Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
21 April 2023
Baton Rouge Man Charged in Federal Court with Numerous Counts of Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that a federal grand jury has returned a seven-count indictment charging Hakeem Allen, age 27, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, clonazepam, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The indictment alleges that on five separate occasions from September 15, 2022 until October 4, 2022, Allen distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, clonazepam, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. On at least two of these occasions, Allen possessed a firearm in furtherance of these crimes.
If convicted of these charges, Allen faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eli J. Abad.
NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.
Activity in the United States Attorney's OfficeRead the Press Release
Firearm Offenses
James Paul Stokes, age 49, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 18, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The government requested 46 months’ imprisonment. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Stokes to 33 months in prison with three years of supervised release. Stokes was fined $250 and charged a $100 special assessment. The crime was investigated by the Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Griswold prosecuted the case.
Steven Robert Venjohn, age 34, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced to 41 months in prison with three years of supervised release for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. Venjohn’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on April 17, 2023, and included a $100 special assessment. According to court records, on November 30, 2022, officers discovered Venjohn asleep in his vehicle behind the steering wheel and discovered a white substance on the driver’s seat that tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Officers also found a Ruger Wrangler .22 caliber revolver on the rear driver’s side floorboard. The crime was investigated by the Casper Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Coppom prosecuted the case.
Lance James Talbot, age 44, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced on April 11, 2023, for being a felon in possession of ammunition. After an evidentiary hearing, the court found by a preponderance of the evidence that Talbot had used .40 caliber ammunition to shoot a victim in Cheyenne. The government requested 71 months’ imprisonment. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Talbot to 57 months in prison with three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. According to court documents, Talbot was arrested on March 16, 2022, when officers were dispatched to investigate a shooting in Cheyenne. The victim had been shot in the leg, had head injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, and identified Talbot as the attacker. Security camera footage showed Talbot at the residence during the time of the shooting. Officers located and arrested Talbot, obtained a search warrant, and conducted a search of Talbot’s residence. There, officers found .40 caliber ammunition, which matched a spent casing at the scene of the shooting. The Cheyenne Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the crime and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Coppom prosecuted the case.
Mail Theft
Lacey Katherine Tolman, age 36, of Afton, Wyoming, was sentenced on April 18, 2023, to 18 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment for mail theft. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl handed down the sentence. According to court records, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office served a burglary search warrant on Tolman’s residence in Afton and located a large quantity of stolen U.S. mail and packages, including 40 checks with a total face value of $27,249.97. Lacey was taken into custody and pleaded guilty to the sole count of the indictment. This crime was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Elmore.
A Ft. Bragg Officer Pleads Guilty and his Wife, the Executive Officer of the Campbell University ROTC Program, was Convicted in Government Property Theft that Profited More Than $2 MillionRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Two Army Officers, who are also husband and wife, have been convicted in a multi-year activity involving the theft of more than $2 million in government property. Last week, Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3) Christopher Hammond, 38, pled guilty to theft/possession of government property and money laundering. Yesterday, his wife, Major Heather Hammond, 34, was convicted by a federal jury for spending money laundering proceeds and aiding and abetting. CW3 Hammond faces up to 30 years in prison, plus fines and restitution, and Major Hammond faces up to ten years in prison plus fines, when they are sentenced later this year.
“We are putting a stop to corruption at Ft. Bragg and those who use their official positions to line their own pockets. Mr. Hammond abused his position with the Army to steal and sell government property. He stole military scopes, weapons parts, tools, welding equipment, night vision goggles and ATVs,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This gear was meant to support our troops in the fight for freedom, but the Hammonds sold it to retire in style.”
"Christopher and Heather Hammond betrayed the public trust by using their positions in the military for their own personal enrichment," stated Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. "DCIS and our investigative partners will continue to hold those accountable who steal government property for personal use or personal gain and compromise the military's integrity."
“This conviction is the latest result of our ongoing efforts to investigate fraud and theft and should serve as a stark reminder that Army CID will vigorously pursue anyone who attempts to enrich themselves at the expense of the U.S. Government,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Larry S. Moreland, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Major Procurement Fraud Field Office.
"Our service men and women make sacrifices for our country every day and it undermines their commitment when a fellow soldier steals the property they depend on to stay safe. The FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate these types of crimes to ensure this criminal abuse of power and betrayal does not go unpunished," said Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, CW3 Hammond used his position to requisition government property intended for his unit at Ft. Bragg. The property was never logged into inventory at the base but was instead sold by Hammond to various individuals. In a two-year period, CW3 Hammond received at least $1.8 million in wire transfers related to the sales, which he deposited into bank accounts controlled by him and his wife. The investigation traced about 200 items sold by CW3 Hammond or held in his home as having been issued to Hammond’s military unit. Major Hammond knowingly allowed use of her bank accounts, even suggesting the use of her accounts so the money would not go into Chief Hammond’s bank account. The fraud was uncovered when a supplier noticed that items procured under a government contract were being sent in for warranty repairs by a private individual.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted CW3 Hammond’s plea and the jury verdict related to Major Hammond. Defense Criminal Investigative Services (DCIS), Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara Kocher and Logan Liles are prosecuting 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. 5:22-CR-00106-BO.
2 men sentenced to prison for domestic terrorist plans to attack power gridsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two men were sentenced in federal court here today for conspiring to attack power grids throughout the United States to promote their white supremacy ideology.
Christopher Brenner Cook, 21, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 92 months in prison. Jonathan Allen Frost, 25, of Katy, Texas, and West Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Jackson Matthew Sawall, 22, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was also charged and pleaded guilty in February 2022. His case remains pending.
Cook and Frost engaged in a plot to attack the country’s energy infrastructure, damage the economy, and stoke division in American society in the name of white supremacy. “Revolution is our solution” was a recurring theme in the defendants’ communications to one another.
“These defendants plotted armed attacks against energy facilities to stoke division in furtherance of white supremacist ideology and now they are being held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will not tolerate the use of violence to advance any extremist ideology and we remain determined to protect our communities from such hateful acts of terror.”
“At the root of every terrorist plot – whether foreign or domestic – is hate,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “As a society, we must be vigilant against online radicalization, which is a powerful tool used by extremists to recruit both juveniles and adults.”
“The individuals sentenced today created a suicide pact to sow hatred and commit terrorist acts intended to destabilize our country,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “Through rigorous investigation and law enforcement partnerships, their radical plan was halted. Today’s sentence is a message to anyone with similar plans that they will be disrupted and held accountable for conspiring to commit violence.”
According to court documents, in fall 2019, Frost and Cook met in an online chat group. Frost shared the idea of attacking a power grid with Cook, and within weeks, the two began efforts to recruit others to join in their plan.
As part of the recruitment process, Cook asked literary questions and circulated a book list of readings that promoted the ideology of white supremacy and Neo-Nazism.
The conspirators had a separate propaganda group named “The Front” that planned to take credit for the power grid attack should it occur successfully. The defendants also created exclusive subgroups for individuals who passed the defendants’ additional screenings. The first subgroup was called “Lights Out.”
As part of the conspiracy, each defendant was assigned a substation in a different region of the United States. The plan was to attack the substations, or power grids, with powerful rifles. The defendants believed their plan would cost the government millions of dollars and cause unrest for Americans in the region. They had conversations about how the possibility of the power being out for many months could cause war, even a race war, and induce the next Great Depression.
The defendants’ commitment to their radical ideology turned from ideas to concrete actions in furtherance of the attacks.
In February 2020, the co-conspirators met in Columbus, Ohio, to further discuss their plot. Frost, who had obtained several untraceable automatic rifles, provided Cook with an AR-47 and the two took the rifle to a shooting range to train.
Frost also provided Cook with a suicide necklace during the Columbus meeting. The necklace was filled with fentanyl to be ingested if and when the defendants were caught by law enforcement. Cook expressed his commitment to dying in furtherance of the mission.
Upon arriving in Columbus, Cook and Sawall purchased spray paint and painted a swastika flag under a bridge at a park with the caption, “Join the Front.” The defendants had additional propaganda plans for their time in Ohio, but they were derailed during a traffic stop.
Court documents detail that Cook and Frost continued in furtherance of the conspiracy to travel together after their Ohio meeting, and traveled to Oklahoma and Texas in March 2020, where Cook stayed in different cities with various juveniles he was attempting to recruit for their plot.
Frost circulated a “meetup guide” to the group with guidance on recruiting juveniles to their cause because “[T]hey are 99% not a Fed…”
When law enforcement searched each defendant’s residence, they discovered multiple firearms, chemicals, components capable of building explosives, violent extremist Nazi material, and information about U.S. power infrastructure and substations.
The men were each charged by a Bill of Information and pleaded guilty in February 2022 to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica W. Knight and Trial Attorney Justin Sher with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are representing the United States in this case.
U.S. Attorney Parker commended the cooperative investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Columbus, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Houston, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Northern District of Indiana.
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20 April 2023
법무부, 법원들에 청소년과 성인의 벌금과 요금에 관한 동료분들께 드리는 서신 발행Read the Press Release
법무부는 오늘 주법원과 지방법원들 및 소년법원 기관들에게 성인과 청소년에 대한 벌금과 요금의 부과와 집행에 관한 동료분들께 드리는 서신(Dear Colleague Letter)을 발행하였습니다. 서신은 일반적으로 법원이 부과하는 벌금 및 요금 관행을 언급하고 있으며, 또한 이러한 관행들이 불법이 되거나, 지불능력이 없는 개인들을 부당하게 처벌하거나, 차별의 결과로 이어질 수 있음을 경고합니다. 법무부는 정당성, 경제적 정의, 그리고 저소득 지역사회에 관여하는 사법체계에 불균형적으로 기여하는 정책 퇴치 등을 위해 현재 진행중인 책무의 일환으로 이 서신을 제공합니다.
서신은 벌금과 요금에 관한 몇 가지 주요 문제들을 강조하고 있는데, 이에는 납부 불이행에 대한 역결과를 부과하기 전에 의미 있는 납부능력평가를 시행하기, 벌금 및 요금의 대안을 고려하기, 지나친 처벌을 방지하기, 그리고 적절할 경우 변호인의 도움과 같은 정당한 법적 절차 보호를 보장하기 등의 중요성이 포함됩니다
서신은 법원체계들과 기타 연방 재정지원수급자들에게 그들이 현재 수행 중인 다음과 같은 의무를 상기시킵니다: 인종, 피부색, 출신 국가, 종교, 성별 및 장애에 기반하여 차별하지 말 것; 영어 미숙달자들에게 의미 있는 접근성을 제공할 것; 그리고 적합한 문서기록을 통해 연방차별금지법 위반의 가능성이 식별되고 방지될 수 있도록 할 것. 법무부는 또한 모범사례지침을 만들고 이 분야의 주정부 및 법원 리더들에 의한 혁신적인 사업들을 강조함으로써 본 서신의 후속업무를 지원할 것입니다.
법무부 법무차관 바니타 굽타(Vanita Gupta)는 "미국의 사법은 개인의 소득이나 배경에 의존해서는 안된다" 고 말하며 "사법부의 최신 지침은, 저소득 지역사회들과 유색인들에게 불균형하게 영향을 미치는 관행은 개인들과 그들의 가족들을 빈곤의 패턴과 처벌에 가둘 수 있으며 그와 비슷한 처지의 성인과 청소년의 민권을 침해할 수 있다는 것을 언급하고 있다. 많은 관할들은 벌금과 요금에 의존하는 것을 줄이도록 혁신해왔으며 사법부는 모든 이들을 위한 평등한 정의와 공공안전을 진보시키기 위한 이러한 움직임에 기반하고 있다" 고 밝혔습니다.
법무부 민권담당국의 법무차관보 크리스튼 클락(Kristen Clarke)은 "전국적으로 제약없이 이루어지는 벌금과 요금의 부과는, 상당수가 유색인인 빈곤층을 옭아매어 우리의 사법체계 안에서 늘어가는 부채, 불필요한 투옥, 그리고 심신을 약화시키는 갈등의 악순환에 빠지게 하였다" 고 말하며 "벌금과 요금의 공격적인 부과로 인해 초래될 수 있는 피해에 맞섬으로써, 우리는 채무자의 감옥에 종지부를 찍을 수 있고 모든 사람들을 위한 법 아래에서 평등한 정의를 추구할 수 있으며, 사법부는 법원들과 소년법원기관들이 민권과 헌법상의 권리를 보호하면서 공공안전의 요구를 다루는 개혁과 관행을 이행하도록 도울 준비가 되어 있다" 고 밝혔습니다.
사법 접근실 실장 레이첼 로시(Rachel Rossi)는 "벌금과 요금을 납부해야 할 의무는 가난과 기타 경제적인 역경을 겪고 있는 성인과 청소년에게 치명적인 영향을 미치며 수많은 사람들을 영원한 가난과 채무의 굴레에 가둔다" 고 말하며 "이러한 의무들은 우리 사법체계에 대한 완전하고 공정한 접근을 방해할 수도 있다. 이러한 이유로 우리는 사법적 이익에 기여하지 못하는 해로운 관행들을 방지하는데 촉각을 세워야 한다. 본 서신은 그러한 진행중인 과정의 중요한 발걸음이다" 라고 하였습니다.
