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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.
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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.
Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance to an Individual Under 21 Years of Age, was sentenced on May 1, 2023, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Charles Richards, Jr., age 53, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by six years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Richards was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury, and pleaded guilty in February of 2023. The conviction stems from Richards distributing controlled substances to children under 21 years of age between June and July of 2019.
The case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.
Richards was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pawtucket Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Crack Cocaine While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man, who was previously convicted on federal crack cocaine drug trafficking and firearm charges and incarcerated, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for again trafficking crack cocaine while on federal supervised release, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Estefano J. Lobo, 31, who since 2010 has been convicted of felony crimes on eight separate occasions, admitted to a ninth felony before a federal judge. Lobo admitted that, in March 2022, less than a year after leaving federal prison to begin serving a three-year term of federal supervised release, he sold and delivered crack cocaine to another individual and had been dealing crack cocaine for several months.
According to information presented to the court, during an investigation into Lobo’s renewed drug trafficking activity, and while under law enforcement surveillance, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and Pawtucket Police Department detectives witnessed Lobo make a hand-to-hand crack cocaine delivery to another person.
At the time of his arrest, Lobo was found to be in possession of 1.35 grams of crack cocaine and $580 in cash. A court-authorized search of Lobo’s residence resulted in the seizure of 98.45 grams of crack cocaine, $7,652 in cash, and, among other items, tools associated with processing cocaine powder into cocaine base.
Lobo pleaded guilty to his most recent charges in federal court on October 4, 2022, to possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute; he was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to a term of 60 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of federal supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind M. Shah.
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Owners & Operators of Mid-State Restaurants Plead Guilty in Scheme to Harbor Undocumented WorkersRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Five persons charged last year in an undocumented worker harboring scheme connected to eight mid-state restaurants, have pleaded guilty, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski.
In plea hearings concluded this week, Zhongzhi “Tommy” Zhuo, 46, Jianping “Alan” Zhuo, 37, both of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Jianhua “Jason” Zhuo, 35, of Gallatin, Tenn., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor aliens; conspiracy to commit money laundering; and conspiracy to defraud the United States by failure to collect and pay employment taxes to the IRS. Zhongzhi Zhuo also pleaded guilty to two counts of harboring aliens, and failure to pay employment taxes. Lili Wu, 32, of Gallatin, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States by failure to collect and pay employment taxes to the IRS. Xiaofen “Joyce” Zhuo, 38, of Hendersonville, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to defraud the United States by failure to collect and pay employment taxes to the IRS.
“These defendants profited by exploiting and concealing the existence of vulnerable people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jaworski. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts to bring them to justice and to remove individuals from circumstances in which they were exploited.”
According to records filed with the Court, the defendants participated in a scheme to harbor persons who were in the United States illegally, by providing a means of financial support through employment at the restaurants and providing them with housing and transportation. The scheme also involved paying undocumented workers in cash to avoid paying employment taxes and to conceal the ongoing fraud. The restaurants identified in the indictment include the Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, with locations in Hendersonville, Goodlettsville, and Whitehouse, Tenn.; Bonfire Mongolian Grill, with locations in Hendersonville, Clarksville, Mount Juliet, and Spring Hill, Tenn.; and the Koi Japanese Steakhouse in Gallatin, Tenn. Some of the restaurants are under new ownership.
These guilty pleas follow a nine-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in July 2022, after which all defendants were arrested by federal agents.
The defendants also agreed to forfeit residences that were used to facilitate violations of these crimes and funds derived from the commission of these crimes. As a result, defendants agreed to forfeit nine bank accounts totaling approximately $412,209.14; U.S. currency totaling $434,400.24; and the properties at 138 Huntington Place, Hendersonville, Tenn.; 1119 Peninsula, Gallatin, Tenn.; 232 Trey Court, Clarksville, Tenn.; and 1050 Bradford Park Road, Mount Juliet, Tenn.
The United States also alleged that this scheme caused a tax loss to the IRS of $1,259,348 and will be seeking restitution.
“These employers exploited a vulnerable population and defrauded the government for their own profit. The guilty pleas are a prime example of the successful outcome when local, state, and federal partners collaborate to protect workers and American businesses,” said Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud, HSI Nashville. “Through its investigations into exploitative employers, HSI protects the U.S. labor market, workplace conditions, and the dignity of individual workers, who are often taken advantage of through dangerous work conditions, underpayment, and using those noncitizens as a business model to maximize profits.”
“Unscrupulous businesses who willfully skirt their tax and legal workforce obligations must be held to account,” said IRS CI Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins. “Employers who deliberately deflect these obligations undermine what is owed to the U.S. government in payroll taxes and other fees, in addition to creating an unfair economic advantage over law-abiding business owners who play by the rules.”
