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17 October 2022
Montgomery Tax Preparer Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for Filing False ReturnRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey announced that a Montgomery tax preparer was sentenced for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return. On Friday, October 14, 2022, Lashunda Deann Crittenden, 43, received a 16-month sentence to be followed by one year of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition to her prison sentence, Crittenden was also ordered to pay a fine of $20,000.00 and $11.993.00 in restitution to the IRS.
According to her plea agreement and other court records, Crittenden operated a tax preparation service located on South Court Street in Montgomery. At her business, Crittenden prepared federal income tax returns for customers. During her plea hearing in September of 2021, Crittenden admitted that on February 26, 2018, she prepared and electronically transmitted a tax return that claimed a client incurred $8,726.00 in qualified solar electric property costs, $6,358.00 in medical and dental expenses, and $8,364.00 in gifts to charity, despite knowing that the client was not entitled to claim these items for calendar year 2017. The IRS subsequently paid a larger refund to the taxpayer based on these misrepresentations and Crittenden profited from the falsely inflated amount.
U.S. Attorney Stewart applauds the IRS for its efforts to identify tax fraud like this and to hold offenders accountable. U.S. Attorney Stewart also encourages all taxpayers to review their returns and to confirm that they recognize the items to be reported to the IRS. If a tax preparer refuses to let a customer examine his or her tax return before the return is filed, or if a customer reviews a tax return and sees a deduction or an expense that the customer does not recognize, the customer should ask for clarification or seek a second opinion from a different return preparer. For additional guidance, see the IRS fact sheet on its website at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/fs-08-10.pdf.
“Return preparer fraud is like a contagious disease; it affects not only the preparer, but the individuals who have filed false information with the Internal Revenue Service.” said Special Agent in Charge Dorsey with the Atlanta Field Office. “It is our hope that this sentence sends the strong message that tampering with the integrity of our nation's tax system will result in jail time.”
This case was investigated by the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan A. Kirkpatrick and Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case.
Mexican Mafia narcotics supplier and local gang member sent to prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 28-year-old man has been ordered to prison following his conviction of possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Manuel Moya pleaded guilty July 27.
Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Moya to serve 300 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On April 22, authorities executed a search warrant at Moya’s residence, at which time they discovered approximately 11.2 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of meth, three kilograms of marijuana and over $120,000. They also found other controlled substances such as psilocybin mushrooms, crack cocaine, synthetic cannabinoid, THC oil/wax and MDMA. He was the only one present at the location.
The value of the cocaine and meth retrieved exceeded $774,000 and $72,000, respectively.
Law enforcement also found a Century Arms Inc. pistol, Ruger rifle, two Taurus pistols, three Glock pistols, a JTS Group shotgun, body armor, high-capacity magazines and several rounds of ammunition. Two of the firearms contained chambered rounds. Moya took responsibility of the weapons and ammunition.
In addition, they discovered several ledgers that documented Moya’s controlled substance distribution activities and a notebook with instructions on how to make drugs. Other supplies were found in the search including glassware with residue of controlled substances, bags, equipment for vacuum sealing, weight scales, small sandwich bags, money counters and razor blades.
The investigation revealed Moya was a local gang member and a drug supplier to the Mexican Mafia. He distributed narcotics on both an individual and large-scale basis.
Moya has been previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cocaine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.
He has been will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations and Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.
Meridian Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of a Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Meridian man was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to court documents, on February 3, 2020, Eric Wayne Washington, 50, was found to be in possession of a firearm during the execution of a search warrant at his residence. Washington was found in the residence and taken into custody. After Washington identified which bedroom belonged to him, the officers continued their search. A 9mm pistol was found in the bedroom along with methamphetamine. Washington has multiple prior felony convictions. As a convicted felon, it is contrary to federal law for Washington to possess any firearms or ammunition.
The Meridian Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Mason County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Rowdy Lee Randolph, 39, of Leon, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 4, 2020, law enforcement officers searched Randolph’s property in Leon and seized six marijuana plants from his yard and approximately 1.5 pounds of marijuana from his residence. Randolph admitted to growing marijuana on his property and selling it for money.
Randolph is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-150.
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Maryland man sentenced for role in drug trafficking and firearms conspiracyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Marcus Purnell, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, was sentenced today to 15 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Purnell, also known as “Mo,” 35, pleaded guilty in May 2022 to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Purnell admitted to using a phone to help distribute Eutylone, also known as “Boot,” in November 2020 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Harpers Ferry Police Department; and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. investigated. The EPDTF consists of the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Ranson Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Martinsburg Police Department.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Marion Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A former volunteer Linn County reserve deputy sheriff pled guilty today in federal court to receiving child pornography.
Gordon Grabau, age 51, from Marion, Iowa, was convicted of one count of receiving child pornography.
In a plea agreement, Grabau admitted that, between December 2014 and June 2021, he knowingly received and attempted to receive visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Grabau further admitted that, on July 1, 2021, law enforcement officers searched his home in Marion. Officers seized numerous digital storage devices, such as hard drives and thumb drives, from the home. Those devices were examined, and officers discovered Grabau had over 160,000 files containing child pornography spread over five devices. Grabau admitted that those files included material involving children under the age of 12, including children as young as infants and toddlers. The material also included images portraying both sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Evidence at a prior hearing showed that Grabau had served as a volunteer reserve deputy sheriff in Linn County since 2000. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office suspended him and Grabau later resigned his position on July 17, 2021.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Grabau remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Grabau faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and the following maximum penalties: (1) not more than 20 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole; (2) a fine of not more than $250,000; (3) a mandatory special assessment of $100; and (4) a term of supervised release of at least 5 years to life.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Marion Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-CR-53.
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Marion County Man Who Pretended to Be A Federal Agent Convicted of Producing and Receiving Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Eddie Joe Oglesby, Jr. (52, Fort McCoy) guilty of two counts of production of child sex abuse material and one count of receipt of child sex abuse material. Oglesby faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years in federal prison on each of the two production counts. He faces a minimum mandatory of 5 years, up to 20 years, on the receipt count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 16, 2023, before Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II. A superseding indictment was returned against Oglesby on September 13, 2022.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Oglesby created an elaborate false identity that he used to impersonate a federal agent. He used this false identity to coerce underaged female victims to produce and send him sexually explicit images over the internet. Posing as the false agent, Oglesby threatened to have the victims arrested, imprisoned, institutionalized, or killed if they did not comply with his demands.
When the FBI searched Oglesby’s home on September 27, 2021, they found him with an underaged female runaway. A search of Oglesby’s cellphone showed him logged into multiple social media applications under both his real and false identity. Agents ultimately found 473 pages of electronic communications between Oglesby and one of his victims on that cellphone.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Weatherford (Texas) Police Department, and the Cobb County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William S. Hamilton and Hannah J. Nowalk.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Man from Mescalero sentenced to two years in prison for domestic violenceRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Lance Marion Cojo was sentenced on Oct. 11 to two years in prison. Cojo, 36, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, pleaded guilty on April 26 to one count of assault of an intimate or dating partner resulting in substantial bodily injury and one count of assault of an intimate or dating partner by strangling.
On Dec. 31, 2021, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, in Otero County, New Mexico, Cojo assaulted a victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe. Over the course of two days, the victim was severely beaten by Cojo. Cojo’s assault resulted in serious injuries to Jane Doe, who is also a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Jane Doe was taken to a medical center for her injuries where she was treated for a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and bruising to both eyes, face, neck and ribs.
Upon his release from prison, Cojo will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Matilda McCarthy Villalobos prosecuted the case.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or who knows someone experiencing domestic violence can reach an advocate at the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
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Man Who Received Depictions of Child Sexual Abuse Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who possessed depictions of child sexual abuse was sentenced today to six years in federal prison.
Mychal Olson, age 32, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 22, 2022 guilty plea to receipt of child pornography.
At the guilty plea, Olson admitted that between May 2019 and December 2020 he knowingly received depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on his cell phone.
Olson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Olson was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment and fined $100. He was ordered to make restitution. He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term and will be required to register on the sex offender registry. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Olson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Waterloo Police Department with assistance from the South Australian Police.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-cr-2075.
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Man Previously Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in State Court Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
A man who was previously convicted of second-degree murder in state court and who violently assaulted another inmate in the Linn County jail was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.
Johnny Blahnik Church, f/k/a Drew Blahnik, age 35, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 6, 2022 guilty plea to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
At the plea hearing, Church admitted that, in February 2019, he possessed a Glock .40 caliber handgun and multiple rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Church also admitted that at the time he possessed this gun and ammunition, he was prohibited from doing so because he was a knowing user of both cocaine and methamphetamine.
