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Thursday 16 February 2023
Trotwood man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine crimesRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – Rasean J. Piner, 35, of Trotwood, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 151 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute bulk amounts of narcotics.
Piner admitted in a May 2022 plea agreement to possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to court documents, in May 2021, Dayton police officers executed a search warrant at Piner’s residence on Patrick Street in Trotwood. They discovered drug paraphernalia and processing equipment in the kitchen and a firearm in the primary bedroom.
In total, officers seized more than 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 842 grams of cocaine and approximately 42 grams of fentanyl.
Investigators also discovered more than $8,000 in cash, some of which was hidden in the bathroom wall.
Piner was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2021.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal and members of the FBI’s Southern Ohio Safe Streets Task Force announced the sentence imposed on Feb. 15 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case.
This investigation was conducted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Through the violent-crime reduction program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works 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.
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Tampa Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria (34, Tampa) to two years and six months in federal prison for wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent receipt of Covid-19 funds. The court also ordered Gutierrez Echeverria to forfeit $149,900, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Gutierrez Echeverria had pleaded guilty on August 11, 2022.
According to court documents, in July 2020, Gutierrez Echeverria falsely and fraudulently claimed in a federal application for Covid-19 funding that he was the sole proprietor of a business suffering an economic injury due to the Covid-19 pandemic when in fact Gutierrez Echeverria had no such business. He further claimed that he had no felony convictions when in fact he had two felony convictions. Gutierrez Echeverria submitted a fraudulent 2018 tax return, including a fraudulent Schedule C, in support of his application as purported proof that his claimed business was real. As a result of his false and fraudulent representations, Gutierrez Echeverria received a $149,900 loan to which he was not entitled. He spent the money on extravagant personal expenses.
“The Secret Service remains committed to holding individuals accountable that attempt to exploit taxpayer funded pandemic relief programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel of the United States Secret Service – Tampa Field Office. “The outcome of this case is the direct result of the coordination with our partners at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.
St. Paul Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on May 28, 2019, Travis Malik Galtney, 38, possessed two semiautomatic pistols and an extended magazine. He also possessed a semiautomatic pistol, with an attached high-capacity magazine, at the time of his arrest on January 8, 2020. Because Galtney has previous felony convictions in Ramsey and Olmsted Counties, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time.
Galtney pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Michael J. Davis to two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Paul Police Department and the United States Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Chelsea A. Walcker are prosecuting the case.
St. Charles County Man Who Hid Camera in Bathroom Sentenced to 16 ½ Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Thursday sentenced a St. Charles County, Missouri man who received and distributed child pornography via social media and placed a hidden camera in a bathroom to record nude minors to 16 and one-half years in federal prison.
Scott A. Falkner, 38, will also have to pay $21,000 to victims depicted in the child sexual exploitation material.
A search of the Walker's home on March 21, 2021 led to the discovery of 423 images and 91 videos containing child sexual abuse material on his cellphone, all but five of which Falkner had downloaded. Falkner admitted creating those five videos by secretly recording girls ranging in age from 10 to 17 in his bathroom.
The investigation was triggered when Falkner sent six files containing child pornography via Kik Messenger, leading to a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Falkner pleaded guilty in January to a felony charge of receiving child pornography.
“We are proud to have such strong law enforcement partnerships to be able to bring child predators like Scott Falkner to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Unfortunately, exploitation of children is so despicably prolific, the FBI relies on task forces where local law enforcement officers are deputized as special federal officers to help address such crimes.”
The case was investigated by the St. Charles County Cyber Crime Task Force and Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children in partnership with the FBI St. Louis Child Exploitation Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to CarjackingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on February 14, 2023, defendant WILLIAM NELSON, age 21, a resident of South Carolina, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey to committing a carjacking in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 2, 2022.
In Count 1 of the indictment, NELSON is charged with a carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119. NELSON faces a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of up to 3 years supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. NELSON’S sentencing is scheduled for May 16, 2023.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit.
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Seven Defendants Charged with Million-Dollar Identity Theft and Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Daniel B. Brubaker, Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (“TIGTA”), Francis J. Russo, the Director of the New York Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), and Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI") New York, announced today the unsealing of a seven-count Complaint charging seven participants in an identity theft and fraud scheme, through which they are alleged to have stolen at least $1 million from victims’ bank accounts. Six of the seven defendants were arrested yesterday and today in Georgia, Florida, and Illinois. GILBERT HUERTAS, a/k/a “Bully,” and ANAYDA HUERTAS were presented in federal court yesterday in the Middle District of Florida. CHRISTOPHER PEEPLES, a/k/a “Jerry Chen,” a/k/a “Reginald Griffin,” a/k/a “Charles Richardson,” a/k/a “Robert Wolff,” and MALCOLM REASONOVER, a/k/a “Uncle,” were presented in federal court yesterday in the Northern District of Illinois, and DEMETRIUS TORRY, a/k/a “Meechie,” will be presented today in the Northern District of Illinois. KHALIL BEY-MUHAMMAD will be presented today in federal court in the Northern District of Georgia. GERALD LEE, a/k/a “Pimp,” remains at large.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “These defendants allegedly developed a sophisticated scheme to steal money from innocent victims’ bank accounts. The defendants allegedly stole victims’ identities, hijacked their bank accounts and cellphones, brazenly impersonated them at bank branches throughout the country, and drained their accounts. Thanks to our partners at USPIS, TIGTA, CBP, and HSI, the defendants’ alleged crimes have been brought to a halt.”
USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said: “Peeples allegedly led a crew that perpetrated a complex, multi-state fraudulent scheme that involved identity theft and bank account takeovers. But today, Peeples and the alleged actions of his co-conspirators are leading them all straight to federal court. These alleged criminals are charged with draining their victims’ accounts of a fortune. In some cases, allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars at a time. As part of the charged scheme, Peeples and his crew allegedly stole the identities of unknowing third parties, to hide their crimes behind the good names of their victims. In total, they allegedly caused at least a $1 million loss, to first the individual victims, and then the banking industry. We hope all the fraudsters out there are listening: if you plan to commit identity theft and bank fraud, Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners will use every resource at our disposal to investigate you and bring you to justice – and we are very good at it.”
TIGTA Treasury Inspector General J. Russell George said: “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is committed to aggressively pursuing those individuals who use Internal Revenue Service systems to facilitate their fraudulent activity. Fraudulent schemes such as this undermine the integrity of tax administration. We would like to thank the United States Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership in the pursuit of justice.”
CBP Director Francis J. Russo said: “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proud to have contributed to this ongoing investigation that resulted in the takedown of an elaborate conspiracy to defraud innocent victims. CBP will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to uncover and dismantle nefarious criminal networks that seek to defraud innocent victims for illicit gain.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: "As technology has advanced and become part of our everyday lives, fraudsters too have evolved with the times. Instances of internet based identity theft are on the rise and criminal organizations falsely operate under the impression that they are immune from prosecution. These arrests should send a clear message that HSI and our partners will continue to work tirelessly to identify these fraud crews no matter where they may be located and aggressively pursue justice for innocent victims.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint:[1]
Since in or about 2020, law enforcement has been investigating a fraud crew (the “Crew”) led by CHRISTOPHER PEEPLES and whose members also include KHALIL BEY-MUHAMMAD, GERALD LEE, MALCOLM REASONOVER, DEMETRIUS TORRY, GILBERT HUERTAS, and ANAYDA HUERTAS.
From at least 2020 up to and including at least 2022, CHRISTOPHER PEEPLES, and/or KHALIL BEY-MUHAMMAD, purchased or otherwise obtained, through the Internet, personally identifiable and financial information belonging to victims of their scheme. Such information would generally include victims’ names, dates of birth, home addresses, social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank account information (sometimes including passwords), and phone numbers (the “Stolen Information”).
Once PEEPLES and/or BEY-MUHAMMAD obtained Stolen Information for a victim, they would provide that information to co-conspirators responsible for forging identification documents (the “ID Forgers”). Using the Stolen Information, the ID Forgers would manufacture a counterfeit driver’s license and sometimes a secondary form of false identification (each a “Fake ID”) in the victim’s identity. If the Fake ID was a form of photo identification, it would bear the photograph of one of the Crew’s members, typically LEE, REASONOVER, or ANAYDA HUERTAS.
