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2 December 2022
Lapwai Man Convicted by Jury and Sentenced to Federal Prison for Hammer AttackRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – Qaya Mikel Gordon, 20, of Lapwai, Idaho was sentenced to six years in federal prison for assault with a dangerous weapon, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
After a two-and-a-half-day trial in June 2022, a federal jury found Gordon guilty of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. According to trial testimony and court records, on November 1, 2021, Gordon went into a building where his mother and her then boyfriend were staying and repeatedly struck them both with a hammer. He also hit a six-month-old puppy in the attack. All injured parties required treatment by medical personnel.
After Gordon completes his prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release wherein he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office. In addition to the prison sentence, Gordon was ordered to pay $11,782.08 in restitution.
The motive for the attack was unclear. At sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye commented that it was a heinous crime and the United States’ requested sentence of six years was appropriate.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit, of the District of Idaho, commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Nez Perce Tribal Police, which led to charges.
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Lake Helen Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling Firearms Without A LicenseRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron today sentenced Charles Edward Palmatier (74, Lake Helen) to one year and one day in federal prison for dealing in firearms without a license. Palmatier had pleaded guilty on September 7, 2022.
According to court documents, On July 28, 2021, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) met with Palmatier and explained that if he wanted to continue to sell firearms he would have to apply for a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Despite that meeting, Palmatier continued to sell firearms at the Volusia Flea Marked in Deland, Florida. The ATF, along with the Volusia Bureau of Investigation (VBI), began investigating Palmatier and conducted multiple controlled purchases from Palmatier at the Volusia Flea Market from February 2, 2022, through June 8, 2022. At least two of the firearms purchased from Palmatier were subsequently linked to usage in two separate crimes. Palmatier admitted that he would profit $50 to $75 per firearm that he sold.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Volusia Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez.
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.
Kentwood Resident Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison for Role in Stealing Identities as Part of Nationwide Prostitution Scheme that Involved Drugging and Incapacitating VictimsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DOMINIQUE ALAINA BERRY, age 33, a resident of Kentwood, Louisiana, was sentenced on December 1, 2022 to 45 months in prison, the top of the range recommended by the United States Sentencing Guidelines, by United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon after previously pleading guilty to a two-count bill of information that charged her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, and interstate transportation and use of an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 1343, 1344, and 1952(a)(3) (Count 1), and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A (Count 2). Judge Fallon also sentenced Berry to a three-year term of supervised release after her imprisonment and ordered Berry to pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee. He also scheduled a restitution hearing for April 13, 2023 at 2:00 pm.
According to court documents, BERRY met Randy Jonal Schenck (Schenck) in about early 2013 and soon developed a romantic relationship. Thereafter, BERRY began working for an escort agency under Schenck's supervision, often engaging in prostitution activities. BERRY and Schenck travelled nationally engaging in their prostitution scheme, the proceeds of which Schenck required BERRY to give to him. Schenck and BERRY often advertised on location-specific bulletin boards, social applications, and classified advertisement websites. BERRY often used the alias “Desiree Knowles.” When BERRY did not perform her role efficiently or effectively or otherwise failed to comply with Schenck’s direction, Schenck would threaten, slap, strike, beat, and choke BERRY.
Thereafter, BERRY and Schenck’s enterprise evolved into one that involved meeting individuals online who were interested in companionship, arranging face-to-face interactions with them, and incapacitating them by giving them illegal drugs and prescription medication with neuro-suppressive side effects, including anti-psychotic medications, which the victims unknowingly ingested. BERRY and Schenck would then steal the victims’ valuables.
Between at least November 2015 and September 2017, Schenck and BERRY implemented the scheme on not fewer than fifty (50) occasions throughout the United States, including in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. Court documents detail incidents involving nine of the victims. BERRY and Schenck were arrested at a hotel in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on September 13, 2017. When law enforcement authorities found BERRY at the hotel, she was bleeding from her nose, had a swollen lip and puncture consistent with her teeth biting through her lip, and black electrical tape around one of her arms.
Among the victims was S.A., a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, whom BERRY met through a social media application on about February 24, 2017. After exchanging text messages and phone calls, BERRY and S.A. agreed to meet at S.A.’s apartment. Thereafter, Schenck dropped BERRY off at S.A.’s apartment. While at S.A.’s apartment, BERRY placed drugs designed to incapacitate S.A., including multiple anti-psychotic medications, into S.A.’s beverages without his knowledge or authorization. After S.A. lost consciousness, BERRY told R.S. that S.A. was incapacitated. Thereafter, S.A.’s valuables, including his wallet, two cellular phones, his keys, and his 2012 Toyota Tacoma truck were stolen by R.S. and one or more co-conspirators. On February 25, 2017, Schenck and BERRY used S.A.’s debit card to make multiple purchases in the New Orleans area. Additionally, on February 25, 2017, detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a wellness check at S.A.’s residence and found him to be deceased.
Schenck was charged separately by a federal grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of Louisiana in February 2020 in a twelve-count indictment. On May 10, 2022, Schenck pleaded guilty to two of the counts, charging him with interstate transportation and use of an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1952(a)(3) (Count 1), and wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 2 (Count 7). Schenck was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison on October 6, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter and the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s, EDLA Victim Witness staff members Brandi Calagna, Melissa Meunier and Brad Bordelon. U.S. Attorney Evans also expressed appreciation for the support provided by numerous law enforcement agencies and private entities involved in the investigation, including the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Tucson (Arizona) Police Department, the Salt River (Arizona) Police Department, the Cobb County (Georgia) Police Department, the Sandy Springs (Georgia) Police Department, the Sacramento (California) Police Department, and Talking Stick Casino (Arizona). Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit, and Melissa Bücher were in charge of the prosecution.
Kansas Man Sentenced in Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Westleigh Miesner, 29, of Kansas, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Miesner to 66 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On May 14, 2019, a confidential informant (CI) arranged to purchase one ounce of methamphetamine from co-defendant, Shanda Daniels. The CI traveled to the house Daniels was living in at this time in Trenton, Nebraska. The CI entered the house and contacted Daniels and an unknown male. This unknown male was later identified by the CI as Westleigh Miesner from a photo lineup. Miesner weighed out the methamphetamine. The lab results showed 13 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Shanda Daniels has pled guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on February 2, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Jury Finds Penn Hills Man Guilty of Supplying Fentanyl to Hustlas Don’t Sleep GangRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – After deliberating for three hours, a federal jury of five men and seven women found Jamal Knox guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Forty Grams or More of Fentanyl, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Jamal Knox, age 28, formerly of Tyler Road, Verona, Pennsylvania, was tried before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at the four-day trial established that Knox was part of a large-scale drug trafficking operation who referred to themselves as Hustlas Don’t Sleep. Knox was a supplier of fentanyl to the drug trafficking organization as revealed through court-authorized intercepted communications, evidence gathered through search warrants, and through witness testimony.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for March 28, 2023. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Monroeville Police Department, and the Penn Hills Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jamal Knox.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Jury Convicts Reno Woman of Straw Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
RENO – A jury convicted a Reno woman on Thursday for making false statements in order to buy firearms for her son who is a convicted felon. As a matter of law, convicted felons are prohibited from buying and possessing firearms. The evidence at trial showed that the woman bought seven firearms for her son.
Gail Manney (48) was found guilty of illegal acquisition of firearms. U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2023. The maximum statutory penalty for the illegal acquisition of a firearm is ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on April 21, 2021, Manney illegally purchased seven firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee in Reno for her son. At the time of purchase, Manney completed a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form representing that she was the actual buyer of the firearms when in fact she was buying the firearms for her son who is a convicted felon,
U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the ATF made the announcement.
The ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and Andrew Keenan are prosecuting the case.
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Jamaal Parker Sentenced to 290 Months' Imprisonment on Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On December 2, 2022, Jamaal Parker, also known as “MoneyMaal,” 38, of Chattanooga, was sentenced to 290 months in prison by the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, Chief United States District Judge, in the United States District Court at Chattanooga. Parker was ordered to forfeit $21,289.04 in drug proceeds to the United States. Following his imprisonment, Parker will be on supervised release for a period of five years.
On June 8, 2022, following a two-day jury trial, Parker was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), maintaining and using a drug premise, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §846 and 856, and Title 18 U.S.C. §924(c).
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, Parker and others trafficked kilogram quantities of cocaine from a source of supply in Atlanta, Georgia, and distributed cocaine and cocaine base from a residence on Hoyt Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The investigation culminated with the March 2019 arrest of Parker, in which he led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit and was ultimately found in possession of 4 kilograms of cocaine and a loaded firearm.
“This investigation and prosecution were the result of a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target dangerous drug traffickers and stop the flow of illegal drugs into our communities.”
“This case shows that people like Mr. Parker and others like him, who undermine the health and safety of our communities by selling poison and preying on the weak, will eventually meet justice,” said Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Louisville Division. “I’m proud of the hard work done by my agents and our law enforcement counterparts on this case; Chattanooga is safer today because of their efforts.”
This case was the culmination 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.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Parker, included the DEA Chattanooga Resident Office, DEA Atlanta Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Chattanooga Field Office, Chattanooga Police Department, and Georgia State Patrol. Numerous agencies from the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force assisted in the investigation.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin T. Brown and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Winne represented the United States.
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Jacksonville Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Selling Machinegun-Conversion Device to Undercover AgentRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Darnell Donya Rice, Jr. (28, Jacksonville) to five years in federal prison for possession and transfer of a device designed for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun and making a false written statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the acquisition of a firearm. Rice had pleaded guilty on August 22, 2022.
According to court documents, on November 30, 2021, a confidential informant and an undercover special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) met with Rice outside of his home in Jacksonville. The confidential informant asked Rice if they could purchase two 9mm firearms that day. Rice declined, explaining that it was too late in the day, but asked if the pair knew anyone with a “Glock,” referring to a Glock semiautomatic pistol. Rice explained that he had a Glock “switch” for sale. A Glock “switch” or “auto-switch” is a device that, when properly installed on the rear slide portion of a Glock pistol, converts the pistol into a machinegun, allowing the weapon to automatically shoot more than one round of ammunition with a single pull of the trigger. The undercover agent proposed buying the switch that day and a Glock pistol the next day for a total sale price of $1,800. After Rice agreed, he retrieved a Glock switch from inside his home and provided it to the agent, who gave him $1,000.
The following day, the undercover ATF agent met again with Rice and paid him $800 in advance for the Glock pistol. Rice then went to a federally licensed gun store and purchased a Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol for $542.82. In connection with the transaction, Rice completed and signed a Firearms Transaction Record (also known as ATF-Form 4473). On that form, Rice falsely affirmed that he was the actual buyer of the pistol, never disclosing that, in truth, he was buying it for the undercover agent. Afterwards, Rice met with the agent and gave him the newly purchased Glock pistol.
On December 9, 2022, shortly before 2:00 p.m., several law enforcement agents and officers drove in multiple vehicles to Rice’s home to execute a search warrant. As they were arriving, Rice, who was in the front of his home, pointed a loaded pistol toward an approaching van that contained four federal agents. After subduing and arresting Rice, agents and officers search his home. Inside, they found a total of 23 additional firearms, including 17 semiautomatic pistols, 5 semiautomatic rifles, and a shotgun. One of the pistols had an obliterated serial number. One of the semiautomatic rifles was equipped with a bump stock-type device – a device designed to enable the rifle to shoot more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger, making it a machinegun. In addition to the 23 firearms (9 of which were loaded), the agents located more than 3,400 rounds of ammunition in the home.
