Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Friday 14 October 2022
U.S. Attorney Weiss Announces $92,013 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – U.S. Attorney Weiss announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $92,013 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of Delaware. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and other violent criminal activity in the district. The grant, issued to the Criminal Justice Council, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss stated, “Project Safe Neighborhoods is the cornerstone for my district’s Community-Based Violence Intervention initiative. This funding will support continued efforts to enhance community safety by disrupting and de-escalating violent crime. I wish to thank our PSN community stakeholders and federal, state, and local law enforcement for their continued support.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. Announces $91,149 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $91,149 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Middle District of Louisiana. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to Baton Rouge Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation (Foundation), is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
U.S. Attorney Gathe stated, “The Project Safe Neighborhoods grants have been an important resource in the fight against violent crime in Baton Rouge. It has provided funding for manpower and technical resources which have aided the apprehension of violent criminals.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Luger Announces Justice Department Grant to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $236,111 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of Minnesota. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“My office has taken a strategic approach to address violent crime in our communities, an approach that recognizes the importance of prevention, intervention and enforcement. Leveraging these Project Safe Neighborhood grant funds is another step towards breaking this trend of violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. In the District of Minnesota, PSN funds are awarded from the Department of Justice to the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs, which serves as the fiscal agent. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Leary Announces $128,947 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $128,947 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Middle District of Georgia. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence. This grant is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“Reducing gun violence in our communities will only be achieved through collaborative and strategic efforts unique to each community across the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The Project Safe Neighborhoods program has been a strong bridge-builder between law enforcement and citizens, funding popular programs like the Teen Police Academy, paying for gang deterrent counseling for young people and providing hundreds of free gun locks. PSN has also provided the money necessary for important investigative tech like NIBIN to trace the criminal use of firearms and bring repeat violent offenders to justice. Through PSN, violent crime reduction ideas have become reality as we all continue to work together for safer neighborhoods.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Evans Announces $134,999 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $134,999 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to the City of New Orleans, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“Unfortunately, we continue to deal with the negative effects that violent crime brings to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Evans. “The announcement of this award highlights the steadfast commitment from the Department of Justice to give our state and local community partners the tools needed to enhance public safety and combat violent crime through programs that address an array of public safety initiatives.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
###
U.s. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe Announces $91,731 in Justice Department Grants to Support Local Project Safe Neighborhoods ProgramsRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. – U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced today that the Department of
Justice has awarded $91,731 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Southern
District of Illinois. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime
and serious violence in the district. The grant, to Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, is one of a
number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered
by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime,
Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive
Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The
PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our
efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of
arrests or prosecutions.“Partnering with organizations like Hoyleton Youth and Family Services is vital to our efforts to
combat the scourge of gun violence that plagues so many of our local communities and we are proud
to have a role in financially supporting the great work it does,” said U.S. Attorney Crowe. “Strong
collaboration between our law enforcement agencies and community groups and organizations is the
best means of fostering the safe communities which all of this district’s residents deserve.”“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between
criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and
well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen
Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable
every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies
and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and
intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and
accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in
neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges
of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on
the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S.
Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust
necessary to ensure lasting success.”The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More
information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance
and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial
equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More
information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.U.s. Attorney Dawn N. Ison Announces $348,836.00 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
SAGINAW – U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $348,836.00 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Eastern District of Michigan. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to Saginaw Community Foundation, Inc., is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“By focusing on the most violent offenders and the most violent places, Saginaw has the opportunity to greatly improve the quality of life for the residents of Saginaw who are most acutely affected by gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “This award is great news for Saginaw as it will provide the funding needed to help reach our goal of reducing gun violence.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Two Oklahoma City Men Sentenced to Serve Fifty Years Collectively in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Two Oklahoma City men have been sentenced to serve 50 years collectively in federal prison for child exploitation and child pornography offenses, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On March 2, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment charging CHRISTOPHER JAMES LAFEVER, 36, of Oklahoma City, with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography. LaFever later pleaded guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography. On January 6, 2022, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced LaFever to serve 20 years in federal prison, followed 20 years of supervised release. LaFever has been in federal custody since February 9, 2021.
While investigating LaFever, law enforcement uncovered his association with DAKOTA ALLEN KIDWELL, 27, of Oklahoma City. Specifically, they discovered a video in LaFever’s possession that Kidwell had created. On October 8, 2021, Kidwell was charged in a two-count Complaint with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Distribution of Child Pornography. On November 1, 2021, Kidwell pleaded guilty to a one-count Information, charging him with Sexual Exploitation of a Child. At today’s sentencing, Judge Goodwin sentenced Kidwell to serve 30 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Kidwell has been in federal custody since October 7, 2021.
In announcing both LaFever and Kidwell’s sentences, Judge Goodwin noted the nature and circumstances of the offenses. Both men will be required to register as sex offenders upon their release from prison.
These cases are the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Noble and Brandon Hale prosecuted Kidwell, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Stoneman prosecuted LaFever.
These cases are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Tucson Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Abusive Sexual Contact with a ChildRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On October 6, 2022, Norris Jose, 40, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 87 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Jose previously pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child.
Between May 24 and May 29, 2019, Jose, an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and a registered sex offender, engaged in sexual contact with the victim, who was 8 years old at the time. The offense occurred on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation in the village of Topawa.
The Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances M. Kreamer Hope, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-0881-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-179_Jose# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Texas Man Sentenced for Threatening to Shoot People at McCook Wal-MartRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Rogelio Salas, Jr., 26, of Weslaco, Texas, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 33 months’ imprisonment for threatening to shoot employees and a specific victim who worked at the McCook, Nebraska Wal-Mart. After Salas, Jr.’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On January 8, 2022, Salas, Jr. indicated he was outside the Wal-Mart with firearms and explosives and stated that he was going to enter the store with the weapons to kill the victim. Salas, Jr. made multiple threatening calls to the store, and the store evacuated all employees and customers as a result of the threats. Investigation revealed that Salas, Jr. was, in fact, in the State of Texas at the time that the threatening calls were made to the Nebraska retailer.
Salas, Jr. began a campaign of threatening and harassing the victim that started when the victim refused to play online video games anymore with Salas, Jr. because Salas, Jr. was using homosexual slurs during the video game sessions that offended the victim. Once the victim stopped playing online games with Salas, Jr., Salas Jr. began to contact the victim on social media and determined the victim’s specific workplace at the McCook area Wal-Mart. Salas, Jr. pled guilty to transmitting threats in interstate commerce on July 21, 2022.
For this conduct, Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Salas, Jr. to a term of 33 months in federal prison, the longest sentence authorized by Salas, Jr.’s plea of guilty. Judge Gerrard noted the disturbing frequency of threat cases coming before him recently and issued the sentence in part because of the fear that the defendant caused in all of the individuals at the Wal-Mart store that day and because it was all unnecessarily done over a video game dispute.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by North Platte FBI and the McCook Police Department.
Tax Fraud Lands Three Tax Preparers in PrisonRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, a federal district judge in Miami sentenced three tax preparers—Nixon Cyrius Cherfils, 47, Kerline Pierre, 43, and Jonas Augustin, 49, for conspiracy to file false tax returns. Cherfils, the leader of this conspiracy and owner of the tax preparation business, Cherfils Enterprises, was sentenced to a prison term of 48 months. Pierre was sentenced to 28 months in prison and Augustin was sentenced to 8 months in prison and 9 months of house arrest.
For several years, the defendants included false education credits on the vast majority of their unwitting customers’ tax returns, thereby increasing the tax refunds or reducing the tax liability of their customers in an effort to grow the business and their profits or compensation. Cherfils was ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of nearly $3.5 million. Pierre and Augustin were ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $351,196 and 330,579, respectively.
Cherfils and Pierre also were convicted of wire fraud for applying for and fraudulently obtaining several loans under the CARES Act, the law passed by Congress to help small businesses weather the economic hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cherfils and Pierre submitted falsified tax returns and false information in support of their loan applications even though they had not filed tax returns during the relevant years. The Court ordered Cherfils and Pierre to pay restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration in the amount of $380,232 and $319,952 respectively.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Matthew D. Line, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Miami Field Office, announced the sentences.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aimee C. Jimenez. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster handled asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-20302.
###
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Offender Registration ViolationRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Douglas Gustafson, age 36, of Syracuse, pled guilty yesterday to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty.
Gustafson, who is a sex offender based on a 2008 federal conviction for recruiting and enticing a 14-year-old minor to engage in a commercial sex act, admitted that on May 28, 2022 he absconded from a residential recovery center, which was his court-ordered and registered address, and that he remained at large until he was located by law enforcement in Madison County on June 27, 2022. Gustafson’s failure to notify the state Division of Criminal Justice Services Sex Offender Registry of this change in his residence was a violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, which requires sex offenders to notify the registry within 3 days of any change in residence.