In some cases, the Crew would take over the victim’s phone number through a “SIM swap” fraud — that is, by tricking the victim’s cellphone service provider to switch service for the victim’s cellphone number to a SIM card or cellphone controlled by the Crew. Members of the Crew would either impersonate the victim and claim that the victim’s existing cellphone had been lost or would enlist the assistance of corrupt cellphone store employees who would agree to process the SIM swap in exchange for payment. The purpose of the SIM swap was to take control of the victim’s cellphone number in order to gain access to the victim’s bank accounts — for example, to receive two-factor authentication or security text messages intended for the victim.
In some cases, the Crew would use the Stolen Information to log into victims’ online banking profiles, create new accounts in a victim’s name at the banks, and transfer funds from a victim’s existing accounts to the newly created accounts. The purpose of doing so was to divide the victims’ funds among as many bank accounts as possible and steal those funds through smaller withdrawals, which would be less likely to attract scrutiny from individual bank tellers processing single withdrawals in a single account.
Following the preparatory steps described above, the Crew would fly to a city in the United States to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ accounts over a period of days. During these trips, a Crew member (the “Runner”) would enter different bank locations impersonating a particular victim. The Runner would bring Fake IDs in the victim’s identity (and bearing a photograph of the Runner). At the teller window, the Runner would request a withdrawal, typically for less than $5,000 at a time to avoid triggering heightened bank scrutiny. In cases in which the Crew also obtained a “SIM-swapped” cellphone, that cellphone could also be used to intercept and impersonate the victim in response to the bank’s identification verification procedures. After a successful withdrawal, the Runner — and any Crew members participating in that trip — would drive to another bank branch location nearby to repeat the process until the victim’s bank accounts were substantially drained of funds. On a given trip, the Crew typically targeted multiple different victims’ accounts and typically stole tens of thousands of dollars or more.
The Crew has stolen at least approximately $1 million from bank accounts belonging to victims.
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PEEPLES, 33, of Chicago, Illinois, BEY-MUHAMMAD, 25, of Oswego, Illinois, LEE, 64, of New York, New York, REASONOVER, 56, of Chicago, Illinois, TORRY, 33, of Chicago, Illinois, GILBERT HUERTAS, 28, of Tampa, Florida, and ANAYDA HUERTAS, 51, of Tampa, Florida, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one or more counts of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS, TIGTA, CBP, and Special Agents and Analysts of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Williams also thanked the HSI New York Darkweb and Cryptocurrency Task Force for their assistance in this matter.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Matthew R. Shahabian, and Justin Horton are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Savage Life Boys Gang Members Found Guilty of Racketeering ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – A federal jury convicted Davenport men, Najawaun Marcus Quinn, 26, and Dimetri Alexander Smith, 30, yesterday following a 7-day jury trial for racketeering related charges. Quinn was convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Using and Carrying a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Smith was convicted of two counts of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering and two counts of Using and Carrying a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2016 and 2017, as members of Savage Life Boys (SLB), a Davenport-based street gang, Quinn and Smith were involved in multiple shootings, including at a residence on the 5400 block of North Division Street in October 2016, at the NorthPark Mall in January 2017, and at Centennial Park in April 2017. These shootings were due to a feud with a rival gang and responses to perceived disrespect to the SLB gang.
Quinn and Smith were also involved in a February 2017 homicide at the Hotel Davenport for which Darion Gardner, 27, of Davenport, another SLB member, pleaded guilty to racketeering related charges and was sentenced to 450 months in prison.
Quinn and Smith committed these acts with the intent to maintain or increase position in the SLB gang.
Quinn and Smith will be sentenced at a later date.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal stated “We will continue to pursue and aggressively prosecute those individuals and groups of individuals that choose to commit violent crimes. This investigation, trial and hard work of our partners at the Davenport Police Department exemplifies our joint commitment to using every tool available to combat gun violence and protect the communities we serve.”
Davenport Police Chief Jeffery E. Bladel said “The tremendous work of our investigators and federal partners delivered justice for those impacted by these violent crimes. This case demonstrates the outstanding partnership and collaboration between federal prosecutors and local law enforcement that is vital to keeping our community safe. The Davenport Police Department is dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our community and bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice.”
Rushville Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine DealingRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Jacqueline Anderson, 37, of Rushville, Indiana, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
According to court documents, on May 6, 2021, Rush County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped Jacqueline Anderson after observing a traffic violation. As officers were running Anderson’s information through their database, a K9 officer indicated the presence of drugs in Anderson’s Chevy Blazer. Deputies asked Anderson to remove the keys that were around her neck. Attached to the keys were brass knuckles and a zipper pouch containing methamphetamine.
Deputies searched the vehicle and located numerous sealed bags of pure methamphetamine on the rear passenger floorboard. Deputies also located two scales in the vehicle. In all, Anderson possessed approximately 267 grams of pure methamphetamine and intended to distribute the drugs to others.
In 2017, Anderson was convicted of Arson, a serious violent felony, in Henry County, Indiana.
The sentence was announced by said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Indianapolis Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Rush County Sheriff Allan Rice.
“Methamphetamine dealers like this defendant fuel the scourge of substance abuse disorders and drug poisonings afflicting our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “The serious federal prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that law enforcement agencies will hold criminals accountable for pushing deadly drugs in our neighborhoods. We will continue to work with our excellent partners in the Rush County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA to make our communities safer.”
“The sentencing of Ms. Anderson was justified. Individuals who deal large quantities of debilitating drugs such as methamphetamine must be held accountable for their actions,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon. “DEA remains committed to working hand in hand with our state and local partners to keep our communities safe. DEA commends the outstanding work by the Rush County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Attorney’s Office during the course of this investigation.”
The DEA and Rush County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Anderson be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following her release from federal prison, and be subject to a $500.00 fine.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Patrick G. Gibson, who prosecuted this case.
Rochester Man Indicted for Attempting to Fraudulently Obtain More Than $1 Million in CARES Act FundsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Heath Gauthier, 46, of Rochester, New Hampshire, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday and charged with multiple counts of wire fraud, attempted wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
Gauthier was arrested this morning and has been temporally detained pending trial.
The indictment alleges that, between February 2020 and March 2021, Gauthier fraudulently applied for more than a dozen loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. Congress had authorized the PPP and EIDL relief programs to help the millions of Americans and many small businesses adversely affected by the early stages of the COVID pandemic. PPP loans were issued by private lenders but fully guaranteed by the government, and EIDL funds were issued by the Small Business Administration.
According to the indictment, Gauthier applied for loans for non-existent companies and used the identities of deceased individuals in his applications, listing them in some applications as owners or employees of the fictitious companies. He also submitted false documents, including fabricated tax documents and counterfeit driver’s licenses, in support of the applications. In total the indictment alleges that Gauthier applied for more than $1 million in CARES Act loan funds.
The charges in the indictment are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Readout of Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco’s Trip to LondonRead the Press Release
Deputy Attorney General (Deputy AG) Lisa Monaco traveled to London this week to reaffirm and build upon the strong partnership between the United States and Great Britain in countering threats to our national security.
On Wednesday, the Deputy AG met with Permanent Home Secretary Matthew Rycroft to continue the strong working relationship between the Home Office and the Justice Department and to establish a new high-level forum to identify and address emerging threats. Senior representatives from both offices will convene the forum around key law enforcement areas to develop strategies that reflect the combined expertise, strengths and capabilities of U.S. and U.K. authorities.
That evening, Ambassador Jane Hartley hosted a reception in honor of the Deputy AG’s visit and to celebrate the collaboration between the U.S. and U.K. on the Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs Task Force. As the one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine approaches, the Deputy AG delivered remarks reaffirming the commitment of the two nations to stand together with the people of Ukraine and to enforce the global sanctions levied against Russia.
On Thursday, at Chatham House, the Deputy AG joined two counterparts from her former role as Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor — former British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott and former British Deputy National Security Advisor Paddy McGuinness — to discuss how autocratic governments are acquiring and abusing disruptive technologies to project power and engage in illicit activity and how the U.S. and U.K. can collaborate to combat these trends.
In her remarks at Chatham House, the Deputy AG announced the launch of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a collaboration of U.S. law enforcement – led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce – bringing together top experts to attack tomorrow’s national security threats today. The Strike Force will employ intelligence and data analytics to target illicit actors, harden supply chains, and protect critical technological assets. “Our goal is simple but essential,” she said, “to strike back against adversaries trying to siphon off our most advanced technology.” Read her full remarks here.
