Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Thursday 19 January 2023
Former City of Jackson Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A former City of Jackson employee was convicted today for fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in grant money intended for artistic projects in the City of Jackson, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jackson Field Office.
According to court documents, Keyshia Sanders, 47, the City of Jackson’s former Constituent Service Manager, pleaded guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, for engaging in a wire fraud scheme to fraudulently induce the disbursement of grant money for her own benefit. The scheme involved the use of fraudulent invoices that caused the grant’s fiscal agent to disburse funds to Sanders in clear contradiction to the terms of the grant and Sander’s role as a City of Jackson employee. The grant was intended to provide project support in the City of Jackson to invest in artists, artist collectives, and small arts organizations of color. In total, the fraudulent transactions caused by Sanders over the course of the scheme totaled a loss of approximately $54,000.
Sanders is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20, 2023, in Jackson, and faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew W. Eichner is prosecuting the case.
Former Certified Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Drug Diversion and Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was sentenced in federal court on charges of drug diversion and health care fraud, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Larry J. Goisse, Jr., 38, of the City’s Mt. Washington neighborhood, was sentenced to 24 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer. On October 4, 2022, Goisse pled guilty to one count of an Indictment charging him with drug diversion, and five counts of an Information charging him with health care fraud.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in September 2018 through January 2019, Goisse, a former certified nurse practitioner, illegally prescribed the scheduled drug Aderall after his state medical license was revoked and he lost his DEA registration. In order to continue to receive payments from Medicare, Goisse submitted claims to Medicare for office visits under a co-worker’s license after suspension.
Judge Fischer stated that Aderall, the drug diverted by Goisse, is a highly addictive drug and could cause harm if incorrectly prescribed. Goisse’s conduct in diverting Aderall created a serious harm beyond monetary loss and that Goisse’s actions had a destructive effect on his patients relying on him for health care.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit (OFADU). The Western Pennsylvania OFADU, led by federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, combines the expertise and resources of federal and state law enforcement to address the role played by unethical medical professionals in the opioid epidemic.
The agencies which comprise the Western Pennsylvania OFADU include: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Bureau of Narcotic Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Office of Inspector General and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty in Gas Station Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a scheme to steal thousands of customers’ debit and credit card account numbers, and other personally identifying information, via a network of electronic skimming equipment at gas stations across New England.
Luis Angel Naranjo Rodriguez, 32, of Hialeah, Fla., pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of possessing 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices (the debit and credit card account numbers) and one count of possessing device-making equipment (the card skimming devices). U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2023. Naranjo Rodriguez was arrested and charged in March 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020.
Naranjo Rodriguez secretly installed card skimming devices in gas pumps in Massachusetts gas stations and in other New England states. The devices were programmed to send Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone a text message with stolen account information after customers had used their debit or credit cards to purchase gas at the compromised fuel pumps. Card skimming devices linked to Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone were traced to at least 11 different gas stations located in Lynnfield, Concord, Malden, Taunton, Randolph and Raynham, Mass.; Portland, Maine; Nashua, N.H.; and Willington, Conn.
Between April 2019 until November 2019, Naranjo Rodriguez traveled frequently from Florida to Massachusetts to maintain this network of card skimmers. During the course of the scheme, Naranjo Rodriguez’s mobile phone received at least 4,878 text messages containing stolen debit and credit card account numbers. Many of these text messages also included the account holders’ names and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).
Naranjo Rodriguez cloned the account information belonging to the unwitting victims onto gift cards and other prepaid cards in order to steal money from them, typically by using the cloned cards to make ATM withdrawals, to purchase consumer goods that could be resold in secondary markets, and to request cash back on debit card transactions. On Nov. 16, 2019, security cameras at a Framingham gas station and CVS captured Naranjo Rodriguez using four cloned cards to withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts at ATMs. Naranjo Rodriguez was arrested the same night at the Concord Rotary Gulf gas station, where he was tampering with a fuel pump after the gas station had closed. In Naranjo Rodriguez’s car, four cloned cards from the ATM withdrawals earlier that night were found, along with fuel pump keys, black latex gloves, four card skimming devices and the mobile phone that was receiving the text messages with the stolen credit and debit card account numbers.
The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possessing device-making equipment provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possessing 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. 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 and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Concord, Lunenburg and Raynham Police Departments in Massachusetts, Nashua (N.H.) Police Department and the Portland (Maine) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.Five Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Chittenden CountyRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced the recent arrests of five men with ties to Philadelphia on drug related charges. Ronald Harris, aka Rizz, was arrested January 17 following his indictment for a drug conspiracy spanning nearly two years. Rasheed Stokes-Johnson, aka Slay, Eric J. Weaver, and Shamir W. Elliott were arrested the same day following the search of an Essex Junction, Vermont residence believed to be used by the Harris drug distribution organization. Shannon Studivant-Barnes was arrested the next day for his distributions on behalf of the network. Harris was arraigned today before Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle and was ordered detained pending trial. The other four defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances before Magistrate Judge Doyle later today.
The indictment returned by the federal grand jury alleges that Harris and others conspired to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine base between October 2021 and January 2023. According to court records, law enforcement officers began investigating the drug trafficking organization in October of 2021. Throughout the course of the investigation, law enforcement conducted 17 controlled purchases of illegal drugs from members of the organization. Affidavits filed in this matter allege that members of the organization bring narcotics from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to distribute in Chittenden County, Vermont. Following Harris’s arrest pursuant to a federal arrest warrant, a search of the vehicle he was driving when arrested yielded approximately $100,000 in cash. On January 18, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an Essex Junction residence and seized approximately 13,500 bags of suspected fentanyl and approximately 1,300 grams of suspected cocaine base that had been thrown from the window of the apartment. Stokes-Johnson, Weaver, and Elliott, who were in the area of the residence from which the drugs were thrown, were arrested. Studivant-Barnes was arrested on January 18 for distributions of heroin and cocaine base in June 2022.
The charges against these defendants are accusations only, and they are each presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, each defendant would face a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Any actual sentence, however, would be determined by the court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the governing sentencing statutes.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Burlington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Homeland Security Investigations.
“Our office will continue to prioritize investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking organizations peddling deadly substances within Vermont,” said U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest. “This case represents a significant effort by many of our great law enforcement partners in Chittenden County. Thank you to all of our law enforcement partners who work bravely and tirelessly to address the significant public safety issue created by illegal drug trafficking.”
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eugenia Cowles and John Boscia. Ronald Harris is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth. Rasheed Stokes-Johnson is represented by Robert Katims, Esq. Eric Weaver is represented by Kevin Henry, Esq. Shamir Elliott is represented by Karen Shingler, Esq. Shannon Studivant-Barnes is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.
Federal, State Agencies to Hold Public Forum to Strengthen Security of Maine’s Houses of WorshipRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Multiple federal and state agencies are collaborating to host a Protecting Houses of Worship event series aimed at helping Maine’s faith-based organizations identify vulnerabilities and strengthen security. The next event will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the University of Maine at Augusta.
The Protecting Houses of Worship event is open to all Maine faith-based organizations. Local law enforcement and community leaders are also welcome to attend. Registration is required, and a registration form can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/PHOW. There is no cost to attend.
“Everyone should feel safe when they gather to express their faith or serve their community,” said Dr. T.J. Swenson Jr., DHS-CISA’s Protective Security Advisor (PSA) to the State of Maine. “However, in a complex and dynamic threat environment, no single entity has the full picture of the threat, so it is imperative that we work together across the community to protect against the physical and cyber threats facing our communities and houses of worship.”
The Protecting Houses of Worship event is a collaboration of the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA); Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS-CISA); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Boston Field Office, Portland Resident Agency; U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Relations Service (CRS); and U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maine, along with the participation of local law enforcement and faith-based partners.
“Faith-based events and houses of worship – churches, synagogues, mosques – are inherently welcoming, with open access and publicly-available services. As we have seen around the country, this welcoming environment can leave them vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “There are steps that can be taken to reduce risks, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with MEMA, the FBI, DHS-CISA, CRS and local law enforcement to bring this information and resources to Maine’s faith-based community.”
The goal of the event series is to provide practical information, tools and resources (including information on available federal grants) to help bolster emergency preparedness efforts and foster best practices to keep Maine’s faith-based events and houses of worship safe. Topics discussed during the event will include:
- Security, Risk and Vulnerability Assessments
- Active Shooter Preparedness, Response & Resources
- Building Your Own Emergency Operations Plan
- Faith-Based Experiences with Public Safety Issues
“No one should feel unsafe in their place of worship or fear becoming a victim of violence because of their religion. In today’s dynamic threat environment, now more than ever, all of us need to work together to safeguard our houses of worship and public spaces where Mainers gather every day,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This event will bring us together to facilitate this very important conversation and allow us to share information and resources in real time.”
# # #
Federal Jury Convicts Westbrook Man of Sexually Exploiting a ChildRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Westbrook man was convicted today of two counts of sexually exploiting a child after a two-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Portland.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in August 2019, Rayevon Deschambault, 27, used a 14-year-old minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct. The sexually explicit videos that Deschambault had produced were found on his cell phone after investigators seized the phone in August 2019.
Deschambault faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison on each of the two counts. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI and the Portland Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer re-victimization each time the images are viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org/ or 1-800-843-5678. Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action. If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
###
Updated 01/23/23 with reporting information
Federal Jury Convicts Shreveport Man of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon convicting Recardo Cartrell Pierce, 26, of Shreveport, of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies conducted a stop of a vehicle for a traffic violation on May 21, 2022, in Bossier. Pierce was the sole passenger in the vehicle being driven by a female companion. When deputies approached the vehicle, they found Pierce with his seat pushed all the way back near the back seat of the vehicle and the seat was leaned back. Deputies were given consent to search the vehicle and found in the back seat behind the driver’s seat, and just within Pierce’s reach, a backpack containing a Kel-Tec semi-automatic 5.56 caliber rifle with a loaded magazine and a pair of safety gloves. This high-powered weapon had a round in the chamber ready to fire with the safety switch in the off position. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined the investigation and tested the firearm and found it to be in working order.
Deputies learned that Pierce had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition and he was arrested at that time. Pierce was previously convicted of the same charge in federal court in 2018.
“Through the joint investigative efforts of deputies with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and the ATF, the jury was able to hear and evaluate the evidence, deliberate and convict this defendant accordingly,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We look forward to the sentencing hearing where we will seek a stiff, but just, sentence of imprisonment.”
Pierce faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing date has been set for May 19, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Seth D. Reeg.
# # #
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Louisville Man for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on December 22, 2022, charging a Louisville man with fentanyl trafficking.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Trevor A. Nicheols, 25, of Louisville, Kentucky, distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Nicheols made his initial court appearance on January 13, 2023, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. On January 17, 2023, he was ordered to remain in federal custody pending trial. If convicted, Nicheols faces a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.
The DEA Louisville Field Office and the Louisville Metro Police Department are investigating the case.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Ford.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Franklin, Kentucky Pharmacist and his Spouse for Medical Products Theft and Controlled Substances Distribution ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky, returned an indictment on January 11, 2023, charging a local pharmacist and his spouse with conspiracy to commit theft of medical products and conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Director Tommy Loving of the Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Sheriff Brett Hightower of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement.
According to the indictment, pharmacist Joseph Patrick Huff, 44, and Jennifer Huff, 44, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft of medical products and one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. The indictment charges the Huffs with conspiring to take, carry away, and conceal and knowingly possess, transport and traffic a pre-retail medical product, namely oxycodone and hydrocodone, with a value over $5000, and conspiring to sell and trade the oxycodone and hydrocodone for marijuana, methamphetamine and cocaine.