In July 2021, Church, then known as Drew Blahnik, was convicted after a trial in the Iowa District Court for Linn County of second-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and abuse of a corpse related to the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. In December 2021, Church was sentenced to 57 years in Iowa state prison as a result of these convictions.
Evidence at sentencing showed that, in May 2022, while confined in the Linn County Jail awaiting trial on his federal gun charge, Church, along with another inmate, assaulted a third inmate. The assault, which lasted for several minutes, included Church and the other inmate assaulting the victim by punching him, kicking him, and hitting him with a metal tray, causing multiple serious injuries. Church has been charged with assault causing serious injury and tampering with a witness in the Iowa District Court for Linn County. As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Church was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Church was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 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
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-30.
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Louisiana Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Making and Subscribing a False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND - Jamika Raymond, 38, of Slidell, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to one count of making and subscribing a false tax return.
According to court documents, Raymond was a tax preparer and operated a tax preparation business where she prepared tax returns on behalf of others. Court documents state that in February 2016, Raymond knowingly underreported business income earned for the calendar year 2015 on her tax return. Court documents also state that Raymond’s actual income was substantially more than what was reported on her individual tax return.
Raymond is scheduled to be sentenced on February 7, 2023 and faces a maximum possible sentence of three years in prison.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigations (CI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Robert J. Patton.
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Local Paving Company Owner Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a local paving company was sentenced today for tax evasion in connection with a seven-year scheme to underreport income on his tax returns.
Robert Brainard, 52, of Weymouth, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release. Brainard was also ordered to pay $784,799 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for unpaid income and employment taxes. On July 25, 2022, Brainard pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.
Brainard, the former owner of Got Pavement Needs, Inc., underreported income on his personal tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2021, resulting in an income tax loss of more than $593,993. In addition, to hide his control of the business, Brainard transferred ownership of his company in a straw sale, while maintaining control over the company’s operations and income. Brainard used his illicit tax savings to fund an off-the-books, cash payroll, for which he also did not pay employment taxes.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Lebanon Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Lebanon, Mo., man who crashed his vehicle and resisted arrest was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy in Newton and Greene counties.
Douglas S. Ward, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
On March 3, 2022, Ward pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Co-defendants William D. Johnson, 47, address unknown, and Joshua T. Davenport, 41, of Miami, Oklahoma, have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
Ward admitted that he received methamphetamine and distributed it to others during the conspiracy, which lasted from May 20 to Sept. 28, 2019. Johnson obtained large amounts of methamphetamine from a source in California and distributed it to others, including Davenport.
Ward was arrested after he crashed the car he was driving on June 18, 2019. A Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department transport officer was traveling eastbound on Missouri 96 near Route UU in Lawrence County, Mo., when Ward’s vehicle passed him, forcing another vehicle in the opposite lane off the roadway. As the officer attempted to catch up to him, Ward turned right onto County Road 1085 but missed the intersection. Ward’s vehicle traveled off the roadway and overturned.
Ward punched out the driver’s side window and crawled out of the vehicle. A man and a woman crawled out from the passenger’s side, and the officer ordered all three of them to stay down. Ward, however, reached into his pocket and pulled out a large plastic bag that contained 88.01 grams of methamphetamine, which he threw on the ground, then took off running.
The officer caught up to Ward but Ward resisted arrest. Ward was able to get away when the woman from his vehicle came up behind the officer and grabbed him. A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper who came to assist the officer eventually apprehended Ward, who was hiding in the grass.
According to court documents, Ward told officers in June 2019 that he had been getting one pound of methamphetamine per day from his source since getting out of prison in December 2018. He also admitted that, for four weeks prior to his arrest, he had obtained two pounds of methamphetamine per week for $4,000 per pound.
Ward has a prior state felony conviction for drug trafficking. Ward also has a prior conviction for domestic violence for an incident in which he picked up his girlfriend, slammed her on the floor, picked her up again, and threw her on the couch. When the victim’s 2-year-old daughter came into the room, he yelled at the child. The victim told him not to yell at her daughter, at which point he grabbed the victim from behind and began to choke her and hit her in the face. Ward has another assault conviction for an incident that occurred while he was incarcerated and attacked another inmate.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Apache County, Arizona, Sheriff’s Department, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FBI.
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.
Lame Deer woman admits strangling victimRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer woman on Oct. 14 admitted to strangling another woman in 2021 on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Shaydel Alissa Spang, 25, pleaded guilty to strangulation. Spang faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Feb. 15, 2023. Spang was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Spang and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, had lived together. On Oct. 22, 2021, Doe was driving in Lame Deer, saw Spang walking and offered to give Spang a ride. Spang got in the car, but when Spang asked to be taken to a certain location, Doe refused. Spang began assaulting Doe and strangled her. Spang eventually let go. Doe drove them to the police station because she wanted to get a restraining order against Spang. Spang told a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer that Doe needed to learn to respect and listen to her.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jamie Edward Smith, 35, of Montgomery, pleaded guilty today to distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 22, 2022, Smith sold approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on Third Avenue in Montgomery for $350. Smith admitted to selling additional quantities of methamphetamine totaling approximately 51 grams to the confidential informant in Montgomery on two other occasions in February 2022. Smith further admitted to possessing a pistol and showing it to the confidential informant during one of the transactions.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on January 18, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and up to a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-195.
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Justice Department Resolves Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against Mississippi Property Owners and Rental AgentRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that SSM Properties LLC, and Steven and Sheila Maulding, the owners of several apartment complexes in Pearl, Mississippi, and their former rental agent, James Roe, have agreed to pay $123,000 to resolve a racial discrimination lawsuit. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi ruled in August that the defendants had violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against Black prospective residents.
“Housing discrimination has no place in our society and a person’s race should never determine where that person can live,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously pursue and hold accountable those who would deny equal housing opportunities because of the color of one’s skin.”
“We will not tolerate discrimination in housing,” said U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi. “Those who choose to deny equal housing opportunities will be held to atone for their conduct.”
“Prospective residents should not be subjected to housing discrimination on the basis of race. It is clear that fair housing testing remains an important tool in identifying those who violate the Fair Housing Act,” said Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD applauds today’s action and remains committed to working with the Justice Department to vigorously enforce our nation’s fair housing laws.”
The case began when the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center conducted fair-housing testing at the properties. Testing is a simulation of a housing transaction that compares responses given by housing providers to different types of home-seekers to determine whether or not illegal discrimination is occurring. Based on the results of these tests, which showed that Roe treated Black and white testers differently and made discriminatory statements to the Black testers, the center filed a complaint with HUD. HUD conducted an investigation and determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that discrimination occurred, and referred the matter to the department, which filed this lawsuit. The testers subsequently intervened in the lawsuit as plaintiffs. The court found that Roe’s conduct violated the Fair Housing Act and held the owners legally responsible because Roe was acting as their agent.
Under the terms of the consent decree, which must still be approved by the court, the owner-defendants will pay $110,000 in monetary damages and attorneys’ fees to four Black testers and all the defendants will pay civil penalties to the federal government to vindicate the public interest. The consent decree also prohibits Roe from working at any residential rental properties and requires the owner-defendants to hire an independent leasing manager, implement nondiscriminatory standards and procedures, undergo fair housing training and provide periodic reports to the department.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the civil rights laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals may report housing discrimination by calling the Justice Department at 1-833-591-0291, emailing [email protected], or submitting a report online. Individuals also may report discrimination by contacting HUD at 1-800-669-9777, or by filing a complaint online.
Jury convicts North Carolina man of methamphetamine traffickingRead the Press Release
ATLANTA. – Rodney Dwayne Brendle has been convicted by a jury on two methamphetamine trafficking charges. Just after his initial trial date was set in 2021, Brendle removed his geolocation ankle monitor and became a fugitive from justice. He was later arrested in Oregon.
“Brendle and his co-defendants traveled several hours from North Carolina to Lilburn, Georgia, to purchase a large amount of methamphetamine,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “His conviction following a jury trial serves as a reminder to those residing inside and outside of our district that prosecutions of narcotics traffickers remain a priority for this office and for our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
“The cocktail of deadly chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine is a recipe for disaster,” said Robert J. Murphy Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “‘Meth’ not only is volatile and toxic, but it destroys families, communities, and lives. Because of the collective effort between DEA and its law enforcement counterparts, the prosecution of this case and the subsequent guilty verdict were made possible.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented at trial: On June 14, 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and other law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of an apartment complex associated with Alexis Figueroa, a narcotics trafficker in Doraville, Georgia. The investigators saw Figueroa complete multiple narcotics transactions that day.