While in London, the Deputy Attorney General also met with Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Collins and the Deputy Director of MI5 to thank them for their continued partnership on a host of national security issues facing the two countries – particularly the challenges posed by hostile nation states. She also visited the American Embassy for a briefing with U.S. officials on their work in-country and to thank them for their dedicated public service.
On Thursday evening, Deputy AG Monaco departed London for Munich, Germany, where she will participate in the Munich Security Conference and the Munich Cyber Security Conference.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (right) with Former British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott (left) and Former British Deputy National Security Advisor Paddy McGuinness (center) Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (center) with Former British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott (right) and Former British Deputy National Security Advisor Paddy McGuinness (left) Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (right) with Permanent Home Secretary Matthew Rycroft (left) Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (center) with U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Jane Hartley (left) and Permanent Home Secretary Matthew Rycroft (right)Queens Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Unlawfully Transporting AliensRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Eddie Galicia-Bravo, age 28, of Elmhurst, New York, pled guilty and was sentenced today to time served for unlawfully transporting two aliens.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, made the announcement.
Galicia-Bravo admitted that on September 25, 2022, he drove from New York City to the vicinity of Churubusco, New York, to pick up two Mexican citizens who had recently illegally crossed the international border from Canada into the United States. Galicia-Bravo also admitted that he planned to drive the two people to New York City.
The United States Border Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted the case.
Pottawattamie County Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Cornelius Lavaughn David, age 35, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced on February 15, 2023, to 30 months in prison following his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. After he is released from prison, David will serve three years of supervised release.
In January 2022, David possessed and sold a firearm that was reported stolen. Prior to possessing the firearm, David was convicted of a felony which prohibited him from possessing firearms.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Omaha Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Pottawattamie County Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Alan Scott Lawton, age 42, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced on February 15, 2023, to 66 months in prison following his plea of guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. After he is released from prison, Lawton will serve three years of supervised release.
On June 8, 2022, a law enforcement observed Lawton putting items in a storage unit. Lawton fled in his Jeep and drove through a security fence, then took off on foot. After a short chase, he was apprehended. Along Lawton’s flight path, law enforcement located a loaded pistol that had been reported stolen.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Plaquemines Parish Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CALLEIGH AMOS, age 30, a resident of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 9, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, AMOS was involved in a narcotics distribution conspiracy with several other co-conspirators between June 8, 2020, and June 5, 2021. As part of the conspiracy, AMOS regularly distributed amounts of methamphetamine.
AMOS faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Child for SexRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 25 years’ incarceration and lifetime supervised release on his conviction for four counts related to the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Wayne Edward McNutt, age 58.
According to information presented to the court, from Feb. 25, 2021 until July 26, 2021, McNutt communicated with an individual whom he believed had a child available for sexual activity. In reality, McNutt was communicating with law enforcement agents acting in an undercover capacity to investigate the online sexual exploitation of children. During the communications, McNutt made plans to meet the purported child for sex and solicited advice from the child’s purported guardian about how to make the child trust him and feel comfortable during McNutt’s intended sexual abuse of the child. On two occasions, McNutt sent to the undercover agent images and a video depicting child sexual abuse. Ultimately, McNutt sent money for the purported child and the child’s guardian to travel from another state to Pittsburgh, where McNutt had booked a hotel room for all of them. McNutt was arrested by law enforcement on July 26, 2021, when he arrived to meet the purported child at the hotel that he had reserved. McNutt also possessed a cell phone that contained additional videos of minors, including prepubescent minors, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
At the time of his arrest, McNutt was on Pennsylvania state probation for a 2012 conviction for the aggravated indecent assault of a child. In imposing sentence, Judge Conti stated that lifetime supervised release was necessary to protect the community from McNutt’s very serious and repetitive criminal conduct.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the FBI Albany Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, and the FBI Albany Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force for conducting the investigation that led to the prosecution of McNutt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Phoenix Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of 12-Year-Old from Spokane AreaRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – On February 16, 2023, United States District Court Judge Thomas O.
Rice sentenced Miguel Antonio Mondaca, 25, of Phoenix, Arizona, to 360 months in federal
prison following a jury’s guilty verdicts on charges of Child Sex Trafficking, Online Enticement,
and Child Pornography Production and Receipt. Describing Mondaca’s victimization of a 12-
year-old girl in the Spokane area as “egregious,” Judge Rice also imposed a lifetime of federal
supervision upon Mondaca’s release from custody, and awarded the victim $30,000 in restitution
for therapy.According to court documents and proceedings, Mondaca, who lived in Phoenix, communicated
in extremely graphic sexual ways with his minor victim, who was in the Spokane area. After
learning her true name and the fact that she was a minor, Mondaca convinced his victim to
disclose exactly where she lived, and created a detailed plan to kidnap her from her home in
order to rape and traffic her. He explained to her exactly how child sex trafficking “works,”
telling her that he would advertise her online to “customers” for sex and then take her to a “spot”
and leave her there to be sexually assaulted.In connection with his plans, Mondaca bought a plane ticket from Phoenix to Spokane, posted
images of his itinerary online, and told his minor victim that he was coming to kidnap and rape
her on the specific dates of his planned travel. When officers with the Washington State Patrol
and Homeland Security Investigations learned that Mondaca had purchased the plane ticket to
travel to Spokane, they sought a nationwide extraditable warrant for his arrest. Officers in
Spokane worked closely with their law enforcement colleagues in Phoenix to obtain and execute
search warrants for Mondaca’s residence. In his digital devices, officers recovered the images
and communications he had solicited from his primary victim. They also discovered a large
collection of other child pornography images that Mondaca had downloaded from the Internet,
including images depicting bestiality, the sexual abuse of toddlers, and other sexual violations of
children.“As a parent, I am chilled by the manipulative and exploitative conduct for which Mr. Mondaca
has now been convicted by a jury and sentenced by the Court,” said United States Attorney
Vanessa R. Waldref. “My office takes sexual exploitation extremely seriously, whether online or
in-person. Children in the Eastern District and elsewhere deserve to live in a world free from
sexual predators. Today’s significant sentence will protect our community, and send a message
to those who seek to harm children: justice is coming.”U.S. Attorney Waldref also praised the collaborative efforts of state, local, and federal law
enforcement. “This investigation was successful because of the incredibly diligent teamwork of
Washington State Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations, with assists from the Phoenix
Police Department and numerous other law enforcement agencies. I commend Assistant United
States Attorneys Alison Gregoire and Ann Wick, who tried the case to the jury with
professionalism and sensitivity for the victim and her family. I also commend Assistant United
States Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator David Herzog, who presented the
indictment to the grand jury and handled today’s sentencing on behalf of the United States.
Finally, I sincerely thank Jolene Jones and Petra Frandsen, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s victim
witness specialists, for their tireless work on behalf of the victims of crime, in this case and so
many others.”The case was investigated by Washington State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and
the Phoenix Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Alison Gregoire, Ann Wick,
and David Herzog represented the United States.2:21CR00130-TOR-1
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Philadelphia, Mississippi man was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
According to court documents, beginning in August 2020, and continuing to October 19, 2020, Marice Keon Boler, 29, conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in and around the Neshoba County, Mississippi area. The Court determined that Boler was responsible for the distribution of nearly 9 pounds of methamphetamine.
The case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed “Orlando Land,” which began as an operation targeting illegal drug trafficking in the Neshoba and Kemper County, Mississippi areas. “Orlando Land” is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Kemper County Sheriff’s Office, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office, Philadelphia Police Department and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Keesha Middleton.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Distributing NarcoticsRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Philadelphia, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 60 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on his conviction of distributing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Troy Jamal Jones, age 36, on February 15, 2023.
According to information presented to the court, on or about August 21, 2019, Jones did distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base. Further, on or about August 27, 2019, Jones did distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Ms. Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Safe Streets Task Force for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Jones.
North Fort Myers Man Indicted After Brandishing Gun in Crowded BarRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Terrance Paul Snow (22, North Fort Myers) with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Snow faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Snow that the United States intends to forfeit a Taurus Model 85 .38 Special revolver and 4 rounds of .38 ammunition, which are alleged to be traceable to the offense.
