Judge John R. Adams of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for owning and operating an illegal gambling business.
Michael Moneypenny made his initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp of the Northern District of Ohio. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of owning and operating an illegal gambling business.
Christos Karasarides, Tiffany Kerekes, Isaiah Worlow, and Steven Fluharty will make their initial appearances at a later date.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Stark County, Ohio, Prosecutor’s Office, the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission – Major Crimes Task Force are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Sam Bean and Richard M. Rolwing of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Howell of the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Richland County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Raphiel Coleman, 35, of Columbia, was sentenced to over four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence presented to the court showed that Richland County deputies were called to a store on Broad River Road concerning a man with a gun. When they arrived, the deputies saw Coleman wearing the same clothing as described by the 911 caller. The deputies ordered him to the ground, but he fled behind the store. One deputy gave chase on foot and the other followed in the police car. Eventually, they caught Coleman and during a search of him, they found one .357 caliber round of ammunition in his pocket. With the help of a police dog, they retraced their steps and found a .357 caliber pistol on the ground in a bush. Coleman subsequently admitted possessing the gun. The police also found approximately 2 grams of marijuana in Coleman’s pocket.
Federal law prohibits Coleman from possessing a firearm and ammunition based upon prior convictions for burglary, possession of stolen vehicle, failure to stop for a blue light, intimidation of a juror or witness, possession of less than 1 gram of methamphetamine, and pointing and presenting a weapon.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Coleman to 51 months (4 years and 3 months) in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on July 11, 2023.
Ramon Morales-Padilla, 42, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Morales-Padilla was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in July of 2021. He pleaded guilty on January 27, 2023.
Between July of 2020 and July of 2021, Morales-Padilla obtained methamphetamine from co-conspirators. He further distributed it to others for use and distribution in Rapid City. During the conspiracy, he possessed dangerous weapons. It was reasonably foreseeable to Morales-Padilla that at least four kilograms of methamphetamine would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the Drug Enforcement Agency. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina S. Nelson and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Morales-Padilla was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Raceland Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DAMER SMITH, age 46, of Raceland, Louisiana, was sentenced on July 11, 2023 for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on November 17, 2018, deputies with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to SMITH’s residence after he threatened to kill his minor children. When deputies arrived, SMITH opened the door of his residence and fired a shot into the yard. Subsequently, SMITH surrendered, and deputies escorted the children from the residence safely. Thereafter, deputies executed search warrants on the residence, locating three firearms, ammunition, and approximately 3,898 grams of prepackaged marijuana.
U.S. District Court Judge Greg Guidry sentenced SMITH to 84 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. SMITH was also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
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.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in this investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.
Queens Acupuncture Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Causing the Filing of False ReturnsRead the Press Release
A New York woman pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax return.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Alice Bixuan Zhang of Queens, New York, co-owned and operated Wellife Physical Therapy and Acupuncture PLLC (“Wellife”) and Welling Physical Therapy and Acupuncture PLLC (“Welling”), both of which had locations throughout New York City. Zhang, along with Nikki B. Yu, who pleaded guilty in October 2020, established and used a series of purported management companies to conceal acupuncture business income from taxation. Zhang and Yu diverted funds from Welling and Wellife and did not report those funds to the IRS. Rather, Zhang and Yu cashed checks, drawn on Welling and Wellife accounts and made payable to the purported management companies, at a check-cashing business and then provided false and incomplete information to their tax return preparers by not disclosing the cashed amounts. This scheme to conceal income resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of over $784,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2023. Zhang faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. Mr. Goldberg thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their assistance in the matter.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Thomas F. Koelbl and Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Panama City Man Convicted of Carjacking and Discharging a Firearm in Dothan, AlabamaRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – Today, a federal jury in Dothan, Alabama, convicted Steven John Smalley, 50, from Panama City, Florida, of carjacking and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on September 14, 2021, Smalley drove to a gas station on Ross Clark Circle in Dothan and pulled behind another vehicle parked at a gas pump. There was no one in the parked vehicle at the time. Smalley got out of his car and looked into the parked vehicle, then walked toward the gas station’s front door. Video footage from the station showed that Smalley engaged in a conversation with the driver of the parked vehicle and eventually pulled a handgun out of his pocket and demanded the driver give him the keys to the car. The driver refused and Smalley unsuccessfully attempted to grab the keys from the driver’s hand several times. Smalley then pointed the firearm at the driver and asked him, “Do you want to die today?” Eventually, Smalley fired a round from the firearm in the direction of the driver, narrowly missing him. The driver then placed the keys on a trash can, Smalley took them, and drove away in the stolen car. The Dothan Police Department quickly responded and arrested Smalley within walking distance of the gas station.
Following the guilty verdict, Smalley faces a sentence of ten years to life in federal prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for Smalley in the coming months.
The Dothan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin L. Jones and Joel Feil are prosecuting the case.
Owner of Health Care Company Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Conspiracy to Commit Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Mboutchock Kabiwa a/k/a Eugenie Bakari or Eugenie Kabiwa, age 45, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to pay bribes and kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce the beneficiaries to visit her company Holy Health Care Services, LLC (“Holy Health”), a mental health services provider with locations in Washington, D.C.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Emily Odom; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS OIG”); and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.
According to her plea agreement, Kabiwa and a co-conspirator owned and operated Holy Health. Holy Health entered into Medicaid Provider Agreements with the District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance (“DHCF”), to provide healthcare services to D.C. Medicaid recipients. Holy Health was certified by the District of Columbia’s Department of Behavioral Health (“DBH”) to provide mental health services as a freestanding clinic and as a Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services (“MHRS”) provider. As a certified MHRS provider, Holy Health had authority to provide and bill for a variety of mental health services including “community support” – a service for which community support workers (“CSWs”) provide rehabilitative and educational support to mental health patients both in clinical settings and in the community. Holy Health documented the services provided to patients utilizing an electronic healthcare system called the Integrated Care Management System (“ICAMS”), then submitted invoices for those services to DHCF, which processed the invoices and paid Holy Health.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Kabiwa and her co-conspirators paid bribes and kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce the beneficiaries to visit Holy Health, and paid bribes and kickbacks to others in exchange for referring Medicaid beneficiaries to Holy Health for mental health services. The co-conspirators caused Medicaid beneficiaries to be transported, often by van, to Holy Health’s North Capitol location. Medicaid beneficiaries who visited Holy Health were required to sign in and received a cash bribe – generally $5 or $10 – in exchange for visiting Holy Health. To conceal the nature of these payments, Kabiwa directed Holy Health employees to falsely describe these payments as a transportation stipend, even when Holy Health transported the beneficiaries or when beneficiaries were not incurring transportation expenses. At other times during the conspiracy, Kabiwa and her co-conspirators attempted to conceal the illegal bribe payments to beneficiaries as payments from the Agatha Foundation, a nonprofit that Kabiwa founded. Kabiwa provided front-desk employees of Holy Health with sign-in sheets containing Agatha Foundation letterhead to create the false appearance that Agatha was making the payments. Kabiwa admitted that she and a co-conspirator provided funds to Holy Health employees to fund the kickback and bribe payments.
