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17 February 2023
Michigan Tax Return Preparer Agrees to Preliminary InjunctionRead the Press Release
A federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan has endorsed an agreed preliminary injunction barring a Detroit-area tax return preparer and her businesses from preparing federal tax returns for others until the date on which trial on whether a permanent injunction is warranted occurs.
The preliminary injunction was entered against Annetta Powell and her tax preparation businesses, known to customers as “The Tax Experts,” and registered to do business in Michigan under varying entity names: Alliance Tax Services, Inc., Nationwide Tax Services, Inc., Tax Expert Stores, Inc., United Tax Services, Inc., Top Financial Specialists, Inc. doing business as The Tax Experts, United Financial Team Corporation doing business as The Tax Experts, and Speedy Tax Stores Corporation doing business as The Tax Experts. The preliminary injunction also enjoins Jasmine Powell from preparing or filing federal tax returns. According to the amended complaint filed against the defendants, Powell and her companies had prepared returns that, among other things, reported inflated or fraudulent business losses, claimed false or inflated earned income credits, reported fraudulent filing statues, and claimed improper education credits, all of which resulted in tax refunds to which customers were not entitled. According to the amended complaint, the fraudulent tax returns that Powell and her business prepared for customers cost the United States over one and a half million dollars in tax revenue.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers, whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard their personal information.
In addition, IRS Free File, a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $72,000. For individuals whose income is over that threshold, IRS Free File offers electronical federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free.
In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Mexican National Sentenced to 8 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Guadalupe Ayala-Armienta, 36, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ayala-Armienta to 96 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison he will be subject to deportation. He was also ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release.
On May 25, 2021, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was investigating suspected drug trafficking at an Omaha motel when they stopped a vehicle leaving the motel that Ayala-Armienta was a passenger in. Deputies learned that Ayala-Armienta had rented a room back at the hotel and a drug detecting canine alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from within. A search warrant was obtained, and deputies located approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $37,000 in drug proceeds within the room.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Mexican Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Socorro Alejandres Alvarez, 32, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Alvarez to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
On June 24, 2020, while incarcerated in the Great Plains Correctional Facility in Hinton, Oklahoma, Alvarez used an illicit cell phone to contact Rosalio Reynosao Arrellano in Los Angeles, California, to arrange for a package of methamphetamine to be delivered to Nebraska. Law enforcement intercepted the package, and it contained 420 grams of actual methamphetamine. Alvarez had made prior shipments of methamphetamine to Nebraska while incarcerated. These shipments were sent to Shannon Rojas, Shane Lawrence, and Jeremiah Schnoor.
Shannon Rojas was sentenced to 70 months’ incarceration on May 27, 2022, for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Shane Lawrence was sentenced to 198 months’ incarceration on February 11, 2022, for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. On February 15, 2023, Jeremiah Schnoor entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is scheduled for sentencing on May 18, 2023.
This case was investigated by the WING (Western Nebraska Intelligence Narcotics Group), which is made up of the Nebraska State Patrol, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Scottsbluff Police Department, and the Sidney Police Department. Kearney Police Department was also involved in this investigation as was the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force (CNDSSTF). CNDSSTF consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
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.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced for Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Iris Gallardo-Salado, 22, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Gallardo-Salado to 96 months’ imprisonment. As part of her plea, Gallardo-Salado forfeited her interest in $26,147 in United States currency - drug proceeds seized from her residence. There is no parole in the federal system. Gallardo-Salado will likely be deported by U.S. immigration authorities when she completes her sentence of imprisonment. After her release from prison, she will also be subject to a two-year term of supervised release.
On October 26, 2021, as part of an investigation into drug trafficking, Special Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Omaha Police Department narcotics detectives searched Gallardo-Salado and co-defendant Darbelio Lorenzo-Genchi’s home in South Omaha. There, agents seized 17 pounds of methamphetamine. They also located packaging materials, a drug scale, money wire receipts, bundled U.S. currency, and drug ledgers.
Lorenzo-Genchi pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He will be sentenced on March 3, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration.
Memphis Woman Pleads Guilty to Advertising a Minor for Commercial SexRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Memphis woman pled guilty to advertising a minor for commercial sex, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Autumn Brooke Julian, 22, pled guilty on February 13, 2023, in U.S. District Court in Jackson.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Julian used the internet to promote prostitution by posting advertisements depicting a minor on the website MegaPersonals. Julian’s co-defendant, Wayne Settles, previously pled guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and interstate sex trafficking. He was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison, followed by ten years of supervised release.
Julian will be sentenced on May 16, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and Richland Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Maryland Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Participating in the Murder Three People Including A Federal WitnessRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jerell Adgebesan, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland and Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the June 25, 2016 murders of three individuals in Mercersburg, Franklin County, one of whom was cooperating with state and federal drug investigators. The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, who also sentenced Adgebesan to a consecutive 20-year term of imprisonment on a companion robbery charge.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Adgebesan's conviction was the result of a six-year investigation into three murders that occurred on June 25, 2016, on a property along Welsh Run Road in Mercersburg, Franklin County. When Pennsylvania State Police officers were called to the scene, they found the bodies of Wendy Ann Chaney, 39, Hagerstown, Md, Brandon Cole, 47, Fayetteville, PA, and Phillip Matthew Jackson, 36, Mercersburg, PA, in a barn on victim Jackson’s property. All were shot. The three victims had their hands zipped-tied behind their backs and had been set on fire. Jackson and Cole were shot once in the head. Chaney was shot twice, once in the back and one in the back of her neck. Wendy Chaney and Brandon Cole were already dead when the police responded to the scene. Phillip Jackson was transported to York Hospital where he died shortly after arrival.
The evidence previously presented at the guilty plea proceeding in June of 2022 established that Wendy Chaney was in a relationship with co-defendants Kevin Coles and Torey White and had been previously assisting both with their drug distribution operation. Coles, White and co-defendant Devin Dickerson learned that Chaney was cooperating with federal authorities and contracted for her to be murdered. Adgebesan and co-defendant Kenyatta Corbett recruited members of a Baltimore based gang known as the Black Guerilla Family and others from Baltimore to travel to the Jackson property to kill Wendy Chaney. Adgebesan knew these individuals from Baltimore and acknowledged he and Corbett recruited them to murder Chaney. The killers were promised that they could take as payment $20,000 that was to be in a safe in the barn and any drugs and firearms that they could locate on the Jackson property. Once there, the killers encountered not only Wendy Chaney but also Brandon Cole and Phillip Jackson. Chaney was killed to protect the drug trafficking activities of Coles, White, Dickerson, Corbett, and others. Jackson and Cole were murdered to prevent them from being witnesses to the crimes of violence that were committed at the Jackson property. The killers never found any money on the property but stole some drugs and firearms.
The following individuals were charged along with Adgebesan as a result of the investigation:
- Devin Dickerson, age 31, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine and is awaiting sentencing;
- Kenyatta Corbett, age 38, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Michael Buck, age 30, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Nicholas Preddy, age 29, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a witness and is awaiting sentencing;
- Johnnie Jenkins-Armstrong, age 22, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Terrance Lawson, age 31, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
- Tyrone Armstrong, age 30, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness; and
- Christopher Johnson, age 31, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to multiple counts including murder for hire and is awaiting sentencing;
- Mark Johnson, 35, Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to obstructing the grand jury’s investigation and was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment;
- Llesenia Woodard, 46, Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty to providing false testimony to the grand jury investigating the murders and is awaiting sentencing
- Kevin Coles, Kevin Coles, age 36, of New York, NY and Hagerstown, Maryland, was found guilty in April of multiple crimes, including murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking, and is awaiting sentencing;
- Yolanda Diaz, 31, Hagerstown, Md, indicted on multiple counts of perjury and obstruction of justice based upon her testimony at the Coles trial. Her trial is currently scheduled for March 2023.
Joshua Davis, age 30, previously pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy to locate and kill an individual believed to be cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation of the triple murders. Davis was sentenced to serve 100 months’ imprisonment. Torey White’s trial is scheduled for May 2023.
The following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation: Drug Enforcement Administration Harrisburg Resident Office; Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg; Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H; Franklin County Drug Task Force; Franklin County Adult Probation; Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole; Hagerstown Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division; Drug Enforcement Administration, Hagerstown Resident Office; Washington County Narcotics Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office, Strike Force Group 1; Maryland State Police Homicide Unit; Baltimore Police Department Narcotics, Fugitive And Homicide Units; Baltimore County Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Management Unit, Quantico, VA; US Marshal’s Service Harrisburg, PA and Phoenix, AZ; Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office, District Of Maryland; and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Judy Fernandez, Manager of Analytic Services at LexisNexis Special Services, Inc., (LNSSI) provided expert assistance to investigators and the prosecutors in the areas of analysis, support, and the rendering of her expert opinion.
Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and Senior Litigation Counsel Michael Consiglio are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) identified as “Retribution for Welsh Run”. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Man sentenced to two years in prison for assault of a federal officer and destruction of government propertyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Richard Tyler Hunsinger has been sentenced for his role in an attack on the Atlanta Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, involving improvised explosive devices, during a protest in the summer of 2020.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will always defend citizens’ rights to peacefully protest,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “But destruction of government property and throwing Molotov cocktails in buildings is unacceptable. Rather than catalyzing constructive dialogue, such dangerous actions foment violence, tear at the fabric of our community, and endanger lives. Prosecution and prison are the end result of engaging in this unlawful conduct.”
“The increase in assaults on federal law enforcement officers—and law enforcement in general and their property—is troubling and will not be tolerated,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Hopefully this sentencing sends the message that the FBI will continue to work with our partners to hold violent protesters accountable for their actions that damage our communities.”
“Stopping violent criminals, like Hunsinger, who target law enforcement officers is one of the most important things we can do to protect our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “We are thankful for the hard work done in this case and hope that this sentence serves as a warning to anyone else thinking of committing such heinous acts.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: On July 23, 2020, Richard Tyler Hunsinger promoted a protest entitled, “Rally Against Fascism.” The event was to occur at the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Field Office located in Atlanta, Georgia (the “DHS Building”).