사법프로그램실 제1법무부차관보 에이미 엘 솔로몬(Amy L. Solomon)은 "형사 및 소년법원 체계에서의 요금과 벌금 집행은 지불 능력이 가장 낮은 사람들에게 가장 무거운 짐을 부과하여 사법체계에 더 깊숙히 끌어들인다" 라고 하면서 "우리는 전국의 관할들과 함께 이러한 부당한 관행들을 끊어내거나 제한함으로써 사법체계안의 성인과 청소년이 그들의 삶에서 전진하기 위하여 필요한 기회를 가질 수 있도록 일할 것이다" 라고 하였습니다.
다음 몇 주 안에 사법지원국은 또한 벌금 및 요금 정책들과 관행들에 대하여 이해하고 개혁하는 것에 관심이 있는 엄선된 관할들과 함께 일할 연수 및 기술 지원업체를 찾는 모집공고를 발표할 것입니다. 궁극적인 목표는 이러한 관할들이 부당한 벌금과 요금의 사용을 줄이고 이러한 체계들에 사용되었던 자원들을 공공안전에 더 큰 이익을 돌려주는 활동들로 전환시키도록 도움을 주는 것입니다.
서신은 1964년 민권법 제 6편 (제 6편)과 1968년 각종 범죄 단속 및 길거리 치안법 (길거리 치안법)을 포함한 연방 차별금지 법령들 뿐만 아니라 수정헌법 제 6, 8, 14 조를 포함한 헌법적 원리에 기반합니다. 오늘 발행된 서신의 사본은 여기에서 보실 수 있습니다. 민권과 헌법상의 권리를 옹호하고 보호하기 위한 민권담당국의 사업에 대한 온라인 추가정보는 www.justice.gov/crt 에서 보실 수 있습니다. 차별적 관행들에 대한 항의는 civilrights.justice.gov 인터넷 신고포털을 통하여 민권담당국에 신고할 수 있습니다.
司法部關於向青少年和成人收取罰款和費用一事 向各法院發佈“致同事信”Read the Press Release
今日，司法部向各州和地方法院以及青少年司法機構，關於向青少年和成人收取罰款和費用一事，發佈“致同事信”。該信涉及常見的法院收取罰款和費用的做法，並提醒上述做法可能不合法，以及不公平地懲罰無法付費的當事人，或造成歧視的後果。司法部提供此信，是正在進行的爭取公平和經濟公正的工作的一部分，並糾正導致司法系統代表低收入人羣不足的政策。
該信特別指出一系列涉及罰款和費用的關鍵問題，如：在做出不付款會導致嚴重後果的決定前，應先做有合理的付款能力評估的重要性；考慮代替罰款和付費的其它辦法；嚴防過度懲罰，並確保有正當程序的保護，包括提供必要的律師幫助。
該信提醒法院系統和其它聯邦經濟補助收受單位，它們有不懈的義務，即不應以種族、膚色、國籍、宗教、性別和殘疾爲由，有歧視行爲；它們應該爲英文表達能力有限的人提供合理的服務；確保正當記錄，以識別並防止潛在的違反聯邦反歧視法的行爲。司法部也將通過建立最佳行爲準則、表彰各州及法院領導者就此問題的創新舉措，跟進此信。
助理司法部長瓦尼塔 • 古普塔 (Vanita Gupta) 說：“美國的司法不應該取決於一個人的收入或背景。司法部的最新準則是解決那些不合理的、影響低收入羣體和有色人種的行爲。這些行爲導致一些人及其家人陷入貧困和懲罰的慣性。許多行爲違反了成人和青少年的民權。許多法院推出創新舉措，以減少對罰款和收費的依賴。司法部正在利用這一勢頭，爲所有人推進司法平等和公共治安。”
主管司法部民法處（Civil Rights Division）的司法部長助理 克里斯屯 • 克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 說：“全國範圍內毫無節制的收繳罰款和費用，束縛了窮人。他們許多人是有色人種，深陷於債臺高築、不必要的監禁、以及在我們的司法制度中無法自拔的循環之中。正視這些會導致過度收繳罰款和收費的危害，能使我們取消欠債人的監獄，促進爲所有人依法實施的公義。司法部時刻準備幫助法院和青少年司法機構實施改革和措施，以滿足公共治安需求，同時保護民權和憲法賦予的權利。”
司法公正辦公室（Office for Access to Justice）主任雷切爾 • 羅西 (Rachel Rossi) 說：“對身處貧窮和其它經濟困難的成人和青少年來說，必須繳納罰款和費用，是個毀滅性的打擊， 使很多人處於永無止境的貧困和債務之中。必須繳納罰款和費用也會妨礙人們全面和公平地利用我們的司法制度。爲此，我們必須保持警惕，防止那些妨礙司法利益的有害行爲。此信是這一進程中邁出的重要的一步。”
主管司法項目辦公室（Office of Justice Programs）的第一副助理司法部長 艾米 • L • 所羅門 (Amy L. Solomon) 說：“刑法和青少年司法制度中收繳費用和罰款的做法，對那些最無能力付款的人來說，是最大的負擔，使其深深陷入司法制度而不能自拔。我們會跟全國各司法轄區協同，一起結束或減少上述不公正的做法，以便其轄區內的成人和青少年能夠獲得改變人生的機會”。
在以後的幾個星期，司法輔助局也將頒佈一份招標書 ，尋求一家能夠提供訓練和技術指導的單位，與一些特意選出的、有意瞭解和改進它們的罰款和收費政策和做法的法院攜手合作。最終的目標是，幫助這些法院減少不公正的罰款和收費， 將本來用於此項工作的資源用在能夠帶來更大的公共治安的活動。
此信基於憲法原則，包括第六、第八和第十四修正案，以及聯邦反歧視法，包括1964年的民權法第六條（第六條）以及1968年的綜合犯罪控制和街道安全法 （街道安全法）。今日所發的信，可在此 查閱得到。民權處有關堅持並保護民權和憲法權利的工作，可上網查看，點擊 https://www.justice.gov/crt。 涉及歧視性行爲的投訴，可以通過民權處的投訴網站，上報民權處，點擊 civilrights.justice.gov。
司法部就青少年和成年人的罚款和费用一事 向法院发出《亲爱的同事信》Read the Press Release
司法部今天向各州和地方法院以及青少年司法机构发布了一封关于对成年人和青少年征收和执行罚款和费用的《亲爱的同事信》。该信涉及法院征收罚款和费用的常见做法，并警告可能违法、对无力支付或其他具有歧视性影响的个人进行不公平处罚的做法。该部门提供这封信是其持续致力于公平、经济正义以及对于给低收入社区带来过多司法系统介入的政策进行斗争的一部分。
该信强调了一些有关罚款和费用的关键问题，例如在强制未能支付而导致的不利后果之前进行有意义的付款能力评估的重要性，考虑罚款和费用的替代方案，防范过度惩罚，并确保正当程序的保护，包括在适当时提供律师协助。
该信提醒法院系统和其他联邦财政援助受益者继续履行其义务：不因种族、肤色、原国籍、宗教、性别和残疾而进行歧视；为英语能力有限的个人提供合理的服务；确保适当的记录可以帮助识别和避免潜在的违反联邦非歧视法的行为。该部门还将在该信之后建立最佳实践指南，重点介绍各州和法院领导在这一领域的创新工作。
司法部助理部长瓦尼塔·古普塔（Vanita Gupta）说道：“美国的司法不应取决于一个人的收入或背景。司法部的最新指导针对的是那些对低收入社区和有色人种影响过大的做法，这些做法可能使个人及其家庭陷入贫困和惩罚的循环，并可能侵犯成年人和青少年的公民权利。许多司法管辖区已经进行了创新，以减少对罚款和费用的依赖，司法部正在这一势头的基础上推进为所有人实现司法公正和公共安全。”
司法部民权司（Civil Rights Division）助理检察长克里斯汀·克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示：“在全国范围内无限制地征收罚款和费用，使贫困人口（其中太多是有色人种）陷入了债务升级、不必要的监禁和在我们的司法系统中令人衰弱的纠缠的循环。通过正视咄咄逼人的罚款和费用可能造成的伤害，我们可以结束债务人的监狱，并促进法律面前人人平等。司法部随时准备协助法院和少年司法机构制定改革措施和实践，以满足公共安全的需要，同时保护公民和宪法权利。”
司法公正办公室（Office for Access to Justice）主任瑞秋·罗西（Rachel Rossi）说：“缴纳罚款和费用的义务对经历贫困和其他经济逆境的成年人和青少年具有毁灭性的影响，使许多人陷入无休止的贫困和债务循环中，这些义务还会干扰充分和公平地使用我们的司法系统。由于这些原因，我们必须保持警惕，防止不符合司法利益的有害做法。这封信是这一持续过程中的重要一步。”
司法项目办公室（Office of Justice Programs）首席副助理总检察长艾米·所罗门（Amy L. Solomon）表示：“刑事和少年司法系统中的费用和罚款做法给那些最无力支付的人带来了最沉重的负担，使他们更深地陷入司法系统。我们将与全国各地的司法管辖区合作，终结或限制这些不公平的做法，以便司法系统中的成年人和青少年有机会生活中向前迈进。”
在接下来的几周内，司法援助局（Bureau of Justice Assistance）还将发布一份招标书，寻求培训和技术援助供应商，与有兴趣了解和改革其罚款和费用政策和做法的选定司法管辖区合作。最终目标是帮助这些司法管辖区减少使用不公正的罚款和费用，并将用于这些系统的资源转用于对公共安全具有更大回报的活动。
该信基于宪法原则，包括第六、第八和第十四修正案，以及联邦非歧视法规，包括1964年《民权法案》第六章（《第六章》）和1968年《综合犯罪控制与街道安全法》（《街道安全法》）。您可以在这里找到今天的信件副本。有关民权司维护和保护公民和宪法权利工作的其他信息可在网上查阅：www.justice.gov/crt。有关歧视性做法的投诉可以通过其互联网举报门户civilrights.justice.gov向民权司报告。
Wives of Convicted Drug Traffickers Plead Guilty to Laundering Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The wives of convicted drug traffickers Pedro Flores and Margarito Flores have each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
VIVIANNA LOPEZ, also known as “Mia Flores,” 42, and VALERIE GAYTAN, also known as “Olivia Flores,” 47, both confirmed in their plea agreements that from December 2008 until March 2020, they conspired with each other – as well as others – to conduct financial transactions involving drug proceeds, knowing the transactions were designed in part to conceal the nature of the proceeds. Additionally, their plea agreements state that between at least May 2005 and December 2008, Margarito Flores and Pedro Flores operated a Chicago-based distribution cell for the Sinaloa Cartel and the Beltran Leyva Organization, which involved the transportation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and kilogram quantities of heroin per month to customers in Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. This drug trafficking activity generated hundreds of millions of dollars of proceeds from the sale of narcotics.
After their husbands’ cooperation began in November 2008, Lopez and Gaytan stored cash drug proceeds from their husbands’ drug operations, proceeds which they accessed and spent for the benefit of themselves and others until 2020. The charges alleged that the money was spent on various items, including more than $165,000 in private school tuition for children of Vivianna Lopez and Gaytan, more than $99,000 in international and domestic travel by Vivianna Lopez and Gaytan, more than $80,000 for Vivianna Lopez’s residential rent, and approximately $11,000 in child support for a child of one of the incarcerated husbands. Both have agreed to the government’s forfeiture request of $504,858.
Gaytan pleaded guilty on April 14, 2023 and Lopez plead guilty on April 20, 2023. Laura Lopez also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 20, 2023. Sentencing dates have not been set. Each count carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The plea agreements are announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago; and Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew C. Erskine and Erika L. Csicsila.
West Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Export Fraud ViolationRead the Press Release
Rana Zeeshan Tanveer, 42, of Beckley, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today to the federal felony offense of committing an export fraud violation.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Tanveer admitted in the plea agreement to knowingly submitting false export valuations for certain items that Tanveer shipped to Pakistan. Specifically, in June 2017, Tanveer purchased two high technology items, paying more than $4,000 for both items. Prior to shipping, Tanveer created and used a false invoice that intentionally understated the value of the items as less than $200. After undervaluing the items on the invoice, Tanveer then shipped the items to Pakistan using a freight forwarding service. From 2014 to 2018, Tanveer intentionally used false invoices that deliberately undervalued the purchase cost of other U.S. origin technology items that Tanveer exported to Pakistan.
“Mr. Tanveer pleaded guilty to unlawfully shipping high-technology devices overseas and is now being held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Department of Justice is steadfast in its commitment to prosecute those who would undermine our nation’s security and economic interest by flouting U.S. export control laws.”