According to the plea agreement, Kabiwa and her co-conspirators caused claims to be submitted by Holy Health to Medicaid for services, including community support services, purportedly provided to Medicaid beneficiaries procured through bribes and kickbacks. Medicaid would not have paid the claims had it known they were procured through bribes and kickbacks. Kabiwa also became aware that co-conspirators entered false notes into ICAMS for CSW services that were not rendered and were not provided as billed to Medicaid, but took no action to stop or correct the fraudulent claims. Based on the amount that Medicaid paid to Holy Health for community support services that were not delivered or procured through bribes and kickbacks, the actual loss to Medicaid was at least approximately $3,343,781.
Finally, Kabiwa admitted that she fraudulently obtained an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) of $150,000 for Holy Health. The EIDL program was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) and was intended to help small businesses meet necessary financial obligations that could have been met had the COVID-19 pandemic not occurred. After a $1,000 handling charge, EIDL loan proceeds of $149,900 were transferred into a Holy Health bank account on May 26, 2020. Within a few days, Kabiwa transferred $120,000 of the EIDL proceeds from the Holy Health bank account to her personal bank account. Kabiwa used the EIDL funds for personal purposes including to purchase two vehicles—one of which was a Porsche Cayenne. Kabiwa titled both vehicles in the name of her non-profit, the Agatha Foundation. Kabiwa also transferred more than $40,000 in EIDL funds overseas, including $37,821 to Cameroon, even though Holy Health had no operations outside of the United States.
Kabiwa faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the health care fraud conspiracy. As part of her plea agreement, Kabiwa will be required to forfeit and pay restitution in the full amount of the loss, which the parties agree is at least $3,493,681. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of three strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
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.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the HHS OIG, and the District of Columbia Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica C. Collins, Christopher M. Sarma, and Megan S. McKoy, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao/md.
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Ottawa County Man Sentenced to 38 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Matthew James Warne, 34, of Zeeland, Michigan, was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney for distributing and attempting to distribute child pornography. Judge Maloney also ordered Warne to spend 10 years on supervised release after his confinement. In imposing the sentence, Judge Maloney stated that Warne posed a “major risk to the public” and highlighted the seriousness of Warne’s conduct.
“Every day of this sentence against Mr. Warne is deserved, but it hardly begins to undo the harm against the innocent and vulnerable children who are the victim of this crime,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Each image of child pornography that Warne possessed and distributed represents the sexual abuse of a real child. Our efforts to prosecute people who commit these crimes will continue and those who commit these types of crimes will face a similar fate.”
Investigators originally responded to Warne’s workplace after a report of Warne inappropriately filming in a bathroom. Police learned through further investigation that Warne shared thousands of images and videos of child pornography online. Specifically, Warne used a social media application called Telegram to chat with other individuals about child pornography and send the images and videos. Warne previously pleaded guilty on March 30, 2023. Warne’s conviction followed his 2013 state conviction for third-degree criminal sexual conduct and his 2018 state conviction for criminal sexual conduct-assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. Warne was on parole with the Michigan Department of Corrections when he distributed the child pornography.
“The significant sentence in this case underscores the importance of keeping innocent children safe from dangerous predators and serves as a warning to those individuals who prey upon the most vulnerable in our society,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Distributing child abuse images repeatedly victimizes a child and the FBI will dedicate resources to investigating anyone who commits crimes of this nature.”
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutors’ offices, an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation of this matter was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky.
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Orange County Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Stalking and Harassment Campaign Against Online GamerRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for stalking a professional online gamer during a long-running harassment campaign.
Evan Baltierra, 30, of Trabuco Canyon, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin, who also ordered him to pay $2,544 in restitution.
Baltierra pleaded guilty in July 2022 to one count of stalking. He has been in federal custody since his arrest in September 2022 for violating the terms of his pretrial release by continuing to harass the victim.
Baltierra met the victim, a prominent professional gamer, at a gaming convention in Anaheim in November 2019. After this meeting, Baltierra asked to meet the victim in her hometown in Canada, which made her feel uncomfortable. After the victim blocked Baltierra on various social media accounts, Baltierra created hundreds of social media accounts to send the victim threatening messages. One message sent to the victim via Twitter in January 2021 read in part, “[t]imes ticking…waiting for the right opportunity.”
In October 2020, Baltierra hired an unknown third party to create multiple images of the victim that placed her face onto pornographic images. From November 2020 to March 2022, Baltierra posted the photoshopped images to multiple pornographic websites and internet forums. He also sent the images to the victim’s friends and family. Baltierra also posted links to the images on various social media websites and told others online to search for the victim’s name to see naked pictures of her.
The victim obtained a temporary restraining order against Baltierra in January 2021. After the protective order was served on him, Baltierra began posting the victim’s personal information – including her real name and city of residence, which were listed on the protective order – to social media websites and during her live video game streams. Baltierra also posted the victim’s Twitter handle to pornographic websites along with the photoshopped nude images he had created.
During the victim’s live streams of video games, Baltierra used multiple accounts to continually post harassing messages. Baltierra’s spamming of the victim forced her to stop streaming in February 2021.
In June 2021, two months after Baltierra and the victim reached a settlement in which he agreed to not contact her or her associates in exchange for the victim dissolving the temporary restraining order, Baltierra called the victim’s local police department. In that phone call, Baltierra requested the police conduct a welfare check of the victim by lying to the police that the victim had made online threats to commit suicide. Baltierra also attempted to obtain the victim’s home address during that phone call. The police responded to the victim’s home in response to Baltierra’s call.
From January 2022 to March 2022, Baltierra sent threatening messages to the victim via various social media accounts, including one messages that read, “get a casket ready.” In March 2022, Baltierra wrote a letter to the parents of the victim’s boyfriend, which stated, in part, that the situation was going to end badly for her.
Baltierra continued to harass the victim after the FBI searched his residence, after he was criminally charged in this case, and after he pleaded guilty to a felony offense and was free on bond pending sentencing.
“Baltierra continued to post fake nude photographs of [the victim] and appeared to attempt to contact her online, leading to his arrest in September of 2022,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Nare of the Santa Ana Branch Office prosecuted this case.
