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Wednesday 8 February 2023
Repeat domestic violence abuser sentenced to 30 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearm offensesRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Jamaul Raheem Boyce, a multi-convicted felon with a history of committing domestic violence offenses, has been sentenced to prison after being convicted at trial for firearm and drug trafficking offenses. Boyce ran a drug trafficking operation from his Clayton County, Georgia, apartment that he shared with his girlfriend and her three young children.
“Boyce is a violent felon and domestic abuser,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “His prior convictions for aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery, family violence battery, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer speak to his disregard for others and the law.”
“This investigation and sentence are another example of ATF remaining on the frontline of preventing violent crime through excellent cooperation with our law enforcement partners,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “Through this cooperative effort we were able to apprehend and successfully prosecute a violent and dangerous individual which posed a significant threat to the public.”
“DCS provides individuals under our supervision the resources and support they need to succeed. It is unfortunate that certain individuals chose to not take advantage of these opportunities and instead impose havoc within our communities. We are appreciative of our partners in law enforcement who helped in this effort and remain committed to protecting the citizens of Georgia,” said Brian Tukes, Deputy Director of External Affairs, Georgia Department of Community Supervision.
“The collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, and our agency reflects the vision that the Clayton County Police Department will establish safer communities through partnership and collaborations. The arrest of Jamaul Raheem Boyce is the result of effective law enforcement teamwork at the state, federal, and local level. We will continue similar operations to apprehend dangerous criminals who operate in Clayton County,” said Chief Kevin Roberts, Clayton County Police Department.
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: On June 21, 2019, a U.S. Marshals task force served a parole violation arrest warrant for Jamaul Boyce at his apartment in Clayton County. The arrest warrant was issued following Boyce’s previous arrest for aggravated assault against his girlfriend, which violated the terms of his parole. Boyce was on parole at the time for a separate domestic violence conviction against a different woman.
When deputies knocked on the door and announced their presence, Boyce’s girlfriend and her three young children complied with law enforcement’s instructions to exit the apartment. After Boyce ignored this order, deputies entered the residence and found Boyce hiding in a bedroom closet with multiple loaded firearms and bulletproof vests lying near him. The officers also saw suspected illicit drugs.
The deputies reported their findings to Clayton County police, who obtained a search warrant for the apartment. During a search that followed, Clayton County police recovered distribution quantities of methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, suspected heroin, and assorted pills, as well as drug distribution paraphernalia such as pill presses. Officers also discovered a loaded AR-15 style rifle with an extended magazine, two loaded handguns, two bulletproof vests, and a smoke bomb. These loaded firearms were all readily accessible to the three young children at the residence.
Jamaul Raheem Boyce, 40, of East Point, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S District Judge J.P. Boulee to 30 years in prison to be followed by a life term of supervised release. On September 19, 2022, a jury found Boyce guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, and the Clayton County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annalise K. Peters and Erin N. Spritzer prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Plattsburgh Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Unlawful Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Thomas Caves, age 28, of Plattsburgh, New York, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
In previously pleading guilty, Caves admitted that he coordinated with a straw purchaser in Vermont to acquire a firearm, knowing that he could not legally possess a firearm. At the time the defendant possessed the firearm, he was on parole supervision for a burglary conviction from the State of Connecticut.
United States District Judge David N. Hurd also ordered that Caves serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Stitt.
Pike County Man Sentenced to Life for Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
PIKEVILLE, Ky.— A Shelbiana, Ky., man, Justin Bryant, 38, was sentenced to life in federal prison on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, for distributing fentanyl and para-flurofentanyl that caused death of a victim, and for conspiring with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl.
Bryant was convicted by a federal jury in October 2022. According to evidence at trial, on October 12, 2021, Bryant smuggled drugs into the Pike County Detention Center and distributed them. The drugs contained fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, and their use resulted in the death of another individual in the jail.
At sentencing, Judge Wier made a finding that there was reliable evidence connecting Bryant to another overdose death in August of 2021. The evidence also documented that, even after the overdose death of the victim on October 12, 2021, staff with the Pike County Detention Center and Pikeville Police Department prevented Bryant from bringing drugs into the jail on two additional occasions. The conviction in this case is the most recent of 30 prior criminal convictions, which Bryant has received over the past 20 years.
Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; and Mike Riddle, Chief of the Pikeville Police Department jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Pikeville Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew H. Trimble.
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Parkersburg Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ashley Kawczynski, 32, of Parkersburg, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 5, 2022, law enforcement arrested Kawczynski at her Parkersburg residence after responding to a report that she was overheard threatening to kill her son. Officers searched the residence and found approximately 328 grams of methamphetamine, 164 grams of fentanyl, a Ruger Model LCP Max .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Springfield model Hellcat 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Kawczynski admitted that she possessed the controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, and possessed the firearms to protect herself, her drugs, and her drug proceeds.
Officers had been investigating the drug trafficking activities of Kawczynski for several months. Kawczynski admitted that she conspired with others between February 2022 and July 5, 2022, to distribute fentanyl, and sold fentanyl on four occasions to a confidential informant in April and May, 2022.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-160.
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Paducah Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Paducah, KY – A Paducah, KY, man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison, followed by a 5- year term of supervised release, for possessing a firearm after having been previously convicted of felony offenses and for being an Armed Career Criminal.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the ATF Louisville Field Division made the announcement.
According to court documents, Demario Terrell Daniels, 33, possessed a pistol having previously been convicted of the federal felony offense of cocaine base distribution in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Daniels had also been previously convicted of the felony of fleeing/evading police in McCracken County, Kentucky. Daniels, an escapee from the McCracken County Regional Jail who had been a fugitive for approximately one year, brought the firearm into the McCracken County Regional Jail upon his arrest for other charges. The firearm was discovered by jail staff.
Daniels was sentenced pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act, a federal law imposing enhanced penalties for firearm or ammunition possession by persons who have been convicted of at least three violent felonies or serious drug offenses. A defendant who qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of life.
“The combined work of ATF Paducah, our state and local law enforcement partners, and AUSA Hancock resulted in the removal of an armed career criminal from our community and safer streets for our citizens,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated law enforcement personnel on duty in the Western District.”
“Drug dealers with guns are criminals who pose an increased threat to the safety of our communities,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the Louisville Field Division. “Today’s sentencing is another example of the ongoing efforts of ATF and our local partners with the McCracken County Regional Jail, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kentucky State Police working together to take a repeat offender off the streets and make our communities safer for everyone.”
This case was investigated by the ATF Paducah Satellite Office, with assistance from the McCracken County Regional Jail, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kentucky State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Hancock, Branch Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Office, prosecuted the case.
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Oxford Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds and Misuse of a Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Oxford man pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, 2023 in federal court in Worcester to using another individual’s name and Social Security number to fraudulently obtain a federal tax refund and a Massachusetts driver’s license.
Richard Diaz-Montero, a/k/a John Doe, 44, pleaded guilty to false representation of a Social Security number and theft of government funds. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2023. Diaz-Montero was charged in August 2020.
In 2016, Diaz-Montero filed a fraudulent tax return in the name of another person name and, in March 2016, cashed a federal income tax refund fraudulently issued in the other individual’s name. Two years later, in May 2018, Diaz-Montero used the Social Security number of that same person to apply for and obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license.
The charge of false representation of a social security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Sutton Police Chief Dennis J. Towle made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’s Criminal Division in prosecuting the case.
Operator of Aircraft Supply Businesses Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for $7 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KYLE J. WINE, 42, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 132 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from a $7 million scheme related to his commercial aircraft supply businesses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Wine owned and operated various companies engaged in the business of commercial aircraft supply, including JetPro International, LLC (“JetPro”), Nexus Aviation, and Turbotech Partners. From at least 2018 through 2021, Wine defrauded investors in aircraft-related transactions. Wine used victims' money to purchase aircraft airframes and engines, sold the aircraft airframes and engines, hid the resulting profits from his investors, and diverted invested funds for his personal use.
As part of the scheme, Wine induced an investment firm based in Darien, Connecticut, to invest $4.5 million in the purported acquisition and sale of an Airbus A320-231 airframe and two aircraft engines. Wine sent fictitious correspondence to the victim investor and created fake domain names and email accounts. He then used those email accounts to send fraudulent correspondence to the victim investor to trick the investor into believing that JetPro was attempting to sell the Airbus airframe and the two aircraft engines to certain buyers. In fact, Wine had already sold one engine for $2.45 million and the Airbus airframe for $1.3 million. He never informed the victim investor of those sales and shared none of the proceeds of the sales with the investor. Wine also used some of these invested funds to purchase another aircraft engine without the knowledge of the victim investor.
In total, Wine’s fraud scheme caused $7,152,666.67 in losses to 13 separate victims.
Judge Williams will issue a restitution order after additional court proceedings. Wine’s restitution obligation will be reduced to reflect money recouped through the sale of any asset that was part of his fraud scheme.
