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Tuesday 25 October 2022
Fairfield Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Reginald Lamont Thomas, 47, of Fairfield, was sentenced today to six years and three months in prison and ordered to pay $132,685 in restitution for nine counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between April 2018 and September 2019, Thomas used a victim’s personally identifiable information (PII) to take over the victim’s checking and savings account at Wells Fargo. Thomas convinced Wells Fargo bank representatives to change the address information on the victim’s accounts to an address associated with Thomas and to ship a new debit card to Thomas at the new address. Thomas then used the debit card to make various unauthorized transactions, including buying a used car at a dealership in Solano County and paying for a subscription to the dating service Plenty of Fish. Thomas incurred approximately $112,874 in debit card charges and an additional $20,000 loss by making other payments from the victim’s Wells Fargo bank accounts and applying for and using a Costco Citibank credit card in the victim’s name. These amounts are reflected in the restitution order.
All of the conduct in this case occurred while Thomas was on a term of federal supervised release for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise N. Yasinow and Roger Yang prosecuted the case.
Evansville Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Materials Through His Kik AccountRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE– Joshua W. LaForrest, 28, of Evansville, Indiana, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers learned that LaForrest was transmitting images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct through his Kik account and his cellular telephone.
A search warrant was executed at LaForrest’s residence in Evansville on July 22, 2021. LaForrest was interviewed by police, and he admitted to posting videos containing child sexual abuse materials to a Kik discussion group on December 7, 2020, and February 28, 2021. During the search, police seized LaForrest’s cellular telephone. The cellular telephone was examined, and it contained communications between LaForrest’s Kik application, chat groups, and other individuals in which LaForrest transmitted and received child sexual abuse materials. The materials LaForrest transmitted and received included sexually explicit depictions of children under twelve years old.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case. The Indiana State Police provided valuable assistance. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. As part of the sentence, Judge Young ordered that LaForrest be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for seven years following his release from federal prison. LaForrest must also register as sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger who prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies led by the Indiana State Police. The Task Force is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting crimes involving the technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children and the trafficking of child sexual abuse material. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of
cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. In fiscal year 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the Southern District of Indiana was second out of the 94 federal districts in the country for the number of child sexual exploitation cases prosecuted.
Employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Charged with Making False Statements to Obtain Security ClearanceRead the Press Release
DETROIT - An employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was charged with making false statements concerning his contacts with the Taiwanese Navy and falsifying records in a federal investigation related to his application for a security clearance in a federal criminal complaint that was unsealed today, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.
Charged was Yifei Chu, also known as Philip Chu, 57, of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
According to the criminal complaint, Chu, a naturalized U.S. citizen and current employee of NOAA, had recently applied for a three-year detailed assignment to the United States Embassy in Singapore working for the United States Navy in the Office of Naval Research Global. To obtain this position, Chu was required to apply for and obtain a “Secret” security clearance. Chu made several false statements in his security clearance application, during an interview with federal background investigators, and in an affidavit he signed regarding his security clearance application. Chu’s false statements included his failure to disclose extensive contacts with members of the Taiwanese Navy and a Taiwanese company, including the fact that Chu was hired by the Tiwanese company to provide consulting services on a “classified” Taiwanese Navy project, and that he met on multiple occasions with members of the Taiwanese Navy on a military base in Taiwan in performance of his consulting services. The consulting services Chu provided the Taiwanese Navy related to work he did during a period of employment with United States Navy, which predated his work at NOAA. Chu also sought to conceal the fact that he is still a citizen of Taiwan.
The offense of making a false statement carries a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, and the offense of falsification of records in a federal investigation carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald Waterstreet and Michael Martin.
A criminal complaint is only a charging document and is not evidence of guilt.
Eight more defendants charged in COVID-19 relief fraud schemesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Eight more people have been charged in federal court with participating in COVID-19 relief fraud schemes, with two of them pleading guilty.
Each defendant is charged via an Information as the result of ongoing investigations into misuse of the U.S. government’s COVID-19 financial relief programs, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charges carry statutory penalties up to 20 years in prison, along with substantial amounts of restitution and financial penalties, followed by a period of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Millions of distressed businesses found much-needed financial assistance during the pandemic through the U.S. government’s COVID-19 relief programs,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “It’s disappointing that others abused these programs not for saving a valid business, but for lining their own pockets.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed into law in March 2020. The CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide and/or guarantee loans to keep small businesses afloat during the pandemic’s financial challenges. Each of the eight defendants is accused of seeking relief payments through false and fraudulent representations regarding their businesses, real or fictitious, in order to receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
Two defendants have entered guilty pleas:
- Cortazz Russ, 24, of Hampton, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Wire Fraud. Russ admitted filing two PPP loan applications containing false information in May 2021.
- Melvin D’Juan Williams, 34, of Fort Stewart, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Wire Fraud. Williams admitted including false statements in a PPP application in August 2020.
Six additional individuals have been charged via Information, and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty:
- Salmat Deyji, 26, of Stockbridge, Ga., charged with Conspiracy regarding payments received for filing fraudulent PPP applications on behalf of others;
- Aleska Davis, 54, of Decatur, Ga., charged with Wire Fraud regarding two applications for PPP loans;
- Jimmy Cede, 21, of Savannah, charged with Wire Fraud regarding an application for a PPP loan;
- James Andre Wright, 40, of Savannah, charged with False Statements regarding an EIDL application;
- Calvin Beckford, 28, of Hinesville, Ga., charged with Wire Fraud regarding a PPP application; and,
- Devante Williams, 25, of Hinesville, charged with Wire Fraud regarding two applications for PPP loans.
The cases are being investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Service Postal Inspection Service, and prosecuted for the United States by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Dorchester Man Charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man has been charged in connection with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition as a previously convicted felon.
Kevin Blackmore, 45, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and will appear in federal court in Boston on Oct. 27, 2022 at 2 p.m.
According to the charging documents, on June 19, 2022, local law enforcement was dispatched to a hotel in Sharon in response to a call for a possible disturbance involving two vehicles. At the scene, the female occupant of one vehicle allegedly requested police assistance in collecting personal items from Blackmore, who was driving the second vehicle. When officers assisted Blackmore in searching the vehicle for those items, they allegedly recovered a black Smith and Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic firearm, a Taurus .9mm semi-automatic firearm, 67 rounds of .9mm ammunition and 80 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. Due to prior felony convictions stemming from 2006 through 2020, Blackmore is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Sharon Police Department and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Rollins’ Major Crimes 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.
Doctor Pleads Guilty to Role in $54 Million Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Texas doctor pleaded guilty today for his role in a $54 million scheme to defraud Medicare by prescribing durable medical equipment and cancer genetic testing without ever seeing, speaking to, or otherwise treating patients.
According to court documents, Daniel R. Canchola, 49, of Flower Mound, agreed to electronically sign orders for durable medical equipment (DME) and cancer genetic testing that he knew were used to submit more than $54 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. From August 2018 through April 2019, Canchola received approximately $30 in exchange for each doctor’s order he signed authorizing DME and cancer genetic test orders that were not legitimately prescribed, not needed, or not used—totaling more than $466,000 in kickbacks. The Medicare beneficiaries for whom Canchola prescribed DME and cancer genetic testing were targeted by telemarketing campaigns and at health fairs and were induced to submit to the cancer genetic testing and to receive the DME regardless of medical necessity.
Canchola pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 15, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham for the Northern District of Texas; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region; and Chief William Marlowe of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement.
The HHS-OIG and MFCU investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Chief Brynn Schiess of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $19 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Robert Dale Eady, 56, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for enticing a minor to produce and transmit child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Eady was residing at a St. Albans halfway house in May 2021 when he began communicating with a 13-year-old minor who lived nearby. Eady had been placed at the facility to finish a 15-year prison sentence for his conviction for distribution of child pornography in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on May 19, 2010. Eady admitted that during a live video call on May 4, 2021, he enticed and persuaded the young boy to show his genitals. Eady further admitted that he showed his genitals to the boy during the live video call.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Prisons for conducting and assisting in the investigation.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:22-cr-63 and 2:21-cr-206.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Illegally Trying to Buy A FirearmRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Dontae Edwards (31, Jacksonville) to 18 months in federal prison for making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. Edwards had pleaded guilty on July 20, 2022.
According to court documents, Edwards attempted to purchase a .40 caliber pistol from a pawn shop in the Mayport area. He completed the required paperwork and claimed that he was not a convicted felon. At the time, Edwards had five prior felony convictions, including a 2017 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The pawn shop, also a federally licensed gun dealer, performed a background check on Edwards through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and the purchase was denied. All NICS denials are reported to federal law enforcement and are reviewed daily for potential criminal prosecution. Federal law makes it a felony offense to make a false statement to a firearms dealer when trying to buy a gun.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot and was previously prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus Zomorodian.
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.
Connecticut Man Convicted of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Connecticut man was convicted by a federal jury of heroin trafficking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Following an eight-day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court, Luis Payano-Perez, 38, of Connecticut, was convicted on Oct. 20, 2022 of one count of possessing with intent to distribute 100 or more grams of heroin.
According to documents in this case and evidence at trial:
In November 2018, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confidential informant provided information to HSI that Payano-Perez was prepared to sell the source a large volume of heroin on Nov. 8, 2018, in the parking lot of a Wawa convenience store in Tuckerton, New Jersey. Payano-Perez and the confidential informant arranged for the quantity of the heroin to be sold, as well as the date, time and location of the planned transaction.
On Nov. 8, 2018, Payano-Perez met with two confidential government informants at the Wawa parking lot to sell them approximately one kilogram of heroin. Shortly after the parties interacted by Payano-Perez’s vehicle, law enforcement officers converged on the Wawa parking lot and arrested Payano-Perez. A subsequent search of Payano-Perez’s vehicle uncovered a bag containing nearly one kilogram of heroin.
The narcotics trafficking charge carries a mandatory penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and up to a $5 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of HSI, Atlantic City office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; the Little Egg Harbor Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Hawkins, and the New Jersey State Police, Atlantic City Metro Task Force, under the direction of Col. Patrick Callahan, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric A. Boden and Eric Suggs of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
Concord, New Hampshire Man Charged with Production of Child Sexual Abuse Materials and Interstate Enticement of a Minor ChildRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Joshua Pincoske, 47, of Concord, New Hampshire was indicted yesterday by the federal grand jury in Concord, New Hampshire. Pincoske is currently detained and pending trial in Merrimack Superior Court on related charges. Pincoske’s federal arraignment has not yet been scheduled.
According to court records, Pincoske has been charged with production of child sexual abuse materials of a minor female victim on multiple dates between March 11, 2019 and March 12, 2021. Pincoske has also been charged with using a means of interstate commerce to entice a different minor female victim in or about November 2021 and producing child sexual abuse materials of the second minor female victim on November 12, 2021. In addition, Pincoske faces charges related to the distribution, transportation, and possession of child sexual abuse materials.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Pincoske is presumed innocent until and unless convicted of a crime. Pincoske faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, and up to 30 years of imprisonment, for the production of child sexual abuse images; a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, for the interstate enticement of a minor; a mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment and up to 20 years for the distribution and transportation of child sexual abuse images; and up to 10 years of imprisonment for the possession of child sexual abuse images. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Concord Police Department and the Farmington Police Department. He also thanked the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Merrimack County Child Advocacy Center, and the United States Secret Service for their vital assistance.
The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont has been appointed to handle this prosecution under the authorities conferred in 28 U.S.C. § 515. The prosecutor assigned to the matter is Jonathan A. Ophardt, an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Vermont. Pincoske is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Behzad Mirhashem.
Cocaine Distributor in Fidelis Way Drug Trafficking Organization SentencedRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A drug distributor working for a Boston-area drug trafficking organization (DTO) was sentenced today for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine and cocaine base.
Nelsin Hernandez, 31, of Brighton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to one year and a day in prison and three years of supervised release. On June 28, 2022, Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Hernandez was charged with 23 others in June 2020 as part of Operation Snowfall, which ultimately resulted in the charging of two different drug trafficking conspiracies during the overall period of November 2018 through June 2020.
According to the charging documents, the DTO was comprised of Boston-based street gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the DTO assumed control over multiple apartments, where Hernandez and others stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs – most of which consisted of cocaine or cocaine base, which the DTO supplied to customers, wholesalers and distributors. As a result, the DTO caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents.
Hernandez distributed between approximately 100 and 200 grams of cocaine base during the course of his participation in the Fidelis Way DTO. Hernandez is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in in the Fidelis-Way related drug conspiracy. The remaining defendants are either pending sentencing or have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. One defendant, Derek Hart, remains at large.
First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Bryan Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Timothy E. Moran of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Charlotte Man Is Sentenced to Prison for CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Amir Salvatore Khayyat, 29, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for cyberstalking and sending his victim harassing and threatening emails and voicemails, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Michael C. Scherck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and the sentencing hearing, in 2017, Khayyat met the victim, identified in court documents as “Jane Doe.” Jane Doe is a licensed clinical psychologist and a credentialed mental health service provider, who met Khayyat in her professional capacity. Court records show that, from April 2019 to October 2020, Khayyat engaged in an extensive cyberstalking and threats campaign targeting Jane Doe, sending the victim hundreds of harassing emails, including unsolicited sexual imagery, from multiple email addresses, and left numerous harassing voicemails on Jane Doe’s office phone line. Many of the harassing emails and voicemails contained express or implicit threats to harm Jane Doe and law enforcement officers. Khayyat continued to harass and threaten Jane Doe even after she obtained a state court order forbidding Khayyat from communicating with her.
On May 23, 2022, Khayyat pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and making interstate threats. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their invaluable assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Warren, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
Canton Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Mail by a Postal EmployeeRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Canton woman pled guilty to the federal crime of embezzling mail, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Scott Pierce, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Southern Area Field Office.
Sherice E. Davis, 34, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court in Jackson.
According to court documents, Davis was a Rural Carrier Associate and delivered mail along a rural route in Hinds County. After receiving complaints of mail theft along Davis’ route, agents with the Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated. On March 9, 2022, agents found Davis in possession of opened mail she did not deliver.
Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on February 7, 2023. She faces a maximum penalty of 5 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.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.
California man admits trafficking meth into Butte communityRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A California man suspected of shipping methamphetamine into the Butte community for redistribution admitted to a trafficking charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Heriberto Tavares, 29, of Anaheim, California, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Tavares faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Tavares was detained pending further proceedings.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for February 21, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors.
In court documents, the government alleged Tavares was trafficking meth from about November 2018 to November 2019. Law enforcement learned that Tavares was shipping drugs, which originated in Mexico, into Montana from California. During an undercover operation, an agent ordered meth from Humberto Villareal, of Sinaloa, Mexico, who was sentenced in 2021 to 17 years in federal prison for conviction of meth trafficking in the Butte area. In July 2019, law enforcement received a package, sent from Tavares, that contained 474 grams, or a little more than one pound, of meth and 37 grams of heroin. Agents paid for the drugs Tavares sent by wiring money to Ricardo Ramos Medina, in Sinaloa, Mexico. Medina was sentenced in 2020 to eight years in federal prison for conviction on trafficking pounds of meth and other drugs to the Butte area.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Butte-Silver Bow Police.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Attempting to Obtain over $3.5 Million in CARES Act FundsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Pierre Rogers, 44, of Irvine, California, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between March 2020 and November 2021, Rogers and his co-defendant, Joshua Leavitt, agreed to fraudulently apply for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. Congress had authorized the PPP and EIDL relief programs to help the millions of Americans and many small businesses adversely affected by the early stages of the COVID pandemic. PPP loans were issued by private lenders but fully guaranteed by the government, and EIDL funds were issued by the Small Business Administration.
For example, during their conspiracy Leavitt applied for a $175,000 PPP loan from TD Bank for one of their companies, Puro Group. The application falsely claimed that Puro Group’s monthly payroll was $70,000 and that the company had six employees. Rogers knew that the application had false information and signed it.