Joseph and Jennifer Huff made their initial court appearance this week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, Joseph Huff faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and Jennifer Huff faces a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is being investigated by the Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force, the Kentucky State Police, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Ansari is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced- January 2023Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the January 2023 Federal Grand Jury B.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Alphonso Alvarez-Torrez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Alvarez-Torrez, 42, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on Nov. 1, 2019, at or near San Ysidro, California. U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Rubens is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-31
Kelly Ross Dawson. Theft of Government Property Over $1,000; Misuse of Social Security Funds; Concealment of Material Facts. Dawson, 47, is alleged to have stolen a total of $59,844 in Social Security Title II Survivor Benefits. The benefits were provided to Dawson and minors in his care based on specific criteria. From June 2016 through February 2018, Dawson no longer met those criteria and did not report the changes to the Social Security Administration. Instead, he allegedly continued to receive the benefits and used the funds for his own personal gain. The Social Security Administration is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon B. Cozzoni is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-32
Samson Eugene Frye Jr. Felony Murder in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country. On Nov. 9, 2018, Frye Jr., 24, of Afton, is alleged to have murdered an infant while abusing the infant. He is further charged with neglecting the child from Aug. 10, 2018, through Nov. 9, 2018. The FBI, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Grove Police Department, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Ihler is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-17
Jojani Saday Garcia-Luevano. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Garcia-Luevano, 22, a Mexican National, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on Feb. 20, 2019, at or near Nogales, Arizona. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Rubens is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-19
Adrian Llanas -Flores. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Llanas -Flores is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on May 12, 2021, at or near Calexico, California. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Rubens is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-33
Melanie Ann Mcelyea. Willfully Making a Threat to Kill, Injure, Intimidate, and Damage by Means of an Explosive. On Nov. 22, 2022, Mcelyea, 42, of Vinita, allegedly threatened to kill an individual at a law office located within the Muscogee Nation reservation. She left a voicemail suggesting that she would blow up a courthouse and the law office as well. She then stated, “…you will all be dead…” The courthouse Mcelyea was referencing was the Cherokee Nation Courthouse in Tahlequah, which is within the Cherokee Nation reservation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-20
Zachariah Kade McGuire. Possession of a Firearm in a Federal Facility. On Nov. 14, 2022, McGuire brought a firearm into the Veteran Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, located at 8921 South Mingo Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma. See initial Complaint press release here. The Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General, Department of Veteran Affairs Police, Tulsa Police Department, and FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma. 23-CR-21
Pascual Medrano-Santibanez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Medrano-Santibanez, 56, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on Jan. 2, 2020, at or near Laredo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-30
Simon Pedro Ramirez-Contreras. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Ramirez-Contreras, 23, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on July 30, 2018, at or near Hidalgo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-22
Oscar Daniel Salazar-Alcantar. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Salazar-Alcantar, 36, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on Dec. 29, 2018, at or near Calexico, California. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-29
Rayes Sanchez. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Sanchez, 24, of Tulsa, allegedly assaulted an individual with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm on Dec. 12, 2022. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Rubens is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-23
David Serrano-Hernandez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Serrano-Hernandez, 38, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on June 7, 2009, at or near Naco, Arizona. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-24
Devan Shay Tiffany. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of an Unregistered Weapon Made from a Shotgun Having a Barrel of Less Than 18 Inches in Length. On Sept. 7, 2022, Tiffany, 36, of Miami, Oklahoma, was a felon in possession of a Savage Arms 16-guage double-barrel shotgun and four rounds of ammunition. Additionally, the shotgun’s barrel was less than 18 inches in length and not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Miami Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-25
Noe Vazquez-Solis. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Vazquez-Solis, 37, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after being removed on Oct. 8, 2020, at or near Hidalgo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Rubens is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-28
Justus Wayne Wayt. Robbery in Indian Country (Counts 1, 3, 5); Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence in Indian Country (Counts 2, 4, 6). Wayt, 25, of Tulsa, allegedly brandished a firearm and robbed three different victims at three convenience stores on Nov. 22, 2022; Nov. 24, 2022; and Dec. 20, 2022. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-26
Marvin Thomas Wilkins. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Wilkins, 63, of Big Cabin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Remington 270 caliber bolt-action rifle; a JC Higgins 12-guage caliber shotgun; Marlin Firearms (Glenfield) .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle; a Savage. 22 caliber bolt-action rifle; a Rifle Factory Ishapore (R.F.I.) 7.62mm caliber bolt-action rifle; a Marlin Firearms (Glenfield) .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle; and four rounds of ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Mayes Countyh Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Ihler is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-27
Fayette County Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Keon Lamont Lee, 31, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, to distributing fentanyl resulting in an overdose death.
According to his guilty plea, in February of 2021, Lee illegally provided fentanyl to someone, who overdosed and died. Lee had obtained two bags of controlled substances from his dealer – one contained cocaine, the other fentanyl. Lee regularly sold cocaine to the victim. Intending to distribute cocaine, Lee distributed fentanyl to the victim, who used the drugs, overdosed, and died. Text messages from both the victim’s and Lee’s phones confirmed these events and Lee provided a confession to law enforcement.
Lee was indicted in March 2022
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
Lee is currently scheduled to be sentenced on April 28. He faces a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Kiebler and Todd Bradbury.
— END —
Fallon man sentenced to four years in prison for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Fallon man who admitted to possessing an extensive amount of child pornography on electronic media was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a total of $36,000 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Tyrel Grant Huseby, 25, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to an information charging him with possession of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court also imposed a $5,000 mandatory special assessment and allowed Huseby to self-report when assigned to a federal facility.
The government alleged in court documents and statements in court that in November 2020, a sexually explicit image of a minor was inserted into an internet search engine, which then submitted a Cybertip to law enforcement. The investigation led to Huseby. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Huseby’s residence in July 2021. Huseby admitted to law enforcement that he possessed and acquired child pornography. A review of multiple pieces of Huseby’s electronic media found that he possessed more than 20 videos and approximately 4,470 images of child pornography. Huseby’s conduct spanned 15 years, beginning when he was approximately 10 years old.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Prairie County Sheriff’s Office, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
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.
XXX
FBI and Partners Issue National Public Safety Alert on Sextortion SchemesRead the Press Release
The FBI, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, is issuing a national public safety alert regarding an explosion in incidents of children and teens being coerced into sending explicit images online and extorted for additional explicit material or money—a crime known as sextortion.
Over the past year, law enforcement agencies have received over 7,000 reports related to the online sextortion of minors, resulting in at least 3,000 victims, primarily boys. More than a dozen sextortion victims were reported to have died by suicide. The FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners implore parents and caregivers to engage with their kids about sextortion schemes so we can prevent them in the first place.
Sextortion schemes occur in online environments where young people feel most comfortable—using common social media sites, gaming sites, or video chat applications that feel familiar and safe. On these platforms, predators often use fake accounts and target minors.
Through deception, sextortionists convince the young person to produce an explicit video or photo. Once predators acquire the images, they often threaten to release the compromising material unless the victim sends additional sexually explicit material. Some of these criminals demand money or gift cards to keep them from releasing the compromising material in their possession. Often, these predators demand payment through a variety of peer-to-peer payment applications. In many cases, however, sextortionists release the images even if additional material is sent or payments are made. The shame, fear, and confusion that victims feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse and may drive them towards self-harm.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana prosecuted several “sextortion” related cases in recent years, including the following:
United States v. Kyle Peterson: Between March of 2020 and March of 2021, Kyle Peterson persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Beginning on March 20, 2020, Peterson used the social media platforms Omegle and Snapchat to contact minors, including Victim 1. Victim 1 was twelve years old at the time of contact with Peterson. Knowing the victim was a child, Peterson began to groom her by sending her sexually explicit images and videos online. The material Peterson distributed to Victim 1 included an image depicting sadomasochistic behavior and images and videos depicting sexual abuse of animals.
Peterson engaged in sexually explicit video chats with the child and instructed her to send him sexually explicit videos of herself. When Victim 1 stopped complying with Peterson’s continuous demands, he began threatening to disseminate her sexually explicit images and videos to her family and friends and post them on the Internet.
Peterson was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in federal prison in December 2022.
United States v. Buster Hernandez: In August 2017, Buster Hernandez was initially charged with sexually exploiting a minor, threatening to use an explosive device, and threatening to kill, kidnap, or injure another person. Those charges eventually extended to include 41 separate allegations including: production of child sexual abuse materials, coercion and enticement of minors, receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material, the threatened use of explosive devices, extortion, threats to kill, kidnap or injure other persons, witness tampering, obstruction of justice and retaliation against a victim. The offense conduct included the actual or attempted sextortion of at least 375 victims including those from two foreign countries, threats to kill, rape, and kidnap hundreds, and threats to use explosive devices against Plainfield and Danville High Schools, the Shops at Perry Crossing, and a local Walmart.
Hernandez also sexually exploited and threatened several other minor victims in Hendricks County and other cities in Indiana. When victims stopped complying with his demands, he posted sexually explicit images and videos that the victim had sent against their will and often threatened to kill them and their families.
Hernandez was convicted and sentenced to 75 years in federal prison in March 2021.
“Sexual exploitation of children is a despicable crime that may go unrecognized by friends and family of the victims. In this digital age, it is imperative that we stay informed of the deception and other tactics sexual predators use to harm our children,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Victims of sextortion may feel confused, embarrassed, and as if there is no escape. I strongly urge parents and caregivers to engage with the children in their lives to discuss this crime and help law enforcement agencies prevent the abuse before it happens.”
What if you or your child are a victim?
If young people are being exploited, they are victims of a crime and should report it. Contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has outlined steps parents and young people can take if they or their child are a victim of sextortion, including:
- Remember, the predator is to blame, not your child or you.
- Get help before deciding whether to pay money or otherwise comply with the predator. Cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail and continued harassment.
- REPORT the predator’s account via the platform’s safety feature.
- BLOCK the predator and DO NOT DELETE the profile or messages because that can be helpful to law enforcement in identifying and stopping them.
- Let NCMEC help get explicit images of you off the internet.
- Visit missingkids.org/IsYourExplicitContentOutThere to learn how to notify companies yourself or visit cybertipline.org to report to us for help with the process.
- Ask for help. This can be a very complex problem and may require help from adults or law enforcement.
- If you don’t feel that you have adults in your corner, you can reach out to NCMEC for support at [email protected] or call NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST.
Take a moment to learn how sextortion works and how to talk to your children about it. Information, resources, and conversation guides are available at fbi.gov/StopSextortion.
Eleven sentenced in connection with a $3 million Paycheck Protection Program fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Eleven men, eight from the metropolitan Atlanta-area, and three from South Carolina, have been sentenced for their roles in obtaining approximately $3 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on behalf of ten businesses based on Georgia and South Carolina.
“The CARES Act and the PPP designated funds to aid struggling businesses during a pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan. “American businesses needed these funds to keep their companies and employees afloat during a national emergency and world-wide pandemic. These defendants took advantage of that program to obtain money to which they were not lawfully entitled. We will continue investigating and prosecuting those who attempt to steal these critical funds.”
“The FBI and our partners will not tolerate anyone who misdirects federal emergency assistance intended for business who actually need it to stay operational," said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "This sentence serves as a message that the FBI and our federal partners remain committed to making sure funds provided by programs like PPP are used as intended."
“Individuals that conspire to defraud SBA programs will be brought to justice,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “These sentences demonstrate that those that defraud the nations vital economic programs will be held accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice for its leadership and dedication to pursuing justice.”
“We will continue to aggressively pursue those who defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program which was funded by taxpayers and designed to assist businesses during the pandemic,” said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “We appreciate the efforts by our federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold these individuals to account.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Rodericque Thompson recruited Micah Baisden, Travis Crosby, Stanley Dorceus, Keith Maloney, Tabronx Smith, Mark Stewart, Timothy Williams, Thomas Wilson, and Kenneth L. Wright, Jr., to apply for fraudulent PPP loans on behalf of their respective businesses:
- PowerHouse Sports Academy, LLC;
- Faithful Transport Services, LLC;
- Elevate Yourself, LLC;
- KMJ Transport, LLC;
- Market Yourself, LLC;
- The Infinity Group of SC, LLC;
- Bamigi Brand;
- Rare Breed Nation, LLC;
- Lux Realty; and
- Lux Automotive.