On July 19, 2022, Wine pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. In November 2022, while he was released on bond pending sentencing, Wine created and submitted counterfeit bank statements in an attempt to obtain a loan to purchase a Cadillac Escalade from a Kansas auto dealership. He has been detained since December 20, 2022, when his bond was revoked.
This is Wine’s second federal conviction. In 2010, Wine pleaded guilty in the Western District of Missouri to fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from a mortgage fraud scheme that involved approximately $4.4 million in fraudulent loans on 86 properties. He received a sentence of probation for those offenses.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Justin L. Coleman, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher to 36 months’ incarceration for being a felon in possession of a firearm. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release, Coleman will serve a 3-year term of supervised release.
On December 8, 2021, officers with the Omaha Police Department were called to 27th and Fort streets in Omaha for a suspicious party. Officers located Coleman in the area of the call and Coleman was taken into custody. Officers located the vehicle Coleman had been driving in the street near his arrest. In the vehicle, officers located a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 handgun. The firearm was submitted for DNA testing and Coleman could not be excluded as a contributor. The firearm was originally purchased in Iowa and travelled in interstate commerce prior to being found in Nebraska on December 8, 2021. Prior to December 8, 2021, Coleman had been convicted and knew that he had been convicted of a felony. Specifically, Coleman was previously convicted of and knew that he had been convicted of Attempted Burglary.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives as 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.
Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty in Employment Tax SchemeRead the Press Release
An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty yesterday to willfully failing to pay over employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages.
According to court documents, Donald E. White was the president and owner of Power Utility Services, Inc., in Adair. From January 2010 through December 2017, White exercised control over the business’s affairs by (1) tracking the hours worked by employees, (2) directing the issuance of weekly paychecks to employees, (3) directing the issuance of Forms W-2 to employees, (4) directing the filing with the IRS of Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Returns (Forms 941) reporting wages paid and income and social security taxes withheld from employees’ wages and (5) directing the payment to the IRS of the withheld taxes. White filed a Form 941 for the first quarter of 2016, but intentionally did not pay over approximately $31,010 in taxes withheld from employees’ paychecks. White also did not pay withholdings for multiple quarters between October 2009 and December 2017. In total, he caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $516,021.
White faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Defendant also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; and U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Andrew Kameros and Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Oakland Resident Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Role in Tenderloin Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Dixis Archaga-Reyes, a/k/a Pepe, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for his role in a scheme to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine near the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Charles R. Breyer, Senior United States District Judge.
Archaga-Reyes, 27, of Oakland, pleaded guilty to the charges on September 21, 2022. According to his plea agreement, Archaga-Reyes admitted he was guilty of four counts of distributing drugs near the Tenderloin District of San Francisco.
The plea agreement describes transactions in which Achaga-Reyes sold, or attempted to sell, drugs to an undercover Task Force Officer working with the DEA and the San Francisco Police Department. The transactions occurred on December 22, 2021, and February 17, 2022. Specifically, Archaga-Reyes admitted that on December 22, 2021, he used text messages to communicate with the officer and agreed to sell to him two ounces of fentanyl for $1,000 and two ounces of methamphetamine for $500. Archaga-Reyes acknowledged that he agreed with the officer to conduct the transaction near the intersection of 7th and Mission Streets in San Francisco. Archaga-Reyes met with the officer on the evening of December 22 on 7th Street just north of Minna Alley, got into the passenger side of the vehicle the undercover officer was driving, and received $1,500 in cash from the officer. Archaga-Reyes then handed the officer numerous clear plastic bags containing approximately 61.1 grams of fentanyl and approximately 59 grams of methamphetamine.
Similarly, Archaga-Reyes admitted that on February 17, 2022, he coordinated with the same undercover officer to sell to him fentanyl and methamphetamine. The two agreed to complete the transaction near 7th and Minna Streets on the afternoon of February 17. At about 1:42 p.m., Archaga-Reyes contacted the undercover officer by text message to let the officer know Archaga-Reyes was on his way into San Francisco. This time, as Archaga-Reyes exited his apartment in Oakland, he was arrested. Archaga-Reyes admitted that when he was arrested, he was carrying a plastic bag containing over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Agents also found in Archaga-Reyes’s car an additional 90.5 grams of fentanyl, and in his apartment over 130 grams of fentanyl, more than 37 grams of cocaine, and $2,759 in cash that Archaga-Reyes acknowledged was the proceeds of illicit sales of illegal drugs.
On March 2, 2022, a federal grand jury handed down a four-count indictment charging Archaga-Reyes with two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 5 grams and more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii) and two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams and more of fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(vi). Pursuant to his plea agreement, Archaga-Reyes pleaded guilty to all four counts.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Breyer also ordered Archaga-Reyes to serve four years of supervised release to begin after his release from prison. Archaga-Reyes has been detained since his arrest and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Paulson is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Soana Katoa, Leeya Kekona, and Mark DiCenzo. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by DEA and the San Francisco Police Department.
Nevada Return Preparer Charged with Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Las Vegas returned an indictment today charging a Nevada woman with assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.
According to the indictment, from 2015 through 2020, Jessica Avras, of Las Vegas, owned and operated a tax preparation business. Avras allegedly prepared and filed materially false federal income tax returns for clients that fraudulently reduced their federal income tax liability and/or inflated their tax refunds. The indictment charges that Avras routinely reported fictitious businesses on her clients’ returns and claimed that those businesses had generated significant losses. She also allegedly fabricated deductions on her clients’ tax returns, including noncash charitable contributions, sales taxes and unreimbursed employee expenses.
Avras is charged with 31 counts of assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2), and scheduled for her initial court appearance on Feb. 22, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Thomas Flynn and Samuel Robins of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nevada Return Preparer Charged with Tax FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS - A federal grand jury in Las Vegas returned an indictment today charging a Nevada woman with assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.
According to the indictment, from 2015 through 2020, Jessica Avras, of Las Vegas, owned and operated a tax preparation business. Avras allegedly prepared and filed materially false federal income tax returns for clients that fraudulently reduced their federal income tax liability and/or inflated their tax refunds. The indictment charges that Avras routinely reported fictitious businesses on her clients’ returns and claimed that those businesses had generated significant losses. She also allegedly fabricated deductions on her clients’ tax returns, including noncash charitable contributions, sales taxes and unreimbursed employee expenses.
Avras is charged with 31 counts of assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2), and scheduled for her initial court appearance on Feb. 22, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Thomas Flynn and Samuel Robins of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Minnesota Woman Sentenced to 72 Months for MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Roxanne E. Rankin, 52, Minneapolis, Minnesota was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 72 months in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 48 months of supervised release. Rankin pleaded guilty to this charge on August 26, 2022.
On December 6, 2021, West Central Drug Task Force officers arranged the purchase of one pound of methamphetamine from Rankin through a confidential informant. Rankin advised she would bring one-half pound and obtain the second half after getting the money from the buyer. Rankin drove from Minnesota to an agreed-upon location in Hudson, Wisconsin. There, she met with the confidential informant and provided a bag containing 222 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $4,000. As Rankin was driving away, she was pulled over and arrested. At the time, Rankin was on probation out of Minnesota.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson explained that the case involved two aggravating factors. First, Rankin had a prior 2002 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. Second, Rankin was involved in serious drug trafficking which can have a devastating impact on the community.
The charge against Rankin was the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.
Minnesota Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Fulda, Minnesota, man was sentenced in federal court today for exchanging pornographic photos and videos online with an 11-year-old child victim in Boone County, Mo.
Douglas Howard Canfield, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Canfield to eight years of supervised release following incarceration. Canfield will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
On March 1, 2022, Canfield pleaded guilty to attempting to produce child pornography. Canfield admitted that he sent pornographic photos and videos of himself to the child victim and solicited pornographic photos from the child victim. Canfield communicated with the child victim over the Fastmeet dating application on her cell phone. Canfield engaged the child victim in explicit conversations about sex on numerous occasions in June 2019.
In July 2019, the Boone County, Mo., Children’s Division received an anonymous report regarding the child victim’s online activity. A Boone County sheriff’s deputy contacted the child victim’s mother, who turned over the cell phone to investigators and granted permission for them to examine the phone and access the child victim’s accounts. Investigators identified Canfield, who was contacted by the FBI in Minnesota.
Canfield admitted to investigators that he used the Fastmeet application to communicate with four or five minor females, from whom Canfield solicited pornographic images.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department Cyber Crimes Task Force and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Mingo County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Paul Thomasson, 57, of Delbarton, pleaded guilty today to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Thomasson admitted to selling quantities of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Delbarton on October 4, 2021, and October 12, 2021.
Thomasson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 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 U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Blackwell is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-141.
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Mexican Citizen Sentenced for Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Antonio Lopez-Tiznado, 23, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his participation in a methamphetamine conspiracy. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lopez-Tiznado to 135 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will be subject to deportation. He was also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release.