False supporting documents were included with this application. One of those documents was a false IRS Form 941, or quarterly tax return, for the first quarter of 2020. The document, which was purportedly filed with the IRS, claimed that Puro Group had five employees that quarter who were paid a total of $209,999.99. The document also claimed that the company paid actual federal income tax of $27,600 that quarter. However, that document was never filed with the IRS. The real tax filings showed that Puro Group paid $48,255.53 to its employees during the entire calendar year of 2020, or approximately $4,000 per month.
Rogers then spent $107,780 of the PPP loan proceeds to purchase a Rolls Royce Ghost.
As another example of the fraud, during the conspiracy Leavitt applied and obtained a $29,000 EIDL and $7,000 Economic Injury Disaster Grant for one of Rogers’s companies, Monticello Transnational. The application falsely claimed that Monticello Transnational’s gross revenues for the year preceding January 31, 2020, was $75,000 and that the company had seven employees. However, bank records showed no payments to employees and that the company had only a few thousand dollars’ worth of deposits. In addition, there were no tax filings for the company for 2019 or the first quarter of 2020.
In total, Rogers and Leavitt attempted to fraudulently obtain more than $3.5 million in PPP and EIDL funds. Rogers will be required to pay restitution of $803,756.
Rogers is scheduled to be sentenced on January 31, 2023. Leavitt previously pled guilty to bank fraud and wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and Secret Service, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.
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California Man Is Sentenced to 24 Years for Trafficking 33+ Kilograms of Methamphetamine and 3+ Kilograms of FentanylRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced Juan Octavio Iribe Laveaga, 35, of Norwalk, California, to 292 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, investigators identified Laveaga as a California-based trafficker, in charge of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing multiple kilograms of methamphetamine from California into North Carolina. Court records show that agents working in an undercover capacity made arrangements to purchase multiple kilograms of methamphetamine from Laveaga’s DTO. During the investigation, Laveaga’s couriers transported approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine from California to the Charlotte area. On other occasions, Laveaga’s DTO mailed packages containing methamphetamine from California. After seizing approximately 23 kilograms of methamphetamine from Laveaga’s DTO during the investigation, in February 2022, agents arrested Laveaga and executed a search warrant at his residence in California, seizing an additional 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, nearly four kilograms of fentanyl, and two firearms.
On May 9, 2022, Laveaga pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.
Laveaga is in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and the Riverside County (California) Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor G. Stout of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
CEO and President of Hawaii Shipbuilding Company Charged with Securities FraudRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed yesterday charging a married couple for their roles in a decade-long scheme to defraud investors of millions of dollars in connection with Semisub Inc. (Semisub), a Hawaii-based company.
According to court documents, Curtiss E. Jackson, 69, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Jamey Denise Jackson, 59, currently of Lake Worth, Florida, and formerly of Honolulu, allegedly engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain money by deceiving purchasers of Semisub securities about the company’s business and operations, including its revenue and expenses. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Curtiss Jackson and Jamey Jackson, who were respectively Semisub’s CEO and President, would use funds raised from the sale of securities to develop and build a fleet of semi-submersible vessels for tourism and other commercial purposes and raised over $28 million from more than 400 investors.
For over 10 years, the defendants allegedly falsely told investors that a purported prototype vessel, dubbed “Semisub One,” was “weeks” or “months” away from beginning operations. They also allegedly falsely claimed that Semisub had entered into agreements or developed relationships with marquee government agencies and a well-known private equity firm to build and sell a fleet of additional vessels for $32 million each. The defendants allegedly misused a substantial amount of the money raised from the sale of Semisub securities to pay for luxury residences in California and Hawaii, a Mercedes-Benz automobile, luxury vacations, psychics, marijuana, personal credit card bills, and cash withdrawals for their personal use, among other things. Curtiss Jackson and Semisub were also allegedly barred from offering or selling securities by the Pennsylvania Securities Commission in 2008 and by the California Department of Corporations in 2009 in those states. The defendants nonetheless allegedly continued to sell securities to investors across the United States, including to those in Pennsylvania and California, in violation of both states’ orders.
Curtiss Jackson and Jamey Jackson are charged with securities fraud, conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Curtiss Jackson made his initial court appearance yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Jamey Denise Jackson also made her initial court appearance yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Each charged count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Criminal Investigations Group; and Special Agent in Charge Bret R. Kressin of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Seattle Field Office made the announcement.
The USPIS and IRS-CI are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Christopher Fenton, Matthew Reilly, and Blake Goebel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the USPIS victim hotline at (202) 305-6736.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
British National Sentenced to 8 Months for Failure to Surrender for Service of SentenceRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Paul Ubsdell (a/k/a Paul Upstall and Paul James Kanes), 49, of the United Kingdom, was sentenced today to 8 months in federal prison and a fine of $10,000 for failure to surrender for service of sentence, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ubsdell was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison in 2013 following his guilty plea to wire fraud conspiracy. At the defendant’s request, the sentencing court granted his request to return to the United Kingdom and settle his affairs before reporting to the designated Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility to serve his sentence. Rather than face punishment for his crime, Ubsdell later changed his legal name, and he remained in the United Kingdom for 8 years until his extradition. Ubsdell was taken into custody on August 25, 2021, on the United States’ extradition request, and he was taken into U.S. custody on May 18, 2022.
Ubsdell’s sentence for failure to surrender for service of sentence will run consecutive to the 18 months in prison that was imposed in 2013.
“This prosecution demonstrates that defendants cannot flee from the United States to escape responsibility for their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “Ubsdell violated his promise to surrender to serve his sentence, and instead spent years avoiding the punishment for his crime. Through hard work and diligence of the U.S. Marshals Service and law enforcement officials in the United Kingdom, Ubsdell was located and extradited back to New Hampshire to face the consequences of his 2013 guilty plea and his flight from justice. Other criminal defendants should take note that efforts to flee from justice will not succeed.”
This matter was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in the UK to secure the arrest and extradition of Ubsdell. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam T. Le.
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Birmingham Man Sentenced on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man was sentenced today for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Randy Hasan Abdurrahim, 37, to 121 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Abdurrahim pleaded guilty to the charge in June.
According to the plea agreement, on September 2, 2021, while two Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies on patrol were at a Shell gas station on East Lake Boulevard, a Lexus pulled up to the gas pump with the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Deputies ran the tag, and it came back as belonging to a Nissan Altima. Abdurrahim, driving the Lexus, left the gas station and deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop, but he refused to stop. Abdurrahim hopped out of the Lexus and fled on foot as the vehicle rolled down the hill. Deputies pursued Abdurrahim on foot for a couple of blocks and took him into custody.
Deputies searched the vehicle and recovered 4 grams of cocaine, 9 grams of fentanyl, 6.16 grams of marijuana, 107 grams of methamphetamine, 2 grams of heroin, and drug paraphernalia.
The case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The ATF investigated the case, along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius Greene prosecuted the case.
Bakersfield Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Hundreds of Pounds of Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Omar Alberto Navarro, 40, of Arvin, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between Sept. 1, 2020, and March 26, 2021, Navarro conspired with others to acquire methamphetamine and fentanyl in Mexico, transport it to the Eastern District of California, unload the narcotics, store, sell and distribute the narcotics to others. In November 2020, Navarro, while in Mexico, coordinated the loading of a vehicle with approximately 132 pounds of pure methamphetamine that he had obtained from a Mexican-based supplier. On another occasion in December 2020, Navarro arranged for a vehicle to be loaded with 41 pounds of methamphetamine in the gas tank and then driven across the border. On both occasions law enforcement stopped the vehicles and seized the methamphetamine.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Shafter Police Department, the Kern County Probation Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger is prosecuting the case.
Navarro is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ana de Alba on Feb. 6, 2023. Navarro faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Albuquerque woman pleads guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United StatesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Stacy M. Underwood pleaded guilty on Oct. 21 to conspiracy to defraud the United States. Underwood, 51, of Albuquerque, will remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, beginning in January 2005, Underwood and her business partner, David Wellington, 62, of Albuquerque, operated National Business Services, which promoted, sold and created Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) under New Mexico State Law. For many clients, National Business Services would open bank accounts under the names and IRS employer identification numbers (EIDs) of the LLCs, and the clients – whose names were not associated with the bank accounts - would have access to the funds in those accounts. Clients received debit cards, online bank access information and pre-signed checks with Underwood’s signature, which clients could use to access the money despite the bank never associating the client with the account.
Underwood and Wellington organized at least 192 LLCs in New Mexico between 2005 and 2015 on behalf of clients seeking to shield income from the IRS. Underwood opened at least 114 bank accounts for these clients. Underwood was the sole signer for 99 such accounts. Between Jan. 1, 2011, and July 31, 2018, over $40 million was deposited into clients’ accounts that were in the nominal control of Underwood.
Wellington was indicted on June 23, 2021, along with National Business Services client Jerry Shrock, 47, of Meadowview, Virginia. Wellington was arraigned on July 9, 2021, and Shrock was arraigned on June 15, 2021. Wellington and Schrock are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Wellington faces an additional count of operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business. Wellington and Shrock remain on conditions of release pending trial, which is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2023.
According to the indictment, National Business Services created multiple LLCs in New Mexico for Shrock. Between May 9, 2011, and June 30, 2015, Shrock allegedly deposited and withdrew approximately $4,875,940, of which at least $4,347,101 was income for which Shrock never filed a personal or business tax return with the IRS.
Underwood and Shrock face up to five years in prison. Wellington faces up to 10 years in prison.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Peña is prosecuting the case.
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Acme Pharmacy Agrees to $350,000 Settlement Relating to Controlled Substances Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – Murray Drug Company, Inc, which did business as Acme Pharmacy in Homerville, Georgia, has agreed to a $350,000 settlement to resolve allegations that the pharmacy violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Acme Pharmacy ceased operating during the course of the federal investigation.
The CSA subjects all registered handlers of controlled substances to strict requirements regarding the inventory control and recordkeeping of controlled substances. These requirements ensure that DEA registrants account for controlled substances from the time that they are purchased until the time that they are delivered to other registrants, dispensed to patients or discarded. The CSA’s recordkeeping requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting and distribution of controlled substances.
Acme Pharmacy, which is no longer in operation, was registered with the DEA as a retail pharmacy and authorized to dispense controlled substances to customers pursuant to the provisions of the CSA. At issue in the settlement were allegations that Acme failed to account for thousands of dosage units of controlled substances and failed to maintain complete and accurate records and to provide effective controls against theft. Also, during an on-site inspection, controlled substances were discovered unsafeguarded and not properly stored.
“This settlement demonstrates our office’s continued commitment to combating the opioid epidemic on all fronts,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Part of our strategy is making sure that registered opioid handlers keep accurate records of these highly addictive and potentially dangerous drugs. All individuals and facilities—large or small—which are licensed to handle controlled substances are responsible for maintaining accurate records, and all will be held accountable for any failures.”
“DEA Diversion Investigators will continue to aggressively pursue pharmacies that violate the Controlled Substances Act and put our nation at risk in the midst of the ongoing opioid epidemic,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This civil settlement is an important step in keeping our communities safe and speaks volumes of the professionalism and dedication of the DEA Diversion Investigators and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination or admission of liability.
Diversion Investigators Jordan Poe and Tierra Singleton from the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) Savannah District Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Taylor McNeill represented the United States in the settlement agreement.
