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28 September 2022
Former Prisoner Transport Officer Convicted of Civil Rights Offense for Abusing Detainees in His CareRead the Press Release
Former prisoner transport officer Anthony Buntyn, 55, was convicted of a felony civil rights offense for abusing detainees in his care.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Buntyn was a prisoner transport officer employed by Prisoner Transportation Services of America (PTS), a company hired by local jails and prisons throughout the country to transport people who had been arrested pursuant to out-of-state warrants and needed to be transported back to the states that had issued the warrants. Buntyn was the supervising officer on a March 2017 PTS transport that stopped in New Mexico during a cross-country trip.
“Prisoner transport officers, even those employed by private companies, must abide by our civil rights laws and protect the constitutional rights of people in their custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce our nation’s laws to ensure that the officers who break the law — including those who are driving the nation’s backroads in transport vans and may therefore wrongly believe they can act with impunity — are held accountable.”
“Detainees are entitled to basic human dignity,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “Those who are responsible for their detention, from transport personnel to law enforcement and corrections officers, have the same duty to protect the rights and safety of their charges. Any abuse of detainees or failure to provide basic necessities is a violation of that trust and a violation of the law, and it will be roundly prosecuted.”
Former PTS Agent Buntyn was convicted of depriving detainees on the transport of their constitutional right to be free from an officer’s deliberate indifference to serious health and safety risks to the detainees. Evidence at trial established that the defendant knowingly created, and otherwise subjected the detainees to, dangerous, painful, and unhealthy conditions on the transport van. Specifically, evidence at trial showed that the defendant would retaliate against detainees who complained, by handcuffing the detainees behind their backs and forcing them to remain for hours in a small segregation cage inside the van; by depriving detainees of meals and access to water while they remained in the cage; by cranking up the heat in the already-hot van in retaliation for detainees complaining that, as they passed through the southwestern desert, they were in danger of overheating; and by failing to provide the detainees with required restroom breaks, until the detainees were left with no choice but to urinate in empty bottles or on the floor.
Buntyn was acquitted of a use of force and an obstruction of justice charge.
A date for the sentencing hearing has not yet been announced.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney Uballez for the District of New Mexico made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI Kansas City Field Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley for the District of New Mexico and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, with assistance from Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel.
Former President of International Aircraft Parts Distributor Convicted of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction in Manhattan federal court of STEFAN GILLIER, a/k/a “Stephan Gillier,” a/k/a “Stefan R.R. Gillier,” a/k/a “Roland Gillier,” a/k/a “Roland Van Gorp,” a Belgian citizen, for engaging in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $6 million dollars’ worth of aircraft parts through the use of stopped check payments. The jury convicted GILLIER today following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Today’s guilty verdict by a unanimous jury on all counts brings an end to Stefan Gillier’s long con, which began in 2004 and ultimately resulted in his arrest and extradition from Italy in 2019. Gillier defrauded aerospace manufacturers out of millions of dollars’ worth of aircraft parts through front companies, fake identities, and hundreds of stopped checks. He will now face sentencing for his crimes.”
According to the Indictment, documents previously filed in the case, and evidence introduced at trial:
GILLIER was president and ran the day-to-day business activities of RTF International Inc. (“RTF), a broker of aircraft parts. RTF began obtaining aircraft parts from Honeywell International, Inc. (“Honeywell”) in June 2004. Starting in 2005, RTF began increasing the number of parts it ordered from Honeywell, paying for them by check. RTF paid with checks written in foreign currency and for amounts well above the cost of the parts, which created an apparent credit balance in RTF’s favor in Honeywell’s accounting system. RTF wrote approximately $17 million worth of checks to Honeywell but stopped payment on approximately $15 million worth of checks. In total, RTF was able to obtain over $6 million worth of aircraft parts without paying for them. In June 2006, Honeywell executed a civil attachment order and recovered some of the stolen aircraft parts.
To execute the scheme, GILLIER signed checks to Honeywell on behalf of RTF but repeatedly caused stop payment orders to be placed after Honeywell shipped the parts to RTF. When questioned by Honeywell’s employees about these stop payment orders, GILLIER, using the alias “Roland Van Gorp,” falsely represented that the stop payment orders were the result of a misunderstanding with the bank and that he would check with RTF’s finance department. In fact, as GILLIER knew, he had issued the stop payment orders, and RTF did not have a finance department.
In June 2006, following the execution of the civil attachment order by Honeywell, GILLIER caused various large transfers of fraudulent proceeds into bank accounts controlled by him, his relatives, and a co-conspirator (“CC-1”). The very next day, on June 15, 2006, GILLIER left the United States for Canada.
After Honeywell discovered that it was being victimized by RTF, GILLIER and CC-1 continued their fraud scheme through a new corporate entity, “UN Air Services, Inc.” (“UAS”) (which had no relation to the United Nations). In 2006, UAS began obtaining aircraft parts from Pratt & Whitney Component Solutions, Inc. (“Pratt & Whitney”). Like RTF, UAS began stopping payment on checks it had written to Pratt & Whitney for the aircraft parts after Pratt & Whitney delivered the aircraft parts.
GILLIER was arrested and extradited from Italy in 2019.
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GILLIER, 49, a citizen of Belgium, was convicted of eight counts: (1) one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering, which carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison; (2) one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; (3) one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; (4) one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison; and (5) four counts of money laundering, each of which carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. GILLIER is scheduled to appear for sentencing before Judge Engelmayer on January 26, 2023.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. He also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Commerce, law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities in Italy, including the Italian Ministry of Justice and Interpol Rome, Honeywell, and Pratt & Whitney for their assistance in this case. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Italy.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Dina McLeod, Micah Fergenson, Michael McGinnis, and Michael Neff are in charge of the prosecution.
Former NHA Director of Information Technology Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Embezzling over $590,000 Worth of Electronic DevicesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Housing Authority (NHA)’s former director of information technology was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for using his position to embezzle NHA funds to purchase cellular telephones and other electronic devices, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Venancio Diaz, 57, of Jersey City, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti in Newark federal court to an information charging him with committing theft from an agency receiving federal funds. Judge Martinotti imposed sentence today by videoconference.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From December 2013 to Aug. 10, 2021, Diaz bought, on behalf of NHA and using NHA funds, 1,509 electronic devices, primarily cellular telephones and tablets, from a telecommunications company. Diaz then caused those devices to be activated on NHA’s account on the company’s network for a short period of time – often only days or weeks. After the brief period of activation ended, Diaz posed as the owner of the devices and sold them to two different online electronics resale marketplaces. Diaz directed all the proceeds of the sales – a total of $594,425 – to his own bank accounts and kept the money for his own personal use.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Diaz to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $594,425 in restitution to the NHA. Diaz also previously consented to a $594,425 money judgment, forfeiting the monies he obtained as a result of his illegal scheme, and also agreed to forfeit electronic devices belonging to NHA that were seized by law enforcement or otherwise in his possession, including 27 cellular telephones.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina D. Scaringi in Newark; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the IRS-Criminal Investigations for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
Former Jacksonville Second-Grade Teacher Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Videos Using Social Media AppRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Chief United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Thomas Lester Hazouri, Jr. (42, Jacksonville) to 7 years and 3 months in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse videos over the internet using a social media messaging application (app). The court also ordered Hazouri to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay child victims a total of $18,000 in restitution. Hazouri had pleaded guilty on August 24, 2021, and has been in custody since his arrest on September 4, 2020.
According to court documents and information offered in open court, the company that owns and hosts a particular online social media messaging app notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that on March 26, 2020, one of its app users, later identified as Hazouri, had uploaded and distributed videos depicting children being sexually abused into a public chat room with 46 other users in it. Further investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) traced the internet protocol address used to distribute these videos to Hazouri’s residence. At that time, Hazouri was employed as a second-grade teacher at Mayport Elementary School in Jacksonville.
The search warrants for the social messaging app account used by Hazouri, as well as for another email account used by Hazouri. Hazouri’s online social media account, contained 19 images and 45 videos depicting minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On August 6, 2020, JSO detectives and other personnel executed a search warrant at Hazouri’s residence and seized Hazouri’s Apple iPhone and other computer media. A forensic examination of this iPhone revealed that it contained 123 images and three videos depicting children being sexually abused. Seven of these images each depicted either an infant or a toddler-aged child.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Duval County School Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This is another case 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.justice.gov/psc.
Former Iowa State Patrol Trooper Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – A former Iowa State Patrol trooper, Robert James Smith, age 58, pleaded guilty on Monday, September 26, 2022, to Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law.
According to court documents, on September 25, 2017, while Smith was on patrol, he observed an individual traveling on Interstate 80 at a speed above the posted speed limit. Smith attempted to catch up to the motorcycle. The motorcyclist exited Interstate 80 in Cedar County, Iowa, stopped the motorcycle and dismounted. In his marked squad car, Smith exited behind the motorcycle, engaged the overhead lights and siren on his patrol vehicle, parked near and quickly approached the victim. As the victim was standing next to the motorcycle with hands in the air, Smith delivered an open palm strike to the victim’s chin area. The force of the strike caused the victim to fall back over the motorcycle, after which Smith knelt on and handcuffed the victim, then stood the victim up. In his plea agreement, Smith admitted that this intentional open hand palm strike was with a bad purpose or improper motive to disregard the law and was an unreasonable use of force.
In July 2022, this matter preceded to jury trial, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
Sentencing in this matter has not been scheduled. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case.
Former IRS Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining $62,300 in CARES Act FundsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Charles Clark, 64, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2020, Clark fraudulently applied for a loan under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Congress had authorized multiple relief programs, including EIDL, to help the millions of Americans and many small businesses adversely affected by the early stages of the COVID pandemic. EIDL funds were issued by the Small Business Administration and were to be used for limited purposes such as payroll expenses, sick leave, and production costs.