Operation Smoke and Mirrors Update: Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Nicole Leigh Fierbaugh, 44, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Fierbaugh admitted to her role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in the Charleston area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between October 2022 and March 22, 2023, Fierbaugh conspired with other individuals to sell quantities of methamphetamine. Fierbaugh admitted to collecting money from customers and using that money to purchase methamphetamine from a co-defendant. Fierbaugh further admitted to delivering methamphetamine to the customers while usually keeping some of the methamphetamine she purchased with their money for her personal use.
On January 30, 2023, Fierbaugh arranged by phone to purchase methamphetamine from a co-defendant, who directed her to a woman who lived at his Charleston residence. Fierbaugh admitted to providing the woman with $160 in exchange for approximately 10.5 grams of methamphetamine.
Fierbaugh is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
Fierbaugh is among 30 individuals indicted as a result of Operation Smoke and Mirrors, a major drug trafficking investigation that has yielded the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history. Law enforcement has seized well over 200 pounds of methamphetamine as well as 28 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of fentanyl, 18 firearms and $747,000 in cash.
More than a dozen of the defendants have pleaded guilty. Indictments against the other defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-31.
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North Tazewell Man Sentenced for Possessing Firearms, Explosive DevicesRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A North Tazewell man, who possessed seven firearms, over 100 rounds of ammunition, an explosive detonator and a destructive device, was sentenced this week to 57 months in federal prison.
Timothy Wader Mitchell Jr., 45, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an explosive device by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on May 22, 2022, law enforcement responded to the Mitchell residence in North Tazewell, Virginia to serve an outstanding warrant on Sandra Mitchell, Timothy Mitchell’s wife. While at the residence, deputies observed a methamphetamine pipe and several other drug paraphernalia items.
After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, deputies discovered a small quantity of methamphetamine, seven firearms, consisting of five long guns and two handguns, over 100 rounds of ammunition, an electric blasting cap, a fuse, and a destructive device categorized by experts as an explosive bomb.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, and the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case.
New York Man Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Traveling to Pennsylvania to Have Sex with A MinorRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Stephen Farleigh, age 51, of Walton, New York, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 15 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for attempted enticement of a minor.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between October 21, 2021 and February 9, 2022, Farleigh used the internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and traveled to the Middle District of Pennsylvania with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 13-year-old child.
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.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.
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New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Transmitting Threatening CommunicationsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ZANDRA ELLIS, age 34, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty today to transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, in June 2022, ZANDRA ELLIS submitted a request to a website to have a romantic rival killed. The website was, in fact, a parody website complete with its own web-based intake form for would-be solicitors to fill out, in their own words, the who, what, when, where, and why for requested services. The site boasts its own fictitious privacy statement known as HIPPA (Hitman Information Privacy & Protection Act of 1964) and is linked directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov). On July 5, 2022, ELLIS, communicated with an FBI undercover agent who was posing as a hitman. In those text message exchanges, ELLIS confirmed the ongoing feud with a romantic rival, reiterated her request to have that person killed, and agreed to pay the “hitman” $1,000. When ELLIS met the undercover agent on July 6, 2022, she provided a $100 down payment after which she was arrested. At the time of her arrest, ELLIS possessed a loaded Ruger .380 pistol.
ELLIS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. She will be sentenced on October 17, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Drug and Weapons ViolationsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DERRICK ESTES, age 43, of New Orleans, was sentenced on July 11, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 360 months imprisonment, 4 years of supervised release, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans . ESTES was previously found guilty as charged, after a trial by a jury, of all counts in a four-count superseding indictment.
The superseding indictment charged ESTES in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). Count 2 charged ESTES with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense in violation of Title 18, United Sates Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). Count 3 charged ESTES with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Finally, Count 4 charged ESTES with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and over 40 grams of fentanyl in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(vi), and (b)(1)(C).
The FBI’s New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force worked with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) during 2020-21 in Algiers due to a significant increase in shootings and homicides. On January 17, 2021, NOPD responded to the shooting of ESTES in Algiers. During their investigation, police located video footage of the shooting and saw ESTES exit his vehicle after the shooting, remove several items from within and go to his residence.
NOPD officers executed a search warrant at the residence and located several items linked to ESTES, including cocaine and fentanyl, drug selling paraphernalia, and three firearms, including an AK- 47 rifle. Investigators previously observed ESTES on a crime camera with a similar AK-47 rifle one month earlier. After ESTES’s, subsequent arrest, at another residence, NOPD searched that residence and his vehicle, locating a cocaine, over 40 grams of fentanyl, drug selling paraphernalia, and approximately $2800.
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.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Inga Petrovich and Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Weapons ChargeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On July 12, 2023, ALVIE ROLLINS a/k/a ALVIN ROLLINS, age 26, plead guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. His sentencing is scheduled for October 18, 2023.
ROLLINS faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years imprisonment, a fine up of up to $250,000.00, up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
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.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Trummel and Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On July 12, 2023, JUSTIN MORGAN, age 25, a resident of Orleans Parish, pled guilty to three counts of a seven-count superseding indictment for drug and weapons violations, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
In Count 1 of the superseding indictment, MORGAN was charged with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and (b)(1)(d). MORGAN faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a period of at least 3 years of supervised release.
In Count 2 , MORGAN is charged with possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). MORGAN faces a minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a period of up to 5 years of supervised release. Additionally, this sentence must run consecutive to all other sentences imposed.
In Count 3 , MORGAN is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). MORGAN faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a period of up to 3 years of supervised release. For Counts 1,2 and 3, MORGAN also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
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.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that David Taylor, age 34, of Blackwood, New Jersey, was sentenced on July 11, 2023, to 30 years of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for production of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between July 15 and July 18, 2017, Taylor produced child pornography and transported a minor from Pennsylvania to New Jersey with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Taylor committed both offenses while required by law to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the Gloucester Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Mount Olive Man Convicted for Multiple Weapons Charges, Including Providing Instructions on How to Make and Use Explosives to Murder Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Mount Olive man on nine counts, including teaching another individual how to make and use an explosive knowing that the individual intended to use that instruction in the murder or attempted murder of federal law enforcement. The jury also found Christopher Arthur, 39, guilty of receiving and possessing unregistered devices including a short-barreled rifle, a silencer, three improvised hand grenades, and an improvised claymore. Finally, the jury found Arthur guilty of possessing a silencer with an obliterated serial number. U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever, III, presided over the three-day trial.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, investigation into Arthur began due to events that occurred on May 27, 2020. On that date, in New York, after a two-hour police pursuit, another individual was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire. Search warrants related to that event resulted in the location of numerous additional Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and firearms along with multiple “Tackleberry Solutions” tactical instructional manuals which named the author as Christopher Arthur. A review of the individual’s cell phone indicated that he had attended training with Arthur in Mount Olive for multiple days in March of 2020.