On July 25, 2020, at approximately 11:30 P.M., a crowd of protesters gathered at the DHS building. Hunsinger and others, wearing dark clothing, gloves, and face coverings, breached the fences of the building and began vandalizing the structure. Hunsinger smashed at least four windows of the front entry of the DHS building using a hammer. He later lit and threw a Molotov Cocktail into the facility. At the same time, other individuals used rocks, cinder blocks, fireworks, and other materials to cause extensive damage to the building.
Law enforcement later recovered a broken bottle used to make a Molotov Cocktail which contained Hunsinger’s DNA on it, and an additional Molotov Cocktail and a modified firework covered in nails from inside the facility. Damage to the building and clean-up costs totaled more than $78,000.00.
Richard Tyler Hunsinger, 29, of Fairfax, Virginia, who was a resident of Atlanta, Georgia at the time of the offense, was sentenced to two years, eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, including eight months of home confinement. Hunsinger will also be required to pay restitution in an amount to be determined by the Court at a later date. Hunsinger was convicted on October 25, 2022, after he pleaded guilty to the offenses of assault on a federal officer in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 111(a)(1) and (b), and destruction of government property in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1361.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Protective Service.
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.
Man in Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material Is Sentenced to 20 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Cody Allen Wright, 24, of Mooresville, N.C. was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material that involved a prepubescent minor, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the prison term imposed, Wright was ordered to serve a lifetime under court supervision and to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison.
Michael C. Scherck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and Sheriff Darren Campbell of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s court hearing, between December 2019 and June 2020, Wright knowingly possessed and accessed images and videos that contained child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Court records show that the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation after receiving multiple cybertips that an individual later identified as Wright was using a Dropbox account to upload and store CSAM. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement conducted a search warrant at Wright’s residence from which they seized two cellular phones, a laptop and other electronic devices. A forensic analysis of the devices revealed that Wright possessed more than 1,500 files that contained images and videos of children, some younger than12, being sexually abused.
In addition to locating child sexual abuse material, law enforcement also determined that Wright was using messaging apps like Kik and Discord to chat about and trade CSAM with other individuals. In one instance, Wright engaged in a chat during which he advised another app user on how to access CSAM on the dark web.
On September 26, 2022, Wright pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography that involved a prepubescent minor who had not yet attained 12 years of age.
At today’s court hearing, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell ordered Wright to serve the maximum statutory sentence for the offense, after the Court found that the defendant had sexually abused a minor. According to court records, while the federal investigation was ongoing, Wright was arrested by local law enforcement and was convicted in state court of engaging in sexual contact with a minor he met online. As a result of the state conviction, Wright was sentenced to 155 months in prison. Judge Bell ordered 150 months of Wright’s federal prison term to be served consecutive to the state sentence.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI, the SBI, and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case and thanked the Iredell County District Attorney’s Office for their invaluable assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Cervantes and Stephanie Spaugh of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Louisville Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced yesterday to 24 years in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for producing and distributing child pornography and for transferring obscene material to a minor. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to court documents, Patrick Appleton, 25, used a social media application to communicate with a 15-year-old girl for the purposes of engaging in sexual contact. Appleton recorded those sexual acts, and distributed those videos, as well as other videos of obscene material, including bestiality, to the girl.
In addition to the 24-year prison sentence, Appleton was ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $3,000.
“I appreciate the exceptional work of the FBI, LMPD, and AUSA McKiness,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “Protecting the children of the Western District from predators like the defendant is a top priority of this office. We remain vigilant and will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute those who seek to sexually exploit our children.”
“Predators, like Appleton, are appalling and have no place in civilized society,” said FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “Appleton’s sentence highlights the egregious nature of his conduct and serves as an example that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting our most innocent and helpless victims.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Spencer McKiness prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Trisha A. Havel, 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today to two years and three months, (27 months), for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Following her release from prison, Havel will serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On March 30, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Havel’s Lincoln residence. Officers found six baggies of methamphetamine for a total of approximately 56 grams (approximately two ounces). Havel admitted she sold methamphetamine to help a small group of friends and support her own addiction. She said she got the six baggies of methamphetamine from one of her sources the day prior to the search.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Robert James Kotschwar, 33, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today to six years for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Following his release from prison, Kotschwar will serve four years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On April 6, 2021, Kotschwar was contacted in a Walmart parking lot after he committed traffic violations. He immediately told officers he had drugs in his car and a set of brass knuckles on his person. During a search of his car, investigators found four baggies containing a total of 22 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine as well as numerous self-seal baggies and a digital scale. They also found $64 cash on the floor in front of the driver’s seat. Kotschwar’s passenger was found in possession of a baggie containing approximately two grams of methamphetamine which the passenger said he had just purchased from Kotschwar. Kotschwar admitted he had methamphetamine in his possession and said he had just sold methamphetamine to his passenger. Kotschwar said the cash found on the floorboard came from that transaction and he intended to sell more methamphetamine that day.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
Lincoln Man Convicted of Possession of Child Pornography Following a Jury TrialRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that John Wade Burton, 66, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was convicted on February 15, 2023, following a jury trial of possession of child pornography. Because of a prior conviction, Burton faces a potential statutory imprisonment range of between 10 and 20 years. There is no parole in the federal system. Burton’s sentencing hearing will take place on May 15, 2023.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip from a foreign law enforcement agency that a computer with an IP address from Lincoln, Nebraska, had twice accessed a child pornography website. Further investigation revealed that the IP address was assigned to Burton’s residence. A search warrant for Burton’s residence was obtained and executed on November 17, 2020. Agents seized a number of computers, hard drives, and thumb drives found throughout the home. Later analysis of those devices showed several contained images and videos depicting child pornography. In total, well over 1,000 such images and videos were located.
The defendant had a prior conviction in Missouri for having sexually assaulted a child who was less than 14 years old. He was sentenced to prison for that offense and was in custody from February 15, 2007, to February 14, 2018. A computer forensic expert retained by the defense testified that the metadata on two of the devices showed someone was viewing some of the child pornography files during times when John Burton was in custody. The defense also offered testimony from a few victims that another person, who according to the defense had access to the devices, had sexually assaulted children in the past. However, the metadata on most of the devices showed that the child pornography files were created or modified at times either before Burton went into custody in Missouri, or after his release.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department. 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Las Vegas Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced to 121 months in prison for selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and multiple firearms – including three machineguns.
Francis Araujo (33) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and illegal possession of machineguns. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro sentenced Araujo on Tuesday to five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, between August 1, 2021 and February 24, 2022, Araujo conspired with others to distribute cocaine and at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. On December 9, 2021, Araujo sold three privately made AR-15 style firearms.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Miller for HSI Las Vegas; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
HSI, ATF, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.
If you have information about potential criminal activity, call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or submit a tip online at: https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.
If you have information about illegal firearms activity, submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WALTER ALVAREZ TIRADO, age 33, a resident of Madisonville, Kentucky, pled guilty on February 16, 2023 before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on October 6, 2021, TIRADO traveled from Kentucky in the direction of New Orleans, Louisiana in order to deliver fifty pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of TIRADO’s vehicle in Pearl River, Louisiana. Upon being stopped, TIRADO’s luggage was searched where officers discovered fifty pounds of methamphetamine.
TIRADO faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit
Jury Convicts KC Man of Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Braymer, Mo., man has been convicted by a federal trial jury of his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Jason M. Potter, 40, was found guilty on Thursday, Feb. 16, of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Potter and co-defendant Daniel Dryden, 51, of Clinton, Mo., participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 11 to July 15, 2020. Dryden pleaded guilty to the same charges on Jan. 13, 2023.
Lee’s Summit, Mo., police officers saw Potter’s black 2009 Nissan Maxima parked in a motel parking lot on July 15, 2020. When Potter and Dryden came out of the hotel, Potter placed a black computer case and a blue cloth shopping bag in the rear passenger seat of the Maxima. Potter went back into the hotel while Dryden drove the Maxima to the front of the business, near the lobby doors. Potter came out of the hotel and got into the front passenger seat of the Maxima. Dryden drove out of the parking lot onto Blue Parkway.
Officers stopped the Maxima and arrested Potter, who had an outstanding parole warrant. Potter was in possession of 4.8 grams of methamphetamine and $3,610 in cash at the time of his arrest.
Officers searched the Maxima and found the computer bag, which contained several baggies with a total of 648.6 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a money bag with more than $3,000 in cash.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about 40 minutes before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Monday, Feb. 13.
Under federal statutes, Potter and Dryden each are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie C. Bradshaw. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Jonesville Man Extradited from the Philippines After Being Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Children and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced that Tye Braxton Stiger, age 35, of Jonesville, made his initial appearance in the Western District of Michigan on February 14, 2023. A federal grand jury previously returned an indictment charging him with two counts of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e); and one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(5)(B), (b)(2) and 2256(8)(A). After indictment, law enforcement found and arrested Stiger in the Philippines, then extradited him to the United States for federal prosecution.
“These sexual exploitation and child pornography allegations are extremely disturbing and serious,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to protecting our youngest and most vulnerable citizens – our children.”
This matter was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by the Hillsdale County Prosecutor. There is also a related, outstanding 34-count warrant out of Hillsdale County against Stiger charging second degree criminal sexual conduct, aggravated sexually abusive activity, aggravated possession of sexually abusive material, using a computer to commit a crime, and installing/using an eavesdropping device.
Jamie Wisniewski, a Hillsdale County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, advised, “Given the nature and severity of the offenses Mr. Stiger is accused of, we believe it would be in the best interests of the community and the best use of our resources for the child sexually abusive material charges to be handled by the United States Attorney’s Office at this time.”
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
A copy of the indictment is attached.The investigation and prosecution were made possible through Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a multi-agency, nationwide effort begun by the Department of Justice in 2006. The project facilitates information sharing and joint-agency investigations among local, state, and federal authorities in order to combat the sexual exploitation of children. This matter was investigated by the Michigan State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Marshals Service.
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Jefferson Man Sentenced to 2 ½ Years for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Brian Battle, 45, Jefferson, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 2 ½ years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. Battle pleaded guilty to this charge on October 24, 2022.
