Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
25 October 2022
West Sacramento Woman Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kimberly Acevedo, 52, of West Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between March 2019 and March 2021, Acevedo and co-defendant Philip Rich, 50, of West Sacramento, perpetrated a mail fraud scheme that involved theft of U.S. mail, identity theft, and unlawful possession of dozens of stolen bank cards. Generally, Acevedo and Rich obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of victims and used that information to apply for new credit cards, debit cards, checkbooks, and other financial instruments to be sent to the victims’ real home addresses. The defendants then submitted change-of-address requests to the U.S. Postal Service at www.usps.com using the victims’ PII. These change-of-address requests rerouted the victims’ mail to defendants’ shared home address, where they would open the mail and use its contents to make fraudulent purchases and cash fraudulent checks.
When federal agents executed a search warrant at defendants’ residence on Oct. 14, 2020, they seized dozens of notebooks filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of identity-theft victim PII. The notebooks were scattered throughout the house, though mainly located in defendants’ shared bedroom. In addition, agents recovered an envelope, labeled “ID Templates,” in the bedroom containing approximately 10-15 fake California driver’s licenses in the names of various victims, but featuring Acevedo and Rich’s photographs and fake authentication features. Agents also recovered the tools required to construct the fake IDs as well as a magstripe device. Further, agents recovered over 50 credit and debit cards in the home as well as approximately 40 checkbooks in victims’ names as well as in the names of Rich and Acevedo. In total, defendants’ scheme caused over $110,000 in actual and intended loss.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise N. Yasinow and Robert J. Artuz are prosecuting the case.
On Oct. 4, 2022, Rich, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison. Acevedo is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on March 28, 2023. Acevedo faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for mail fraud and a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. She faces a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count. 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.
West Sacramento Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rudy Tafoya, 54, of West Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on May 3, 2021, law enforcement officers pulled Tafoya over for traffic violations. Officers found Tafoya had a loaded handgun in his left front pants pocket. Tafoya is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has six prior felony convictions, including a 2019 federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Tafoya was serving a term of supervised release on his prior federal case when he violated supervision by again possessing a firearm.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Sacramento Police Department; and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau is prosecuting the case.
Tafoya is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Jan. 31, 2023. Tafoya faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This 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.
West L.A. Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Harassment Campaign Targeting Female Doctors at VA FacilitiesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A West Los Angeles man who engaged in a harassment campaign targeting two female doctors at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and two other female doctors working at the VA’s Loma Linda facility in San Bernardino County, was sentenced today to 216 months in federal prison.
Gueorgui Hristov Pantchev, 51, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who said Pantchev “is a menace to society – a description that I don’t think I have ever used in describing a criminal defendant.”
A federal jury on July 18 found Pantchev guilty of four counts of stalking. According to evidence presented at his five-day trial, Pantchev’s conduct with respect to two of the doctors began in 2011 with numerous threatening communications sent to West L.A. VA doctors identified in court documents as Victim C and Victim D. As a result of this harassment, Pantchev was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and was convicted in 2014 of seven counts of stalking and witness intimidation.
After serving a state prison sentence, Pantchev was paroled in 2017, and he was barred from the West L.A. VA Medical Center. Pantchev then began seeking medical services at the VA’s Loma Linda facility, where he started stalking, harassing, and intimidating Victims A and B.
Notwithstanding the parole conditions that prohibited him from going to the West L.A. facility, Pantchev sought care there in 2020 and began sending harassing and intimidating communications to colleagues of Victims C and D.
Pantchev deluged Victims C and D and their colleagues with hundreds of lewd, sexually explicit and defamatory fliers bearing large pictures of Victim C and Victim D. Pantchev repeatedly distributed these flyers around the West L.A. VA facility and numerous other locations in the Los Angeles area.
“This defendant earned a lengthy prison sentence by terrorizing his victims for years,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “The women subjected to his attacks suffered severe emotional distress, including constant fear for their physical safety and the safety of their families. Protecting victims is critical to the mission of our office, and I hope today’s sentencing brings them a sense of justice and security.”
On the morning of Pantchev’s arrest in January 2021, he drove to Victim D’s home and her child’s elementary school and distributed more sexually explicit flyers that included the victim’s home address and contact information. During a search of Pantchev’s residence, law enforcement found more copies of the same flyers, along with printed copies of some of the letters and emails Pantchev sent to victims.
Prosecutors wrote in court documents filed in relation to the sentencing that Pantchev’s “conduct was manifestly harmful and specifically designed to terrorize the victims and their families.”
Pantchev has been in federal custody since his arrest in January 2021.
During today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Walter said Pantchev’s “extreme anti-social behavior puts him in the top five to 10 defendants among the thousands that I have seen in over 20 years on the bench.”
The FBI and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Khaldoun Shobaki and Lauren Restrepo of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Upstate New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Settles False Claims Act Allegations Involving Inflated Paycheck Protection Program LoanRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – The Rensselaerville Institute (TRI), a not-for-profit corporation located in Albany, New York, has agreed to pay the United States $86,676 in damages and civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining an inflated Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. TRI also agreed to repay its lender $86,676, thereby relieving the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) of liability to the lender for the federal guaranty of the overstated portion of its loan, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman.
United States Attorney Freedman stated: “Paycheck Protection Program loans were intended to provide critical relief to small businesses so that they could retain employees and continue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to use all available tools, including the False Claims Act, against companies that overstated eligibility for these taxpayer-funded loans.”
The PPP was established pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, in March 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to small businesses suffering economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loan applications were processed by participating lenders, which received a processing fee from the SBA. If a loan application was approved, the participating lender funded the loan, which was fully guaranteed by the SBA.
TRI acknowledged in the settlement agreement that, in early April 2020, its now-former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provided another now-former TRI official with data and calculations showing that TRI’s “average monthly payroll,” when multiplied in accordance with the PPP loan eligibility formula, totaled less than $500,000. That individual nevertheless applied on TRI’s behalf to an SBA participating lender for a $500,000 PPP loan. Shortly thereafter, the CFO wrote various TRI board members: “I have not received a copy of the PPP application. I am hopeful it was not actually submitted” because “it would be better if we don’t have a federal loan application floating out there for more money than we were entitled to.”
Later in 2020, as part of an audit of TRI’s annual financial statements, an audit and consulting firm represented that it notified TRI that TRI had applied for and received a larger loan than it was entitled to, and that it advised the former TRI official to return the excess funds. Rather than return the excess funds, in January 2021, yet another TRI official submitted an application for forgiveness of the entirety of the $500,000 loan. The SBA subsequently determined that TRI had overstated its average monthly payroll and, accordingly, declined to forgive $86,676 of TRI’s loan.
Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated: “The FBI will continue to work with our partners from the United States Attorney’s Office to investigate and hold accountable all those who take advantage of these critically important loan programs designed to provide assistance to American businesses.”
The case began in August 2021, when a whistleblower filed a qui tam complaint under seal in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. When a whistleblower, or “relator,” files a qui tam complaint, the False Claims Act requires the United States to investigate the allegations and elect whether to intervene and take over the action or to decline to intervene and allow the relator to go forward with the litigation on behalf of the United States. The relator is generally able to then share in any recovery. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the relator will receive $17,000 of the settlement.
The investigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and the FBI. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Katz.
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 the federal government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
United States Attorney Cole Finegan Designates District Election Officer for November 2022 General ElectionRead the Press Release
DENVER -- United States Attorney Cole Finegan announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Cyrus Y. Chung will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA Chung has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Colorado, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Finegan said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Finegan. “In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Chung will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (303) 454-0159.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (303) 629-7171.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Stands Ready to Protect Voting Rights on Election DayRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – United States Attorney Darren J. LaMarca announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Bert Carraway will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA Carraway has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of Mississippi, and in that capacity, is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney LaMarca said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney LaMarca stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Carraway will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 601-973-2826.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 601-948-5000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
United States Attorney LaMarca said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Appointment of District Election OfficersRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight announced today the appointment of two District Election Officers to oversee the handling of complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud in the District of Oregon for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Quinn P. Harrington and Austin Rice-Stitt will lead the office’s efforts in coordination with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The department will address these violations wherever they occur. The department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.
The FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI Portland Field Office can be reached by calling (503) 224-4181.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. by calling (800) 253-3931 or submitting an online complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov.
If you have questions about the Justice Department’s Election Day Program in Oregon or need assistance directing election-related complaints to the proper authorities, District Election Officers Harrington and Rice-Stitt can be reached by calling (503) 727-1000.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney honored with Michael T. Shelby AwardRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The Southern District of Texas Chapter of the Federal Bar Association has awarded U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery the Michael Taylor Shelby Award for Professionalism in Federal Service.
Lowery received the award at the 2022 Federal Bar Association’s annual dinner the evening of Oct. 24.
The award was established in 2006 in memory of Michael Taylor Shelby, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) from 2001 to 2005. The award recognizes an attorney in federal service in the SDTX who has exhibited outstanding dedication, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law on behalf of the federal government.
As part of her selection, Lowery was recognized as a lifelong public servant who embodies the essence of what the late Shelby stood for - dedication to the pursuit of justice, adherence to ethical principles and commitment to professionalism. Lowery has been the chief federal prosecutor for the SDTX since February 2021. In that role, she has led her office of nearly 500 employees through unique challenges of the pandemic while ensuring the interest of the United States is served in criminal, civil and appellate cases.
