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22 March 2023
Federal Court Holds West Palm Beach Tax Preparer in ContemptRead the Press Release
A federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, held on March 20 that Jeffrey Cadet violated a permanent injunction entered against him on Aug. 12, 2019, which barred him from acting as a federal tax return preparer or requesting, assisting in, or directing the preparation or filing of federal tax returns for others.
On Jan. 5, 2022, following an investigation of Cadet’s activities, the United States filed a Motion for Order to Show Cause asking the court to hold Cadet in civil contempt based on evidence that he was preparing tax returns without signing them as the return preparer. The investigation was undertaken by the Tax Division as part of its effort to monitor the conduct of return preparers who have been enjoined from preparing returns for others, and to hold accountable those who violate their injunction.
As the court noted, Cadet did not respond to the motion or contest the evidence against him. Based on the evidence presented by the United States, the court found that Cadet violated his injunction by continuing to prepare returns for customers and held him in civil contempt. To remedy his contempt, the court ordered Cadet to disgorge $24,410 in ill-gotten fees he received for conduct that violated the injunction. The court also ordered Cadet to pay the United States $7,386.39 to reimburse the government for the attorneys’ fees it incurred to investigate and prosecute his post-injunction conduct.
The injunction barring Cadet from preparing tax returns remains in effect, and the United States remains authorized to monitor his compliance with the court’s orders.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers, including “ghost preparers” who don’t sign the returns they prepare. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard their personal information.
In the past decade, the Department of Justice Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
FCI Schuylkill Inmate Charged with Possessing ContrabandRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Xavion Lawrence, age 22, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institute Schuylkill, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing contraband.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on November 13, 2022, Lawrence was found in possession of a piece of plexiglass sharpened to a point with a cloth handle, commonly referred to as a “shank.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Brian J. Gallagher is prosecuting the case.
Lawrence faces a maximum penalty of 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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FCI Schuylkill Inmate Charged with Possessing ContrabandRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Devontay Douglas, age 25, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institute Schuylkill, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing contraband.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on February 8, 2023, Douglas was found in possession of a 6-inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a cloth handle, commonly referred to as a “shank.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Brian J. Gallagher is prosecuting the case.
Douglas faces a maximum penalty of 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Easton Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Easton man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute cocaine in Massachusetts and Maine as part of a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy.
Christopher Riley, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2023.
Riley was charged in November 2021 along with 12 others in connection with a large drug conspiracy centering around the Gangster Disciples in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. The investigation, which began in August 2020, intercepted communications between Gangster Disciples’ leaders, members and drug suppliers pertaining to their alleged distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and Suboxone in Massachusetts, Maine and southern New Hampshire as well as into the Essex County Jail. The investigation intercepted phone calls between Riley and other gang members, who conspired distribute cocaine in Massachusetts and Maine.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and John E. Mawn, Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case is also a 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 details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Drug Trafficking Investigation Yields Largest Methamphetamine Bust in West Virginia HistoryRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson announced today that a major drug trafficking investigation has resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history, of well over 200 pounds.
A federal grand jury has returned three indictments charging 30 individuals for their roles in the drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in Charleston. Another 24 individuals are charged in state criminal complaints.
During the course of “Operation Smoke and Mirrors,” law enforcement obtained more than 50 search warrants in support of the eight-month-long investigation, with several executed within the last 48 hours including this morning. Law enforcement also seized 28 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of fentanyl, 18 firearms and $747,000 in cash.
“The takedown of this drug trafficking organization stopped a record amount of methamphetamine, as well as other dangerous drugs, from reaching our communities and causing harm,” United State Attorney Thompson said. “This investigation demonstrates that we will use all of our resources, including new and innovative investigative techniques, against those who target our communities with this poison. Our law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to dismantle this organization and obtain these indictments, and I commend their outstanding work and dedication.”
“These arrests are an outstanding example of what federal and local law enforcement can accomplish when we work together to target the individuals who threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “A large amount of illegal and dangerous drugs were stopped from going into our local neighborhood during the course of this investigation. The arrests today dismantled a drug trafficking network that has wreaked havoc in the Charleston area for far too long. For anyone looking to fill the void left by those arrested, I want you to know we are not going anywhere, and the FBI and our law enforcement partners are here to find, arrest and bring to justice those who terrorize our community with violence and drugs.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Charged in a three-count federal indictment are: Antonio Lamar Jeffries, 34, and Michael Allen Roberts, Jr., 40, both of St. Albans; Karl Lamont Funderburk, 37, of Hurricane, Mark Leslie Lively, 56, of Kenna; Scott Jeremy Savage, 46, of Nitro; Ryan Keith Kincaid, 46, of South Charleston; Todd Tyler Snead, 57, of Waynesboro, Virginia; and Tres Avery Davis, 34, Telisa Rene McCauley, 31, Deayria Eyshay Willis, 24, John Paul Loudermilk, 60, Timothy Allen Loudermilk, 63, Keith Royal Goode-Harper, 31, Nicole Leigh Fierbaugh, 44, Latesha Lashae Nappier, 29, Jeremy Rayshad Walker, 34, Charles Norman Pannell, 43, and Les Van Bumpus, 34, all of Charleston.
The indictment charges 14 of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from November 2022 to March 2023 at or near Charleston. The indictment attributes 500 grams or more of methamphetamine to Jeffries, Davis, McCauly, Roberts and Snead and 50 grams or more to Funderburk. The indictment charges six of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and six of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, all from December 2022 to March 2023 at or near Charleston.
Charged in a separate, one-count federal indictment are: Alexandria Jasmine Estep, 21, and Robert Dewayne Miller, 35, both of Charleston; and Perry Johnson, Jr., 29, and Dashounieque Lashay Wright, 26, both of Detroit, Michigan. The indictment charges all four defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from October 2022 to January 2023 at or near Charleston.
The federal grand jury previously indicted eight individuals as part of Operation Smoke and Mirrors: Jasper Wemh, 38, Justin Allen Bowen, 40, Richard Allen Bowen, 62, Kimberly Dawn Legg, 49, Larry Wayne Legg, 55, and Stanley Aaron Burkes, 62, all of Charleston; McKenzie Bowen, also known as McKenzie Myers, 24, of Belle; and Nicholas Bradford Confere, 35, of Mammoth. Justin Allen Bowen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on February 23, 2023. Larry Wayne Legg pleaded guilty on March 6, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The remaining defendants are scheduled for trial on April 25, 2023.
Note: An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-31 (Jeffries et al.), 2:23-cr-33 (Estep et al.), and 2:23-cr-4 (Wemh et al.).
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Downey Tax Preparation Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Helping to Prepare Almost 400 False Income Tax Returns with Inflated RefundsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man pleaded guilty today to knowingly preparing nearly 400 fraudulent federal income tax returns that caused a loss of more than $750,000 to the IRS by inflating his clients’ tax refunds without their knowledge and then pocketing the difference between the clients’ true refunds and the inflated ones.
Raudel Sandoval, 48, of Placentia, pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns.
According to his plea agreement, Sandoval is a licensed tax preparer and owns RSE Sandoval España Inc., a Downey-based tax preparation company. Sandoval willfully prepared hundreds of false federal and state income tax returns for clients for the tax years 2015 through 2018. On these returns, he claimed false or inflated amounts of the child tax credit, business losses, short-term capital losses and other items to which the taxpayer clients were not entitled.
Sandoval falsified the tax returns with deductions and credits that his clients did not incur or had not informed him about. He also inflated the amounts of deductions and credits that his clients were entitled to claim.
When he finished preparing a tax return, Sandoval gave his clients copies of their returns that were true and correct, but falsely told them that he would file their true-and-correct copies with the IRS on their behalf.
Then, Sandoval inflated his clients’ returns with false and fraudulent deductions and credits and filed these false tax returns with the IRS. The false returns showed a larger refund than on the true-and-correct copies Sandoval had given to his clients.
Sandoval then directed the inflated refunds to himself. He did so by changing the bank account and routing numbers on the filed returns to a bank account he controlled. Sandoval controlled more than 100 bank accounts with several different banks and opened many of the accounts in his clients’ names. But he was the accounts’ only authorized signor. Several of the Sandoval-owned bank accounts had the name “Federal Tax Refund Processing.”
Sandoval directed the IRS to send the inflated refunds through a third-party refund processor to be deposited into an account he controlled. Other times, he caused the IRS to mail a check of the inflated refund to his business address. He then would deposit the check into one of his accounts.
After receiving the inflated refund, Sandoval transferred a portion of it – the amount his clients were expecting to receive based on the true-and-correct tax return copies – to one of his “Federal Tax Refund Processing” accounts. Sandoval then transferred that money to his clients’ bank accounts, causing them to believe their refunds were from a legitimate government source.
Sandoval kept the difference between the true refund and the inflated refund.
For the tax years 2015 through 2018, Sandoval willfully understated his clients’ tax liabilities and caused a loss of $758,550 to the IRS, caused by the filing of at least 389 fraudulent income tax returns.
United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett scheduled a September 6 sentencing hearing, at which time Sandoval will face a statutory maximum sentence of three years in federal prison for each count.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Valerie L. Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
As the 2023 tax season continues, taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS offers tips on how to accurately file returns and how to choose a tax return preparer, as well as steps taxpayers can take to get a jumpstart on filing.
Taxpayers seeking assistance can access the IRS’s free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also has programs offering free basic return preparation for qualifying seniors and individuals with low to moderate income. In addition, IRS Free File, a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $72,000. For individuals whose income is over that threshold, IRS Free File offers electronical federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free.
District Man Sentenced to Six Year Prison Term for Stabbing Man Outside of Union StationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Julius Yancey, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for a violent assault, in June of 2022, outside of Union Station. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 30, 2022, at approximately 2:20pm, Yancey approached the victim outside of Union Station, at 2 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC. The victim was sitting down and looking at his phone when Yancey stabbed him three times with a knife - once in the arm, and twice in the chest – for no reason and without provocation. The victim escaped and ran into Union Station looking for police officers to help him. The defendant followed the victim into Union Station while still holding the knife and stalked after him down two hallways. After about a minute, the defendant was stopped by police officers and the victim collapsed on the floor. The defendant dropped the knife when confronted with police and taken into custody. The victim received emergency medical care by officers at the scene, including an officer putting a tourniquet on his arm to stop the bleeding from the open wound located there. The victim was then transported to the hospital, where a doctor had to stitch up his wounds. At the time of this incident, the defendant was on release in a pending matter for simple assault, attempted threats, and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon in 2021 CMD 006032. The defendant has subsequently been convicted after a bench trial of these offenses, and Yancey was sentenced to 180 days straight time for each conviction, to run concurrently.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the cases at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Tamaya Reid and Kalisha Johnson-Clark, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren “Luca” Winer, Emily Kubo, and Richard Carlton who investigated the matter.
Department of Labor Agent Pleads Guilty to Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Special Agent with the Department of Labor, Thomas Hartley, age 49, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on March 21, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of mail fraud in connection with multiple schemes to commit fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hartley admitted that he obtained a total of $197,366 through multiple fraud schemes. Between April 2020 and September 2021, Hartley applied for and collected Pennsylvania unemployment compensation benefits by claiming that he was unemployed, when in fact Hartley was employed on full time active duty with the New Jersey National Guard. Further, in applying for unemployment benefits, the defendant failed to disclose that he was on military leave from his full-time federal civilian employment with the United States Department of Labor. Hartley thereby utilized the mail to collect approximately $60,284 in unemployment compensation funds to which he was not entitled.
In connection with his guilty plea, Hartley also acknowledged that he fraudulently obtained $23,582 in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) funds paid by the Department of the Army, $50,000 in “lost wage” benefits paid by USAA insurance, and $63,500 from his Thrift Savings Plan.
In August 2022, a grand jury issued a second superseding indictment charging Hartley with multiple fraud schemes. In addition to the scheme to fraudulently obtain Pennsylvania unemployment compensation funds, the second superseding indictment also charged that Hartley, while on leave from his position with the Department of Labor and serving with the New Jersey National Guard, submitted false documents to the Department of the Army and thereby obtained approximately $23,580 in housing allowance funds to which he was not entitled.
The second superseding indictment also charged Hartley with fraud in connection with the filing of a lost wage claim with USAA Insurance following an automobile accident. Hartley falsely claimed that he had lost wages, resulting from an automobile accident, when in fact Hartley was suspended without pay from his employment with the Department of Labor as a result of an ongoing criminal investigation. Hartley thereby collected approximately $50,000 in lost wage benefits to which he was not entitled.