On April 5, 2021, law enforcement agents searched Battle’s residence in Jefferson, Wisconsin and found approximately 50 grams of cocaine, sandwich bags, a scale, and a drug ledger with handwritten notes containing names and money totals. In addition, agents found a Ruger firearm and over $12,000 in cash.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Peterson noted that Battle had an “aggravated criminal history” including three prior felony drug offenses and two prior felony convictions for felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Peterson also noted that the crime was particularly serious because evidence from the search warrant showed that Battle was actively engaged in dealing cocaine.
The charge against Battle is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Jefferson County Narcotics Task Force, and the Dane County Narcotics Task Force. The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Tremaine Gill, 40, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Jackson.
According to court records, on July 18, 2020, Gill was found with three firearms in his possession by the Jackson Police Department during the execution of a search warrant. Gill has multiple previous felony convictions, and it is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess any firearm.
Gill is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23, 2023. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Jackson Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to court documents, Deonta Miller, 36, was found in possession of a 9mm pistol by a Richland Police officer on March 3, 2020, during a traffic stop. Miller has prior felony convictions for carjacking and felon in possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon, it is contrary to federal law for Miller to possess any firearm.
Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Richland Police Department and the ATF investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam T. Stuart and Charles W. Kirkham are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Irvine Man Sentenced to 4½ Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining $5 Million in COVID Loans He Spent on Sports CarsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man was sentenced today to 54 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining $5 million in COVID-relief loans for his sham businesses, then used the money on himself, including purchasing Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini cars.
Mustafa Qadiri, 42, of Irvine, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who also fined him $20,000 and ordered him to pay $2,861,050 in restitution.
Qadiri pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of money laundering.
According to court documents, Qadiri claimed to have operated four Newport Beach-based companies, none of which were in operation: All American Lending Inc., All American Capital Holdings Inc., RadMediaLab Inc., and Ad Blot Inc.
In May and June of 2020, Qadiri submitted false and fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications to three banks on behalf of those companies. The false information Qadiri submitted included the number of employees to whom the companies paid wages, altered bank account records with inflated balances, and fictitious quarterly federal tax return forms. Qadiri also used someone else’s name, Social Security number and signature to fraudulently apply for one of the loans.
PPP loans were intended by Congress to provided financial support to businesses suffering under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout.
Relying on this false information, the banks funded the PPP loan applications and transferred approximately $5 million to accounts Qadiri controlled. Qadiri used the fraudulently obtained PPP loan proceeds for his own personal benefit, including for expenses prohibited under the requirements of the PPP program, such as the purchase of luxury vehicles, lavish vacations, and the payment of his personal expenses.
Federal agents seized the Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini cars that Qadiri purchased with the fraudulently obtained PPP loans, along with $2 million in ill-gotten gains from his bank account.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter as part of the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier of the Santa Ana Branch Office prosecuted this case.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Investiture Remarks by Kevin G. RitzRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Good afternoon. Thank you so much for being here.
As you might expect, I’d like to start by thanking some people. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the following.• Congressman Cohen for recommending me for this position.
• Senators Blackburn and Hagerty for their endorsement.
• President Biden for nominating me, and the Senate for confirming me.
• My past and present colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Each and every one of you has made me the attorney and person I am today. I especially want to thank those who helped put this event together. Special thanks to the Stax Music Academy, which features the son of our First Assistant
U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren.• Thank you to the judges, defense attorneys, clerk’s office, pretrial and probation officers, and everyone else who makes up the legal ecosystem of the Western District of Tennessee. I feel very lucky to have built my career as a federal lawyer in this district.
• Thank you to previous U.S. Attorneys, and all my previous supervisors, who have helped shape my skills and career. There are too many to name, but I have to single out two: Judge Gibbons and Ed
Stanton. Both gave me tremendous opportunities along the way, and both have served as mentors and role models.• Thank you to Associate Attorney General Gupta for her kind words, for traveling to Memphis, and for sharing insight into the good work that the Department is doing.
• It is overwhelming to see so many good friends, many of whom have traveled from out of state.
Special shout out to high school classmates, friends from undergraduate years, friends from graduate school, and friends from my first-year small section in law school. I also see several valued DOJ colleagues from other districts. I am so thankful for all of you and humbled by your presence. Special thanks to Courtnay, Ted, and Michael, who are part of the program today.• There are also many members of my extended family here who mean so much me, including aunts and uncles, my wife’s family, and my sister and her family. Thanks to my nephew for leading us in the pledge.
• I want to thank my parents, to whom I owe so much, but especially for instilling in me a commitment to public service in this city.
• Finally I want to thank my wife and best friend Anna, who was kind enough to give her blessing to this endeavor. Thank you for your love and support.
It’s the honor of my life to accept this appointment. Some of you know me very well. Some of you know me pretty well. Some of you don’t know me well at all.
So allow me to reintroduce myself. I am a Memphian. I grew up in this city. I’m a product of
Memphis City Schools. In fact, 33 years ago, in ninth grade, I came down to this very room. The
City Council was trying to pass an ordinance banning “harmful material” at concerts. This was after a particularly colorful performance by Motley Crue at the Coliseum.I wasn’t at that concert, but I liked concerts and thought this was a bad idea. So, I rounded up a couple of friends, and my mom drove the three of us down here in her minivan. She dropped us off over here on Adams. I came in here and addressed the council. I remember the Councilman who was sponsoring the ordinance ignored me.
There are a couple of lessons there. One, elected officials might want to at least act like they are listening to constituents. You never know when the kid you ignored is going to grow up to be the U.S. Attorney.
The bigger lesson for me was that maybe Memphis could use some more good public servants. So, after
I went away for college, graduate school, and law school, I chose to come home to Memphis and start my legal career here. I’ve chosen to stay every day for almost two decades. I’ve also chosen public service as a career.Public service—in particular federal public service—defines me. For my whole adult life, even before law school, I’ve worked for the United States government. And I’m proud to say that the
United States is the only client I’ve ever had.Before I talk about what it means to me to represent the United States every day, I first want to step back and take stock of this particular moment. Over the past few years we’ve experienced a lot. A pandemic that has killed more than a million Americans. A violent attack, perpetrated by fellow citizens, on our seat of government. An unacceptable increase in gun violence. The longest federal government shutdown in history. A long-overdue reckoning with racism in the criminal justice system. And finally, just recently, the tragic death of a young man in Memphis – a tragedy that is leading to an even deeper reckoning, here and elsewhere.
That’s a lot to navigate for someone who takes on this type of role. But, no excuses. I’m ready to go.
I’m going to talk about three things. What we do, how we go about it, and my priorities.
First, what we do. In the U.S. Attorney’s Office, my colleagues and I uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep Americans safe.
A key principle underlying our work is there is only one rule of law. There can’t be one for the powerful and another for the powerless. There can’t be one for the rich and another for the poor.
And there can’t be one for people who look like me and another for people of color.Justice, for me, is about upholding that one rule of law. In criminal cases, it can mean sending someone to prison, sometimes for a long time.
But you should know that justice, for me, is about more than putting people in prison. For me, it’s also about who votes and how hard it is to cast that vote. It’s about where pipelines or bus routes go. Justice is about whether people in all zip codes can get a loan. Whether women have access to health care. Whether citizens have affordable housing or clean drinking water.
Sometimes those are Department of Justice issues. Sometimes they’re not. But for me, they are all
“justice” issues.That being said, much of my office’s day-to-day work involves criminal cases. Seeking just punishment for those who have broken the law. A few principles guide us in this work.
We make decisions based on the law and the facts.
We treat people equally and fairly, while still making an individualized assessment of each case.
We focus our efforts on the most serious cases that implicate substantial federal interests.
Along those lines, what we do is qualitatively and quantitatively different than what state prosecutors do. And the number of prosecutions is not an end in and of itself. Making the community safer is the goal.
These principles are easy to articulate but hard to put into practice. My faith tradition makes room for both accountability and redemption. I agree with Bryan Stevenson that every person is more than the worst thing he has done. However, sometimes people deserve severe punishment for the worst thing they’ve done. We don’t apologize for seeking significant punishment where warranted.
The point is if you’re doing this job right, it can be hard to sort all that out and decide on the right way to proceed in any particular case.Which brings me to the second thing I want to talk about: how we go about our work.
I bring some relevant experience to this job. Almost 18 years in this office, and a lifetime of being a rule-follower. That’s why this career has suited me. I like rules, I like following them, and it turns out I’m good at enforcing rules. After 12 years as Appellate Chief, I know the relevant rules pretty well.
The bad news for anyone who isn’t following those rules is I don’t care who you are. You can be behind a computer, on a street corner, or in a boardroom. It doesn’t matter to me. You break federal law and we will come after you and pull no punches.
But I can’t do it alone. There are two groups of people I am already relying on heavily. The first are our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement. These folks face risks every day that most of us can’t fathom. I am proud to work with these public servants. When officers do their job the right way, it is right to call them heroes. I’ll also say that backing the blue, for me, includes backing not only state and local partners, but also all the federal agencies that are working hard to enforce federal laws.
The second group of people I rely on heavily are the dedicated federal public servants in the U.S.
Attorney’s Office. I want every current employee of my office to stand up and be recognized.[APPLAUSE]
It’s a privilege to work with you all. One reason I agreed to be a candidate for this job was I already knew my team. We’re one of the biggest law firms in West Tennessee. I think we’re the best.
We have two offices, covering 22 counties. We don’t just prosecute criminal cases. We represent the United States in all types of civil litigation. We collect debts for the U.S. Treasury. We handle our own appellate and post- conviction dockets. It’s a lot.The Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff who carry out these responsibilities are hardworking. They are experienced. They are smart. I’ve worked with these folks for almost 18 years. As long as I am in charge I will listen to them, rely on them, and stick up for them.
Ida B. Wells said—just after being forcibly exiled from this city—that “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” My team works hard to right wrongs by seeking the light of truth. By seeking justice. Whenever you hear someone complain about the federal government for whatever reason—just know that every day your life is better, and your family is safer, because of federal employees like my colleagues in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The last thing I want to talk about are my priorities. We have a lot on our plate.
In Memphis, Jackson, and all of West Tennessee, communities are reeling from violent crime.