In exchange for approximately 50 percent of the loan proceeds, Thompson helped each business owner obtain a $300,000 PPP loan by submitting fraudulent loan applications that contained numerous false and misleading statements about their businesses.
For example, each of the loan applications claimed that the relevant business employed 16 individuals and paid monthly wages of $120,000. Additionally, identical fraudulent quarterly tax returns were submitted in connection with each loan application. After they received the funds, the business owners wrote “payroll” checks to individuals who did not work for their businesses and then either kept the money for themselves or gave the money to Thompson. They hoped to hide the fraud and expected to get the loans forgiven by writing “payroll” on the checks.
Antonio Hosey, who was not a business owner, acted as a go-between with the business owners and Thompson by recruiting a group of check cashers who cashed the false “payroll” checks from the business owner defendants and then gave the cash to Hosey who, in turn, gave it to Thompson.
The group fraudulently obtained approximately $3 million in PPP loans. To date, authorities have recovered approximately $1,195,784.98 of the stolen money. Ten of the defendants involved in this scheme pleaded guilty. Travis Crosby, the sole defendant to go to trial, was convicted on September 22, 2022, after a two-day trial. All of the defendants have received the following sentences:
- Kenneth L. Wright, Jr., 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $242,177.81 on January 8, 2021. Wright was convicted on August 20, 2020, of conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements to a federal agency.
- Thomas D. Wilson, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $300,000, on October 24, 2022. Wilson was convicted of bank fraud on April 14, 2021.
- Micah K. Baisden, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and order to pay restitution in the amount of $300,000, on November 8, 2022. Baisden was convicted of bank fraud on May 20, 2021.
- Rodericque Jarmaine Thompson, 45, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to five years, ten months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,732,259.47, on November 9, 2022. Thompson was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on May 20, 2021.
- Keith A. Maloney, 35, of Yemassee, South Carolina, was sentenced to one year, three months in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $114,828.19, on November 10, 2022. Maloney was convicted of bank fraud on May 4, 2021.
- Antonio D. Hosey, 50, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, and order to pay restitution in the amount of $463,779.79, on November 16, 2022. Hosey was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States on November 19, 2020.
- Stanley Dorceus, 36, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to three months in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $207,829.85, on November 29, 2022. Dorceus was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements to a federal agency on August 26, 2020.
- Mark A. Stewart, 56, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced to four months in prison to be followed by two years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $300,000, on December 6, 2022. Steward was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements to a federal agency on September 25, 2020.
- Timothy Williams, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, three months in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $869,427.54, on December 8, 2022. Williams was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements to a federal agency on October 13, 2020.
- Tabronx W. Smith, 45, of Buford, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, five months in prison to be followed by two years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $118,818.45, on December 20, 2022. Smith was convicted of bank fraud on June 8, 2021.
- Travis C. Crosby, 32, of Wellford, South Carolina, was sentenced to three years, ten months in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, and order to pay restitution in the amount of $897,172.61. Crosby was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, false statement to a bank, and money laundering.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, and DOJ Trial Attorneys Michael McCarthy and Matthew Reilly prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
El Departamento de Justicia resuelve un asunto de acceso lingüístico relativo a la Suprema Corte de LuisianaRead the Press Release
Nota: Este comunicado de prensa ha sido traducido a varios idiomas. Consulte los archivos adjuntos.
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy la resolución de un asunto que atañe a la Corte Suprema de Luisiana (LASC, por sus siglas en inglés) basado en medidas que la LASC ha tomado para mejorar el acceso a procesos judiciales estatales y operaciones para individuos que no dominan el inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés).
En mayo de 2019, el Departamento de Justicia y la LASC celebraron un Memorando de entendimiento (MOA, por sus siglas en inglés) para resolver un reclamo relacionado con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI). El Title VI es una ley federal que prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color y nacionalidad de beneficiarios de asistencia económica federal, incluidos los tribunales estatales. Desde que se firmó el MOA, la LASC ha tomado varias medidas correctivas para mejorar el acceso a individuos LEP que necesitan hacer uso de los tribunales de Luisiana.
“Los tribunales de todo el país deben garantizar que sus puertas estén abiertas para todos, incluidas las personas que no dominan el inglés” manifestó la Fiscal General Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Seguiremos trabajando para garantizar que los sistemas judiciales, como la Corte Suprema de Luisiana cuenten con las políticas, las prácticas, los intérpretes y otros recursos necesarios para garantizar el acceso a la justicia para personas que no dominan el inglés”.
“A través de sus acciones, la Corte Suprema de Luisiana demostró un compromiso para garantizar el acceso a los tribunales estatales en Luisiana para individuos LEP”, explicó el Fiscal Federal para el distrito este de Luisiana, Duane A. Evans. “Mi oficina asume el compromiso de eliminar todas las formas de discriminación, incluida la discriminación de personas LEP”.
La LASC ha tomado varias medidas para desarrollar e implementar un programa de acceso lingüístico y expandir la disponibilidad de servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística para personas LEP en Luisiana. La LASC estableció una Office of Language Access (Oficina de Acceso Lingüístico) e implementó el primer Language Access Plan (Plan de Acceso Lingüístico) en los tribunales de Luisiana. La LASC también creó un sistema centralizado de reclamos sobre el acceso lingüístico con un formulario de reclamo digital en varios idiomas diferentes del inglés. Para el personal judicial, la LASC desarrolló programas de capacitación sobre el acceso lingüístico, una ficha informativa judicial que se centra en el acceso a intérpretes judiciales y otros recursos de acceso lingüístico. Además, la LASC propuso y logró un cambio en una ley estatal que les permitía a los tribunales cobrarles a las personas LEP el costo de un intérprete, y adoptó nuevas normas judiciales en función de este cambio en la ley estatal.
Este asunto fue llevado a cabo conjuntamente por la Civil Rights Division (División de Derechos Civiles) del Departamento de Justicia y la Oficina de los Fiscales de los Estados Unidos para el distrito este de Luisiana. Hay información adicional disponible sobre la Civil Rights Division en su sitio web, www.justice.gov/crt, y hay información disponible sobre el dominio limitado del idioma inglés y el Title VI en www.lep.gov. Las posibles violaciones a los derechos civiles pueden denunciarse en https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Press Release in English
Press Release in Spanish (Español)
Press Release in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
Press Release in French (Français)
Press Release in Arabic ( العربية)
El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con una agencia de contrataciones con sede en Minnesota que resuelve unas acusaciones de discriminación relacionadas con la inmigraciónRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con Corp IV Holdings Inc., que opera como Masterson Staffing Solutions (Masterson Staffing), una agencia de contrataciones con sede in Minnesota. El acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento que Masterson Staffing vulneró la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad («INA», por sus siglas en inglés) al discriminar de manera rutinaria a trabajadores no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. a la hora de comprobar su permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos.
«Cuando los empleados presentan documentación legalmente aceptable a fin de demostrar su permiso para trabajar, los empleadores no pueden requerir documentos específicos o innecesarios por motivos de su ciudadanía o estatus migratorio», manifestó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El Departamento de Justicia seguirá el trabajo importante de garantizar que los trabajadores no enfrenten barreras ilegales al empleo».
Según los términos del acuerdo, Masterson Staffing pagará una sanción civil de $250,000 a los Estados Unidos, y destinará $100,000 para un fondo de pagos retroactivos, a fin de indemnizar a las víctimas de las supuestas prácticas discriminatorias de Masterson Staffing. Asimismo, Masterson Staffing capacitará al personal sobre la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA, cambiará sus políticas y se someterá a la supervisión trimestral.
La investigación del Departamento determinó que Masterson Staffing, de manera rutinaria, requería documentos específicos de los no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. recién contratados a fin de probar que tenían permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos aunque la ley federal permite a los trabajadores elegir entre documentos legalmente aceptables independientemente de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen. En concreto, el Departamento encontró que Masterson Staffing requería que los residentes permanentes legales mostraran sus tarjetas de residente permanente (conocidas algunas veces como tarjetas verdes), y que otros no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. mostraran sus Documentos de Autorización para Trabajar (conocidos algunas veces como permisos de trabajo). Al menos un asilado perdió trabajo debido a esta práctica discriminatoria. El Departamento también encontró que Masterson Staffing, de manera rutinaria, requería que algunos residentes permanentes legales mostraran documentos innecesarios a fin de probar que seguían con permiso para trabajar.
La disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA prohíbe que los empleadores soliciten documentos específicos por motivos de la ciudadanía, el estatus migratorio o la nacionalidad de origen de un trabajador. En efecto, muchos no ciudadanos de los EE. UU., incluyendo a residentes permanentes legales, refugiados y asilados, son elegibles para varios de los mismos tipos de documentos como lo son los ciudadanos de los EE. UU. para demostrar su permiso para trabajar (tales como licencias de conducir y tarjetas de Seguro Social sin restricciones). Los empleadores deben permitir que sus trabajadores presenten cualquier documentación aceptable que dichos trabajadores quieran y no pueden rechazar documentación válida que parece ser genuina. Además, si un residente permanente legal proporciona una tarjeta de residente permanente para demostrar que tiene permiso para trabajar, los empleadores no deben pedir nuevos documentos si la tarjeta de residente permanente llega a vencerse.
La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados (IER) de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. La ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión, prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación.
Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto. Encuentre más información en el sitio web de la IER sobre cómo los empleadores pueden evitar la discriminación durante el proceso de verificación de su permiso para trabajar. Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected]; inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés o español. Para recibir las últimas noticias de la IER, inscríbase a GovDelivery.
English
Effort Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Luce, a/k/a “Luck,” age 36, of Effort, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for distributing fentanyl resulting in death. Judge Mannion also sentenced Luce to 188 months on a separate drug trafficking conspiracy case. The sentences are to run concurrently.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on February 6, 2021, Luce knowingly and intentionally distributed a quantity of fentanyl within the Middle District of Pennsylvania, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old Clinton, New Jersey man. Luce was also responsible, between November 26, 2020 until the date of his arrest on February 23, 2021, for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 100 grams of heroin. Luce had previously pleaded guilty to both charges.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office (NJ), the Clinton Police Department (NJ), the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
# # #
Edward Mullins, Former President of NYPD Sergeants’ Union, Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Union and Its MembersRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that EDWARD MULLINS, the former President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association (“SBA”), the union that represents all current and former Sergeants of the New York City Police Department, pled guilty today to one count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the SBA through the submission of fraudulent expense reports. MULLINS pled guilty before United States District Judge John G. Koeltl.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Edward Mullins promised to look out for the thousands of hard-working NYPD Sergeants who are members of the SBA. Instead, as admitted today in federal court, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from them to fund his lavish lifestyle. Thanks to the hard work of the FBI, Mullins’s betrayal has been exposed, and he now faces jail time and significant financial penalties.”
According to the Information filed in the case and statements made in court:
The SBA is the fifth-largest police union in the United States with its headquarters located in lower Manhattan. The SBA’s membership consists of all active and retired Sergeants of the NYPD, with approximately 13,000 members. From 2002 until October 2021, EDWARD MULLINS served as President of the SBA.
Beginning in 2017, MULLINS devised a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the SBA. MULLINS used his personal credit card to pay for meals at high-end restaurants and to purchase luxury personal items, among other things, and then submitted false and inflated expense reports to the SBA, representing that his charges were legitimate SBA expenditures when in fact they were not. MULLINS routinely included meals on his expense reports that were not SBA-related. MULLINS also inflated the costs of his meals – whether SBA-related or not. For example, if the actual cost of a meal was $522.55, MULLINS would seek reimbursement from the SBA for $822.55 and pocket the difference. MULLINS would also take personal expenses like supermarket bills and claim them on his expense reports as SBA-related meals for which he also sought reimbursement.