On July 19, 2021, Omaha police officers stopped a vehicle in which Lopez-Tiznado was a passenger. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, officers found approximately two pounds of methamphetamine. Lopez-Tiznado and the two others in the car, Mauricio Canales-Santiago and Karen Barba-Franco, all lived together. Officers got a search warrant for their residence and found approximately 19 additional pounds of methamphetamine. They had been distributing methamphetamine for at least a couple of weeks before they were arrested.
Barba-Franco has pled guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 29, 2023. Canales-Santiago is pending trial.
This case was investigated primarily by the Omaha Police Department.
Meraux Woman Sentenced for Aiding in the Filing of False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CYNTHIA BOWLEY, age 68, of Meraux, was sentenced on February 7, 2023 after pleading guilty to aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns, a violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2).
According to court documents, BOWLEY was a tax preparer who willfully caused false income tax returns to be filed for at least ten of her clients. To defraud the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), BOWLEY created false business losses on Schedules C (Profit or Loss from Business) and false charitable contributions on Schedules A (Itemized Deductions), resulting in a reduction of her clients’ tax liability and a tax loss to the United States. BOWLEY also created false Schedules E (Supplemental Income and Loss) and false filing statuses for her clients. For tax years 2013 through 2018, BOWLEY caused a total tax loss to the United States of $251,257.00.
U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced BOWLEY to three years of probation and a $100 mandatory special assessment. Judge Zainey also ordered that BOWLEY pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $251,257.00.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long.
Mayfield Man Sentenced to One Year in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm While Subject to a Domestic Violence OrderRead the Press Release
Paducah, KY – A Mayfield, Kentucky, man was sentenced yesterday to 1 year in federal prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, for possessing a firearm after having previously been subject to a domestic violence order.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Sheriff Jon Hayden of the Graves County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement.
According to court documents, on July 21, 2021, Jed Wilson, 29, possessed a shotgun while subject to a domestic violence order of protection that expressly prohibited him from possessing firearms.
The case was investigated by the ATF Paducah Satellite Office and the Graves County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
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Marrero Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that CHRIS BAO NGUYEN (“NGUYEN”), age 30, of Marrero, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 7, 2023 to receipt of child pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1).
According to documents filed in federal court, the case against NGUYEN began as a result of a CyberTip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NEMEC”) to the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (“LBI”). Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) special agents along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and LBI executed a federal search warrant at NGUYEN’s home in Marrero. HSI’s investigation determined NGUYEN received images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.
NGUYEN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years and a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571. In addition, NGUYEN faces a term of supervised release of no less than five (5) years and up to life after his release from prison as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.
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Mangilao Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Meth Trafficking and Firearm ViolationRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Timothy Jerome Concepcion, age 23 from Mangilao, Guam, was sentenced on February 6, 2023, to 180 months imprisonment by the District Court of Guam. Concepcion was charged and convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty of More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and Using and Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). Federal law requires that the five-year mandatory term for the firearm charge must be served after the 10-year mandatory term for the drug charge. The Court also ordered five years supervised release and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
On April 4, 2022, an officer with the Guam Police Department stopped Concepcion for speeding in Asan, Guam. Concepcion was with two passengers, an adult woman and a 14-year-old minor. When Concepcion exited the car, the officer saw a .357 caliber revolver in the driver’s side door panel. A .380 caliber pistol was also found between the passenger seat and the center console. Further search revealed 14 clear baggies containing 390.8 grams of methamphetamine, an electronic scale, and a glass pipe. Concepcion stated, “the dope is mine, but I don’t know about the guns.” Concepcion also told the officer that, “It’s not her dope. It’s mine. I use it.” He also possessed $2,565.00 in cash. One firearm was loaded and had an obliterated serial number.
Additional investigation revealed that from March 29, 2022, through April 4, 2022, Concepcion sold methamphetamine out of a room at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort. A co-conspirator collected money from the drug sales for Concepcion. Buyers also smoked drugs in the hotel room, oftentimes with Concepcion. Throughout this activity, Concepcion carried the firearms for his protection, and informed others of their purpose.
“Concepcion armed himself to facilitate his illegal drug trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. Combating violent crime, particularly that associated with drugs, is a high priority for the Department of Justice. The enhanced sentence in this matter demonstrates the consequences awaiting those who engage in this activity.”
“As shown by the facts in this case, people who distribute methamphetamine tend to be armed and ruthless,” said John F. Tobon, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Honolulu. “HSI along with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney Office will continue to investigate and present for prosecution people who flood our communities with this dangerous poison and sell this highly addictive drug.”
“The use of firearms by a drug trafficker makes a dangerous situation even worse,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “Hopefully this sentence sends a message to would-be drug dealers that this behavior will not be tolerated. We will continue to investigate the illegal use of firearms, especially when they are tied to the drug trade.”
This investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Guam Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.
Man Sentenced to More Than 22 Years in Federal Prison for Video Recording His Sexual Assault of a ChildRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SAEED MUSTAPHA MOUSSA, 33, a citizen of Ghana last residing in East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. Circuit Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven to 274 months of imprisonment for video recording his sexual assault of a minor.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2020, East Hartford Police received a report that Moussa’s cell phone contained videos of Moussa engaging in sexual activity with a young child. East Hartford Police subsequently conducted a court-authorized search of Moussa’s residence and seized Moussa’s cell phone, computer equipment and computer storage media. Investigators also executed a search warrant on Google for the contents of Moussa’s Google Photos account. The cell phone and Google Photos account contained videos, taken between 2018 and 2020, of Moussa sexually assaulting a girl who was under the age of 12.
Moussa has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on October 27, 2020. On November 15, 2021, he pleaded guilty in federal court to production of child pornography. The state charges are pending.
Moussa faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the East Hartford Police Department and the West Chester Township (Ohio) Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Man Pleads Guilty to Committing Assault with a Dangerous Weapon on the George Washington Memorial ParkwayRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Frederick, Maryland, man pleaded guilty yesterday to assault with a deadly weapon.
According to court documents, Juan Marcus Smith, 58, was driving on the George Washington Memorial Parkway when a motor vehicle accident occurred between his vehicle and a dump truck driven by the victim. Smith pulled in front of the dump truck and brought his vehicle to a complete stop in the righthand lane of the Parkway. He walked over to the victim’s truck, opened the driver’s side door, and brandished a knife while attempting to retrieve the keys to the victim’s dump truck. Smith then returned to his vehicle, recovered a baseball bat, and went back to the victim’s dump truck and struck the driver’s side window, shattering the window while the victim sat inside.
When officers with the United States Park Police arrived at the scene, they found Smith standing outside his vehicle holding the key to the dump truck in the air. They also recovered a folding knife from Smith’s pant pocket and a baseball bat from the back seat of Smith’s vehicle.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Christopher Stock, Acting Chief of U.S. Park Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia T. Giles accepted the plea.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bibeane Metsch are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-231.
Man Convicted for Multimillion-Dollar COVID-19 Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Texas man today for his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain and launder millions of dollars in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Abdul Fatani, 57, of Richmond, conspired with others to submit fraudulent PPP loan applications by falsifying the number of employees and the average monthly payroll expenses of the applicant businesses. In total, the co-conspirators sought over $35 million through more than 80 fraudulent PPP loans. Fatani distributed over $500,000 in fraudulent loan proceeds to his co-conspirators and himself using bogus payroll checks and laundered a portion of the proceeds by transferring the funds from one of his bank accounts to another bank account he controlled.
Fatani was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of unlawful monetary transactions (money laundering). He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy and wire fraud and 10 years in prison for money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
In addition, 15 other individuals have pleaded guilty to their involvement in the loan fraud scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas; Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the SBA Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Catherine Huber of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Mark B. Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston Field Office; Acting Inspector General Tyler Smith of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG); and Inspector General J. Russell George of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement.
The SBA-OIG, FHFA-OIG, HSI, FDIC-OIG, and TIGTA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristine Rollinson for the Southern District of Texas handled asset forfeiture.
Trial Attorneys Kate McCarthy, Spencer Ryan, Della Sentilles, and Louis Manzo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
In May 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 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 via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned an indictment today charging a Maryland man with sexual exploitation of children and distribution, receipt, and possession of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
According to court documents, between 2013 and 2019, Paul Francis Blaisse, 63, of Walkersville, allegedly used internet chat applications to engage in sexually explicit video chats with minor children in southeast Asia. In 2013, Blaisse allegedly recorded a video chat with a prepubescent child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Throughout 2019, Blaisse allegedly used Skype to communicate with multiple individuals located in southeast Asia who sent him images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Blaisse also allegedly distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Blaisse came to the attention of law enforcement after Skype notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Blaisse had uploaded CSAM to his Skype account. The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant to search Blaisse’s residence and, during their search, discovered multiple digital devices belonging to Blaisse that contained CSAM.