“Violating export control requirements is a serious offense,” said U.S. Attorney Will Thompson for the Southern District of West Virginia. “Our office is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who evade U.S. export laws.”
“Knowingly undervaluing shipments in order to avoid export reporting requirements is a violation of U.S. export control rules,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Anderson of the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement Washington Field Office. “The Office of Export Enforcement will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent and disrupt illicit trade that threatens U.S. national security and undermines U.S. foreign policy.”
Federal law requires the filing of accurate electronic export information through the automated export system about certain items that are exported from the United States. It is a federal crime to knowingly submit false or misleading electronic export information. The purpose of this export requirement is to strengthen the ability of the United States to prevent the export of certain items to unauthorized destinations or end users. Accurate information in the automated export system also aids the United States in targeting, identifying, and, when necessary, confiscating suspicious or illegal items or shipments prior to export.
Tanveer is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 4 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Goes for the Southern District of West Virginia and Trial Attorney R. Elizabeth Abraham of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Capitol Breach Defendant Charged in Texas After Firing Handgun Towards Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
A United States Capitol breach defendant who allegedly fired several shots towards law enforcement days before his first court appearance has been charged with a federal firearm crime, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Nathan Donald Pelham, 40, of Greenville, Texas, was charged via criminal complaint by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Toliver on Wednesday, April 19.
On Tuesday, April 11, Mr. Pelham was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with four misdemeanor counts stemming from his alleged participation in the January 6th breach of the U.S. Capitol building.
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, an FBI agent informed Mr. Pelham he had been charged by federal prosecutors in DC and instructed him to self-surrender the following Monday, April 17. He agreed to do so.
That evening, the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office initiated a welfare check at Mr. Pelham’s residence in response to a call from a relative, who advised deputies that Mr. Pelham had a gun. When they arrived, the house was dark. Deputies activated their emergency lights, and Mr. Pelham’s minor daughter exited the home. For her safety, she was placed into a HCSO patrol car. Shortly thereafter, deputies they heard gunshots emanating from the residence and took cover.
About an hour later, at approximately 9:38 p.m., Mr. Pelham – a previously convicted felon – walked onto the porch and allegedly fired towards several deputies, who could be heard on body-worn camera video noting bullets “whiz” by them. A deputy instructed Mr. Pelham to put his gun down, but he continued to wave it until re-entering his home. At 10:46 p.m., Mr. Pelham again exited the residence and fired multiple rounds.
Law enforcement departed at 12:21 a.m. without any injuries.
A subsequent search of Mr. Pelham’s home revealed a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and four boxes of ammunition, as well as several 9mm sized holes in the walls.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. Mr. Pelham is presumed innocent of all the charges against him until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison on the felony gun charge and three years on the misdemeanor charges. He has been ordered detained pending trial in both cases.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation into the firearm incident. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Brasher of the Northern District of Texas is prosecuting the firearms case with the help of Special Counsel Brendan Ballou.
U.S. Attorney’s Office hosts United Against Hate meeting in BillingsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office held its first United Against Hate event on April 19 in Billings with a meeting of federal and local law enforcement representatives and local religious and faith leaders, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
United Against Hate is an initiative launched by the Department of Justice focused on improving the prevention of hate crimes and hate incidents by building relationships at the local level. Through this initiative, the Justice Department seeks to create and strengthen partnerships among law enforcement, community leaders and residents.
“I am pleased to kick off this initiative in Billings, which has experienced some troubling incidents against houses of worship and faith groups in recent months. Billings also has a history of standing up to hate, and I look forward to hearing different perspectives on ways we can all work together to fight hate crimes and prevent hate incidents from occurring,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The meeting, held at the Yellowstone County Commission’s Board Room, provided an opportunity for members and leaders in the faith community to have a better understanding of hate crimes and hate incidents, how to report them to law enforcement and to learn about available resources.
Speakers at the Billings meeting included U.S. Attorney Laslovich and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Vestal, civil rights coordinator for the office. In addition, the event featured a panel discussion and question and comment session that included U.S. Attorney Laslovich, FBI Supervisory Resident Agent Nadine Brown, Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Protective Security Advisor Albert Mendoza, Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder and Billings Police Department Chief Rich St. John.
The District of Montana will be holding additional United Against Hate events in the coming months in communities across the state.
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Two Southern Idaho Men Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
BOISE – Two men from southern Idaho were sentenced to federal prison in separate drug trafficking cases, announced U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.
Steven Feller, 65, of Kuna, was sentenced to 114 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Feller to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to court records, in July and August 2021, Feller sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant. In September 2021, law enforcement stopped Feller in Iron County, Utah. Feller was in possession of five pounds of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute in Idaho. In May 2022, law enforcement located a package containing drugs being shipped to Feller at his residence in Kuna. Law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant on Feller’s residence and located approximately a pound and a half of methamphetamine and three firearms. Feller has a prior conviction for trafficking drugs.
In a separate case, Lawrence Eric Barnes, 42, of Twin Falls, was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Barnes to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence
According to court records, during a traffic stop in Twin Falls County in June 2022, a Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Deputy seized 16 pounds of methamphetamine, 20 grams of fentanyl powder, 200 fentanyl pills, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun, from Barnes’ vehicle. Barnes was traveling from California with the intention of distributing the drugs in the Treasure Valley.
Barnes has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for domestic violence and controlled substance offenses. At the time of the instant offense, Barnes was on parole for trafficking in methamphetamine and attempted strangulation.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit credited the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Idaho State Police, the Nampa Police Department, and the Ada County Sherriff’s Office for their collaborative work on the Feller case and commended the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their work on the Barnes case.
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Two Doctors Sentenced for Stealing $31M from MedicareRead the Press Release
Two Florida doctors were sentenced today for their respective roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting over $31 million in claims for expensive durable medical equipment (DME) that Medicare beneficiaries did not want or need and that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.
Dean Zusmer, 54, of Miami, was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison and ordered to pay $1,404,200.97 in restitution. Dr. Lawrence Alexander, 45, of Miami, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. Restitution will be determined at a later hearing.
According to court documents, Zusmer was a chiropractor who conspired with others to steal millions of dollars from Medicare. Zusmer owned one of four DME companies that collectively billed Medicare over $31 million for medically unnecessary DME, of which over $15 million was paid. Zusmer and his co-conspirators, including Jeremy Waxman, acquired patient referrals and signed doctors’ orders by paying kickbacks to marketers who used overseas call centers to solicit patients and telemedicine companies to procure prescriptions for unnecessary braces for these patients. Alexander was an orthopedic surgeon who owned one of the DME companies with Waxman and concealed both his and Waxman’s roles in the scheme by putting the DME company in the name of one of Alexander’s family members.
In January 2023, Zusmer was convicted after trial of multiple health care fraud-related offenses and for making a false statement relating to health care matters; Alexander was convicted of making a false statement relating to health care matters. Waxman was previously sentenced to over 15 years in prison for his role in the scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Catherine Wagner, Patrick Queenan, Meredith Hough, Jamie de Boer, and Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 25 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Two Certified Nurse Midwives, One Licensed Practical Nurse and Two Business Owners Among Those Charged in Brooklyn as Part of National Health Care Related COVID-19 Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
Five individuals, including two certified nurse midwives, one licensed practical nurse and two health care business owners, have been charged for their participation in separate schemes that fraudulently distributed more than 2,600 fake COVID-19 vaccination records cards and defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program of more than $1.7 million. The charges filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, are part of a nationwide COVID-19 enforcement action led by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, which resulted in criminal charges against 18 individuals for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving approximately $490 million in fraudulent claims.
The charges were announced by Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Thomas M. Fattorusso, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI).
“The defendants in these cases used the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to engage in fraud, including faking vaccine cards and stealing vital funds designed to keep struggling businesses afloat,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office remains committed to combating the opportunistic fraud that occurred in connection with the pandemic.”
Mr. Peace thanked the New York State Department of Health for their assistance with the case.
The results of the nationwide enforcement action were announced today by Assistant Attorney General Polite.
“Today’s announcement marks the largest-ever coordinated law enforcement action in the United States targeting health care fraud schemes that exploit the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit and our partners are committed to rooting out pandemic-related fraud and holding accountable anyone seeking to profit from a public health emergency.”
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen the aid for businesses and individuals stolen through fraud and deceit. Fraudsters have lined their pockets and built real estate empires through illicit gains, showing no regard for those who truly need the funds. IRS Criminal Investigation and our investigative partners stay committed to targeting the criminals taking advantage of COVID relief benefits to see that the only pockets they line are those of a prison jumper,” said Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York.
“The defendants allegedly operated a COVID-19 vaccination card fraud scheme distributing vaccine cards to individuals not vaccinated while also destroying doses of the vaccine intended to protect members of the community. COVID-19 health care fraud schemes put the well-being of society at risk. The FBI will continue to ensure schemers defrauding the government face the consequences in the criminal justice system,” stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
Schemes charged in the Eastern District of New York, detailed in two indictments and one criminal information, include the following:
United States v. Kathleen Breault and Kelly McDermott
The indictment charges certified nurse midwives Kathleen Breault and Kelly McDermott with conspiracy to defraud the United States. The indictment alleges that McDermott, who owns Sage-Femme Midwifery PLLC, a midwife clinic in Albany, New York, and Breault, who worked at Sage-Femme, conspired to enroll Sage-Femme as an authorized COVID-19 vaccine administration site and to provide COVID-19 vaccination record cards to individuals who were not vaccinated, including minors who were not at the time eligible to be vaccinated and non-United States citizens who were not present in the United States when they were purportedly vaccinated. The defendants allegedly destroyed vials of COVID-19 vaccines that were intended to be used to vaccinate patients. Even though Sage-Femme was a small midwife practice, the defendants’ fraud turned it into one of the busiest Johnson & Johnson vaccination sites in New York State, outpacing large, state-run vaccination sites.
United States v. Sherilyn Pellitteri
The information charges Sherilyn Pellitteri, a licensed practical nurse, with conspiracy to defraud the United States. The information alleges that Pellitteri, an employee of Sage-Femme Midwifery PLLC, a midwife clinic in Albany, New York, conspired to enroll Sage-Femme as an authorized COVID-19 vaccine administration site and to provide COVID-19 vaccination record cards to individuals who were not vaccinated, including minors who were not at the time eligible to be vaccinated and non-United States citizens who were not present in the United States when they were purportedly vaccinated. The defendant allegedly destroyed vials of COVID-19 vaccines that were intended to be used to vaccinate patients. Even though Sage-Femme was a small midwife practice, the defendant’s fraud turned it into one of the busiest vaccination sites in New York State, outpacing large, state-run vaccination sites.
United States v. Kate Spencer and Ziv Biton
The indictment charges Kate Spencer and Ziv Biton with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy and money laundering. The indictment alleges that Spencer and Biton caused the submission of numerous fraudulent loan applications to the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program on behalf of purported health care businesses, among others. The applications contained false statements and included falsified documents regarding the purported businesses and the intended use of the loan funds, resulting in the distribution of over $1.7 million in fraudulent loans. The funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, such as purchases of residential properties.
The cases are being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Patrick J. Campbell and Andrew Estes of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
The charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Defendants:
SHERILYN PELLITTERI
Age: 41
Somerset, KYE.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 23-CR-113 (RPK)
KATHLEEN BREAULT
Age: 65
Cambridge, NYE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-158 (RPK)
KELLY MCDERMOTT
Age: 61
Albany, NYE.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 23-CR-158 (RPK)
KATE SPENCER
Age: 39
North Miami Beach, FLE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-145 (HG)
ZIV BITON
Age: 34
North Miami Beach, FLE.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 23-CR-145 (HG)
Two Butte men sentenced to prison for drug trafficking, firearms and money laundering crimesRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — Two Butte men convicted in a large armed drug trafficking operation that brought pounds of methamphetamine and other drugs to the Butte community and laundered proceeds were sentenced today to prison terms, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Mark Ernest Spani, 65, was sentenced to nine years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, while co-defendant Stanley Roy Vires, 68, was sentenced to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Both defendants pleaded guilty in 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that law enforcement learned in July 2021 that Spani and Vires were dealing drugs together and purchased meth from Vires through a confidential informant. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Vires’ residence and recovered approximately five pounds of meth, a little more than one pound of heroin, 26 firearms and cash. In June 2022, law enforcement searched properties owned by Spani and found one pound of meth, cash and numerous firearms.
The government further alleged that Spani was involved in dealing meth, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, traveled out of state to obtain and bring drugs back to Montana and carried guns while trafficking. When arrested, Spani appeared “to be reaching toward his right-hand side waist area,” which is where a gun was located. Spani had a previous federal felony drug conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
In addition, the government alleged Vires was involved in dealing meth and heroin and that Vires admitted he received a total of about 15 pounds of meth in 2020 and 2021. Fifteen pounds of meth is the equivalent of 54,360 doses. When searching Vires’ vehicle, law enforcement found two loaded firearms. Vires was prohibited from possessing firearms because he had a prior federal conviction for drug trafficking.