Lowery joined the SDTX in 2008, initially as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA). She soon earned the title of senior litigation counsel and ethics advisor before joining management as a deputy criminal chief, executive AUSA, criminal chief, first assistant U.S. attorney and eventually the court-appointed U.S. attorney. As reflected in her titles, Lowery has vast knowledge of criminal law issues and a record of strong leadership.
Lowery’s colleagues note how she earned every title she has held at the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), bringing to each position her innovative thinking and sound reason. She leans forward by giving seasoned and newer attorneys opportunities to develop and demonstrate leadership skills. Defense attorneys seem to respect her because she is honest and fair and is never willing to compromise her integrity.
The award recognizes that Lowery sets standards to ensure the right cases are prosecuted and violent criminals are apprehended. She also takes a pragmatic approach to civil cases to ensure the United States is made whole in affirmative litigation and the interest of the United States is protected in defensive litigation. In the Appellate realm, she considers and reviews the SDTX’s adverse Fifth Circuit and district court decisions and determines what recommendations to make to the Department of Justice Criminal Appellate Section and the Office of the Solicitor General regarding further review.
Lowery’s federal service extends beyond the USAO. She is vice chair of the Border & Immigration subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) and a member of the Violent & Organized Crime AGAC subcommittee. She also takes advantage of opportunities to engage with the community in which she serves. She speaks at annual Red Ribbon Week events, law enforcement training workshops and conferences as well as local bar association events. She also participates in federal agency campaigns to reduce crime. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center, where she teaches Criminal Litigation and Legal Issues in Criminal Procedure.
Accolades aside, Lowery was noted as a consummate professional who is well respected among her peers, staff and the community.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten Announces District Election Officer, Hotline, and WebsiteRead the Press Release
LANSING, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Justin Presant will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA Presant has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Michigan, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Totten also announced that his office has established a hotline, 616-808-2140, and website for members of the public to make a complaint or share information related to voting rights concerns.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
United States Attorney Totten added, “The hotline and website were established because it is critical for the public to have a direct line of communication to our office. This helps strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing individuals the ability to report possible election fraud, voting rights violations, and threats of violence while the polls are open through Election Day.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Totten stated that: “Voting is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Presant will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
United States Attorney Totten said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
# # #
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit Convenes Domestic Violence Awareness Month EventRead the Press Release
BOISE – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit convened with over 50 representatives from victim advocacy groups, domestic violence organizations, tribal communities, and law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month yesterday. U.S. Attorney Hurwit and other federal prosecutors from his office presented training on federal tools to prosecute domestic violence offenders and to reduce their ability to reoffend, including by prosecuting offenders who are prohibited from possessing firearms.
The event was part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s effort to bring together advocates, survivors, victim service providers, justice professionals, police and first responders, and communities across the U.S. in observing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic violence is more prevalent than many realize. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes. The rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.
“Our office is committed to prosecuting domestic violence crimes and supporting victims and survivors in Idaho,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We want the community to know we are here to assist in these matters. But prosecution alone cannot fully address the underlying root problems that can lead to domestic abuse. That is why I am so grateful to the attendees at our event for sharing their stories and inspiring collaboration between law enforcement, advocates, and providers of social services.”
All attendees joined in a conversation about how to support domestic violence survivors and to break the cycles of abuse that too often affect generations of families and communities. The attendees collectively agreed that further communicating about domestic violence trends, as well about related issues, such as substance abuse and human trafficking, would be of benefit to their communities.
If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence, you are not alone and there are many services available to help, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), the National Center for Victims of Crime www.victimsofcrime.org and the National Coalition against Domestic Violence https://ncadv.org/
###
U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris Announces Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – United States Attorney Gregory K. Harris announced today the Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) who will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. The AUSAs appointed to serve as District Election Officers (DEOs) in each of the district’s four divisions are: Gregory M. Gilmore in the Springfield headquarters office; Darilynn J. Knauss in the Peoria branch office; David H. Hoff in the Urbana branch office; and John K. Mehochko in the Rock Island branch office. As DEOs, the AUSAs are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Harris said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Harris stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs Gilmore, Knauss, Hoff, and Mehochko will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.”
The DEOs can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers:
- Springfield: First Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore, 217-492-4450;
- Urbana: Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Hoff, 217-373-5875;
- Peoria: Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss, 309-671-7050; and,
- Rock Island: Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney John K. Mehochko, 309-793-5884
In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (217) 522-9675.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
United States Attorney Harris said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney Appoints Election Officer for the Western District of KentuckyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Raymond D. McGee will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA McGee has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Kentucky, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Bennett said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to that right can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO McGee will be on duty in the Western District while the polls are open.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. Any tips or other information regarding election fraud or abuses can be submitted through the FBI’s national tip line at 800-CALL-FBI or via www.tips.fbi.gov. Additionally, the FBI Louisville Field Office can be reached at 502-263-6000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
United States Attorney Bennett said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
###
U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont Statement Relating to the November 2022 General ElectionRead the Press Release
UPDATE
The Press Release was updated in the fifth paragraph to reflect the correct phone number to reach the U.S. Attorney's Office.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Michael Drescher will lead the efforts of this Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA Drescher has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Vermont, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
U.S. Attorney Kerest stated, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
U.S. Attorney Kerest also stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA Drescher will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (802) 651-8246.”In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (518) 465-7551.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
St. Lucia Citizen Who Lived in the U.S. under a Stolen Identity for 20 Years in SentencedRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADRIAN JOSEPH, 55, a citizen of St. Lucia last residing in Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in Bridgeport to approximately nine months of imprisonment, time already served, for offenses related to his acquiring federal documents under an assumed identity.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Joseph has been living in Bridgeport under an assumed identity for approximately 20 years. Using his stolen identity, Joseph has obtained from various governmental agencies multiple identity documents, including a U.S. passport, a Social Security Account Number card, a City of Bridgeport voting registration card, and a Connecticut driver’s license from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (“CT DMV”). In February 2020, Joseph visited the CT DMV in Norwalk and, using fraudulent identity documents, successfully applied for and received a REAL ID driver’s license.
During the investigation, the individual whose identity Joseph used informed the government that his identity documents were stolen in the late 1990s.
On August 2, 2022, Joseph pleaded guilty to one count of use of a passport secured by a false statement, and one count of false representation of a social security account number, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Joseph, who is detained, now faces deportation proceedings.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Police and Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
St. Louis Rapper Pleads Guilty to Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis rapper pleaded guilty Tuesday in the middle of his jury trial to a felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Arthur Pressley, a.k.a. 30 Deep Grimeyy or Grimeyy, was a convicted felon when he and others were stopped by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers on Jan. 5, 2021 in a 2008 Pontiac G8. The Pontiac had a taillight out and had license plates registered to a Jeep.
Police found a Beretta 92FS 9mm pistol between Pressley and a fellow occupant of the car. Pressley admitted as part of his plea agreement possessing the gun a number of times between Oct. 4, 2020, the day after it was purchased, and the date of the traffic stop.
Investigators also found pictures of Pressley and the gun on the social media accounts of Pressley and others and in Pressley’s phone, including one in which the partial serial number of the gun could be seen. Pressley also discusses the gun in messages.
Pressley, as a convicted felon, is barred from possessing firearms. He was twice convicted of a charge of unlawful use of a weapon.
Prosecutors will argue at Pressley’s sentencing that after the traffic stop, he began sending text messages to the original purchaser of the gun. Pressley asked that man to falsify a bill of sale to one of the other occupants of the Pontiac.
Pressley, 25, of St. Louis, is scheduled to be sentenced February 1. The gun charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had been investigating Pressley and his gang, 30 Deep, for over a year at the time of the traffic stop.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassandra Wiemken and Jennifer Szczucinski are prosecuting the case.
Springfield Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery a Month After Release from Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing a bank within a month of being released from federal prison for another bank robbery.
Charles Edgar King Jr., 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to five years and 11 months in federal prison without parole.
On May 31, 2022, King pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. King admitted that he used a note to steal $8,815 from Guaranty Bank, 2109 N. Glenstone Ave., in Springfield, on July 10, 2021. King entered the bank at about 10:30 a.m. and went straight to a teller counter, where he handed the teller a handwritten note that read, “I have a gun this is a robbery.” The teller handed over cash and King left the bank and walked away through a parking lot.
Surveillance cameras in the bank captured good quality video, which show King, who was not wearing a mask, and images of his bare hands that show a tattoo of a cross on the back of his right middle finger. On the same day as the robbery, July 10, 2021, the FBI released one of the surveillance images to the media and requested assistance from the public in identifying the bank robber. King’s former probation officer saw the media coverage and contacted the FBI the same day and identified King.
King had been released from federal prison 30 days prior to robbing Guaranty Bank. King was convicted of robbing Citizen’s Bank in Rogersville, Mo., in 2012 and sentenced to seven years in federal prison without parole. He served an additional 14 months for repeatedly violating the terms of his supervised release following incarceration, according to court documents, for a total prison term of nine years and two months. King, who was released with no further supervision, had been out of custody for 30 days when he committed the Guaranty Bank robbery.