The defendants face between five and 20 years in prison when they are sentenced later this year. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; and the Hendersonville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Levine is prosecuting the case.
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Onslow County Man Involved in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Abdul Sanderlin, 29, of Onslow County, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in multiple states.
According to court documents, evidence presented in court, and other documents, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office received information that Sanderlin was involved in the distribution of narcotics between New Jersey and Sneads Ferry, North Carolina.
On August 27, 2020, an undercover DEA task force officer made a controlled purchased of a half an ounce of methamphetamine from Sanderlin. Law enforcement observed Sanderlin leaving his apartment in Sneads Ferry prior to him making the deal. Later law enforcement served a search warrant on the residence, and recovered 46 grams of methamphetamine, more than 2,000 bags of suspected heroin, paraphernalia associated with drug distribution and more than $17,000.
On January 26, 2023, Sanderlin pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Sanderlin has previously been convicted in New Jersey state court of manufacturing or distributing a controlled dangerous substance or intent to manufacture (2012), felony unlawful possession of a handgun (2014), manufacturing or distributing a controlled dangerous substance or intent to manufacture (2018).
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Onslow County Sheriffs’ Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Severo and Gabe Diaz prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-cr-00082-D.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Danny Merriweather, also known as “D,” 35, of Toledo, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 5, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a 10th Avenue residence where Merriweather was living and seized a Smith & Wesson .38 SPL Airweight revolver and quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Merriweather admitted to possessing the firearm.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Merriweather knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for distribution of a quantity of cocaine base in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on October 22, 2012.
Merriweather is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 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 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-47.
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New York Woman Sentenced for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New York woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for trafficking five kilograms of fentanyl from New York City.
Shanese DeJesus, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2022, DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more fentanyl.
In October 2021, DeJesus drove from the New York City area to a hotel parking lot in Andover to deliver approximately five kilograms of fentanyl to a cooperating source. Upon arriving in the parking lot, DeJesus retrieved a shopping bag from her trunk and entered the source’s vehicle. Inside the shopping bag were two UPS boxes that were addressed to DeJesus’ home in Brooklyn, N.Y. and contained a total of five kilograms of fentanyl.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Colonel Nathan Noyes, Director of the New Hampshire State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
New York Man Admits Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A New York man today admitted spending hundreds of thousands of dollars using credit cards he fraudulently opened using the identities of others, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Robert Lourenco, 52, of Queens, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to one count of an indictment charging him with access device fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
During 2015, Lourenco opened 23 credit cards using the identities of three victims he had befriended, two of whom were senior citizens. Lourenco’s victims did not know he was using their identities to obtain the credit cards, nor did they authorize Lourenco to obtain the credit cards. Lourenco used the 23 credit cards to make more than $423,000 in unauthorized purchases. He also used the debit card for a joint bank account belonging to two of the victims to make an additional $57,000 in unauthorized charges. Lourenco admitted that he knew at least one of his victims was a vulnerable victim when he used the victim’s identity to commit his crime.
The charge of access device fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to the greatest of $250,000, twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense, or twice the gross pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 14, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office for its role in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
lourenco.indictment.pdfNew Bedford Man Sentenced for Evading More Than $400,000 in Federal Income TaxesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for evading more than $431,000 in federal income taxes over the course of seven years.
Victor M. Cruz, 43, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (10 months in prison) followed by one year of supervised release. Cruz was also ordered to pay $431,835 in restitution to IRS. On Feb. 12, 2023, Cruz pleaded guilty to three counts of tax evasion.
From 2015 through 2017, while earning between $183,000 and $212,000 in annual wages as a crewmember for various fishing vessels, Cruz failed to file federal tax returns on his income for any of the years. In addition, Cruz had previously failed to file federal income tax returns for tax years 2010 through 2014 while receiving an annual income of at least $150,000. Despite receiving at least two notices from the Internal Revenue Service directing him to file returns and pay delinquent taxes, Cruz failed to file any federal tax returns and took other measures to prevent authorities from tracing his income or determining his tax liabilities. In total, Cruz evaded paying more than $431,000 in federal taxes, not including delinquency penalties and interest.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
North Dakota U.s. Attorney’s Office Allocated Five Additional Prosecutors, Including Three for “Indian Country”Read the Press Release
Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota has been allocated five additional federal prosecutors by the Untied States Department of Justice. Three of these full-time Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) will be dedicated to addressing public safety needs on North Dakota’s reservations.
“For decades, the hallmark of the United States Attorney’s Office in North Dakota has been our role as a strong federal partner in promoting public safety across the state, especially in Indian Country,” Schneider said. “With this significant investment of additional resources from the Department of Justice, we will be able to play that role even more effectively.”
