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20 October 2022
Man Who Fired Fatal Shots in Reality Show Star’s Murder-For-Hire Conspiracy Sentenced to 32 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Thursday sentenced a St. Louis man who killed a reality show star’s nephew to 32 years in prison.
Travell Anthony Hill, 31, pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and one count of murder-for-hire in the death of Andre Montgomery Jr. on March 14, 2016.
In court Thursday, Hill re-affirmed what he’d admitted in his plea agreement. He admitted meeting with Montgomery’s uncle, James Timothy Norman, on the day of the murder. He admitted understanding that Norman wanted Montgomery killed, and that a woman would provide him Montgomery’s location so he could commit the murder.
Hill then obtained a .380-caliber handgun and fatally shot Montgomery, 21, at 3964 Natural Bridge Avenue in St. Louis after the woman lured Montgomery outside. Hill disposed of the gun and his phone and was paid $5,000 two days later.
Hill testified at Norman’s trial in September, before jurors convicted Norman, 43, of murder-for-hire and insurance fraud charges.
In court Thursday, Montgomery’s brother, Darren Griggs spoke of the effect of the murder on his family, saying, “We’re not whole and we never will be again.”
Judge Ross called Hill’s ambush of Montgomery “incredibly cold and callous” before stating Hill’s sentence.
Norman, of Jackson, Mississippi, is scheduled to be sentenced March 2.
Norman and Montgomery appeared on the reality show Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. Norman arranged for his nephew’s murder after fraudulently obtaining a life insurance policy worth $450,000 on Montgomery.
Ellis and the insurance agent, and Waiel “Wally” Rebhi Yaghnam, 44, both pleaded guilty on July 22. Ellis, an exotic dancer from Memphis, Tennessee who was paid $10,000 for locating Norman, pleaded guilty to the murder-for-hire conspiracy charge. Yaghnam pleaded guilty to a charge of wire and mail fraud conspiracy and admitted submitting five separate life insurance applications containing numerous false statements about Montgomery and then helping Norman file a claim.
Yaghnam is scheduled to be sentenced November 1 and Ellis on January 10.
The FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angie Danis and Gwendolyn Carroll are prosecuting the case.
Man Indicted for St. Louis CarjackingRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from East St. Louis, Illinois was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for a July 12 carjacking in St. Louis.
Brandon Best, 20, was indicted on a carjacking charge and a charge of possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Charging documents say Best was one of two men who took a woman’s 2011 Kia Optima at gunpoint early on the morning of July 12. The woman told officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department that she was confronted by two armed men when she opened the door of her car, which had been parked in the 1000 block of Geyer Avenue. One man demanded her keys before fleeing in her vehicle.
The victim’s Kia was spotted driving into East St. Louis and chased by police there back to St. Louis, where Best was arrested near Interstate 44 and South Jefferson Avenue. A black, semi-automatic 9mm pistol was found nearby, charging documents say.
Best was charged by complaint October 4 with the same offenses.
The carjacking charge carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The firearm charge is punishable by at least seven years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
These cases were investigated by the FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Dunkel is prosecuting the case.
Luzerne County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Williams, age 42, of Kingston, Luzerne County, pleaded guilty on October 19, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Williams admitted to conspiring with his co-defendant, Lee Crawford, age 59, of Wilkes-Barre, and with others, to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl in the Luzerne County area between July 2020 and February 2021. Williams and Crawford were indicted by a grand jury in March 2021. The charges against Crawford are still pending.
The charges against the defendants resulted from an investigation conducted by the Kingston Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and fentanyl traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin and fentanyl related offenses.
Under federal law, Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, up to a maximum sentence of forty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Lowell Money Manager Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Clients of Millions of DollarsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty yesterday to engaging in a scheme to defraud his clients of millions of dollars.
Steven Xigoros, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of filing a false tax return. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 23, 2023. Xigoros was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2021.
Between 2015 and 2021, Xigoros used his position as an accountant, tax preparer, and investment advisor to misappropriate millions of dollars from his clients. He induced clients to entrust their money to him to make various investments, to purchase securities, and to lend him money for purported business ventures. Xigoros then used those funds for his own expenses, including to make payments against his gambling debts. In order to deceive his clients about the fact that he had stolen their money, Xigoros made a series of false statements about how their money was invested and when he would repay it. In total, Xigoros defrauded his clients of more than $3.5 million, including the entire life savings of one elderly couple, who entrusted $1.3 million to him to make investments on their behalf. By failing to report the misappropriated funds as income, Xigoros also failed to pay taxes due and owing of approximately $1.16 million to the Internal Revenue Service.
While on pre-trial release, Xigoros was arrested at the Newark Liberty International Airport, boarding a flight to Greece in an attempt to flee from prosecution.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed for wire fraud, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of filing false tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie Wright and David Holcomb of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
Law Enforcement Announces Creation of Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team and its First ProsecutionRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO— The United States Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations today announced the creation of, and first case brought by, the newly formed Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Formed in September 2022, the group known as “FAST” is a multi-agency task force led by Homeland Security Investigations working in conjunction with state and local agencies to target significant fentanyl distributors in San Diego County. FAST’s mission is to identify and disrupt distribution networks in San Diego County that are responsible for fatal and non-fatal overdoses. FAST will support and provide additional resources to build upon the work of the already-existing DEA’s Overdose Response Team (formerly known as Team 10) to ensure that the most significant fentanyl dealers and those who sell deadly doses of fentanyl face prosecution.
Today, federal authorities brought their first FAST prosecution. James Michael Bradford was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford on a single count of distribution of fentanyl. The complaint alleges that Bradford distributed fentanyl resulting in the death of a victim identified in court records as M.R.S.
On October 12, 2022, Carlsbad Police found the victim at a home in Carlsbad. After investigating the scene, law enforcement identified Bradford as M.R.S.’s source of supply, and they arrested Bradford later that day. Following his arraignment, Bradford was detained. Bradford’s next court date is a Preliminary Hearing set for November 3, 2022.
“FAST is an important step in targeting drug dealers in San Diego County driving our unacceptable number of fatal fentanyl overdoses,” according to U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Together with our state and federal partners, our Office will prosecute those engaging in this deadly trade.”
“By leading this critical task force, HSI’s unwavering commitment to closely work with our law enforcement partners to coordinate, deconflict, and prioritize individuals and criminal organizations responsible for supplying fentanyl that results in overdose deaths remains our priority,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “Opioid deaths in San Diego are becoming all too common; we must address this issue at the root by utilizing all of our law enforcement tools as a united team.”
“The creation of FAST brings collaboration between law enforcement to a new level in the fight against fentanyl overdoses and the ongoing work being done to save lives across San Diego County” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Addressing the fentanyl overdose epidemic in our community remains a priority for my office through prosecution, prevention and education. FAST leverages the cooperative power of all the agencies involved to put fentanyl suppliers out of business and hold them accountable for the destruction they're causing to families in our region.”
Carlsbad Police Department Assistant Chief Christie Calderwood stated: “I want to thank our detectives involved in this case at the Carlsbad Police Department as they investigate overdose deaths while we navigate the fentanyl crisis affecting our nation. Our department prioritizes educational and investigative efforts, as well as collaborative work like this with our local law enforcement partners, and all the agencies involved in the newly formed FAST team. We appreciate the U.S Attorney’s Office amazing teamwork, while we move forward with an overarching goal of saving lives and arresting those that bring deadly criminal activity into our community.”
“Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous drug, one that we did not see ten years ago, and one that is incredibly potent in even very small amounts. Nearly every American community has been impacted by the opioid crisis,” said Anne Maricich, CBP Acting Director of Field Operations in San Diego. “The creation of FAST utilizes multi-agency collaboration with our federal and state law enforcement partners boosting our effectiveness to disrupt the illicit importation of this deadly narcotic. We need to aggressively continue to investigate and bring to justice those who are contributing to this epidemic.”
“San Diego law enforcement will continue to protect our community by targeting dangerous drug dealers driving addiction,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe.
“Removing fentanyl from our communities and those who distribute it are our top priorities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “The FBI will continue to partner with our state and local agencies to bring to justice those who endanger public health and safety by propagating this deadly poison.”
DEFENDANT Case Number 22-MJ-3812
Jason Michael Bradford Age: 48 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Fentanyl – Title 18, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) & 841(b)(1)(C)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison
AGENCY
Carlsbad Police Department
Drug Enforcement Administration
Enforcement and Removal Operations
Escondido Police Department
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Homeland Security Investigations
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
United States Customs and Border Protection
United States Marshals Service
Laurel Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Kilograms of Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Marijuana Through the U.S. MailRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallaher sentenced Michael Fisher, a.k.a. “Mark Wilson,” age 47, of Laurel, Maryland, today to 17 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a large-scale drug trafficking organization involving fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana shipped from California to Maryland through the U.S. mail. At today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Gallagher found that approximately 120 kilograms of cocaine, 6.5 kilograms of fentanyl and 50 kilograms of marijuana were attributable to Fisher as part of the conspiracy.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Superintendent Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III of the Maryland State Police; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Division.
According to his guilty plea, in November 2019, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking conspiracy that used the U.S. mail to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana in the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan area. During the investigation, court-authorized wiretaps of Fisher and his co-conspirator, Dwight Antonio Pitts, revealed conversations in which they discussed the distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana with each other and with other individuals. Further, law enforcement conducted surveillance and observed drug transactions by both Fisher and Pitts.
During the conspiracy, Fisher and Pitts traveled to California multiple times to obtain kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl. Once in possession of the narcotics, they mailed the narcotics back to Maryland for distribution.