Blaisse is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of children, five counts of distribution of child pornography, three counts of receipt of child pornography, and three counts of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Aubin for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Logan County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
Bowling Green, KY – A Logan County man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearms crimes.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Director Jacky Hunt of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) South-Central Kentucky Drug Task Force made the announcement.
According to court documents, on October 2, 2020, William Horsley, 36, of Russellville, Kentucky, possessed with the intent to distribute 59.43 grams of methamphetamine and 527.9 grams of a cutting agent. Horsley, a convicted felon, also possessed a Winchester, model 1200, 12-gauge shotgun, a Canik, Model TP-9SF Elite, nine-millimeter semiautomatic pistol, loaded with a 33 round extended magazine, and a Taurus International, model PT840, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Horsley had previously been convicted of the following felonies. On July 25, 2014, in Daviess Circuit Court, he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree. On February 21, 2018, in two separate cases in Daviess Circuit Court, he was convicted of two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree.
In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, Horsley is required to serve an additional 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“I commend ATF Bowling Green and AHIDTA’s South-Central Kentucky Drug Task Force for their work in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. “The investigation and prosecution of the defendant typifies the collaboration taking place on a continual basis between our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners under the AHIDTA program. AHIDTA’s support and coordination of drug enforcement efforts are key to making Western District communities safer.”
“ATF is committed to protecting the public from armed drug traffickers like William Horsley whose actions place our community at risk and show contempt for law and order,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the Louisville Field Division. “I want to extend my gratitude to ATF’s Bowling Green Office, AHIDTA’s South-Central Kentucky Drug Task Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work on this case. This sentence is another great example of the collaborative work to hold drug traffickers accountable for the crime they engage in and the destruction they bring to our families and communities.”
“I want to commend the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case,” said AHIDTA Director Jacky Hunt. “Horsley was a major distributor of methamphetamine and a convicted felon possessing firearms in the Logan County area. The AHIDTA South-Central Kentucky Drug Task Force works closely with the ATF and AUSA Yurchisin. As a result, we now have one less drug dealer on the streets in Logan County.”
The case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the AHIDTA South-Central Kentucky Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Lodge Grass man sentenced to one year in prison for assaulting Bureau of Indian Affairs officerRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who admitted assaulting a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer, who was pursuing a co-defendant for operating a stolen vehicle in Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to one year in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Earl Landon Old Chief, Jr., 36, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to assault on a federal officer.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 14, 2021, BIA officers were pursuing co-defendant Darnell Lee Not Afraid, of Pryor, who was driving a stolen truck at high speeds through residential neighborhoods in Lodge Grass. Not Afraid stopped at a residence, got out of the truck and ran away. The officer pursued on foot into a residential yard as a crowd began to gather and drew his Taser. Not Afraid turned toward the officer and grabbed a revolver from his waistband. The officer dropped his Taser, drew his service pistol and fired multiple times at Not Afraid, striking him at least once in the arm. After the shooting, the crowd, including Old Chief, became angry at the officer and some of the crowd accosted him. It is disputed whether Old Chief threw a bottle at the officer’s head, narrowly missing him, but it is not disputed that Old Chief pointed the officer’s Taser at the officer’s face and then threw it at the officer’s head. The officer did not activate the Taser, but when Old Chief pointed it at him, the officer knew it had been activated because the Taser’s flashlight and red dot were on.
Not Afraid was sentenced earlier to a mandatory minimum five years in prison for pleading guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of assault on a federal officer, a crime of violence. A third co-defendant, Darwyna Caylynn Catherine Bullshows, was sentenced to time served for conviction in the case.
Lackawanna County Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicholas Stanley, age 44, of Dalton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 24 months in prison to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for evading the payment of taxes.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Stanley, the owner and operator of Nick Stanley Paving, Inc., took affirmative steps to evade the payment of income taxes while owing $1,062,312.10 for tax years 2005 to 2011. He was ordered by the Court to pay $972,091 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
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Jury Finds Oahu Man Guilty of Posting Instagram Threats to KillRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – After a jury trial before Chief United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson, a federal jury today found Oahu resident Lindsey Kinney (age 44) guilty of two counts of posting threats to kill others on Instagram. Judge Watson ordered the defendant’s continued detention in custody pending his sentencing, which is set for May 23, 2023.
At trial, the evidence as to Count 1 showed that in January 2022, defendant posted on his Instagram account threats to cut off the heads of persons identified as Victims 1, 2, and 3 in the indictment and their social media profiles. Victim 1 believed defendant threatened Victims 1 and 2 because Victim 1, acting in his official capacity as a government official, had recently been involved in two encounters with another individual, and the defendant repeatedly referred to Victim 1’s official title. Victim 2 is the wife of Victim 1, and Victim 3 is a close friend of them both.
According to the evidence presented at trial as to Count 2, in March 2022, defendant publicly posted on his Instagram account a 15-minute videorecording in which he and a second unseen person made threats to kill Victim 4 and Victim 5, both government officials, and to injure Victim 4’s security staff, including stating, “we cut their heads off right in the [obscenity omitted] palace, for treason -- for treason and human trafficking.” After learning of the threatening post, Victim 4’s security staff increased its vigilance, familiarizing themselves with defendant’s appearance and scrutinizing those who approached Victim 4 to ensure that defendant did not get close to Victim 4. Similarly, in response to defendant’s post and until the arrest operation began, armed personnel were present at Victim 5’s office during working hours to protect Victim 5 and his staff should defendant appear.
“As confirmed by this verdict, posting threats to kill specific targets on social media accounts like Instagram may have serious criminal consequences,” said United States Attorney Clare E. Connors. “The use of social media to criminally terrorize members of our community will be investigated and prosecuted by our office.”
“Online threats of violence towards our government officials are not only a danger to their personal safety but also to our democracy,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill. “Today’s verdict serves as a reminder of just how serious this crime is. The FBI encourages anyone who may have knowledge of similar activity to report it immediately.”
The charges on which the defendant was convicted each carry a maximum sentence of five years of imprisonment. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that resulted in this conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan is prosecuting the case.
Jefferson County Chiropractor, Employees Convicted of Disability Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Wednesday convicted a chiropractor from Jefferson County, Missouri, one current and one former employee of conspiring to commit disability fraud.
Vivian Carbone-Hobbs, 60, of Fenton, Christina Barrera, 63, of St. Louis, and Clarissa Pogue, 39, of DeSoto were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud the Social Security Administration. Carbone-Hobbs was convicted of 10 counts of health care fraud and two counts of theft of money from the United States. Pogue was convicted of one count of theft of money from the United States.
The three conspired with each other and others to fraudulently obtain disability payments for patients.
Carbone-Hobbs is the co-owner of Power-Med Inc., a chiropractic clinic in Arnold, Missouri, with her husband Thomas G. Hobbs. In closing arguments Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry told jurors that in exchange for upfront fees of thousands of dollars, the conspirators would coach those patients on how to conceal their abilities so they would seem unable to work and perform many of the basic functions of life, like lifting, sitting, standing and walking. Patients also had to pay hundreds of dollars for annual appointments to keep qualifying for disability payments, Berry said.
Patients were told they should go on disability “so you can enjoy yourself,” Berry told jurors.
One woman “just wanted time away from work” when she arrived for an appointment at PowerMed, Berry said, but was told “You need to go out on disability.”
An undercover investigator who was not injured but said, “I’m just tired of working,” was told, “You’re going out, you’re going to be permanently disabled,” Berry said, quoting an undercover video of the conversation.
Carbone-Hobbs was also billing insurance companies for services that were not provided.
All three are scheduled to be sentenced May 4. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both. The health care fraud and theft charges carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and the same fine. They will also be ordered to repay the money.
Carbone-Hobbs’ husband, Thomas G. Hobbs, 65, pleaded guilty in January to a conspiracy charge and admitted conspiring to commit the crimes of health care fraud, making false statements, theft of government funds and Social Security fraud.
Sixteen defendants have either been convicted at trial or pleaded guilty. One case is still pending.
Hobbs admitted that beginning in 2011, he fraudulently assisted patients in receiving more than $3.5 million in disability benefit payments through the Social Security Administration’s Disability Trust Fund and through private disability benefit insurance providers. Hobbs charged patients between $2,000 and $8,600 to prepare disability forms and coached them to lie to the Social Security Administration and insurers about their ability to perform basic activities.
Hobbs also used a fictitious medical license number and submitted false and fraudulent medical reports to buttress patients’ disability claims. Hobbs submitted or caused to be submitted false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs for services that were not provided, medically unnecessary services or services provided by unqualified persons to make it appear that the disability patients had medical conditions.
He also admitted that despite his lack of a medical license, between 2011 and 2019 he purchased and dispensed prescription medications, administered injections and dispensed medications intravenously to patients.
Hobbs is scheduled to be sentenced April 19.
The cases were investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Berry, Dorothy McMurtry, Diane Klocke and Gwendolyn Carroll are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who suspects fraud involving the Disability Insurance Benefit Program is asked to contact the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Hotline at: 1-800-269-0271 or https://oig.ssa.gov/report/.