MULLINS’s fraudulent expenses were paid through the SBA’s Contingent Fund, which is funded primarily through annual dues paid by SBA members. In total, MULLINS stole at least $600,000 from the SBA through the filing of hundreds of fraudulent expense reports.
* * *
MULLINS, 61, of Port Washington, New York, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. As part of his plea agreement, MULLINS agreed to forfeit $600,000 to the United States and to make restitution in the amount of $600,000 to the SBA.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. MULLINS is scheduled to be sentenced at 12:00 p.m. on May 25, 2023, by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI/New York City Police Department Public Corruption Task Force.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Rothman, Andrew Rohrbach, and David Robles and are in charge of the prosecution.
Eau Claire Woman Sentenced to 5 Years for Possessing Methamphetamine for DistributionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Golia Xiong, 40, Eau Claire, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 60 months in federal prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Xiong will receive credit for time she has served in custody since her arrest on March 30, 2022. This prison term will be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release.
On March 30, 2022, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department stopped Xiong as she arrived at a gas station near Highway 53 in New Auburn, Wisconsin to make a delivery of suspected methamphetamine. Upon searching Xiong and her vehicle, police found approximately one-quarter pound of methamphetamine in the vehicle along with drug related paraphernalia.
Judge Peterson stated that a significant sentence was necessary for Xiong’s conduct particularly because she had been convicted in state court of methamphetamine trafficking offenses twice in the recent past and was on supervision for those offenses when she attempted to deliver the methamphetamine in this case. Judge Peterson stated that a harsh sentence was called for due to her repeated behavior of returning to drug trafficking.
The charge against Xiong was the result of an investigation conducted by the Barron County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson prosecuted this case.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with Intent to KillRead the Press Release
Defendant Cut Victim’s Throat with a Box Cutter
WASHINGTON – Keith Green, 31, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to Assault with Intent to Kill for an incident in which he confronted Mr. Abdiel Velasquez Diaz, a Virginia resident, at Banneker Circle SW, and slit his throat with a box cutter. The plea was announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department. Green pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of assault with intent to kill. He will be sentenced by the Honorable Robert Okun on March 31, 2023.
According to court documents, on September 4, 2022, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Green approached the victim who was waiting for a taxi at Benjamin Banneker Circle SW. Green took out a box cutter and slit the victim’s throat with a box cutter. Green then attempted to cut the victim’s throat one more time, but the victim put his arm up in defense resulting in Green cutting the victim’s shoulder with the box cutter. Green attempted to strike the victim a third time, before the victim fended him off and sought the assistance of nearby witnesses. The victim was provided with emergency assistance and was rushed to the hospital where he received life saving treatment.
Green fled the area and was spotted crossing southbound on I-395. Metropolitan Police Department officers pursued Green through oncoming traffic before eventually arresting him on a grass field on the 900 block of Ohio Drive SW. In Green’s flight path, officers recovered Green’s passport, a box cutter with blood on it, and a putty knife.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Allison Daniels. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Omeed A. Assefi, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Found Guilty of Charges for Shooting A Man in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
Victim Shot in Upper Chest Outside Nightclub
WASHINGTON – Emanuel Leyton, 22, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of the July 2021 shooting of a man outside of a Northwest Washington nightclub, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department. The verdict was returned late yesterday. The Honorable Robert Okun scheduled sentencing for March 31, 2023.
Leyton, 22, was found guilty at trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, and lesser included firearms offenses.
According to the government’s evidence, shortly after midnight on July 30, 2021, Leyton got into a verbal argument with the victim, the victim’s cousin, and another anonymous acquaintance, inside Johana’s nightclub, in the 4700 block of 14th Street NW. Leyton left the club but returned a short time later. He left, again, around the same time as the victim and the victim’s cousin, who walked in the direction of 14th and Decatur where their vehicle was parked. Leyton was ahead of the victim walking in the same area. At the cross street, the defendant retrieved a gun from his waistband and shot the victim in the chest. The victim took shelter back inside the club, where he was found by officers who arrived minutes later. He was rushed to the hospital by DC FEMS personel. When officers arrived, Leyton was still on the sidewalk. Bystanders pointed him out as a potential suspect and he was stopped. The defendant agreed to a noncustodial interview at the 4th District station, where he put himself on the scene but claimed someone else fired the shot from a car.
Hours later, while the defendant was still voluntarily with police, the victim’s cousin, identified Leyton as the shooter. The next day, an employee of a business in that area found a gun in a flowerpot outside and called 911. DNA evidence linked Leyton to the recovered firearm, and ballistics evidence linked the gun to the shooting.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alec Levy and Randle Wilson of the Major Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Kern, Paralegal Specialists Antoinette Sakamsa and Renee Prather, and Litigation Technology Specialist Charlie Bruce.
Court Sentences Colombian Drug Smuggler Caught with Nearly a Ton and a Half of CocaineRead the Press Release
On January 9, 2023, United States District Court Chief Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Jaminson Valencia Moreno, a Colombian national, to 135 months imprisonment for smuggling 1,315 kilograms of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Valencia Moreno had previously pled guilty to the offense.
Documents filed with the Court established that on January 11, 2022, while on routine patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, a Marine Patrol Aircraft located a suspected drug smuggling vessel approximately 50 nautical miles south of Isla De Malpelo, Colombia. The United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) James was patrolling nearby and diverted to intercept. The James developed reasonable suspicion of the vessel being without nationality, displaying no indicia of nationality, and drug trafficking in international waters.
The Coast Guard cutter launched an intercept craft, which reported seeing bales on board consistent with contraband on the vessel. The vessel had no physical flag flown, no registration documents, no registration number on the hull, no homeport on the hull, no name on the hull, and no other painted-on markings. The vessel was in fact a Vessel Without Nationality under United States law.
The USCG crew recovered approximately 1,315 kilograms of cocaine from the vessel. The defendant Jaminson Valencia Moreno conspired with two other men, Wilmer Orobio Payan and Osiber Vente Orobio, and others, to knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute the cocaine. Payan and Orobio both pled guilty to the offense and await sentencing.
In title 46 of the United States Code, Congress found and declared that (1) trafficking in controlled substances aboard vessels is a serious international problem, is universally condemned, and presents a specific threat to the security and societal well-being of the United States and (2) operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the United States. Title 46 further provides that such offenses may be prosecuted in any United States federal district court.
United States Attorney Sean P. Costello praised the outstanding work of the United States Coast Guard and federal investigators in interdicting and bringing these international drug smugglers to justice, noting “The wholesale value of the cocaine seized in this case is conservatively valued at approximately 40 million dollars and seizures of drugs in these quantities have a material impact the operations of drug cartels.”
The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.
Court Sentences Colombian Drug Smuggler Caught with Nearly Five and a Half Tons of CocaineRead the Press Release
On January 18, 2023, United States District Court Chief Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Alonzo Escobar-Valenzuela, a Colombian national, to 210 months imprisonment for smuggling 4,951 kilograms of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Escobar-Valenzuela had previously pled guilty to the offense.
Documents filed with the Court established that on December 13, 2021, while on routine patrol, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, a Marine Patrol Aircraft detected a suspicious low profile go-fast vessel west of Malpelo, Colombia. The US Coast Guard Cutter James diverted to intercept. The Coast Guard cutter launched an intercept vessel and a helicopter and requested that their command authorize a boarding of a vessel suspected of illicit maritime activity. The approach to the vessel revealed four persons on board, including the defendant.
There was no flag flown for the vessel, no vessel registration, and no claim of nationality for the vessel. No crewmembers claimed to be the Master or person in charge of the vessel. The vessel was properly deemed to be a “Vessel Without Nationality” in that it was a vessel aboard which any master or individual in charge failed, on request of an officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable provisions of United States law, to make a claim of nationality or registry for that vessel under federal law.
The Coast Guard boarding officers found approximately 4,951 kilograms of cocaine on board the vessel. The USCG also found an AK-47 assault rifle underneath the bales of cocaine with 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Escobar-Valenzuela later admitted that he was offered 80 million Columbian pesos to conduct the smuggling trip. He was paid 40 million Columbian pesos up front prior to the trip and was to be paid the remaining 40 million Columbian pesos after the trip was completed. Escobar-Valenzuela also admitted he recruited the other three crew members for the trip: Fernando Preciado, Nestor Javier Salazar Montano, and Henry Hernandez-Garcia.
All three of the co-defendants also pled guilty. Salazar-Montano and Hernandez Garcia were each previously sentenced by Judge Moorer to 168 months imprisonment. Preciado is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2023.
In Title 46 of the United States Code, Congress found and declared that (1) trafficking in controlled substances aboard vessels is a serious international problem, is universally condemned, and presents a specific threat to the security and societal well-being of the United States and (2) operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the United States. Title 46 further provides that such offenses may be prosecuted in any United States federal district court.
United States Attorney Sean P. Costello praised the exemplary work and dedication of the United States Coast Guard and federal investigators in interdicting and bringing these international drug smugglers to justice, noting “The wholesale value of the massive load of cocaine seized in this case is conservatively valued at approximately 140 million dollars.” Costello added that this is by far the largest seizure his office has prosecuted under Title 46 and represents a significant loss to the drug cartel.
The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 71 Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A man from St. Clair County will spend nearly six years in prison for
illegally possessing a firearm. Nicholas A. Briddell, 33, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced on Tuesday to 71 months in federal prison for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
According to court documents, on March 6, 2021, officers with the East St. Louis Police Department witnessed Briddell lean out of the passenger window of a vehicle stopped at an intersection near the Visions Night Club in East St. Louis. Briddell was holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a handgun in the other. Briddell then proceeded to point the firearm at patrons walking towards the door of the nightclub. ESPLD officers stopped the vehicle, arrested Briddell and found the firearm under the seat where Briddell had been sitting. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber.
At the time of his arrest, Briddell was a multiple-convicted felon, with prior convictions for armed robbery and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or firearm ammunition. A federal grand jury in East St. Louis indicted Briddell in October 2021, and he pled guilty in September 2022.
“Pointing a loaded handgun at unsuspecting patrons is a bad, reckless decision, and the defendant will have time to think about his actions in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “It cannot be understated: we’re fortunate to have local, state and federal law enforcement partners promoting public safety in East St. Louis.”
As part of his sentence, Briddell will serve a two-year term of supervised release following his
release from federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the ESLPD and the Public Safety Enforcement Group of the Illinois State Police. Further assistance in the investigation was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and David Dean prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Patraic Setzer (28, New Port Richey) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Setzer faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and forfeiture of the firearm involved in the case.
According to court documents, on March 31, 2022, Setzer, a convicted felon, possessed a firearm in his vehicle. Law enforcement had conducted a traffic stop on Setzer’s vehicle where he was the only occupant. During the stop, a K9 alerted on the vehicle and officers searched Setzer’s car. The officers located a loaded Sig Sauer Inc, Model 9365 in the center console. During an interview with the New Port Richey Police Department, Setzer admitted to possessing the firearm, but denied ownership. At the time, Setzer had previous felony convictions for possession of alprazolam, possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the New Port Richey Police Department, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman.
Columbus woman charged federally with kidnapping infant twinsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Today a federal grand jury indicted Nalah T. Jackson, 24, of Columbus, on two counts of kidnapping of a minor.
Each count as charged is punishable by at least 20 years of incarceration and up to life in prison.
According to the indictment, between Dec. 19, 2022, and Dec. 22, 2022, Jackson kidnapped two minor children in Columbus and traveled interstate with one of them.
“Jackson is currently in custody in Indiana and will be transported to the Southern District of Ohio to face her federal charges in U.S. District Court in Columbus. Those federal charges will supersede her current state charge of kidnapping,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Protection of our youth is vital and ensuring the safe return of the children in this case was paramount. Now, as we move into the accountability phase of this incident, I can assure you that my office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in Ohio and Indiana to fully investigate the matter.”