In his EIDL application, Clark falsely claimed to have been an independent contractor working in the “Hair & Nail Salon” industry when he was working as a full-time IRS employee. He obtained $62,300 in funds which he then misused by spending them on renovating an investment property he owned.
Clark is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.
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Former Financial Advisor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tyler Rigsbee, 32, of Folsom, has signed a plea agreement admitting to committing aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Rigsbee was charged in a criminal information filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court. In a plea agreement, filed today, Rigsbee agreed to plead guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft. Rigsbee is scheduled for an initial appearance on Oct. 5, 2022, before Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman.
According to court documents, from 2016 to 2021, Rigsbee worked as a financial advisor at a major bank in Sacramento. During his employment, Rigsbee stole over $158,000 from the accounts of two bank customers. Rigsbee stole this money by transferring it from customer accounts to brokerage accounts he created at E-Trade, a third-party financial institution. He then transferred the money from these brokerage accounts to his own personal bank account. Rigsbee also attempted to conceal his scheme by partially replacing some of what he stole from one of these bank customers with money he took from the account of a third bank customer.
After the death of one bank customer in August 2018, Rigsbee created a fraudulent request for distribution of eligible assets from a transfer-on-death account by falsely pretending that he was the deceased customer’s beneficiary. On March 15, 2019, Rigsbee submitted this request for distribution of eligible assets to the bank’s estate processing department, which caused the liquidation of the customer’s account and transfer of these funds to a brokerage account Rigsbee created and controlled.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot C. Wong is prosecuting the case.
Rigsbee faces a mandatory term of two years in prison and a statutory maximum fine of up to $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or gross loss. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Former Detroit Resident Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking NetworkRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced on a charge of violating federal narcotics trafficking laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Hasani James, 51, currently incarcerated at Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 4 years’ supervised release by District Judge Robert J. Colville.
In conjunction with the sentencing hearing, the Court was informed that the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted a long-term investigation into drug-trafficking activity occurring in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Law enforcement identified several individuals, suspected at the time, of illegally distributing controlled substances, including methamphetamine in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Erie, Fayette, and Washington Counties.
Investigators identified James, who resided in Detroit at the time of the conspiracy, as a cocaine source of supply for among others, co-defendant Bill Rana, who was a “fully patched” member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club and Sergeant of Arms for the Pittsburgh Chapter. Over the course of the conspiracy, James was responsible for or could otherwise reasonably foresee the distribution of at least, 500 grams but less than 2 kilograms of cocaine.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of James.
This sentencing was the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Former Clarksville School Nurse Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A former Clarksville, Tennessee, school nurse pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to 25 counts of attempting to produce child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Leon B. Hensley, 41, pleaded guilty prior to the start of a bench trial which was scheduled to begin today.
Hensley, a former nurse at North East High School (NEHS) in Clarksville, was initially charged and arrested in May 2021, following an investigation into allegations that he sent a digital image, via text message, of a nude adult female to a minor female in the Clarksville area. Hensley had been communicating with the minor female via text and asked her to help him with a photo shoot by posing for photos.
Subsequent investigation and a search of Hensley’s phone revealed several images depicting the sexual exploitation of children. During a subsequent search of Hensley’s house, numerous electronic devices were seized, including a small covert video camera. The initial examination of Hensley’s phone led to the discovery of nude images which were identified as minor female students at NEHS. The devices also contained image files depicting unidentified females in hospital rooms, airports, and tanning beds, plus video files that appeared to be upskirt videos of adult and minor females.
Several hundred images were also discovered of minor females using the facilities of a particular bathroom. The images appear to have been taken by a hidden or concealed camera, which was positioned in front of the toilet seat at seat level, in an apparent attempt to capture the lewd and lascivious display of the genitalia. Further investigation determined that the bathroom depicted in the images was the private student bathroom in the nurse’s station at NEHS. Geolocation data on other images showed some that were taken at Tennova Hospital in Clarksville, where Hensley was employed prior to his employment at NEHS.
A superseding indictment returned in June charged Hensley with 25 counts of attempting to produce child pornography and enticing or coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.
Hensley faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison on each count, and up to life, when he is sentenced on February 3, 2023.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Secret Service; the FBI; and the Clarksville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Morrison is prosecuting the case.
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Former Chicago Police Officer Charged with Federal Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
A former Chicago Police Officer has been indicted on a federal civil rights charge for allegedly kidnapping and sexually abusing an individual while on duty.
James Sajdak, 64, of Chicago, was charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, according to an indictment unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Sajdak is alleged to have kidnapped and sexually abused the victim in Chicago on March 5, 2019.
The charge in the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Sajdak pleaded not guilty today during his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Cox. A status hearing was scheduled for Oct. 12 before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp Jr. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. for the Northern District of Illinois and Special Agent in Charge Ashley T. Johnson for the FBI Chicago Field Office made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Morgan for the Northern District of Illinois is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Chicago Police Officer Charged with Federal Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former Chicago Police Officer has been indicted on a federal civil rights charge for the alleged kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse of an individual while on duty.
JAMES SAJDAK, 64, of Chicago, is charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, according to an indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Sajdak is alleged to have kidnapped and sexually abused the victim in Chicago on March 5, 2019.
The charge in the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Sajdak pleaded not guilty today during his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Cox. A status hearing was scheduled for Oct. 12, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; and Ashley T. Johnson, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Morgan.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Former Cargill Employee Is Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Prison for Bribery and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Yesterday, Michael A. Kennedy, 56, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for his role in an extensive bribery and kickback scheme that defrauded Cargill, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the prison term imposed, Kennedy was ordered to serve a year under court supervision and to pay restitution in the amount of $33.7 million.
Michael C. Scherck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which oversees Charlotte, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, Kennedy was a senior Cargill employee within the Strategic Sourcing Function. Choung “Shawn” Nguyen was a Cargill procurement manager within the same division and reported to Kennedy. Brian Ewert was co-owner and primary sales representative of WDS, Inc., also known as Women’s Distribution Services, Inc. (WDS), a South Carolina-based company that provided non-raw materials and services to Cargill and its affiliates.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, from 2009 to 2016, Kennedy conspired with Ewert, Nguyen, and others to carry out a fraudulent bribery and kickback scheme. During the course of the scheme, Ewert provided Kennedy and Nguyen and other Cargill employees with more than a $1 million in cash, gifts, and vacations, in exchange for putting the interests of WDS, and other companies Ewert controlled ahead of Cargill’s, including by helping to conceal the fact that WDS was overcharging Cargill. For example, as part of the conspiracy, Ewert provided Kennedy and his family with lavish trips that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, including trips to the Caribbean on Ewert’s private jet and luxury yacht rentals to entertain Kennedy and his family. Ewert also paid for Kennedy and his family to go to Disney World and took them on ski trips. Kennedy and others concealed from Cargill the fact that they had received from Ewert the illicit bribes and kickbacks, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Cargill.
According to court records, in early 2016, after others within Cargill began questioning the relationship between WDS and Cargill, Kennedy, Ewert, and others took numerous steps to conceal from Cargill significant overcharging of Cargill by WDS. Cargill eventually discovered the scheme and terminated its relationship with WDS and Ewert and fired Kennedy and Nguyen.
In December 2021, Kennedy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. He will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence upon designation of a federal facility.
Ewert and Nguyen were previously sentenced to 60 months and 41 months in prison, respectively. They were each also ordered to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $40.4 million in restitution. Jennifer Maier, the co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of WDS, was sentenced 24 months in prison followed by a year of supervised release and was ordered to pay $3.2 million as restitution.
The FBI and USPIS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Ryan and Graham Billings, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
Florida man convicted of manslaughter, assault on the Laguna PuebloRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that a federal jury convicted Alexis Riego, 50, of Merritt Island, Florida, of four counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury committed in 2019.
A grand jury indicted Riego in April of 2021. According to the indictment and other court records, on Sept. 7, 2019, Riego, a commercial motor vehicle driver, recklessly crashed into a line of stationary traffic in a construction zone on Interstate 40 within the Laguna Pueblo. At the time of the crash, Mr. Riego was speeding and using his cellular telephone. The crash caused a six-car pile-up that killed four people and seriously injured two. The crash caused the closure of interstate 40 for several hours.
“When we take the wheel, we take on a collective responsibility for the families who share our highways,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “The consequences for failing in that responsibility are grave and irrevocable. This conviction is a sobering reminder that a moment on video chat can forever change your life, and end the lives of others.”
Riego will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Laguna Police Department and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph M. Spindle, Elisa Dimas and Matthew Nelson are prosecuting the case.
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Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Eight Kilograms of Meth Resulting from I-75 Traffic Stop in Lowndes CountyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – A Florida resident with multiple prior state felony convictions for distributing methamphetamine pleaded guilty to a federal controlled substance charge after being caught with approximately eight kilograms of the illegal drug during a routine traffic stop when his co-defendant attempted to escape from authorities with the bag of drugs.
James E. Freitas, 48, of Winter Haven, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Louis Sands today. Co-defendant, Miguel L. Mora, 43, of Hanes City, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 12. Both defendants face a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum of life imprisonment to be followed by at least five years of supervised release and a maximum $10,000,000 fine. Their sentencings will occur within 90 days as determined by the Court.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“I-75 is a known corridor for drug traffickers moving fentanyl, methamphetamine and other deadly drugs into communities across the southeast and beyond,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Individuals caught distributing large quantities of these types of controlled substances will face federal prosecution for their crimes, which are contributing to the death and addiction of many Americans.”
“The guilty plea of this reoffender is the result of the collaborative efforts between DEA and its law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to eliminate the distribution of the insidious drug methamphetamine,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This defendant will now face serious time in prison.”
