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Thursday 11 May 2023
Former Officers of DC Trust, Sentenced for Using Organization’s Funds for Personal GainRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The former Executive Director and the Director of Operations and Finance, of the now-defunct non-profit organization DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation (“DC Trust”), were sentenced today for a felony charge relating to their personal use of the non-profit’s funds, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas, District of Columbia’s Office of the Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Special Agent in Charge Terry Harris, of the US Department of Education Office of Inspector General for the Eastern Region.
Edward Davies, 52, of Owings Mills, Maryland, was sentenced to 60 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release; Earl Hamilton, 53, of Riviera Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 30 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Both defendants pleaded guilty, on November 30, 2022, to a charge of credit card fraud for using the non-profit’s monies, intended for youth scholarship programs, for personal expenses. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered Davies to pay $111,332.46 in restitution and ordered Hamilton to pay $44,049.79 in restitution.
According to court documents, Davies, the former executive director, and Hamilton, the former director of operations and finance, used DC Trust credit cards and a check card to make hundreds of personal purchases for expenses such as: meals, automobile repairs, exercise equipment, and personal travel for themselves, their family members, and their friends. In total, Davies stole at least $111,000 and Hamilton stole at least $44,000.
The DC Trust was a non-profit organization, created in 1999, to serve as an intermediary to connect philanthropists, government leaders, youth advocates, and representatives from the business community in order to support programs to benefit the children of the District of Columbia. The organization was dissolved in late 2016, reportedly to cover debts from exorbitant spending on and by staff, including the misuse of organization credit cards. The trust’s funding came from the U.S. Department of Education and consisted of federal grant funding under the U.S. Department of Education Opportunity Scholarship Program (“OSP”), which was designed to provide low-income parents, residing in Washington, D.C., with expanded options for the education of their children.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Inspector General Lucas, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Special Agent in Charge Harris, commended the work of those who investigated the case from the D.C. Office of the Inspector General, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the U.S. Department of Education Office of the Inspector General. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia in the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Rakoczy and Diane Lucas have been litigating the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Amanda Rohde and Lisa Abbe.
Former Modesto Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing OpioidsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Sawtantra Chopra, 76, of Modesto, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other medication, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Chopra admitted prescribing drugs — including hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), and Promethazine with codeine syrup — outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. These drugs are highly addictive and commonly abused. They affect the central nervous system and may only be prescribed when medically required.
Chopra surrendered his medical license in 2020 as the case was pending.
This case is the product of an investigation by the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse Drug Diversion Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Tierney is prosecuting the case.
Chopra is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 5, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Chopra faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Former Commodities Trader Charged with Multimillion-Dollar Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Chicago man was arrested today and charged in an investment fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $2 million, a U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Phillip Galles, 57, of Chicago, is charged by complaint with one count of wire fraud. Galles made his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes in Chicago, Illinois, federal court and was detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Galles, a former commodities trader, defrauded his victims by falsely claiming that he would invest their money in commodity futures through his purported investment company called Tyche Asset Management, based in Chicago. Galles and those working for him falsely told prospective investors that Tyche had a history of success using proprietary trading strategies, with extraordinary annual rates of return exceeding 100 percent.
Tyche made virtually no legitimate investments in commodity futures or otherwise. Galles instead ran Tyche like a Ponzi scheme and used investor money to pay back other investors and for his own personal expenses.
Galles met in New Jersey with an undercover agent purporting to be an investment manager looking to make a large investment. Galles falsely claimed that Tyche had annual returns of 336 percent, raised over $2 billion within 60 days of starting the fund, and had prominent investors, including a Kuwaiti sovereign fund and a well-known owner of a professional sports team. Galles also falsely claimed that he graduated from a prominent university in the Midwest.
Galles defrauded more than a dozen victims out of more than $2 million.
The count of wire fraud with which Galles is charged is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved in the offense, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney in Newark; and the inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
galles.complaint.pdfFormer Austin ISD Teacher Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Illicit Sexual Conduct in ColombiaRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin Wednesday to 84 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.
According to court documents, Michael Wayne Roberts, 41, was living in Medellin, Colombia when he paid money for sex with three Colombian girls between the ages of 13 and 15 on multiple occasions between December 2020 and June 2021. Roberts was arrested on Sept. 15, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty in February to all three counts in his indictment.
In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, the U.S. district judge ordered Roberts to pay $147,844.51 in restitution to the victims. Roberts must also register as a sex offender.
“This sentencing reflects that those who engage in sexual conduct with minors, regardless of where it occurs, will be held accountable for their heinous, predatory crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “I am grateful for the diligent work of the Colombian National Police and our federal partners at Homeland Security Investigations, leading to the arrest and prosecution of this individual. Their commitment to justice has made our communities safer and protected our most vulnerable population—our children.”
“Protecting the children in our communities remains a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alejandro M. Amaro for HSI San Antonio. “This sentence is a testament that HSI remains committed to identifying individuals who prey on our most vulnerable population, especially those individuals that hold positions of public trust.”
HSI and the Colombian National Police investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke prosecuted the case.
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Florida Man Sentenced in Gas Station Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a scheme to steal thousands of customers’ debit and credit card account numbers and other personally identifying information via a network of electronic equipment clandestinely installed at gas stations across New England.
Luis Angel Naranjo Rodriguez, 32, of Hialeah, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Naranjo Rodriguez was also ordered to pay $21,267 in restitution to victims of the scheme. On Jan. 18, 2023, Naranjo Rodriguez pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of possessing 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices (the debit and credit card account numbers) and one count of possessing device-making equipment (the card skimming devices).
Naranjo Rodriguez secretly and unlawfully installed card skimming devices in gas pumps in Massachusetts gas stations and in other New England states. The devices were programmed to send Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone a text message with stolen account information after customers had used their debit or credit cards to purchase gas at the compromised fuel pumps. Card skimming devices linked to Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone were traced to at least 11 different gas stations located in Lynnfield, Concord, Malden, Taunton, Randolph and Raynham; Portland, Maine; Nashua, N.H.; and Willington, Conn.
Between April 2019 until November 2019, Naranjo Rodriguez traveled frequently from Florida to Massachusetts to maintain this network of card skimmers. During the course of the scheme, Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone received at least 4,878 text messages containing stolen debit and credit card account numbers. Many of these text messages also included the account holders’ names and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).
Naranjo Rodriguez cloned the account information belonging to the unwitting victims onto gift cards and other prepaid cards in order to steal money from them, typically by using the cloned cards to make ATM withdrawals, to purchase expensive consumer goods that could be resold in secondary markets, and to request cash back on debit card transactions. On Nov. 16, 2019, security cameras at a Framingham gas station and CVS captured Naranjo Rodriguez using four cloned cards to withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts at ATMs. Naranjo Rodriguez was arrested the same night at the Concord Rotary Gulf gas station, where he was tampering with a fuel pump after the gas station had closed. In Naranjo Rodriguez’s car, the four cloned cards from the ATM withdrawals earlier that night were found, along with fuel pump keys, black latex gloves, four card skimming devices, and the mobile phone that was receiving the text messages with the stolen credit and debit card account numbers.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Concord, Lunenburg and Raynham Police Departments in Massachusetts, Nashua (N.H.) Police Department and the Portland (Maine) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.Five Individuals Indicted for Defrauding Non-Profit Medical OrganizationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa - Five individuals, residents of Pennsylvania and Ohio, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh in an indictment that variously charges them with Conspiracy to Commit Mail/Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and Mail Fraud, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The 17-count Indictment named Drew Pierce, age 55, of West Middlesex, PA, Mark Marriott, age 56, of Sharpsville, PA, John Laeng, age 70, of West Middlesex, PA, John O’Brien, age 60, of Masury, OH, and Christopher O’Brien, age 58, of Masury OH, as the defendants.
According to the Indictment, from 2011 through 2019, the defendants combined to defraud Primary Health Network, a non-profit medical organization, of more than $2,000,000 through a series of schemes. Not every defendant is charged with participating in each of the schemes to defraud.
“Defrauding a non-profit medical organization not only harms that organization, but it also does great indirect harm to the patients these organizations are created to help,” said Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. “Through the great investigative work of and partnership with our law enforcement partners, the U. S. Attorney’s Office is able to prosecute these matters to hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable.”
“The FBI takes our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain very seriously,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “Today’s indictment describes elaborate and egregious schemes to steal money from a non-profit organization. These arrests send the message that the FBI is committed to working with our partners to hold those accountable who think they can get rich through fraudulent means.”
“Engaging in a scheme to defraud a non-profit medical organization is a crime that needs to be punished,” said Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation. “Today’s indictment shows that IRS-CI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who commit offenses such as these.”
On each of the mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail/wire fraud counts, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000 or no more than twice the gross gain to any person or loss to any person other than the defendant, whichever is greater. On each of the charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000 or no more than twice the gross gain to any person or loss to any person other than the defendant, or no more than twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the charged transactions, whichever is greatest. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys William B. Guappone and Jeffrey R. Bengel are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Five Individuals Found Guilty of Drug Trafficking, Firearms Violations, and Three MurdersRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal jury convicted Luis Carmona-Bernacet, a.k.a. “Canito Cumbre”; Yadiel Serrano-Canales, a.k.a. “Motombo”; Alan Lugo-Montalvo; Fabiany Almestica-Monge; and Rolando Rivera-Solis today for drug trafficking, firearms violations and three murders, including the murder of banker Maurice Spagnoletti on June 15, 2011.
Convictions:
Luis Carmona-Bernacet, a.k.a. “Canito Cumbre”- guilty of Count one (Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances); Count two (Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime); Count three (Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in the Murder of William Castro-Vidot). Defendant was found not guilty of Count four (Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in the Murder of René Cruz-Cuadrado); Count 5 (Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in the Murder of Maurice Spagnoletti).
Yadiel Serrano-Canales, a.k.a. “Motombo”- Guilty of Counts 1, 2, and 5.
Alan Lugo-Montalvo- Guilty of Count 1. Not guilty of Count 2.
Fabiany Almestica-Monge- Guilty of Counts 1 and 2.
Rolando Rivera-Solis- Guilty of Counts 1, 2 and 5.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, since the year 2000 and continuing up to 2014, in the municipalities of San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Guaynabo, and Bayamón, the defendants were members of an enterprise engaged in murder and drug trafficking.
Four defendants were found guilty of using firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes. One defendant was found guilty with counseling, commanding, inducing and procuring each other to carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and in the course of that crime, causing the death of William Castro on December 30, 2002. In regard to the murder of Maurice Spagnoletti, defendants Serrano-Canales and Rivera-Solis aided and abetted each other with counseling, commanding, inducing and procuring each other to carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and in the course of that crime, causing the death of Maurice Spagnoletti.
A sixth defendant, Alex Burgos-Amaro is scheduled to begin trial on a later date.
The sentencing hearings are scheduled for August 11, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case with the assistance of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Zenón-Matos, Alberto López-Rocafort, Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández, and Gregory Conner are prosecuting the case.