The investigators continued to surveil Figueroa as he drove from the apartment complex to a store in Lilburn. The investigators watched as Figueroa arrived in the store’s parking lot and picked up Rodney Dwayne Brendle’s co-defendant, James Cantley. Cantley entered Figueroa’s vehicle and obtained approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine from Figueroa for $10,000. Brendle and a second co-defendant, Adam Henderson, watched from the front of the store as the transaction occurred. The evidence presented at trial revealed that Brendle, Cantley, and Henderson drove from North Carolina to Georgia to purchase the drugs. Georgia State Patrol officers, working in conjunction with DEA, arrested Brendle, Cantley, and Henderson after the three men departed the parking lot of the store in Brendle’s vehicle.
Brendle was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 27, 2019, on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was already on probation at that time as result of a state court felony guilty plea for possession of methamphetamine in North Carolina.
In addition, while on pretrial supervision awaiting the start of his trial, Brendle removed a geolocation ankle monitor and became a fugitive from justice. He was later arrested in Oregon and returned to the Northern District of Georgia to stand trial. Following a five-day trial, but after deliberating under only two hours, a jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts of the indictment on October 12, 2022. Brendle’s sentencing hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg in January 2023.
The charges against the co-defendants have also been resolved as follows:
- James Kristoffer Cantley, 40, of Newton, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and was sentenced to 10 years, one month in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Adam Shane Henderson, 47, of Hickory, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and is awaiting sentencing; and
- Alexis Figueroa-Lozano, 23, of Doraville, Georgia, pleaded guilty to trafficking in illegal drugs, and was sentenced to 15 years of confinement in Georgia state court.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miguel R. Acosta and Sandy Strippoli are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Intertech Trading Corp. Sentenced to Pay $140,000 on 14 Felony Counts of Failure to File Export Information on Shipments of Lab Equipment to Russia and UkraineRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Intertech Trading Corporation, an Atkinson, New Hampshire-based laboratory equipment distributor, was sentenced today in federal court after pleading guilty to 14 felony counts of failure to file export information on shipments to Russia and Ukraine, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced. Judge Paul Barbadoro ordered that Intertech pay the maximum allowable fine of $10,000 per count, for a total of $140,000, and be subject to a two-year term of corporate probation and monitoring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2015 and 2019, Intertech exported laboratory equipment to Russia, Ukraine, and elsewhere, falsely describing the nature and value of the exported items on commercial invoices and shipping forms. In its plea agreement, Intertech admitted that it used false, innocuous descriptions such as “lamp for aquarium” or “spares for welding system,” rather than accurately identifying the sophisticated scientific equipment actually contained in the shipments. Intertech admitted that it drastically undervalued the shipments, thereby evading the requirement to file Electronic Export Information, which would have been reported to the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security.
“Evasion of export control requirements is a serious felony and undermines the government’s ability to ensure that sensitive equipment does not end up in the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “Our office works closely with our law enforcement partners to detect, deter, and punish companies and individuals that violate export control laws.”
“Through lies and deceit, Intertech Trading Corporation evaded U.S. export laws to illegally send sophisticated scientific equipment to Russia and Ukraine, jeopardizing our national security,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case demonstrates how the FBI and our law enforcement partners will use all the resources at our disposal to ensure that sensitive technology doesn’t end up in the wrong hands, and those who try and circumvent U.S. law will be held accountable.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad Hodes and Trial Attorney David Lim of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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Inmate sentenced for bribery chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jarrail Lamont Smith, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institution Hazelton, was sentenced today to an additional 57 months of incarceration for a bribery charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Smith, 30, pleaded guilty in May 2022 to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Bribery of Public Officials” and one count of “Bribery of Public Official.” Smith conspired with a correctional officer to smuggle in tobacco products on multiple occasions. In exchange for the tobacco products, Smith used a third party to send cash to the correctional officer via CashApp.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/former-corrections-officer-admits-bribery-charges
Harrisburg Men Charged with Failing to Pay Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Huong Van Thai, age 60, and Tim Duong, age 51, both of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were indicted on October 5, 2022, by a federal grand jury for conspiring to defraud the United States by failing to withhold and pay employment taxes, as well as other related offenses. The case was unsealed following the arrest of Thai and Duong.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Thai and Duong owned BCS, Inc., a company located in Harrisburg that provided temporary workers to other businesses. The indictment further alleges that Thai and Duong avoided their responsibility to withhold and pay employment taxes by often paying employees in cash and submitting false forms to the Internal Revenue Service.
The case was investigated by the internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Greene County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Meth Trafficking, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Greene County, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing methamphetamine to distribute and illegally possessing five firearms along with several high-capacity magazines.
James Dixon, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
On March 9, 2022, Dixon pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Dixon’s residence on Jan. 21, 2021, after receiving information that he was distributing up to one-quarter pound of methamphetamine per week. Officers found a Diamondback 5.56-calbier semi-automatic rifle with a high-capacity magazine, a Remington 12-gaue shotgun, a JTS 12-gauge shotgun, shotgun shells of various gauges, and an Eksen Arms 12-gaug shotgun with a loaded high-capacity drum magazine. Inside the detached garage, officers found three plastic baggies that contained a total of 106.95 grams of methamphetamine, a Remington 20-gauge shotgun, a 500-count box of 5.56-caliber ammunition, an empty 100-round high-capacity magazine for an AR-15 rifle, and drug paraphernalia.
Dixon admitted to purchasing four ounces of methamphetamine at a time for $2,000. Dixon also admitted to selling methamphetamine. Officers searched Dixon and found approximately $1,000 in cash in his wallet.
According to court documents, Dixon has five prior felony convictions for drug trafficking and three prior felony convictions for drug possession.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Georgia woman charged with defrauding FEMA in connection with $156 million Hurricane Maria contractRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Tiffany Brown has been indicted for allegedly defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) in connection with a nearly $156 million contract she was awarded that required Brown to provide 30 million self-heating meals to the residents of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017.
“It is unconscionable that Brown would exploit the disaster that Hurricane Maria wrought on Puerto Rico,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The residents of Puerto Rico—fellow Americans—were depending on and expecting the very best from its federal government, and from one another, during this unprecedented disaster. Our office will not hesitate to prosecute those who attempt to defraud the government during times of great need.”
“The DHS Office of Inspector General extends appreciation to the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their continued collaboration. This indictment sends a clear message that the theft of federal disaster funds will not be tolerated,” said Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Fraudsters looking to profit off of individuals who are already suffering from the impact of a natural disaster is an appalling and inexcusable crime,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue any person who seeks to line their pockets by defrauding the government during times of tragedy.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Puerto Rico. As a result, officials issued a major disaster declaration, and—shortly thereafter on September 25 and 26, 2017—FEMA issued a solicitation seeking vendors to provide 40,000,000 self-heating meals per week to the island. FEMA made clear that it required meals that were actually self-heating, and that meals requiring a microwave or heating by some external source—such as boiling water—were unacceptable.
On September 28, 2017, Brown submitted a proposal to FEMA falsely representing that her Georgia-based company, Tribute Contracting LLC (“Tribute”), could provide the necessary self-heating meals. In doing so, Brown allegedly misrepresented that Tribute and she:
- Could deliver 10 million meals per day utilizing 210 trucks;
- Prepositioned its inventory and would have more than 300,000 meals in its possession before an emergency response;
- Were equipped with the “vehicles, staff, and know-how to meet. . delivery needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”; and
- Partnered with a major logistics agency to meet FEMA’s delivery requirements.
Brown allegedly not only lacked any of these capabilities but had plagiarized significant portions of her proposal. On October 1, 2017, Brown followed-up with FEMA about her proposal and allegedly represented falsely that she had firm confirmation from her “core suppliers for 30 million self-heating meals in 30 days” and that she could begin delivering one million self-heating meals a day beginning on October 7, 2017. In reality, Brown had neither secured any suppliers to provide the self-heating meals nor arranged with any shippers or logistics agencies to deliver these meals.