On July 19, 2021, an anonymous source contacted law enforcement with a tip that King was staying at the Springfield Inn near Kearney and North Glenstone in Springfield. Springfield police detectives and FBI agents conducted surveillance on the hotel and saw King leave the hotel driving a purple Scion Cube with no license plate. Springfield police officers conducted a car stop and detained King on an investigative arrest for robbery.
King told an FBI agent that he used the stolen money to buy the used Scion Cube for $2,400, and that he gave some of the money away and spent the rest.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
Spokane Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Prolific Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Corey A. Darilek, age 41, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today in federal court in Spokane, Washington. Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Darilek to 180 months in federal prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. In July 2022, Darilek pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii).
According to court documents, the Spokane Police Department was investigating Darilek’s drug-trafficking activities in the Spokane area, after he was identified as a significant drug distributor. The investigation led to a search warrant of Darilek’s Spokane-area home as well as several of his vehicles. The Spokane Police Department located over one pound of methamphetamine as well as heroin, multiple firearms, and approximately $10,000 in cash. Darilek told law enforcement he had been a drug trafficker for an extended period and was involved in large-quantity deals, including a recent 20-pound methamphetamine transaction with individuals in Montana. Darilek estimated he received multiple pounds of methamphetamine and several ounces of heroin per week from his supplier, which Darilek then distributed to customers in the Spokane area.
After Darilek’s arrest, he was released by the court to attend in-patient drug treatment based on his asserted methamphetamine addiction. Shortly after his release, Darilek terminated himself from the drug treatment program and a warrant issued for his arrest. After his re-arrest, he was again released by the court to drug treatment. Shortly after his second release, Darilek again terminated himself from his drug treatment program and another warrant issued. Darilek was a fugitive for almost one year before he was re-captured. Because of Darilek’s failure to comply with his release conditions and fugitive status, Judge Rice enhanced Darilek’s sentence.
United States Attorney Waldref commended the joint efforts of law enforcement for working to keep the Eastern District safe: “Mr. Darilek imported and distributed large-quantities of methamphetamine into the Spokane area. Then, after the Court afforded him numerous opportunities to enter drug treatment, he absconded twice and became a fugitive.” U.S. Attorney Waldref continued, “This “The sentence imposed on Mr. Darilek should put those on notice who seek to bring harm to our sentence removes Mr. Darilek from the community for fifteen years and reiterates my office’s commitment to ensuring that those who distribute dangerous narcotics in Eastern Washington are held accountable.”
communities by distributing illegal narcotics,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “The DEA, along with its partners, will pursue them and hold them accountable no matter how long it takes.”
“The nexus between drugs and criminal activity, including violence, is well established and has impacted our community in very unhealthy and destructive ways. SPD is committed to collaborating with our regional partners in our relentless pursuit to hold accountable those who deal drugs in our community and prey on people trapped in addiction,” stated Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Police Department as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard of the Eastern District of Washington handled this matter on behalf of the United States.
Six Philadelphia-Area Individuals Charged with over One Million Dollars in COVID Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Wylene Johnson, 41, of Chester, PA; Cookie Bundy, 41, of Philadelphia, PA; Hakeem Cooper, 42, of Philadelphia, PA; Louis Barnett, 43, of Philadelphia, PA; Barry Mitchell, 33, of Philadelphia, PA; and Tameka Edmonds, 32, of Marcus Hook, PA; were charged with various Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) fraud-related offenses in two separate Indictments.
In the first Indictment, defendants Johnson, Bundy, Cooper, Barnett, and Mitchell are each charged with four counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of government money in connection with a scheme to submit fraudulent PUA applications. As part of the scheme, those charged allegedly submitted (or caused to be submitted) nearly 100 fraudulent applications resulting in a loss to the government of nearly $1 million dollars. All of the applications submitted as part of this scheme listed Johnson’s former address in Philadelphia as the mailing address for benefits. After the benefits were mailed to this address, those charged allegedly accessed either the checks or debit cards issued on the applications.
In addition to the PUA scheme, defendants Johnson, Barnett, and Mitchell are also each charged with three counts of theft of government money for allegedly submitting fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications to the Small Business Administration for businesses which did not exist. As a result of these fraudulent application, Johnson allegedly received approximately $52,000 dollars from the SBA which she allegedly spent on personal items. Barnett and Mitchell also allegedly received emergency advances from the SBA which they spent on personal items.
In October 2022, when law enforcement agents from the United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations arrested Bundy and Mitchell for the charges in this Indictment, firearms and ammunition were recovered from both of their residences. Immediately thereafter, Bundy and Mitchell were charged by Criminal Complaint with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as previously convicted felons.
In the second fraud Indictment announced today, defendant Edmonds is charged with three counts of mail fraud and three counts of theft of government money for allegedly submitting fraudulent PUA, EIDL, and Paycheck Protect Program (‘PPP’) applications. Edmonds is also charged with spending the EIDL and PPP funds on personal items.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits, including individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility to receive weekly PUA benefits is predicated on an applicant’s unemployment for reasons related to the pandemic, and it requires that the applicant was able to work each day and, if offered a job, would have been able to accept it. Once an applicant is approved to receive benefits, the applicant is required to submit weekly certifications indicating that he or she: was ready, willing and able to work each day; was seeking full time employment; did not refuse any job offers or referrals; and had reported any employment during the week and the gross pay or other payments received.
“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and small business loan funds are intended to help working Americans and small business owners continue to pay their bills and make ends meet, even when revenues have dropped dramatically due to the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Thieves who attempt to take these funds under false pretenses are taking advantage of others’ misfortune – ripping them off while also ripping off all taxpayers who fund the programs. These defendants allegedly obtained over $1 million in funds that could have helped struggling businesses and individuals.”
“White collar crime being conducted by convicted felons is part of the new criminal reality facing law enforcement agencies. These criminals are intelligent and bold enough to deliberately defraud the United States government on a large scale,” said William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Philadelphia office. “Combatting these criminals takes an immense amount of time, effort, and cooperation between the prosecutors and the investigating agencies. We are extremely proud of the working relationships that have developed between all agencies involved.”
“The amount of pandemic program fraud uncovered in the last two-plus years is utterly offensive,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “This was emergency financial assistance meant to keep families, businesses, and the economy afloat, not a golden ticket for crooks and opportunists to live the high life. As these mounting indictments show, the FBI continues to investigate those who so eagerly defrauded the government and we’re committed to holding each and every one accountable for their crimes.”
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to unemployment insurance programs. We will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations”, stated Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Timothy Lanni.
Queens, NY Man Found Guilty in Kidnapping, Torture Plot Which Resulted in Death of Two Brothers in Schuylkill River in 2014Read the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Jason Rivera, 37, of Queens, NY, was convicted today at trial of kidnapping and extortion charges arising from his involvement with a violent gang, known as “Born To Kill” (a/k/a “BTK”), who paid the defendant money to collect a substantial drug debt from three drug dealers. Two of the three victim dealers, who were brothers, were murdered; the third managed to escape drowning in the Schuylkill River and whose rescue made the case national news.
In the summer of 2014, Rivera and two associates were recruited by members of the BTK gang to forcibly collect money from three marijuana dealers who had failed to pay a substantial drug debt. The co-conspirators, including Rivera, were paid several thousand dollars each using the money they took from the victims. Tam Le, a member of BTK, lured the victims to his home in southwest Philadelphia, where Rivera and the other two co-conspirators assaulted the victims and restrained them with duct tape and zip ties. They then kidnapped and transported the three victims to the Schuylkill River in the back of a van, weighed down their bodies, stabbed them, and dumped all three into the river. Two victims died in the river while the third managed to crawl out of the river and flag down a passing motorist on Kelly Drive for assistance.
In addition to this case, five defendants were federally indicted in connection with this crime and have all pleaded guilty to similar charges. Tam Le was found guilty of murder by a Philadelphia County jury and sentenced to death.
“After the initial investigation and arrests were made in this case which resulted in state charges for two individuals involved with these murders and attempted murder, the trail on the other individuals who helped them went nearly cold,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “But thanks to the persistent efforts and dogged determination of the FBI and other law enforcement partners, our Office was able to charge these remaining individuals, get them off the streets, and bring them to justice for their crimes.”
“What Rivera and his co-conspirators did to their victims was particularly heinous – so much so that, nearly a decade later, the circumstances of these murders and attempted murder still stand out,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Agents and analysts on FBI Philadelphia’s Organized Crime Task Force put years of hard work into the investigation that led to today’s verdict and seen many of the other perpetrators held accountable. We will continue to work to bring to justice Trung Lu, who has been charged in connection with these crimes but remains at large, likely in Vietnam. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading directly to Lu’s arrest.”
The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Livermore.
Political Consultant Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Candidate in 2017 New Haven Probate Judge RaceRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that VICTOR CUEVAS, 58, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to conspiring to defraud a New Haven Probate Judge candidate in 2017.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Cuevas co-operated a Connecticut-based political consulting business called Yellow Dog Strategies (“YDS”). In 2017, YDS was paid $5,750 to collect 1,000 petition signatures from registered Democrats in New Haven in support of a probate judge primary candidate. Cuevas supervised YDS’s collection of voters’ signatures using a team of “Circulators,” each of whom was required by state regulations to sign a Statement of Authenticity before a notary public attesting that they had collected the voters’ petition signatures in person. Rather than collect legitimate voter signatures, Cuevas conspired with others to defraud the candidate by submitting falsified petition forms. Specifically, Cuevas caused signatures of registered voters to be forged on petitions and caused the signature of a purported Circulator to be forged on a Statement of Authenticity.