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Fifth Defendant Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Large-Scale Trafficking of Rhinoceros Horns and Elephant Ivory and Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ABDI HUSSEIN AHMED, a citizen of Kenya, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for conspiring to traffic large quantities of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory — both protected wildlife species — worth millions of dollars that involved the illegal poaching of more than approximately 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants, as well as for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. The sentence was imposed earlier today by U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.
AHMED is the fifth and final member of these conspiracies to be sentenced in a case prosecuted over the course of several years, and which has involved the extradition of multiple individuals from several countries in Africa. AHMED’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced to substantial prison terms by Judge Woods. Specifically, MOAZU KROMAH, a/k/a “Ayoub,” a/k/a “Ayuba,” a/k/a “Kampala Man,” a citizen of Liberia, was sentenced to a prison term of 63 months; AMARA CHERIF, a/k/a “Bamba Issiaka,” a citizen of Guinea, was sentenced to a prison term of 57 months; MANSUR MOHAMED SURUR, a/k/a “Mansour,” a citizen of Kenya, was sentenced to a prison term of 54 months; and BADRU ABDUL AZIZ SALEH, a/k/a “Badro,” a citizen of Kenya, was sentenced to a prison term of 42 months.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Wildlife trafficking is a serious threat to the natural resources and the ecological heritage shared by communities across the globe, and heroin trafficking poses deadly risks to countless individuals. Moazu Kromah, Amara Cherif, Mansur Mohamed Surur, Badru Abdul Aziz Saleh, and Abdi Hussein Ahmed chose profit over compliance with various United States and international laws that prohibit both of these crimes. This case demonstrates the crossover between cases involving wildlife trafficking and other kinds of transnational crime. And the substantial sentences received by these defendants show the resolve of this Office to use every tool at our disposal to ensure the protection of endangered species and the safety of our communities.”
According to the charging and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made in court proceedings:
KROMAH, CHERIF, SURUR, and AHMED were members of a transnational criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in Uganda and surrounding countries that was engaged in the large-scale trafficking and smuggling of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory, both protected wildlife species. Trade involving endangered or threatened species violates several U.S. laws, as well as international treaties implemented by certain U.S. laws.
From at least in or about December 2012 through at least in or about May 2019, KROMAH, CHERIF, SURUR, and AHMED conspired to transport, distribute, sell, and smuggle at least approximately 190 kilograms of rhinoceros horns and at least approximately 10 tons of elephant ivory from or involving various countries in East Africa, including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, and Tanzania, to buyers located in the United States and countries in Southeast Asia. Such weights of rhinoceros horn and elephant ivory are estimated to have involved the illegal poaching of more than approximately 35 rhinoceros and more than approximately 100 elephants. In total, the estimated average retail value of the rhinoceros horns involved in the conspiracy was at least approximately $3.4 million, and the estimated average retail value of the elephant ivory involved in the conspiracy was at least approximately $4 million.
Typically, the defendants exported and agreed to export the rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory for delivery to foreign buyers, including a buyer represented to be in Manhattan, in packaging that concealed the rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory in, among other things, pieces of art such as African masks and statues. The defendants received and deposited payments from foreign customers that were sent in the form of international wire transfers, some of which were sent through U.S. financial institutions, and paid in cash.
On or about March 16, 2018, law enforcement agents intercepted a package containing a black rhinoceros horn sold by the defendants that was intended for a buyer represented to be in Manhattan:
From in or about March 2018 through in or about May 2018, the defendants offered to sell additional rhinoceros horns of varying weights, including horns weighing up to approximately seven kilograms. On or about July 17, 2018, law enforcement agents intercepted a package containing two rhinoceros horns weighing over five kilograms that were sold by the defendants and intended for a buyer represented to be in Manhattan:
Separately, from at least in or about August 2018 through at least in or about May 2019, SURUR, AHMED, and SALEH conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a large quantity of heroin to a buyer represented to be located in New York.
KROMAH was arrested in Uganda on June 12, 2019, and expelled to the United States on June 13, 2019. CHERIF was arrested in Senegal on June 7, 2019, and extradited to the United States on April 2, 2020. SURUR was arrested in Kenya on July 29, 2020, and extradited to the United States on January 25, 2021. SALEH was arrested in Kenya on May 30, 2022, and extradited to the United States on June 17, 2022. AHMED was arrested in Kenya on August 1, 2022, and extradited to the United States on September 3, 2022. The defendants all have been detained since their arrest and arrival in this country.
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KROMAH, 53, of Liberia; CHERIF, 58, of Guinea; SURUR, 62, of Kenya; and AHMED, 49, of Kenya, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking. In addition, KROMAH and CHERIF both pled guilty to two counts of wildlife trafficking. SALEH, 52, of Kenya, SURUR, and AHMED each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and he thanked law enforcement authorities and conservation partners in Uganda and Kenya, including the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Uganda Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the Uganda Police Force, the Kenya Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Kenyan Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for their assistance in this investigation. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Department of State for their invaluable assistance, which made it possible to secure the arrest and return of these five defendants from Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda to the United States.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sagar K. Ravi and Jarrod L. Schaeffer are in charge of the prosecution.
Felon sentenced to prison for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A man with multiple state and federal felony convictions was sentenced today to a total of five years and five months in prison for violating supervised release on prior convictions and for illegally possessing a firearm after law enforcement found a loaded gun in a vehicle he was driving when it crashed, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Travis Alan-Cody Pair, 39, a transient, pleaded guilty in January to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Pair also admitted to violating conditions of supervised release for two earlier convictions.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court imposed a 57-month sentence for the firearm conviction and ordered a consecutive eight months in prison in revocations of supervised release for prior federal convictions on felon in possession of a firearm and a drug trafficking crime.
The government alleged in court documents that in August 2022, Billings Police Department officers responded to a traffic accident involving a Subaru and detained the driver, identified as Pair, who attempted to walk away. Officers recovered a fully loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol that had a round in the chamber from the floor of the driver’s seat. Before the accident, a witness claimed that Pair displayed the gun to the witness after Pair noticed the witness following Pair’s car. At the time of crash, Pair was on state and federal supervision for felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Federal and State Authorities Reach Settlement with Familia Dental over Healthcare Fraud ClaimsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Familia Dental in Springfield, Illinois, today agreed to pay approximately $300,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicaid for dental services that were not medically necessary during the period from June 1, 2016, through November 26, 2019. From the total settlement, the United States will receive approximately $120,000, and the State of Illinois will receive about $180,000.
“When healthcare providers bill government programs for unnecessary services, not only are taxpayer dollars wasted, but also those programs have fewer resources to care for beneficiaries,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois. “This settlement sends a clear message to those who overcharge the government that you will be found and held accountable.”
“The submission of false claims to Medicaid by providers undermines the trust we place in those individuals to perform only services which are medically necessary,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Chicago Region. “HHS-OIG will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate the False Claims Act are held accountable.”
“Healthcare professionals are in a position of trust and when they break that trust by fraudulently obtaining thousands of taxpayer dollars, ISP will be there to investigate,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, the Inspector General’s Office of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hoelzer represented the government during the settlement process. To learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Taylor County Man on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky, returned an indictment on May 10, 2023, charging Robert Blake Merryman with producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the Louisville Field Office made the announcement.
According to the indictment, on April 6, 2023, in Taylor County, Kentucky, Merryman used a minor male under 2 years of age to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and the visual depiction was transmitted in interstate commerce by computer.
If convicted, Merryman faces a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Federal Court Permanently Enjoins Tax Return Preparer in Texas and Orders Disgorgement of Tax Prep FeesRead the Press Release
A federal court in the Southern District of Texas has permanently enjoined a Houston-area tax return preparer from preparing federal tax returns for others and from owning, operating, or franchising any tax return preparation business in the future.
In its order, the court found that Hollins Ray Alexander engaged in conduct that substantially interferes with the proper administration of the tax laws, warranting a permanent bar on acting as a tax return preparer for others. As alleged in the complaint, Alexander prepared tax returns for others in which he overstated customers’ refunds by fabricating deductions or falsely claiming credits to which customers were not entitled. Although Alexander failed to respond to the government’s motion for an injunction, the court found that the record and applicable law warrant the entry of the injunction. The terms of the injunction require that Alexander send notices of the injunction to each person for whom he prepared federal tax returns and to post the injunctions in places where he conducts business, including social media accounts and websites. The injunction permits the United States to conduct post-judgment discovery to monitor Alexander’s compliance. The court also required Alexander to disgorge the sum of $165,940 to the United States in tax preparation fees.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
Shady tax return preparers remain a concern of the IRS, which recently warned taxpayers about unscrupulous tax return preparers are part of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen series. Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard their personal information.
In the past decade, the Department of Justice Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Everett Man Sentenced for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Everett man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for committing the February 2021 armed bank of a TD Bank branch in Allston.
Jamaine Howell, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to nine years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Jan. 5, 2023, Howell pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence.
On Feb. 7, 2021, Howell entered a branch of TD Bank on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston and handed a demand note and a plastic bag to the teller. Howell threatened the teller and stated that he had a gun. Howell then threatened two bank customers and displayed a firearm. After taking the plastic bag –containing approximately $5,900 – from the teller, Howell instructed one of the customers to leave the bank with him. After walking about a block with Howell, the customer managed to flee while Howell was distracted. At the time, Howell was on probation for previous armed robbery convictions.
Later that week, police received a report that Howell brandished a firearm at a guest at a hotel in Sharon. On Feb. 16, 2021, Howell was arrested and found armed with a loaded .45 caliber Ruger handgun. A loaded semi-automatic shotgun was also found in a vehicle that had previously been rented to Howell.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Boston, Sharon and Lynn Police Departments provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
EDVA Seizes Thirteen Domains Used by Lebanese Hizballah and Its AffiliatesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced today the seizure of 13 domains used by Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs), Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), and their members associated with Lebanese Hizballah.
According to court records, the United States obtained court authorization to seize five domains registered to the Public Interest Registry (PIR) – moqawama.org, almanarnews.org, manarnews.org, almanar-tv.org, and alshahid.org – and eight domains registered to Verisign, Inc. – manartv.net, manarnews.net, almanar-tv.com, almanar-tv.net, alidaamouch.com, Ibrahim-alsayed.net, alemdad.net, and naimkassem.net.
“EDVA is at the forefront of ensuring that American internet infrastructure is unavailable for use by international terrorist organizations, their members and affiliates,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The domains seized through this operation are controlled by individuals and entities engaged in planning or perpetrating acts of terrorism against Americans and thus are not lawfully permitted to use American infrastructure. Operations like this disrupt terrorist activity by blocking one avenue these groups and individuals use to gather support and influence.”
“Today’s web domain seizures deny terrorist organizations and affiliates significant sources of support and makes clear we will not allow these groups to use U.S. infrastructure to threaten the American people,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce economic sanctions as part of our commitment to deploy all available tools against threats from hostile nation-states and terrorist actors alike.”
Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), SDNs and SDGTs, such as Lebanese Hizballah, Al Manar TV, Ali Damush, Ibrahim al-Sayyid, Islamic Charitable Emdad Committee, Martyrs’ Foundation in Lebanon, Naim Qasim, and their members may not obtain services, including website and domain services, in the United States without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). No such license was obtained for the 13 seized domains.