On October 3, 2017, FEMA awarded Tribute and Brown a $155,982,000 contract that required Brown to deliver 30,000,000 self-heating meals between October 7, 2017 and October 23, 2017, beginning with a delivery of one million meals on October 7. Brown had still not secured a supplier for any self-heating meals when she was awarded the FEMA contract. Nevertheless, between October 7 and 9, Brown allegedly continued to falsely misrepresent the status of her suppliers and timing of deliveries. On October 11, 2017, Brown submitted to FEMA a voucher and supporting documentation (i.e., bills of lading) requesting a payment of $255,000 based on false representations that she had delivered 50,000 self-heating meals.
Although Brown had procured 50,000 meals from a small Georgia vendor, these meals were not self-heating, and Brown in fact never delivered any self-heating meals as required under the FEMA contract. Indeed, after submitting the fraudulent voucher, Brown allegedly was still trying to secure a vendor who could supply the millions of self-heating meals that the FEMA contract required.
On October 19, 2017, Brown continued to claim to FEMA that she would supply the required meals. That same day, FEMA terminated its contract with Brown and Tribute. Even after the contract was terminated, Brown allegedly made false representations to FEMA in an effort to secure additional payments from FEMA for costs that Brown had purportedly incurred while trying to fulfill the contract.
Tiffany Brown, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Regina D. Cannon, charged with 11 counts of major disaster fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government money, and three counts of money laundering. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 27, 2022.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with substantial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Chief Counsel.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Jessica Morris are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Former San Diego Resident Sentenced to 20 Years for Funding ISIS Terrorist Activities in SyriaRead the Press Release
A Canadian national and former resident of San Diego, California, was sentenced in federal court today to 20 years in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release, for conspiring with others to provide material support to terrorists engaged in violent activities such as murder, kidnapping and maiming of persons in Syria.
According to court documents, Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi, 37, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada provided both money and personnel to support the violent jihadist activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization. From November 2013 through March 2014, Abdullahi encouraged, aided and financially assisted six North American nationals in traveling to Syria, where they joined ISIS and engaged in armed battles to gain control of the territories and civilian populations within Syria. These six individuals included his three cousins from Edmonton, Canada, an 18-year-old cousin from Minneapolis, as well as San Diego resident Douglas McAuthur McCain.
On Sept. 15, 2017, pursuant to an extradition request by the United States, Canadian authorities arrested Abdullahi. Abdullahi was detained in Canadian custody without bail, pending extradition. On Oct. 24, 2019, Canada extradited Abdullahi to San Diego to face the material support charges in the indictment. Abdullahi pleaded guilty to all charges on Dec. 17, 2021.
Abdullah admitted that following the departure of those foreign fighters, he also caused money to be wired to third-party ISIS intermediaries in Gaziantep, Turkey, located approximately 40 miles from the Syrian border, for the purpose of continuing to support his coconspirators in violent jihadist activities on the battlefield. All six individuals were subsequently reportedly killed fighting for ISIS.
Abdullahi also admitted that to finance the travel of others to Syria, members of the conspiracy encouraged Abdullahi and others to steal and commit fraud against the “kuffar,” a pejorative term used to describe non-Muslims, claiming that such criminal activity was permissible under Islamic law. Abdullahi admitted that in order to raise funds to support the violent terrorist activities in Syria, he personally committed a violent crime – the Jan. 9, 2014, armed robbery of an Edmonton, Canada, jewelry store. Within weeks after committing that robbery, Abdullahi wired monies to San Diego, totaling approximately $3,100, for the purpose of financing the travel of Douglas and the 18-year old Minneapolis cousin’s travel to Syria to join and fight for ISIS.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California, Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI San Diego Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI, San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Air Marshal Service, the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations investigated the case. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Canadian law enforcement partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Edmonton Police Services; the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service; the Public Prosecution Service of Canada; and the Canada Crown Prosecutor’s Office, were instrumental in the United States’ efforts to prosecute Abdullahi and combat international terrorism.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Harrigan and Fred Sheppard for the Southern District of California prosecuted the case with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Former San Diego Resident Sentenced for Funding ISIS Terrorist Activities in SyriaRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Shane Harrigan (619) 546-6981 and Fred Sheppard (619) 546-8237
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 17, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi, a Canadian national and former resident of San Diego, was sentenced in federal court today to 20 years in prison for conspiring with others to provide material support to terrorists engaged in violent activities such as murder, kidnapping and maiming of persons in Syria.
“Today we have delivered justice to a man who directly funded violent acts of terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Our most important job is protecting Americans from terrorists. The case against Abdullahi has done just that.”
“Protecting the American people from terrorism—both international and domestic—remains the FBI’s number one priority,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “Abdullahi committed violent, unlawful acts to obtain money, then used that money to support the murder, torture, and extreme violence that ISIS represents. The FBI will continue to investigate all who support terrorist organizations, whether it be financially or through other means.”
According to the government’s sentencing memorandum and Abdullahi’s plea agreement, Abdullahi provided both money and personnel to support the violent jihadist activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization. From November 2013 through March 2014, Abdullahi encouraged, aided and financially assisted six North American nationals in traveling to Syria where they joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and engaged in armed battles to gain control of the territories and civilian populations within Syria. These six individuals included his three cousins from Edmonton, Canada, an 18-year-old cousin from Minneapolis, as well as San Diego resident Douglas McAuthur McCain.
On September 15, 2017, pursuant to an extradition request by the United States, Canadian authorities arrested Abdullahi. Abdullahi was detained in Canadian custody without bail, pending extradition. On October 24, 2019, Canada extradited Abdullahi to San Diego to face the material support charges in the indictment and pleaded guilty to all charges on December 17, 2021.
Abdullah admitted that following the departure of those foreign fighters, he also caused money to be wired to third-party ISIS intermediaries in Gaziantep, Turkey (located approximately 40 miles from the Syrian border) for the purpose of continuing to support his coconspirators in violent jihadist activities on the battlefield. All six individuals were subsequently reportedly killed fighting for ISIS.
Abdullahi also admitted that in order to finance the travel of others to Syria, members of the conspiracy encouraged Abdullahi and others to steal and commit fraud against the “kuffar” (a pejorative term used to describe non-Muslims), claiming that such criminal activity was permissible under Islamic law. Abdullahi admitted that in order to raise funds to support the violent terrorist activities in Syria, he personally committed a violent crime – the January 9, 2014, armed robbery of an Edmonton, Canada, jewelry store. Within weeks after committing that robbery, Abdullahi wired monies to San Diego, totaling approximately $3,100, for the purpose of financing the travel of Douglas and the 18-year old Minneapolis cousin’s travel to Syria to join and fight for ISIS.
Douglas, a former San Diego resident, is the first known American to die fighting for ISIS. He departed from San Diego in March 2014, and on or about August 25, 2014, he was reportedly killed fighting for ISIS against Free Syrian Army forces. Douglas’ brother, Marchello McCain, was previously convicted in San Diego federal court and sentenced to 10 years in custody for illegal possession of a cache of firearms and providing false statements to FBI agents regarding his knowledge of the conspiracy, including the involvement of Abdullahi.
During the course of the conspiracy, Abdullahi and his coconspirators created and used email accounts so that foreign fighters, facilitators and recruits could communicate and avoid law enforcement detection. Abdullahi and his coconspirators used these draft emails to recruit others to travel to Syria and join ISIS, coordinate their travel from North America to Syria, communicate regarding the financial and other resource needs of the ISIS foreign fighters, and relay information regarding ISIS’ armed efforts to establish a Caliphate in Syria.
Grossman thanked the prosecution team as well as FBI San Diego and the federal, state and local law enforcement partners at the San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force for their hard work and dedication to the multi-year, complex investigation that led to today’s sentencing. Grossman also expressed gratitude for the assistance of the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Canadian law enforcement partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Edmonton Police Services; the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service; the Public Prosecution Service of Canada; and the Canada Crown Prosecutor’s Office, all of whom have been instrumental in the United States’ efforts to prosecute Abdullahi and combat international terrorism.
DEFENDANT Criminal Case No. 17CR0622-W
Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi Age 37 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 2339A(a)
Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and $250,000 fine (per count)
Providing Material Support to Terrorists – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 2339A(a)
Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Air Marshal Service
Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations
Former Law Firm Partner Convicted of Cyberstalking Multiple VictimsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction in federal court of WILLIE DENNIS for cyberstalking three victims, all his former colleagues at a global law firm (the “Law Firm”). The jury convicted DENNIS today following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Willie Dennis, a former law firm partner in Manhattan, has been convicted of waging a relentless cyberstalking campaign against his own former colleagues. By texts, emails, and other threatening communications — sometimes hundreds per day — Dennis terrified his former colleagues to the point they had serious concerns for their own safety. Today, a unanimous jury has made sure that Dennis is accountable for his years-long harassment of his former law partners.”