In May 2020, during drug interdiction activities at a United States Postal Service processing and distribution center in Maryland, postal inspectors interdicted multiple parcels, including a parcel bound for a location in Laurel, Maryland that was identified as a location maintained by Fisher. A search warrant was obtained for this parcel which contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine.
Between June 1, 2020 and June 3, 2020, investigators intercepted several telephone calls between Fisher and Co-Conspirator 2 arranging a drug transaction. On June 3, 2020, Fisher and Co-Conspirator 2 met at a location in Hanover, Maryland. Investigators at that location observed Co-Conspirator 2 retrieve an object, later determined to be a heat-sealed bag containing approximately 501 grams of fentanyl, from Fisher. Co-Conspirator 2 placed the object into the trunk of his vehicle and left the location. Later that day, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Co-Conspirator 2’s vehicle and recovered the heat-sealed bag of fentanyl that Fisher distributed to Co-Conspirator 2 during their meeting.
On August 4, 2020, court-authorized cell phone location data showed Pitts’s cell phone in the area of 3828 North Peck Road, El Monte, California. Two days later, USPIS received an alert that two Priority Mail parcels had been sent from the El Segundo, California Branch Post Office on August 5, 2020. The parcels were bound for locations in Maryland associated with Fisher and the conspiracy. The two parcels were seized by investigators in Maryland before they were delivered. A search warrant was authorized for both parcels, which were found to contain more than two kilograms of cocaine and more than two kilograms of fentanyl., respectively Security footage from the El Segundo Post Office showed that Pitts was at the post office at the time the parcels were mailed.
On August 13, 2020, investigators followed Fisher to a parking lot at 3828 North Peck Road, El Monte, California—the same location where Pitts’s cell phone was located several days earlier. Fisher parked his car and a white Honda SUV with a female driver and a male passenger parked next to Fisher. Investigators saw Fisher remove a box from the trunk of his vehicle, place the box inside the Honda SUV, then return to his vehicle and leave the area. The Honda drove away in a different direction. Investigators conducted a traffic stop of the Honda a short time later and obtained consent to search the vehicle from the driver and from the passenger, Co-Conspirator 3. Investigators located the box Fisher had placed in the Honda, which contained packages of bulk currency, totaling approximately $190,020.
Co-Conspirator 3 then gave investigators consent to search his residence. Two duffle bags containing approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine were seized, along with two additional duffle bags that contained approximately $193,980 in narcotics proceeds. The amount of cash located in the residence did not include the approximately $190,020 that Fisher provided to Co-Conspirator 3 earlier that day.
A few days later, search warrants were executed at six locations in Maryland associated with Fisher and Pitts and at a residence in Las Vegas, Nevada, which was used by Fisher. In addition, on September 1, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at a house in Hanover, Maryland—an additional residence used by Fisher. Investigators seized 15 firearms—six firearms from locations associated with Pitts and nine firearms from locations associated with Fisher—along with kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. In total, during the investigation law enforcement seized approximately 35 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 6.5 kilograms of fentanyl, and approximately 50 kilograms of marijuana. In addition, investigators seized approximately $1,501,308, which was proceeds from the sale of narcotics.
Investigators also executed search warrants on cellular telephones seized from Fisher and others. One of Fisher’s cell phones contained photographs of a drug ledger sent to Fisher from a narcotics source of supply. The ledger confirmed that between November 2019 and May 2020, the conspiracy obtained more than 115 kilograms of cocaine and 2 kilograms of fentanyl in California and mailed the drugs to Maryland for distribution. In several instances, the dates and quantities on the ledger correspond to CCTV footage of Fisher in a Los Angeles Post Office mailing packages to Maryland. In total, between July 2019 and August 2020, the conspiracy was responsible for mailing approximately 121 parcels from Los Angeles-area Post Offices to locations in Maryland.
Co-defendant Dwight Antonio Pitts, age 47, of Hanover, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on March 1, 2022.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The overdose crisis continues to devastate states and local communities. If you believe you may need substance use disorder treatment or recovery services, please call 1800-662-HELP (4357). You may also visit the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland for further information and resources on opioid awareness here.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the MSP, USPIS, and DEA for their work in the investigation and thanked the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles DEA for their assistance. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Anatoly Smolkin, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted the case.
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Kansas Men Charged in Gun Store BurglariesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men have been charged through criminal complaint in Kansas City, Kansas, on charges related to alleged firearms thefts. Deldrick Bryant, 19, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Benjamin Custis, 19, are charged with two counts of burglary of a licensed firearms dealer.According to a criminal complaint, on October 16, 2022, the Basehor Police Department responded to a commercial burglary at Free State Gun Company. The business owners told officers an estimated 50 firearms were missing including rifle platforms, shotguns, and pistols.
Also according to the complaint, on October 17, 2022, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary at Up In Arms, a gun shop in De Soto. After reviewing their inventory, the owners estimated 25 pistols were taken.
Surveillance videos from both scenes show a white Ford pickup was used to breach the businesses by ramming the front doors. On October 18, the pickup truck was spotted in Kansas City, Kansas and investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began tailing the vehicle. When law enforcement officers attempted to make contact, the driver hit a parked car and fled into Kansas City, Missouri where Kansas City, Missouri police officers were able to apprehend the occupants in the vehicle. Several firearms reported stolen from the businesses were recovered inside the pickup.
ATF agents searched the home where Bryant resides and recovered more stolen weapons.
The Basehor Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel 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.
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Jacksonville Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 13 Years in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Jacksonville man was sentenced today to 164 months in prison for trafficking heroin and fentanyl from September 2020, through January 2021. On June 8, 2022, Steven Rolle, also known as “Bank Rolle” pled guilty to two counts of heroin and fentanyl trafficking. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Rolle, who has a prior federal conviction for trafficking in heroin, two assault on a female convictions, and an armed robbery conviction, began trafficking in large amounts of fentanyl less than a year after completing his federal supervised release.
At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle found that Rolle was responsible for selling at least 172 grams of fentanyl and 27 grams of heroin, maintained a premises for manufacturing or distribution of the drugs, possessed a firearm in connection with his drug trafficking operations, and attempted to obstruct the Government’s investigation by intimidating a witness through Facebook posts. After Rolle completes his federal prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for 48 months.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Jacksonville Police Department, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, and the ATF Wilmington Resident Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis M. Duffy prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-00018-BO-1.
Hudson County Man Arrested for Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey, man was arrested this morning for unlawfully using victims’ personal identification information to steal over $1 million, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Marc Lazarre, 37, of Secaucus, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Lazarre is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From September 2021 through October 2022, Lazarre executed a scheme to enrich himself by using unlawfully obtained bank account and personal identity information to open accounts in victims’ names without their knowledge. He caused the transfer of funds from the victims’ actual financial accounts to the accounts he opened and then withdrew the funds. Lazarre also unlawfully obtained checks made out to victims, used fraudulent identification documents to open accounts in names almost identical to the victims’ names, and then cashed the unlawfully obtained checks. Lazarre caused more than $1 million in actual losses.
The bank fraud count is punishable by a maximum of 30 years in prison. The aggravated identity theft count carries an additional consecutive mandatory minimum term of two years in prison. Both counts have a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; and special agents of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn Barnes of the Economic Crimes Unit and Matthew Belgiovine of the General Crimes Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Houston Man Guilty of Trafficking Drugs through Southeast TexasRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Michael Tran, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson.
According to court documents, on Oct. 15, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Tran for unsafely crossing through the Exxon station parking lot, located at the corner of College Street and Major Drive in Beaumont. Tran was stopped nearby at South Major Drive and Willow Bend Road, where law enforcement immediately noticed an overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 6.4 pounds of marijuana, 305 grams of fentanyl pills, 305 grams of methamphetamine pills, and $50,392.00 in cash, located in a false compartment in the backseat. Tran was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2022 and charged with federal drug trafficking violations.
“If you are dealing dangerous drugs in our community we are coming after you,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “These drugs are capable of killing many people. There is a dangerous wave of illegal fentanyl poisoning our citizens. Please talk about this, discuss this, share this message with others to save a life. In 2022, fentanyl is suspected of killing more Americans than car crashes and gun crimes combined. This is a problem.”
Tran faces up to 40 years in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Anderson.
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Hammond Man Sentenced to Imprisonment for Wire Fraud related to Covid-19 relief fundsRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Jeffrey Boylett Jr, 40, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon DeGuilio following his guilty plea to wire fraud in connection with obtaining Covid-19 relief funds to which he was not entitled announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Boylett was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay $109,900 in restitution.
According to documents filed in the case, in April of 2020, Boylett submitted a fraudulent application to the Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program that was enacted to assist small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Boylett’s application fraudulently claimed that he was the owner of a health service business that had five employees. Based on his application, the SBA provided him with $109,900 in the form of a grant and a forgivable loan. Law Enforcement subsequently learned that Boylett fabricated the business in order to obtain money he was never qualified to receive.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath and former Assistant United States Attorney Molly Kelley.
Hamilton County Man Indicted for COVID Relief Fraud Involving Fraudulently Obtained Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Desmond Dondre Williams (34, Jasper) with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Williams faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count and payment of restitution to the United States government.
According to the indictment, Williams submitted two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. Both PPP loan applications falsely claimed that Williams operated as the “Personal Chef” for his business, “Tastebudz.” Throughout the loan applications, Williams made multiple false statements regarding his purported gross income and expenses associated with operating Tastebudz. In support of his two PPP loan applications, Williams submitted a false IRS Form 1040 “Profit or Loss From Business” for Tastebudz. It contained false statements about operating expenses for his purported business. In truth, Tastebudz did not exist. In reliance on the false statements in his two PPP loan applications, the Small Business Administration funded two PPP loans for Tastebudz, totaling $39,327.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Grand Island Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Phillip D. Goetz, 45, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Goetz to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a three- year term of supervised release.