Additionally, these 13 domains are subject to seizure as assets of entities and organizations engaged in planning or perpetrating acts of terrorism against the United States, its citizens and residents, and their property. These domains also afford a source of influence over those entities and organizations. The seizure of these domains will cut off that source of support and influence.
“Today’s seizure reduces Hizballah’s ability to peddle their dangerous violent ideology across the globe,” said Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce. “This coordinated enforcement action demonstrates that the U.S. Government will proactively use all available enforcement tools to thwart those who seek to perpetrate acts of terror.”
“These court-authorized domain seizures reflect the FBI’s continued dedication to the fight against terrorism," said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Along with our federal and international partners, the FBI remains focused on proactively disrupting web domains controlled by Specially Designated Nationals – those who attempt to illegally utilize US infrastructure to incite deadly violence against the United States and our Allies to further the objectives of foreign terrorist organizations.”
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office; and Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce, announced the seizure of the domain names.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Peters and Laura D. Withers for the Eastern District of Virginia in these matters.
The Department of Justice’s National Security Division provided assistance on this case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Duluth Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for Operating Fraudulent Law FirmRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Duluth man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after pretending to operate a law firm and defrauding an individual out of thousands of dollars in legal fees, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between March and April 2022, Gale Allen Rachuy, 73, devised and executed a scheme to defraud an individual (Victim A) by falsely representing that he could provide legal services in connection with Victim A’s post-conviction motion in exchange for $10,000. Rachuy told Victim A that he operated Midwest Legal Service, a Duluth-area law firm, for more than 38 years and claimed to employ several attorneys, including a retired federal judge who previously served on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (Judge A) and a retired Hennepin County District Court judge (Judge B).
According to court documents, on March 10, 2022, Rachuy sent a letter to Victim A on Midwest Legal Service letterhead falsely claiming that Judge A would assist in Victim A’s legal representation and enclosed a copy of a retainer agreement seeking a $2,500 payment. On March 15, 2022, Rachuy received the $2,500 retainer from Victim A. Shortly thereafter, Victim A became suspicious and confronted Rachuy because Victim A had not received a draft of the legal documents Rachuy had promised to file. Rachuy promised Victim A that he would promptly refund the money, but never did so. Instead, Rachuy continued to falsely assure Victim A that Judge A and Judge B were working on the case.
Rachuy pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Joan N. Ericksen to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Duluth Police Department, and the Hermantown Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and Harry M. Jacobs are prosecuting the case.
Drug Dealer Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for One Fatal, Two Nonfatal Drug Overdoses in St. CharlesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Wednesday sentenced a man who provided the drugs that caused one fatal and two nonfatal overdoses in St. Charles, Missouri to 35 years in prison.
Ledra A. Craig, 46, of Wright City, was also ordered to pay $8,544 for his victim’s funeral.
Craig first supplied fentanyl to a man in the bathroom of the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles just before 7 a.m. on August 2, 2020, according to court statements and evidence at Craig’s trial in January. The man collapsed minutes later in the lobby and had to be revived with two doses of Narcan.
While that victim was on the brink of death, Craig sold fentanyl to another man, identified in court documents as “R.P.,” in the parking garage. Craig had approached that man and his friend in the casino earlier and offered to sell them cocaine.
About 40 minutes later, R.P. and his friend were spotted in a car in a neighborhood a few blocks from R.P.’s house. Authorities were called when the car rolled forward onto someone’s lawn. Both men had overdosed. N.B. was revived with Narcan. R.P. was blue, had no pulse and was not breathing. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman pointed out during Wednesday’s hearing that the victim "did not know what the defendant was selling him. In fact, the defendant knew that the victim thought he was getting cocaine when the defendant knew and understood that R.P. was about to ingest one of the most lethal substances known to man: fentanyl. Despite knowing just how dangerous and deadly fentanyl was, the defendant continued to sell it anyway.”
Investigators quickly identified Craig as the man seen in the casino with the overdose victims, and an undercover officer bought fentanyl from Craig later that day in a transaction that was recorded on video. After his arrest, Craig admitted selling fentanyl to R.P. and conspiring to sell fentanyl that summer. R.P.’s phone was found in Craig’s house, as well as fentanyl capsules and residue.
Craig was found guilty by a federal jury in January of a fentanyl conspiracy charge, two counts of distribution of fentanyl causing serious bodily injury for the non-fatal overdoses, one count of distribution of fentanyl with death resulting and one count of fentanyl distribution for the sale to an undercover police officer.
"Because fentanyl is so lethal, DEA investigations involving drug poisoning deaths are no longer rare events," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey, supervisor of DEA operations in Eastern Missouri. "We know drug traffickers lie about their illegal products. They don't care about human lives and are only involved in their criminal enterprise for the money. The only safe solution to avoid dying from fentanyl is to avoid drugs, especially if there’s a chance it came from someone like this defendant."
“We are pleased with the outcome but saddened by the loss of life,” said Captain Jeff Lange, deputy commander of the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force. “We hope this verdict sends a message to the drug dealers that they will not get away with the taking of lives and we hope the families can find peace with the tragic loss of their loved one. We are proud we were able to play a role in holding Mr. Craig accountable for his actions in the dealing of drugs in our community. “
The case was investigated by the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Wiseman and Samantha Reitz prosecuted the case.
Dos Hombres Acusados de Delitos Ambientales Cometidos en la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos y en la Comunidad Las Mareas en Salinas, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - El 10 de mayo de 2023, un gran jurado federal del distrito de Puerto Rico emitió dos pliegos acusatorios, por separado, contra Luis Enrique Rodríguez Sánchez y Pedro Luis Bones Torres por violaciones a la Ley de Agua Limpia (Clean Water Act en inglés) y a la Ley de Ríos y Puertos (Rivers and Harbors Act en inglés), anunciaron W. Stephen Muldrow, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico, y Todd Kim, Subsecretario de Justicia y jefe de la División del Medioambiente y Recursos Naturales del Departamento de Justicia de los EE.UU. Los cargos están relacionados a la construcción ilegal y depósito de materiales en los humedales y aguas estadounidenses en el área de la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos (la Reserva Estuarina de Jobos) y la comunidad Las Mareas en Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Varias agencias federales participan en esta investigación sobre delitos ambientales en la Reserva Estuarina de Jobos y la comunidad Las Mareas, incluyendo la División de Investigación Criminal de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA-CID por sus siglas en inglés), el Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI), la División de Investigación Criminal del Departamento del Ejército de los EE.UU. (Army-CID por sus siglas en inglés), la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Comercio de los EE.UU. (DOC-OIG por sus siglas en inglés), la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes de la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA-OLE por sus siglas en inglés) y la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes del Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre (FW-OLE por sus siglas en inglés).
Las acusaciones establecen que, desde aproximadamente enero del 2020 hasta octubre del 2022, Luis Enrique Rodríguez Sánchez (Rodríguez Sánchez) y Pedro Luis Bones Torres (Bones Torres) virtieron, a sabiendas, material de relleno de maquinaria de excavación en humedales y aguas estadounidenses en violación a la Ley de Agua Limpia. Además, se acusó a Rodríguez Sánchez y Bones Torres de construir estructuras dentro de aguas navegables estadounidenses sin autorización del Secretario del Ejército, en violación a la Ley de Ríos y Puertos.
La Ley de Agua Limpia fue aprobada por el Congreso en 1972 para proteger y mantener la integridad de las aguas de Estados Unidos. El próposito principal de la Ley de Agua Limpia es asegurar la restauración y mantenimiento de la integridad química, física y biológica de las aguas del país. La ley prohíbe la descarga de cualquier contaminante o material de relleno en aguas estadounidenses, excepto cuando se obtenga un permiso de los Estados Unidos.
La Ley de Ríos y Puertos fue aprobada originalmente en 1899 y generalmente se considera la ley ambiental más antigua de los Estados Unidos. Sirve para regular y proteger las aguas navegables estadounidenses y prohibir la construcción no autorizada de estructuras en esas aguas.
Tanto la Ley de Agua Limpia como la Ley de Ríos y Puertos protegen las aguas costeras de la Reserva Estuarina de Jobos.
La Reserva Estuarina de Jobos fue nombrada reserva nacional de investigación estuarina por la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) en el 1981 y consta de aproximadamente 2,800 acres de ecosistema costero en en litoral meriodional de Puerto Rico. La Reserva Estuarina de Jobos contiene islas y bosques de manglares, humedales mareales, arrecifes de coral, lagunas, salinas, bosques secos y praderas marinas. También es hogar del pelícano pardo, el halcón peregrino, la tortuga carey y el manatí antillano, especies en peligro de extinción. La Reserva Estuarina de Jobos es propiedad del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico (DRNA) y es operado por éste.
Ambos, Rodríguez Sánchez y Bones Torres, fueron arrestados, y está previsto que comparezcan hoy ante el Juez Magistrado Marshal D. Morgan del Tribunal de Distrito de los EE.UU. del Distrito de Puerto Rico para sus respectivas vistas iniciales. Si son declarados culpables, los acusados enfrentarán hasta un total de cuatro años de cárcel, multas y medidas cautelares para eliminar las estructuras ilegales.
“Estos casos demuestran nuestro compromiso para proteger los ecosistemas de los humedales, el cual tiene muchos beneficios públicos y ambientales”, comentó Todd Kim, Subsecretario de Justicia y jefe de la División del Medioambiente y Recursos Naturales del Departamento de Justicia de los EE.UU. “Los humedales costeros protegen a las comunidades de las marejadas ciclónicas y los huracanes, protegen a las especies vulnerables de la explotación, estabilizan los estuarios y proveen una filtración natural del agua que mejora su calidad”.
“La Fiscalía Federal está comprometida en hacer cumplir las leyes federales de protección ambiental y responsabilizar a los infractores de los daños causados. Estas leyes protegen a los animales, los recursos y los hábitats en Puerto Rico, la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos y la comunidad Las Mareas. La contaminación, el relleno y la construcción no autorizada dentro de las aguas protegidas de los Estados Unidos también plantean problemas de inundaciones y mitigación de huracanes para las comunidades aledañas. Por lo tanto, son una prioridad para el cumplimiento de las leyes ambientales federales”, expresó W. Stephen Muldrow, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico.
“Los humedales costeros de Puerto Rico son un recurso importante, ya que proveen un hábitat para numerosas especies en peligro de extinción y sirven de amortiguador natural contra los efectos de los huracanes y las inundaciones, fenómenos que van en aumento con el cambio climático”, mencionó el Agente Especial a Cargo Tyler Amon de la División de Investigación Criminal de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los EE. UU. “Los hábitats costeros de Puerto Rico han sido habitualmente explotados y maltratados por desarrolladores y arrendatarios ilegales, pero las acusaciones de hoy demuestran que la EPA y nuestros compañeros federales del orden público están trabajando activamente para detener estas actividades ilegales y proteger estas zonas para las generaciones futuras”.