U.S. Attorney Parker acknowledged the numerous law enforcement agencies who have assisted in this case, including FBI field offices in Columbus, Dayton and Indianapolis; the Columbus, Dayton, Huber Heights, Riverside, Vandalia, Dayton International Airport and Indianapolis police departments; the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Ohio State Highway Patrol and U.S. Marshals Service’s Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST).
Assistant United States Attorneys Emily K. Czerniejewski and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Clay County Man Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice A 9-Year-Old Child to Produce Sexually Explicit VideosRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Garrett Eric Weber (32, Green Cove Springs) to 20 years and 5 months in federal prison for attempting to entice a 9-year-old child to produce videos of the child being sexually abused. Weber was also ordered to serve a 12-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay $45,500 in restitution to several child victims. Weber was arrested on a federal warrant by the Green Cove Springs Police Department during a traffic stop on July 2, 2021, and he has been detained since that time. Weber had pleaded guilty on July 27, 2022.
According to court documents, in 2020, Weber, using the name “BUBBLESXD_90,” uploaded a video depicting the sexual abuse of a child to a public chat room on a popular social media application (app). This upload was subsequently detected by law enforcement officers in Wisconsin. Further investigation by the FBI ultimately resulted in the identification of Weber. In March 2021, an undercover FBI agent, posing as the parent of a young child, engaged in online conversation with Weber using the same app. After some discussion and being told that the “child” was only 9 years old, Weber offered to serve as the “child’s” trainer by engaging in sexual activity with the “child.” Weber requested that the “parent” take a pornographic photo of the “child” for him, and provided specific instructions on how to accomplish this. Weber advised that he wanted the “parent” to film him as he sexually abused the “child,” and commented that the resulting video recording “would be the best [child pornography] vid ever.” Weber sent the “parent” several videos over the internet that depicted the sexual abuse of young children in order to demonstrate exactly how he planned to molest the “child” in person.
After his arrest on July 2, 2021, Weber admitted that he was in fact “BUBBLESXD_90,” that he had engaged in “horrible” online conversations with the “child’s” parent, and that he had distributed videos of very young children being sexually abused using the internet. Weber acknowledged that the “[e]vidence is staggeringly harsh against [him]” and that what he did was “criminal.”
This case was investigated by the Green Cove Springs Police Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Winnebago County (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Milwaukee and Jacksonville. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Cincinnati septuagenarian ordered to repay $461,780 in stolen VA benefitsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A 76-year-old Cincinnati woman has been ordered to repay $461,780 that she illegally took from the Veterans Administration over 48 years by impersonating her mother, who died in 1973.
Irene Ferrin was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati today to five years of probation, including one year of home detention.
According to court documents, Ferrin’s mother was receiving widow’s benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs when she died in January 1973. Ferrin did not notify the VA of her mother’s death and kept receiving checks, forging her mother’s signature on the back. In ensuing years, she led the VA to believe her mother was still alive. She sent fraudulent paperwork to the VA from 1982 until 2017 to keep the theft going.
“For nearly 50 years the defendant stole from the military veterans of this country and now, at this time of her life, is facing a criminal sentence,” said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “That’s not a legacy you want to leave for your loved ones.”
“Fraudulently obtaining benefits from the VA diverts valuable resources intended for deserving veterans and their families,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Billingsley with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “The VA OIG appreciates the support of the US Attorney’s Office for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”
Ferrin pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of theft of public money.
U.S. District Court Judge Douglas R. Cole presided over the case and imposed the sentence. The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Central Field Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Cheswick Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Cheswick, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics law, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Eric Armes, 44, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that The Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a federal Title III investigation, from August to November of 2020, which resulted in the interception of wire and electronic communications over a total of ten telephones.
One of the intercepted telephones belonged to the defendant, Eric Armes. During intercepted communications, Mr. Armes speaks with, among others, his co-defendants, regarding his drug-trafficking activity, including trafficking of methamphetamine. Mr. Armes acknowledged that he was responsible for the sale of and could otherwise have foreseen the distribution of more than 200 but not less than 350 grams of methamphetamine.
Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered the defendant remain detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case that led to the prosecution of Armes, which also included the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations. Other assisting agencies include the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide, Baldwin Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department and West Deer Township Police Department.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Chesterfield Man Sentenced for Scheme to Embezzle Funds in Law Firm Trust AccountRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Chesterfield man was sentenced today to 108 months in prison for conspiracy and wire fraud and ordered to pay over $1.2 million in restitution to victims.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Joshua Brian Romano, 40, owned various businesses that purchased, rehabilitated, and sold homes around Richmond. He funded this work via construction loans that were held in escrow in the trust account of a Chesterfield County law firm. The loans were earmarked for use by Romano only for the purchase and rehabilitation of specific properties, and only with the lender’s express approval for each disbursement. Acting at Romano’s direction, Lindsey Epps Passmore, 39, a paralegal at the law firm, disbursed $1.2 million of a lender’s funds held in trust for Romano’s projects without receiving the lender’s approval or by misleading the lender about how the funds were to be used. The funds were then used for purposes outside the scope of the agreements with the lender.
On November 30, 2022, Passmore was sentenced to serve 14 months in prison for her role in the scheme.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Moore prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-26.
Cecil County Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – On January 17, 2023, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Xavier Lee, a/k/a “X,” age 44, of Elkton, Maryland, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sex trafficking of a minor. Judge Hollander also ordered Lee to pay restitution of $15,600 to a minor victim. As a result of his conviction, upon his release from prison, Lee will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Lt. Colonel Dalaine Brady, Acting Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Chief Carolyn Rogers of the Elkton Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal E. Awad; and Cecil County State’s Attorney James Dellmyer.
According to his plea agreement, for the past decade Lee has operated an illicit prostitution business for financial gain, including operating a website, where Lee posted advertisements of women whom he made available for commercial sexual acts with paying customers. That website was seized by the FBI, in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Maryland State Police. For a time, Lee also operated a different website, where he offered a subscription pornographic service to paying customers.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Lee admitted that he had sexual contact with a minor victim, beginning when the victim was 14 years old. Lee recorded his sexual contact with the minor victim when she was 15 and 16 years old. Investigators recovered eight separate videos from Lee’s electronic devices, each of which had been recorded by Lee and each of which documented the sexual abuse of the minor victim, depicting the minor victim engaged in sexual acts with Lee or with another adult man. Lee admitted that he was aware of the minor victim’s true age.
For approximately the five years leading up to his arrest in 2019, Lee’s prostitution business was run almost exclusively out of a hotel located in Elkton, Maryland. Not only did Lee primarily use the same hotel in Elkton to prostitute women, Lee always used the same room. Lee ran his prostitution business according to a set pattern and protocol. Lee posted advertisements of women whom he made available for commercial sex acts with paying customers. The “profiles” of the females whom Lee was prostituting included photographs, descriptions, and fictitious names. The website also listed the cost of prostitution appointments, described services that were available, and allowed customers to post comments.
Finally, Lee admitted that in 2013, including in or about April 2013, Lee also had another minor victim who was sixteen to seventeen years old, to prostitution dates at Lee’s direction. These prostitution dates were arranged through Lee’s website. Lee was aware of the minor victim’s true age during the time because the minor victim advised Lee of her true age.
The case was investigated by the FBI-led Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force, which was created to combat child prostitution, with members from ten state and federal law enforcement agencies. The Task Force coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit to identify missing children being advertised online for prostitution.
MCETF partners with the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking, while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Maryland State Police, the Elkton Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam K. Ake, who prosecuted the case.
# # #
Bộ Tư Pháp Giải Quyết Vấn Đề Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Liên Quan Đến Tòa Án Tối Cao LouisianaRead the Press Release
Lưu ý: Thông cáo báo chí này đã được dịch sang nhiều ngôn ngữ khác nhau. Vui lòng xem tập tài liệu đính kèm bên dưới.
Hôm nay, Sở Tư Pháp công bố cách giải quyết cho vấn đề liên quan đến Tòa Án Tối Cao Bang Louisiana (Louisiana Supreme Court, LASC) dựa trên các hành động LASC đã thực hiện để cải thiện khả năng những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế (limited English proficiency, LEP) tiếp cận các thủ tục tố tụng và hoạt động của tòa án tiểu bang.
Vào tháng 5 năm 2019, Sở Tư Pháp và LASC đã ký Biên Bản Thỏa Thuận (Memorandum of Agreement, MOA) để giải quyết khiếu nại theo Đề Mục VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền 1964 (Đề Mục VI) (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI). Title VI là luật liên bang, nghiêm cấm bất kỳ bên nhận hỗ trợ tài chính liên bang nào, kể cả tòa án tiểu bang, phân biệt đối xử dựa trên chủng tộc, màu da và nguồn gốc quốc gia. Kể từ khi ký kết MOA, LASC đã thực hiện một số hành động khắc phục hậu quả để cải thiện khả năng tiếp cận của những người LEP sử dụng tòa án trên khắp Louisiana.
Trợ Lý Tổng Chưởng Lý Kristen Clarke thuộc Ban Dân Quyền của Sở Tư Pháp cho biết: “Các tòa án trên khắp đất nước chúng ta phải đảm bảo rằng cánh cửa tòa án mở rộng cho tất cả mọi người, kể cả những người có trình độ Tiếng Anh hạn chế. Chúng tôi sẽ tiếp tục nỗ lực để chắc chắn rằng hệ thống tòa án, như Tòa Án Tối Cao Louisiana, có các chính sách, cách làm, thông dịch viên và nguồn lực cần thiết khác nhằm đảm bảo những người LEP có thể tiếp cận hệ thống tư pháp.”
Luật Sư Hoa Kỳ Duane A. Evans cho Quận Phía Đông Louisiana phát biểu: “Bằng các hành động của mình, LASC đã thể hiện cam kết đảm bảo cá nhân LEP có thể tiếp cận các tòa án tiểu bang ở Louisiana. Văn phòng của tôi cam kết giải quyết mọi hình thức phân biệt đối xử, bao gồm hành vi phân biệt đối xử với những người LEP.”
LASC đã thực hiện một số hành động để phát triển và triển khai chương trình tiếp cận ngôn ngữ, đồng thời mở rộng phạm vi cung cấp dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí cho những người LEP ở Louisiana. LASC thành lập Office of Language Access (Văn Phòng Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ) và thông qua Language Access Plan (Chương Trình Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ) đầu tiên cho các tòa án ở Louisiana. LASC cũng tạo ra hệ thống khiếu nại tiếp cận ngôn ngữ tập trung với mẫu đơn khiếu nại trực tuyến bằng một số ngôn ngữ không phải tiếng Anh. Đối với nhân viên tòa án, LASC phát triển chương trình đào tạo về khả năng tiếp cận ngôn ngữ, thẻ câu hỏi của thẩm phán tư pháp tập trung vào quyền tiếp cận dịch vụ thông dịch viên tòa án và nguồn tiếp cận ngôn ngữ khác. Ngoài ra, LASC ủng hộ thành công quyết định thay đổi luật tiểu bang, trong đó luật này cho phép các tòa án tính phí cá nhân LEP dùng dịch vụ thông dịch viên, sau đó thông qua các quy tắc mới của tòa án dựa trên thay đổi nói trên trong luật tiểu bang.
Civil Rights Division (Ban Dân Quyền) thuộc Sở Tư Pháp đã phối hợp với Văn phòng Luật sư Hoa Kỳ thuộc Quận Phía Đông của Louisiana để giải quyết vấn đề này. Thông tin bổ sung về Civil Rights Division có trên trang web tại www.justice.gov/crt, còn thông tin về LEP và Title VI có tại www.lep.gov. Công chúng có thể báo cáo hành vi vi phạm dân quyền có thể xảy ra tại https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Press Release in English
Press Release in Spanish (Español)
Press Release in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
Press Release in French (Français)
Press Release in Arabic ( العربية)
Businesswoman Sentenced for Facilitating Unregistered Lobbying Campaign in Exchange for Approximately $3 MillionRead the Press Release
An American businesswoman with international ties was sentenced in the District of Hawaii yesterday to two years in prison for her role in facilitating an unregistered lobbying campaign of the Administration of the former President of the United States and the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of foreign principals in exchange for millions of dollars.