Gustafson also admitted to violating his federal supervised release by, among other things, absconding from the residential reentry center and committing a new crime by failing to report his change of address to the Sex Offender Registry.
Gustafson will be sentenced on February 13, 2023 before Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue. For failing to update his sex offender registration information, Gustafson faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000. For violating the conditions of his supervised release, Gustafson faces a potential additional penalty of up to 5 years in prison. 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 Marshal Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher.
Superseding Federal Indictment Against Former Illinois Speaker of the House Adds Charge for Alleged Corruption Scheme Related to AT&T IllinoisRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal grand jury in Chicago has charged former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives MICHAEL J. MADIGAN with corruptly arranging for payments to be made to a political ally as part of an alleged conspiracy involving Illinois Bell Telephone Company, which does business as AT&T Illinois.
Madigan was originally indicted earlier this year on racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates. The initial indictment accused Madigan and his close friend – co-defendant MICHAEL F. MCCLAIN – of causing the utility company Commonwealth Edison to make monetary payments to Madigan’s allies as a reward for their loyalty to Madigan, at times in return for performing little or no actual work for the company. The initial indictment also charged Madigan with engaging in multiple schemes to reap the benefits of legal work unlawfully steered to his private law firm.
The superseding indictment unsealed today includes the prior charges and adds an additional conspiracy count against Madigan and McClain related to an alleged corruption scheme involving AT&T Illinois. The new indictment alleges that Madigan and McClain in 2017 conspired with AT&T Illinois’s then-president to corruptly arrange for $22,500 to be paid at the direction of the company to the Madigan ally. AT&T Illinois allegedly made the payments through an intermediary – a lobbying firm that performed services for AT&T Illinois – to conceal the true nature of the payments, which was to influence and reward Madigan’s efforts as Speaker to assist AT&T Illinois with respect to certain legislation in the Illinois General Assembly. Although the members of the conspiracy formulated a pretextual assignment for Madigan’s ally to disguise why the ally was being paid, the ally performed no actual work for AT&T Illinois and had no role in advancing the legislation, the charges allege.
Madigan, 80, of Chicago, and McClain, 75, of Quincy, Ill., will be arraigned on the superseding indictment on a future date to be set by the U.S. District Court in Chicago.
The former AT&T Illinois president – PAUL LA SCHIAZZA, 65 – was charged in a separate federal indictment unsealed today with participating in the conspiracy and committing other offenses, including using a facility in interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity. Also today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a one-count criminal information charging AT&T Illinois with using an interstate facility to promote unlawful activity.
The charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Ashley T. Johnson, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Diane MacArthur, Timothy J. Chapman, Sarah E. Streicker, Michelle Kramer, and Julia Schwartz.
The public is reminded that charges are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Seven Men from Ohio and Pennsylvania Charged with Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Eliot Gentry, Daivahn Brown, Donald Jeter, William McCree, Teqwan Scott, Donald Snowden, and Kailin Stewart have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The Indictment, returned on Oct. 11 and yesterday, charges the seven defendants with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute at least 100 grams of fluorofentanyl, 40 grams of fentanyl, five kilograms of cocaine, 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of methamphetamine, from May 2021 to October 2022.
Gentry, age 25; McCree, age 19; and Scott, age 28 are Youngstown, Ohio, residents. Jeter, age 32; Snowden, age 31; and Stewart, age 36; are New Castle, Pennsylvania, residents. Brown, age 26, is a resident of Boardman, Ohio.
“My office is committed to working in partnership with federal, state, and local law, to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking conspiracies which impact our communities, as here with the New Castle and Farrell communities,” said U.S. Attorney Chung.
“These arrests disrupted a violent drug trafficking organization; a top priority within our mission,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. "These arrests are a result of the continuing and relentless efforts of the FBI and our federal, state, and local partners to rid our streets of these criminals and make our communities safe.”
“The rise of fentanyl has ripped through Western Pennsylvania and our office is determined to hold those who profit from these narcotics accountable to the law. Close collaboration with our law enforcement partners has shut down this ring of drug traffickers and led to this indictment,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “These substances ruin lives and destroy communities. We will not rest to turn the tide against this epidemic and to keep Pennsylvanians safe.”
The law provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal histories of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation resulting in the return of the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
San Fernando Valley Woman Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Defrauding Health Insurers by Submitting Claims for Botox InjectionsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley woman was sentenced today to 72 months for conspiring to defraud health insurance companies by causing millions of dollars in fraudulent claims to be submitted to provide patients with “free” cosmetic procedures, including Botox injections, and for cheating on her taxes.
Roshanak Khadem, 55, a.k.a. “Roxanne Khadem,” a.k.a. “Roxy Khadem,” of Sherman Oaks, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson, who also ordered her to pay $1,250,601 in restitution and a $30,000 fine.
Khadem pleaded guilty on February 8 to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of subscribing to a false income tax return.
Khadem owned and operated facilities that provided aesthetic services to clients, including R&R Med Spa in Valley Village and Nu-Me Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center in Woodland Hills.
From January 2012 to April 2016, Khadem caused patients to visit her clinics to receive cosmetic procedures, including Botox injections, facials and laser hair removal. Khadem knew these procedures were not covered by the patients’ health insurers. Khadem also knew that her employees informed some patients that, if they turned over their health insurance information to the Khadem-owned clinics, the patients could receive free or discounted cosmetic procedures pursuant to a “credit” they would earn.
Health insurance information from these patients was provided to the insurance biller for the clinics, knowing and intending that the information would be used to submit false and fraudulent claims to the health insurers for medical procedures that Khadem knew were either not actually provided to the patients or were not medically necessary.
Then, based on the amount that the health insurers paid on those false and fraudulent claims, Khadem and others would calculate an amount, which the co-conspirators referred to as a "credit," that the patients could use to receive free or discounted cosmetic procedures from the clinics. Those patients would then come into the clinics to receive the free or discounted cosmetic procedures.
The proceeds from the health care fraud conspiracy were deposited into bank accounts that were held in the names of doctors who were affiliated with the clinics and who signed off on and caused to be submitted the false and fraudulent claims under their names.
Khadem took possession of the proceeds from the doctors’ accounts in two ways. First, because Khadem had signatory authority on the bank accounts, she was able to obtain the funds by writing checks on the accounts. Second, she would withdraw funds from the bank accounts using pre-signed checks that she obtained from the doctors.
From January 2012 to April 2016, Khadem and her co-conspirators submitted claims, which included false and fraudulent claims for which those companies paid out at least $1,250,601.
The scheme involving the two clinics defrauded the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association Benefit Plan, which is the health benefit plan that covers longshore workers in Southern California and their dependents. Another victim was the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which provides health insurance for federal employees.
Khadem failed to report this income on her income tax returns for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Khadem’s underreporting of her income for these three years caused a total tax loss of $453,451.
The remaining four defendants in this case each have pleaded guilty. Lucine Ilangezyan, 42, of North Hills, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health fraud, and is serving an 18-month prison sentence. Gary Jizmejian, 48, of Santa Clarita, a former senior investigator at the Anthem Special Investigations Unit, the anti-fraud unit within Anthem that is responsible for investigating health care fraud committed against the insurance company, pleaded guilty to using his cell phone to send text messages to co-defendants as part of this commercial bribery scheme. He also is serving an 18-month prison sentence.
Dr. Roberto Mariano, 64, of Rancho Cucamonga, a physician who helped operate the clinics, and Marina Sarkisyan, 53, of Panorama City, who was the office manager at the clinics, are scheduled to be sentenced on November 7.
IRS Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Valerie L. Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section and Morgan J. Cohen of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Saginaw Man Convicted of Drug and Gun Offenses in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BAY CITY - A 21-year-old Saginaw man, Cortiyah Moore, was convicted yesterday of several drug and gun offenses by a federal jury in Bay City following a 3-day trial before the Hon. Thomas L. Ludington, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Paul Vanderplow, Special Agent in Charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosive Detroit Field Division.
According to testimony and evidence introduced at the trial, on September 27, 2021, troopers with the Michigan State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by three men. The troopers found a loaded, semi-automatic pistol equipped with an extended magazine at Moore’s feet who was seated in the back seat. Moore had a large sum of cash on his person, as did the driver and front seat passenger. Elsewhere in the vehicle, the troopers found distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack, and a second pistol equipped with a drum magazine and an auto-sear which made the firearm a fully automatic machinegun. The jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts; conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Moore, a convicted felon who was on probation at the time, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life. Moore will be sentenced by the Hon. Thomas L. Ludington on January 19, 2023.
The case was investigated by troopers with the Michigan State Police and special agents with the ATF. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Michael Buckley.