According to the Indictment, documents previously filed in the case, and the evidence introduced at trial:
WILLIE DENNIS, a former partner at the Law Firm, engaged in a years-long campaign of harassment, intimidation, and threats against multiple individuals, including the three victims in this case, all partners at the Law Firm. As part of that campaign, DENNIS sent the victims thousands of harassing, threatening, and intimidating emails and text messages, back-to-back, at all hours of the day and night. DENNIS targeted the victims, their families, and threatened their physical safety. He demeaned them, called them racist names, and warned them that they would become “biblical symbols.” In his threats, he told one victim to “sleep with one eye open.”
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DENNIS, 60, of New York, New York, was convicted of three counts of cyberstalking. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner, Stephanie Simon, and Kimberly Ravener are in charge of the prosecution.
Former California Correctional Officer Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison for Civil Rights Violations Regarding Assaults on Inmates and Cover up Inside CSP SacramentoRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Arturo Pacheco, 40, of Elk Grove, was sentenced today to 12 years and seven months in prison for criminal civil rights violations for the on‑duty assault of two inmates entrusted to his care and for submitting false reports about those incidents in an attempt to cover them up, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
“When correctional officers deprive inmates of their civil rights and abuse their position of authority, they must be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Today’s sentence sends the message that those who violate the public’s trust by harming inmates ‘under the color of law’ or by covering up wrongdoing are not above the law.”
According to court documents, Pacheco was a correctional officer at California State Prison, Sacramento (CSP-Sacramento). On Sept. 15, 2016, while escorting an inmate, Pacheco grabbed the inmate’s legs and pulled them out from under him. The inmate, whose hands were handcuffed behind his back, fell forward onto the concrete floor, breaking his jaw and several teeth, and suffering other injuries. That inmate was transported to UC Davis Medical Center where he received treatment for his injuries. Approximately two days later, the inmate suffered a pulmonary embolism and died. While the inmate was receiving treatment, Pacheco, a sergeant, and other correctional officers began falsifying reports to cover up the incident.
Following the death of the inmate, investigators uncovered a second incident involving Pacheco. In that incident, on May 19, 2016, Pacheco had, unprovoked, discharged a canister of pepper spray at short range into the eyes of an inmate who was inside a cell. Pacheco falsified his report in that case to make it appear as though his actions were justified in order to save the life of the inmate. In reality, the inmate was fully complying with commands, and any use of force at that time was unlawful.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the cooperation of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Internal Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Anderson and Rosanne L. Rust prosecuted the case.
Fellow former California State Prison, Sacramento correctional officer, Ashley M. Aurich, charged separately, pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12, 2022.
Florida Man Sentenced to More than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking NarcoticsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PEDRO LUIS RIVERA-RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Cano,” 39, of Deltona, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received information that Rivera-Rodriguez, who formerly resided in New Haven, was trafficking large quantities of cocaine. In November 2019, an individual working with investigators negotiated with Rivera-Rodriguez to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from a supplier in Puerto Rico for $22,500. Rivera-Rodriguez also indicated that he was prepared to sell a kilogram of pure fentanyl and more than 30,000 Percocet pills, and he shipped a sample of fentanyl to Connecticut as part of an expected transaction.
Rivera-Rodriguez was arrested on February 18, 2020. On September 10, 2021, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Rivera-Rodriguez, who was released on bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of the sentencing proceeding.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.
Florida Man Sentenced to 405 Months’ Imprisonment for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 14, 2022, John Golom, age 57, of Florida, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced to 33 years and 9 months in prison for his involvement in a sex trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Golom had previously pleaded guilty to trafficking two women as prostitutes through force, threat, and coercion from 2014 through 2018. Golom recruited women to engage in commercial sex acts, advertised them on websites to attract customers and transported them between Florida and Pennsylvania to conduct his prostitution business. Golom kept all proceeds of the business and used physical violence, threats, and false promises to keep the women working. At sentencing, the Court found that Golom had preyed upon his victims despite knowing that at least one of them was particularly vulnerable because of severe mental illnesses and homelessness. The Court further found that Golom had attempted to obstruct justice by making false statements to the FBI and trying to tamper with his victims’ testimony.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is grateful to the victims in this case for making the truth known,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “The women who bravely came forward to hold this trafficker accountable made this successful prosecution possible. They are survivors, who, despite the horrific trauma they suffered at Golom’s hands for years, made it possible for justice to be done here. I am sure that they have spared other potential victims from the same horrors.”
In accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Court ordered Golom to pay over $300,000 in restitution. After serving his sentence of incarceration, Golom will be subject to a ten-year term of supervised release and must comply with sex offender registration requirements as applicable under federal, state, or local law.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Monroe County Detectives Office, Stroud Regional Police Department, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.
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Five Individuals Charged in Federal Probe into Thefts of Postal Keys and MailRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Five individuals in the Chicago area have been charged with unlawfully possessing U.S. Postal Service keys or stealing from the mail. The indictments were brought as part of “Operation Broken Arrow,” an ongoing federal investigation into the thefts of postal keys and mail.
Indictments recently unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago allege that the defendants unlawfully possessed the keys or stole from the mail in Chicago this year and last year. Charged with unlawfully possessing a U.S. Postal Service key are SAVANNAH S. SHANDOR, 29, of Chicago, JOSEPH T. SOLOMON, 37, of Norridge, Ill., THADDEUS J. HARPER, 42, of Chicago, SHAUN A. WHITE, 25, of Chicago, and JORDAN J. MCPHEARSON, 31, of Chicago. Shandor, Solomon, and Harper are also charged with stealing pieces of mail.
The indictments and arrests were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kai Pickens, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided the Central Area Field Office of the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Madriñan.
“It is illegal under federal law to possess a stolen or reproduced key suited to a U.S. Postal Service lock,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “We will continue to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone who unlawfully possesses such a key or steals from the mail.”
“A critical mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Mail and to protect postal customers,” said USPIS Acting Inspector-in-Charge Pickens. “Strong collaboration with our law enforcement partners led to the successful investigations and arrests of these individuals who compromised the postal system. We will continue to build on these efforts to investigate alleged criminals who damage trust in the U.S. mail.”
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Unlawfully possessing a Postal Service key is punishable by a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison, while theft of mail carries a maximum sentence of five years. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Prohibiting Tampa-Area Clinic from Distributing Opioids and Other Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing any controlled substances, including issuing prescriptions for opioids, the Department of Justice announced.
In a complaint filed on Oct. 11 and unsealed Oct. 14, the United States alleges that the individual defendants, Dr. Vivian Herrero, Christopher Ferguson and Patricia Ferguson, used Phoenix Medical Management Care Centers Inc., a Tarpon Springs, Florida, pain clinic, to unlawfully issue controlled substance prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The complaint alleges that two Phoenix patients died soon after receiving opioid prescriptions issued by Dr. Herrero, and further alleges that drug toxicity played a role in those deaths.
“Medical clinics that facilitate the unlawful use of opioids and other controlled substances cannot continue to operate,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will use all available tools to stop the illegal distribution of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.”
“Medical professionals who abandon their oath to protect patients from harm and violate the law compromise the health and safety of patients and must be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The illegal distribution of opioids continues to cause great harm to people in our communities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put an end to this devastating crisis.”
“As communities across Florida are facing the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, we need to be doing everything we can to prevent prescription opioid misuse,” Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA Miami Field Division. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains steadfast in our mission of working with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who jeopardize the safety and health of our communities.”
The complaint alleges that the Fergusons operate Phoenix Medical, where Dr. Herrero, a licensed pediatrician, writes prescriptions for powerful opioids and other drugs without a legitimate medical basis and despite obvious signs of abuse or diversion. The complaint further alleges that Phoenix operates with unqualified physicians and issues prescriptions to patients with only limited interaction or evaluation. According to the complaint, Christopher Ferguson previously was convicted on state drug trafficking charges, and he currently faces state extortion charges based on alleged conduct at Phoenix.
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted the temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The pending complaint seeks civil penalties as well as a permanent injunction against the defendants.
DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Tampa District Office is conducting the ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay S. Griffin and Kelley Howard-Allen for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Thomas S. Rosso and Scott B. Dahlquist of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case.