Addressing this violence is a top priority. We are continuing our robust efforts prosecuting federal carjacking, robbery, and firearm cases. We focus our efforts on the most significant drivers of violence. We also are taking a hard look at the supply side of the gun violence problem: where these crime guns are coming from, and how they are getting into the wrong hands. And we are coupling enforcement of these laws with prevention and intervention efforts.We spend a lot of time prosecuting drug trafficking organizations. Unfortunately, West Tennessee is a distribution center not only for legal goods, but illegal goods too. Our law enforcement partners are seizing large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, among other lethal drugs. These drugs—especially fentanyl—are affecting every cross-section of our community. For us it’s a fight to save lives.
We are doubling down on our efforts in prosecuting fraud and economic crimes. We’ve brought several new cases in this area in the last few months, including cases involving fraud on pandemic relief programs.
Finally, even before the events of last month, I had asked my team how we could better protect national security and civil rights in West Tennessee. This is a top priority of mine. We are vigorously enforcing civil rights and hate crimes statutes.
A related issue is the rise in domestic terrorism and political violence in this country. From
Charleston to Charlottesville to Pittsburgh to El Paso to Buffalo—the threat of hate-based and extremist violence is real. My oath commands me to protect our country from threats foreign and domestic. I’m going to do that.This is a mission that dates to the Department’s founding. A hundred and fifty years ago there were people in this area of the country who were seeking to deny the promises of the Second Founding and the Reconstruction Amendments to Black Americans.
The Department was created to counter those violent extremists and protect civil rights for all.
Attorney General Garland has said it’s in the Department’s DNA. I agree, and we will pursue accountability for anyone who tramples on other people’s civil rights or uses violence to achieve political ends.Those are just some of the areas where we’re directing our efforts. It’s a non-exhaustive list.
Upholding the rule of law necessarily means that we don’t focus only on one set of crimes. We carry a diverse portfolio, and we will not hesitate to use the full scope of the tools Congress has given us.So that is what we do, how we do it, and a little about our priorities. Through it all, the only thing that will motivate me every hour of every day is what is best for my client, the United
States of America.I’ll end where I started, both today and in life: the City of Memphis. Our office serves one and a half million people in 22 counties, and I take that responsibility seriously. I’ll be visiting many of those counties in the near future.
But this city, where we are today, is not just where I live, it’s my home. My wife and I love it here. As I said recently, I want the City of Memphis to be a place where justice is done. That’s the animating principle of my career.One of my heroes sings about “a promised land.” For me, the work that we do to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep Americans safe in Memphis and West Tennessee, is my own way of seeking a piece of that “promised land.”
I promise I’ll give it everything I have. Thank you again for being here today.
###For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Feb. 16 was:
Harvey Alvin Hugs, 59, of Hardin, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hugs faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hugs was released pending further proceedings. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-06.
Appearing on Feb. 13 was:
Andrew Jason Post, 35, of Sidney, on charges of possession of unregistered firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Post faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Post was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-09.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Feb. 13 was:
Arnold Galo Garay IV, 46, of Helena, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Garay faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Garay was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Probation and Parole investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-05.
Daniel Phillip Horn, 36, of Harlem, on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to an intimate and dating partner. If convicted of the most serious crime, Horn faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Horn was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Fort Belknap Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-11.
Javon Cortez Crosby, 26, of Southfield, Michigan, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Crosby faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Crosby was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Task Force, Russell Country High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-72.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Individual Sentenced to 293 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Minors via the Internet and Social Media ApplicationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, United States District Court Senior Judge Francisco A. Besosa sentenced Wilberto Ramos-Candelaria to 24 years and 5 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for production of child pornography and for soliciting and receiving the child exploitation material via the internet and social media applications. Ramos-Candelaria was charged in a federal Superseding Indictment on August 14, 2020 and plead guilty on September 30, 2022.
According to court documents, from May 2017 to August 2019, Wilberto Ramos-Candelaria, used, induced, enticed, and coerced 12 identified female minors, ranging from 12 to 16 years of age, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The defendant communicated in a sexually explicit manner with the female minors via a profile in Instagram and solicited and received the sexually explicit images from the female victims via chats. Defendant used those images to further demand and coerce the male minors to send more explicit images under the threat of publicizing the images in social media if the minors did not comply.
Enticing and coercing minors to send sexually explicit images of themselves is a serious federal offense. The production of child pornography material has a statutory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment and the coercion and enticement of minors via the internet and social media applications to engage in illegal sexual conduct, which includes the production of the sexually explicit images, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment up to life.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case.
“Our children, who are the most vulnerable and innocent in our society, deserve every measure of protection we can give them,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “As this prosecution shows, we will use every tool we have to investigate and prosecute all child exploitation criminals.”
“This sentencing highlights the hard work of Law Enforcement Officers assigned to the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Rebecca C. González-Ramos “We are vigilant and will bring to justice those that harm one of the most vulnerable section of our society.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity by contacting HSI at 787-729-6969; through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE; or by completing its online tip form.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández-Vega, Chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, prosecuted the case.
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Indictment Unsealed Alleging That Ex-Norman Car Dealership Executive Tampered with Court ProceedingsRead the Press Release
Witness Also Charged with Lying to Federal Grand Jury
OKLAHOMA CITY – United States Attorney Robert J. Troester announced that a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed today charging BOBBY CHRIS MAYES, 50, of Norman, with three counts of tampering with official proceedings. The indictment also charged ERIN ALLEGRE, 36, of Norman, with lying in testimony before a federal grand jury.
Mayes appeared for arraignment this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shon T. Erwin. Mayes has been in federal custody since October 25, 2022, and he was ordered today to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
Public records reflect that Mayes was the former owner of the Big Red Dealerships (Big Red Sports/Imports, Big Red Kia, Norman Yamaha, Norman Mitsubishi, and Mayes Kia). On November 19, 2021, Mayes was convicted along with two co-defendants by a jury in Western District of Oklahoma Case Number CR-20-240-F. After nearly a three-week trial, Mayes was convicted of conspiring to commit wire fraud, 12 counts of wire fraud, six counts of uttering forged securities, and aggravated identity theft. Mayes is awaiting sentencing in that case, where he faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years for aggravated identity theft to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment.
Today’s unsealed indictment alleges that from April through October of 2022, Mayes tampered with official proceedings in Case Number CR-20-240-F. More specifically, the indictment alleges Mayes orchestrated and helped to secure the unavailability of a key participant in the proceeding, fabricated e-mails and other evidence in an effort to secure a new trial in that prior case, and sent an anonymous e-mail to the Court as part of an effort to obtain a new trial in Case Number CR-20-240-F.
Today’s indictment also alleges that Allegre lied to the federal grand jury when she appeared as a witness on May 3, 2022, and testified regarding the investigation of the whereabouts of one of Mayes’ co-defendants in Case Number CR-20-240-F.
If found guilty on the indictment announced today, Mayes faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the three counts of tampering. If convicted, Allegre faces a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for lying to the grand jury.
This case is the result of an investigation by FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Snyder and Jacquelyn Hutzell are prosecuting the case.
The public is reminded that these charges announced today are merely allegations, and Mayes and Allegre are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Indian Brotherhood Gang Member Sentenced for MurderRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – An enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and member of the Indian Brotherhood (IBH), a prison-based gang active in Oklahoma, was sentenced today to 210 months imprisonment for his role in a homicide that took place in 2015 within Indian country in Oklahoma.
On March 9, 2022, John Douglas Knight, 43, of Seminole, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder in Indian Country for the 2015 murder of Scotty Candler. According to court documents, in May 2015, Knight and another man received orders from the IBH to question Scotty Candler about a prior homicide. Candler actually had no involvement with the prior homicide. Knight and another individual went to Candler’s residence carrying firearms with the purpose of questioning and assaulting Candler. Knight knocked on Candler’s door. Candler opened the door to his residence and his two dogs ran out. According to the other man and a third man who drove the getaway car but did not observe the killing, John Knight then went into the residence and shot Candler once in the head, killing him. After killing Candler, John Knight and the other man ran from the location and disposed of the firearms before they were picked up.
Knight was sentenced by District Judge John F. Heil, III of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma to 210 months imprisonment.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson of the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Edward Gray of the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Rami Badawy and Brian Morgan of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Parsons of the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case.
Haverhill Fentanyl Pill Distributor Arrested for Trafficking Tens of Thousands of Counterfeit PillsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Haverhill man has been arrested and charged for allegedly manufacturing and distributing tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl in the Lawrence and Boston areas.
Angel Joel Diaz, a/k/a “Guero,” 34, was charged by criminal complaint with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Diaz was detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston yesterday.
“Swallowing a lethal drug can have the exact same deadly outcome as injecting one. With the rise in counterfeit pill distribution, the health and safety of our communities are put at greater risk,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We believe Mr. Diaz allegedly conspired to sell tens of thousands of these deadly counterfeit pills to areas in our Commonwealth and beyond. During the investigation, approximately 50,000 counterfeit pills were seized along with two pill presses. Each of those pills could result in a fatal overdose and we commend our law enforcement partners for this investigation and arrest which improves public safety.”
“The state of Massachusetts is faced with an opioid crisis unlike ever before,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “Those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like counterfeit pills containing fentanyl to the citizens of Massachusetts need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA will aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals who are distributing this poison. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. It is our mission to target those who seek to profit from the sale of deadly substances.”
According to the charging documents, in January 2023, an investigation began into Diaz’s fentanyl pill manufacturing and distribution operation. On Jan. 10, 2023, an undercover officer contacted Diaz posing as a potential drug customer seeking to purchase counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl. It is alleged that Diaz agreed to meet the following day, on Jan. 11, 2023, and provided the undercover officer with 208 fentanyl pills weighing approximately 26 grams. Half of the pills allegedly contained methamphetamine in addition to fentanyl. During the meeting, it is alleged that Diaz told the officer that he manufactures his own fentanyl pills, which he distributes in Lawrence and Boston as well as in New York via mail shipments. Following the meeting, Diaz allegedly maintained communication with the undercover officer about purchasing additional fentanyl pills. During the communications, it is alleged Diaz sent several photos depicting his manufacturing process including images of a blue substance in tin pans, wrapped bricks of suspected fentanyl and blue pills with “M/30” stamped.