According to court proceedings, on January 8, 2023, Snow was at a bar in New Port Richey. After a verbal dispute with other patrons of the bar, Snow pulled a small black revolver out of his waistband and pointed it at the patrons. Officers from the New Port Richey Police Department responded to the scene and apprehended Snow a short distance from the bar. The officers located a black Taurus Model 85 .38 Special revolver hidden behind a dumpster near the location where Snow was apprehended. At the time of the incident, Snow was serving a 5-year probation term related to his prior federal felony conviction for conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. As a convicted felon, Snow is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Port Richey Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.
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.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to over Nine Years for Violating the Federal Gun Control and the Federal Controlled Substances ActsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced JACOB BANKS, age 32, of New Orleans, yesterday to 111 months in the Bureau of Prisons for violating the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to the court documents, BANKS was convicted in another federal case of being a felon in possession back in 2019 and sentenced accordingly. Only two weeks after completing that sentence, police observed BANKS in possession of a firearm during a repast for a murdered drug dealer. The police were not able to arrest BANKS then but a few weeks later found BANKS and several other men who were also felons in possession of firearms. BANKS admitted he possessed a Springfield Arms .45 caliber pistol after he had already been convicted of several felony offenses. BANKS also admitted to possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute it and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity.
Judge Africk sentenced BANKS to 111 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $300.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller of the Violent Crimes Unit.
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New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of a Firearm from a Federal Firearm LicenseeRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Ryan Woods, 33, of Concord, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to theft of a firearm from a federal firearm licensee, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Woods entered a federal firearms licensee in New Hampshire and stole a firearm and a firearm safe. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, 2023.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske.
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Monmouth County Doctor Admits Harboring Undocumented Workers from IndiaRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, doctor pleaded guilty today to harboring two undocumented women from India and failing to pay taxes on their wages, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Harsha Sahni, 66, of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens and one count of filing a false tax return.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2013 through August 2021, Sahni conspired with others to conceal and harbor two foreign nationals from India, who Sahni recruited to work for Sahni and her family in their homes in New Jersey. Sahni harbored the victims for her and her conspirators’ financial gain and paid the victims’ families in India in exchange for their labor.
Sahni caused the victims to believe that they would be arrested and deported if they interacted with law enforcement. Sahni instructed the victims to tell other people that they were related to Sahni, and Sahni used fake names and addresses in furtherance of the conspiracy. From 2013 to 2019, Sahni also failed to pay certain taxes notwithstanding that the victims were Sahni’s household employees.
As a part of the plea agreement, Sahni has agreed to pay the victims a combined $642,212 and has agreed to pay up to $200,000 towards the treatment of one of the victim’s brain aneurysm. Sahni has also agreed to pay restitution to the IRS.
The count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profits or other proceeds to Sahni, whichever is greatest. The count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso; and special agents of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Keith J. Byrne, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie H. Solano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
Mississippi Man and Woman Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Duane A. Evans announced today that JAMES “Jay” SINYARD and MARY “Gigi” SINYARD (“the SINYARDs”), residents of Brandon, Mississippi, were charged on February 14, 2023 with one count of wire fraud.
According to the charging document, the SINYARDs operated a company called VetAttend of Jackson where they purported to provide services to Veterans for home aid and assistance. The SINYARDs submitted, and caused to be submitted, fraudulent affidavits for home aid services provided, when they knew that those services were not actually provided. The affidavits were submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through the Eastern District of Louisiana. As a result of fictitious affidavits, from approximately August 2014 to approximately December 2020, the VA issued funds to over 70 veterans and/or their surviving spouses from whom VetAttend of Jackson appropriated approximately $2,136,329.68 in funds relating to false affidavits of services provided.
If convicted, the SINYARDs face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per count.
U.S. Attorney Evans stated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn McHugh.
Michigan Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Darion D. Jackson, also known as “D,” 23, of Michigan, was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 8, 2021, Jackson sold a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant at a Coal City, West Virginia, residence where Jackson was staying.
Jackson admitted to distributing that fentanyl and a separate quantity of fentanyl that he sold to another confidential informant in the Coal City area on May 27, 2021. On August 23, 2021, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle driven by Jackson. The officers found approximately 21.1 grams of fentanyl in Jackson’s vehicle. Jackson admitted that he possessed the fentanyl and planned to distribute it within the Southern District of West Virginia.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF 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. Today, 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. 5:22-cr-30.
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Michigan Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Her Tou Yang, age 42, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced on February 15, 2023, to 60 months and 1 day in prison following his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. After he is released from prison, Yang will serve two years of supervised release.
On August 15, 2021, Yang possessed approximately five pounds of marijuana and a firearm that was reported stolen and sold them to another individual in Council Bluffs. On September 9, 2021, Yang possessed and sold an AR-style rifle in Council Bluffs.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Meth trafficking sends Billings woman to prison for six yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings woman who admitted to bringing large quantities of methamphetamine from Las Vegas, Nevada, to the Miles City area for distribution was sentenced today to six years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Denise Danielle Piccione, 38, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in June 2020, agents with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation received information that Piccione was selling large amounts of meth in the Miles City area. An investigation led to a Montana Highway Patrol traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Piccione as she returned to Montana from Las Vegas. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, and officers seized 1,526 grams, or approximately 3.3 pounds, of meth. That quantity of meth is the equivalent of 11,959 doses. Piccione communicated with other co-conspirators about drug transactions and delivered meth to various locations and customers in Montana and North Dakota.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Merrill Woman Sentenced to 3 Years for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Nicole Elsholtz, 35, Merrill, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to three years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Elsholtz pleaded guilty to this charge on March 14, 2022.
The government’s investigation revealed that Elsholtz purchased large amounts of methamphetamine from co-defendant Levi Bagne between July of 2019 and June of 2020. Bagne and co-defendant Krista Sparks routinely mailed packages containing methamphetamine from Arizona to co-defendant Cory Freyermuth in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Once Bagne let her know that the methamphetamine had arrived, Elsholtz would drive to Oshkosh and get it from Freyermuth. After driving back to Merrill, Elsholtz sold the methamphetamine to a variety of customers.
Bagne, Freyermuth, and Sparks pleaded guilty to participating in this methamphetamine distribution scheme, and were sentenced by Judge Peterson to 16 years, 8 ½ years, and 2 ½ years, respectively.
The charge against Elsholtz is the result of a joint investigation by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan unit, and Merrill Police Department. The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner handled the prosecution.
Memphis Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Carjacking and Illegal Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Kedric Reese, 21, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for carjacking, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to the information presented in court, on May 24, 2021, Memphis Police Officers responded to a carjacking at River Grove apartments. The victim advised officers that while traveling in a rental car, she stopped near Warford and Jackson Avenue to send a text message, when two occupants in a white Impala drove up next to her. The men approached the car and demanded she take them to River Grove apartments.
One of the men, Kedric Reese, brandished a gun that was visible to the victim. Afraid for her safety, the victim complied with their request. When they arrived, Reese pointed the gun at the victim and made her get out of the car. As she did so, the victim yelled at Reese, "I know what you look like!" Reese then fired a shot directly at the victim.
The rental car company tracked the vehicle to a residence on Rio Lobo in Memphis, Tennessee. Reese who was in possession of the stolen car and a stolen SAR 9mm pistol, was placed into custody. The gun was loaded with 12 rounds in the magazine and 1 round in the chamber.
The victim identified Reese as the man who shot at her and stole her rental car.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Memphis Police Department.
On February 14, 2023, United States Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Reese to 157 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Manager of Key West Labor Staffing Companies Sentenced for Immigration and Employment Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Florida man was sentenced today to 96 months in prison for conspiring to harbor non-resident aliens and induce them to remain in the country and conspiring to defraud the IRS.
According to court documents, from 2016 through 2021, Oleksandr Morgunov helped operate a series of labor-staffing companies in South Florida, including Paradise Choice LLC, Paradise Choice Cleaning LLC, Tropical City Services LLC and Tropical City Group LLC. These staffing companies facilitated the employment of individuals in hotels, bars and restaurants in Key West and other locations, even though the employees were not authorized to work in the United States. Morgunov and his co-conspirators defrauded the IRS out of more than $7.9 million in employment taxes that should have been withheld and paid over in connection with the employment of these workers.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez ordered Morgunov to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $7,958,421.50 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.