In addition to the three “Indian Country” prosecutors, the office will hire an additional AUSA to prosecute violent crime in Cass County and the surrounding areas. Another prosecutor will be charged with spearheading the office’s eLitigation efforts, an area that is increasingly important to all manner of criminal prosecutions.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota currently has 21 AUSAs working in its Criminal and Civil Divisions out of Bismarck and Fargo and an additional High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas prosecutor in Minot. The office is currently in the process of onboarding two criminal AUSAs to fill existing vacancies. When the additional five prosecutors are in place, a process expected to take several months, the office will have a total of 28 AUSAs.
The additional prosecutors assigned to “Indian Country,” a legal term defined by18 U.S. Code § 1151, will allow the United States Attorney’s Office to nearly double the prosecutorial resources currently dedicated to promoting public safety in North Dakota’s tribal communities.
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Missouri Man Admits Unemployment Insurance, Home Depot FraudsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Ste. Genevieve County pleaded guilty to federal charges Tuesday and admitted schemes to defraud both Home Depot and Missouri’s unemployment insurance program.
Arthur Grass, 36, also admitted being a felon caught with a firearm. Grass pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of conspiracy to steal money from the United States (unemployment benefits) and one count of wire fraud.
Grass admitted filing false unemployment claims for about 10 people beginning in May of 2020. Grass falsely claimed that they had been laid off from his construction company, AJE Construction. Grass cashed out the unemployment benefits, which had been placed on debit cards, and kicked some money back to the “workers,” who had voluntarily provided him their personal information to use in the scheme. In all, the scheme reaped $142,423, including supplemental COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits.
Grass also admitted defrauding Home Depot on multiple occasions by filling a cart with boxes of vinyl flooring and then adding an inexpensive item on top. He would pay for the inexpensive item and claim that he’d paid for the flooring online, showing a fraudulent receipt.
Charging documents say he stole about 468 boxes of flooring that way from Home Depot stores in St. Louis and St. Louis County from Jan. 5, 2023 through Feb. 6, 2023. Each box was priced at about $75 or more. He then sold them on Facebook.
Finally, on March 31, 2022, St. Charles County police who were investigating catalytic converter thefts found Grass’ Jeep in a storage lot, with Grass inside. He was arrested and police later found a stolen Glock 9mm pistol in a toolbox in the Jeep. Grass is a convicted felon and barred from possessing a firearm.
“Arthur Grass engaged in an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme targeting the Missouri Department of Labor, Division of Employment Security. Grass conspired to submit fraudulent UI claims in the names of other individuals, diverting vital taxpayer resources away from those in dire need of unemployment benefits. Today’s guilty plea affirms the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General’s commitment to pursuing UI fraud. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Missouri Department of Labor and our many law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Grass faces up to 10 years in prison for the gun charge, up to 20 years for the wire fraud charge and up to five years for the stealing charge, as well as the possibility of a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge. He will also be ordered to repay the money.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the St. Charles County Police Department, the Missouri Department of Labor, the Arnold Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and Home Depot Retail Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware is prosecuting the case.
Mexican National Admits Illegally Reentering U.S.Read the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSE GUADALUPE CASTILLO LARA, also known as Jose Castillo, Jose Latta, Francisco Rodriguez, and Jose Ruiz, 41, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford federal court to illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
According to court documents, Castillo previously was deported from the U.S. to Mexico in April 2009 following a felony conviction in Texas for assault. He reentered the U.S. shortly thereafter and was encountered by law enforcement in Texas. On July 13, 2009, he was sentenced to two years of imprisonment for violating the terms of his probation from his assault conviction. He was again removed to Mexico in June 2010.
On November 17, 2018, Castillo was arrested by Stamford Police. On March 6, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging him with reentry of a removed alien. On March 7, 2019, Castillo was convicted in state court of disorderly conduct related to his November 2018 arrest, and he was released from state custody. He remained at large until March 17, 2023, when he was apprehended in Massachusetts.
Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2023, at which time Castillo faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Casey.
Meth trafficking sends Missoula man to prison for more than five yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community after law enforcement seized approximately seven pounds of the drug that were associated with him was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
James Allyn Batterton, 25, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in February 2022, law enforcement executed multiple state search warrants in Missoula and Beaverhead counties and seized approximately seven pounds of meth from two U.S. Postal Service boxes bound for addresses associated with Batterton. Officers also seized additional meth and firearms from multiple homes and vehicles belonging to Batterton. The government further alleged that Batterton imported meth into Montana through the U.S. Postal Service and resold it in Western Montana. Batterton is believed to have distributed nearly 30 pounds of the drug. Thirty pounds of meth is the equivalent of 108,720 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
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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Meriden Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine through the MailRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BIMAEL ACEVEDO-ROMAN, 29, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine into Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force revealed that Acevedo-Roman was coordinating the shipment of parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from U.S. Post Offices in Puerto Rico to various “drop addresses” in Meriden, New Britain and Bristol, and the shipment of parcels of cash back to Puerto Rico. Acevedo-Roman and others picked up parcels from the drop addresses and delivered them to Acevedo-Roman’s Meriden residence.