Investigators have determined that beginning no later than 2018 until his arrest in 2021, Rice was engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a federal license, specifically, by frequently buying and selling firearms for profit. He used social media accounts to offer firearms and ammunition for sale and to communicate with customers. When interviewed by ATF agents, Rice stated that he had been buying and selling guns since he was 18 years old and estimated that he had bought and sold hundreds of guns, obtaining them from a variety of sources. Records from one gun store in Jacksonville show that Rice had purchased 77 firearms from that single location, paying a total of approximately $29,515. Those records show that Rice had made the bulk of his purchases with cash, at times purchased more than one firearm at a time (as many as four at a time), and often purchased the identical make and model of firearm multiple times.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.
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.
Inmate Charged with Possessing A Prohibited ObjectRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alex Ulloa, age 46, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute-Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information for unlawfully possessing a prohibited object.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that on September 9, 2022, Ulloa possessed a Samsung cellphone. Federal law makes the possession of cell phones by an inmate in prison illegal out of security concerns that arise from unmonitored calls.
The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Federal Bureau of Investigations. United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is one year of imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Nov. 29 was:
Damon Alexander Wahl, 46, of Clinton, on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wahl faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wahl was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and IRS investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-58.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Dec. 1 was:
Christian Aaron Monroy, 24, of Pryor, on charges of domestic assault by a habitual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Monroy faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Monroy was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-109.
Appearing on Nov. 29 was:
Jaren Michael Stennerson, 37, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment for a felony. If convicted of the most serious crime, Stennerson faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Stennerson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-139.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Nov. 28 was:
Kyle Lynn Brown, 48, of Browning, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brown faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-91.
Brittany Lynn Gervais, 25, of Browning, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor and sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gervais faces life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Gervais was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-93.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Indianapolis Woman Sentenced for Falsely Seeking COVID 19 Relief Loans for Non-Existent BusinessesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – D’Ericka Lee, 29, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to wire fraud and making and using a false document in an attempt to fraudulently obtain COVID‑19 related disaster loans.
According to court documents, Lee filed three separate loan applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) following the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic. In Lee’s three loan applications, she fraudulently represented to the Small Business Administration that she ran a retail clothing and apparel business, a daycare, and a medical services business, which each employed various individuals and generated revenue income.
Lee’s applications were fraudulent because the purported businesses had no employees or revenue, and, in fact, the businesses did not even exist. The business addresses Lee listed in her loan applications were personal residences incapable of housing a business.
“This defendant repeatedly lied to take advantage of disaster loan programs that were a vital lifeline to those actually entitled to them,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting these important federal programs from waste, fraud, and abuse. The conviction and sentence imposed today demonstrate that those who break the law to defraud the public will be held accountable.”
“This sentence illustrates the FBI’s commitment to combatting COVID-19 related fraud and ensuring those who fraudulently profited from the pandemic are held accountable,” said Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Indianapolis Field Office. “Stealing money meant to help those who were vulnerable and in need during those unprecedented times was reprehensible and will not be tolerated.”
The FBI investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. As part of the sentence, Judge Barker ordered that Lee pay $10,000 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley A. Blackington who prosecuted this case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID‑19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by 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
Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Transporting Three AliensRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jose Manuel Mejias-Ayala, age 46, of Washington, Indiana, pled guilty today to unlawfully transporting three aliens.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Acting Chief Patrol Agent Keith Hoops, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
Mejias-Ayala admitted that on September 25, 2022, he drove his SUV from Indiana to Mooers, New York, to pick up three Mexican citizens who had recently illegally crossed the international border from Canada into the United States. The defendant also admitted that he planned to drive the three people to Chicago, Illinois. Mejias-Ayala further admitted that he was to be paid $6,000 for his efforts in transporting the Mexican citizens.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 4, 2023 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Mejias-Ayala faces up to 10 years in prison, a 3-year term of post-release supervision, and a fine up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.
INTERPOL Washington Participates in INTERPOL’s Heads ConferenceRead the Press Release
This week, INTERPOL Washington—U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—Director Michael A. Hughes led the U.S. delegation to INTERPOL’s 17th Annual Heads of National Central Bureaus (NCBs) conference held in Lyon, France. NCBs are the backbone of INTERPOL, serving as the central points of contact between INTERPOL and its 195 member countries. INTERPOL is the world’s largest police organization.
Director Hughes participated in dozens of bilateral meetings with his counterparts enabling him to address common issues in fighting transnational crime. He also spoke to the conference during the session on “Global Threats: Corruption and Financial Crime.”
Because of the nature of transnational crime, U.S. participation in INTERPOL helps to provide U.S. Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement organizations with the tools they need to pursue criminal investigations across international borders. “The USNCB continues to make great strides in collaborating with domestic and international partners, constantly working to keep our families, our communities, our country, and the world safe,” said Director Hughes.
NCBs exchange information to assist in the investigation of criminal activity within their own countries, and they share criminal data and intelligence to assist other countries. They also contribute national crime data to INTERPOL’s global databases, in accordance with their respective national laws.
This annual meeting of NCB leaders from across the globe provides an opportunity for building relationships and facilitating cooperation among the Heads. NCBs provide important input into shaping INTERPOL's activities and plans. Many NCB heads also participate in INTERPOL’s annual General Assembly during which the membership votes on activities and policies. Director Hughes also serves on the Executive Committee, INTERPOL’s governing body, which provides guidance and direction between sessions of the General Assembly.
A component of the U.S. Department of Justice co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—is the designated U.S. representative to INTERPOL on behalf of the Attorney General. It serves as the national point of contact and coordination for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Harrison County contractor sentenced to decade in prison for fraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Bradley Glaspell, of Salem, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months of incarceration for defrauding over 70 customers out of more than a half a million dollars through his contracting businesses, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
“Mr. Glaspell was a shady contractor who took advantage of West Virginians who paid him up front and trusted that he would do the job,” said United States Attorney Ihlenfeld. “His dishonesty caused many to be left with unfinished projects and I’m pleased that he will spend the next ten years behind bars.”
Glaspell, 48, the owner and operator of Over the Top Roofing, LLC, and Helping Hands Home Improvement, pled guilty in May 2022 in federal court to “Wire Fraud.” Glaspell falsely advertised his businesses on social media, claiming to be a licensed contractor when in fact he was not. He required down payments for materials but then failed to complete the work as promised and used the money he collected for his own personal expenses.
The judge ordered Glaspell to pay $593,009.05 in restitution.
Glaspell’s victims were from Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Upshur, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia, and Washington and Fayette counties in Pennsylvania.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The investigation was led by the West Virginia State Police and the Internal Revenue Service and supported by the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office. Numerous county prosecutor’s offices, sheriff’s departments, and police departments assisted with investigating the matter and the gathering of evidence.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Granby Man Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling from EmployerRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID McMANUS, 57, of Granby, was sentenced today by U.S. Circuit Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and tax offenses stemming from his embezzlement of funds from his employer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, McManus was the Chief Financial Officer for a Hartford-based company for nearly 14 years. Between 2012 and 2018, McManus embezzled approximately $433,584 from the company by using company funds to pay off his personal credit card expenses, and by issuing reimbursements to himself for personal expenses unrelated to the company.
McManus also filed federal income tax returns that omitted the embezzled income for the 2015 through 2018 tax years, resulting in a tax loss of $104,094 to the IRS.
Judge Merriam ordered McManus to pay full restitution to his former employer, as well as all back taxes owed to the IRS.
On May 12, 2022, McManus pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion.
McManus, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on February 8.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Donovan.
Girard Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine and Possessing A Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Girard, Illinois man, Michael Pitman, 36, of the 2800 block of Pleasant Dale Road in Girard, Illinois has been sentenced on December 1, 2022, to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by 60 months of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence to U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough that on May 25, 2021, Parole Agents with the Illinois Department of Corrections were conducting a compliance check on Pitman’s residence when they discovered over 90 grams of methamphetamine and two firearms. One of the firearms was stolen and had been converted to fire fully automatically and the other firearm’s serial number had been scratched off. At the time of his arrest, Pitman was on parole for three separate state convictions.
Pitman was indicted in June of 2021 and pleaded guilty in July of 2022. He has remained in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest.
The statutory penalties for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) are up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release. The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime are a mandatory consecutive term of five years to life imprisonment; up to a $250,000 fine; and up to five years of supervised release.
“The important and often overlooked contributions made by Illinois Department of Corrections Parole Agents to make our communities safer needs to be publicly acknowledged,” said prosecuting Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir. “As this case shows, Parole Agents are an instrumental partner working with law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels to prevent crime.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.
The case against Pitman 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.
Fresno Woman Pleads Guilty to over $300,000 in Pandemic Relief FraudRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Cecilia Aquino, 34, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in at least seven states and submitting fraudulent applications for Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans using stolen identities during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between June 2020 and November 2020, Aquino submitted unemployment insurance claims and SBA loan applications that contained several misrepresentations, including that the named individuals last worked as self-employed dancers, owned interior design businesses, and that they lost their jobs and business revenues because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state agencies that administer the unemployment insurance system, the SBA, and the United States suffered an actual loss of $220,000 and were subject to a potential loss of more than $300,000 because of Aquino’s fraud. Aquino used the money for gambling, rent, shopping, and other personal expenditures.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the SBA Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.
Aquino is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Feb. 21, 2023. Aquino faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and fine of up to $250,000 for the unemployment insurance and SBA loan fraud, and a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for the identity theft. 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 a California COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force operation, one of three interagency COVID-19 fraud strike force teams established by the U.S. Department of Justice. The California Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources in the Eastern and Central Districts of California and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces use prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
Former Senior U.S. Navy Employee Sentenced for Bribery Conspiracy and Lying to InvestigatorsRead the Press Release
The former Director of Operations of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) Office in Busan, South Korea, was sentenced today to five years in prison for his role in a bribery conspiracy and lying to federal investigators.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Xavier Fernando Monroy, 65, of Brentwood, New York, engaged in a conspiracy to commit bribery with the owner of DK Marine, a South Korea-based company that provided services to the U.S. Navy, as well as with a former MSC captain, to steer U.S. Navy business to DK Marine. From 2011 to 2014, Monroy used his position of influence as a public official to benefit his co-conspirator, including by steering over $3.3 million in husbanding services contracts for U.S. military ships to DK Marine. Husbanding service providers supply items or services for ships such as water ferry and taxi services, ground transportation and other logistical requirements.
Evidence at trial also proved that Monroy provided a co-conspirator with confidential and other proprietary internal U.S. Navy information. In exchange for these benefits, the co-conspirator paid bribes to Monroy, including thousands of dollars in cash, personal travel expenses, meals and alcoholic beverages, and prostitution services. Additionally, during a voluntary interview in July 2019, Monroy repeatedly lied to special agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) when they confronted him about his illegal conduct.
In August 2022, a federal jury in the District of Columbia convicted Monroy of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and making false statements.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Peter Tolentino of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office made the announcement.
The DCIS and NCIS investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Sara Hallmark and Amanda Fretto Lingwood of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
Former Middlesex County, NJ Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Joshua Padilla, 37, of Eatontown, New Jersey, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $15,300 in special assessments by United States District Court Judge Eduardo C. Robreno after being convicted of multiple child exploitation offenses. The defendant was charged with these federal offenses in July 2019, and was also charged with multiple related state felonies in February 2019 by the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General.
In December 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count each of producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography, charges which stemmed from an investigation into the defendant’s illicit sexual contact with a teenage girl. Padilla, who at the time of the charged conduct was a Middlesex County New Jersey Sheriff’s Deputy, recorded himself having unlawful sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl and later uploaded some of that video to an online social media platform. The defendant drove the minor to Northampton County, Pennsylvania to engage in this illicit sexual conduct.