The DHS Homeland Security Investigations and IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty, Trial Attorneys Jessica A. Kraft, Nicholas J. Schilling Jr., Matthew C. Hicks, Wilson Rae Stamm and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Clark of the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Man Who Posed as Teenager Online Sentenced to 30 Years in Child Pornography CaseRead the Press Release
A 24-year-old man who posed as a high school student to recruit victims on social media was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison for child sexual exploitation, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Tyler Patrick Brown, now 25, of Lubbock, was charged via criminal complaint in June 2022 and indicted the following month. He pleaded guilty in September 2022 to production and attempted production of child pornography and was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who ordered a lifetime of supervised release following his sentence and ordered him to pay $25,000 to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act’s reserve fund.
According to plea papers, Mr. Brown admitted he gave multiple children gifts, money, and alcohol in exchange for sexual acts.
He told at least one of the victims, a 16-year-old girl, that he was 17 years old and went to high school online. When the girl spotted an ID that stated he was 24 years old, he claimed it was a fake. While she was under the influence of alcohol, he coerced the child into oral sex, recorded the encounter on his phone, and shared it. The child attempted to distance herself from the relationship, but Brown sent her a photo of his roommate’s gun and threatened to kill himself if she stopped seeing him.
According to court documents, Mr. Brown repeatedly referred to himself as a “sugar daddy.” When he video chatted with his victims, he seldom showed his face or obscured most of it.
In June 2022, Mr. Brown was spotted at a high school girls’ basketball game wearing a lanyard labeled “Press.” Concerned parents contacted law enforcement.
In an interview with law enforcement, Mr. Brown admitted to engaging in 14 sexual relationships with minors after he’d turned 18. At Thursday’s sentencing, it was noted that law enforcement had, in fact, identified 22 children between the ages 13 and 17 who had been victimized by Mr. Brown when he was 20 to 24 years old.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident agency, the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Lubbock Police Department conducted the investigation with the significant assistance of local law enforcement agencies who helped identify and contact the victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case.
Man Caught with Counterfeit Designer Phone Cases Heads to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a man from Fairfield to 33 months in prison after he admitted to importing more than 800 counterfeit designer phone cases from Hong Kong to resell in the U.S.
Trevor J. Edwards, 21, pled guilty to two counts of trafficking counterfeit goods. In addition to his prison sentence, he will receive three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $1,367.20 in restitution and $500 in fines.
“In two separate instances, the defendant knowingly attempted to obtain counterfeit goods in order to resell and manipulate consumers in downstate Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Reselling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime, and offenders face serious consequences.”
"Counterfeit goods traffickers like Edwards are looking to gain a profit but in reality, are committing a crime that results in American jobs lost, American business profits stolen and American consumers receiving substandard products,” said Sean Fitzgerald, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. “HSI enforcement operations into intellectual property theft protect not only the companies who have copyrighted products, but the consumers who believe they are buying legitimate goods.”
In February 2021, Customs and Border Protection seized 500 counterfeit designer cellphone cases when the shipment reached the U.S. border from Hong Kong. According to court documents, Edwards was listed on the box as the recipient. The phone cases were counterfeit Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci and retailed an estimated $212,500. Once intercepted, the government sent a receipt to Edwards to notify him of his illegal activity.
Months later in May 2021, Edwards was pulled over by law enforcement in Washington County and a search of his vehicle found 336 counterfeit designer cell phone cases, $241,000 in cash and 2,909 vape pens and cartridges containing cannabis. The phone cases retailed an estimated $101,340.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed prosecuted the case.
Madison Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jason Hall, 27, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to six years in prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Hall pleaded guilty to this charge on October 31, 2022.
The government’s investigation revealed that Hall purchased large amounts of cocaine from co-defendants Winfield Agee and Darryl McDonald in Chicago, Illinois between 2018 and 2020. After returning to Madison, Hall would sell the cocaine to a variety of customers. The investigation also revealed that Hall’s girlfriend, co-defendant Kiayla Alston, and his mother, co-defendant Nikia Cannon, actively assisted his cocaine trafficking activity.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Peterson concluded that a significant sentence was warranted because Hall was responsible for bringing a large amount of cocaine into the Madison area for a significant period of time. Judge Peterson stated that Hall “leaned into” the drug trafficking lifestyle and was motivated by the allure of easy money. Judge Peterson noted that Hall had multiple prior drug trafficking felony convictions and prior jail sentences had not deterred him from dealing drugs.
A total of eight individuals have been charged for participating in the cocaine distribution scheme. Seven individuals have pleaded guilty, including Winfield Agee, Kiayla Alston, and Nikia Cannon. The remaining defendant, Darryl McDonald, is scheduled for a plea hearing on March 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
The charge against Hall is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Madison Police Department, and the Dane County Narcotics Task Force. The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the prosecution.
Luzerne County Man Pleads Guilty to Straw Purchase of A FirearmRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dashae Simmons, age 26, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on February 15, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to the charge of making false statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Simmons admitted to providing false information regarding the purchase of a .22 caliber pistol from Dunkelberger’s Sports Outfitter, in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, on June 24, 2020. The firearm was later recovered from another individual during the commission of a crime in Newark, New Jersey.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Newark, New Jersey, Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is also 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.
Under federal law, the maximum penalty is up to ten years in prison, a term of supervised release and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Louisiana Doctor Sentenced to Four Years in Prison, Ordered to Pay More Than $800,000 to Victims in Workers’ Comp Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE — Robert Clay Smith, age 61, an Alexandria, La., physician was sentenced yesterday to 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay more than $800,000 to workers’ compensation insurers, for his role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, health care fraud, and violations of federal anti-kickback laws. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
According to court documents, from 2013 until 2017, Smith conspired with a Rogers-based company to dispense pain creams and patches to his workers’ compensation patients, for which he received a split of the profits. The company acted as the billing agent for Smith, handling all the paperwork and submitting the claims to both the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, which covers all federal employees, and to private insurers as well. In exchange, Smith admitted, the company paid him 50 to 55 percent of the profits collected from successfully billing insurers, at markups of 15 to 20 times what the medications cost.
In addition to receiving illegal kickbacks, Smith did not have a license to dispense medications from his clinic, required under Louisiana law, but nonetheless dispensed the medications to his workers’ compensation patients from his clinic.
Smith’s role in the scheme was found to have caused $1,476,383.47 in losses to workers’ compensation insurers, and Smith was ordered to repay $827,083.40 to identified victims.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Louisiana Department of Justice, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hunter Bridges and Steven Mohlhenrich prosecuted the case for the United States.
Life After Prison Fraught with Pitfalls for Returning CitizensRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida recently held a Re-Entry Simulation at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce to give community stakeholders a better idea of what former prisoners face when attempting to reintegrate into society.
Each participant was given a folder to review, which gave them an idea of what they’d face after being released from prison. They had to navigate a set-up that included paying utilities, housing, banking, and supervision obligations, among others.
“This will be unlike any training you’ve experienced,” said Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section Chief J.D. Smith. “I went through it twice and it was punishment both times. You’re going to get various types of customer service. Not everyone is going to be helpful.”
Approximately 60 participants filled the auditorium. Training was broken down into four 20-minute sessions with each one representing one week in the life of a returning citizen. By the end of the first session, more than 40 participants were in “jail” for failing to complete certain tasks such as finding a job or a place to live.
“Oh, I see,” said one participant who previously had spent time in prison. “This is intentionally confusing.”
The training is designed to test patience and give attendees an idea of what it’s like to begin anew. It can be frustrating and real life is no different.
Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger, Fort Pierce Office, was an attendee and her assigned situation was particularly hard to navigate.
“I played the role of a young mother previously convicted of trafficking narcotics,” she said. “I had a part-time job and several times I tested positive on my urinalysis. It was frustrating, chaotic, and hopeless at times. I was returned to jail three times before I got it right.”
More than 2 million people are incarcerated in the U.S. According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than eight out of every 10 youth offenders are arrested again within five years and 70 percent of all prisoners released in 2012 were arrested within five years.
“We make returning citizens jump over so many hurdles when they leave prison,” said Smith, “and then we wonder why they reoffend.”