On May 12, 2021, Omaha Police received a tip from a confidential source that Goetz was going to meet co-defendant Markisha Hill to purchase methamphetamine near 72nd and Grover Streets in Omaha. Detectives conducted surveillance and observed Goetz approach and enter a vehicle driven by Hill. The vehicle went to various locations, but at a Taco Bell, Goetz got out of Hill’s vehicle and entered a beige Jeep Grand Cherokee which left the area briefly before returning. At this point, Goetz got out of the Jeep and returned to Hill’s vehicle.
Officers followed Hill’s vehicle, observed a traffic infraction, and stopped the vehicle on I-80 near the 60th Street exit in Omaha. Law enforcement saw Goetz attempt to conceal something in his jacket. After consent to search the SUV by Hill was denied, officers deployed a trained drug sniffing dog. The dog alerted on the SUV. Officers searched and located one pound of methamphetamine in the SUV’s center console.
Co-defendant Markisha Hill has pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and will be sentenced on December 9, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Gang Member Recently Released from Prison for Murder Receives 7 Years in Federal Prison for Selling MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Anthony Jackson, 32, of Wilmington, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine. Jackson was released from North Carolina State prison in January 2021 after serving an approximately 12-year sentence for Second Degree Murder. According to the evidence, on November 2, 2021, Jackson and another person arrived at a location in Brunswick County where Jackson sold an undercover ATF agent 27 grams of actual methamphetamine. Following the sale, law enforcement received information that Jackson had driven to the deal with a semi-automatic handgun in the center console of his car.
This is part of “Operation Golfer” which is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Hanover and Brunswick County Sheriffs’ Offices investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabe Diaz and Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-cr-00039-BO-1.
Former Green Haven Correction Officer Charged with Falsifying Records in Connection with Assault of InmateRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that TAJ EVERLY, a former correction officer at Green Haven Correctional Facility, was charged in White Plains federal court with falsifying records in connection with EVERLY’s May 28, 2020, assault of an inmate at Green Haven. EVERLY was arrested this morning and presented before Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Taj Everly abused his position as a correction officer by assaulting an inmate and then lying about his actions in an incident report. This Office has no tolerance for correction officers like Everly who, as alleged, commit acts of violence against inmates in their care and custody and then lie to cover their tracks. Today’s indictment should send a clear message that this Office will continue to investigate and prosecute civil rights abuses wherever we find them.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “As we allege today, Mr. Everly violated his oath to uphold the law when he willingly filed a false report to conceal his malicious actions. Individuals in a position of authority in our criminal justice system are not above the law. The FBI will continue to investigate these types of allegations and ensure those who abuse their power are held accountable.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court:[1]
On May 28, 2020, EVERLY, who was then a correction officer at Green Haven Correctional Facility, located in Stormville, New York, assaulted an inmate (the “Inmate”) in the care and custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (“DOCCS”). As the Inmate exited a room at Green Haven, EVERLY approached the Inmate and, without provocation, punched the Inmate, causing both EVERLY and the Inmate to fall to the ground.
After the assault, EVERLY prepared an incident report, in which EVERLY falsely stated that the Inmate had first punched him and that EVERLY responded with force.
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EVERLY, 32, of Cortlandt Manor, New York, is charged with falsifying records in connection with a federal investigation, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the DOCCS Office of Special Investigations.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Keenan is in charge of the prosecution.
The charge contained in the Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Former Government of Bolivia Minister Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – The former Minister of the Government of Bolivia pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to launder bribes he received in exchange for corruptly helping a U.S. company win a $5.6 million contract from the Bolivian government.
According to court documents, Arturo Carlos Murillo Prijic, 58, of Bolivia, received at least $532,000 in bribe payments from a Florida-based company in exchange for helping that company secure an approximately $5.6 million contract to provide tear gas and other non-lethal equipment to the Bolivian Ministry of Defense. Murillo and his co-conspirators laundered the proceeds of the bribery scheme through the U.S. financial system, including bank accounts in Miami, Florida, where Murillo received approximately $130,000 in cash bribe payments.
Murillo’s co-conspirators – Sergio Rodrigo Mendez Mendizabal (Mendez), Luis Berkman, Bryan Berkman, and Philip Lichtenfeld – previously pleaded guilty on Sept. 28, 2021, to their roles in this scheme. Mendez and Luis Berkman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and Bryan Berkman and Lichtenfeld pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). On June 9, 2022, Mendez was sentenced to 42 months in prison, Luis Berkman was sentenced to 38 months, Bryan Berkman was sentenced to 28 months, and Lichtenfeld was sentenced to 26 months.
Murillo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and will be sentenced on a date to be announced. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement.
HSI’s Fort Lauderdale Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli S. Rubin for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Jill Simon and Assistant Chief Gerald M. Moody Jr. of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Former Government of Bolivia Minister Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
The former Minister of the Government of Bolivia pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to launder bribes he received in exchange for corruptly helping a U.S. company win a $5.6 million contract from the Bolivian government.
According to court documents, Arturo Carlos Murillo Prijic, 58, of Bolivia, received at least $532,000 in bribe payments from a Florida-based company in exchange for helping that company secure an approximately $5.6 million contract to provide tear gas and other non-lethal equipment to the Bolivian Ministry of Defense. Murillo and his co-conspirators laundered the proceeds of the bribery scheme through the U.S. financial system, including bank accounts in Miami, Florida, where Murillo received approximately $130,000 in cash bribe payments.
Murillo’s co-conspirators – Sergio Rodrigo Mendez Mendizabal (Mendez), Luis Berkman, Bryan Berkman, and Philip Lichtenfeld – previously pleaded guilty on Sept. 28, 2021, to their roles in this scheme. Mendez and Luis Berkman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and Bryan Berkman and Lichtenfeld pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). On June 9, 2022, Mendez was sentenced to 42 months in prison, Luis Berkman was sentenced to 38 months, Bryan Berkman was sentenced to 28 months, and Lichtenfeld was sentenced to 26 months.
Murillo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Michel E. Buckley of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement.
HSI’s Fort Lauderdale Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Jill Simon and Assistant Chief Gerald M. Moody Jr. of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli S. Rubin for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Former Detroit Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit BriberyRead the Press Release
DETROIT – A former Detroit Police Officer pleaded guilty today to conspiring with a Detroit police lieutenant to commit bribery in connection with corruption in the towing industry in Detroit, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.
Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Daniel Vickers, 54, of Livonia, Michigan, spent his career as a police officer in Detroit. During the plea hearing, Vickers admitted to conspiring with Detroit Police Lieutenant John F. Kennedy. Kennedy at one point commanded the department’s Public Integrity Unit, a division of the Internal Affairs Division responsible for investigating reports of law violations and professional misconduct by police officers and other city employees. The two conspired to commit bribery by accepting money and other items of value in exchange for Kennedy using and promising to use his influence as a supervisor to persuade other officers to make tow referrals to a towing company in violation of the city’s ordinance and Detroit Police Department policy. Under the city’s towing rotation, qualifying private towing companies are called by the police to tow cars that are seized by the police or reported stolen. Kennedy and Vickers were aware that by making towing referrals directly to a towing company which was not on the city’s towing rotation, they were violating the city’s rules and an ordinance which prohibit a towing company from receiving towing referrals if they are not on police department’s towing rotation. Kennedy pleaded guilty to the bribery conspiracy in August 2022.
Vickers also admitted that he and Kennedy conspired to solicit and accept thousands of dollars in cash, cars, car parts, car repairs, and new carpeting for Vickers’ home, in exchange for providing the towing company that Kennedy was investigating with information about the status of the Public Integrity Unit’s case.
In total, between February 2018, and June 2018, Vickers accepted over $3,400 in bribe payments from the towing company. In addition, Kennedy accepted bribes amounting to $14,950 during the course of the conspiracy.
Based on his conviction for bribery conspiracy, Vickers faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. Vickers pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson.
Vickers and Kennedy were charged as part of the government’s investigation known as “Operation Northern Hook.” Northern Hook is an investigation of corruption within the government and the Police Department of the City of Detroit relating to the towing industry and other matters. Thus far, six defendants have been charged in the probe.
United States Attorney Ison said, “Today’s plea represents our commitment to holding our law enforcement officers to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Our citizens deserve nothing less. We thank Chief of Police James White for his assistance in this investigation.”
“Daniel Vickers used his official position to personally benefit himself. His actions are not in keeping with the integrity and professionalism exhibited by the Detroit Police Department day in and day out,” said James A. Tarasca of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The FBI appreciates the partnership and cooperation of Police Chief James White as we continue to address public corruption in the City of Detroit.”
“The actions of these former officers are completely unacceptable for a Detroit Police officer,” said Detroit Police Chief James E. White. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Ison’s work to rid our city of corruption and will continue to collaborate in any investigation of alleged wrongdoing by our officers. It is a top priority of my administration to ensure that Detroit citizens can rely on our officers to act ethically.”
The case was investigated by the Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Detroit Police Department, Michigan Attorney General's Office, Customs & Border Protection U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown and was originally indicted by United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Former Chairman of Riviera Beach Housing Authority Charged with Extortion for Kickback PaymentsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Delvin Thomas, 44, of West Palm Beach, Fla., has been charged with one count of extortion after using his chairman position to receive a kickback from a real-estate transaction.