“While child exploitation cases are always horrendous, the conduct in this case is particularly offensive because of Padilla’s position of authority and trust in the community as a law enforcement officer,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “We stand ready with our federal, state and local partners to identify and prosecute those who would prey upon minor children – no matter who they are.”
“As a member of law enforcement, Padilla was trusted and sworn to protect his community. He lost that trust when he violated a minor and put children’s safety at risk,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “I am thankful for the hard work of my office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold Padilla accountable for his crimes and get a sexually violent predator off the streets. This sentencing is a reminder that being in a position of public trust does not put you above the law.”
“Rescuing the victims of exploitation will always be one of HSI’s most sacred responsibilities, especially those in vulnerable populations such as minor children. The fact that this crime occurred at the hands of a sworn law enforcement officer makes it that much more egregious,” said William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Philadelphia office. “HSI and our partners in the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will relentlessly pursue child predators, especially those in positions of trust and authority. I am very proud of the HSI Special Agents, PSP Troopers, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys that brought this investigation to a conclusion and ultimately served justice for the victim.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Laucella, cross-designated from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Former Government Official Charged in Conspiracy to Defraud Government Program for Disadvantaged Small Business OwnersRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James A. Coccagna, age 67, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information on one count of conspiracy to commit violations of the Major Fraud Act.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between 2003 and 2014, Coccagna, then Chief of the Engineering and Planning Division in the Directorate of Public Works at Letterkenny Army Depot, in Chambersburg, worked with a number of unnamed coconspirators to defeat the rules and purpose of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. It is alleged that Coccagna steered federal government contracts to certain participants in the 8(a) Program, knowing that those companies and their existing employees, if any, were not playing any meaningful role in performing contracts awarded to them.
The 8(a) Program requires socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to exercise unconditional control over their own companies. It also requires these companies to commit to performing at least 15% of the cost of any contract with their own employees. When companies meet these criteria, they can enter the 8(a) Program for a period of up to nine years and then bid on contracts reserved for companies in the 8(a) Program. These reserved contracting opportunities are often referred to as “set-aside” contracts.
The information alleges that for over a decade Coccagna conspired with three individuals who worked in the field of construction—known in the information as coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3—to get set-aside contracts at Letterkenny awarded to a series of 8(a) Program participants controlled by the three unnamed individuals. These 8(a) Program participants included a company known as 8(A) company 1, which was affiliated with another unnamed individual known as coconspirator 4 in the information.
Starting around 2007, it is alleged that Coccagna and coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 began conspiring to obtain 8(a) Program set-aside construction contracts at Letterkenny Army Depot, a facility under the command structure of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command. Coccagna allegedly recommended that the Letterkenny contracting office select 8(A) company 1 for a series of contracts because he knew of 8(a) company 1’s affiliation with coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3. It is furthermore alleged that Coccagna made similar recommendations for several other 8(a) Program participants, likewise on the basis of their affiliation with coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3.
In order to make it appear falsely that 8(A) company 1 was meeting the 15% self-performance requirement, coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 allegedly moved actual laborers who were on site at Letterkenny Army Depot onto the 8(A) company 1 payroll. This same practice was allegedly carried out with the other unnamed 8(a) Program participants dating back to 2003.
It is alleged that Coccagna was aware of this practice and, more generally, was aware that coconspirator 4 and her existing employees, if any, were not performing on-site work. It is furthermore alleged that coconspirator 4 was rarely, if ever, present at Letterkenny Army Depot following an initial meeting with Coccagna and the other unnamed conspirators in 2007.
The information also alleges that coconspirator 1 solicited, and Coccagna provided, confidential information to coconspirator 1 in order to help coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 win a $60 million construction contract in 2009. The total value of the contracts associated with this alleged conspiracy exceeded $100 million.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for conspiracy is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Former Executive Director of the Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who fleeced a non-profit for thousands of dollars over the years was sentenced December 1, 2022, to 3 months in federal prison.
Jesse Clinton Henderson, age 66, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 9, 2022 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
In a plea agreement, Henderson admitted he was employed by the Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center (JCNC) starting in 2007. He became Executive Director in 2014. As Executive Director, Henderson was tasked with managing the day-to-day operation of the center including overseeing staff members, grant writing, fundraising, and controlling finances and expenditures.
Henderson possessed debit and credit cards associated with the JCNC’s bank accounts. He was not authorized to use the cards or any of the funds in the JCNC bank accounts for his own personal benefit. From approximately 2018 through 2021, Henderson used and misappropriated or gambled approximately $71,483.15 of the non-profit’s funds for his own benefit. Henderson made unauthorized cash withdrawals, debit card withdrawals and charges, and credit card purchases and transactions from JCNC’s bank accounts.
Henderson was able to conceal his scheme from the JCNC and their Board of Directors by intentionally failing to disclose monthly financial reports or bank statements where his unauthorized expenditures and withdrawals would be exposed. Therefore, JCNC and the Board did not know about the unauthorized withdrawals and expenditures.
In July 2021, Henderson admitted to law enforcement that he used the bank cards of the JCNC to for an unauthorized purpose and for his own benefit, for at least couple of years. He further admitted to intentionally failing to make financial records and expenditures available to the JCNC and its Board.
“The Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center, a non-profit organization in Waterloo, provides senior services with an adult day center, meals on wheels, and a youth summer feeding program. In short, it serves young and old in the Waterloo Community. For roughly three years, Jesse Henderson repeatedly and selfishly took money from this organization, lied to the people of the organization, and undermined the charitable works of the organization” said United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax. “This sentence shows that those who embezzle and steal, putting greed and self-interest above all else, will be held accountable.”
“Henderson stole and gambled away tens of thousands of dollars meant to help those in need. Now, he will be held accountable for his actions. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to rooting out fraudsters that seek to use federal funds for personal gain,” said William J. Hannah Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Chicago Field Office.
Henderson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Henderson was sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment and fined $ 100. He was ordered to pay restitution to the JCNC. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Henderson is to surrender to the United States Marshal on December 27, 2022.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the United States Department of Justice - Office of the Inspector General.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-cr-2032-CJW.
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Former Cobb County Sheriff’s Deputy sentenced to prison for child pornography distributionRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Peter Bilardello, a former Cobb County Deputy Sheriff assigned to the agency’s Sex Offender Unit, has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing child pornography online after entering a guilty plea to the charge in August 2022.
“Bilardello’s crimes constitute a horrific breach of the public’s trust,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Law enforcement officers like Bilardello, who was responsible for protecting the community from sex offenders, bear a special obligation. It is an especially sad day when those who take an oath to enforce laws to protect potential victims actually break the law and victimize instead. The metro-Atlanta law enforcement community remains committed to working collaboratively and quickly to investigate such reprehensible conduct.”
“Every time pornographic images are distributed online, that child is continuously re-victimized,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will not tolerate predators who prey on our children, especially ones like Bilardello, who were sworn law enforcement officers that took an oath to protect the citizens of our community.”
“The public places a great amount of trust in law enforcement officers,” said Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer. “When a law enforcement officer breaks that trust, it reflects on all officers across this profession. I stand with the honorable women and men of the Cobb County Police Department, with Sheriff Owens and those who serve under his command, and with the remainder of law enforcement professionals across this nation who find acts such as these by law enforcement officers abhorrent. We greatly appreciate U.S. Attorney Buchanan and all our federal partners who allow stronger sentencing and help local agencies like Cobb Police make our community safer. Finally, to the detectives who must work these types of cases routinely, thank you for doing things even most police officers don’t want to do and thank you for the objective and hard work on this case in particular.”
“Bilardello’s actions erode the trust the public places in law enforcement officers,” said Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens. “I commend the Cobb County Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their swift action in investigating these heinous crimes and stopping the spread of child pornography. Justice was served, and this sentence makes clear that no one is above the law, especially those sworn to protect and serve the public.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In August 2021, Cobb County Police began investigating a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about suspected child pornography distribution online. The report, which was based on information submitted to NCMEC by the social media company MeWe, indicated that a MeWe account user who was located in Marietta, Georgia, had uploaded and shared approximately 12 images depicting young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Cobb County Police executed a search warrant on the social media account and learned that the account user was Peter Bilardello, who was an active Cobb County Deputy Sheriff. Bilardello had been employed by the Cobb County Sheriff’s office for approximately 17 years. During the time that he was distributing child pornography online he worked in the agency’s Sex Offender Unit where his job duties included maintaining, verifying, and updating the list of registered sex offenders residing in Cobb County.
After identifying Bilardello as the social media account owner, Cobb County Police promptly obtained and executed search warrants for Bilardello’s home and cell phone, and confirmed that Bilardello had uploaded and shared child pornography on MeWe. Investigators also recovered more than 300 images and videos depicting young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct from his cell phone, as well as multiple chats online about his pedophilic desire for young children. Bilardello was immediately arrested and resigned from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.
Peter Bilardello, 52, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to five years, ten months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release. He was taken into federal custody immediately following sentencing and must register as a sex offender. Bilardello was convicted of one count of distributing child pornography on August 29, 2022, after he entered a guilty plea.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cobb County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise K. Peters prosecuted the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Felon Sentenced for Possessing and Shooting FirearmsRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for unlawfully possessing ammunition that he used to shoot at someone and for unlawfully possessing a firearm in a separate incident roughly a year later.
According to court documents, on March 27, 2021, within nine months of his release from federal prison for a prior felon-in-possession conviction, Earlon Delton Mitchell, 33, returned to the place he had been arrested in his previous case and assaulted a woman. When another woman showed up and tried to stop him, he brandished a firearm at her, so she drove away, stopped at the end of the block, and called 911. He walked into the street and shot at her several times, but missed, hitting two parked cars and leaving shell casings that were later recovered.
Almost exactly a year later, while still on federal supervised release, he went back to that same location, where police officers spotted him and tried to make contact with him. He fled, and they pursued him. While running, he threw his loaded, stolen firearm to the ground. The officers caught and arrested him, recovering the firearm, as well as 40 grams of methamphetamine and marijuana separated into three baggies, along with $115 cash in different denominations.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Christopher Amon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Mike Goldsmith, Interim Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Jackson prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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-65.
Federal jury convicts Albuquerque man of drug trafficking offensesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on Rafael Columbie on Dec. 1. The jury convicted Columbie, 53, of Albuquerque, on one count each of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin.
The case against Columbie was part of a long-term investigation into a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On July 18, 2018, Columbie was traveling east on Interstate 40 when a New Mexico State Police Officer stopped Columbie for speeding. During a consensual search of the vehicle, officers found over 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 200 grams of heroin in bundles within a Coca-Cola soda box behind the driver seat.
Columbie will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. He faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter J. Eicker and David B. Hirsch are prosecuting the case.
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Federal Grand Jury Indicts 7 Southern Colorado Residents on Drug and Weapon ChargesRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces the indictments of Leonard Singleton, age 44; Jaime Sanchez, age 39; Gabriel Sanchez, age 36; Jose Baeza, age 39; Stephanie Barker, age 38; Leanne Wilson, age 25; and Augustine Gallegos, age 36, after a 10-month federal investigation into drug trafficking in Colorado Springs.
According to the indictment, all of the defendants conspired to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. In addition, Gabriel Sanchez, Jaime Sanchez, and Augustine Gallegos are accused of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Jose Baeza is accused of using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Singleton is also accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and knowingly receiving and possessing an unregistered firearm. Stephanie Barker and Leanne Wilson are accused of having knowledge of the commission of a felony and concealing it.