On March 19, 2021, a confidential source (CS) working with the FBI requested a free PDF document from Tackleberry Solutions. After a short period of time, an email was received from Arthur indicating that he had to keep parts of the information in the PDF off of the internet since explosives were such a touchy topic. Arthur also gave his phone number and mailing address. Arthur then began communicating via phone regarding the manuals and additional training at a cost.
On May 5, 2021, the CS attended training on explosives at Arthur’s Mount Olive home. During discussions between the CS and Arthur, the CS specifically informed Arthur that he needed such training because the ATF had visited his home and he expected them to return. Arthur introduced the CS to a concept Arthur called “the spiderweb” and which he described as a “freaking deathbox.” Over the course of a two and a half hour training, Arthur walked the individual through how to create IED’s and how to place them to create “fatal funnels” which could be used to maim or murder anyone entering the CS’s home. During that instruction, Arthur also showed the CS how to create an electric initiator for homemade grenades and bombs and how to make a homemade trip wire. Once he was finished demonstrating how to make the components, Arthur provided them to the CS and also explained how to use an old shotgun to create a “thumper” that could launch homemade grenades.
Subsequent to Arthur’s arrest, a search warrant was executed at his home. During the search, officers found an IED sitting on the front porch that was wired for a 9-volt battery powered switch located within the home. After rendering that item safe, a further search of the home uncovered three IED grenades in Arthur’s bedroom co-located with a striker plate intended to assist in detonating the IEDs. Also in Arthur’s bedroom was Palmetto State Armory PA-15 rifle chambered with 5.56 rounds and having an attached suppressor (i.e., “silencer”). Examination of the rifle revealed that it was an illegally altered short barrel rifle. Moreover, the suppressor lacked a visible serial number. Also located on the property was an IED made out of an old ammo can with a target on it, which contained 1 pound of a high explosive. None of the IEDs or firearms were registered with the National Firearm Registry and Transfer Record as required by law.
Arthur provided training materials to the CS in both PDF and video format. Within these, Arthur explained his belief for why such training was needed. For example, “When those [law enforcement officers] are trying to kick in your door, there’s no more peaceful negotiations. The time is over. That’s the time for you to start putting lead down range….that’s when you pick up that phone…to your fellow militia members and you say ‘I need help!’ And that’s when y’all man the freak up, get out there and put boots up their ass, lead down range, and bodies on the ground!”
When sentenced later this year, Arthur faces up to 95 years, including a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for providing the explosives training knowing how it was going to be used, 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the seven counts relating to possessing unregistered devices, and 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the jury returned the guilty verdict. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case and Assistant United States Attorneys Barbara Kocher and Logan Liles are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.7:22-cr-00005-D.
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Mobile Resident Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced today to 231 months in prison for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and Social Security Administration (“SSA”).
According to court documents and evidence presented at a three-day trial in April 2023, Kartarius Dewan Johnson, also known as Tareeq Akhil Anad, 42, engaged in widespread financial fraud and identity theft. Between March 2020 and January 2021, Johnson sought to defraud others of property and money worth more than $8 million using false documents containing language commonly used by sovereign citizens, a group of people who generally believe that the U.S. government is illegitimate and that they are exempt from federal, state, or local laws. Johnson contracted with third parties, including car dealerships in Mobile, Beverly Hills, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona, to purchase Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. He also signed a purchase agreement for a $4 million bayfront home in Daphne. To further his fraud scheme, Johnson mailed packages and sent emails to financial institutions and other individuals, in violation of the federal wire fraud statute. Johnson did not have the money to legitimately buy the items he sought.
Johnson also tried to fraudulently obtain SBA funds for COVID–19 relief and lied to the SSA about his U.S. citizenship when applying for a new social security card, citing membership in a fictitious tribe that is not federally recognized. In furtherance of his fraud schemes, Johnson illegally used social security numbers belonging to two deceased individuals. Records showed that between 2015 and 2018, Johnson improperly received federal tax credits totaling more than $800,000 for purported biodiesel fuel usage, which he spent on personal expenses, including a private jet membership, clothing, jewelry, cars, vacations, and child support payments.
In addition to the 231-month prison term, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Johnson to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment, will receive mental health evaluation and treatment, and will be subject to credit restrictions. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Johnson to pay $310 in victim restitution and $1,600 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the SSA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller of the Southern District of Alabama and Trial Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Shai Bronshtein of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Criminal Division prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Mississippi Man Charged with Cyberstalking and Making Antisemitic Threats Targeting Synagogues and Jewish-Owned BusinessesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Donavon Parish, 28, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was arrested and charged by indictment on charges of cyberstalking and communicating interstate threats. The federal grand jury made a special finding that the defendant targeted his victims based on their actual and perceived religion.
The indictment alleges that during April and May 2022, the defendant used a Voice over Internet Protocol service to make a series of phone calls to synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In these calls, the defendant allegedly spoke to individuals answering the telephone calls on behalf of their respective institutions, at which time he repeatedly referenced the genocide of approximately six million Jewish people during the Holocaust, stating, among other things, “Heil Hitler,” “all Jews must die,” “we will put you in work camps,” “gas the Jews,” and “Hitler should have finished the job.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $2,500,000 fine, and a $1,000 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the United States Department of Justice’s National Security Division (Counterterrorism Section), with assistance from the United States Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mesa Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud Targeting AHCCCSRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Diana Marie Moore, 42, of Mesa, Arizona, pleaded guilty on Monday to Wire Fraud and Money Laundering. Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2023, before United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich.
Moore admitted that she owned two behavioral health counseling services, Harmony Family Services (HFS) and Harmony Family Services II (HFS II) and that she had also submitted an application for a third behavioral health counseling service, Logan Family Health, LLC (LFH). All three then applied to be medical providers for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid agency - HFS applied in 2019, HFS II applied in 2020, and LFH applied in 2022. AHCCCS approved all three applications. At the times that HFS and HFS II applied to AHCCCS, Moore admitted that she failed to disclose her ownership interest in the other entity. Moore also failed to disclose her prior felony conviction, which was required to be disclosed on the AHCCCS application form.