“La conservación y protección del mundo que todos compartimos es nuestra responsabilidad colectiva e individual. Lo que ven hoy es el resultado de esa responsabilidad colectiva que ha sido tomada en serio por quienes estamos llamados a servir y proteger”, dijo Joseph González, Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina del FBI en San Juan. “Nuestro compromiso en el FBI es investigar y reducir al máximo las amenazas a nuestra seguridad pública y nacional, y estamos plenamente comprometidos con nuestros compañeros locales y federales para que así sea. Dondequiera que se lleven a cabo violaciones a las leyes federales, espere ver al FBI trabajando mano a mano con nuestros compañeros. El mensaje debe ser claro: se aplicarán las leyes de protección ambientales y los infractores deberían esperar las consecuencias”.
“Las acciones de hoy son una clara señal que la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Comercio (DOC-OIG) está dedicada a la investigación de posibles fraudes, despilfarros y abusos en proyectos que reciben fondos de la NOAA. La DOC-OIG aprecia grandemente los esfuerzos de cooperación entre nuestros compañeros fiscales y policiales en la aplicación de las leyes que protegen el ambiente y la belleza natural de Puerto Rico”, comentó Jeffrey Lysaght, Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Comercio de los EE.UU.
El Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes del Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre del Sudeste, Stephen Clark, declaró que, “Continuamos trabajando con nuestros compañeros en proteger los ecosistemas frágiles que sirven de hogar para las especies silvestres autóctonas y seguiremos llevando ante la justicia a quienes pretenden explotar estos recursos con total desprecio de las consecuencias que trae para el pueblo y los recursos naturales de Puerto Rico”.
“Estamos dedicados a hacer cumplir las leyes que conservan y protegen los recursos marinos de nuestra nación y su hábitat natural”, dijo Manny Antonaras, Director Auxiliar de la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes, División Sureste de la NOAA. “Este caso resalta la importancia de nuestra colaboración continua con los compañeros del orden público para exigir responsabilidades a quienes infringen las normas.”
“Estamos muy satisfechos con el anuncio de hoy”, declaró el Agente Especial a Cargo L. Scott Moreland de la División de Investigación Criminal de la Oficina de Investigación de Malversación de Adquisiciones del Departamento del Ejército de los EE. UU. “Esto es un verdadero testamento de nuestro compromiso continuo de colaborar estrechamente con nuestros compañeros de las demás agencias para investigar las violaciones a las leyes federales.”
El caso está siendo procesado por el Fiscal Federal Sénior Patrick M. Duggan de la Sección de Delitos Ambientales del Departamento de Justicia de los EE. UU. y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Seth A. Erbe, coordinador de litigios ambientales de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico.
Estas acusaciones son parte de una investigación en curso. Si usted tiene alguna información relacionada a esta investigación o a delitos ambientales locales, por favor contacte a los oficiales del órden público. Usted puede hacerlo de manera anónima si lo desea. Para contactar a la EPA, llame al (787) 977-5821 o visite la página web https://echo.epa.gov/denuncie-violaciones-ambientales. Para contactar al FBI, llame al (787) 987-6500 o visite la página web https://tips.fbi.gov/.
Para más información acerca de la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos, visite la página web https://www.drna.pr.gov/jbnerr/ o https://coast.noaa.gov/nerrs/reserves/jobos-bay.html.
Una acusación no es más que una alegación, y todos los acusados se presumen inocentes hasta que se demuestro su culpabilidad más allá de duda razonable ante un tribunal.
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District of Vermont’s U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont - In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, county, and local law enforcement officers in Vermont. This year, the week is commemorated from Tuesday, May 9 through Saturday, May 20, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Kerest stated, “Every day in Vermont, our federal, state, county, and local officers show up and run towards danger to keep our communities safe. This is difficult work and is vital to the safety of all Vermonters. My office commends and thanks each of them for their dedication to our Vermont communities. In addition, we should also focus on officer wellness. The pressures of responding to unknown circumstances take a toll on law enforcement officers and deserve attention. I encourage everyone to get in touch with a police officer this week and convey gratitude for their sacrifices.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. This week, we encourage Vermonters and citizens across the country to remember and honor those who gave their lives so the rest of us can live peacefully.
Based on data from the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), the names of 556 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The 556 officers include 224 officers who were killed during 2022, plus 332 officers who died in previous years, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now. The names of all 556 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated during the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil to be held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, at 8:00 pm EDT on May 13, 2023. For more information, go to candlelight vigil. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on the NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
Delaware Man and Woman Charged with Sex and Labor Trafficking of 13 VictimsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the District of Delaware returned an indictment charging a Delaware man and woman with sex trafficking, labor trafficking and related charges. The defendants are charged with aiding and abetting one another in committing sex trafficking and forced labor trafficking against 13 victims.
The indictment alleges that from 2014 through 2020, Clifton H. Gibbs, 66, and Brooke D. Waters, 44, of Lewes, recruited, harbored, transported and compelled nine victims to engage in commercial sex acts under the threat that they would suffer serious harm if they did not comply. The indictment further alleges that from 2016 through 2020, Gibbs and Waters obtained the labor and services of six victims under the threat of suffering serious harm if they did not comply. Finally, the indictment alleges that Gibbs and Waters transported three victims across state lines for the purpose of criminal sexual activity.
The sex trafficking charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. The forced labor charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The interstate transportation for the purposes of criminal sexual activity charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia and Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of HSI Baltimore made the announcement. The Delaware State Police, led by Colonel Melissa Zebley, provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox for the District of Delaware, Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Trial Attorney Caylee Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Senior Financial Investigator Kathryn Montemorra of the Money Laundering Section’s Special Financial Investigations Unit.
Anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of this case or may have relevant information to share is asked to call the HSI tip line at 866-DHS-2423.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dallas Woman Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Non-U.S. Citizens Resulting in Migrant’s DeathRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A Dallas woman pleaded guilty in a federal court in El Paso Wednesday to charges in connection to her role as a stash house operator and coordinator of a human smuggling organization operating in far west Texas.
According to court documents, Elizabeth Miranda Lozano, 39, joined and actively participated in an ongoing conspiracy to bring in, transport, and harbor undocumented immigrants into the U.S. from Mexico through Hudspeth County from on or about November 2019 through on or about August 2021. Lozano began working for the human smuggling organization as a transport driver, picking up noncitizens near Sierra Blanca and delivering them to stash houses in the Dallas area, as well as in the Phoenix, Arizona area. In 2020, she had graduated to running stash houses in the Dallas area for the organization.
In May 2020, a co-conspirator of Lozano’s guided a group of undocumented individuals on a two-to-three-day trek to a pickup location east of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Sierra Blanca Checkpoint. Another co-conspirator, who Lozano had trained, was assigned as the pickup driver, but before the group reach the pickup location, one of the undocumented individuals began to struggle and subsequently died. The group abandoned the deceased migrant along with his son, who was eventually found by USBP agents.
Lozano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bring in aliens resulting in death and faces a maximum sentence up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations; USBP; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; U.S. Marshals Service; FBI; The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Acosta and Jose Luis Acosta are prosecuting the case.
This case was supported by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA was created by the Attorney General in June 2021 in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to strengthen the Department’s overall efforts to combat these crimes based on the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling from and through Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle those human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse or exploit migrants, present national security risks, or engage in other types of transnational organized crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas helps lead JTFA, which is comprised of detailees from southwest border U.S. Attorney’s Offices, including the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California, and dedicated support for the program is also provided by numerous components of the Criminal Division that are part of JTFA – led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT), the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS), the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), the Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO), the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), and the Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS). JTFA is made possible by substantial law enforcement commitment from DHS, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners.
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D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Importation of a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Jonathan Montiethe Perry 39, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty this week to one count of importation of a controlled substance (Gamma Butyrolactone), announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon, of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. Field Office, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Perry entered the plea on May 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton scheduled a sentencing hearing for August 18, 2023.
According to the Government’s evidence, on or about December 26, 2022, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, New York, NY Mail Branch conducted an inspection of an international package that was addressed to the defendant in Washington D.C. The package was found to contain five unmarked plastic bottles filled with clear liquid, weighing approximately 6.07 kilograms (gross weight including the plastic bottles). CBP officers used a Gemini Thermo Scientific system to analyze the clear liquid and returned a presumptive positive match for Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL). The package contained approximately 5,000 milliliters of GBL which weighed approximately 5 kilograms. A subsequent laboratory analysis of samples taken from the five bottles further confirmed that the clear liquid contained GBL.
On January 5, 2023, at approximately 10:15 a.m., an undercover law enforcement officer conducted a controlled delivery of a package to an apartment complex where it was eventually retrieved by the defendant. Shortly thereafter, the defendant was followed and observed entering another apartment complex, then into a specific apartment with the target package in his hand. Law enforcement waited several minutes, knocked on the apartment door, announced their presence, and subsequently executed a search warrant. The defendant was present and detained without incident. Upon entering the residence, law enforcement observed the target package on the kitchen table next to a pair of scissors. On a separate nearby table, there was an open laptop computer with the USPS package tracking website open and the target package’s tracking number displayed. In addition, law enforcement officers recovered hundreds of empty, unfilled plastic pill capsules, a plastic bag containing several dozen empty plastic vials, a box containing six small empty, blue-colored vials and several glass droppers. Law enforcement also recovered one plastic bag that contained at least several dozen empty plastic vials and had a maximum capacity of 400 vials.
In announcing today’s plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Gordon, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from Homeland Security Investigations and the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledge the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Karla Nunez.
Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant United States Attorney Shehzad Akhtar who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Court Enjoins Alabama Seafood Processor from Distributing Adulterated Seafood ProductsRead the Press Release
A federal court today enjoined an Irvington, Alabama, company and several of its operators from distributing adulterated seafood products in violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).
In a civil complaint for permanent injunction filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama on April 25, the United States alleged that Irvington Seafood, Inc., and its owner, Kevin S. Sakprasit, and company officers Helene Nou and Kammie C. Richardson, violated the FDCA by distributing adulterated ready-to-eat crabmeat products. According to the complaint, the defendants process the products at their Alabama facility and then sell and distribute them to businesses and consumers throughout the country.
The complaint alleges that between 2006 and 2022, multiple Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections of the defendants’ facility revealed that the defendants prepared, packaged, and held crabmeat products under insanitary conditions and failed to comply with required current good manufacturing practices and seafood hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) regulations. According to the complaint, during inspections of the defendants’ facility FDA inspectors found, among other things: the presence of maggots, flies, and roaches; the presence of the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes on food contact and non-food contact surfaces of equipment; and that employees were failing to properly wash their hands and aprons. Food contaminated with L. mono can cause serious illness and even death in vulnerable groups, such as newborns and people with impaired immune systems. The complaint alleges that the defendants failed to take necessary corrective actions after repeated FDA warnings.
“Food manufacturers and distributors must operate in strict compliance with the law,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to working hand in hand with the FDA to help ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply.”
The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The order entered by the federal court permanently enjoins the defendants from violating the FDCA and requires that they destroy all raw ingredients and food products currently in their possession. Before processing or distributing any food in the future, the defendants must notify the FDA in advance, comply with specific remedial measures set forth in the injunction, and permit the FDA to inspect their facilities and procedures.