According to court documents, Nickie Mali Lum Davis, 47, of Honolulu, Hawaii, admitted that between March 2017 and January 2018, she and her co-conspirators – Elliott Broidy, George Higginbotham, and Prakazrel “Pras” Michel – agreed to lobby the then-President of the United States, the Attorney General, and other high-level U.S. government officials to drop civil forfeiture proceedings and a criminal investigation into the embezzlement of billions of dollars from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a strategic investment and development company wholly owned by the Government of Malaysia.
For their efforts, Lum Davis and her co-conspirators were paid millions of dollars by Low Taek Jho, aka Jho Low, an alleged architect of the 1MDB scheme. Lum Davis and others also agreed to lobby the Administration and Justice Department on behalf of Low and a minister of the People’s Republic of China (PRC Minister A), to arrange for the removal and return of a dissident of the PRC living in the United States. Lum Davis and her co-conspirators concealed from the officials whom they lobbied that they were working on behalf of Low and PRC Minister A, and were being paid millions of dollars by Low with the expectation of tens of millions more in success fees. The lobbying campaigns were ultimately unsuccessful.
Among other actions, Lum Davis and her co-conspirators tried to arrange meetings for PRC Minister A with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other high-level officials during PRC Minister A’s visit to the United States in May 2017; provided talking points to the Secretary of State referencing the 1MDB investigation in advance of a meeting between the Secretary of State and the Malaysian Prime Minister in August 2017; and pushed the White House Chief of Staff for a meeting and golf game between the former President and the Malaysian Prime Minister to allow the Malaysian Prime Minister to raise resolution of the 1MDB investigation. Lum Davis was paid at least $3 million for her role in the scheme, which she agreed to forfeit as part of her plea agreement. Broidy was paid at least $9 million.
Broidy previously pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme on Oct. 20, 2020, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Broidy received a full presidential pardon on Jan. 19, 2021.
Higginbotham previously pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme on Nov. 30, 2018, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Michel was charged by superseding indictment for his role in the scheme on June 10, 2021. His trial is set to begin on March 27 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii, Special Agent in Charge Steven B. Merill of the FBI Honolulu Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Keith Bonanno of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG), Cyber Investigations Office made the announcement.
The DOJ-OIG and the FBI Honolulu and Los Angeles Field Offices investigated the case.
Principal Deputy Chief John D. Keller, Director of Enforcement and Litigation for Election Crimes Sean F. Mulryne, and Trial Attorney Nicole R. Lockhart of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case. Former PIN Trial Attorneys James C. Mann and Ryan Ellersick also provided significant assistance.
Billings man admits possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man accused of sending two videos of minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct to an undercover officer admitted to child pornography charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Ethan Andrew Schilling, 25, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with possession of child pornography. Schilling faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Schilling was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in March 2022, law enforcement was conducting an undercover investigation and began corresponding with Schilling on a social media application. During these communications, the officer was posing as the relative of a 12-year-old girl. Schilling’s intentions regarding the fictitious girl became increasing sexual in nature. Schilling offered that he had “pics” and sent the undercover officer two videos of a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In May 2022, law enforcement served search warrant at Schilling’s residence. Schilling informed law enforcement that he did send the videos, acknowledged that it was illegal to send child pornography and that he obtained the videos from someone else.
Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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.
XXX
Billings man admits lying to federal grand juryRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man today admitted that he lied when testifying to a federal grand jury, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Caleb Jason Olson, 21, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with false declaration before a grand jury. Olson faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 18. Olson was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Olson testified before the Billings grand jury on Dec. 15, 2021. At the time, the grand jury was investigating an incident that occurred on Oct. 10, 2019. Olson was placed under oath and advised of the potential ramification should he make a false statement during his testimony. Olson testified about the night of Oct. 10, 2019 and of giving people a ride to a location in Billings. He explained that once at that location, two of the individuals in his car got out and that both had firearm. Olson was asked, “Prior to (John Doe) discharging his gun towards the vehicle, did you have any knowledge that was the plan or intention when you drove to the Heights that night?” Olson responded, “No. I didn’t even know that there were any firearms in my vehicle.” Olson further testified that he was unaware that John Doe had a gun until he pulled it out when he was outside his car and that he, Olson, did not have a gun that night. Those statements were false. Olson knew that he had, in fact, brought a firearm in his car that night.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus, Bryan T. Dake and Benjamin D. Hargrove are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
XXX
Belgrade drug trafficker sentenced to five years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Belgrade man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and to illegally possessing 16 firearms that were found in a crawl space in his residence was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, Jesse Laslovich said.
Christopher Lee Wylie, 40, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and to prohibited person in possession of firearms.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that the Missouri River Drug Task Force, while investigating drug trafficking, stopped a vehicle in September 2021 when the vehicle returned to Montana from California. Wylie was a passenger. Law enforcement located 5.24 pounds of meth in the vehicle, and Wylie admitted he traveled with the driver to California to obtain drugs to sell. Wylie admitted to selling drugs from his home in Belgrade. In addition, the government alleged that in February 2022, law enforcement served a search warrant on Wylie’s residence and located 16 firearms and ammunition in the crawl space and a small amount of heroin, meth and cocaine in his residence. Wylie admitted in a prior interview that he used meth and “blues,” which usually refers to counterfeit oxycodone that often contains fentanyl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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.
XXX
Augusta man admits to COVID-19 scheme that netted more than $4 million in loans and grantsRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: A Richmond County man has admitted conducting a scheme to submit fraudulent applications for COVID-19 small business relief funding that netted more than $4 million in payments.
Kamario Thomas, 42, of Augusta, is charged by a criminal Information with Conspiracy, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The guilty plea to the felony charge subjects Thomas to a statutory penalty of up to five years in federal prison followed by up to three years of supervised release, along with substantial financial penalties and restitution to the U.S. government. There is no parole in the federal system.
“This conviction represents the continuing, vigorous pursuit of those who undeservedly accessed government funding for struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will hold responsible those who attempt to illegally profit from these programs.”
The 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided more than $650 billion in funding for qualifying small businesses facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with grants and forgivable loans available through the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
In his plea agreement, Thomas admits that he completed false and fraudulent EIDL applications for himself, and that he received hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks in return for completing and submitting fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications on behalf of his co-conspirators. To create those applications, Thomas fabricated IRS forms and tax records.
In total, the scheme caused the disbursement of more than $4 million in fraudulent CARES Act loans and grants.
“Using the Small Business Administration’s programs fraudulently undermines the spirit and true intent of bolstering the backbone of the nation’s economy: small businesses,” said SBA Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “OIG is committed to rooting out bad actors and protecting the integrity of SBA programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
“In far too many cases, greedy opportunists took advantage of the PPP, diverting much-needed funds away from those businesses that desperately needed it,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “This plea signals the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force will continue pursuing and holding accountable those who chose greed over compassion for their fellow Americans who faced economic distress during the COVID pandemic.”
“CARES Act funds were intended to help people and businesses harmed by the pandemic, not to line the pockets of overly greedy professionals,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI is continuing to work with our partners to do everything in our power to make sure stolen funds are returned to the public, and individuals who were involved in this type of criminal behavior are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The defendant used deceit and fraud to obtain loans that he was not entitled to receive for his own financial gain,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This guilty plea is a reminder that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to investigating individuals for these types of crimes and holding the offenders accountable.”
“An important mission of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is to investigate fraud related to COVID-19 benefit programs. Through collaboration and leveraging of resources the federal law enforcement community has continued to make great strides in holding COVID-19 fraudsters accountable,” said Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent-in-Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to safeguard COVID-19 benefit programs, including unemployment compensation benefit programs, for those who need them the most.”
The case is being investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer A. Stanley.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Armed robbery of Butte motel sends man to prison for seven yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Butte man who admitted to brandishing a shotgun while robbing a motel in Butte was sentenced today to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Luther Norman Whaley, 60, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Nov. 2, 2021, at the America’s Best Value Inn in Butte, Whaley brandished a shotgun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk placed approximately $3,000 in a black duffle bag that Whaley provided. Whaley fled but was quickly arrested. Law enforcement recovered a shotgun and a black bag with cash. Whaley then told law enforcement, “Yeah, it’s me.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Butte Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
XXX
Armed Felon Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison Following Domestic Violence CallRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Austin Majko, 33, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on July 23, 2021, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers responded to a 911 call on the west side of Indianapolis. A man, who was later identified as Austin Majko, fired multiple shots at a vehicle recovery agent who was attempting to repossess Majko’s 2013 Ford Focus. The victim told officers that as he was leaving with the Focus, Majko ran toward him and fired multiple shots at the vehicle. Four .40 caliber casings were found at the scene.
Later that day, IMPD officers responded to a domestic violence call in the same neighborhood. When officers arrived, a witness stated that they saw Majko hit a female in the street and pull a gun from his waist band. Officers found Majko sitting next to two toolboxes in his garage. Multiple guns, including a .40 caliber handgun, were located inside the toolboxes.
Majko is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law due to his previous felony convictions, including two convictions for robbery resulting in bodily injury.
“A gun can turn domestic abuse deadly in a matter of seconds,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Research shows that armed domestic abusers pose a profound risk to the safety of those closest to them and to the public at large. Our office, together with IMPD and ATF, will continue to prioritize the LEATH initiative to save the lives of those impacted by domestic violence.”
“It unfortunately bears repeating that we all deserve to be safest in our homes, but for too many that is not the case,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute domestic abusers who possess firearms to ensure our communities are safe from these offenders.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Majko be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of the LEATH Initiative (Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence), named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. A partnership among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the LEATH Initiative focuses federal, state, and local law enforcement resources on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms.
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.
Arkansas Owner of Garage Door Business Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
An Arkansas man pleaded guilty today to attempting to evade the assessment of federal income taxes.
According to court documents, Ronald Clark, of Bella Vista, owned and operated Clark Overhead Doors, a garage door service company. From 2015 to 2020, Clark evaded the assessment of federal income and employment taxes by operating his business in cash, dealing extensively in currency, and failing to file individual income tax and employment tax returns. In total, the defendant caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $236,791.
Clark faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Wilson Stamm and Assistant Chief Greg Tortella of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Arizona Woman Caught Trafficking Fentanyl and Heroin on Interstate 5 Charged in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An Arizona woman is facing federal charges after she was caught trafficking approximately 45,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and several additional pounds of bulk heroin on Interstate 5 near Salem, Oregon.
Nancy Garcia, 47, of Yuma County, Arizona, has been charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin.
According to court documents, on January 16, 2023, an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Garcia northbound on Interstate 5 near Salem. The trooper identified Garcia as the sole occupant of the vehicle and observed that she was traveling with a statue of Santa Muerte, a saint-like figure some individuals believe offers protection in drug trafficking.
Garcia first told the trooper she was traveling to Seattle, but later said she was traveling to and planning to spend a week in Portland. The trooper lawfully searched Garcia’s vehicle and found more than 10 pounds of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and five and half pounds of bulk heroin in a bag on the floor behind the driver’s seat. The trooper placed Garcia under arrest and transported the drugs to a law enforcement lab for further evaluation.
On January 18, 2023, Garcia made her first appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. She was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
This case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and OSP. It is being prosecuted by Paul T. Maloney, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Amarillo Man Sentenced for Threating Prominent New York RabbisRead the Press Release
An Amarillo man was sentenced Thursday to two years in federal prison for threatening to execute three prominent Jewish rabbis, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Christopher Stephen Brown was charged via criminal complaint on Dec. 6, 2021 and indicted later that month. He plead guilty in September 2022 to making interstate threatening communications and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk.