Jefferson City Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Malik Rashod Miller, 25, was sentenced by U.S District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Miller was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.
On Oct. 11, 2022, Miller pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Miller admitted that he was in possession of a loaded Charter Arms .38-special revolver on Oct. 20, 2021.
Miller was arrested when Jefferson City police officers contacted a vehicle that was parked in a local park shortly after midnight on Oct. 20, 2021, although the park was closed. Miller was a passenger in the vehicle. When Miller got out of the vehicle so that officers could search it, he left a black satchel that was later searched. Inside the satchel, officers found approximately 10.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine, as well as additional small rocks of suspected crack cocaine. Miller also had a golf-ball-sized lump of suspected methamphetamine in his pocket.
Officers searched the vehicle and found the revolver underneath the passenger’s seat where Miller had been sitting. The in-car video for the patrol car in which Miller was seated during the search began recording as Miller was being placed in the patrol car. The video depicts Miller leaning forward with interest and mumbling, “Don’t find the gun; please don’t find the gun,” and shortly afterward, “They found the gun.” He later shouted from the patrol car that he is “going away for a long time.”
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Miller has two prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon and a prior felony conviction for delivery of a controlled substance. For each of these state convictions, Miller received a suspended execution of sentence. Miller was on state supervision at the time of this offense.
According to court documents, Miller has a history of violent criminal behavior, including threats, stalking, and assaultive conduct. Almost all of his prior convictions involved a firearm.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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.
Jackson Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Assault on Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for assault on a law enforcement officer and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
De’Vadrick Markevin Booker, 24, was sentenced on February 8, 2023, in U.S. District Court in Jackson.
Following a three-day trial in November 2022, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict against Booker. The evidence at trial showed that on September 8, 2020, an ATF agent responded to assist Jackson Police officers with an ongoing investigation of an exchange of gunfire in a residential area of the city. As the agent drove down a residential street in the area of the gunfire, Booker emerged and fired several shots at the agent hitting his car. The federal agent escaped injury.
“But by the grace of God, this federal agent did not become a statistic,” said United States Attorney Darren LaMarca. “For the next 12 years, the citizens of Jackson are safer from this defendant. The U. S. Attorney’s office will not waiver in its commitment to prosecute those violent criminals who have no respect for the law or human life.”
“The collaborative effort of federal, state, and local law enforcement has led to the lengthy sentencing of this offender and is another example of our commitment to reduce violent crime in the City of Jackson and surrounding areas,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities and hold accountable those who threaten our safety.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill, Kevin J. Payne, and Bert Carraway prosecuted the case.
Indian Wells-Based Drug Dealer Who Distributed Methamphetamine on the Hopi Reservation Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Last week, Vanessa Rene Dundon (a.k.a. Sioux Z, a.k.a. Suzie Q), 38, of Indian Wells, Arizona pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2023 before United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa.
Dundon was stopped in her vehicle on the Hopi Reservation in April 2021, March 2022, and April 2022. On each occasion she had controlled substances in her vehicle. At the change of plea hearing, Dundon admitted that on April 17, 2022, she possessed 58.4 grams of pure methamphetamine and that she intended to deliver it to other individuals in exchange for payment.
A conviction for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both.
The Phoenix Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Hopi Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys in the Violent Crime Section, District of Arizona, Phoenix, are handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-08043-PCT-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-015_Dundon# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Hudson County Man Admits Soliciting and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey, man today admitted soliciting victims online to send images and videos of sexually explicit conduct, and possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Erick Solis, 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of solicitation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From July 2020 to February 2021, Solis used a social media application to engage two underage victims in sexually explicit conversations. Solis requested that both victims take sexually explicit photographs and videos of themselves and send them to him.
The count of solicitation of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for June 21, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the Office’s OCDETF/Narcotics Unit.
Hombre de Texas se declara culpable de 90 delitos federales de odio y delitos de armas de fuego relacionados con el tiroteo masivo en agosto de 2019 en un Walmart de El Paso, TexasRead the Press Release
Un hombre tejano que llevó a cabo el tiroteo masivo en el Walmart de Cielo Vista en El Paso, Texas, el 3 de agosto de 2019, matando a 23 personas y lesionando a otras 22, se declaró culpable hoy en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito de los 90 cargos de la acusación formal, incluidos 45 cargos de violar la Ley para la Prevención de Delitos de Odio Matthew Shepard y James Byrd, Jr., y 45 cargos de descarga de un arma de fuego en relación con los delitos de violencia.
Conforme al acuerdo de admisión de culpabilidad, el demandado, Patrick Wood Crusius, de 24 años de edad, ha aceptado 90 cadenas perpetuas consecutivas, una por cada cargo en la acusación formal. La declaración de culpabilidad incluyó 23 cargos por actos de delito de odio que resultaron en la muerte de Andre Anchondo, Jordan Anchondo, Arturo Benavides, Jorge Calvillo García, Guillermo García, Leonardo Campos, Angelina Englisbee, María Flores, Raúl Flores, Adolfo Cerros Hernández, Alexander Hoffmann, David Johnson, Luis Alfonso Juárez, María Legarreta Rothe, Maribel Loya Hernández, Iván Filiberto Manzano, Gloria Irma Márquez, Elsa Mendoza Márquez, Margie Reckard, Sara Regalado Monreal, Javier Amir Rodríguez, Teresa Sánchez y Juan Velásquez.
La declaración también incluyó 22 actos de delito de odio que causaron lesión corporal e involucraron tentativas de asesinar a 22 personas lesionadas en el tiroteo. Además de los delitos de odio, el demandado se declaró culpable de 45 violaciones relacionadas con armas de fuego, 23 cargos de uso de arma de fuego en un delito federal de violencia con resultado mortal y 22 cargos de uso de arma de fuego en un delito federal de violencia.
“Hoy, el Departamento de Justicia aseguró la declaración de culpabilidad de Patrick Wood Crusius, un autodenominado nacionalista blanco, por delitos federales de odio y delitos de armas de fuego en relación con el mortal tiroteo masivo contra personas percibidas como inmigrantes hispanos en un Walmart de El Paso, Texas, en 2019”, declaró el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland. “Nada puede deshacer la pérdida inconmensurable sufrida por los seres queridos de las víctimas de ese ataque o el terror infligido a la comunidad de El Paso como consecuencia. La acción de hoy deja claro que el Departamento de Justicia no tolerará la violencia fomentada por el odio que pone en peligro la seguridad de nuestras comunidades”.
“La declaración de culpabilidad de hoy marca un paso más hacia la justicia para la comunidad de El Paso; sin embargo, debemos recordar que los supervivientes y las familias de las víctimas emprenderán un viaje de sanación de por vida debido a las acciones de este demandado”, afirmó el director de la FBI Christopher Wray. “Extendemos nuestro más sentido pésame a la comunidad hispana que vio su sentido de seguridad destrozado por este atroz ataque. El FBI continuará buscando justicia para todos aquellos cuyos derechos civiles y seguridad se ven amenazados por el odio”.
“La violencia fomentada por los nacionalistas blancos no tiene cabida en nuestra sociedad actual”, manifestó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Esta masacre sin sentido viola la ley, va en contra de nuestros valores como estadounidenses y desafía los principios de tolerancia e inclusión que nos definen como nación. Al declararse culpable, el demandado ha admitido que asesinó a personas inocentes por razón de su origen nacional y que el objetivo eran los hispanos. El Departamento de Justicia continuará usando todas las herramientas a su disposición para combatir los delitos de odio, responsabilizar a los autores, y buscar justicia para las víctimas y los supervivientes. Esta declaración de culpabilidad no puede devolverles la vida a quienes la perdieron, ni curar a quienes siguen sufriendo, pero nos sitúa firmemente en el camino de la justicia. Nuestros corazones están con las víctimas de este horrendo delito, sus familias y toda la comunidad”.
“Siempre ha sido nuestra intención obtener la justicia que corresponde para todas las víctimas del tiroteo sin sentido de El Paso, sus familias siempre resilientes, y la valiente comunidad que sigue sintiendo el dolor de ese día”, afirmó Margaret Leachman, Primera Fiscal Federal Auxiliar del Distrito Occidental de Texas. “Seguimos apoyando a todos cuyas vidas se han visto afectadas, y mi esperanza es que esta declaración de culpabilidad conduzca a una sentencia que sirva como ejemplo de cómo el sistema de justicia de los Estados Unidos no tolera a nadie, especialmente cuando están motivados por el odio, que elija hacerles daño a nuestros seres queridos y a nuestros vecinos”.
Según la declaración de los hechos acordada y firmada por Crusius, e incorporada al expediente jurídico en su audiencia de declaración de culpabilidad, Crusius admitió que asesinó y lesionó a personas en el Walmart debido al origen nacional hispano real y percibido de las personas que esperaba encontrar en el Walmart. Además, admitió que tenía la intención de asesinar a todas las personas a las que les disparó.