Monday 24 October 2022
在三起獨立案件中，兩人因涉嫌代表中華人民共和國政府在美國參與惡意陰謀而被捕，13 人受到指控Read the Press Release
在紐約東區和新澤西州聯邦檢察官辦公室的三起獨立案件中，司法部對 13 名個人提出指控，其中包括中華人民共和國（中國）安全和情報機構的成員及其特工，罪名是涉嫌為中國政府的利益，在美國非法施加影響力。
紐約東區於10月20日公佈一份包含 8 項罪名的起訴書，指控 7 名中國公民（其中兩人於10月20日在紐約被捕）參與一項迫使一名居住在美國的中國公民被遣返的陰謀。被告被指控對一名美國居民進行監視，並參與騷擾和強迫其返回中國的活動，這是被稱為“獵狐行動”的國際法外遣返行動的一部分。
今天，布魯克林聯邦法院公佈了一份刑事起訴書，指控兩名中華人民共和國情報官員阻礙紐約東區的刑事起訴未遂。被告仍然逍遙法外。
新澤西州地區今天公佈了一份起訴書，指控四名中國公民，其中包括三名國家安全部（MSS）情報官員，充當中華人民共和國特工，針對美國境內人士，長期從事情報活動。
“正如這些案例所表明，中國政府試圖干涉美國人士的權利和自由，並破壞我們保護此類權利的司法制度。他們沒有成功，”美國司法部長梅裏克·加蘭(Merrick B. Garland)說。 “司法部不會容忍任何外國勢力破壞作為我們民主基石的法治的企圖。我們將繼續大力保護我國每個人享有的權利。我們將捍衛我們機構的廉正。”
“今天宣佈的行動是在中華人民共和國政府開展惡意活動的背景下進行的，此類活動包括間諜活動、試圖擾亂我們的司法系統、騷擾個人以及持續竊取美國敏感技術，”副司法部長麗莎·摩納哥(Lisa O. Monaco)表示。 “司法部的全體同仁將繼續保衛美國、我們的機構和我們的人民免受違反法律的外國威脅—無論其採取何種形式。”
聯邦調查局局長克里斯多夫·雷(Christopher Wray)表示：“對中國情報官員和政府官員的這些指控—試圖阻礙美國對一家中國公司的審判、冒充大學教授竊取敏感資訊以及試圖強迫受害者返回中國—再次暴露了中國在我們境內的令人髮指的行為。” “聯邦調查局將與我們的合作夥伴和盟友合作，繼續充分利用我們的反情報和執法部門的力量，制止中國政府對我們的企業、大學和華裔社區實施的犯罪行為。”
“此類案件突顯了中華人民共和國政府對我們的機構和美國人民的權利構成的威脅，”司法部國家安全司助理司法部長馬修·奧爾森(Matthew G. Olsen)說。 “我們不會容忍這些厚顏無恥的行動：對居住在美國的人士進行騷擾和試圖強制遣返他們；試圖敗壞我們的司法系統；並試圖在幌子学术组织的掩護下，為中國招募特工。應對此類威脅是國家安全司使命的基石。”
美國訴全忠安等人，紐約東區
一份包含 8 項罪名的起訴書在布魯克林公佈，共指控 7 名中國公民：安全忠 (Quanzhong An)，55 歲，紐約州羅斯林人；安光陽 (Guangyang An)，34 歲，紐約州羅斯林人；田鵬(Tian Peng)，38歲，中國人；陳成華(Chenghua Chen)，中國人；明春德(Chunde Ming)，中國人；侯學欣(Xuexin Hou)，52 歲，中國人；袁偉東(Weidong Yuan)，55 歲，中國人—參與一項迫使居住在美國的中國國民遣返的陰謀。主要被告安全忠據稱在中國政府省紀委（省委）多名官員（包括彭、陳、明和侯）的指示和控制下行事，對一名美國居民進行監視並參與騷擾和強迫其返回中國的活動，這是一項被稱為“獵狐行動”的國際法外遣返行動的一部分。
安全忠和安光陽於週四被捕，並於當天下午在美國治安法官小拉蒙·雷耶斯 (Ramon E. Reyes Jr.) 面前提審。其餘被告仍然在逃。
紐約東區美國檢察官布倫·皮斯表示：“正如所指控，被告代表中華人民共和國政府在美國領土上採取了單方面且未經協調的執法行動，試圖將一名美國居民強制遣返中國。” “美國將堅決反擊這種粗暴侵犯國家主權的行為，並起訴充當外國非法代理人的個人。”
正如起訴書所稱，被告參與了一項威脅和恐嚇美國居民無名氏1號及其家人的國際活動，以迫使無名氏1號 返回中國。這些努力是“獵狐行動”的一部分，該行動由中國公安部發起，旨在尋找並遣返逃往包括美國在內的外國的涉嫌逃犯。中國政府已將這些被指控的逃犯及其家人作為目標，迫使他們與中國政府合作並自行遣返中國。中國政府未經美國政府批准或協調的情況下，在美國領土上單方面採取此類執法行動。
安全忠是一名在紐約皇后區經營的商人，也是法拉盛一家酒店的大股東，他是省委會在美國和中國針對無名氏1號 及其家人（包括他的兒子無名氏2號）的主要駐美聯絡人。作為該陰謀的一部分，多位中華人民共和國的同謀者強迫其在中國的親屬（無名氏3號）於 2018 年 9 月從中國赴美，與無名氏2號 會面，並傳達威脅，旨在迫使無名氏1號 返回
中國。袁是無名氏3號在中國國家稅務總局的上級，其以旅遊團的名義，護送無名氏3號從中國赴美。
中國的被告和同謀也針對無名氏1號 的家人進行了騷擾行為模式。 2017年11月，侯寫信給無名氏2號，警告他“回來自首是唯一的出路”。侯進一步威脅說，“逃避和一廂情願只會招致嚴厲的法律懲罰”。中國政府還通過向紐約州法院提起訴訟，騷擾無名氏1號 和無名氏2號，指控無名氏1號 從其前中國雇主竊取資金，且無名氏2號 瞭解其父親的陰謀並從中受益。
在 2020 年、2021 年和 2022 年的一系列經錄音的會議中，全忠安多次會見無名氏2號，並試圖說服無名氏2號 促使無名氏1號 返回中華人民共和國。在這些會議上，安全忠承認自己是中國人民政治協商會議常委，該委員會負責在海外執行中國共產黨的規章制度。他多次說明，自己的指示來自于陳、明和彭，並承認獵狐行動的動機是中國政府需要“保住他們的面子”並遣返盡可能多的逃犯。
全忠安承認他是作為省委會的代理人，以提高他在中國的地位。在與無名氏2號會面時，全忠安多次代表中國政府發出威脅。如果無名氏1號不回國，中國政府除了“針對和監視”無名氏1號在中國的親屬之外，還會“繼續糾纏你，讓你的日常生活變得不舒服。”在另一個場合，他表示“他們肯定會找到新的方式來打擾你，”“你所有的親戚肯定都會參與其中。”
根據拘留備忘錄所述，全忠安於2022年9月29 日再次會見無名氏2號。在這次會面中，全忠安敦促無名氏1號在 2022年10月16日開始的中共二十大之前簽署返回中國的協議。作為該協議的一部分，全忠安要求無名氏1號 提供書面供述，該供述將直接提交給中華人民共和國政府。
起訴書中的指控均為控罪，除非被證明有罪，否則被告被推定無罪。如果被定罪為中國代理人，全忠安將面臨最高 10 年監禁。安全忠和安光陽涉嫌串謀洗錢罪，最高可判處20年
監禁。對其餘指控，包括密謀充當中華人民共和國特工以及串謀實施州際和國際跟蹤行為，最高可判處五年監禁。
政府代理律師包括美國助理檢察官亞歷山大·所羅門 (Alexander A. Solomon)、薩拉·威尼克 (Sara K. Winik)、安托瓦內特·蘭格爾 (Antoinette N. Rangel)及國家安全司反情報和出口管制科的審判律師斯科特·克拉菲 (Scott A. Claffee)。該辦公室資產追索科的助理美國檢察官布萊恩·莫里斯（Brian Morris）正在處理沒收事宜。
美國訴何東等人，紐約東區
一份刑事起訴書今日在布魯克林聯邦法院公佈，指控兩名中華人民共和國情報官員試圖阻礙紐約東區的刑事起訴。被告仍然逍遙法外。
根據法庭檔，何東（又名何國春、又名何傑基）和王曾（又名王澤）涉嫌策劃一項陰謀，從紐約東區美國檢察官辦公室竊取與正在進行的聯邦刑事調查和起訴一家位於中國的全球電信公司（公司1）相關的檔和其他資訊，其中包括向一名美國政府員工支付 41,000 美元的比特幣賄賂，被告認為該員工是被招募來為中國工作，但實際上該員工是一名為聯邦調查局工作的雙重間諜。
“今天的投訴突顯了中華人民共和國政府對破壞法治的不懈努力，”紐約東區美國檢察官布倫·皮斯(Breon Peace)說。 “正如所指控，該案涉及中國情報官員通過行賄，從本辦公室獲取檔，並與正在進行的起訴中被指控的被告的一家全球電信公司分享這些檔，以阻礙正在進行的起訴。我們將始終採取果斷行動，打擊針對我們司法系統的犯罪行為。”
何東和王正被指控試圖阻礙紐約東區聯邦地方法院對公司1 進行刑事起訴。被告何還被指控洗錢，因其為推進該陰謀，而支付 41,000 美元的比特幣賄賂。
根據訴狀，被告是中國情報官員，代表中國政府並為了公司1 的利益，開展針對美國的外國情報行動。從 2019 年開始，他們指使美國政府執法機構 (GE-1) 的一名員工，竊取有關
對公司1 刑事起訴的機密資訊，以干擾起訴，並認為該員工是他們作為資產招募的。事實上，GE-1 是代表聯邦調查局的雙重間諜。
2021 年 9 月，被告責成 GE-1 報告據稱 GE-1 在紐約東區美國檢察官辦公室與布魯克林檢察官舉行的會議。在書面通訊中，被告表示，他們特別想知道哪些公司1 員工接受過政府約談，並獲得對檢察官證據、證人名單和審判策略的描述。
2021 年 10 月，GE-1 使用加密消息傳遞程式，向被告發送一份據稱是紐約東區美國檢察官辦公室關於公司1 案件的內部戰略備忘錄的一頁。該文件似乎被列為“秘密”文件，並討論了一項指控和逮捕兩名居住在中國的公司1 現有員工的計畫。何東回應稱，這份文件“正是我正在等待的，”他正在“等待一些人的回饋，”確定對這份文件是否有任何問題。何東隨後向 GE-1 支付了大約 41,000 美元的比特幣，作為其竊取該檔的酬勞。
GE-1 還要求被告提供有關“秘密”文件的任何回饋。 2021年11月，何東表示，“[公司1]現在還沒有給我具體回饋，但他們顯然對此感興趣，我的老闆和他們需要進一步的資訊。”何東進一步告訴 GE-1，“[公司1]顯然會對 GE-1 竊取戰略備忘錄的另一部分感興趣，”並且“可能會提供更多” 以換取資訊。 2021 年 12 月，在回應 GE-1 進一步要求公司1 就“他們希望我得到什麼”提供回饋或指導時，何東解釋說，“他們還沒有給我任何積極的回饋，並要求直接與你溝通。”何東表示，他拒絕了公司1直接與 GE-1 通話的要求，因為“這太危險了”。
起訴書中的指控均為控罪，除非被證明有罪，否則被告被推定無罪。如果罪名成立，何東將面臨最高40年的監禁，王將面臨最高20年的監禁。
政府由美國助理檢察官亞歷山大·所羅門 (Alexander A. Solomon) 和馬里帝茲·阿爾法 (Meredith A. Arfa) 以及國家安全部反情報和出口管制科的審判律師斯科特·克拉菲 (Scott A. Claffee)代理。
美國訴王林等人，新澤西州地區
一份聯邦起訴書公佈對四名中國公民的指控，其中包括三名國家安全部（MSS）情報官員，他們充當中華人民共和國特工，針對美國境內人士，長期從事情報活動。
起訴書稱，至少從 2008 年到 2018 年，王林，59 歲；畢宏偉，年齡不詳；董婷，又名切爾西¬董，40 歲； 55 歲的王強和其他人進行了廣泛而系統的努力，旨在在招募美國代表中國行事的個人，要求其向中國政府提供資訊、材料、設備和援助，以推進中國的情報目標。此類招募活動包括針對大學教授、一名前聯邦執法和國土安全官員，及其它代表中國政府行事的人。
作為該陰謀的一部分，國家安全局情報人員王林、董婷等人利用中國海洋大學—即國際問題研究所（IIS）—的一個所謂的學術機構作為其秘密情報活動的掩護。王林以所謂的 IIS 主任身份為掩護，與其他以 IIS 學者為幌子的國家安全局特工合作，針對美國大學的教授和美國其他有權訪問敏感資訊和設備的人。
根據今天啟封的起訴書，國家安全部情報官員王林、畢、董等人代表國家安全部和中國政府，有系統地針對美國人，包括但不限於一名作為新澤西州居民的同謀，以及另一名前任聯邦執法官員和州國土安全官員，及一名美國大學教授。
除此之外，該陰謀還針對第二個人，邀請此人在 2008 年和 2018 年參加由 IIS 全額贊助的中國旅行。在此類行程中，王林、董和其他人試圖招募此人作為人脈，要求此人提供敏感的指紋技術、資訊並協助阻止計畫中的 2008 年奧運會火炬傳遞路線在美國舉行的抗議活動，共謀者表示這會讓中國“難堪。”此人還被要求與一家以中國“國家利益和國家安全”為“核心價值”的中國公司簽署所謂的諮詢服務合同，目的是“保護國家利益和中國企業的海外利益”並“建立收集安全資訊的來源和管道。”此人認識到，王林、董等人是中國情報人
員，因此拒絕了這些請求，並向執法部門舉報。
該陰謀還針對新澤西州的同謀者，要求該同謀者在美國採取具體行動，以推進國家安全局的情報目標。 2016年，王強協調同謀者王林和畢宏偉在巴哈馬舉行會面，當時國安部情報官員王林和畢宏偉指示同謀者獲取美元，並將其提供給新澤西州的指定人士。同謀者返回新澤西州，按照王林和畢的指示行事。王強隨後在新澤西州拜訪了同謀者，王強與同謀者詳細討論了他們和其他人在美國代表中國政府進行的活動。
林、畢、董、王強均為中華人民共和國公民和居民。起訴書指控，他們每個人都被指控串謀在美國作為外國政府即中華人民共和國代理人行事，而未按照法律規定，事先通知美國司法部長，並指揮其他人在美國從事此類非法行動。共謀罪的法定最高刑期為 5 年監禁，最高罰款為 250,000 美元。
美國檢察官塞林格（Sellinger）將此次指控歸功於聯邦調查局特工在紐華克特工詹姆斯·丹內利 (James E. Dennehy) 的指導下進行的調查。
政府代表包括特倫頓分處負責人美國助理檢察官布蘭登¬戴( J. Brendan Day)、及該處國家安全部門負責人 喬伊絲¬瑪麗埃特(Joyce M. Malliet)。
起訴書中的指控均為控罪，除非被證明有罪，否則被告被推定無罪。
在三起独立案件中，两人因涉嫌代表中华人民共和国政府在美国参与恶意阴谋而被捕，13 人受到指控Read the Press Release
在纽约东区和新泽西州联邦检察官办公室的三起独立案件中，司法部对 13 名个人提出指控，其中包括中华人民共和国（中国）安全和情报机构的成员及其特工，罪名是涉嫌为中国政府的利益，在美国非法施加影响力。
纽约东区于10月20日公布一份包含 8 项罪名的起诉书，指控 7 名中国公民（其中两人于10月20日在纽约被捕）参与一项迫使一名居住在美国的中国公民被遣返的阴谋。被告被指控对一名美国居民进行监视，并参与骚扰和强迫其返回中国的活动，这是被称为“猎狐行动”的国际法外遣返行动的一部分。
今天，布鲁克林联邦法院公布了一份刑事起诉书，指控两名中华人民共和国情报官员阻碍纽约东区的刑事起诉未遂。被告仍然逍遥法外。
新泽西州地区今天公布了一份起诉书，指控四名中国公民，其中包括三名国家安全部（MSS）情报官员，充当中华人民共和国特工，针对美国境内人士，长期从事情报活动。
“正如这些案例所表明，中国政府试图干涉美国人士的权利和自由，并破坏我们保护此类权利的司法制度。他们没有成功，”美国司法部长梅里克·加兰(Merrick B. Garland)说。 “司法部不会容忍任何外国势力破坏作为我们民主基石的法治的企图。我们将继续大力保护我国每个人享有的权利。我们将捍卫我们机构的廉正。”
“今天宣布的行动是在中华人民共和国政府开展恶意活动的背景下进行的，此类活动包括间谍活动、试图扰乱我们的司法系统、骚扰个人以及持续窃取美国敏感技术，”副司法部长丽莎·摩纳哥(Lisa O. Monaco)表示。 “司法部的全体同仁将继续保卫美国、我们的机构和我们的人民免受违反法律的外国威胁—无论其采取何种形式。”
联邦调查局局长克里斯托弗·雷(Christopher Wray)表示：“对中国情报官员和政府官员的这些指控—试图阻碍美国对一家中国公司的审判、冒充大学教授窃取敏感信息以及试图强迫受害者返回中国—再次暴露了中国在我们境内的令人发指的行为。” “联邦调查局将与我们的合作伙伴和盟友合作，继续充分利用我们的反情报和执法部门的力量，制止中国政府对我们的企业、大学和华裔社区实施的犯罪行为。”
“此类案件突显了中华人民共和国政府对我们的机构和美国人民的权利构成的威胁，”司法部国家安全司助理司法部长马修·奥尔森(Matthew G. Olsen)说。 “我们不会容忍这些厚颜无耻的行动：对居住在美国的人士进行骚扰和试图强制遣返他们；试图败坏我们的司法系统；并试图在幌子学术组织的掩护下，为中国招募特工。应对此类威胁是国家安全司使命的基石。”
美国诉全忠安等人，纽约东区
一份包含 8 项罪名的起诉书在布鲁克林公布，共指控 7 名中国公民：安全忠 (Quanzhong An)，55 岁，纽约州罗斯林人；安光阳 (Guangyang An)，34 岁，纽约州罗斯林人；田鹏(Tian Peng)，38岁，中国人；陈成华(Chenghua Chen)，中国人；明春德(Chunde Ming)，中国人；侯学欣(Xuexin Hou)，52 岁，中国人；袁伟东(Weidong Yuan)，55 岁，中国人—参与一项迫使居住在美国的中国国民遣返的阴谋。主要被告安全忠据称在中国政府省纪委（省委）多名官员（包括彭、陈、明和侯）的指示和控制下行事，对一名美国居民进行监视并参与骚扰和强迫其返回中国的活动，这是一项被称为“猎狐行动”的国际法外遣返行动的一部分。
安全忠和安光阳于周四被捕，并于当天下午在美国治安法官小拉蒙·雷耶斯 (Ramon E. Reyes Jr.) 面前提审。其余被告仍然在逃。