Moore further admitted that she engaged in fraudulent billing practices targeting AHCCCS. Starting in January 2020, Moore began obtaining AHCCCS identification numbers for AHCCCS enrollees by paying other providers to transport AHCCCS enrollees to the HFS or HFS II facility for a single day, and then obtaining the enrollees’ identification numbers once they arrived. After these AHCCCS enrollees left the HFS or HFS II facility, Moore would submit bills to AHCCCS, which falsely claimed that HFS and HFS II continued providing services to those same enrollees for up to 90 days. Moore regularly claimed that HFS or HFS II provided counseling services to a given AHCCCS enrollee for eight or more hours each day, five days a week, for months in a row, even though Moore knew such services were not provided. In addition, Moore submitted claims to AHCCCS which falsely claimed that HFS or HFS II provided services to certain AHCCCS enrollees who were, in fact, deceased or imprisoned at the time Moore claimed to have provided services. Moore later established LFH to knowingly engage in the same pattern of fraudulent billing. Between January 2020 and December 2021, HFS, HFS II, and LFH collectively received over $22 million in payments from AHCCCS.
In her plea agreement, Moore agreed to forfeit four residences, seven luxury vehicles, and over 100 other items, including jewelry, artwork, and designer clothing, all of which Moore purchased using fraudulent proceeds.
A conviction for Wire Fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. A conviction for Money Laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aron Ketchel, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-00040-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-106_Moore# # #
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.Maryland Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Participating in the Murder of Three People Including A Federal WitnessRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kenyatta Corbett, age 41, of Hagerstown and Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the June 25, 2016 murders of three individuals in Mercersburg, Franklin County, one of whom was cooperating with state and federal drug investigators. The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, who also sentenced Corbett to a consecutive 20-year term of imprisonment on a companion robbery charge.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Corbett's conviction was the result of a seven-year investigation into three murders that occurred on June 25, 2016, on a property along Welsh Run Road in Mercersburg, Franklin County. When Pennsylvania State Police officers were called to the scene, they found the bodies of Wendy Ann Chaney, 39, Hagerstown, Md, Brandon Cole, 47, Fayetteville, PA, and Phillip Matthew Jackson, 36, Mercersburg, PA, in a barn on victim Jackson’s property. All were shot. The three victims had their hands zipped-tied behind their backs and had been set on fire. Jackson and Cole were shot once in the head. Chaney was shot twice, once in the back and once in the back of her neck. Wendy Chaney and Brandon Cole were already dead when the police responded to the scene. Phillip Jackson was transported to York Hospital where he died shortly after arrival.
The evidence previously presented at the guilty plea proceeding in June of 2022 established that Wendy Chaney was in a relationship with co-defendants Kevin Coles and Torey White and had been previously assisting both with their drug distribution operation. Corbett was likewise a heroin trafficker in Hagerstown and areas of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Corbett, Coles, White and co-defendant Devin Dickerson learned that Chaney was cooperating with federal authorities and contracted for her to be murdered. Corbett, and co-defendant Jerell Adgebesan who worked for Corbett recruited members of a Baltimore based gang known as the Black Guerilla Family and others from Baltimore to travel to the Jackson property to kill Wendy Chaney. Adgebesan knew these individuals from Baltimore. The killers were promised that they could take as payment $20,000 that was to be in a safe in the barn and any drugs and firearms that they could locate on the Jackson property. Once there, the killers encountered not only Wendy Chaney but also Brandon Cole and Phillip Jackson. The victims had their hands bound behind their backs with zip-ties, all were shot execution style and their bodies set on fire. Chaney was killed to protect the drug trafficking activities of Corbett, Coles, White, Dickerson, and others. Jackson and Cole were murdered to prevent them from being witnesses to the crimes of violence that were committed at the Jackson property. The killers never found any money on the property but stole some drugs and firearms.
The following individuals were charged along with Corbett as a result of the investigation:
- Jerell Adgebesan, age 35, of Baltimore and Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced to life imprisonment for participating in the murder of three people including a federal witness;
- Devin Dickerson, age 31, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine and is awaiting sentencing;
- Torey White, age 32, Waynesboro, PA, was convicted by a federal jury in May of three counts of first-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing;
- Michael Buck, age 30, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Nicholas Preddy, age 29, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a witness and was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment;
- Johnnie Jenkins-Armstrong, age 22, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Terrance Lawson, age 31, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
- Tyrone Armstrong, age 30, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness; and
- Christopher Johnson, age 31, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to multiple counts including murder for hire and is awaiting sentencing;
- Mark Johnson, 35, Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to obstructing the grand jury’s investigation and was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment;
- Llesenia Woodard, 46, Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty to providing false testimony to the grand jury investigating the murders and is awaiting sentencing
- Kevin Coles, Kevin Coles, age 36, of New York, NY and Hagerstown, Maryland, was found guilty in April of multiple crimes, including murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking, and was sentenced to multiple consecutive life sentences;
- Yolanda Diaz, 31, Hagerstown, Md, indicted on multiple counts of perjury and obstruction of justice based upon her testimony at the Coles trial. Her trial is currently scheduled for October 2023.
Joshua Davis, age 30, previously pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy to locate and kill an individual believed to be cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation of the triple murders. Davis was sentenced to serve 100 months’ imprisonment.
The following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation: Drug Enforcement Administration Harrisburg Resident Office; Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg; Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H; Franklin County Drug Task Force; Franklin County Adult Probation; Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole; Hagerstown Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division; Drug Enforcement Administration, Hagerstown Resident Office; Washington County Narcotics Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office, Strike Force Group 1; Maryland State Police Homicide Unit; Baltimore Police Department Narcotics, Fugitive And Homicide Units; Baltimore County Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Management Unit, Quantico, VA; US Marshal’s Service Harrisburg, PA and Phoenix, AZ; Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office, District Of Maryland; and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Judy Fernandez, Manager of Analytic Services at LexisNexis Special Services, Inc., (LNSSI) provided expert assistance to investigators and the prosecutors in the areas of analysis, support, and the rendering of her expert opinion.
Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and Senior Litigation Counsel Michael Consiglio are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) identified as “Retribution for Welsh Run”. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Mailing Threat Letters to Federal Judge and Members of CongressRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dennis J. Nelson, age 51, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for mailing threat letters in 2018 and 2019 to a federal judge and two members of Congress while incarcerated in State of New York correctional facilities.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
On March 24, 2023, Nelson pled guilty to three counts of mailing threat letters and admitted that on August 1, 2018, while incarcerated at a New York State correctional facility, he mailed a threat letter to the chambers of Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy in Binghamton, New York, threatening to kill Judge McAvoy and those at the federal courthouse with a bomb. Nelson admitted that on July 15, 2019, while incarcerated at a New York State correctional facility, he mailed a threat letter to an office of Congressman Anthony Brindisi, containing a threat to kill Representative Brindisi, and mailed a threat letter to an office of United States Senator Charles Schumer, containing a threat to kill Senator Schumer.
Senior United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., of the Western District of New York, also sentenced Nelson to serve a term of supervised release of 3 years to follow incarceration.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Office of Special Investigations (NYS DOCCS OSI), and the United States Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl G. Eurenius prosecuted the case.