Around April 2019, Thomas was the chairman of the Riviera Beach Housing Authority, during which time the authority sought to purchase real-estate located in Riviera Beach for a low-income rental property. Thomas introduced a real estate broker to the person at Riviera Beach Housing Authority responsible for purchasing the property and Riviera Beach Housing Authority entered into a contract with the broker to purchase the property.
The broker was to receive a three percent commission from the property’s purchase. Once the contract to purchase the property was entered, Thomas told the broker that he, Thomas, was to receive 50 percent of the commission for its sale. At closing, the broker’s company was paid a commission of $18,930. In order to hide the unlawful payment of Thomas’ 50 percent share, Thomas contacted a straw party to act as a front for this illicit activity.
The straw party (or front) agreed to deposit two checks issued to the front’s business bank account and then issue checks from said account to Sire Development Group LLC, a company Thomas owned. Two checks in the amounts of $6,400 and $3,065 were issued to the front’s company account. This represented 50 percent of the commission received by the broker. The checks falsely stated in the memo section that the payments were for “company branding” and “marketing services.” The front then issued two checks to Thomas’ company, Sire Development Group LLC, in the amounts of $6,400 and $3,000—falsely stating in the check’s memo section that the payments were for “consulting services.”
The checks issued by the broker’s company and the straw party’s company each were drawn on accounts of a national bank and affected interstate commerce. Thomas faces a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of $250,000. His first appearance at the West Palm Beach Federal Courthouse is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and acting Special Agent in Charge Robert M. Dewitt, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
The FBI investigated this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey N. Kaplan.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Former Bank Vice President Sentenced to Federal Prison for Making False Statements to His BankRead the Press Release
A former bank vice resident and lending officer who submitted false documents to the bank for whom he worked was sentenced today to over a year in federal prison.
Bradley Schlotfeldt, age 59, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 10, 2022 guilty plea to one count of making a false statement to a financial institution.
Information from the plea agreement and at sentencing showed that Schlotfeldt made a false statement to the victim bank regarding a “Young Farmer” loan. Schlotfeldt completed and submitted to the victim bank a loan application indicating a particular individual was operating a farm when he knew the individual was not and had never done so. As a result, the victim bank loaned money to the individual, who eventually transferred the money to a different individual who did not use the money to farm or to pay off debt he had to the victim bank. The victim bank eventually lost $575,218 on the “Young Farmer” loan.
After discovering Schlotfeldt had submitted a false document for the “Young Farmer” loan, the victim bank discovered thirteen other loans in which Schlotfeldt falsified documents or violated bank policy. He did so in a variety of ways, including making it appear someone had signed a document when they had not, altering numbers to avoid greater scrutiny, and bypassing his direct supervisor who was more likely to recognize false numbers. In total, victim bank wrote off $6,738,290.35 in loans associated with Schlotfeldt.
Schlotfeldt was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Schlotfeldt was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $3,000,000 in restitution to the victim bank. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Schlotfeldt was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-CR-1010.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Florida man sentenced for sex offender chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jason Lewis Bell, of Keystone Heights, Florida, was sentenced today to 37 months of incarceration for a failure to register charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Bell, 35, pleaded guilty in June 2022 to one count of “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” Bell, a person required to register as a sex offender, admitted to not updating his registration when he lived in Marion County from November 2020 to February 2021.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Florida Woman Convicted for Her Role in a Conspiracy to Sell Methamphetamine in Southern AlabamaRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that Lashana Nakiah Foreman, 36, from Crestview Florida, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Foreman’s conviction is a part of a larger drug conspiracy including seven other co-defendants and spanning multiple Alabama counties, including Covington and Crenshaw.
During the two-day trial, federal prosecutors presented evidence of a March 2019 phone call between Foreman and another co-conspirator, Devarlos Quantrel Shanklin. The call featured Foreman agreeing to purchase five ounces of the methamphetamine for $1,625.00 from Shanklin. Later, Foreman and Shanklin met at a Burger King in Opp, Alabama to conduct the transaction. Once the transaction was completed, Foreman left the restaurant and law enforcement attempted to make a traffic stop of her vehicle, but Foreman refused to stop and continued driving. Officers pursued until she crossed the Florida state line, then the pursuit was terminated. Later that night, agents monitored another call during which Foreman admitted to Shanklin that she fled from law enforcement and had thrown something from her vehicle. Agents searched the area where Foreman had traveled and located a yellow plastic bag containing approximately five ounces of methamphetamine and a firearm.
The jury found Foreman guilty on October 18, 2022. Following this conviction, Foreman faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
The seven other individuals involved in the overall conspiracy have all pleaded guilty. Each played a role in bringing methamphetamine and cocaine to southern Alabama.
- Travis Lavon Broughton, from Brantley, Alabama, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in August 2021. He was sentenced on March 23, 2022, to 111 months in prison,to be followed by three years of supervised release.
- Robert Curtis Willis, from Opp, Alabama, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in January 2022. He was sentenced on May 18, 2022, to 168 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Eddie Nunley, from Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in March 2022. He was sentenced on July 14, 2022, to 151 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Errick Rodgers, from Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in January 2022. He was sentenced on August 26, 2022, to 92 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Kelvin Lamar Jones, from Luverne, Alabama, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm in May 2022. He was sentenced on September 29, 2022, to 180 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
- Devarlos Quantrell Shanklin and Caneatra Shante Shanklin, both from Luverne, Alabama, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in January 2022, and will be sentenced on November 10, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Opp Police Department, the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and B. Chelsea Phillips are prosecuting the case.
Florida Keys Resident Sentenced to Prison for Falsifying FAA RecordsRead the Press Release
MIAMI -- Cole Peacock, 30, was sentenced today to 37 months’ imprisonment after he forged signatures on official flight records.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigated Peacock, a student pilot, after he flew an aircraft on his own -- with no instructor -- from Homestead to Orlando, Florida. The investigation revealed that Peacock had falsified his logbook several times by forging his flight instructor’s signature. Peacock also created counterfeit endorsements that purportedly allowed him to fly solo in Class B airspace when, in fact, he was not qualified or trained to do so. Nor had Peacock received any such endorsement from his flight instructor.
In addition, the investigation revealed that Peacock had stolen a 1981 Learjet 55 valued at about $175,000 by submitting a fraudulent and forged Bill of Sale to the FAA. This led the FAA to transfer ownership of the aircraft to Peacock. Peacock placed new registration numbers on the Learjet to conceal the fraud.
Earlier this year, Peacock pled guilty to two counts of Making False Statements and Entries, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1519.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Todd Damiani, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General, Southeast Region announcement the sentence imposed in Key West by Senior U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King.
The case was investigated by the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc S. Anton.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Financial Advisor Pleads Guilty to Fraud and False Statement ChargesRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ADAM BELARDINO, the chief executive officer of the Maddox Group, pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to the Internal Revenue Service in connection with separate schemes to defraud clients and to fail to pay contributions made by Maddox Group employees to the Maddox Group 401(k) plan. BELARDINO pled guilty before the Honorable Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court today.
According to the allegations in the Superseding Information to which BELARDINO pled guilty and other court documents:
Embezzlement from Victim 1
BELARDINO had managed Victim 1’s investments at another firm before he founded Maddox in July 2019. In August 2019, BELARDINO convinced Victim 1 to liquidate some of her portfolio and to transfer the liquidated funds to Maddox for investment. Victim 1 then transferred more than $313,000 to Maddox in eight separate transactions between August 2019 and October 2020. Instead of investing Victim 1’s money as he had promised, BELARDINO used her money to pay the operating expenses of Maddox, including payroll and office rent; to pay down prior debt; to pay credit card charges, which consisted primarily of personal items; and to pay for personal travel.
In September 2021, Victim 1 directed BELARDINO to transfer her portfolio at Maddox to her brokerage account at another firm. From September 2021 to February 2022, BERNARDINO indicated to the victim and her family members that he was liquidating the portfolio and would return the funds shortly. He additionally provided documents suggesting that he had made a wire transfer of Victim 1’s funds to her bank and deposited checks drawn on a checking account held by Maddox into Victim 1’s bank account for what he claimed was the full value of her portfolio. Nevertheless, Victim 1 never received any funds by wire, and the checks BELARDINO had deposited were returned due to insufficient funds in Maddox’s account.
Scheme to Obtain Fraudulent Life Insurance Commissions - Victim 2
In or about May 2019, BELARDINO served as the agent for Insurance Company 1 in connection with an application by Victim 2 for a life insurance policy with a face amount of $1 million, which amount was eventually increased to $18 million. As an agent, BELARDINO received commissions from Insurance Company 1 once Victim 2’s application was approved.
In or about April 2020 and January 2021, respectively, BELARDINO applied for two additional life insurance policies with a face amount of $3 million and $5 million on behalf of Victim 2 without Victim 2’s knowledge or authorization. While applying for these policies, BELARDINO made materially false statements regarding Victim 2’s income, net worth, and health. In or about August 2020 and May 2021, respectively, BELARDINO increased the face amount of one insurance policy to $6 million and the other to $12.1 million, again without Victim 2’s knowledge or authorization. He additionally paid and attempted to pay the policy premiums of $194,280 and $105,000 with Victim 2’s funds, and ultimately received approximately $197,497 in commissions from the two Insurance Companies.
False Statement in Connection with Fraudulent Withholding of Employee 401(k) Contributions
BELARDINO adopted a retirement savings plan (the “Plan”) on behalf of the Maddox Group that became effective on January 1, 2020. He served as the trustee of the Plan.
From on or about November 1, 2020, through on or about August 13, 2021, BELARDINO withheld $8,004.67 from the paychecks of the four Maddox employees other than himself who chose to participate in the Plan. BELARDINO failed to deposit these withheld funds into the Plan’s trust account and instead converted those funds to his and Maddox’s use.