During the investigation, investigators intercepted and seized mail parcels containing more than five kilograms of cocaine and $179,300 in cash, and identified dozens of other suspicious parcels that likely contained kilogram quantities of cocaine and bulk currency.
Acevedo-Roman was arrested on May 18, 2022. On February 15, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Acevedo-Roman, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on July 12.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Stephanie Levick.
Member of FBI Imposter Ring that Intimidated, Defrauded Victims Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Reinaldo Miralles Gonzalez, 52, of Doral, Florida, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $123,000 in restitution after pleading guilty late last year to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Gonzalez was part of a fraud scheme that targeted mostly elderly users of a money transfer service. Fraudsters would contact users of the service, identify themselves as FBI agents (using the names of real agents), and scare the users into believing that the FBI had identified them as financial supporters of terrorism. Threatening legal action, and in one case deportation, the fraudsters tricked the victims into mailing blank money orders to addresses associated with Gonzalez. Some victims were repeatedly victimized and forced to take funds from retirement accounts to satisfy the demands.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
This case was investigated by FBI Miami, as part of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lois Foster-Steers prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. The mission of the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s seniors. To learn more visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. The public is encouraged to report their victimization and suspected fraud schemes. To find the right reporting agency visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/roadmap or call the victim connect hotline at 1-855-484-2846.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20456.
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Massachusetts Man Convicted of Murder for Hire SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury convicted Allen Gessen of murder for hire after he arranged to pay an undercover FBI agent to murder the mother of his young children, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The verdict follows a one-week trial before the Hon. Jacqueline Scott Corley, U.S. District Judge.
The evidence at trial established that Gessen, 48, of Massachusetts, was an attorney licensed in New York when he was introduced to an undercover FBI agent by a target of a separate FBI investigation into violations of international money laundering. In the summer of 2022, Gessen met with the undercover FBI agent on two occasions, first in Boca Raton, Florida and then again in New York City, New York. During the meetings, Gessen volunteered details of a years-long dispute with his former partner which had resulted in contentious child custody proceedings. At these meetings and through a series of encrypted electronic messages, Gessen initiated plans to commit two different crimes utilizing the undercover FBI agent’s connections. The evidence at trial established that over the course of the investigation, Gessen’s objectives quickly transformed from bribing an immigration official to deport his former partner to hiring someone to murder her.
The trial evidence established that Gessen believed his former partner’s deportation would allow him to have full custody of their two minor children. Gessen initially agreed to pay the undercover FBI agent $100,000 to accomplish the bribery and deportation scheme. Gessen explained he could justify the expenditure because he would pay more in child support if his former partner remained in the United States. However, at the end of that same meeting, Gessen resolved to murder his former partner because it was a “cheaper way to get rid of her” and was a more permanent solution.
The trial evidence established that Gessen agreed to pay $50,000 to have the murder completed. Specifically, he agreed to pay a $25,000 deposit and have the remaining $25,000 be due after her murder. During these discussions, Gessen told the undercover FBI agent that he had previously researched murder for hire and paid $10,000 toward accomplishing the task. Gessen said he paid for a hit team from a foreign country to travel to Massachusetts, conduct reconnaissance, and surveil his former partner. Nevertheless, Gessen explained, after the team completed their reconnaissance, they told Gessen it would cost another $210,000 to commit the murder. Gessen did not continue with that plan because of the cost.
The government established at trial that Gessen finalized the details for the murder for hire plan at the subsequent meeting and gave the undercover FBI agent a gold coin worth approximately $2,000. Shortly thereafter, Gessen wired a total of $23,000 to an FBI undercover bank account in San Francisco, to carry out the murder. Around the same time, Gessen also sent to the undercover FBI agent a written agreement containing a promise to pay for phony “consulting services” as a method to disguise the true nature of the funds. Gessen also provided to the undercover FBI agent a target package containing details about his former partner’s whereabouts, schedule, and lifestyle habits.
A federal grand jury indicted Gessen on July 26, 2022, charging him with one count of murder for hire, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1958. The jury convicted Gessen of the charge.
Judge Corley has not yet set a date for Gessen’s sentencing hearing. Gessen faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence will be imposed only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case is being investigated by the FBI.
Mason City Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A woman who sold methamphetamine in the Mason City area was sentenced today to more than 5 years in federal prison.
Tara Graham, age 42, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 12, 2023, guilty plea to three counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
At the plea hearing, Graham admitted that in November of 2022, she sold methamphetamine in up to ounce quantities to a confidential source on three separate occasions in Mason City.