Jaime Sanchez, Jose Baeza, Leanne Wilson and Augustine Gallegos made their initial appearances before Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty on Nov. 17, 2022. Leonard Singleton made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty on Nov. 18, 2022. Gabriel Sanchez has not yet been arrested and is considered a fugitive.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Division, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Mance.
“This is an example of how the FBI works with state, federal and local partners to break up criminal organizations and make communities safer,” said FBI Denver Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor. “We are proud of this successful collaboration and will continue to work with these and other partners where a need for FBI resources and expertise is identified.”
“The success of this joint investigation is truly based on the strong relationships we have with our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts throughout Colorado,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Division Special Agent in Charge Brian Besser. “The DEA Rocky Mountain Division is committed to making this region a safer place to live and work and it is because of this strong collaboration with FBI, CBI and CSPD that we are able to say we’ve done that today.”
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
CASE NUMBER: 22-CR-00345-RM
Eleven Defendants Facing Federal Charges Relating to Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme with More Than $1.6 Million in LossesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment adding two new defendants to the nine defendants previously charged in relation to a Maryland and California unemployment insurance scheme. The superseding indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and stealing a post office key. The superseding indictment was returned on November 30, 2022. Charged in the superseding indictment are:
Michael Akame Ngwese Ay Makoge, a/k/a “2Hype”, age 28, of Laurel, Maryland; Dementrous Von Smith, a/k/a “Meecho” and “El Meecho”, age 26, of Waldorf, Maryland; Nadine Mahoro Mwamikazi, age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Sky Tiffany Lawson, age 28, of Bowie, Maryland; Christopher Thomas Yancy, a/k/a “Lil Bhris”, age 30, of Laurel, Maryland; Sayquan Leon Bridges, a/k/a “Quan”, age 27, of Bowie, Maryland; Christian Malik Adrea, a/k/a “Lil Leak”, age 24, of Mitchellville, Maryland; Stephawn Malik Watson, a/k/a “O-Dawg”, age 27, of District Heights, Maryland; Aiyanna Mone Washington, a/k/a “Yanna”, age 27, of Glenarden, Maryland; Trez Anthony Hendy, a/k/a “Torch,” age 29, of Silver Spring, Maryland; and
Tayonna Sonora Johnson, age 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland.The superseding indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division (USPIS); Acting Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, of the Washington Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG); and Chief Amal E. Awad of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (MSP); and Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
The 46-count indictment alleges that, from February 2020 to October 2021 the defendants conspired to impersonate victims to submit fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in Maryland and California. As part of the scheme to defraud, the defendants allegedly obtained the birthdates, social security numbers, and other personal identifying information of numerous victims which they used to prepare and submit fraudulent applications for UI benefits. According to the indictment, the applications contained false information, including the victims’ contact information, states of residence, and availability for work. These fraudulent applications allegedly caused financial institutions to load UI benefits onto debit cards and mail the cards to physical addresses provided and monitored by the defendants. The indictment alleges that once the defendants received the fraudulently obtained benefits on the debit cards, they used them for cash withdrawals and other transactions for their own financial benefit. As alleged in the indictment, the defendants submitted over 200 fraudulent UI claims, resulting in more than $1.6 million in losses.
Further, the indictment alleges that in October 2021, Yancy unlawfully possessed a Postal Service key and intended to improperly use the key.
If convicted, all the defendants face a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and for each count of wire fraud in which they are charged; and a mandatory two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft. Yancy also faces a maximum sentence of 10 years for unlawfully possessing a U.S. Postal Service key. 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.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
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.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the USPIS, DOL-OIG, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, HSI, MSP, and ATF, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked the United States Marshals Service, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen McGuinn, who is prosecuting the federal case.
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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Detroit man admits role in a drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shawn Harper Warren, of Detroit, Michigan, has admitted to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Warren, also known as “S.J.,” 25, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Fifty Grams or More of Methamphetamine.” Warren admitted to working with another to sell more than fifty grams of methamphetamine, also known as “crystal” and “ice,” in September 2019.
Warren faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. 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. Attorney Brandon S. Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Three Rivers Drug Task Force and the Fairmont Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/west-virginia-and-detroit-residents-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation
Columbus Man Sentenced to Prison for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A convicted felon and documented member of the Crips criminal street gang organization operating in Columbus was sentenced to serve more than ten years in prison for armed drug trafficking.
Bobby Thomas, 25, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 130 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Nov. 29 after he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Federal authorities are working closely with our local partners to identify and hold armed and repeat violent offenders accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Removing the most dangerous offenders from the streets is one part of a larger strategy to reduce violent crime in our communities through the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.”
“This sentence is a direct message to criminals that the FBI and the Project Safe Neighborhoods program focuses every day on dangerous criminals like Thomas,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “If you traffic in drugs and violence, you will be targeted, and we will ensure that you are prosecuted and removed from our streets.”
“Investigators from the Columbus Police Department have been diligently working on this case in collaboration with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office. Their persistence and dedication to bringing justice and accountability to the subject responsible for armed drug trafficking in our community is admirable,” said Chief Freddie Blackmon, Columbus Police Department. “This case is a great example of the incredible partnership we have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our commitment to justice for the city of Columbus and keeping illegal drugs, weapons and validated gang members off our streets.”
According to court documents and other evidence, a Columbus Police Department (CPD) officer observed a Facebook Live video of Thomas seated in a stolen car holding a tan handgun with an extended magazine; Thomas ended the video stating that he was going to the Peachtree Mall, a shopping center in Columbus. Officers located the stolen vehicle in the mall parking lot; Thomas attempted to flee officers on foot, but was taken into custody. The car had bullet damage and blood on the passenger seat. Officers found a loaded tan Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a 31-round magazine in the car.
On Sept. 15, 2021, CPD officers and FBI agents executed state arrest warrants for Thomas, as well as a search warrant of his residence. Thomas initially fled, but was taken into custody without incident. Officers found firearms and ammunition: a .45 caliber pistol with magazine; a Glock 23, .40 caliber pistol with extended magazine and ammunition; a KelTec, 9mm rifle with magazine; seven additional ammunition magazines; a plastic bag with various caliber rounds; and a box of .40 caliber ammunition. In addition, officers found heroin and drug distribution items. Thomas has a criminal history to include a felony conviction for methamphetamine possession; it is illegal for convicted felons to possess firearms.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Williams prosecuted the case for the Government.
Champaign Pastor Pleads Guilty to Misapplying Federal Funds and Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – Lekevie C. Johnson, 47, formerly of the 2000 block of Clayton Boulevard in Champaign, Illinois, pleaded guilty on December 1, 2022, to Federal Program Misapplication, Student Loan Misapplication, and False Statement in Bankruptcy. Sentencing for Johnson has been scheduled on April 10, 2023, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana, Illinois.
In court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long, Johnson admitted that he was formerly the pastor of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, formerly known as Jericho Missionary Baptist Church, on Bloomington Road in Champaign. Between 2012 and 2019, he operated a not-for-profit corporation, Life Line Champaign, Inc., which received federal grant funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, through the City of Champaign, to provide summer enrichment programs for low-income students in the Garden Hills neighborhood where the church was located. Johnson admitted misapplying $25,700.74 of HUD program grant funds for his own benefit, including by making numerous ATM cash withdrawals at various casinos.
Johnson also admitted that he had obtained federal student loans between 2017 and 2019 to attend Liberty University’s online Master of Arts program. Prior to receiving the loans, Johnson certified that he would use the loans only for authorized educational expenses. Nonetheless, Johnson used $31,291.62 of the loans for various non-educational expenses, including to gamble at casinos.
Finally, Johnson admitted to committing bankruptcy fraud. On January 31, 2020, Johnson and his wife filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Central District of Illinois. In his petition, Johnson claimed that he received only $42,900 from his church in 2019, even though he received tens of thousands of additional monies from the church that year. On March 5, 2020, Johnson testified under oath at a bankruptcy hearing that he had disclosed all the payments he received from the church and had no control over the church’s finances. In fact, Johnson controlled the church’s finances and had received tens of thousands of dollars in payments from the church that he had not disclosed in bankruptcy.
Johnson was released on bond pending sentencing.
For Federal Program Misapplication, Johnson faces statutory penalties of a maximum ten-year term of imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, and a maximum three-year term of supervised release. For Student Loan Misapplication and False Statement in Bankruptcy, Johnson faces separate statutory penalties of a maximum five-year term of imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, and a maximum three-year term of supervised release.
The case investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; Department of Housing and Urban Development—Office of Inspector General; and the Department of Education – Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Trustee for Region 10 referred the alleged bankruptcy fraud to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in South Bend, Indiana, and Peoria, Illinois.
Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller is representing the government in the prosecution.
California Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine and FentanylRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Los Angeles, California, has been sentenced in federal court to 72 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release on his conviction of conspiring to distribute narcotics, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Gabriel A. Garcia, age 27, following his August 16, 2022, guilty plea.
According to information presented to the court, on May 26, 2021, a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2002 Infinity N35 which had violated the vehicle code, and which had bicycles mounted on its rear, obscuring the license plate. Garcia was the driver of the vehicle, and his co-defendant was the passenger of the vehicle. The PSP Trooper recognized the vehicle, bicycles, and the passenger from an April 2021 traffic stop and, further, determined that the vehicle made three coast-to-coast trips during a five-month period. The passenger, who the vehicle was registered to, consented to a search of the vehicle, which revealed approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine and eight kilograms of fentanyl.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania State Police conducted the traffic stop leading to the seizure of the controlled substances and special agents with Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.
Brooklyn Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud Scheme and to Separate Fraud Against NYCHARead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHANETTE LEWIS pled guilty today to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. LEWIS participated in a scheme to commit COVID-19 pandemic fraud by, among other things, defrauding New York City’s COVID-19 Hotel Room Isolation Program. LEWIS also committed a fraud in which she submitted fabricated documents to the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) — such as purported Orders of Protection bearing Judges’ names, purported letters from a District Attorney, and purported letters from healthcare professionals attesting to alleged medical issues — in order to secure public housing benefits for herself and her customers. LEWIS pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. LEWIS’s case is assigned to United States District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Chanette Lewis took advantage of multiple lifelines offered to New York City residents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of her schemes misappropriated identifying information of hardworking individuals, including medical professionals whose services were vital during the pandemic. For her brazen crimes, Lewis now faces possible prison time.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Information, court filings, and statements made during plea proceedings:
LEWIS’s COVID-19 Pandemic Fraud Scheme
From April 2020 through September 2021, LEWIS conspired to commit COVID-19 pandemic fraud by, among other things, defrauding the COVID-19 Hotel Room Isolation Program (the “Program”). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City created the Program. Funded by New York City and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Program provided free hotel rooms for qualifying individuals throughout New York City. The Program was open to (a) healthcare workers who needed to isolate because of exposure to COVID-19; (b) patients who had tested positive for COVID-19; (c) individuals who believed, based on their symptoms, that they were infected with COVID-19; and (d) individuals who lived with someone who contracted COVID-19. As stated on the City’s website describing the Program, such individuals “may qualify to self-isolate in a hotel, free of charge, for up to 14 days if you do not have a safe place to self-isolate.” Those who wished to book a hotel room through the Program could either call a phone number or use an online hotel booking platform.