According to court documents, a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to conduct a routine traffic stop for a driving violation as Freitas was traveling on I-75 on July 11, 2019. Freitas was unable to provide identification and gave conflicting information. As Frietas was standing outside the vehicle talking with the deputy, Mora climbed into the front seat and drove away in the car. Mora drove the vehicle into a field and then fled on foot into adjacent woods carrying a large bag. Mora was quickly apprehended; the bag that he carried from the car was searched and found to contain 8,099 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $748,000. Officers found a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number on the floorboard of the car belonging to Freitas. A search warrant executed on Freitas’ cell phone found photos of the gun, plus text and instant messages detailing both defendants travel to and from Tennessee to purchase and transport methamphetamine to a third party in Florida.
Freitas has three prior felony drug convictions for trafficking methamphetamine in Polk County, Florida, Circuit Court.
DEA and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting this case.
Firearms Straw Purchaser Is Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte man convicted of straw purchasing firearms for two individuals was sentenced to two years in prison today, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Thomas Evans Kelly, 29, was also ordered to serve two years under court supervision after he is released from prison.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court records and today’s sentencing hearing, in August 2019, Kelly purchased three firearms from a licensed firearms dealer in Charlotte. Over the course of the transaction, Kelly made false and fictitious statements to the firearms dealer and falsely certified on federal forms associated with the purchase of the firearms that he was the actual buyer/transferee of the firearms. Court records show that, contrary to Kelly’s statements, he purchased the firearms for two other individuals, Walter Jackson and Jalen Jackson. Kelly then filed false police reports alleging that the firearms were stolen. In total, law enforcement seized eight firearms that were originally purchased by Kelly during criminal activity committed by Walter and Jalen Jackson.
Kelly is currently released on bond and will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence upon designation of a federal facility.
Walter Jackson previously pleaded guilty to dealing in firearms without a license and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to 90 months in prison. Jalen Jackson was sentenced to 72 months in prison, after pleading guilty to dealing in firearms without a license and transfer of a firearm in violation of the National Firearms Act.
The ATF led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Lindahl of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte was in charge of the prosecution.
Federal Prison Inmate Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Obtain ContrabandRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (“FCI”) in Sandstone has pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain contraband in prison, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on two separate dates in February and March 2022, Nickolas William Mihelic, 39, an inmate at FCI Sandstone, attempted to obtain methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. In order to bypass security protocols, Mihelic conspired with an unindicted co-conspirator to mail pieces of paper to him at FCI Sandstone that were saturated with liquid methamphetamine. When the methamphetamine-saturated papers arrived at FCI Sandstone, Bureau of Prisons officials seized the contraband.
Mihelic pleaded guilty on September 26, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel to two counts of attempting to obtain contraband in prison. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.
Extradited UK Citizen Pleads Guilty to Defrauding VCU in Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. –A United Kingdom citizen pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, after being extradited from the United Kingdom at the request of the United States.
According to court documents, Olabanji Egbinola, 43, of London, England, participated in a cyber-enabled business email compromise (BEC) fraud scheme that targeted Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). A BEC scheme, also known as “cyber-enabled financial fraud,” is a sophisticated scam that typically targets employees with access to the finances of a business or organization that regularly perform large wire transfer payments. Using technological means and social engineering techniques, BEC conspirators impersonate an employee with a company that has ongoing contracts with the targeted victim. BEC conspirators then trick employees of the victim organization to change bank accounts for upcoming transaction to a bank account that the conspirators control or have access to.
As part of his guilty plea, Egbinola admitted that he impersonated an employee named “Rachel Moore” of the Kjellstrom + Lee Construction Company of Richmond, which had an ongoing construction project with VCU. From September 2018 through December 2018, over the course of multiple emails, Egbinola tricked VCU to change bank accounts for an upcoming payment to Kjellstrom + Lee. On December 20, 2018, a payment intended for Kjellstrom + Lee in the amount of $469,819.44 was transferred from a bank account controlled by VCU to a Bank of Hope account in Los Angeles, California, that the conspirators controlled. Very little of that money was recovered.
Egbinola is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2023. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Richmond Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the plea.
The Richmond FBI Cyber Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI Cyber Division, FBI Criminal Division, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the FBI Legal Attaché London office. United Kingdom authorities also provided substantial assistance.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in UK to secure the arrest and extradition of Egbinola to the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hood is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-124.
El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con Lakeland Bank para resolver alegaciones de discriminación por exclusión financiera en el ámbito crediticioRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció el día de hoy un acuerdo para resolver alegaciones de que Lakeland Bank (Lakeland) participó en un patrón o práctica de discriminación en el ámbito crediticio al practicar “exclusión financiera” (conocido como “redlining” en inglés) en la zona metropolitana de Newark, incluyendo en vecindarios en los condados de Essex, Somerset y Union en New Jersey. Esta resolución es parte de la Iniciativa para Combatir la Exclusión Financiera a nivel nacional del Departamento de Justicia y representa el tercer acuerdo más grande contra la exclusión financiera en la historia del Departamento.
"Las instituciones financieras que se niegan a proveer servicios de préstamos hipotecarios a las comunidades de color no solo contribuyen a la persistente disparidad racial de riqueza que existe en este país, sino que violan las leyes federales", dijo el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland. “El acuerdo con Lakeland anunciado el día de hoy representa el compromiso continuo del Departamento de Justicia para abordar la exclusión financiera moderna y garantizar que todos los estadounidenses tengan igualdad de oportunidades crediticias, independientemente de su raza u origen nacional”.
“Poner fin a la exclusión financiera es un paso crítico en nuestra labor para cerrar las disparidades de riqueza cada vez más amplias entre las comunidades de color y otras”, dijo la Fiscal General Auxiliar Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Este acuerdo demuestra nuestro firme compromiso con combatir la exclusión financiera moderna y responsabilizar a los bancos y otros prestamistas cuando les niegan a las personas de color acceso parejo a oportunidades crediticias. Por medio de este acuerdo, enviamos un mensaje firme a la industria financiera de que no soportaremos las barreras discriminatorias e ilegales a los préstamos hipotecarios residenciales”.
“La exclusión financiera crea una desigualdad de las condiciones de juego que injustamente impide que muchas personas de color logren el sueño de ser propietarios de viviendas y este tipo de discriminación sistemática e intencional no puede y no será tolerado”, dijo el Fiscal Federal Philip R. Sellinger del Distrito de New Jersey. “Es completamente inaceptable que la exclusión financiera persista en el siglo XXI y este caso demuestra nuestro compromiso con combatir la exclusión financiera y responsabilizar a los bancos y a otros cuando participen en discriminación ilícita. Por medio de este acuerdo, damos un gran paso adelante al remover las barreras ilegales y discriminatorias a los préstamos hipotecarios residenciales”.
La exclusión financiera es una práctica ilegal en la que prestamistas evitan la prestación de servicios crediticios a individuos que viven en comunidades de color por motivos de la raza, el color u origen nacional de los residentes de tales comunidades. La demanda que se presentó en el tribunal federal hoy alega que, desde al menos el 2015 hasta el 2021, Lakeland no prestó servicios de préstamos hipotecarios en vecindarios negros e hispanos en la zona metropolitana de Newark, New Jersey, que todas sus sucursales estaban ubicadas en vecindarios de mayoría blanca y que sus oficiales de crédito no atendían las necesidades de crédito de los vecindarios negros e hispanos en y alrededor de Newark.
Conforme a la orden de consentimiento propuesta, la cual queda sujeta a la aprobación del tribunal y fue presentada hoy ante el Tribunal Federal de Distrito para el Distrito de New Jersey junto con una demanda, Lakeland ha acordado hacer lo siguiente:
Invertir al menos $12 millones en un fondo de préstamos subvencionados para los residentes de vecindarios negros e hispanos en el área de Newark; $750,000 en anuncios, proyección comunitaria y educación financiera para el consumidor; y $400,000 para desarrollar asociaciones comunitarias con el fin de prestar servicios que mejoren el acceso a los préstamos hipotecarios residenciales.
Abrir dos sucursales nuevas en vecindarios de color, incluyendo al menos una en la ciudad de Newark; garantizar que al menos cuatro oficiales de crédito hipotecario estén dedicados a servir a todos los vecindarios en y alrededor de Newark; y emplear a un oficial de desarrollo comunitario que supervisará el desarrollo continuo del crédito en vecindarios de color en el área de Newark.
Mantener un área de evaluación de la Ley de Reinversión Comunitaria (Community Reinvestment Act en inglés) que incluya a los condados de Essex, Somerset y Union.
Lakeland ha acordado resolver este asunto sin litigios de disputa y trabajó de manera cooperativa con el Departamento para remediar las inquietudes de exclusión financiera que fueron identificadas.
En octubre de 2021, el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland anunció la Iniciativa para Combatir la Exclusión Financiera del Departamento de Justicia, un esfuerzo coordinado de aplicación de la ley cuyo objetivo es abordar esta forma persistente de discriminación contra comunidades de color. La iniciativa está expandiendo el alcance del Departamento al fortalecer las asociaciones con Fiscalías Federales por todo el país, socios regulatorios y nuestros socios en las Fiscalías Generales Estatales. Desde que se emprendió la iniciativa, el Departamento ha anunciado cuatro casos de exclusión financiera y acuerdos por un total combinado de $38 millones en indemnización a las comunidades que han sido víctimas de discriminación en el ámbito crediticio. Eso incluye el acuerdo de $20 millones con Trident Mortgage Company – el segundo acuerdo más grande en la historia del Departamento de Justicia.
Se puede encontrar información adicional sobre los esfuerzos de la Sección por hacer cumplir las leyes de préstamos justos en www.justice.gov/fairhousing. Los individuos pueden denunciar incidentes de discriminación en el ámbito crediticio llamando a la línea informativa del Departamento de Justicia para discriminación en la vivienda al 1-833-591-0291 o presentando un informe en línea. Los individuos también pueden reportar violaciones de los derechos civiles en https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement o llamando a la Línea Directa de Derechos Civiles del Fiscal General al (855) 281-3339.