Graham was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Graham was sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Graham is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and investigated by the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, Clear Lake Police Department, Mason City Police Department, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, and the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 21-CR-3043.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Man Who Applied for Covid-19 Relief Money for Fake Trucking Company Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Leland, North Carolina man, Joseph Alexander Casillas, was sentenced today to six months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On February 16, 2023, Casillas pleaded guilty to the charge. As part of the judgment, Casillas was also ordered to pay $92,734 in criminal restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Casillas fraudulently applied for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in March and April 2021 in furtherance of a conspiracy to defraud the government. The PPP program was created by the CARES Act in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to American small businesses that were suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the PPP program, businesses could apply for forgivable loans to retain jobs and pay certain qualifying expenses. In order to obtain a PPP loan, the business was required to make certain disclosures and certifications regarding its operations and acknowledge program rules. The business was also required to provide documentation to support its alleged payroll expenses.
As part of the scheme, Casillas submitted two false and fraudulent PPP loan applications, each of which requested over $20,000. In the applications, Casillas falsely stated that he was the sole proprietor of a longstanding trucking business that was incurring nearly $100,000 in annual payroll costs. Among other things, to substantiate his claims, Casillas provided the lender with a fraudulent 2019 tax record. In reality the company did not exist.
Michael Easley, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The United States Secret Service, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam F. Hulbig prosecuted the case for the government.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-132-D.
Man Sentenced to Additional Prison Time for Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL CAY, 35, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 9, 2014, Cay was sentenced in the Western District of New York to 120 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. The investigation revealed that Cay was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court in March 2006 of sexual assault of a minor in the second degree, and was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment and 10 years of probation for that offense. After he was released from state prison, Cay relocated to New York, but failed to register as a sex offender. In 2013, forensic analysis of a tablet computer used by Cay reveled several hundred images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Cay was released from federal prison on March 25, 2022, and resided in Bristol, Connecticut. Nine days after his release, U.S. Probation officers found Cay in possession of three unauthorized internet-capable devices, including a laptop. Forensic analysis of the laptop revealed multiple images of child pornography, evidence of internet searches for child pornography, and an internet search for “How to remove Bureau of Prisons firmware on a Sandisk Mp3 player.”
Cay has been detained since May 11, 2022.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara E. Levens.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Man Indicted for Drug and Firearms Offenses on Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that a on May 9, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Gerald B. Diamond II (age 25) with controlled substance and firearms offenses on the Menominee Indian Reservation.
The indictment charges Diamond, who most recently lived in the Hayward (Wisconsin) area, with the following counts:
COUNT
CHARGE
PENALTY
One
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C)
Up to 20 years in prison
Two
Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 5 years, up to life in prison
Three
Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Up to 15 years in prison
Diamond also faces a period of supervised release, possible fines, and a special assessment for each count if convicted.
According to filed court documents, on or about March 6, 2023, Boyd possessed methamphetamine and a firearm in furtherance of the intended distribution of the methamphetamine. Due to previous felony convictions, Diamond was prohibited from possessing firearms at the time of the offense.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute.
The public is cautioned that an indictment or criminal complaint is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
Louisville Man Sentenced in Federal Court to 32 Years in Prison for Multiple Carjackings and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A local man was sentenced Monday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky for his involvement in a string of carjackings and firearms offenses that occurred in Louisville in October and November 2021.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
Eder Mayorga-Sanchez, 20, was sentenced to 32 years and 1 month in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, three additional counts of carjacking, and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on October 26, 2021, Mayorga-Sanchez forced a victim to give him her vehicle at gunpoint while she was sitting in the vehicle at a traffic light on National Turnpike in Louisville. During this incident, Mayorga-Sanchez shot and injured the victim’s 16-year-old child. Additionally, on October 30, 2021, he attempted to force another victim to give him her vehicle at gunpoint while she was sitting in her vehicle outside Zappo’s in Louisville, but the victim was able to drive off. Further, on November 4, 2021, he forced a third victim to give him her vehicle at gunpoint, while the victim was sitting in her car eating her lunch in a Burger King parking lot in Louisville. Finally, on November 4, 2021, he forced two more victims to give him their vehicle at gunpoint while they were picking up trash as part of a concierge trash business.
The case was investigated by the FBI and LMPD with assistance from the Bowling Green Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dahl prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Lee Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Lee man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Joshua Olsen, 31, pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of CSAM. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for August 29, 2023. Olsen was charged by complaint in December 2022 and indicted in January 2023.
Olsen corresponded with an undercover law enforcement officer through various online platforms. During these chats, Olsen engaged in sexually graphic conversations related to children and sent sexually explicit images of children to the undercover officer. A subsequent search of Olsen’s cell phone revealed the presence of over 1,600 images of apparent CSAM.