Cuevas caused the falsified forms to be delivered to the candidate, who, unaware of the forgeries, submitted those petitions to be counted. The New Haven Democratic Registrar of Voters quickly detected forged signatures in the petitions. Upon learning that voter signatures had been forged, the candidate withdrew from the primary.
The Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission immediately initiated an investigation into Cuevas’s conduct. When Cuevas learned of that investigation, he and his co-conspirators attempted to conceal their scheme by pressuring the fictitious Circulator, whose signature had been forged, to sign a false affidavit.
Cuevas, a former Connecticut State Representative, was on federal probation at the time of the offense. In October 2016, he was sentenced in New Haven federal court to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine for conspiring with others to commit bank fraud in connection with his home mortgage loan applications.
Cuevas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on January 17, 2023.
Cuevas is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor Reardon and Jonathan Francis.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission for its assistance in this matter.
Pittsburgh Man Charged with Robbery and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of robbery and firearm violations, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The four-count Superseding Indictment named Deon Reese, age 47, as the sole defendant.
According to the Superseding Indictment, on March 23, 2017, Reese robbed an individual and conspired to rob him, and used a firearm to do so.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Reese is detained pending trial.
Assistant United States Attorney Doug Maloney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Loaded RevolverRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 37 months’ imprisonment on his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Reco Hall, age 37, of Hays Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.
According to information presented to the court, on or about November 6, 2020, Hall was in possession of a Taurus .38 Special revolver, loaded with five rounds of ammunition. Because of a prior felony convictions, federal law prohibited Hall from possessing the weapon.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Brian W. Castello prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.United States Attorney Chung commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hall.
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.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to over 18 Years in Prison for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Philadelphia, Mississippi man was sentenced to 222 months in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
James Nelson Peeples, Jr., 37, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Jackson.
According to court records, on July 15, 2018, a Philadelphia woman called the Philadelphia Police Department and reported that a man she knew as “P James” was at her house threatening her with a gun. An officer responded immediately and spoke with the woman. The officer then left the woman’s residence and quickly located Peeples nearby driving a black Honda Accord. The officer stopped Peeples and, as he approached the vehicle, saw Peeples attempting to hide a handgun. Peeples also appeared to be trying to put a bag of marijuana in his pants.
Peeples was arrested and a search was conducted. Methamphetamine, marijuana and three handguns were found. Peeples has multiple felony convictions out of Neshoba County Circuit Court for drug sales and for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
A federal grand jury indicted Peeples on January 15, 2020. He subsequently pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Paving Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
An Arkansas man pleaded guilty today to filing a false tax return with the IRS on which he did not report all of the income he earned from his business.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Clarence A. Joles, Sr., of Texarkana, owned Rock Hard Paving, an asphalt paving business, which he operated as a sole proprietorship. Joles admitted that he deposited Rock Hard Paving’s gross receipts into approximately nine different bank accounts, then intentionally withheld from his tax preparer records from some of those accounts. As a result, the tax preparer did not have access to Rock Hard Paving’s true income, and Joles caused a false 2015 personal tax return to be filed with the IRS. In total, Joles did not report more than $1 million in Rock Hard Paving receipts.
Joles is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for filing a false tax return. He also faces a period of supervised release, monetary penalties, and restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Greg Tortella and Trial Attorney Isaiah Boyd, III of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Owner of Toledo Area Medical Transportation Service Found Guilty of Healthcare FraudRead the Press Release
TOLEDO - A federal jury on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, convicted the founder and owner of Blue Line Express Taxi & Medical Transport, a Toledo-area ambulette transportation business, of three counts of healthcare fraud following a three-day trial before Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick in Toledo.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Abdul Haji Faqi, 46, of Toledo, was found guilty of participating in a scheme that knowingly submitted and received reimbursement payments from Medicaid for ineligible claims. Faqi’s co-defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced earlier this year for their part in the scheme.
Between 2009 and 2016, Faqi schemed with his co-defendants to transport and bill Medicaid for ambulette transportation services of Medicaid beneficiaries who did not require or use a wheelchair. Faqi and his co-defendants knew that Medicaid only provided ambulette reimbursement for recipients who did require the use of a wheelchair and were actually transported in a wheelchair.
In addition, as part of the scheme to defraud, evidence presented during the trial showed that Faqi and his co-defendants billed Medicaid for wheelchair attendants without actually providing any attendants. Furthermore, evidence showed that Faqi and his co-defendants billed Medicaid for trips with multiple riders as separate individual trips, thereby inflating their Medicaid billing.
Faqi and his co-defendants also failed to obtain, and falsified, ambulette Certification of Medical Necessity (CMN) documents from Medicaid recipients that they transported. Faqi and the others knew and understood that Medicaid required a CMN for each recipient transported.
In total, court documents state that Faqi and his co-defendants received over $800,000 in reimbursements from Medicaid to which they were not entitled.
Faqi is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 13, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), the Ohio Attorney General’s Healthcare Fraud Section and the Toledo Resident Agency of the Cleveland FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jody L. King and Michael J. Freeman.
Ottumwa Man and Woman Charged for Filing Hundreds of False Tax Returns and Fraudulently Obtaining Unemployment Insurance Benefits PaymentsRead the Press Release
Des Moines, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an indictment on October 18, 2022, charging an Ottumwa man and woman with sixty fraud and tax charges.
As alleged in the indictment, Thein Maung (also known as Joseph Ramarn), age 47, and his daughter, Phyo Mi (also known as Phyo Ramarn), age 20, conspired to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by preparing and filing hundreds of fraudulent tax returns. Maung and Mi provided tax-preparation services out of their family’s home in Ottumwa. Their customers primarily were immigrants who had little or no ability to read, write, or speak English.
The indictment also alleges that Maung and Mi would prepare their customers’ tax returns in exchange for a cash fee. Maung and Mi acted as “ghost preparers,” meaning that they did not sign their clients’ tax returns when they prepared and filed them. Without their customers’ knowledge or approval, Maung and Mi often included on their customers’ federal tax returns, schedules, and forms, fraudulent items, such as false claims for residential energy credits, business-expense deductions, or moving-expense deductions. The effect of Maung and Mi including fraudulent items on the tax documents was to increase the refunds their clients received and increase Maung and Mi’s customer base.
In addition, it is alleged that Maung and Mi engaged in wire fraud by directing that portions of their customers’ fraudulent refunds be deposited into financial institution accounts accessible to Maung and Mi. By doing so, Maung and Mi attempted to obtain from the IRS over $140,000 in fraudulent refunds.
Maung and Mi also allegedly committed wire fraud in relation to unemployment insurance benefits. According to court documents, Maung and Mi filed unemployment insurance benefits applications and claims with Iowa Workforce Development for some of their customers. On the materials submitted to Iowa Workforce Development, Maung and Mi directed that their customers’ unemployment payments be sent to financial institution accounts that Maung and Mi had access to. Through this fraud, Maung and Mi received over $70,000 in fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits payments from Iowa Workforce Development that should have been paid to eligible claimants.
“These types of schemes often prey on vulnerable and unsuspecting clients that were merely attempting to do the right thing, including filing and paying their taxes,” said Thomas Murdock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s St. Louis field office. “IRS Criminal Investigation works investigations like these to keep fraudulent tax return preparers at bay and to let others know that these efforts to rob the government are illegal and will not go unchecked.
Both Maung and Mi are charged with one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and fourteen counts of Wire Fraud. Mi is also charged with ten counts of Preparing and Presenting a False Tax Return. Maung is charged with thirty counts of Preparing and Presenting a False Tax Return and five counts of Willful Failure to File Return.
The defendants made their initial court appearance on Monday, October 24, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Stephen H. Locher of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.
Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from the Ottumwa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Essley is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Role in Cocaine Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA -- A former Ohio resident has been sentenced in federal court to 10-years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release related to his membership in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States Senior District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Romeon Alford, age 47, formerly of East Liverpool, OH 43290.
According to information presented to the court, under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, federal, state, and local law enforcement investigated a drug trafficking organization in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Multiple confidential sources established the identity of the main target of the investigation. Using controlled buy operations and surveillance, law enforcement also identified the members of the organization. The investigation revealed that the main target would supply his conspirators with multiple ounces of cocaine on a weekly basis, which would then be sold to end users. As evidenced by a multi-kilogram seizure from the main target, this drug trafficking organization dealt in kilogram quantities of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
During the investigation, law enforcement determined that the main target supplied Romean Alford and that Alford would then distribute cocaine to end users. Between November 2019 and January 2020, law enforcement conducted four controlled buy operations from Alford in the vicinity of his East Liverpool, Ohio, residence. Following these controlled buy operations, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant upon Alford’s residence. The search resulted in the seizure of multiple ounces of cocaine. An examination of Alford’s phone revealed that he frequently communicated with the main target of the investigation, confirming that the main target was Alford’s source of supply. The investigation further revealed that Alford would travel from Ohio to Beaver County in order to obtain multiple ounces of cocaine from his source of supply. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the main target had supplied Alford with multiple ounces of cocaine on a weekly basis since January 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Alford.