It is further alleged that on two subsequent occasions, Jan. 27, 2023 and Feb. 7, 2023, Diaz distributed 5,150 and 8,500 counterfeit prescription pills containing suspected fentanyl to the undercover officer, respectively. On Feb. 14, 2023, Diaz allegedly sent a photo of suspected fentanyl pills to the undercover officer saying that, “even making it with a mask makes you want to vomit and everything.”
On Feb. 15, 2023, Diaz was arrested while carrying a shopping bag of approximately 31,800 fentanyl pills separated into seven plastic bags. According to court documents, during a subsequent search of Diaz’s Haverhill residence, law enforcement found: a pill press with powder residue on it, thousands of pills, pill stamps, several masks and loose powder of various colors; approximately 5,000 suspected fentanyl pills in a heat-sealed bag; suspected fentanyl powder and chemicals used in manufacturing pills; and in the garage a second pill press. In total, approximately 37,000-40,000 fentanyl pills were seized during execution of the search warrant along with the two pill presses, suspected fentanyl powder and various pill-manufacturing paraphernalia.
The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Rollins and DEA SAC Boyle made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Haverhill Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Green Bay Man Sentenced to 10 years’ Imprisonment for Trafficking Fentanyl disguised as PercocetRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on February 6, 2023, U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Bahron Berkley-Dolphin (age: 26) to a total sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and seven years’ supervised release after Berkley-Dolphin pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).
In May 2022, investigators with the Brown County Drug Task Force stopped and arrested Berkley-Dolphin after he sold fentanyl pills to an informant. The fentanyl was in the form of counterfeit “Percocet” pills that Berkley-Dolphin obtained from illicit sources in Arizona. In all, the Arizona source shipped 4,000 fake Percocet pills to Berkley-Dolphin in Wisconsin. At the time Berkley-Dolphin delivered fentanyl, he was a convicted felon and possessed a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number.
In sentencing Berkley-Dolphin, Judge Griesbach stressed that dealing fentanyl is dealing poison. The judge cited a recent report from the Drug Enforcement Administration that 6 in 10 pills tested at DEA Crime Labs contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. In 2021, DEA determined that 40% of pills were potentially lethal, but by 2022 the fatal dosage increased to 60% of tested pills.
This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Funnell.
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Grand Haven Industrial Polluters Sentenced to Custody for Clean Water Act CrimesRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced that on Tuesday ASP Plating Company of Grand Haven, Gary Stephen Rowe, 70, of Grand Haven, and Stephen Frederick Rowe, 39, formerly of Grand Haven and currently of Oklahoma, were sentenced for violating the Clean Water Act and collectively ordered to pay more than $50,000 in financial penalties.
“The success of the Clean Water Act depends in part on industrial permit holders diligently complying with the law to ensure public health and safety measures are upheld,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “If you can’t afford to follow environmental laws, you shouldn’t be in business. And if you commit environmental crimes in this district, all sentencing options are on the table, including jail time and substantial fines.”
- Gary Rowe, president of the company, pleaded guilty to a felony violation. The Honorable Paul L. Maloney, United States District Judge, sentenced Gary Rowe to three months and one day in custody, to be followed by nine months of location monitoring as a part of a one-year term of supervised release. Gary Rowe was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine, $13,500 due to the Grand Haven-Spring Lake Sewer Authority under an administrative consent order, $4,212.54 in restitution to the City of Grand Haven, and a $100 special assessment.
- ASP Plating Company pleaded guilty to a felony violation. Judge Maloney sentenced the company, which filed for bankruptcy in October 2022, to three years of probation, a $5,000 fine, a $400 special assessment, and the restitution amounts Gary Rowe was ordered to pay.
- Stephen Rowe, vice president of the company pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation. The Honorable Sally J. Berens, United States Magistrate Judge, sentenced Stephen Rowe to 14 days in jail, one year of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, $4,212.54 in restitution, and a $25 special assessment. The restitution obligations are joint and several.
According to public records filed in the case, the individual defendants operated the corporate defendant, an electroplating company that held an industrial pretreatment permit issued by the Sewer Authority. At least between 2015 and 2021, the company routinely violated the permit by discharging zinc in excess of the daily and monthly limitations, by releasing zinc in batches without notice, and by bypassing the mandatory pretreatment system entirely. The Sewer Authority periodically monitored the company’s discharges, but Gary and Stephen Rowe instructed employees to make sure the monitor was absent before discharging wastewater containing excessive amounts of zinc.
“The Defendants negatively impacted the public waste treatment program work by illegally causing improperly treated waste to enter the Grand Haven-Spring Lake Sewer Authority municipal sewer system,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Conrad of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (“EPA-CID”). “Those companies who knowingly violate environmental laws will be held accountable for their actions.”
The Clean Water Act is the primary law governing pollution of the Nation’s surface waters. Congress first passed the law in 1948, totally revised it in 1972, and subsequently amended the law several times thereafter. In passing the law, Congress declared that its purpose was “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.” 33 U.S.C. § 1251(a). Among other provisions, the Act regulates industrial and municipal discharges. To achieve its goal of preserving clean water, parts of the Act are based on the concept that all discharges into the Nation’s waters by industrial and municipal users are illegal unless specifically authorized by a permit. The law has civil, criminal, and administrative enforcement provisions.
EPA-CID conducted the investigation with assistance from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Environmental Investigation Section. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin M. Presant.
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Former Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Teacher Sentenced to over 38 Years on Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Andrew Wolf, age 42, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today before United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to 38 years and 10 months in prison, 5 years supervised release, $800 special assessment, $40,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, $150,000 in assessments under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act, and a $50,000 in fines for multiple child exploitation offenses in connection with his scheme to manipulate and catfish children online, including his own middle school students.
In February 2022, the defendant and an accomplice were indicted on charges of conspiracy to manufacture child pornography, along with several counts of manufacturing and attempted manufacturing of child pornography. These charges, to which Wolf pleaded guilty in June 2022, stem from conduct which occurred over a period of one year. Between May 2020 and October 2021, Wolf and his accomplice developed and carried out an elaborate online child exploitation catfishing scheme, in which they impersonated minor girls to entice their child victims to self-produce and send them sexually explicit images. As part of their scheme, Wolf provided identifying information for his own middle school students to his accomplice so that the accomplice could target them online.
“Our Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding child sexual predators accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Today’s sentencing will never make the victims whole; however, it should serve as a reminder to all of us that an open line of communication and discussion with our youth about the ever-evolving dangers on the internet are another key component to keeping our youth safe”.
“Over several years, Timothy Gritman collected hundreds of thousands of dollars to which he knew he wasn’t entitled,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Needless to say, defrauding the government is a criminally bad idea and the FBI and our partners will continue to pursue anyone bold enough, and foolish enough, to do so.”
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 United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Harrell.
Former NBA Players Keyon Dooling and Alan Anderson Sentenced to 30 and 24 Months in Prison for Defrauding NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit PlanRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that KEYON DOOLING and ALAN ANDERSON were sentenced to 30 months and 24 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in a scheme to defraud the National Basketball Association (“NBA”) Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan (the “Plan”). U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni sentenced DOOLING today and previously sentenced ANDERSON on February 10, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “These former players recruited others to take part in this widespread fraud scheme and went to great lengths to keep the scheme running smoothly, facilitating hundreds of thousands of dollars of fraudulent claims. This Office will continue to aggressively prosecute those engaged in health care fraud schemes, no matter what their profession. Those considering submitting false claims to health care plans should recognize that they will be subject to serious penalties.”
According to the Indictments, public court filings, and statements made in court:
The Plan is a health care plan providing benefits to eligible active and former players of the NBA. DOOLING and ANDERSON both played in the NBA and were eligible to receive reimbursements from the Plan for legitimate, qualifying medical expenses.
Co-defendant TERRENCE WILLIAMS orchestrated the scheme to defraud the Plan.[1] DOOLING and ANDERSON also occupied managerial roles in the scheme.
WILLIAMS, DOOLING, and ANDERSON recruited other former NBA players to defraud the Plan, including by offering to provide them with false invoices to support their fraudulent claims.
WILLIAMS provided the other former NBA players fake invoices from a particular chiropractic office in California, run by co-defendant PATRICK KHAZIRAN,[2] which were created by individuals working with WILLIAMS. In addition, WILLIAMS obtained fraudulent invoices from a dentist affiliated with dental offices in Beverly Hills, California, run by co-defendant AAMIR WAHAB, and from a doctor at a wellness office in Washington State. The fraudulent invoices purported to document that ANDERSON, other co-defendants, and, in some cases, members of their families, had been recipients of expensive medical and dental services, but the defendants had not received the medical or dental services described in the invoices WILLIAMS provided them. In many instances, the defendants were not even located in the vicinity of the service providers on the dates the invoices stated they received medical or dental services. In particular, GPS location information and documentary evidence, such as flight records, show that the defendants were in locations other than the vicinity of the medical or dental offices falsely claimed as the providers of services.
DOOLING participated in the scheme from at least in or about 2017 through in or about 2019. DOOLING traded on his reputation among current and former NBA players to refer other former NBA players to co-defendant KHAZIRAN and WAHAB. DOOLING also recruited and attempted to recruit additional Plan-participants and medical professionals into the fraud scheme. DOOLING himself submitted fraudulent invoices to the Plan, relating to services purportedly performed by co-defendants KHAZIRAN and WAHAB. DOOLING received approximately $363,000 in fraudulent reimbursements, and he is responsible for facilitating the fraudulent claims filed by other defendants, who received approximately $194,295 in fraudulent proceeds from the plan.
ANDERSON also recruited multiple former NBA players to the fraud scheme. When co-conspirators encountered difficulties in obtaining reimbursements for fraudulent claims, ANDERSON encouraged them to submit forged letters of medical necessity to substantiate those claims. When those letters were unsuccessful, ANDERSON arranged for the co-conspirators to visit a Las Vegas doctor, after-hours, to further attempt to justify the fraudulent claims. ANDERSON himself submitted approximately $121,000 in fraudulent claims to the Plan. ANDERSON is also responsible for recruiting and facilitating the fraud of additional defendants who sought approximately $710,000 in fraudulent claims.
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In addition to their prison terms, DOOLING, 42, of Orlando, Florida, was ordered to forfeit $449,250.50 and pay restitution of $547,495; and ANDERSON, 40, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was ordered to forfeit $121,000 and pay restitution of $121,000.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan B. Finkel and Daniel G. Nessim are in charge of the prosecution.
[1] WILLIAMS has pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and health care fraud and aggravated identity theft and is awaiting sentencing.
[2] On February 7, 2023, Judge Caproni sentenced KHAZIRAN to 30 months in prison.
Former Go Cedar Rapids Executives Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Two men who made false representations to a bank to obtain more money for Newbo Evolve, a three-day music and cultural event held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in August 2018, were each sentenced on February 16, 2023, to more than one year in federal prison.
Doug Hargrave, age 56, from Puyallup, Washington, and Aaron McCreight, age 48, from Dothan, Alabama, received the prison terms after they each pled guilty on January 26, 2022, to one count of bank fraud.
Information from the plea and sentencing hearings showed that the two men previously held executive positions in Go Cedar Rapids (“GoCR”), the nonprofit organization that planned and executed Newbo Evolve. McCreight was President and Chief Executive Officer, and, in the summer of 2018, Hargrave was GoCR’s Finance Director. Newbo Evolve featured, in addition to other attractions, concerts by singer Kelly Clarkson and the band Maroon 5. As the Newbo Evolve event dates approached, GoCR did not have enough money to, among other things, pay Kelly Clarkson and buy the alcohol that was to be sold at the concert venue.
Hargrave and McCreight then defrauded the financial institution that extended a loan to GoCR to finance Newbo Evolve by making misrepresentations about Newbo Evolve’s actual ticket sales, projected revenue, projected expenses, and the true amount of loss they were projecting and expecting Newbo Evolve to generate. Those misrepresentations fraudulently induced the bank to loan GoCR additional money for Newbo Evolve. In July 2018, McCreight and Hargrave sent a false and fraudulent Newbo Evolve 2018 Budget to the bank in support of GoCR’s request for an increase in its loan. In a meeting with representatives of the bank, McCreight fraudulently misrepresented the number of tickets that had been sold for Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson’s performances. The bank subsequently increased the loan to GoCR from $1.5 million to $2.2 million.
Newbo Evolve occurred on August 3-5, 2018. The event lost more than $2 million. After receiving income that Newbo Evolve produced, the lending bank lost $1,442,231.25 on GoCR’s defaulted $2.2 million promissory note. Heavily in debt with no cash or assets, GoCR ceased operations in October 2018. Approximately 97 vendors that provided services for Newbo Evolve did not receive full payment, losing approximately $800,000 in the aggregate. United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams noted in sentencing Hargrave and McCreight, they committed the offense to save face and, while they did not line their own pockets, they gambled with the bank’s money.
McCreight and Hargrave were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. McCreight was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Hargrave was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. Both men were ordered to make $1,442,231.25 in restitution to the lending bank joint and several with each other. Both men must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
McCreight and Hargrave were released on bonds previously set and are to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on dates yet to be set.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by former United States Attorney Sean R. Berry, Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole, and Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file numbers are 22-CR-0001 and 22-CR-0002.
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Former Dodge County Attorney Sentenced for Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Oliver J. Glass, 47, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 9 months’ incarceration for Conspiracy to Commit Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release, Glass will serve a 1-year term of supervised release. Glass was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine as part of his sentence.
Glass was appointed as the Dodge County Attorney in 2011 and was subsequently elected in 2014 and in 2018. In 2020, Glass’s wife filed for divorce. On March 6, 2020, Glass learned that his wife had been dating an individual identified in the Information as Victim 1.
Between March 6, 2020, through on or about December 22, 2020, Glass conspired with other individuals who are unnamed in the Information to deprive Victim 1 of his rights protected by the Constitution, specifically, his right against unreasonable search and seizure protected by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution by conspiring to unlawfully stop or arrest Victim 1. Glass and others utilized their restricted access to the Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) to obtain information about Victim 1. A supervisor in the Fremont Police Department advised other officers that Victim 1 was dating Glass’s wife and to be on the lookout for Victim 1 and provided other officers with Victim 1’s information, vehicle description, and license plate number. An officer within the Dodge County law enforcement community, while acting as a private investigator, used his law enforcement credentials to obtain access about Victim 1’s criminal history that was not publicly available. Members of law enforcement in Dodge County would drive by Victim 1’s apartment looking for Victim 1 without a legal justification or criminal predicate.
Chief Judge Rossiter in imposing the sentence noted Glass’s breach of his ethical professional obligations and the public trust stating, “You were an attorney; you took an oath. You were a prosecutor; you took an oath. You were the elected County Attorney; you took an oath. You broke those oaths. You breached the public trust.”
As one of the victims wrote to the Court in their impact statement, “It's impossible to communicate the mental anguish and constant state of fear I felt when Mr. Glass was illegally monitoring my actions and using his close connections to stalk me. No one should have to endure that kind of terror. Of not knowing whether the ‘good guys’ are really ‘good’ just because they wear the uniform. Or, wondering if today is the day you will be framed or falsely arrested just to demonstrate the reach Mr. Glass had.”
In reflecting upon the sentencing, United States Attorney Steven Russell echoed the words spoken by then Attorney General and eventual Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson in 1940, “While the prosecutor at his best is one of the most beneficent forces in our society, when he acts from malice or other base motives, he is one of the worst.” United States Attorney Russell went on to say, “Oliver Glass, in this matter, did act with malice and from base motives while abusing his office. This type of behavior undermines the public’s trust in the criminal justice system, and I hope that this sentence helps restore that trust.”
After the sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Oliver Glass used the power of his elected office to carry out a personal vendetta. Over and over again, he abused his authority by violating the rights of his victim. His sentencing today is a reminder that the FBI will always hold government officials accountable when they willfully deprive someone of their Constitutional rights.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Lynch. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Former BOP Correctional Officer Sentenced for Committing COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Flora, Mississippi woman was sentenced to three years of federal probation and ordered to pay $15,086 in restitution for devising a scheme to defraud the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge James F. Boyersmith with the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Miami Field Office.
According to court documents, Tarshauna Thomas, 34, fraudulently applied for two PPP loans. Thomas claimed to be the sole proprietor of a dog breeding and sitting service. From those fraudulently obtained funds, Thomas received $12,586, which she spent on personal, non-business related expenses. Thomas was employed as a Correctional Officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Yazoo City when she applied for the loans.
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie 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.
Fentanyl Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More Than 50 Years Combined in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced yesterday to federal prison for crimes related to the Distribution of Fentanyl. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings for the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, beginning in August of 2021, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating out of the Fayetteville Division responsible for distributing fentanyl pills. During the course of their investigation, investigators identified Martin Platero as the leader of this local group. The pills distributed by the Platero group contained fentanyl and were made or pressed to look like M 30 Oxycontin prescription pills.
Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:
Martin Platero: age 21, Rogers, Arkansas – Possession of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute – 210 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Ulises Valenzuela- Hernandez: age 25, Anaheim, California - Aiding and Abetting in the Possession of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute - 135 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Walker Bradley Michael: age 21, Rogers, Arkansas - Possession of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute -151 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Jaden Leeteril McCoy: age 20, Bentonville, Arkansas – Distribution of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl – 87 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Macy Renee Patterson: age 19, Centerton, Arkansas – Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises – 18 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Fayetteville investigated the case, and were assisted by the following agencies: ATF, Rogers Police Department, Benton County Drug Unit, Bentonville Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. This investigation was part of the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” initiative, for more information visit DEA’s website: https://www.dea.gov/onepill.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Felon Sentenced to 70 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DESEAN CHRISTY, age 38, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(c)(1)(A), and the Federal Drug Control Act, Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). CHRISTY was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and $300 total in mandatory special assessment fees.
The sentence is pursuant to CHRISTY’s federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base in New Orleans. The sentence also covers his convictions for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime because he had a Glock Model 22 semi-automatic handgun at the time of his arrest. CHRISTY was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his criminal history. According to court documents, CHRISTY was previously convicted of attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of heroin, and possession of cocaine.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dustin Strauss of the Violent Crimes Unit.
Federal Prosecutors File Hate Crime Charges Against Man Who Allegedly Shot and Wounded Two Victims Leaving SynagoguesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Federal prosecutors today charged a former Riverside resident with two counts of committing hate crimes for allegedly targeting and shooting two Jewish men as they departed religious services outside two Los Angeles synagogues over the past two days.
Jaime Tran, 28, is expected to make his first court appearance this afternoon after being arrested Thursday evening and charged this morning.
The complaint alleges that Tran targeted the two victims because they were Jewish or he believed them to be Jewish. Because the complaint contains allegations that Tran attempted to murder the two victims, the maximum statutory penalty for each of the two hate crimes is life without parole in federal prison.
“Over the past two days, our community experienced two horrific acts we believe were motivated by antisemitic ideology that caused him to target the Jewish community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is important, especially in one of the most diverse areas in the world, that we celebrate our differences, and stand together to oppose acts of hate.”
“In addition to targeting innocent people with violent physical attacks, these crimes instill fear in the community. There is no place in Los Angeles and, indeed, the United States of America, for fear to control communities and to intimidate people of faith,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. “Law enforcement will work together to prevent hate crimes, whether they be civil liberties violations or acts of terror. On behalf of the FBI, I wish a full recovery to the victims who were senselessly attacked for their faith, as well as peace to the Jewish community.”
“I am proud of the outstanding work by our investigators in the identification and apprehension of the individual responsible for these hate-inspired attacks,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore. “Additionally, I applaud the actions of our officers to quickly bolster our visibility in the impacted communities that were terrorized.”
The complaint alleges that Tran committed two hate-motivated attacks this week. Both shooting incidents took place in the Pico-Robertson district of Los Angeles.
In the first incident, which took place on Wednesday at approximately 9:45 a.m., Tran allegedly shot a victim at close range as the victim was leaving religious services at a synagogue. This victim survived the shooting, but he suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back.