Crusius también admitió que escribió un manifiesto, titulado “Una verdad incómoda”, y lo subió al internet minutos antes de comenzar su ataque. En el se describía a sí mismo como un nacionalista blanco, motivado a matar hispanos porque inmigraban a los Estados Unidos. Crusius admitió haber elegido El Paso, una ciudad fronteriza, como blanco para disuadir a los inmigrantes mexicanos e hispanos de venir a los Estados Unidos.
La FBI investigó el caso, en colaboración con el Departamento de Policía de El Paso; la Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés); el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas; la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de El Paso; la Oficina del Condado de El Paso para la Medicina Forense; el Departamento de Policía de Allen y el Departamento de Policía de Dallas.
El caso está siendo procesado por los Fiscales Federales Auxiliares Ian Hanna, Greg McDonald, y Patricia Acosta de la División El Paso del Distrito Occidental de Texas y los abogados de litigios Tim Visser, de la Sección Penal de la División de Derechos Civiles, y Michael Warbel, de la Sección de Casos Capitales de la División Penal.
El Tribunal Federal de Distrito aún no ha fijado una fecha para la sentencia.
Se pueden encontrar documentos judiciales e información relacionados con caso en el sitio web del Tribunal de Distrito para el Distrito Occidental de Texas en http://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/ o en http://ecf.txwd.uscourts.gov/.
Para más información sobre los esfuerzos del Departamento por combatir y prevenir los delitos de odio, visite www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: un portal integral con enlaces a recursos de delitos de odio del DOJ para fuerzas del orden público, medios de comunicación, investigadores, víctimas, grupos de defensa de derechos, y otras organizaciones e individuos.
Holyoke Landlord Agrees to $15,000 Settlement for False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke landlord, Carmen Manix, has agreed to pay a $15,000 settlement for submitting false claims to the government after receiving illegal utility payments from a low-income tenant while participating in a federal housing subsidy program.
The Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as “Section 8,” provides federal funding to low-income individuals to help them secure safe and affordable housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides this funding through local public housing agencies, which establish the total monthly rent, including certain utilities, due to landlords of Section 8 tenants. HUD pays the housing subsidy directly to landlords. In return, landlords agree to comply with certain program requirements, including that they will not charge Section 8 tenants rent or utilities in excess of the amount set by the public housing agency.
Despite this restriction, from September 2000 to August 2017, Carmen Manix demanded and received monthly utility payments from a Section 8 tenant, who brought a lawsuit against Manix under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. As part of today’s settlement, Manix admits to demanding and receiving utility payments from the Section 8 tenant in violation of her agreements with HUD.
“The Section 8 program provides critical assistance to low-income families in need of safe and affordable housing,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This case should be a warning that landlords who exploit low-income housing-insecure people to line their own pocket will be called out and held accountable. We use the False Claims Act every day to recover millions of dollars from companies that commit health care fraud. We will also use it to vindicate the rights of everyday citizens who rely on the government programs being followed with integrity. Any Section 8 tenant who has been forced to pay excess rent or utilities in violation of the terms of his or her lease is encouraged to bring their concerns to our Office’s attention.”
“This settlement represents HUD OIG’s priority in protecting HUD beneficiaries from bad actors who prey on their vulnerability for self-enrichment,” said Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region. “HUD OIG will continue to pursue and bring to justice landlords who fraudulently overcharge HUD- assisted tenants in violation of Federal law.”
The False Claims Act allows private citizens with knowledge of fraud to bring civil actions on behalf of the government. The settlement agreement requires the defendant to pay $15,000 to the United States, and the whistleblower will share in that recovery.
U.S. Attorney Rollins and HUD OIG SAC Scaringi made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diane C. Seol and Alexandra Brazier of Rollins’ Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter.
Haines Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting MinorsRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE – A Haines man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors.
According to court documents, Christopher Panagiotou-Scigliano, 41, pled guilty to one count of Production of Child Pornography, involving coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.
In 2015 Panagiotou-Scigliano moved to a farm in Haines. After his arrival, Panagiotou-Scigliano arranged for several children he had been grooming and abusing in another state to visit his farm in Haines multiple times. When the children arrived Panagiotou-Scigliano continued grooming and sexually exploiting them by taking numerous sexually explicit images and videos of the victims.
Panagiotou-Scigliano is also charged with the sexual abuse of multiple child victims in another state. That case is still pending.
“This office will continue to vigorously prosecute heinous predatory crimes such as this,” said S. Lane Tucker, United States Attorney for the District of Alaska. “Although no term of imprisonment can repair the harm caused to the victims, anyone engaging or thinking about engaging in grooming and sexual conduct with minors should take warning from this significant sentence.”
“In this unconscionable case, the defendant engaged in a years-long manipulation and grooming process to isolate and sexually abuse minors, all under the guise of being a trusted family friend,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify, aggressively pursue, and hold accountable those who commit these vile crimes against children.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case. The Haines Police Department, the Bonner County, Idaho, Sheriff’s Office, the Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office and the Alaska State Troopers supported the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Ivers and James Klugman prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines 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.
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Franklin, PA Felon Admits Illegally Possessing Numerous FirearmsRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Franklin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Phillip John Dechant, 39, 739 Buffalo Street, Franklin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about April 22, 2020, Dechant possessed numerous firearms while being a convicted felon. As part of his plea agreement, Dechant agreed to a sentence of forty (40) months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for June 8, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Dechant on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dechant. 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.
Fort Wayne Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Lisa A. Downey, age 50, of Covington, Virginia, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Downey was sentenced to 30 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $189,638.99 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
According to documents in this case, Downey owned and operated a homeowners association management business. From 2019 through 2020, she perpetrated a scheme which involved the theft of funds from multiple Fort Wayne neighborhoods. Downey used her position as manager for several homeowners’ association accounts to make unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals for her own benefit. Downey also paid herself more money than she was entitled to for her services and in some cases submitted false statements to conceal her mishandling of funds. The total fraudulent activity resulted in over $189,000 in losses to the victims.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.
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Former sailor sentenced to federal prison for distributing child pornography and bestiality videosRead the Press Release
NEWNAN, Ga. – Former U.S. Navy sailor William Vincent has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing child pornography and a video of himself engaging in a sex act with a dog.
“In addition to collecting and trafficking horrific images of child rape, Vincent sexually abused an animal,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “With Vincent now unable to exploit the most vulnerable amongst us, our community is safer.”
“This case is particularly disturbing because of the age of the victims and large number of abhorrent videos that were filmed and distributed. Predators like Vincent are appalling and have no place in civilized society,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI is thankful for our law enforcement partnerships that make it possible to put sexual predators, like Vincent, behind bars for significant periods of time where they cannot victimize any more innocent children, or animals.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Starting in August 2020 and continuing for several months thereafter, William Vincent used a cloud-based instant messaging service to unlawfully distribute child pornography and bestiality videos. Vincent was unaware that the recipient of the videos was an undercover employee of the FBI. Vincent initially sent a video depicting himself engaging in sexual acts with a dog. He then sent the undercover employee a video of an adult man sexually abusing an infant child.
FBI agents executed a federal search at Vincent’s home once they were able to pinpoint his address. The agents’ search uncovered numerous digital storage devices, including a memory card containing more than 970 videos of child sexual abuse and dozens of bestiality videos. Agents also recovered the dog depicted in the video that Vincent sent the undercover employee.
William Vincent, 31, of Peachtree City, Georgia, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. to 10 years in prison with credit for one year, nine months served to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Vincent was convicted of one count of distributing child pornography and one count of distributing an animal crush video, after he entered a guilty plea on September 13, 2022. Under federal law, the definition of “animal crush video” includes the obscene depiction of actual sexual abuse of a live non-human mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Peachtree City Police Department provided assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Leanne Marek prosecuted the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Former Maui County Official Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Honest Services Wire FraudRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Chief United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson sentenced Stewart Olani Stant, 55, of Maui, today to serve ten years in federal prison and pay a $1.9M money judgment forfeiture for honest services wire fraud consisting of acceptance of multiple bribes in the form of cash, bank deposits, and gambling trips to Las Vegas in order to provide lucrative sole source contracts from Maui County’s Department of Environmental Management to businessman Milton Choy.
According to information presented to the court, Stant was a public official employed by Maui County’s Department of Environmental Management (“DEM”), who held the position of Director of DEM between approximately December 2015 and December 2018. Between October 2012 and December 2018, Stant accepted bribery payments from Choy comprised of cash, bank deposits, casino chips, travel benefits, and/or other gifts, totaling up to $2,000,000, in exchange for Stant’s agreement, in his official capacity as a Maui County official at DEM, to steer and award over $19 million dollars in sole source contracts and purchase orders to Choy’s company. By accepting the bribes to funnel contracts and corruptly failing to disclose them, Stant defrauded the citizens of Maui County of their right to his honest and conflict free services as a public official.