Lack of employment can be a big trigger when it comes to reoffending. However, the easier it is for returning citizens to reintegrate, the more likely they are to become productive. When there’s a dead-end at every turn, it can feel like a “normal” life just isn’t worth it.
Society doesn’t do returning citizens any favors. Many are released from prison without a form of identification, which puts them behind the eight ball. Smith has railed against this for years.
“We preach about these lessons but getting folks to listen is the hard part,” he said. “Every time we hold one of these events people say they are going to change things but it doesn’t happen. Be the change you’d like to see. Make a difference.”
Lack of an ID is just one issue that hinders progress. According to Smith, returning citizens should be equipped with a list of service providers in the community to help them find health care, temporary housing, and other re-entry services.
“By not doing that, we’re doing ourselves a disservice because returning citizens are in our communities,” said Smith. “We should want them to do well. Imagine if a returning citizen in your community reoffends and causes harm to one of your family members. This really happens. We need to remove barriers to success … not put more in place.”
Barbara Galloway, a re-entry program facilitator with a Fort Pierce law office, understands the challenges facing returning citizens. She participated in the event at the counseling station and saw the frustrations participants had when things didn’t go right.
“Those with no experience with this were very upset when negative things—like being five minutes late for an appointment—happened,” she said. “I’d like to see more upper management go through this training … people who can influence change. Many don’t realize how difficult it is to work the system.”
One thing that can help is for organizations to partner with other community service providers to form a larger voice.
“Have meetings with like-minded people in city government, state government, and the judicial branch,” said Smith. “Work as a team to make it happen.”
Until then, Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section staff will continue to bring this training to various areas within the footprint of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This was the first re-entry training held in Fort Pierce.
“It was important to bring this to Fort Pierce so our stakeholders could experience a month in the life of a returning citizen,” said Lineberger. “It exposed the need for more planning and resource coordination before returning citizens are released. It really got the community talking about how best to reform re-entry in a positive way.”
Lebanon Woman Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison in Connection with Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. –United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced that Heather Dubeau, 38, previously of Lebanon, was sentenced to 40 months of imprisonment today following her conviction for participating in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to ship methamphetamine from Arizona to New Hampshire. In May of 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) agents were alerted to suspicious parcels sent from Dubeau and co-defendant Gary Sewell in Arizona to two different addresses in New Hampshire. Investigators obtained a warrant to open the packages and found that one contained over 336 grams of methamphetamine and the other contained over 665 grams of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was intended for further distribution.
All of Dubeau’s co-defendants previously pleaded guilty. Andrew Hutchins pleaded guilty on May 5, 2022, and was sentenced on August 30, 2022. Sewell pleaded guilty on May 5, 2022, and was sentenced on February 7, 2023 to 72 months of imprisonment. Eli Margolis pleaded guilty on May 27, 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2023. Chad Rombow pleaded guilty on January 26, 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 21, 2023. Dylan Miles pleaded guilty on February 15, 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24, 2023.
“This investigation demonstrates the efforts we will take to address the public safety issues presented by the distribution of methamphetamine into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who traffic methamphetamine into New Hampshire.”
“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Today’s sentence not only holds Ms. Dubeau accountable for her crimes but serves as a warning to those who attempt to bring this poison to the Granite State. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anna Krasinski.
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Lawrence Man Found Guilty of Fentanyl Trafficking by Federal JuryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man has been convicted by a federal jury in Boston of fentanyl trafficking.
Manuel Santana Vizcaino, a/k/a “Dave,” 38, was convicted on Feb. 11, 2023 of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for May 10, 2023. Santana Vizcaino was charged along with his brother, Santo Santana Vizcaino, in October 2020 and the two were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2021.
In September 2020, Manuel Santana Vizcaino arranged for the distribution of more than a half kilogram of fentanyl to an individual. Specifically, on Sept. 3, 2020, Manuel Santana Vizcaino provided the individual with approximately 270 grams of fentanyl concealed inside a guava juice box at his apartment in Lawrence. Later, on Sept. 14, 2020, while outside the United States in the Dominican Republic, Manuel Santana Vizcaino arranged for his brother to sell the individual another 250 grams of fentanyl. Manuel Santana Vizcaino was arrested in December 2020 at Logan Airport upon returning from the Dominican Republic.
In May 2022, Santo Santana Vizcaino was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to the same charges in January 2022.
The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Customs and Border Protection; Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Massachusetts State Police; and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip C. Cheng and Lucy Sun of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
Las Vegas Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas tax preparer pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns.
Maria Magdalena Mendoza (51) pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false income tax returns. U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware scheduled sentencing for May 18, 2023.
According to court documents, from at least 2007 to 2017, Mendoza worked as a tax preparer and owned tax preparation businesses “Taxes & More” and “Taxs y Mas.” She used false or inflated deductions and credits on tax returns filed on behalf of her clients. Additionally, she used her clients’ personal identifying information to falsely obtain a larger refund on her own tax returns. Mendoza prepared more than 700 tax returns that claimed more than $3 million in refunds from the IRS. She caused more than $1.2 million in tax loss.
The maximum statutory penalty is three years in prison per count, a term of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress for the IRS Criminal Investigation made the announcement.
The IRS CI and the Treasury Inspector General’s Office for Tax Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale is prosecuting the case.
If you have information about an individual or a business you suspect of tax fraud, you can submit a report to the IRS at: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-you-report-suspected-tax-fraud-activity.
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Lame Deer man admits sexually abusing girl on Northern Cheyenne Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man today admitted to sexually abusing a child in 2015 on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jordan Joseph Backer, 26, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact. Backer faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. Backer was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged that in 2021, law enforcement received a cybertip from Facebook that indicated an account associated with Backer had an image of suspected sexual abuse of a child, resembling Jane Doe. Law enforcement responded to Backer’s residence but were unable to make any determinations about the child’s identity or what had happened. In September 2022, Jane Doe disclosed that Backer had sexually abused her in 2015, when she was approximately six years old and visiting family on the reservation. When interviewed, Backer admitted to sexually abusing Jane Doe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Northern Cheyenne Investigative Services.
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Killeen Career School, Director to Pay $9 Million for Defrauding Post-9/11 GI Bill ProgramRead the Press Release
WACO, Texas – ELPSS Career Institute LLC, a career school located in Killeen, and its director, Ricky J. Daniels, Jr., were ordered in federal court in Waco on Wednesday, to pay $9,024,886.99 in damages and civil penalties to the United States under the False Claims Act for defrauding the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support to members of the military, veterans, and eligible dependents who enroll in certain education programs. A non-accredited career school such as ELPSS Career Institute must operate for at least two years before it may enroll students receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. This requirement is intended to limit the payment of veterans’ benefits to established courses offered at a reasonable cost by seasoned institutions.
In October 2020, the United States filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas alleging that Daniels had falsely certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) that ELPSS Career Institute had been in operation for more than two years in order to obtain approval to enroll Post-9/11 GI Bill students. The United States alleged that Daniels formed ELPSS Career Institute less than a year before applying for approval. According to the United States, Daniels provided student files from an unaffiliated school in El Paso to the TVC when it conducted a site visit to verify the school’s dates of operation.
Following discovery, the United States moved for summary judgment under the False Claims Act, which allows the government to recover three times the amount of funds fraudulently obtained plus a civil penalty for each false claim. A magistrate judge concluded that the undisputed evidence showed that Daniels knowingly made a false certification regarding ELPSS Career Institute’s compliance with the two-year requirement; that the false certification was material to the VA’s decision to allow ELPSS Career Institute to receive tuition reimbursement for veterans receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits; and that the false certification caused the VA to disburse more than $2.3 million to the school. U.S. District Judge Alan D. Albright adopted the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation, granting the government’s motion and awarding it $9,024,886.99.
“Fraud on the Post-9/11 GI Bill threatens the integrity of education benefits provided to military veterans and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “This office is committed to holding accountable anyone who undermines the critical benefit programs that assist those who serve our country.”
“Safeguarding Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit funds reserved for deserving veterans remains a priority,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Patrick Roche of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “This judgment is a testament to the VA OIG’s commitment to working with the United States Attorney’s Office to hold accountable anyone who would defraud VA’s benefits programs.”