Finally, the second superseding indictment charged Hartley with fraudulently obtaining funds from his Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) by falsely claiming that he was not married, when in fact he was at all times married. Hartley thereby transferred the funds to himself personally, or to a bank account solely in his name, without the knowledge or consent of his wife.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Special Investigations, the United States Army, Criminal Investigation Division, and the USAA Insurance Special Investigations Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
Under federal law, the charge of Mail Fraud carries up to a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Crown Point Woman Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Oneida Herrera, 24 years old, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGiulio after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Herrera was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $190,178 to the victim bank that incurred the loss.
According to documents in the case, between October 2020 and June 2021, Herrera participated in a scheme with her codefendant, Wendell Burts, to steal funds from customer accounts at the bank where she was employed. Herrera provided Burts with customers’ personal identification information, including names, social security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and recent account transaction details. Burts used this confidential information to make changes to the accounts online and to electronically transfer funds. Herrera and Burts attempted to steal over $480,000, and were successful in stealing the sum of $190,178.
Codefendant Wendell Burts was previously sentenced to 27 months for his role in the scheme.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.
Couple Sentenced for Failure to Pay Withheld Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that William H. White, 55, and Sarah A. White, 40, husband and wife, formerly of Roca, Nebraska, were sentenced on March 21, 2023, by the Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for Failure to Pay Over Employment Tax that had been withheld from employees’ paychecks. William White was sentenced to one year and one day imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Sarah White was sentenced to three years of probation and a fine of $10,000. Each was ordered to pay $426,047.75 restitution but was credited for payments they had made previously totaling that same amount.
William and Sarah White owned two businesses that operated in tandem -- B&B Midwest Trucking (B&B) and 419, LLC (419). During portions of 2015 to 2018, B&B and 419 withheld federal income taxes and FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) from employees’ paychecks but failed to account for those taxes on time and to pay them over to the Internal Revenue Service. The withheld employee payroll taxes totaled $144,220.31 for B&B, and $281,827.44 for 419. Each business had sufficient funds available to pay the payroll taxes when due. William and Sarah White were aware of the obligation to account for and pay the payroll taxes and were responsible to pay them, but instead used the funds withheld from employees’ paychecks to pay other business creditors and to pay for personal expenses. The businesses had further failed to pay over the employer’s share of payroll taxes to the IRS, but the Whites paid those amounts as well prior to sentencing.
“Business owners have a significant duty to collect and turn over all IRS withholding taxes,” said Thomas F. Murdock, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, St. Louis Field Office. “Those who fail to do so gain an unfair competitive advantage. The failure to abide by IRS laws will not be tolerated, and those criminals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service.
Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Receiving Bribes for Smuggling Drugs into D.C. JailRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A Correctional Officer working at the D.C. jail pleaded guilty today to receiving bribes to smuggle drugs into the D.C. jail. Beverly Williams, 52, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty in United States District Court to one count of bribery. U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 12, 2023. United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office made the announcement.
According to court documents, as part of her plea, Williams admitted that, between June and September of 2022, while working as a Correctional Officer at D.C. jail, she accepted bribe payments to smuggle packages containing narcotics into D.C. jail. Williams conspired with Keywaune McLeod, 28, of Washington D.C., and an inmate in D.C. jail. In return for the bribe payments, Williams would receive packages of drugs from McLeod and smuggle them into the facility by concealing them on her body. Once inside the D.C. jail, Williams would transfer the drugs to the inmate who would then distribute the drugs for a profit. McLeod, who was accepting and managing the proceeds from such distribution, used CashApp to make bribe payments to Williams for the drug smuggling.
Previously, in September and October 2022, Williams was charged as part of a three-co-defendant complaint, later followed by an indictment. Specifically, McLeod, Williams, and Andre Gregory, 31, who was incarcerated at the D.C. jail’s CDF while awaiting trial, were charged with conspiracy, bribery, and smuggling. All charges as to Gregory remain pending.
The bribery charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, as well as potential financial penalties. The federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gauri Gopal and Ahmed Baset with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Lisa Abbe, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia’s Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section.
A complaint and an indictment are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jojuan Lindsey (27, St. Petersburg) with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Lindsey faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on December 27, 2022, Lindsey possessed a Glock model 42 semiautomatic pistol and six rounds of Hornady 38 Auto ammunition. Lindsey has previously been convicted of six felonies, including battery of a law enforcement officer; burglary; fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer; and three separate convictions for sale or delivery of heroin. As a previously convicted felon, Lindsey is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case 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.
Columbia Man Involved in a Shooting Incident Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Eric Grier, 55, of Columbia, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that on the night of October 10, 2020, the Columbia Police Department (CPD) received a ShotSpotter alert from the Celia Saxon neighborhood. As CPD officers responded to the scene, Grier was fleeing in a white car. Officers tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Grier refused to stop and tried to elude law enforcement officers until he lost control of his car and stopped on a curb. Officers removed Grier from the car and found a discarded handgun near the passenger door. The slide of the gun was locked back, indicating the gun had been fired until the magazine was empty.
While Grier was in custody, officers found 10 spent shell casings near the area where they first saw Grier’s vehicle. The shell casings were linked to the gun found near Grier’s car via a NIBIN lead. Officers also executed a search warrant to test Grier’s hands for gunshot residue. Analysts with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed the spent shell casings recovered by CPD were fired from the gun found near Grier’s car, and Grier had gunshot residue on his hands. Before this incident, Grier had multiple convictions for criminal domestic violence.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Eric Grier to 46 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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Colorado Man Sentenced to 31 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jose O. Maes, 38, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 31 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture with a prior violent felony conviction. Maes was convicted of the offense in November of 2022 after a three-day trial. Following the prison term, Maes will serve 15 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Testimony and evidence presented at trial showed between June of 2020 and February 12, 2021, Maes was involved in a methamphetamine distribution organization which transported multiple pounds of methamphetamine from the Colorado Springs, Colorado, area to the Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska/Council Bluffs, Iowa areas between the latter part of 2020 and February 12, 2022.
On February 11, 2022, investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force saw Maes meet with two co-conspirators at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. The three were engaged in what appeared to be the transfer of drugs in the casino parking garage. Shortly thereafter, an exchange of cash occurred at a nearby gas station. Later that evening, the two co-conspirators, driving separate vehicles, were stopped on westbound Interstate 80 on their way back to Lincoln by the Nebraska State Patrol. Both vehicles were searched, and a total of approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, numerous fentanyl pills, two handguns and $5,000 in cash were found.
As a result of these stops and searches, Iowa investigators were told Maes was believed to have returned to the casinos and was likely in possession of methamphetamine, cash and a firearm. Around 2:30 a.m. on February 12, 2022, an investigator from the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and a Council Bluffs Police Officer found Maes’s car in the Harrah’s Casino parking garage. Maes evaded efforts to contact him. This resulted in a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies which ended approximately 30 miles away in a rural area of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. A search of Maes’s car resulted in the seizure of ¼ ounce of methamphetamine, a few fentanyl pills, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine and more than $34,153 in cash. That cash was later forfeited to the United States of America by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Division of Intelligence, the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Omaha Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Clayton Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding North Carolina MedicaidRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Lakia Lateefah Washington, 39, who fraudulently claimed to provide counseling services to fake patients, including an unborn child, pled guilty to defrauding North Carolina Medicaid. Washington faces up to 10 years in prison and a potential fine.
“This defendant stole money from a taxpayer-funded program intended to help individuals and families cover essential healthcare,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “My office will continue to investigate and prosecute these cases of fraud.”
According to the information and evidence summarized in court, Washington was a licensed mental health counselor registered with North Carolina Medicaid (“Medicaid”) since 2015. Through her business, L.W. Therapeutics & Consulting, LLC, Washington began fraudulently billing Medicaid as early as January 2018. Washington received names, dates of birth and/or Medicaid beneficiary numbers of Medicaid beneficiaries for which she paid a small finder’s fee. Washington would then use that beneficiary data to fraudulently submit claims to Medicaid for services never rendered. In egregious examples, Washington fraudulently billed Medicaid for over 24 one-hour mental health appointments in a single day; and billed Medicaid for in-person services rendered in disparate locations in Eastern North Carolina within close temporal proximity. In another instance, Washington submitted claims for services rendered to an unborn beneficiary still in utero at the time of the purported service being rendered. In total, Washington’s actions led to the disbursement of over $800,000 by Medicaid from 2018 to 2020.
“This person defrauded Medicaid of money that should have gone to people’s health care,” said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. “My office will continue to hold people responsible when they cheat taxpayers.”
“Those who fraudulently bill Medicaid for services never actually provided threaten the integrity of this important safety net program, which is designed to provide medically necessary services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our country,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. “Working closely with our law enforcement partners, our agency continues to thoroughly investigate such fraud schemes and hold scammers accountable for their actions.”
The Center for Medicaid Services, within the federal Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for overseeing the Medicaid program in North Carolina, which has been administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services since 1978. Medicaid providers are assigned a National Provider Identifier, which they use to submit claims for reimbursement for services rendered to Medicaid beneficiaries.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the plea. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, is leading the investigation with the assistance North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:23-cr-00065-BO.
City of Holyoke Settlement Will Address Pollution in Connecticut RiverRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The City of Holyoke has entered into a proposed consent decree with federal and state environmental enforcement authorities agreeing to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act and Massachusetts state law to reduce future sewage discharges into the Connecticut River from the City’s sewer collection and stormwater systems.
The consent decree, filed today in federal court, is the result of an enforcement action brought by the Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
As stated in the settlement document, Holyoke discharges pollutants from combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Connecticut River in violation of its federal and state wastewater discharge permits. In full cooperation with federal and state environmental agencies, the City has taken steps in recent years to address these discharges, including finalizing a CSO long term control plan and eliminating the Jackson Street CSO. The consent decree will require the City to undertake further sewer separation work that will eliminate or reduce additional CSO discharges.
The City will also conduct sampling of its storm sewer discharges, work to remove illicit connections, and take other actions to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff. The consent decree also includes a $50,000 penalty for past permit violations as a result of CSO discharges.
In 2019, at the request of the Department of Justice and the Massachusetts Attorney General, the court entered a partial consent decree whereby Holyoke agreed to develop a long-term plan for reducing sewer discharges. The consent decree filed today represents the parties’ proposed final agreement to reduce sewer discharges and would supersede the prior decree.
“Fiercely protecting our environment is a civil and human rights issue and ensuring that every community has clean water is a vital part of that work. This consent decree better protects the residents of Holyoke and every single community that lives along and enjoys the Connecticut River,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We will continue to require with the full force of the federal government that every community is healthy and safe.”
“Today’s settlement will significantly reduce pollution in the Connecticut River and improve water quality for the Holyoke community,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will continue pursuing environmental justice in communities burdened by pollution in rivers and streams to support the health and safety of all communities.”
“This settlement is good news for Holyoke citizens, and for the health and enjoyment of the Connecticut River and downstream communities. As Holyoke includes historically disadvantaged communities, this settlement is especially important for ensuring that all citizens can enjoy a clean and healthy environment,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “EPA is committed to continuing to work with the city to ensure that residents who live along the Connecticut River have clean and safe water. The timing of this is fortunate, as funding assistance available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law may help defray costs borne by local ratepayers.”
Holyoke owns and operates a sewer collection system that services approximately 70% of the City, two-thirds of which carries both sewage and stormwater. Most of the time, the combined system transports all wastewater to the facility for treatment. However, during periods of heavy rain the wastewater volume can exceed the capacity of the sewer system or the treatment facility and the excess wastewater will discharge to the Connecticut River without treatment. CSO discharges contain raw sewage and are a major water pollution concern.
The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. Once it is published in the Federal Register, a copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department website at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
U.S. Attorney Rollins; AAG Kim; EPA Regional Administrator Cash; Massachusetts Attorney General Campbell; and MassDEP Acting Commissioner Gary Moran made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. LaMacchia of Rollins’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, Assistant Attorney General I. Andrew Goldberg of Campbell’s Environmental Protection Division, Tonia Bandrowicz of EPA and Henry Friedman of the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Department of Justice handled the matter.
Casper, Wyoming Woman Charged with Arson in Wellspring Health Access ArsonRead the Press Release
Cheyenne, WY¾ LORNA ROXANNE GREEN, 22, of Casper, Wyoming, has been arrested and charged by complaint with arson of a facility engaged in interstate commerce. The defendant will make her initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin on March 23, 2023 at 9 a.m. in Cheyenne. The affected facility is Wellspring Health Access Clinic, which was scheduled to open June 14, 2022. The clinic intended to offer services of OB/GYN care, gender-affirming care, and abortion procedures. The arrest took place on March 21, 2023, in Casper, Wyoming by the Casper Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
On May 25, 2022, at about 3:49 a.m., Casper Police Department officers responded to the Wellspring Health Access Clinic in Casper, Wyoming. Officers observed smoke coming from the east side of the building and dispatched the Casper Fire Department who responded and extinguished the fire. Through witness accounts and video surveillance, investigators identified a suspect who had gained entry by breaking a window, pouring gas in the facility, then leaving just prior to the reporting party calling in suspicious activity.