The government also alleged Vires and Spani and others conspired to conceal money and used cash proceeds to buy additional drugs, including in Arizona. Vires and others also bought additional assets using drug trafficking proceeds.
Under a forfeiture count, Vires and Spani agreed to forfeit a residence in Butte, approximately 10 acres known as Fleecer View Estates, a 1955 Chevrolet 210 vehicle, a 2013 Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic motorcycle, a 2019 Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic, a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 pickup, a 2022 Dodge Ram 3500 Big Horn, a 2011 Montana 5th Wheel and $33,346 in U.S. Currency.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Butte Police Department.
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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The Justice Department Announces Nationwide Coordinated Law Enforcement Action to Combat COVID-19 Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown joins with the Department of Justice in announcing criminal charges against 18 defendants in 9 federal districts across the United States for their alleged participation in various fraud schemes involving health care services that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic and allegedly resulted in over $490 million in COVID-19 related false billings to federal programs and theft from federally-funded pandemic programs.
In connection with the enforcement action, the department seized over $16 million in cash and other fraud proceeds. The Center for Program Integrity of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CPI/CMS) separately announced today that it took adverse administrative actions in the last year against an additional 28 medical providers for their alleged involvement in COVID-19 schemes.
U.S. Attorney Brown announced that Shaquaila Lewis, a/k/a Shaquaila Lewis-Chatman, 35, of Gibsland, Louisiana, was charged in the Western District of Louisiana by indictment with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1.1 million in funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. According to the indictment, Lewis, a registered nurse, caused the submission of numerous fraudulent loan applications that contained false statements regarding a purported business and the intended use of the loan funds. The funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, such as gambling and contracting work on her home. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardships to many American citizens and those who have chosen to abuse the assistance that was provided is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “We will continue to join with our federal and state and local partners to investigate and prosecute any who may have defrauded the government through these programs that were offered to help people.”
“The Justice Department will not tolerate those who exploited the pandemic for personal gain and stole taxpayer dollars,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This unprecedented enforcement action against defendants across the country makes clear that the Department is using every available resource to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud and safeguard the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs.”
“Today’s announcement marks the largest-ever coordinated law enforcement action in the United States targeting health care fraud schemes that exploit the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. “The Criminal Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit and our partners are committed to putting an end to pandemic-related fraud and holding accountable anyone seeking to profit from a public health emergency.”
The announcement today builds on the successes of the April 2022 COVID-19 Enforcement Action and the May 2021 COVID-19 Enforcement Action and involves the prosecution of various COVID-19 health care fraud schemes. In one of the most significant types of COVID-19 health care fraud scheme announced today, multiple defendants were charged with defrauding the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program.
The announcement also includes first-of-its-kind charges against suppliers of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests, which Medicare began to cover in April 2022 for beneficiaries who requested the tests. These kits were provided to the public to slow the spread of a deadly disease, but wrongdoers allegedly sought to exploit the program by repeatedly supplying patients, or, in some instances, deceased patients, with dozens of COVID-19 tests that they did not want or need.
Charges were also brought under the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Initiative. The PRF is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 that provided financial assistance to medical providers to provide needed medical care to Americans suffering from COVID-19.
Today’s enforcement action was led and coordinated by Assistant Chiefs Justin M. Woodard and Debra Jaroslawicz and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Strike Forces in Brooklyn, the Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, and Tampa; the National Rapid Response Strike Force; and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Central District of California, Middle District of Florida, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, Eastern District of New York, District of Puerto Rico, District of Utah, and Western District of Washington are prosecuting these cases, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the department’s website at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit/2023-case-summaries.
Other agencies involved are the FBI and HHS-OIG, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, AMTRAK Office of Inspector General, California Department of Health Care Services, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies across the nation.
The Health Care Fraud Strike Force is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to prevent and deter health care fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. In the past three years, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force has rooted out health care fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, 53 defendants have been charged in nationwide COVID-19 Health Care Fraud Enforcement Actions for causing over $784 million in loss associated with the pandemic, and 20 defendants have been convicted.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.
An indictment, complaint, or information is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Ten Members of Bronx Gang “Dub City” Charged with Racketeering and Multiple Gang-Related ShootingsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging BRUCE SILVA, a/k/a “Brucie,” BRUCE MELVIN, a/k/a “BG,” JORDAN BENNETT a/k/a “Billy Bandz,” a/k/a “J Bills,” ELIJAH POUGH, a/k/a “Eli,” SHADELL MCBRIDE, a/k/a “Deli,” JUSTIN BALLESTER, a/k/a “J-Gunz,” ALZUBAIR SALEH, a/k/a “Sammy,” GIOVANNI RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Karrot,” GABRIEL VALDEZ, a/k/a “Wolf,” and EMMANUEL PEREZ, a/k/a “Manny,” a/k/a “Haven,” with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, firearms charges, and other crimes related to their membership in “Dub City,” a street gang based in the Bronx, New York. SILVA, MELVIN, POUGH, and MCBRIDE are also charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering in connection with their participation in multiple shootings in the Bronx. The case is assigned to United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
SILVA and MCBRIDE are currently in federal custody in connection with related federal charges. VALDEZ is in state custody. MELVIN, BENNETT, POUGH, SALEH, RODRIGUEZ, and PEREZ were arrested this morning in the Bronx and are expected to be presented later today before Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis. BALLESTER is currently at large.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, over a span of several years, the members of the Dub City Gang enriched themselves through repeated frauds, poured drugs into the Bronx, carried firearms, and terrorized Bronx neighborhoods by repeatedly shooting at other people. Through these charges, we will hold Dub City members responsible for their gun violence and other criminal activity that makes our communities less safe for innocent residents.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: “As laid out in this indictment, these ten individuals engaged in a variety of violent crimes that terrorized the community in furtherance of their Dub City gang enterprise. Their alleged crimes include robberies, narcotics distribution, racketeering, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and eight shootings, one of which radically changed an innocent bystander’s life by permanently paralyzing the individual. This is yet another example of HSI’s commitment to a continued collaboration with the New York City Police Department to ensure a safer community.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Today’s charges highlight the commitment of the NYPD and our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute anyone who takes part in illegal gang activities. This indictment is another step toward making New York City safer for all the people we serve by ridding our streets of violence and fear. I thank and commend our NYPD detectives, the HSI investigators, and everyone from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District for their tireless efforts on this important case.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment and court filings:[1]
The “Dub City” gang is a criminal organization based in the Mt. Hope and Morris Heights sections of the Bronx, New York. A map of Dub City’s territory is below:
Since at least 2019, gang members sold drugs, committed robberies, committed financial frauds, used guns, and committed numerous acts of violence in furtherance of the Dub City Gang, including shootings against members of rival gangs and against other Dub City gang members. The violence committed by the defendants included shootings where innocent bystanders were hit, in one case causing permanent paralysis.
The following chart contains the dates of the charged shootings and the defendants charged in connection with those shootings:
Date of Shooting
Defendant(s)
August 13, 2019
BRUCE SILVA, a/k/a “Brucie”
March 16, 2021
ELIJAH POUGH, a/k/a “Eli”
June 2, 2021
BRUCE MELVIN, a/k/a “BG”
May 9, 2021
BRUCE SILVA, a/k/a “Brucie,” and BRUCE MELVIN, a/k/a “BG”
August 12, 2021
ELIJAH POUGH, a/k/a “Eli”
October 13, 2021
BRUCE SILVA, a/k/a “Brucie,” and JORDAN BENNETT a/k/a “Billy Bandz,” a/k/a “J Bills”[2]
May 9, 2022
BRUCE MELVIN, a/k/a “BG”
June 20, 2022
SHADELL MCBRIDE, a/k/a “Deli”
The following photographs depict Dub City members SILVA, MELVIN, and POUGH firing their weapons at rival gang members on Bronx streets:
* * *
A chart containing the names of the defendants who are charged today, the charges, and minimum and maximum penalties they face is below. All of the defendants are residents of the Bronx, New York.
The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and HSI and thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman, Matthew J. King, Jacob R. Fiddelman, and Mathew Andrews are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant
Age
Charges
Minimum and Maximum Penalties
BRUCE SILVA, a/k/a “Brucie,”
28
Racketeering Conspiracy
Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
Narcotics conspiracy
Use, brandishing, and discharge of a firearm in connection with a violent crime and a drug trafficking crime
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: 35 years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
BRUCE MELVIN, a/k/a “BG,”
25
Racketeering Conspiracy
Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
Narcotics conspiracy
Use, brandishing, and discharge of a firearm in connection with a violent crime and a drug trafficking crime
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: 35 years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
JORDAN BENNETT a/k/a “Billy Bandz,” a/k/a “J Bills,”
30
Racketeering Conspiracy
Accessory After the Fact to Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
Narcotics conspiracy
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: Five years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
ELIJAH POUGH, a/k/a “Eli,”
28
Racketeering Conspiracy
Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
Narcotics conspiracy
Use, brandishing, and discharge of a firearm in connection with a violent crime and a drug trafficking crime
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: 25 years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
SHADELL MCBRIDE, a/k/a “Deli,”
29
Racketeering Conspiracy
Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
Narcotics conspiracy
Use, brandishing, and discharge of a firearm in connection with a violent crime and a drug trafficking crime
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: 15 years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
JUSTIN BALLESTER, a/k/a “J-Gunz,”
29
Racketeering Conspiracy
Narcotics conspiracy
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: Five years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
ALZUBAIR SALEH, a/k/a “Sammy,”
33
Racketeering Conspiracy
Narcotics conspiracy
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: Five years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
GIOVANNI RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Karrot,”
25
Racketeering Conspiracy
Narcotics conspiracy
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: Five years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
GABRIEL VALDEZ, a/k/a “Wolf,”
25
Racketeering Conspiracy
Narcotics conspiracy
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: Five years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
EMMANUEL PEREZ, a/k/a “Manny,” a/k/a “Haven,”
24
Racketeering Conspiracy
Narcotics conspiracy
Use and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: Five years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
[2] BENNETT is charged with being an accessory after the fact to this shooting.
Taos Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Kidnapping and Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Richard Mascarenas was sentenced to 9 years in prison. Mascarenas, 38, of Taos Pueblo, and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Taos, pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to one count each of kidnapping, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault of an intimate partner by strangling and suffocating. Upon his release from prison, Mascarenas will be subject to 5 years of supervised release.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, over a two-week period from April 17, 2022, to May 4, 2022, Mascarenas assaulted the victim, identified as Jane Doe, and held her against her will at a residence in Taos Pueblo. In his plea, Mascarenas admitted that he would not allow Doe to leave, contact her family, or report the assaults because he did not want anyone to know how severely he had hurt her. Mascarenas locked Doe within the residence, hid the keys to the vehicles, and kept the gate to the property locked. On May 4, Doe’s brother contacted Taos Police and requested a welfare check, leading police to discover the ongoing kidnapping and assault. As a result of the assault, Doe suffered numerous serious injuries, including a stroke. Despite her injuries, Doe’s prognosis for recovery is good and she is residing with family.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander F. Flores is prosecuting the case.
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23-83
Supervisory Paramedic Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Stealing Fentanyl and Tampering with Drugs Intended for PatientsRead the Press Release
DENVER - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Christopher Robert Pattinson, age 41, of Commerce City, was sentenced to three years in prison for tampering with fentanyl intended for patient use.
According to the plea agreement, Pattinson was a Paramedic Field Lieutenant Supervisor at a Denver hospital. For a period of four years, he stole approximately 1900 vials of fentanyl from the paramedic department, and in the last few months of his employment, tampered with fentanyl vials intended for patient use. He concealed his theft by altering the hospital’s narcotics logs and making false entries in the hospital’s records. When the defendant tampered with the narcotics, he removed fentanyl vials from a locked narcotics supply cabinet, replacing the drug with a clear liquid believed to be saline. The defendant then returned tampered fentanyl vials to the locked narcotics supply cabinet and placed tampered vials in narcotics kits to be used on ambulances to respond to emergencies.
“We won’t tolerate medical professionals who put patients at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “Drug addiction is tragic, but it’s no excuse for harming patients – this conduct will send you to prison for a long time.”
“Health care professionals who tamper with patient medications not only harm patients but also put at risk the trust that U.S. consumers have in those who provide their medical care,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice health care professionals who tamper with patients’ medications.”
“Trust is the cornerstone of a patient’s relationship with the medical community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division. “Mr. Pattinson violated that trust, and as a result of his actions, the DEA, the FDA, and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office have held him accountable.”
United States District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney sentenced the defendant on April 19, 2023. After his period of incarceration, the defendant will also serve three years on supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to the hospital.
Substance abuse and mental health services are available to medical professionals experiencing addiction and other issues that may be detrimental to their ability to safely practice their profession. Nurses, dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, and other medical professionals can reach out to nonprofit agency Peer Assistance Services, Inc. (peerassistanceservices.org), and emergency medical professionals can contact nonprofit agency Path4EMS (path4ems.org). These programs promote earlier identification and intervention to prevent professionals from engaging in unsafe practices.