Man Sentenced to 15 years for Organizing Smuggling Event that Resulted in 13 DeathsRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 13, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Jose Cruz Noguez, the coordinator of a fatal smuggling event near Calexico, California, on March 2, 2021, was sentenced today in federal court to 15 years in prison. During the event, 13 undocumented migrants were killed when the vehicle in which they were concealed collided with a tractor trailer near Holtville, California.
As detailed in pleadings filed prior to the sentencing hearing, Cruz Noguez was a coordinator of the event in which two SUVs – a GMC Yukon and a Ford Expedition – were modified by removing the seats in the passenger compartments so that undocumented migrants literally could be stacked on top of one another. Based on admissions made by Cruz Noguez to a cooperating source of information whom he tried to recruit to drive one of the load vehicles, he was responsible for organizing the event and collecting payment from the smuggled individuals. Cruz Noguez successfully recruited at least one of the drivers for the smuggling event, and on the morning of the incursion, he himself drove the smuggling route to scout for law enforcement activity. Meanwhile, his co-conspirators in Mexico crammed undocumented migrants into the load vehicles – at least 19 in the GMC Yukon and 24 in the Ford Expedition – and cut the international boundary fence, removing a section large enough for the vehicles to drive through.
Once in the United States, the vehicles proceeded eastbound on Interstate 8 towards a predetermined location. However, the cabin of the GMC Yukon eventually began filling with smoke, and the vehicle caught fire. The driver stopped the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the smuggled individuals to fend for themselves. Nineteen of them were subsequently found hiding nearby, although it is believed that others were able to avoid apprehension. Meanwhile, the Ford Expedition and its 24 occupants continued driving eastbound towards Holtville, California. At the intersection of Norrish Road and Highway 115, the Ford Expedition collided with a tractor-trailer in a horrific accident, killing 13 of the undocumented migrants and seriously injuring many of the survivors. Further demonstrating his callousness, the defendant told the source of information in the days following the smuggling event that he was attempting to collect payment from the smuggled aliens who survived the incident and were not apprehended by law enforcement.
The sentencing hearing was held before U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo. Two of the survivors of the collision spoke and explained the terrible impact the tragedy has had on their lives. Before handing down the 15-year sentence, Judge Bencivengo determined that Cruz Noguez played an aggravated role in the smuggling event and noted that in her more than a decade of experience sentencing people for human trafficking offenses, this case was particularly “tragic and heartbreaking” and “among the worst of cases I have seen.” Judge Bencivengo went on to state, “People who engage in human trafficking of this nature are monstrous and cruel…These people were treated like human cargo…jammed into two cars to maximize the profit margin that the traffickers could make by putting as many people as possible into vehicles…with no concern about their health and safety.” Judge Bencivengo expressed her hope that the statutory maximum sentence would “be a message to the trafficking community that, when you engage in this kind of gross behavior, there are serious consequences.”
“Cruz Noguez organized one of the most callous and inhumane smuggling attempts that law enforcement has responded to in this district,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “He and his co-conspirators treated these individuals like a worthless commodity. They were crammed into vehicles like sardines in a can, stacked one on top of another without seats or any form of safety restraints. Our office and our agency partners will not tolerate such heinous conduct and were determined to seek justice for these offenses.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.
“Today’s sentencing serves as our promise to use every tool in HSI’s arsenal, in every corner of the globe, to investigate and dismantle human smuggling networks,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “Human smuggling is dangerous but as this case demonstrates, it’s also deadly. HSI will not stop investigating and bringing smugglers to court to face justice. There can be no safe haven for smugglers who evade our nations laws, are senselessly greedy and recklessly dangerous resulting in deaths.”
“This horrific tragedy was senseless and horrible beyond belief,” said El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino. “The United States Attorney’s Office brought the defendant to justice, and the efforts of the prosecution team, plus those of Homeland Security Investigations, the California Highway Patrol, and others, signify that smugglers and traffickers of humans will face maximum consequences.”
DEFENDANTS Case Number 21CR1277-CAB
Jose Cruz Noguez Age: 49 Mexicali, Mexico
Froylan Cortez Avalos (fugitive) Age: 49 Mexicali, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Bring in Undocumented Migrants
Title 8, U.S.C., Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(i) and (v)(I)
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
Bringing in Undocumented Migrants for Financial Gain and Aiding and Abetting
Title 8, U.S.C., Section 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii) and Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2
Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
United States Border Patrol
California Highway Patrol
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
Man Arrested for Cyberstalking and Making Antisemitic Threats Targeting Synagogues and Jewish-Owned BusinessesRead the Press Release
Donavon Parish, 28, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was arrested today and charged by indictment for allegedly engaging in cyberstalking and communicating interstate threats. The indictment alleges the defendant targeted his victims based on their actual or perceived religion, that is, the Jewish faith.
According to the indictment, in April and May 2022, the defendant used a voiceover internet protocol service to make a series of phone calls to synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In these calls, Parish allegedly spoke to individuals answering the telephone calls on behalf of their respective institutions, at which time he repeatedly referenced the genocide of approximately six million Jewish people during the Holocaust, stating, among other things, “Heil Hitler,” “all Jews must die,” “we will put you in work camps,” “gas the Jews,” and “Hitler should have finished the job.”
If convicted, Parish faces a statutory maximum sentence of 50 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
The Eastern District of Pennsylvania and National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Admits Theft from Newington Gun StoreRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TROY HARRIS, 28, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a firearm offense stemming from a Newington gun store theft in September 2021.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 7, 2021, Harris drove a car through the entrance of Hoffman’s “Guns for the Good Guys,” a federal firearms licensee located in Newington, and stole two Kimber Micro 9 9mm semiautomatic pistols, two Kimber Pro Carry .45 ACP semiautomatic pistols, and one Kimber Super Match .45 ACP semiautomatic pistol.
Harris pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a licensee, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5.
Harris has been detained since his arrest on September 7, 2021.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Newington and Bristol Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.
PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, 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.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New Britain for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.
Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Dogfighting Conspiracy - Six Other Defendants Involved in the Animal Fighting Venture Have Already Been ConvictedRead the Press Release
A Louisiana man – Antonio Damon Atkins, 35, of Baton Rouge – pleaded guilty today for his part in a conspiracy to sponsor, exhibit, possess and transport animals in an interstate animal fighting venture, and to possessing an animal in such a venture, all in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
To date, six other defendants have been convicted for their participation in the interstate dogfighting ring. The ring was originally uncovered through an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.