Newly Unsealed Indictment Charges Ukrainian National with International Cybercrime OperationRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – A newly unsealed federal grand jury indictment charges Mark Sokolovsky, 26, a Ukrainian national, for his alleged role in an international cybercrime operation known as Raccoon Infostealer, which infected millions of computers around the world with malware.
According to court documents, Sokolovsky, who is currently being held in the Netherlands pursuant to an extradition request by the United States, conspired to operate the Raccoon Infostealer as a malware-as-a-service or “MaaS.” Individuals who deployed Raccoon Infostealer to steal data from victims leased access to the malware for approximately $200 per month, paid for by cryptocurrency. These individuals used various ruses, such as email phishing, to install the malware onto the computers of unsuspecting victims. Raccoon Infostealer then stole personal data from victim computers, including log-in credentials, financial information, and other personal records. Stolen information was used to commit financial crimes or was sold to others on cybercrime forums.
In March 2022, concurrent with Sokolovsky’s arrest by Dutch authorities, the FBI and law enforcement partners in Italy and the Netherlands dismantled the digital infrastructure supporting the Raccoon Infostealer, taking its then existing version offline.
Through various investigative steps, the FBI has collected data stolen from many computers that cyber criminals infected with Raccoon Infostealer. While an exact number has yet to be verified, FBI agents have identified more than 50 million unique credentials and forms of identification (email addresses, bank accounts, cryptocurrency addresses, credit card numbers, etc.) in the stolen data from what appears to be millions of potential victims around the world. The credentials appear to include over four million email addresses. The United States does not believe it is in possession of all the data stolen by Raccoon Infostealer and continues to investigate.
The FBI has created a website where anyone can input their email address to determine whether it is contained within the U.S. government’s repository of Raccoon Infostealer stolen data. The website is raccoon.ic3.gov. If the email address is within the data, the FBI will send an email to that address notifying the user. Potential victims are encouraged to fill out a detailed complaint and share any financial or other harm experienced from their information being stolen at FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov/Home/FileComplaint.
“This case highlights the importance of the international cooperation that the Department of Justice and our partners use to dismantle modern cyber threats,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “As reflected in the number of potential victims and global breadth of this attack, cyber threats do not respect borders, which makes international cooperation all the more critical. I urge anyone who thinks they could be a victim to follow the FBI’s guidance on how to report your potential exposure.”
“I applaud the hard work of the agents and prosecutors involved in this case as well as our international partners for their efforts to disrupt the Raccoon Infostealer and gather the evidence necessary for indictment and notification to potential victims,” U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff said. “This type of malware feeds the cybercrime ecosystem, harvesting valuable information and allowing cyber criminals to steal from innocent Americans and citizens around the world. I urge the public to visit the FBI’s Raccoon Infostealer website, find out if their email is within the stolen data, and file a victim complaint through the FBI’s IC3 website.”
“Today’s case is a further reminder the FBI will relentlessly pursue and bring to justice cyber criminals who seek to steal from the American public,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “We have once again leveraged our unique authorities, world-class capabilities, and enduring international partnerships to maximize impact against cyber threats. We will continue to use all available resources to disrupt these attacks and protect American citizens. If you believe you’re a victim of this cybercrime, we urge you to visit raccoon.ic3.gov.”
“This case highlights the FBI’s unwavering commitment to work closely with our law enforcement and private sector partners around the world to hold cybercriminals accountable for their actions and protect the American people from cybercrime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. “This case also serves as a reminder to public and private sector organizations of the importance to report internet crime and cyber threats to law enforcement as soon as possible. Working together is the only way we’re going to stay ahead of rapidly changing cyber threats."
“This indictment demonstrates the resolve and close cooperation of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI working jointly to protect and defend the United States,” stated Special Agent in Charge Marc Martin, Army CID’s Cyber Field Office. “Army CID would also like to thank our law enforcement partners in Italy and the Netherlands.”
Sokolovsky is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and related activity in connection with computers; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and one count of aggravated identity theft. The Amsterdam District Court issued a decision on September 13, 2022, granting the defendant’s extradition to the United States. Sokolovsky has appealed that decision.
If convicted, Sokolovsky faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud and money laundering offenses, five years for the conspiracy to commit computer fraud charge, and a mandatory consecutive two-year term for the aggravated identity theft offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Austin Cyber Task Force, with the assistance of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID), is investigating the case. The FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is supported by Army CID, Austin Police Department, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Round Rock Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Victims of the Raccoon Infostealer can find more information at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/victim-assistance-raccoon-infostealer. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael C. Galdo and G. Karthik Srinivasan are prosecuting the case. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs is assisting with foreign evidence requests and the extradition request.
U.S. Attorney Hoff and Special Agent in Charge Rich would also like to thank the FBI Legal Attachés in Rome, The Hague, and Warsaw for their assistance in the investigation and disruption of the Raccoon Infostealer, along with the following foreign partners: Ministry of Justice of Italy; Special Unit for the Protection of Privacy and Technological Fraud of the Italian Guardia di Finanza; Procura della Repubblica di Brescia; the Netherlands Ministry of Justice and Security; Netherlands Police; and Netherlands Public Prosecution Service.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Newark Man Sentenced to 115 Months in Prison for Role in Knifepoint RobberyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man was sentenced today to 115 months in prison for his role in the knifepoint robbery of a Harrison, New Jersey, taxi company, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Alfuquan Turner, 46, was convicted at trial in June 2022 before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini of one count of Hobbs Act robbery. Turner has two previous convictions for robbery, as well as other prior felony convictions.
On Sept. 23, 2019, Turner walked into a taxicab company armed with a knife and covering his face with a plastic bag. He demanded money from the cab company’s dispatcher. Turner stole the dispatcher’s jewelry, cell phone, and other items.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martin sentenced Turner to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; investigators of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under the direction of Superintendent Edward Cetnar; officers of the Harrison Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Strumolo; and investigators of the N.J. Transit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Christopher Trucillo, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shontae D. Gray and Sophie E. Reiter.
New Jersey Company to Pay $400,000 to Settle False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A construction contracting company and the company’s president have agreed to collectively pay $400,000 to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by circumventing small business set aside requirements in a federally funded contract U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that C. Abbonizio Contractors Inc. and the company’s president, Peter Abbonizio, violated small business set aside requirements that they use certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) to perform work on the contract.
The allegations were that the defendants violated the FCA by falsely representing that DBE companies Sanzo Ltd. (Sanzo) and Multifacet LLC (Multifacet) were performing work on the Direct Connection Project, a federally funded New Jersey Department of Transportation project to provide infrastructure improvements to the intersection of Routes I-295, I-76, and Route 42 in Camden County, New Jersey. According to the allegations, Sanzo and Multifacet were not actually performing work, but instead were simply billing C. Abbonizio Contractors for work performed by other vendors on the project, along with a mark-up for their participation. The settlement resolves the complaint filed on May 29, 2020, against C. Abbonizio Contractors Inc. and Peter Abbonizio. Under the terms of the settlement, C. Abbonizio Contractors will pay $375,000, and Peter Abbonizio will pay $25,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher Scharf, and special agents of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of John Gay, with the investigation leading to the settlement.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark C. Orlowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Unit in Newark.
The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Monmouth Man Sentenced to More than Three Years in Federal Prison for Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
A man who possessed firearms as a prohibited person was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.
John Lee Ralston, age 55, from Monmouth, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 18, 2022 guilty plea of possessing firearms as a prohibited person.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that on January 15, 2021, law enforcement officers searched Ralston’s home and discovered two firearms in his bedroom and drug paraphernalia throughout his house. That same day, Ralston gave a urine sample that tested positive for controlled substances, including methamphetamine. Ralston has a prior federal felony offense for possessing firearms as an unlawful drug user. Ralston has four other felony convictions and one serious misdemeanor conviction for domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury.
Ralston was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Ralston was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment, and he must serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ralston is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent
violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and Assistant United States Attorney Emily Nydle and investigated by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and officers with the Jones County Emergency Response Team.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-76.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Mineral County man admits to drug distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Justin Edward Haines, of Keyser, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing fentanyl, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and cocaine, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Haines, age 48, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, Crystal Methamphetamine, and Cocaine.” Haines admitted to working with others to sell fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and cocaine in January 2020 to January 2021 in Mineral County.
Haines faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The task force consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation; the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office; the Mineral County Sheriff's Office; the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office; the Grant County Sheriff’s Office; and the Keyser Police Department.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Michael White Arrested on Federal Charges Relating to Murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael ChandlerRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va.- Michael Donivan White, 34, was arrested today and federally charged in relation to the murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler in November 2021. Eighteen others were also charged today on related, wide-ranging federal drug conspiracy and firearm charges.