- El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con Lakeland Bank para resolver alegaciones de discriminación por exclusión financiera en el ámbito crediticio
El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con Lakeland Bank para resolver alegaciones de discriminación por exclusión financiera en el ámbito crediticioRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció el día de hoy un acuerdo para resolver alegaciones de que Lakeland Bank (Lakeland) participó en un patrón o práctica de discriminación en el ámbito crediticio al practicar “exclusión financiera” (conocido como “redlining” en inglés) en la zona metropolitana de Newark, incluyendo en vecindarios en los condados de Essex, Somerset y Union en New Jersey. Esta resolución es parte de la Iniciativa para Combatir la Exclusión Financiera a nivel nacional del Departamento de Justicia y representa el tercer acuerdo más grande contra la exclusión financiera en la historia del Departamento.
"Las instituciones financieras que se niegan a proveer servicios de préstamos hipotecarios a las comunidades de color no solo contribuyen a la persistente disparidad racial de riqueza que existe en este país, sino que violan las leyes federales", dijo el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland. “El acuerdo con Lakeland anunciado el día de hoy representa el compromiso continuo del Departamento de Justicia para abordar la exclusión financiera moderna y garantizar que todos los estadounidenses tengan igualdad de oportunidades crediticias, independientemente de su raza u origen nacional”.
“Poner fin a la exclusión financiera es un paso crítico en nuestra labor para cerrar las disparidades de riqueza cada vez más amplias entre las comunidades de color y otras”, dijo la Fiscal General Auxiliar Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Este acuerdo demuestra nuestro firme compromiso con combatir la exclusión financiera moderna y responsabilizar a los bancos y otros prestamistas cuando les niegan a las personas de color acceso parejo a oportunidades crediticias. Por medio de este acuerdo, enviamos un mensaje firme a la industria financiera de que no soportaremos las barreras discriminatorias e ilegales a los préstamos hipotecarios residenciales”.
“La exclusión financiera crea una desigualdad de las condiciones de juego que injustamente impide que muchas personas de color logren el sueño de ser propietarios de viviendas y este tipo de discriminación sistemática e intencional no puede y no será tolerado”, dijo el Fiscal Federal Philip R. Sellinger del Distrito de New Jersey. “Es completamente inaceptable que la exclusión financiera persista en el siglo XXI y este caso demuestra nuestro compromiso con combatir la exclusión financiera y responsabilizar a los bancos y a otros cuando participen en discriminación ilícita. Por medio de este acuerdo, damos un gran paso adelante al remover las barreras ilegales y discriminatorias a los préstamos hipotecarios residenciales”.
La exclusión financiera es una práctica ilegal en la que prestamistas evitan la prestación de servicios crediticios a individuos que viven en comunidades de color por motivos de la raza, el color u origen nacional de los residentes de tales comunidades. La demanda que se presentó en el tribunal federal hoy alega que, desde al menos el 2015 hasta el 2021, Lakeland no prestó servicios de préstamos hipotecarios en vecindarios negros e hispanos en la zona metropolitana de Newark, New Jersey, que todas sus sucursales estaban ubicadas en vecindarios de mayoría blanca y que sus oficiales de crédito no atendían las necesidades de crédito de los vecindarios negros e hispanos en y alrededor de Newark.
Conforme a la orden de consentimiento propuesta, la cual queda sujeta a la aprobación del tribunal y fue presentada hoy ante el Tribunal Federal de Distrito para el Distrito de New Jersey junto con una demanda, Lakeland ha acordado hacer lo siguiente:
Invertir al menos $12 millones en un fondo de préstamos subvencionados para los residentes de vecindarios negros e hispanos en el área de Newark; $750,000 en anuncios, proyección comunitaria y educación financiera para el consumidor; y $400,000 para desarrollar asociaciones comunitarias con el fin de prestar servicios que mejoren el acceso a los préstamos hipotecarios residenciales.
Abrir dos sucursales nuevas en vecindarios de color, incluyendo al menos una en la ciudad de Newark; garantizar que al menos cuatro oficiales de crédito hipotecario estén dedicados a servir a todos los vecindarios en y alrededor de Newark; y emplear a un oficial de desarrollo comunitario que supervisará el desarrollo continuo del crédito en vecindarios de color en el área de Newark.
Mantener un área de evaluación de la Ley de Reinversión Comunitaria (Community Reinvestment Act en inglés) que incluya a los condados de Essex, Somerset y Union.
Lakeland ha acordado resolver este asunto sin litigios de disputa y trabajó de manera cooperativa con el Departamento para remediar las inquietudes de exclusión financiera que fueron identificadas.
En octubre de 2021, el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland anunció la Iniciativa para Combatir la Exclusión Financiera del Departamento de Justicia, un esfuerzo coordinado de aplicación de la ley cuyo objetivo es abordar esta forma persistente de discriminación contra comunidades de color. La iniciativa está expandiendo el alcance del Departamento al fortalecer las asociaciones con Fiscalías Federales por todo el país, socios regulatorios y nuestros socios en las Fiscalías Generales Estatales. Desde que se emprendió la iniciativa, el Departamento ha anunciado cuatro casos de exclusión financiera y acuerdos por un total combinado de $38 millones en indemnización a las comunidades que han sido víctimas de discriminación en el ámbito crediticio. Eso incluye el acuerdo de $20 millones con Trident Mortgage Company – el segundo acuerdo más grande en la historia del Departamento de Justicia.
Se puede encontrar información adicional sobre los esfuerzos de la Sección por hacer cumplir las leyes de préstamos justos en www.justice.gov/fairhousing. Los individuos pueden denunciar incidentes de discriminación en el ámbito crediticio llamando a la línea informativa del Departamento de Justicia para discriminación en la vivienda al 1-833-591-0291 o presentando un informe en línea. Los individuos también pueden reportar violaciones de los derechos civiles en https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement o llamando a la Línea Directa de Derechos Civiles del Fiscal General al (855) 281-3339.
Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Virgil Montell-Denzel Watkins, 29, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to the distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Watkins admitted to selling approximately one ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential informant at a Marcum Terrace apartment in Huntington on February 3, 2022. Watkins further admitted to selling an additional 6 ounces of methamphetamine to the informant between February 17 to April 18, 2022.
On April 22, 2022, law enforcement officers arrested Watkins and executed a search warrant at the Marcum Terrace apartment. Watkins admitted that the officers found a Glock, Model 30, .45-caliber pistol and approximately 10 grams of fentanyl during the search.
Watkins is scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2023, and faces a mandatory minimum of five to 40 years in prison as well as up to four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams 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. 3:22-cr-74.
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Denham Springs Woman Pleads Guilty to Making and Subscribing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that Lakeisha Grayer, age 41, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles to making and subscribing false tax returns.
According to admissions made during her plea, Grayer owned and operated a tax preparation business, Genesis Tax Service, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017 identified in the indictment, Grayer prepared and electronically filed federal income tax returns for over 950 taxpayers. She charged her clients a fee for preparing and filing their tax returns.
Grayer reported her income from Genesis Tax Service on a Schedule C form attached to her personal income tax return, on which she reported her business's gross receipts. For each year listed in the indictment, the amount of gross receipts Grayer reported to the IRS on her returns using the Schedule C was substantially lower than the actual amount. In addition to the counts charged in the indictment, Grayer knowingly underreported her gross receipts for tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020.
The aggregate amount of all known tax loss, for tax years 2015 through 2020, is over $180,000.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Harley Ferguson.
Defendant Convicted of Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in U.S. Marine’s DeathRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorneys Owen Roth and J’me K. Forrest
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY—September 28, 2022
SAN DIEGO— A jury convicted Nameer Mohammad Atta yesterday in federal court of distributing the fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose of an active-duty lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps on May 21, 2020.
According to evidence presented at trial, Atta sold counterfeit “M30” pills in April and May 2020 to the Marine, identified in court records as C.M.R., knowing that these pills are counterfeit oxycodone pills that contain illicit fentanyl. Atta used social media to market and arrange sales of these pills, referring to them as the “most trusted” in San Diego, and in text messages as the “most trusted” and “most potent” in the area. Atta referred to these pills as “M30s,” “Percs” and “Perc30s,” nicknames for fentanyl-laced pills. Atta’s final sale to C.M.R. occurred on May 20, 2020. C.M.R. died from an overdose the next day.
“This verdict again demonstrates the resolve of this office to hold to account those whose callous actions result in overdose deaths,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Fentanyl kills indiscriminately, and tragically here it took the life of a Marine. We will continue to seek justice on behalf of victims.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigators of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service for their efforts leading the investigation that led to the verdict, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations for their invaluable support.
“The illicit distribution and use of fentanyl in the United States poses a critical threat to our local communities, our nation’s service members, and ultimately our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Todd Battaglia of the NCIS Marine West Field Office. “NCIS extends gratitude to our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts to bring Mr. Atta to justice for his role in the death of a U.S. Marine. We will continue to work aggressively with our partners to eliminate this threat to the Department of the Navy.”
“Once again, we’ve seen a life cut short by fentanyl in fake pills. DEA and its Overdose Response Team will continue to pursue the dealers and manufacturers who sell this poison,” said Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe. “The only safe pill is one that comes from your doctor or a legitimate pharmacy.”
“This conviction is the result of painstaking work carried out by brave law enforcement officers in an effort to continue to keep these dangerous and deadly drugs out of our communities,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “HSI, alongside our partners, will continue to identify and investigate those who seek to introduce lethal drugs into our communities.”
Atta is scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Todd W. Robinson.
DEFENDANT Case Number 21CR1289
Nameer Mohammad Atta Age: 22 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death – Title 21, U.S. Code, Sections 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(C)
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison, with mandatory minimum 20 years in custody
AGENCIES
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Drug Enforcement Administration
Homeland Security Investigations
Dallas Man Sentenced to Life over Meth Concealed in CauliflowerRead the Press Release
A Dallas man who accepted a delivery of $3.7 million worth of methamphetamine concealed in boxes of cauliflower was sentenced Tuesday to life in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Joaquin Salinas, 48, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn.
“Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that affects tens of thousands of lives every year,” said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas. “Mr. Salinas chose to engage in this illicit activity and now can spend the rest of his life with the consequences of those actions. Lives were saved by keeping these drugs off the street and DEA Dallas will continue to put the health and safety of our North Texas communities first.”According to plea papers, on Aug. 29, 2021, Mr. Salinas received a shipment of approximately 247 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside boxes of cauliflower. Agents put the street value of the methamphetamine at approximately $3.7 million.
At Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, agents testified that their investigation revealed the methamphetamine was imported from Mexico. Further testimony revealed that the defendant had ties to the Sureños XIII criminal street gang and the Puro Tango Blast street and prison gang, both of which have ties to Mexican drug cartels.
Agents also testified that Mr. Salinas had four firearms in his home to protect the drugs and any illegal proceeds.
One of Mr. Salinas’ codefendants, Angel Cabrera, pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is currently awaiting sentencing. His other codefendant, Omar Jorge Valle Estrada, has entered a plea of not guilty and is currently awaiting trial. (Mr. Estrada is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Dallas Police Department, the Hickory Creek Police Department, the Fort Worth Police Department, and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal prosecuted 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.
Cuban National Sentenced for Gas Pump Skimmer SchemeRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Cuban national residing in Groves, Texas has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Orlando Enrique Quesada-Oliva, 25, pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2022 to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale.
According to information presented in court, on Jan. 27, 2017, an officer with the Nacogdoches Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Victor Entenza, 30, and occupied by Ricardo Chavez-Travieso, 29, and Oliva, all Cuban nationals. After the officer discovered a discarded credit card on the ground, near where the driver had been, a search of the vehicle was conducted. A notepad was found that listed various gas stations in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama. The search also produced numerous cell phones, a laptop computer and tape used as a security seal/tamper indicator for gas station fuel pumps. The officer also located a card skimmer, an encoder, a key used to open gas pumps and credit cards located in hidden compartments within the vehicle. Credit card information for a total of nine individuals, other than the occupants of the vehicle, was found either on the computer or in the vehicle. Oliva was indicted on Oct. 8, 2020. Oliva is the last of the three defendants to be sentenced. Entenza and Travieso, were both previously sentenced to 30 months on the same counts.
“Typically, a skimmer, such as the one found in this case, is placed inside a gas pump and used by criminals to collect credit card information from victims using the pump,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “The intended gas purchase will proceed without interruption of any kind or any notification to the victim or third party,” Featherston added. “A single gas station skimmer is capable of storing credit card information for hundreds of victims.”
This case was investigated by the Nacogdoches Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Illegal Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge yesterday sentenced a Northport man for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acting Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
Chief United States District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Dedrick Dawon McDowell, 24, of Northport, to 240 months in prison on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“This young defendant continued to engage in dangerous and illegal activities even after being convicted of a felony. The result is that he must now spend many years in prison,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “We are grateful for the work of the Tuscaloosa and Northport Police Departments, in cooperation with the ATF, in bringing this repeat offender to justice.”
“ATF’s top priority is to reduce violent crime.” SAC French said. “This individual continuously ignored the law in several ways that cause harm to the community. Narcotics distribution and the prevalence of guns on our streets continue to plague our community at alarming rates. Individuals who illegally possess firearms and distribute narcotics will be held accountable for their actions. The ATF will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and apprehend those individuals.”
According to the plea agreement, on November 18, 2020, Northport Police officers responded to a 911 call at mobile home park on Hunter Creek Road in Northport, Alabama. An agent with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force heard the police radio traffic and advised the responding officers that McDowell had numerous outstanding felony warrants. Officers observed McDowell lying down in the back seat of a vehicle. McDowell was ordered out of the vehicle and was arrested on the outstanding warrants. Officers found two small bags of marijuana and $3,700 cash in McDowell’s pockets. The officers recovered a digital scale with cocaine residue, four bottles of Promethazine, most often mixed with a controlled substance to form the popular drug known as “lean”, from a backpack in the front passenger’s seat, orange pills that were confirmed to be Adderall, and a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol on the back floorboard where McDowell had been hiding. The pistol was fully loaded with a round in the chamber.
On June 8, 2021, Tuscaloosa Police officers conducted a traffic stop on McDowell for speeding and failing to signal a lane change. Officers found hydrocodone pills, alprazolam pills, a small bag of marijuana, and $2,000 in McDowell’s possession. Officers then searched the vehicle and found a large bag of marijuana and a Glock .45 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat. The pistol was loaded with a high-capacity extended magazine. The pistol had been reported stolen to the Tuscaloosa Police Department in 2017.
ATF investigated the case along with the Northport Police Department and Tuscaloosa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples prosecuted the case.
Containerboard Manufacturer Will Pay $2.5M for Violating Clean Air Act at its Louisiana MillRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), headquartered in Illinois, has agreed to pay $2.5 million in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause and Risk Management Program Regulations at its containerboard production mill in DeRidder, Louisiana.
In the complaint, filed today with the proposed settlement, the United States and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) allege nine Clean Air Act violations that stem, in part, from a fatal explosion and accidental release at the DeRidder mill on February 8, 2017. The explosion – which killed three workers and injured seven others – launched a 100,000-gallon storage tank into the air and over a six-story building before it landed on mill equipment approximately 400 feet away. The blast also caused property damage and released extremely hazardous substances into the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspected the DeRidder mill after the explosion and uncovered additional Clean Air Act violations.
“PCA violated the Clean Air Act and accompanying regulations at its DeRidder mill, resulting in an explosion that caused the senseless deaths of three workers, while placing other workers and the surrounding community in danger,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division. “The Department will continue enforcing environmental mandates to save lives and protect air quality — especially against companies with a history of misconduct, like PCA.”
“The Clean Air Act was created to provide guidelines for companies such as PCA to adhere to in order to keep our communities safe from hazardous substances,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Sadly, it took an explosion and the loss of lives to highlight PCA’s failure to adhere to some of these guidelines. The Civil Division in the Western District of Louisiana has an important job and welcomes the opportunity to continue to work alongside our federal and local partners to ensure these laws are abided by.”
“This case demonstrates the tragic impacts to human life and the environment that can result from failures to follow appropriate chemical accident prevention and preparation requirements,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This settlement both holds the Packaging Corporation of America accountable for failures that contributed to this accident and sends a clear message to corporations across the country on the importance of implementing appropriate chemical safety measures.”
“This settlement holds Packaging Corporation of America accountable for the harm it has caused to the environment and to the individuals who lost their lives on Feb. 8, 2017,” said Dr. Earthea Nance, EPA Region 6 Administrator. “Legal action will be pursued for companies who fail to safeguard their workers’ well-being. We offer our condolences for all individuals affected by this tragedy.”
“We join with our federal partners in taking action to ensure that this tragic occurrence is properly addressed,” said Dr. Chuck Carr Brown, LDEQ Secretary. “Those responsible must be held accountable.”
Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act and its accompanying regulations are designed to prevent the accidental release of hazardous substances, like those at the DeRidder mill. Congress added section 112(r) in response to the 1984 catastrophic release of methyl isocyanate in Bhopal, India, that killed more than 3,400 people and injured more than 200,000 others. Under the Clean Air Act, facilities like PCA’s are required to identify hazards, design and maintain a safe facility, minimize the consequences of accidental releases that do occur, and comply with regulatory prevention measures. Failing to comply with these requirements increases the risk of accidents and threatens surrounding communities.
Reducing the risk to human health and the environment by decreasing the likelihood of chemical accidents at chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance program.
The proposed stipulation of settlement is subject to a 45-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the stipulation of settlement is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
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Containerboard Manufacturer Will Pay $2.5 Million for Violating Clean Air Act at its Louisiana MillRead the Press Release
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), headquartered in Illinois, has agreed to pay $2.5 million in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause and Risk Management Program Regulations at its containerboard production mill in DeRidder, Louisiana.
In the complaint, filed today with the proposed settlement, the United States and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) allege nine Clean Air Act violations that stem, in part, from a fatal explosion and accidental release at the DeRidder mill on Feb. 8, 2017. The explosion – which killed three workers and injured seven others – launched a 100,000-gallon storage tank into the air and over a six-story building before it landed on mill equipment approximately 400 feet away. The blast also caused property damage and released extremely hazardous substances into the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspected the DeRidder mill after the explosion, and uncovered additional Clean Air Act violations.
“PCA violated the Clean Air Act and accompanying regulations at its DeRidder mill, resulting in an explosion that caused the senseless deaths of three workers, while placing other workers and the surrounding community in danger,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division. “The department will continue enforcing environmental mandates to save lives and protect air quality — especially against companies with a history of misconduct, like PCA.”
“The Clean Air Act was created to provide guidelines for companies such as PCA to adhere to in order to keep our communities safe from hazardous substances,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Sadly, it took an explosion and the loss of lives to highlight PCA’s failure to adhere to some of these guidelines. The Civil Division in the Western District of Louisiana has an important job and welcomes the opportunity to continue to work alongside our federal and local partners to ensure these laws are abided by.”
“This case demonstrates the tragic impacts to human life and the environment that can result from failures to follow appropriate chemical accident prevention and preparation requirements,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This settlement both holds the Packaging Corporation of America accountable for failures that contributed to this accident and sends a clear message to corporations across the country on the importance of implementing appropriate chemical safety measures.”
“This settlement holds Packaging Corporation of America accountable for the harm it has caused to the environment and to the individuals who lost their lives on Feb. 8, 2017,” said Dr. Earthea Nance, EPA Region 6 Administrator. “Legal action will be pursued for companies who fail to safeguard their workers’ well-being. We offer our condolences for all individuals affected by this tragedy.”
“We join with our federal partners in taking action to ensure that this tragic occurrence is properly addressed,” said Dr. Chuck Carr Brown, LDEQ Secretary. “Those responsible must be held accountable.”
Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act and its accompanying regulations are designed to prevent the accidental release of hazardous substances, like those at the DeRidder mill. Congress added section 112(r) in response to the 1984 catastrophic release of methyl isocyanate in Bhopal, India, that killed more than 3,400 people and injured more than 200,000 others. Under the Clean Air Act, facilities like PCA’s are required to identify hazards, design and maintain a safe facility, minimize the consequences of accidental releases that do occur, and comply with regulatory prevention measures. Failing to comply with these requirements increases the risk of accidents and threatens surrounding communities.
Reducing the risk to human health and the environment by decreasing the likelihood of chemical accidents at chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance program.
The proposed stipulation of settlement is subject to a 45-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the stipulation of settlement is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
Charlotte Man Is Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for the Armed Robbery of Two Cell Phone Retail StoresRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney sentenced Rashawn William Coleman, 24, of Charlotte, to 22 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for the armed robbery of two cell phone retail stores, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Michael C. Scherck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina, Chief Chad Hawkins of the Belmont Police Department, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, on June 27, 2020, the Belmont Police Department responded to a service call for an armed robbery at the Cricket Wireless store located at 617 Park Street, in Belmont, North Carolina. Upon arriving at the location, a store employee told law enforcement that an individual, later identified as Coleman, entered the store posing as a customer and inquired about purchasing a cell phone. Over the course of their exchange, Coleman asked if there were any lower priced phones available. While the employee was in the back of the store looking through the cell phone inventory, he saw Coleman standing in the doorway pointing a gun at him. Coleman then ordered the employee to hand over all of the iPhones and other high valued cell phones. Court records show that Coleman also ordered the employee to load the store’s safe in Coleman’s vehicle before fleeing the scene.
On July 29, 2020, the Belmont Police Department responded to a service call regarding the armed robbery of an AT&T Wireless store located at 6509 Wilkinson Boulevard in Belmont. Responding officers investigating the robbery interviewed a store employee who said she had been robbed at gun point. The employee explained that at approximately 7:37 p.m., an individual later identified as Coleman entered the store and began to inquire about purchasing a cell phone. While the employee was at the computer looking through available inventory, Coleman came around the counter and pointed a firearm at her. Coleman then ordered the store employee to place all the cell phones from the safe in his bag. Coleman then fled the scene in his vehicle.
Following the robbery, CMPD officers located Coleman driving his vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Coleman did not obey and attempted to evade the police before he was arrested. Inside Coleman’s vehicle, law enforcement located the stolen cell phones, a firearm, and a magazine that contained 15 bullets.
On December 13, 2021, Coleman pleaded guilty to two counts of possession and brandishing of a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence. He is currently in custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI, the Belmont Police Department, and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Career Criminal Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A career criminal pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to trafficking fentanyl while still on supervised release for a previous federal conviction.
Ozair Pereira, 34, of Brockton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and four counts of distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2022. Earlier this afternoon, Pereira was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to two years in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release.
“Today, Mr. Pereira admitted to his role in a conspiracy that sought to profit off addiction and harm,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Even more troubling, Mr. Pereira engaged in this criminal conduct while on federal supervised release for a prior drug trafficking conviction. Opioids continue to cause irreversible destruction and chaos in communities across our Commonwealth and the nation. Two thousand lives were lost last year in Massachusetts, people stolen from us that will never return. We will attack this problem with every resource we have. The goal is to cut the flow of deadly narcotics onto our streets. Drug traffickers, especially repeat offenders, be warned – you will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
On four occasions in February and March 2021, Pereira worked with co-defendant Robert Roscoe and others to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl. At the time of the offense, Pereira was on supervised release for a prior federal drug trafficking offense. Specifically, in 2018, Pereira and several other defendants were arrested as part of a wide-ranging investigation targeting drug trafficking and violence in Brockton. Pereira was intercepted on a court-authorized wiretap ordering heroin from a drug supplier. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin.
On June 30, 2022, Roscoe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24, 2022.
Because of his prior federal conviction, on the charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, Pereira faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least eight years of supervised release and a fine of $8 million. The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez; and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Byram Man Sentenced to over Nine Years in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Byram man was sentenced to 115 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Dave Venard Thompson, 41, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Jackson.
The case is the result of an extensive investigation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in central Mississippi that involved the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and cocaine. On March 9, 2018, the FBI learned that two men from California driving a black Dodge Ram truck were in the tri-county area of Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties of Central Mississippi to pick up narcotics. Agents placed the truck under surveillance and saw an occupant of the truck deliver a package to the Post Office in Jackson. On March 12, 2018, local law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the truck and found $19,770 in cash hidden in the truck. The postal package that was seized by the Postal Inspector contained almost 1 kilogram of heroin and 1 kilogram of fentanyl.
Thompson was indicted by a federal grand jury and subsequently pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed “Fire and Ice,” which began as an operation targeting illegal drug trafficking in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi area. “Fire and Ice” 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 case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Madison County Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Keesha Middleton.
Brockton Man Sentenced in Sophisticated Drug Trafficking Conspiracy that Operated Using the Dark WebRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a highly sophisticated drug trafficking operation that manufactured and distributed a multitude of controlled substances using the Dark Web.
Steven McCall, 26, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release. McCall was also ordered to forfeit his vehicle, a 2012 BMW 535 sedan. The government recommended a sentence of 70 months in prison. On June 28, 2022, McCall pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, Ketamine and Alprazolam (Xanax).
McCall was indicted in June 2019 along with co-conspirators Binh Thanh Le and Allante Pires. Le, who was the ringleader of the drug-trafficking operation, created and operated a vendor site called “EastSideHigh” in marketplaces on the Dark Network, more commonly known as the Dark Web. The Dark Web is any portion of the internet that can only be accessed with specific software, configurations or authorization that anonymize internet traffic. Le used these Dark Web markets to advertise various drugs for sale, including cocaine, MDMA, Ketamine and Xanax. Le ordered and received wholesale quantities of the drugs he and the others were distributing in the mail, principally from foreign sources in Canada and Europe. McCall and Pires then processed and manufactured those controlled substances at an office space Le rented in Stoughton. After receiving the orders and payment via Bitcoin, the men mailed the drugs to customers throughout the United States.
At the time of his arrest, McCall had been manufacturing and packaging controlled substances at the co-conspirators’ stash location in Stoughton and was wearing latex gloves and a respirator.
Over 19 kilograms of MDMA, almost seven kilograms of Ketamine, nearly one kilogram of cocaine, more than 10,000 counterfeit Xanax pills and over $114,000 in cash were seized by authorities during the investigation. Investigators also recovered a computer with the “EastSideHigh” vendor page open, numerous packages containing MDMA and Ketamine, various shipping and packaging materials and a pill press from the office space in Stoughton.
McCall is the final defendant in this case to be sentenced. On March 10, 2022, Le was sentenced to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release. Le was also ordered to forfeit more than 59 Bitcoin (representing a forfeiture in excess of $1.1 million), $114,680 in cash, $42,390 representing the proceeds from the sale of a 2018 BMW M3, along with other items including a pill press and currency counter. On Sept. 8, 2022, Pires was sentenced to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 70 months in prison. Pires was also ordered to forfeit a 2013 Mercedes E sedan.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance with the investigation was provided by the Homeland Security Investigations in Colorado; Postal Inspectors from around the country; and the Stoughton, Norwood and Brockton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Box Elder woman sentenced to 10 years in prison in fatal shooting on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder woman who admitted to a firearms crime after fatally shooting a man while she was in his car on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Shaide Jo Demontiney, 19, pleaded guilty in June to use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $3,474 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 16, 2021, tribal police officers responded to a report of a shooting in Box Elder and found a deceased man. Officers learned that Demontiney had shot the man and driven away. Officers arrested Demontiney a short time later after the car she was driving broke down on the highway. Demontiney had a .380-caliber handgun and the victim’s cell phone. Demontiney told investigators that she had been in the car with the victim and had grabbed a handgun from her purse after he had offered her money and drugs for sex and touched her inappropriately. After the victim made another remark, Demontiney shot him in the chest.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department.
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Boston Man Sentenced for Role in Armed Robbery of Brockton Cell Phone StoreRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in the January 2019 robbery of a T-Mobile store in Brockton and shooting at police officers as he and his co-defendants fled the scene.
Dennis Martin, 27, of Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Douglas P. Woodlock to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release. In August 2019, Martin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; interference with commerce by robbery; brandishing, using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Martin was charged in 2019 along with co-conspirators Stephan Rosser-Stewart, Darius Carter and Diovanni Carter.
On the evening of Jan. 26, 2019, Martin, Rosser-Stewart and Darius Carter entered a T-Mobile store in Brockton, carrying semi-automatic firearms, which they pointed at the store manager as they demanded cash and electronics. Darius Carter struck the store manager in the head with a firearm. The men stole approximately $25,000 in cash and electronics and then fled in a vehicle driven by Diovanni Carter.
Police located the getaway vehicle and a high-speed chase ensued, reaching speeds of over 70 mph in residential neighborhoods. During the chase, Diovanni Carter ordered the other men in the car to fire at pursuing police cruisers. Rosser-Stewart and Darius Carter fired a total of eight rounds at the pursuing police cruisers. Law enforcement apprehended Martin, Rosser-Stewart and Darius Carter after an object on the road disabled their vehicle and recovered the stolen phones, cash and the three firearms used in robbery. Diovanni Carter fled the scene when the car was stopped and was later apprehended in March 2019. Martin, Rosser-Stewart, Darius Carter and Diovanni Carter were each prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior criminal convictions. Martin was previously convicted of armed robbery.