Five of the defendants have already been sentenced, receiving the following for their dogfighting convictions:
- Eric “EZ” Williams, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 60 months’ imprisonment
- Corey Brown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 50 months’ imprisonment
- Clay Turner, Loranger, Louisiana: 36 months’ imprisonment
- Dangelo Dontae Cornish, Greensburg, Louisiana: 16 months’ imprisonment
- Aquintas Kantrell Singleton, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 12 months and one day’s imprisonment
A sixth, David Guidry III, of Independence, Louisiana, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2023.
“Dog fighting is a crime that cruelly forces animals into a cycle of violence and death for personal gratification or profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are committed to aggressively pursuing and prosecuting anyone who engages in such blood sport.”
“No one has the right to torture any creature on this earth,” said Douglas A. Williams, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in New Orleans. “The FBI thanks its partners in this case for their steadfast work to hold Mr. Atkins accountable. The FBI is dedicated to protecting the American people, and in this case, victims who could not defend themselves against abject cruelty.”
“Individuals who support and facilitate the cold-hearted practice of dog fighting will face serious consequences for their actions,” said Dax Roberson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. “We appreciate the commitment of our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who support the appalling abuse of these animals.”
According to court documents, in 2017, Atkins conspired with others to keep, breed, train and fight pitbull dogs. On telephone calls obtained via court-authorized wiretaps, Atkins and his co-conspirators discussed many facets of their plans. They discussed preparation (“When I get back, I’m going to . . . look at her [i.e., put her in a practice fight] one more time and then I’m going to match her.”) and the kinds of dogs they wanted to acquire (“We need one of them bitches that eats the face off.”). Other recorded conversations addressed using “rape boxes” to restrain female dogs for breeding, drowning unsellable puppies, performances by prized dogs that fought even after suffering fatal injuries, and bets of thousands of dollars on fight results.
Several times, Atkins and his co-conspirators met to gamble on the outcome of dog fights, including at a co-conspirator’s property in Independence, Louisiana. When dogs suffered injuries during training or fights, Atkins and his co-conspirators performed do-it-yourself veterinary care to avoid the attention that professional veterinary care might bring.
The conspirators maintained several properties in furtherance of their dogfighting operation. In August and October 2017, agents from the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal and local law enforcement partners executed search warrants at seven properties. The agents found pitbull dogs and dogfighting paraphernalia at each. In total, 89 pitbulls – including puppies – were seized and received appropriate medical care for their injuries and medical issues. Many of these dogs were rehabilitated and adopted.
At Atkins’s property, agents found and seized fourteen pitbull dogs and puppies, many of which bore scars and wounds consistent with dogfighting. They also found dogfighting paraphernalia, including veterinary medications and supplements, dog collars, heavy chains, a training device known as a “flirt pole,” dogfighting magazines and dog pedigree records bearing Aktins’s name and the names of others. Atkins’s documents showed that he had been breeding, selling and purchasing dogfighting dogs since 2002.
Atkins pleaded guilty to two counts: (1) conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act to sponsor and exhibit animals in an animal fighting venture and to possess and transport animals for purposes of participation in an animal fighting venture; and (2) violating the Animal Welfare Act by possessing an animal in an animal fighting venture. Atkins faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $500,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Trial Attorney Matthew D. Evans of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lyman E. Thornton III and Jeremy Johnson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Dogfighting ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Louisiana man – Antonio Damon Atkins, 35, of Baton Rouge – pleaded guilty today for his part in a conspiracy to sponsor, exhibit, possess and transport animals in an interstate animal fighting venture, and to possessing an animal in such a venture, all in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
To date, six other defendants have been convicted for their participation in the interstate dogfighting ring. The ring was originally uncovered through an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.
Five of the defendants have already been sentenced, receiving the following for their dogfighting convictions:
- Eric “EZ” Williams, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 60 months’ imprisonment
- Corey Brown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 50 months’ imprisonment
- Clay Turner, Loranger, Louisiana: 36 months’ imprisonment
- Dangelo Dontae Cornish, Greensburg, Louisiana: 16 months’ imprisonment
- Aquintas Kantrell Singleton, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 12 months and one day’s imprisonment
A sixth, David Guidry III, of Independence, Louisiana, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2023.
“Dog fighting is a crime that cruelly forces animals into a cycle of violence and death for personal gratification or profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are committed to aggressively pursuing and prosecuting anyone who engages in such blood sport.”
“No one has the right to torture any creature on this earth,” said Douglas A. Williams, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in New Orleans. “The FBI thanks its partners in this case for their steadfast work to hold Mr. Atkins accountable. The FBI is dedicated to protecting the American people, and in this case, victims who could not defend themselves against abject cruelty.”
“Individuals who support and facilitate the cold-hearted practice of dog fighting will face serious consequences for their actions,” said Dax Roberson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General. “We appreciate the commitment of our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who support the appalling abuse of these animals.”
According to court documents, in 2017, Atkins conspired with others to keep, breed, train and fight pitbull dogs. On telephone calls obtained via court-authorized wiretaps, Atkins and his co-conspirators discussed many facets of their plans. They discussed preparation (“When I get back, I’m going to . . . look at her [i.e., put her in a practice fight] one more time and then I’m going to match her.”) and the kinds of dogs they wanted to acquire (“We need one of them bitches that eats the face off.”). Other recorded conversations addressed using “rape boxes” to restrain female dogs for breeding, drowning unsellable puppies, performances by prized dogs that fought even after suffering fatal injuries, and bets of thousands of dollars on fight results.
Several times, Atkins and his co-conspirators met to gamble on the outcome of dog fights, including at a co-conspirator’s property in Independence, Louisiana. When dogs suffered injuries during training or fights, Atkins and his co-conspirators performed do-it-yourself veterinary care to avoid the attention that professional veterinary care might bring.
The conspirators maintained several properties in furtherance of their dogfighting operation. In August and October 2017, agents from the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal and local law enforcement partners executed search warrants at seven properties. The agents found pitbull dogs and dogfighting paraphernalia at each. In total, 89 pitbulls – including puppies – were seized and received appropriate medical care for their injuries and medical issues. Many of these dogs were rehabilitated and adopted.
At Atkins’s property, agents found and seized fourteen pitbull dogs and puppies, many of which bore scars and wounds consistent with dogfighting. They also found dogfighting paraphernalia, including veterinary medications and supplements, dog collars, heavy chains, a training device known as a “flirt pole,” dogfighting magazines and dog pedigree records bearing Aktins’s name and the names of others. Atkins’s documents showed that he had been breeding, selling and purchasing dogfighting dogs since 2002.