On March 3, 2023, the Casper Police Department, with the assistance of an anonymous donor, issued a press release soliciting the public for leads in the case, with an additional $10,000 reward. Shortly after that, several tipsters identified a potential suspect, which led to the filing of charges after additional investigation.
“This case demonstrates how valuable tips are from the community,” said United States Attorney Nicholas Vassallo. “Every tip received was shared with and evaluated by cooperating law enforcement partners from the Casper Police Department, FBI, and ATF. Several tips from the public and the hard work of the investigators were instrumental in identifying and arresting Lorna Green.”
“The progress we’ve made in this complicated investigation is a perfect example of the strong working relationships we have with our Federal Law Enforcement partners,” said Chief of Police Keith McPheeters. “The FBI and the ATF provided significant resources and expertise to the Casper Police Department, working hand-in-hand with our detectives and officers throughout this lengthy investigation. Importantly, our community members also assisted in bringing this investigation to this stage. We would like to thank and recognize the dedicated investigators and citizens who contributed to the investigation of this dangerous arson incident.”
"ATF Certified Fire Investigators provided expert investigative and logistical support to the Casper Police Department where they worked together in determining the origin and cause of this arson, said Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “While established local and federal partnerships contributed greatly, we are especially grateful to the Casper community for their pivotal engagement.”
"The FBI is grateful for the relationships it maintains with local, state, federal and tribal partners," said Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. "It cannot be stressed enough that these kinds of partnerships are integral to keeping our communities safe. We are appreciative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Casper Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Wyoming for their collaborative work in this case."
If convicted, Green faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime is being investigated by the Casper Police Department, ATF, and FBI.
A complaint merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Case No: 23-MJ-17-J
Boston Man Indicted for Fentanyl Distribution OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for a drug distribution offense involving fentanyl.
Csean Skerritt, a/k/a “Shizz Grimmy,” a/k/a “Black,” 34, was indicted on one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Skerritt was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 6, 2023.
According to the charging documents, on Feb. 1, 2023, Skerritt agreed to sell 50 grams of fentanyl to an individual in exchange for $1,500. It is alleged that, following a series of communications, Skerritt met the individual at a pre-arranged location. There, Skerritt allegedly entered the individual’s car and provided approximately 55 grams of fentanyl in exchange for the agreed-upon amount.
The charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Billings man sentenced to more than five years in prison for attempted coercion, enticement of boy for sex in undercover investigationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted that he went to a location expecting to meet a boy for sex and was arrested in an undercover investigation was sentenced today to five years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Kyle Ray Schwindt, 22, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to attempted coercion and enticement.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on July 14, 2022 law enforcement conducted an undercover operation in Billings in which officers assumed the identity of a fictitious 13-year-old male online. On that day, Schwindt contacted the fictitious profile. During those communications, an undercover officer claimed to be a 13-year-old boy and told Schwindt of being 13 years old. The discussion became increasing sexual in nature and led to plans to meet at a location in Billings. On July 15, 2022, Schwindt was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location and later admitted he traveled to the location to meet a 13-year-old boy for a sexual encounter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Aurora Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Conspiracy, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Aurora, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Barry County, Mo.
Brian E. Hall, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
By pleading guilty today, Hall admitted he participated in the drug-trafficking conspiracy from Nov. 1, 2020, to April 28, 2022.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized multiple kilograms of methamphetamine from various members of the drug-trafficking organization, including Hall. Hall admitted that he was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in the southwest Missouri region. Hall also admitted he has traveled to Arizona and Oklahoma numerous times to purchase 20 to 50 pounds of methamphetamine at a time and bring it back to Missouri.
A confidential informant assisted in the controlled buy of 413 grams (approximately one pound) of methamphetamine from Hall on June 16, 2021, for $1,400. A confidential informant assisted in the controlled buy of 431.27 grams of methamphetamine from Hall on June 22, 2021, for $3,500.
Investigators also interviewed a property owner who was involved in an owner-financed sale of a house and storage units to Hall for $10,000 per month, paid in cash. The property owner was aware that Hall sold methamphetamine and did not have legitimate income to purchase the properties. Hall met the property owner in February and in March 2022 to make the $10,000 payments, which were relinquished to the government.
On April 28, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hall’s residence. Officers seized seven pounds of methamphetamine, a stolen Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was found underneath Hall’s bed, approximately $57,000 in cash found inside a safe, and drug paraphernalia used for the packaging and sale of methamphetamine. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Hall must forfeit the $57,000 to the government.
Hall told investigators he was expecting a large delivery of methamphetamine that evening, and that he planned to give the courier the $57,000. At approximately 10 p.m., a black Toyota Camry arrived at Hall’s residence. The driver and a passenger were immediately arrested, and officers seized approximately 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of methamphetamine.
Under federal statutes, Hall is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Combined Ozark Multi-jurisdictional Enforcement Team (COMET), the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, and the Stone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Bolivar, Mo., Police Department, the Cassville, Mo., Police Department, the Kimberling City, Mo., Police Department, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Another Individual Sentenced for Conspiring to Stage Automobile Accidents in Order to Defraud Insurance and Trucking CompaniesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARVEL FRANCOIS (“FRANCOIS”), age 54, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on May 17, 2020, FRANCOIS, along with participants Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Bernell Gale (“Gale”), Troy Smith (“Smith”), and another passenger, participated in a staged accident in the vicinity of Louisa Street and Chickasaw Street. Labeaud fled the scene. FRANCOIS falsely reported to the NOPD that she had been driving her Dodge Durango and that a tractor-trailer had struck her vehicle. Gale and Smith were previously sentenced before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk. Damian Labeaud’s sentencing is set for June 8, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.
United States District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced FRANCOIS to 5 years probation, 100 hours of community service, payment of restitution in the amount of $20,654.48, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit and Financial Crimes Unit’s Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Rivera, Maria Carboni and Brandon Long.
Alleged Utah Drug Trafficker Arrested Following Seizure of Illicit Drugs, Including 41,000 Pills of Suspected FentanylRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Utah returned an indictment today charging a foreign national with multiple drug and distribution charges after seizing 41,000 suspected fentanyl pills from a home in Herriman.
According to the complaint and law enforcement affidavit, on March 7, 2023, Luis Alexander Coronado, 24, of Herriman, Utah, was arrested after FBI agents with the Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) executed a search warrant at his residence based on probable cause he was engaging in drug trafficking. During the search, agents located and seized approximately 2,363 grams of methamphetamine, 2,208 grams of cocaine, 3,506 grams of heroin, and 41,000 pills containing fentanyl. The methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin were weighed in their packaging and field tested-positive.
FBI Seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and a handgun.Coronado is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. The defendant is scheduled for his initial court appearance March 23, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.
U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Vernon G. Stejskal, of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
21 March 2023
백악관 법률 구조 부처간 원탁회의, 대통령 보고서 발표Read the Press Release
오늘 메릭 B. 갈랜드 법무장관은 백악관 고문 스튜어트 델러리와 공동으로 2022년도 백악관 법률 구조 부처간 원탁회의(Roundtable) 보고서를 발표했습니다. 보고서는 "간소화를 통한 사법 접근: 연방 정부 서류 양식, 절차 및 언어의 사람 중심 간소화를 위한 로드맵" (Access to Justice through Simplification: A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language,) 이라는 제목으로, "부유함 또는 지위와 상관없이 개인과 가족에게 의미있는 사법 접근 기회를 높이는" 원탁회의의 임무를 추진하는 데 있어 정부 기관들의 성과 및 공헌을 강조하고 있습니다.
메릭 B. 갈랜드 법무장관은 "정부 서류 양식과 절차는 변호사 또는 그들을 고용할 수 있는 여유를 가진 사람들뿐 아니라, 모든 사람에게 다가가기 쉬워야 한다"고 말했습니다. "원탁회의의 2022년도 보고서는 정부 기관들이 장벽을 낮추는 데 도움이 되고 연방 정부 프로그램 및 서비스에 대한 접근 확장을 위한 로드맵을 제공합니다."
보고서는 개인이 법적 도움을 구할 필요성을 줄이기 위해 연방 정부가 서류 양식 및 절차를 간소화할 방법들에 초점을 맞춥니다. 2022년에 원탁회의는 간소화된 로드맵을 개발하고 회원 기관의 모범 사례를 부각함으로써 프로그램, 서비스 및 혜택에 대한 접근을 확장하는 데 집중했습니다. 원탁회의의 2022년도 보고서는 앞으로 나아가는 3단계 계획을 구분했습니다: (1) 정부 프로그램에 의해 서비스 및 영향을 받는 지역사회와의 의미 있는 관계 유지를 통해 접근에 대한 장벽을 이해하며 (2) 관계 유지를 통해 받은 피드백 통합을 통해 전략을 실행하고 (3) 접근이 의미 있게 확장됐는지 또는 추가 개선 가능 여부를 측정하기 위해 간소화 노력의 영향을 평가합니다. 또한, 보고서는 회원 기관들의 성공적인 서류 양식 및 절차 간소화 노력을 보여주고 사람 중심 설계 및 지역사회 참여를 통해 범정부적 접근 개선을 위해 전념할 것을 촉진합니다.
사법접근실 실장 레이첼 로시는 "이 업무를 통해, 서류 양식, 절차 및 언어를 간소화하는 데 사람 중심 접근법을 최우선으로 하고 있다"고 밝혔습니다. 또한 "모두를 위한 사법접근을 실현하기 위한 우리의 노력은 현재 사법 업무가 지원되는 지역사회를 중심으로 이루어지는 것이 중요하다"고 덧붙였습니다.
2022년 12월에 메릭 갈랜드 법무장관과 스테이시 그릭스비 백악관 부수석 법률고문은 원탁회의 소집 공동의장을 맡아 미합중국 세컨드 젠틀맨 더글러스 엠호프와 바니타 굽타 법무차관의 발언과 참여로, 그리고 사법접근실 실장 레이첼 로시에 의해 조정되었습니다. 원탁회의에 참석한 기관장 및 고위급 관리들은 보훈부 장관 데니스 리처드 맥도너, 국토안보부 부장관 존 티엔, 사회보장국 국장 대행 키롤로 키자카지 박사, 미합중국 행정 회의 의장 앤드류 푸아, 소비자 금융 보호국 국장 로힛 초프라, 교육부 차관 제임스 크발, 평등 고용 추진 위원회 위원장 샬롯 버로우즈, 연방 통신 위원회 여성 위원장 제시카 로젠워셀, 대통령 부보좌관 차이래그 베인즈, 국방부 법률 고문 캐롤라인 크라스, 노동부 노동 사무변호사 시마 난다, 법률 서비스 공사 사장 로날드 플래그, 디지털 서비스 청장 미나 시앙, 부통령실 부수석 법률 고문 나스리나 발그지, 환경 보호국 법률 고문 제프리 프리에토, 내무부 수석 대리 사무변호사, 앤 마리 블렛소 다운즈, 정보 규제국 부국장 사빌 라만, 농무부 최고 고객 경험 책임자 심차 수베이케 보긴, 국제 개발처 수석 부행정관 칼 픽켄셔 및 국립 과학 재단 차장 알란 톰킨스를 포함합니다. 그 밖의 국무부, 재무부, 보건복지부 및 교통부 관리들이 참석했습니다.
원탁회의는 법률 서비스 제공자와 정부 자원에 접근하는 데 있어서 보편적으로 서비스가 취약하고 소외된 지역사회가 직면한 장벽을 이해하기 위해 지역사회와의 관계 유지의 중요성을 논의했습니다. 원탁회의는 연방 정부 서류 양식, 절차 및 언어를 간소화하는 효과적인 전략을 채택하는 데 관계 유지를 통해 알게 된 정보 통합의 중요성을 강조했습니다. 또한, 원탁회의는 연방 정부 혜택 및 프로그램에 대해 대중이 접근할 수 있도록 도움을 주는 법률 서비스 제공자의 업무를 되돌아 보고, 또한 서류 양식 및 절차의 간소화가 어떻게 법률 서비스 조직의 부담을 경감할 수 있는지 되돌아보았습니다.