纽约东区美国检察官布伦·皮斯表示：“正如所指控，被告代表中华人民共和国政府在美国领土上采取了单方面且未经协调的执法行动，试图将一名美国居民强制遣返中国。” “美国将坚决反击这种粗暴侵犯国家主权的行为，并起诉充当外国非法代理人的个人。”
正如起诉书所称，被告参与了一项威胁和恐吓美国居民无名氏1号及其家人的国际活动，以迫使无名氏1号 返回中国。这些努力是“猎狐行动”的一部分，该行动由中国公安部发起，旨在寻找并遣返逃往包括美国在内的外国的涉嫌逃犯。中国政府已将这些被指控的逃犯及其家人作为目标，迫使他们与中国政府合作并自行遣返中国。中国政府未经美国政府批准或协调的情况下，在美国领土上单方面采取此类执法行动。
安全忠是一名在纽约皇后区经营的商人，也是法拉盛一家酒店的大股东，他是省委会在美国和中国针对无名氏1号 及其家人（包括他的儿子无名氏2号）的主要驻美联络人。作为该阴谋的一部分，多位中华人民共和国的同谋者强迫其在中国的亲属（无名氏3号）于 2018 年 9 月从中国赴美，与无名氏2号 会面，并传达威胁，旨在迫使无名氏1号 返回
中国。袁是无名氏3号在中国国家税务总局的上级，其以旅游团的名义，护送无名氏3号从中国赴美。
中国的被告和同谋也针对无名氏1号 的家人进行了骚扰行为模式。 2017年11月，侯写信给无名氏2号，警告他“回来自首是唯一的出路”。侯进一步威胁说，“逃避和一厢情愿只会招致严厉的法律惩罚”。中国政府还通过向纽约州法院提起诉讼，骚扰无名氏1号 和无名氏2号，指控无名氏1号 从其前中国雇主窃取资金，且无名氏2号 了解其父亲的阴谋并从中受益。
在 2020 年、2021 年和 2022 年的一系列经录音的会议中，全忠安多次会见无名氏2号，并试图说服无名氏2号 促使无名氏1号 返回中华人民共和国。在这些会议上，安全忠承认自己是中国人民政治协商会议常委，该委员会负责在海外执行中国共产党的规章制度。他多次说明，自己的指示来自于陈、明和彭，并承认猎狐行动的动机是中国政府需要“保住他们的面子”并遣返尽可能多的逃犯。
全忠安承认他是作为省委会的代理人，以提高他在中国的地位。在与无名氏2号会面时，全忠安多次代表中国政府发出威胁。如果无名氏1号不回国，中国政府除了“针对和监视”无名氏1号在中国的亲属之外，还会“继续纠缠你，让你的日常生活变得不舒服。”在另一个场合，他表示“他们肯定会找到新的方式来打扰你，”“你所有的亲戚肯定都会参与其中。”
根据拘留备忘录所述，全忠安于2022年9月29 日再次会见无名氏2号。在这次会面中，全忠安敦促无名氏1号在 2022年10月16日开始的中共二十大之前签署返回中国的协议。作为该协议的一部分，全忠安要求无名氏1号 提供书面供述，该供述将直接提交给中华人民共和国政府。
起诉书中的指控均为控罪，除非被证明有罪，否则被告被推定无罪。如果被定罪为中国代理人，全忠安将面临最高 10 年监禁。安全忠和安光阳涉嫌串谋洗钱罪，最高可判处20年
监禁。对其余指控，包括密谋充当中华人民共和国特工以及串谋实施州际和国际跟踪行为，最高可判处五年监禁。
政府代理律师包括美国助理检察官亚历山大·所罗门 (Alexander A. Solomon)、萨拉·威尼克 (Sara K. Winik)、安托瓦内特·兰格尔 (Antoinette N. Rangel)及国家安全司反情报和出口管制科的审判律师斯科特·克拉菲 (Scott A. Claffee)。该办公室资产追索科的助理美国检察官布莱恩·莫里斯（Brian Morris）正在处理没收事宜。
美国诉何东等人，纽约东区
一份刑事起诉书今日在布鲁克林联邦法院公布，指控两名中华人民共和国情报官员试图阻碍纽约东区的刑事起诉。被告仍然逍遥法外。
根据法庭文件，何东（又名何国春、又名何杰基）和王曾（又名王泽）涉嫌策划一项阴谋，从纽约东区美国检察官办公室窃取与正在进行的联邦刑事调查和起诉一家位于中国的全球电信公司（公司1）相关的文件和其他信息，其中包括向一名美国政府员工支付 41,000 美元的比特币贿赂，被告认为该员工是被招募来为中国工作，但实际上该员工是一名为联邦调查局工作的双重间谍。
“今天的投诉突显了中华人民共和国政府对破坏法治的不懈努力，”纽约东区美国检察官布伦·皮斯(Breon Peace)说。 “正如所指控，该案涉及中国情报官员通过行贿，从本办公室获取文件，并与正在进行的起诉中被指控的被告的一家全球电信公司分享这些文件，以阻碍正在进行的起诉。我们将始终采取果断行动，打击针对我们司法系统的犯罪行为。”
何东和王正被指控试图阻碍纽约东区联邦地方法院对公司1 进行刑事起诉。被告何还被指控洗钱，因其为推进该阴谋，而支付 41,000 美元的比特币贿赂。
根据诉状，被告是中国情报官员，代表中国政府并为了公司1 的利益，开展针对美国的外国情报行动。从 2019 年开始，他们指使美国政府执法机构 (GE-1) 的一名员工，窃取有关
对公司1 刑事起诉的机密信息，以干扰起诉，并认为该员工是他们作为资产招募的。事实上，GE-1 是代表联邦调查局的双重间谍。
2021 年 9 月，被告责成 GE-1 报告据称 GE-1 在纽约东区美国检察官办公室与布鲁克林检察官举行的会议。在书面通讯中，被告表示，他们特别想知道哪些公司1 员工接受过政府约谈，并获得对检察官证据、证人名单和审判策略的描述。
2021 年 10 月，GE-1 使用加密消息传递程序，向被告发送一份据称是纽约东区美国检察官办公室关于公司1 案件的内部战略备忘录的一页。该文件似乎被列为“秘密”文件，并讨论了一项指控和逮捕两名居住在中国的公司1 现有员工的计划。何东回应称，这份文件“正是我正在等待的，”他正在“等待一些人的反馈，”确定对这份文件是否有任何问题。何东随后向 GE-1 支付了大约 41,000 美元的比特币，作为其窃取该文件的酬劳。
GE-1 还要求被告提供有关“秘密”文件的任何反馈。 2021年11月，何东表示，“[公司1]现在还没有给我具体反馈，但他们显然对此感兴趣，我的老板和他们需要进一步的信息。”何东进一步告诉 GE-1，“[公司1]显然会对 GE-1 窃取战略备忘录的另一部分感兴趣，”并且“可能会提供更多” 以换取信息。 2021 年 12 月，在回应 GE-1 进一步要求公司1 就“他们希望我得到什么”提供反馈或指导时，何东解释说，“他们还没有给我任何积极的反馈，并要求直接与你沟通。”何东表示，他拒绝了公司1直接与 GE-1 通话的要求，因为“这太危险了”。
起诉书中的指控均为控罪，除非被证明有罪，否则被告被推定无罪。如果罪名成立，何东将面临最高40年的监禁，王将面临最高20年的监禁。
政府由美国助理检察官亚历山大·所罗门 (Alexander A. Solomon) 和梅雷迪思·阿尔法 (Meredith A. Arfa) 以及国家安全部反情报和出口管制科的审判律师斯科特·克拉菲 (Scott A. Claffee)代理。
美国诉王林等人，新泽西州地区
一份联邦起诉书公布对四名中国公民的指控，其中包括三名国家安全部（MSS）情报官员，他们充当中华人民共和国特工，针对美国境内人士，长期从事情报活动。
起诉书称，至少从 2008 年到 2018 年，王林，59 岁；毕宏伟，年龄不详；董婷，又名切尔西¬董，40 岁； 55 岁的王强和其他人进行了广泛而系统的努力，旨在在招募美国代表中国行事的个人，要求其向中国政府提供信息、材料、设备和援助，以推进中国的情报目标。此类招募活动包括针对大学教授、一名前联邦执法和国土安全官员，及其他代表中国政府行事的人。
作为该阴谋的一部分，国家安全局情报人员王林、董婷等人利用中国海洋大学—即国际问题研究所（IIS）—的一个所谓的学术机构作为其秘密情报活动的掩护。王林以所谓的 IIS 主任身份为掩护，与其他以 IIS 学者为幌子的国家安全局特工合作，针对美国大学的教授和美国其他有权访问敏感信息和设备的人。
根据今天启封的起诉书，国家安全部情报官员王林、毕、董等人代表国家安全部和中国政府，有系统地针对美国人，包括但不限于一名作为新泽西州居民的同谋，以及另一名前任联邦执法官员和州国土安全官员，及一名美国大学教授。
除此之外，该阴谋还针对第二个人，邀请此人在 2008 年和 2018 年参加由 IIS 全额赞助的中国旅行。在此类行程中，王林、董和其他人试图招募此人作为人脉，要求此人提供敏感的指纹技术、信息并协助阻止计划中的 2008 年奥运会火炬传递路线在美国举行的抗议活动，共谋者表示这会让中国“难堪。”此人还被要求与一家以中国“国家利益和国家安全”为“核心价值”的中国公司签署所谓的咨询服务合同，目的是“保护国家利益和中国企业的海外利益”并“建立收集安全信息的来源和渠道。”此人认识到，王林、董等人是中国情报人
员，因此拒绝了这些请求，并向执法部门举报。
该阴谋还针对新泽西州的同谋者，要求该同谋者在美国采取具体行动，以推进国家安全局的情报目标。 2016年，王强协调同谋者王林和毕宏伟在巴哈马举行会面，当时国安部情报官员王林和毕宏伟指示同谋者获取美元，并将其提供给新泽西州的指定人士。同谋者返回新泽西州，按照王林和毕的指示行事。王强随后在新泽西州拜访了同谋者，王强与同谋者详细讨论了他们和其他人在美国代表中国政府进行的活动。
林、毕、董、王强均为中华人民共和国公民和居民。起诉书指控，他们每个人都被指控串谋在美国作为外国政府即中华人民共和国代理人行事，而未按照法律规定，事先通知美国司法部长，并指挥其他人在美国从事此类非法行动。共谋罪的法定最高刑期为 5 年监禁，最高罚款为 250,000 美元。
美国检察官塞林格（Sellinger）将此次指控归功于联邦调查局特工在纽瓦克特工詹姆斯·丹内利 (James E. Dennehy) 的指导下进行的调查。
政府代表包括特伦顿分处负责人美国助理检察官布兰登¬戴( J. Brendan Day)、及该处国家安全部门负责人 乔伊斯¬玛丽埃特(Joyce M. Malliet)。
起诉书中的指控均为控罪，除非被证明有罪，否则被告被推定无罪。
两名中国情报官被控阻碍司法公正 策谋贿赂美国政府雇员并窃取对位于中国一家公司 联邦诉讼的有关文件Read the Press Release
今天，一项刑事诉讼在布鲁克林联邦法院启封，指控两名中华人民共和国情报官策划阻挠纽约东区检察院一项刑事诉讼。被告仍然在逃。
法院文件显示，贺国春，又名“何东”和“贺杰克”，与王政，又名“王谮”，涉嫌策谋从美国联邦检察院纽约东区办公室窃取联邦政府对位于中国一家全球电信公司（公司-1）起诉的文件和其他信息，包括向一名美国政府雇员支付约$61,000比特币贿额。被告认为该雇员已被招募为中国政府工作，但事实上该雇员是一个代表联邦调查局（联调局）工作的双重间谍。
美国纽约东区检察官布利昂·皮斯、负责国家安全的助理司法部长马修·G·奥尔森、联调局局长克里斯多弗·雷宣布指控。
美国检察官皮斯表示：“今天的诉讼充分展示了中国政府为破坏法治所作的不懈努力。据指控，此案涉及中国情报官员通过贿赂从本办公室窃取文件并和一个全球通信公司分享，努力阻挠对此公司持续进行的刑事诉讼。我们会始终采取果断行动打击针对我们司法系统的犯罪行为。”
负责国家安全的助理司法部长马修·G·奥尔森指出：“被此案指控的中国情报官的企图和行为远超于收集信息和情报，其实质必须被披露：一个外国政府的代表超乎寻常地干扰美国刑事司法系统的诚信，损害联邦雇员，阻碍美国执法，并为一个位于中国的商业性企业牟利。司法部不会允许其他国家的代表干涉美国刑事程序和调查，不会容忍外国对公正与司法的干预。”
联调局雷局长表示： “联调局的使命是保护美国人民，捍卫美国宪法 - 此案对两者都带来威胁。中华人民共和国情报官试图从纽约东区偷窃文件，不仅危害了刑事司法系统的诉讼程序，而且危害了司法的本意。对司法的威胁是对我们自由社会基础的威胁。联调局时刻保持警惕并致力于保护美国免受这些威胁。”
贺国春与王政被指控试图阻挠纽约东区联邦检察院对公司-1的一宗刑事诉讼。被告贺因为试图进一步促成该阴谋, 支付总值约$61,000比特币贿额，另被指控两项洗钱罪。
根据诉讼，两名被告为中国情报官员，代表中国政府并且为了公司-1的利益，从事针对美国的国外情报行动。自2019年起，他们指使一名他们认为已被招募成功的美国政府执法机构员工（政府雇员-1）窃取对公司-1刑事起诉有关的机密信息，以干扰此案的诉讼。实际上，政府雇员-1是一名代表联调局工作的双重间谍。
2021年9月，两名被告责成政府雇员-1汇报政府雇员-1据称在布鲁克林美国检察院纽约东区办公室与检察官举行的会议。被告在书面沟通中表示他们特别想知道公司-1的哪些员工曾与政府面谈，并想获得检察官所持证据、证人名单和庭审策略的说明。
2021年10月，政府雇员-1 使用加密短信程序向被告发送了有关公司-1案件所谓策略备忘录中的一页。该文件看似归类为“机密” ，提及指控并逮捕两名居住在中国的公司-1现任负责人的计划。[1] 贺国春回应表示这份文件 “正是我在等待的”，他还在“等待某些人的反馈”，看他们对这份文件是否有任何问题。后来贺国春为政府雇员-1偷窃文件支付了约 $41,000比特币。
政府雇员-1亦曾向被告询问有关“机密”文件的任何反馈。2021年11月，贺国春指出“[公司-1] 目前还没有给我具体的反馈，但他们对此显然很感兴趣，我的老板和他们需要更多的资料。”贺国春另外告诉政府雇员-1“[公司-1]显然对”政府雇员-1窃取策略备忘录中另一部分“有兴趣”，并为那些信息“可能会付更多”。2021年12月，在回答政府雇员-1进一步要求公司-1的反馈或指示“他们需要我拿什么”时，贺国春解释说“他们还没有给我任何正面反馈，要求直接和你联系。”贺国春说他拒绝了公司-1直接与政府雇员-1对话的请求因为“这样太危险。”
最近，2022年9月下旬，因为贺国春的“机关已决定给你一笔丰厚的奖金”，贺国春告诉政府雇员-1他准备为政府雇员-1提供的信息再次给政府雇员-1支付比特币 。后来，贺国春于2022年10月付给政府雇员-1约$20,000比特币。
起诉书中的控告只是指控，除非并直到被证明有罪，被告应被视为无罪。如罪名成立，贺国春面临高达60年的监禁，王面临高达20年的监禁。
此案由国家安全和网络犯罪处办理。助理联邦检察官亚历山大·A·所罗门、玛丽迪丝·A·阿法、国家安全司反情报和出口管制处庭审律师斯科特·A·克拉非主理诉讼。
被告人:
贺国春，又名“何东”或 “JACKY HE”
年龄：45
中华人民共和国E.D.N.Y.案卷号 22-MJ-1137
王政，又名 “ZEN WANG”
年龄：37
中华人民共和国E.D.N.Y.案卷号 22-MJ-1137
[1] 诉讼中描述的文件是政府为调查目的而准备的。它既不是从任何与被起诉公司-1相关的实际文件中提取，也不归类为 “机密”。此外，诉讼中政府雇员-1向被告提供的信息并不准确地描述与公司-1诉讼相关的实际会面、通信或其它策略。
“Coyote” Arrested in Yolo County Pleads Guilty to Illegal Transportation of NoncitizensRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Mateo Gomez Gonzalez, 29, of Mexico, pleaded guilty today to unlawful transportation of noncitizens without status in the United States, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 28, 2022, a concerned resident of Sacramento called law enforcement to report that his relative and a friend were being held over a payment dispute in a human smuggling operation with the human smuggler (also known as a “coyote”). The reporting party conveyed that the driver of a vehicle involved in the transport of Mexican citizens to the United States was threatening to drop the relative and family friend at an unknown stash house rather than to the awaiting family members if additional payment was not made. Acting on the tip, law enforcement met the vehicle at a gas station, discovered four passengers in the vehicle who did not have lawful status in the United States, and arrested the driver, Gomez.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey B. Hemesath and Denise Yasinow are prosecuting the case.
Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller. Gomez faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison per individual smuggled. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
ברוקלין ישיבה איז זיך מודה צו שטארק פארשפרייטע פראגראם און בענעפיט שווינדל קאנספיראציעRead the Press Release
צענטראלע פאראייניגטע תלמודישע אקאדעמיע (''CUTA'' אדער ''די שולע''), א ישיבה אין וויליאמסבורג, ברוקלין, האט זיך היינט מודה געווען אין פעדעראלע געריכט אז עס איז געווען פארמישט אין עטלעכע טיילווייזע דעקונג שווינדלען, ווי אויך א מולטי-מיליאן דאלאר פלאן צו באקומען אומיושרדיקע געלטער דעזיגנירט צו פיטערן נויטיקע שולע קינדער. דער פראצעס איז פארגעקומען פארן US דיסטריקט ריכטער ניקאלעס ג. גאראופיס(Nicholas G. Garaufis) .
CUTA איז אריינגעגאנגען אין א דריי יעריקן אפגעלייגטע משפט הסכם מיט דער רעגירונג אין שייכות מיט א קרימענעל אינפארמאציע איינגעגעבן היינט אין דעם מזרח'דיקן דיסטריקט פון ניו יארק וואס באשולדיקט די שולע מיט קאנספירירן צו באגיין עלעקטראנישער שווינדל. אלץ טייל פונעם הסכם, האט די שולע מסכם געווען צו באצאלן 5 מיליאן דאלאר קנס אין צוגאב צו מער ווי 3 מיליאן דאלאר אין פארגיטיקונג וואס איז שוין באצאלט געווארן, צו לייזן די אויספארשונג אין דער שולעס שווינדל אויפפירעכץ.
אלעזר פארגעס(Elozer Porges) , דער פריערדיגע עקזעקוטיווע דירעקטאר פון CUTA, און יואל לוי(Joel Lowy) , פארגעסעס געהילף, האבן זיך ביידע אנערקענט פאר שולדיג אין מארץ 2018 פאר זייער ראלע צו קאנספירירן אויסנארן די רעגירונג. פארגעס איז פארמשפט געווארן צו צוויי יאר אין טורמע אין אקטאבער 2019, בשעת לוי איז פארמשפט געווארן צו פינף יאר פראבע, 1000 שעה פון קאמיוניטי באדינונג און 98,407.21$ אין צוריקקער אין אפריל 2022.
בריאן פיס, US אדוואקאט פארן מזרחדיקע דיסטריקט פון ניו יארק, מייקל דזש. דריסקאל(Michael J. Driscoll) , געהילפ-דירעקטאר ממונה, פעדעראלע ביורא פון אויספארשונג, ניו יארק פעלד אפיס FBI)), בעט-אן מ. דינקינס(Bethanne M. Dinkins) , ספעציעלע אגענט ממונה, US דעפארטמענט אוו אגריקולטור, אפיס פון אלגעמיינער אינספעקטאר USDA-OIG)), און דזשויס ע. שטרויבער(Jocelyn E. Strauber) , קאמיסיאנער, ניו יארק סיטי דעפארטמענט אוו אינוועסטיגעשענס DOI)), האבן געמאלדן דעם אפמאך.
''דער אומאויפפיר פון CUTA, איז געווען סיסטעמאטיש און פארשפרייט, אריינגערעכנט גנב'ענען איבער 3 מיליאן דאלאר פאר שולע-קינדער אין נויט פון מאלצייטן,'' האט US אדוואקאט פיס פעסטגעשטעלט. ''די היינטיג רעזאלוציע גיט צו פארשטיין CUTA's פארמישונג אין די פארברעכעריי און שטעלט צו א וועג פאראויס צוריק צו צאלן און פארריכטן דעם היזק וואס איז געטאן געווארן צו דער קאמיוניטי, אין דער צייט טוט עס אויך ערלויבן CUTA ממשיך זיין צו צושטעלן חינוך פאר קינדער אין דער קאמיוניטי.
''דאס מודה זיין היינט טוט קלאר מאכן אז עס איז געווען א שטארק פארשפרייטע קולטור פון שווינדל און גייציקייט אויפן ארט אין CUTA. מיר רעכענען זיך אז שולעס זענען ערטער ווי מען לערנט אויס סטודענטן זיך צו פירן געהעריק. די פירער פון CUTA האבן זיך מטריח געווען צו טאן פונקט פארקערט, געשאפן פילפאכיקע סיסטעמס פון שווינדל כדי אפנארן די רעגירונג. די FBI און אונדזערע געזעץ-היטער שותפים וועלן ממשיך זיין צו פארשן די סארטן שווינדלעריי און פלענער, צו פארזיכערן רעגירונג פראגראמען בענעפיטן פאר יענע וואס זענען דעזיגנירט געווארן צו ווערן געהאלפן אן ווערן אויסגעניצט,'' האט דער געהילף דירעקטאר ממונה דריסקל ארויסגעזאגט.
די DOI קאמיסיאנערין דזשאסלין ע. שטרויבער האט געזאגט, ''אזוי ווי עס איז פארצייכנט אין דעם משפט הסכם, איז CUTA געווען פארמישט אין א ברייטן פלאן צו גנב'נען מיליאנען דאלארן פון ציבורדיקע געלטער, אוועקפירנדיק געלט וואס איז געשטעלט אויף צו פיטערן שולע-קינדער און צוגעהאלפן שטייער און בענעפיטן שווינדל דורך זייערע ארבעטער. DOI און אירע געזעץ-היטער שותפים אין די US אדוואקאטס אפיס פאר דער מזרח'דיקן דיסטריקט פון ניו יארק, די FBI און די USDA זענען איערגעגעבן צו פארמיידן שווינדלערייען וואס גראבט אונטער ציבור'דיקע הילף פראגראמען. מיט דער רעזעלוציע, וואס איז כולל א 5 מיליאן דאלאר קנס, האט CUTA אנערקענט און וועט טראגן דאס אחריות פאר איר שלעכטע אויפפירונג.
''USDA אפיס פון אלגעמיינער אינספעקטאר, ספעציעלע אגענט ממונה בעט-אן מ. דינקינס האט געזאגט: דאס קינד און דערוואקסענע קעיר עסן פראגראם (CACFP) איז באשאפן געווארן צו צושטעלן עסנווארג און שפייזונג צו יענע וואס נויטיקן זיך שטארק אויף דער הילף. יענע וואס נעמען אנטייל אין שווינדל און קרומבאניץ פון USDA פיטער פראגראמען וועלן ווערן געפארשט דורך אונדזער אפיס מיטן פולסטן פארנעם. אונדזער בשותפות'דיקע אויספארשונג מיט די פעדעראלע ביורא פון אויספארשונג און דער ניו יארק סיטי דעפארטמענט פון אויספארשונג אידענטיפיצירט יענע וועלכע זוכן צו פארדינען פון דער CACFP דורך אומלעגאלע פלענער. די USDA אפיס פון אלגעמיינעם אינספעקטאר וועט ממשיך זיין זיך אפגעבן צו פארש-רעסורסן, וואס וועט ארבעטן מיט אונדזער געזעץ-היטער און פראקורירישע שותפים, כדי אפצוהיטן די ערלעכקייט פון די פראגראמען און ברענגען אין געריכט די וואס באגייען שווינדל.
לויט די שולד אנערקענונג פון דעם באריכט פון די פאקטן און אנדערע פובליק דאקומענטן, צווישן 2014 און 2016, האט CUTA באקומען מער ווי 3.2 מיליאן דאלאר אויסגעצאלט פאר אן עסנווארג פראגראם געצילט צו פיטערן סטודענטן פון דער ישיבה. די פראגראם איז געווען כמעט אינגאנצן פאלש. אנשטאט פיטערן די קינדער, האט די שולע געפירט דאס געלט אין אן אנדער ריכטונג, ווי אויך סובסידירט מסיבות פאר דערוואקסענע. צו באגיין דאס פארברעכעריי, האט די שולע פאבריצירט רעקארדס און געמאכט צענדליגע געשוואוירענע פארדרייטע פאקטן צו רעגירונגס אגענטורן.
בשעת דעם אויספארש וועגן די פאלשע עסנווארג פראגראם, האבן די אויספארש קאמאנדע אנטדעקט באווייזן פון נאך אנדערע שווינדלערישע התנהגות'ן ביי דער שולע און אירע ארבעטער. אין צוגאב צו דער אויבנדערמאנטער פאלשער פראגראם, איז געווען פארשידענע שכירות פירעכצער וואס האט ערלויבט די שולעס איינגעשטעלטע אפטאן בענעפיט און שטייער שווינדלערייען.
צום ביישפיל, די שולע האט באצאלט אירע איינגעשטעלטע אויף אן אויפן וואס האט שטארק אונטער-רעפרעזענטירט זייערע איינגעשטעלטע ''אויף די ביכער'' הכנסות. די שולע האט דאס אויסגעפירט אויף עטלעכע אופנים. אויסער באצאלן אירע איינגעשטעלטע מיט מזומן, האט די שולע צוגעשטעלט אירע ארבעטער מיט ''קופאנען'' וואס מ'קען אויסלייזן אין לאקאלע געשעפטן פאר א געוויסע מזומן-ווערדע. די איינגעשטעלטע קענען נוצן די קופאנען איינצוקויפן, און די געשעפטן האבן דאן אויסגעלייזט די קופאנען אין די שולע פאר געלט. די ''קופאנען'' האבן אזוי נאך געהאלפן באשאפן אן אונטערערדישע עקאנאמיע, אין וועלכע די איינגעשטעלטע האבן באקומען נוצלעכע הכנסה אומבאקאנט צו דער רעגירונג. די שולע האט צוגעשטעלט אנדערע ''נישט אויף די ביכער'' הכנסות אין אנדערע וועגן, אזוי ווי דורך באהאלטענע אינוועסטירונג קאנטעס.
דער אויספארש האט פעסטגעשטעלט אז די שולע האט זיך באטייליגט אין די מעשים, אין טייל, צו העלפן דערגאנצן שווינדלערייען אויסגעפירט דורך אירע ארבעטער. דורך אונטעררעפרעזענטירן אירע איינגעשטעלטעס הכנסה, האט CUTA דערמעגלעכט אירע ארבעטער צו באקומען פארשידענע פובליק בענעפיטן - ווי אויך העלטקעיר און קינדקעיר - וואס זיי וואלטן נישט געקענט באקומען אויב די איינגעשטעלטע וואלטן באריכט ערלעך זייער הכנסה. די שולע האט ווייטער געשטיצט די באמיאונגען דורך צושטעלן בריוו צו רעגירונג אגענטורן וואס האבן פאלש געשריבן אז זייערע ארבעטער האבן נאר פארדינט די ''אויף די ביכער'' סכומים וואס די שולע האט אריינגעגעבן צו די שטייער אויטאריטאטן, אזוי נאך ערלויבן זייערע איינגעשטעלטע צו באגיין וועלפעיר און אנדערע בענעפיטן שווינדלערייען. די שולע, ווידער, האט אויך פארדינט פון אירע ארבעטערס פארדרייאונגען, ווייל זי האט אנגענומען און איינקאסירט קינד-קעיר קופאנען וואס די סטעיט האט צוגעשטעלט צו אירע איינגעשטעלטע, וועלכע איר ארבעטער האבן נאר קוואליפיצירט צוליב די שולעס אייגענע פאלשע-אויסטייטשונגען. דער אנגעקלאגטער יואל לוי איז געווען איינער צווישן אסאך CUTA איינגעשטעלטע וואס האט זיך באניצט מיט דעם דריידל.
דערצו, צו דעם אויבנדערמאנטער שכירות שווינדל, האט די שולע צוגעשטעלט ''באווייז זיך נישט'' ארבעט פאר נישט קיין איינגעשטעלטע, וואס האט גורם געווען צו ''פאסטאראטן'' שטייער פרייהייטן פאר אזעלכע וואס שטעלן נישט צו פאסטאראט סערוויסעס, אויסגעזוכט און באקומען טעכנעלאגיע געלטער פאר נישט קיין שייכות'דיקע באניץ צו דער שולעס עדיוקעישענעל צוועקן און צוגעשטעלט קינד-קעיר סערוויסעס אָן קיין געהעריגע לייסענסעס.
אזוי ווי פארשריבן אין דעם הסכם, האט דער אפיס דערגרייכט א רעזעלוציע מיט דער שולע, אין טייל, צוליב די שולעס פארבעסערונג באמיאונגען, אסאך זענען שוין איינגעפירט געווארן פאר א פּּאָר יאר. אין דערצו, אין אנערקענען און צו צושטעלן א נול-טאלעראנץ פאליסי צו דעם אויבנדערמאנטע אויפפירעכץ, האט די שולע אנגענומען א רייע פון ממשות'דיגע פונדעמענטאלע ענדערונגען. צווישן אנדערע זאכן, האט זי אויסגעטוישט אירע עקזעקוטיווע אדמיניסטראציע פערסאנאל; אנטוויקעלט א זאץ פון פינאנציעלע און פראצעדורעלע קאנטראלען; איינגעפירט אן אויספאלג האנטביכל צו פירן און אננעמען עטישע באשליסונגען; באשאפן אן אויפזע קאמיסיע, אכטונג געבן, איינצופירן די נייע סטאנדארטן; און דורכגעפירט רעוויזיעס צו פארזיכערן כסדר'דיקע אויספאלגונג. דערצו, צום שטראף און רעסטיטוציע דערמאנט אויבן, וועט די שולע זיין אויסגעשטעלט צו דער השגחה פון אן אומאפהענגיקער קאנטראלירער אויף א תקופה פון דריי יאר. דער קאנטראלירער וועט שאצן די שולעס אויספאלגונג מיט דעם אפגעלייגטע פראקורירונג הסכם און פארזיכערן אז די שולע טוט ווייטער אויספאלגן אירע לעגאלע און עטישע אבליגאציעס.
דער הסכם וואס מ'האט היינט געמאלדן איז טייל פון אן אויספארשונג וואס איז געווארן אנגעפירט דורך דער US אדוואקאטס אפיס פאר דער מזרח'דיקע דיסטריקט פון ניו יארק, די FBI's ניו יארק פעלד אפיס, USDA אפיס פון אלגעמיינער אינספעקטארס אפיס פון פארשונגען צפון מזרח געגנט אפיס און דער ניו יארק סיטי דעפארמענט פון אויספארשונגען. דער קעיס ווערט באהאנדעלט ביי דער אפיסעס פובליק גאנצקייט אפטייל. דער געהילף US אדוואקאט עריק פאולסון(Erik Paulsen) איז דער אחראי פון די פראקורירונג.
דער אנגעקלאגטע:
CENTRAL UNITED TALMUDIC ACADEMY
Brooklyn, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-378 (NGG)Woodbury County Man Sentenced to Twelve Years in Federal Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced on October 21, 2022, in federal court in Sioux City.
On April 29, 2022, Luis Sanchez, 41, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. In 2014, Sanchez was previously convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa for distribution of methamphetamine.
At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from January 2021 through September 2021, Sanchez and others distributed more than 8 pounds of methamphetamine. Evidence further showed that on three occasions in 2021, Sanchez distributed more than 150 grams methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Sanchez was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of eight years of supervised release following imprisonment. Sanchez remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending transportation to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4082.
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Wiretap Investigation Leads to Another Waterloo Man Involved in Mexico Based Drug Trafficking Organization Being Sent to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Waterloo man involved in a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization was sentenced on October 21, 2022, to more than 33 years in federal prison.
Andrew David Surprenant, age 33, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 28, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Information at sentencing showed that Surprenant was a member of a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization that was distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Waterloo, Iowa, area. On August 29, 2021, two days after he was released from state prison, Surprenant began communicating with a Mexico‑based source of supply regarding the distribution of methamphetamine. A wiretap of Surprenant’s telephone revealed that the Mexico‑based source of supply provided Surprenant with at least ten pounds of methamphetamine that was imported from Mexico. The Mexico‑based source of supply also directed Surprenant to recruit individuals to send wire transfers to members of the organization in Mexico. On January 12, 2022, law enforcement executed search warrants at Surprenant’s residence and storage unit, seizing over seven pounds of methamphetamine, seven firearms, and ammunition.