Senior Trial Attorney Arturo DeCastro of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch is handling the case with the assistance of Associate Chief Counsel Kyrsten L. Melander of the FDA’s Office of the General Counsel.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
The claims resolved by the resolution announced today are only allegations. There has been no determination of liability.
Colorado Springs Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Alexis Nicole Wilkins, age 28, of Colorado Springs was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison today for distributing fentanyl, resulting in the death of a high school student.
According to the plea agreement, on December 3, 2021, a juvenile overdosed during class at Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs. First responders attempted life-saving measures, and transported the juvenile to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The El Paso County Coroner determined the cause of death was “fentanyl intoxication.” Investigators spoke with two juvenile witnesses who were with the victim in a school restroom that morning. One juvenile witness provided statements that she and the victim used ”Percocet” in the bathroom that morning. Investigators were able to track where the juveniles got the pill through Facebook messages with the defendant, including a conversation which appears to be the one arranging the sale of a pill at the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs the night before the victim’s death. One of the juvenile witnesses said she was introduced to the defendant by a Denver gang member in February 2021, and had been purchasing “percs” from the defendant. One witness noted the pill they purchased on December 2, 2021, looked different and was a lighter blue color than what they had received previously. Other Facebook messages indicate the defendant knew the pills she was selling were not made by a pharmaceutical company. On March 15, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Colorado Springs Police Department executed a federal search warrant on the defendant’s home on West Portal Drive in Colorado Springs. Officers located and seized over 100 blue pills marked with “M” and “30,” which contained fentanyl. Investigators believe some of the pills were packaged for distribution.
“Fentanyl continues to kill innocent victims in Colorado, including teenagers,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “As our hearts go out to the victim, her family, and her friends, I ask everyone in Colorado to be on guard and share the message with others. Unless a drug comes from a pharmacist, please do not take it. Any illicit drug could contain fentanyl and, if it does, it could kill you.”
“Alexis Wilkins sold poison to unsuspecting kids in Colorado Springs. No prison sentence can bring back her victim or undo the harm she caused; this outcome does mean she is no longer selling deadly drugs,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek “FBI Denver is always ready and willing to assist partners like the Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office when it comes to halting the distribution of illegal drugs and making our communities safer.”
Judge Christine M. Arguello sentenced the defendant on May 11, 2023. After serving her custodial sentence, the defendant will have three years on supervised release.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division, the Colorado Springs Police Department Metro, Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence (MVNI) Unit, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office participated in the investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter McNeilly and Alyssa Mance.
CASE NUMBER: 22-cr-101-CMA
Chico Resident Charged with Wire Fraud in Scheme to Divert Company Accounts to Personal AccountsRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – A federal grand jury indicted Neil Divers, charging him with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to divert tens of thousands of dollars owed to a company he co-owned to bank accounts he created for his personal use, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian.
Divers, 64, of Chico, Calif., was co-owner of Kodiak, Precision, Inc., a machined component manufacturer located in Richmond, Calif. According to the indictment, owners discovered in 2015 that Divers was taking money from the company without authorization. This revelation led to the development of new controls and procedures to prevent Divers from taking money without authorization from the company again. Although Divers maintained an ownership position with Kodiak, he was removed as a signatory on the company’s accounts. According to the indictment, Divers nevertheless allegedly orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to get around the controls and procedures designed to prevent him from taking money from Kodiak.
The indictment describes certain aspects of Divers’ scheme to defraud. For example, after Divers was removed as a signatory on Kodiak bank accounts, Divers opened additional bank accounts in the name of Kodiak; as part of the set up for the new bank accounts, Divers established himself as the only signatory on the new accounts and created the accounts without the knowledge or consent of the Kodiak’s additional owners. In addition, Divers instructed an employee to have customers deposit funds owed to Kodiak into the new, unauthorized bank accounts. In this way, Diver allegedly diverted funds owed to Kodiak and then used Kodiak funds to maintain his personal lifestyle.
The indictment charges Divers with five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and two counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Each wire fraud count has a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine in the amount of $250,000. Each money-laundering count has a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine in the amount of $250,000. The court also may order a term of supervised release, fines or other assessments, restitution, and forfeiture, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Divers was arrested this morning in Texas and made an initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Hal R. Ray, Jr. Divers’ next appearance is scheduled before Chief Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu in Oakland, California on June 1, 2023, for initial appearance in this district.Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rees is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Leeya Kekona. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the IRS-CI.
Charleston Man Faces up to 20 Years for Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Charleston man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Thomas Hammond, 24, conspired with others to traffic methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties. Hammond knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy.
Hammond is the ninth defendant to plead guilty in this case; four other participants in the conspiracy were sentenced in prior related cases. Hammond faces up to 20 years imprisonment and up to a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, investigated the case. Assistance was provided by police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Cambria County Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Florentina Mayko, age 39, of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud for defrauding Medicare and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services between 2017 and 2019.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that Mayko agreed with others to defraud Medicare by submitting medically unnecessary urine drug tests for chronic opioid patients at medical clinics where she was the chief executive officer, including a group of clinics known as Pain Medicine of York or “PMY” (also known as All Better Wellness).
Mayko became the CEO of Pain Medicine of York around January 2018. Prior to that, Mayko served as Director of Operations of a group of medical practices known in the information as “Practice Group 1.” Mayko was hired to work at Practice Group 1 by an individual known in the information as Physician 1.
The owner of PMY, known as “PMY Owner” in the information, was friends with Physician 1. Physician 1 was imprisoned for health care fraud and federal tax offenses in mid-2017, at which point the operation of Practice Group 1 was transitioned to PMY. When Mayko was promoted to the position of CEO of PMY, her responsibilities did not materially change. From the time of her promotion onward, Mayko was in charge of the day-to-day management of PMY’s operations.
PMY had a practice, established in 2016 by Physician 1 and PMY Owner, of ordering multiple urine drug tests for each patient at every PMY office visit, despite a lack of medical necessity. The information alleges that, from mid-2017 onward, Mayko and PMY Owner were repeatedly confronted with information regarding the unlawful nature of the company’s UDT billing practices but continued to utilize the practice until search warrants were executed at PMY’s various locations in November 2019. PMY ceased operations soon thereafter.
It is alleged that PMY billed Medicare for more than $10 million in urine drug tests from mid-2017 through the end of 2019, and Medicare paid out over $4 million for these urine drug tests. The urine drug tests ordered by PMY were sent to an in-house laboratory at PMY whenever possible. As a result, when medically unnecessary tests were billed to Medicare, the proceeds from them went to PMY itself, according to the information.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Smultkis are prosecuting the case.
The information also contains forfeiture allegations seeking properties located in Ocean City, Maryland and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The maximum penalty under federal law for conspiracy to commit health care fraud is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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California Men Arraigned for Conspiring to Distribute Drugs and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Eric Thibodo, 54, of Malibu, California, and Evan Bowen, 45, of Garberville, California, appeared today before the Honorable Michael D. Nelson, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Nebraska, and pleaded not guilty to a three-count indictment that was unsealed on April 20, 2023. Count I charges Conspiracy to Distribute 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The maximum penalty is at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Money Laundering and Count III charges Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. If convicted of either Count II or III, the possible penalty is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Both men were released on conditions and will be monitored by the United States Probation and Pre-Trial Services agency.
David Leidermann, David Bose, and James Reja were also charged in the same indictment. Leidermann and Bose were arrested in California and have yet to make an appearance in the District of Nebraska. Reja has not been arrested. All defendants charged in an indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The indictment is the result an investigation dating back to September of 2019 and has revealed evidence of more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and millions of dollars in drug proceeds being illegally transported in the District of Nebraska and elsewhere.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.
California Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking, Firearm Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – A California man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Alpine Wednesday to charges related to drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Adrian Arturo Solis, 30, of Sylmar, California was traveling to Houston on Feb. 9, 2023 to conduct a drug transaction when a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper stopped him and his co-conspirators for exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph. When the DPS trooper recognized drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and observed a passenger attempt to conceal a pistol under his leg, he ordered all the occupants out of the vehicle. The three occupants were determined to be convicted felons.
During the traffic stop, Solis admitted to owning and possessing a second firearm located in the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed body armor, firearm magazines, and various types of drugs to include methamphetamine and fentanyl. After arriving at the Pecos Criminal Justice Center, the two passengers who accompanied Solis in the vehicle required medical treatment due to fentanyl overdoses.
Solis pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces a minimum prison term of five years for the firearm possession count and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
DPS and Pecos Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis is prosecuting the case.
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Arundel Resident Agrees to Pay over $330,000 to Settle Allegations of False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: United States Darcie N. McElwee today announced that Gary S. Winn, D.O. of Arundel, has agreed to pay $330,607 to settle allegations that he had violated the False Claims Act.
The civil settlement agreement between Winn and the United States and the State of Maine resolves allegations that Winn, the former medical director and owner of a family medical practice in Biddeford and Sanford, Provider’s Care, submitted false claims to Medicare and MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program) from January 2014 through November 2017. MaineCare is funded primarily by the federal government, which pays approximately two-thirds of all reimbursed claims.
On April 27, 2023, the United States filed a Complaint against Winn in the United States District Court for the District of Maine. As alleged in the Complaint, Medicare and MaineCare statutes, regulations and guidelines make clear that participating providers may only bill for services actually provided and which are medically reasonable and necessary. The United States and Maine contended in their Complaint that from January 2014 through November 2017, Winn knowingly submitted to Medicare and MaineCare claims for payment for medical services that were not provided or were not medically reasonable or necessary, including osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) services, evaluation and management services, tobacco use cessation counseling visits, outpatient visits, and patient drug testing services.
The Complaint against Winn was brought by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act (FCA), as well as Maine’s false claims statute. The FCA provides that any person who “knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval” or “knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim” is liable to the United States for three times the amount of damages which the United States sustains, plus a civil penalty for each FCA violation. As alleged in the Complaint, by submitting claims for payment for medical services that were not provided or were not medically reasonable or necessary, Winn violated the FCA.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, and the Office of the Maine Attorney General investigated the case. The civil action is docketed United States & State of Maine v. Gary S. Winn, 23-cv-00186-JDL (D. Me.).
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Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison on Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Carlos Kentral Kerney, 43, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to a total of 30 years in federal prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.
“This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. "Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, this armed felon has been called to account for his continued criminal conduct."
Kerney was convicted by a federal jury after a 3-day trial in January 2023. Evidence introduced at trial revealed that an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of Kerney for speeding on June 22, 2022. During the stop, the deputy observed the grip of a pistol sticking out from between the driver’s seat and center console. Deputies confirmed Kerney was a multi-time convicted felon and detained him in handcuffs. After being read his rights, Kerney denied ownership/knowledge of the firearm, claiming it must be his girlfriend’s gun because she has a Concealed Carry Permit. Further search of the vehicle led to discovery of 120 grams of marijuana, and varying amounts of cocaine, cocaine base, and a synthetic cathinone in the center console, two scales in the vehicle, and another small baggie of marijuana and $1000 cash on Kerney’s person.
“The Men and Women of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, in concert with our state and federal partners, will continue to pursue career felons who unlawfully possess firearms and who continuously try to peddle the poison of illegal narcotics on the streets of Alachua County, Florida. The mission to protect the safety and security of our citizens and visitors will always remain a top priority for this agency.” – Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.