- U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton“Mr. Brown expressed vile anti-Semitism and threatened to commit despicable, violent acts against specific Jewish authorities. We will never stop protecting the Jewish community and other religious groups from such disturbing, hateful conduct. We hope the sentence handed down today serves as reassurance of that to the victims, their loved ones, and the greater Jewish community”
- FBI Dallas Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Dwyer“Making threatening statements intended to instill fear and cause potential physical harm is a serious criminal action with consequences. Our hope is that today’s sentence brings some relief to the affected private citizens, law enforcement and members of the Jewish community at large. This behavior will not be tolerated, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to pursue individuals who espouse violent, antisemitic beliefs and pose a threat to public safety, holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to plea papers, Mr. Brown admitted to placing threatening calls to Chabad Lubavitch, a Jewish organization that has provided spiritual guidance and assistance to Jewish people since before the Holocaust. Chabad is headquartered in New York City and maintains more than 3,500 institutions worldwide.
In those calls, the defendant sated his name was “Madrikh Obadiah” and threatened to “execute” several rabbinical leaders, identified in court documents as L.S., Y.K., and M.K. Over the course of multiple calls, he vowed he would tear their eyes and tongues out, blow their heads of, and kill every rabbi he could find.
According to court documents, he also sent messages to the organization via their website, calling for death to all Jews and linking to his YouTube channel, which also contained threatening content.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, Amarillo Resident Agency and the Randall County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation in partnership with the FBI’s New York Field Office and the New York Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto prosecuted the case.
13-Count Indictment Unsealed Charging 9 Defendants in Alleged Armed Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking Ring in Middle GeorgiaRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – Nine individuals are facing federal drug and firearms charges alleging their participation in the armed distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into Middle Georgia communities.
The federal indictment was unsealed today charging the following defendants:
- Heather Breland, 38, of Atlanta, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
- Raiford Reeves aka RH, 42, of Warner Robins, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, three counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Travis Warthen aka Trap, 38, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Randall Heath, 62, of Macon, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
- Lucretia Snellgrove, 51, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
- Jeremiah Kaleta, 45, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
- Kendall Howard, 30, of Centerville, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances;
- Kenneth Maddox, 30, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and
- Luis Acosta, 34, of Centerville, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Reeves faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment. The remaining defendants each face up to a maximum of life imprisonment.
Five defendants were arrested today; three defendants were in state custody. Co-defendant Maddox is at-large. Initial appearances for the defendants in custody will occur before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles H. Weigle today and at a later date to be scheduled.
According to the indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury on Jan. 11 and unsealed today, the defendants allegedly conspired to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 40 grams of fentanyl between Oct. 2021 and June 2022. In addition, four firearms were seized during the investigation.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Warner Robins Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Keyes is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wednesday 18 January 2023
Владелец Бруклинской Компании, Оказывающей Услуги Кредитного Консультирования, Обвинен В Мошенничестве В Отношении КлиентовRead the Press Release
Сегодня в федеральном суде Бруклина было обнародовано обвинительное заключение по восьми пунктам, в котором Марату Лернеру [Marat Lerner], президенту компании Lerner Group, было предъявлено обвинение в заговоре с целью совершения мошенничества с использованием электронных средств, мошенничества с использованием электронных средств и отмывания денег в связи со схемой кражи у клиентов его компании по изменению ипотечных кредитов.
Бреон Пис [Breon Peace], прокурор США по Восточному округу Нью-Йорка, и Майкл Дж. Дрисколл [Michael J. Driscoll], помощник директора Федерального бюро расследований (ФБР) в Региональном управлении Нью-Йорка, объявили об аресте и предъявлении обвинений.
«Обвиняемый охотился на иммигрантов в русской общине Бруклина, обремененных ипотечным долгом, похищая их американскую мечту с помощью схемы, построенной на ложных обещаниях помочь им сохранить свои дома, но на самом деле, пользовался их доверием для личного обогащения, — заявил прокурор США Пис. — Прокуратура уделяет первоочередное внимание защите уязвимых жителей нашего округа, и мы призываем их добровольно дать показания и довериться нам, чтобы добиться справедливости для них».
Г-н Пис выразил признательность Погранично-таможенной службе США и Департаменту полиции города Нью-Йорка за их помощь в этом вопросе.
«Обвиняемый, как мы утверждаем сегодня, финансировал свой расточительный образ жизни, осуществляя длительную аферу по использованию доверия и страхов своих жертв с целью похищения их денег, а не выполнял свое обещание изменить их ипотечные кредиты», — заявил помощник директора ФБР Дрисколл. — ФБР будет продолжать следить за тем, чтобы любой человек, желающий обмануть и ввести в заблуждение клиентов с целью похищения их с трудом заработанных денег, столкнется с последствиями в системе уголовного правосудия. Мы призываем любых дополнительных жертв схемы г-на Лернера связаться с нами по телефону 1-800-CALL-FBI или через Интернет по адресу www.iC3.gov».
В обвинительном заключении утверждается, что в период приблизительно с августа 2016 года по январь 2021 года Лернер вместе с другими лицами управлял компанией Lerner Group. Lerner Group обещала клиентам, что может помочь им изменить их ипотечные кредиты, уменьшив ежемесячные платежи и непогашенные остатки по ипотечным кредитам. Лернер использовал свой доступ к банковской информации своих клиентов для создания чеков, которые выглядели как ежемесячные выплаты по ипотеке предполагаемому агенту условного депонирования под названием Testoni & Villa, а также ипотечным банкам своих клиентов. Но на самом деле Лернер тайно контролировал Testoni & Villa, и вместо того чтобы держать деньги на условном депонировании или переводить их в ипотечные банки, Лернер депонировал чеки на счет, который сам же и контролировал и который использовал для различных личных расходов, включая предметы роскоши и дорогие блюда, а также автомобиль BMW. В общей сложности Лернер присвоил не менее 550 000 долларов своих клиентов.
Если вы были клиентом компании Lerner Group и хотели бы подать жалобу, посетите веб-сайт www.iC3.gov. В своей жалобе укажите «Lerner Group» или «Marat Lerner».
Обвинения в обвинительном заключении являются утверждениями, и ответчик считается невиновным до тех пор, пока его вина не будет доказана. В случае признания виновным Лернеру грозит до 20 лет лишения свободы.
Государственное обвинение находится в ведении Отдела по борьбе с мошенничеством в сфере бизнеса и ценных бумаг. За уголовное преследование отвечает помощник прокурора США Ник М. Аксельрод [Nick M. Axelrod].
The Ответчикs:
МАРАТ ЛЕРНЕР
Возраст: 40
Бруклин, Нью-Йорк№ дела E.D.N.Y. 23-CR-15 (NGG)
Владелец Бруклинской Компании, Оказывающей Услуги Кредитного Консультирования, Обвинен В Мошенничестве В Отношении КлиентовRead the Press Release
Сегодня в федеральном суде Бруклина было обнародовано обвинительное заключение по восьми пунктам, в котором Марату Лернеру [Marat Lerner], президенту компании Lerner Group, было предъявлено обвинение в заговоре с целью совершения мошенничества с использованием электронных средств, мошенничества с использованием электронных средств и отмывания денег в связи со схемой кражи у клиентов его компании по изменению ипотечных кредитов.
Бреон Пис [Breon Peace], прокурор США по Восточному округу Нью-Йорка, и Майкл Дж. Дрисколл [Michael J. Driscoll], помощник директора Федерального бюро расследований (ФБР) в Региональном управлении Нью-Йорка, объявили об аресте и предъявлении обвинений.
«Обвиняемый охотился на иммигрантов в русской общине Бруклина, обремененных ипотечным долгом, похищая их американскую мечту с помощью схемы, построенной на ложных обещаниях помочь им сохранить свои дома, но на самом деле, пользовался их доверием для личного обогащения, — заявил прокурор США Пис. — Прокуратура уделяет первоочередное внимание защите уязвимых жителей нашего округа, и мы призываем их добровольно дать показания и довериться нам, чтобы добиться справедливости для них».
Г-н Пис выразил признательность Погранично-таможенной службе США и Департаменту полиции города Нью-Йорка за их помощь в этом вопросе.
«Обвиняемый, как мы утверждаем сегодня, финансировал свой расточительный образ жизни, осуществляя длительную аферу по использованию доверия и страхов своих жертв с целью похищения их денег, а не выполнял свое обещание изменить их ипотечные кредиты», — заявил помощник директора ФБР Дрисколл. — ФБР будет продолжать следить за тем, чтобы любой человек, желающий обмануть и ввести в заблуждение клиентов с целью похищения их с трудом заработанных денег, столкнется с последствиями в системе уголовного правосудия. Мы призываем любых дополнительных жертв схемы г-на Лернера связаться с нами по телефону 1-800-CALL-FBI или через Интернет по адресу www.iC3.gov».
В обвинительном заключении утверждается, что в период приблизительно с августа 2016 года по январь 2021 года Лернер вместе с другими лицами управлял компанией Lerner Group. Lerner Group обещала клиентам, что может помочь им изменить их ипотечные кредиты, уменьшив ежемесячные платежи и непогашенные остатки по ипотечным кредитам. Лернер использовал свой доступ к банковской информации своих клиентов для создания чеков, которые выглядели как ежемесячные выплаты по ипотеке предполагаемому агенту условного депонирования под названием Testoni & Villa, а также ипотечным банкам своих клиентов. Но на самом деле Лернер тайно контролировал Testoni & Villa, и вместо того чтобы держать деньги на условном депонировании или переводить их в ипотечные банки, Лернер депонировал чеки на счет, который сам же и контролировал и который использовал для различных личных расходов, включая предметы роскоши и дорогие блюда, а также автомобиль BMW. В общей сложности Лернер присвоил не менее 550 000 долларов своих клиентов.
Если вы были клиентом компании Lerner Group и хотели бы подать жалобу, посетите веб-сайт www.iC3.gov. В своей жалобе укажите «Lerner Group» или «Marat Lerner».
Обвинения в обвинительном заключении являются утверждениями, и ответчик считается невиновным до тех пор, пока его вина не будет доказана. В случае признания виновным Лернеру грозит до 20 лет лишения свободы.
Государственное обвинение находится в ведении Отдела по борьбе с мошенничеством в сфере бизнеса и ценных бумаг. За уголовное преследование отвечает помощник прокурора США Ник М. Аксельрод [Nick M. Axelrod].
The Ответчикs:
МАРАТ ЛЕРНЕР
Возраст: 40
Бруклин, Нью-Йорк№ дела E.D.N.Y. 23-CR-15 (NGG)
Women Sentenced for Trafficking Cocaine through the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas - Two women have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Tina Gilder, 40, of Houston, and Gina Moreno, 29, of San Benito, Texas, were indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 8, 2020, and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. On Jan. 17, 2023, U.S. District Judge Crone sentenced Gilder to 121 months in federal prison and Moreno to 87 months in federal prison.
According to information presented in court, Gilder and Moreno were both part of a Houston-based conspiracy to traffic kilograms of cocaine through East Texas to the East Coast for distribution. On August 26, 2019, Gilder was stopped and found in possession of four kilograms of cocaine concealed in a hidden compartment in a Jeep. Moreno was stopped on Sep. 21, 2019 and found in possession of 22 kilograms of cocaine. Gilder was convicted at trial on Feb. 24, 2022 and Moreno pleaded guilty on Feb. 7, 2022.
These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Port Arthur Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Anderson.
# # #
Utah Doctor and Co-Defendants Charged for Running a COVID-19 Vaccine Scheme to Defraud the Government and CDCRead the Press Release
UPDATE
Upon motion of the United States, the indictment described in the press release below against Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah, Inc., Dr. Michael Kirk Moore Jr., Kari Dee Burgoyne, Kristin Jackson Andersen, and and Sandra Flores in this case was dismissed in July 2025.