In the second incident on Thursday at approximately 8 a.m., Tran allegedly shot a second victim at close range soon after he left religious services at a different synagogue in the same neighborhood. This second victim survived, but he sustained a gunshot wound to his upper arm.
Both shootings occurred in the same predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Los Angeles and both victims were dressed in clothing that visibly identified their Jewish faith, including black jackets and head coverings.
The evidence uncovered during the investigation indicates that Tran located the Jewish neighborhood after searching a popular business-review app for a kosher market in the Pico-Robertson district. After locating the market, Tran allegedly drove to the area, where the first shooting occurred. According to the complaint, Tran returned to the area the following day when the second shooting occurred.
Investigators acted quickly to identify Tran’s vehicle, to collect witness statements, and to obtain background information on Tran that are outlined in the criminal complaint.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating this matter. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Cathedral City Police Department and the Fountain Valley Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kathrynne Seiden and Maria Jhai of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and Frances Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.
Federal Jury Convicts Two Green Bay Men of Trafficking Fentanyl disguised as PercocetRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that February 16, 2023, a federal jury in Green Bay convicted Don A.K. James, Jr. (age: 24) and Frederick L. Brewer (age: 34) of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Possessing Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, and Distributing Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846.
The evidence presented at trial showed that in January and February 2022, Brewer sold fentanyl pills to an informant working with the Brown County Drug Task Force. The potentially lethal pills had been illicitly manufactured to resemble Percocet. After DTF arrested Brewer, they learned that James—Brewer’s brother—had negotiated with an Arizona-based source to buy thousands of counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl. James flew to Arizona in early January 2022 to buy at least 15,000 pills. While there, he sent a video to a large-scale buyer in the Green Bay area—the video showed that James had at least 19,000 pills to distribute.
The evidence also showed that James flew back to Wisconsin and boasted to the buyer that James now had 30,000 fentanyl pills and was ready to do business. Brewer conspired with and assisted James in the fentanyl-trafficking operation, including when James returned from Arizona with the “load” of pills. When James was arrested, he attempted to swallow a bag of 58 fentanyl pills. After a several-minute struggle, during which DTF investigators administered Narcan to protect James against a potential overdose, they forced James to spit out the still-intact bag. James feared that he had swallowed two pills and pleaded for additional medical help.
Investigators quickly summoned an ambulance, which transported James to the hospital for medical clearance. James later posted bail and was released, only to be re-arrested in June 2022 when he was found in possession of over 750 fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute.
“Across the country – including in the Eastern District of Wisconsin – fentanyl is cutting a deadly swath through families and communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “The fact that traffickers like those convicted by the jury in this case are willing to increase the risk of overdoses by disguising this deadly substance as something less lethal is particularly disturbing. We are committed to working with all of our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to hold drug traffickers accountable for their actions.”
“I am appreciative of the ongoing collaboration between the Brown County Drug Task Force and our federal partners, specifically the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Wisconsin, to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations who poison our community by the distribution of fentanyl. We remain committed to keeping our community safe and holding drug dealers accountable for their illegal activities.“ Brown County Sheriff Todd J. Delain
Both defendants will be sentenced by Judge William C. Griesbach in May 2023.
James faces at least ten years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. James has multiple prior convictions, including a felony cocaine conviction that resulted in probation.
Brewer faces up to 30 years in prison. He has been previously convicted of multiple drug felonies, including possessing cocaine with intent to deliver in 2006, resulting in probation that was later revoked; two counts of delivering cocaine, one count of delivering fentanyl, and one count of possessing cocaine with intent to deliver, all in 2018, resulting in a four-year prison term. After Brewer was released early from prison in 2020, he committed the new offenses, resulting in another revocation and prison term that he is currently serving.
This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim Funnell and Alex Duros.
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Federal Jury Convicts Felon of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in West PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Ramoine White, 39, of Upper Darby, PA, was convicted at trial of a single count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
On February 11, 2021, officers stopped White during a narcotics surveillance operation in the area of 5100 Arch Street in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police Officers retrieved a Smith and Wesson, M&P, .40 caliber handgun loaded with 14 live rounds from White’s waistband. The defendant, who did not have a permit to carry that firearm, was also prohibited from possessing it due to his prior felony convictions which include possession with intent to distribute narcotics, aggravated assault, and firearms violations.
“This trial conviction exemplifies the ongoing commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s office to keep weapons out of the hands of people who are not permitted to possess them,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “It is the partnerships and the hard work of our law enforcement partners that are critical in keeping our communities safe.”
“I want to congratulate our ICE ERO officers for their skill and dedication in tracking down this dangerous criminal,” said Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia Field Office Director Cammilla Wamsley. “The interagency cooperation and professionalism of the officers and prosecutors led to the arrest of another person who threatens the safety of the American public.”
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Enforcement and Removal Operations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney MaryTeresa Soltis.
District Man Sentenced to 82 Months for Offensively Touching 14-Year Old ChildRead the Press Release
Defendant Assaulted Girl in Laundry Room in an Apartment Building
WASHINGTON – Eric Darrell “Butch” Smith, 52, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 82 months in prison for sexually assaulting a girl in the laundry room of a Northwest apartment building in which they were both living, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Smith pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree child sexual abuse on December 8, 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Milton Lee, Jr., who took Smith’s guilty plea, sentenced Smith today. In addition to the prison time, Smith was ordered, once released from prison, to 10 years of supervised release, and to register as a sex offender for 10 years. Judge Lee ordered that today’s sentence run consecutive to any other sentence that Smith might serve.
At his earlier plea hearing, Smith admitted that, on the afternoon of July 16, 2022, he followed the victim into the laundry room on the floor they were both living at the time. He engaged her in conversation, told the victim how pretty she was and asked her for a hug. She complied, hoping that by doing so Smith would leave her alone. As Smith hugged the girl, he intentionally touched her buttocks with his hand. This act was captured by the security camera located inside the laundry room.
The victim immediately reported to her brother and her mother that the defendant had touched her inappropriately. The police were notified, arrived at the apartment building and arrested the defendant, who was still on the scene. He has been in custody since his arrest.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Lezlie Richardson; paralegal Garcia Clarke; former paralegal Brenda Williams; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who prosecuted the matter.
Department of Justice Announces Joint Efforts for the Inspection of Animals at the Dr. Juan A. Rivero ZooRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the coordination of efforts between the United States Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico Department of Environment and Natural Resources with respect to the health and welfare of the animals housed at the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo and the holding facility known as the Centro de Detención en Cambalache (collectively the “Zoo”).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and the Department of Justice’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division have arranged, with the assistance and collaboration of the Puerto Rico Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for an inspection and evaluation process with respect to the Zoo animals. The inspection and evaluation will be conducted by a team of veterinarians and specialists from The Wild Animal Sanctuary. The Wild Animal Sanctuary operates four wildlife sanctuaries in Colorado and Texas encompassing more than 33,000 acres.
The United States Department of Justice, together with our agency partners in the United States Fish & Wildlife Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, remain committed to working with the Puerto Rico Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other Commonwealth officials towards a comprehensive resolution with respect to the health and safety of the Zoo animals.
“We greatly appreciate the cooperation of Secretary Anais Rodríguez Vega and her efforts with respect to the health and welfare of the Zoo animals,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “Working expeditiously together with Secretary Rodríguez Vega and other Commonwealth officials towards our common goal of ensuring the safe and humane care for all Zoo animals is a top priority of the Justice Department.”
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Cuban Man Pleads Guilty to Access Device FraudRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. -- A man of Cuban citizenship pled guilty to possession of fifteen or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices with the intent to defraud, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge David L. Denton of Homeland Security Investigations.
According to court documents, on March 20, 2019, Henry Herrera Garcia a/k/a Alex Rodriguez Perez, 31, was encountered by a Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy at a traffic stop on I-10 in Harrison County. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations also participated at the scene of the stop. Various items recovered from the vehicle included a credit card scanner, thumb drives, credit card skimmers, a computer, a hard drive, fraudulent credit cards, and gas pump skimming devices, as well as accessories used for downloading credit cards. Subsequent forensic evaluations recovered from the electronic devices hundreds of “TXT” files which contained compromised credit numbers with card holder information.
Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
Couple from Lafayette Sentenced for Possession of Illegal Drugs and FirearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants in federal court. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Brian Broussard and Shalla Adams, both of Lafayette, for possession of illegal drugs and a firearm. Broussard and Adams were both charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Lafayette in June 2021.
Broussard, 34, was sentenced to 162 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, to include fentanyl. Shalla Adams, 35, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of an unregistered silencer.
These charges were the result of an investigation by agents into information they received about drug trafficking activities in the Lafayette area. With the assistance of local law enforcement, multiple search warrants were executed on May 12, 2021 on properties connected to Broussard and his co-defendant, Adams. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and other local law enforcement agencies, executed search warrants on properties and vehicles connected to Broussard and Adams. During the search of the residences, agents discovered a Romarm AK-47 style semi-automatic rifle, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Taurus pistol, a silencer, fentanyl, and other drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of narcotics. Broussard was stopped by law enforcement officers after leaving one of the residences being searched and was found to have a Glock pistol in his vehicle with a mechanical modification switch that allowed the firearm to be fully automatic. Broussard pleaded guilty on November 21, 2022.
During the search of Adams’ residence on that same day, agents located a Glock 9mm pistol with a fully loaded 31 round magazine and another fully loaded magazine which contained 11 rounds of ammunition. In addition, agents located a firearm silencer which they learned was not registered as required pursuant to the National Firearms Act. Adams pleaded guilty on November 10, 2022.
This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Combined Anti-Drug Task Force and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.
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Chillicothe, Illinois, Man Pleads Guilty to Setting Fire to Planned ParenthoodRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Chillicothe, Illinois, man, Tyler W. Massengill, 32, of the 1000 block of North Santa Fe Avenue, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on February 16, 2023, to an information charging him with malicious use of fire and an explosive to damage, and attempt to damage, the Planned Parenthood Peoria Health Center (PHC) building in Peoria, Illinois.
In court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, Massengill admitted that he maliciously set fire to the PHC on January 15, 2023.