On or about October 14, 2021, BELARDINO authorized the Plan administrator to file with the Internal Revenue Service a Form 5500-SF for the 2020 calendar year in which he falsely answered in the negative when asked “During [2020]: Was there a failure to transmit to the plan any participant contributions...?”
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BELARDINO, 37, of New York, New York, pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of making a false statement to the Internal Revenue Service, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. BELARDINO will be sentenced by the Honorable Kenneth M. Karas.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents of the FBI and Criminal Investigators of the Employee Benefits Security Administration of the United States Department of Labor.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney James McMahon is in charge of the prosecution.
Final Defendant in Conspiracy to Manufacture, Import, and Sell Counterfeit Military Clothing and Gear Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Terry Roe, 49, of Burlington, ND, the final defendant to be sentenced in a wide-ranging conspiracy that developed, manufactured, and imported $20 million worth of Chinese-made counterfeit U.S. military uniforms and gear that were passed off as genuine American-made products to the U.S. military was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Roe, a now-former manager at a North Dakota supplier that purchased counterfeit clothing and gear from members of the conspiracy, acted as the point-of-contact with personnel at military Base Supply Centers. According to documents filed with the court many of the counterfeit goods acquired and sold by the North Dakota supplier, for which Roe acted as a middleman, were ultimately worn or carried by American airmen. Roe pleaded guilty in February 2022 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and traffic in counterfeit goods.
On October 13, 2022, Ramin Kohanbash, 52, Brooklyn, NY, a clothing and goods wholesaler who directed the effort to design, manufacture, import, and distribute counterfeit products that lacked crucial safety features or failed to meet safety specifications, therefore endangering the health and safety of the military personnel who wore them, was sentenced to forty months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $20 million in proceeds that he obtained from the sale of the counterfeit goods.
Additionally, according to court documents, Kohanbash paid Roe for his role in the conspiracy. Roe collected over $60,000 from Kohanbash during the conspiracy, including a $39,617 kickback from Kohanbash that resulted from an overcharge to Roe’s employer. Roe also collected a $5,000 payment from Kohanbash within weeks of a trademark holder’s discovery and complaints that counterfeit jackets had been provided to Air Force Base Supply Centers endangering the military personnel who wore them.
Roe was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to twenty-four months in federal prison to be followed by three years of federal supervised release. Restitution as it pertains to this defendant will be determined at a later date by the court.
A third defendant, Bernard Klein, 41, of Brooklyn, was sentenced in April 2021 to eighteen months of incarceration to be followed by three years of federal supervised release; ordered to pay a fine of $15,000; and to pay restitution in the amount of $400,000. In tandem with the criminal case, Klein also entered into a civil settlement agreement under which he has paid $348,000 to resolve liability to the United States under the federal False Claims Act for goods sold to certain government purchasers.
As part of this effort, the United States has also reached three separate settlements under the federal False Claims Act in connection with this conduct. These civil settlements, with Klein, Kohanbash, and the Dakota Outerwear Company of Minot, ND, have recovered a total of $2,042,398 for these defendants’ roles in a scheme to procure and sell counterfeit, and in some cases, defective and nonconforming goods, to federal purchasers.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert, Richard B. Myrus, and Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the U.S. Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, New England Regional Investigations Office; Army Criminal Investigation Division, Major Procurement Fraud Field Office; the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Office of Procurement Fraud Detachment 6, Joint Base Andrews, MD; Homeland Security Investigations, Newark, NJ; and Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office.
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Federal Indictment Charges Man with Conspiring to “Straw Purchase” 27 Firearms in Indiana on Behalf of Chicago ResidentRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A man has been charged in federal court with conspiring to “straw purchase” 27 firearms in Indiana on behalf of a Chicago resident.
From 2016 to 2019, RICARDO LARREA purchased 26 handguns and one shotgun from federally licensed dealers in Hammond, Ind., and falsely certified on required federal forms that he was the actual buyer of the guns, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Larrea purchased the guns on behalf of a Chicago resident who identified which firearms he wanted and paid Larrea to buy them, the indictment states. After falsely completing the forms and making the purchases, Larrea provided the firearms to the Chicago resident, the charges allege.
The indictment charges Larrea, 27, of Whiting, Ind., with one count of conspiracy to knowingly make false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. Larrea pleaded not guilty Wednesday at his arraignment before U.S. District Judge John F. Kness. A status hearing was set for Nov. 18, 2022.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kavitha J. Babu and Jonathan L. Shih.
Disrupting illegal firearms trafficking is the focus of the Department of Justice’s Chicago Firearms Trafficking Strike Force. As part of the strike force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office collaborates with ATF and other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in the Northern District of Illinois and across the country to help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms and identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes.
Holding firearm offenders accountable through federal prosecution is also a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods. In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Fayette County Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Operating an Interstate Prostitution ServiceRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Lexington, Ky., man, Michael Allen Comberger, 57, was sentenced on Thursday to 60 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove, for transporting an individual in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in prostitution.
According to Comberger’s plea agreement, he admitted to owning and operating an interstate prostitution business, named Fantasys Escort Service, out of Fayette County. To facilitate the prostitution business, Comberger used a website for the service and would showcase various female escorts in different locations in the United States. On the website, each escort’s pictures, biographical information, and hourly rates were listed. Comberger further admitted that he would set up appointments for the escorts, for commercial sex with customers; and, on multiple occasions, he drove them to their appointments, in other states. The money gained from the appointments for commercial sex was split between the escorts and Comberger. A fine of $10,000 was also imposed.
Comberger pleaded guilty in June 2022.
Under federal law, Comberger must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of the Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth.
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Fairfield Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Making and Subscribing a False Tax Return Causing Loss of More Than $1.5 MillionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Myrna Kawakami, 70, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty today to making and subscribing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Kawakami ran a tax preparation business in Fairfield called K.I.M. Tax Book Services where she assisted taxpayers in preparing fraudulent federal income tax returns. The returns claimed thousands of dollars in itemized deductions based on ineligible expenses, resulting in fraudulent tax refunds. The total amount lost by the Internal Revenue Service as a result of Kawakami’s fraudulent preparation of 1,035 tax returns between tax years 2012 and 2015 is approximately $1,561,815.
Further, Kawakami also submitted fraudulent tax returns on her own behalf, significantly underreporting the income from her tax business and claiming education credits based on ineligible expenses. By underreporting her income and claiming false education credits on her tax returns for tax years 2013 and 2014, she reduced the amount of tax she owed for 2013 and 2014 by approximately $40,390.
This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the case.
Kawakami is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Feb. 23, 2023. Kawakami faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $100,000 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.
Everton Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Leading Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Everton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to distribute nearly 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.
Cheyenne W. Conn, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 21 years in federal prison without parole.
On July 22, 2021, Conn pleaded guilty to participating in the drug-trafficking conspiracy from Nov. 22, 2016, to Sept. 26, 2018. Conn also pleaded guilty to participating in a money-laundering conspiracy.
Conn admitted he was responsible for the distribution of approximately 960 pounds of methamphetamine over a period of nearly two years. Approximately 960 pounds of methamphetamine at that time had a conservative wholesale value of more than $3.8 million and a retail value of more than $6.1 million.
During the course of the conspiracy, Conn transported approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine per week by vehicle from California, after it had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico, to the Springfield area. Conn then distributed the methamphetamine to other dealers in the conspiracy.
Conn also admitted that he directed others to send wire transfers of drug-trafficking proceeds from multiple Walmarts and other businesses in the Springfield area to members of the drug trafficking organization in California and Mexico. This was done to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds.
Conn was arrested on Nov. 22, 2016, after two women reported the truck he was driving on Farm Road 124 in Greene County, Mo., was unable to maintain lanes and two men who occupied the truck were throwing needles out of the truck. A Greene County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the truck, but Conn failed to stop. Conn jumped out of the truck onto State Highway F and was taken into custody. Officers searched the truck, which was in the ditch, and found a Lorcin .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol, 4.27 grams of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
On Dec. 22, 2016, officers searched Conn’s residence and found approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Conn was also present on Sept. 22, 2017, when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a business, a shop owned by co-defendant Jeremy A. Ingram, 44, of Springfield. Conn, who was in one of the garage bays, told officers he was at the shop visiting Ingram and working on motorcycles, and identified a white truck parked in the front of the shop as his vehicle. Officers searched the truck, which had been reported stolen, and found a loaded Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Officers also seized 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition, numerous rounds of various caliber ammunition, a lock pick set, a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and drug paraphernalia from the shop.
Conn was stopped by an Oldham County, Texas, sheriff’s deputy on Dec. 10, 2017, while he was driving a Buick Regal with California license plates. Conn was unable to identify the owner of the vehicle and did not have a driver’s license. Conn had approximately $900 in cash in his pocket, a hypodermic needle, and a baggie that contained approximately 6.27 grams of methamphetamine. The deputy searched the car and found an SD 9mm pistol magazine hidden in the left rear quarter panel behind the carpet. He also found a black bag that contained $29,217 in cash.