“Mr. Stant was a public official given the discretion to use government funds for public contracts with the public’s expectation that he would do so honestly. By directing public contracts to a specific company in exchange for money and other financial benefits, all in violation of federal law and state ethics requirements, he failed to discharge that responsibility faithfully,” said U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors. “This office is committed to prosecuting public officials who criminally abuse their official positions to serve their personal interests and thereby deprive the people of Hawaii of honest services.”
"Mr. Stant was a public servant entrusted by the taxpayers to act in their best interest," said Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill. “Instead, he violated that trust by accepting nearly $2 million in bribes. Today's sentence sends a clear message: the FBI will work tirelessly to investigate public corruption and bring those responsible to justice."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that resulted in the prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ken Sorenson, Micah Smith and Michael Albanese handled the prosecution.
Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Obstructing Investigation into Smuggling of Firearm into Metropolitan Correctional CenterRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GREG MCKENZIE, a former Bureau of Prisons correctional officer, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into the smuggling of a firearm into the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”) by lying to federal investigators about using a prepaid cellphone to communicate secretly with Deejay White, the inmate who possessed the firearm in the MCC, and his wife Dawntiana White, who helped smuggle in the firearm. The loaded firearm was recovered from inside the MCC on March 5, 2020. MCKENZIE pled guilty before United States District Judge P. Kevin Castel on September 14, 2022. Judge Castel sentenced MCKENZIE earlier today.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Greg McKenzie, a former correctional officer, obstructed an investigation into the smuggling of a firearm into the MCC that endangered the safety of inmates, prison staff, and the greater community. By lying about his secret communications with the very inmate who possessed a firearm in the MCC and that inmate’s wife, who helped smuggle the firearm into the MCC, McKenzie thwarted a serious criminal investigation and sacrificed the integrity of the institution he swore to protect. McKenzie’s sentence underscores this Office’s commitment to holding public servants accountable and ensuring that no one is above the law.”
According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court proceedings:
On or about March 5, 2020, a loaded .22 caliber firearm (the “Firearm”) was recovered from inside an MCC prison cell that had last been occupied by two inmates, including Deejay White. Approximately five weeks earlier, on January 30, 2020, MCKENZIE purchased a prepaid cellphone (the “McKenzie Prepaid Cellphone”) and used it to communicate with Deejay White and his wife Dawntiana on multiple occasions on January 31, 2020, and February 1, 2020. In addition, cellphone location information indicated that on the evening of January 31, 2020, MCKENZIE and Dawntiana each traveled to the same vicinity in the Bronx at about the same time, after which MCKENZIE drove to lower Manhattan and started a shift at the MCC at midnight. MCKENZIE’s assignment for that shift was to work on the unit where Deejay was housed.
Surveillance video and call detail records further established that, upon entering the MCC for his shift, MCKENZIE circumvented a metal detector. Shortly after MCKENZIE’s shift began, Deejay White used a contraband cellphone to call and then text the McKenzie Prepaid Cellphone. Within minutes, MCKENZIE returned to Deejay White’s cellblock – alone – while appearing to carry an object under his left arm.
On July 23, 2021, Deejay White pled guilty to possessing the Firearm inside the MCC before Judge Castel, and on July 13, 2021, Dawntiana White pled guilty to conspiring to smuggle the Firearm into the MCC before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.
On November 4, 2021, two federal agents conducted a voluntary interview with MCKENZIE. During the interview, MCKENZIE falsely denied ownership, possession, and use of the McKenzie Prepaid Cellphone, and falsely denied ever using any prepaid cellphone to communicate with an MCC inmate or inmate’s associate.
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In addition to his prison sentence, MCKENZIE, 35, of Danbury, Connecticut, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General, Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New York.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption and Narcotics Units. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aline R. Flodr, Jonathan E. Rebold, and Daniel H. Wolf are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Juliana N. Murray.
Former CEO of dental device company indicted for fraudulent stock solicitationsRead the Press Release
Seattle – Stephen Baird, the former CEO of S-Ray, Inc., was indicted today by a federal grand jury for ten counts of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Between 2012 and 2021, Baird, 67, formerly of Bainbridge Island, Washington, allegedly defrauded over 200 investors of more than $10.7 million by making false statements to investors. Baird is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on February 16, 2023.
“Mr. Baird is charged with defrauding investors for over a decade, falsely claiming that his company was on the cusp of making millions of dollars by selling a product that, in fact, never existed,” said United States Attorney Nick Brown. “Instead of developing the device, he is charged with secretly diverting investor funds to his own personal use, such as a private residence and a luxury car. It’s time to hold Mr. Baird accountable.”
Over many years, Baird claimed S-Ray had developed an innovative ultrasound device that would take the place of X-rays, allowing dentists to quickly and safely image patients’ mouths. Baird told investors the device delivered “astonishing results” and that the FDA had granted the company “market clearance” to sell the device. In fact, S-Ray never developed any ultrasound product capable of producing usable dental images; was never close to offering any product for sale; and never received FDA authorization to market any products.
By December 2017, Baird had terminated almost all of S-Ray’s employees. By April 2019, the Chief Technology Officer, the last remaining employee, left the company. Despite the fact that the company was essentially shut down, Baird told investors as late as 2020 that the company was worth $400 million. Baird continued to solicit investments – primarily from dentists and orthodontists – until March 2021.
Despite his representations that the investor money would be used to bring a product to market, at least 62% of the money – some $6.7 million – was used for Baird’s personal expenses or that of his family.
By the end of 2021, S-Ray had only $13,000 in its corporate account. Baird’s investors lost all of their investments.
Five of the counts of wire fraud are for emails sent or approved by Baird that were sent to investors. The other five wire fraud counts relate to deposits of investment funds.
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil securities fraud action against Baird and S-Ray in March, 2022. On January 6, 2023, the Honorable John Chun issued an order that imposed civil penalties against Baird and S-Ray, held them liable for disgorgement of investment funds, and enjoined Baird from serving as an officer or director of certain companies, or from participating in certain types of securities transactions.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.
indictment_baird.pdfForeign Nationals Charged with International Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemical Trafficking ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Columbia charging two foreign nationals with international methamphetamine and precursor chemical trafficking conspiracies.
According to allegations in court documents, beginning in 2011, Carlos Algredo Vazquez, 57, and Francisco Pulido Coracero, 65, both of Michoacan, Mexico, allegedly used seemingly legitimate companies in Mexico and the United States to acquire listed chemicals – including methylamine, nitroethane, phenylacetic acid, toluene, and acetone – from companies in China, India, and elsewhere. They allegedly imported the chemicals into Mexico and provided them to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) and other Mexican drug-trafficking organizations to manufacture methamphetamine ultimately destined for importation into the United States.
Algredo Vazquez and Pulido Coracero are both charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for importation into the United States and conspiracy to distribute listed chemicals for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine for importation into the United States. If convicted, Algredo Vazquez and Pulido Coracero each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram made the announcement.
The Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) supported this case.
The DEA Los Angeles Division is investigating the case with assistance from the Homeland Security Investigations Houston Field Office.
Trial Attorneys Kate Naseef and Nhan Nguyen and Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Kaitlin Sahni of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Florida Man Sentenced for His Role in Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Paul LaRocco, 60, of Ocala, Florida, who was convicted of mail fraud, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. LaRocco was also ordered to pay restitution totaling approximately $688,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that beginning in 2011, LaRocco was employed as a financial advisor by KE Smith Tax Advisory Group, Inc. d/b/a USA Tax & Financial Consultants, offering various financial planning services. In 2012, the business was purchased by Christopher Parris and reincorporated as Ocala Investment Services LLC d/b/a USA Tax & Financial Consultants (USA Tax). LaRocco continued to work for USA Tax through 2018, selling investments in various entities. LaRocco falsely represented to victims that they were investing in companies that sold medical devices and/or offered laboratory series. In actuality, these entities were not bona fide businesses. Victims invested approximately $688,000.
Between March 28, 2016, and May 31, 2018, LaRocco transferred and/or withdrew all of the funds and used them to pay himself and his own personal expenses. None of the funds were actually invested in a legitimate business and none of the funds were ever returned to any of the victims. LaRocco specifically targeted victims who were of an advanced age and were therefore unusually vulnerable to investment fraud crimes.
Christopher Parris, who was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud related to a Ponzi scheme, as well as to wire fraud involving the fraudulent sale of purported N95 masks during the pandemic, was recently sentenced to serve 244 months in prison.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the Boston Division; the FBI, Buffalo Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox, the IRS, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge; the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, and the New York State Department of Financial Services, under the direction of Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris.