The charging statute provides a sentence of at least 5 no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and mandatory restitution. 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lee Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Leader of Newburgh Street Gang Admits to 2016 MurderRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ARDAE HINES, a/k/a “Young Money,” a/k/a “YM,” pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and distribution of narcotics in connection with his involvement in the August 1, 2016, murder of Deandric Little in Newburgh, New York. As part of his guilty plea, HINES admitted that he knowingly and intentionally agreed to kill Little and that Little died as a result. HINES pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “On August 1, 2016, Ardae Hines, a leader of the violent Southside street gang in Newburgh, directed a juvenile gang member to murder Deandric Little in what is considered to be Southside’s territory. Today’s guilty plea, which comes nearly six years after Hines was initially arrested on federal racketeering charges shows that we will continue to vigorously pursue justice for as long as it takes and hold accountable those who commit acts of violence in our communities. I commend the tenacity of our law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly to investigate Deandric Little’s murder.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Information and other documents filed in federal court as well as statements made in public court proceedings:
From at least 2014 through June 2017, HINES was a member of the Southside Gang, a criminal enterprise centered in and around the intersection of South Street and Chambers Street in an area of Newburgh known as the “Southside.” In order to enrich the members of the enterprise; preserve and protect the power, territory, and profits of the enterprise; and to keep victims and potential victims in fear of the enterprise, Southside members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts involving murder, assault, robbery, and other acts of violence; possessed and used firearms; distributed controlled substances, including crack cocaine and heroin; and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter and punish potential witnesses to their crimes.
On or about August 1, 2016, as part of his membership in Southside, ARDAE HINES orchestrated the murder of Deandric Little in Newburgh. During the course of an argument with Little on South Street, the heart of Southside territory, HINES instructed a juvenile member of Southside to murder Little. The juvenile shot Little, and Little died of his injuries soon thereafter.
* * *
ARDAE HINES, 34, of Newburgh, New York, pled guilty to narcotics trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. HINES will be sentenced before Judge Seibel later this year.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and the City of Newburgh Police Department. Mr. Williams thanked the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for its invaluable ongoing assistance in the case. Mr. Williams also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the New York State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for their assistance in the case.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Keenan, Jacqueline Kelly, and Samuel Raymond are in charge of the prosecution.
Larrabee Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty on May 9, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City.
Carl Thompson, 52, from Larrabee, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Thompson admitted his involvement in a conspiracy that distributed more than three pounds of methamphetamine from December 2019 through May 2022. Thompson admitted assisting at least six others in obtaining the methamphetamine from sources in California and Nevada and transporting it back to Cherokee, Iowa, for further distribution.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Thompson was taken into custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Thompson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, United States Postal Inspectors, Homeland Security Investigations, Iowa DCI Laboratory, and Cherokee Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-4066. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Keshena Man Indicted for Aggravated Assault on Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that a on May 9, 2023, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Edmund Broeffle (age 29), a Keshena resident and enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 113(a)(6) and 1153(a).
According to filed court documents, on or about March 12, 2023, Broeffle punched another person and caused serious bodily injury, including broken teeth, bleeding on the brain, and lacerations requiring medical attention. If convicted of this offense, Broeffle faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute.
The public is cautioned that an indictment or criminal complaint is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
Kent County Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of A ChildRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced that Terrence Clay, age 39, of Kent County, has been indicted in federal court for sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and distribution of child pornography.
“These sexual exploitation and child pornography allegations are extremely disturbing and very serious,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to protecting our children as our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.”
Clay was previously charged in state court for related offenses including human trafficking, child sexually abusive activity, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, and two counts of possession of child sexually abusive material. Clay’s state charges were dismissed due to his federal prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan; county prosecutor’s offices; HSI; Michigan State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force; the West Michigan Based Child Exploitation Task Force (WEBCHEX); and federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. Anyone with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Childhood in West Michigan, including resources for children and parents, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/project-safe-childhood.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Please note: A copy of the indictment is attached. Click here.
Kansas Man Sentenced for Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Lawrence, Kansas, man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2023.
Preston Yankton, 36, was sentenced to time served of approximately 15 months in custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Yankton was indicted for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer by a federal grand jury in December of 2021. He pleaded guilty on February 6, 2023.
In the early morning hours of November 7, 2021, Yankton was booked into the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Adult Corrections Facility and engaged in destructive, unsanitary behavior while in a cell. Corrections staff determined Yankton should be placed in a restraint chair. Yankton was non-compliant with initial commands that were given through the door and corrections staff entered Yankton’s cell. Yankton remained non-compliant with the commands and became combative. During the struggle, Yankton swung a closed fist and struck one of the corrections officers in the nose. Yankton swung again and struck another corrections officer in the jaw area. Neither corrections officer sustained serious injuries from the assault.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.
Yankton was released to begin his term of supervised release in Kansas.