또한, 회의 중 갈랜드 법무장관은 앨리 양-그린을 법무국 내부의 직책인 원탁회의의 기조실장으로 지명했습니다. 미스 양-그린은 사법 접근에 헌신한 뛰어난 경력을 가지고 있고 전에는 법무부 사법접근실의 변호사를 역임했습니다. 미스 양-그린은 공동의장의 지시에 따라 원탁회의의 정기 회의를 소집하고 업무를 감독하게 됩니다. 법무부의 사법접근실은 지속적으로 원탁회의에 직원을 제공하며 새로운 접근 방식의 개발 및 의미 있는 사법접근을 제공하는 모범사례를 추진하고 원탁회의 회원 기관들과 협력하여 일할 것입니다.
2021년에 갈랜드 법무장관은 법무부 내에 연방 정부에 대한 이해를 개선하고 미국 전역의 지역 사회에 가장 시급한 법적 필요성을 다루는 능력에 전념하는 독립된 사법접근실의 부활을 발표했습니다. 추가로 갈랜드 법무장관은 법률 구조 부처간 원탁회의의 공동의장 자격으로 백악관 고문 데이나 레무스와 함께 원탁회의의 2021년도 보고서 코로나 시대의 사법 접근 (Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19)도 발표했습니다. 2021년도 원탁회의는 코로나 팬데믹 기간에 드러나고 악화된 사법 접근에 대한 장벽에 초점을 맞추고 원탁회의 회원들이 이에 응하여 채택한 혁신적인 전략을 확인했습니다.
白宮法律援助機構間圓桌會議向總統發布報告Read the Press Release
今天，司法部長梅裏克·加蘭德 （Merrick B. Garland） 與白宮法律顧問斯圖爾特·德勒裏 （Stuart Delery）聯合發布了 2022 年白宮法律援助機構間圓桌會議（圓桌會議）報告。該報告題為 《通過簡化程序獲得司法公正：以人為本簡化聯邦政府表格、程序和語言的路線圖》 (「Access to Justice through Simplification, A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language」) 強調了各機構在促進圓桌會議使命方面的成就和承諾，即 「為個人和家庭提供更多有意義的訴諸司法的機會，無論其財富或地位如何。」
司法部長加蘭德說：「政府表格和程序必須可供所有人獲得及使用——而不僅僅是律師或那些負擔得起的人。圓桌會議 2022 年報告提供了一份路線圖，幫助各機構減少障礙，擴大對聯邦政府項目和服務的使用。」
該報告的重點是聯邦政府如何簡化其表格和程序，以減少個人尋求法律援助的需求。 2022 年，圓桌會議的重點是通過製定簡化路線圖和強調成員機構的最佳實踐，來擴大對項目、服務和福利的使用。圓桌會議的 2022 年報告確定了一條三步走的路徑：(1) 通過與政府項目所服務和影響的社區進行有意義的接觸，了解獲取服務的障礙，(2) 通過整合接觸中的反饋實施戰略， (3) 評估簡化工作的影響，確定其是否有意義地擴大了獲得服務的機會，或者是否有可能進一步改進。該報告還介紹了成員機構在簡化表格和程序方面的成功努力，並通過以人為本的設計和社區參與，促進了改善政府整體的使用情況的承諾。
司法公正辦公室主任雷切爾·羅西（Rachel Rossi）說：「通過這項工作，我們正在優先考慮以人為本的方法來簡化表格、程序和語言，將我們所服務的社區置於我們努力為所有人尋求司法公正的中心，這一點至關重要。」
2022 年 12 月，司法部長加蘭德和白宮法律顧問辦公室共同主持了圓桌會議的召開，美國第二先生道格拉斯·埃姆霍夫（Douglas Emhoff）和副司法部長瓦尼塔·古普塔（Vanita Gupta）發表了講話並參加了會議，司法公正辦公室主任雷切爾·羅西主持了會議。出席圓桌會議的機構負責人和高級官員包括退伍軍人事務部部長丹尼斯·理查德·麥克多諾（Denis Richard McDonough）、國土安全部副部長約翰·田（John Tien）、社會保障部代理專員基羅羅·基賈卡茲（Kilolo Kijakazi） 博士、美國行政會議主席 Andrew Fois，消費者金融保護局局長 Rohit Chopra、教育部副部長 James Kvaal、平等就業機會委員會主席 Charlotte Burrows、聯邦通信委員會主席 Jessica Rosenworcel、總統副助理 Chiraag Bains、國防部總法律顧問 Caroline Krass，勞工部法律顧問Seema Nanda、法律服務公司總裁 Ronald Flagg、數字服務管理員 Mina Hsiang、副總統辦公室副法律顧問 Nasrina Bargzie、環境保護署總法律顧問 Jeffrey Prieto、內政部首席副法律顧問Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes、信息和監管事務辦公室副行政官Sabeel Rahman、農業部首席客戶體驗官 Simchah Suveyke Bogin、國際開發署高級副助理行政官 Karl Fickenscher ，以及美國國家科學基金會副處長 Alan Tomkins。來自國務院、財政部、衛生與公眾服務部和交通部的其他官員也出席了會議。
圓桌會議討論了與社區接觸的重要性，包括法律服務提供者和歷史上服務不足和邊緣化的社區，以了解在獲取政府資源方面面臨的障礙。圓桌會議強調了整合從接觸中了解到的信息，以采用有效策略來簡化聯邦政府表格、流程和語言的重要性。圓桌會議還反思了法律服務提供商為幫助公眾獲得聯邦政府福利和項目所做的工作，以及簡化表格和流程如何能夠減輕法律服務組織的負擔。
會議期間，司法部長加蘭德還任命艾莉·楊·格林 （Allie Yang-Green） 為圓桌會議的執行主任，該職位屬於司法公正辦公室。楊·格林女士在致力於司法公正方面有著傑出的職業生涯，她此前是司法部司法公正辦公室的一名律師。楊·格林女士將根據聯合主席的指示，定期召集圓桌會議並監督其工作。司法部司法公正辦公室將繼續為圓桌會議配備人員，並與圓桌會議成員機構合作，推動開發新方法和最佳實踐，提供有意義的司法援助。
2021 年，司法部長加蘭德宣布在司法部內恢復設立獨立的司法公正辦公室，致力於提高聯邦政府對解決全美社區最緊迫法律需求的理解和能力。此外，作為法律援助機構間圓桌會議的聯合主席，司法部長加蘭德與白宮法律顧問達納·雷穆斯（Dana Remus）還發布了圓桌會議的 2021 年報告 《COVID-19 時代的司法公正》(「Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19」) 。2021 年圓桌會議重點關註在 COVID-19 大流行期間暴露和加劇的獲得司法公正的障礙，並確定了圓桌會議成員采取的應對創新戰略。
白宫法律援助机构间圆桌会议向总统发布报告Read the Press Release
今天，司法部长梅里克·加兰德 （Merrick B. Garland） 与白宫法律顾问斯图尔特·德勒里 （Stuart Delery）联合发布了 2022 年白宫法律援助机构间圆桌会议（圆桌会议）报告。该报告题为 《通过简化程序获得司法公正：以人为本简化联邦政府表格、程序和语言的路线图》 (“Access to Justice through Simplification, A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language”) 强调了各机构在促进圆桌会议使命方面的成就和承诺，即 “为个人和家庭提供更多有意义的诉诸司法的机会，无论其财富或地位如何。”
司法部长加兰德说：“政府表格和程序必须可供所有人获得及使用——而不仅仅是律师或那些负担得起的人。圆桌会议 2022 年报告提供了一份路线图，帮助各机构减少障碍，扩大对联邦政府项目和服务的使用。”
该报告的重点是联邦政府如何简化其表格和程序，以减少个人寻求法律援助的需求。 2022 年，圆桌会议的重点是通过制定简化路线图和强调成员机构的最佳实践，来扩大对项目、服务和福利的使用。圆桌会议的 2022 年报告确定了一条三步走的路径：(1) 通过与政府项目所服务和影响的社区进行有意义的接触，了解获取服务的障碍，(2) 通过整合接触中的反馈实施战略， (3) 评估简化工作的影响，确定其是否有意义地扩大了获得服务的机会，或者是否有可能进一步改进。该报告还介绍了成员机构在简化表格和程序方面的成功努力，并通过以人为本的设计和社区参与，促进了改善政府整体的使用情况的承诺。
司法公正办公室主任雷切尔·罗西（Rachel Rossi）说：“通过这项工作，我们正在优先考虑以人为本的方法来简化表格、程序和语言，将我们所服务的社区置于我们努力为所有人寻求司法公正的中心，这一点至关重要。”
2022 年 12 月，司法部长加兰德和白宫法律顾问办公室共同主持了圆桌会议的召开，美国第二先生道格拉斯·埃姆霍夫（Douglas Emhoff）和副司法部长瓦尼塔·古普塔（Vanita Gupta）发表了讲话并参加了会议，司法公正办公室主任雷切尔·罗西主持了会议。出席圆桌会议的机构负责人和高级官员包括退伍军人事务部部长丹尼斯·理查德·麦克多诺（Denis Richard McDonough）、国土安全部副部长约翰·田（John Tien）、社会保障部代理专员基罗罗·基贾卡兹（Kilolo Kijakazi） 博士、美国行政会议主席 Andrew Fois，消费者金融保护局局长 Rohit Chopra、教育部副部长 James Kvaal、平等就业机会委员会主席 Charlotte Burrows、联邦通信委员会主席 Jessica Rosenworcel、总统副助理 Chiraag Bains、国防部总法律顾问 Caroline Krass，劳工部法律顾问Seema Nanda、法律服务公司总裁 Ronald Flagg、数字服务管理员 Mina Hsiang、副总统办公室副法律顾问 Nasrina Bargzie、环境保护署总法律顾问 Jeffrey Prieto、内政部首席副法律顾问Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes、信息和监管事务办公室副行政官Sabeel Rahman、农业部首席客户体验官 Simchah Suveyke Bogin、国际开发署高级副助理行政官 Karl Fickenscher ，以及美国国家科学基金会副处长 Alan Tomkins。来自国务院、财政部、卫生与公众服务部和交通部的其他官员也出席了会议。
圆桌会议讨论了与社区接触的重要性，包括法律服务提供者和历史上服务不足和边缘化的社区，以了解在获取政府资源方面面临的障碍。圆桌会议强调了整合从接触中了解到的信息，以采用有效策略来简化联邦政府表格、流程和语言的重要性。圆桌会议还反思了法律服务提供商为帮助公众获得联邦政府福利和项目所做的工作，以及简化表格和流程如何能够减轻法律服务组织的负担。
会议期间，司法部长加兰德还任命艾莉·杨·格林 （Allie Yang-Green） 为圆桌会议的执行主任，该职位属于司法公正办公室。杨·格林女士在致力于司法公正方面有着杰出的职业生涯，她此前是司法部司法公正办公室的一名律师。杨·格林女士将根据联合主席的指示，定期召集圆桌会议并监督其工作。司法部司法公正办公室将继续为圆桌会议配备人员，并与圆桌会议成员机构合作，推动开发新方法和最佳实践，提供有意义的司法援助。
2021 年，司法部长加兰德宣布在司法部内恢复设立独立的司法公正办公室，致力于提高联邦政府对解决全美社区最紧迫法律需求的理解和能力。此外，作为法律援助机构间圆桌会议的联合主席，司法部长加兰德与白宫法律顾问达纳·雷穆斯（Dana Remus）还发布了圆桌会议的 2021 年报告 《COVID-19 时代的司法公正》(“Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19”) 。2021 年圆桌会议重点关注在 COVID-19 大流行期间暴露和加剧的获得司法公正的障碍，并确定了圆桌会议成员采取的应对创新战略。
تقرير إلى الرئيس عن قضايا المائدة المستديرة للمساعدة القانونية بين الوكالات التابعة للبيت الأبيضRead the Press Release
أصدر اليوم النائب العام ميريك ب. جارلاند، ومستشار البيت الأبيض ستيوارت ديليري، بشكل مشترك تقريرالمائدة المستديرة المشترك بين الوكالات للمساعدة القانونية للبيت الأبيض (المائدة المستديرة) لعام 2022. التقرير بعنوان "الوصول إلى العدالة من خلال التبسيط، خارطة طريق لتبسيط استمارات الحكومة الفيدرالية وإجراءاتها ولغتها المتمحورة حول الأشخاص" (Access to Justice through Simplification: A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language) يسلط الضوء على إنجازات الوكالة والتزاماتها في تعزيز مهمة المائدة المستديرة من أجل "زيادة إتاحة الوصول المُجدي إلى العدالة للأفراد والأسر، بغض النظر عن الثروة أو المكانة".
قال المدعي العام ميريك ب. جارلاند "يجب أن تكون استمارات الحكومة وإجراءاتها في متناول الجميع – ليس فقط المحامين أو هؤلاء الذين يستطيعون تحمّل نفقاتها". "يوفر تقريرالمائدة المستديرة 2022 خارطة طريق لمساعدة الوكالات على تقليل الحواجز وتوسيع الوصول إلى البرامج والخدمات الحكومية الفيدرالية".