The VA Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham represented the United States in the lawsuit, which is captioned United States v. Daniels et al., Civil Action No. 6:20-CV-00986-ADA.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Justice and Commerce Departments Announce Creation of Disruptive Technology Strike ForceRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce are launching the Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Under the leadership of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the strike force will bring together experts throughout government – including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and 14 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in 12 metropolitan regions across the country – to target illicit actors, strengthen supply chains and protect critical technological assets from being acquired or used by nation-state adversaries.
“Today, autocrats seek tactical advantage through the acquisition, use, and abuse of America’s most innovative technology. They use it to enhance their military capabilities, support mass surveillance programs that enable human rights abuses and all together undermine our values,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Using real-time intelligence and 21st century data analytics, the Disruptive Technology Strike Force will bring together the Justice and Commerce Departments’ expertise to strike back against adversaries trying to siphon off our most advanced technology, and to attack tomorrow’s national security threats today.”
“The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security remains steadfast in our coordination with our federal partners at the Department of Justice and vigilant in our enforcement of our export controls,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “This interagency strike force will further strengthen this shared national security priority.”
“Illegally exporting sensitive technology is not an abstract economic concern — it is a crime with a direct impact on the safety of the American people,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “To be clear, adversaries are directly threatening our national security. These crimes have the potential to de-stabilize American economic security, negatively impact American businesses, and affect employment. The FBI looks forward to amplifying our collective capability to combat the threat through this strike force — a partnership that will serve as a force multiplier to the work involving each participating agency.”
The strike force will be co-led by Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security.
When acquired by nation-state adversaries such as the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea, advanced technologies can be used in new or novel ways to enhance their military capabilities or support mass surveillance programs that enable human rights abuses. End users of national security concern seek technologies, including those related to supercomputing and exascale computing, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing equipment and materials, quantum computing, and biosciences. Although they have important commercial uses, technologies in these fields can threaten U.S. national security when used by adversaries for disruptive purposes, such as improving calculations in weapons design and testing; improving the speed and accuracy of military or intelligence decision-making; and breaking or developing unbreakable encryption algorithms that protect sensitive communications and classified information.
“The Disruptive Technology Strike Force takes aim at those who imperil our national security and the rule of law by illegally transferring sensitive technologies to foreign adversaries,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen. “We must remain vigilant in enforcing export control laws, which defend military readiness, preserve our technological superiority over our adversaries, and help to protect human rights and democratic values.”
“Advances in technology have the potential to alter the world’s balance of power,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. “This strike force is designed to protect U.S. national security by preventing those sensitive technologies from being used for malign purposes.”
The strike force’s work will focus on investigating and prosecuting criminal violations of export laws; enhancing administrative enforcement of U.S. export controls; fostering partnerships with the private sector; leveraging international partnerships to coordinate law enforcement actions and disruption strategies; utilizing advanced data analytics and all-source intelligence to develop and build investigations; conducting regular trainings for field offices; and strengthening connectivity between the strike force and the Intelligence Community.
In addition to the National Security Division and the Bureau of Industry and Security, this strike force will be comprised of officials from designated U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“HSI remains committed to our interagency partners and will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the American people to ensure sensitive technologies and proprietary information do not fall into the hands of our adversaries,” said Acting Executive Associate Director Steve Francis of Homeland Security Investigations.
The strike force will operate in 12 metropolitan regions across the United States, with oversight and support from the local U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City (Southern and Eastern Districts of New York), San Jose, California, Phoenix, Portland, Oregon, and the Washington, D.C. region (District of Columbia and the Eastern District of Virginia).
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Alaska School District Concerning Discriminatory Seclusion and Restraint PracticesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today a settlement agreement with the Anchorage School District in Anchorage, Alaska, to address the discriminatory use of seclusion and restraint against students with disabilities. The settlement, which resolves the department’s investigation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), will protect students with disabilities by eliminating seclusion and prohibiting discriminatory restraints.
The department’s investigation concluded that the district repeatedly and inappropriately secluded and restrained students with disabilities in violation of Title II. Despite state law and the district’s own policy, and contrary to generally accepted practice, the district did not limit its use of restraint and seclusion to emergency situations. Rather, the district used restraint and seclusion to address noncompliant student behavior, resulting in students missing large amounts of instructional time. Additionally, some students subjected to seclusion engaged in self-harm and expressed suicidal ideation.
“When schools use seclusion and improper restraints as the default method of managing the behavior of students with disabilities, they violate the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will help safeguard the civil rights of students with disabilities and ensure that the district adheres to policies that are equity-focused, child-centered and trauma-informed. The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously investigate allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability in public schools and focus on the practice of seclusion. In districts across the country, we have seen seclusion used against students with disabilities as an improper crisis response and in ways that escalate student behavior and can lead to self-harm.”
The district fully cooperated throughout the investigation, and before the investigation was completed began to re-evaluate its practices. Under the agreement, the district will, among other steps:
- Eliminate the use of seclusion at all district schools before the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year;
- Ensure students are only restrained when their behavior poses an imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or another person, and properly document all restraints;
- Provide students who are restrained or secluded with required interventions and supports to prevent future incidents requiring such an emergency response;
- Create classroom management plans for specialized programs serving students with disabilities that will promote and reinforce positive behaviors and guide staff in employing appropriate de-escalation techniques, thereby discouraging the use of restraint;
- Ensure parents/guardians are aware they can file a complaint with the district regarding the use of restraint and seclusion;
- Deliver appropriate training to help schools implement the agreement;
- Provide counseling and compensatory education to students who were repeatedly secluded; and
- Appoint an administrator to monitor the district’s restraint practices (and seclusion until that practice is prohibited) to ensure compliance with this agreement and assist district staff in providing required interventions and supports.
Enforcement of Title II of the ADA is a priority of the Civil Rights Division. This agreement is the most recent in a series of division settlements to address and prevent unlawful seclusion and restraint of students with disabilities in public schools. On Dec. 20, 2022, for example, the division reached a settlement with the Okaloosa County School District in Florida to address the discriminatory use of seclusion and restraint against students with disabilities. The division reached similar agreements in September 2022 with the Cedar Rapids Community School District in Iowa, in December 2021 with the Frederick Public School District in Maryland and in December 2020 with the North Gibson School Corporation in Indiana.
Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the Educational Opportunities Section’s work is available at https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. To learn more about the section’s work under the ADA to combat improper seclusion in schools, visit this website: https://www.justice.gov/schoolseclusion.
Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/.
Justice Department Announces over $200 Million in Investments in State Crisis InterventionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today 49 awards to states, territories, and the District of Columbia as part of the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program. This investment of over $231 million will fund state crisis intervention court proceedings, including but not limited to, extreme risk protection order (ERPO) programs that work to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. This investment in community safety is authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, historic legislation to address and reduce gun violence.
“The Justice Department is working relentlessly to protect communities from violent crime and the gun violence that often drives it, and the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program is an important part of that effort,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These awards will support the kinds of crisis intervention programs that we know save lives and help protect children, families, and communities across the country from senseless acts of gun violence.”
“The Department of Justice’s strategy to reduce violent crime and gun violence includes prioritizing support for successful, evidence-based programs,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The grants announced today invest in and highlight proven state and local violence prevention and intervention programs, that will make our communities safer.”
“The nearly $8 million dollar grant awarded to the Michigan State Police will help to address the factors that lead to gun violence and protect our communities from being victimized by gun crime, said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “I am delighted to announce this award and remain committed to doing everything we can to reach our goal of preventing gun violence.”
These awards, administered by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), provide funding to states for the creation and implementation of extreme risk protection order programs, state crisis intervention court proceedings, and related gun violence reduction initiatives. Extreme risk protection order programs empower family members, health care providers, school officials and law enforcement officers to petition a court to temporarily prevent a person from accessing firearms if they are found to be a danger to themselves or others. Funds can also support interventions like drug, mental health and veterans’ treatment courts, gun violence recovery courts, behavior health deflection and outpatient treatment centers.
“Protecting communities from gun crime is an urgent public safety challenge and a critical part of the Justice Department’s work to ensure that everyone in this country can live free from the fear of violence,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The resources we are announcing today will give communities the tools they need to prevent firearm violence and deliver support to those who are at risk of committing or being victimized by gun crime.”