Kanawha County Man Sentenced for Federal Fraud and Theft CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ernest Lee Alexander III, 38, of St. Albans, was sentenced today to one year and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for bank fraud and possession of stolen mail matter.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 13, 2021, Alexander led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase throughout western Kanawha County after they attempted a traffic stop of his vehicle in South Charleston. The chase ended when Alexander exited Interstate 77 at Tuppers Creek, lost control of his vehicle, and crashed. Officers arrested Alexander and found stolen mail and a bank receipt in the vehicle. Alexander admitted that earlier that same day, he had used the identification information of the owner of the stolen mail to deposit a fraudulent check into the individual’s bank account and then withdraw $450 from the account.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the South Charleston Police Department.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-201.
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Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gary F. Fridley II, 41, of Cross Lanes, pleaded guilty today to embezzlement of labor union assets.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from about December 20, 2018, until about June 12, 2019, Fridley was a union officer in Nitro while employed by American Electric Power (AEP). As the union’s elected financial secretary, Fridley was the union’s chief financial officer and was responsible for preparing and co-signing union checks and maintaining financial records. Fridley was one of three signatories on the union’s checking account at Huntington National Bank in Nitro. As financial secretary, Fridley was entitled to an officer’s salary as well as reimbursement for lost time or wages lost from his employment when he took off from work for union business.
On about June 12, 2019, Fridley received a check for $1,321.55 as reimbursement for lost time. Fridley admitted that he had not lost any time with AEP during that pay period. Fridley submitted a false voucher to receive an unauthorized lost time payment and forged the signature of another union official in order to cash the check for the fictitious lost time.
Fridley further admitted that he improperly received $19,732.88 through his wrongful actions as the union’s financial secretary. Fridley submitted additional false vouchers to receive unauthorized lost time payments from the union and forged the signatures of other union officials to cash the union checks he wrote payable to himself for the fictitious lost time payments.
Fridley is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Fridley also owes $19,732.88 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS).
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Holly Wilson, Kathleen Robeson, and Andrew J. Tessman are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-138.
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Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Religious Land Use Case Involving Faith-Based Group that Feeds Homeless in Orange CountyRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The Justice Department has filed a statement of interest in a federal lawsuit explaining that the act of distributing food and drinks to people who are homeless by Micah’s Way, a faith-based organization in Santa Ana that helps people in need, could be religious exercise under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).
The statement of interest was filed Tuesday afternoon in Micah’s Way v. the City of Santa Ana, a lawsuit alleging that the City of Santa Ana imposed a substantial burden on Micah’s Way’s religious exercise. At issue is the city’s denial of an occupancy certificate to Micah’s Way on the grounds that it was providing food and drinks to people who are homeless in violation of the city’s zoning ordinance.
According to its complaint, Micah’s Way has a religious duty to help people in need, including by providing food and drink to someone who is hungry. After denying the occupancy certificate, the city informed Micah’s Way that it could not feed people who are homeless at its resource center under any circumstances and that if it continued to do so, Micah’s Way would be subject to fines and potential criminal prosecution.
The city filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, arguing, in part, that providing food and drinks to people who are homeless is not religious exercise and that its denial of an occupancy certificate did not substantially burden Micah’s Way’s religious exercise. The Justice Department’s statement of interest argues that feeding people who are homeless may be religious exercise protected by RLUIPA, and that the city’s denial of an occupancy certificate and complete prohibition on feeding people who are homeless may have imposed a substantial burden on Micah’s Way’s religious exercise, in violation of RLUIPA.
“The free exercise of religion is a bedrock principle of our nation,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Religious groups should be entitled to exercise their religion by providing charitable services based in their religious beliefs. Our office firmly opposes actions that block religious groups from carrying out their spiritual mission to help others in need.”
“Discriminatory barriers and land use restrictions against faith-based organizations is unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Many faith-based organizations across the country are on the front lines serving the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The Justice Department is committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws to ensure that all religious groups can freely exercise their religious beliefs.”
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew E. Nickell of the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section and attorneys from Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division worked on the statement of interest.
RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. In June 2018, the Justice Department announced its Place to Worship Initiative, which focuses on RLUIPA’s provisions that protect the rights of houses of worship and other religious institutions to worship on their land. More information is available at www.justice.gov/crt/placetoworship.
Individuals in the seven counties of the Central District of California may file a complaint asserting civil rights violations with the Civil Rights Section, Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office by completing and submitting this form (English) (Spanish) by email to [email protected].
Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Religious Land Use Case Involving Faith-Based Group That Feeds Homeless People in CaliforniaRead the Press Release
The Justice Department filed a statement of interest in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California explaining that the act of distributing food and drinks to people who are homeless by Micah’s Way, a faith-based organization that helps people in need, could be religious exercise under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).