Conn is among 12 defendants who have been sentenced in this case. Ginger L. Huerta, also known as Ginger L. Gray, 42, of Halfway, Mo., was sentenced on Oct. 17, 2022, to 11 years in federal prison without parole. Lloyd R. Bradley, 45, of Fordland, Mo., was sentenced on May 10, 2022, to four years and six months in federal prison without parole. Tresha R. Ahart, 33, of Springfield, was sentenced on Jan. 4, 2022, to nine years in federal prison without parole. Larry E Stapp, 43, of Springfield, was sentenced on Nov. 9, 2021, to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Shelby R. Maupin, 34, of Ozark, Mo., was sentenced on Sept. 16, 2021, to eight years and nine months in federal prison without parole. Summerlee M. Barnett, also known as Summerlee M. Lacount, 36, of Salem, Mo., was sentenced on Sept. 16, 2021, to six years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Cassidy R. Clayton, 27, of Springfield, was sentenced on Sept. 8, 2021, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Jeremy A. Ingram, 44, Laurie B. Holmes, 40, and Lonnie J. Tinker, 37, all of Springfield, were sentenced on Aug. 5, 2021. Ingram was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Holmes was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Tinker was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Chandler B. Roberts, 23, address unknown, was sentenced on Aug. 29, 2022, to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
Four defendants have pleaded guilty in this case and await sentencing: Michael R. Housley, 30, and Megan L McNary, 27, both of Springfield; Johnathon W. Arnold, 41, of Everton; and Samuel C. Gonzalez, Jr., 29, of Bakersfield, California.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Dade County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department, and the Oldham County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department.
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force
This case 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.
Erie Man Pleads Guilty in Conspiracy to Distribute MethRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
David Anthony Madden, 36, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Madden conspired with two co-defendants to possess with intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for February 9, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Madden.
Engineer sentenced to federal prison after admitting conspiracy to steal aircraft design secretsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A South Carolina man who led a conspiracy to steal trade secrets from aircraft companies has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison.
Gilbert Basaldua, 63, of Hilton Head, S.C., was sentenced to 80 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. also ordered Basaldua to serve three years of supervised release after completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Theft is theft, whether it’s a bag full of cash or a digital file holding specialized design information – and Gilbert Basaldua and his co-conspirators are thieves,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “This sentence will hold him accountable for attempting to enrich himself by stealing valuable information from a private company.”
As spelled out in court documents and testimony, Basaldua worked as a numerical control engineer contractor for an aircraft manufacturer in the Southern District from October 2016 through November 2018. During that time, Basaldua conspired with his co-conspirators to steal valuable proprietary aircraft wing designs and anti-icing testing information from various aircraft manufacturers, including the company where Basaldua worked. The conspirators intended to use the stolen information to quicken the process of obtaining Federal Aviation Administration certification for another company’s product.
Basaldua was on trial on the charges in September 2021 when he pled guilty during the second day of testimony.
“Basaldua and his co-conspirators betrayed the trust placed in them by their employers for outright greed,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to stop people who are out to illegally enrich themselves.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer G. Solari.
Eau Claire Man Charged with Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – An Eau Claire, Wisconsin man is charged with wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering in a 25-count indictment returned on October 12, 2022, by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin. The indictment is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Robert Carter, 43, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison yesterday and was detained in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today.
The indictment charges Carter with 17 counts of wire fraud, 2 counts of identity theft, and 6 counts of money laundering. The indictment alleges from April 2016 to January 2021, Carter engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions and other businesses. The indictment alleges that Carter obtained credit cards and loans from financial institutions by providing false information on applications, including listing false employment, false income, false ownership of real estate, false length of time of ownership and residence at his home, and using the identity of another person.
The indictment further alleges that Carter made false statements, material omissions, and provided false documents to various business owners and investors to obtain a business’s identification and proprietary information and use this confidential data to apply for loans without the permission or knowledge of the actual business owners. The indictment alleges that the amount of proceeds Carter obtained as a result of the fraud scheme totals $511,177.
If convicted, Carter faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud and money laundering charge. The identity theft charges each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years and federal law requires that any sentence on these charges be served consecutive to any other prison time imposed.
The charges against Carter are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Trustee’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Dubois Woman Distributed Meth to UsersRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Dubois, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to violation of federal narcotics laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Cindy Chung announced today.
Megan Pyne, age 28, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possesses with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand. Pyne was one of 47 defendants charged in six related indictments as part of the Return to Sender investigation.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Pyne was a methamphetamine distributor who obtained between 350 grams and 500 grams of methamphetamine as part of a large-scale methamphetamine distribution conspiracy and redistributed it to methamphetamine users.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for Pyne on Feb. 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a sentence of not less than five years to a maximum of forty years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The court ordered that the defendant remain on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan D. Lusty and Michael R. Ball are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion
Borough Police Department.This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Possessing Enough Fentanyl to Kill MillionsRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – An Idaho man was sentenced today to 135 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
According to court documents, from at least November 2021 through February 2022, Joel A. Duran, 53, transported massive quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine from California to several locations in the United States, including Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and the Hampton Roads region in Virginia. Over three cross-county trips, Duran possessed 27.9 kilograms of fentanyl— enough to potentially cause the fatal overdose of 14 million people— and 192 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; Derek W. Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Stolle prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-48.
Doctor Pays $720,000 and Agrees to 15 Year Exclusion from Federal Health Care Programs for Violating the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – Mangesh Kanvinde, M.D., of Batavia, Ohio, has paid $720,000 and agreed to be excluded from Federal Health Care Programs for fifteen years for his role in a scheme to order unnecessary durable medical equipment and genetic tests. The DME he ordered included commonly used braces for knees, ankles, shoulders, and the back and neck. The genetic tests he ordered included testing for the inherited genetic variants that are associated with a high to moderate increased risk of cancer. As part of the civil settlement with the United States, Dr. Kanvinde also agreed to make additional payments contingent upon his income over the next five years.
The United States alleged that, between December 5, 2016, through June 20, 2019, Dr. Kanvinde violated the False Claims Act by knowingly conspiring to submit and causing the submission of false claims to Medicare. The United States alleged that Dr. Kanvinde had improper financial arrangements with temporary physician staffing agencies and telehealth companies to furnish DME and genetic testing items and services and that he received illegal kickbacks in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary DME and genetic tests and services. The United States further alleged that Dr. Kanvinde had no physician-patient relationship with the Medicare beneficiaries, often did not speak with the beneficiaries, and knew his prescribed goods and services were not medically necessary.
“We will continue to vigorously pursue medical providers who violate federal law by engaging in illicit schemes which include the filing of false claims seeking Medicare reimbursement,” said Michael A. Bennett, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. “I commend the HHS-OIG and AUSAs Malloy and Weyand for their outstanding effort in this matter.”
“Physicians who use their position of trust in schemes to submit false claims to Medicare for their own financial gain undermine the integrity of taxpayer-funded federal health care programs and the public’s trust in the health care profession,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Our agency is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that bad actors are held accountable for their actions.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica R. C. Malloy and A. Matthew Weyand handled the matter.
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District Man Pleads Guilty to Charges in Attacks on Residents of Apartment BuildingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Corey Keelin Bridges, 28, of Washington, D.C., has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a pair of attacks on residents of an apartment building in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Bridges pleaded guilty on Oct.19, 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count each of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault, and lewd, indecent, or obscene acts. Bridges will be sentenced on Jan. 6, 2023, by the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. In addition to facing a prison term, Bridges will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
According to the government’s evidence, Bridges assaulted residents of an apartment building in the 1400 block of E Street NE, on separate occasions. On May 4, 2022, at approximately 5 p.m., Bridges accosted a minor in the hallway of the building. He tried to pull down the minor victim’s sweatpants and pulled down his own shorts, exposing himself. The minor victim escaped into her apartment. On June 4, 2022, at about 4 p.m., he knocked on the door of an apartment in the same building and, when the resident opened the door, Bridges held a knife and a screwdriver to the victim’s stomach. The victim managed to avoid injury.
Bridges was arrested on June 4, 2022, and he remains in custody.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the cases at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlos A. Valdivia, Jared English, and Crystal Gaines, who investigated and prosecuted the matters.
Defendant Sentenced for the First Degree Murder of a Man on a BicycleRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man was sentenced Thursday for shooting and killing a bicyclist in order to impress members of a street gang, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Devon Blevins, 29, of Tulsa, to life in federal prison.
“Devon Blevins took the life of Maurice Burgess in an effort to gain membership into a street gang,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Today’s life sentence reflects this defendant’s callous disregard for life and reaffirms the resolve of prosecutors and law enforcement to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions.”
“Thanks to a determined investigation by the FBI and our law enforcement partners, this senseless act of violence will not go unpunished,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “We hope today’s sentence provides some solace to the family of Maurice Burgess, and reminds the public of our commitment to eliminating the threat of gang violence.”
On Sept. 22, 2021, a federal jury found Blevins guilty of first-degree murder in Indian Country and causing death by using and discharging a firearm during the commission of first degree murder.
Blevin’s codefendant, Jacob Bruce Banks, 22, was the driver of the car, and on Sept. 17, 2021, he pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to first degree murder in Indian Country. The two defendants were involved with the Savage Boys street gang and did not know the victim.
On April 12, 2021, just after 8 pm, officers were notified of a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Waterstone Apartments near South Peoria Avenue. Officers discovered the victim, Maurice Burgess, on the ground near a bicycle with apparent gunshot wounds. No weapon was found on or near the victim.
Several witnesses stated that shortly after the shooting, they observed a red 4-door Nissan Altima depart from the parking lot and head toward 61st Street and South Peoria Avenue. Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the area and observed a red Nissan Altima with distinct damage on the front passenger-side bumper. Surveillance video also showed the car trailing the victim, the victim falling from his bicycle, and a figure positioned in the car’s window.
Later, on April 17, 2021, a Tulsa police officer received information regarding the discharge of a firearm in public. During his investigation, the officer conducted a traffic stop on a red Nissan Altima after it failed to stop at a stop sign. As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed a rifle in the passenger seat of the vehicle and codefendant Jacob Banks in the driver’s seat. The officer then arrested Banks for possessing a deadly weapon and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Detectives requested the officer examine the damage to the car, and it was determined to be consistent with the damage observed on the car seen in video surveillance from April 12, 2021, when Mr. Burgess was killed.