Real Estate Agent and Her Husband Sentenced for Fraud Using Stolen Personal Identifying InformationRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Merrifield couple was sentenced today for stealing at least nine people’s identities and using the stolen personal identifying information (PII) to fraudulently buy a luxury vehicle, lease high-end residences, and obtain loans and credit.
According to court documents, Caprice Foster, 51, and Marcus Foster, 33, stole the PII of numerous people primarily through Mrs. Foster’s work as a real estate agent and timeshare salesperson. The Fosters then used the victims’ information for their own benefit. To carry out their fraud scheme, the Fosters created numerous false identification documents in other people’s names, including social security cards and driver’s licenses, and they also fabricated tax and employment documents in their victims’ names. The Fosters opened fraudulent bank accounts using stolen identities and deposited stolen and altered checks into these accounts. The Fosters also incorporated a business that they used in furtherance of the fraud. Mr. Foster even impersonated victims in state court eviction proceedings to prolong the Fosters’ stay in residences they fraudulently leased.
Caprice Foster and Marcus Foster were sentenced to 80 months and 58 months in prison, respectively.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Jerome A. Winkle, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mid-Atlantic Region; Michael McGill, Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis III.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heidi B. Gesch and Carina A. Cuellar prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:20-cr-178.
Prisoner Pleads Guilty to Escaping from Bloomfield Halfway HouseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHARLES HARRISON, 34, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to escaping from the custody of the Attorney General.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2012, Harrison was sentenced in the Northern District of New York to 120 months of imprisonment for a narcotics trafficking offense. On March 17, 2021, he was transferred to the Drapelick Center, a Residential Reentry Center (halfway house) in Bloomfield, to complete his custodial sentence. On September 7, 2021, Harrison left the facility on a Day Pass and failed to return. He was located and arrested in New York on March 29, 2022.
Harrison has been detained since his arrest.
Harrison is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on January 6, 2023. The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda S. Oakes.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Possessing DrugsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years (60 months) of imprisonment and four years of supervised release on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on Raymond Moon, age 33.
According to information presented to the court, on Aug. 30, 2019, Moon possessed with the intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of acetyl fentanyl, 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and quantities of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and Carfentanil.
Assistant United States Attorney Yvonne M. Saadi prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Pittsburgh Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Moon.
Pennsylvania Man Indicted on Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and Conspiracy Against Rights Offenses for Obstruction at Reproductive Health Services FacilityRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia today returned a two-count superseding indictment charging a 10th defendant, Herb Geraghty, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy against rights and FACE Act offenses in connection with an alleged reproductive health care clinic blockade in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22, 2020.
The original indictment returned by a federal grand jury on March 24, alleges that the nine defendants – Lauren Handy, Jonathan Darnel, Jay Smith, Paulette Harlow, Jean Marshall, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, William Goodman and Joan Bell – engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. Several of the defendants traveled from other states to participate in the blockade, including Idoni, of Michigan; Smith and Hinshaw, of New York; and Harlow and Marshall, of Massachusetts.
According to the superseding indictment, as part of the conspiracy, Geraghty communicated with Handy to plan the blockade. Handy made lodging arrangements for her co-conspirators from Michigan, New York and Boston, and she obtained a monetary donation to pay for an Airbnb reservation for herself and Geraghty. According to the indictment, Geraghty and several co-defendants traveled from out-of-state to Washington, D.C. to participate in the clinic blockade.
The superseding indictment further alleges that Handy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman, Bell and Geraghty forcefully entered the clinic and set about blockading two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains and ropes. Once the blockade was established, Darnel live-streamed footage of his co-defendants’ activities. The indictment also alleges that all 10 defendants violated the FACE Act by using a physical obstruction to injure, intimidate and interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient, because they were providing or obtaining reproductive health services.
If convicted of the offenses, the defendants each face up to a maximum of 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $260,000.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI Washington, D.C., Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and the Fraud, Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pennsylvania Man Indicted on Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and Conspiracy Against Rights Offenses for Obstruction at Reproductive Health Services FacilityRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia today returned a two-count superseding indictment charging a 10th defendant, Herb Geraghty, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy against rights and FACE Act offenses in connection with an alleged reproductive health care clinic blockade in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22, 2020.n alleged reproductive health care clinic blockade in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22, 2020.
The original indictment returned by a federal grand jury on March 24, alleges that the nine defendants – Lauren Handy, Jonathan Darnel, Jay Smith, Paulette Harlow, Jean Marshall, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, William Goodman and Joan Bell - engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. Several of the defendants traveled from other states to participate in the blockade, including Idoni, of Michigan; Smith and Hinshaw, of New York; and Harlow and Marshall, of Massachusetts.
According to the superseding indictment, as part of the conspiracy, Geraghty communicated with Handy to plan the blockade. Handy made lodging arrangements for her co-conspirators from Michigan, New York and Boston, and she obtained a monetary donation to pay for an Airbnb reservation for herself and Geraghty. According to the indictment, Geraghty and several co-defendants traveled from out-of-state to Washington, D.C. to participate in the clinic blockade.
The superseding indictment further alleges that Handy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman, Bell and Geraghty forcefully entered the clinic and set about blockading two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains and ropes. Once the blockade was established, Darnel live-streamed footage of his co-defendants’ activities. The indictment also alleges that all 10 defendants violated the FACE Act by using a physical obstruction to injure, intimidate and interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient, because they were providing or obtaining reproductive health services.
If convicted of the offenses, the defendants each face up to a maximum of 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $260,000.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI Washington, D.C., Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Passaic County Man Convicted of Conspiracy and Two Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was convicted today by a federal jury for his role as the gunman in two armed bank robberies, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jose Soto, 52, of Passaic, New Jersey, was convicted of two bank robberies, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during those robberies following a six-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini.
According to documents in this case and the evidence at trial:
On Feb. 6, 2020, Soto and his conspirator, while wearing face coverings and holding umbrellas, entered the PNC Bank in Passaic. Soto pointed a silver and black handgun at customers and employees and began ordering everyone down on the floor. His conspirator entered the bank and jumped over the teller counter, demanding that the teller turn over all cash in the drawers. Soto and his conspirator took approximately $35,000 from the PNC Bank.
On Feb. 27, 2020, Soto and the same conspirator entered the Valley Bank in Little Falls, New Jersey. Soto again pointed a silver and black gun at customers and employees and his conspirator jumped over the teller counter and began rifling through various drawers. Soto and his conspirator, at gunpoint, forced the bank employees to open the vault, and began retrieving cash from the bank vault. They then forced all employees and customers into the bank vault and fled through the rear door of the Valley Bank. Soto and his conspirator took approximately $45,000 from the Valley Bank.
For each bank robbery charge, Soto faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. For the conspiracy charge, Soto faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. For each count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a bank robbery, Soto faces a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Soto’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Passaic Police Department, under the direction of Chief Luis A. Guzman; the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik; the Little Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert A. Thomas III; and the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Director Jerry Speziale, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma Spiro and Mark J. Pesce of the Criminal Division in Newark.
One Iowan and Two Mexicans Sentenced to Federal Prison for Agreeing to Distribute Meth and Fentanyl in WaterlooRead the Press Release
Three men who were involved in a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization were sentenced today to significant time in federal prison.
Levi Dull, age 43, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 28, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Ruben Vasquez, age 44, a citizen of Mexico, received the prison term after a May 2, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Narciso Chinchillas Sanchez, age 23, a citizen of Mexico, received the prison term after a March 1, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Evidence at their respective sentencings showed that Dull, Vasquez, and Chinchillas Sanchez were members of a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization that was distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Waterloo, Iowa, area. Starting no later than January 2021 and continuing until August 2021, a Mexico‑based source of supply provided Dull with at least 42 pounds of methamphetamine that was imported from Mexico. In the spring or early summer of 2021, Dull owed money to the Mexico‑based organization, so his supplier enlisted Vasquez to give Dull a pound of meth, provided he could pay for it. Dull could then sell the meth and use the proceeds to repay his debt. Vasquez distributed at least 11 pounds of methamphetamine to Dull. At some point in the early summer of 2021, the Mexico‑based supplier directed Chinchillas Sanchez to travel to Waterloo and assist in distributing methamphetamine to Dull. Chinchillas Sanchez distributed at least 30 pounds of methamphetamine to Dull.
On August 14, 2021, Dull distributed a substance containing fentanyl that eventually resulted in two men overdosing, with one of the men dying as a result. On August 18, 2021, law enforcement officers searched Dull’s home in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Dull’s storage unit in Waterloo. The officers recovered two guns, including one that was stolen, ammunition, almost 300 grams of methamphetamine, almost 2 grams of a substance containing heroin and fentanyl, and several other controlled substances.