On Sept. 8, 2022, Rosser-Stewart, was sentenced to 16 years in prison and two years of supervised release. In March 2021, Darius Carter pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 years in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to his role in the robbery. In March 2020, Diovanni Carter was convicted by a federal jury and sentenced to over 22 years in prison.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Douglas Bartlett, Acting U.S. Marshal of the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr.; and Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Bayard man sentenced to 10 years in prison for child pornographyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Timothy Andrew Marquez was sentenced on Sept. 27 to 10 years and one month in prison. Marquez, 27, of Bayard, New Mexico, pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2018, to receiving child pornography.
According to court records, on Dec. 18, 2017, Dropbox Inc. submitted a cyber tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child pornography being downloaded into a Dropbox account associated with Marquez’s email address. The IP address associated with the uploaded photos came back to Marquez’s residence in Bayard.
In his plea agreement, Marquez admitted to receiving child pornography in his Dropbox account on Nov. 6, 2017, and that he knew the material depicted a child engaging in sexual activity with an adult.
Upon his release from prison, Marquez will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
Homeland Security Investigations, the New Mexico State Police and the Las Cruces Police Department investigated this case as part of the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Eliot Neal and Marissa A. Ong prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
The ICAC Task Force Program is a nation-wide network of task forces including over 90 federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies in New Mexico dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to Internet crimes against children.
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Arizona meth conspiracy results in second local federal convictionRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 55-year-old Corpus Christi resident has pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
As part of his plea, Antonio Montes admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to distribute meth which spanned from March 1 to Oct. 22, 2021. He had agreed to receive packages of meth shipped from Arizona and would receive approximately $200 per box he accepted.
The investigation began in September 2021. At that time, law enforcement had discovered Montes was receiving parcels containing meth from Phoenix, Arizona, to then be distributed in the Corpus Christi area.
On Oct. 21, 2021, authorities executed a search warrant at a co-conspirator’s residence. There, they found a box containing meth residue. The address written on that box was traced to the residence of Montes which had been delivered there Oct. 5, 2021.
Law enforcement later learned that UPS delivered three packages to Montes. Each contained five pounds of meth and hydroponic marijuana. The delivery service had left the packages on the porch.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing on Dec. 21. At that time, Montes faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour is prosecuting the case.
Arizona Man Sentenced to Five Years’ Imprisonment for Transporting over 5 Kilograms of Cocaine in IowaRead the Press Release
Scott Pride, 69, from Tucson, AZ, was sentenced on September 27, 2022, to 5 years’ imprisonment, in federal court in Sioux City.
On May 5, 2022, Pride pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on January 16, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Pride for speeding in his 2011 Silver Lexus IS. After suspecting possible drug trafficking, a police K-9 was deployed and alerted to the odor of a controlled substance within the vehicle. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located five heat-sealed, brick-type packages containing over 5 kilograms of cocaine concealed within the rear seat of the vehicle.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Pride was sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment and must serve a 4-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Pride remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-4006. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Alabama Man Sentenced to a Year and a Day in Prison for Defrauding Jefferson County Retirement PlanRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge on Monday sentenced an Alabama man for devising a scheme to defraud Jefferson County’s retirement plan, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Felix A. Rivera-Esparra.
U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Gary Dean Gibbs, Jr., 52, to one year and one day for wire fraud. Gibbs was also ordered to pay $132,646.12 restitution to the General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County. Gibb’s pleaded guilty to the charges in May.
According to the plea agreement, Gibbs’ father was a former employee of Jefferson County, Alabama, who was receiving benefits from The General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County (“GRS”). GRS is a retirement plan that provides benefits to retired and disabled employees of Jefferson County, Alabama. Beginning in September 2017 and continuing until February 2022, Gibbs concealed his father’s death from GRS and collected money from GRS to which he was not entitled. Gibbs used his father’s personal identifiers and forged his father’s signature on documents submitted to GRS to further his scheme. Additionally, Gibbs assumed his father’s identity during telephone calls with GRS employees. Gibbs collected approximately $132,646.12 to which he was not entitled.
“The defendant’s theft of money from the GRS was detrimental to the hard-working employees and retirees of Jefferson County, who contributed for years to the retirement plan, and was appropriately punished by time in federal prison.” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “The United States Attorney’s Office appreciates the work of the FBI and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the cooperation of the GRS during the investigation and prosecution of this matter.”
“Gibbs' fraudulent scheme took money away from the Jefferson County retirement system intended for those who have saved for their later years,”. Acting SAC Rivera said. The sentence handed down today holds him accountable for his actions and allows for restitution to the victims. I want to express my thanks to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for their partnership and assistance in this investigation.”
The FBI investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney George Martin prosecuted the case.
39 ‘Taste the Rainbow’ Defendants SentenceRead the Press Release
Thirty-nine defendants charged in Operation “Taste the Rainbow” have been sentenced to a combined 415 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
The men and women, all allegedly tied to methamphetamine trafficking in and around Lubbock, were charged in a series of three indictments with an array of federal crimes, primarily distribution of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms, and conspiracy, in September 2021. The final defendant, 39-year-old Jesse Martinez Jr., aka JJ, was sentenced on Wednesday to 262 months. In plea papers, Mr. Martinez admitted that he arranged for the sale of methamphetamine to a confidential informant and directed one of his associates to deliver it.
Over the course of the investigation – which involved more than 200 personnel from nine different law enforcement agencies – officers and agents seized more than two kilogram of methamphetamine and 25 guns. The organization was found to have distributed dozens of kilograms of methamphetamine in the Lubbock community.
“Thanks to the hard work of literally hundreds of officers and agents, along with a few dedicated prosecutors, we are keeping 39 of Lubbock’s most violent drug traffickers off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham. “We know, based on their criminal histories, that these men and women were not only dealing large quantities of drugs, but sowing fear and agony in the community. We are proud to put them behind bars.”
“We heard the concerns of the residents of Lubbock and greater West Texas, and brought every possible resource to dismantle the criminal element in this investigation. Today’s final sentencing illustrates the commitment we have to ensure people and families can live in their neighborhoods without living in fear,” said Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners every day to target the diverse and dangerous threats that drive violence in our communities.”
Additional defendants include:
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Oscar Alcala, Jr., 30, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison
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Teresa Delhierro, 38, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 180 months in prison
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Stephanie Shea Ortiz, 38, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 108 months in prison
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Isaac Levi Hernandez, aka “Pacman,” 37, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 160 months in prison
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Robert Rangel, Jr., 47, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 188 months in prison
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Sergio Lopez, 41, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 175 months in prison
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Symon Anthony Maldonado, 26, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 151 months in prison
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Samantha Denise Rodriguez, 38, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 214 months in prison
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Michael Joseph Ybarra, 37, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 121 months in prison
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Christopher Ray Lovington, 35, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 324 months in prison
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Megan Francisca Gomez, 28, plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 84 months in prison
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Gabriel Lee Mendoza, 30, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison
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Jessie Luciano Salazar, aka “Lucky,” 45, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 230 months in prison
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Ruby Alexis Banuelos, 23, plead guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 46 months in prison
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Adriana Pena, 26, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 70 months in prison
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Alexandria Unique Conner, 24, plead guilty to possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 60 months in prison
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Bobby Joe Garcia, aka “Ace,” 28, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 108 months in prison
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Christopher Eldon Limbaugh, aka “Skittles,” 38, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison
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Christopher Daniel Garcia, 39, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 121 months in prison
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Bobbi Jean Hendrix, 33, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 84 months in prison
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Alexandra Cruz, 25, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison
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James Raul Garza, 37, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 230 months in prison
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David Bustos, Jr., 40, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison
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Gerald Felipe Vargas, aka “Gizmo,” 36, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 160 months in prison
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Julie Ann Sifuentes, aka “Juicy,” 36, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 66 months in prison
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Daniel Ramon, Jr., 41, plead guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 60 months in prison
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Kelsey Marie Applegate, 28, plead guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 60 months in prison
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Toby Mack Woods, 62, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 24 months in prison
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Katie Dshawn Montez, 28, plead guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 60 months in person
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Beatrice Delgado, 37, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 121 months in prison
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Colten Shane White, 29, plead guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 33 months in prison
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Madison Whitney Michaels, 23, plead guilty to misprision (concealment) of a felony and was sentenced to 15 months in prison
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Mark Adam Alonzo, aka “Cinco,” 31, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 128 months in prison
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Alejandro Antonio Mendez, aka “Ace,” 27, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 110 months in prison
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Edilberto Reyes, aka “Pajaro” (Bird), 35, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison
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Reynaldo Cruz, Jr., 50, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in prison
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Yesenia Flores, 40, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 151 months in prison
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Christopher Joshua Ruiz, 39, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 151 months in prison
Those put behind bars by this operation included many violent recidivists; between them, the convicted defendants have been previously charged with 31 assaults, nine burglaries, three robberies, a murder, 24 firearm crimes, 69 serious controlled substance violations, three terroristic threats, a forgery, 12 frauds, and a child sexual assault.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Division – Lubbock Resident Agency and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation with the help of six agency partners: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, the Lubbock Police Department, the U.S. Marshals, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is prosecuting the case.
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27 September 2022
Woman from Taos arraigned for assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Kylie Lujan was arraigned on an indictment charging her with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. Lujan, 25, of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Taos Pueblo, will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
A federal grand jury indicted Lujan on Sept. 13. According to the indictment, on March 25, Lujan assaulted the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in the victim’s home in Taos Pueblo. Jane Doe is an enrolled member of the Taos Pueblo, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Lujan faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew McGinley is prosecuting the case.
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Washington, Iowa Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – Kendal Duane Letcher, age 64 of Washington, Iowa, was sentenced on Monday, September 26, 2022, to 180 months in prison following his plea to a charge of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. Letcher was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to each of his four victims, totaling $12,000.
According to court documents, an investigation into a peer-to-peer file sharing system identified that Letcher was allowing others to download child pornography that he made available. Letcher admitted to viewing child pornography for the past ten years, as well as utilizing the file sharing system since 2014. The investigation revealed that Letcher had amassed 3,785 images and 485 videos containing child sex abuse materials.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nationwide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.