يركز التقرير على الطرق التي يمكن للحكومة الفيدرالية من خلالها تبسيط استماراتها وإجراءاتها من أجل تقليل حاجة الأفراد لطلب المساعدة القانونية. في عام 2022، ركزت المائدة المستديرة على توسيع الوصول إلى البرامج والخدمات والفوائد من خلال تطوير خارطة طريق تبسيط وتسليط الضوء على أفضل ممارسات الوكالات الأعضاء. يحدِّد تقرير 2022 للمائدة المستديرة مسارًا من ثلاث خطوات إلى الأمام من أجل: (1) فهم العوائق التي تحول دون الوصول من خلال المشاركة الهادفة مع المجتمعات التي تخدمها وتتأثر بالبرامج الحكومية، (2) تنفيذ الاستراتيجيات من خلال دمج التعقيبات الواردة من المشاركة، و (3) تقييم تأثير الجهود المبذولة للتبسيط لتحديد ما إذا كانت قد وسعت الوصول بشكل هادف، أو إذا كانت هناك تحسينات أكثر ممكنة. كما يعرض التقرير أيضًا الجهود التي تبذلها الوكالات الأعضاء لتبسيط الاستمارات والإجراءات الناجحة وتعزز الالتزامات للوصول إلى تحسينات على مستوى الحكومة من خلال التصميم الذي يركز على الإنسان والمشاركة المجتمعية.
"من خلال هذا العمل، نعطي الأولوية للنُهج التي تركز على الناس لتبسيط النماذج والعمليات واللغة"، قالت مديرة مكتب الوصول إلى العدلة راشيل روسي. "من الأهمية وضع المجتمعات التي نخدمها في قلب جهودنا لمتابعة وصول الجميع إلى العدالة".
في ديسمبر/كانون الأول 2022، المدعي العام ميريك جارلاند ونائبة مستشار البيت الأبيض، ستايسي غريسبي، شاركا في رئاسة اجتماع المائدة المستديرة مع تقديم ملاحظات ومشاركة من قِبَل الرجل الثاني للولايات المتحدة دوغلاس إمهوف والمدعي العام المساعد فانيتا جوبتا، وأدارتها مديرة مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة، راشيل روسي. وشمل الحضور رؤساء وكالات المائدة المستديرة وكبار المسؤولين بمن فيهم سكرتير إدارة شؤون المحاربين القدامى دينيس ريتشارد ماكدونو،نائب وزير الأمن الداخلي جون تيان، المفوض بالإنابة عن قسم إدارة الضمان الاجتماعي الدكتور كيلولو كيجاكازي، رئيس المؤتمر الإداري للولايات المتحدة أندرو فوا، مدير مكتب الحماية المالية للمستهلك روهيت شوبرا، وكيل وزارة التربية والتعليم جيمس كفال، رئيسة لجنة تكافؤ فرص العمل شارلوت بوروز، ورئيسة لجنة الاتصالات الفيدرالية جيسيكا روزنوورسل، نائب مساعد الرئيس شيراغ باينز، المستشار العام لوزارة الدفاع كارولين كراس، المحامية بوزارة العمل سيما ناندا، رئيس مؤسسة الخدمات القانونية رونالد فلاج، مدير الخدمات الرقمية مينا هسيانغ، نائب مستشار مكتب نائب الرئيس نسرينا برجزي، المستشار العام لوكالة حماية البيئة جيفري برييتو، النائب الرئيسي لمحامي الداخلية آن ماري بليدسو داونس، المدير المساعد لمكتب الإعلام والشؤون التنظيمية سَبيل رحمن، المسؤول الرئيسي لتجربة العملاء بوزارة الزراعة سيمتشا سوفيك بوجن، نائب مساعد مدير أول وكالة التنمية الدولية كارل فيكنشر، ونائب مدير الشعبة بالمؤسسة الوطنية للعلوم ألان تومكينز. حضر مسؤولون إضافيون من وزارة الخارجية ووزارة الخزانة ووزارة الصحة والخدمات الإنسانية ووزارة النقل.
ناقشت المائدة المستديرة أهمية التعامل مع المجتمعات، بما في ذلك مقدمو الخدمة القانونية والمجتمعات المهمشة والمحرومة تاريخياً، لفهم الحواجزالتي تواجَه في الوصول إلى الموارد الحكومية. سلطت المائدة المستديرة الضوء على أهمية دمج المعلومات المستفادة من خلال تلك المشاركة لاعتماد استراتيجيات فعالة لتبسيط استمارات الحكومة الفيدرالية وإجراءاتها ولغتها. عكست المائدة المستديرة الضوء أيضًا على عمل مقدمي الخدمات القانونية لمساعدة الجمهور في الوصول إلى مزايا الحكومة الفيدرالية والبرامج، وكيف يمكن لتبسيط الاستمارات والإجراءات أن يخفف العبء عن منظمات الخدمات القانونية.
خلال الاجتماع، عيّن المدعي العام جارلاند أيضًا ألي يانغ جرين في منصب المدير التنفيذي للمائدة المستديرة، وهو منصب داخل مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة. تتمتع السيدة يانغ جرين بمهنة متميزة ملتزمة بالوصول إلى العدالة، وكانت محامية في السابق في مكتب إدارة الوصول إلى العدالة في الوزارة. سوف تقوم السيدة يانغ غرين، حسب توجيهات اللجنة بعقد اجتماعات منتظمة للمائدة المستديرة والإشراف على عملها. سيستمر قسم مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة في توفير الموظفين للمائدة المستديرة والعمل في شراكة مع الوكالات الأعضاء في المائدة المستديرة لدفع تطوير مناهج جديدة وأفضل الممارسات التي توفر وصولاً هادفًا إلى العدالة.
في عام 2021، أعلن المدعي العام جارلاند استئناف مكتب مستقل للوصول إلى العدالة داخل وزارة العدل مكرس لتحسين فهم الحكومة الفيدرالية للاحتياجات القانونية الأكثر إلحاحًا للمجتمعات المحلية والقدرة على معالجتها في أمريكا. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، نشر المدعي العام جارلاند بصفته الرئيس المشارك للمائدة المستديرة المشتركة بين الوكالات للمساعدة القانونية، بالاشتراك مع مستشارة البيت الأبيض دانا ريموس، تقرير المائدة المستديرة لعام 2021، "الوصول إلى العدالة في عصر
كوفيد-19" (Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19). ركزت المائدة المستديرة على العوائق التي تحول دون الوصول إلى العدالة التي تم الكشف عنها وتفاقمت خلال جائحة كوفيد-19 وحددت الاستراتيجيات المبتكرة التي اعتمدها أعضاء المائدة المستديرة استجابةً لذلك.
Worcester Man Sentenced for Robbery and Drug Trafficking ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man has been sentenced in federal court in Worcester for conspiracy to commit a robbery and distribute over 500 grams of cocaine.
Junior a/k/a “Junito” Melendez, 42, was sentenced on March 17, 2023 by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 156 months in prison followed by eight years of supervised release. In March 2022, Melendez was convicted after trial of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. On May 17, 2022, Melendez pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a Hobbs Act robbery.
In March 2019, law enforcement intercepted a series of calls revealing that Melendez and three other Worcester men – Grace Katana, Keith Johnson and Shaun Walker – were organizing a robbery.
On March 25, 2019, the four men were tracked as they drove over 60 miles in two cars from Worcester to the robbery target in Rockland, specifically, the home of a seller of glass marijuana smoking devices. Melendez and Katana went to a nearby hardware store and purchased a crowbar, razor blades and an 8-inch screwdriver, while Johnson and Walker waited in a parked car outside the store. Law enforcement intervened and seized a loaded .380 caliber firearm from the car occupied by Johnson and Walker, who were arrested. Melendez and Katana were released from the scene.Intercepted communications following the robbery confirmed that Melendez was conspiring with at least five other men – including Juan Rodriguez, Antoine Mack, Kevin Jean, Angel Cordova and Carlos Richards – to buy significant quantities of powder cocaine, convert some of that powder cocaine into crack cocaine and distribute powder and crack cocaine in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. From March 2019 through June 2019, investigators identified over four kilograms of cocaine that Melendez either purchased or sold, including over 300 grams of cocaine that was seized in New Hampshire on May 25, 2019.
All three of Melendez’s co-defendants in the robbery conspiracy have been convicted. Katana was convicted after jury trial and sentenced to 64 months in prison. Walker pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison. Keith Johnson pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
As to Melendez’s co-defendants in the drug trafficking conspiracy, Juan Rodriguez and Kevin Jean were convicted after a jury trial and sentenced to 52 months and 40 months in prison, respectively. Antoine Mack pleaded guilty and was sentenced 54 months in prison. Angel Cordova pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Carlos Richards remains a fugitive.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Valuable was provided by Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Shrewsbury Police and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm, Kristen M. Noto and Lauren A. Graber of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the cases.
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 details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable Issues Report to the PresidentRead the Press Release
Today, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and White House Counsel Stuart Delery jointly issued the 2022 White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (Roundtable) Report. The report, entitled “Access to Justice through Simplification: A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language,” highlights agency accomplishments and commitments in furtherance of the Roundtable’s mission to “increase the availability of meaningful access to justice for individuals and families, regardless of wealth or status.”
“Government forms and processes must be accessible to everyone — not just lawyers or those who can afford them,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Roundtable’s 2022 Report provides a roadmap to help agencies reduce barriers and expand access to federal government programs and services.”
The report focuses on ways the federal government can simplify its forms and processes to reduce the need for individuals to seek legal assistance. In 2022, the Roundtable focused on expanding access to programs, services, and benefits by developing a simplification roadmap and highlighting member agencies’ best practices. The Roundtable’s 2022 report identifies a three-step path forward to: (1) understand the barriers to access through meaningful engagement with communities served and impacted by government programs, (2) implement strategies through incorporating feedback from engagement, and (3) evaluate the impact of the simplification efforts to determine whether they have meaningfully expanded access, or if further improvements are possible. The report also features successful form and process simplification efforts by member agencies and promotes commitments for government-wide access improvements through human-centered design and community engagement.
“Through this work, we are prioritizing people-centered approaches to simplify forms, processes and language,” said Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice. “It is critical to place the communities we serve at the center of our efforts to pursue access to justice for all.”
In December 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy White House Counsel Stacey Grigsby co-chaired a convening of the Roundtable with remarks and participation by Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, and moderated by Director of the Office for Access to Justice, Rachel Rossi. The Roundtable agency principals and high-level officials in attendance included Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis Richard McDonough, Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary John Tien, Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, Administrative Conference of the United States Chair Andrew Fois, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra, Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Charlotte Burrows, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Deputy Assistant to the President Chiraag Bains, Department of Defense General Counsel Caroline Krass, Department of Labor Solicitor Seema Nanda, Legal Services Corporation President Ronald Flagg, Digital Service Administrator Mina Hsiang, Office of the Vice President Deputy Counsel Nasrina Bargzie, Environmental Protection Agency General Counsel Jeffrey Prieto, Department of Interior Principal Deputy Solicitor Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Associate Administrator Sabeel Rahman, Department of Agriculture Chief Customer Experience Officer Simchah Suveyke Bogin, Agency for International Development Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Karl Fickenscher, and National Science Foundation Deputy Division Director Alan Tomkins. Additional officials attended from the Department of State, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Transportation.
The Roundtable discussed the importance of engaging with communities, including legal service providers and historically underserved and marginalized communities, to understand barriers faced in accessing government resources. The Roundtable highlighted the importance of incorporating information learned through that engagement to adopt effective strategies to simplify federal government forms, processes and language. The Roundtable also reflected on the work of legal service providers to assist the public with access to federal government benefits and programs, and how simplification of forms and process can alleviate the burden on legal services organizations.
During the meeting, Attorney General Garland also named Allie Yang-Green as the Executive Director of the Roundtable, a position within the Office for Access to Justice. Ms. Yang-Green has had a distinguished career committed to access to justice, and she was previously an attorney with the Department’s Office for Access to Justice. Ms. Yang-Green will, as directed by the Co-Chairs, convene regular meetings of the Roundtable and supervise its work. The Department’s Office for Access to Justice will continue to staff the Roundtable, and to work in partnership with Roundtable member agencies to drive development of new approaches and best practices that provide meaningful access to justice.
In 2021, Attorney General Garland announced the restoration of a standalone Office for Access to Justice within the Justice Department dedicated to improving the federal government’s understanding of and capacity to address the most urgent legal needs of communities across America. In addition, in his capacity as co-chair of the Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable, Attorney General Garland, together with White House Counsel Dana Remus, also released the Roundtable’s 2021 report, “Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19.” The 2021 Roundtable focused on barriers to access to justice that were exposed and exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified the innovative strategies adopted by Roundtable members in response.