Since being arrested on January 24, 2023, Massengill has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals. His sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2023, at the U.S. Courthouse in Peoria before U.S. District Court Judge James E. Shadid.
Massengill faces a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment of at least five years and could receive up to 20 years in prison. The charges also carry up to three years of supervised release and a possible fine of up to $250,000.
Massengill’s arrest followed investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; the Peoria Police Department; and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Peoria Fire Department is also participating in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Twenty-Five Years in Prison for Attempted Carjacking and Trying to Have Witness KilledRead the Press Release
A man who attempted to carjack two cars in Cedar Rapids and later tried to have a witness to those crimes killed was sentenced on February 15, 2023, to twenty-five years in federal prison.
Christopher Daniel Taylor, age 40, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 6, 2022 guilty plea to attempted carjacking and attempted witness tampering.
Information from sentencing showed that on December 3, 2020, Taylor was wanted for parole violations. After parole officers located him driving a car in Cedar Rapids, he led them and other law enforcement officers on two high-speed chases, reaching speeds of 97 miles per hour. After abandoning the car he was initially driving, Taylor stole a truck containing a firearm from the garage of a residence in Marion. Officers tried to pull Taylor over, but he fled at high speeds, moving in the direction of Collins Road NE and into high traffic.
Taylor stopped the stolen truck near Lindale Mall on the wrong side of the road. Taylor ran up to an oncoming car and tried to pull open the driver’s side door. When the car reversed away from him, Taylor shot at the car, using the firearm from the stolen truck. Taylor then attempted to carjack a truck in the Lindale Mall parking lot, pointing the firearm at the driver, and threatening to shoot. The driver used his door to push Taylor off the truck. A police officer took Taylor into custody after chasing him on foot across Collins Road NE.
After Taylor was arrested, he was detained in the Linn County Correctional Center. Between April 12, 2021, and December 2021, he repeatedly asked someone to kill a witness to his attempted carjackings. He wanted his potential accomplice to give the witness a “hot shot,” meaning a lethal dose of contaminated drugs.
Taylor has prior convictions for extortion, burglary, sexual abuse, and assault causing injury.
Taylor was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. In sentencing Taylor, Judge Williams noted that on December 3, 2020, Taylor had gone on “a crime spree” and that Taylor’s criminal history showed “an unceasing pattern of violence.” Taylor was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Taylor is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Marion Police Department, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-0016.
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Career criminal sentenced to 20 years in federal prisonRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – An Ohio man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of felony charges for the third time.
Dallas Michael Acoff, age 34, was convicted in October 2022 of five federal drug distribution counts. These new convictions were in addition to Acoff’s prior convictions for wanton endangerment with a firearm and attempted murder in connection with a homicide in Wheeling in 2015.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey heard evidence of Acoff’s prior criminal history during yesterday’s sentencing hearing as well as the facts of his most recent convictions. According to court records, Acoff sold cocaine near Fulton Playground in August 2021. Then, in February 2022, Wheeling Police attempted a traffic stop on Acoff’s vehicle on Wheeling Island. Acoff fled, first by car and then on foot, before being apprehended with possession of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
After considering the evidence presented, Judge Bailey imposed a sentence of 240 months.
“The residents of Ohio County are safer now that a violent, career criminal is going away for the next two decades,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force and the Wheeling Police Department deserve praise for their excellent work in this matter.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Camp Hill Man Sentenced to 210 Months in Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ryan Coggins, age 37, of Camp Hill and Spring City, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 9, 2023 by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 17 ½ years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing and conspiring to distribute multiple pounds of methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the charges against Coggins were the result of several-years long investigation into methamphetamine trafficking throughout multiple counties in southcentral and eastern Pennsylvania. Coggins admitted to using his home in Camp Hill as the hub for his methamphetamine trafficking. At least 22 other individuals were indicted for conspiring with Coggins and actually distributing approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine from June of 2017 until December 19, 2020 in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lancaster, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Philadelphia counties.
The following co-defendants have already been sentenced by Judge Conner as follows:
- Nicholas Eastman, 140 months’ imprisonment;
- Ryan Eastman, 120 months’ imprisonment, and
- Tyrone Smith, 235 month’s imprisonment.
The remaining co-defendants have either pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing or are awaiting trial in September 2023.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as many law enforcement agencies in the counties where the distribution activities were occurring. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William A. Behe and Christian Haugsby prosecuted the case.
All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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California Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal jury on Wednesday convicted a California man on a drug trafficking charge, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James.
The jury returned its guilty verdict against Esteban Roberto Ortiz, 43, after three days of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Sharon L. Blackburn. Ortiz was convicted on the sole count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. The jury also returned a special verdict that the offense involved more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, for which Ortiz will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.
“This conviction sends a message to those who traffic illegal drugs across state lines to distribute in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “I commend the exemplary work of our law enforcement partners in identifying, infiltrating, and dismantling this multi-jurisdiction drug trafficking operation.”
“Methamphetamine is a destructive poison that can cause terrible harm to the quality of life in any community,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James. The successful conviction of Esteban Roberto Ortiz should put on notice those who engage in trafficking meth. “Side by side with our local and federal law enforcement partners, DEA is holding meth dealers accountable. We are seizing their profits, shutting down their distribution networks, and putting dealers where they belong- behind bars.”
Evidence at trial proved that Ortiz conspired with others to transport approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 pounds of marijuana from California to Alabama. Ortiz coordinated couriers to travel to Alabama in a vehicle containing an after-market hidden compartment where the methamphetamine and marijuana were stored. Agents from DEA Oklahoma City and DEA Birmingham coordinated a controlled delivery of this car to Alabaster, Alabama, to meet Ortiz where he was taken into custody. Evidence at trial further showed that, ahead of the vehicle’s arrival, Ortiz was planning for the distribution of these drugs to a network of drug associates in Alabama.
The maximum penalty for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana is life in prison.
The DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Garnett and Ryan Rummage are prosecuting the case.
California Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Allegedly Shooting and Wounding Two Victims Leaving SynagoguesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today charges against a former Riverside resident with two counts of hate crimes for allegedly targeting and shooting two Jewish men as they departed religious services outside two Los Angeles synagogues over the past two days.
According to the complaint, Jaime Tran, 28, targeted the two victims because they were Jewish or he believed them to be Jewish. Because the complaint contains allegations that Tran attempted to murder the two victims, the maximum statutory penalty for each of the two hate crimes is life without parole in federal prison. Tran made his first court appearance this afternoon after being arrested Thursday evening and charged this morning.
The complaint alleges that Tran committed the two hate-motivated attacks this week. Both shooting incidents took place in the Pico-Robertson district of Los Angeles.
In the first incident, which took place on Wednesday at approximately 9:45 a.m., Tran allegedly shot a victim at close range as the victim was leaving religious services at a synagogue. This victim survived the shooting, but he suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back.
In the second incident on Thursday at approximately 8 a.m., Tran allegedly shot a second victim at close range soon after he left religious services at a different synagogue in the same neighborhood. This second victim survived, but he sustained a gunshot wound to his upper arm.
Both shootings occurred in the same predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Los Angeles and both victims were dressed in clothing that visibly identified their Jewish faith, including black jackets and head coverings.
The evidence uncovered during the investigation indicates that Tran located the Jewish neighborhood after searching a popular business-review app for a kosher market in the Pico-Robertson district. After locating the market, Tran allegedly drove to the area, where the first shooting occurred. According to the complaint, Tran returned to the area the following day when the second shooting occurred.
Investigators acted quickly to identify Tran’s vehicle, to collect witness statements, and to obtain background information on Tran that is outlined in the criminal complaint.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division and Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating the case. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Cathedral City Police Department and the Fountain Valley Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathrynne Seiden and Maria Jhai of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and Frances Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section for the Central District of California and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting this case.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Brandon Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Brandon woman pled guilty to theft of unemployment insurance benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, and Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Aubrey D. Martinez, 36, assisted another individual, who was not entitled to receive unemployment insurance benefits, in applying for benefits with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The unemployment insurance benefits were federally subsidized through the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force (NUIFTF). In response to the unprecedented scope of Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud, the Department of Justice established the NUIFTF. The NUIFTF is a prosecutor-led multi-agency task force with representatives from FBI, DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, HSI, DHS-OIG, USPIS, USSS, SSA-OIG, FDIC-OIG, and other agencies. Members of the NUIFTF are working with state workforce agencies, financial institutions, and other law enforcement partners across the country to fight UI fraud, and consumers should be vigilant in light of these threats and take the appropriate steps to safeguard themselves.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization that expands states’ ability to provide unemployment insurance for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including for workers who are not ordinarily eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Boston Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston on narcotics and firearm charges arising from a traffic stop in Dorchester.
Rahiym Mervin, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2022, Mervin pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
On the evening of Dec. 15, 2021, Mervin was observed speeding on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester and was subsequently pulled over by local police. A search of Mervin’s rented vehicle resulted in the recovery of a handgun, two high-capacity firearm magazines, 380 grams of cocaine, 96 grams of a fentanyl analog – an extremely potent opioid, substantially more powerful than heroin – and 135 grams of a mixture of methamphetamine, cocaine and caffeine. Most of the narcotics and one of the firearms were concealed in a hide within the vehicle dashboard. Mervin was arrested on scene and has been in custody since.
“A lethal dose of fentanyl is just two milligrams. Every gram of pure fentanyl has 500 lethal doses. A tiny amount of this deadly substance can kill, whether it is pure or mixed with other illegal substances,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Mervin was selling thousands of lethal doses of this poison. That he was out on bail for state criminal drug and gun charges adds insult to injury. Now he will be removed from our community so he can no longer cause harm.”
“Working side by side with the Boston Police Department to get repeat offenders off the streets helps to ensure the safety of everyone in our community; ATF continues our focus on keeping guns out of the hands of those who cannot legally possess them”, said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division.
At the time of his arrest, Mervin was on bail on gun and narcotics charges pending in Norfolk County arising from an incident in Quincy in May 2019. In addition, Mervin was previously convicted in June 2016 in Plymouth County of possessing a firearm without a license, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Rollins; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and ATF SAC Ferguson made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil of Rollins’ Criminal Division 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.