U.S. Attorney, FBI bring murder charge in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Evan Haceesa was charged with murder in Indian Country. Haceesa, 30, of Nageezi, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared for a preliminary and detention hearing on Sept. 23 and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
As alleged in a criminal complaint, on Aug. 28, Haceesa attacked his girlfriend, identified as Jane Doe, at his residence in Nageezi on the Navajo Nation. Haceesa allegedly punched Jane Doe in the face until she lost consciousness and kicked her several times. Upon arriving at the home, a Navajo Police Department officer responding to a report of domestic violence found the victim unclothed and unresponsive, lying in a wheelbarrow outside the house.
Jane Doe was transported to the San Juan Regional Medical Center for treatment. She initially was diagnosed with a fractured nose, bruising, scratches, bowel lacerations and bleeding in the bowels. Computed Tomography (CT) scans revealed blood and air in Jane Doe’s abdomen, a perforated intestine, bleeding around the intestines, a bilateral nose fracture and partially collapsed lungs.
On Sept. 8, Jane Doe died of her injuries.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Haceesa faces life in prison.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew McGinley is prosecuting the case.
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Two Oklahoma Men Plead Guilty to Racially-Motivated Hate CrimeRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that two men, Devan Nathanial Johnson, 28, and Brandon Wayne Killian, 31, pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
On Jan. 18, 2022, a federal grand jury in the Western District of Oklahoma returned a two-count Indictment charging both defendants, who are white, with physically assaulting a Black man — as well as the Black man’s white friend — in the parking lot of the Brickhouse Saloon in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The indictment alleges that the assault occurred because of the Black man’s race and color.
According to statements made before District Judge Bernard Jones at the plea hearings in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma this week, both defendants admitted to assaulting the Black man in the parking lot of the bar on June 22, 2019, because the man was Black. The assault resulted in bodily injury to the victim.
“These two defendants are being held accountable for subjecting a Black man to a brutal and racially motivated assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Convictions like these make clear that the Department of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who violently assault others because of their race or the color of their skin.”
“The defendants targeted a Black victim for a brutal attack simply because of the color of his skin,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Hate-fueled criminal conduct is morally reprehensible and can never be acceptable in a civilized society. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to combat all hate crimes.”
“Violent acts of hate and racism have no place in our community and will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Division. “The FBI will continue to use all authority granted to us by federal law to investigate crimes motivated by bias, and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
At sentencing, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $ 250,000 for the violation. Both defendants will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim of their crime.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Troester and Special Agent in Charge Gray made the announcement.
The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Barry for the Western District Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Avner Shapiro of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
Two Oklahoma Men Plead Guilty to Racially-Motivated Hate CrimeRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Department of Justice announced today that two men, Devan Nathanial Johnson, 28, and Brandon Wayne Killian, 31, pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, United States Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office made the announcement.
On January 18, 2022, a federal grand in the Western District of Oklahoma returned a two-count Indictment charging both defendants, who are white, with physically assaulting a Black man—as well as the Black man’s white friend—in the parking lot of the Brickhouse Saloon in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Indictment alleges that the assault occurred because of the Black man’s race and color.
According to statements made before District Judge Bernard Jones at the plea hearings in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma this week, both defendants admitted to assaulting the Black man in the parking lot of the bar on June 22, 2019, because the man was Black. The assault resulted in bodily injury to the victim.
"These two defendants are being held accountable for subjecting a Black man to a brutal and racially motivated assault," said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. "Convictions like these make clear that the Department of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who violently assault others because of their race or the color of their skin."
"The defendants targeted a Black victim for a brutal attack simply because of the color of his skin," said United States Attorney Troester. "Hate-fueled criminal conduct is morally reprehensible and can never be acceptable in a civilized society. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to combat all hate crimes."
"Violent acts of hate and racism have no place in our community and will not be tolerated," said Special Agent in Charge Gray. "The FBI will continue to use all authority granted to us by federal law to investigate crimes motivated by bias, and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice."
At sentencing, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for the violation. Both defendants will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim of their crime.
The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Barry for the Western District Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Avner Shapiro of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Twice-Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing and Receiving Child Pornography Through His Google AccountRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – William Cass, 57, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution and receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents, law enforcement learned that between April 25, 2021, and April 27, 2021, Cass used his Google account to send images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct to another Google user. Cass told the Google user that he was seeking other children to sexually abuse. Evidence from Cass’s Google account revealed that in addition to distributing child sexual abuse material, Cass maintained a photo folder containing additional child sexual abuse material.
Cass has two prior felony convictions in Hancock County Indiana, for sexual misconduct with a minor and child molesting. Cass has a third felony conviction in Marion County, Indiana, for vicarious sexual gratification.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Jeffrey Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, made the announcement.
The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case in conjunction with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. As part of the sentence, Judge Sweeney ordered that Cass be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following his release from federal prison and ordered Cass to pay $5000 in restitution to the child exploitation victim. Cass must also register as sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina M. Korobov who prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies led by the Indiana State Police. The Task Force is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting crimes involving the technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children and the trafficking of child sexual abuse material. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. In fiscal year 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the Southern District of Indiana was second out of the 94 federal districts in the country for the number of child sexual exploitation cases prosecuted.
Three Individuals Indicted for Distributing Controlled Substances Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Darryl Elliott, age 36, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, Steven Pierro, age 34, of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and Heather Carper, age 34, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, were indicted on September 20, 2022, by a federal grand jury and charged with the distribution of controlled substances resulting in death.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Elliott, Pierro, and Carper of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine within the Middle District of Pennsylvania, resulting in an overdose death that occurred in Lewisburg, Union County.
The charges stem from a joint investigation involving the FBI in Williamsport, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Sunbury Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case was also 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.
The maximum penalty under federal law is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Texas Man and Woman Indicted for Money Laundering for Online Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Texas man and woman were indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly operating an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online investment fraud and romance fraud schemes.
Charles Ochi, 27, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Vanessa Okocha, 24, of Houston, Texas were indicted on one count each of money laundering conspiracy, one count of conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Ochi will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. Okocha remains at large.
According to the charging documents, beginning in or around 2016, Ochi and Okocha conspired with others to launder and transmit proceeds of Ponzi-style investment fraud schemes based in Nigeria and of romance scams. Specifically, the investment fraud schemes allegedly purported to offer trading and Bitcoin investing services when, in fact, investor funds were stolen and victims’ investments were later used to pay purported returns to earlier investors. The romance fraud schemes deceived online victims into sending money to persons with whom they believed they had a romantic relationship. It is alleged that Ochi and Okocha laundered the fraud proceeds as part of aa network of co-conspirators in the United States, including the owners of at least two used car exporting companies. Ochi and Okocha, along with their co-conspirators, did not hold money transmitting licenses in their respective states of residence, nor were they registered as money transmitters as required by federal law.
The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business and the charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Division of Enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Texas Man Admits Chartering Plan to Bring Cocaine from Houston to PittsburghRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Houston, Texas pleaded guilty in federal court to violation federal narcotics laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Cindy Chung announced today.
Jesus Gonzalez, age 36, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand. Gonzalez was one of 47 defendants charged in six related indictments as part of the Return to Sender investigation.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on October 22, 2020, Gonzalez and three other individuals chartered a private plane and transported six kilograms of cocaine from Houston to Pittsburgh International Airport. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the plane and seized the cocaine from two pieces of luggage.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for Feb. 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine not to exceed $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered the defendant remain out on bond.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan D. Lusty and Michael R. Ball are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
TOMORROW: United States Attorney’s Office Co-Sponsoring West Virginia Civil and Human Rights SummitRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia is co-sponsoring “Building Bridges: West Virginia Civil and Human Rights Summit” with the City of Charleston on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. West Virginia State University is hosting the event.
The summit begins at 9 a.m. with opening remarks from U.S. Attorney Thompson, Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin and West Virginia State University President Dr. Ericke Cage. The morning will also feature recorded remarks by U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke and an overview of federal hate crime enforcement actions. Afternoon sessions will cover breaking down barriers created by racial bias, civil rights and people with disabilities, civil rights and domestic terrorism, human rights and fair housing, and deprivation of rights under color of law violations.
The summit is sponsored in partnership with: the Charleston Police Department; Disability Rights of West Virginia; Fairness West Virginia; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Islamic Association of West Virginia; Legal Aid of West Virginia; the West Virginia NAACP; Temple Israel WV; the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence; the West Virginia Council of Churches; the West Virginia Department of Education; the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council; the West Virginia Human Rights Commission; the West Virginia State Police; and YWCA Charleston.
WHAT: Building Bridges: West Virginia Civil and Human Rights Summit
WHEN: Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
WHERE: West Virginia State University, Institute; P. Ahmed Williams Auditorium, Ferrell Hall, and James C. Wilson University Union.
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.
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St. Louis County Man Who Stole Nearly $600,000 from the Home Depot Sentenced to 9 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Vinita Park, Missouri who stole nearly $600,000 in items from The Home Depot and then returned them for gift cards was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White also ordered Xavier Brown, 46, to repay the retailer $598,036.
Brown, who also goes by Xaiviar Brown, was convicted by a jury in May of four counts of wire fraud and one count of unauthorized use of an access device.
From 2017 to 2021, Brown stole from Home Depot stores and then made more than 1,900 returns of that merchandise across 20 states, using more than 1,700 different temporary drivers licenses to conceal his scheme. Brown, having no receipts, was given store credit or gift cards.
“There’s a reason that the saying ‘Crime doesn’t pay’ has stood the test of time. Xavier Brown hid his scheme by defrauding Home Depot in different states until it caught up to him,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI St. Louis Division. “As soon as Home Depot detected Brown’s suspicious activities, the business contacted the FBI which resulted in today’s nine-year sentence in federal prison.”
The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane prosecuted the case.