Five other individuals, Sandra Ann Deyerle, Jeremy Aswegan, Levi Dull, Ruben Vasquez, and Narciso Chinchillas Vasquez, previously pled guilty to their involvement with the Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization and have been sentenced. Sandra Ann Deyerle was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment. Jeremy Aswegan was sentenced to 262 months’ imprisonment. Levi Dull was sentenced to 270 months’ imprisonment. Ruben Vasquez was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment. Narciso Chinchillas Sanchez was sentenced to 158 months’ imprisonment.
In total, law enforcement has seized over 175 pounds of methamphetamine, 23 pounds of fentanyl, a pound of heroin, and eleven firearms during this investigation.
Surprenant was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Surprenant was sentenced to 396 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a five‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Surprenant 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 Dillan Edwards and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-CR-02003.
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Wholesale Supply Corporation Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – LLC Wholesale Supply LLC (Wholesale Supply) has pled guilty to a money laundering conspiracy.
The corporation, based out of Tempe, Ariz., utilized companies in several states to launder money derived from the illegal sale of diverted pharmaceuticals. These are drugs produced by the original pharmaceutical developer that make their way into the underground market. They often are high-priced drugs used to treat conditions such as mental illness, HIV, and cancer.
Per the plea agreement, Wholesale Supply agreed to a forfeiture money judgement of $98 million. The specifics of the sentence will be announced at the Jan. 4, 2023, sentencing.
“As this prosecution and conviction shows, being a corporation, having a complex money laundering scheme, or even a law license, does not make one immune from this Office’s quest for justice,” said Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
In addition, two of the men involved with the corporation must pay nearly $1 million. And, one of the two men also must relinquish his law license and be barred from ever applying to practice law again. They also have agreed to never again be corporate officers or shareholders above five percent in any company regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“U.S. consumers are put at risk when prescription drugs are diverted from the FDA-regulated supply chain and then returned clandestinely to the supply chain for distribution to the public,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin C. Fielder, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who put the public health at risk.”
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, acting Special Agent in Charge Robert M. Dewitt, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Justin Fielder, FDA, Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
FBI Miami and FDA-OCI Miami investigated this case involving LLC Wholesale Supply LLC with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Arizona and Western District of Washington. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Walter Norkin and Frank Tamen prosecuted the case. Nicole Grosnoff handled asset forfeiture.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Watertown Woman Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Watertown, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for 13 counts of Wire Fraud.
Reva Plunkett, age 36, was indicted in October of 2022. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 20, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $1,300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about January 2015 and continuing through February 2022, Reva Plunkett, who was the bookkeeper for Doug’s Anchor Marine, Inc., and for Brotherhood Arms, businesses located in Watertown, South Dakota, devised and intended to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and to obtain money and property from others by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.
In Plunkett’s capacity as bookkeeper for each business, she was responsible for managing and reconciling various business accounts. Plunkett’s duties included writing checks to pay for business expenses, such as payroll and vendor payments.
On multiple occasions during the relevant time periods, Plunkett falsely and fraudulently wrote checks payable to herself that were drawn on business accounts belonging to Doug’s Anchor Marine, Inc. and Brotherhood Arms. These checks were not for her wages or salary, nor were they for any other legitimate purpose. Plunkett also deposited the checks into her account and used the funds for her own purposes. Plunkett disguised her theft by falsely and fraudulently recording in the businesses’ accounting system that the checks were payable to vendors, which made the checks appear to be legitimate business expenses. She also falsely and fraudulently adjusted the business inventory to make it appear that the money was actually spent on products for the businesses.
The charges are merely accusations and Plunkett is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.
Plunkett was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Virginia Beach Man Convicted for Dealing Illegal Machine GunsRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Virginia Beach man Friday on charges of possessing and selling unregistered machineguns.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, between approximately October 2021 and April 2022, Patrick Tate Adamiak, 28, was obtaining illegal machine guns that were not registered and he was selling these machine guns online. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) purchased eight machine guns from him through a confidential source. They then executed a search warrant at Adamiak’s residence and recovered 25 additional unregistered machineguns. A search warrant at his residence found that Adamiak was in possession of two grenade launchers and two antitank missile launchers. Adamiak is a Master at Arms in the U.S. Navy.
Adamiak was convicted of receiving, possessing, and transferring unregistered machineguns, and possession of four destructive devices, to include two grenade launchers and two antitank missile launchers. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 31, 2023. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the five counts of conviction. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Muhr and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-47.
Van Wert County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TOLEDO – John Charles Coy, 72, of Van Wert County, Ohio, was sentenced on Thursday, October 20, 2022, to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp II after Coy pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, in November 2020, local, state and federal law enforcement authorities began an investigation into Coy after receiving information that Coy, a long-time softball coach of minors in Marion County, may have been involved in sexual conduct involving several minors.
As a result of the investigation, authorities discovered that Coy possessed child pornography. On July 26, 2021, law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at Coy’s residence in Van Wert County. During the search, authorities seized a cell phone belonging to Coy. Further investigation revealed that Coy had saved images of child pornography to his cloud account for his cell phone, including of a minor under the age of twelve.
This case was investigated by the Toledo Division of the FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and Marion Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey B. Tangeman.
Vallejo Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Possessing Crack Cocaine for DistributionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Lewis Clarence McCutcheon, 51, of Vallejo, was sentenced on Thursday, Oct. 20, to nine years in prison for possessing crack cocaine for distribution, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on June 15, 2017, officers executed a search warrant at McCutcheon’s home in Vallejo and seized over 1.83 kilograms of powder cocaine and 1.56 kilograms of crack cocaine packaged for sale, as well as two digital scales and packaging materials.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Berkeley Police Department’s Special Investigations Bureau with assistance from the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
United States Attorney Sayler Fleming Announces District Election Officers Responsible for Handling Election Day ComplaintsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) Hal Goldsmith and Jennifer Roy will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 8, 2022, general election. AUSAs Goldsmith and Roy have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Eastern District of Missouri, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
U.S. Attorney Fleming said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
U.S. Attorney Fleming stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Goldsmith and Roy will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. They can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (314) 539-7733.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by calling Election Crimes Coordinator Special Agent Steve Singleton at (314) 589-3211.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
U.S. Attorney Fleming said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
United States Attorney Appoints District Election Officers in Nationwide Federal Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - United States Attorney Erek L. Barron announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSAs) Leo J. Wise and Geonard Butler will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSAs Wise and Butler have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the District of Maryland, and in that capacity they are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Barron said, “The Department of Justice works tirelessly to ensure that every citizen is able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Nor will we tolerate unlawful threats of violence to election officials and staff, who are integral to our country’s election process. The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We will bring to justice those who seek to corrupt that right.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Barron stated that: “In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs Wise and Butler will be on duty in Maryland while the polls are open. AUSA Wise can be reached by the public at 410-209-4800 and AUSA Butler can be reached at 301-344-4433. Any allegation of election fraud or voting rights violations will be reviewed in consultation with state and federal authorities where appropriate, and we will pursue any case that warrants prosecution.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 410-265-8080.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
United States Attorney Barron said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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United States Attorney Announces Results of Efforts to Combat Human TraffickingRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved to date by the Middle District of Florida to combat human trafficking. This includes trafficking of minors, forced labor, and sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud, or coercion. During fiscal year 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted 11 defendants for human trafficking offenses and has obtained $120,861.98 in restitution for survivors. The defendants include perpetrators directly involved in trafficking, to include recruiters, enforcers, facilitators, buyers/customers, advertisers, and individuals who financially benefit from the exploitation. (See chart below for criminal case details.)
“The fight against human trafficking, a crime that harms some of the most vulnerable members of our society, is one of the highest priorities of the Middle District of Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “We are committed to vindicating the rights of human trafficking crime victims by bringing their traffickers to justice and working to ensure that survivors have access to restitution, services, and assistance that are needed to rebuild their lives.”
Combatting human trafficking is also key priority for the Department of Justice. Earlier this year, the Attorney General released the Department of Justice’s National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking. The Strategy lays out the Department’s multi-year plan to combat all forms of human trafficking; focusing on efforts to protect victims of trafficking, prosecute human trafficking cases, and prevent further acts of human trafficking. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Representative cases prosecuted by the Middle District of Florida this year include:
United States v. Henry Lee White, III – Henry Lee White, III (27) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; transportation of an individual in interstate commerce for the purpose of prostitution; coercion and enticement; and being a felon in possession of ammunition. White was also ordered to pay $87,121.98 in restitution for his crimes. According to court documents, between June 2, 2020, and January 7, 2021, White used force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion to cause the victim to engage in commercial sex. During that time, White trafficked the victim within the Middle District of Florida, and transported the victim from Florida to Georgia so that the victim could engage in prostitution. The victim was recovered during a Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force operation in January 2021.
United States v. Jamel Muldrew – Jamel Muldrew (33) pleaded guilty and was sentenced over 21 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor, coercing and enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, using a facility of interstate commerce in aid of racketeering, and transporting a person interstate for prostitution. Muldrew was also ordered to pay $27,740.00 in restitution for his crimes. According to court documents, an undercover officer arranged to engage in a commercial sex act with a minor victim at a local hotel. Muldrew drove the minor victim to the hotel, dropped her off, and drove to a nearby mall parking lot to wait. Law enforcement officers arrested Muldrew in the mall parking lot and searched him, recovering multiple fictious identity documents for both himself and the minor victim. Subsequent investigation revealed that, between February and April 2021, Muldrew had trafficked the minor victim across the country to engage in prostitution, including in Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and ultimately Florida, where he was arrested. The minor victim was recovered during a Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force operation in April 2021.
United States v. Bladimir Moreno et al. – Bladimir Moreno (55) pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and conspiracy to commit forced labor, and he is awaiting sentencing. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Moreno has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $173,125.44 to his victims. A federal grand jury had previously returned a six-count indictment against Moreno and others for their roles in a federal racketeering conspiracy that victimized Mexican H-2A workers who harvested fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural products in the United States. According to court documents, Moreno owned, operated, and managed Los Villatoros Harvesting (LVH), a farm labor contracting company, that functioned as a criminal enterprise that forced victims to work in Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and North Carolina. After charging Mexican farm workers exorbitant sums to come into the United States on short-term H-2A agricultural visas to work for LVH, Moreno and his co-conspirators coerced over a dozen workers into providing long hours of physically demanding agricultural labor, six to seven days a week, for very little pay. Moreno and his co-conspirators used various coercive means, including imposing debts on workers; confiscating the workers’ passports; subjecting workers to crowded, unsanitary and degrading living conditions; verbally abusing and humiliating the workers; threatening workers with arrest, jail, and deportation; isolating workers by preventing them from interacting with anyone other than LVH employees; and threatening to physically harm the workers’ family members back in Mexico if the workers failed to comply with their demands. Moreno and his coconspirators also harbored H-2A workers in the United States after their visas had expired, committed visa fraud and fraud in foreign labor contracting. Three co-defendants also pleaded guilty to related offenses. Christina Gamez (43) a U.S. citizen, who worked for LVH as a bookkeeper, manager, and supervisor, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and agreed to pay $9,353.91 in restitution. Efrain Cabrera Rodas (32) a citizen of Mexico, who worked for LVH as a recruiter, manager, and supervisor, also pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and agreed to pay $24,732.20 in restitution. Guadalupe Mendes Mendoza (45) a citizen of Mexico, who worked for LVH as a manager and supervisor, pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation.
Some of the prosecutions described above were investigated by the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force, a collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement agents working together with organizations to detect, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area. Through this multi-agency partnership, members of the task force work together to identify victims, investigate and prosecute these crimes, and support survivors by directing them to victim-centered, trauma-informed services. More information about the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/humantrafficking.
In addition to vigorously prosecuting traffickers and customers of human trafficking, the USAO-MDFL is also committed to providing education, prevention, and technical and training assistance. Most recently, in June 2022, the USAO-MDFL led a presentation during the Circuit 5 Human Trafficking Symposium. Attendees were trained on how to identify signs of human trafficking as well as on tactics used by traffickers. Attendees included approximately 278 law-enforcement officers, prosecutors, juvenile-justice and health-care professionals, and faith-based groups, located in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties.
The cases identified in the chart below have been investigated by the following agencies: Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Houston (Texas) Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the Colorado Legal Services Migrant Farm Worker Division, Legal Aid Services of Oregon Farmworker Program, the Indiana Legal Services Worker Rights and Protection Project, and Selah Freedom.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
Human Trafficking Prosecutions in FY 2022
Charged Cases
Defendant(s) (Age)
Charge(s)
Penalties
Type of Human Trafficking
Tampa Division
Mateus Fernandes Evangelista Da Silva (22) *
Attempted Child Sex Trafficking; and
Possession of Child Pornography
Mandatory Minimum: 10 years
Maximum: Life
Child Sex Trafficking
George Thayer (51)
Child Sex Trafficking;
Production of Child Pornography; and
Possession of Child Pornography
Mandatory Minimum: 15 years
Maximum: Life
Child Sex Trafficking
These human trafficking cases in the Tampa Division are being prosecuted by AUSAs Lisa M. Thelwell and Ilyssa Spergel.
Jacksonville Division
Nicholas Christopher Carwise (31)
Attempted Child Sex Trafficking; and
Enticement of a Minor
Mandatory Minimum: 10 years
Maximum: Life
Child Sex Trafficking
This human trafficking case from the Jacksonville Division is being prosecuted by AUSA Ashley Washington.
Adjudicated Cases
Defendant(s) (Age)
Charge(s)
Penalties
Type of Human Trafficking
Tampa Division
Leslie Reio (25) *
Conspiracy to Commit Child Sex Trafficking
Mandatory Minimum: 10 years
Maximum: Life
Child Sex Trafficking
Bladimir Moreno (55)
Conspiracy to Commit Forced Labor;
RICO Conspiracy
Maximum: 20 years
Labor Trafficking
Christina Gamez (43)
RICO Conspiracy
Maximum: 20 years
Labor Trafficking
Efrain Cabrerra Rodas (32)
RICO Conspiracy
Maximum: 20 years
Labor Trafficking
Guadalupe Mendes Mendoza (45)
Conspiracy to Obstruct Federal Investigation
Maximum: 20 years
Labor Trafficking
These human trafficking cases in the Tampa Division are being prosecuted by AUSAs Erin C. Favorit and Ilyssa Spergel, and Trial Attorneys Avner Shapiro, Maryam Zhuravitsky, and Matthew Thiman of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Jacksonville Division
Mark Manuel Marino (27)
Attempted Child Sex Trafficking;
Production, Receipt, and Possession of Child Pornography
Mandatory Minimum: 15 years
Maximum: Life
Child Sex Trafficking
This human trafficking case in the Jacksonville Division is being prosecuted by AUSA Kelly S. Karase.
Sentenced Cases
Tampa Division
Defendant(s) (Age)
Charge(s)
Sentence Imposed
Type of Human Trafficking
Restitution
Henry Lee White, III (27) *
Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion;
Felon in Possession of Ammunition
24 years, 4 months in federal prison
Adult Sex Trafficking
$87,121.98
Julius Arline (31) *
Child Sex Trafficking
40 years in federal prison
Child Sex Trafficking
$6,000.00
Jamel Muldrew (33) *
Child Sex Trafficking
21 years, 10 months in federal prison
Child Sex Trafficking
$27,740.00
These human trafficking cases from the Tampa Division were prosecuted by AUSAs Lisa M. Thelwell, Erin C. Favorit, Ilyssa Spergel, and Carlton C. Gammons.
* This case was investigated and prosecuted in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force of the Middle District of Florida, which is one of 13 task forces in the country to receive grant funding from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Task Force is a collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement agents working together with public and private organizations to detect, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area. This includes trafficking of minors, forced labor, transnational sex trafficking, and sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud, or coercion. More information about the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/humantrafficking. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
U.S. Department of Justice’s Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Rick L. Volk will lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA Volk has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of North Dakota and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl said, "Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process."