This matter was investigated by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Case No. 22-cr-0263-CNS
Starke Couple Indicted on Mail Theft ChargeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Connor Lee Austin (31, Starke) and Maranda Ann Stewart (26, Starke) with theft of mail. If convicted, each faces up to five years in federal prison and payment of restitution to the victims in the case.
According to court documents and public records, Austin and Stewart stole First Class mail over multiple months in 2022. Austin appeared in federal court on April 19, 2023, pursuant to a writ bringing him to Jacksonville from Florida State Prison, where he is serving a prison sentence of 36 months for grand theft, grand theft from a dwelling, and burglary. The Court ordered Austin detained pending trial. Stewart appeared in federal court on April 17, 2023, and was released on a bond. Their trial is set for June 2023.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with valuable assistance from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
South Carolina Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud Conspiracy Targeting Retirees and Military Pension HoldersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A South Carolina woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her role in a nationwide structured cash flow scheme that exploited military veterans in desperate financial straits and targeted elderly investors seeking a safe retirement investment.
Candy Kern, 55, of Anderson, South Carolina, was the managing partner of a small South Carolina-based law firm. From approximately 2012 through 2021, she used her law firm to facilitate a fraudulent scheme involving illegal assignment of veterans’ benefits.
The scheme worked as follows: Numerous individuals and small corporate entities, referred to as Structured Cash Flow (SCF) entities, offered veterans – many of whom were in acute financial distress – an up-front lump sum payment in exchange for the assignment of the veterans’ monthly pension and/or disability payments for a period of time. Working through a network of investment advisors and insurance agents, the SCF entities would then solicit retirees to invest in these contracts – providing the up-front lump sums under the false pretense that the flow of repayments by veterans over time would translate into a return for the retiree-investors.
For more than eight years, Kern, through her law firm, served as the banker, legal counsel, and debt collector for the SCF operation. Among other services, Kern’s law firm (1) managed, controlled, and maintained the bank accounts through which payments to and from investors and veterans flowed; and (2) filed suits against veterans who defaulted. Throughout the duration of the scheme, and unbeknownst to the veterans or the retirees, the pension assignment contracts were in fact void, as it is illegal to assign a pension under federal law – a fact Kern knew but never disclosed during the execution of any contract.
Over time, the scheme collapsed, as many veterans (who tended to be in dire financial straits) either were unable to repay their “obligations” under the contract or opted not to do so upon learning that federal law prohibited pension assignments. Over the course of this scheme, approximately $14 million in illegally assigned veterans’ benefits flowed through the accounts controlled by Kern’s law firm. Notwithstanding the invalidity of the contracts, Kern pursued enforcement actions against veterans who defaulted, securing numerous default judgments against veterans in absentia. As a result, Kern’s law firm received approximately $1,446,336, while retiree-investors – who were misled and fraudulently induced to purchase the SCF product without being informed of all material information about the contracts – lost approximately $31,352,897.26.
“This elaborate scheme preyed upon and exploited some of our most vulnerable populations, and when it collapsed, it left thousands of veterans in financial ruin and scores of retiree-investors without adequate resources to retire,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department is committed to protecting servicemembers, veterans, and older adults from fraud. And we are dedicated to ensuring that those involved in this scheme are held accountable.”
“The District of South Carolina has been at the forefront of prosecuting fraud related to veterans’ pensions and associated investment scams,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “It is reprehensible that a former member of the South Carolina state bar would participate in such a scheme and use her standing as a lawyer to give victims a false confidence. My office will continue its efforts to protect our veterans and to bring perpetrators to justice.”
“This guilty plea is a true testament to the FBI’s steadfast mission to uphold justice and protect the most vulnerable members of our society from financial exploitation and fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI recognizes the sacrifice and dedication of our veterans and values the contributions of our seniors to our communities. The guilty plea represents our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to take advantage of our nation’s heroes and seniors.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Watkins for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorneys Ehren Reynolds and Yolanda McCray Jones of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case.
The matter was investigated by the FBI. The Veterans Benefits Administration’s Benefits Protection and Remediation Division and the Defense Finance Accounting Service also assisted. Resources from the Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative and the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force aided in the investigation and prosecution.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at https://www.ovc.gov. For more information on the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative, or to file a complaint, visit https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers.
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South Carolina Man Convicted of Robbing A Mount Pleasant Restaurant at Gunpoint Is Sentenced to 50 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Brandon Lloyd Daniels, 31, of North Charleston, South Carolina, was sentenced today to 50 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for the 2018 armed robbery of the Tavern and Table restaurant in Mount Pleasant, S.C., announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks presided over the sentencing hearing.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Chief Mark Arnold of the Mount Pleasant Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents, evidence presented at trial, and witness testimony, on the evening of April 4, 2018, officers with the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to reports of a robbery and shooting at the Tavern and Table restaurant, located at 100 Church Street in Mount Pleasant. Trial evidence established that around 11:30 p.m., shortly after the restaurant closed for the evening, Daniels entered the restaurant through the back door wearing a face covering and went into the restaurant’s office, where several employees were gathered. Daniels pointed his firearm at the employees and demanded money. According to trial evidence, Daniels aimed his firearm at the restaurant’s assistant manager and shot him in the lower back. The victim sustained serious, permanent injuries from the gunshot.
Following the shooting, the employees complied with Daniels’ demands and handed him several of the restaurant’s cash drawers. As Daniels fled the scene, he fired two more shots inside the restaurant in the direction of another employee.
In July 2022, a federal jury convicted Daniels of Hobbs Act robbery, discharging a firearm during and in relation to the robbery, and felon in possession of ammunition.
In October 2021, following a bench trial before Judge Hendricks, Daniels was convicted of possession of a sawed-off shotgun and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. The convictions stemmed from investigators’ discovery of a sawed-off shotgun in Daniels’ bedroom during the execution of a search warrant in connection with the Tavern and Table robbery.
Daniels is in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In announcing today’s sentence, Judge Hendricks described the shooting as “vicious,” and said that “This offense involved a tragic robbery, shooting, and maiming of an innocent man tantamount to attempted murder.” She also noted that “it is a miracle the victim did not die,” and that the “amount of physical damage to the victim is unparalleled.”
U.S. Attorney King commended the ATF and the Mount Pleasant Police Department for their investigation of the case and thanked the FBI for their substantial assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Taylor Stout, Regina Pack, and Erik Lindahl, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
South Carolina Man Arrested for Stealing and Possessing A Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Alexander Timothy Rosa (31, South Carolina) on a three-count indictment charging him with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and stealing a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. If convicted, Rosa faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count.
According to the indictment, on or about October 26, 2021, Rosa unlawfully took a firearm from a pawn store that is licensed to engage in the business of dealing firearms. Rosa continued to possess the stolen firearm until November 9, 2021. Rosa was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including breaking into a motor vehicle (2014), grand theft (2015), robbery (2017), and two counts of assault and battery first degree (2017). As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case is being investigated by the Belleview Police Department, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.
Smugglers Sentenced for U-Haul Transport Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Trajahn Alexander Johnson, 25, of Glendale, Arizona, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to six months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Johnson, the final co-conspirator to be sentenced, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death.
Johnson’s co-defendants were charged for their role in the transportation of the undocumented noncitizens and they also pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death and were sentenced by Judge Rayes:
- Israel Omar Vargas, 21, of Avondale, Arizona, was sentenced on September 19, 2022, to 80 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
- Worine Terrell Sams, Jr., 25, of Mesa Arizona, was sentenced on March 27, 2023, to 64 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Two other individuals also were charged by a separate indictment for their role in the transportation of undocumented noncitizens and pleaded guilty to Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death and were sentenced by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich:
- Tristan James Mott, 22, of Mesa, Arizona was sentenced on January 18, 2023, to 78 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
- Jera Simone Richard, 25, of Tempe, Arizona, was sentenced on January 30, 2023, to 36 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
On October 1, 2020, in response to a 911 call, the Gila River Police Department (GRPD) conducted an investigative traffic stop of a U-Haul box truck. Upon investigation, GRPD officers discovered that there were 14 undocumented noncitizens in the U-Haul truck, one of whom had died during the transportation. Four others were taken to the hospital, suffering from heat-related illnesses. GRPD officers identified Richard as the driver of the U-Haul and Mott as the passenger. It was later determined that Richard and Mott had coordinated the transport of the 14 individuals with Vargas, Sams, and Johnson.
“Human smuggling is always a risky business proposition, and sometimes those seeking a better life in America pay the ultimate price,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino. “Thanks to the collective work of a private citizen calling 911, observant tribal police officers and dedicated federal agents, we disrupted an alien smuggling scheme and held these five defendants accountable for the death of a migrant in their care.”
“Dismantling human smuggling networks has been a longtime focus for HSI Arizona, but for those events that have resulted in a death of a migrant our investigation intensifies,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Arizona. “No one should ever lose their lives at the hands of a smuggler. Together, with our law enforcement partners, we continue to identify smuggling syndicates to safeguard the U.S. border and help save the lives of people these organizations regularly prey upon.”
Homeland Security Investigations–Casa Grande Office conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-20-00646-PHX-SMB
CR-21-00210-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-056_Johnson# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Six indicted as part of Whatcom County fentanyl trafficking organizationRead the Press Release
Seattle – A federal grand jury indicted six people in connection with a Whatcom County fentanyl distribution organization, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. The ring has been under investigation since late 2022 and was actively moving fentanyl from the Seattle area to redistributors in the Bellingham, Washington area. Three of the six people indicted are in custody. Three more are being sought by law enforcement.
“I commend the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Drug and Gang Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration for a fast-moving investigation that worked to interdict potentially deadly pills over the last four months,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “These alleged traffickers also possessed guns – some stolen, some with extended magazines – a dangerous combination with the narcotics.”
In a detailed criminal complaint, law enforcement officers described how they observed various apparent drug transactions and interdicted the drug loads. In one instance, law enforcement was called to a mini-mart where two people involved with the drug ring overdosed on fentanyl and had to be revived and transported to the hospital. Investigation of the ring revealed that the alleged two top leaders lived in Burien, Washington, and downtown Seattle. Multiple members of the ring have criminal histories which prohibit them from possessing firearms.
The grand jury charges all six defendants below with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Additionally, the defendants are charged as follows:
- Robel Sisay Gebremedhin A/K/A Robel Sisay Gebremedhui, 40, of Burien, WA is charged with: possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute; unlawful possession of a firearm; and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Mohamed Abdirisak Mohamed, 34, of Seattle, WA is also charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute; unlawful possession of a firearm; and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Ahbdurman Ahmed, 32, of Seattle, WA is also charged with: two counts of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute; unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Matthew Anderson, 35, of Bellingham, WA is also charged with: two counts of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute
- Daniel John Faix, 39, of Bellingham, WA is also charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute; possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute; unlawful possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Natasha Parkhill, 37, of Bellingham, WA is also charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.
State charges are anticipated on seven additional defendants.
“While our community struggles with the impacts of fentanyl overdoses and deaths, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Gang and Drug Task Force continues to work closely with our local, state, and federal partners to hold those distributing this dangerous drug accountable for their actions. We aggressively investigate those that bring these deadly drugs and criminal enterprises into our communities that prey on our most vulnerable,” said Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick.
“In order to continue to protect the Puget Sound region from organizations that distribute fake pills laced with fentanyl, we will act swiftly, as we did in this investigation, with all of our local and federal partners to ensure the health and safety of our communities,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division.
For some defendants in this case, the large drug quantities involved, and the firearms, require mandatory minimum penalties of ten years in prison and up to life in prison. Possession of a firearm is furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a consecutive five years in prison on top of any sentence imposed on other charges.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case 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 .
This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, with valuable assistance provided by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs.
Six Federal Inmates Indicted for Contraband Cell PhonesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Six federal inmates housed at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina (“FCC Butner”) have been charged with possession of contraband cell phones.
According to the indictment, the inmates, Rakeem Baldwin, Antoine Stanfield, Neshawn Howard, Alan Gutierrez, Shafter Manuel, and Ronito Gomez, were housed at three different institutions within the Butner Complex at the time of the offenses: the Federal Medical Center, the Low Security Institution, and the Federal Prison Camp. Each has been charged with one count of possessing a cell phone. Additionally, Antoine Stanfield was charged with a second count of destruction or removal of property to prevent seizure.
If convicted, each inmate faces up to a year of imprisonment for possessing the cell phone, with Stanfield facing an additional statutory maximum of five years for destroying or removing property to prevent its seizure. Additionally, if convicted, the of the charge of possessing a cell phone would also make each inmate ineligible for credit under the First Step Act, which allows federal inmates to earn up to 365 days off of their sentence for participating in eligible programming while incarcerated.
“Contraband cellphones in prison threaten the safety and security of the inmates and the institution as a whole,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “By indicting these six inmates at FCC Butner, we hope to send a clear message to the inmate population that the possession of cellphones will never be tolerated at FCC Butner.”