On October 25, 2021, law enforcement officers searched Chinchillas Sanchez’s home in Waterloo. They recovered over 90 pounds of methamphetamine and almost 23 pounds of fentanyl, including approximately 34,380 pills containing fentanyl. Most of the methamphetamine seized from Chinchillas Sanchez’s house was hidden behind drywall in the basement.
Dull, Vasquez, and Chinchillas Sanchez were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Dull was sentenced to 270 months’ imprisonment, and he was ordered to serve a 5‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. Vasquez was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment, and he was ordered to serve a 5‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. Chinchillas Sanchez was sentenced to 158 months’ imprisonment, and he was ordered to serve at 5‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Methamphetamine and fentanyl ruin lives, and in some cases end them. People who distribute meth and fentanyl in our communities will always be a primary prosecutorial target of our office,” said United States Attorney Timothy Duax.
Dull, Vasquez, and Chinchillas Sanchez are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they 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 21-CR-02051.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
North Hollywood Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Illegally Selling Firearms, Including ‘Ghost Guns’ and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for acting as an unlicensed gun broker by selling 16 rifles and handguns – many without serial numbers – as well as various firearms accessories over a seven-week period, and for selling nearly one pound of methamphetamine, the Justice Department announced today.
Arthur Muradyan, 33, of North Hollywood, was sentenced Thursday afternoon by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin.
Muradyan pleaded guilty on May 5 to one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of distribution of methamphetamine.
In August 2021 and September 2021, Muradyan sold firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition to an informant working with federal law enforcement. The items sold included machine guns, semi-automatic firearms with large capacity magazines, firearms bearing no legitimate manufacturer’s mark or serial number – commonly referred to as “ghost guns” – and unregistered and unserialized short-barreled rifles.
Muradyan also sold 423.7 grams of methamphetamine to the informant on September 8, 2021, the same day he also sold a semi-automatic 9mm handgun and a machinegun conversion device commonly called a “Glock switch.”
During the final gun sale on September 29, 2021, Muradyan sold an unserialized, short-barreled AR-15-type rifle with a 3D printed machinegun conversion device attached to it, another AR-15-type rifle with an obliterated serial number, a semi-automatic 9mm handgun, and another 9mm pistol with no serial number. On this date, authorities searched his residence and recovered another 23 firearms, magazines, ammunition of various calibers, and firearms component parts and accessories. Muradyan illegally possessed those seized firearms and ammunition because he previously had been convicted of felony burglary offenses in two cases.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Los Angeles Firearms Trafficking Strike Force, which is spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Attorney’s Office. The Los Angeles Police Department provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregg E. Marmaro of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section prosecuted this matter.
Normal, Illinois, Woman and Indianapolis Woman Charged with Illegally Purchasing Firearm Used to Shoot and Kill Champaign Police OfficerRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on October 4, 2022, charging Ashantae S. Corruthers, 28, of the 5000 block of Port Hope Drive in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Regina Lewis, 27, of the 1200 block of Major Street in Normal, Illinois, with conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. The indictment and a related complaint were unsealed on October 14, 2022.
The indictment alleges that Corruthers and Lewis conspired with Darion M. Lafayette, now deceased, to purchase and transfer a firearm to Lafayette, who could not legally purchase a firearm himself because he was a convicted felon (commonly known as a “straw purchase”). On November 17, 2020, at the direction of Lafayette and Lewis, Corruthers purchased a Glock 48, nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol and Sellier & Bellot, nine-millimeter ammunition, from a federal firearms licensee (FFL) in Indianapolis. According to the indictment, Corruthers falsely certified on an ATF form that she was the actual buyer of the firearm, when in fact, she purchased the firearm for Lafayette and transferred it to him.
The indictment further alleges that Corruthers and Lewis conspired with Lafayette to cover up the discovery of their illegal purchase and transfer of the firearm by having Corruthers falsely report to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on April 26, 2021, that the Glock pistol was stolen from her around March of 2021. Approximately twenty-three days after Corruthers falsely reported the firearm stolen, Lafayette used the firearm to shoot and kill Champaign Police Officer Christopher Oberheim in Champaign, Illinois. According to the indictment, Corruthers and Lewis continued the cover-up after Officer Oberheim’s death by agreeing to have Corruthers falsely tell an ATF Special Agent investigating the officer-involved shooting that she purchased the gun for herself, that it was stolen from her in March of 2021, and that she did not know Lafayette.
Corruthers and Lewis were arrested on the charges on October 13, 2022. Each appeared by video before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley in Peoria on October 14, 2022. At the hearing, both defendants asked that their detention hearings be continued; Magistrate Judge Hawley set a detention hearing for Corruthers on October 19, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. and a hearing for Lewis on that same date at 10:15 a.m. Both hearings will be by video in front of Magistrate Judge Hawley in Peoria. Magistrate Judge Hawley ordered both defendants temporarily detained pending those hearings.
If convicted, conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct carries a penalty of up to twenty years in prison. Each charge carries a penalty of up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller is representing the government in the prosecution.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
New York man sentenced to ten years in prison for attempted enticement of a childRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 29-year-old Brooklyn, New York man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison for attempted enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Rajesh Singh pleaded guilty on April 25, 2022. He has been in custody since his arrest on April 22, 2021. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones said, “I’m grateful that we have law enforcement officers that go online and find these people who want to hurt children.”
“The conduct in this case paints a disturbing picture of those who sexualize children and seek to abuse them for their gratification,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “In this instance, fortunately, the child was a fiction – but Mr. Singh’s fantasies about sexual abuse were all too real. This sentence should serve as a warning to those tempted to act on such dark desires.”
According to court documents, Singh began communicating with an undercover officer in August 2020 about his desire to travel to Washington State to sexually abuse a child. The undercover agent created a fictitious daughter and Singh communicated extensively about his desire to rape the child and film the sexual assault. At various times in the chats, Singh indicated he had previously molested children. Singh was observed in New York getting on a flight to Seattle, arrived at Sea-Tac, and took a shuttle to an area hotel and was arrested there by agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
In asking the court to impose a 14-year sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Matt Hampton wrote, “Rajesh Singh travelled thousands of miles with a singular purpose: to commit unspeakable violence against a small child. This trip was not a lark or a whim but the culmination of extensive planning and chats with someone Singh thought was going to help him realize his dreams of abusing a child.”
“The fact that Singh was willing to fly across the country to complete his enticement of a 12yr old minor speaks to the danger he poses to all of our children,” said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI’s undercover operations in the cyber-realm are important to identify these predators and hopefully stop them before they are able to sexually abuse a child.”
Judge Jones sentenced Singh to 15 years of supervised release to follow the prison term.
Agents with Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hampton prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.justice.gov/psc.
Nevada Man Pleads Guilty for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Henderson, Nev., resident pleaded guilty today to fraudulently obtaining over $500,000 in loans under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and then laundering the funds through family and friends to buy a house.
Brandon Casutt (51) pleaded guilty to wire fraud and concealment money laundering. U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon scheduled sentencing for January 17, 2023. Casutt faces a total maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison.
According to court documents and admissions made in court, Casutt submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications to federally insured banks and EIDL applications to the SBA. The SBA guarantees the loans for COVID-19 relief through the PPP under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act also authorizes the SBA to provide an EIDL of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From April 2020 through July 2020, Casutt submitted at least 11 fraudulent PPP and EIDL loan applications, intending to obtain more than $5.7 million, on behalf of two entities he controlled. Two of these fraudulent applications actually received funding: (1) a PPP loan for approximately $350,000 in the name of a business called Sky DeSign; and (2) an EIDL for approximately $150,000 in the name of a charity called Skyler’s C.F. Foundation. The loan applications indicated that each entity had numerous employees, significant payroll expenses, and substantial revenue; however, the entities had few if any employees, paid little or no wages, and had little if any revenues.
After receiving the PPP funds, Casutt then laundered the proceeds by writing a series of fictitious payroll checks. From approximately May 18, 2020, to June 18, 2020, the Casutt wrote dozens of checks, each in the amount of $8,330, from the bank account holding the PPP loan to himself, family members, and friends. On many of the checks, he falsely wrote “pandemic pay” or “back pay” in the check memo. These fictitious paychecks were cashed or deposited, and then, within days, Casutt had the funds diverted to a bank account in the name of Skyler’s C.F. Foundation. Casutt then used the PPP funds, along with the EIDL funds, to purchase a $400,000 house in Henderson, into which he and his family moved in June 2020.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson of the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the IRS-CI and FBI. Trial Attorney Sara Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, 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 via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
###
Moffat Man Pleads Guilty to Setting Fire to United States Post OfficeRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced Donald Albert Renner, 71, of Moffat, pleaded guilty to willfully injuring property of the United States, a felony.