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights
Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl stated that: "We all must ensure that those who are entitled to vote can exercise that right if they choose, and that those who seek to interfere with that right are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Volk will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 701-530-2420.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI Field Office can be reached by the public in North Dakota at 701-223-4875 or the FBI Field Office in Minneapolis, MN, at 763-569-8000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI to Monitor Election Day ComplaintsRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – United States Attorney Mark H. Wildasin announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Robert Levine and Steve Jordan will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSAs Levine and Jordan have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Middle District of Tennessee, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Wildasin said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs Levine and Jordan will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. They can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 615-401-6660.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 615-232-7500.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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U.S. Attorney Graves Announces Appointment of Election Day OfficersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves today announced the appointment of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Joshua S. Rothstein to lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 8, 2022, general election.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aloi and Rothstein, of the Office’s Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section, will be responsible for overseeing the Office's handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.
In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aloi and Rothstein will be on duty in the U.S. Attorney's Office while the polls are open. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aloi can be reached by the public at 202-252-7212. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rothstein can be reached by the public at 202-252-7164.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. In the District of Columbia, the FBI’s Washington Field Office can be reached at 202-278-2000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
Two Orlando Women Convicted of Preparing Fraudulent Tax Returns for Three YearsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Erotida Natasha Harden Ortiz guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and six counts of aiding in fraudulent and false statements related to IRS returns. The jury also found Aida Cortes guilty of one count conspiracy to defraud the United States. Ortiz and Cortes were originally indicted on April 13, 2022. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for January 2023.
According to evidence admitted during trial, Ortiz owned Certified Taxes, LLC, and Cortes was her office manager. From 2016 through 2018, Ortiz and Cortes orchestrated a scheme to file taxes for unsuspecting taxpayers by filling out fraudulent Schedule C forms, which showed a business loss and enabled the taxpayers to obtain the Earned Income Tax credit. By obtaining the Earned Income Tax credit the taxpayers were able to receive refunds to which the taxpayers were not entitled. As a result, the taxpayers continued to come back to Certified Taxes every year. The evidence revealed that Certified Taxes did not provide the tax returns to the taxpayers to review or go over the tax return with the taxpayers prior to filing them with the IRS.
During the conspiracy, Certified Taxes filed more than 3,600 tax returns with the IRS, with only 1 tax return resulting in a taxpayer owing money to the IRS. For each tax return Certified Taxes charged the taxpayer approximately $400, which resulted in Certified Taxes receiving more than $1 million in tax preparation fees.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.
Two Chinese Intelligence Officers Charged with Obstruction of Justice in Scheme to Bribe U.S. Government Employee and Steal Documents Related to the Federal Prosecution of a PRC-Based CompanyRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging two People’s Republic of China (PRC) intelligence officers with attempting to obstruct a criminal prosecution in the Eastern District of New York. The defendants remain at large.
According to court documents, Guochun He, also known as “Dong He” and “Jacky He,” and Zheng Wang, also known as “Zen Wang,” allegedly orchestrated a scheme to steal files and other information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to the ongoing federal criminal investigation and prosecution of a global telecommunications company (Company-1) based in the PRC, including by paying approximately $61,000 in Bitcoin bribes to a U.S. government employee who the defendants believed had been recruited to work for the PRC, but who in fact was a double agent working on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and Christopher Wray, Director, FBI, announced the charges.
“Today’s complaint underscores the unrelenting efforts of the PRC government to undermine the rule of law,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “As alleged, the case involves an effort by PRC intelligence officers to obstruct an ongoing criminal prosecution by making bribes to obtain files from this Office and sharing them with a global telecommunications company that is a charged defendant in an ongoing prosecution. We will always act decisively to counteract criminal acts that target our system of justice.”
“Far more than an effort to collect information or intelligence, the actions of the PRC intelligence officers charged in this case must be called out for what they are: an extraordinary intervention by agents of a foreign government to interfere with the integrity of the U.S. criminal justice system, compromise a U.S. government employee, and obstruct the enforcement of U.S. law to benefit a PRC-based commercial enterprise,” stated Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen. “The Department of Justice will not abide nation-state actors meddling in U.S. criminal process and investigations, and will not tolerate foreign interference with the fair administration of justice.”
“The mission of the FBI is to protect both the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States—and this case represents a threat to both,” stated FBI Director Wray. “By attempting to steal documents from the Eastern District of New York, intelligence officers from the People’s Republic of China threatened not just the proceedings of our criminal justice system but the very idea of justice itself. A threat to justice is a threat to the foundation of our free society, and the FBI remains constantly vigilant and committed to protecting the U.S. from these threats.”
Guochun He and Zheng Wang are charged with attempting to obstruct a criminal prosecution of Company-1 in federal district court in the Eastern District of New York. Defendant He also is charged with two counts of money laundering based upon bribe payments totaling approximately $61,000 in Bitcoin, made in furtherance of the scheme.
According to the complaint, the defendants are PRC intelligence officers conducting foreign intelligence operations targeting the United States, on behalf of the PRC government and for the benefit of Company-1. Starting in 2019, they directed an employee at a U.S. government law enforcement agency (GE-1), whom they believed they had recruited as an asset, to steal confidential information about the criminal prosecution of Company-1 in order to interfere with that prosecution. In actuality, GE-1 was working as a double agent on behalf of the FBI.
In September 2021, the defendants tasked GE-1 with reporting about meetings that GE-1 was purportedly having with prosecutors in Brooklyn at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. In written communications, the defendants said they were particularly interested in knowing which Company-1 employees had been interviewed by the government and in obtaining a description of the prosecutors’ evidence, witness list, and trial strategy.
In October 2021, GE-1 used an encrypted messaging program to send the defendants a single page from a purported internal strategy memorandum from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York regarding the Company-1 case. The document appeared to be classified as “SECRET” and to discuss a plan to charge and arrest two current Company-1 employees living in the PRC.[1] Guochun He responded that the document was “exactly what I am waiting for” and that he was “waiting for the feedback from some guys” about whether there were any questions about the document. Guochun He then paid GE-1 approximately $41,000 in Bitcoin for stealing that document.
GE-1 also asked the defendants for any feedback about the “SECRET” document. In November 2021, Guochun He stated that “[Company-1] didn’t give me specifically feedback now yet, but they are obviously interested in it, and my boss and they need further information.” Guochun He further told GE-1 that “[Company-1] obviously will be interested” in GE-1 stealing another part of the strategy memorandum, and “maybe will offer more” for that information. In December 2021, in response to a further request by GE-1 for feedback or guidance from Company-1 about “what they want me to get,” Guochun He explained that “they didn’t give me any positive feedback yet, and demanded to communicate with you directly.” Guochun He said that he refused Company-1’s request to speak directly to GE-1 because “it’s too dangerous.”
More recently, in late September 2022, Guochun He told GE-1 that he intended to provide GE-1 with additional payment in Bitcoin for the information GE-1 had provided, because Guochun He’s “organization already decided to give a good reward to you.” Guochun He subsequently, in October 2022, paid GE-1 approximately $20,000 in Bitcoin.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Guochun He faces up to 60 years of imprisonment and Wang faces up to 20 years of imprisonment.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon and Meredith A. Arfa and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
Guochun HE, also known as “DONG HE” or “JACKY HE”
Age: 45
PEOPLE’s REPUBLIC OF CHINAE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-MJ-1137
ZHENG WANG, also known as “ZEN WANG”
Age: 37
PEOPLE’s REPUBLIC OF CHINAE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-MJ-1137
[1] The documents described in the complaint were prepared by the government for purposes of the investigation and were neither taken from any actual document related to the prosecution of Company-1 nor classified as “SECRET.” Furthermore, the information in the complaint that was provided by GE-1 to the defendants did not accurately recount actual meetings, communications, or other strategy related to the Company-1 prosecution.
Two Arrested and 13 Charged in Three Separate Cases for Alleged Participation in Malign Schemes in the United States on Behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of ChinaRead the Press Release
In three separate cases in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of New York and the District of New Jersey, the Justice Department has charged 13 individuals, including members of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) security and intelligence apparatus and their agents, for alleged efforts to unlawfully exert influence in the United States for the benefit of the government of the PRC.
In the Eastern District of New York, an eight-count indictment was unsealed on Oct. 20 charging seven PRC nationals – two of whom were arrested on Oct. 20 in New York – with participating in a scheme to cause the forced repatriation of a PRC national residing in the United States. The defendants are accused of conducting surveillance of and engaging in a campaign to harass and coerce a U.S. resident to return to the PRC as part of an international extralegal repatriation effort known as “Operation Fox Hunt.”
A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging two People’s PRC intelligence officers with attempting to obstruct a criminal prosecution in the Eastern District of New York. The defendants remain at large.
In the District of New Jersey, an indictment was unsealed today charging four Chinese nationals, including three Ministry of State Security (MSS) intelligence officers, in connection with a long-running intelligence campaign targeting individuals in the United States to act as agents of the PRC.
“As these cases demonstrate, the government of China sought to interfere with the rights and freedoms of individuals in the United States and to undermine our judicial system that protects those rights. They did not succeed,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by any foreign power to undermine the Rule of Law upon which our democracy is based. We will continue to fiercely protect the rights guaranteed to everyone in our country. And we will defend the integrity of our institutions.”
“The actions announced today take place against a backdrop of malign activity from the government of the People’s Republic of China that includes espionage, attempts to disrupt our justice system, harassment of individuals, and ongoing efforts to steal sensitive U.S. technology,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The men and women of the Department of Justice will continue to defend the United States, our institutions, and our people from foreign threats that violate the law — no matter what form they take.”
“These indictments of PRC intelligence officers and government officials – for trying to obstruct a U.S. trial of a Chinese company, masquerading as university professors to steal sensitive information, and trying to strong-arm a victim into returning to China – again expose the PRC’s outrageous behavior within our own borders,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI, working with our partners and allies, will continue to throw the full weight of our counterintelligence and law enforcement authorities into stopping the Chinese government’s crimes against our businesses, universities, and Chinese-American communities.”
“These cases highlight the threat the PRC government poses to our institutions and the rights of people in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will not tolerate these brazen operations: the harassment and attempted repatriation by force of individuals living in the U.S.; the effort to corrupt our judicial system; and the attempt to recruit agents for the PRC under the cover of a front academic organization. Countering such threats is a cornerstone of the mission of the National Security Division.”
United States v. Quanzhong An, et al., Eastern District of New York
An eight-count indictment was unsealed on Oct. 20 in Brooklyn charging a total of seven nationals of the PRC – Quanzhong An, 55, of Roslyn, New York; Guangyang An, 34, of Roslyn, New York; Tian Peng, 38, of the PRC; Chenghua Chen of the PRC; Chunde Ming of the PRC; Xuexin Hou, 52, of the PRC; and Weidong Yuan, 55, of the PRC – with participating in a scheme to cause the forced repatriation of a PRC national residing in the United States. The lead defendant, Quanzhong An, allegedly acted at the direction and under the control of various officials with the PRC’s government’s Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection (Provincial Commission) – including Peng, Chen, Ming, and Hou – to conduct surveillance of and engage in a campaign to harass and coerce a U.S. resident to return to the PRC as part of an international extralegal repatriation effort known as “Operation Fox Hunt.”
Quanzhong An and Guangyang An were arrested on Thursday and were arraigned that afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ramon E. Reyes Jr. The remaining defendants remain at large.
“As alleged, the defendants engaged in a unilateral and uncoordinated law enforcement action on U.S. soil on behalf of the government of the People’s Republic of China, in an effort to cause the forced repatriation of a U.S. resident to China,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “The United States will firmly counter such outrageous violations of national sovereignty and prosecute individuals who act as illegal agents of foreign states.”
As alleged in the indictment, the defendants participated in an international campaign to threaten and intimidate John Doe-1, a resident of United States, and his family to force John Doe-1 to return to the PRC. These efforts were part of “Operation Fox Hunt,” an initiative by the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security to locate and repatriate alleged fugitives who flee to foreign countries, including the United States. The PRC government has targeted these alleged fugitives and their families to compel cooperation with the PRC government and self-repatriation to the PRC. The PRC government has taken such law enforcement actions on U.S. soil in a unilateral manner without approval, of or coordination with the U.S. government.
Quanzhong An, who is a businessman operating in Queens, New York, and the majority shareholder of a hotel in Flushing, acted as the primary U.S.-based liaison for the Provincial Commission’s targeting of John Doe-1 and his family members, including his son, John Doe-2, both in the United States and in the PRC. As part of the scheme, various PRC-based conspirators forced a relative in the PRC (John Doe-3) to travel from the PRC to the United States in September 2018 to meet with John Doe-2 and convey threats that were intended to coerce John Doe-1’s return to the PRC. Yuan – John Doe-3’s superior at the PRC’s State Administration of Taxation – escorted John Doe-3 from the PRC to the United States, under the guise of a visit with a tour group.
PRC-based defendants and coconspirators also engaged in a pattern of harassment targeting John Doe-1’s family members. In November 2017, Hou wrote John Doe-2 warning him that “coming back and turning yourself in is the only way out.” Hou further threatened that “avoidance and wishful thinking will only result in severe legal punishments.” The PRC government also harassed John Doe-1 and John Doe-2 through the filing of a lawsuit in New York State court, alleging that John Doe-1 had stolen funds from his former PRC based employer and that John Doe-2 had knowledge of and benefitted from his father’s scheme.
In a series of recorded meetings in 2020, 2021, and 2022, Quanzhong An repeatedly met with John Doe-2 and attempted to persuade John Doe-2 to cause the return of John Doe-1 to the PRC. In these meetings, Quanzhong An acknowledged that he is a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which enforces the rules and regulations of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) abroad. At various times, he attributed his instructions to Chen, Ming, and Peng and acknowledged that the Fox Hunt operation was motivated by the PRC government’s need to “save their faces” and repatriate as many fugitives as possible.
Quanzhong An admitted that he was acting as an agent of the Provincial Commission to increase his standing in the PRC. During his meetings with John Doe-2, Quanzhong An repeatedly transmitted threats on behalf of the PRC government. If John Doe-1 did not return, the PRC government would “keep pestering you, [and] make your daily life uncomfortable,” in addition to actions to “target and monitor” John Doe-1’s relatives in the PRC. On another occasion, he stated that “they will definitely find new ways to bother you” and “it is definitely true that all of your relatives will be involved.”
As set forth in the detention memorandum, Quanzhong An met with John Doe-2 again on Sept. 29, 2022. During this meeting, Quanzhong An pressed for John Doe-1 to execute an agreement to return to the PRC in advance of the CCP’s 20th National Congress, which began on Oct. 16, 2022. As part of such agreement, Quanzhong An sought a written confession from John Doe-1, which would be submitted directly to the PRC government.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of acting as agents of the PRC, Quanzhong An faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The money laundering conspiracy charge against Quanzhong An and Guangyang An carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The remaining charges, including conspiring to act as agents of the PRC and conspiring to commit interstate and international stalking, carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon, Sara K. Winik, and Antoinette N. Rangel and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Morris of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters.
United States v. Dong He, et al., Eastern District of New York
A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging two People’s Republic of China (PRC) intelligence officers with attempting to obstruct a criminal prosecution in the Eastern District of New York. The defendants remain at large.
According to court documents, Dong He, aka Guochun He and aka Jacky He, and Zheng Wang, aka Zen Wang, allegedly orchestrated a scheme to steal files and other information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to the ongoing federal criminal investigation and prosecution of a global telecommunications company (Company-1) based in the PRC, including by paying a $41,000 Bitcoin bribe to a U.S. government employee who the defendants believed had been recruited to work for the PRC, but who in fact was a double agent working on behalf of the FBI.
“Today’s complaint underscores the unrelenting efforts of the PRC government to undermine the rule of law,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “As alleged, the case involves an effort by PRC intelligence officers to obstruct an ongoing criminal prosecution by making bribes to obtain files from this Office and sharing them with a global telecommunications company that is a charged defendant in an ongoing prosecution. We will always act decisively to counteract criminal acts that target our system of justice.”