LEWIS defrauded the Program in several respects. First, she secured free Program hotel rooms for herself by falsely claiming to be a healthcare worker. Second, she sold at least approximately 1,936 nights’ worth of fraudulently obtained hotel rooms to customers who were ineligible for the Program. Third, LEWIS abused her employment, which was supposed to be in service of the Program. Specifically, LEWIS worked at a call center that handled phone calls and certain reservations for the Program for several months in 2020. LEWIS was hired specifically for the Program, and as a result of her employment, she had access to legitimate healthcare workers’ identifying information. LEWIS abused her position, including by misappropriating healthcare workers’ identifying information, revealing the Program’s inner workings to co-conspirators, and making unauthorized sales of Program hotel rooms to ineligible individuals. For instance, LEWIS sold a co-defendant, for $800, personal identifying information of at least five healthcare professionals, as well as certain “codes” to use when booking hotel reservations through the Program, such as an employee ID number and license number. LEWIS admitted, in Facebook messages, that she had stolen doctors’ identifying information in furtherance of the scheme, writing: “I work for 311 oem [i.e., the Office of Emergency Management] that how I got doctors licenses and stuff . . . I work in the part that I collect they information and I do and approval the booking . . . I take doctors and stuff certificate numbers and stuff.” LEWIS also advertised to potential customers that, when hotels asked for a healthcare worker’s identification, LEWIS would supply a purported paystub and a letter falsely asserting that the individual was a healthcare worker.
LEWIS’s Fraud against NYCHA
From in or around July 2020 until October 2021, LEWIS participated in a conspiracy to defraud NYCHA. LEWIS submitted fabricated documents to NYCHA — such as purported Orders of Protection bearing Judges’ names, purported letters from a District Attorney, and purported letters from doctors attesting to alleged medical issues — in order to secure public housing benefits for both herself and others, such as transfers to larger NYCHA apartments. In total, LEWIS submitted fraudulent applications to NYCHA on behalf of approximately 35 individuals, a number of whom in fact received the public housing benefit they requested based on fraudulent documentation.
* * *
LEWIS, 31, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Under the terms of her plea agreement, LEWIS has agreed to forfeit $289,536 and to pay restitution of $360,916.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. LEWIS is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Kaplan on May 18, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
One of LEWIS’s co-defendants, Tatiana Daniel, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Kaplan on March 29, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. LEWIS’s two other co-defendants are currently scheduled to proceed to trial before Judge Kaplan on January 17, 2023.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of agents, investigators, and analysts from the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), DOI – NYCHA Office of the Inspector General, the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Williams also thanked the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts for their support and assistance in this investigation. He also expressed gratitude to the New York City Police Department, the New York State Department of Labor, and the DOL-OIG Atlanta Regional Office for their assistance.
This matter is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Neff is in charge of the prosecution.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Cambridge BankRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in connection with the robbery of a TD Bank branch in Cambridge.
Jamall Copeland, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2023. Copeland was charged by criminal complaint in May 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2022.
On April 27, 2022, an unknown male – later identified as Copeland – entered the TD Bank located at 1270 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge at approximately 1:45 p.m. and handed the teller a demand note that stated, “Give up all Hundreds! AN 50's Robbery!” Copeland obtained $1,455 in cash and fled the scene. Following the robbery, law enforcement recovered a fingerprint from the demand note that matched the known fingerprint of Copeland.
According to court records, Copeland was released from state prison in December 2021 and has a criminal history including charges related to murder, kidnapping, drug and firearms offenses, armed robbery and assault with intent to murder.
The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five 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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Cambridge Police Chief Christine Elow made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Beltrami County Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Beltrami County man has been sentenced to 144 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in September 2019 law enforcement commenced an investigation of a drug trafficking organization distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine in northern Minnesota. As part of this investigation, police conducted a traffic stop in Park Rapids of a tow truck being operated by Trent Michael Holden, 52, of Solway on February 16, 2020. A search of the tow truck revealed one pound of methamphetamine, $34,852, and a firearm. Holden was arrested but later released from custody. On March 27, 2020, officers observed Holden returning to Bemidji from the Twin Cities where he was suspected of meeting with his drug source of supply. Officers stopped Holden, who appeared to be intoxicated, and recovered from his vehicle five pounds of methamphetamine, 21 MDMA pills, a firearm, a box of ammunition, and $4,096 in cash. Holden was charged in state court and later released from custody. On September 28, 2021, officers observed Holden driving a tow truck and hauling a Dodge Neon. A subsequent search of the tow truck and the Dodge Neon revealed approximately 2.8 pounds of methamphetamine and $4,010 in cash.
Holden was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright. On May 11, 2022, Holden pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office, Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Dunne prosecuted the case.
Beckley Straw Firearms Purchaser Sentenced for Her Role in Beckley-to-Philadelphia Firearms Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Lakeshia Nicole Simon, 23, of Beckley, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation for making false statements in acquisition of firearms. Simon admitted to a straw purchasing role in a conspiracy to traffic over 140 firearms from the Beckley area to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Simon purchased firearms in Beckley for co-defendant Bisheem Jones, also known as “Bosh,” who told Simon which ones to buy and provided the money for the purchases through an intermediary.
On April 20, 2021, Simon purchased two Ruger Model Ruger 57, 5.7x28mm 5.7-caliber pistols for Jones. Simon further admitted to buying at least two additional firearms for Jones in April 2021 so he and others could transport and resell them outside of West Virginia.
Simon admitted that for each purchase, she falsely certified on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473 that she was the buyer of the firearms when she knew she was purchasing the firearms for someone else.
On March 3, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Simon, Jones and 11 other individuals in the firearms trafficking conspiracy. Three co-defendants have pleaded guilty to interstate travel with the intent to engage in dealing firearms without a license. A fourth pleaded guilty to conspiracy to travel interstate with the intent to engage in dealing firearms without a license. Simon is among seven defendants who have pleaded guilty to making false statements in acquisition of firearms. An additional seven individuals have pleaded guilty to firearms offenses related to the firearm trafficking conspiracy.
Of the over 140 firearms trafficked in the conspiracy, approximately 45 have been recovered at crime scenes primarily in Philadelphia and have been connected to two homicides, crimes of domestic violence, and other violent offenses.
Thompson commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is prosecuting the case.
Jones and co-conspirator Shakyrah Ross are scheduled for trial on December 12, 2022. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-46.
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Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 21, 2022, LAURANCE WILSON, age 28, of Baton Rouge, pleaded guilty as charged to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, WILSON exited a vehicle on April 29, 2020, in Slidell, Louisiana, when gun fire erupted near the vehicle. Prior to the gun shots, WILSON had placed a Del-Ton Inc. DTI-15 5.56 mm caliber rifle in the trunk of the vehicle. WILSON was prohibited from possessing the rifle, as he had been convicted of simple robbery in 2014, in the 19th Judicial District of Louisiana.
WILSON faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Slidell Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Mike Trummel handled the prosecution.
Arizona Woman Sentenced for Participating in Nationwide Grandparent ScamRead the Press Release
For Further Information, Contact: Assistant U. S. Attorney Oleksandra “Sasha” Johnson (619) 546-9769
SAN DIEGO – An Arizona woman was sentenced in federal court today to 12 months and 1 day in prison for participating in a large-scale “grandparent scam” racketeering conspiracy.
According to court documents, Lyda Harris, 75, of Laveen, Arizona, participated in a criminal enterprise that engaged in extortion and fraud to swindle more than $2 million from 70-plus elderly victims across the nation. At least 10 elderly victims who resided in San Diego County lost over $300,000 to the fraud.
From approximately November 1, 2019, until October 14, 2020, the members of the criminal enterprise contacted elderly victims by phone, feeding them phony stories that their grandchildren were in legal trouble and needed money to pay for bail, pay medical expenses for car accident victims, or prevent additional charges from being filed. Members of the conspiracy and their associates obtained money from victims through in-person cash pick-ups, by mail or commercial carriers, or via wire transfers. Conspirators laundered the proceeds by transferring the funds or converting from fiat currency to cryptocurrency.
According to court documents, Harris participated in the conspiracy from December 2019 until October 2020. Harris was arrested in the Republic of Albania in August 2021 and extradited to the United States. According to Harris’s plea agreement, her role in the criminal enterprise was to receive victim proceeds and funnel them for a coconspirator to convert from fiat currency to cryptocurrency. As part of her sentence, Harris was ordered to forfeit $6,243 in proceeds she personally received from the offense, and to pay $1,208,291.93 to the victims in restitution.
“The defendant was a crucial member of a sophisticated criminal organization that shamelessly exploited the grandparents’ love for their grandchildren,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting fraud committed against elderly adults, and to warn the public about the dangers of elder fraud.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team, the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch and the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force for their excellent work on this case.
Lyda Harris and the criminal enterprise she was a part of chose to line their pockets at the expense of one of our most vulnerable and trusting populations,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the effectiveness of San Diego’s Elder Justice Task Force and the future crime we can deter when working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. We remind the public that if you believe you have been the victim of a scam, please report it to the FBI at IC3.gov
As of today, six of the eight defendants charged in the case have been sentenced. Two defendants are fugitives.
This case was investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, which is a collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the District Attorney’s Office and all San Diego County law enforcement agencies. The Elder Justice Task Force was established in February 2021 and is believed to be the first comprehensive law enforcement effort for this purpose anywhere in the country. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22cr2216-CAB Tracy Adrine Knowles
Fugitive Age: 30 Orlando, Florida Adonis Alexis Butler Wong
Fugitive Age: 30 Northbay Village, Florida Timothy Ingram, aka Bleezy
Sentenced on August 31, 2022 to 108 months in prison. Age: 30 North Hollywood, California Anajah Gifford
Sentenced on November 17, 2022 to 57 months in prison. Age: 24 North Hollywood, California Lyda Harris
Sentenced today to 12 months and 1 day in prison. Age: 74 Laveen, Arizona Joaquin Lopez
Sentenced on August 31, 2022, to 24 months in prison. Age: 46 Hollywood, Florida Jack Owuor
Sentenced on August 17, 2022, to 46 months in prison. Age: 25 Paramount, California Tracy Glinton
Sentenced on November 17, 2022, to time served – nine days. Age: 35 Orlando, FloridaSUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1962(d) – Conspiracy to Conduct or Participate in an Enterprise
Through a Pattern of Racketeering ActivityMaximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and a fine of not more than the greater of twice the amount of gain or loss associated with the offense or $250,000
AGENCY
Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch
San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, which includes: San Diego FBI
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego Police Department
San Diego Sheriff’s Department
Carlsbad Police Department
Oceanside Police Department
Escondido Police Department
Chula Vista Police Department
El Cajon Police Department
La Mesa Police Department
National City Police Department
Coronado Police DepartmentAlabama Defendant Sentenced to 60 Years and Ordered to Pay over $950,000 in Restitution for Sex Trafficking Scheme Involving Forced ProstitutionRead the Press Release
U.S. District Court Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. of the Middle District of Alabama sentenced defendant Lonnie Mitchell, 36, of Montgomery, Alabama, to 60 years in prison for coercing several victims, including a minor, to engage in prostitution over the course of several years. The judge also ordered the defendant to pay over $950,000 in restitution to the victims.
In June 2022, following a five-day trial, a jury convicted the defendant of sex trafficking five victims by force, fraud and coercion. The jury also found the defendant guilty of sex trafficking a minor, and three counts of coercing and enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution purposes.
“The defendant used unspeakable violence and manipulation of the victims’ substance abuse problems to control their every move and exploit them for his own financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Human trafficking is an atrocious crime that targets some of the most vulnerable members of our society, cruelly robbing them of their dignity and freedom. The Department of Justice remains committed to prioritizing human trafficking prosecutions and vindicating the rights of the victims of these heinous crimes.”
“Today’s sentence reflects the defendant’s horrific treatment and abuse of his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. “Although their physical injuries will heal, the emotional damage caused by their suffering will last a lifetime. I am thankful for all of the agencies that worked together on this case, and for the courageous victims that testified at his trial. I hope this sentence will provide at least some consolation to the victims knowing that the defendant has been held accountable for his crimes.”