University of Iowa Agrees to Training, Payment of $16,444 to Resolve United States’ Allegations Regarding Resident X-Ray InterpretationsRead the Press Release
The University of Iowa (“UI”) has agreed to training and payment of $16,444 to the United States to resolve allegations that UI, through its academic medical center in Iowa City, Iowa, submitted claims for payment to the Medicare program for x-ray interpretations by resident physicians where an attending physician’s review of the residents’ interpretations did not satisfy government payment requirements.
Specifically, the government alleged that it had certain civil claims against UI arising from its submission of claims for payment for resident x-ray interpretations, where review by an attending physician did not satisfy the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 415.180, between the period July 2018 to May 2020. Under 42 C.F.R. § 415.180, a Medicare payment regulation identifying requirements for the interpretation of diagnostic radiology in a teaching setting, physician fee schedule payment may be made for x-ray interpretations if the interpretation is reviewed or performed by a physician other than a resident.
Under the settlement agreement, UI will implement mandatory physician training regarding Medicare requirements for physician fee payment for interpretations of diagnostic radiology in teaching settings.
UI cooperated fully during the investigation and did not admit to any liability as part of the settlement agreement.
This civil matter arose from an action brought under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. The whistleblower will share in the United States’ financial recovery.
The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa A. Carrington and Jacob A. Schunk and investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cv-00007-CJW-KEM.
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United States Attorney Martin Estrada Establishes New Executive Position to Oversee Ethics and Post-Conviction ReviewsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – United States Attorney Martin Estrada today announced that he has created a new executive position to address ethics and post-conviction issues. In conjunction with this, the United States Attorney’s Office is establishing a new committee to review innocence claims brought by defendants convicted in the Central District of California.
The Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review will, among other things, oversee the work of the office’s ethics and professional responsibility officers, coordinate the investigation of claims of prosecutorial misconduct, lead the office’s training and development program, and review the office’s responses to requests for pardons and commutations. This position will report directly to the United States Attorney.
The Conviction Integrity Committee will review and consider claims of factual innocence brought by defendants who were convicted in the Central District of California. The Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review will chair the committee, the other members of which will include the United States Attorney, the First Assistant United States Attorney, and the Executive Assistant United States Attorney. The new process to review claims of factual innocence is partly modeled on other committees that have been formed the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and other prosecutorial agencies around the country.
“Our foremost duty as federal prosecutors is to achieve justice. Therefore, while we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the public and uphold the rule of law, we will also do all we can to ensure the integrity of our convictions, as well as the fairness of sentences,” Mr. Estrada said. “Transparency in the criminal justice system is important. While wrongful convictions are rare, we will carefully review – and, when appropriate, fully investigate – any claim that the facts of a case do not support a conviction. We are committed to obtaining fair and just outcomes in each and every case we prosecute.
“The work of the Conviction Integrity Committee also will serve as an opportunity for my office to continually review our work as prosecutors and will buttress all of the policies and procedures designed to prevent wrongful convictions.”
An application to submit innocence claims to the Committee has been placed on the United States Attorney’s Office website.
The position of Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review will be held by Assistant United States Attorney Allison L. Westfahl Kong, who will also chair the Conviction Integrity Committee. Ms. Westfahl Kong has been an Assistant United States Attorney for 10 years, most recently serving as the Chief of Trials, Integrity, and Professionalism. This new role will expand her work to include post-conviction review, which is aimed at promoting fairness and integrity at every stage of a criminal prosecution.
“Allison is an experienced prosecutor, a respected legal thinker, and a consummate professional,” Mr. Estrada said. “Her experience and judgment will ensure success in her new role.”
Union County Man Admits Illegally Possessing Firearm and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man today admitted illegally possessing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone for distribution and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
William Murphy, 45, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On July 30, 2020, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Murphy’s residence and found oxycodone pills; knotted bags containing mixtures of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl; a digital scale; a money counter; numerous empty vacuum sealed bags; and approximately $13,000 in cash. The officers also recovered a 9mm Taurus handgun, loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a box containing 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1 million. The count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. Each firearm count carries a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 20, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller; and Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Giacommo Sacca, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the Narcotics/Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit.
murphy.information.pdfUTRGV student admits to downloading child pornography via KikRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 21-year-old Los Fresnos resident has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Israel Flores Jr. admitted to possessing child pornography on a flash drive he obtained while a student at University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley.
He had downloaded the child pornography via Kik and placed that material on a flash drive for easier distribution. He then gave this device to another individual. Flores acknowledged being the original owner of the flash drive and that it had been in his possession for a number of years prior to giving it to someone else.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 21. At that time, Flores faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Flores has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Three-Year Crime Spree Ends with Firearm Conviction and Federal ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm as a felon on multiple occasions was sentenced March 15, to 8 years in federal prison.
Carter Brinkerhoff, 28, from Sioux City, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence in the case showed that on May 4, 2019, August 20, 2020, and June 27, 2021, Brinkerhoff knowingly possessed three separate firearms. Each of the occasions were discovered when law enforcement responded to allegations of other crimes of violence involving Brinkerhoff.
Brinkerhoff was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand, to 96 months imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term and pay a $100 special assessment fee. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Brinkerhoff is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Rock Valley, Iowa Police Department, Dennison, Iowa Police Department, Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, Tri-State Drug Task Force, the DEA and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-04040.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Stevensville man sentenced to 16 years in prison for fentanyl, meth trafficking operationRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Stevensville man convicted in a large-scale operation to make and distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine pills that looked like legal prescription drugs, which he sold by the thousands while illegally possessing a firearm, was sentenced today to 16 years in prison, to be followed by seven years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Andrew Kyle Whittecar, 38, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and money laundering.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on April 27, 2022, the Minnesota Highway Patrol made a traffic stop of Whittecar’s vehicle. Whittecar appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, and the trooper suspected Whittecar may be trafficking drugs. The trooper ultimately searched the vehicle and found $3,000 in cash, three grams of cocaine, more than 5,000 blue fentanyl pills, 1,000 orange pills that contained methamphetamine, a loaded Glock 17 semi-automatic handgun and an additional loaded magazine.
The government further alleged Whittecar later told law enforcement that the fentanyl and meth pills were designed to look like Percocet and Adderall, that he made between 10 to 15 trips over the last year from Seattle, Washington, to Madison, Wisconsin, with the same quantity of fentanyl: approximately 5,000 pills.
Law enforcement also received reports that Whittecar, while incarcerated, had enlisted family members to move items from his shed in Stevensville to another property somewhere in the country. Investigators executed a search warrant for the Stevensville property, which Whittecar was in the process of buying, and found a backhoe blocking entrance to a storage container. After moving the backhoe and entering the container, agents found two pill presses, dyes, chemicals and other substances indicative of manufacturing counterfeit pills. Some of the press heads had symbols and markings that were consistent with the pills recovered from Whittecar’s vehicle. Investigators also located a jar and a plastic baggie that contained fentanyl.
Law enforcement searched storage units used by Whittecar and found boxes containing lab equipment and glassware, which appeared consistent with a clandestine fentanyl laboratory. Drug Enforcement Administration chemists determined that the chemicals and equipment located in the storage units were sufficient to produce fentanyl. Agents also located a large assortment of gun parts and ammunition.
Additionally, a search of Whittecar’s three cell phones revealed suspected coded language for drug production and distribution. In March 2021, Whittecar communicated with Yangzhou Nuoya Machinery Company Ltd to import pill presses and custom dyes and punches, and he agreed to wire money to the company.
The government also alleged that Whittecar laundered his drug profits by buying several high-end vehicles, a backhoe, a trailer and additional equipment to continue his enterprise. Whittecar forfeited a 2015 Cadillac Escalade, a 2008 Ford F-450, a 2019 Ford F-450, a flatbed trailer, a backhoe, $3,000 in currency and the Glock 17 handgun and ammunition as part of his conviction in the case.
Whittecar was convicted in 2019 of three federal felonies in Washington and was prohibited from possessing a firearm for life.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Minnesota State Patrol, West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office.
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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Spouse and cousin of drug trafficking ringleader sentenced to significant prison terms for their roles in drug distribution conspiracyRead the Press Release
Seattle – Two members of a drug trafficking ring that buried drugs and cash on a rural property near Arlington, Washington, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Jose Arrondondo-Valdez, 27, was sentenced to nine years in prison and Yvette Olguin, 40, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Arrondondo-Valdez is the cousin of ringleader Cesar Valdez-Sanudo. Olguin is Valdez-Sanudo’s wife. Both played key roles in the drug ring. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour said he based his sentences “on the size of the drug ring and that it distributed fentanyl, which is an extraordinarily dangerous drug.”
“Debt collection, money laundering – these are sophisticated organizations that don’t function without members who handle these chores – and the two people sentenced today were key players in a drug ring that distributed massive amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “In addition to prison time, substantial resources have also been seized as proceeds of drug trafficking.”
Members of the drug ring were indicted in December 2020, following a lengthy wire-tap investigation. Law enforcement seized large amounts of drugs during the investigation, including a 49-pound load of methamphetamine that was coming to Washington State from California, disguised in boxes for household items.
All told, in the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 143 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 pounds of heroin, 35,000 suspected fentanyl pills, 24 firearms, and approximately $ 778,000.
“With today’s sentences, Mr. Arrondondo-Valdez and Ms. Olguin will spend significant amounts of time in federal custody as a result of their roles in this drug trafficking organization,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Together with our state and local partners we removed significant amounts of narcotics and firearms from the community and prevented the organization from using its proceeds to further their illicit schemes.”
Jose Arrondondo-Valdez served as the right-hand man to ringleader Valdez-Sanudo. Arrondondo-Valdez was arrested with Valdez-Sanudo at the Snoqualmie Casino. The men had three loaded and chambered firearms in their vehicle, one with a homemade silencer. The men planned to confront a member of the ring who owed a debt for drugs.
Jose Arrondondo-Valdez lived on the Arlington property that Olguin and Valdez-Sanudo had purchased with drug money. When law enforcement searched the property, they seized more than 27 kilos of meth, nearly six kilos of heroin, and nearly two kilos of fentanyl pills, much of it buried underground. On the property, there were ten firearms.
Olguin was key to the operations of the drug trafficking organization by making hotel and travel arrangements and working to launder the cash the operation took in. When the drug ring members were arrested, Law enforcement seized cash, checks, and the contents of bank accounts as proceeds of the drug crime. Olguin schemed with her husband Valdez-Sanudo to launder more than $1 million through casinos. The couple purchased property and vehicles to launder drug money. Olguin sought to avoid banking transaction reporting requirements by making deposits in amounts below the $10,000 threshold.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tacoma Residence Office in partnership with Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET), Kent Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, SeaTac Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF), the Skagit County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amy Jaquette and C. Andrew Colasurdo.
South Dakota Man to Federal Prison After Escape from Iowa Residential FacilityRead the Press Release
A man who escaped from federal custody was sentenced March 17, 2023, to 27 months in federal prison.
Anwar Amaya, 32, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received the prison term after he pled guilty on October 20, 2022, to escape from federal custody.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Amaya was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment on June 1, 2020, after a federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota. On February 7, 2022, Amaya departed a Federal Correctional Complex in Florida on furlough. According to the conditions of furlough, Amaya was required to arrive at Dismas Charities, a residential reentry center, halfway house in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, on February 9, 2022. Amaya did not arrive at Dismas Charities residential reentry center in Sioux City, Iowa as ordered. On February 17, 2022, Amaya was arrested by Sioux Falls Police Department after responding to a call for service of a burglary in progress.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Amaya was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 3-year of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Amaya remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the United States Marshal Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-4016. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Serial Bank Robber Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – James Valentine Siehien, 53, of Tucson, Arizona, pleaded guilty last week to one count of Bank Robbery and two counts of Armed Bank Robbery. Sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2023, before United States District Judge Raner C. Collins.
Siehien admitted that, on October 21, 2021, he robbed approximately $4,000 from a Chase Bank located in Tucson, Arizona. He also admitted that five days later, he robbed approximately $2,700 from a PNC Bank in Tucson, with what was later determined to be a fake explosive device. Finally, Siehien admitted that, on November 5, 2021, he robbed approximately $2,200 from a First Convenience Bank in Tucson, while possessing an axe.
A conviction for Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. A conviction for Armed Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tucson Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Rossi, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-03071-TUC-RCC (LCK)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-040_Siehien# # #
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.Second ex-U.S. soldier sentenced to prison for plotting murder of Fort Stewart servicemember stabbed to death in installation housingRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A former U.S. Army soldier has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in a plot that led to the stabbing death of a fellow soldier in his Fort Stewart barracks.