The statement of interest was filed in Micah’s Way v. the City of Santa Ana, a lawsuit alleging that Santa Ana imposed a substantial burden on Micah’s Way’s religious exercise. At issue is the city’s denial of an occupancy certificate to Micah’s Way on the grounds that it was providing food and drinks to people who are homeless in violation of the city’s zoning ordinance. According to its complaint, Micah’s Way has a religious duty to help people in need, including by providing food and drink to someone who is hungry. After denying the occupancy certificate, the city informed Micah’s Way that it could not feed people who are homeless at its resource center under any circumstances and that if it continued to do so, Micah’s Way would be subject to fines and potential criminal prosecution.
The city filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, arguing in part that providing food and drinks to people who are homeless is not religious exercise and that its denial of an occupancy certificate did not substantially burden Micah’s Way’s religious exercise. The department’s statement of interest argues that feeding people who are homeless may be religious exercise protected by RLUIPA and that the city’s denial of an occupancy certificate and complete prohibition on feeding people who are homeless may have imposed a substantial burden on Micah’s Way’s religious exercise, in violation of RLUIPA.
“Discriminatory barriers and land use restrictions against faith-based organizations is unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Many faith-based organizations across the country are on the front lines serving the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The Justice Department is committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws to ensure that all religious groups can freely exercise their religious beliefs.”
“The free exercise of religion is a bedrock principle of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Religious groups should be entitled to exercise their religion by providing charitable services based in their religious beliefs. Our office firmly opposes actions that block religious groups from carrying out their spiritual mission to help others in need.”
RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. In June 2018, the Justice Department announced its Place to Worship Initiative, which focuses on RLUIPA’s provisions that protect the rights of houses of worship and other religious institutions to worship on their land. More information is available at www.justice.gov/crt/placetoworship.
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section at (213) 894-2879 or the Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (833) 591-0291, or may submit a complaint through the complaint portal on the Place to Worship Initiative website. More information about RLUIPA, including questions and answers about the law and other documents, may be found at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php.
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to Twelve years in Federal Prison After Trafficking Methamphetamine and Fleeing PoliceRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jackie Dale Smith, 47, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on May 19, 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration agents watched Jackie Dale Smith supply 219 grams of methamphetamine to an individual for $2,500 out of his vehicle. Shortly afterwards, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Smith in the area of East Washington Street and Sherman Drive. Smith failed to stop and fled from law enforcement. During the pursuit, officers watched Smith throw approximately 40 grams of pure methamphetamine out of his car window, which was later recovered scattered on the street, the entrance of a gas station, and on the sidewalk.
Ten minutes after the pursuit was called off for safety reasons, agents found Smith’s vehicle parked at a nearby residence. A search of the vehicle found methamphetamine scattered throughout the front and passenger sides, along with a broken plastic baggie that had drug residue in it. Drug lab tests found that the total amount of methamphetamine in the car was approximately 26 grams.
Just fifteen minutes after locating the vehicle, IMPD officers found and arrested Smith.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and Randal Taylor, Chief of IMPD made the announcement.
“Methamphetamine and other controlled substances are killing far too many Hoosiers and have devastating impacts on users, their loved ones, and our communities,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “I commend the efforts of the DEA and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to make our communities safer by getting meth and meth dealers off our streets.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by IMPD. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Dale Smith be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 6 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jayson McGrath, who prosecuted this 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.
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Huntington Man Sentenced to 54 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –Adam Meekin, 26 years old, of Huntington, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after his plea of guilty to engaging in the business of dealing and manufacturing firearms and the unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Meekin was sentenced to 54 months in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in 2018, ATF observed that Meekin was advertising firearms for sale on social media. In 2017 and 2018, completed rifles were seized in investigations involving homicides, attempted homicides, robberies, and other criminal gang activity in Detroit, Chicago, and Fort Wayne. Eleven of these crime guns were traced to AR-15 style lower receivers purchased by a Meekin family member. The investigation revealed that Meekin’s family members completed paperwork and purchased at least 122 lower receivers on his behalf. In the summer of 2018, ATF agents performed a series of undercover operations from Meekin which involved purchasing completed rifles and ordering an illegal and unregistered firearm, which was a non-serialized, short-barreled fully automatic rifle, referred to as a “ghost gun”. During recorded conversations, Meekin admitted to being in business for several years and said that he could build any firearm.
“Gun violence is a problem plaguing our communities,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “The flow of illegally purchased firearms, especially “ghost guns”, must stop. As this case shows, often the source of trafficked firearms is a person, like Mr. Meekin, who illegally manufactures and illegally sells them to violent criminals. With the assistance of the ATF and other law enforcement partners, my office will continue to prosecute, to the full extent that federal law allows, any person who illegally engages in the business of dealing and manufacturing firearms.”
“When privately made firearms end up in the hands of prohibited people, it threatens the safety of the community,” remarked ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “We will continue to investigate these important cases alongside our prosecutorial partners at the United States Attorney’s Office.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
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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