According to the plea agreement, in the early morning of July 16, 2021, the defendant used gasoline as an accelerant to start a fire outside of the Moffat Post Office, located at 17363 Highway 17, in Moffat, Colorado. Evidence of fire (smoke damage and/or thermal damage) from that fire was discovered on the exterior of the post office, inside the post office, inside a blue collection box near the entrance of the post office, and on the concrete area in front of the post office. Fire investigators recovered two carpet samples from in the interior of the post office and one sample from a mat outside the post office that contained gasoline. The fire caused approximately $12,000 of total damage.
Judge William J. Martinez presided over the change of plea hearing and set sentencing for April 26, 2023.
This case was jointly investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Buchman.
Case Number: 22-cr-00074
###
For more information about the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado, on Twitter USAO_CO for the latest news.
Missouri State Employee Accused of Stealing $140,000 in Unemployment Insurance FundsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A Missouri state employee has been indicted on three federal felony charges and accused of using her position to send about $140,500 in unearned unemployment benefits to friends, relatives and others.
According to the indictment, Vicky Hefner, 63, of Jefferson County, Missouri, began work with Missouri’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security as a benefit program specialist in 2009. She worked out of her home and an office in St. Louis helping people file their claims over the phone and adjudicating issues people were having with unemployment claims.
From July to December of 2020, Hefner logged into the accounts of multiple friends, relatives or associates, the indictment says. She changed their status and used her credentials in ways that either made them eligible for unemployment benefits or increased their benefits, the indictment says,
She also triggered unemployment payments to people who were still working, the indictment says. Hefner’s friends and relatives then paid her kickbacks, the indictment says.
Hefner was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 28 on three charges of theft of public money. She pleaded not guilty to the charges last week. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted, Hefner will also be ordered to repay the money.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General at both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Dowd III is prosecuting the case.
Minneapolis Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Using Snapchat to Produce Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man was sentenced to 420 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for producing sexually explicit videos of minors, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in March 2020, Jay Tyrell Whiteford, 40, used his cell phone and Snapchat account to communicate with at least two minors. In his communications, Whiteford used an alias and told the minor he was 16 years old. He induced the minors to create and send to him sexually explicit videos and images.
Whiteford was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. On June 17, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Sentenced to 108 Months Following Record-Breaking Seizure of Fentanyl and MethRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Carlos Martin Quintana-Arias of Mexico was sentenced in federal court today to 108 months in prison in connection with the record-breaking seizure of 17,584 pounds of methamphetamine and 388.93 pounds of fentanyl from a commercial trailer attempting to enter the United States at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
The seizure, on November 18, 2021, was the nation’s largest in each drug category for the calendar years 2021 and 2022 so far, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
According to his plea agreement, Quintana-Arias admitted to driving the drug-laden tractor trailer into the United States through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. He acknowledged that he knew the tractor trailer contained methamphetamine, fentanyl or some other federally controlled substance.
“This massive seizure prevented a huge quantity of deadly drugs from saturating our community,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Because of the vigilance of border officials, this fentanyl did not kill anyone, and this meth did not destroy even one life. We will continue to work with dedication and passion to intercept these drugs and prosecute the traffickers, because drug seizures mean lives are saved.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.
“This was a brazen attempt to smuggle a record amount of deadly narcotics into our country, and as this sentencing reflects, those persons looking to make a quick profit from narcotics smuggling will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge, HSI San Diego. “HSI, along with our federal and local partners, is firmly committed to dismantling criminal organizations who blatantly ignore the laws of this nation.”
“The San Diego and Imperial Valley ports of entry account for approximately 61 percent of all the fentanyl CBP seizes nationwide,” stated Acting Director of Field Operations for the San Diego Field Office Anne Maricich. “This significant seizure exemplifies the hard work and dedication our officers have to the mission. It is our steadfast commitment to keeping dangerous narcotics like fentanyl and methamphetamine off the streets and out of our communities. The sentencing announced today by Judge Janis L. Sammartino is a result of strong multiagency cooperation and local departments working towards a common goal.”
DEFENDANT Case Number 21-mj-4574-AHGCarlos Martin Quintana-Arias Residence: Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGESTitle 21, U.S.C., Sections 952 and 960 Importation of a Controlled Substance
Maximum penalty: Forty years in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years; and $5 million fine
AGENCIESHomeland Security Investigations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced to Nearly 5 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Antonio Zamora, 36, of Mexico, was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Zamora facilitated the delivery of 5 pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover agent; and an additional pound of methamphetamine was found at his residence when agents executed a federal search warrant.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Massey prosecuted the case.
The remaining defendants are scheduled for trial on Aug. 14, 2023. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Manchester Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Sale of Fentanyl and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Jonathan Sepulveda-Lara, 44, of Manchester, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for the sale of fentanyl and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 4, 2020, an individual cooperating with the Manchester Police Department purchased 19.85 grams of fentanyl from Mr. Sepulveda-Lara. Moreover, the investigation revealed that for approximately ten years, Sepulveda-Lara used a false identity, using a Social Security number and birthdate associated with an actual Puerto Rican citizen.
“Using another person’s identity is a severe invasion of privacy. Coupling that with the sale of dangerous narcotics is conduct that jeopardizes the safety and security of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “This federal sentence reflects the seriousness of this conduct and the potentially devastating impact on our citizens.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police.
###
Long Island Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, United States District Judge Gary R. Brown sentenced Manuel Geovanny Torres Rivas to 25 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child. As part of his sentence, Torres Rivas must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and not have unsupervised contact with minors. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge in January 2022.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), announced the sentence.
“Today’s sentence removes a dangerous predator and is only possible due to the bravery of two young girls, who came forward to the authorities about the defendant’s disturbing behavior online, which then helped protect the community and end the abuse of another girl,” said U.S. Attorney Peace. “I urge parents and caregivers to encourage their children to tell a trusted adult if anyone asks them to engage in inappropriate behavior. Protecting children and holding those who harm vulnerable victims accountable for their actions will always be priorities of our Office.”
“Torres Rivas, a hands-on offender who sexually abused a child entrusted to his care, utilized multiple social media accounts to contact children online, sending them explicit content and distributing child sexual abuse material,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “Today’s sentence takes a predator off the street and ensures Torres Rivas will no longer be able to victimize the most innocent members of our community. HSI, along with our partners at the Nassau County Police Department Special Victims Unit, is committed to hunting down child sexual predators and will continue to use our authorities to protect children, physically and virtually.”
Torres Rivas targeted multiple minor females on Snapchat, where he engaged them in sexually explicit conversations and sent them unsolicited videos and images of child pornography. For example, in September 2019, Torres Rivas used the Snapchat account “Geovanny_z6134” to contact a 13-year-old resident of Connecticut. Torres Rivas, a stranger to the girl, described his own sexual abuse of a 9-year-old and sent the girl an unsolicited video depicting a child estimated to be between 8 and 10 years old engaged in sexual conduct. Later, in June 2020, Torres Rivas uploaded to Snapchat more than two dozen videos and images of child pornography, some of which contained graphic depictions of child abuse and involved small children believed to be under the age of 5. Additionally, the defendant used the Snapchat account “Geovr19” to contact an 11-year-old resident of Nevada, to whom he made statements concerning his molestation of a 9-year-old girl and sent the child sexually explicit photos of himself.
This information came to light after the 13-year-old girl from Connecticut reported the contact to school officials, who then contacted local law enforcement, and the 11-year-old girl from Nevada reported the conduct to local law enforcement. Snapchat reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that approximately 28 videos and images containing child pornography had been uploaded to the platform using the defendant’s Snapchat account. After tracing these Snapchat accounts to the defendant’s Hempstead residence, law enforcement officers searched the premises and recovered evidence that he had videotaped several sexual encounters with a 9-year-old girl who had been entrusted to his care.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Bagnuola is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
MANUEL GEOVANNY TORRES RIVAS
Age: 27
Hempstead, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-494 (GRB)
Kern County Man Sentenced to over 7 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Francisco Javier Melgoza, 41, of Delano, was sentenced today to seven years and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on June 25, 2021, during a traffic stop, a law enforcement officer searched Melgoza’s bag and found a handgun with five rounds and a high-capacity magazine. Melgoza is prohibited from possessing ammunition because he has five prior felony convictions, including for grand theft auto, vehicle theft, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and two convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Melgoza was on probation at the time of the crime.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Shafter Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin C. Heinz prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Kalamazoo “Ghost Gun” Dealer Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN —U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced that today U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering sentenced Zachary Grosser, age 29, of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, to 12 years in federal prison for years spent illegally manufacturing and distributing firearms in West Michigan, including selling guns to people who were legally forbidden to possess them. In holding Grosser accountable for over 40 firearms, Judge Beckering emphasized the serious and brazen nature of his conduct, which she described as “extremely dangerous to the community.”