Atkins pleaded guilty to two counts: (1) conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act to sponsor and exhibit animals in an animal fighting venture and to possess and transport animals for purposes of participation in an animal fighting venture; and (2) violating the Animal Welfare Act by possessing an animal in an animal fighting venture. Atkins faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $500,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Trial Attorney Matthew D. Evans of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lyman E. Thornton III and Jeremy Johnson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lieutenant for the Arellano-Felix Mexican Drug Cartel pleads Guilty in North Dakota to Leading a Major Drug Trafficking Enterprise and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Furtherance of the EnterpriseRead the Press Release
FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced that on July 13, 2023, Juan Sillas-Rocha, age 45, of Tijuana, Mexico, plead guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Continuing Criminal Enterprise, and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Furtherance of the Continuing Criminal Enterprise before Chief Judge Peter Welte in Fargo, North Dakota. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later time.
On March 31, 2011, Sillas-Rocha was indicted by a grand jury in North Dakota in a Superseding Indictment alleging three counts: 1) Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substance; 2) Continuing Criminal Enterprise; and 3) Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Furtherance of the Continuing Criminal Enterprise.
Sillas-Rocha was arrested on November 4, 2011, in Tijuana, Mexico and served with a provisional arrest warrant issued by a court in Mexico which started the extradition process. On September 8, 2022, after 11 years of litigation in Mexico, Sillas-Rocha was extradited to the United States and made his initial appearance in North Dakota on September 9, 2022. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the U.S Attorney’s Office in North Dakota played a significant role in securing this extradition.
As outlined at the plea hearing today before Judge Welte, an investigation was initiated in 2004 in Fargo, North Dakota, into the drug-trafficking activities of local drug dealers. This was designated an OCDETF case named “Operation Speed Racer.” The investigation revealed that from January 2002 until December of 2005, Jorge Arandas, a/k/a Sneaky, supervised a continuing criminal enterprise responsible for transporting large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana to North Dakota and Minnesota from Washington, California, and Mexico. Arandas was supplied by Juan Sillas-Rocha or employees of Sillas-Rocha.
Sillas-Rocha was a distributor for the Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO) and was supervised directly by Arturo Villareal Heredia, a/k/a El Nalgon, who worked for Javier Francisco Arellano-Felix, a/k/a El Tigrillo. Both Villareal Heredia and Arellano-Felix were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. In 2005, Arandas arranged a 10-pound shipment of methamphetamine into the United States. Five pounds landed in Washington state and 5 pounds were delivered to Lee Avila at the West Acres Mall in Fargo. Lee Avila failed to pay for the drugs and members of the Arandas organization murdered Lee Avila in June of 2005, shooting him nine times in the presence of two small children. All five participants in the homicide pled guilty for their roles in this murder in furtherance of the continuing criminal enterprise. The participants in the homicide received the following sentences:
1. Gabriel Martinez - Life
2. Jorge Arandas - 40 years
3. Michael Petzold - 30 years
4. Alan Wessels - 23 years
5. Martin Carrillo - 20 years
After the murder, Arandas read the article in the Fargo Forum newspaper about the homicide to Sillas-Rocha and he gave Arandas an extension to pay for the shipment.
After the arrest of Javier Arellano-Felix in 2006, his nephew, Fernando Sanchez-Arellano, a/k/a El Ingeniero, assumed control of the AFO. Under the leadership of Fernando Sanchez-Arellano, Sillas-Rocha became a very powerful lieutenant in the cartel, controlling cells that were responsible for drug trafficking, armed conflicts with rival cartels, kidnappings and numerous murders. Some of the people Sillas-Rocha was supervising are listed in the Superseding Indictment and establishes “5 or more people supervised”. This AFO enterprise generated millions of dollars and would meet the definition of “substantial income.” The enterprise moved more than 15 kilograms of a mixture of methamphetamine, in excess of 5,000 grams of cocaine and in excess of 1000 kilograms of marijuana.
Sillas-Rocha continued his work for the cartel until his arrest in November 2011 but would acknowledge committing overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy and CCE after 2011, while incarcerated in Mexico.
In February 2011, Sillas-Rocha ordered two individuals in California to be murdered for retribution for the alleged kidnapping and murder of a drug smuggler associated with Sillas-Rocha. Agents of the California Department of Justice/California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE) through the use of a confidential informant, were able to obtain recorded phone calls and controlled meetings with Sillas-Rocha and co-conspirators. During the course of the investigation, Sillas-Rocha ordered the murder of at least two intended victims who are identified by initials in the Superseding Indictment. After providing the confidential informant with photos and the address of the intended victims, three co-conspirators were arrested and charged in San Diego County with Conspiracy to Commit Murder. Arrested were Jorge Sillas, the brother of Sillas-Rocha, Victor Magana, and Danny Cepallo. All three defendants plead guilty in state court in San Diego and received the following prison sentences:
- Jorge Sillas – 21 years
- Victor Magana – 15 years
- Danny Cepallo – 5 years
As part of “Operation Speed Racer”, 66 defendants were charged on 18 separate indictments and with the defendant’s guilty plea today it brings this19-year investigation to a conclusion.
“The crimes that led to this guilty plea affected public safety in North Dakota, and it is therefore fitting that this individual now faces justice in a federal courthouse in Fargo,” said Mac Schneider, United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota. “This result is a great example of what can be achieved when local, state, federal, and international law enforcement work together across jurisdictional lines. I congratulate our prosecution team and their law enforcement partners on this outcome, which would not have been possible without their perseverance and determination.”
“The prosecution, extradition, and now conviction, of Juan Sillas Rocha, brings to an end over a decade of tireless, coordinated effort by investigators and prosecutors from Fargo, North Dakota and San Diego, California and sends a powerful message that violence perpetrated or orchestrated by persons at the highest levels of Mexican drug trafficking organizations against persons in the United States will not go unanswered,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “I want to express my appreciation for the commitment to public safety and the pursuit of justice demonstrated by our colleagues in North Dakota. “
“Today’s guilty verdict by an individual indicted 12 years ago demonstrates that regardless of the amount of time lapsed, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its state, local and fellow federal partners, will hold drug traffickers accountable for the significant damage they have inflicted on our communities,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said.
“The West Fargo Police Department is proud to have been a partner agency in the investigation of ‘Operation Speed Racer,’” said Denis Otterness, Chief of Police. “This case exemplifies the power of mutual aid between multiple law enforcement agencies in helping to bring drug traffickers to justice and the additional benefit of removing large quantities of controlled substances from our communities. I would like to thank all of the law enforcement officers involved for their hard work, perseverance and dedication over the course of this 19-year investigation.”
This case was investigated by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, United States Marshal’s Service, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force, the East Grand Forks Police Department, West Fargo Police Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Office (MN), California Department of Justice, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Fargo Police Department, Moorhead Police Department and the Polk County Attorney’s Office (MN).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers with the assistance of Deputy District Attorney James Fontaine of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Sillas-Rocha.
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