Codefendant Banks testified in court that on the day of the crime, both men were armed. Blevins told him there was a silver vehicle following people and directed Banks to drive in the area to look for the silver vehicle. Instead, the defendants saw an African American male on a bicycle ahead of them closest to the driver’s side of the car. Banks stated that Blevins propped himself up, sitting on the ledge of an open front passenger window, and fired multiple times across the hood of the vehicle hitting the man. Banks quickly drove away from the scene.
In an April 20, 2021, interview with police, Blevins admitted he was responsible for the shooting but stated that the man on the bicycle had reached for his waist area, and Blevins thought he may have been reaching for a handgun. Blevins stated that he positioned himself on the car’s open window ledge then shot the victim twice. During the interview, he also told detectives that he recently joined the Savage Boys and that during the shooting he “didn’t want these guys thinking my loyalty wasn’t with them.” He said he wanted the shooting to “look good” so that Banks would give him the “okay” to be admitted into the gang. Blevins chose not to testify at trial.
During closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Heatherman, lead prosecutor in the case, called it a senseless murder caught on surveillance tape. He and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Harder recounted the evidence offered at trial and contended that Blevins committed a murder to show his loyalty to the Savage Boys.
The prosecutors argued that Blevins was looking for trouble that day. They explained that as the victim rode his bicycle in the parking lot ahead of the Nissan, the defendant pulled himself halfway out of the window- taking a tactical position, switched off the American Heritage six shooter’s safety, pulled the hammer back, laid his elbows across the car to steady his aim, and shot the victim, striking him in the throat. He pulled the hammer back again and shot the victim a second time. He pulled the trigger a third time, but the revolver misfired. He then fled the scene with Banks and disposed of the weapon. They reminded the jury that these are not the actions of an individual who acted in self defense.
The jury returned guilty verdicts two hours later.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan H. Heatherman and Michael F. Harder prosecuted the case.
Cumberland Man Indicted, Arraigned on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Cumberland man indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distribution and possession of child pornography turned himself in to the United States Marshal Service today and was arraigned in U.S. District Court, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Robert Aprea, 58, was charged by way of an indictment on October 12, 2022, with four counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The indictment was unsealed today at Aprea’s arraignment in U.S. District Court. He was released on unsecured bond.
It is alleged that in January 2022, Aprea participated in an online chatroom where, on three different dates, he allegedly uploaded multiple images of child pornography. Aprea’s alleged activity on the social media platform was brought to the attention of the Cumberland Police Department by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, who, in turn, brought it to the attention of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
On March 3, 2022, members of ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search of Aprea’s residence and of his digital devices, and allegedly discovered over 3,000 images depicting child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors.
A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
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Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Auburn man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to a child pornography charge.
Christopher Rondeau, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for March 8, 2023. Rondeau was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in November 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2020. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
During a search of Rondeau’s residence in November 2020, a cell phone was found containing images and videos of child pornography. In 2016, Rondeau was convicted of receipt of child pornography and sentenced to 68 months in prison and seven years of supervised release. He was released from federal custody in August 2019 and was on supervised release at the time of his November arrest.
Due to Rondeau’s prior conviction, the charging statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of 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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Auburn Police Chief Todd. R. Lemon; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Convicted Felon Going Back to Prison on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jose F. Ramos, 36, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and violation of supervised release, was sentenced to serve 40 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who handled the case, stated that Ramos was arrested on June 20, 2021, after employees at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Upper Falls Boulevard in Rochester, reported a drive-thru patron displaying a handgun and threatening to shoot an employee. Officers determined Ramos was riding in the vehicle but departed the location by the time police officers arrived. While reviewing video surveillance, officers observed Ramos grabbing at his waist-band area after he exited the passenger side of the vehicle, approach the drive-thru window and throw a drink tray through the window. Ramos was arrested nearby on North Clinton Avenue. Officers found a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun on the floor of the passenger seat.
In June 2010, Ramos was convicted in Federal Court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and sentenced to serve 132 months in prison. At the time of his latest arrest, Ramos was serving a term of supervised release and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The matter was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.The sentencing was the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division.
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Convicted Felon Awaiting Trial Charged with Trafficking Fentanyl, Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A North Providence man currently on bail while awaiting trial in Rhode Island state court on drug trafficking charges, and who is also currently on probation in four separate state court cases, has been ordered detained in federal custody as the result of an unrelated FBI Safe Street Task Force and Providence Police Narcotics Unit Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation into his alleged dealing of fentanyl powder and fentanyl pills, as well as for allegedly being in the unlawful possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
It is alleged in court documents that on at least seven occasions between June 9 and October 6, 2022, Keurys Pena, 33, sold an individual fentanyl pills and fentanyl powder in quantities that ranged from 1.66 grams to 238.5 grams; and on September 8, 2022, he allegedly sold the same individual a 9mm handgun. It is alleged that, in total, Pena sold the individual 909.4 grams of narcotics for $14,770.
On Tuesday, FBI agents and Providence Police detectives executed court-authorized searches of Pena’s residence and a drug stash house that he allegedly operated in Pawtucket. From the stash house, law enforcement seized over 500 grams of fentanyl in pill and powder form; cutting agents; scales, sifters, and other packaging materials; and parts to a pill press used to make counterfeit narcotics containing fentanyl. Ammunition, an unsecured firearm, and a pill press were allegedly seized from Pena’s residence.
Pena is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Stacey P. Veroni.
According to court records, Pena has been convicted multiple times in state courts on drug trafficking charges. Additionally, he has been convicted on firearm, assault, domestic assault, forgery, breaking and entering, and assault/escape of an inmate charges.
United States Attorney Cunha, the FBI, and the Providence Police Department thank the North Providence Police Department and the Pawtucket Police Department for their assistance on Tuesday during the execution of the search warrants.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Columbus man pleads guilty to making and selling ‘ghost guns’Read the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local man pleaded guilty in federal court today to making and selling “ghost guns,” untraceable homemade weapons made in whole or in part with a 3D printer.
Court documents detail that Thomas Develin, 25, of Columbus, also made antisemitic and violent statements online while employed to provide security services at local synagogues and Jewish schools.
Develin admitted in his plea agreement that he created ghost guns to sell for profit. He also made and possessed homemade conversion devices to convert semi-automatic AR-15 rifles and Glock-type pistols into fully automatic machine guns. Develin admitted that he made and sold firearms that he knew were illegal.
Develin advertised online that he possessed and was selling 3D-printed sears, which are devices designed to convert semiautomatic AR-type rifles into fully automatic rifles. Devices that are intended to convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic firearms are considered “machineguns” under federal law. Other messages on Develin’s phone stated that he had manufactured a two-handed firearm with an overall length under 26 inches, which is illegal.
On March 31, the day Develin was arrested, agents discovered in his vehicle: night vision goggles, ballistic plates, a ballistic helmet, first aid equipment and a large quantity of ammunition including several loaded magazines.
Agents discovered more than 25 firearms in Develin’s residence and vehicle while executing search warrants in March and April 2022. They also discovered two IED manuals.
Develin admitted in his plea agreement that in late March 2022, he knew law enforcement may be coming for him so he went to the property surrounding the cabin of a person he knew to hide and burn illegal firearms parts. In text messages with another person, Develin also discussed hiding and destroying incriminating evidence. Develin admitted he took these acts with the intent to obstruct the investigation.
The defendant has been charged in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas with various crimes, including making terroristic threats. Those charges remain pending.
Illegally making firearms and unlawfully engaging in the business of manufacturing and dealing machine guns are federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Manufacturing and dealing any firearms without a license are punishable by up to five years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. The law enforcement agencies were assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Jessica W. Knight are representing the United States in this case.
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Colombian Attorney Sentenced for Obstruction of Justice in Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A Colombian lawyer has been sentenced for federal obstruction violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Maritza Claudia Fernanda Lorza Ramirez, 49, was convicted on June 10, 2022, of obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting. Ramirez was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.
A peace agreement signed in 2016 between the Colombian government and members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) ended a conflict between the two, and guaranteed members of the FARC that they would not be extradited for crimes committed before December 1, 2016, in furtherance of the insurgency.
According to information presented in court, beginning in 2016, Ramirez, a Colombian attorney, informed at least seven defendants indicted in the Eastern District of Texas and multiple defendants indicted in the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, that she could help them avoid extradition to the United States and that she could corruptly assist them in adding their names to the list of FARC members to avoid extradition to the United States. As a result, on-going criminal investigations were affected as these defendants would not cooperate with investigators or prosecutors. In exchange, Ramirez was paid in excess of $3 million USD by the large-scale Colombian drug traffickers. Ramirez was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas on May 10, 2018.
“Ramirez offered services to Colombian drug traffickers, who were not members of the FARC, promising them they could be fraudulently placed on the FARC list and avoid extradition to and prosecution in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “Not only did Ramirez’s actions pervert the rule of law and the peace process in Colombia, but they also hindered ongoing investigations which facilitated the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. by protecting dangerous drug traffickers. The investigators and prosecutors in this case did an amazing job coordinating with our Colombian partners. We applaud the effort by agents of the DEA and our Colombian partners to bring Ramirez to justice.”
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Offices from the Dallas Field Division, Miami Field Division, and the Bogota Country Office. This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Texas with special assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
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Chester County Serial Child Predator who Produced and Collected Images of Child Abuse Sentenced to 100 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Robert Dean Caesar, 60, of Oxford, PA, was sentenced to 100 years in prison and lifetime supervised release United States District Court Judge Gerald Pappert for multiple child exploitation offenses including producing, transmitting, and collecting child pornography.