Thomas Scarantino, Complex Warden, at FCC Butner stated, “I would like to thank the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina for their continued support in prosecuting these cases. I would also like to thank the legal team and staff at FCC Butner who have assisted with this case. I have zero tolerance for inmates introducing contraband into FCC Butner that puts the safety and security of staff and inmates at risk.”
Federal Bureau of Prisons investigative staff are investigating the cases, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mallory Brooks Storus and Merrill E. Ward are prosecuting the cases.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
San Felipe Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Robert Chavarillo was sentenced to 190 days of incarceration. Chavarillo, 43, of San Felipe Pueblo, and an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo, pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2022, to abusive sexual contact in Indian Country. Chavarillo will be subject to 5 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
According to the plea agreement, Chavarillo engaged in sexual conduct with the victim, identified as Jane Doe, while she was heavily intoxicated and sleeping. Chavarillo knew that he did not have permission to engage in sexual conduct with Doe at the time. The incidents took place within San Felipe Pueblo.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall and Caitlin Dillon prosecuted the case.
Rochester Drug Trafficker Sentenced to over 19 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Rochester man has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for leading a methamphetamine trafficking ring, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, from September 2021 through February 2022, Jerry Lee Milliken, 40, led a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy based in Rochester and operated throughout southeastern Minnesota and elsewhere. Milliken organized the delivery of methamphetamine from a supplier in Kansas City, Missouri, to sub-distributors in the Rochester area. Milliken also collected and received drug proceeds and facilitated communications in support of the conspiracy. Between the fall of 2021 and the winter of 2022, law enforcement seized approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine from the conspiracy during various enforcement operations.
Milliken pleaded guilty on November 18, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson.
Aaron Raymond Dombovy, 30, one of Milliken’s coconspirators, pleaded guilty on November 16, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rochester Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team, and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter Jr. prosecuted the case.
Ringleader and Two Associates of Illicit Massage Parlor Operation Sentenced to Combined 6 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Three women from South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina were sentenced today to combined 72 months in prison for their management and involvement in an illicit massage parlor operation between August 2020 and June 2021. The leader of the organization, Ok Hwa Lee, 55, was sentenced to 34 months in prison. Shanyu Song, 50, and Xuejin Bai, 51, were sentenced to 26 and 12 months and 1 day, respectively. Additionally, Lee was ordered to forfeit $151,000; Song $146,000; and Bai $55,000. On November 10, 2022, Lee pled guilty to three counts, including one count of conspiracy and two counts of bribing a public official and Song pled guilty to conspiracy. On December 12, 2022, Bai pled guilty to one count of conspiracy.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Lee, Song, and Bai were arrested as part of a broad undercover operation for attempting to bribe law enforcement officers to provide protection for their illicit massage parlors where sexual services were being offered in Cary, Durham, and Wilmington, North Carolina. During the investigation, an undercover HSI agent met with Lee, Song, Bai, and other individuals who provided more than $18,000 in bribes to the agent, believing that the bribes would provide protection from unwanted law enforcement inquiries at the various massage parlors. Song was Lee’s main accomplice within the organization and Bai was a part owner of two illicit massage parlors in Wilmington.
On June 16, 2021, HSI, with the assistance of numerous law enforcement agencies, led a coordinated takedown across four different federal districts that included the execution of search warrants at eight different massage parlors, multiple residences, and the arrest of six individuals, including Lee, Song, and Bai. Two other co-defendants, Ming Ji Cao and Ogbun Park, were previously sentenced, and the corresponding press release can be found here.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, the Cary Police Department, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilmington Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and other state and local investigators investigated the case and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blondel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan M. Stephany prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:21-cr-00079-FL.
Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud CrimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Paul Richard Massey, 50, of Shady Spring, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and money laundering. Massey admitted to issuing fraudulent payments as an insurance claims adjuster and using the money to fund a powersports business that he owns.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Massey was employed as a claims adjuster for Allstate Insurance Company from 2015 until June 2019. Massey was routinely assigned claim files to investigate after Allstate customers filed a claim under their insurance policy. Massey’s job included investigating assigned claims, determining coverage, and coordinating with the insured customer and others to determine what services were needed to bring a claim to conclusion. In his role as claims adjuster, Massey had the authority to issue settlement check payments to policy holders and businesses on behalf of Allstate to settle insured property damage claims.
Massey admitted to authorizing and issuing a $15,110.29 check on behalf of Allstate to a business called American Mitigation Services LLC, also known as AMS Cleaning, on December 26, 2018. The check was issued for mitigation work allegedly performed by AMS Cleaning and was deposited into AMS Cleaning’s bank account. Massey admitted that this payment was fraudulent, as AMS Cleaning had completed no work to justify the payment. Massey further admitted that he had a business relationship with AMS Cleaning and was an authorized signer on the business’s bank account.
Massey also admitted that he authorized and issued 68 fraudulent claim payment checks totaling more than $850,000 on behalf of Allstate to AMS Cleaning from at least January 22, 2018, until at least June 19, 2019. Massey attempted to hide the fraudulent nature of some of these checks by creating fraudulent receipts and documents that appeared to justify the payments.
Massey used the fraudulent claims payments deposited in AMS Cleaning’s bank account to fund Massey Powersports LLC, a Beckley business owned and operated by Massey. The investigation revealed that Massey routinely wrote checks from AMS Cleaning’s bank account to pay Massey Powersports employees, to purchase inventory for Massey Powersports, and to pay Massey Powersports’ recurring bills. Massey admitted that on December 27, 2018, he wired $105,403.20 in fraudulently obtained proceeds from AMS Cleaning’s bank account to a North Carolina business to prepay for tractors intended for Massey Powersports.
Massey attempted to conceal his scheme from investigators. On June 27, 2019, Massey falsely told an Allstate fraud investigator that he had no financial interest in AMS Cleaning. On August 14, 2020, Massey created and submitted a fictitious $1 million sales contract for AMS Cleaning in response to a federal grand jury subpoena. On January 22, 2021, Massey falsely told a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent that he had negotiated the sale of AMS Cleaning with an individual identified by Massey as “Jerry Wayne.”
Massey is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $500,000 fine. Massey owes $862,871.29 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Litigation Financial Analyst with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Blackwell 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. 5:22-cr-219.
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Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Export Fraud ViolationRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Rana Zeeshan Tanveer, 42, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to committing an export fraud violation. Tanveer admitted that he knowingly submitted false export valuations for two high-technology devices that Tanveer shipped to Pakistan.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 31, 2017, Tanveer ordered the two high-technology items, paying more than $4,000 for both items. The two items were shipped to Tanveer in Beckley and he received them on June 7, 2017. Tanveer admitted to creating a false invoice that intentionally understated the value of the items as less than $200. Tanveer further admitted to using the false invoice to ship the items to Pakistan using a freight forwarding service in July 2017.
Tanveer also admitted that he intentionally used false invoices on at least six other occasions, from June 14, 2014 through August 20, 2018, that deliberately undervalued the purchase cost of U.S.-origin technology that Tanveer exported to Pakistan.
“Mr. Tanveer pleaded guilty to unlawfully shipping high-technology devices overseas and is now being held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Department of Justice is steadfast in its commitment to prosecute those who would undermine our nation’s security and economic interest by flouting U.S. export control laws.”
Federal law requires the filing of accurate Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES) about certain items that are exported from the United States. It is a federal crime to knowingly submit false or misleading Electronic Export Information. The purpose of this export requirement is to strengthen the ability of the United States to prevent the export of certain items to unauthorized destinations or end users. Accurate information in the Automated Export System also aids the United States in targeting, identifying, and, when necessary, confiscating suspicious or illegal items or shipments prior to export.
“Violating export control requirements is a serious offense,” said United State Attorney Will Thompson. “Our office is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who evade U.S. export laws.”
Tanveer is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“Knowingly undervaluing shipments in order to avoid export reporting requirements is a violation of U.S. export control rules,” said OEE Washington Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Anderson. “The Office of Export Enforcement will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent and disrupt illicit trade that threatens U.S. national security and undermines U.S. foreign policy.”
“Mr. Tanveer used deceptive practices and tried to disguise his true activities for years,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “The FBI will always work to disrupt these types of actions, as they pose a threat not only to our national security, but also to the U.S. economy. I commend the work done by everyone at the FBI, but we would not have been successful without our strong partnership with the Department of Commerce. Together, our agencies will continue to fight export fraud.”
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and National Security Division Trial Attorney R. Elizabeth Abraham 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. 5:23-cr-26.
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Pasadena Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Using Fraudulently Obtained EDD Cards to Withdraw Nearly $1 Million in CashRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for using dozens of fraudulently obtained debit and credit cards as part of a scheme to defraud the state’s unemployment insurance program out of nearly $1 million, and for possessing methamphetamine and ammunition.
Robert Sloan Mateer, 32, of Pasadena, was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also ordered him to pay $937,173 in restitution.
Mateer pleaded guilty in November 2022 to one count of use of unauthorized access devices, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
On October 1, 2020, Mateer – whose criminal history includes a felony conviction in Los Angeles Superior Court in March 2020 for driving or taking a vehicle without consent – and co-defendant Sarah Taylor Brown, 36, of Los Angeles, were stopped in Pasadena for a traffic violation and his vehicle was searched. The search of Mateer’s Maserati SUV revealed:
- approximately 85 grams of methamphetamine;
- two cellphones with debit and credit cards in names belonging to persons other than Mateer and Brown;
- a 9mm-caliber pistol with no serial number and loaded with two rounds of ammunition;
- an additional round of 9mm-caliber ammunition in the driver’s side pocket of the car;
- 17 California Employment Development Department (EDD) cards in the names of third parties;
- five credit and debit cards in other people’s names; and
- approximately $197,711 in cash.
Mateer admitted in his plea agreement that he fraudulently obtained EDD debit cards by applying for unemployment insurance benefits using another individual’s personal identifying information on the EDD website. On the website, Mateer would direct the EDD debit card to be sent to an address that did not belong to the individual whose identity he was using. Mateer, Brown, and other co-conspirators then would retrieve the debit cards from the Mateer-designated address and use the card at ATMs to withdraw cash benefits.
In total, the conspiracy caused actual losses to the EDD program of approximately $937,173. Brown was captured on ATM surveillance footage making at least $54,740 in withdrawals.
Judge Wright in November 2021 ordered the Maserati SUV and the $197,711 in cash forfeited to the United States.
Brown pleaded guilty in December 2022 to one count of use of unauthorized access devices. On February 7, Judge Wright sentenced Brown to time served, after she had served nearly 20 months, to be followed by supervised release for three years, and ordered her to pay $54,740 in restitution, to be held jointly and severally liable with Mateer.
The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Nisha Chandran of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Oroville Man Charged with Trafficking Fentanyl and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Joseph Alan Childers, 37, of Oroville, charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between November 2022 and February 2023, Childers conspired with others to acquire and distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in Butte and Yuba Counties. On Feb. 27, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Childers in Oroville. A later search of the vehicle uncovered over 2 pounds of fentanyl, a half a pound of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and packing materials.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the Oroville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alstyn Bennett is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Childers faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Operation Smoke and Mirrors Update: Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kimberly Dawn Legg, 49, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, admitting to a role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in the Charleston area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, for several months prior to December 5, 2022, Legg sold quantities of methamphetamine obtained from a supplier who usually delivered the methamphetamine directly to her Lotus Drive residence in Charleston. Kimberly Dawn Legg admitted to handling the money when selling the methamphetamine to customers while co-defendant Larry Wayne Legg typically weighed out the amounts. Kimberly Dawn Legg further admitted that the supplier usually provided the methamphetamine without requiring full payment, with the understanding that he would be paid from the individual sale proceeds.
On December 4, 2022, the supplier delivered approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine to Legg’s residence. The next day, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Legg’s residence and found the methamphetamine. Kimberly Dawn Legg admitted that she and Larry Wayne Legg intended to sell the seized methamphetamine.
Kimberly Dawn Legg is scheduled to be sentenced on August 3, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
Larry Wayne Legg, 55, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on March 6, 2023. Kimberly Dawn Legg and Larry Wayne Legg are among 30 individuals indicted as a result of Operation Smoke and Mirrors, a major drug trafficking investigation that has yielded the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history. Law enforcement seized well over 200 pounds of methamphetamine as well as 28 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of fentanyl, 18 firearms and $747,000 in cash.
Two other co-defendants have pleaded guilty. Indictments against the other defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-4.
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Omaha Man Sentenced for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Elmer Rene Hernandez-Hernandez, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on April 19, 2023, by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Hernandez-Hernandez received a sentence of 210 months’ imprisonment with a four-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. Hernandez-Hernandez also forfeited $13,400 that was seized as part of the investigation.