The claims made in the complaint are merely allegations that the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Prohibiting Tampa-Area Clinic from Distributing Opioids and Other Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing any controlled substances, including issuing prescriptions for opioids, the Department of Justice announced.
In a complaint filed on Oct. 11 and unsealed Oct. 14, the United States alleges that the individual defendants, Dr. Vivian Herrero, Christopher Ferguson and Patricia Ferguson, used Phoenix Medical Management Care Centers Inc., a Tarpon Springs, Florida, pain clinic, to unlawfully issue controlled substance prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The complaint alleges that two Phoenix patients died soon after receiving opioid prescriptions issued by Dr. Herrero, and further alleges that drug toxicity played a role in those deaths.
“Medical clinics that facilitate the unlawful use of opioids and other controlled substances cannot continue to operate,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will use all available tools to stop the illegal distribution of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.”
“Medical professionals who abandon their oath to protect patients from harm and violate the law compromise the health and safety of patients and must be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The illegal distribution of opioids continues to cause great harm to people in our communities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put an end to this devastating crisis.”
“As communities across Florida are facing the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, we need to be doing everything we can to prevent prescription opioid misuse,” Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA Miami Field Division. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains steadfast in our mission of working with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who jeopardize the safety and health of our communities.”
The complaint alleges that the Fergusons operate Phoenix Medical, where Dr. Herrero, a licensed pediatrician, writes prescriptions for powerful opioids and other drugs without a legitimate medical basis and despite obvious signs of abuse or diversion. The complaint further alleges that Phoenix operates with unqualified physicians and issues prescriptions to patients with only limited interaction or evaluation. According to the complaint, Christopher Ferguson previously was convicted on state drug trafficking charges, and he currently faces state extortion charges based on alleged conduct at Phoenix.
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted the temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The pending complaint seeks civil penalties as well as a permanent injunction against the defendants.
DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Tampa District Office is conducting the ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay S. Griffin and Kelley Howard-Allen for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Thomas S. Rosso and Scott B. Dahlquist of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case.
The claims made in the complaint are merely allegations that the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Father-And-Son Owners of Orange County Car Dealership Sentenced for FraudRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SAAED MOSLEM and his father MEHDI MOSLEM were sentenced today to 96 months in prison and 40 months in prison, respectively, for defrauding their lenders and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The defendants were previously found guilty of multiple offenses following a two-and-a-half-week jury trial in June 2021. U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel imposed the sentence in White Plains federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This father and son duo spent nearly a decade lying about their finances to get millions of dollars in fraudulent loans while hiding their income from the IRS and, in Saaed Moslem’s case, evading his creditors through a fraudulent bankruptcy filing. Today’s sentences send a strong message that perpetrators of fraud will be held accountable and brought to justice for their actions.”
According to statements in the Indictment, evidence presented at trial and sentencing, other public filings, and statements in court:
From 2009 through 2018, MEHDI MOSLEM and SAAED MOSLEM conspired to defraud the United States by concealing profits relating to their car dealership, Exclusive Motor Sports, and other businesses from the IRS. To falsely lower their business income, MEHDI MOSLEM and SAAED MOSLEM, among other things, caused their accountant to prepare partnership tax returns that significantly understated Exclusive Motor Sports’ inventory. The fraudulent business income figures passed through to MEHDI MOSLEM’s and SAAED MOSLEM’s personal tax returns, contributing to a nearly $1 million underpayment in federal and state taxes.
From 2011 through 2019, MEHDI MOSLEM and SAAED MOSLEM also conspired to commit bank fraud by providing falsely inflated net worth statements and fabricated tax returns in connection with loan applications, including for a $1.5 million mortgage on the Exclusive Motor Sports property in Central Valley. SAAED MOSLEM then made numerous false statements to conceal his assets from financial institutions and other creditors when he filed for bankruptcy in 2015. As a result, more than half a million dollars of unsecured debt was fraudulently discharged in the proceedings. In 2019, SAAED MOSLEM committed aggravated identity theft by using a customer’s personal identifying information in connection with a fraudulent car loan application.
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In addition to their prison terms, MEHDI MOSLEM, 73, and SAAED MOSLEM, 39, both of Central Valley, New York, were sentenced to three years of supervised release. MEHDI MOSLEM was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,040,685.58 and a $100,000 fine. SAAED MOSLEM was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $1,927,303.25 and a $200,000 fine.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI and IRS-CI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley, Daniel Loss, and James McMahon are in charge of the prosecution.
Fast food robbery results in prison for Houston manRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 26-year-old man has been sent to federal prison following his role in a series of robberies in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Marco Ruelas pleaded guilty Aug. 9, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ordered Ruelas to serve 234 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard Ruelas apologize to the court and the victims of his robberies and accepted responsibility for his crimes.
On Dec. 10, 2019, law enforcement responded to a robbery at a McDonalds on Westheimer Road in Houston. Witnesses reported that Ruelas rushed into the restaurant and pointed a shotgun at workers and bystanders. He said “I want the money, all the big bills or I will shoot all of y’all.”
Shortly after, he took cash from the registers and fled in a maroon sedan. Witnesses said they heard Ruelas fire shots in the parking lot as he fled.
Ruelas had a tattoo over his right eye which was later used to identify him.
The investigation led to the connection of Ruelas to a previous robbery of a MetroPCS store that occurred Nov. 29, 2019, on Magnum Road in Houston. At that time, Ruelas produced a handgun and told an employee “give me everything and nothing is going to happen to you.” The employee told authorities Ruelas stole money and cell phones before running out of the store. Later, they described the tattoo over his eye.
Ruelas will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Houston Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim McAlister prosecuted the case.
Exeter Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steve Russell announced that Spencer Lile, 42, formerly of Exeter, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Judge John M. Gerrard for receipt of child pornography. Lile was sentenced to 7 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is no parole in the federal system. Liles was additionally ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.
On August 4, 2021, Spencer Lile was arrested on state charges of theft and possession of a controlled substance. A search warrant for the search of Lile’s cellphone related to those offenses was received by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. On August 5, 2021, a download of the cellphone was completed, and child pornography was located on the device. Based on the discovery of apparent child pornography on the phone, a federal search warrant to search the phone for child pornography evidence was received on September 27, 2021. A review of Lile’s cellphone revealed 424 files of child pornography which included 302 of video files.
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.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Ex-Housing Authority Official Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Pamela McDaniel, 68, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to alteration of a postal money order, and admitted she used her position at the Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority (CKHA) to obtain the money order and embezzle more than $28,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, McDaniel had been employed by CKHA since 2006 and was serving as a housing manager in 2018. As a housing manager, McDaniel’s duties included collecting tenant rental payments and forwarding them to the CKHA accounts clerk. On January 10, 2018, McDaniel received a $235 postal money order from a CKHA tenant intended for rental payment. McDaniel admitted to adding her own name to the postal money order to make it appear as though McDaniel was the intended beneficiary of the payment. McDaniel deposited the postal money order into her personal checking account.
McDaniel further admitted that from 2007 to 2018, she used her position as a CKHA housing manager to embezzle $28,523.30. As part of this scheme, McDaniel altered money orders she received from tenants attempting to pay dues that they owed CKHA and deposited the altered money orders into her personal checking account. McDaniel offset some of the money she stole by repaying a portion of the embezzled funds.
McDaniel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 18, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. McDaniel agreed to pay $17,543.92 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Blackwell is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-157.
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Dentist Pleads Guilty and Gets Probation for Refusing to Keep Proper RecordsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Monroeville, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of refusing to make and keep adequate records related to prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Daniel Garner, 50, of the Monroe Heights area, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from July 2011 to August 2015, Garner failed and refused to make, keep, or furnish records required to substantiate the legitimate medical purpose for prescriptions he issued to his dental patients for Schedule II controlled substances, primarily Oxycodone in the form of Percocet. Dr. Garner’s treatment notes often did not contain any reference to the patient’s pain when he prescribed oxycodone, and did not state why a narcotic was needed rather than a non-controlled substance pain reliever.
Immediately after the entry of the guilty plea, Judge Bissoon sentenced Garner to a term of probation of 18 months; a fine of $1,000.00 and a special assessment of $25.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen R. Kaufman and Nicole Vasquez Schmitt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The DEA, the FBI and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Garner.