Grosser made and sold “ghost guns,” designed to be untraceable, and advertised that fact to potential buyers, as illustrated below.
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message to would-be arms dealers and criminal firearm users,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Operating an unlicensed firearms dealership is against the law, period. Zachary Grosser made a business out of building and selling firearms to people forbidden to have them, with a promise that they would be untraceable. He was sorely mistaken. My office will continue to investigate and hold accountable all who would flood our communities with ghost guns or unlawfully possess them.”
In early 2021, law enforcement learned that Grosser was operating an illegal arms-dealing and manufacturing business from his Kalamazoo County residence. Through surveillance and searches of his trash, police found evidence that Grosser was making 3D-printed “ghost guns,” including handwritten instructions and partially-completed firearms. When state and federal investigators searched Grosser’s home in August 2021, they discovered a subterranean workshop filled with gunsmithing machines, tools, and parts, including multiple 3D-printers. They also found numerous completed firearms, including an illegal unregistered short-barreled rifle that was mounted to his wall, shown below. And they learned that, in connection with his illegal firearms business, Grosser had been using and dealing drugs.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Castle.
###
Justice Department Awards More Than $370 Million to Reduce Violent Crime and Support Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today more than $370 million in grant awards to fund state, local and Tribal crime and violence reduction efforts and evidence-based strategies that support law enforcement operations, improve officer safety and build trust with communities. The department also announced the selection of six new sites to be part of its National Public Safety Partnership, a nationwide collaborative designed to address pressing local crime challenges.
The funding, from the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will support a wide range of criminal justice and public safety activities and will enable officials in jurisdictions across the country to adapt technology and data-driven measures to their public safety challenges. Grant awards will also support training to improve resilience and wellness, fund body-worn camera programs, improve public safety while expanding community engagement and underwrite research and evaluation projects that examine promising police practices.
“Our neighborhoods are safer and healthier when our law enforcement professionals have the tools and technology they need to do their jobs and when the bonds of trust with the community are strong,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The funding announced today will help provide comprehensive public safety solutions that are tailored to the needs of, and implemented in collaboration with, individual communities.”
The grants, made by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and National Institute of Justice (NIJ), will support a range of activities designed to tackle serious violence and solve crimes, from gun offenses to sexual assault. Almost $280 million is being distributed through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Other awards will help state, local and Tribal criminal justice agencies improve information sharing, solve sexual assault cases, aid law enforcement officials in tracing and intercepting illegal guns and combating terrorism, and support research on promising policing practices.
The Justice Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime articulates a commitment to an approach that is grounded in research and consistent with our values as a nation, and that depends on the effectiveness and wellness of America’s law enforcement community. The awards announced today will support the department’s work to build officer resilience and improve recruitment and diversity in the law enforcement profession. Grants will also help develop body-worn camera programs designed to improve efficiency and maximize transparency. Research grants will support randomized controlled trials and other analyses that examine issues such as field training, co-response models and officer retention.
In addition to these new awards, six cities will join the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP). PSP supports law enforcement and community partners in deploying data-driven, evidence-based strategies tailored to local needs. PSP has served more than 50 sites across the nation. The cities of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Greensboro, North Carolina; Rochester, New York; Sacramento, California; Tucson, Arizona; and Washington, D.C. joined the PSP network today.
“The National Public Safety Partnership’s federal engagement with its selected sites is one of the key pillars of the Justice Department’s work to reduce violence and help strengthen communities,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “The collaboration among local entities while utilizing the support from the FBI, ATF, DEA and the U.S. Marshals is long-lasting and assists agencies in building best practices to sustain crime reduction for years to come.”
Below is a list of programs designed to reduce violence and support law enforcement. Descriptions of individual awards can be found by clinking on the links.
- BJA is awarding more than $190 million under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program – State Solicitation, which provides states, Tribes and local governments with critical funding to support law enforcement, prosecutors, public defenders, courts, and corrections and community corrections agencies. Funds also support crime prevention and education initiatives, drug treatment and enforcement activities, criminal justice planning and evaluation, technology improvements, crime victim and witness initiatives, and mental health programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams. An additional $87.1 million is being awarded directly to local jurisdictions through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program – Local Solicitation.
- BJA is awarding $9 million under its Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative, which supports local and Tribal jurisdictions’ capacity to work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to use intelligence, technology and community engagement to swiftly identify unlawfully used firearms and their sources, and effectively prosecute perpetrators engaged in violent crime. An additional $1.3 million supports the Crime Gun Intelligence University-based Training and Education program, which allows institutions of higher education to develop programs to provide students with hands-on training on the processing of firearms evidence used to generate crime gun intelligence and the investigative processes that lead to arrest and conviction.
- BJA is awarding around $30 million through its National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, which expands state and local jurisdictions’ capacities to respond to violent crime and improves the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases by improving the use of sexual assault kit evidence.
- BJA is awarding $2 million under its State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program Training and Technical Assistance initiative, which provides training and technical assistance services to law enforcement officers who face the challenges presented by the international and domestic terrorism threat.
- BJA is awarding $400,000 under the Justice Information Sharing Training and Technical Assistance Program, which provides funding to manage the Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies Training and Technical Assistance Program, which assists state, local and Tribal criminal justice agencies in reducing crime and improving the functioning of the criminal justice system through more effective information sharing, multiagency collaboration and implementation of data-driven, evidence-based strategies.
- BJA is awarding more than $19 million under its Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies, which provides funding to law enforcement agencies seeking to purchase body-worn cameras and to establish or expand comprehensive programs focused on maximizing the benefits of this technology and minimizing its risks.
- BJA is awarding $11.5 million under the Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative, which is designed to improve the immediate and long-term safety, wellness and resilience of the nation’s law enforcement officers through no-cost training (professional education), research and other resources.
- BJA is awarding nearly $11.8 million under the Law Enforcement Initiatives to Improve Public Safety, Enhance Agency Operations and Build Community Trust, which create and implement training and technical assistance programs for criminal justice stakeholders that support local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies in the development of violence reduction strategies, training for law enforcement officers and implementation of ethical technological strategies that build digital trust and promote community engagement.
- BJA is awarding $20.9 million to 3,806 small jurisdictions and $4.5 million to 194 large jurisdictions under its Bulletproof Vest Partnership to provide a critical resource to law enforcement officers.
- NIJ is awarding nearly $6.3 million under its Research and Evaluation on Policing Program, which will examine the implementation and sustainment of long-term organizational change in policing agencies; and police recruitment, retention and training in today’s environment.
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about these and other OJP awards can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Justice Department Awards More Than $340 Million to Address Substance Use Disorders and Fight the Overdose EpidemicRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) today announced grant awards totaling more than $340 million to help combat America’s substance use crisis amid a continued escalation of overdose deaths.
Opioids — particularly synthetic drugs like fentanyl — were primarily responsible for the deaths of more than 107,000 people in 2021. In its 2022 National Drug Control Strategy, the Biden-Harris Administration outlined a comprehensive strategy for addressing the crisis, guided by one fundamental principle: saving lives. In addition to the devastating human toll, the epidemic drains the economy of more than a trillion dollars in a given year and accounts for billions of dollars in criminal justice spending annually. OJP’s investments in drug and treatment courts, residential treatment programs, prevention and harm reduction services, recovery supports, services for opioid-affected youth and community-based strategies that improve continuity of care and align treatment and public safety are designed to more appropriately meet the treatment and recovery needs of individuals without unnecessarily extending justice system involvement and perpetuating longstanding inequities.
“Opioids and other licit and illicit substances continue to take a massive toll on our society, claiming far too many lives, tearing families apart and laying a disproportionately heavy burden on historically marginalized communities,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “It is in all our interests to ensure that those affected by this crisis have access to the support and treatment that they need in order to live productive and fulfilling lives. In making these awards, the Department of Justice is demonstrating its unqualified commitment to making prevention, treatment and recovery part of a unified response to ensure public safety and advance the overall health of our communities.”
“For too long, our justice system has been expected to absorb many of the unaddressed societal and behavioral health challenges and inequities laid bare by the ongoing and escalating substance use crisis,” said Director Karhlton F. Moore of OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). “The resources we are making available today will enable us to address the fundamental issues underlying this epidemic and help contribute to communities that are safe, healthy and supportive.”
BJA and OJP’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) are distributing millions of dollars in grant awards aimed at addressing prevention, treatment and recovery support service needs for individuals with substance use disorders. OJP’s National Institute of Justice is also supporting research and evaluation of veterans treatment courts. In addition to these grants, OJP is awarding $44 million to help communities respond to public safety and public health emergencies, including crises that result from substance use disorders. Funding will also help support youth and their families affected by the opioid and polysubstance use epidemic.