“Mr. Mitchell’s crimes were particularly atrocious, which was reflected in the severity of his sentencing,” said DHS Homeland Security Investigations (DHS-HIS) Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger. “We hope this outcome will contribute to the victims’ healing process, but also serve as a warning to others who would victimize others for their own financial gain. HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect our communities from illegal trafficking and narcotics activity.”
According to the evidence presented in court, defendant Lonnie Mitchell targeted vulnerable victims who struggled with substance abuse issues, and then manipulated their substance abuse problems for his benefit. He increased the victims’ use of heroin and encouraged them to use it intravenously. He then withheld heroin from the victims, causing extremely painful withdrawal sickness, if they violated one of his many controlling rules or otherwise did not provide services to enough commercial sex clients. Mitchell also used violence, threats of violence and threats to send embarrassing information, photos or videos to the victims’ loved ones in order to coerce compliance with his rules and to ensure that the victims provided him with sufficient money from prostitution. In addition, defendant Mitchell regulated how much and when the victims could eat, and confiscated their identity documents and credit cards as part of his coercive scheme to control them.
Two co-defendants, Nettisia Mitchell and Donna Emmons, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Nettisia Mitchell is the sister of defendant Lonnie Mitchell, and the court previously sentenced her to 120 months confinement and ordered her to pay $2,000 in restitution for her role in her brother’s coercive scheme. Specifically, Nettisia witnessed her brother’s violence against a victim, yet harbored the victim and received the proceeds from the victim’s involvement in commercial sex. The court previously sentenced Emmons to 151 months confinement and ordered her to pay $3,500 in restitution.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Stewart and HSI Special Agent in Charge Berger made the announcement.
DHS-HSI, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Patrick Lamb and MaryLou Bowdre for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Kate Alexander of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
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.
ABB Agrees to Pay over $315 Million to Resolve Coordinated Global Foreign Bribery CaseRead the Press Release
ABB Ltd. (ABB), a Swiss-based global technology company listed on the New York Stock Exchange with core businesses focused on electrification, automation, motion, and robotics has agreed to pay more than $315 million to resolve an investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) stemming from the bribery of a high-ranking official at South Africa’s state-owned energy company.
The Department of Justice’s resolution is coordinated with prosecutorial authorities in South Africa and Switzerland, as well as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“This is the department’s first coordinated resolution with authorities in South Africa, where much of ABB’s criminal scheme was carried out, reflecting our commitment to relationship-building and our ever-deepening partnerships in the global fight against corruption,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “ABB bribed a high-ranking official at South Africa’s state-owned energy company in order to corruptly obtain confidential information and win lucrative contracts. In addition, our partners in South Africa have brought corruption charges against that official. This resolution demonstrates the Criminal Division’s thoughtful approach to appropriately balancing ABB’s extensive remediation, timely and full cooperation, and demonstrated intent to bring the misconduct to the department’s attention promptly upon discovering it, while also accounting for ABB’s historical misconduct.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, ABB entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the department in connection with the filing of a criminal information in the Eastern District of Virginia charging the company with conspiracy to violate the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions, conspiracy to violate the FCPA’s books and records provisions, and substantive violations of the FCPA. In addition, ABB subsidiaries ABB Management Services Ltd. (Switzerland) and ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa) each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA.
The department reached this resolution with ABB based on a number of factors, including: 1) the nature and seriousness of the misconduct; 2) ABB’s demonstrated intent to disclose the misconduct promptly to the department; 3) ABB’s extraordinary cooperation with the department’s investigation; 4) ABB’s extensive remediation, including carrying out a root-cause analysis of the misconduct and making significant investments in compliance personnel, compliance testing, and monitoring through the organization; 5) ABB’s commitment to further enhance its compliance program and internal controls, including enhanced reporting provisions that require ABB, during the pendency of the DPA, to meet with the department at least quarterly and to submit yearly reports regarding the status of its remediation efforts, the results of its testing of its compliance program, and its proposals to ensure that its compliance program is reasonably designed, implemented, and enforced, so that it is effective in deterring and detecting violations of the FCPA and other applicable anti-corruption laws; 6) ABB’s decade-old criminal history, which includes two prior criminal resolutions by ABB entities with the department for FCPA violations in 2004 and 2010, as well as a guilty plea by an ABB entity for bid rigging in 2001; 7) ABB’s agreement to concurrently resolve separate investigations by authorities in South Africa and Switzerland, as well as the SEC, and its anticipated resolution of a related investigation by German authorities; and 8) ABB’s agreement to continue to cooperate with the department in ongoing investigations. In light of these considerations, the criminal monetary penalty reflects a 25% discount off the mid-point between the middle and high end of the otherwise applicable U.S. Sentencing Guidelines fine range.
Pursuant to the DPA, ABB’s total criminal penalty is $315 million. The department has agreed to credit up to one-half of the criminal penalty against amounts the company pays to authorities in South Africa in related proceedings, along with other credits for amounts ABB pays to resolve investigations conducted by the SEC and authorities in Switzerland and Germany, so long as payments underlying an anticipated resolution with German authorities are made within 12 months of today’s date.
“Corruption and bribery are not victimless acts. They can create hazardous working conditions, hurt honest businesses, and erode trust and integrity in local and global governance,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This resolution reflects the need for accountability, recompense, and rehabilitation in the wake of these kinds of violations. I extend my appreciation to the law enforcement authorities in South Africa, Switzerland, and Germany for their invaluable assistance.”
“As this resolution shows, international partnerships are central to the FBI’s efforts against global corruption,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners conducted a thorough investigation to uncover the source of bribes to a senior official at South Africa’s state-owned energy company. No matter which country the crime occurs in, the FBI is steadfast in pursuing those who violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.”
According to ABB’s admissions and court documents, between 2014 and 2017, ABB, through certain of its subsidiaries, paid bribes to a South African government official who was a high-ranking employee at the state-owned and controlled energy company, Eskom Holdings Limited (Eskom) to obtain business advantages in connection with the award of multiple contracts. ABB engaged multiple subcontractors associated with the South African government official and made payments to those subcontractors that were intended, at least in part, as bribes. ABB worked with these subcontractors despite their poor qualifications and lack of experience. In return, ABB received improper advantages in its efforts to obtain work with Eskom, including, among other benefits, confidential and internal Eskom information.
As part of the scheme, ABB conducted sham negotiations to obtain contracts at inflated prices that ABB had pre-arranged with the South African government official, all on the condition that ABB employ a particular subcontractor associated with that official. ABB also falsely recorded payments to the subcontractors as legitimate business expenses when, in fact, a portion of the payments were intended as bribes for the South African government official.
The FBI’s International Corruption Unit and the United State Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance. The department also expresses its appreciation for the assistance provided by law enforcement authorities in South Africa, Switzerland, and Germany.
Trial Attorney William E. Schurmann and Assistant Deputy Chief Jonathan P. Robell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heidi B. Gesch for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
1 December 2022
“John Doe” Sentenced to 57 Months for Misusing a Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – “John Doe,” of Owego, New York, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for aggravated identity theft and misuse of a social security number. Doe used the name, social security number and date of birth of a homeless U.S. Army veteran to fraudulently obtain $249,811.93 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and an additional $588,645.85 in state benefits. Doe’s true identity has yet to be confirmed.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Gail. S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA).
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman stated: “We don’t yet know the defendant’s name, but we know what he did. Today’s sentence justly punishes him for stealing the identity of a homeless veteran to fraudulently obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of local, state and federal investigators, we were able to bring John Doe to justice in spite of not knowing his true identity.”
SSA Inspector General Gail S. Ennis stated: “This individual stole the identity of a U.S. Army veteran to fraudulently obtain Supplemental Security Income benefits, a critical safety net for those in need. This sentence holds him accountable for his unlawful actions. My office will continue to pursue those who steal another person’s identity and misuse a social security number for personal gain. I appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners in this complex investigation and I thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Michael Gadarian for prosecuting this case.”
Doe was found guilty following a 4-day trial in May 2022. The evidence established that from approximately 1999 until June 2021, Doe received SSI benefits under the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of a homeless U.S. Army veteran living in North Carolina. When Doe’s use of the veteran’s identity was ultimately discovered and Doe was questioned by federal agents, Doe continued to falsely claim the identity as his own and provided agents with a photocopy of the victim’s birth certificate and Social Security card, claiming these documents were his own. Agents located the veteran and established through fingerprint and DNA analysis that Doe is not the person he claims to be.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Doe to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison and ordered Doe to pay a total $838,457.78 in restitution in connection with the benefits he unlawfully received under the victim’s name.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office, the Tioga County Department of Social Services, and the New York State Police, with assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Michael D. Gadarian.
وزارت عدلیه منابع را برای اتباع افغان و اوکراین مرتبط به حقوق کار ایشان فراهم مینماید.Read the Press Release
وزارت عدلیه امروز اعلام داشت که منابعی را برای اتباع افغان و اوکراین فراهم میسازد تا ایشان را در حصه آگاهی از حقوق کار ایشان کمک نماید. این منابع برای مهاجرین افغان و اوکراین حمایت های قانونی انان به اساس قانون مهاجرت و تابعیت از ایشان در محل کار را توضیح مینماید، که براساس آن تبعیض در استخدام براساس تابعیت، حالت یا وضعیت مهاجرت (شهروندی) و منشاء ملیتی را ممنوع قرار داده است. عموماً، کارفرمایان اجازه ندارند تا علیه کارکنان که اجازه کار را دارند بر اساس وضعیت تابعیت و مهاجرت ایشان هنگام استخدام و یا انفکاک مرتکب تبعیض شوند. قانون فدرال تبعیض علیه کارگران بر اساس منشأ ملیتی آنان منع قرار د اده و از ایشان علیه تبعیض محافظت مینماید.
کریستن کلارک، معاون لوی سارنوال شعبه حقوق مدنی وزارت عدلیه گفت: جلوگیری از تبعیض غیرقانونی مشتمل بر اطمینان از این است که کارگران از حقوق شان آگاهی داشته باشند. ” "شعبه حقوق مدنی وزارت عدلیه آماده است تا به افغان ها و اوکراینی ها در ایالات متحده کمک نموده، و از تمام ابزار موجوده استفاده خواهد کرد تا اطمینان حاصل شود که آنها در محل کار به طور غیرقانونی مورد تبعیض قرار نمی گيرند."
اتباع افغان و اوکراین در ایالات متحده ممکن دارای وضعیت های مختلف مهاجرت بوده. برخی از ایشان از طریق عملیات پذیرایی متحدین و متحد برای اوکراین به ایالات متحده آمده اند. این اوراق حاوی معلومات حقیقی برای پناهجویان؛ پناهندگان، افراد دارنده اقامت دایمی قانونی، افراد دارای وضعیت مصونیت موقت، و آنعده افرادیکه برای ایشان اقامت مشروط بر اساس عملیات خوش آمدید متحدین یا اتحاد برای اوکراین داده شده است میباشد. طوریکه درین منابع توضیح داده شده است، قانون مهاجرت و تابعیت کارکنان (کارگران) را از تبعیض کارفرما در هنگام بررسی مجوز کار، که معمولاً منحیث پروسه بررسی واجد شرایط بودن برای کار از آن نامبرده میشود حفاظت مینماید. این اوراق (منابع) مثال های از مدارک (اسناد) را ارایه میدارد که کارمندان میتوانند از آنها در جریان این پروسه (پروسه بررسی اسناد) استفاده نمایند و همچنان این اوراق تاکید میدارند که کارگران حق انتخاب دارند که از کدام سند معتبر منحیث ثبوت مجوز کار ونشان دهنده هویت ایشان استفاده نمایند.