Deatsville Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years in Prison for the Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that a 34-year-old man from Deatsville, Alabama, Matthew Aaron Windsor, received a 210-month prison sentence for the sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old child. Following his sentence, Windsor will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Windsor’s plea agreement and other court records, this case arose from an April 2020 tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated that obscene images of a minor had been uploaded from an online account. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency began an investigation and that investigation revealed that Windsor was linked to the images. During his plea hearing in July of 2022, Windsor specifically admitted to enticing a five-year old to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of recording and creating images of the exploitation. In his plea agreement, Windsor also admitted to possessing at least 600 illegal images.
This case was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, and the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center in Montgomery and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Cumberland Man Admits to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Cumberland man whose email and IP address were used to access and view child pornography pleaded guilty today in federal court to a charge of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Patrick K. Newton, 27, was found on March 30, 2022, by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to be in possession of child pornography stored on electronic media storage devices belonging to him.
In January 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided HSI with information they obtained from a Canadian-based online messaging and chat service that, on multiple dates, an IP address and email, later determined by law enforcement to belong to Newton, was used on multiple dates to access and view child pornography.
At the time of the court-authorized search of Newton’s residence in March 2022, a preliminary forensic audit of a thumb drive belonging to Newtown was found to contain videos depicting child pornography.
Newton is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2023. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
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Convicted Fugitive Who Escaped Justice for 30 Years Extradited from Singapore to United States to Serve Sentence for Bank Fraud, EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
A man who fled to Taiwan to escape a 33-month prison sentence has been returned to the U.S. after 30 years as a fugitive, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
In February 1992, Jack Hsu, 74, was convicted at trial in Dallas of five counts of bank fraud and five counts of embezzlement from a bank. He was sentenced in April 1992 to 33 months in federal prison, but allowed to remain free on bond pending his prison designation.
On May 21, 1992, Mr. Hsu allegedly failed to report to his designated prison facility in Boron, California, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. U.S. authorities later determined Mr. Hsu allegedly fled to Taiwan.
At the request of the United States, the Singapore Police Force arrested Mr. Hsu on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Following court proceedings in Singapore, Mr. Hsu consented to his extradition, and the Singaporean Minister for Law ordered his surrender on October 11. He was returned to Texas by plane on Friday, October 14, and appeared in court on Monday, October 17.
He will immediately begin serving his 33-month bank fraud and embezzlement sentence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. The extradition from Singapore was secured by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The FBI and the Justice Department expressed appreciation to Singaporean authorities for their cooperation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua D. Detzky is prosecuting the case.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Dartis Cobb (35, St. Petersburg) with one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Cobb faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on August 13, 2022, Cobb knowingly possessed 9mm Luger ammunition. Cobb has previously been convicted of two felonies – robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon – therefore he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
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 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
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.
Colombian National Sentenced to over Eleven Years for Trafficking Narcotics on the High Seas and Endangering the Lives of U.S. Coast Guard MembersRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell has sentenced Billy Rengifo Saaverda (44, Medellin, Colombia) to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 464 kilograms of cocaine and 217 kilograms of marijuana – approximately 1,500 pounds of narcotics. Saaverda had pleaded guilty on June 6, 2022.
According to court documents and information offered in open court, on February 21, 2022, in the middle of the night, Saaverda and his two co-conspirators were trafficking narcotics on the high seas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, approximately 70 miles south of Panama. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Legare was patrolling in the vicinity and deployed its helicopter and 26-foot small boat to interdict the suspected drug traffickers. When the Legare’s small boat team approached Saaverda’s 30-foot boat, a high-speed pursuit commenced in rough waters with both vessels travelling at speeds over 30 knots. Saaverda was behind the helm of the drug-running vessel, leading the chase. Given it was the middle of the night in the Pacific Ocean, the only lighting in the immediate area was the USCG vessel’s blue, flashing law enforcement lights, yellow spotlights, and mast light. The defendants failed to heed the USCG’s repeated verbal directives to halt. Warning shots were fired from both the USCG’s helicopter and its small boat; this did not deter the drug traffickers. Rather than stop, for over 20 minutes Saaverda continuously attempted to ram his vessel into the USCG’s small boat, seriously endangering the lives and safety of the five United States servicemembers on board.
Undeterred, and after an hours-long pursuit, the USCG successfully interdicted the defendant’s vessel, which was laden with over $14,000,000 of cocaine and marijuana.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force comprised of agents and analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Pardo.
Colombian Drug Kingpin and Paramilitary Leader Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Daniel Rendon Herrera, also known as “Don Mario,” a citizen of Colombia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry to 35 years’ imprisonment for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise as a leader of the paramilitary, multibillion dollar drug organization known as the “Clan del Golfo” (CDG), and 15 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC). The sentences will run concurrently. As part of the sentence, the Court ordered Rendon Herrera to pay $45,750,000 million in forfeiture. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in November 2021.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA); Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Steven A. Nigrelli, First Deputy Superintendent, New York State Police (NYSP), announced the sentence.
“Once the most feared narco-terrorist in Colombia, today marks the end of the criminal career of Rendon Herrera, responsible for importing tons of cocaine, fueling violence, perpetuating drug abuse leaving a wake of destruction from Colombia to the United States, and stained with the blood of rival drug traffickers and civilians who were tortured and killed by the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Our Office remains committed to cooperating with our international partners to dismantle transnational criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo.”
“Daniel Rendon Herrera was one of the most prolific drug traffickers to ever operate in Colombia,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Tarentino. “As leader of the AUC and Clan del Golfo, Don Mario was responsible for not only importing multi-ton quantities of cocaine into the United States, but also for terrorizing the citizens of Colombia for financial gain. Today’s sentencing underscores DEA’s commitment to bringing to justice drug traffickers at the highest levels who cause the most harm throughout our communities.”
“These paramilitary drug cartels may seem to be a world away, but they have a deadly impact on communities here in New York City. Today’s sentencing demonstrates we and our partners remain committed to pursuing the leadership of these organizations and will hold them accountable for the devastation they cause,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
“Starting in the late 1990’s, Rendon Herrera was the leader and mastermind behind a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially-Designated Global Terrorism Organization. Under his leadership, Clan del Golfo (CDG) was responsible for heinous acts of violence, often leaving death and destruction in its wake to further the organization’s global cocaine trafficking network,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “Today’s sentencing and ordered forfeiture demonstrates the weight of Rendon Herrera’s crimes. HSI will continue to work ceaselessly alongside our partners to protect Americans by dismantling and disrupting transnational criminal organizations and bring their leaders to justice.”
“Today’s sentencing reinforces the NYPD’s tireless work to rid our city of illegal narcotics and ensures meaningful consequences for one of the world’s most notorious narcotics traffickers,” said NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “The drugs and violence linked to this case knew no borders – but neither did the combined efforts of our NYPD officers and law enforcement partners as we collaborated on the local, state, federal, and international levels to achieve justice. For their sustained dedication, I am proud to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, and everyone else who contributed to this successful outcome.”
As set forth in the court filings and proceedings, since the late 1990’s, Rendon Herrera was a leader of the designated foreign terrorist organization, the AUC, and founder and leader of the CDG, formerly and also referred to as Los Urabeños and Clan Usuga, effectively the successor organization to the AUC.
The AUC, founded in 1997, was a Colombian paramilitary and drug-trafficking organization, designated in 2001 by the United States Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially-Designated Global Terrorism Organization. The AUC engaged in armed conflict with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia (FARC), Colombia’s main guerilla group, and sought to remove FARC sympathizers from positions of power and influence in Colombia. To support its political and terrorist objectives, the AUC imposed “taxes” on cocaine trafficked through AUC-controlled areas and engaged in violent attacks including murders and kidnappings. By 2006, many members of the AUC demobilized as part of the Colombian government’s Justice and Peace process – a process under which paramilitary members surrender to the Colombian government and relinquish their criminally-derived assets in exchange for reduced sentences and amnesty from extradition. Rather than submit to the peace process, Rendon Herrera re-mobilized the AUC as the CDG.
The CDG, like the AUC, continued to finance their paramilitary and drug trafficking by imposing a “tax” on multi-ton shipments of cocaine that transited through areas in Colombia controlled by the organization, which shipments – more than 80 tons of cocaine – were ultimately destined for importation into the United States. The CDG also employed “sicarios,” or hitmen, who carried out various acts of violence, including murders, assaults, kidnappings, and assassinations to collect drug debts, maintain discipline, control and expand drug territory and to promote and enhance the prestige, reputation and position of the organization. By 2009, when Rendon Herrera was captured by the Colombian National Police, he commanded 16 “bloques,” or territories, across Colombia and thousands of armed paramilitary fighters. Additionally, since 2009, Rendon Herrera has been designated by the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Rendon Herrera’s successor as leader of the Clan del Golfo, Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, also known as “Otoniel,” was extradited to the Eastern District of New York in May 2022 to face charges of leading a continuing criminal enterprise and participating in an international cocaine manufacturing and distribution conspiracy, and is awaiting trial.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax, Francisco J. Navarro, and Andrew D. Grubin are in charge of the prosecution and Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters, with assistance provided by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Li of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and Trial Attorney Elisabeth Poteat of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs handled the extradition in this matter and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) Judicial Attaché Office in Bogotá, Colombia was instrumental in supporting the case.