On March 18, 2021, the DEA Criminal Interdiction Unit, while working at the United States Post Office in Omaha, intercepted a package containing 3,242 grams of methamphetamine. The package was destined to an address in Omaha. A controlled delivery of the package was completed to the listed address, and Kenneth Flowers accepted the package at the residence. Flowers was then monitored as he exited out his backdoor and walked up the street to deliver the package to the residence of Hernandez-Hernandez. Flowers was arrested after delivering the package.
A search warrant was obtained for Hernandez-Hernandez’s residence. Inside, officers found various small amounts of illicit drugs (cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana), $13,400, and some firearms. One of the firearms was stolen.
Flowers was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment on April 6, 2023 for his role in receiving the package for Hernandez-Hernandez.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Murder Federal Law Enforcement OfficersRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, CHARLES DEAN LACK, 56, of Wayne, Oklahoma, entered a plea of guilty on a federal charge of threatening to murder federal law enforcement officers, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on or about August 5, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation learned that Lack had communicated an intention to travel to Will Rogers World Airport (WRWA) and kill federal officers when he arrived. The affidavit further alleges Lack had previously visited WRWA on three separate occasions to determine the location of certain federal law enforcement officials within the WRWA.
On August 17, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Lack. Count 1 charged him with threatening to murder federal law enforcement officers, and Count 2 charged him with interstate transmission of a threatening communication.
Today, Lack entered a plea of guilty to Count 1 of the indictment before U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in approximately 90 days. At sentencing, Lack faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Lack has been in federal custody since August 8, 2022.
This case is the result of investigations by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office and Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Dillon and Mark Stoneman are prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Oklahoma City Man Charged with Unlawful Possession of a Stolen United States Postal Service Key and Theft of Stolen MailRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY — Earlier this week, TARYAN NABOND PRINCE-SADLER, 18, of Oklahoma City was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a stolen United States Postal Service (USPS) arrow key and theft of stolen mail, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Public records reflect that on April 17, 2023, Prince-Sadler was charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of a stolen USPS arrow key and one count of theft of stolen mail. Arrow keys are universal keys USPS uses to access collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, cluster box units, and apartment panels.
An affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint alleges that the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) received numerous complaints from customers reporting that mail items containing checks placed into USPS collection boxes were stolen and later altered, forged, or counterfeited. The affidavit further alleges that victims reported the checks cleared through their financial institutions, often through mobile deposit/electronic banking methods.
According to the affidavit, USPIS conducted a law enforcement operation on Monday, April 17, 2023, that identified Prince-Sadler who was then arrested.
On April 18, 2023, Prince-Sadler had his initial appearance on the complaint in federal court in Oklahoma City. He was released on bond pending further proceedings in the case.
If found guilty of unlawful possession of a stolen USPS arrow key, the defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and a special assessment of $100. If found guilty of theft of stolen mail, the defendant faces up to 5 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and a special assessment of $100. The defendant would also be required to serve a term of supervised release of up to three years for each count.
The public is reminded that these charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle London is prosecuting the case.
North Country Drug Enforcement Operation Results in Arrests of 31 IndividualsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – 31 individuals have been arrested as part of a coordinated drug enforcement operation in Coos and Grafton counties, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
The operation, which took place this week, was a coordinated effort by federal, state, and local partners to focus on drug trafficking in Coos and Grafton counties. The enforcement effort targeted the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, which resulted in federal charges against 5 individuals for federal drug offenses and an additional 26 for state drug offenses. Over the course of the investigations, law enforcement seized more than 14 lbs of suspected fentanyl, more than 2 lbs of suspected methamphetamine, 183 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 93 grams of suspected powder cocaine, and $131,397 in U.S. currency.
The enforcement effort brought together 9 law enforcement agencies to target individuals distributing drugs in communities throughout Coos and Grafton counties. The arrests resulted in the removal of individuals allegedly operating in the following New Hampshire communities: Berlin; Colebrook; Gorham; Groveton; Lancaster; Littleton; Stratford; and Whitefield.
The following defendants were arrested on federal charges:
- John King, age 33, of Berlin, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. King made an initial appearance in federal court in Concord on April 19, 2023 and is detained.
- Rose Hand, age 39, of Berlin, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Hand made an initial appearance in federal court in Concord on April 19, 2023 and is temporarily detained.
- Clarisa C. Haas, 26, of Berlin, for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, fentanyl. Haas made an initial appearance in federal court in Concord on April 20, 2023 and is detained.
- Kimberly Supernois, 27, of Norton, VT for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. An initial appearance for Supernois has not been scheduled.
- Alec Supernois, age 28, of Norton, VT for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. An initial appearance for Supernois has not been scheduled.
The charges provide for a maximum term of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and a minimum of three years of supervised release.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; the New Hampshire State Police; and the New Hampshire Drug Task Force led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Colebrook Police Department; the Berlin Police Department; the Coos County Sheriff’s Department; the Whitefield Police Department; the Littleton Police Department; the Lancaster Police Department; and the United States Border Patrol.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Monmouth County Pair Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $3.75 Million in Loans Meant to Help Small Businesses During COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two former residents of Monmouth County, New Jersey, who allegedly obtained approximately $3.75 million in federal pandemic-related loans have been indicted, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Jean Rabbitt, 52, and Kevin Aguilar, 52, both of Sherman, Texas, and both previously of Farmingdale, New Jersey, are each charged by indictment with: one count of conspiracy to engage bank fraud; seven counts of bank fraud; one count of conspiracy to engage in wire fraud; three counts of wire fraud; conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity; and one count of aggravated identity theft. Rabbitt is additionally charged with one count of making a false statement in a loan application.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Rabbitt and Aguilar submitted seven fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of four businesses that Rabbitt owned or controlled. Rabbitt and Aguilar made multiple false statements in their PPP applications, at least one of which was submitted to a Federal Home Loan Bank member. The lenders approved PPP loans totaling $3.33 million, and transmitted those funds to Rabbitt’s businesses. Rabbitt and Aguilar also submitted fraudulent applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Based on false statements in those applications, the SBA approved EIDLs to three of Rabbitt’s businesses, totaling approximately $447,000.
After receiving the PPP and EIDL funds, Rabbitt and Aguilar transferred those funds to other businesses that Aguilar created to give the false appearance that the PPP and EIDL funds were being used for legitimate purposes. Aguilar and Rabbitt then used the PPP and EIDL funds for personal expenses.
Rabbitt and Aguilar also engaged in identity theft, by submitting an EIDL application using the name and identifying information of an individual who did not authorize the use of that information.
Rabbitt is also charged with making a false statement on a loan application, including with respect to her gross monthly income, in order to obtain financing to purchase a new truck from a Monmouth County car dealership.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca in New York; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon MacDermott; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge is Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit, in Newark.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
rabbitt.aguilarindictment.pdfMissouri Man Sentenced for Hate Crime in Attempted Murder of Teen Because of His Sexual OrientationRead the Press Release
A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for committing a hate crime by shooting a local teenager eight times in an attempted murder that was motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation.
Malachi Robinson, 25, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 262 months in federal prison without parole.
“This defendant’s sentence holds him accountable for the violent and callous hate crime perpetrated against a defenseless teenager targeted because of their LGBTQ+ status,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Recent FBI data makes clear that hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ+ community persist and this sentence should send a strong message to the perpetrators of these crimes that they will be held accountable. Bias motivated misconduct has no place in our country, and the Justice Department is committed to working with our federal, state and local partners to vigorously pursue justice for victims targeted because of their sexual orientation.”
“This significant penalty brings a measure of justice to the young victim and to the larger LGBTQI+ community,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore for the Western District of Missouri. “To ambush and shoot an unwitting victim, who posed no threat to him, for no other reason than his sexual orientation is reprehensible behavior that won’t be tolerated. Our entire community must stand together against acts of violence motivated by hatred for any group of people. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the civil rights of all citizens and prosecuting those who illegally threaten those rights.”
“This sentencing validates that bias-motivated crimes will not be tolerated and demonstrates law enforcement’s continued commitment to aggressively investigate and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous crimes. To target an individual, lure them and shoot them multiple times for no other reason than their perceived sexual orientation is reprehensible,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “The sentence imposed today reflects the severity of the crime committed against the victim and the entire LGBTQI+ community. Every individual has the right to live without fear of being attacked or harassed, regardless of their sexual orientation. The FBI is committed to working with our federal, state and local partners to protect the civil rights of all. “
On July 7, 2022, Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Robinson has been in federal custody since he was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 10, 2021.
By pleading guilty, Robinson admitted that he shot the then-16-year-old victim, identified in court records as M.S., approximately eight times with a Taurus 9mm pistol in an attempt to kill him because of his sexual orientation, causing life-threatening injuries.
After a chance meeting at the Kansas City Public Library on May 29, 2019, Robinson and M.S. talked briefly over Facebook Messenger before meeting outside the library. According to court documents, library surveillance footage showed that M.S. began to walk away, and Robinson followed him, catching up to M.S. before crossing the street. The two then walked for a while in the Swoop Park area, until Robinson suggested that they go into a wooded area nearby under the guise of looking for a place to engage in a sex act. Around the same time, Robinson wrote separately to his girlfriend that he “might shoot this boy” because of his sexual orientation.
Robinson and M.S. entered a wooded area nearby. M.S. changed his mind and turned to leave the woods, but Robinson pulled out his pistol and fired repeatedly at M.S. M.S. was able to get up and onto a sidewalk in front of the woods. He moved along the sidewalk until he eventually collapsed in front of a nearby apartment building. A bystander called 911, and police officers and emergency medical services responded. M.S. was transported to a local hospital, where he was deemed to be in critical condition.
M.S., who sustained eight gunshot wounds, survived the shooting after spending approximately two weeks in the hospital. M.S. has since suffered long-term effects of the shooting. He has undergone multiple surgeries and physical therapy and still has several bullets inside of him.
Robinson fled through the woods toward his apartment building and engaged in attempts to avoid detection or arrest. Later that day, and in the days that followed, Robinson told others that he shot M.S. because of his sexual orientation.
The FBI Kansas City Field Office and the Kansas City Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Ketchmark for the Western District of Missouri and Trial Attorneys Shan Patel and Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Sentenced to More than 12 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Bartolo Roman-Tapia, 23, of Mexico, was sentenced on April 19, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Roman-Tapia to 151 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison he will be subject to deportation. He was also ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release.
On June 22, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant on a South Omaha apartment. Special Agents encountered Roman-Tapia locked inside the lone apartment bedroom. Within that bedroom Special Agents discovered 28 one-pound packages of methamphetamine, $18,754 in narcotics proceeds, two cellular telephones, a scale, money remitter receipts and drug payment ledger, apartment keys, and a wallet with Roman-Tapia's identification. The $18,754 was previously forfeited to the United States as proceeds from narcotics trafficking.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Meridian Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Possession of a Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. - A Meridian man was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to court documents, Patrick Terrell Lewis, Jr., 31, was found in possession of a firearm in his vehicle by officers of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office on January 7, 2021. Lewis was stopped by officers while in the parking lot of a motel on suspicion connected to an unrelated investigation. The officers smelled marijuana. One officer then checked Lewis’s vehicle and saw a marijuana grinder inside the vehicle on top of the center console. When the officer looked under the driver’s seat the officer found a 9mm pistol. Lewis has two prior felony convictions and was on probation at the time of this incident.
Lewis pled guilty on October 31, 2022 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica S. Terrill and Charles W. Kirkham prosecuted the case.
This case 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.
Massillon Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Kidnapping of 5-Year-Old Child and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
YOUNGSTOWN – Jonathan L. Stinnett, 37, of Massillon, Ohio, was sentenced on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, to 30 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson after he pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 5-year-old child and possessing child pornography. Once released from prison, Stinnett will be under court supervision for life.
According to court documents, on November 11, 2021, Stinnett, the boyfriend of the child’s babysitter, took the child during an outing with his girlfriend and the child in Massillon, Ohio. Stinnett left Massillon with the child in his vehicle, disabled his cellular phone, and avoided attempts by his girlfriend and law enforcement to contact him.
Court documents state that more than 24 hours later, law enforcement in McLean County, Illinois, received a call reporting a suspicious vehicle parked on a rural road. Sheriff’s deputies responded and found Stinnett and the child asleep in Stinnett’s vehicle. Stinnett was arrested and the child was returned to her family.
During interviews with investigators from the McLean County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stinnett admitted taking the child without her mother’s knowledge or consent. Prior to the kidnapping, Stinnett had purchased a new cellular phone and camping equipment that he planned to use as they traveled.Court documents also show that a search of Stinnett’s vehicle revealed numerous electronic storage devices. One of those devices contained approximately 229 images of child pornography. Stinnett admitted possessing and viewing those images.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jackson Township Police Department, and the McLean County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter E. Daly and Aaron P. Howell.
Massachusetts Health Care Company Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay More Than $2.5 Million for Purchasing Botox That was Packaged and Labeled for Use Only in Foreign CountriesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that Massachusetts-based medical corporation, Greater Boston Behavioral Health LLC, has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to the receipt of misbranded drugs and to pay in excess of $2.5 million in fines and forfeiture.