Kerney had previously been convicted of twenty-five felonies and qualified as an Armed Career Criminal. Kerney’s imprisonment will be followed by six years of supervised release.
This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Elsey prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
An Oklahoma Narcotic Treatment Service Pays $50,000 to Settle Civil Penalty Claims Stemming from Allegations of Recordkeeping ViolationsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Southern Oklahoma Treatment Services, Inc., (“SOTS”), paid $50,000 to settle civil penalty claims stemming from allegations that they violated the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 and its regulations, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
SOTS is a for profit company incorporated in the State of Oklahoma. It owns and operates Narcotic Treatment Programs in Lawton, Ardmore and Mead, Oklahoma.
The United States alleges that from March 9, 2022, to June 9, 2022, SOTS failed to have appropriate destruction procedures and records for the wasting of Methadone, failed to maintain DEA 222 forms at each separate SOTS location related to purchases of Methadone, and failed to have a DEA 222 form for the transfer of Methadone from the SOTS clinic in Ardmore to the clinic in Lawton. It is also alleged that the SOTS clinic in Ardmore did not have a current Power of Attorney on file for the Program Sponsor. To resolve these allegations, SOTS agreed to pay $50,000 to the United States.
In reaching this settlement, SOTS did not admit liability, and the government did not make any concessions about the legitimacy of the claims. The agreement allows the parties to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience, and uncertainty involved in litigating the case.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald R. Gallegos and Amanda R. Johnson prosecuted the case.
Accounting Manager for Everett, Washington, company pleads guilty to embezzling more than $2.5 million from employerRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 39–year-old Kent, Washington, woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to wire fraud and tax fraud charges for her 10-year embezzlement scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Christin Guillory, an Accounting Manager at an Everett-based manufacturing company, stole more than $2.5 million from her employer by transferring funds to accounts Guillory set up in the names of fake companies and then routing the funds to her own bank accounts. Guillory faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez on August 11, 2023.
According to the plea agreement, in April 2013, Guillory set up an account with payment processor Square that used a display name that made it appear it was an account of a commercial shipping company. Between 2014 and 2019, Guillory secretly paid $1,695,591 to that account and then transferred the money to her own bank accounts. She made false entries in the company books to conceal the theft.
In 2019, Guillory stopped using Square for her fraud and instead used two PayPal accounts. She gave one of the PayPal accounts a display name similar to that of her employer. For the second account, she used the name of a shipping company with which she had no affiliation. In 2020 and 2021, she caused the transfer of $604,000 to the PayPal accounts and made false accounting entries to cover her tracks. She then transferred the bulk of the money for her own use. Becoming more brazen, between August and November 2021, Guillory transferred $247,000 directly from company accounts to her own bank accounts. Again, she made fraudulent accounting entries and reused legitimate invoices to make it appear the payments were for appropriate business purposes. In all, Guillory made at least 867 secret transactions using interstate wires that totaled $2,536,086.
The scheme was detected when a financial institution reported irregularities.
Guillory is also charged with making a false tax return for failing to report the more than $2.5 million in income she embezzled. For example, for the tax year 2019, Guillory represented that her income was $38,022, but failed to report the $615,392 in income she received that year from her embezzlement. In all, Guillory failed to pay $590,850 that she owed in taxes.
“Ms. Guillory received millions of dollars of ‘involuntary contributions’ from her employer, stolen amounts which she gave herself by abusing her position of trust within the company,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office. “Financial and tax crime have consequences, and Ms. Guillory’s guilty plea today is a compelling reminder of that.”
Wire fraud is punishable by up to twenty years in prison. Filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years in prison.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend no more than 41 months in prison for Guillory. The actual sentence is up to Judge Martinez who will consider a number of statutory factors before determining the appropriate sentence.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service: Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.
Wednesday 10 May 2023
Virginia Man Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Joseph Arnold, 43, of Chesapeake, Virginia, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $67,500 restitution, for distributing child pornography. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division.
Arnold pleaded guilty on July 19, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. According to the government’s evidence, on October 26, 2020, Arnold began communicating with an undercover officer based in the District of Columbia using an online messaging application. Over the next two weeks, Arnold sent the undercover officer multiple videos of child pornography, boasting that he had “hundreds more” such videos, and arranged with the undercover officer to travel to the District of Columbia for the purpose sexually abusing a child. On November 5, 2020, Arnold traveled from Virginia to Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he was arrested by law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Prince George’s County, Maryland Police Department.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Special Agent in Charge Jacobs commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Youth Investigations Division. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Burrell and Jocelyn Bond, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenya Davis, who prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
United States Attorney Announces 26 Charged in Series of Federal IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs announced today that 26 individuals, many of them associates of a significant narcotics trafficking organization, have been indicted on a wide variety of charges—including conspiracy, drug trafficking, illegal use and possession of firearms, wire fraud, and money laundering—after a series of investigations in South Carolina.
The investigation and arrests were announced in a joint press conference held at the North Charleston City Hall by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Secret Service (USSS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), and nine state and local law enforcement agency partners.
A portion of the investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization based primarily out of North Charleston. It was led by the FBI and is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The 13 defendants charged in that portion of the investigation are:
- Monta Peatro Harley, 34, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Cocaine Base, Cocaine, and Marijuana; Possessing Cocaine Base with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking;
- Xzayvier Vanyon Harley, 25, of Summerville, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Cocaine Base, Cocaine and Marijuana;
- Trevion Swansea Wigfall, 25, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Heroin; Possessing Fentanyl and Heroin with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking;
- Ariana Donnise Hamilton, 26, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Luther Antonio Smith, 22, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl;
- DeAndre Malik Horry, 25, of Mount Pleasant, charged with Fentanyl; Possessing Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking;
- Davonte Durrell Reid, 28, of Ladson, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Damon Christopher Heyward, 25, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Davion LaPrince Anderson, 23, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Eurie Gerard Richardson, 30, of Summerville, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Scotty Orlando Simmons, 25, of Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Cocaine Base;
- Zavie London Jefferson, 28, of Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine; and
- Dexter Deandre Ferguson-Fuller, 24, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Cocaine Base; Possessing Cocaine and Cocaine Base with Intent to Distribute; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking.
Another portion of the investigation focused on individuals in the Charleston area conspiring to illegally obtain firearms through the use of straw purchasers. It was led by the ATF and is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was also made possible in part by investigative leads generated from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
The five individuals charged in this portion of the case are:
- Bernard Freeman Scott, Jr., 24, of Ladson, charged with Conspiracy to Make False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms; Making False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms; and Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon;
- Andre Moore, 24, of Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Make False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms and Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon;
- Nykobie Bryant Fleming, 26, of Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Make False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms and Making False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms;
- Jedarius Tyewon Haynes Dessausure, 26, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Make False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms and Making False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms; and
- Jasmine Lasha Smalls, 27, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Make False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms and Making False Statements in Connection with the Acquisition of Firearms.
The third portion of the investigation focused on individuals in Summerville and North Charleston conspiring to commit wire fraud. One individual was also charged with money laundering. This portion of the investigation was led by the FBI, Secret Service, IRS, and SBA.
The eight individuals charged in this portion of the case are:
- Staci Harley, 41, of Summerville, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud;
- Roberta Harley, 61, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Wire Fraud; and Money Laundering;
- Anthony Harley, 40, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud;
- Zyaisha Blue, 22, of Summerville, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud;
- Benjamin Blue, 42, of Summerville, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud;
- Antanasia Harley, 20, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud;
- Anthony Pinckney, 40, of Summerville, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud;
- Sheniqua Mitchell, 37, of North Charleston, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud.
In addition to the FBI, ATF, Secret Service, IRS, and SBA, these cases were investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Charleston Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Summerville Police Department, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, and Charleston Fire Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Whit Sowards and Amy Bower are prosecuting the cases with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
U.S. Attorney Boroughs stated that all charges in the indictments are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Union County Man Charged with Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man was arrested and charged with distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Sean Lynch, 21, of Summit, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond, with home detention and electronic monitoring.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From Nov. 9, 2022, through Nov. 14, 2022, Lynch allegedly used an instant messaging mobile application to distribute to other individuals 72 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jose J. Riera, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Montclair State University Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief Kieran Barrett, and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Fell of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
lynch.complaint.pdfU.S. Attorney Will Thompson to Speak at Alternative Treatment Court Inaugural Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, May 11, 2023Read the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson will be a featured speaker at the Southern District of West Virginia’s Alternative Treatment Court inaugural graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 11 a.m.
The Alternative Treatment Court (ATC) is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and various community-based treatment providers and organizations. The ATC is a pre-plea, pre-sentence alternative to conviction or imprisonment for certain individuals charged with federal crimes. ATC provides a blend of treatment that focuses on drug and mental health treatment, and alternative sanctions to effectively address offender behavior, rehabilitation, and education and jobs skills training.
Media cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during the ceremony. All media must present government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license) and valid media credentials. Media must have cameras set by 10:45 a.m.
WHAT: Alternative Treatment Court (ATC) Graduation
WHEN: Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Ceremonial Courtroom, 7th Floor, Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse, Charleston
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.
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U.S. Attorney Dena J. King Announces the Winners of the 7th Annual “Do the Write Thing” Writing Challenge in AshevilleRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced the winners of the 7th Annual “Do the Write
Thing” (DtWT) writing challenge, during an award ceremony held this evening in Asheville. U.S. Attorney King serves as Chair of the DtWT Committee in Asheville.
The Do the Write Thing challenge is a program of the National Campaign to Stop Violence, which seeks to encourage middle school students to express the impact of violence in their lives through writing, and to empower students to become catalysts for positive change by sharing their ideas on ways to reduce youth violence.
“The written word is a powerful medium for expression,” said U.S. Attorney King. “The Do the Write Thing essay challenge gives students an opportunity to use their writing skills to share their experiences, explore their thoughts and emotions, and convey the impact of violence in their young lives. It also encourages students to find solutions and ways they can help reduce violence in their communities. I congratulate the winners of the challenge, the finalists, and all the students who participated in the competition this year, and I extend a sincere thank you to the parents, guardians, teachers, and school administrators for supporting and encouraging students to express themselves through their essays.”
A total of 362 essays written by middle school students attending Asheville Middle School and Buncombe County Schools were submitted for consideration. Of the finalists recognized at this evening’s ceremony, Ace Wilkins, an 8th grader with Asheville Middle School, and Hannah-Grace Tweedie, an 8th grader with Cane Creek Middle School, were announced as this year’s overall contest winners and were designated as National DtWT Ambassadors. As National Ambassadors, Ace and Hannah-Grace, their parents/guardians and the teachers who submitted their essays will be invited to participate in the “Do the Write Thing Challenge National Recognition Week” in Washington, D.C. During this all-expense-paid trip, Ace and Hannah-Grace will have an opportunity to visit national monuments and have their works placed in the Library of Congress.