Dong He and Zheng Wang are charged with attempting to obstruct a criminal prosecution of Company-1 in federal district court in the Eastern District of New York. Defendant He also is charged with money laundering based upon a bribe payment of $41,000 in Bitcoin made in furtherance of the scheme.
According to the complaint, the defendants are PRC intelligence officers conducting foreign intelligence operations targeting the United States, on behalf of the PRC government and for the benefit of Company-1. Starting in 2019, they directed an employee at a U.S. government law enforcement agency (GE-1), whom they believed they had recruited as an asset, to steal confidential information about the criminal prosecution of Company-1 in order to interfere with that prosecution. In actuality, GE-1 was working as a double agent on behalf of the FBI.
In September 2021, the defendants tasked GE-1 with reporting about meetings that GE-1 was purportedly having with prosecutors in Brooklyn at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. In written communications, the defendants said they were particularly interested in knowing which Company-1 employees had been interviewed by the government and in obtaining a description of the prosecutors’ evidence, witness list and trial strategy.
In October 2021, GE-1 used an encrypted messaging program to send the defendants a single page from a purported internal strategy memorandum from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York regarding the Company-1 case. The document appeared to be classified as “SECRET” and to discuss a plan to charge and arrest two current Company-1 employees living in the PRC. Dong He responded that the document was “exactly what I am waiting for” and that he was “waiting for the feedback from some guys” about whether there were any questions about the document. Dong He then paid GE-1 approximately $41,000 in Bitcoin for stealing that document.
GE-1 also asked the defendants for any feedback about the “SECRET” document. In November 2021, Dong He stated that “[Company-1] didn’t give me specifically feedback now yet, but they are obviously interested in it, and my boss and they need further information.” Dong He further told GE-1 that “[Company-1] obviously will be interested” in GE-1 stealing another part of the strategy memorandum, and “maybe will offer more” for that information. In December 2021, in response to a further request by GE-1 for feedback or guidance from Company-1 about “what they want me to get,” Dong He explained that “they didn’t give me any positive feedback yet and demanded to communicate with you directly.” Dong He said that he refused Company-1’s request to speak directly to GE-1 because “it’s too dangerous.”
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Dong He faces up to 40 years of imprisonment and Wang faces up to 20 years of imprisonment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon and Meredith A. Arfa and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
United States v. Wang Lin et al., District of New Jersey
A federal indictment was unsealed today charging four Chinese nationals, including three Ministry of State Security (MSS) intelligence officers, in connection with a long-running intelligence campaign targeting individuals in the United States to act as agents of the PRC.
As alleged in the indictment, from at least 2008 to 2018, Wang Lin, 59; Bi Hongwei, age unknown; Dong Ting, aka Chelsea Dong, 40; Wang Qiang, 55, and others engaged in a wide-ranging and systematic effort to target and recruit individuals to act on behalf of the PRC in the United States with requests to provide information, materials, equipment, and assistance to the Chinese government in ways that would further China’s intelligence objectives. These recruitment efforts included targeting professors at universities, a former federal law enforcement and state homeland security official, and others to act on behalf of, and as agents of, the Chinese government.
As part of the conspiracy, MSS intelligence officers Wang Lin, Dong Ting, and others used a purported academic institute at Ocean University of China – referred to as the Institute for International Studies (IIS) – as cover for their clandestine intelligence activities. Acting under cover as the purported director of the IIS, Wang Lin, in coordination with other MSS operatives operating under the guise of academics at the IIS, targeted professors at American universities and others in the United States with access to sensitive information and equipment.
According to the indictment unsealed today, MSS intelligence officers Wang Lin, Bi, Dong, and others, acting for and on behalf of the MSS and the Chinese government, systematically targeted United States persons, including but not limited to a coconspirator who was a resident of the state of New Jersey and a second individual who was a former federal law enforcement officer and state homeland security official and a professor at an American university.
Among other things, the conspiracy targeted the second individual by inviting the individual in 2008 and 2018 on all-expenses-paid trips to China sponsored by the IIS. During those trips, Wang Lin, Dong, and others sought to recruit this individual as a human source, requesting that the individual provide sensitive fingerprint technology, information, and assistance with stopping planned protests along the 2008 Olympic Games torch route in the United States, which the conspirators expressed would be “embarrassing” to China. The individual also was requested to sign a contract for purported consulting services with a Chinese company whose “core value” was the “national interest and national security” of China, with an objective to “protect the national interest and Chinese enterprises’ overseas interest[s]” and to “build sources and channels to collect security information.” Recognizing Wang Lin, Dong, and others as Chinese intelligence officers, the individual refused these requests and reported them to law enforcement.
The conspiracy also targeted the coconspirator in New Jersey by tasking the coconspirator to take specific action in the United States in furtherance of the MSS’ intelligence objective. Wang Qiang coordinated a meeting in 2016 between the coconspirator, Wang Lin, and Bi Hongwei in the Bahamas, at which time MSS intelligence officers Wang Lin and Bi directed the coconspirator to obtain U.S. currency and provide it to a designated individual in New Jersey. The coconspirator returned to New Jersey and did as Wang Lin and BI instructed. Wang Qiang then visited the coconspirator in New Jersey, at which time Wang Qiang and the coconspirator discussed in detail their and others’ activities taken on behalf of the Chinese government in the United States.
Lin, Bi, Dong and Qiang, all are nationals and residents of the People’s Republic of China. They each are charged in the indictment with conspiracy to act in the United States as agents of a foreign government, namely, the People’s Republic of China, without prior notification to the Attorney General of the United States, as required by law, and to direct such unlawful action by others in the United States. The conspiracy charge carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Brendan Day, Attorney in Charge of the Trenton Branch Office, and Joyce M. Malliet, Chief of the Office’s National Security Unit.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Twin Falls Man Sentenced for Threatening to Kill a ProsecutorRead the Press Release
BOISE - Nathanael Michael West, 25, of Twin Falls, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 84 months in federal prison for three counts of mailing threatening communications, U.S. Attorney Joshua D. Hurwit announced today.
In imposing his sentence, U.S. Chief District Judge David C. Nye recognized that while West did not carry out his threats, the harm he caused was “very real.” Chief Judge Nye also ordered West serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. West pleaded guilty to the charge on July 26, 2022.
According to court records, West admitted that on three dates between July and August 2021, he knowingly sent threatening letters through the United States Postal Service to three prosecutors in the state of Idaho. Two of the prosecutors had previously prosecuted West. In profane and graphic terms, West wrote that he would torture and murder the prosecutors.
After the prosecutors received the various letters, law enforcement officers interviewed West. After law enforcement advised him of his Miranda rights, West admitted to sending the letters. West sent the letter from the Idaho Department of Correction, where he is currently housed for other criminal acts. The 84-month sentence imposed for mailing threatening communications will begin after he has served his existing state sentence and a prior sentence for similar conduct.
“Threats against public officials, including law enforcement agents and prosecutors, is a growing problem, and it is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “It is our privilege to seek justice for the victims in this case who, through their work, do so much to protect our communities throughout Idaho.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho is committed to prosecuting cases involving threats to public servants. In August 2022, Erik Ehrlin, 33, of Greenleaf, Idaho was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm and assaulting a federal officer.
According to court records, Ehrlin was investigated for vandalism on U.S. Government Property in the Mann Creak Area starting in March 2021 by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The vandalism included markings of “SAI,” which refers to the Sovereign Alliance of Idaho. The vandalism also included threats to federal employees. During a later encounter with law enforcement, Ehrlin struck the USFS agent with his pickup truck as he attempted to flee. In Ehrlin’s campsite, law enforcement officers located a semi-automatic rifle. In Ehrlin’s truck, law enforcement located body armor, eight loaded high-capacity magazines, a 9mm handgun with four additional loaded magazines, handcuffs, a red and blue siren, and a “POLICE” patch. On Ehrlin’s person, law enforcement located a Boise Police badge. Ehrlin is not a police officer. Investigators found ammunition in Ehrlin’s possession that contained writing on it, stating “DIE McLean,” “FUCK FEDS,” and “FUK BLM.” Ehrlin was previously convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree in Oregon and cannot lawfully possess firearms.
Additional recent cases involving threats to public servants prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys office for the District of Idaho:
Middleton Man Sentenced for Threatening an FBI Agent
Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Violation
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Three Men Convicted of $1 Million ‘Upfront-Fee’ SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two men from New Jersey and another from Nevada were convicted by a federal jury for their roles in defrauding multiple victims out of money through a $1 million “upfront-fee” scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Following a five-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court, Jerrid Douglas, 49, of Freehold, New Jersey, Harold Mignott, 60, of Voorhees, New Jersey, and Roy Johannes Gillar, 50, of Las Vegas, were each convicted on Oct. 21, 2022, of wire fraud conspiracy and four counts of wire fraud. Gillar and Douglas were also each convicted of one count of transacting in criminal proceeds.
According to documents in this case and evidence at trial:
From March 2016 through June 2016, Douglas, Gillar, and Mignott, along with a fourth conspirator, agreed to defraud the owners of the victim company of approximately $1 million. The defendants fraudulently induced the two victim company owners to enter a joint venture agreement with the defendants’ New Jersey-based shell company. The defendants falsely represented that their company could acquire and provide a “standby letter of credit” (SBLC) backed by either €1 billion in cash or highly lucrative Mexican gold bonds. An SBLC is a guarantee of payment issued by a bank on behalf of a client that is used should the client fail to fulfill a contractual commitment with a third party.
The victim company wanted access to the standby letter of credit so it could purchase raw gold overseas and sell it to gold refineries. As part of the joint venture agreement, the company agreed to pay the defendants $1 million for the bank fee associated with the standby letter of credit.
In order to cover up the scheme and convince the victims to approve the transfer of the funds, the defendants made numerous verbal and written misrepresentations, including providing the victims with a phony letter from a major international bank saying that it was ready, willing, and able to provide a €1 billion SBLC to the defendants’ shell company.
However, after the victim company owners transmitted $800,000 of the $1 million to the defendants, the defendants failed to provide an SBLC or anything of value. Instead, the defendants misappropriated the money for their personal use.
The wire fraud conspiracy charge and the wire fraud charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The transacting in criminal proceeds charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason S. Gould and Joshua L. Haber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Three Indicted, Arraigned in Alleged Conspiracies to Defraud Land Rover DealershipsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Three Rhode Island men were arraigned on Friday in federal court in Providence, charged by way of indictment for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to use stolen identities to defraud Land Rover dealerships in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
It is alleged that on April 25, 2022, Dennis Odoom, 24, of Pawtucket, took custody of a Land Rover from a Rhode Island dealer. That purchase was financed for more than $120,559 with the use of a stolen identity. It is further alleged that, on May 10, 2022, Roy Sweets, 25, of Providence, allegedly took custody of a Land Rover from a New Hampshire dealership, financed for $111,183, again with the use of a stolen identity. It is further alleged that, two days after the delivery in New Hampshire, a person, posing as the “brother” of the New Hampshire buyer, attempted to take possession of another vehicle after a dealer financing application had been submitted online and approved. That delivery was halted when a dealership employee determined that the driver’s license presented by the buyer may have been altered. Adalberto Mauricio Romero, 25, of Providence, was arrested by Bedford, NH, Police when he appeared at the dealership to take possession of the vehicle.
During their appearance in court on Friday, Odoom, Sweets, and Romero pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The three men, previously charged by way of federal criminal complaints, were released on unsecured bond. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William J. Ferland and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matter was investigated by Warwick, RI, and Bedford, NH, Police Departments, Homeland Security Investigations, and Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
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Texas man admits to role in drug distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Allen, of Rosenberg, Texas, has admitted to his role in methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin distribution operation, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Allen, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.” Allen admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, and fentanyl from the Spring of 2018 until October 2020.
Allen faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners: the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-spanned-several-states
Texas Mexican Mafia General Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced last week to 25 years in prison for his role in distributing methamphetamine and heroin in the San Antonio area.
According to court documents, Donald Trevino, aka Fluffy, D, Uno, and Gordo, 34, was the “free world” General of the Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM). The TMM is a prison and street gang that engages in significant illegal activities, including narcotics trafficking and extortion. In October 2020, Trevino and 11 other codefendants were arrested on charges in connection with a methamphetamine/heroin/cocaine trafficking operation in the San Antonio area. During the investigation, authorities seized dozens of kilograms of methamphetamine and numerous firearms.
On March 30, 2022, Trevino pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
In addition to his prison sentence, Trevino was ordered to forfeit more than $10,000. Trevino has remained in federal custody since his arrest on October 2, 2020.
“This investigation demonstrates our office's commitment to dismantling criminal organizations in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “This defendant was responsible for the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in San Antonio. We are thankful for the outstanding collaboration of our federal, state and local partners who helped bring him to justice.”
“Violence and drugs go hand and hand, which ruins communities and lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Houston Division. “Together and through our combined efforts with our local partners, we will continue putting violent criminals who bring drugs and unrest to our communities behind bars.”
“I am proud of the work done by the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and our law enforcement partners in arresting this offender,” said SAPD Chief William McManus. “SAPD remains committed to the safety of our residents and we will continue to ensure that dangerous individuals involved in criminal activity are off our streets.”
“Texas families deserve to live in peace in their communities, safe from the threats posed by violent street gangs,” said FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. “This sentence is welcome news and sends a strong message to violent criminal enterprises that the FBI and its law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue these offenders and bring them to justice.”
The DEA, SAPD and FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Yuen is prosecuting the case.
This indictment resulted from an Texas Anti-Gang Center (TAG) investigation conducted by San Antonio TAG member agencies including the DEA, FBI, San Antonio Police Department’s Gang Unit, Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Anonymous tips involving gang crime and wanted fugitives can be submitted at www.stopsanantoniogangs.org.
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Tampa Couple Sentenced in Multimillion Dollar Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Virginia Garcia Moreta (35, Tampa) and Hector Rodriguez Mendez (47, Tampa) to 70 and 63 months in federal prison, respectively, for conspiring to commit money laundering. As part of their sentences, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $21,567,939, which represented the proceeds of the conspiracy. The couple had pleaded guilty on June 10, 2022.
According to court documents, Garcia Moreta and Rodriguez Mendez led a Tampa-based money laundering organization responsible for laundering more than $20 million in drug proceeds in over 400 transactions. During the conspiracy, the couple received substantial amounts of drug proceeds, then gave bundles of cash with purchase instructions to people whom Rodriguez Mendez had recruited in order to purchase cashier’s checks. These checks often listed as the remitter either a co-conspirator or a business registered in the co-conspirator’s name. The co-conspirators then often traveled to several banks in the same day in order to avoid suspicion. These cashier’s checks were then given to other businesses and individuals involved in the conspiracy.
On June 18, 2019, troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol stopped Garcia Moreta while she was in possession of a bag containing cashier’s checks and receipts for cashier’s checks totaling more than $1 million.
In total, investigators identified $21,567,939 that was laundered in furtherance of the conspiracy. The defendants’ share of the proceeds for their role in the scheme was approximately three percent.
“The main motivation of these drug trafficking organizations is profit at the expense of the safety and health of our citizens. The actions of these individuals assisted the drug traffickers bringing this poison into our communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This successful collaboration between the DEA Miami Field Division and our federal partners highlights the importance of financial investigations in the fight against narcotics trafficking in Florida.”
“The dirty cash from drug trafficking cannot legally be introduced into the commerce stream, so traffickers rely on money launderers to “clean it”,” said Brian Payne, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge. “Those who launder drug proceeds are just as vile and culpable as the traffickers themselves, which is why today’s sentences properly hold the defendants responsible for their actions.”
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Highway Patrol. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Baez. The forfeiture was handled by U.S. Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.
Tampa Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Raequan M. Nelson (23, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Nelson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2022. Nelson had been indicted on May 25, 2022.
According to court documents, on February 13, 2022, Nelson was arrested on two active Hillsborough County warrants. At the time of the arrest, Nelson had previous felony convictions for robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. During the arrest, officers recovered a Glock 9mm pistol and various ammunition from Nelson. As a previously convicted felon, Nelson is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne C. Nebesky.
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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.