“The opioid crisis has had a profoundly negative — in many cases, devastating — impact on the young people of this country, separating them from family and community support networks and putting them at high risk of substance misuse or substance use disorder, justice system involvement and self-harm,” said OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan. “We are eager to get young people the help they so desperately need so that they can reclaim the hope of a bright future.”
Below is a list of awards made in Fiscal Year 2022 to address the opioid and stimulant crisis and meet the needs of individuals with substance use disorders. Descriptions of individual awards can be found by clinking on the links.
- BJA is awarding $140.1 million under its Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program, which will help communities address the prevention, diversion, treatment and recovery needs of those affected by substance use disorders. Another $8.75 million is funding for training and technical assistance to support grantees and organizations in the field. Training and technical assistance funds will also support peer-to-peer mentoring initiatives and demonstration projects, including a focus on rural communities.
- $52 million under BJA’s Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program will help states, state courts, local courts and federally recognized Tribal governments implement and enhance the operations of adult drug courts. Another $4.5 million is funding related to training and technical assistance.
- BJA is awarding $17.8 million under the Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program and an additional $1.3 million under its Veterans Treatment Court Risk and Need Enhancement Initiative which provide resources to state, local and federally recognized Tribal governments to support drug court programs and systems for eligible veterans in the criminal justice system who have substance use disorders.
- NIJ is awarding $3 million under its Multisite Impact and Cost-Efficiency Evaluation of Veterans Treatment Courts program, which will examine the impact of veterans treatment courts on relapse, recidivism and other outcomes, as well as their cost-efficiency, which program elements are effective and for whom they work best.
- BJA is awarding $34.9 million to support the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program, which helps states develop and implement residential substance use treatment programs, including medication-assisted treatment within correctional and detention facilities. An additional $800 thousand will fund training and technical assistance.
- BJA is awarding $15.4 million to fund the Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which enhances the capacity of regulatory and law enforcement agencies and public health officials to collect and analyze controlled substance prescription data and other scheduled chemical products through a centralized database administered by an authorized agency. Another $6 million will support training and technical assistance.
- BJA is awarding $7.2 million under the Improving Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Outcomes for Adults in Reentry Program, which establishes, expands and improves treatment and recovery support services for people with substance use disorders during their incarceration and upon their reentry into the community.
- BJA is awarding $3.5 million to support the Drug Data Research Center to Combat the Opioid Crisis, which will create a regional drug data research center to help promote the collection, analysis and dissemination of information critical to responding to the overdose crisis and the effects of opioids, stimulants and other substances.
- OJJDP is awarding $16.3 million to support Mentoring for Youth Affected by the Opioid Crisis and Other Drug Misuse, which supports services for youth who are currently using or at risk for using drugs or youth with family members who have a substance use disorder.
- OJJDP is awarding $9.1 million to support the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative, which will support states, communities, tribes and nonprofit organizations implementing programs and strategies that treat children, youth and families impacted by the opioid epidemic. An additional $1.5 million will support training and technical assistance.
- OJJDP’s Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program is awarding $3 million to jurisdictions to establish or enhance juvenile drug treatment courts and to improve court system operations and treatment services.
- OJJDP is awarding $15.4 million under its Family Treatment Court Program to build the capacity of local courts, units of local government and federally recognized Tribal governments to establish new family treatment courts or enhance existing family treatment courts.
- OJJDP is awarding $9 million under its Drug Treatment Courts Training and Technical Assistance Program, which will fund training and technical assistance to states, state and local courts, units of local government and governments to build their capacity to develop, maintain and enhance drug courts for individuals who misuse substances or have substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health disorders.
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about these and other OJP awards can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and strengthen and criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Justice Department Awards More Than $17.5 Million to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $306,279 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to administer Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant funds in the District of Massachusetts.
The grant funding awarded to EOPSS will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in Massachusetts and is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP). PSN funds in Massachusetts are administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency within EOPSS. Since the program began in 2001, over $7 million in federal grant funds have been allocated to the District of Massachusetts’s violent crime reduction efforts.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, PSN is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. While the initiative was first launched in 2001, the Department strengthened the program in May 2021, as outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco. The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“As U.S. Attorney, my number one priority is making our communities safer. Our mission is not simply to prosecute crime, we must prevent it – which is exactly why my office continues to prioritize violent crime reduction efforts through the PSN initiative,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Under my administration, the District of Massachusetts has added two additional target cities (Holyoke and Lowell) to our PSN initiative (Boston, Brockton, Lawrence, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester), giving them access to critical federal funding and invaluable resources to reduce violent crime in their neighborhoods. This includes providing funding for the purchase of gunshot detection technology in Holyoke, Lawrence and Lowell. As we have seen recently with the tragic double shooting resulting in the murder of a 14-year-old child in Boston, and the murder suicide in Kingston, this work of reducing gun violence is vitally important. My office remains committed to doing the hard work of mending and fostering community relationships and investing in community-based initiatives in our fight against violent crime in our Commonwealth.”
“Project Safe Neighborhoods has a long tradition and proven track record of fostering strong collaborations between federal, state and local partners to improve how we serve communities impacted by violence. These grants allow our Office of Grants and Research to direct resources in a way that drives impactful change for communities across the Commonwealth” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “I am grateful for the leadership of US Attorney Rachael Rollins and her office as we continue to collaborate on efforts to reduce and prevent violence.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented. The District of Massachusetts established an extensive network of law enforcement and community partners who have been fundamental to this strategy’s success in eight target cities: Boston, Brockton, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester.
The distribution of grant funds to target cities across the state has enabled communities and organizations to implement programming focused on after-school activities, education, employment, re-entry for returning citizens, law enforcement/community collaboration, and public service outreach projects, among others.
In Massachusetts, PSN projects include:
- Developing and sustaining community/law enforcement partnerships and strengthening their capabilities in targeted communities across the state by maximizing federal resources;
- Collaborating with state and local law enforcement on violent crime and illegal firearm prosecutions;
- Providing training for nearly 4,500 law enforcement personnel and community members on topics such as advancements in technology, empowering neighborhoods on addressing gang prevention; updates on new innovative community programs and partnerships; and officer safety training;
- Supporting community partners and outreach programs to address reentry barriers for returning citizens and empower youth to resist gang recruitment; and
- Formulating tools to measure the performance of projects funded with PSN and other federal grants.
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Jury Convicts Vermont Man for Attempting to Entice a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas Cesiro, age 68, of Rutland, Vermont, was convicted yesterday of attempting to entice or coerce a minor, following a three-day jury trial. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The evidence at trial established that, from October 10 to October 20, 2020, Cesiro exchanged over 1,000 text messages and 9 phone calls with Albany-based undercover investigators who were posing as both a 12-year-old girl and the adult mother of the girl. During one phone call, Cesiro instructed the girl how to conduct a sexual act. On October 20, 2020, Cesiro traveled from his residence in Rutland to Bennington, Vermont, to meet the purported mother and 12-year-old child, and brought with him various sexual toys and gifts for the child, including a vibrating Frozen-themed toothbrush. Cesiro was encountered by law enforcement officials upon his arrival to the arranged meeting location and arrested.
When United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences Cesiro on February 15, 2023, Cesiro faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. 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 FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, including investigators from the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, and New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Williams and Richard Belliss.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better located, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/.
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 Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Oct. 13 was:
Buddy Gene Walkingeagle, 38, of Poplar, on charges of felon in possession of firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Walkingeagle faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Walkingeagle was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Peck Law Enforcement investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-82.
Feather Lynn Stillsmoking, 32, of Cut Bank, on charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Stillsmoking faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Stillsmoking was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-70.
Shane Daniel Freemont, 32, of Poplar, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, Freemont faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Freemont was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-75.
Connor Louis Gourneau, 34, of Poplar, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gourneau faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Gourneau was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Fort Peck Law Enforcement investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-76.
Patti Jo Annunciata Mail, aka Patti Jo Ironcloud, 23 of Wolf Point, on charges of kidnapping of individual under 18, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault resulting in substantial injury of a minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mail faces a mandatory minimum 20 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Mail was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-77.
Kaylee Jade Jackson, 21, of Wolf Point, on charges of kidnapping of individual under 18. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jackson faces a mandatory minimum 20 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Jackson was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-77.
Elmarie Amelia Weeks, aka Elmarie Adams, 21, of Wolf Point, on charges of kidnapping of individual under 18, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Weeks faces a mandatory minimum 20 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Weeks was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-77.
Cheri Cruz Granbois (male), 20, of Wolf Point, on charges of kidnapping of individual under 18, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Granbois faces a mandatory minimum 20 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Granbois was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-77.
Thomas Ivan Reese Larson, 23, of Poplar, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault resulting in substantial bodily injury and strangulation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Larson faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Larson was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-79.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Oct. 13 was:
Mark Samuel Baker, 56, of Gore, Virginia, on charges of attempted sex trafficking of minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Baker faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Baker was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-102.