During this evening’s ceremony, U.S. Attorney King recognized the Asheville Police Department, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Asheville Fire Department, the Asheville Housing Authority, Our VOICE, SPARC Foundation, and United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County for partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to form the DtWT committee. U.S. Attorney King also recognized the teachers, school administrators, counselors, parents, guardians, and caregivers for their dedication to this important endeavor, and thanked them for supporting the students’ efforts.
“My Office and the Justice Department are committed to implementing strategies to prevent and reduce crime in our communities. Engaging our schools and the community as critical partners is an important component to our overall success,” said U.S. Attorney King. “I am looking forward to our continued partnership with Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools and I value their commitment to fostering a positive environment that helps students realize their full potential.”
U.S. Attorney King also participated in Monday’s Do the Write Thing ceremony in Charlotte, during which Aaliyah Williams-Camp from Eastway Middle School and Michael Tadi from Coulwood STEM Academy were announced as the winners of the essay competition in Charlotte.
For more information on the National “Do the Write Thing Challenge” program please visit http://www.dtwt.org.
Thirty Individuals Associated with Milwaukee Street Gang Charged with Federal Offenses Ranging from Fraud to Murder for HireRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that 30 individuals – all alleged to be members and affiliates of a Milwaukee street gang known as the “Wild 100s,” the “Shark Gang,” or “SNG” – had been charged in a 43-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury. The charges include mail fraud conspiracy (Count 1), mail fraud (Counts 2 through 26), murder for hire (Count 27), discharging a firearm during a crime of violence (Count 28), conspiracy to commit offenses related to the possession and sale of firearms (Count 29), unlawful possession of firearms by felons (Counts 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 42, & 43), possession with intent to distribute controlled substances (Counts 33 & 40); possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (Counts 34 & 41), possession of a machinegun (Count 37), and possession of a firearm by a fugitive from justice (Count 38).
The indictment has been unsealed as to the following twenty-seven defendants, while the charges against three other defendants remain sealed pending their arrests:
Name
Age
Counts
RONNELL BOWMAN
29
1, 2, 27, 28, 29
MICHAEL ANDERSON
26
1, 3, 29, 38
JOEL BLAKE
24
1, 4
BYRON CLAYPOOL
24
1, 5
JAVONTE COTTON
28
1, 7, 29, 32, 33, 34
LADARIUS DAVIS-HUGHES
22
1, 8
LARRY ECHOLS
24
1, 10
DEMETRIUS EXUM
22
1, 11, 29
LARRY HAMILTON
31
1, 12, 29
VERNELL HAMILTON
29
1, 13
AKEEM HUDSON
32
1, 14
RONNIE JACKSON
23
1, 27, 28, 29
CALVIN KIDD
28
1, 15
MARCUS MALBRO
28
1, 7
DEAUTRIS MATTISON
26
1, 16
QUEVON MCKINNIE
25
1, 29, 42
CHASE NANEZ
22
1, 17
ANDREW PORTIS
30
1, 18
MAURICE RITTMAN
30
1, 19, 29, 30
RAMON SAVAGE
27
1, 20, 29, 35
TIMOTHY SCOTT
30
1, 21
KEORIE SMITH
26
1, 22, 29, 36, 43
KEJUAUN THOMAS
22
1, 29
LAWRENCE TURNER
29
1, 23
CHAZZ WHITE
32
1, 24, 29, 39, 40, 41
JALEN WILLIAMS
23
1, 25, 29
JAQUAN WRIGHT
22
1, 26, 29, 31
Regarding the mail fraud conspiracy charged in Count One, the indictment alleges that the named defendants conspired to defraud the Department of Labor through the submission of false and fraudulent applications for benefits under programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and other unemployment insurance programs. The indictment alleges that the conspirators wrongfully obtained millions of federal dollars through their fraudulent activities and used the funds to purchase, among other things, firearms, controlled substances, jewelry, and vacations, and to solicit murder for hire. Counts Two through Twenty-Six allege substantive mail fraud offenses relating to specific mailings of debit cards related to the fraudulent applications. Counts One through Twenty-Six each carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Regarding the alleged murder for hire, Count Twenty-Seven alleges that between on or about March 15, 2021, and April 5, 2021, Ronnell Bowman and Ronnie Jackson used facilities in interstate commerce to arrange the murder of N.B. in exchange for the payment of money. Count Twenty-Eight alleges that on or about April 5, 2021, these same two defendants used, carried, and discharged a firearm in furtherance of the murder for hire, resulting in the death of N.B. As charged, Counts Twenty-Seven and Twenty-Eight each carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison, and Count Twenty-Eight carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.
Regarding the conspiracy charged in Count Twenty-Nine, the indictment alleges that between approximately July 2020 and April 21, 2023, the fifteen defendants named in that count conspired to: (1) sell and dispose of firearms to prohibited persons (such as felons); (2) transfer firearms knowing that the firearms would be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; (3) possess and transfer machine guns; and (4) possess firearms as prohibited persons. This offense carries a prison sentence of up to five years.
With the exception of Counts Thirty-Four and Forty-One, which allege offenses punishable by a minimum of five years and up to life in prison, the remaining counts carry maximum penalties of up to 5 or 10 years depending on the specific offense charged.
Multiple defendants named in the indictment in this case were arrested earlier today as a result of law enforcement operations in Milwaukee, Houston, and elsewhere.
“Every resident of the Eastern District of Wisconsin deserves to live in a safe and secure neighborhood, free from groups which engage in violent offenses and other crimes involving firearms and free from individuals who seek to defraud programs designed to help others simply to enrich themselves and fund other crimes,” said United States Attorney Haanstad. “Today’s charges are the direct result of hard work and excellent collaboration between our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, all of whom are dedicated to making the City of Milwaukee and the entire Eastern District a safer and better place in which to live and work.”
“The arrests today are outstanding examples of the sustained and successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies to combat both significant violent and financial crime in Milwaukee,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle. “Additionally, the charges represent the commitment of the government to hold those accountable who steal the money of law-abiding taxpayers for personal gain and for use in committing acts of violent crime. The FBI’s Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force along with our partners will continue to identify and disrupt criminal organizations which threaten the safety of our communities with the goal to make Milwaukee a safer place for everyone.”
“Law enforcement partnerships among agencies at the local, state, and federal level proved effective in both investigating and charging these individuals responsible for these violent and senseless crimes,” commented ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I commend the United States Attorney’s office for their leadership and commitment to the community of Milwaukee, the victims of these tragedies.”
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to unemployment insurance programs. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate these types of allegations,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“The Milwaukee Police Department is committed to working with our community, local, state and federal partners to combat violent crime. We are extremely proud of the dedication and hard work of the members of MPD, FBI, ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the other law enforcement agencies that collaborated to arrest and indict several members of the Wild 100’s on very serious criminal charges. Our city is much safer due to the all the efforts of everyone involved,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.
The defendants were charged based on joint investigation by law enforcement officers from FBI, ATF, Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Kwaterski and Peter Smyczek.
Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the arrests and execution of search warrants related to the case, including FBI, ATF, DOL-OIG, MPD, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation, Cudahy Police Department, Oak Creek Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Brown Deer Police Department, West Allis Police Department, Glendale Police Department, Houston (Texas) Police Department, Montgomery County (Texas) Sheriff’s Department, and the Harris County (Texas) Sheriff’s Department.
The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # #
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer [email protected]
414-297-1700
South Bend Man Convicted of Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND –Late yesterday, Leontis Cornelius, 43 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was found guilty after a 2-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty against Cornelius on two counts of the Superseding Indictment for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department. This trial was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Katelan McKenzie Doyle.
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.
Six Members of St. Louis Drug Ring Linked to Murders Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Six members of a St. Louis drug ring linked to two murders have pleaded guilty in the last eight days.
In all, 17 defendants were charged in the case, and all have now pleaded guilty.
One of the leaders, Maurice Herbert Lee II, 35, pleaded guilty May 2 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Lee obtained bulk fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine from Juan Jose Francisco Gonzalez in Arizona via Darryl Lennell Moore II. Lee would then dilute the fentanyl and supply it to co-conspirators who at the height of the conspiracy were selling over 20,000 doses per week. Lee supplied the methamphetamine to another person who then redistributed it.
Lee admitted being responsible for between 4 and 12 kilograms of fentanyl and between 500 grams and 1.5 kilos of methamphetamine.
Lee’s "runners," who dealt fentanyl for him, were Christopher Jerrin Warlick Jr., Norris Douglas Jr., Mikell Rayford, Sherod Jacolby Tucker, Jerry O. Streeter Jr., Jerome Lamont Fisher Jr., Maricus Davon Futrell and Delvin Bost, according to Lee’s plea agreement.
Some runners were considered to be “muscle,” and would use firearms and violence to protect themselves, the drugs and the money and to intimidate rival gangs and drug distributors. Lee conspired to possess firearms to help protect his operation. His plea says it was well known that there was a bounty of between $5,000 and $15,000 for the murder of any rival gang members or drug dealers.
Ramico Darez James Adams also helped to keep track of the drugs sold and money due and Jalisa Shatavia Johnson would resupply runners and collect money at the end of the day.
Lee admitted two fatal shootings occurred in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.
Lee paid Silas, Warlick and Fisher after Silas and Fischer fatally shot Alexander Noodel on May 8, 2017, Lee’s plea agreement says. The men fired over 100 rounds. Fisher disposed of his weapon but Silas kept his rifle. That rifle was seized by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in January of 2018 after a high-speed chase. Investigators also found records showing group texts in which they planned the murder.
A witness identified Michael Johnson as the person who fired 25 shots and killed Kevin Davis Jr., 24, on June 30, 2017 in the 1900 block of Belt Avenue in St. Louis after chasing him down the street. Earlier that day, Bost called Lee to confirm that a bounty for Davis was still being offered. Bost later claimed credit, received $10,000 from Lee and then paid Johnson, plea agreements by Lee and Bost say.
Lee faces 10 years to life in prison for each of the drug conspiracy charges and up to 20 years for each of the gun charges at his August 2 sentencing.
Johnson, 30, pleaded guilty May 4 to one count of conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He admitted in his plea agreement that Davis was fatally shot and that he discharged a firearm in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced August 1.
Fisher pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime resulting in death. He acknowledged Noodel’s death and admitted participating in text messages as the co-conspirators searched for Noodel. He also admitted that the discharge of firearms was committed in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Warlick, 27, also pleaded guilty Monday, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He admitted being primarily responsible for diluting the fentanyl for sale and for acting as armed security for the fentanyl dealers. On Nov. 29, 2017, he was armed with a Glock pistol and drove two others, Streeter and Rayford, to a market in Moline Acres. There, Streeter and Rayford opened fire with assault rifles, seriously wounding three people.
Warlick is scheduled to be sentenced August 10 and faces up to 20 years in prison on the drug count and at least seven on the gun charge that must run consecutive to the drug charge.
Bost pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He admitted accepting the murder bounty, selling drugs on Facebook and being caught with methamphetamine on Feb. 11, 2019.
Charles Daniel Guice pleaded guilty Wednesday to receiving guns while under indictment and is scheduled to be sentenced August 10.