Jordan Brown, 23, of St. Marys, Ga., was sentenced to 240 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Assault Upon a U.S. Servicemember Involving Bodily Injury or a Deadly Weapon, and Retaliation Against a Witness Involving Bodily Injury, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Brown to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Brown’s co-defendant, Byron Booker, 29, of Ludowici, Ga., was sentenced on Feb. 2 to life in prison after previously pleading guilty to Premeditated Murder of a Member of the United States Uniformed Services.
“Both of these defendants are responsible for the brutal murder of a U.S. Army soldier who honorably performed his duties as a service member,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “The final sentence in this case hopefully provides justice for Specialist Austin Hawk, and holds his killers accountable.”
As described in court testimony and in the plea agreements for the defendants, Brown, a former U.S. Army Private First Class, admitted that he and Booker, a former U.S. Army sergeant, discussed “silencing” Specialist Austin J. Hawk, 21, at Fort Stewart Military Reservation in retaliation for Hawk reporting Brown to U.S. Army leadership for marijuana use. After gaining entry to Hawk’s barracks room shortly after midnight on June 17, 2020, Booker “slashed and stabbed Hawk repeatedly with a sharp-edged weapon.” A medical examiner noted that Hawk received 40 separate stab or slash wounds, many of them that individually would have been fatal, and cut his own hand during the assault.
Hawk’s body was found in his Fort Stewart barracks room the next day. Brown was in his own barracks room on the floor below Hawk’s room during the assault.
“This sentence holds Brown accountable for his actions and brings closure to the victim’s family,” said Rusty Higgason, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Southeast Field Office. “This complex investigation is a great example of the close teamwork among Army CID, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Georgia.”
“Brown’s sentence is a direct result of the hard work and persistence put in by the FBI Savannah Resident Agency and our partners at the U.S. Army and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Hawk’s family and friends will never be rid of the pain this senseless murder has caused them, but hopefully it gives them some sense of resolve to know that justice will be served.”
U.S. Attorney Steinberg commended the work of CID Forensic Science Technicians from Fort Stewart, Fort Bragg, Fort Gordon, and Fort Jackson, and from the analysts with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory and the FBI Crime Lab.
The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer G. Solari and Darron J. Hubbard.
Second Illinois Prison Guard Sentenced to 20 Years of Imprisonment Following Conviction for Civil Rights Deprivation Resulting in Bodily Injury and Death and Obstruction ChargesRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Todd Sheffler. 54, a former lieutenant at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, was sentenced today to an aggregate 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for civil rights deprivation resulting in bodily injury and death and obstruction of justice in connection with the death of Larry Earvin, an inmate at the facility.
At the sentencing hearing in front of Senior U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, the government summarized the evidence from Sheffler’s 2022 trial. During the trial, the government presented evidence that Sheffler and co-defendants Alex Banta, 31, who was a correctional officer, and Willie Hedden, 43, who was a sergeant, participated in the May 17, 2018, assault of Earvin, 65, during their forcible escort of Earvin from the residential housing unit of the prison to the segregation housing unit while he was restrained and handcuffed behind his back and while he posed no physical threat to the defendants or other correctional officers. The government presented further evidence that Sheffler, as the lieutenant and senior officer to co-defendants Hedden and Banta, not only participated in the assault but had a duty to intervene to prevent it. The assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Earvin, including multiple broken ribs, a punctured mesentery, and other serious internal injuries, and resulted in Earvin’s death in June 2018. After the assault, all three defendants failed to ensure Earvin received medical care and instead sought medical attention for their own minor scratches and thereafter falsified incident reports that they filed with prison officials and lied to the Illinois State Police by denying any knowledge of or participation in the assault.
Also at the sentencing, the government presented evidence, including testimony from co-defendant Hedden, that it was part of the culture at the facility to abuse inmates and lie to cover up the abuse. At Banta’s sentencing last week, during which Judge Myerscough also sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment, the government summarized the evidence establishing that Banta had inflicted the most serious blows leading to Earvin’s death, including jumping in the air and landing on Earvin with both knees. Hedden testified at today’s sentencing about a prior incident in which Sheffler was the segregation lieutenant during a previous beating of an inmate in the segregation building. During that beating, according to Hedden, Sheffler instructed the assaulting correctional officers through hand motions to strike the inmate below the head but above the waist. And the government also again presented the testimony of Earvin’s son, who stated that although he didn’t wish for anyone to go to prison, he believed that Sheffler’s request for a 30-month sentence for causing the death of his father was an “insult.”
Sheffler’s sentence, like Banta’s sentence, consisted of concurrent 15-year terms of imprisonment on two of the five counts of the indictment: conspiracy to deprive civil rights and deprivation of civil rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury and death. He also received five-year terms of imprisonment on the remaining three counts – conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct; obstruction – falsification of a document; and obstruction – misleading conduct – to run concurrent to each other and consecutive to the fifteen-year terms.
A federal grand jury had previously returned an indictment against Sheffler, of Mendon, Illinois; Hedden, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois; and Banta, of Quincy, Illinois, in December 2019.
At the first trial in April 2022, Banta was convicted of all five charges in the indictment. The jury in that joint trial was unable to reach verdicts as to Sheffler, resulting in a retrial in August 2022 at which he was convicted of the same charges. Judge Myerscough ordered that both Banta and Sheffler be detained pending their sentencings.
Hedden pleaded guilty in March 2022 to both civil rights charges and to conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. His sentencing is set for March 22, 2023, at 10 a.m. in the federal courthouse in Springfield, Illinois.
“At today’s and last week’s sentencings, we advised the court that the government’s job is to seek justice and not to win, and that an appropriate sentence in this case should include justice for the victim, Mr. Earvin,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “We hope that the convictions of Todd Sheffler, Alex Banta, and Willie Hedden and today’s sentence for Todd Sheffler and last week’s sentence for Alex Banta provide a measure of justice for Larry Earvin and his family. We also hope it serves as a warning to all those who would abuse governmental power that they will be held accountable under the law. Although the vicious and brutal beating of Mr. Earvin cost him his life, and that is a loss that can never be remedied, all of those persons whom the evidence established violated Mr. Earvin’s constitutional rights and caused his death (Sheffler, Hedden, and Banta) have been and are being held accountable. Our prosecution of this case demonstrates our continued commitment to equal justice under the law and to protecting society’s vulnerable, including those in our prisons.”
Harris added that his office also wanted to express its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Springfield Office and highlighted the complete cooperation of the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), for their thorough and professional investigation of this most important civil rights matter. Harris also especially recognized and thanked the efforts of FBI Special Agents Angela Bray and Price McCarty for their tireless efforts, without which a just outcome in this matter would not have been possible. In addition, Harris noted the important testimony of IDOC witnesses who initially participated in the cover up of these offenses, but ultimately came forward and told the truth about the events surrounding Mr. Earvin’s death. Holding the defendants accountable for their murder of Mr. Earvin would not have been possible without their testimony. Finally, Harris noted that the actions of a few here had unfairly tarnished the reputations of the men and women in law enforcement who honorably serve their communities with professionalism on a daily basis.
“While the conduct of Todd Sheffler is not characteristic of the vast majority of those working in law enforcement, it unfortunately undermines the efforts of officers who serve with integrity and who bear the responsibility to respect and defend the rights of those under their watch,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “Sheffler’s actions tarnished the reputation and badge worn proudly by the many hard-working and upstanding officers who abide by their oath. The FBI is unyielding in our commitment to zealously protect the rights of all Americans and to hold accountable anyone charged with safeguarding those rights.”
“ISP thoroughly investigates civil rights violations to hold those who break the law accountable,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This type of conduct is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.”
The statutory penalties for each of the civil rights resulting in death charges are up to life imprisonment. The statutory penalties for each of the obstruction of justice charges are up to 20 years of imprisonment.
The case was the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, the FBI-Springfield Field Office, and the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation, with the cooperation of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy A. Bass and Eugene L. Miller represent the government in the prosecution.
Rocky Mount Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 22 Years for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Rocky Mount man was sentenced yesterday to 264 months in prison for possession of marijuana and cocaine and for possession of multiple firearms in furtherance of a drug distribution offense. On October 20, 2022, Charven Keivon Gorham pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Rocky Mount Police Department officers received information that Gorham, a validated Blood gang member, was selling drugs out of his residence in Rocky Mount. Officers executed a search warrant at Gorham’s residence on May 27, 2020 after having conducted several controlled purchases of drugs from that location. During the search, officers seized marijuana, cocaine, over $13,000 in U.S. Currency, and two handguns. On October 18, 2021, a second search warrant at Gorham’s residence led to the seizure of another handgun and additional marijuana and cocaine. At the time of these search warrants, Gorham had multiple prior convictions for drug and weapons offenses in Nash County.
“This is a welcomed conviction and should serve as a reminder to those who would involve themselves in gun crimes and or attempt to sell drugs in Rocky Mount, that this criminal activity will not be tolerated,” said Rocky Mount Police Chief Robert Hassell. “We value our partnerships with our law enforcement partners and will take cases federally whenever possible to ensure these offenders are taken off our streets. We will continue to focus on drug, guns, and gangs within the city and make our city one of the safest places to live.”
This conviction comes as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. Rocky Mount Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Webb prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-CR-161-D.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 14 Months for CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Rhode Island man was sentenced today in federal court for cyberstalking.
Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Larry Spencer, 62, to 14 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Spencer pleaded guilty on October 17, 2022. The court will also issue a three-year federal protective order prohibiting contact between Spencer and the victim.
According to court records, Spencer was divorced from his former spouse in 2016 in Maryland. Following years of harassment and stalking, the victim relocated to a different residence in Maryland before moving to Maine in 2018. Spencer continued to harass and threaten her via email and social media posts, and she obtained a State of Maine protection order in 2019. Spencer continued to harass and threaten the victim in violation of the order by sending dozens of emails and harassing posts and threats online. Permanently deleting her email account did not stop him. Spencer’s use of email messages and posts on social media platforms to contact the victim directly and indirectly, as well as his overt and veiled references to violence and to her physical location, caused the victim substantial emotional distress.
“Cyberstalking is a serious and traumatizing federal crime, the prosecution of which is a priority for my office,” said United States Attorney Darcie N. McElwee.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Repeat Sacramento Sex Offender Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Joshua Klomp, 48, of Sacramento, was sentenced today to 11 years and two months in prison for possession of child pornography following a prior sex offense conviction and while on supervised release for a prior child pornography conviction, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in 2018, during a probation visit, Klomp was found to be in possession of two cellphones that contained thousands of images and video files of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct, of which more than 900 were identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as originating from known child pornography series. Further investigation revealed that Klomp’s devices contained nearly 3,000 internet history files associated with searches for young males engaged in sex acts.
At the time he possessed these images and video files, Klomp was on federal supervised release for a 2006 conviction for possession of child pornography. Klomp served 10 years in prison for that offense, and prior to that federal conviction, Klomp had been convicted in Butte County in 1995 of committing a lewd and lascivious act with a child.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki 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 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Registered Sex Offender Going to Prison for 10 Years for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Matthew Bald, 42, of Lockport, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor by a person having a prior conviction for sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, or abusive sexual contact involving a minor or ward, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who handled the case, stated that in November 2011, Bald was convicted in Niagara County Court of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to serve six months in prison and 10 years’ probation. On December 15, 2020, while still on probation, Bald possessed more than 600 images of child pornography on a laptop computer. Some of the images of child pornography depicted prepubescent minors.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski, the Niagara County Probation Department, under the direction of Director John Cicchetti, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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Pharr man pleads guilty to receipt of child pornographyRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 36-year-old Pharr resident has admitted he received videos and images containing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Hugo Benjamin Tijerina admitted he had downloaded and received the child pornography videos on his laptop.
On July 15, 2019, authorities identified an IP address associated with a home in Pharr that was using peer-to-peer software to download files depicting child pornography. The investigation led to Tijerina.
A search of the home revealed a laptop. Law enforcement discovered the device contained software used to download the child pornography as well as search terms used to find and download videos containing child pornography.
The files contained images of children under the age of 12.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 21. At that time, Tijerina faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as A $250,000 fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Otsego County Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Shelby Ortiz, age 30, of Maryland, New York was sentenced today to serve 15 years in prison and a 20-year term of supervised release to begin after imprisonment for distributing child pornography. Ortiz also will be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from prison. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli, and City of Oneota Police Chief Christopher Witzenburg.