نهایتاً، این اوراق معلومات ارایه میدارند که چګونه اتباع افغان و اکراین در ایالات متحده میتوانند در رابطه به مسایل مربوط به کار از طریق خط تلفن که مربوط (IER) یا شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران این اداره میشود کمک دریافت نمایند. این خط تیلیفون رایگان بوده و برای همه کارگران که در مورد تبعیض (بر اساس تابعیت، وضعیت مهاجرت و یا منشاء ملیتی) در محل کار سوالاتی داشته باشند قابل دسترس میباشد.
شما میتوانید اطلاعات بیشتر در مورد کارکرد شعبه IER (شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران) و طریقه دسترسی به حمایت این اداره بوسیله این ویدیو مختصربدست آورید. متقاضیان یا کارمندانی که باور دارند بر اساس تابعیت، وضعیت مهاجرتی و یا منشاء ملیتی خویش در استخدام، انفکاک، و یا در جریان بررسی و چک نمودن واجد شرایط بودن به استخدام (فورم I-9 و E-Verify) مورد تبعیض قرار گرفته اند، و یا در معرض عکس العمل تلافی جویانه قرار گرفته اند، میتوانند اتهام یا شکایت درج نمایند. اعوام همچنین می توانند با شماره تیلیفون بخش کارگران در شعبه IER (شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران) که ۱-۸۰۰-۲۵۵-۸۱۵۵ میباشد به تماس شوند؛ و یا با خط تلفن بخش کارفرمایان در شعبه IER به شماره
1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515 برای کسانیکه حس شنوایی محدود دارند تخصیص داده شده است) به تماس شوند؛ و یا از طریق ایمیل [email protected]; میتوانند برای سمینار آنلاین رایگان ازطریق لینک فوق ثبت نام نمایند; و یا به صفحات انترنتی شعبه IER (شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران) که به زبان های انگلیسی و هسپانیوی میباشند مراجعه نمایند. همچنان جهت دریافت اطلاعات تازه از شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران (IER)، میتوانید در GovDelivery اشتراک نمایید.
ترجمه این بیانیه مطبوعاتی و اوراق معلوماتی در آینده نزدیک منتشر میگردند.
ضمایم
داونلود اوراق معلوماتی برای اتباع اکراین (شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران
داونلود اوراق معلوماتی برای اتباع افغان (شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران)
موضوعات
نیروی کار و استخدام
اجزاء:
شعبه حقوق مدنی
حقوق مدنی-شعبه حقوق مهاجرین و کارگران
English
Russian
українська
پښتو
دری
د عدلیې وزارت نن هغه سرچینې اعلان کړې چې په متحده ایالاتو کې له افغانانو او اوکراین وګړو سره د کارموندنې پر حقونو پوه او مرسته وکړي. دا سرچینې په کار ځای کې د خوندیتوب هغه حقوق چې افغان او اوکرایني کډوال یې د مهاجرت او تابعیت قانون (INA) له مخې لري تشریحRead the Press Release
د عدلیې وزارت نن هغه سرچینې اعلان کړې چې په متحده ایالاتو کې له افغانانو او اوکراین وګړو سره د کارموندنې پر حقونو پوه او مرسته وکړي. دا سرچینې په کار ځای کې د خوندیتوب هغه حقوق چې افغان او اوکرایني کډوال یې د مهاجرت او تابعیت قانون (INA) له مخې لري تشریح کوي کوم چې د تابعیت، کډوالۍ وضعیت او ملي اصل پر بنسټ د کار ګومارنې تبعیض مخنیوی کوي. په عمومي توګه، کارګمارونکو ته اجازه نه ورکول کیږي چې د کار ګومارنې یا ګوښه کولو په وخت کې د هغو کارکوونکو په وړاندې چې د تابعیت یا مهاجرت حالت پر بنسټ د کار کولو اجازه لري تبعیض وکړي. فدرالي قانون هم کارکوونکي د دوی د مليتي اصل پر بنسټ د تبعیض څخه محفوظ ساتي.
د عدلیې وزارت د مدني حقونو څانګې د لوی څارنوال معاون کرېسټېن کلارک وویل، "چې د غیرقانوني تبعیض د مخنیوی لپاره باید ډاډ ترلاسه شي چې کارکوونکي خپل حقونه پېژني." "د مدني حقونو څانګه چمتو ده چې په متحده ایالاتو کې له افغان او اوکراینی وګړو سره مرسته وکړي، او له ټولو شته وسایلو څخه به کار واخېستل شي ترڅو ډاډ ترلاسه کړي شي چې د کار په ځای کې له دوی سره په غیر قانوني توګه تبعیض نه ترسره کیږي."
په متحده ایالاتو کې افغانان او اوکراینیان کېداۍ شي د کډوالۍ مختلف حالتونه ولري. ځینې د متحدینو د ښه راغلاست عملیاتو او د اوکراین لپاره د متحدینو له لارې رسیدلي دي. د کره معلوماتو په دې پاڼو کې د پناه غوښتونکو، مهاجرینو، قانوني دایمي اوسیدونکو، د لنډمهاله خوندي وضعیت لرونکو کسانو، او د اوکراین لپاره د متحدینو د ښه راغلاست یا متحدینو عملیاتو له مخې پارول یا مشروطه استوګنه، ورکړل شوي دي معلومات شامل دي. لکه څنګه چې په دې سرچینو کې تشریح شوي، (INA) هم کارګران له تبعیض څخه ساتي. کله چې یو کارګمارونکی د کار کولو د جواز سند ارزونه کوي، چې ډیرۍ وختونه د کار د وړتیا تصدیق کولو پروسې په نوم یادیږي. دغه پاڼې د هغو اسنادو مثالونه وړاندې کوي چې کارکوونکي ممکن د دې پروسې په جریان کې پرې ټینګار او وښیايي چې کارکوونکي حق لري چې د خپل هویت او د کار کولو اجازې ښودلو لپاره په خپله خوښه کوم معتبر اسناد وړاندې کړي.
په پای کې، حقیقت/دکره معلوماتو پاڼې په دې اړه معلومات وړاندې کوي چې څنګه په متحده ایالاتو کې افغان او اوکراین وګړي د کار اړوند موضوعاتو کې مرسته ترلاسه کولای شي چې د کارکوونکو لپاره د اړیکي شمېره یا (هاټ لاین) له لارې چې د مهاجرینو او کارکوونکو د حقونو برخې (IER) لخوا پرمخ وړل کیږي. د کارکوونکو لپاره د اړیکي شمیره (هاټ لاین) وړیا او د ټولو کارکوونکو لپاره شتون لري چې د خپل تابعیت، کډوالۍ وضعیت، یا مليتي اصل پر بنسټ په کار ځای کې د تبعیض په اړه پوښتنې وکړي.
ددې لنډې ویډیو له لارې د کارکونکو د حقونو برخې یا IER کار او د مرستې ترلاسه کولو څرنګوالي په اړه نور معلومات ترلاسه کړئ. غوښتنلیک ورکوونکي یا کارکوونکي چې باور لري د دوی د تابعیت، د کډوالۍ وضعیت یا مليتي اصل پر بنسټ په استخدام، ګمارلو، او یا د استخدام وړتیا تصدیق کولو پروسې (فورم I-9 او E-Verify) په جریان کې له دوي سره تبعیض شوي، یا د غچ اخېستنې سره مخ شوي، کولای شي چې په دې تور یا شکایت ثبت کړي. عام خلک هم کولای شي چې د IER د کارکونکو د اړیکو یا هاټ لاین 1-800-255-7688شمیرې سره اړیکه ونیسي؛ د IER د کار ګمارونکي هاټ لاین ته په دې شمېرو 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515، TTY د اوریدلو د کمزورتیا لپاره) اړیکه اونیسۍ؛ برېښنالیک [email protected] ؛په وړیا انترنیي سیمنار یا وېبېنار کې ګډون وکړئ؛ او یا د IER انګلیسي او هسپانوي وېبپاڼو څخه لیدنه وکړئ. د IER څخه تازه معلوماتو ترلاسه کولو لپاره په GovDelivery کې ګډون وکړئ.
د دې مطبوعاتي اعلامیې ژباړې او حقیقت پاڼې پر لاره دي.
ضمیمه/ضمیمې:
د اوکراین مهاجرو د کارګومارنې حقوق ډاونلوډ کړئ
افغان مهاجرو د کار ګومارنې حقوق ډاونلوډ کړئ
موضوع/موضوع ګانې:
کار او استخدام
اجزا:
د مدني حقونو څانګه
مدني حقوق - د مهاجرینو او کارمندانو د حقونو برخه
English
Russian
українська
پښتو
دری
Міністерство юстиції надає афганцям та українцям ресурси щодо їхніх прав зайнятостіRead the Press Release
Міністерство юстиції оголосило сьогодні про ресурси, що допоможуть афганцям та українцям у Сполучених Штатах зрозуміти свої права на працевлаштування. Ці ресурси пояснюють захист на робочому місці, право на який афганські та українські іммігранти мають відповідно до Закону про імміграцію та громадянство (INA), який забороняє дискримінацію у сфері зайнятості на основі громадянства, імміграційного статусу та національного походження. Загалом, роботодавцям не дозволяється дискримінувати працівників, які мають дозвіл на роботу на основі їх громадянства або імміграційного статусу при наймі, звільненні або підборі персоналу. Федеральний закон також захищає працівників від дискримінації за національним походженням.
«Запобігання незаконній дискримінації включає в себе забезпечення обізнаності працівників про свої права», - сказала заступник Генерального прокурора Крістен Кларк з відділу громадянських прав Міністерства юстиції. «Відділ громадянських прав готовий надати допомогу афганцям та українцям у Сполучених Штатах і буде використовувати всі наявні засоби для запобігання незаконній дискримінації проти них на робочому місці».
Афганці і українці в США можуть мати різні імміграційні статуси. Деякі з них прибули до США завдяки операції «Ласкаво просимо, союзники» і програми «Єднання заради України». Ці документи містять інформацію для біженців, законних постійних мешканців, осіб зі стасусом тимчасово захищених та осіб, які отримали дозвіл на в'їзд та тимчасове перебування в США в рамках операції «Ласкаво просимо, союзники» або програми «Єднання заради України». Як пояснено на цих ресурсах, INA також захищає працівників від дискримінації, коли роботодавець перевіряє їхній дозвіл на роботу, який часто називають процесом перевірки відповідності зайнятості. У цих довідкових матеріалах наводяться приклади документації, які ці працівники можуть показати під час цього процесу, і підкреслюють, що працівники мають право вибирати, яку дійсну документацію вони можуть показати, щоб підтвердити свою особистість та дозвіл на роботу.
Нарешті, ці довідкові матеріали надають інформацію про те, як афганці та українці в Сполучених Штатах можуть отримати допомогу з питань, пов'язаних з роботою, через гарячу лінію, що працює у Секції прав працівників та іммігрантів (ІЕR). Ця гаряча лінія безкоштовна і доступна для всіх працівників, які мають питання про дискримінацію на робочому місці на основі їх громадянства, імміграційного статусу або національного походження.
Дізнайтеся більше про роботу ІЕR і як отримати допомогу за допомогою цього короткого відео. Заявники або працівники, які вважають, що вони дискриміновані на основі їх громадянства, імміграційного статусу або національного походження при прийомі на роботу, звільненні, прийомі на роботу або під час процесу перевірки на відповідність вимогам працевлаштування (форма I-9 і E-Verify), або стали жертвами помсти за скаргу, можуть подати позов. Громадськість також може звернутися до робочої гарячої лінії IER за номером 1-800-255-7688; зателефонувати на гарячу лінію роботодавця IER за номером 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY для людей з порушеннями слуху); електронною поштою [email protected]; зареєструватися на безкоштовний вебінар; або відвідати англо- та іспанськомовні веб-сайти IER. Підпишіться на GovDelivery для отримання оновлень від IER.