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act also seeks to ensure that extreme risk protection order laws and programs are implemented in accordance with the Constitution and provide for adequate due process protections. Projects funded under this program will need to demonstrate that they have taken measures to safeguard the constitutional rights of an individual subject to a crisis intervention program or ERPO initiative. The Justice Department has long supported state efforts to increase the use of ERPOs and in 2021 the Department released model legislation to help states create their own extreme risk protection order systems and provide for intervention before warning signs turn into tragedy.
Signed into law by President Biden in June 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is the most significant piece of federal gun safety legislation in almost three decades and comes as a response to recent mass shootings and to the far more common, but no less tragic, incidents of community gun violence. Including the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, the law allocates a total of $1.4 billion to OJP over five years to develop, implement, and sustain meaningful investments in safer communities.
“These awards will help meet two monumental public safety challenges — the alarming proliferation of gun violence in our country and the clear need for front-end interventions to slow the cycle of violence and victimization in our most underserved communities,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “The Bureau of Justice Assistance is proud to make these resources available to states as a critical part of its mission to reduce and prevent crime and to promote a fair and effective criminal justice system.”
For a full list of awards, please visit: https://data.ojp.usdoj.gov/stories/s/O-BJA-2023-171458/b5xz-as5z/. These awards are the latest effort from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs to implement this historic legislation.
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Jury Convicts Kansas Men for Violent Kidnapping in Wyandotte CountyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal jury convicted two Kansas men of kidnapping, drug, and gun charges in connection with the 2019 torture of a victim in Kansas City, Kansas.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, David Carr, 36, of Kansas City, and James Michael Poterbin, 46, of Edwardsville, supplied methamphetamine that was sold in the Kansas City metropolitan area. In April 2019, Carr and Poterbin kidnapped the boyfriend of a woman whom they mistakenly believed had stolen drug money from them.
Carr and Poterbin bound the victim with zip-ties and duct-taped a shirt to his head, pistol-whipped him multiple times, smashed his fingers and beat him with a blunt object, shot him in the legs, and forced a co-conspirator to stab him in the leg. They then wrapped him in plastic and left him alone in the house. During the torture, Carr and Poterbin used the victim’s phone to contact his girlfriend and demand money in exchange for his release.
A few days after the victim was released, Carr ordered a co-conspirator to burn the house to the ground, which he did.
A jury found Carr and Poterbin guilty of kidnapping, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime.
Sentencing hearings are scheduled for Carr and Poterbin on May 1, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively, before U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson. They each face a maximum of penalty of life imprisonment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department investigated the case. The Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department investigated the arson and has provided invaluable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan J. Huschka and D. Christopher Oakley are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania presented the indictment to a grand jury and prepared the case for trial.
OCDETF Strike Force Cases
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The Kansas City Metro Strike Force’s mission also includes targeting violent street gangs and cartel members operating in and around the metropolitan area that are engaged in violent offenses and firearms offenses.
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Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to court documents, Courtney Lamar Forbes, 33, was found in possession of a firearm by a Jackson Police Officer on March 18, 2022. Forbes has multiple prior felony convictions. As a convicted felon it is contrary to federal law for Forbes to possess any firearm.
On July 6, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Forbes for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Forbes will be sentenced on May 12, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jackson Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Terrill.
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.
Inola Man and Tulsa Man Plead Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Two men pleaded guilty this week in federal court to child pornography charges, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Eli Cooper Cailler, 24, of Inola, pleaded guilty on Feb. 16, 2023, to possession of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. In his plea agreement, Cailler stated that he possessed, accessed and received child sexual abuse material. The material included an extensive number of photographs and videos of minors under the age of 12. He further stated that he possessed the images on his own electronic devices, which no one else had access to and that he received the visual depictions using Google Drive and the dark web. The Tulsa Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Paisner is prosecuting the case.
Mikaili Diwani Cohn, 25, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty on Feb. 13, 2023, to receipt and distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and failure to register as a sex offender. The investigation was initiated after Cohn failed to update his sex offender registry with his new Tulsa address. When he was located, U.S. Probation officials arrested Cohn and confiscated his phone. Homeland Security Investigations agents later discovered child sexual abuse material on the phone. In his plea agreement, Cohn admitted to possessing and distributing three child pornography videos via Kik from May 26, 2022, through July 12, 2022. At least one of the videos depicted a child under the age of 12. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Jiang and Valeria G. Luster are prosecuting the case.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Inmate Pleads Guilty to Possessing Weapon at FCI BeckleyRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Matthew Jackson, 27, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Beckley, pleaded guilty today to possession of a weapon by an inmate of a federal prison.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 3, 2022, a FCI Beckley staff member conducted a pat-down search of Jackson and found a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank” in Jackson’s underwear. The shank was a piece of metal, approximately 5 inches long, sharpened at one end and with a cloth handle on the other end fashioned from an institution-issued t-shirt. Jackson admitted to possessing the shank, and further admitted that it was designed and intended to be used as a weapon..
Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess 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-232.
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Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 292 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Benjamin J. Hicks III, 42 years old, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Hicks was sentenced to 292 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in May 2019, Hicks agreed with others to buy methamphetamine in California to bring back to the Midwest for distribution. Hicks provided the cash while his co-conspirators flew to California, obtained more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, and loaded it into a car. Hicks stayed in contact with the drivers of the car as they transported the methamphetamine across the country, but the car was stopped by law enforcement in Missouri and the methamphetamine was discovered.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Mishawaka Police Department, the St. Joseph County Drug Investigations Unit, the Indiana State Police, and the Missouri State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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Hopkins County Company Guilty of Aiding and Abetting Document FraudRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A Sulphur Springs company has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
4TMFG, LLC, pleaded guilty to a felony, aiding and abetting document fraud, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly C. Priest Johnson on Feb. 15, 2023.
According to information presented in court, 4T MFG is a company with common ownership and leadership related to trailer manufacturer Load Trail. In 2018, a search warrant executed at Load Trail revealed multiple employees with immigration documentation that was either misleading or fraudulent. During the search, federal agents verified that 4T MFG employed individuals who lacked legal authorization to work in the United States. At least 18 individuals had resident alien cards that had been forged, counterfeited, altered, falsely made, procured by means of false claim or statement, and otherwise unlawfully obtained in violation of federal law.
4TMFG, LLC, along with Load Trail, has agreed to pay forfeiture of $5 million. Two prior CEOs of 4T MFG also are charged with misdemeanors for violating federal law regarding the unlawful employment of aliens. Those individuals, Cornelio Thiessen, 52, of Honey Grove, and Kevin Hiebert, 39, of Honey Grove, face up to six months in federal prison at sentencing.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McClendon.
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Hocking County man sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting children as young as 3 years oldRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Logan, Ohio, man was sentenced in federal court here today to 540 months for producing child pornography of a three-year-old child and possessing thousands of images of child sexual abuse, some of which depicted other minor children to whom the defendant had access.
Robert Gemienhardt, 37, was charged federally in April 2022, along with his significant other Carrie Daniels, 41, for their child exploitation offenses. Daniels has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography and awaits sentencing.
“All child exploitation crimes are serious and create lasting effects on the victims and their families. Gemienhardt’s conduct – the grooming and sexual abuse of the minor victims in this case – is particularly heinous,” U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker said. “He earned every bit of his sentence to multiple decades in federal prison.”
More than 1,000 images and 350 videos depicting child sexual abuse were ultimately recovered from Gemienhardt’s digital media devices, some of which depicted minors as young as toddler age engaged in oral sex, masturbation, bestiality and sexual acts with adults.
According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip from Kik messenger regarding Gemienhardt’s online child exploitation activities. The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office then began investigating the allegations.
Subsequent search warrants executed by the Hocking County Sherriff’s Office, in conjunction with the FBI, revealed that Gemienhardt and Daniels were acting together and produced child pornography through the grooming and sexual abuse of minor victims they had access to between April and June of 2020.
Gemienhardt and Daniels exchanged thousands of illicit text messages detailing their sexual fantasies about the minor victims. Those text messages further revealed both Gemienhardt and Daniels had plans to act out some of the detailed fantasies by sexually abusing the minors. Daniels also distributed images she created of the sexual abuse of minors to Gemienhardt.
Gemienhardt is a registered sex offender from a prior Franklin County conviction in July 2021. He pleaded guilty in his current federal case in September 2022.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Hocking County Sheriff Lanny E. North announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.
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