Charged today were:
- Christopher Adam Dewayne Bates, of Appalachia, Virginia
- Amanda Nicole Blanton, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- Charles Ryan Bowman, of Duffield, Virginia
- Elicia Amber Burns, of Evarts, Kentucky
- Brian Gregory Carroll, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- Keri Leann Corbin, of Jonesville, Virginia
- Hailee Michelle Dietz, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- Anthony Curtis Steven Holmes, of Duffield, Virginia
- Paul Thomas Jones, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- Timothy Ray Jones, of Duffield, Virginia
- James Brian Mullins, of Abingdon, Virginia
- Justine Dwayne (“Doughboy”) Skaggs, of Duffield, Virginia
- Lucille Renee (“Lucy”) Vanover, of Duffield, Virginia
- Misty Lynn Ward, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- Kacie Lynn Werner, of Duffield, Virginia
- Tiny Lue (“Tina”) Westmoreland, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- Tyler Lee Westmoreland, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- Michael Donivan White, 34, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia
- James Ray Worley, of Appalachia, Virginia
“Today’s arrests have brought into custody the alleged murderer of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler and disrupted a large-scale drug-trafficking organization responsible for bringing more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl into Southwest Virginia,” said United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh today. “My Office continues its commitment to seek justice for those affected by the senseless violence that all-too-often accompanies the narcotics trade and once again has endangered the peace and stability of Southwest Virginia.”
“Today’s arrests broke up a large-scale drug operation that brought huge quantities of lethal narcotics and, subsequently, violence and tragedy, into Southwest Virginia,” said Attorney General Jason S. Miyares. “The murder of Officer Chandler shook all of Virginia and is a painful reminder of the risk law enforcement willingly embrace every day. As my office supports the prosecution in that case, we are proud of all our partners, particularly the U.S. Attorney’s office and the lead law enforcement agencies, the Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and their unwavering commitment to justice.”
“The outcome of this case is the result of the excellent work by the investigators who took part in this investigation. Thanks to their tireless efforts there are several violent criminals off our streets. We at ATF work hard to keep our communities safe from people who endanger our neighborhoods,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “We will continue to work collaboratively with all our partners to combat violent crimes in an effort to maintain public safety.”
According to court documents, beginning in August 2021 and continuing until the present, the 19 defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as heroin and fentanyl.
Tragically, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on November 13, 2021, Officer Michael Chandler responded to a welfare check call at 2505 Orr Street in Big Stone Gap. This address, known locally as “the red house,” was well-known to police and often the subject of calls for service for civil disturbances, warrant service, welfare checks, overdoses, complaints of assaults, and drug-related activities.
Upon arriving at the Orr Street address, Officer Chandler encountered a vehicle outside the residence and was immediately shot. He died later that evening from his injuries.
Following the shooting, law enforcement identified Michael Donivan White as a suspect. White was later located at a motel in Kingsport, Tennessee and a subsequent search of the motel room revealed a Taurus, 9mm pistol. Further testing ultimately proved this firearm to be the same one that fired the shots that killed Officer Chandler.
The investigation of this case is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Norton Virginia Police Department, the Kingsport Tennessee Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, the Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the East Tennessee Drug Task Force, and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Virginia State Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, City of Norton Police Department, and Big Stone Gap Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Manchester Man Sentenced to 34 Months in Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon After Posting Videos on Social MediaRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Raheem Tyler, 24, of Manchester, was sentenced today to 34 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 7 and 23, 2021, the defendant took videos of himself carrying a handgun, which he posted on social media. Through investigation, law enforcement was able to determine the defendant’s location. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the apartment where the defendant was when he posted the July 23, 2021 video of himself with the gun. The search led to seizure of the handgun. The defendant later admitted that he had carried the gun. The defendant was legally prohibited from possessing a gun because he was a convicted felon based on multiple convictions, including a 2017 robbery in Manchester.
“Felons who possess firearms, especially those like the defendant who was convicted of a violent crime in his past, pose a serious threat to public safety” said U.S. Attorney Young. “The defendant was apprehended and convicted due to the diligent efforts of the Manchester Police Anti-Crime Unit, whose mission is the reduction of violent crime and apprehension of violent criminals. The U.S. Attorney’s office will continue to work with local law enforcement to keep our communities safe from felons in possession of firearms.”
“I am very pleased with this sentence, as it sends a clear message that violent criminals have no place in our community,” says Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “I would like to commend the detectives in our Anti-Crime Unit for their commitment to this case. This positive resolution is a testament to their hard work.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.
###
Man Who Distributed Methamphetamine Sentenced to More than Fifteen Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced today to more than fifteen years in federal prison.
Charles Edward Ford, age 54, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 4, 2022 guilty plea to distribution of a controlled substance.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that on three occasions between March and April 2021, Ford distributed ice methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Between February and April 2021, Ford purchased an additional twelve pounds of ice methamphetamine and one pound of a mixture containing methamphetamine. Ford has prior felony offenses for possessing a controlled substance with intent to deliver, second offense, delivery of cocaine base, and assault on a peace officer.
Ford was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Ford was sentenced to 190 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Ford is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-CR-18.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Local woman convicted of drug trafficking with former constableRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A federal jury in Houston has convicted a 45 year-old Houston woman on two counts of drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before convicting Priscilla Yvette Cervantes of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute cocaine following a five day trial.
During trial, the jury heard that in 2020, Cervantes assisted her former boyfriend/fiancé in transporting drug proceeds and escorting cocaine through the Houston area with police vehicles. Her boyfriend was Alexander S. Reyes - a former constable deputy for the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office.
Testimony revealed that authorities discovered text messages between the co-conspirators, undercover recordings and camera footage taken from Reyes’s constable vehicle.
The investigation revealed in that August and September 2020, they took two trips to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to transport drug proceeds into Houston. In December 2020, they used police vehicles to escort a tractor trailer containing six kilograms of cocaine and four “dummy” kilograms from Houston to Louisiana.
Reyes pleaded guilty Jan. 6 and remains in custody pending sentencing.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner presided over the trial and will set sentencing for Cervantes at a later date. At that time, Cervantes faces a mandatory minimum 10-year-term of imprisonment for both counts and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Previously released on bond, Cervantes was taken into custody following the conviction today where she will remain pending that hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and Heather Winter are prosecuting the case. HOUSTON – A federal jury in Houston has convicted a 45 year-old Houston woman on two counts of drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before convicting Priscilla Yvette Cervantes of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute cocaine following a five day trial.
During trial, the jury heard that in 2020, Cervantes assisted her former boyfriend/fiancé in transporting drug proceeds and escorting cocaine through the Houston area with police vehicles. Her boyfriend was Alexander S. Reyes - a former constable deputy for the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office.
Testimony revealed that authorities discovered text messages between the co-conspirators, undercover recordings and camera footage taken from Reyes’s constable vehicle.
The investigation revealed in that August and September 2020, they took two trips to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to transport drug proceeds into Houston. In December 2020, they used police vehicles to escort a tractor trailer containing six kilograms of cocaine and four “dummy” kilograms from Houston to Louisiana.
Reyes pleaded guilty Jan. 6 and remains in custody pending sentencing.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner presided over the trial and will set sentencing for Cervantes at a later date. At that time, Cervantes faces a mandatory minimum 10-year-term of imprisonment for both counts and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Previously released on bond, Cervantes was taken into custody following the conviction today where she will remain pending that hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and Heather Winter are prosecuting the case.
Little Rock Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A Little Rock man was sentenced to life in prison today for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a six-year-old child. DeMarcus George, 28, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
In February 2018, a 6-year-old child was taken to Arkansas Children’s Hospital due to symptoms that were later determined to be caused by several sexually transmitted diseases. The child was interviewed by an FBI forensic interviewer and disclosed that a man, later determined to be DeMarcus George, had raped her. The child also disclosed that another man, later determined to be Mario Waters, had also raped her. The child told interviewers that the rape occurred in a hotel room with a curtain in the middle of the room, and she described a picture hanging on the wall in the hotel room.
Law enforcement was able to locate a hotel in Little Rock that matched the description provided by the minor, including the picture on the wall and the curtain in the room. Financial records from the hotel showed that the minor’s mother had rented a room at the hotel in March 2018 and paid with a credit card. The child has since been removed from the mother’s custody.
Doctors at Arkansas Children’s Hospital determined that it was unlikely the child had obtained each sexually transmitted disease from the same offender and that there were likely multiple offenders. Officers obtained search warrants for George and Waters’ blood and urine. Results indicated that George and Waters tested positive for sexually transmitted diseases that the minor had contracted.
Both George and Waters were indicted in September 2019, and both pleaded guilty in November 2021. Both defendants admitted in court that they had sexual contact with the minor and were involved in trafficking her with others. Waters is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Little Rock Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Bryant and Allison Bragg are prosecuting the case.
# # #
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
Leominster Man Convicted for Role in Wide-Ranging Fentanyl, Heroin, Crack, and Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Leominster man was convicted by a federal jury yesterday in connection with his participation in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
Adiangel Paredes, 36, was convicted following a one-week jury trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine). U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2023.
According to court documents, following a fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018, law enforcement began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Pedro Baez and Anthony Baez. Intercepted communications, surveillance and controlled purchases identified Paredes as a fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine supplier in the Fitchburg area and one of the suppliers for Pedro and Anthony Baez.
Paredes was charged in July 2020 along with 17 others in an eight-count superseding indictment in connection with this investigation.