Переклади цього прес-релізу та інформаційних листів будуть доступні.
Вкладення:
Завантажити Український IER
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Теми:
Праця та зайнятість
Компоненти:
Відділ громадянських прав
Громадянські права – Секція прав іммігрантів і працівників
Номер прес-релізу:
22-1290
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Министерство юстиции США предоставляет ресурсы афганцам и украинцам в отношении их трудовых правRead the Press Release
Министерство юстиции США объявило сегодня о ресурсах, которые помогут афганцам и украинцам в Соединённых Штатах понять свои трудовые права. Эти ресурсы объясняют какими правами на зщиту на рабочем месте афганские и украинские иммигранты обладают в соответствии с Законом об иммиграции и гражданстве (Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), запрещающим дискриминацию при приёме на работу на основании гражданства, иммиграционного статуса и национального происхождения. Как правило, работодателям не разрешается дискриминировать работников, имеющих разрешение на работу, на основании их гражданства или иммиграционного статуса (citizenship or immigration status), при найме, увольнении или в процессе подбора кадров. Федеральный закон также защищает работников от дискриминации на основании их национального происхождения (national origin).
Помощник Генерального прокурора в Подразделении по гражданским правам Министерства юстиции США Кристен Кларк заявила: «Предотвращение незаконной дискриминации включает разъяснение работникам их прав. Подразделение по гражданским правам готово оказать помощь афганцам и украинцам в Соединённых Штатах и будет использовать все доступные инструменты, чтобы предотвратить их незаконную дискриминацию на рабочем месте.»
У афганцев и украинцев в США могут быть различные иммиграционные статусы. Некоторые из них прибыли в рамках операции «Приветствуем союзников» (Operation Allies Welcome) и программы «Единство ради Украины» (Uniting for Ukraine). Данные информационные бюллетени включают информацию для просителей убежища, беженцев (asylees, refugees), законных постоянных жителей, лиц со статусом временной защиты (Temporary Protected Status) и лиц, получивших разрешение на въезд и временное пребывание в США (granted parole) в рамках операции «Приветствуем союзников» и программы «Единство ради Украины». Как объясняется в этих ресурсах, закон INA также защищает работников от дискриминации в ходе проверки наличия у них разрешения на работу, что часто называют процессом проверки права на трудоустройство. Информационные бюллетени содержат примеры документации, которую данные работники могут предъявить в ходе этого процесса, и подчёркивают, что работники имеют право выбирать (workers have the right to choose), какую действительную документацию они могут предъявить для подтверждения своей личности и наличия у них разрешения на работу.
Наконец, информационные бюллетени содержат информацию о том, как афганцы и украинцы в Соединённых Штатах могут получить помощь по вопросам трудоустройства по горячей линии для работников, функционирующей в Отделе иммиграции и прав работников (IER). Данная горячая линия является бесплатной и доступна всем работникам, имеющим вопросы о дискриминации на рабочем месте на основании их гражданства, иммиграционного статуса или национального происхождения.
Получить дополнительную информацию о работе Отдела IER и о том, как получить помощь, можно из короткого видео (video). Желающие получить работу или сотрудники, считающие, что они подверглись дискриминации на основании их гражданства, иммиграционного статуса или национального происхождения при подборе кадров, найме, увольнении, или в процессе проверки права на трудоустройство (Форма I-9 и E-Verify) или подверглись репрессиям, могут обратиться с жалобой (file a charge). Представители общественности также могут позвонить на горячую линию Отдела IER для работников по телефону 1-800-255-7688; позвонить на горячую линию для работодателей по телефону 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, телетайп для слабослышащих (TTY)); написать на электронную почту [email protected]; записаться на бесплатный вебинар (webinar) или посетить веб-сайты Отдела IER на английском (English) и испанском (Spanish) языках. Подпишитесь на услугу GovDelivery, чтобы получать обновленную информацию от Отдела IER.
Переводы данного пресс-релиза и информационных бюллетеней поступят в ближайшее время.
Приложение(я):
Скачать украинскую версию бюллетеня отдела IER (Download Ukrainian IER)
Скачать афганскую версию бюллетеня отдела IER (Download Afghan IER)
Тема(ы):
Труд и занятость
Компонент(ы):
Подразделение по гражданским правам (Civil Rights Division)
Гражданские права - Отдел иммиграции и прав работников (Civil Rights - Immigrant and Employee Rights Section)
Номер пресс-релиза:
22-1290
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Woman Sentenced to Nearly Four Years for Conspiring to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl, and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
A woman who distributed heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced today to 46 months’ imprisonment in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Marsha C. Dismukes, age 54, from Ford Heights, Illinois, received the sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base.
In a plea agreement, Dismukes admitted to engaging in a drug-related conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine in Cedar Rapids. Information at the sentencing hearing showed that Dismukes was involved in the distribution of approximately 900 grams of heroin.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Dismukes was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following her term of incarceration. There is no parole in the federal system. Dismukes remains in the custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to federal prison.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dorval Norwood.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 21-CR-00068-CJW.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Wiretap Investigation Leads to Another Iowa Man Being Sent to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Webster City man who ordered a pound ice methamphetamine from a man he met in state prison was sentenced November 29, 2022, to more than 15 years in federal prison.
Gabriel Allen Pelz, age 44, from Webster City, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 18, 2022 guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of use of a communication facility to commit a felony drug crime.
Information disclosed at sentencing showed that Pelz met Andrew Surprenant while they were both incarcerated in state prison. Pelz was released from state custody in December 2021, and, in early January 2022, Pelz contacted Surprenant and arranged to acquire a pound of ice methamphetamine from him. At the time, law enforcement was monitoring a wiretap on Surprenant’s phone and intercepted the conversations between Pelz and Surprenant. Law enforcement conducted surveillance of Surprenant’s residence and watched Pelz arrive at there. After Pelz left, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of him and recovered a pound of ice methamphetamine from Pelz. Pelz later admitted that he acquired the ice methamphetamine from Surprenant and intended to distribute it to others in the Webster City area.
Pelz was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Pelz was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Andrew Surprenant previously pled guilty to his involvement with a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization. On October 21, 2022, Surprenant was sentenced to 396 months’ imprisonment.
Pelz 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-02017.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Wiretap Investigation Leads to Another Iowa Man Being Sent to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Webster City man who ordered a pound ice methamphetamine from a man he met in state prison was sentenced November 29, 2022, to more than 15 years in federal prison.
Gabriel Allen Pelz, age 44, from Webster City, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 18, 2022 guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of use of a communication facility to commit a felony drug crime.
Information disclosed at sentencing showed that Pelz met Andrew Surprenant while they were both incarcerated in state prison. Pelz was released from state custody in December 2021, and, in early January 2022, Pelz contacted Surprenant and arranged to acquire a pound of ice methamphetamine from him. At the time, law enforcement was monitoring a wiretap on Surprenant’s phone and intercepted the conversations between Pelz and Surprenant. Law enforcement conducted surveillance of Surprenant’s residence and watched Pelz arrive at there. After Pelz left, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of him and recovered a pound of ice methamphetamine from Pelz. Pelz later admitted that he acquired the ice methamphetamine from Surprenant and intended to distribute it to others in the Webster City area.
Pelz was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Pelz was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Andrew Surprenant previously pled guilty to his involvement with a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization. On October 21, 2022, Surprenant was sentenced to 396 months’ imprisonment.
Pelz 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-02017.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Weymouth Man Sentenced for Market Manipulation ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Weymouth man was sentenced yesterday for his role in a sophisticated, multi-year market manipulation conspiracy involving securities traded on securities exchanges within the United States, including the New York Stock Exchange and NADSAQ.
Jiali Wang, 44, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to time served (three months in prison) and nine months of home detention. Wang was also ordered to forfeit $7.75 million in illicit proceeds. On Aug. 5, 2022, Wang pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
From approximately 2013 through at least 2018, Wang participated in the manipulative trading activity of a group of securities traders located in China and, at times, in Massachusetts. Specifically, Wang and his co-conspirators used multiple brokerage accounts in their names, and in the names of others with whom Wang had a relationship, to artificially depress or inflate the prices of thinly traded securities. They did so by repeatedly placing relatively small sell (or buy) orders designed to send a false signal about a security’s supply (or demand) and to depress (or inflate) the security’s price. Wang and his co-conspirators then immediately placed relatively large buy (or sell) orders on the other side of the market to take advantage of their manipulations. Once the large orders executed, Wang and his co-conspirators cancelled their outstanding manipulative orders.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Washington Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Dallas Faamausili, 36, of Renton, Washington, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska. United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Faamausili to 70 months in prison for one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. After serving his sentence, Faamausili will be placed on supervised release for 2 years. There is no parole in the federal system.
On May 26, 2021, a Seward County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle driven by Faamausili for a traffic violation on Interstate 80. Faamausili gave consent to search his vehicle for illegal narcotics. The deputy noticed that the stow-n-go compartment in the vehicle was glued shut. He eventually opened the compartment and found several clear plastic packages containing suspected methamphetamine. In total, there were about 100 one-pound sized bricks seized from the vehicle. Two of the pound size bricks were sent to the lab for testing. The lab determined that one brick contained 443.97 grams of methamphetamine and the other brick contained 446.57 grams of methamphetamine. Purity was conducted, and the lab determined that the two bricks contained at least 840 grams of actual methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Seward County Interdiction Task Force, and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
Union County Man Admits Committing Multiple Armed Robberies and Weapons Offenses Across Northern New JerseyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man admitted participating in a conspiracy to commit multiple armed robberies from August 2018 to February 2019, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Jaime Fontanez, 45, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler on Nov. 30, 2022, to eight counts of an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, five substantive counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From August 2018 through February 2019, Fontanez conspired with a number of other individuals to commit 13 armed robberies in Bronx and New York counties in New York and Union, Middlesex, and Essex counties in New Jersey. The conspirators targeted convenience and liquor stores. After entering the business, one of the conspirators pointed a firearm at the store clerk while another conspirator went behind the counter to steal money from the cash register. On one occasion, one of the conspirators discharged a firearm into the liquor store.
The Hobbs Act charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Each count also carries a potential $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. He also thanked the Elizabeth Police Department, the Rahway Police Department, the Woodbridge Police Department, the Bloomfield Police Department, the Linden Police Department, the Kenilworth Police Department, the Union Police Department, and the New Jersey States Police for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton and Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Ukrainian National Charged with Acting as Courier in Scheme that Stole More Than $200k from VictimRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND - A Ukrainian national, whose last known address was in New York, was charged on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in a one-count indictment with acting as a money courier for scammers who stole more than $200,000 from a victim in Brunswick, Ohio.
Taras Semuso, 33, was officially charged with one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, from June 2022 to August 2022, the victim was contacted by a member of the conspiracy claiming to be a government agent and that the victim’s bank accounts had been compromised. It is alleged that the conspirator then informed the victim that they were required to provide United States currency to an undercover agent, later identified as the defendant, to keep the victim’s bank account funds safe.
Court documents state that the victim and the defendant then met on several occasions in which the victim provided the defendant with more than $200,000 in cash. Court records allege that the defendant collected the money from the victim, used a cell phone to send confirmation to co-conspirators that the money was collected and provided the cash to other co-conspirators.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Cleveland FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Egan.
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