“Greater Boston Behavioral Health disregarded laws designed to protect patient safety,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting patients and the integrity of federal health care programs, and we will continue to use our criminal authority to ensure that health care providers play by the rules that protect the public and ensure quality of care.”
“Administering misbranded prescription drugs to patients puts their health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Fernando P. McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who jeopardize the public’s health.”
Pursuant to a criminal information filed in federal court in Boston, the United States charged Greater Boston Behavioral Health with violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. As part of the criminal resolution, Greater Boston Behavioral Health has agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor offense, to pay a criminal fine of $657,678 and to forfeit $1,929,464.
According to the criminal information, Greater Boston Behavioral Health sought out sources from which it could purchase Botox® that was packaged and labeled only for sale in the United Kingdom and other foreign countries. The label of the foreign Botox purchased by Greater Boston Behavioral Health differed from the FDA-approved label for Botox and Botox Cosmetic and lacked the designation “Rx Only” as required by the FDCA for prescription drugs. The label also typically did not include the FDA-required “black-box warning” concerning potential side-effects of Botox. Greater Boston Behavioral Health purchased foreign Botox at prices significantly below the price that Allergan and its authorized distributors charged for Botox and Botox Cosmetic that was manufactured and labeled for sale in the United States.
Doctors at Greater Boston Behavioral Health used the foreign Botox to treat patients suffering from migraine headaches and did not disclose to these patients that they purchased the drug from foreign sources or that it was not labeled for distribution in the United States.
U.S. Attorney Rollins and FDA-OCI SAC McMillan made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Looney of Rollins’ Health Care Fraud Unit handled the matter.Maryland Man Sentenced to over Three Years in Federal Prison for Purchasing and Distributing Drugs Through the DarkwebRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Vishesh Aragam Guruprasad, age 31, of Boyds, Maryland yesterday to 42 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for a drug distribution conspiracy involving the purchase and sale of drugs through darkweb marketplaces, and money laundering.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) - Washington Field Division; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Acting Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”) Washington, D.C. Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, between at least July 2016 and February 2019, Aragam conspired to distribute and possessed with the intent to distribute over two kilograms of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as MDMA. Specifically, Aragam admitted that he bought and sold illegal narcotics, including MDMA and marijuana, on various darkweb marketplaces. For example, between July 15, 2016 and June 13, 2017, Aragam sold over two kilograms of MDMA on one darkweb marketplace and from October 2018 to April 2019, Aragam completed over 1,000 transactions selling MDMA, heroin, or marijuana through another darkweb marketplace. Aragam’s darkweb customers paid for the narcotics in Bitcoin, which the darkweb marketplace would maintain until Aragam transferred to Bitcoin to a virtual currency wallet Aragam maintained. Aragam used a virtual currency exchange to broker the exchange of Bitcoin to cash.
Aragam admitted that he obtained distribution quantities of MDMA from the United Kingdom, which he sold to drug customers throughout the United States over the darkweb. Aragam had the MDMA shipped from the United Kingdom to the post office boxes of co-conspirators, who would then deliver the drugs to Aragam. As detailed in the plea agreement, Aragam also sold drugs from his residence.
As stated in his plea agreement, Aragam routed the proceeds from his sale of illegal narcotics through several accounts and converted the proceeds from Bitcoins to U.S. dollars to conceal the nature and source of the proceeds. For example, on June 30, 2017, Aragam transferred 18 Bitcoins from a darkweb marketplace to his virtual currency account at Exchange A, and a few days later, exchanged the 18 Bitcoins into U.S. dollars. Aragam transferred $41,822.05, the value of the 18 Bitcoins as of that date, to Aragam’s virtual wallet spend account at his bank, then, in a series of transactions, moved the money into other accounts Aragam controlled.
A search warrant executed at Aragam’s residence on April 4, 2019, recovered four rifles and a shotgun, more than 1,100 rounds of ammunition, 92.83 grams of MDMA, marijuana, and one gram of a mixture containing phenylethyl and fentanyl.
This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA, HSI, the IRS-CI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the ATF, and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Sarma and Leah B. Grossi, who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Maryland MS-13 Gang Leader Pleads Guilty to Participating in a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including MurderRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Brayan Alexander Torres, a/k/a “Spooky,” age 29, of Adelphi, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday, to a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to his participation in the Weedams Locos Salvatrucha clique of the MS-13 gang. Torres admitted that he was the clique’s “First Word” or leader.
On March 24, 2023, co-defendants and MS-13 members and associates Brian Samir Zelaya Mejia, a/k/a “Chispa,” age 25, of Hyattsville, Maryland and Jorge Isaac Argueta Chica, a/k/a “Timido,” age 22, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to their participation in the racketeering conspiracy, including extortion and accessory after the fact of first degree murder.
The guilty pleas were announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in Maryland and throughout the United States. In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.
As detailed in the plea agreements, from at least August 2018 through July 2021, Torres was the “First Word” or leader of Weedams Locos Salvatrucha, (WLS), an MS-13 clique operating primarily in Adelphi, Maryland. Zelaya Mejia and Argueta Chica were members of the WLS clique from at least March 2019 through July 2021.
On August 8, 2020, Torres and other WLS members, including co-defendant Franklyn Sanchez, were gathered at a park in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where they agreed to murder Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt. Sanchez was armed with a revolver and Torres handed a second revolver to another MS-13 member, instructing that person to shoot first when Victim 4 arrived. Sanchez and the other WLS member each fired multiple shots at Victim 4, who fell to the ground. Sanchez then pistol-whipped Victim 4 and stabbed him with a knife. Torres then walked over and stabbed Victim 4 with a screwdriver. Torres and other WLS members dragged Victim 4’s body to a stream and left it there. As he was leaving the woods, Sanchez noticed he was bleeding and was concerned that his DNA may have been left on the body. To prevent the discovery of DNA or other evidence and to hinder the investigation and prosecution of Victim 4’s murder, Torres called other WLS members, including Zelaya Mejia, Argueta Chica and co-defendant Agustino Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, and ordered them to bring shovels to the wooded area, where they dug a hole and buried Victim 4’s body. Victim 4’s body was later recovered with a bullet wound to the head.
On June 5, 2020, Torres also conspired with other MS-13 members to kidnap and kill a female member of the rival 18th Street gang. Torres and Rivas Rodriguez ordered subordinate members of the gang to gather at a house with firearms in preparation for the murder, while another MS-13 associate was at a separate location with Victim 5. The group of MS-13 subordinates gathered with guns and were preparing to follow their orders, when police arrived on scene and interrupted the plan.
Torres admitted that he directed the collection of extortion payments, or “rents,” from at least two extortion victims on behalf of WLS. Torres, Zelaya Mejia, Argueta Chica, Rivas Rodriguez, co-defendant Hernan Yanes-Rivera and others collected the rents, knowing that the victims making extortion payments did so under the threat of death or bodily injury by members of WLS. For example, gang members used baseball bats to impose rents and sometimes collected rent while flashing firearms or otherwise making it known that they were carrying weapons.
Finally, Torres participated in money laundering by transferring gang funds obtained through its extortion activities to MS-13 members and associates in El Salvador. As detailed in the plea agreement, Torres also accepted a delivery of rent payments that had just been collected from three brothels by a WLS member, with the intent to use the funds to promote MS-13’s illegal activities, including extortion.
The government and the defendants have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea, Torres will be sentenced to 28 years in federal prison and Zelaya Mejia and Argueta Chica will each be sentenced to six years in federal prison. Torres will also be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 4’s estate. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Torres on August 31, 2023; and for Zelaya Mejia and Argueta Chica on July 11, 2023 and July 21, 2023, respectively.
Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, a/k/a “Delinquente,” age 26, of Adelphi, Maryland; Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” age 22, of Adelphi, Maryland; and Agustino Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering conspiracy. If the Court accepts the guilty pleas, Sanchez will be sentenced to 28 years in federal prison, Yanes-Rivera will be sentenced to 22 years in federal prison and Rivas Rodriguez will be sentenced to 16 years in federal prison. Judge Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Sanchez on May 19, 2023, for Rivas Rodriguez on July 21, 2028, and for Yanes-Rivera on July 28, 2023.
Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Barron and Assistant Attorney General Polite commended the FBI, HSI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Montgomery County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo, and Trial Attorneys Brendan Woods and Christopher Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn.
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Man Who Lured Children into Sex via Snapchat Sentenced to 33 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A San Angelo man who used Snapchat to lure teenage girls into sexual encounters was sentenced to 33 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Esiah Cruz Castillo, 23, was indicted in October 2022. He pleaded guilty in December to enticement of minors and was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who ordered the defendant be subject to 30 years of supervised release following his 30 year sentence.
“HSI will spare no resource in protecting children from sexual predators,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “A deviant can no longer lurk behind social media applications seeking new victims once he is behind bars.”
In plea papers, Mr. Castillo admitted that he used Snapchat to connect with a 14-year-old child and convince her to sneak out of the house. He admitted that on Sept. 15, 2021, he took her to a remote storage facility, plied her with alcohol, and sexually assaulted her.
After the sexual assault, Homeland Security Investigations agents assumed the child’s identity on Snapchat and continued the correspondence with Mr. Castillo, who used the handle “Mik_Chap.” A few weeks later, Mr. Castillo once again urged the child to leave school and meet him at a gas station for sex, warning her that it might hurt. Agents, posing as the child, agreed. The arrested Mr. Castillo at the agreed-upon gas station.
En route to the processing facility, Mr. Castillo spontaneously stated that he was “really sorry.” He asked if “anyone was going to find out about this” and whether he could “delete” his social media. In an interview with law enforcement, he admitted to sexually assaulting at least four other children under the age of 15, including a 13-year-old. He stated he had sex with minor females because it was “easy.” Agents interviewed the children, who corroborated Mr. Castillo’s account.
At his sentencing hearing, prosecutors revealed that law enforcement had identified a total of seven minor victims.
Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office and the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office in San Angelo conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Tusing prosecuted the case.
Man Admits Robbing ATM Workers in St. Louis CountyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man on Thursday admitted stealing a bag of cash from workers servicing an ATM in St. Louis County, Missouri.
Mark Anthony Diggs, 21, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey to one robbery charge and one count of possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Diggs admitted robbing two employees of ATM Solutions on May 31, 2022 as they were servicing an ATM machine at a Vantage Credit Union. Diggs emerged from the back seat of a white Kia Optima, armed with a fully-automatic Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 firearm and demanded that an employee throw him a bag of cash. The robbery was captured on video.
A Missouri Highway Patrol trooper found the money bag, and Diggs’ DNA was later found on paper inside it. A search of Diggs’ home on July 14 found clothing identical to items worn by the robber.
“It did not take long to identify Mark Diggs as a suspect,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St. Louis Division. “When it comes to violent federal crime, the FBI will surge resources to bring perpetrators to justice. In this case, video cameras that are always watching were key to solving the case.”
Diggs is scheduled to be sentenced July 18. The robbery charge carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine or both. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum term of seven years consecutive to any other charge.
The St. Louis County Police Department, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane is prosecuting the case.
Local Dentist and Hygienist Charged with Offenses Related to Healthcare Fraud and False Claims to D.C. MedicaidRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON– A local dentist and dental hygienist, at a dental clinic in the District of Columbia, are charged in an indictment with conspiracy and other charges related to health care fraud.
Dr. Steven A. Price, 66, of the District of Columbia, and Keidi C. Moore, 37, of Temple Hills, Maryland, were presented yesterday after the indictment was unsealed charging them with conspiracy, health care fraud, false statements related to a health care fraud matter, and wire fraud. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking all proceeds of the alleged crimes.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia, and Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon, of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
According to the indictment, Price operated a dental practice, The Washington Smile Center, in the District of Columbia, where Moore was employed as a dental hygienist. The indictment alleges that, beginning on or about January 1, 2017, and continuing through on or about March 22, 2022, Price and Moore conspired to defraud D.C. Medicaid by filing or causing to be filed false claims for dental services that were not provided to D.C. Medicaid beneficiaries. As part of the scheme, according to the indictment, Price and Moore caused multiple claims for two CDT codes (clinical crown lengthening and space maintainers) to be submitted to D.C. Medicaid, totaling more than $4 million, In some instances, patients were alleged to have been provided more than 30 clinical crown lengthening procedures and more than 20 space maintainers during the relevant period.
Conspiracy and wire fraud charges carry statutory maximum of 20 years in prison. The health care fraud charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison, and the charge of false statements relating to a health care matter carries a statutory maximum of five years. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence for federal offenses is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Office of the Inspector General for the District of Columbia - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne McNamara.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lebanon Man Charged with ExtortionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that John Zayas, age 34, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information on April 7, 2023, with extortion by interstate communication.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between September 5, 2022 and October 20, 2022, in Lebanon County, Zayas attempted to extort money from a victim, through communications containing threats to injure the reputation of the victim.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the extortion offense charged in the information is imprisonment for two years, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged by information are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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