Between September 2018 and November 2019, Paredes conspired to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine as well as a fentanyl and heroin mixture. Nearly 850 grams of the fentanyl and heroin mixture supplied by Paredes in three controlled purchases was seized during the investigation. In addition, evidence at trial established that, during the conspiracy, Paredes supplied at least an additional 550 grams of the fentanyl and heroin mixture.
Over the course of the investigation, over 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine and over 50 grams of crack cocaine, as well as a stolen, loaded handgun, drug manufacturing equipment and over $376,000 were seized.
Nine of the 18 defendants have been sentenced in the case. In December 2020, Anthony Baez was sentenced by Judge Hillman to 13 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Three of the remaining defendants, Branny Taveras, Jessica Hughes and Hector Matos have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. The Fitchburg and Lunenburg Police Departments, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Massachusetts State Police provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea E. Porter and Sarah Hoefle of Rollins’ Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Large-Scale Philadelphia Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 40 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Arthur Rowland, 42, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, and five years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert for his role in a scheme to import significant amounts of methamphetamine from California for distribution in and around Philadelphia.
In February 2022, following a seven-day trial, a jury found the defendant guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon, but was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining charges. Then, in May 2022, following a six-day retrial, the jury found Rowland guilty on four of the remaining five counts, including multiple firearms and narcotics offenses. The charges stemmed from Rowland’s role as the main distributor for a group that shipped many hundreds of pounds of nearly pure, Mexican-made methamphetamine to the Philadelphia area for further distribution to individuals suffering with addiction and others substance use disorders. For his part, the defendant provided addresses to his California connections, who in turn, sent him packages containing pounds of methamphetamine. Rowland then took possession of that methamphetamine, sold it, and generated large sums of cash.
When federal law enforcement arrested Rowland and executed a search warrant at his residence near City Avenue in December 2018, agents seized more than a kilogram of methamphetamine, approximately $17,000 cash, a Sig Sauer handgun, and two Draco assault-style weapons, as well as ammunition and a high-capacity drum magazine.
“Rowland and his co-conspirators shipped tons of drugs from one end of this country to the other through a large and sophisticated trafficking enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Four decades behind bars will keep Arthur Rowland off the street and unable to augment the supply of deadly drugs flowing into our community for a very long time.”
“Arthur Rowland pushed massive amounts of meth onto Philadelphia’s streets,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “But this 40-year sentence officially puts him out of business. The FBI and our partners at the Philadelphia Police Department are committed to taking down and locking up prolific drug traffickers like Rowland — people with no regard for the incredible damage they inflict on so many lives and communities.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Shapiro and Timothy M. Stengel.
Kentucky Drug Dealer Sentenced to over 16 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Methamphetamine at his Place of Employment While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE– Ronnie Rich Jr., 43, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on April 1, 2021, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana security learned that Rich was possibly under the influence of a controlled substance and was possibly distributing controlled substances on the Toyota property. Toyota security approached Rich, asked him to empty his pockets and advised Rich that his backpack would be searched. Rich told Toyota security that he’d done nothing wrong and began walking away.
Toyota security followed Rich as he walked through the factory and they saw Rich hand $1,250 in U.S. currency to a female, later identified as Rich’s girlfriend. Toyota security told Rich that if he was not going to comply with their investigation, he needed to turn over his Toyota badge. Rich turned over his badge and exited the factory into the parking lot. Rich then ran into nearby woods. Toyota security attempted to locate Rich with a drone, but they were unsuccessful.
Toyota security searched the backpack that Rich had abandoned in the factory and found two baggies containing methamphetamine and digital scales. A police laboratory confirmed the two baggies contained 237.9 grams of methamphetamine. Toyota security reviewed video surveillance footage of Rich entering the factory with the backpack that contained the methamphetamine.
At the time he was selling methamphetamine at his workplace, Rich was still on supervised release after being sentenced to 7 years in federal prison in 2011 for methamphetamine distribution in the Western District of Kentucky.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, made the announcement.
The DEA investigated the case. The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. As part of the sentence, Judge Young ordered that Rich be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for four years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley who prosecuted this case.
Justice Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI Prepared to Handle Complaints of Voting Rights Concerns, Election FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that Assistant United States Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Rhode Island for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. The District Election Officer is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Cunha said, “It is a cornerstone of our Republic that every citizen be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have their vote counted in a fair and free election. And it is equally critical that election officials and staff be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has long had an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud, and will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations. During the upcoming election, AUSA Donnelly will be on duty in this District to respond to any complaints of voting rights or election fraud concerns and to ensure that such complaints are handled or directed to the appropriate authorities. He can be reached by the public at (401) 709-5068
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). . .
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (401) 272-8310.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
United States Attorney Cunha added, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance and vigilance of the American electorate. If you have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud, we rely on you to make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, that if you are the victim of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
###
Justice Department Resolves Language Access Investigation of North Carolina CourtsRead the Press Release
Note: This press release has been translated in various languages. See attachments below.
The Justice Department today announced an
agreementwith the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) that resolves a civil rights investigation and commits to improved access to state court for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
This agreement resolves Justice Department findings that the NCAOC failed to provide LEP court users with meaningful language access to court proceedings and other important court services in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin. The department found that the lack of language services resulted in longer incarcerations, conflicts of interests in criminal proceedings and barriers to important civil protections in domestic violence and child custody proceedings.
In response, the NCAOC has worked extensively with the Justice Department to expand language assistance services and improve access for LEP court users in North Carolina. For instance, NCAOC adopted Standards for Language Access Services in the North Carolina Court System and expanded interpreter coverage to all proceedings. Under the terms of this agreement, NCAOC has agreed to take additional steps to ensure meaningful language access for LEP court users.
“To promote public trust and confidence in the judiciary, state courts need effective language access policies and procedures that remove barriers to justice for limited English proficiency individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement builds upon the court’s past efforts to improve access for people who are limited English proficient and will ensure meaningful and effective language access services in North Carolina’s courts going forward.”
As set forth in the agreement, NCAOC will continue to provide LEP court users with interpreter services at no cost in all court proceedings and free language assistance services in court operations. The NCAOC will reconvene the Language Access Stakeholder Committee which will help it assess and improve existing court language access policies and procedures. The NCAOC will also translate into non-English languages vital information, including the interpreter request form and the notice of interpreter services.
The enforcement of Title VI is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Honduran National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
DENVER- The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Hector Aquino-Torres, 26, of Denver, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to Court records, Aquino-Torres posted bond and was released from state custody on January 29, 2022, after having been arrested on state drug and firearm charges. Detectives with the Denver Police Department were aware that the defendant had been released. On February 8, 2022, an undercover officer arranged to purchase 200 fentanyl pills from the defendant. The two met at a motel in Aurora, where the defendant sold the pills to the undercover officer and they spoke about doing a larger 1,000 pill deal in the future. On February 14, 2022, the undercover officer reached out to the defendant and arranged to purchase 1,000 fentanyl pills for $2,500. The two agreed to meet at a 7-11 store in Denver. The defendant arrived and went into the store, where he was contacted and arrested. Officers found approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills in his pocket. A federal grand jury returned an indictment February 24, 2022.
Judge Raymond P. Moore sentenced the defendant on October 24, 2022. After his custodial sentence, the defendant will serve 4 years on supervised release.
"With fentanyl poisoning so many people, we will use the federal law to go after the drug dealers and drug traffickers who bring this deadly drug into our neighborhoods, especially repeat offenders,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “We are committed to working with our state and federal law enforcement partners to combat the rising tide of this deadly substance.”
“The number of drug-related deaths is exploding in Colorado and the rest of the country due in large part to fentanyl being imported by drug cartels,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Denver. “HSI will continue to relentlessly work with Congress and all of our law enforcement partners to pursue every tool available to bring individuals like Aquino to justice.”
“Every counterfeit fentanyl pill and every fentanyl dealer we remove from our streets could potentially save lives in our community, so we will continue prioritizing enforcement against the distribution of dangerous, illegal narcotics in our neighborhoods,” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas.
This case was investigated by the Denver Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations, Denver. Assistant United States Attorney S. Zeke Knox handled the prosecution with assistance from the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
Case Number: 22-cr-00072.
###
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.
Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Role in Straw Purchasing Firearms for FelonsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Antonio Godbolt, age 37, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was sentenced yesterday to 33 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Antonio Godbolt pleaded guilty to conspiring with three other individuals to purchase firearms for felons and persons under indictment. Godbolt was prohibited by law from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions, but he arranged for Taashaun Mansfield, age 21, of Harrisburg, to purchase a firearm for him. Mansfield also purchased six other firearms for felons.
Mansfield pleaded guilty to weapons offenses and was sentenced to 37 months in prison. Michael Windham, age 22, of Harrisburg, also pleaded guilty to weapons offenses and was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment. Johnny Quinones, age 35, of Harrisburg, is awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Greene County Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Attempting to Entice a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas “Tommy” Squires, age 37, of Cairo, New York, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity with him. 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).