Tremayne Silas, 30, of St. Louis, was sentenced in February to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty in November to a charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death. Gonzalez’s sentencing is set for June 7. Moore was sentenced in 2021 to 98 months in prison. Weaver was sentenced in 2022 to 10 years in prison. Tucker was sentenced in 2021 to 80 months in prison. Futrell was sentenced in 2022 to 11 months in prison.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul D’Agrosa and Mohsen Pasha are prosecuting the case.
Several charged with stealing vehicles and taking them into MexicoRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A total of eight San Antonio residents are now in custody following the return of a 12-count indictment related to the theft and exportation of motor vehicles, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Law enforcement took all into custody in law enforcement actions this week - Guadalupe Alex Armendariz-Delgadillo, 46, Ivan Pacheco, 36, Julio Escamilla, 26, Derrick Ramirez, 28, Richard Joseph, 29, Michael Martinez, 20, Enrique Moreno, 23, and Leonardo Santillan, 21. They are expected to make their initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate judge in the Western District of Texas before transportation to Laredo to face further proceedings.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment under seal May 2 which was unsealed upon each of their arrests.
Between June 6, 2021, and Feb. 12, 2022, each of the eight either exported or attempted to export and aided in the export or attempted export of a motor vehicle they knew was stolen, according to the charges.
Armendariz-Delgadillo, Pacheco and Joseph are also charged in separate counts of unlawfully transporting one of those stolen vehicles from the United States to Mexico from Aug. 6 - Dec. 4, 2021.
If convicted, each faces up to 10 years imprisonment as well as a maximum $250,000 possible fine, upon conviction.
The FBI conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Black Echo with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, police departments in Laredo and San Antonio and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Sturgis and Brian Bajew are prosecuting the case.
The investigation was brought as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Black Echo. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. Its mission is to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States through prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency task forces that leverage the authorities and expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Seattle-area man arrested six times for armed drug dealing sentenced to ten years in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – A Seattle-area man who was arrested for drug trafficking by multiple law enforcement agencies six times over a two-year period was sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Steven Eric Strauss, 56, was charged federally on May 5, 2022, with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said Strauss “has the potential to return to what has been a life of crime…. I need to protect the community from that.”
According to records filed in the case, between January 2020 and March 2022, Strauss was investigated and arrested for drug trafficking by multiple law enforcement agencies. Those arrests and seizures include:
- January 2020: Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office searched Strauss’ Everett residence after he sold narcotics to a person working with law enforcement. Seized methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, 9mm handgun and more than$14,000 in cash.
- March 2021: Washington State Patrol (WSP) stopped him in Seattle and seized methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, a rifle, and more than $27,000 in cash.
- April 2021: Strauss sold heroin and methamphetamine to a person working with law enforcement. Bellevue Police searched his car and seized a stolen pistol and a second handgun, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and more than $34,000 in cash.
- October 2021: Seattle Police arrested Strauss in a stolen travel trailer and seized two firearms, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and more than $9,000 in currency.
- November 2021: Lynnwood Police arrested Strauss for having a stolen disabled parking placard in his car. He had a short barrel rifle, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and more than $31,000 in cash.
- March 2022: Seattle Police arrested Strauss after seeing him engage in hand-to-hand drug deals. From his car officers seized methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, two pistols, and more than $20,000 in cash.
In asking for the ten-year sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson noted that Strauss has failed to reform following state prison sentences. “The defendant’s prior encounters with the criminal system also failed to deter or dissuade him from selling drugs and carrying firearms. A review of the defendant’s criminal history establishes that from the age of eighteen, the defendant has been in a revolving door of crime commission to prison admission,” AUSA Gregson wrote in her sentencing memo.
The case was investigated by the Washington State Patrol with assistance from the Seattle Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Lynnwood Police, and Bellevue Police.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.
Salem Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Machine GunsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Salem man was sentenced today in federal court for the unlawful possession of machine guns, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Kyle Morris, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 18 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Morris was also ordered to pay a fine of $1000. On January 17, 2023, Morris pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of machine guns. He was ordered to forfeit to the government the two machine guns seized during the execution of the search warrant at his home.
“The defendant expressed an interest in perpetrating horrific acts of violence against racial and religious minorities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Those beliefs coupled with his illegal possession of machine guns pose a danger to our communities and today’s sentence sends a clear message that such conduct will result in not only a felony conviction but in incarceration.”
"Today, Kyle Morris learned his fate for illegally possessing two machine guns, while advocating for a race war and the bombing of mosques and synagogues. Weapons, he collected in furtherance of his desire to commit racially motivated violence,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “I commend the diligent work conducted by our New Hampshire Joint Terrorism Task Force for removing this threat from our community."
Morris kept the machine guns in a locked gun room in his home. This locked room also contained over 20 other firearms and various Nazi paraphernalia, including a Nazi uniform, two Nazi flags, and a framed photo of Adolf Hitler.
In private correspondence, he advocated for bombing mosques, synagogues, and diversity centers, and for starting a race war. He expressed an interest in participating in lone wolf attacks in Massachusetts involving shootings in Lawrence, culminating in a plan to drive a truck bomb into the Massachusetts State House. Morris also wanted to “mag dump a crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters, especially the darker ones.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Hampshire State Police led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Z. Krasinski and Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.
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Rosebud Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2023.
Daymon Oliver, 41, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Oliver was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 6, 2023.
On the evening of July 19, 2022, Oliver and the victim were consuming alcohol at their residence in Mission, South Dakota. Also present in the home were their two children. The victim fell asleep in their daughter’s room but awoke in the early morning hours to use the restroom. Oliver was also awake, and an argument ensued. The altercation became physical, and Oliver struck the victim in the face at least four times. The assault ended when their daughter intervened. The victim suffered a broken jaw that required surgical repair.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.
Oliver was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Putnam County Man Receives 20-Year Sentence for Coercion and Enticement of Multiple Minors to Engage in Illegal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARCELO MARIN VARGAS was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel to 20 years in prison following VARGAS’s guilty plea in September 2022 to three counts of coercion and enticement of minors to engage in illegal sexual activity.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This sentence sends a clear message to those who would coerce and entice minors to engage in illegal sexual conduct over the internet: Hiding behind a screen will not save you. We will find you and we will put an end to your victimization of children. Crimes like these cause real pain and create real victims.”
According to the Information to which VARGAS pled guilty:
VARGAS used a computer and the internet to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce three minor girls to send images and videos of themselves engaging in sexual activity to VARGAS over the internet.
* * *
In addition to the prison term, VARGAS, 45, of Putnam County, New York, was ordered to pay restitution for one of VARGAS’s victims in the amount of $3,000.
Mr. Williams praised Homeland Security Investigations for their outstanding investigative work.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Gianforti is in charge of the prosecution.
Putnam County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Glock SwitchRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Stephen Simmons, 40, of Nitro, pleaded guilty today to possession of an unregistered machinegun.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 3, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Simmons’ 32nd Street residence in Nitro. Officers seized a Ruger, model 10/22, .22-caliber rifle, two Glock switches, two drop-in auto sears, and six firearm silencers.
Glock switches are devices designed solely to convert semiautomatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machineguns, and are machineguns as defined by federal law. Drop-in auto sears are devices designed solely to convert semiautomatic AR-type firearms into fully automatic machineguns, and are machineguns as defined by federal law. Firearm silencers are designed to silence, muffle or diminish the report of a portable firearm, and are firearms as defined by federal law.
Simmons admitted that he possessed a Glock switch and further admitted that he did not register the Glock switch in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by federal law.
Simmons is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Troy D. Adams and Negar M. Kordestani 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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-21.
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Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Providence man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl across Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Yeury Francisco Garcia-Rodriguez, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Aug. 8, 2023. Garcia-Rodriguez was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022.
According to court documents, Garcia-Rodriguez was a member of a drug trafficking organization operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island before he was arrested. Specifically, on four occasions between March 2021 and May 2021, Garcia-Rodriguez delivered fentanyl to a federal co-operating source – with quantities ranging between approximately 49 grams to 127 grams of fentanyl. During a search of Garcia-Rodriguez’s residence on July 19, 2022, approximately 35 grams of fentanyl was recovered.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. 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.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; Bristol County Sherriff’s Office; and Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Scituate, Yarmouth, Providence (R.I.) and West Warwick (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Prior Felon Arrested on New Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Cameron Stroke, 42, of Depew, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in July 2020, Stroke was sentenced in Federal Court to five years’ probation for possession of child pornography and placed under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office. On May 2, 2023, law enforcement began investigating Stroke after learning he might be in possession of child pornography. On that day, probation officers made a visit to Stroke’s Depew residence and seized two cell phones. One of the phones contained no child pornography, but the second phone contained multiple files of child pornography, including images of pre-pubescent girls.
Stroke made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and is being held pending a detention hearing on May 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James P. Stauffiger.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to Two Years for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mexican national was sentenced on Friday May 5, 2023, to two years in prison for being unlawfully in the United States after having been previously removed from the country.
According to court documents, on November 7, 2022, the Mobile Police Department received a report of a stolen U-Haul car trailer and an attempted theft of a U-Haul utility trailer from an authorized U-Haul dealer in Mobile, Alabama. Officers from the Mobile Police Department responded to the scene and found Ignacio Gallardo Flores nearby. Flores was arrested for attempted theft of property first degree, theft of property second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations of Mobile investigated and determined that Flores had been previously removed from the United States on two occasions. ICE also determined that Flores had been previously convicted of two felony offenses, including burglary of a building and burglary of a habitation in violation of Texas state law. ICE verified that Flores did not have any lawful authority to be voluntarily present in the United States when he was arrested by the Mobile Police Department for theft-related charges.
Flores was sentenced to a term of three years supervised release to follow his imprisonment. Upon release from imprisonment, Flores was ordered to be delivered to a duly authorized Immigration official for deportation consideration.U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Kopf prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Pittsburg County Residents Sentenced for Murder in Indian Country and Accessory After the FactRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announces that Jimmy Holmes Nace, age 50, and Matthew Jennings Vermillion, age 44, both of Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, were sentenced for their roles in a homicide that occurred in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. Nace was sentenced to 180 months for Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree on May 4, 2023. Vermillion was sentenced to 102 months for Accessory After the Fact to the murder on March 27, 2023.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On July 3, 2019, Nace assaulted an individual, and—together with Vermillion and a third individual—transported the victim to a rural community cemetery in Vermillion’s truck. Once at the cemetery, Nace and the third individual killed the victim before Nace lit the body on fire.
On January 20, 2022, Vermillion pleaded guilty to one count of Accessory After the Fact to a murder. On March 14, 2022, the eve of trial, Nace pleaded guilty to one count of Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree.
“The cooperative efforts of county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies investigating this horrible crime resulted in the defendants being prosecuted and imprisoned for their actions,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.
“Today’s sentencing holds both defendants accountable for the callous and brutal murder of an innocent man,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “We hope it will bring a sense of closure to the victim’s family, while affirming the FBI’s commitment to pursuing justice for those affected by violence.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted this case because the victim was a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Pittsburg County, which is within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the case and sentenced Nace and Vermillion in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Nace and Vermillion were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal at the conclusion of their sentencing. They will remain in custody pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve their sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Cameron McEwen represented the United States.