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.
The Defendant:
DANIEL RENDON HERRERA (also known as “Don Mario”)
Age: 57
Antioquia, ColombiaE.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 14-CR-625 (S-3) (DLI) / 20-CR-569 (S-6) (DLI)
S.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 04-CR-962 (LAP) / 08-CR-659 (SAS)
Central Pennsylvania Man Charged with Hobbs Act Robbery and Brandishing A Firearm During A Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kyle Jaden Morales, age 20, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 12, 2022, by a federal grand jury on charges of robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), brandishing and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and related firearm offenses.
According to United States Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on March 10, 2022, Kyle Jaden Morales entered a Sheetz convenience store in Dauphin County, approached the cashier, brandished a 9mm black handgun with gold barrel and fluted slide, instructed the cashier to open the cash drawers, and took the cash by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury. The indictment further alleges that on March 22, 2022, the defendant possessed two loaded firearms – the un-serialized 9mm pistol used during the March 10, 2022, robbery, along with a 9mm Taurus G2c pistol.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the charged offense is up to life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Carriere Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful User of NarcoticsRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Carriere man was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Jacob Whitehead, 35, was sentenced on October 13, 2022, in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.
According to court documents, in January of 2022, DEA task force officers were called to a residence in Lumberton, Mississippi due to a suspected overdose death. An investigation into the death revealed that the decedent had recently purchased narcotics from Jacob Whitehead. A search warrant was obtained for the home of Whitehead and three firearms were recovered as part of the search. Small amounts of narcotics were also found in the residence. Whitehead admitted to being an unlawful user of narcotics and to possessing the three firearms.
Whitehead was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 23, 2022. He pled guilty on June 28, 2022, to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
Canton Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Canton man was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for armed carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
Cordelro DeSean Shoulders, 30, was sentenced on October 13, 2022, in U.S. District Court in Jackson. Shoulders was further ordered to a five-year term of supervised release following his prison term.
According to court documents, during the evening of April 28, 2019, at a Jackson gas station, Shoulders and an unknown man pulled up next to a car occupied by three young women and initiated a conversation. The women agreed to meet Shoulders and the other man at a party nearby. Once the women arrived, and while still in their car, the men approached and pointed guns at the women. The women were ordered out of their car and were made to remove their clothes. Shoulders and the other man took the women’s phones, wallets, and the keys to their car. Shoulders then left in the women’s car while the other man followed. Shoulders was captured and identified on the following day, April 29, after he led police on a pursuit and crashed while avoiding a roadblock. Shoulders was driving the car he had taken from the women.
Shoulders was indicted by a federal grand jury and pled guilty on July 7, 2021, to armed carjacking.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Police Department, and Clinton Police Department investigated the case.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway.
Burlington Man Charged with Firearm and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated Leon Delima, 34, of South Burlington, Vermont appeared in United States District Court today on charges related to his possession of a firearm and controlled substances. According to documents filed in the case, Delima, a multi-time felon, possessed over 30 grams of cocaine and discharged a firearm in Burlington on July 2, 2022. Following a brief appearance today, Delima was detained pending further proceedings in the case.
If convicted of the charges, Delima would face maximum sentences of up to 15 years for knowing possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense and up to 20 years for possessing cocaine with an intent to distribute it. Any actual sentence would be determined in consultation with the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The indictment is an accusation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The United States Attorney’s Office credited the Burlington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force for their work in investigating the case and arresting Delima.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Cowles represents the United States. Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls represented Delima at the arraignment.
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
Burlington Man Arraigned on Charges of Enticing a Minor as well as the Receipt and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on October 14, 2022, Deyquan Martin, 21, of Burlington, Vermont, appeared in United States District Court in Burlington for an arraignment on a three-count indictment charging him with enticement of a minor as well as the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material. Martin had previously appeared before in United States District Court in Burlington on September 23, 2022, and after a detention hearing on September 27, 2022, Martin was released on conditions requiring home detention, location monitoring, and monitored electronics use, among other items.
According to court documents, Martin met a twelve-year old minor through an online video game and, using an online messaging platform, induced the minor to send him sexually explicit photographs and videos of herself. Martin later threatened the minor that he would publish the sexually explicit material already received unless the minor sent him additional sexually explicit photographs and videos of the minor.
On September 22, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Burlington Police Department, Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the New Jersey State Police, executed a search warrant at Martin’s Burlington residence. In searching Martin’s residence, law enforcement found sexually explicit photographs of the twelve-year old minor as well as child sexual abuse material of another minor on Martin’s computer. Following the search, law enforcement placed Martin under arrest.
If convicted of the charges, Martin would face maximum sentences of up to life imprisonment for enticement of a minor, up to 10 years for receipt of child sexual abuse material, and up to 10 years for possession of child sexual abuse material. Any actual sentence would be determined in consultation with the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The indictment is an accusation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The United States Attorney’s Office credited Homeland Security Investigations, Burlington Police Department, Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the New Jersey State Police for their work and collaboration on this case.
Martin is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven L. Barth. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman represents the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Child Exploitation Obscenity Section, Criminal Division (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Burlington County, NJ, Bookkeeper Charged with Stealing from Former EmployerRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Bonnie Sweeten, 51, recently of Delanco, NJ, was charged by Information with two counts of wire fraud related to her scheme to steal from her former employer by forging checks and making fraudulent purchases with the company credit card.
According to the Information, in September 2017, the defendant was hired as a bookkeeper for a Doylestown-based excavating company because the president of the company had known her for many years. As the bookkeeper, Sweeten had access to company bank accounts, company checkbooks, the company mail, and other sensitive personal information belonging to the president and to the company. The defendant allegedly abused the trust of the president of the company by using her position to steal company funds: using her access to the company’s checking account to issue dozens of company checks to herself; using her access to the company mail to steal checks that had been mailed to the company, which she then fraudulently endorsed over to herself; and using her access to the company credit card to make tens of thousands of dollars of personal purchases.
“As an employee of the company, Bonnie Sweeten was well aware of her obligation to act in the best interest of the company, but instead she allegedly chose to take advantage of the opportunity offered to her to work as a bookkeeper for this company,” said U.S. Attorney Romero.
“Bonnie Sweeten’s alleged actions are the epitome of biting the hand that feeds you,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Defrauding one’s employer is both a bad career move and a federal crime, for which violators must be held accountable.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Mannion.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Barre Man Sentenced to 2 Years of Imprisonment for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced today that David Tom, 38, of Barre, Vermont, was sentenced to serve 2 years of imprisonment for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. United States District Court Judge William K. Sessions III also ordered Tom to serve a two-year term of supervised release after his incarceration.
According to court records, Tom was in a vehicle that was stopped by Vermont State Police on January 28, 2022, in Barre. The stop occurred because of a suspected invalid registration and an inoperable taillight. After officers observed drug paraphernalia, a K9 alerted on the vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of a Hi Point .380 ACP semi-automatic handgun from inside Tom’s backpack. At the time of the traffic stop, Tom was subject to conditions of release in multiple pending State of Vermont criminal matters and was subject to a 24-hour curfew.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Montpelier Police Department. He also thanked the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
The prosecutor was Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Ophardt. Tom was represented by Mary Nerino, Esq., of the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
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
Avon Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL FERRO, 36, formerly of Avon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by nine years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 18, 2021, Ferro, using the Kik social media application, began chatting in a Kik group with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a father of a 12-year-old girl. After Ferro determined that the OCE was engaging in sexual activity with his “daughter,” he sent the OCE a photo depicting the genitals of a child. Ferro then stated that he had more pictures to share, and expressed an interest in meeting the OCE’s daughter to engage in sexual activity. After confirming Ferro’s identity, investigators traveled to Ferro’s Avon residence late in the evening of August 18, informed him of the investigation, and seized his cell phone.
Ferro was arrested on a criminal complaint on September 29, 2021. On March 1, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. He is currently detained.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Avon Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.