When Ortiz pled guilty in October 2022, she admitted that she subjected an approximately seven-month-old boy to mouth to penis contact, knowing that the sex act she was performing was being video recorded. She admitted further that, on the same day she performed the sex act, she knowingly distributed the video to a person living in Florida with whom she was participating in an online and telephone dominant/submissive sexual relationship.
This case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the City of Oneonta Police Department, and the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
North Carolina Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Christopher Bell, 37, of Lumberton, North Carolina, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 5 years in prison for receiving child pornography. This term of imprisonment will be followed by 25 years of supervised release. Bell pleaded guilty to this offense on January 3, 2023.
Beginning in approximately November 2020, Bell began exchanging sexually explicit messages with Minor A via Snapchat. During the conversations, he repeatedly asked her to send him sexually explicit images in exchange for money. Minor A ultimately send an explicit image of herself. Judge Conley found that the defendant enticed and manipulated Minor A into sending the image.
The charge against Bell was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case.
New Haven Man Guilty of Narcotics and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found DONELL ALLICK, JR., also known as “D-Nice,” 24, guilty of narcotics offenses. Following the trial and before the jury returned its verdict, Allick also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing firearms.
According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, between April and October 2022, Allick conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine in the New Haven area. In September and October 2022, law enforcement made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Allick and his associate, Jourdin Senior. On October 24, 2022, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a residence shared by Allick and Senior and seized three handguns, extended magazines, and quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, some of which was packaged for street-level distribution. A related search of Allick’s car, which had been observed in suspected drug transactions, resulted in the seizure of another handgun, a 33-round extended magazine, and quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine.
Allick was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”); one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl; and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base. Each of these offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Allick pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Allick’s criminal history include state convictions for escape in the first degree, assault in the second degree-serious injury, and carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit.
The jury found Allick not guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for June 13. Allick has been detained since his arrest on November 10, 2022.
On March 10, 2023, Senior, also known as “G,” pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine base. He awaits sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); the New Haven Police Department; and the Hamden Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Rahul Kale through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Nhóm Trợ Lý Pháp Luật Liên Ngành Bàn Tròn Nhà Trắng Phát Hành Báo Cáo Tới Tông ThốngRead the Press Release
Hôm nay, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Merrick B. Garland và Cố vấn Nhà trắng Stuart Delery, cùng nhau phát hành Bản Báo cáo Trợ lý Pháp luật Liên ngành Bàn tròn (Bàn tròn). Bản báo cáo, mang tựa đề “Truy cập Công lý qua sự Đơn giản hoá: Một Lộ trình Tâm điểm là-Con người để Đơn giản hoá các Biểu mẫu, Thủ tục và Ngôn ngữ của Chính quyền Liên bang,” (“Access to Justice through Simplification: A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language”) nêu bật các thành quả và cam kết trong việc tiến hành nhiệm vụ của nhóm Bàn tròn để “gia tăng khả năng sẵn sàng các truy cập vào công lý có ý nghĩa cho các gia đình và cá nhân, bất kể giàu nghèo hay tình trạng.”
“Các biểu mẫu và thủ tục của chính quyền phải có thể truy cập được bởi mọi người—không chỉ bởi luật sư hay những người chi trả nổi,” Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Merrick B. Garland đã nói. “Báo cáo của Bàn tròn 2022 cung cấp một lộ trình để giúp các cơ quan giảm thiểu các trở ngại và khuyếch trương truy cập đến những chương trình và dịch vụ của chính quyền liên bang.”
Bản báo cáo tập trung vào những phương thức chính quyền liên bang có thể đơn giản hoá những biểu mẫu và trình tự của họ để giảm thiểu nhu cầu của cá nhân tìm kiếm trợ giúp pháp lý. Trong năm 2022, nhóm Bàn tròn đã tập trung vào việc khuyếch trương truy cập tới các chương trình, dịch vụ, và quyền lợi bằng cách phát triển một lộ trình đơn giản hoá và nêu bật những thực hiện tốt nhất của các cơ quan thành viên. Bàn báo cáo của Bàn tròn 2022 xác định một tiến trình ba-bước tiến đến để (1) tìm hiểu về những trở ngại truy cập qua sự hợp tác có ý nghĩa với những cộng đồng được phục vụ và bị ảnh hưởng bởi các chương trình của chính phủ liên bang, (2) áp dụng những chiến lược bằng cách áp dụng những phản hồi từ sự hợp tác, và (3) thẩm định những ảnh hưởng của nỗ lực đơn giản hoá để xác định xem chúng đã khuyếch trương truy cập có ý nghĩa, hay nếu có thể được cải tiến thêm. Bản báo cáo đổng thời nêu ra những nỗ lực đơn giản hoá biểu mẫu và thủ tục thành công bởi các cơ quan thành viên và cổ vũ những cam kết cải tiến truy cập khắp-chính quyền thông qua thiết kế tâm điểm-là con người và kết hợp cộng đồng.
“Thông qua công việc này, chúng tôi đang ưu tiên các phương pháp lấy con người làm trung tâm để đơn giản hóa các biểu mẫu, quy trình và ngôn ngữ,” Giám đốc Văn phòng Tiếp cận Tư pháp Rachel Rossi cho biết. “Điều quan trọng là phải đặt các cộng đồng mà chúng tôi phục vụ làm trung tâm trong các nỗ lực của chúng tôi nhằm theo đuổi quyền tiếp cận công lý cho tất cả mọi người.”
Trong tháng Mười hai 2022, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Merrick Garland và Phó cố vấn Nhà trắng Stacey Grigsby đã đồng chủ toạ một cuộc triệu tập nhóm Bàn tròn với tham dự và phát biểu của Phu quân Phó Tổng thống Hoa kỳ Douglas Emhoff và Phụ tá Tổng trưởng Tư pháp Vanita Gupta, và điều hành bởi Giám đốc Văn phòng yểm trợ Truy cập Công lý, Rachel Rossi. Giám đốc các cơ quan Bàn tròn và các quan chức cao-cấp tham dự bao gồm Bộ trưởng bộ Cựu chiến binh Denis Richard McDonough, Phụ tá Bộ trưởng bộ An ninh Nội chính John Tien, Quyền Cao ủy sở An sinh Xã hội Tiến sĩ Kilolo Kijakazi, Chủ tịch Hội nghị Hành chánh Hoa kỳ Andrew Fois, Giám đốc Cơ quan Bảo vệ Tài chánh người Tiêu dùng Rohit Chopra, Phụ tá Bộ trưởng bộ Giáo dục James Kvaal, Ủy viên Chủ tịch cơ quan Bình đẳng Cơ hội Charlotte Burrows, Chủ tịch Cơ quan Quản lý Truyền thông Liên bang Jessica Rosenworcel, Phó trợ lý Văn phòng Tổng thống Chiraag Bains, Cố vấn Quốc phòng Caroline Krass, Chưởng lý Bộ lao động Seema Nanda, Chủ tịch Tập đoàn Dịch vụ Pháp lý Ronald Flagg, Giám đốc Dịch vụ Kỹ thuật số Mina Hsiang, Phụ tá Cố vấn Văn phòng Phó tổng thống Nasrina Bargzie, Cố vấn trưởng Cơ quan Bảo vệ Môi trường Jeffrey Prieto, Phó chưởng lý Tổng quát Bộ Nội vụ Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, Phụ tá Hành chánh Văn phòng các Vấn đề Thông tin và Quy Ước Sabeel Rahman, Trưởng văn phòng Kinh nghiệm Người tiêu dùng Bộ Nông nghiệp Simchah Suveyke Bogin, Phụ tá Hành chánh Cao cấp Cơ quan Phát triển Quốc tế Karl Fickenscher, và Giám đốc Chi nhánh Cơ sở Khoa học Quốc gia Alan Tomkins. Các nhân viên phụ thuộc tham gia từ các bộ Ngoại giao, bộ Tài chánh, bộ Y tế và Dịch vụ Nhân sự, và bộ Giao thông Vận tải.
Nhóm Bàn tròn đã thảo luận sự quan trọng của việc hợp tác với các cộng đồng, bao gồm các nhà cung cấp dịch vụ pháp lý, và các cộng đồng có tiền sử bị thiệt thòi và thiếu phục vụ để hiểu rõ về những cản trở đối diện khi truy cập những tài nguyên của chính phủ. Nhóm Bàn tròn đã nêu bật sự quan trọng của việc kết hợp các thông tin thu được qua những hợp tác để áp dụng những chiến lược có hiệu quả để đơn giản hoá các biểu mẫu, thủ tục, và ngôn ngữ của chính quyền liên bang. Nhóm Bàn tròn cùng đồng thời phản ánh công việc của những nhà cung cấp dịch vụ pháp lý để yểm trợ công chúng trong truy cập những chương trình và quyền lợi của chính quyền liên bang, và sự đơn giản hoá các biểu mẫu và thủ tục cách nào để có thể giảm nhẹ gánh nặng của các tổ chức dịch vụ pháp lý.
Trong buổi họp, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland đồng thời đã chỉ định Allie Yang-Green là Giám đốc Điều hành của nhóm Bàn tròn, môt vị trí trong Văn phòng Truy cập Công lý. Cô Yang-Green đã có sự nghiệp cống hiến đặc biệt liên quan trong truy cập công lý. Cô Yang-Green sẽ, như hướng dẫn bởi Đồng-Chủ tịch, tổ chức các cuộc họp thường xuyên của nhóm Bàn tròn và giám sát công việc của nó. Văn phòng Truy cập Công lý của Bộ sẽ tiếp tục điều phối nhân viên của Bàn tròn, và làm việc cộng tác với các cơ quan thành viên Bàn tròn để lèo lái phát triển những phương thức mới và các thực hành tốt nhất để cung cấp truy cập có ý nghĩa tới công lý.
Trong năm 2021, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland đã tuyên bố sự phục hồi Văn phòng độc lập Truy cập Công lý thuộc bộ Tư pháp để cống hiến cho sự phát triển hiểu biết về và khả năng giải quyết những nhu cầu pháp lý cấp bách nhất của cộng đồng trên toàn nước Mỹ. Thêm vào đó, trong khả năng của ông ta là đồng-chủ tịch của nhóm Trợ lý Pháp luật Bàn tròn Liên ngành, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland, cùng với Cố vấn Nhà trắng Dana Remus, đồng thời cũng công bố bản báo cáo Bàn tròn 2021, “Truy cập Công lý trong Thời kỳ COVID-19” (“Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19”). Bàn tròn 2021 tập trung vào những cản trở truy cập công lý đã xảy ra và bị trầm trọng thêm trong đại dịch COVID-19 và xác định những chiến lược đổi mới áp dụng để giải quyết bởi thành viên Bàn tròn.
Money Launderer Sentenced for $8 Million Romance Scam Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a fraud scheme that stole more than $8 million from hundreds of romance scam victims.
Kofi Osei, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 54 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Osei was also ordered to pay $4,122,558 in restitution and forfeiture. In September 2022, Osei pleaded guilty to seven counts of making a false statement to a bank, six counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering.
Between 2016 and 2020, Osei opened at least 77 bank accounts using fake passports in others’ names and then received and quickly withdrew proceeds obtained from fraud victims. The victims, often elderly, were the targets of romance scams. Osei’s co-conspirators created and used fictious online dating profiles to capitalize on the victims’ desire for companionship, gain their trust and direct victims to transfer money based on lies. Osei coordinated with his co-conspirators to receive the fraud proceeds into the bank accounts he opened. Osei then withdrew the fraud proceeds in cash or with a cashier’s check, sending a portion back to his co-conspirators. In total, the money-laundering scheme received more than $8 million in fraud proceeds, $4 million of which went directly into accounts that Osei opened and controlled.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen A. Kearney and Christopher J. Markham of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Mocksville Man Sentenced to Eighteen Years for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Mocksville, North Carolina man was sentenced to 216 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Kelvin Vincente Noyola, a/k/a “Tripp,” 30, was part of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in Winston-Salem, and it distributed significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine to the Goldsboro area.
Based upon the investigation, law enforcement learned that Noyola, was responsible for the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of crystal methamphetamine, a/k/a “Ice,” while assisted by co-defendant, Israel Ponce, and others. Specifically, over the course of the conspiracy, Noyola was responsible for assisting in the distribution of at least 16.825 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. On July 25, 2022, Noyola entered a plea of guilty to the charges.
Co-defendant, Israel Ponce, was also charged and convicted in this investigation in Case No. 5:22CR00010D-002. Over the course of the conspiracy, Ponce was responsible for assisting in the distribution of at least 933.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Ponce pled guilty on May 18, 2022, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine, aiding and abetting. On October 13, 2022, Ponce was sentenced to 151 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Wilmington, North Carolina the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the Winston-Salem Police Department in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:22CR00010-D-001.