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Fentanyl Trafficker Arrested in ManhattanRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino III, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Steven A. Nigrelli, the Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced that AGARI REYES-SILLERO was arrested while attempting to sell approximately 50,000 multicolored fentanyl pills to a cooperating witness in exchange for $400,000. REYES-SILLERO was arrested on Monday and was presented today before Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The pills the defendant allegedly attempted to sell were bright and colorful, which obscured their true danger. The 50,000 pills seized by law enforcement contained fentanyl, one of the deadliest drugs on the planet. Thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners, these lethal drugs have now been taken off the street.”
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said: “Fake counterfeit prescription pills are flooding this city. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug to ever hit the streets and traffickers are masking the threat by selling lethal doses in colorful pill forms mimicking prescription medication. DEA analysis indicates that 60% of trafficked fentanyl pills on the street contain lethal doses; therefore, 30,000 deadly doses were removed from circulation by the hardworking members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. I commend our law enforcement partners for their hard work on this investigation.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “The NYPD and our law enforcement partners will never waver in our commitment to rid New York of fentanyl. Anyone who displays the negligent depravity to sell this deadly poison on our streets – to put lives at risk for a profit – will be held fully accountable. I commend and thank for their exceptional work the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, the DEA, the New York State Police, and every member of the NYDETF involved in this important case.”
NYSP Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said: “I commend the vital collaborative work of our law enforcement partners in the relentless efforts to keep illegal drugs off our streets. The arrest of Ms. Reyes-Sillero reinforces that we will continue to be vigilant in stopping the flow of these dangerous drugs into our neighborhoods. Each arrest, each seizure is saving lives and decreases the additional crime that surrounds these illegal and dangerous operations.”
As alleged in the Complaint:[1]
On or about February 5, 2023, REYES-SILLERO met with a witness who was cooperating with law enforcement (“CW-1”) to sell CW-1 approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills. After entering CW-1’s car with the pills, REYES-SILLERO confirmed that CW-1 was to pay $400,000. Law enforcement agents arrested REYES-SILLERO and seized the fentanyl pills, which were packaged inside four protein powder containers, as pictured below:
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REYES-SILLERO, 34, of Mexico, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl. This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA, the NYPD, and the New York State Police.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick R. Moroney and Andrew W. Jones are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
Felon Sentenced to 65 Months for Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that QUINCY JACKSON, age 31, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on February 1, 2023 for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). JACKSON was sentenced to 65 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.
The sentence is pursuant to his federal conviction for possessing a Glock semi-automatic handgun at a Shell gas station on North Broad Street in New Orleans on July 5, 2021. JACKSON is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his criminal history. According to court documents, JACKSON was previously convicted of manslaughter, possession of heroin, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss of the Violent Crimes Unit.
Federal Jury Finds Man Guilty of Procuring U.S. Citizenship Illegally During Execution of Multi-Million Dollar Covid-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Following a trial in Fort Lauderdale federal court, a jury has found Joff Stenn Wroy Philossaint, 32, guilty of illegally obtaining his U.S. citizenship by lying about fraud that he committed while his citizenship application was pending.
According to evidence presented at trial, prior to April 2020, Philossaint – a Haitian national – had applied to become a U.S. citizen. While his U.S. citizenship application was pending, Philossaint engaged in a sophisticated Covid-19 fraud scheme. Specifically, from April 2020 through May 2021, Philossaint submitted fraudulent applications on behalf of 11 businesses seeking a total of about $3 million from Covid-19 relief programs. On December 15, 2020, while Philossaint’s wire fraud scheme was ongoing, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer interviewed Philossaint in connection with his citizenship application. During the sworn interview, Philossaint falsely stated that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested and that he had never made misrepresentations to receive a public benefit in the United States. Philossaint was naturalized as a U.S. citizen based on these false representations.
An indictment charged Philossaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money in connection with the Covid-19 relief application and with procuring naturalization contrary to law. Philossaint pled guilty to the wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges and proceeded to trial on the immigration charge. The jury found him guilty on the immigration charge.
Philossaint is scheduled to be sentenced on March 29 at 9:00 a.m. in Ft. Lauderdale before U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith. In addition to any prison sentence that the judge imposes, Philossaint is subject to mandatory denaturalization after sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Investigations Division, Eastern Regional Office, Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, acting Special Agent in Charge Maged Behnam of the FBI Miami Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, and acting Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Buckley, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, announced the conviction.
SBA OIG, USSS, FBI, IRS CI, and HSI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc Osborne and Shannon O’Shea Darsch prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster is handling asset forfeiture.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred. EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.
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.
On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here.
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.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-cr-80144.
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Federal Court Approves Settlements Totaling Nearly $5 Million in Civil Lawsuit Enjoining Transnational Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal district court yesterday entered an order approving the last in a series of four settlements that collectively recovered nearly $5 million stolen from consumers by a transnational network of fraudsters.
The settlement represents the culmination of a civil action pursued by the United States to disrupt a bank fraud scheme and recover stolen victim funds. In a civil complaint filed on Aug. 13, 2021, the United States alleged that Guy Benoit, Edward Courdy, Harold Sobel, and more than 25 other individuals and corporations defrauded American consumers out of millions of dollars by charging unauthorized debits against their bank accounts. According to the complaint, the defendants posted unauthorized debit transactions in the name of sham corporate entities against the bank accounts of unsuspecting consumers. The defendants also used thousands of sham “micro transactions” to attempt to prevent banks from detecting the defendants’ unauthorized debits.
On Aug. 20, 2021, U.S. District Judge John F. Walter granted a temporary restraining order enjoining the fraud scheme, freezing fraud scheme assets, and appointing a receiver over corporate entities used in the scheme. In the following months, the United States obtained permanent injunctions against 28 defendants. In parallel, the receiver seized over $1 million in assets stolen as part of the fraud scheme and further recovered nearly $5 million through settlements with third parties the receiver identified as having received stolen victim funds.
“The scheme described in the government’s filings involved an elaborate plot to reach into consumers’ bank accounts and steal their hard-earned savings,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will use all of the tools at its disposal to halt practices like these, recover funds stolen from victims, and bring offenders to justice.”
“This action showcases the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s relentlessness in pursuing justice and holding individuals and corporations, both domestically and internationally, accountable for their unlawful actions,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and stop sophisticated fraud schemes targeting U.S. consumers.”
The USPIS conducted the investigation in this matter. The government is represented in the civil action by Trial Attorney Michael Wadden and Assistant Director Lisa Hsiao of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Falmouth Man Sentenced to Five Years for Federal Program Fraud, Wire FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Falmouth man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for federal program fraud and wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Joshua Cory Frances, 46, to five years in prison and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $87,351 in restitution and to forfeit a 27-foot Boston Whaler boat, two marine outboard engines and a trailer. Frances pleaded guilty on October 27, 2021.
According to court records, Frances was the Commander of Maine Task Force One (MTF1), which was overseen by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and funded from grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and through Maine Medical Center (MMC). Comprised primarily of physician assistants and emergency medical technicians, MTF1 augmented emergency medical service personnel for specific events in Maine and northern New England.
In 2015 and 2016, Frances converted to his own use property under the care of MTF1 and MMC, including a 44-foot sailing vessel, a 27-foot Boston Whaler boat and two marine outboard engines. Frances also falsely represented himself to be an employee of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a member of law enforcement to the Defense Logistics Agency and other victims to improperly obtain over $150,000 worth of property, some of which he later converted to his own use.
“The DHS Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice individuals who fraudulently claim affiliation with DHS for personal gain. This sentence should send a clear message that these fraudsters will be held accountable,” said Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General of DHS.
“The sentencing announced today is the result of a joint investigative effort to seek justice against an individual who defrauded government programs,” stated Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the investigative arm of the Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Inspector General. “The fraudulent conduct in this case undermined the integrity of the DoD’s disposition services program, which is designed to transfer excess DoD property to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that make honest representations to the United States.”
DHS-OIG investigated the case with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Maine Attorney General’s Office, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the Falmouth Police Department. Valuable support was provided by the FBI, MEMA, the Towns of Falmouth and Brunswick, FEMA and MMC.
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Fairfield Woman Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling $1.5 MillionRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CAROLINA GUERRENO, 50, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for embezzling approximately $1.5 million from her employer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Guerreno served as the Chief Financial Officer of a financial services company located in Shelton. As part of her job responsibilities, she had access to her employer’s bank accounts and was allowed to initiate financial transactions, including wiring company funds to other bank accounts. From January 2019 and continuing until her fraud was detected by the company in February 2021, Guerreno stole $1,532,207.24 by altering company financial transactions and directing electronic payments from her employer’s bank account to her credit card accounts, her personal bank accounts, and to pay her home equity line of credit. Guerreno used the stolen funds for home improvements, furniture, a luxury automobile, European vacations, a time-share condominium at a Vermont ski resort, jewelry, to pay off her home mortgage, and to fund her children’s college savings accounts.
Judge Shea ordered Guerreno to make full restitution. To date, Guerreno has repaid her employer approximately $400,000.
On August 30, 2022, Guerreno pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Wallingford Police Department and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.