Squires admitted that between June 28, 2020 and August 19, 2020, he exchanged sexually explicit messages with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old child, in an attempt to coerce and entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him. In those messages, Squires repeatedly asked the child for naked photos and sent photos of an erect penis to the presumed child. Squires further admitted that on August 19, 2020, he traveled in order to meet with the child in Cairo. Squires was arrested after arriving at the location, and he has been in custody since that date.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Squires is released from prison. As a result of his conviction, Squires will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie and Rotterdam Police Departments, as well as the New York State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Great Barrington Man Indicted on Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Great Barrington man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield in connection with allegedly receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
James J. Keough, 54, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Keough was arrested on Oct. 18, 2022 and was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield.
According to the indictment, between approximately Dec. 5, 2021 and March 16, 2022, Keough knowingly received CSAM that involved a prepubescent minor under the age of 12. Additionally, it is alleged that on or about March 18, 2022, Keough possessed CSAM in the form of images.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Great Barrington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Google Enters into Stipulated Agreement to Improve Legal Process Compliance ProgramRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today filed a stipulation and agreement resolving a dispute with Google over the loss of data responsive to a search warrant issued in 2016.
Pursuant to the first-of-its-kind resolution, Google has agreed to reform and upgrade its legal process compliance program to ensure timely and complete responses to legal process such as subpoenas and search warrants, as required under the Stored Communications Act (SCA) and other applicable legal authorities. To monitor that Google fulfills its legal obligations, an Independent Compliance Professional will be retained to serve as an outside third-party related to Google’s compliance enhancements.
“The Department is committed to ensuring that electronic communications providers comply with court orders to protect and facilitate criminal investigations,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This agreement demonstrates the Department’s resolve in ensuring that technology companies, such as Google, provide prompt and complete responses to legal process to ensure public safety and bring offenders to justice.”
“The warrant underlying this agreement was sought in connection with a significant criminal investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds for the Northern District of California. “This agreement will help to ensure that, moving forward, Google will maintain the technical capability and resources necessary to comply with lawful warrants and orders, such as the one at issue in this case, that are critical to federal criminal investigations.”
As detailed in the Statement of Facts accompanying today’s agreement, in 2016, the United States obtained a search warrant in the Northern District of California for data held at Google related to the investigation of the criminal cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e. The warrant was issued under the SCA, the federal statute that requires providers such as Google to disclose customer communications when served with a warrant signed by a judge and supported by probable cause.
After the warrant was reviewed by a judge in the Northern District of California, sworn, signed, and served on Google, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision holding that SCA search warrants did not reach data stored outside of the United States. Google halted execution of the search warrant and made rolling productions containing only information it could confirm was stored in the United States. Because Google’s data preservation tools at the time stored data in the United States – and thus brought the data under undisputed U.S. jurisdiction – Google also endeavored to create new tools that would prevent the data from being repatriated. Google and the government litigated regarding the search warrant through 2017 and into 2018, when Congress clarified that the SCA does indeed reach data that U.S. providers choose to store overseas. In the intervening time, data responsive to the warrant was lost.
In resolving the matter with the department, Google has agreed to numerous improvements to its legal process compliance program, as set forth in the filed agreement. The improvements are tailored to ensure that Google complies with its legal obligations to respond to lawful court orders, including those issued pursuant to the SCA. Google will maintain sufficient compliance staffing levels to support the enhancements to the program and will allocate engineering resources to support legal process compliance.
Google has further committed to implement processes and procedures to ensure timely response to legal process, as required under the SCA and other relevant legal frameworks, and to generate a compliance timeliness record for missed deadlines, which will be made available to the government upon request. Google will also develop and maintain needed tools to retrieve data in response to legal process, and to develop plans for legal process responses corresponding to new product launches.
The agreement also provides that an Independent Compliance Professional will verify the accuracy of assertions in all reports contemplated by the agreement and evaluate Google’s assessment of its compliance with the enhancements to Google’s Legal Process Compliance Program set forth in the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement and in consultation with the mandated Independent Compliance Professional, Google will assemble periodic reports and updates regarding its Legal Process Compliance Program and its implementation of the enhancements set forth in the agreement. Google will provide these reports to the government, the Google Compliance Steering Committee, and the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Alphabet Board of Directors.
In the filed stipulation, Google represented to the court that it spent over $90 million on additional resources, systems, and staffing to implement legal process compliance program improvements.
Google will maintain its lawful protections of user data, and the agreement does not provide the United States access to Google user data.
Senior Counsel C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Corporate and Securities Fraud Section Chief Lloyd Farnham for the Northern District of California negotiated the agreement on behalf of the government.
Google Enters into Stipulated Agreement to Improve Legal Process Compliance ProgramRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – The Department of Justice today filed a stipulation and agreement resolving a dispute with Google over the loss of data responsive to a search warrant issued in 2016.
Pursuant to the first-of-its-kind resolution, Google has agreed to reform and upgrade its legal process compliance program to ensure timely and complete responses to legal process such as subpoenas and search warrants, as required under the Stored Communications Act (SCA) and other applicable legal authorities. To monitor that Google fulfills its legal obligations, an Independent Compliance Professional will be retained to serve as an outside third-party related to Google’s compliance enhancements.
“The warrant underlying this agreement was sought in connection with a significant criminal investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds for the Northern District of California. “This agreement will help to ensure that, moving forward, Google will maintain the technical capability and resources necessary to comply with lawful warrants and orders, such as the one at issue in this case, that are critical to federal criminal investigations.”
“The Department is committed to ensuring that electronic communications providers comply with court orders to protect and facilitate criminal investigations,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This agreement demonstrates the Department’s resolve in ensuring that technology companies, such as Google, provide prompt and complete responses to legal process to ensure public safety and bring offenders to justice.”
As detailed in the Statement of Facts accompanying today’s agreement, in 2016, the United States obtained a search warrant in the Northern District of California for data held at Google related to the investigation of the criminal cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e. The warrant was issued under the SCA, the federal statute that requires providers such as Google to disclose customer communications when served with a warrant signed by a judge and supported by probable cause.
After the warrant was reviewed by a judge in the Northern District of California, sworn, signed, and served on Google, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision holding that SCA search warrants did not reach data stored outside of the United States. Google halted execution of the search warrant and made rolling productions containing only information it could confirm was stored in the United States. Because Google’s data preservation tools at the time stored data in the United States – and thus brought the data under undisputed U.S. jurisdiction – Google also endeavored to create new tools that would prevent the data from being repatriated. Google and the government litigated regarding the search warrant through 2017 and into 2018, when Congress clarified that the SCA does indeed reach data that U.S. providers choose to store overseas. In the intervening time, data responsive to the warrant was lost.
In resolving the matter with the department, Google has agreed to numerous improvements to its legal process compliance program, as set forth in the filed agreement. The improvements are tailored to ensure that Google complies with its legal obligations to respond to lawful court orders, including those issued pursuant to the SCA. Google will maintain sufficient compliance staffing levels to support the enhancements to the program and will allocate engineering resources to support legal process compliance.
Google has further committed to implement processes and procedures to ensure timely response to legal process, as required under the SCA and other relevant legal frameworks, and to generate a compliance timeliness record for missed deadlines, which will be made available to the government upon request. Google will also develop and maintain needed tools to retrieve data in response to legal process, and to develop plans for legal process responses corresponding to new product launches.
The agreement also provides that an Independent Compliance Professional will evaluate Google’s assessment of its compliance with the enhancements to Google’s Legal Process Compliance Program set forth in the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement and in consultation with the mandated Independent Compliance Professional, Google will assemble periodic reports and updates regarding its legal process compliance program and its implementation of the enhancements set forth in the agreement. Google will provide these reports to the government, the Google Compliance Steering Committee, and the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Alphabet Board of Directors.
In the filed stipulation, Google represented to the court that it spent over $90 million on additional resources, systems, and staffing to implement legal process compliance program improvements.
Google will maintain its lawful protections of user data, and the agreement does not provide the United States access to Google user data.
Corporate and Securities Fraud Section Chief Lloyd Farnham for the Northern District of California and Senior Counsel C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and negotiated the agreement on behalf of the government.
Georgia Man Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Making Interstate Threats Against Executive Officer of New Jersey CompanyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Georgia man was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for making interstate threats to an executive officer of a New Jersey based company, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Alan Wallace, 59, of Cumming, Georgia, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with one count of transmitting interstate threats.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From January 2021 to March 2021, Wallace, a former employee of the victim company, sent threatening email communications to the victim, an executive officer of that company, which was a publicly traded company with headquarters in New Jersey. The victim’s company email account received the emails every few days beginning on Jan. 11, 2021, and continuing through early March 2021, with more sporadic emails arriving thereafter. The emails were sent from an anonymous email service.
The emails threatened violence to victim and the victim’s family if the company’s stock did not exceed a certain share value within 30 days. An email received on Feb. 5, 2021, with the subject line “Blood Bath,” read: “… it seems you don't care about your family. This will be an absolute blood bath if stock isn't over $200 in 2 weeks. Your hurt [sic] so many, and now it is your turn to experience it.”
In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Wallace to two years of supervised release and fined him $10,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, including the FBI’s Cyber Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony P. Torntore of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
Fresno Man Sentenced to over 4 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Desmond Divine, 21, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday to four years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Nov. 8, 2021, after Divine was approached by law enforcement officers, he fled on a scooter, dropping a loaded handgun. At the time, Divine was on parole and had prior felony convictions that prohibit him from possessing firearms.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger 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.