Appearing on Oct. 12 was:
Shane Edward Johnson, 53, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and prohibited person in possession of firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Johnson was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Service and FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-94.
Joel David Lund, 39, of Seattle, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lund faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the drug crimes and a mandatory minimum five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the firearm crime. Lund was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-114.
Gunnar Rutledge Johnson, 20, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Johnson was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-114.
Appearing on Oct. 11 was:
Gregory Nicholas Letz Jr., 28, a transient, on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Letz faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on bank fraud and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on aggravated identity theft. Letz was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-90.
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.
XXX
Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Reentry and Violation of SupervisionRead the Press Release
A man who illegally re-entered the United States was sentenced on October 12, 2022, to 10 years’ imprisonment, in federal court in Sioux City.
Miguel Rodriguez-Chavez, 38, from Mexico, pled guilty on May 4, 2022, to illegal re-entry as an aggravated felon.
At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that on April 21, 2021, Rodriguez-Chavez was arrested for domestic abuse assault in O’Brien County, Iowa, using an alias. Shortly thereafter, ICE was able to determine his true identity, that he was a citizen of Mexico, and was previously removed from the United States on at least five occasions. On May 8, 2021, defendant was arrested for operating while intoxicated. After serving a term of imprisonment for the domestic abuse assault and OWI convictions, he was turned over to federal custody.
Defendant has a history of serious and violent crimes including attempted robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic abuse assault, and committing offenses while in the prison system. Rodriguez-Chavez had been most recently removed in March 2020 and was under a three-year term of supervised release should he return to the United States. Due to the instant conviction and related criminal convictions, defendant was sentenced to two years imprisonment to be served consecutively with an eight-year sentence for the instant conviction.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Rodriguez-Chavez was sentenced to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Rodriguez-Chavez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4043.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Honduran National Indicted for International Cocaine Trafficking Extradited from Honduras to the United StatesRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today charging Norlan Jose Carrasco Lopez, aka Catracho, a Honduran national, with international cocaine trafficking. He is scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Oct. 17.
According to court documents, between September 2018 and June 2021, Carrasco Lopez, 54, was allegedly a member of an international drug trafficking organization responsible for importing large quantities of cocaine from Venezuela to Belize aboard U.S. registered aircraft. Foreign law enforcement seized a shipment of more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine that had been transported on a U.S. registered aircraft allegedly coordinated by Carrasco Lopez and his co-conspirators.
A grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Carrasco Lopez on June 28, 2021. In June 2022, Carrasco Lopez was arrested by Honduran authorities, pursuant to a provisional arrest requested by the United States, and he remained detained in Honduras pending his extradition. He was extradited from Honduras to the United States on Oct. 13.
Carrasco Lopez is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess five kilograms or more of cocaine on board an aircraft registered in the United States with intent to distribute and one count of distribution of a controlled substance on board an aircraft registered in the United States. If convicted of either count, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Orlando District Office is investigating with assistance from the DEA Honduras and Belize Country Offices, and Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) Orlando District Office.
Trial Attorneys Douglas Meisel and Robert Sainvil of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) are prosecuting the case. Former NDDS Trial Attorney Michael Christin, now with the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section, assisted with the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Carrasco Lopez. The Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations and the Belize law enforcement also provided significant assistance.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Honduran National Charged with Illegally Using a Social Security Number Belonging to Another IndividualRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSE CASTRON MURCIA, age 22, a citizen of Honduras, was indicted on October 13, 2022 for illegally using a social security number belonging to another individual, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).
The maximum penalty for the offense is five years imprisonment, followed by up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim, and a mandatory special assessment fee of one hundred dollars.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.
Health care clinic and home health owners sentenced for fraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Two individuals have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of conspiracy to commit and committing health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal jury convicted Francis Ekene, 71, Sugar Land, on all counts following a three-day trial.
Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake imposed a 120-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the prison term, Judge Lake noted that despite his health issues, it was important for him to serve his punishment.
Also convicted at trial was Alfred Olotin Alatan, 63, formerly of Houston and now residing in Fulshear. He was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison.
Alatan was the owner of Colony Home Health Services, while Ekene was the owner of Milten Medical Clinic, both businesses located in Houston.
At trial, the jury heard that Alatan paid recruiters to bring patient information to be billed for home health services regardless of whether they needed it or not. Beneficiaries testified in trial and admitted they did not need home health services at the time the health care service providers billed them.
Additional testimony revealed a doctor had signed off on plan of care forms at the Milton Clinic when patients were not actually under his care.
Previous employees Susana Bermudez and Rita Kpotie Smith also testified. Bermudez admitted she and Smith operated both clinics and that Alatan was the leader of the scheme. Both Alatan and Ekene would consult Bermudez and Smith who directed them and provided assistance in carrying out the scheme within both offices.
At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury they were not involved in the daily operations and did not know the provided services were unnecessary and fraudulent.
Alatan and Ekene were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Bermudez and Smith, both 55, and of Houston, previously pleaded guilty to their roles as co-conspirators in the scheme. Bermudez is currently serving 30 months in federal prison, while Smith is serving is serving a 60-month sentence.
The Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tina Ansari and Grace Murphy prosecuted the case along with paralegal Judith Cardona.
Harrisburg Woman Sentenced for Straw Purchasing A FirearmRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Maricely Corona, age 34, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to two years’ probation for purchasing a firearm for her brother.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on January 5, 2022, Corona pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Corona purchased a 9mm Glock handgun at a gun show in Harrisburg on March 10, 2019. While purchasing the firearm, Corona lied on the Firearm Transaction Record form by stating that the gun was for herself, when in fact she was purchasing it for her brother, Joel Maldonado. Maldonado was prohibited from purchasing a firearm because he was previously convicted of a felony.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
# # #
Guatemalan Citizen Charged with Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis Fernando Escalante, age 43, of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on illegal reentry charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on May 5, 2021, Escalante was removed from the United States through Santa Teresa, New Mexico to Guatemala, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first receiving legal permission to do so. The indictment also alleges that Escalante was encountered on June 7, 2022, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the Swatara Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Gresham Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Covid Relief FundsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Gresham, Oregon man pleaded guilty today for stealing more than $77,000 in funds intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justin Allen Cunningham, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, in the late summer or early winter of 2021, Cunningham learned from friends about the opportunity to procure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) by submitting fraudulent loan applications on behalf of fake business entities. The PPP program, originally authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress in March 2020, provided emergency financial assistance to American employers suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdowns.
To facilitate his scheme, Cunningham paid his friends for their help securing him a loan on behalf of a sole proprietorship he ran as a hobby: an online sneaker retailer called “JC shoe juice.” Cunningham obtained an employer identification number from the IRS and opened an online business bank account. He provided this information to a friend who created bogus tax returns for Cunningham’s company and submitted a PPP loan application on his behalf. The loan application falsely claimed that JC shoe juice had operated since 2015, had six employees, and generated more than $460,000 in gross income in 2019. As a result of these false representations, Cunningham was issued a loan worth more than $77,000.
On January 21, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Cunningham with one count of wire fraud.
Cunningham faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or twice his gross gains or his victims’ gross losses, and three years’ supervised release. He will be sentenced on January 23, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut.
As part of his plea agreement, Cunningham has agreed to pay more than $81,000 in restitution to SBA and ReadyCap Lending, LLC, the business lending company that issued Cunningham the PPP loan.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the SBA Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan W. Bounds is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’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.
Greenville Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Greenville man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for possessing child sexual abuse materials, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Eugene Murray, 28, to 12 months and one day in prison and five years of supervised release. Murray pleaded guilty on November 1, 2021.
According to court records, beginning in January 2019, Murray began communicating with an undercover FBI agent on Kik Messenger in a chat group that appeared to have an interest in children and child pornography. After Murray posted a link to child sexual abuse materials, a search warrant was executed at his residence during which he admitted to viewing child pornography. A forensic examination of his phone revealed links to images.
The FBI investigated the case.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: "Child pornography" captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer re-victimization each time the images are viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org/ or 1-800-843-5678. Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action. If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
###
Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
Joshua Christopher Astorga, 29, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Feb. 8, 2022, Astorga was arrested in Madera County in possession of 2,500 counterfeit M-30 pills laced with fentanyl.
During a months’ long investigation, agents learned Astorga was involved in dealing M-30 pills laced with fentanyl. In Sept. 2021, Astorga conspired with another individual to distribute 100 M-30 pills. On Feb. 8, 2022, Astorga negotiated the sale of 500 M-30 pills. A subsequent traffic stop conducted by the California Highway Patrol recovered 2,500 M-30 pills from his car.
The case was the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.
Astorga is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2023. He faces a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison and a fine up to $5 million. 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.