In April 2022, the defendant pleaded guilty to those child pornography charges detailed in a 2018 Indictment. According to court documents, beginning in 2017, the defendant hired two teenage brothers, then ages 14 and 15, from the Pennsylvania Dutch (or Amish) to perform yard work and other odd jobs at Caesar’s residence in Chester County. During this time, the defendant sexually abused both boys on numerous occasions, and also used a cell phone to take sexually explicit photos of one of them. After the boys disclosed the abuse, a search warrant executed at the defendant’s residence revealed a massive collection of child pornography, amounting to tens of thousands of images and videos, as well as the sexually explicit images he produced of his minor victim during the abuse. The investigation further revealed that Caesar had been assaulting young boys for decades, dating back to the 1980’s.
“This defendant committed unspeakable, horrific acts, abusing unknown numbers of children until he got to these two victims, these brothers, and destroyed their entire lives,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “And for that he will now spend the rest of his life behind bars. It is our duty to protect the most vulnerable members of society, and together with our law enforcement partners we will continue to uphold that duty by bringing to justice anybody who preys upon minor children.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Kivitz and Kelly Harrell.
Career Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced in Multi-State Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Vermont man with two prior federal convictions for drug conspiracy was sentenced on Oct. 18, 2022 for his role in a drug trafficking organization.
Juan Ramos, 45, of Wardsboro, Vt., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to eight years in prison and six years of supervised release. On April 8, 2022, Ramos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
From 2015 through 2016, Ramos distributed more than 300 grams of cocaine in Massachusetts and various customers in Vermont. Ramos had obtained the cocaine from co-conspirator David Cruz, whom he had met while serving a five-year prison sentence in Hampden County for cocaine trafficking.
Ramos has two prior federal convictions for cocaine distribution conspiracy. In 2002, Ramos was convicted in the District of Vermont and was sentenced to nine years in prison. In 2010, Ramos was convicted in the Southern District of New York and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Cruz previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Westfield Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police and the Vermont State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine Curley, Neil L. Desroches and Steven H. Breslow of Rollins’ Springfield Office prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Canterbury Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing Machineguns and Other FirearmsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDRES VASQUEZ, 35, of Canterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. Circuit Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in Bridgeport to nine months of imprisonment, followed by 18 months of supervised release, for illegally possessing machineguns and other firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 28, 2020, federal agents executed a search warrant at an apartment in New Britain and seized drugs, drug paraphernalia, a 9mm handgun, and ammunition. Analysis of the seized handgun and a review of firearm records revealed that the handgun was registered to Vasquez and had not been reported stolen, and that Vasquez had several other firearms registered to him.
On June 5, 2020, a search of Vasquez’s Canterbury residence revealed five semi-automatic rifles, three handguns, two machineguns bearing no serial numbers, additional un-serialized firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. When interviewed by investigators, Vasquez admitted that, in addition to purchasing firearms, he built machineguns and other firearms. After searching the residence, investigators determined that four other firearms registered to Vasquez were missing.
Vasquez was a heroin user when he was in possession of the firearms. The firearm seized on April 28, 2020, was found in an apartment connected to Vasquez’s heroin dealer, and another firearm registered to Vasquez was found on January 1, 2022, in the possession of a Hartford man who is charged with federal firearm possession and crack cocaine distribution offenses. Three of Vasquez’s registered firearms have not been recovered.
Vasquez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 14, 2020. On July 20, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms by a user of a controlled substance.
Vasquez, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on January 5.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull through 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. In May 2021, the Justice 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.
Canadian Man Sentenced to 14½ Years in Federal Prison for Leading Drug Trafficking Ring that Exported Truckloads of NarcoticsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Canadian man was sentenced today to 174 months in federal prison for leading a drug-trafficking organization that intended to ship hundreds of pounds of cocaine and heroin from Southern California into Canada – and import MDMA (ecstasy) into the United States – using big-rig trucks and encrypted telephones to achieve their aims.
Vincent Yen Tek Chiu, 44, of Vancouver, Canada, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt.
A federal jury found Chiu guilty in March of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of conspiracy to export controlled substances, one count of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution of heroin, and one count of distribution of MDMA.
Chiu – the lead defendant in this criminal case, who was known by a number of monikers including “El Chino,” “Tiger,” “TigerOfMexico,” “TigerOfSweden” and “ControllerCard” – and other members of the drug trafficking organization obtained multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, and sometimes heroin, in Los Angeles and passed the narcotics to couriers who intended to transport them to Canada for further distribution. Big-rig trucks were used in attempts to export some of the cocaine into Canada.
Chiu arranged the purchase of bulk quantities of cocaine in the United States for importation into Canada in exchange for cash or bulk quantities of MDMA. Chiu also arranged for the transportation of MDMA from Canada into the United States in exchange for cocaine. Chiu and his co-conspirators used modified cellular devices with military-grade, end-to-end encryption to talk to each other about the drug buys and transportation of narcotics.
At today’s sentencing hearing, the court determined that Chiu was involved in distributing 77 kilograms (169.7 pounds) of cocaine, 8 kilograms of heroin, and 24 kilograms of MDMA, which prosecutors presented evidence at trial had a wholesale value of more than $3 million.
Federal agents intercepted several of the drug deliveries in 2018 and 2019. Law enforcement seized more than $800,000 in Canadian currency during this investigation.
“[Chiu] controlled every aspect of his lucrative and high-volume business: setting up the wholesale drug purchases and dictating the terms and price; managing the financials, including sending invoices for the product and orchestrating the money dropoffs; directing others to conduct quality testing of the product to ensure that it was ‘high heat,’ which was the type of cocaine he demanded; and arranging long-haul semi-trucks to transport the drug loads across the United States and into Canada,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.
Other members of this drug trafficking conspiracy have received prison sentences, including Anthony Louis Lam, 37, of Vancouver, Canada, who is now serving four years in federal prison; Henry Liu, 33, of Rosemead, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence; Christian Raul Gastelum-Sanchez, 27, of Los Angeles, who is now serving five years in federal prison; Raul Arturo Gastelum-Benitez, 54, of Los Angeles, who is now serving four years in federal prison; and Khonsavanh Vorachack, 62, of Sacramento, California, who now serving three years in federal prison. Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigated this matter. Critical support was provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the California Highway Patrol, and the West Covina Police Department.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brittney M. Harris and MiRi Song of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section prosecuted this case.
California Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Stockton, California, pleaded guilty in federal court to violation of federal narcotics and money laundering laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Cindy Chung announced today.
Lisandra Maldonado, age 32, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possesses with intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana as well as one count of conspiracy to launder money before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand. Maldonado was one of 47 defendants charged in six related indictments as part of the Return to Sender investigation.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Maldonado conspired with her husband, Christian, and others to launder drug proceeds obtained from the distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana that was shipped from California, Oregon, and Nevada to the Western District of Pennsylvania as part of a large-scale conspiracy.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for Maldonado on Feb. 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a sentence of no more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The court ordered that the defendant remain on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan D. Lusty and Michael R. Ball are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion
Borough Police Department.This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Brandon Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Eric Grenier, 40, of Brandon, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Burlington following his guilty plea to a charge that he possessed firearms as a convicted felon. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Grenier to 24 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Grenier has been in custody since his arrest in August 2021.
According to court records, on August 13, 2021, state and federal law enforcement authorities executed a state court search warrant at Grenier’s home in Brandon. An officer with the Brandon Police Department obtained the warrant to look for and seize a handgun which Grenier allegedly displayed during an altercation with a neighbor in July. During the search, agents seized two rifles and two pistols, as well as assorted ammunition, from Grenier’s locked bedroom. Grenier is prohibited by federal law from possessing any firearms because he has three felony convictions in Vermont for burglary and cultivating marijuana.
The case was investigated by the Brandon Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Grenier is represented by William Vasiliou II, Esq. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn
Braintree Man Sentenced for Role in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy and Ammunition OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Braintree man was sentenced yesterday for trafficking cocaine and illegally possessing ammunition.
Martin Angomas, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to four years in prison and three years of supervised release. On June 16, 2022, Angomas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and to possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.
Angomas was charged with 23 others in June 2020 as part of Operation Snowfall – a multi-year investigation into drug trafficking activities by a drug trafficking organization (DTO) comprised of Boston-based street gang members and associates. According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement investigated drug trafficking activities gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the defendants, through their drug trafficking activities, assumed control over multiple apartments, where they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs. As a result, their activities caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents.
The investigation identified Angomas as a drug distributor and supplier. During intercepted communications between Angomas and co-defendant Hassan Monroe, a wholesale supplier and distributor within the DTO, Angomas coordinated providing Monroe with cocaine to be given to Kenji Drayton, one of the DTO’s principal suppliers and distributors. Angomas and Monroe were later observed meeting at an agreed-upon location, getting into a vehicle and driving to meet Drayton for the deal. They then left in separate vehicles.
During a search of Angomas’ residence in June 2020, ammunition, cocaine base (crack cocaine), two loaded firearms and over $360,000 were recovered. At the time of the offense, Angomas had a prior conviction punishable by a more than one year in prison.
Angomas is the 12th defendant to be sentenced in the case. The remaining defendants are either pending sentencing or have pleaded not guilty and are pending trial. One defendant, Derek Hart, remains at large. On Sept. 28, 2022, Drayton was sentenced to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. On July 28, 2022, Monroe was sentenced to six years in prison and four years of supervised release.
First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Assistance in the investigation was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Timothy E. Moran Chief of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.