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City, Utah returned an indictment on January 11, 2023 charging a Utah plastic surgeon, his medical corporation, and three co-defendants, including his neighbor, with conspiracy to defraud the United States by issuing fake CDC COVID-19 vaccination record cards to fraudulent vaccine card seekers.
According to court documents, Dr. Michael Kirk Moore Jr., 58, of Salt Lake County, Utah and his co-defendants, listed below including his neighbor, ran a scheme out of Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah Inc. to defraud the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The defendants allegedly destroyed at least $28,028.50 worth of government-provided COVID-19 vaccines, and distributed at least 1,937 doses’ worth of fraudulently completed vaccination record cards to others in exchange for either direct cash payments or required “donations” to a specified charitable organization, without administering a COVID-19 vaccine to the card recipient. As charged in court documents, defendants also administered saline shots to minors – at the request of their parents – so children would think they were receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
"By allegedly falsifying vaccine cards and administering saline shots to children instead of COVID-19 vaccines, not only did this provider endanger the health and well-being of a vulnerable population, but also undermined public trust and the integrity of federal health care programs,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. "HHS-OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable bad actors who attempt to illegally profit from the pandemic.”
“This defendant allegedly used his medical profession to administer bogus vaccines to unsuspecting people, to include children falsifying a sense of security,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris Miller, HSI Las Vegas. “HSI remains committed to working with our partners to bring those who seek to take advantage of the pandemic to deliberately harm and deceive others for their own profit to justice.”
Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah, Inc., Michael Kirk Moore Jr., Kari Dee Burgoyne, 52, Kristin Jackson Andersen, 59, and Sandra Flores, 31, are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to convert, sell, convey, and dispose of government property; and conversion, sale, conveyance, and disposal of government property and aiding and abetting. The defendants are scheduled for their initial appearance January 26, 2023, at 2 P.M. in courtroom 8.4.
U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement.
The Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Todd C. Bouton, Jacob Strain, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sachiko Jepson, for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Unlicensed Dealer Who Straw Purchased, Sold Guns Despite ATF Cease-and-Desist Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
A Lancaster man who sold more than 50 guns without a license pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal firearm crime, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Armani Morris, 22, was arrested following an undercover gun buy in July 2022 and indicted in August. He pleaded guilty Tuesday to engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford.
“Federal law requires firearms dealers to be licensed – and, crucially, to run background checks on their buyers. Subverting these laws allows guns to fall into the wrong hands, endangering the public,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “Despite being warned that his conduct was unlawful, this defendant brazenly continued selling to anyone who would buy. Let there be no mistake: The Justice Department will aggressively pursue anyone who flouts federal firearm laws.”
“Today was a victory for law enforcement and the citizens of North Texas. Mr. Morris knew the law. Mr. Morris knew the procedures to become a licensed firearms dealer. Mr. Morris chose to ignore them all and continue to deal firearms illegally. I hope this serves as an example for all those who choose to sell firearms around the laws. ATF and its partners will investigate you and you will be prosecuted,” stated ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.
According to plea papers, Mr. Morris admits that between 2021 and 2022, he sold at least 52 firearms despite the fact that he did not have a license to engage in the business of dealing in firearms.
(Federal law requires that people engaged in the business of dealing in firearms – defined as repeatedly devoting time and attention to purchasing and reselling guns for monetary gain – obtain Federal Firearms Licenses, or FFLs, and run background checks on potential buyers.)
On Dec. 16, 2021, ATF agents served Mr. Morris with an administrative cease-and-desist letter that explained firearms licensing laws so that Morris would know that his conduct was illegal. However, Morris continued to purchase and sell firearms.
On April 7, 2022, ATF Special Agents met with Morris at his residence, where he acknowledged that he read the cease-and-desist letter but asserted he did not want to sign it. When agents confronted Morris with evidence of 54 firearm purchases, Morris could fully account for only two of the guns. Morris also admitted to agents that he had spent all his income on firearms while he sought to sell them for a profit. However, Morris admitted that dealing in firearms was turning out to be a bad investment.
Despite continued warnings from law enforcement, Morris continued to deal firearms without a license. ATF then proceeded with an undercover investigation. On four separate occasions in the summer of 2022, undercover agents purchased from Morris a total of seven firearms, including two AR-type pistols, a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, and a Glock 9mm pistol and with a Glock switch that made the Glock fire fully automatic as a machinegun.
Mr. Morris now faces up to five years in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Walt Junker is prosecuting the case.
Three men sentenced for roles in bribery conspiracyRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Three Texas men have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to pay bribes to two city commissioners in Weslaco in exchange for their official actions in connection with city contracts worth tens of millions of dollars.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced former Hidalgo County Commissioner Arturo C. Cuellar Jr., 69, of Progresso Lakes, to 20 years in prison yesterday. Ricardo Quintanilla, 57, and John F. Cuellar, 60, both of Weslaco, were sentenced to 198 months and three years in prison, respectively.
“Americans deserve safe, clean water provided through fair and open contracting, not illicit back-room deals,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As this prosecution demonstrates, the Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting public officials and their enablers who award infrastructure contracts based on corrupt connections instead of merit.”
“Our office will not turn a blind eye to public corruption, especially when it results in significant burdens to residents within our district,” said Alamdar S. Hamdani, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. “Weslaco was warned for years to upgrade its water infrastructure in order to provide potable water. The defendants used this opportunity to participate in a multi-million dollar scheme that ultimately saddled residents with debt and bribery costs for their drinking water system. We hope the message in today’s sentencings will deter others from committing such crimes and provide some closure to the citizens of Weslaco.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Arturo Cuellar and Quintanilla agreed with others to bribe two Weslaco City Commissioners, John Cuellar and Gerardo Tafolla, in exchange for official actions favorable to engineering companies seeking large contracts with the city. From approximately March 2008 through December 2015, one of the participants in the scheme received approximately $4.1 million from two engineering companies and shared nearly $1.4 million with Arturo Cuellar. Arturo Cuellar used a company he controlled to facilitate the payment of approximately $405,000 in bribes to his cousin, John Cuellar, which were disguised as legitimate legal expenses. In exchange for these payments, John Cuellar took several official actions to benefit the companies, including helping to award contracts worth approximately $38.5 million to rehabilitate Weslaco’s water treatment facilities. Quintanilla received approximately $85,000 during the course of the scheme and used that money to pay cash bribes to Tafolla for his official actions to benefit the companies that received the water treatment plant contracts.
Arturo Cuellar and Quintanilla were convicted at trial in the Southern District of Texas in October 2022. Arturo Cuellar was convicted of 61 counts in total, including one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, four counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of federal programs bribery, one count of money laundering conspiracy, 27 counts of money laundering, and 27 counts of Travel Act violations. Quintanilla was convicted of 15 counts in total, including one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, four counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of federal programs bribery, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and eight counts money laundering. John Cuellar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud in August 2019.
“Today’s sentencing is a testament to the FBI’s commitment to pursue public corruption alongside our law enforcement partners. Any public official who chooses to serve themselves over their constituents will be brought to justice. Rio Grande Valley residents deserve elected leaders who can be trusted," said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “The FBI would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice Public Integrity Section, and the IRS for their partnership and dedication to bringing these corrupt individuals to justice.”
“IRS - Criminal Investigation (CI) remains steadfast in its commitment to quickly unravel public corruption schemes, as these frauds greatly undermine the trust placed by the public in its elected officials,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS-CI’s Houston Field Office. “No matter how complex the financial fraud, or well-insulated the corrupt officials and individuals or businesses are, our special agents will rigorously work to hold all accountable to face the consequences of their crimes and personal greed. We continuously ask the public to submit allegations of public corruption fraud to IRS-CI, FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
Tafolla pleaded guilty in April 2019 and will be sentenced at a later date.
The FBI San Antonio Field Office and IRS-CI Houston Field Office investigated the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Marco A. Palmieri and Trial Attorney William J. Gullotta of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. Deputy Chief of PIN Peter M. Nothstein and former PIN Trial Attorneys Erica O’Brien Waymack and Jessica C. Harvey provided valuable assistance.
Three Fugitives Arrested on Federal Drug Charges in Westmore, VermontRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Vermont resident Michelle Provencher (also known as Michelle Hall)—24, originally of Irasburg, Vermont—was arrested and held in federal custody on Friday, January 13, 2023, following the search of a rented Airbnb residence in Westmore, Vermont pursuant to a federal search warrant. Two Massachusetts residents identified as Nathaniel Jamal Jones (also known as “JJ”), 36, and Jermaine Douchette, Jr. (also known as “Bear”), 42—both previously of Springfield, Massachusetts—were also arrested at the rental property. All three individuals were fugitives who had active federal warrants for their arrests based upon an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Vermont on December 22, 2022, charging them with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl between August 2022 and October 26, 2022. Jones and Douchette face additional counts for specific distributions of controlled substances. Jones and Douchette had previously been charged in a criminal complaint relating to those charges on October 24, 2022.
The indictment alleges that the defendants were participants in a conspiracy that involved at least seven individuals who agreed with one another to distribute controlled substances in the District of Vermont. According to an affidavit filed with the earlier criminal complaint, defendants Jones and Douchette distributed controlled substances from the Barton residence of codefendant Erika Desormeaux. Investigators arranged the purchase of cocaine and fentanyl from the defendants on multiple occasions between August and October 2022, and most of those transactions occurred at the Barton residence. The complaint affidavit alleges that the conspirators acquired and possessed firearms during the investigation and attempted to acquire firearms through straw purchases.
Defendants Jones, Douchette, and Provencher made initial appearances before the Court yesterday and were arraigned on the indictment. United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered defendants Jones and Douchette to be detained in federal custody pending further proceedings. Defendant Provencher will have a detention hearing on January 20, 2023.
The charges in the indictment against Jones, Douchette, and Provencher are accusations only, and they are each presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in further proceedings. If convicted of the lead conspiracy count, each defendant would face a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The actual sentences, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the governing sentencing statutes.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Northern Vermont Drug Task Force (NVDTF) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in this case. In particular, he noted the collaboration of NVDTF and ATF with the Vermont State Police, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, the Newport Police Department (NPD), and Homeland Security Investigations in the execution of the search for these charged fugitives.
“This case involves the distribution of deadly substances in a portion of the state that has seen a concerning rise in drug-related violence,” said U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest. “When Vermont residents who misuse controlled substances support or host the distributors of those dangerous substances in their homes, the hosts contribute to the opioid crisis and the rising violence. We will continue to investigate and charge not only the individuals who traffic narcotics, but also the individuals who host drug dealers in their homes and straw purchase firearms for them.”
“VSP is committed to deploying resources to combat and interrupt the dangerous drug trafficking organizations that have set up for business in Vermont,” said Major Dan Trudeau of the Vermont State Police. “We will continue to work diligently with our Federal and Local partners to hold accountable those who are trafficking narcotics into the State and committing violence related to drug trafficking.”
James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division, said, “With the arrest of Nathaniel Jones, Jermaine Douchette, and Michelle Provencher, Vermonters—especially those in the Northeast Kingdom—can rest assured knowing that serious offenders are being held accountable. Through tireless and cooperative efforts with federal, state, and local agencies, these fugitives were arrested as quickly as possible to protect our community, and they were finally brought before the Court to address the charges.”
Orleans County Sheriff Jennifer Harlow noted the positive impact of the apprehensions for the Northeast Kingdom. “The community can rest a little easier knowing they have been apprehended. I want to thank the Northern Vermont Drug Task Force for the diligent and endless work they put into these cases, which often take months to investigate. I also thank our federal partners who will continue to work hard every day to hold those who do harm in Orleans County accountable.”
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Lasher. Attorney Robert Kaplan, Esq. will be representing Jones. Attorney Gregory Mertz, Esq. will be representing Douchette. Attorney Robert Sussman, Esq. will be representing Provencher in this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn